DAILY FROM: AHMEDABAD, CHANDIGARH, DELHI, JAIPUR, KOLKATA, LUCKNOW, MUMBAI,NAGPUR, PUNE, VADODARA

JOURNALISM OF COURAGE MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2020, AHMEDABAD, LATE CITY, 14 PAGES SINCE 1932 `4.00, WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM

STANDOFF OVER THREEFARM LAWS FIRST INDIAN CANDIDATE TO DO SO After Pfizer, Pune Unitedoverprotests,Opplendsweightto lab seeks nodfor farmers’callforBharatBandhtomorrow emergencyuse of

Joint statement Protestscan its Oxford vaccine by Cong, NCP, spread,warns RJD, Left, SP; AAP, PAYALBANERJEE Pawar; Akalis NEWDELHI,DECEMBER6 TMC,TRS pledge THE SERUM Institute of India on support too get support Sundayappliedtothe Drugs Controller General of India of Shiv Sena (DCGI) foremergency use autho- MANOJCG risation forits OxfordCovid-19 NEWDELHI,DECEMBER6 vaccine in the country, official EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE sources said. AS MANY as 15 parties opposed MUMBAI,DECEMBER6 The vaccine, developedbySII to the BJP,manyrunning state with Oxfordand AstraZeneca, is During aPunjabPublic governments,extendedsupport ADELEGATION of the Shiromani the firstcandidatethat’s being ServiceCommission exam Sundaytothe December 8 Akali Dal, theBJP’s ally in Punjab tested in India to seekemer- in Patiala on Sunday. Bharat Bandh call givenby thatquitthe alliance protesting gency approval. HarmeetSodhi protesting farmer groups.This the farm Bills, metMaharashtra This comes aday afterthe coalition is being seen as are- Chief MinisterUddhavThackeray Indian arm of US pharmaceuti- newedattempt by the belea- Sunday to secureShivSena’s sup- cal giant Pfizer sought asimilar wasnot associated with an in- guered political opposition to port forthe ongoing farmers’ ag- approval from India'sdrug reg- creasednumber of severe ad- push the NDAtoconcede on the itation. ulator to use itsCovid-19vaccine verse eventsand deaths. threefarm laws it had passedin The meeting took place at the candidateinIndia. Therefore, Covishield is safeand September ignoring calls for CM’s official bungalowVarsha in Citing the SII application, of- well-toleratedand can beusedef- morediscussion and scrutiny. Mumbai. The Akaliteam wasled ficial sources said the firm has fectively forprevention of Covid- The support the farmers’ ag- by itsvice president and MP, stated that datafromfour clinical 19 in the targeted population. itationand the Bandh call have Prem Singh Chandumajra. studies, twointhe UK and one Thus, the benefit to risk ratio elicited is similar to thebroad Agameofcricketonthe desertedNational Highway-9connecting Delhi to Ghaziabad as farmerscontinue theirprotestat "UddhavThackeray has as- eachinBrazil andIndia, shows strongly supports thewidespread Opposition unity whichemerged the border of the national capital on Sunday. Prem Nath Pandey sured us thatthe ShivSena will that Covishield is highlyeffica- use of Covishield," asource said in 2015 against amendmentsto supportall the programmes pur- cious againstsymptomatic and quoting the application. the Land Acquisition Act. suedinthe interestoffarmers. mostimportantlyagainstsevere ENSadds: TheIndian Express Lastyear,several Chief The MaharashtraCMalso prom- COVID-19infections. has learnt that DGCI has placed Ministers and parties had an- isedtocome to Delhi and attend The resultsare in line with Pfizer's application foremer- nouncedtheiroppositiontothe BUSINESSASUSUAL Short of repeal, Govt is open to acoordination committee two findingsfromtrials of other anti- gency use approval before a Citizenship (Amendment) Act weekslater to draw up afuture coronavirus vaccines, the firm is committee of experts,whichwill and aproposednationwide BY UNNY plan,” said Chandumajra. learnt to have said while citing examine the dataofits clinical National RegisterofCitizenslast options and ready for long haul Akali Dal veteranParkash the hugedisease burden to say trial conducted abroad. year but could notforce the Singh Badal will lead the coordi- Covishield is well placedtoalle- Topgovernment sources un- CONTINUEDONPAGE2 ers, atop governmentofficial provisions of the laws,givea nation committee. Ahead of its viateCovid-19mortality and derlinedthat the regulatory KRISHNKAUSHIK, told TheIndianExpress. written assurance on MSP and meeting, SADleaders were morbidity. process of emergency authori- THE EDITORIAL PAGE LIZMATHEW& Thetop government official procurement, but farmer repre- meeting severalregional politi- "In termsof safety,Covishield sationapprovals forvaccinecan- HARKISHANSHARMA said that “the resolution can only sentativesinsistedonarepeal of cal parties acrossstatestoseek waswell tolerated with respect didates being tested in India, ADEMOCRACY NEWDELHI,DECEMBER6 be found through discussions” all three laws. their support. High on their to solicited adverse eventsand CONTINUEDONPAGE2 and addedthat if the farmers are Giving in to this will under- agenda is ameeting with NCP TUTORIAL THERE IS “no question of repeal- willing to continuetheir protests line alackofpolitical will and president Sharad Pawar, too. Government needs to do ing”the three laws againstwhich forlong,the government is “also could “permanentlydamage” Indeed, before theSena-Akali CITES ‘ROVING ENQUIRY’ BY CBI morehardworktoget farmers areprotesting but “all prepared”. prospectsofbringing in much- meeting, NCPveteran andfor- reforms through other options” areopen as the He wasspeakingaday after neededagriculturereforms,said mer AgricultureMinisterSharad PAGE 6 government discusses the range the government told farmers it asenior leader.Given this, one Pawar, accompaniedbyDeputy Roshni land scam: After of issues flagged by farmer lead- waswilling to amendcertain CONTINUEDONPAGE2 CONTINUEDONPAGE2 waving ‘tainted list,’ J&K seeks HC review 19-yr-old steals In Gujarat, Rs 93 crore fine PSUs give `155 cr from Rs 2.71 Lfrom ARUNSHARMA ED Landless collected for violationof staff salaries to PM fund JAMMU,DECEMBER6 vs PLAIN E ● ‘wealthy’ grandmother maskrule, spitting in public DAYS AFTER MAKINGpublic EX SHYAMLALYADAV YOUR RIGHT namesofprominent politicians to play online cases under IndianPenal Code NEWDELHI,DECEMBER6 TO KNOW of Opposition parties occupying THE annulment of the EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE section 188for disobedience to stateland, the Jammu and Roshni Actbythe High games, held AHMEDABAD,DECEMBER6 order givenbypublicservant.We APARTFROMoverRs2,400crore Kashmir governmenthas sought Courtput the spotlight have fined21,40,384persons till in CorporateSocial Responsibility AN EXPRESS RTI areviewofthe J&K HighCourt’s on prominent politicians EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE SINCE THE nation wide Covid-19 nowfor notwearing masksand (CSR) funds, over 100PSUs from APPLICATION October 9judgment which ab who benefited from its AHMEDABAD,DECEMBER6 lockdown in March till spitting in public places to the acrosssectors have together initio declared theJ&K StateLand provisions. But there December 5, Rs 93.56 crorehas tune of Rs 93,56,94,600,” read the contributednearly Rs 155crore (Vesting of Ownership to were thousands of com- A19-YEAR-OLD man has been been collectedaspenaltyfrom statement from the office of from staffsalaries to thePrime TOPCONTRIBUTORS Occupants) Act, 2001 —also mon people who too arrested by the Ahmedabad 21.40 lakh persons across Bhatia on Saturdaynight. Minister’s Citizen Assistance calledthe Roshni Act—null and could transfer land own- PSU Amount Cyber Crime Cell on Sunday for Gujarat fornot wearing masksat “Similarly,4,92, 322 vehicles ‘India is not and Relief in Emergency void. ership under thesame ONGC 29.06 allegedly stealing Rs 2.71lakh public placesand spitting in pub- have been seizedtill nowfor vi- Singapore.Policies Situations (PM CARES) fund,RTI In itsjudgment, the High Act. The political fallout from his grandmother’s bank ac- lic, as per the office of Gujarat olating lockdown, curfew and records accessedbyThe Indian IOC 23.99 Courthad ordered aCBI probe has been double-edged; mustreflect our BSNL 11.43 count to play games online. Director General of Police (DGP). social distancing norms. In the Express show. and also asked thegovernment while it attempted to BHEL 8.72 According to police, Dev According to astatement by pastone week,wehavefined realities, with Oil giant ONGC, whichgave to ensureannulment of muta- vilify mainstream politi- farmersatcentre. No NTPC 7.58 Shah, aresident of Sabarmati, has the office of DGP Ashish Bhatia, a 56,144persons to thetune of Rs Rs 29.06crore to thefund from HAL 6.62 tion of property under the Act, cians, it also affected been arrested underIPC Section special drive wasconducted in 5,57,76,300and seized5,367ve- govt has done it’ staffsalaries, tops the listofPSUs HPCL 6.31 and work out modalities to evict landless cultivators and 420 forfraud and relevant sec- the pastweek across the stateto hicles,” the statement added. HANNAN MOLLAH that respondedtoRTI queries NLCIndiaLtd 5.36 encroachersfromstate landand individuals.Now,the tionsofthe Information checkviolation of Covid guide- Avideo conference washeld GENERAL SECRETARY, from TheIndianExpress. But the BEL 5.25 retrieve it within six months. J&K government wants Technology Actfor allegedly lines on social distancing, wear- on Saturdaybetween the DGP ALL INDIA KISAN SABHA contributions also include BPCL 4.27 The reviewpetition dated to distinguish between stealing Rs 2,71,359fromhis ing mask and curfew timings. and senior police officers of all PAGE 11 Rs 11.43 crorefromsalariesatthe Amountin`crore Source: RTI December 4, filedbyNazir the twoclasses. grandmother Nimishaben Shah’s “Till nowwehavefiled60,400 CONTINUEDONPAGE2 CONTINUEDONPAGE2 CONTINUEDONPAGE2 KotakMahindrabank account. The moneyfromthe victim’s bank account waswithdrawn in severalinstalmentsbetween PAGE 1 September 27 and November 11 ANCHOR PDP youthleader in jail, familyhits campaign trail in Pulwama afterwhichNimishabensubmit- tedacomplaint, aCyber Crime Cell official said. polls,and currentlyincustody of NIA,Parawas allegedlyintouch partofthe PDP’s campaign in The constituency has about Mobile banking services on NAVEEDIQBAL the National Investigation with one of theaccused. The PDP, south Kashmir across at least 14 villages and over 25,000 vot- Nimishaben’s registeredmobile NAIRA(PULWAMA), Agency (NIA). ledbyformer chief minister three elections through apoliti- ers, withsix candidatesinthe phone had been suspendedfor DECEMBER6 “Thevote this timeisn’tjust MehboobaMufti, has cal career markedbya fray,including BJP’s Sajad Raina, some time afterthe phone num- foraDDC seat, it is also to secure deniedthe charges. swiftrise afterjoining Apni Party’s Ghulam Hassan Mir berwas notrecharged, police GHULAM AHMAD Para is cam- his release,” says Para’s younger In Para’s con- the party in 2013. and four Independents. said.“Basedontechnicalsurveil- paigning in an election forthe brother Nadeem. The con- stituency,meanwhile, “Waheedissowell Raina,36, is among the key lance, we found that between firsttime. Over the lastweek,he stituency votes Mondayinthe thereisnoparty flag or regardedinthisareathat contestants, having been elected September andNovember, the has been trudging through vil- fourth of the eight-phase polls, banner announcing his whether or notwecam- unopposedassarpanchinthe mobile bankingservices on the lages in Pulwama, knocking on and Nadeem is partofacore candidaturefor the DECISION paign, people will come 2018 panchayatpolls.Heisalso victim’s registeredphone had doors and seekingvotes—not group of friends and familythat mainstream front, 2020 out and support him,” vice-chairmanofthe Block been reactivated. Investigations forhimself,but forhis son. has hit the campaign trail. PAGD —justposters on J&K says Mohammad Amin, Development Council and revealedthat her grandson Dev The 62-year-old is the father Para,32, wasarrestedon walls withamessage 57,aclose associate. says he is “fightingfor vikas DISTRICT had activatedthe mobile phone of Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, November 25, five days afterhe from him, urging peo- LOCALPOLLS Aminispart of acam- (development)”. by recharging the phone num- who is the youth wing president filedhis nomination, in connec- ple to be witnesses to paign team poring over Apart from the door-to-door ber. He hadalso created aPaytm of the PDP,candidatefrom tion with aterrorcase against Members of Waheed-ur-Rehman Para’s campaign team at his innocence by voting forhim. voter records at Para’s house in campaign, Para’s team charts out account and linked it with his Pulwama-1 forthe J&KDistrict suspendedJ&K police officer his house in Naira, Pulwama. Shuaib Masoodi This is the firsttime that Para Nairavillage,aday afterMehbooba individual outreach,posters in CONTINUEDONPAGE2 Development Council (DDC) Devinder Singh. According to the is contesting,although he was Muftivisitedinashowofsupport. CONTINUEDONPAGE2 Ahmedabad WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM 2 THE SECOND PAGE THEINDIANEXPRESS,MONDAY,DECEMBER7,2020

DOWNLOADAPP WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM

■ VISUAL STORIES

■ DAILY BRIEFING

■ PODCASTS NEWHALTSTATIONAMAJORSTEPTOBOOSTINGLAST-MILECONNECTIVITYTO

■ CUSTOMIZABLE BENGALURUAIRPORT Rolling out the NEWS EXPERIENCE Thenewlandmarkisexpectedtohelpover25,000people,mostlyflyersandairportemployees.

WEB Covid-19vaccine Indian Express EXCLUSIVE ★★★★★■4.6 NEWEPISODEEVERYDAY TECH EXPLAINED THE MOST EXPENSIVE EX-PRESIDENTS OFFER In today's episode of the 3Things podcast, TECH PRODUCTS SOLD TO TAKE VACCINES we talk about the challenges that India will face in rolling out the Covid-19vaccine. From the Apple 1to Theyhavevolunteered SCANTHISQRCODETO 1923 Leica camera to getCovid vaccine on DOWNLOADTHEAPP prototype camera

FROMPAGEONE On his way to register Pawar; Akalis ciaries of the balance over 42,000 because this time, their voteisan kanals of land are, he said. expression of anger against marriage, man CM Ajit Pawarand Social Welfare In the petition, the govern- Constitutional changes made in ministerDhananjayMunde, met ment said, “The fact of either be- United over protests, Opp lends weight to J&K and howitaffectsall of us,” arrested under Shiv Sena (MP) SanjayRautathis ing alandless cultivatoror says the 29-year-old, referring to Bhandup residence. house-holder with at the most the abrogation of Article 370and anti-conversion Said Sharad Pawar: "When one dwelling house in personal farmers’ call for Bharat Bandh tomorrow bifurcation of the state. farmers from Punjab and use, would be the primarycrite- According to Para’s team, it is law in UP Haryana take to protestinthe ria fordifferentiating between government to scrap the law. passedinthe Parliament in a ranksinsuppotofthe bandh countrytosupportthe farmers also countering “misinformation streets, the Centreshould have twoclasses.”Italso sought time Congress president Sonia brazen anti-democratic man- wasLok Sabha MP Hanuman and take partinthe Bandh.” from the BJP” that since he has takenitseriously. Unfortunately, to allowthe government to fixan Gandhiandleadersof 10 parties ner preventing astructured Beniwal’s RashtriyaLoktantrik In Hyderabad, Telangana been arrested,the candidature ASADREHMAN it wasnot tackledwith the re- appropriateceiling on and arate from Maharashtra, Bihar,Tamil discussion and voting, Party, aconstituent of the rul- Chief MinisterKChandrasekhar stands cancelled. “The effort is to LUCKNOW,DECEMBER6 quired urgency to defuse the so that the common people con- Nadu,UttarPradeshandJammu threaten India’s food security, ing NDA. Saying that the Raoasked his party workers to dispel this untruth on the ground protestatthe verybeginning,” he tinue to remain in possession of and Kashmir,issuedajoint destroy Indian agricultureand Government should imple- maketheBandhasuccessinthe and inform everyone that he is in TWOMUSLIM youths were ar- said. land. Therewill be no relief for statement supporting the na- our farmers, laythe basis for ment the MSSwaminathan state.Inastatement,hesaidthe custody but still the mostviable restedinKanthareaof UP’sMora- Underlining the crucial sig- encroachers above these ceilings, tionwide Bandh call. the abolishment of the Committee’s report, he added: farmers were waging a“just” candidate,” says Mohit Bhan, an- dabad district on Saturdayunder nificance of Punjab and Haryana it said. The statement is seen as an Minimum SupportPrice (MSP) “Otherwise, we areconvening agitation and arguedthey other associate. thenewanti-conversionlaw. This as the twostateswhichprovide Apprehending the HC order attempt to broadbasethefarm- and mortgageIndian agricul- ameeting of the RLP to decide should continue their protest “Now that he has been ar- wasthe fifthcase lodged in the “rice and wheat on alarge scale” maylead to an unintended“rov- ers’ stir and drive home the tureand our marketstothe whether to continue in the untilthefarmlaws arerepealed. rested,that does setaperson statesince it promulgated the to the countryand playakey role ing enquiry” by the CBI, the re- point that the agitation cannot caprices of multi-national agri- NDAornot….These bills are In Tamil Nadu, the DMK- back, but he has been aguiding Prohibition of Unlawful Conver- in foodgrain exports to many viewpetition said the court’s in- bedownplayedasamovement business corporates and do- anti-farmer, blackbills…the ledopposition bloc announced lightfor so long and forsomany, sion of Religion Ordinance, 2020. countries, Pawarsaid: “The role tent wastoprobe anymala fide drivenonlybyfarmers from mestic corporate,” theysaid Prime Ministershould take itssupporttothe Bandh call. In that we areall hopeful of his Under the newlaw,any “wrong- of Punjab and Haryana is im- in the manner the Roshni Actand Punjab and Haryana. and arguedthat the “Central them back.” ajoint statement, Stalin; Tamil win,” says Bhan. ful”conversionthroughmarriage mense. Anyunrestinthese states itsRules were framed, and also “Weextend our solidarity government mustadhereto Thefaultlinesintheopposi- Nadu Congress chief KS In Naira's main market area, entails punishment. does notaugur well fornation. to identify the wealthyand influ- with the ongoing massive the democratic processes and tion, too, were visible. Alagiri, MDMK founder Vaiko severalvoters sayParawould Rashid Ali (22) wasarrested As the unrestisnot going to be ential individuals who manipu- struggle by the Indian farmers norms and meetthe legitimate With Assemblyelections in and Leftleaders, appealedto have been their go-toperson if while he wasreportedlygoing restricted to Delhi…it has the lated the system to obtain bene- organisedbyvarious kisan or- demands of our Kisans- West Bengal justmonths away, farmers' unions, traders' bod- one of their owngot arrested by with22-year-oldPinki,to gettheir danger of spilling all over coun- fits under the Roshni Actor ganisations from across the Annadatas.” theTrinamoolCongresswasnot ies, government employees' police. “He has been helpful in marriageregistered. Rashid's try." encroachedupon public land. countryand extend our sup- In parallel, Leader of the partofthejointstatementbutit associations, labour unions everyrespect and even if no one brother,SaleemAli(25),whowas Maharashtraisamong the The petition further stated it porttotheir call foraBharat Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir separatelyextendedsupportto and others in the statetoex- tells me to castmyvote, Iwill,” accompanying them, has also non BJP-ruledstateswhichhas musthavenot been the court’s Bandh on December 8de- Ranjan Chowdhurywrote to the farmers’ stir.TMC Rajya tend "grand support" to the says Mohammad Maqbool, a been arrested. refusedtoimplement the three intent to have detailedinvestiga- manding the withdrawal of Prime MinisterNarendraModi Sabha MP Derek OBrien visited Bandh and makeitasuccess. shopkeeper. While Pinki said she married Central laws.But itsresponse has tions intothousands of govern- these retrograde agri-laws and asking him to take steps to re- the Singhu border Saturday ActorKamal Haasan's Makkal Says another local resident, Rashid in July, her familyalleged been markedbyconfusion. ment functionaries who imple- the Electricity Amendment peal the three laws whichwere and conveyedChief Minister Needhi Maiam (MNM) also ex- Bilal Ahmad: “Everyone maynot that she wasbeing “forciblycon- In the Lok Sabha, the Sena mentedthe Act, as it wasframed Bill,” the joint statement by 11 “corporatefriendlyand anti- MamataBanerjee’s supportto tendedsupport. understand the newDDC system verted”through marriage. had supportedthe Bills but its then, without anymala fide in- parties said. farmer,” rather than making the farmers. The Congress and The Congress said it will ac- that is being put in place. But for Speaking to mediapersons on members expressedreserva- tent. BesidesGandhi,thesignato- this a“prestigeissue.” the Leftare planning to enter tively participateinthe Bandh. us, thereisonlyone concern in Sunday, the woman said, “My tions and abstainedfromvoting The reviewpetition also ries areDMK chief MKStalin; Chowdhurycited prece- intoaseat-sharing arrange- “All Pradesh Congress com- this election, that is to showthat nameisPinkiandIamfromBijnor. in RajyaSabha. UnlikeinPunjab sought the court’s directions to NCPchief Sharad Pawar; RJD’s dentslikethe 2013 Right to Fair mentagainstthe Trinamool mittees have been asked to ex- we will stand by this candidate.” ImarriedRashid on July24. It has and Haryana, wherefarmers CBI to focus on influential and Tejashwi Yadav; PAGD presi- Compensation and Congress. tend their support…(hold) re- been five months (since we mar- took to streetsbackedbypolitical powerful people who defrauded dent Farooq Abdullah; SP chief Transparency in Land The AamAadmi Partyin lated activities and Oxford vaccine ried)...IhavebeenlivinghereinKa- parties including the Congress the state. The agency mayfocus Akhilesh Yadav; CPM general Acquisition, Rehabilitation, Delhi, too, issuedaseparateap- demonstrations in their re- specificallythe one being devel- nthinMoradabadsincethen.Iam and Akali Dal, in Maharashtra on design of legal and policy secretarySitaram Yechury; CPI and Resettlement Act(LARR peal in supportofthe Bandh. spective states and UTs. The opedatSII and ICMR-Bharat anadultand22yearsold.Igot ma- leaders have been morecautious. framework and changes thereto general secretaryDRaja; Act), whichrepealedand re- Delhi Chief MinisterArvind PCCs and DCCs will rally Biotech's Covaxin vaccine candi- rriedtoRashid as per my wishes.” Initially, the response from with mala fide intention to en- CPI(ML) general secretary placedthe Land Acquisition Kejriwal said the AamAadmi Congress workers, volunteers date, areset to take place in the Police, however, said that the various farmers’ organisations croachpublic land and getpos- Dipankar Bhattacharya; Act, 1894;orthe 2017 Mental Partyfullysupports the Bandh and leaders across the country next fewdays. woman's familyhad come to waslukewarm with little una- sessoryrights, fraudulent trans- ForwardBloc’s Debabrata Health CareAct that super- call givenbythe farmers. “AAP and organise demonstrations,” “The Prime Ministerhas al- Kanth from Bijnor when they nimity among various groups. actions made by private Biswas and RSP’s Manoj sededthe Mental Health Act, workers across the countrywill Congress general secretaryin ready said that avaccine tested came to knowabout their plan to Significantly, this wasreflected individuals with or without the Bhattacharya. 1987. peacefullysupportthe Bandh. charge of organization KC herewill beready in the next few marry and stoppedthe wedding. in the coalition’s response as well connivance of government offi- “These newagri-laws Joining the Opposition Iappeal to all the people of the Venugopal said. weeksafter regulatoryap- “The woman’s mother has al- with Maharashtrabeing the first cials, encroachmentsongovern- provals,” sources said. legedthatRashidAli,aresidentof statetoimplement the ordi- ment land notbrought under On Pfizer,sources confirmed KanthinMoradabad,has deceit- nance before these Bills were Roshni and notevenmentioned Govt open to options, ready for long haul that DCGI has nowforwarded fullytempted her daughter Pinki passedinParliament. in records, besides wrongful im- the application submitted by to marryhimandwasgettingher Deputy Chief Ministerand plementation of Roshni Actand option, asource said, could be same table”. “The idea wastobring had acceptedtheir demand Pfizer India to the Subject Expert converted,” Circle Officer (Kanth) NCP’s Ajit Pawarwas upsetand actions thereof, it said. “dropping some provisions or In the firstmeeting on down the temperaturewith forsending it to aparliamen- Committee fordetailedscrutiny Balram told The Indian Express. the ordinance waswithdrawn Pointing out that the cases keeping the implementation December 1, the government the firstround of talks–we tary panel.” of the clinicaltrials data. The SEC, “Tomarry my daughter, attributing it to "bureaucratic being probed the Anti of the contentious lawin had proposedthat asmall were quiteaware that it would The topgovernment offi- whichconsists of apanel of ex- Rashid brought her to Kanth and bungling." Corruption Bureauwereatdif- abeyance”. team including some govern- go on forseveral rounds –and cial said that MSPcannotbe perts,will be giving itsrecom- we followedthem here. Then we However, Congress and NCP ferent stages of investigation, in- “Of course, we will wait to ment officials could look into find common ground so that hardwired intothe lawasit mendations to the regulator,on got to knowthat the youth is in Maharashtraare nowdeter- cluding prosecution sanction, see what farmers come backto the issue but representatives seniors could step in. However, will have significant financial the basis of whichadecision will Muslim. He hid his identity... On minednot to acceptthese three charge sheet, etc, the govern- us with on December 9,” said of farmer unions had spurned the farmers have notyet shown implications and will lead to be taken, sources said. Saturday, he wasgoing to marry laws.“Maharashtrahas over 302 ment said transfer of suchcases the topofficial. “But we arein that offersaying discussions anysign of yielding,” said asen- inflation. “The requestbyPfizer has my daughter and she wasmade APMCs. Anyattempt to imple- will delaybringingthe guilty to no rush. As of now, whatever should happen with everyone, ior BJP leader.“We have not AfterSaturday’s meeting been placedbeforethe subject to wear aburqa,” the officer quo- ment these would makethese book.Itrequestedthe courttoor- the AgricultureMinister even if aselect fewofthem givenuphope that both the Tomar had said that “manyis- expertcommittee lateSaturday tedthe woman’s mother,Bala redundant,” said asenior der ACBtotakenecessaryaction (NarendraSingh Tomar) has speak. government and the farmers sues” had come forwarddur- evening. The companysubmits Devi,assayinginhercomplaintto Minister. in these cases and if anyele- told the farmers…that’s the On Saturday, before Tomar can find amiddle path.” ing the discussions, and what- the safety, efficacy,and immuno- the police. Then thereispolitics, too. The mentslikefraud, manipulation Government’s stand.” and Commerce MinisterPiyush Still, asection of party lead- ever the outcome, it will be in genicity data, and also informs TheCircleOfficersaidthatthe Congress and NCPhaveastrong- or malafide intent comes to light, Preparing forthe December Goyalheadedfor the fifthround ers admitted that therecould the farmers’ interests. whether the dataiscomplete or couple told the police that they hold on APMCs and will resist transfer them to CBI. 9round of talks, on Sunday, of discussions with the farm- have been morespadework He said that the “APMC Act incomplete.The SEC examines were getting marriedand the anyerosion of these. “Wherewill BJP’s chief spokesperson Tomar,who is leading the ers, PrimeMinisterNarendra when the protests erupted. is astate Act” and the govern- this data, can hold virtual meet- woman wasgoing to convert. small and marginal farmers go to Sunil Sethi said the party op- Government’s team in the talks, Modi had held ameeting with “Some leaders feel that if there ment neither has the “inten- ings or can seek further clarifica- “Some people and the family sell their crop?” said the Minister. posedany sortofencroachment held ameeting with his two them and Defence Minister wasmoretime between the tion to affect the state’s man- tions,” sources said. members of the woman recog- “The nearbyAPMC provides on stateland and welcomedthe deputies Kailash Choudhary Rajnath Singh and Home introduction of the Bills and dis nor these arebeing affected On December 2, UK became nisedher and stoppedthe wed- them an assured market and in- declaration of Roshni Actasvoid. and Parshottam Rupala. MinisterAmit Shah. their passage, we could have by the newfarm laws.” the firstcountrytogrant tempo- ding. The couple usedtoworkto- come basedonreal-time market Stating he wasyet to see the re- The government would Sources said the govern- avoidedsuchascenario,” said Government sources had rary authorisation forthe emer- gether in Haridwar and that is rates. In the absence of APMCs, viewpetition, he said the govern- have preferredtohold the dis- ment will field either Singh or aleader. indicated that aspecial session gency use of Pfizer's mRNAvac- howtheymet.Thewoman’sfam- the small and marginal farmers, ment probablywanted to avoid cussions with asmaller team, Shah or both at a“later stage” if “Atleast, some Opposition of the Parliament to resolve the cine (BNT162b2) against ilyhadsomehowfoundoutabout who constitute78per cent of the inconvenience to landless peas- the topofficial said, as, “it is it senses anyclimbdown by parties would nothavethe standoffisbeing considered Covid-19. their marriageand came to 1.56 crorefarmers in antsand homeless people who challenging to hold negotia- the farmers on the offers the chance to throw their weight but adecision has notbeen In itsapplication, Pfizer has Moradabad from Bijnor,” the Maharashtra, will become vul- toohavegot small landholdings tions with 35-40 people at the government has made so far. behind the protesters if we takenonthat yet. sought permission to importits Circle Officer added. nerable to traders and big-busi- under the Act. vaccine and also to waivethe Asked if the police have ques- ness owners,” said the Minister. needfor clinical trials on the tionedthe woman and asked her Gujarat ple to wear masks, the DGP has chip in from itsCSR funds. Rs 300crore. (NTPC), whichwas second in Indian population under rele- about her claim that she married Roshni land districtsinthe statewherein the also askedpolice officers to book Overall, the RTIresponses Until December 4, RTIre- terms of CSR (Rs 250 crore), is vant provisions of the NewDrugs RashidinAugust,theCircleOfficer former emphasisedstrict action offenders under the Gujarat show, 24 PSUs gave Rs 1crore or sponses had come in from ato- fifthinterms of staffsalaries (Rs and Clinical Trial Rules, 209. said, “Wewill probethe matter. scam againstthose violating social dis- Epidemic Diseases 2020 Act. moretothe fund from staff talof121 PSUs, of which71said 7.58 crore). Sources said the waiver sought The girlwill be presented in front Ahmad Thakur,Special Secretary tancing and curfew timing Officers mustalso ensurethat salaries. theycontributedfrom both staff At the other end of the list, the by the firm will be“scrutnisedby of amagistrateonMonday.” (Revenue), on behalf of the J&K guidelines in order to curb the crowddoesn’t assemble at wed- The Prime Minister’s Office salaries and CSR funds.Inall, the National HandicappedFinance the SEC”. Union Territorygovernment, spread of Coronavirus. ding venues as well (sic),” read (PMO), whichmanages the fund, responses show, 101PSUs con- and Development Corporation On Sunday, UK's National sought to distinguish between In the wake of increase in the statement. had declinedtofurnish details of tributed Rs 154.70crore from contributed Rs 88,072 from its Health Service said people aged Mumbai cylinder “landless cultivators and individ- Covid-19cases post-Diwali, a The DGP has also asked po- the contributions received. “PM salaries and 98 gave atotal of Rs salaries and Lucknow-based 80 and above as well as care uals residing in dwellings on video conference washeld on lice officers to createdatabases CARES Fund is notapublic au- 2,422.87crore from CSR funds. Scooters India Ltd, whichmanu- home workers will bethe firstto blast leaves one small areas” and “richand Saturdaywherein the DGP asked of all personnel formaking vac- thority under the ambit of Since August, RTIresponses factures three-wheelers, gave Rs receive the vaccine, along with wealthyland grabbers” who all senior officials to ensurestrict cine available forthem as front- Section 2(h) of the RTIAct. receivedbyThe Indian Express 1.36 lakh. NHSworkers. dead, 15 injured have obtainedatitle over state implementation of the guide- line warriors. However, relevant information have also revealedcontributions On November 20, Pfizer said land through the provisions of lines issuedbythe Gujarat High “The DGP has also orderedfor in respect of PM CARES Fund of Rs 204.75 crorefromseven PDP youth it had requestedthe US Food Mumbai: An LPGcylinderblast the nowstruckdownAct. Court, the Supreme Court, the amonthlymockdrill at hospitals maybeseen on the website pm- public banksand other financial and Drug Administration for and asubsequent fire at Lalbaug The government decision has stategovernment as well as the jointlywith health and fire de- cares.gov.in,” it said in an RTIre- institutions, apartfromRs21.81 leader emergency use authorisation chawlherekilledone woman drawnsharp criticism from var- Union government. partmentsinthe wake of rising sponse. crorebyseveral central educa- English and Urdu with messages fortheir vaccine candidate. The and injured 15 residentson ious quarters, especiallythose Officials have been asked to cases of fire at hospitals in Gujarat The fund wasset up on tional institutions, all from staff from the candidate,asocial me- US regulator is scheduledto Sunday. At leastnine people were who had challenged the Roshni payspecial attention to contain- (sic),” read the statement. March 28 this year following the salaries. dia campaign and an audio clip meetonDecember 10 to take criticallyinjured with over 70 per Act. AdvocateSheikh Shakeel, ment zones and ensureimple- Covid outbreak and had acorpus The latestset of responses urging people to vote “if they decision on granting approvals cent burn injuries. counsel forProfSKBhalla who mentation of night curfew in 19-yr-old steals of Rs 3,076.62 crorebyMarch 31 showthat among the PSUs, wish to changetheir future”. to Pfizer. While the fire wasbrought had originallyfiledaPIL against Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat grandmother’s bank account to itself, of whichRs3,075.85 crore Railtel Corporation contributed Tasked with making calls to Pfizer has said that the final under control within an hour,the the Roshni Act, said this reflected and Rajkot cities, according to the makewithdrawals,” apolice of- were listedas“voluntarycontri- Rs 5.30 crorefromCSR and Rs prospective voters, Nadeem, efficacy analysis of their ongoing incident has leftall the injured therealisation that implement- statement. ficer at Cyber Crime Cell, butions”, according to the web- 15.03 lakh as staffcontribution, who is abusinessman, says that Phase 3clinical trial indicates an with over 35 per cent burns. ing the High Courtorders was The DGP also asked the offi- Ahmedabad, said. site. apartfromRs6.70crore as dona- in his brother’s absence, “it is dif- efficacy rate of 95 per cent in vol- Among the injured arefivesen- going to hit onlythe BJP’s inter- cials to ensurespecial police ban- The accusedhas told police On August 19,basedonRTI tion under 80G of the I-TAct. ficult to starteachday of the unteers without prior SARS-CoV- ior citizens and a13-year-old girl. ests.InJammu, of the 44,000 dobastatcrowdedvegetable that he is hooked to online responses receivedtill then, The Close on the heels of ONGC at campaign”. 2infection. “Efficacy wasconsis- The fire,whichstarted around kanalsofstate land regularised marketsand shops, and take ap- games and had stolen the money Indian Express firstreportedthat the topisIndian Oil Corporation “I makehundredsofcalls. tent across age, gender,race, and 7.30 am, gutted four rooms on the under Roshni, Muslims were propriateaction along with local to payfor these. 38 PSUs had usedtheir CSR (IOC), whichdonated Rs 23.99 Severalvoters arestill upsetover ethnicity demographics. The ob- second floor of the four-storey vested with ownership rightsto administration if norms arenot funds to together contribute crorefromstaff salaries and Rs the PDP’s alliance with the BJP served efficacy in adultsover65 Sarabhai building. The blastoc- only1,180 kanals, he said. It is followed. PSUs to PM fund over Rs 2,105crore to the fund, 225 crorefromCSR. National (afterthe 2014 Assemblyelec- years of agewas over 94%,” the curredataroom occupiedby anybody’s guess who the benefi- “In order to encouragepeo- ailing BSNL, whichwas unable to with ONGC again topping with Thermal PowerCorporation tions). But theyare ready to vote companyhas said. Rane Caterers. ENS

Ahmedabad WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM

THEINDIANEXPRESS,MONDAY,DECEMBER7,2020 JUDGE’S DEATH HC,OTHER COURTS TO BE CLOSED TODAY Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court Justice Vikram Nath has declared aholidayonMonday in HC 3 and all other subordinate courts in the state on account of death of Justice GR Udhwani. Sitting GUJARAT judge Udhwani died on Saturdaywhile undergoing treatment forCovid-19 in Ahmedabad. GTUputsoffplantohold semesterexamsonline

marks forincorrectanswers. claimedthis (online) examina- RITUSHARMA “Look at theonlineMCQ marks. tion system causedinjustice to AHMEDABAD,DECEMBER6 Almostever-yone is getting 9out meritorious studentsasthe aver- of 10 SPI,including thosewho agestudentsalso scored good AFTER OPTINGtoconduct itsfi- were detainedinthe previous se- marks…Basedonthe students’ nal semesterexaminations for mesters… We onlyrequestyou feedbackononline examinations, various technical courses online to retain the offline exams,” the the university has decidednot to in Augustamid the coronavirus letter submitted by asection of conduct the winter semesterex- lockdown, the Gujarat students stated. aminations online.” TechnologicalUniversity (GTU) The “exceptional”marks The university recently also hasput offplansto holditswinter awardedtomoststudentsinthe postponedthe offline examina- semestertests online citing ob- Augustexamalso uppedthe tions scheduledtocommence jections raisedbystudents. overall performance in most from December 10.Instead, it In arecentcommuniqué sub- courses as againstthe previous has commencedits newsemes- mitted to GTUVice-Chancellor year.For instance,the pass per- teronDecember 3. Morethan Prof Navin Sheth, asection of centage in the summer 2020 or four lakh studentsfromover480 students have stated “a miracle the sixthsemesterfor diploma technical institutes affiliated happenedinthe final semester engineering course improved with GTU, the largest technical resultsasthe students,who from89 per cent recordedin2019 university of the state,wereto The blaze is suspected to have started afteragas cylinder burstatateashop at ShyamShikar were detainedinprevious se- to 98 per cent this year.Similarly, take theirexamsscheduledfrom shopping complexinBapunagar area of Ahmedabad city on Sunday. Express mesters, were awardednine out passpercentage of BPharm sum- December 10. of 10 SPI(semesterperformance mer 2010 resultsimprovedto94 This year,the technical univer- index). Thus, it has causedinjus- per cent from 79 per cent sityhad to conduct itsonline ex- AHMEDABAD tice to meritorious students”. recordedlastyear.InBachelor of ams morethan once afterits The Indian Express has acopyof Engineering(BE) eightor final se- datawas hacked and personal the letter. mester, the overall pass percent- information of nearly 1,200BE 28 shops gutted as fire breaks In August, the GTUhad con- ageincreasedfrom91to95per students,including their photo- ducted thefinalsemester exam- cent during the period. graphs, PANcard, Aadhaarcard inationsfor undergraduate The university had attributed and VoterIDcarddetails,leaked out in shopping complex courses online.The exam, the improvementinthe overall on awebsitejustahead of the marredbytechnicalglitches and resultstothe MCQ exam pattern examination. The GTUhad reg- studentdataleak,was basedon and absence of negative marking. isteredacomplaint with the has revealedthatthe fire started multiple-choice questions On Sunday, GTUVice- Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Cellin EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE Over adozen fire when an LPG cylinder burstin- (MCQ) and awardednonegative Chancellor said, “They(students) the matter. AHMEDABAD,DECEMBER6 side atea shop, whichwas open tenders were rushed at the time of the accident. The TWENTY-EIGHTSHOPSwere to the spottocontrol fire then caught apolyvinyl chlo- Two held for stealing 30,000 litres of gutted afterafirebroke out at a the fire,officials said ride (synthetic plastic polymer) shop at ShyamShikar shopping advertising boardand gradually complexinBapunagarareaof spread to other shops. No fatali- diesel by puncturing IOC pipeline Ahmedabad city on Sunday,fire ties or injuries have been re- officials said. No casualties were floorsofthe complex, were com- ported. Fire department person- Khamaniya(38), anative of interrogation, theyclaimed reported in theincident. pletely damaged,fireofficials nel responded swiftly to the EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE Morbi, andInzamam ul Haq that afterstealing the fuel, ap- According to fire officials, the said. Amajority of the shopswere distress call and the operation AHMEDABAD,DECEMBER6 Solanki(24), aresident of proximately30,000 litresof blaze is suspectedto have started closedatthe time of the incident, wascompletedinone-and-a- Siddhpur in Patan--werear- diesel worth Rs 24 lakh, they afteragascylinder,keptatatea theyadded. half hours,” Bhatt said. THE GUJARATAnti-Terrorist rested by itsteam forpunctur- had stored it in the tanksof shop in the leftwingofthe shop- Over adozen fire tenders Jaimin Patel, the owner of Squad (ATS) arrestedtwopersons ing the IOC pipelinepassing twovehicles and kept it with ping complex, burstaround 6am. were rushed to the spotand the KhaudharaPoint restaurant lo- onSunday forallegedly punctur- through Chhapri villageinDahod. oneSureshKhamaniya of The fire gradually spread on the fire wasbrought under control by cated in the shopping complex, ing the Indian Oil Corporation’s “Wehad receivedinforma- Dahod,” astatement issuedby ground and firstfloorsofthe 7.45 am, Rajesh Bhatt, the addi- said, “My restaurant is on the sec- (IOC) pipeline in avillagein tion that apipeline of IOC has the ATSsaid. three-storey complex. tional chief fire officer,firesafety ond floor and fortunately,the fire Dahod and stealing 30,000 litres been punctured to steal diesel Kishor had also been ar- Atotal of 28 shops, including departmentofAhmedabad did notspread tillthere. of diesel worthRs24lakh. in Chhaprivillage.Based on rested in March fortheftof jewellery, eateryand electronic Municipal Corporation said. Our restaurant wasclosedthis According to ATSofficials, the technicalinformation, we ar- diesel by puncturing apipeline, gadgets, on the ground and first “Preliminaryinvestigation morning.” twoaccused--Kishor rested the twoaccused. During officials said. CM lays foundation for Rs 241-crore water projectinBanaskantha district

worksfor the peopleofGujarat the costofRs500 crore. tween Navda of Botaddistrict EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE and that the developmental Local MP Parbat Pateland and Chavand. GANDHINAGAR,DECEMBER 6 workshavenot stoppedeven MLAs Shashikant Pandya, Kirtis- The pipelineisgoing to be duringthe times of Covid-19 inh Vaghela and Nathabhai Patel laid at the costofRs644 crore LAYINGTHE foundation stone pandemic. were also present, along with and aftercompletion by June forNarmada-basedwater sup- Rupani addedthatdue to senior administrative officers. 2022, it is expected to provide plyprojectworth Rs 241.34 strong will and thorough plan- CM Rupani also attendedan- drinkingwater to population of crorefor Banaskantha district on ning, the BJP government was other programme in Chavand of 33 lakh of Amreli, Junagadh, Sunday, Chief MinisterVijay notonlylaying foundationstone Amreli district of Saurashtrare- Porbandar,Botad and Rajkot Rupani said that his government of projects, but wasalso inaugu- gion to laythe foundation stone districts’1,298villagesand 36 wascommitted towardsthe de- rating severalprojects. of aNarmada bulk pipeline be- towns. velopmentofthe state. Qutoing the CM, the release Even during the Covid-19 said, “Our popular Prime pandemic, projectsworth Rs MinisterNarendabhai Modi has 17,000 crorewereeither inau- made Gujarat amodel stateat gurated or initiatedinthe past worldlevel.Tomakewater levels five months, the CM added of Gujarat rich, everyyear huge while laying thefoundation attemptsare being made under stone foragroup watersupply the Sujalam Suflam Yojana. As a scheme at Dhanerainresult, Gujarat will be full of wa- Banaskantha district. The ter. In lastfour-fivemonths, proj- scheme will cater to thedrink- ectsworth Rs 17,000 crorewere ingwater needs of apopulation either inaugurated or their foun- of around 3.91lakh in 119vil- dation stones laid.” lages and Dhanera town. The CM also declared that An official releasequotedthe 156villages of Lakhni and Deesa CM as saying thathis govern- tehsils of Banaskantha district ment wascommitted to welfare will be givenNarmada waterat

10 cops transferred Regd.Office:Cassia-702,Garden City,Opp.Samarvani Panchayat, Khanvel Road, Silvassa 396230 Tele 91-261-2471788 Email :[email protected], Website :www.gujcotex.com Corporate Identity Number :L17119DN1996PLC000116 afterACB caught NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND EVOTING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Gujarat Cotex Limited will be held on Thursday,31st December,2020 at the Cassia-702, Garden City, them ‘seeking bribe’ Opposite Samarvani Panchayat, Khanvel Road, Silvassa Dadar &Nagar Haveli 396230 at 11.00 a.m. Notice of the Meeting has been emailed to members whose email address is available stablewith GaekwadHaveliPS and has been sent to others by prescribed mode. The notice along with annual report EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE transferredtoKutchBhuj. has also been placed on website of the company. AHMEDABAD,DECEMBER6 The others areSubhash Notice is further given that : Sharma, assistant sub-inspector 1. The business proposed in the notice of AGM may be transacted through voting by electronic means. TEN POLICE personnel have in Anand who has been trans- 2. The e-voting shall commence on 28/12/2020 at 09.00 a.m. been transferredbythe Gujarat ferred to Kheda; NaranBharwad, 3. The e-voting shall end on 30/12/2020 at 05.00 p.m. Director General of Police’s office unarmedheadconstableatKheda 4. The cut-offdate for entitlement of e-voting shall be 25/12/2020. at the behest of Gujarat Anti- transferredtoPorbandar; Aala- 5. The persons who have acquired shares after dispatched of notice may obtain the Corruption Bureauafter the of- bhaiJetabhai,armedheadconsta- login ID and password by sending arequest at [email protected]. 6. Remote e-voting shall not be allowed beyond end of e-voting period. ficials were allegedly caught ble at Kheda transferredtoKutch The Company is providing electronic voting facility from aplace other than venue of seeking abribe. Bhuj; Hirabhai Parmabhai,un- AGM (“remote e-voting”) provided by Central Depository Services (India) Limited The police personnel from armedhead constable in Mahi- (CDSL) to its members in respect of the business to be transacted at the ensuing Ahmedabad,Anand, Kheda, sagar transferredtoPorbandar; AGM.Amember may participate inAnnual General Meeting even after exercising his Mahisagar,Morbi, and Pravin Chandrala, unarmedhead right to vote through remote e-voting but shall not be allowed to vote again in the meeting.Aperson whose name is recorded in the register of members or in register Porbandar have been trans- constable in Morbi transferredto of beneficial owners maintained by the depositories as on cut-offdate only shall be ferred Sundayafter their names Chhota Udepur;KiritsinhZala,un- entitled to avail the facility of remote e-voting as well as voting in general meeting. were submitted to DGP Ashish armedhead constable in Morbi 7. The website address of the company is www.gujcotex.com and that of CDSL is Bhatia, ACBofficials said. transferredtoTapi Vyara; and www.evotingindia.com. The police personnel from Ravindra Chauhanunarmedhead 8. The grievances connected with facility for e-voting by electronic means may be refer to Mr.Utpal Shah, Regional Officer,Ahmedabad, CDSL, 203/204, Abhishree Ahmedabad who were trans- constable in Porbandar trans- Avenue, 2nd floor,Near Nehru Nagar Circle, S. M. Road,Ambavadi, Ahmedabad - ferred include Prabhudas ferred to Tapi Vyara. 380 015 at email: [email protected],Tel.: 079-32936232 Damor,constable with “The listofthe 10 nameswas NOTICE ISALSO HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to Section 91 of the CompaniesAct, 2013 Gaekwad Haveli policestation submitted to the office of Gujarat that the Register of Members and the Share Transfer Books of the Company will remain transferredtoAhwainDang; DGP by KeshavKumar, the state closed from 26/12/2020 to 31/12/2020 (both days inclusive).: Krishna Barot,unarmedhead ACBDirector,withthe recom- Place: Silvassa For Gujarat Cotex Limited Date: 04/12/2020 sd/- constable with Gaekwad Haveli mendation that theyshould be Shaileshkumar J. Parekh police station who has been transferredout of their home (DIN: 01246270) transferredtoPorbandar;and city/townorcurrent postings,” a Managing Director Dilip ChandraBarot,police con- statement by the ACBread.

Ahmedabad WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM

THEINDIANEXPRESS,MONDAY,DECEMBER7,2020 4 EXPRESS NETWORK

GUJARAT AHNA calls for fight HeadsofIIMs against corruption pushback after doc seeking ‘cut to clear bills’ booked againstbid of Covid-19patients,to thehealth EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE officer.The complainant said Dr AHMEDABAD,DECEMBER6 Naresh Malhota had called the complainant and demanded10 tocontrol THE AHMEDABADHospitals and per cent cut to getthe bill cleared Nursing Homes Association from the Deputy Municipal He- Saygovtplan againstPMview (AHNA)onSundaycalledforacol- alth Officer,” an ACBofficialsaid. lectivefightagainstcorruption in Thecomplainantalsosubmit- Thegovernmenthaddirectedthe city-based hospitals. The move tedanaudiorecording whereDr RITIKACHOPRA IIMsto “actinconformitywiththe comes aday afterthe Gujarat Malhotra ispurportedly heard de- NEWDELHI,DECEMBER6 UGC Act1956”. Anti-Corruption Bureaubooked mandingthecommission,ABCof- “Thisisinbadtaste,”thedirec- Dr Naresh Malhotraofthe Aditya ficials said. Theaccusedhas been THE GOVERNMENT’S attempt to torofasecond-generation IIM Hospital, aprivate establishment booked under the Prevention of give itself the powertoinitiatean saidonthegovernment'sattempt located at Bhuyangdev in CorruptionAct andacase filedat inquiryagainstanIIM Boardgoes to give itself powers to move Ahmedabad, for allegedlyasking Ahmedabad (rural) ACBpolice againstPrime MinisterNarendra againstanIIM Board. “The one- fora10 per cent commission to station.ACBofficialsarealsoprob- Modi’spublicstandontheauton- yeardegreeisnot asubstantiveis- getabillworthRs1.5crore cleared ing the role of Dr Patelinthe case. omyofeducational institutions, suebasedonwhich the govern- from Deputy Municipal Health In itsstatement, the AHNA’s andchallengesthewisdomof the ment should take suchastep. I Officer Dr Arvind Patel. saidtheassociation“stronglysup- newNational Education Policy suspect this is moreofanego is- Astatement releasedbythe ports the effortsput in by CIMS to (NEP), directors of severalof sue. As faraschecksand balances AHNAonSunday said therewere bring out the corruption in the India’s showpiece management areconcerned, our alumni, who ahandful of corruptelementsin government offices dealing with Health workers collect swab samples forCovid-19testofpeopleentering Ahmedabad via road, on GQ Highway near Aslali institutes told The Indian Express. have adecent representation on the AMC and the government Covid-19patients”. on Sunday. Nirmal Harindran The institute heads, who the BoG, willnever allowthe in- “whoneedtobeweededout”,but It added, “TheAHNAfully spokeonconditionof anonymity, stitutetodosomething that will stated that “a stray incidence like backs the CIMS Hospital and will pointedoutthatconcernsoverthe hurtthe IIM brand. This (govern- this should notbegeneralisedto standbywithitasanassociation... one-year MBAdegree were not ment'sproposal)goesagainstthe implicateall the government It is time that we allcollectively State Covid CASETRACKER ANAND serious enoughtomerit are- grainofthe NEP.” functionaries”. fight this menace and bring out sponse of this kindfromthe The director of an older IIM According to ACB, undera thosecorruptelementswhobring tally at 2.19 lakh Places ConfirmedDeaths New cases Dy sarpanch MinistryofEducation (MoE). said“whoeverhasinitiatedthisin memorandumofunderstanding adisgrace to others who work Ahmedabad 50,677 2,119306 TheIIM directors were react- the governmenthas perhapsnot (MoU) betweenthe Ahmedabad honestlyinthe government. with over 2lakh booked for ing to areport in TheSunday read the Prime Minister’s Municipal Corporation and CIMS AHNAwould liketoreiteratethat Amreli 3,423 29 21 Express (December 6) thatthe standoneducationalinstitutions’ Hospital in Ahmedabad, treat- thereare onlyahandfulof such el- discharged Anand 1,979169 violation of MoE wasexploring options that autonomy”. ment of referred Covid-19pa- ementsinthe AMCand govern- Aravalli 1,025 25 6 could, in effect, erode the auton- “The Prime Minister's Office tientsinCIMS is reimbursedby mentwhoneedtobeweededout. Banaskantha 4,1343526 Covidnorms at omyofthe institutes. hasthwartedattemptsinthepast the stategovernment. “The re- By and large,the government of- EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE Bharuch 3,502 18 10 The MoE recentlyshared a to insert provisionstointroduce sponsibility of clearing suchbills ficialshave beensupportive inthe AHMEDABAD, DECEMBER6 son’swedding draftexecutive orderwiththeLaw government control. Whoeveris forreimbursement is vested on effortsputupby thehealthcarefa- Bhavnagar 5,426 70 26 Ministrythatproposes to em- doingthisisnegatingwhatthePM the Deputy MunicipalHealth cilities, both private-and govern- GUJARATREPORTED 1,455 new Botad 9588 6 EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE powerthe government to initiate hassaidandchallengingtheNEP’s Officer.Acomplainant, who has ment-run,inthe fight against cases of Covid-19onSunday, Chhota Udepur 8204 10 AHMEDABAD,DECEMBER6 an inquiryagainstthe Boardof wisdom,”this IIM director said. been kept anonymous,appro- Covid-19.So,astray incidencelike while 17 succumbed to the Dahod 2,525 723 Governors (BoG) of an instituteif The IIM Act, whichcame into achedusrecently statingthathe this should notbegeneralisedto virus, taking the statetally to THE DEPUTYsarpanchofJol vil- it is found to be acting, according effect on January31, 2018,gives Dang 133- - hadsubmittedabillof Rs1.5crore, implicateall the government 2,19,068 anddeath toll to 4,106. lageinAnand and twoothers to thegovernment, in contraven- sweeping powers to all20busi- incurredtowards the treatment functionaries.” Ahmedabad city alone reported Devbhoomi Dwarka 9455 4 have been booked after200-250 tion of the IIM Act, 2017.The pro- nessschools,includingthepower 10 deaths in the day. Gandhinagar 7032 10253 people gathered at his son's posal comes amid an ongoing to appointdirectors,chairpersons, Also, 1,485patientswere Gir Somnath 2,120227 wedding flouting Covid-19re- standoffbetweentheIIMsandthe and Boardmembers. dischargedfromacross the Jamnagar 9,497 35 45 strictionsonSundaynoon. government over the one-year In September 2018,referring School teacher accused state, taking the cumulative dis- An FIR has been filedat MBAdegree. to the passageofthe newlaw, Junagadh 4,4353220 charge to 2,00,012 so far. Vidyanagar police station against “Ithinktheone-yeardegreeis- Modi had said, “Sarkar kahin Ahmedabad reported306 Kheda 2,390 16 56 Bharat Vaghela, the deputy sue is being usedasanexcuse to nahi aayegi, koibabu aakar nahi of stabbing principal cases —291 from city areas and Kutch 3,3193324 sarpanchofJol village, mandap gettheLawMinistryinvolvedand baithega (Government will not 15 from rural —takingits total Mahisagar 1,7691310 decorator in-charge push this proposal [toallow the interfere, no officer will have any to death found dead cases to 50,677 casesand 2,119 Mehsana 5,7833456 MukeshVaghela, and caterer governmentto investigatetheIIM role).” deaths. Thakorbhai Chauhan after200- BoG] through. The worldover “If youhaveceded control to Morbi 2,764 20 19 has told policesaid the families of However, theAhmedabad 250 people attendedBharat’s MBAprogrammes forworking the Board(of Governors) then EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE boththedeceasedwereknownto Municipal Corporation (AMC) Narmada 1,7301 9 son Dhiraj Kumar's wedding at professionals areofone-year du- whywould youwanttopull back VADODARA,DECEMBER6 eachother and were distant rela- declared tworesidential areas Navsari 1,5077 3 apublic place in the village, ration.Thisproposalprobablyhas now? Just as howthe risk of be- tivesfromJunagadh. She denied with apopulation of 240under Panchmahal 3,5832236 policesaid. moretodowiththe bureaucracy ingsummonedand investigated BODY OF a25-year-old teacher anyenmity betweenBharat and micro-containmentzones Patan 3,788 50 33 “Today,apolicepatrol team notbeingable to come to terms had prompted manyindepend- wasrecoveredfromawell in Meraman.We arenow waitingfor while 19 were removedfrom got atip-offthat awedding cer- withthefactthattheIIMsarenow ent directors to resign their posts Porbandar 1,0174 6 Naswaditalukaof Chhota Udepur Bharat’sautopsyreportsto ascer- thelistonSunday. emonywas underwayatJol vil- entirelyfreeofgovernment con- from the Boards of companies, no districtSundayjusttwo days after tain the causeand time of death.” The newcontainment areas Rajkot 18,027189 164 lagearound 1pmonSunday. trol,” the chairperson of an IIM onewould want to be partofan he wasbooked forthe murder of Theirneighbours, however, include residential societies in Sabarkantha 2,4061327 When the patrolling team Boardsaid. IIM Boardifthe government aschool principal, police said. have told police the twomen had Vasna and Chandlodia in west Surat 45179913 235 reachedthe venue, it found The MoEhad said in Julythat starts initiatinginquiries against According to police, Bharat afightonDecember 4morning. andnorthwestzones. Surendranagar 3,0671329 that at least200-250 persons the one-year executive MBAde- the BoG at will. The government Pithyawas “absconding” afterhe An officer of Naswadi police sta- In Surat, 235fresh cases and were gathered at the event and gree was“notinaccordancewith is notthe onlyresponsible Tapi 9736 - allegedlystabbed to death tionsaidthepoliceareinvestigat- threedeaths were reportedon social-distancing and masks the UGC Regulations”. The agency in the country. Theywill Meraman Pithya (28), his neigh- ing if the Meraman’s murder was Sunday, taking the cumulative Vadodara 20,959236 174 norms were flouted,” apolice University GrantsCommission have to trustthe Boardmembers. bour and the principal of Linda afall out of sudden provocation. number of cases to 45,179and Valsad 1,3068 2 officer said. (UGC)mandates thataMaster’s This is an unnecessaryattempt at Model School at Ramdevnagar “Theirneighbourshave toldus deathtoll to 913. Other states 1483 - Police have booked the degreeshouldbeoftwo years,and centralisation and will destroy village,onDecember4.Policehad thattheydidnotseeBharatstorm Vadodarareported another deputysarpanch, thecaterer and the IIMs, in the government’s the institutes,” the director of an- booked Bharatonchargesofcul- intoMeraman’s house around 174casesand one death on Cumulative Total New Cumulative the mandap decoratorunder rel- view,had violated that provision. other older IIM said. pable homicide amounting to 6.30am,asclaimedbythelatter’s Sundayfollowedby discharge: cases: cases: deaths: evant sections of the Indian murder and had begun asearch wife. The injuries on Meraman’s Rajkot with 164new cases and 2,00,012 2,19,068 1,455 4,106 Penal Code and the Epidemic to trackhim. chest, neck andheadindicated onedeath. Diseases Act. GHMCPOLLS On Sunday, police recovered that he had been stabbed multi- his body from a100-foot-deep ple times, with alot of forceand After poor show, Telangana well about one-and-a-half kilo- rage.While we do nothaveany Opening shop during curfew: Food joint owner held metres from Ramdevnagar and evidence yetand areawaiting Congress grapples with registered acaseofaccidental forensic reports,but we have rea- death.Bharat wastoget married sonsto believe thatthecrimemay According to police,the ac- DisasterManagement Act. ing curfew hours is true.Wear- on December9and his alleged have occurredearlierand notat EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE cusedPratik Patel, aresident of Action wastaken afteratele- rested him todayand since itsa state leadership issue death by suicide is underinvesti- 6.30 am. The twomen had gone AHMEDABAD, DECEMBER6 PatelVas in Paldi villageof vision news channel aired a bailable section so he wasgiven gation, police said. outtogetherDecember3nightto Ahmedabad and owner of The footageofhis shop being open bail todayevening itself,” said AJ 2009. The outcome this time, Deputy Superintendent of fetchmilk and were cordial to THE OWNER of afastfoodjoint Pizza Stall eateryinPaldi, was during curfew hours in Pandav, in-charge officer,Paldi MANOJCG partyleaderssaid,wasbecauseof Police, AV Katkad, said, “Probe is eachother,theirneighbourshave in Paldi of Ahmedabad wasar- held under Indian Penal Code Ahmedabad from 9pmto6am. police station. NEWDELHI,DECEMBER6 the BJP’s surge.“We lostvotes to onto ascertainthemotive behind claimed.So,we areinclinedtobe- rested on Sundayfor opening section 188for disobedience “The accusedwas booked af- On Sunday, 306new Covid- the BJP.And we could notwin thecrimes.Wehaverecordedthe lieve that it could be acrime of his shop during curfew hours, to order givenbypublic servant terhetold us that theTVnews 19 cases were reportedin THE POOR performance of the Muslim votes either because of statementof Meraman’swife.She passion,”the officer said. police said. and section of the storyabout his eateryopen dur- Ahmedabad city. Congress in the Greater AIMIM,” one leadersaid. Hyderabad Municipal Signalling eruption of afac- Corporation(GHMC)elections, tional feud, oneleadertold The IN SUPPORT OF FARMERS’ AGITATION Man booked comingcloseontheheelsof itsde- IndianExpress:“Wehavebecome feat in the Dubbaka by-election aReddy party,aparty of upper for FB posts whereitcamethird,hastriggered castes.” The commentswere Cong holds sit-in, symbolicfastinGandhinagar awar of wordsand aleadership aimedatReddy,whopromptly re- supporting tussle in Telangana Congress. signed. “Wehavetosettlethe Bharatsinh Solanki, who farmers’ agitation Taking responsibility forthe dis- leadershipissue...we expectedthe EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE fought along battle with Covid- astrous showamidaBJP surge, TRS to pickupmoreseats... but GANDHINAGAR,DECEMBER6 19,appeared on apublic plat- stateCongresspresidentNUttam thatdidnothappen...we were ex- form forthe firsttimeafter re- EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE Kumar Reddy resignedon pecting that we will win afew Lending their supporttothe on- covery. AHMEDABAD,DECEMBER6 December4–shortlyafterthere- moreseats,” acentral leader said. going farmers’ agitationagainst “I am thankful foryour sultswereannounced. Another leader said, “TheBJP the recentlyintroducedfarm wishesand the newlifegranted POLICEBOOKEDaman in Anand Whilethe Congress central had alignedwith the TPD last bills, the Gujarat Congress on to me... Idedicateittoyou alland overhispostsonFacebook,insup- leadership did notattachmuch time... and theygot alot of anti- Sundayorganised aone-day the Congress party.Wehave port of the ongoingfarmers’agi- significance to the elections, the TRS votes. This time, the BJP symbolic fast andsit-in at kept this fast on theoccasion of tation in NewDelhi, forallegedly BJP had pulledall itsmight. The foughtalonebuttheyclearly man- Gandhinagar. punya tithi (death anniversary) attempting to “disruptnational defeat, coming as it doesinthe aged to retain those anti-TRS HeadedbyMember of of Baba Saheb Ambedkar and I unity”. wake of itsdismalperformancein votes.” What is worrying forthe Parliament (MP) and Gujarat would liketoremember the According to police,the ac- Bihar andAssembly by-elections Congress in Telangana is that two Congress in-charge,RajeevSatav, great men and women who cusedShaileshParmar,aresident in manystates, is yetanother set- moremunicipal corporations — Gujarat Pradesh Congress sacrficedtheir livesfor India to of Vadodara, has been booked on backtotheCongresswhichisfind- Khamman and Warangal —will Committee (GPCC) president become ademocracy.Looking at Sunday atKhambatcitypolicesta- ing itself in astate of disarray. be going to polls soon. Abypoll in Amit Chavda, GPCC working Gujarat Congress leaders stage asit-in at Satyagrah Chhavani ground in Gandhinagaron thesituation of India that the BJP tion forrunningaFacebook page The Congress could win only theAssemblyseat of Nagarjuna- president Hardik Patel, andfor- Sunday. Express has brought in, aquestion comes “KhambatkiShaan”,withvarious twoofthe 150GHMC seats. Party sagarisalsoonthecardssincethe mer GPCC presidentsBharatsinh to mind —had these great peo- “incendiaryposts”. leaders were quicktopoint out sittingMLA hasdied. Solanki and Arjun Modhwadia, ple givenusfreedom and “Wereceived an input that thatthe Congress had wononly FormerMPHanumantha Rao the Congress leaders alleged that friends... it wasclear by the man- “The farmers startedwalking keep one-daysymbolic fast,” democracy to onlywin elections ShaileshParmarhasbeenrunning twoin2016too.But,manylead- said: “The party should give the rulingBharatiyaJanata Party ner in whichthe newbillwas towardsDelhi on foot to seek said Chavda. and getpower? We must sup- anFBpageKhambatkiShaanand ers said, the situation wasdiffer- weaker sectionsimportance. The (BJP) at the Centrewas behaving tabledinthe Parliament in their rights... Even in severe cold The Gandhinagar police had portthe cause of our farmers,” had postedcertain incendiary ent then. The election took place majorityofthepopulationisfrom in adictatorial manner with the August. We have been saying weather,the farmers have been givenpermission to Congress said Solanki. Hardik Patel posts...,” said apolice officer in justtwo yearsafterformationof a backwardclasses and SCs. They farmers of India. that atime has come again when sitting on roads... The BJP govern- party wastostage asit-in at the tweetedevery Congress mem- Anand. The accusedhas been separateTelangana stateand shouldbegiven theleadership... “The Congress party has been the government is behaving as ment, instead of listeningtotheir Satyagrah Chhavni groundat berwillkeep fighting forthe “re- bookedunderIndian Penal Code Hyderabadishometo alot of “set- everytime youare giving impor- saying since dayone thatthe BJP British EastIndia Company woes, have been replying to Sector 6ofGandhinagar,with a spect of our farmers”. He added, sections153Bforimputations,as- tlers” –inotherwords people tance to upper classes. Theyare has been working with the in- whichusedour country’s re- them withbatons,tear gasand maximum participation of 50 “Weare notagainstthe corpo- sertionsprejudicialto nationalin- fromAndhra Pradesh–whowere only 6to7per cent.” tent of finishingthe farm sector... sources to fill itsown coffers...,” watercannons.Tosupportour persons. Former Union minister ratesbut arefriends of farmers tegration, 505 1b forintent to angryatthe divisionofthe state. FULLREPORTON and benefit their corporate said Chavda. farmers, we have decidedto and former GPCC president (sic)”. cause alarm in public. The party had won52seats in www.indianexpress.com Ahmedabad WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM THEINDIANEXPRESS,MONDAY,DECEMBER7,2020 EXPRESS NETWORK 5

FOCUS ON RESOLUTION RATE BRIEFLY Bengaluru cops to Vijenderjoinssportspersonsinbacking rope in banks,ISPs farmprotest,threatenstoreturnaward to fight cyber crime notmorethanour farmers,” said ANDREWAMSAN Gurmail, who says he’s afarmer mechanism being built forthe NEWDELHI,DECEMBER6 firstand an athlete later. JOHNSONTA police by atechfirm. The system He said theyhavesent an ap- Special Operations BENGALURU,DEC5 willalert banksand internetserv- INDIA'S FIRSTOlympic medal- plication to the President’s office, Group personnel ices within around twohours, the winningboxer VijenderSingh seeking an appointment on inspectthe area in ON DECEMBER 12 lastyear, golden period, to blockatransac- has joinedthe growing listof Monday. If theyare denieda Srinagar on Sunday. PTI Bengaluru city’s cybercrime FIR tion or asocial media account re- sporting icons who have thrown meeting with President Ram systemregisteredits9,999th case. portedtobelinked to acyber of- their weightbehind the protest- Nath Kovind,the athletes would Soon after, it crashed. The auto- fence. ing farmers and threatenedto either leave theawardsatthe Cop,civilian matedregistryofthe main cyber “Under the prevailing rules, it return their awards to protestthe gatesofRashtrapati Bhawanor crime policestationinIndia’sIT is mandatorythat youcome and contentious newagricultural justhand them over to any injuredinattack capitalwassimplynot builtto log file acomplaint in the police sta- laws brought by theCentre. The passer-by, Gurmail said. onpoliceteam cases beyond the four-figure tion and youhavetosign the FIR. 2008 bronze medallistreached “I am from afarmer’sfamily mark. What we areproposing is that Singhu border on Sundayand andhaveworkedinthe fields. I Srinagar:Apoliceman Cutto2020, andeight spe- wherever aperson is locatedand told the protesting farmers that understand their concerns and and acivilian were in- cialisedcyber crime and eco- gets an intimation of an illegal fi- he would return his RajivGandhi pains. We want to return our jured aftermilitants at- nomic offences police stations nancialtransaction, then he can Khel Ratna –the country’s high- awards so that the government tacked apolice team in across the city aresharing the intimateusinreal-time,” said estsporting honour–ifthe gov- pays heedtoour farmers,” he Srinagar on Sunday. The burdenof the nearly 7,800cyber- Bengaluru Police Commissioner ernment doesn’t withdrawthe said. militantsopenedfireon crimecases registeredtillthe end Kamal Pant. “blacklaws”. Rajbir,also an Arjuna the policemen at Hawal of November. The Bengaluru Police arelook- “I have trainedinPunjab and awardee and theonlyhockey Chowk area. The injured The city’s police mayhavein- ing at setting up a24/7 BPO sys- eaten their bread. Theyhave player from the countrytotake policeman and civilian creasedits cyber-crime combat- temwith police officers, techni- been protesting in this biting Congressman Vijender Singh (boxer, thirdfromright),KartarSingh (wrestler,thirdfrom partinfour consecutive Asian have been takentoahos- ting footprint, but avital issue cians and dataentryoperators cold and Ihavearrived hereasa left) and former sportspersons address farmers at Singhu border on Sunday. Gajendra Yadav Games, said there is no point in pital, apolice officer said. persists.Onlyabout10per cent of who will initiateaction to stop a sonand abrother.Other athletes implementingthese farm laws if The area has been cor- cyber-crimes areinvestigated to cyber crime as soon as avictim from Haryana wanted to come the farmers arenot happy. donedoff to trackdown the satisfactionofcomplainants becomes awareofitand alertsthe toobut theyhavegovernment half adozen sports personalities Among thosepresent at the and his fellowathletes, includ- “Whywerefarmers notcon- the militants, he said. —nearly 60 percentofwhomare police through the 100emer- jobs and fear repercussions. Iam from Punjab, including former protestsitewere1980Olympic ing wifeRajbir Kaur,wereinfu- sulted?Why is the Modi govern- PTI people who have lost moneyin gency number. in touchwith them and theyare India hockeycaptain Rajbir Kaur, gold-medallisthockeyplayer riatedwhen the farmers were ment so adamant? We won onlinefrauds or have been tar- “The moment aperson with our farmers,” Vijender,who were theretoexpress solidarity Gurmail Singh, 2020 Dhyan lathi-chargedand dispersedus- awards becausewetrainedwith getedwith morphedpictures. reaches us, acomplaint will be fought the 2019 LokSabha polls with the farmers. Theyad- Chand Lifetime Achievement ing watercannons on their way our stomachs full. If these farm- Akey reason forthe poor res- created.Itwill instantaneously from South Delhi on aCongress dressedavociferous crowd, and awardee Ajit Singh, and two- to theCapital. ers didn’t feed us, we wouldn’t WESTBENGAL olution rate,particularly in cases alertthe nodal officers of con- ticket, told reporters. will head to Rashtrapati Bhawan time Asian gold medallist “That wasthe breaking point. go on to become athletes. If the ActorManu of online monetary fraud, is the cernedbanksand service He wasnot the onlyathlete on Mondayto“return their na- wrestler KartarSingh. We cherish our awards but it’s a farmers arenot happytoday,we crucial time gapbetween the dis- providers. The basic purpose to meetthe farmers at Singhu tionalawardsinprotest”ifthe Arjuna Awardee Gurmail small sacrifice forthe farmers’ don’t deservetokeepawards,” Mukherjeedies covery of the crime by thevictim would beto stop further transac- border on Sunday. As manyas laws arenot repealed. told The Indian Express that he cause.Weloveour awards but she said. and the registration of acom- tionsbecause we have atwo hour ofcardiacarrest plaintbythe police—referredto period to blockand reverse trans- as the “golden period”. actions with banks. This is the ba- Kolkata: Bengali actor Now, the Bengaluru Police are sic objective,” the Bengaluru po- More JJP MLAs voice their support: ‘Centre Manu Mukherjeedied nowworkingon creatinganauto- lice commissioner said. hereonSundayfollowing mated,real-timesystemfor stop- “In cybercrimes, saywhen acardiac arrest,family ping cyber crimes whichwill youunknowinglyshareyourOTP members said. He was90. work in conjunction with banks, with someone, it is an action that should listen to what farmers are demanding’ He is survivedbywifeand payment services, internetserv- occurs in hardly10seconds. Take twodaughters. Mukhe- ice providers, social media firms, amorphedphoto.Itissent to a government that aspecial ses- demands. Iappeal to the Centre While Dushyant hasn’t spo- rjee, who startedhis film and even the judiciary, to catch group within seconds,”hesaid. “If SUKHBIRSIWACH sion should be summonedim- that theyshould listentowhat kenonthe issue, his father and career with Mrinal Sen’s these crimes early. we introducethenewsystemwe CHANDIGARH,DECEMBER6 mediately and all parties should the farmers aredemanding and JJP president AjaySingh Chautala NilAkasher Niche (1958), At the heartofthis Cyber willbetaking care of at least60 join hands to bring aresolution resolve theissue,” Dhanda, who on Tuesdayhad urgedthe Centre earnedplauditswith his CrimeInformationReport, orCIR, per cent of the cases.” WHILE HARYANA Deputy Chief Dushyant urging Centretorepeal these representsJulanaconstituency, to consider includingminimum rolesin‘JoyBabaFelunath’ system—likeFIRs forother FULLREPORTON MinisterDushyant Chautala Chautala three laws before it is toolate,” said. supportprice (MSP) in the farm and ‘Ganashatru’. crimes—is an IT-basedBPO www.indianexpress.com continues to maintain silence, the legislator from Narnaund Meanwhile, another JJP laws. Mourning his demise, sevenMLAsofhis Jannayak constituency in Hisar district MLAand senior leader Ishwar The onlyother MLAfromthe Chief MinisterMamata JanataParty (JJP),the BJP’spart- borders of the country. Sons of said. Singh hopedthat with the party and MinisterofState, Banerjee tweeted, ner in the ruling coalition, have farmers guardModi ji and his JJP MLAfromNarwana, Ram Centreengaged in talkswith Anoop Dhanak,had stated that “Saddenedatthe passing TRACKING INDIA’S COVID CURVE come out in supportofthe farm- ministers...Keeping in viewthe Niwas Surjakhera, tooextended the farmers, “a solution will be “the MSP,whichisbeing givento away of veterantheatre ersprotesting againstthe central sensitivity of the issue, Modi ji support to thefarmers. Stating found” at the earliest. “I am a farmers, should be given”. and film actor Manu CASES: ACTIVECASES:4,03,248 farm laws.The JJP has 10 legisla- should repealthe three laws.The that he would be attending a farmer.Why would Ibeagainst Earlier,senior Congress Mukherjee... My condo- 279 tors, including Dushyant, in the peoplefromall castes andreli- khap panchayat at Narwana on the farmers? Meetings arebe- leader and former CM lencestohis family,col- DAYSSINCE 96,44,222 DEATHS:1,40,182 90-memberHaryana Assembly. gions arecamping at the Delhi Monday,hesaid, “If needed, Iam ing calledbythe government to BhupinderSinghHooda had said leagues and admirers.” PANDEMIC BEGAN TESTS: 14,69,86,575 | RECOVERIES: 91,00,792 Dushyant’s mother Naina borders. It would be foolishness, ready to resign from the assem- resolve the matter,” the Guhla that his party will bring ano- PTI Chautala, the party MLAFrom if the laws arekeptintact against blytoo forthe farmers”. MLAsaid, adding that he stands confidence motion againstthe CASES DEATHS RECOVERIES TESTS Badhra,too hasnot spoken on their sentiments.” Surjakhera, who is alsochair- with the farmers. BJP-JJP government. Hooda had Treating DEC5 36,011482 41,970 1,101,063 the latestphase of farmers’ agita- Seventy-four-year-old man of Haryana Khadiand Earlier,two other JJP MLAs -- claimedthatthe coalition gov- hearinglossin tion, whichisnow drawing con- Gautam said the Centreand the VillageIndustries Board,said Jogi RamSihag (Barwala) and ernment had lostthe confidence siderable supportfromHaryana. Manohar Lal Khattar govern- that Centreshould withdraw the RamKaran Kala (Shahabad) -- of both the people and the childrenearly The latestJJP legislator to ment in Haryana have said that agri laws as “the farmers from had announcedtheir supportto House. come out in supportofthe farm- the laws willbenefitthe farmers, Punjab, Haryana and otherparts the farmers and participated in On Tuesday, Independent NewDelhi: Save The ers is Narnaund MLARam but asked whytheywerebeing of the country aredemanding an agitation in Haryana in MLAfromDadri, Sombir ChildrenIndia, whichim- Kumar Gautam who urged forced upon them. “If the farm- forthe same”. September.Sihag had alsore- Sangwan, had withdrawn sup- plementsDhvani, apro- Prime Minister NarendraModi ers don’t want these laws,why His party colleague Amarjeet fusedtoaccepthis appointment port to the BJP-JJP government grammeonearly interven- to withdraw the three contro- aretheybeingthrustupon Dhanda toocame out in support by the stategovernment as chief on the farmers’ issue. Aday ear- tion forchildrenwith STATESWITHRISINGACTIVECASES versial farm laws. them? What is their (Centre) of the farmers, saying he backs of the Haryana HousingBoard lier,hehad resignedaschairman hearingloss, has under- ACTIVECASES RISEINLASTWEEK “The farmer is the country’s compulsion?” their agitation.“We hope the whilestanding firm in support of the state’s livestockdevelop- takenastudy to map the Uttarakhand 6,004 464 ‘annadata’. (His sons) securethe “I want to tell the Khattar government willagree to their of the agitatingfarmers. ment board. journey of children from Assam 3,546 230 initiation intothe pro- Karnataka 24,959 202 gramme to successfully being integrated into STATESWHEREACTIVECASESAREDECLINING Duping minorities: CBI probe to start with Gaya FIR mainstream schools. The ACTIVECASES DECLINEINLASTWEEK programme focuseson Delhi26,678 9,900 THE tion had revealeddiversion of the initiated aprobe. (cheating).ItnamedBabar Ali for providing early diagnosis AndhraPradesh 82,849 7,056 ABHISHEKANGAD Centrally fundedpre-matric As per records, ManuIndian allegedlysubmitting forged ver- of hearing lossand thera- Haryana 13,310 6,606 RANCHI,DECEMBER6 SCHOLARSHIP scholarship meant forpoor mi- Public School in BankeBazaar ification documentstothe dis- peuticinterventionaimed noritystudentsbyanexus of Blockhad on itslist134 students, trict welfareofficer while posing at enabling mainstream- STATESREPORTINGMAXIMUMCASES THE CBI has initiated aprelimi- SCAM middlemen, bank correspon- including128 hostelresidents,el- as nodal officer of Manu Indian ingof thechildby thetime ONDEC5TOTAL naryinquiryintoapre-matric dents,officialsand school staff. igible forthe highestscholarship Public School to siphon offthe s/he is ready to enroll in Kerala 5,849 6,31,616 scholarship scam exposedbyThe the scholarship moneyinthe The Indian Express went through slab of Rs 10,700 per year. scholarshipmoney. regular primaryschool. Maharashtra4,92218,47,509 Indian Express in aseries of re- school’sname,asThe Indian entries, district by district, on the However, avisit by The Indian In Jharkhand,followingThe Resultsofthe study,seed ports.Sources said the agency Express reported... We will follow National Scholarship Portal and Express had found that the Indian Express investigationand funding forwhichwas Delhi 3,419 5,89,544 will startits investigation from leads from there,” the source said. matched them withbeneficiary school operated out of ahalf- aprobe by adistrict team, the providedbyGlobal STATESREPORTINGMAXIMUMDEATHS Gaya,Bihar,wherethe firstFIR Apreliminaryenquiry(PE) is bank accounts, as well as verified painted two-storeystructurein Dhanbad police has registered11 ChallengesResearch Fund ONDEC5TOTAL intothe scam wasregisteredaf- the firststepbyinvestigating the same at the school level. the midst of adesertedfield and FIRs againstvarious schools own- IndiaProjectatCanterbury Maharashtra9848,776 terthe newspaper reported agencies suchasthe CBI to assess Evidence of the scam was had no hostel, with owner Rajiv ers and middlemen and com- ChristChurch University, Delhi 77 9,574 about aschool therewith fake ‘criminality’ in allegations made found in Jharkhand, Bihar,Assam Kumar confirming that all the puter operators. On Friday, the indicated that early iden- beneficiaries. in acomplaint—inthis case, the and Punjab. names on the listwere“fake”. JharkhandHigh Court took suo tificationandintervention West Bengal 49 8,677 Ateam of CBI personnel is ex- MinistryofMinorityAffairs. If the On November 2, the Ministry Afterthe reportappeared,an motu cognizance of The Indian of children with hearing DataasonDecember5,releasedbyUnionMinistryofHealthandFamilyWelfare,IndianCouncilofMedical pectedto visit Gaya on December findings arefound to be serious, of Minority Affairs had held its FIR wasregisteredin Gaya under Express reports, saying that impairment significantly Researchandstategovernments.Often,thenumbersreleasedeverydaycontaindatafrompreviousdays aswell.Assuch,trendsbasedondailynumbersareonlyindicativeandnotdefinitive 8. “The agency will startits inves- the agency registers an FIR or else firstmeeting on the issue, with IPC Sections468 (forgery for prima facie therewas a“scandal”, improves their chances of tigation from Manu Indian Public the PE is closed. MinisterMukhtar Abbas Naqvi cheating), 471(dishonestlyusing and asked the statetofile a“de- beingmainstreamed.ENS School wherefakestudentsgot The Indian Express investiga- telling The Indian Express he had aforgeddocument) and 420 tailedaffidavit”. BJP wins 6seats, SP 3 300 people struck by ‘mystery UTTARAKHAND in UP MLC elections illness’ in Andhra town RTI activist’s death: FIR BJP tallyinUpperHouse now25 tested negative foraCovid-19in- filedafter kin allege murder Kumar Singh from Lucknow, SREENIVASJANYALA Reddy is fection. EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE Dinesh Kumar Goel from Meerut HYDERABAD,DECEMBER6 scheduled “Wehaveruled outwater LUCKNOW,DECEMBER6 and Dr ManvendraPratapSingh to visit the contamination or air pollution as pulledthe trigger.The bullethit chamberandwhenthegirlpulled 'Guruji' from Agra,snatching OVER 300people, including chil- town on the cause afterofficials visitedthe EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE Lamba on the neck. the trigger,hegot hit,” said apo- WITH THE resultsofthe twore- from the SamajwadiParty.In dren as young as 4years old, have Monday areaswherethe people fell sick. DEHRADUN,DECEMBER6 HaridwarSSPSenthilAvoodai liceofficerwhoisinvestigatingthe maining UP Legislative Council Meerut, Goyaldefeatingfour- fallen ill in Eluru town of West Watersamples were sentfor KRaj Ssaid the FIR –under IPC case.Theminorgirl –whothepo- seats–Lucknowand Meerut -- time, sittingindependent MLC Godavari district since Saturday testing and no pollution wasre- POLICEONSunday lodged an FIR provisions relating to murder licesaidhasadmittedtothefiring being declaredonSunday,the Hem Singh Pundir. evening,causingthegovernment pecially the children, suddenly ported.Blood samples of thepa- in connectionwith thedeath of a among others –was registered –and her siblings have been liv- BJP has wonsix of the 11 seats SamajwadiParty wonintwo to rush additional medical staff startedvomiting aftercomplain- tients have been sent to lab and 46-year-oldDalitRTIactivist,who Sundaymorning afterLamba’s ingintherentedaccommodation that went to polls on December –Maan Singh Yadavfrom and equipment to the region. ingof burningeyes.Someof them no viral infections aredetected. playedacrucial role in busting a familyquestionedthe claims of forthepastfew months,theysaid. 1. TheSamajwadiParty (SP) won Allahabad-Jhansi division and Officials Sundayruledout air and fainted or sufferedboutsof All the patientsweretestedfor multi-crore SC/ST scholarshipdis- the associates –one Kasim and a Their father,who worksinDelhi, three seats, while twoseatswent Ashutosh Sinha from Varanasi. watercontamination as the po- seizures.Somewereincritical Covid-19and allreportswere tribution scam in Uttarakhandin minor –and others. “The police visited them everyweek. to Independents. Of the six teachers' con- tentialcause andadded that of condition when theywerefirst negative.Itissome mysteryill- 2013,afterhisfamilymembersal- areinvestigatinginafair and pro- Dismissingthe claims of acci- With the latestround of elec- stituencies, the resultsofwhich those affected,125 people had brought on Saturday. But nowall ness and onlythe lab analysis will legedthathewasmurderedandit fessional manner,” he said. No ar- dental firing, Lamba’s wifeJyoti tions, BJP's tallyinthe 100-mem- were declared on Friday, therul- been dischargedafter treatment. of themare safe,”said amedical reveal whatitis. All the patients wasmadeto looklikeacaseof ac- restshavebeenmade so far. saidinhercomplaintto thepolice berUpper House of the staterose ing BJP wonthree –Umesh Chief MinisterYSJagan officer at Eluru Government areout of danger and out of 300- cidental firing. Thepolicesaidtheyfoundthe that he washome Fridayevening to 25 from 19,SP'sto55from52 Dwivedi from Lucknow, MohanReddyisscheduledtovisit Hospital whereover100 addi- odd affected persons, about 125 PankajLamba,whowasalsoa pistol alongwith alicencedrifle – when Kasim and another person and Independentstofourfrom ShrishchandraSharma from thetownonMondaytotakestock tional bedshavebeen kept ready were discharged by Sunday governmentcontractor,diedinhis also belonging to Lamba –from came around 11.30 pm. They two. The Bahujan SamajParty, Meerut and Hari Singh Dhillon of the situation. in case morecases come in. Five evening,” Srinivassaid. hometownHaridwaronFridayof the room wherethe firing took askedLambato accompanythem whichdid notfield anycandi- from Bareilly-Moradabad teach- Cases were reportedfrom peoplewereshiftedto Governor BiswaBhusan abulletinjuryatahouse he was place, along with liquor bottles forasiteinspection wherecon- datefor the polls, has eight MLCs, ers' constituencies. AshokNagarandArundhatipetlo- Government hospital in Harichandanexpressedconcern visitingontheinvitationof twoof and food items. struction material wasbeing the Congress two, Apna Dal SP's Lal BihariYadav won calities,amongothersinthetown, Vijayawadaforfurthertreatment. over the incident and took up the his associates foraparty,the po- “Fivepeople,includingLamba, stolen. Between 2amand 3am, a (Sonelal) one and Sikshak Dal from Varanasi teachers' con- whereacase of drinking water HealthMinisterAKaliKrishna matter with local administration lice said. Theysaid theywerein- were present in that room. person who identifiedhimself as two. Thereare still three vacan- stituency and Independents contamination wasreported10 SrinivassaidonSundaythatblood directingthemto take immediate vestigating claims of the associ- According to theothers, Lamba Ajay Maurya calledher to inform cies in the House. Akash Agarwaland Dhruv days ago. However, the govern- samples andswabs of those who measures and provide the neces- atesthathehadgivenhislicenced gave hispistoltothegirltolookat, that Lamba had sufferedabullet Of the 11 seats, five were re- Kumar Tripathiwon from the ment on Sundaysaid watersam- fellillhave beensentforlabanaly- sary medicalcareand treatment pistoltoaminor girl –who lived assuming it wasempty.Hewas injury. SheallegedthatKasimand served forgraduates. The BJP Agra andFaizabad teachers' ples from the area were clean. sis and reportsare awaited. He to theaffectedpeopleonanexpe- inthathousealongwithherthree apparentlyunaware that there othersconspired andkilled wonthree of them –Avaneesh constituencies, respectively. “The people who fell sick, es- addedthat all the patientshad dited basis. minor siblings –and that she wasabulletleftinthe pistol’s Lamba.

Ahmedabad WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM

THEINDIANEXPRESS,MONDAY,DECEMBER7,2020

WORDLY WISE 6 THE EDITORIAL PAGE That is not adrug, it’s aleaf. —ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER Make Punjab great again

§ FOUNDED BY § RAMNATH GOENKA Stateneeds apackagetohelpfarmers BECAUSETHE TRUTH INVOLVES US ALL diversify output, overcome MSP trap DEMOCRACY TUTORIAL Ashok Gulati Afterdemonising, trashing opposition, the Modi government is talking.Itneeds to do morehardworktoget reforms through PUNJAB’SFARMERSHAVEbeen agitating over and remain stuckinalow-levelequilibrium crores. That means eachfarm household in farm laws,braving cold nightsonDelhi bor- trap. Schumpeter’sprocess of “creative de- Punjab got asubsidyofabout Rs 1.22 lakh in ders.Theyfear thatthesenew laws will hit struction” of the old and inefficient is afunda- 2019-20. Thisisthe highestsubsidyfor afarm FTHE NARENDRA Modi government finds itself boxedintoacorner overthe three their incomes adversely.Thereisnothing mental lawbehind the development of coun- householdinIndia.Let’s notforgetthatthe av- agricultural reform laws that farm unions want to be rolledback, it has itself to wrong in that —every citizen notonlywants tries around the world. India is no exception. erageincome of the Punjab farm household blame. Of course, it will not. From PrimeMinisterdown, the blame has been to protectwhat s/he is earning but aspires to It is also worthnoting that in 1966,when is the highestinIndia —infact, almosttwo- Opposition “propaganda”, “rumours” and even Trudeau’s sillysermons. As this earn moreonasustainable basis. Howdowe Haryana wascarved out of it and apartofits and-a-half times that of an averagefarm Inewspaperhas underlined,thereforms,by andlarge,are inthe rightdirection and do that is the mootquestion, beyond the cur- territorywas transferredtoHimachal,Punjab household in the country. rent impasse. So fartalks have remainedin- had the highestper capitaincome. It remained But to assessthe realcontribution of farm- much-needed. Stockholding limits, inter-and intra-statemovement restrictions and ex- conclusive.Hoping that the protests remain afrontrunner in that respect till almostthe ers/statestoagricultureand incomes,the met- portbans on farm produce have no place in acountrytransitioning from being adeficit to peaceful, and asolution is found amicably, let early 2000s. But, thereafter, Punjab started ricisthe agri-GDPper ha of gross croppedarea surplus producer.The challenges before Indian agricultureare increasingly on thedemand us focus on Punjab farmers’ incomes —anis- sliding down very fast in the overall ranking of the stateinquestion. This is an important than supplyside. Farmers needtofind newmarketsfor their crops, whichiswhat policy sue that will stay relevant even afterthe of major states of India —ifsmaller states are catch-all indicator,asitcaptures the impactof should enable. The lawdismantling the monopolyofAPMC (agricultural produce market protests areover. includedinthe ranking, Punjab’s position fell productivity,diversification, prices of outputs committee) mandis in the sale and purchase of farm commodities does precisely that. There Punjab’s stellar role in ushering the Green to 13th in 2018-19. Thereare severalreasons and inputsand subsidies. On that indicator, can be no serious economic argumentsagainstallowing alternative marketsfor produce, Revolution in the countryinthe late1960s behind this deterioration, ranging from lack unfortunately, Punjab has the 11th rank through the mid-1980s is well-known. India of industrialisation to notcatching up even amongstmajor agri-states. whetheritisprivate mandis,directcollection centres,electronic platformsorcontract farm- States in south India like wasdesperatelyshortofgrains in 1965, and with respect to the modernservicessectorlike States in south India likeAndhraPradesh, ing arrangements. Politics is, of course, another matter. heavilydependent on PL 480imports from AndhraPradesh, Tamil IT,financial services. But Ifocus hereonagri- Tamil Nadu and Kerala have amuchmoredi- The ongoing agitationhas moretodowith politicsand itscommunication. Ironic fora theUStothe tune of almost10million metric Nadu and Kerala have a cultureand suggesthow Punjabcan regain its versifiedcroppattern tending towardshigh- regime that has accumulated considerablepolitical capital and is deftatheadline manage- tonnes (MMT) againstrupeepayments, asthe muchmore diversified crop topposition. value crops/livestock—poultry, dairy, fruits, ment.Whatitlacksishumility,theability to believe thatinademocracyevenif youhavethe countrydid nothaveenoughforeignexchange pattern tending towards Punjab’sagricultureisblessedwithalmost vegetables,spices,fisheries. Even West Bengal numbers, youneedtolistentothose who arecritical of your decisions. Callingthem stupid to buywheatatglobalmarkets. The entirefor- 99 per cent irrigation againstanall-India av- and Himachal Pradesh score over Punjabin eign exchangereserves of the countryatthe high-value crops/livestock erageoflittle less than 50 per cent — thisrespect. Thewriting on the wall is clear:If isn’t goingtohelp. These laws were firstpassedthrough the ordinance routeand then in time could nothelp it purchase morethan 7 —poultry, dairy,fruits, Maharashtra’sirrigationcover, infact,isjust20 Punjabfarmerswantto increasetheirincomes Parliamentby voicevotewithoutreferringto therelevanthousecommitteeforbetterscrutiny. MMTof grains.Itis againstthisbackdropthat vegetables, spices, fisheries. per cent. The averagelandholdinginPunjab is significantly, double or even triple, theyneed The unseemlyurgency with whichthe Bills were rammedthrough —that too, in the middle the minimum support price (MSP) system Even West Bengal and 3.62hectare(ha)asagainstanall-Indiaaverage to graduallymoveawayfromMSP-based of apandemic—createdsuspicionsinthemindsof farmers.Itevenallowedacrucialally, the wasdevisedin1965. of 1.08 ha —inBihar,this figureisjust0.4 ha. wheat and rice to high-value crops and live- ShiromaniAkali Dal, to quit the NDA, on the issue. That mistrustiswhat is nowplayingout The situation todayisvastlydifferent. Himachal Pradesh score over Punjab’sfertiliserconsumptionperhaisabout stock, thedemand forwhichisincreasingat in the streets. Muchofitcould have been avoided throughproper stakeholderconsultation. Today, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) is Punjab in this respect. The 212kgvis-à-visanall-India levelof135 kg/ha. three to five times that of cereals. saddledwith hugestocksofgrains —it No wonder the productivity levels of wheat Punjabneedsapackagetodiversifyitsagri- But whether it wasdemonetisation,abrogationofArticle 370, the Citizenship Amendment writing on the wall is clear: If touched97MMT in June this year againsta and rice in Punjabstand at 5tonnes/ha and 4 culture—say aRs10,000crorepackagespread Actormishandlingofthe migrant worker exodus, the Modigovernment lovestointroduce bufferstock normof 41.2 MMT.The economic Punjab farmerswant to tonnes/harespectively,againstanall-Indiaav- over five years. The Centreand thestate can massivepolicydisruptions through grandstanding, executive fiat. costofthat excessgrain, beyond the buffer increase their incomes erageof3.5t/ha and 2.6t/ha. pitchin,ona60:40ratio.Thatwillbeawin-win The limitations of this approachstand exposedbythe protesters who have laid siegeto stocknorm, wasmorethanRs1,80,000crore, significantly,double or even In Punjab, the total farm families arejust situation forall.Once farmers diversify their the national capital asking forthe three laws to be repealed.For the firsttime, the Modi gov- adeadcapital lockedinwithout muchpur- triple,they need to gradually 1.09 million, afraction of the all-India total of farm output and double their incomes, they pose. That’s the situation of the current grain 146.45 million. The subsidy provision to willnotbestuckintheMSPtrap.CantheCentre ernmenthasbeenforcedto engagewithanopposition.Therefreshingpartaboutthisengage- move away from MSP-based ment has been the clause-by-clause discussions of the laws —and thegovernmentevenof- management system basedonMSP and Punjab farmers through free powerbythe and the Punjab government join hands to find open-endedprocurement. wheat and rice to high-value stategovernment(2020-21 budget)amounts asustainablesolutionto farmers’incomesand feringtoamend some provisions that certainlymerit arelook (thoserelating to dispute On the foreign exchangefront, India has crops and livestock, the to Rs 8,275 crore. The fertilisersubsidy — also save depleting water, soil, and air? Only resolution mechanism in non-APMC trade areas, forinstance). Everydisruptive reform has morethan$575billion—waymorethancom- demand forwhichis through the central government —toPunjab then can theymakePunjab great again. itscritics and street protests.What is important is to allow—and be seen as allowing —those fort levels. When situationschange, societies, wasabout Rs 5,000crorein2019-20.The over- proteststo playout,listentothem,acknowledgethattheyare avitalpartofthedecision-mak- too,needtochangeinwaysthatcanleadto hi- increasing at three to five all subsidy,fromjustpowerand fertilisers, Gulati is InfosysChair Professor forAgriculture ing process rather than keep dismissing them as rantings of those who can’t win elections. If gherlevelsof development,elsetheystagnate times that of cereals. therefore,would amount to roughlyRs13,275 at ICRIER thespiritof accommodationseeninVigyanBhavanwasvisibleinParliament,perhapsitwould have produceddifferent results. Both the lackofadeliberative Parliament and thefateofleg- islation being decidedbythose on the streetscorrode democracy.Noreform is worththat. CLEAR THESMOKE IN ANEW CLIMATE India has voted,with other countries at UN,tonolonger treat India mustforgecoalition withlike-minded nations on climatechange cannabis as adangerous drug. Decriminalisation mustfollow

ILL 1985, THE recreational use of marijuana wasnot acriminal offence in ManjeevSingh Puri India. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, wasbrought in to fulfil India’s international obligations as asignatoryto THANKSTOTHE American people and Joe ters in the world, to tryand position them- it had committed.With civilisational linksto Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, Convention on Psychotropic Biden, statistics will retain itsplace among selvesasclimateleaders. nature,Indiaisastrong proponent of global T the sciences and the large number of Analyses indicatethat an aggregation of action on global warming. Suchaction is also Substances, and United Nations ConventionAgainstIllicit TrafficinNarcotic pollsters who had forecastBiden’s victory the NDCs of countries do notadd up to keep critical, forIndia is acutelyvulnerable to the Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. Lastweek, India voted—alongwith asignificant will nothavetoeat crickets on TV as they temperatures within the 2degrees Climit. vagaries of climatechange. The link between majority of member-states—at the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) to remove had to afterthe 2016 US presidential polls. MuchmoreactiononGHG reduction, intro- GHG emissions, energy usageand GDP is, cannabis and cannabis resin from the listofthe mostdangerous drugs. By doing so, the Biden has ridden awaveofchangeand a duction of green technologies and adapta- however, such that even with energetic in- government has rightlysignalledthat the criminalisation of the recreational and medic- shiftwill certainlybeseen, especiallyin tion areneededand the electionofaclimate- ductionofcleanertechnologies and newer inal use of cannabis mustbedone away with. It mustnow followthrough with an amend- tackling the COVID-19pandemic and in the friendlypresident in the US, the largest fuels plus renewable energy in the economy, ment to the NDPS Actthat reflectsthe spirit of itsvoteatthe CND. waythe US actsinternationally. The major contributor to the stockofGHG in the atmos- India’s growth and development, whichare The rationalefor thelegalisation of marijuana goes farbeyond thelegalities of India’s case in point will be climatechange. phere, mustbewelcomed.Itisexpected that an absolutemustfor abetterqualityoflife Proponentsofclimate action, who were ap- one of Biden’s firstactsasPresident would for17per cent of humankind, cannotbede- international obligations. Culturally, marijuana has been apartofIndia’s religious and so- palledbyPresident Donald Trump’s cli- With civilisational linksto be to bring the US backintothe Paris fold. coupledfromrising GHG emissions —atleast cial fabric,usedfor medicinal purposes, in cuisines, at festivals and, of course, recreationally. matedenial approach, areobviouslyelated. nature,India is astrong However, the Democratshavebarelyre- in the shortrun. As recentlyas2019, the‘Magnitude of Substance Use in India’ reportfound that “about 2.8 So arethe traditional US allies in Europe tainedthe House of Representativesand not The Conference of Parties (CoP) of the UN per cent of the population(3.1crore individuals) reports having usedany cannabis product and multilateralists. proponent of global action succeededintaking the Senate. With Framework Convention on ClimateChange within the previous year”. That suchalarge number of people willingly admitted to using The Paris Agreement on ClimateChange on global warming. Such Trumpism alive, Biden’sactivismonclimate (UNFCCC), under whichthe Paris Agreement cannabis productsinagovernment survey should signal both the prevalence and accept- seekstolimit globaltemperaturerise this action is also critical for maythusleanheavily on theothermajor wasreached, could notbeheldthisyear be- centurytobelow2degreesCelsius from pre- emitters to take GHG reduction commit- causeofCOVID-19. It willnow be held in ability of the substance. Criminalising the use of such awidespread substance—one whose India is acutely vulnerable to industrial levels with astriving to keep this ments. The nomination of former Secretary Glasgow in late2021and is likelytobeanen- effectsonmental and physical health have been proven to be farlessharmful than legal rise to 1.5degrees Celsius. All countries, in- the vagaries of climate of Stateand astrong proponent of interna- ergisedexercise in stock-taking and pushing stimulantslikealcohol and tobacco —onlyserves to burden an overworkedcriminal justice cludingthe largest GHG emitters, China, the change. Thelink between tional action on climatechange, John Kerry, countries to enhance their commitments. The systemand,inmanycases,givesunduepowers to policeagencieslikethe NarcoticsControl US and EU,came on boardwith nationallyde- greenhouse gasemissions, underscores this direction. China todayemits UN Secretary Generalhas recentlyspelt out Bureau. The NCB’s “crackdown” on celebrities in the wake of the Sushant Singh Rajput case termined commitments(NDCs). Theagree- energy usage and GDP is, around 30 per cent of globalGHGs but having his intention to seekagoal of net-zeroemis- has shown the high-handedness with whichthe NDPS Actcan be wielded. ment wastoutedasamajor triumph forthe worked on shutting coal-guzzling power sions of GHGs by 2050, with thecentral objec- US as it weakenedthe principleof“common however,suchthat even with plantsinthe pastfew years, Beijing has shown tive of the UN in 2021toestablish aGlobal As with alcoholand tobacco products,the use of cannabismustberegulated,taxed but differentiatedresponsibilities”, whichhad energetic induction of signs of tapering itsemissions. The US follows Coalition forCarbon Neutrality.Hewould and monitored.Addiction,when it occurs, mustbetreated as andfor what it is —amen- placedthe onus forgreenhouse gas(GHG)re- cleaner technologies and at around 15 per cent, withEurope at 10 per push this at the virtual ClimateAmbition talhealthissue.The international conventions whichforcedthe promulgationofthe ductions on developedcountries. Yet, within cent. India is fourth at 7per cent of the global Summit on December 12 being organisedby NDPS Actwere, in manyways, an offshootofthe US’s “war on drugs” whichbegan in the six months of taking over,Trumpannounced newer fuels plus renewable total butwith per-capitaemissions that are France and the UK. ForIndia, engagement in 1960s. Afterdecades of incarcerating itsown people, amajority of Americans voted re- the US’s withdrawal from the pact —the energy in the economy, less thanhalf the global average. Interestingly, global climatenegotiationsmustbeimbued centlytolegalise cannabis. Thereisnoneedfor the world’s largest democracy to repeat process wascompletedonNovember 4, iron- India’sgrowth and in global negotiations, Biden’s US and China with astrategicperspective andinformedby the oldestdemocracy’s mistakes. ically the dayafter he lost. development,whichare an maybeonthe same side. the building of aGREEN (Growth with Trumpblamed President BarackObama India has committed to reducing the Renewable Energy, Entrepreneurship and forallowing theUStobetrickedintoeco- absolute must forabetter emissions intensity of itsGDP by 33-35per Nature) coalition of countries with develop- nomic actionsthatwould diminishitin qualityoflife for17per cent cent from 2005 levels by 2030 and achiev- ment imperativesand climateperspectives. Freeze Frame EPUnny comparison to Chinaand others in the de- of humankind,cannot be ing 40 per cent non-fossil-fuel installedelec- veloping world. While this mayhaveserved decoupled from rising tricity production capacity.Italso established The writer is Distinguished Fellow, TERI, Trumpdomestically, internationallyitslack- the International Solar Alliance with France. former ambassador and DPR of India to the enedglobal pressures on climatechangeand emissions —atleast Indiaisone of the fewmajor climatestake- UN and former lead negotiator forIndia at gave space to theChinese, the largest emit- in the short run. holders on tracktoover-achieve thetargets climatechangenegotiations

DECEMBER 7, 1980, FORTY YEARS AGO

INDIRA’S SPEECH gravity of the shattered economyshe had in- BHAGALPUR SANCTION CONGRESS (I) PRESIDENT IndiraGandhi herited from theprevious government, EVIDENCE OF OFFICIAL sanction of the po- made it clear that her government had no whichhad done everything to upsetthe lice “toughness” in Biharingeneral andthe magic wand to correct the seriouseconomic structurethat the Congress governments had blinding campaign in Bhagalpurinparticu- situationand it would take some time to put erected over the first30years. lar has come to light, informedsources said. the economybackonthe rails. In her ram- The crowning testimonyisthe letter of ap- bling opening remarks at the AICC session, ASSAM MINISTRY preciationfromthe Inspector-General of po- in whichshe chose to dwell on severaltopics AN EIGHT-MEMBER CONGRESS (I )ministry, lice, Bihar,tothe Bhagalpur superintendent but did notsay anything new, MrsGandhi headedbySyedAnwaraTaimur,assumedof- of police, Vishnu DayalRam, forthe latter’s prefacedher speechwithareference to the fice in Assam tonight, marking the end of the “commendable” performance in controlling opposition charge that hergovernment 360-day President’srule in the state. The 45- crime. In the letter,IGP SKChatterjee also failedtofulfil itselection promise of agov- year-old Taimur is the firstwoman to head a recommendedarewardofawristwatchto ernment that worksand squarelyblamed government in the state. Sixofthe eight min- DayalRam. The letter,which, because of red the opposition forall the current ills. isters, including the Chief Minister, willhold tape wassurprisingly issuedonNovember Assertingthat the charge of non-perform- cabinetrank.GovernorLPSingh, adminis- 28, has been sent in original form to thean- ance againsther government wasnot true, teredthe oaths of office and secrecy to the CM nual confidential reportsection, whose Mrs Gandhi said she had notrealisedthe and hercolleaguesataceremonyinDispur. records determine promotion ofIPS officers.

Ahmedabad WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM

THEINDIANEXPRESS,MONDAY,DECEMBER7,2020 WHATTHE OTHERSSAY “The Pakistan-Bangladesh relationship is weighed down by history. But if bilateral ties are to progress, both Islamabad and Dhakamustlook forward 7 THE IDEAS PAGE instead of living in the painful past. ” —DAWN Anew map for the end of Oil Age In farm debate, a

Howshould India, an economydependent on fossil fuels, navigatefuture green reality check energy transitions? Anew book has some pointers Neither government nor protesting farmers recognise the challengeofdepleting natural resources and climatecrisis

OVER THE BARREL by Vikram SMehta Richa Kumar, Nikhit KumarAgrawal, THIS ARTICLE IS notabook review. It is,how- ever,inspiredbyone —DanielYergin’sex- PSVijayshankar and ARVasavi cellent, latestbook The NewMap: Energy, Climateand theClash of Nations.Yergin is the mostrespected chronicler of energy history PROPONENTS OF THE three newfarm laws the economics of modern supplychains that and politics today. His earlier bookshaveall have claimedthat theywill engender com- has accelerated their growth. Forexample, been bestsellers. One of them, ThePrize:The petitioninagriculturalmarketsand willgive crop varieties of wheat(andlaterrice),highly Epic Quest forOil, Moneyand Power, received farmers achoice to sell wherever theylike. responsive to chemical fertilisersand water, the Pulitzer Prize in 1992. The reasonIde- The opponentsoftheselaws, including many alongwith the advent of mechanisation and cidedtodrawonTheNew Map is because it farmer groups, have forcefullyarguedthat agrochemicals, made wheat and paddy throwsupanimportant question forour de- these policies will strangle the mandi sys- monoculturefarms possible in the 1960s.But cision makers. Howshould alarge,import- tem, spell the end of the Minimum Support theGreen Revolution did nottakeoff until dependent, fossil-fuel-baseddeveloping Price (MSP), and lead to oligopolistic buying the Indian government providedinput sub- economywith arising demand forenergy by large agribusinesses. sidies and setupthe MSP-basedprocure- and an unhealthilystrong linkagebetween Thesedebates, however, have remained ment regime forthese twocrops. Similarly, this demand and environmental pollution restricted to the realmofagricultural mar- it is the economics of soybean meal as cat- navigatethe reordered cartographyof keting and the economics of livelihoods. tle-feedthat has driventhe growth of soy- geopolitics and energy? Theymiss the fundamental reality of today’s bean monoculturefarms around the world Yergin has envious talents. He writes flu- times —that the current agrarian impasse while the demandfor sweeteners and bio- idlyinastylethatbrings to lifethe arcane dy- reflectsthe fatigueofdominant approaches fuels made from corn and sugarcane have namics of the energy business. He is deeply to agriculture, whichassumes growth is lim- promotedtheir fast growth. knowledgeableand analyticallyprescient. itless and resources areinexhaustible. Unfortunately, thescientific paradigm of The NewMap is an excellent read because, Addedtothis is India’s agrarian structure, single-crop productivity has promotedan through multiple interconnected storylines, closely alignedwiththe caste structure, agriculturalsystemwith ecologically unsus- it pulls together the transformative occur- therebymarking the whole system with tainablecroppingpatterns.Ithascontributed rences that have shapedthe energy worldin tremendous inequalityinaccess to natural significantlytoclimateemissions, and recent years intoacogentframework from resources, capital and markets. Acombina- threatenedfarmer livelihoods and the nat- whichthe reader can discern the future path- CRSasikumar tion of all these is reflected in themultiple ural resource base theydepend upon. ways of the next energy transition. ecological, economic and social crises that Moreover, it has also distortedourfood con- Six broad themes define The NewMap. besetrural India. To tackle all these chal- sumptionpatterns,replacingnutritious mil- The firstisthe US shale revolution,which employment (viz laid-offcoal workers), buyer.The Stone Agecame to an end notbe- lenges,werequirealternative policiesthat lets with polishedrice and wheat and nega- transformed theUSfromamajor importer strandedassets (thermal powerplants), cause we ranout of stones. TheOil Agewill address these foundational deficitsand go tively affected ournutritional security. of oiland gastoasignificantexporter; the slowedeconomic growth and environmen- notend because of lackofoil.” (I writere- beyond the dominant paradigm of high-ex- In attempting to offeranew dealtofarm- second is the leveraging by Russiaofits gas taldegradation? All in all, howrealistic is a portedlybecausethe quotehas been attrib- ternal-input, high-costagriculture. ers,dothenewfarmlaws recogniseoraddress exports to compel former members of the green transition foraneconomyalmostto- uted to others.) Therecognition that agriculture is em- anyofthese fundamental concerns? Do the Soviet Union to stay within itssphereofin- tallydependent on fossil fuels? On the renewable axis, the “newmaps” beddedinnatureand that the agrarian econ- farmerorganisationspressing forcontinued fluence and to embrace China intoanen- The “newmaps” do notprovide answers would suggesttwo policy initiatives. One, omyisconstrainedbythe limitsimposedby MSPsand subsidies recognise thein-built re- ergy partnership (“Russianeeds markets; to such India-specific questions. Theydo, India mustdevelop itsown world-scale, natureand by social rules is fundamental to production of these problems in this model? China needs energy”);the thirdisChina’s however, provide aframework fordeliber- competitive,manufacturing systems for making policies thatcan benefit farmers. Sadly, bothsideshave continuedtoignore assertion of itsrights over the SouthChina ating policy options. Specifically,theythrow photovoltaics(PVs) and batterystorage.If Instead of aresource-basedapproach, the the broaderecological and social contexts in Seas —acritical maritime routefor itsen- up three policy initiativesset along the twin not, it will find itself on the horns of a needistodevelop arelationship-basedap- whichagriculture is embedded. By promot- ergy imports and the Belt and Road initia- axes of fossil fuel and renewables. dilemma.Itwillnot be able to provide afford- proachtowards theenvironment. The chal- ing greater corporatisation of agriculture tive;the fourth is sectarianstrife On the fossil fuel axis, the book suggests able solar unitsunless it accepts the further lenges towardsadopting suchanapproach (through contract farming, higher stocking (Sunni/Shia) in the Middle Eastwhich, com- the government leverage itsbuyer deepeningofdependence on Chinese im- have ecological, sociocultural, political, limitsand private marketplaces), the laws pounded by volatile and falling oil prices, (“monopsonistic”) strength to secure “most ports.Currently, China manufactures 75 per techno-scientific andeconomicdimensions. will,inall probability,accelerate thegrowth has brought the region to theedge; thefifth favoured”terms of trade forcrude supplies. cent of the world’s lithium batteries; 70 per Reducing this complexmaze to either eco- of long supplychains of monoculturecom- is the Paris climatesummit and itsimpact In this regard,theybring out one develop- cent of solar cells; 95 per cent of solar wafers nomic or techno-scientific or acombination modities. An expandedMSP regime might on public sentiment, investment decisions, ment that plays to India’s advantage—the and it controls 60 per cent of the production of both is highlyproblematic.Thisreduction- supportthe livelihoods of farmers growing corporategovernance and regulatory onsetof“peak oil demand” (thatis, de- of polysilica. It is also looking to securea ism is the primaryreason we arenow suf- the crops being procuredand who have the norms. And the lastisthe consequential im- mand will plateaubeforesupplydepletes). Technology is the answerto chokehold over severalstrategic minerals fering theconsequences of runawayclimate wherewithal to access the mandi/procure- pact of the manifold and impressive ad- The earlier concern was“peak supply” the energy transition. That is (cobalt, nickel). change, to whichthe contribution of mod- ment centres,but it will necessarilybelim- vancement of clean energytechnologies. (supplies arefinite andthe market willface Two, India mustprepare aclean energy ern agricultureissignificant. itedby the government’s abilitytopurchase. The “newmaps” arenot simple. Theydo ashortfall). what will bring the system to technology strategy.Technologyisthe an- Moreover, thedestruction of our rich Moreover, guaranteedprocurement in the notprovide aclear direction. Theysuggest Thereisnoconsensus, however, on the the tipping point of radical swer to the energy transition. That is what agricultural biodiversity,the growing toxic- pasthas incentivised monoculturefarming, instead that the energy transition will unfold timing of peak demand. BP believes, forin- change. China recognises this will bring the system to thetipping point of ityof ourair,waterandsoils,the over-extrac- with huge ecological and social costs. in different ways in different countries and stance, it has already peaked;the fact. It has placed clean radical change. China recognises this fact. It tion of groundwaterand growth in pesticide Thisisnot to ignorethe critical impor- over different time periods. This is because International Energy Agency (IEA) projects has placedclean energy R&D at the forefront resistance have ledtofarming becoming a tance of asystemofpublic procurement to they will be influencednot justbyeconom- it will peak by 2028; IHS Markit’s “rivalry” energy R&D in the forefront of its“Plan 2025”. The India strategy should high-risk venture, in addition to threatening promote lessfavouredcropslikemilletsand ics and technology,but also by politics and scenario putsthe datearound the mid- of its ‘Plan2025’. TheIndia identify relevant “breakthrough technolo- human health. The link between factory pulses. Ineithercase, thepressing problems public activism. 2030s. Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, and strategy should identify gies”,establish the fundingmechanisms and farming of animals and the growth of of naturalresourceexhaustion, adverse cli- The “newmaps” raise severalquestions notsurprisingly,holds that demand will not relevant ‘breakthrough createthe ecosystem forpartnerships (do- zoonotic diseases is nowwell-known, espe- mateimpacts, unstable markets andunde- forIndia. Howmight theyimpact itsobjec- peak until at least2050. Thereis, however, mestic and international). Specifically, as re- ciallyafter the COVID-19outbreak. mocratic governmentswill eventually force tive to provide reliable, affordable, clean and no disagreement over the fact that theoil technologies’ and then gardsthe latter,cleanenergy technology of- Drawing upon aparadigm of the con- farmers offthe monoculturetreadmill as universal access to energy? Who will bear market does face astructuralsupplyover- establish the funding fers an early andmutuallybeneficial questofnature, modern agricultural prac- farming becomes riskier and moreexpen- the costs of thetransition —inparticular,the hang. All acceptthatSheikh Yamani,the for- mechanisms and platformfor collaboration between India and tices emphasise maximising crop yields, sive with acontinuouslydegrading natural costs of retrofittingindustrial infrastructure mer ministerofpetroleumfor Saudi Arabia, partnerships (domestic and the Joe Biden administration. farm incomes and globalcompetitiveness. resource base. and upgrading the gridtomanagethe inter- wasprescient and on trackwhen in 2000he The single-mindedpursuit of suchgoals has If we trulywant to ensurethe livelihoods mittent flows of solar and wind energy? How (reportedly) said that “30 years from now, international) to harness The writer is chairman, Centrefor Social and remade our land and farms intomonocul- of our farmersand provide safe, healthy, nu- can it prevent the “perfect storm” of highun- therewill be huge amountsofoil and no their full potential. Economic Progress (CSEP) tures. Success means ensuring asingle crop tritious food forour consumers, it is imper- accesses all the nutrients and everything else ative to makepolicies that go beyond the is killedaspests or weeds. This means com- productivity trope and populistposturing. peting with and controllingnature, which, This can begin with the salient recognition in contrast, survives(and thrives) on the prin- that anysound economic and techno-scien- ciples of biodiversity.This has ledtoincreas- tific modelmusthaveagroecologyand eq- ing doses of chemical fertilisers and pesti- uity at the coreand, mustindeed, be guided Stubbing out acrisis cides, causing widespread soil degradation. by them. The extent of degradedlandinIndia is 12 crorehectaresorabout38 percentofour to- The authors areaffiliated to theNetwork of E-cigarettescould bebannedpromptlybecause of political will, coordinatedefforts talgeographical area. Rural and Agrarian Studies, whichhas just While modern science and technology published theState of Ruraland Agrarian Preeti Sudan have mademonoculturefarmspossible, itis India Report 2020

DECEMBER5,2019,isadatetoremember.The take up the causewith stakeholders,needs emanatedfrom thewestern world.Promoted aresimilartothose caused by e-cigarettes, Prohibition of Electronic CigarettesAct, 2019 acknowledgement. The painofhis patients as aless harmful alternative to cigarettes, this newstudies publishedinSAGE OpenMedical LETTERSTOTHE EDITOR wasnotifiedthis day. Afterthe Lok Sabha onlystrengthenedhis resolve.After due dili- wasthe electronic nicotine delivery system Case Reports and Lancet have revealed.) passedthe bill on November 27,the Rajya gence by the concernedJoint Secretaryand (ENDS)whichcontainedatoxic and addictive The newIndian government in May2019, Sabha consideredit on December2.Ashealth the supportofthe minister, the proviso in the chemical (nicotine) available in nearly 7,000 by including the issue in the first100 days’ GREAT INSIGHT secretary, Iwas watching theproceedings of amendedJJAct 2015 made the sale of tobacco flavours. India, with itsyoungpopulation, was agenda, exhibited political will. Since ENDS THIS REFERS TO Harish Damodaran’s IDEAS RajyaSabhaonTVinmy office.Thehealthmin- to minors acriminal offence punishableby viewedasalucrative market.Acommittee of wasnever approved in India, an advisory was ‘The super centre’ (IE, December 5), one istermade aspeechthat went beyond the of- sevenyearsofrigorous imprisonment. We are experts coordinatedby adedicateddoctor was issuedtostatestostopthe illegal sale. Sixteen of the mostinsightful articlesIhave read ONLINE ficial brief. Withapersonal commitment, he one of the fewcountries to have apowerful constituted to examine the matter.This, and states prohibitede-cigarettes. The action by in recenttimes. The concentration of po- madeaneffective case forthe ban. The bill got deterrent that firewalls our children. later atask forceofthe ICMR, suggestedaban. stategovernmentsandtheCentre’sadvisories litical and economic powerisweaken- ONLYINTHE EXPRESS passed by avoice vote, cutting across parties. When Iwas postedinthe health ministry, But the lackofanappropriatelegal provision were challengedandstayedbycourts.ByJune ing our institutions. Iwonder if it is cyn- Thespontaneoushurrahthatfollowedwasan Icouldcontribute to the cause further.India turnedout to be our Achilles’ heel. 2019,news emergedabout deathsand mys- ical to conclude thatcorruption canbe ● FORINDIA,USCLIMATE expression of the fulfilment one experiences had embarkedonamulti-pronged approach In October 2018,Irepresented India as teriouslunginjuriesfromtheUS.At thispoint, tolerated as longasitisegalitarian. PLANISANOPPORTUNITY: sometimes in one’s career as acivil servant. to reducetobaccoconsumption. In addition president of the eighth session of the WHO’s oneof theleadingENDSmanufacturersrolled KSahasranaman, Mumbai MADHUVERMA,ASIGUHA, Facedwith apowerful lobby, industry-sup- to ratifying internationaltreatiesonglobalto- FCTCConference of Parties (COP8). On ENDS, outaplanfortheirlaunchinIndiaby end-2019. ELPHINTOMJOE porteddoctors,media pressureand legal bat- bacco control(FCTC), India had alegislative therewas someconfusionand countrieswere Legal opinion suggestedanordinance to ANINJUSTICE tles, the process to banaharmful product was framework,priceandtaxmeasurestoreduce looking forevidence-basedresearch. stop the march of ENDS in India. The GoM un- ● THEDIABETESNURSE: muchmorechallenging than Ihad expected. demand, regulation of contentsoftobacco Interestingly,the global evidence against der the finance ministerrecommendedaban THISREFERSTOthearticle‘Aninter-faith AMBRISHMITHAL One wintrynight, Isaw agroup of young productsand disclosures, deterrent packag- ENDS had also startedemerging. inone sitting.Theordinancewas approvedon prayer,anarrest’(IE, December 5). The kids barely12-13yearsofage smoking ciga- ingand labellingnorms,theprohibitionof ad- Research by an assistant secretaryunder- September 18,2019. As expected,itwas chal- picturesthatwentviralonFacebooksim- www.indianexpress.com rettes and weed in aneighbourhood park. I vertising,promotion and sponsorship, several trainingbrought clarityonthe subject. Astudy lenged in court. However, no stay wasgiven. plyshowedFaisal Khan offering namaz waspossessedbythe thought:What if they awareness measures, and also afree publishedin2018onstudentsinthe US, found The launchofe-cigarettesinIndia had in atemple without explaining his secu- were my grandchildren? It wasDecember helpline/Quitline. e-cigarette to be agateway product to con- beensuccessfullystalled. As Isatwatchingthe lar antecedentshis role as aKhudai 2013 and Iwas theadditional secretaryinthe Considering that 26.68crore Indians use ventional smoking and tobacco use, severely Parliament proceedings, apartfromfeelinga Khidmatgar.Hindutvazealotsshouldin- pangs’ (IE, December 5). Giveninflation- MinistryofWomen and Child Development. tobacco, itsreduction is amammoth job. undermining the country’s tobacco control sense of fulfilment that timelyaction had trospectaboutthismiscarriageofjustice. arychallenges, it has been the right de- Irealisedthat children areseen as an emerg- However, we achieveda17 per cent relative efforts. The US Surgeon General in December savedour children from addiction, Ialso felt Ravi Mathur, Noida cisionbythe RBI MPC to keep policy ing market. Irealisedthat the Juvenile Justice decrease in tobacco consumption between 2018 issuedan advisorythatENDSuse among humbledathow at eachstage,political will repo rate unchanged.The growth pro- (JJ) Actwas being amendedand we could use 2010 and 2016 —the highestgloballyinsuch school studentshad increasedby900per cent at the highestlevel,and supportand collabo- COLD CHAINS jections areinspiring and will build con- the opportunity to makealegal proviso to- ashort span.Consumption among children during 2011-2015.The WHO, in 2019,stated ration helpedfind solutions. fidenceinthe economy. wardsthis menace. The role playedbyaded- showeda33per cent decline. thatscientific evidenceon e-cigarettesasces- THIS REFERS TO the editorial, ‘Growth SSPaul, Nadia icated oncology surgeon from the Tata Justaswewereable to take measures to sation aids is inconclusive.((Lung injuries The writer is former Secretary,Health& Memorial Hospital, who would relentlessly protect our young from tobacco, anew threat causedbyCOVID-19and itsmanifestations Family Welfare

Ahmedabad WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM 8 CALENDAR THEINDIANEXPRESS,MONDAY,DECEMBER7,2020

OVER THE HEDGE by Michael Fry &TLewis CROSSWORD 4295 DAYTODAY BYPETERVIDAL

ARIES(Mar 21 -Apr 20) LIBRA (Sep 24 -Oct 23) Looking at the long- Letothers carp and term, lifeisstill very criticise and play muchdominated by their pathetic little the passageof games.You have too benevolent Jupiter through a muchtothink abouttobe sector of your horoscope which involvedwith people who is significant forbothyour work long agoabandoned and home life-whichjust anyreal desiretoimprove aboutcoversmostoptions! themselves. The time has Somehow, sometime, youare come to give afirm ‘no’ to going to turn up trumps. individuals who don’t deserve Hopefully, it will be the right your attention. thing at theright time. SCORPIO (Oct24-Nov 23) TAURUS (Apr21-May 21) Youmustpay very Once sensitive Venus close attention to alters itsposition, what companions CALVIN &HOBBES by Bill Watterson whichshould have to say. happen before too However, Idoubt if you muchlonger, youwillfind it so will be able to makevery much easiertorelatetoother muchsense of other people in asensible, mature people’s intentions, as will fashion. Do your best to clear up become onlytoo obvious after all misunderstandings before afew days.Inaweek of ACROSS DOWN theybecome acceptedwisdom. change, youmustkeep your 1Eccentric inventor with 2One is unusuallysound options open. madmen in the background (5) GEMINI(May22-June 21) (11) 3Countrythat is right to put When Mercuryis SAGITTARIUS(Nov24-Dec 22) 9Secret serviceman on lowest Scotsman out behaving in suchan Youmay be obliged rate of pay(7) (4) odd fashion, you to alteryour tune, or 10 It has changed states in an old- 4Beginnerinakey role mustaccept plans at leastamend your fashionedway (5) (6) being cancelledordelayed. This plans. However, 11 Makeasubmissiontoahigher 5I’m upsetbythe strain of being could actually be to your in spiteofany indications to authority (4) ateacher(8) advantage. Your main concern the contrary,thereisno 12 It’s twice as expensive.What a 6New native quartershows will be to press on and complete threat to your longer-term pity! (4,4) simplicity (7) current projects regardless of hopes, wishes and ambitions. 14 Head the Frenchmembers of 7Acandidatewho fails to keep it whetherpartners agree or In fact, your stars aredue the upper classes (6) is unlikely to getit(11) approve. Afterall, whyshould to grow sweeterand 16 Successfullyretired? 8Professional man who goes to youalways do what theywant? moresympathetic. (6) work on foot (11) MARVIN by Tom Armstrong 18 Defamedalarge number and 13 Awatercolour? CANCER (June 22 -July23) CAPRICORN (Dec 23 -Jan 20) got intoarow (8) (3,5) Intriguing celestial What can be done 19 Repaired shoes soundlyand 15 One of the party windbags? patternsencourage to salvage the disposedofthem (4) (7) youtogoyour own situation at work, 22 One so confusedmay be 17 Objectsabout Eastern drums way. Please presson whereyour plans caught by it (5) (6) with optimism and absolute and proposals needaboost? 23 Brings intoline higher-priced 20 Achange of routeisquiteout confidence in your unique Your best policy nowmay be fruit (7) of the ordinary(5) destiny. As you’vediscovered to bide your time and wait for 24 Bentonsubmission 21 It washeavenonearth while it in the past, the moreyou the tide to turn,asitsurely (2,4,5) lasted(4) believeinyourself, the better will. Until then, youcan your chances. Have faith in continue to refine your ideas the future. in secret. SolutionsCrossword4294:Across: 1Cattle,4Stateaid,9Admire,10Retainer,12 Norm,13Motor,14Zinc,17Shootingstar,20Thermometers,23Olaf,24Edwin,25 LEO (July24-Aug 23) AQUARIUS (Jan 21-Feb 19) Magi,28Smashing,29Garden,31Revolt.Down:1Clannish,2Tomorrow,3Lore,5 Please don’t worryif Lastweek,the Theworstofit,6Toad,7Auntie,8Direct,11Countrydance,15Itchy,16Taken prisoner,18Yesandno,19Assignat,21Gossip,22Malawi,26Ohio,27Fate. social agreements excitable side of seem hardtocome your naturewas by,orifyour best-laid stimulated.This plans come to nought. It is in the week,itisyourmoredown-to- natureofthe times that all earth qualities whichwill discussions and proposals come in handy,enabling you JUMBLEDWORDS DifficultyLevel4s should be put on hold. One thing to avoid some of the confusion Instructions youcan be pleased about is that whichafflictsyour fellows. Givenbelowarefourjumbledwords.Solvethejumblestomakeproperwordsandmovethemto TosolveaSudokupuzzle, by next week partners will no Take apractical approach therespectivesquaresbelow.Selectthelettersintheshadedsquaresandjumblethemtoget everydigitfrom1to9 4314 longerbeholding youback. and you’ll gain ahead-start theanswerforthegivenquip. on rivals. mustappearineachofthe VIRGO (Aug 24 -Sep 23) Justbecauseyoudonottakeaninterestin___doesn’tmean___won’ttakeaninterestinyou. nineverticalcolumns,in -Pericles(8,..,8)(samewordtwice) 315 Thereare ways and PISCES(Feb20-Mar 20) eachoftheninehorizontal means of recouping It does seem that ERVIO IMRYLT rowsandineachofthe your losses and, in youare about to U4 nineboxes. the long-run, you gain the financial

SUDOKU will benefit from current advantage. This is a developments. However, in the consequence of clear CKTIS UPCAST DifficultyLevel short-term, an established communication, plus arrangement maycome somebody’s good intentions. SUDOK 1s=Veryeasy;2s=Easy; radicallyunstuck. Younever And that’s whyyou should 3s=Medium;4s=Hard; know,though, it might be to give partners the benefit of the

5s=VeryHard;6s= your advantageifyou’reset free doubt. If youhavetime, chase es icl er -P ou. ny ti es er int an ke ta

n’t wo s tic poli ean tm esn’ do ics polit n ti es er nt ni ea ak tt no do ou ey us eca tb Jus r: we

Ans Genius to reconsideryour plans. aromantic opening. SOLUTION

TSUP CA Y, TRIML K, TIC ,S VIREO SOLUTION:

NARMADA WATER RESOURCES, WATER SUPPLYAND SALUTE THE SOLDIER KALPSAR DEPARTMENT (GOVT.OFGUJARAT) TENDER NOTICE NO. 3/2020-21 (E-TENDER) 07 DEC 1998 On behalf of Governor of Gujarat, Executive Engineer,Panchayat Irrigation On thisday 9422903F RfnMana Hang Division -Lunawada Dist. Mahisagar Pin.389230 (Ph. No. 02674-251623) Subba of 1/11 Gorkha Rifles (BATALIK) invites online tender (2nd /3rd Attempt) as per B1Agreement for H.R. Well, made the supreme sacrifice during 'OP Canal Lining and Canal Structures from Contractors registered under MEGHDOOT' at Central Glacier (J &K)on Appropriate Class in Public Works Department Last Date of Online submis- 07 Dec 1998 in true act of valour.The brave sion of tender: Dt,22/12/2020 Up To 18:00 Hrs., Last Date of Submission of soldier will always be remembered for his Documents as mentioned in Tender: Dt.28/12/2020 Up To 18:00 Hrs. &Date RFN MANA professionalism and indomitable spirit. To of Online Opening of Bid Documents :Dt.31/12/2020 12:30 Hrs. Executive Engineer reserve the right to reject any or all Bid Documents Without assign- HANG SUBBA this brave martyr we pledge that we shall ing any reason therefor.Any other details can be obtained from e-procure- always be guided by his immortal spirit and do his name ment portal http://nwr.nprocure.com Or www.statetenders.com and from proud. above office during Working Hours. (INF/Godhra/568/2020) CO AND ALL RANKS, 1/11 GORKHA RIFLES (BRAVEST OF THE BRAVE) Chhota Udepur Nagar Seva Sadan Dist: Chhotaudepur (BATALIK) E- Tender Notice On Line E-Tender are invited from the interested civil Contractors registered in appropriate Class with Govt. of Gujarat forthe Construction of boxcuIvertAmounting to indianexpress.com Rs.20.36 lac Behind Shriji society R.C.C.channel AmountingtoRs. 4.97 lac &lac &LoveChhotaudepur sign board Amounting to Rs.19.99 lac Under the Grant of 14th finance commission. More Detail Regarding the worksare available on the website of www.nprocure.com & www.statetenders.com. Bid Document will be down load From 09/12/2020 to 17/12/2020 tender feeand EMD &other Documents will have to submit up to 19/12/2020 by only Register Post A.D at 6.00 p.m. in Nagar Seva Sadan online opening of Bid on 21/12/2020 at 11.00 a.m. in Nagar Seva Sadan Office.(If possible) The Nagar Seva Sadan Reservesthe Rights to rejects anyorall tenders without assigning anyreason on thereof. Jakir Hussain MDadi Naren G. Jaiswal Vice president President Shivhari Bsharma Sangramsinh N.Rathwa Chief officer Chairman Standing Committee OTWNo: 2297/2020 Dt. 27/11/2020 “IMPORTANT” Whilstcare is taken prior to acceptance of advertising copy,itisnot possible to verify its contants. The Indian Express (P) Limited cannot Ilook at everyside be held responsible for such contents, nor for any loss or damage incurred as aresultof transactions withcompanies,associations or beforetaking aside. individuals adversing in itsnewspapersor Publications. We therefore recommendthat readers make necessary inquiriesbefore sending any monies or entering into any agreementswith advertisers or otherwise acting on an advertisement in any manner whatsoever. Inform your opinion with GOVERNMENT OF ODISHA insightful perspectives. OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDING ENGINEER, CENTRAL CIRCLE, RURAL WORKS, BHUBANESWAR No.______/Date. 02.12.2020 O-649 "e" Procurement Notice for Bridge Work for the year 2020-21

1. Name of the Work : Bridge Works for the year 2020-21 2. TotalNo. of Packages : 01 No. of Bridge Work 3. Estimated Cost of the Package : Rs. 356.79 lakhs 4. Class of Contractor : Estimated cost more than Rs.3.00 Crores &uptoRs. 6.00 Crores. Aclass &Special Class (of Odisha PWD) or relevant class of other licensing authorities 5. Period of completion : As mentioned in Column-7 of Annexure 6. Offered rates by bidder : The offered rate by the contractor shall be excluding GST. 7. Other details : Procurement Officer Bid Identification No. Availability of Tender on-line for bidding Last Date &Time of Date &Time of opening of tender From To seeking tender clarification Technical Bid Financial Bid 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Superintending Engineer, Central Circle Rural Tender- Online-C.C.- 09 of 2020 09.12.2020 at 24.12.2020 up to 21.12.2020 up to 28.12.2020 at 31.12.2020 at Works, Bhubaneswar 11.00 A.M. 5.00 P.M. 3.00 P.M. 11.00 A.M. 11.00 A.M. The Indian Express. Further details can be seen from the web site www.tendersorissa.gov.in Superintending Engineer Central Circle, Rural Works, Bhubaneswar Forthe Indian Intelligent. OIPR- 25082/11/0004/2021

Ahmedabad WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM

THEINDIANEXPRESS,MONDAY,DECEMBER7,2020 @ieExplained #ExpressExplained 9 If thereare questions of current or contemporaryrelevancethat youwould like E EXPLAINED explained, please [email protected]

CORONAVIRUS DASHBOARD EXPLAINED THE ECONOMY INDIA ACTIVE CASES 403,428 Nature of economic recovery 500,000

454,940 As Indiaemergesfromthe blowoflockdown, howfar hasthe economyofhouseholdsrecovered? While unemployment is backatpre-pandemic levels, datashowthat the stress of creating newjobs is notyet

450,000 over,household incomesremain depressed, and household spending has recoveredonlypartially 403,248 YEAR-ON-YEARINCOMECHANGESINAPRIL&JULY2020,BYSTATE LAST 10 DAYS EXPERTS PERCENT CHANGE IN MEAN INCOME 400,000 APRIL 2020 JULY 2020 Nov27Dec 5 EXPLAIN Note: The Dec 5figureinthis graph is based on the government updateonDec 6 Marianne Bertrand,RebeccaDizon-Ross, JK JK HP HP INDIA TOTAL CASES WORLD TOTALCASES Kaushik Krishnan,Heather Schofield PB PB UK UK 9,644,222 66,818,756 From The Indian Express panel ofspecialists, exclusive insight HR DL SK AR HR DL SK AR RJ RJ UP AS NL UP AS NL BR BR Source:MinistryofHealth&Family Source:JohnsHopkinsUniversity, ML MN ML MN Welfare,updatedat11pmonDec6 updatedat11pmonDec6 GJ MP JH WB MZ GJ MP JH WB MZ CG TR CG TR What do the datasay about the nature the labour forceentirely. OD OD and shape of India’s ongoing economic If workers leftthe labour forceentirely, we MH MH recovery? should see adropinthe employment-to-pop- TS TS -60%to-80% Thereare manyways to measurerecov- ulation ratio, or ‘Epop’. This is alsocalled the AP AP Covid outbreaks in schools ery. We can look at summarymeasures of employment rate or theWorkerPopulation GA KA GA KA -40%to-60% nationaleconomic performance, suchas Ratio (WPR). It is the number of people em- PY PY -20%to-40% TN TN 0%to-20% mainly driven by community government revenues, industrial production, ployedasafraction of the total working age KL KL and GDP.Bothtax and non-tax government population. Areduction in this measure im- 10%to0% revenues have grownyear-on-year. plies an overall reductioninemployment. transmission, finds report Industrial output has also been steadilyris- We find thatwhilethe unemployment Source: CMIE CPdx; shape files from Data{meet}. ing, though this sloweddownfor afew core rate bouncedback, India’s Epop has notfully COVID-19cases in schools and child- 234 cases potentially acquiring Covid- sectors in October.Indeed, this is also re- recovered. We areabout 2percentagepoints HOUSEHOLDMONTHLYEXPENSESPERCAPITA,BYCATEGORY careare mainlydrivenbycommunity 19 via eventslinked to childcare. flected in the strong GDP numbers from Q2, belowpre-Covid levels. This suggests that transmission, anew report has found. ■ 1,635infections were linked whichwerefuelled by the growth in both India has 20 million feweremployedpeople CONSTANT 2019 RUPEES Therefore, accordingtothe report, with childcareand schools in some private consumption and investment de- than it did before Covid. 2,500 closing schools should be alastresort, way, out of atotal of 19,901infections mand, though theyare still lowerthan their We also construct aslightlymoreconser- especially forchildcareand primary in Victoria. Cases associated with corresponding levels from ayear ago. vative measure of Epop, whichsuggests that school children, as cases in this age schools accounted for8%ofall infec- Anotherway to monitorrecoveryisto start theremight be 40 millionfewer employed 2,000 group areless likelytotransmit and tions in Victoria fromthe bottomup.Householdsurveysallow people nowthanbeforethe pandemic. Such be associated with an outbreak.The ■Of 139infected staffand 373in- researchers to study theeconomy at the level alarge reduction can have severe long-term reportrecommends that schools and fected studentswho mayhaveac- of individual households. The Consumer consequences. Even if those people arenot 1,500 childcarecentres shouldre-open as quired Covid via achildcareorschool Pyramids Household Survey (CPHS) con- lookingfor jobs today, theymight startlook- soon as community transmission of outbreak,eight (four staffand four ducted by CMIE measures the well-being of ing forjobs as the countryreopens.This could 1,000 coronavirus falls and stays low. students) were admitted to hospital over 174,000households across arangeofin- cause asurge in the unemployment rate in The ‘Covid-19inVictorian Schools and all recovered dicators at relatively high the months to come. Report’ wasprepared by ■ Infections in child- frequency. Onemeasureof 500 the MurdochChildren’s careand schools were householdeconomicwell- What has happenedto Research Institute rarely linked to infections beingfromCPHSisunem- THEEXPERTS the levelofper-capita (MCRI), Australia at the in the mostvulnerable ployment, whichshowed MARIANNE BERTRAND is incomes as aresult of 0 requestofthe Victorian population —the elderly aremarkable recovery. Chris PDialynas theCovid disruption? Jan2018Apr’18 Jul’18 Oct’18 Jan’19 Apr’19 Jul’19Oct’19 Jan’20 Apr’20 Jul’20 government. The report Although the report We were prompted DistinguishedService Which occupations or ■ All Non-Food Items ■ AllFood Items ■ Dairy, Meat, Eggs, and Fish ■ Cereals and Pulses analysed government PAPER wasnot able to deter- by this sharp changeto Professor of Economics, income groups were datawhichincludedre- mine the direction of investigatewhether ChicagoBooth worsthit? Source: CMIE CPdx portedCovid-19cases transmission, theauthors other indicators of eco- We seethathousehold REBECCADIZON-ROSS is and outbreaksacross all CLIP said theyanticipate that nomic well-being con- incomes remain de- AssociateProfessor, early childhood and pri- this datawill begathered firmedthis.Inour work, pressedinJuneandJuly, by benefit transfers helped? up but wasabout12% lowerinJulythan in ChicagoBooth maryand secondaryed- NEWRESEARCH in the next school term if we consider an alterna- whichtime the economy Directbenefittransfersdidindeedpickup, July2019. ucational settings in anyadditional outbreaks tive measureoflabour KAUSHIK KRISHNAN is had begun to “unlock”. but continuedtoconstituteaverysmall por- Per-capitafood expenditurewas remark- Victoria from January25toAugust31. occur.The reportalso providedde- market health, the em- Chief Economist, Centre Household per-capitain- tion of total household income. In the aggre- ablyconstant prior to thepandemic. It found that outbreaksinschool and tailedplans to prevent possibleout- ployment-to-population forMonitoring Indian comesreachedtheirnadir gate,theyplayedlittlerole instabilisingfalling Worryingly, expenditureonprotein-rich childcare centres were farmorelikely breaksfollowing the staged easing of ratio, as well as other Economy(CMIE) in April,when theywere incomes. Moreresearch on this, focusingon foods remained 10%lowerinJulythan its in those areas that also had high com- lockdown restrictions whichwould measures of household HEATHER SCHOFIELD is 44%lowerthanayearpre- at-risk groups certainlyneeds to be done. pre-Covid level. Government intervention munity levels, suggesting community followatraffic light system. These economic health suchas Assistant Professor, viously. Theyrose to be This does notrule out the stabilising force through the provision of free food is usually transmission drivesCovid-19spread planshavedrawn on experiences from per-capitaincome and University of Pennsylvania 25%loweryear-on-yearin that government intervention through the through cereals and pulses. Asustainedre- in schools. international settings,designed to re- expenditure.Alongthese Junebutthepaceof there- provision of NREGS work mighthaveplayed. ductioninfood expenditure might have con- Keyfindings: duce day-to-daydisruptions as faras dimensions, thereisevi- covery reduceddramati- This is notseparatelycaptured in CPHS. sequences on health and nutrition, especially ■ Of one million studentsen- possible, while ensuring thatteachers, dence of arecovery,but it is less strong. We callyinJuly, when theywerestill 22.5%lower Finally, government intervention in the in households with children. rolled,337 (0.03%) had an infection students and the wider community also document that the recovery is notevenly compared to July2019. This is troubling. form of expandedPDS and free food could linked to aschool outbreak arekeptassafeaspossible. distributed across Indian states. This loss in income seems to bedue to the have playedalarge role.Wesee suppressed What is the policy prescription at this ■ 113known events(involving a Source: MurdochChildren’sResearch fact that the majority of occupations were less spending on cereals and pulses,whichmight stageofthe economic recovery? single case or more) in childcarewith Institute Unemployment shot up in the remunerative duringthe lockdownthanbe- be on account of this. Our focus has been moretowards docu- immediateaftermath of the Covid- fore.This continuedtobethe case even in July. menting the facts. Thereisstill moreworkto induced lockdown. But the latestCMIE So even if aworkermanaged to hold on to a Howwas household spending altered by be done in justunderstanding what is hap- datasuggestthatthe unemployment job through the lockdown, she earnedless the changes in income? pening.Tosuggestchanges requires adeeper rate is back to pre-Covid levels. Is the comparedto her previous wage.These losses The storyonincomes is mirroredin knowledge of the what, and also the why. stress of creating newjobs over? were concentratedamong subsistence farm- householdspending.After apartial recovery, Government response to economic crises is No.The unemployment rate is justone ers, smaller businessmen (suchasshopkeep- things have stalled in July. Pre-pandemic, usuallydominated by supplyside interven- measureoflabourmarket stress. Ahighun- ers or dhaba owners), agricultural labourers, monthlyper-capitanon-food household ex- tions. At best,our work makes thecase for employmentrate suggeststhatthereare many and industrial and machine workers. penditurewas Rs 2,000while food expendi- moredirect government intervention on the people who want jobs, but arenot able to get Across income groups,wefind thatmid- turewas Rs 1,500. This trend reverseditself household side. jobs.Indeed,afterasharpspike,theunemploy- dle-income groups sufferedthe worstrela- at the height of the lockdown. Both food and ment rate dropped to pre-pandemiclevels. tive to their pre-pandemic levels. The low- non-food expenditurefell sharply, with non- Based on theauthors’ original paper This could be because everyone who re- est20% of the income distributionbounced food expenditure falling even lowerthan ‘Employment, Income, And Consumption In portedasunemployedand looking forwork backthe fastest, whereas the highest10% of food expenditure. India During And AfterThe Lockdown: AV- during the pandemic wasable to find ajob income earners in India have takenthe Movingforward from April, non-foodex- Shape Recovery?’ (ChicagoBooth School of quickly. Another possibility is that workers longesttorecover. penditurehas struggledtorecoverand re- Business) who lostjobsduring the pandemicweredis- mained35% belowits pre-pandemic levels RESEARCHASSISTANCE: couraged from even looking forjobs, and left Howfar have government’s direct even in July. Food expenditurebroadlypicked ADARSHKUMAR&KARTHIKTADEPALLI WhereRohingyaarebeingsent:anewlysurfacedislandinBayofBengal

the river. AGoogle Earth viewshows partof InJanuary, theICJpassedaprovisionalor- NIRUPAMASUBRAMANIAN itssedimentation underwater. BHASAN CHAR derdirectingMyanmarto take “allmeasures MUMBAI,DECEMBER6 Locatedcloseto themuchlargerSandwip, Dhaka withinitspower”to preventatrocitiesagainst BhasanCharspans40sqkm.Thegovernment members of the minority RohingyaMuslim BHASAN CHAR, the sitewhereBangladesh has builtshelters, hospitals and masjids. BANGLADESH community,inaccordance with itsobliga- has begun sending Rohingyarefugees from According to media reports,construction of Sandwip tionsundertheConventiononthePrevention INDIA Meghna the overcrowdedcamps at Cox’s Bazar,isan the concreteaccommodation beganin river Noakhali and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. island formedbysedimentation (char is November2017 atanestimatedcostof23.12 The orders arenot binding on Myanmar. Bengali forsediment) close to thecoast. billion taka ($272 million). AReutersreport Kolkata It is estimated that morethan 8lakh in 2018 saidChinese andBritishcompanies RohingyainMyanmartoday Rohingya,who fled an armycrackdown in carriedout the construction, whichincludes DiscriminationagainsttheRohingyacon- Chittagong Myanmar’s Rakhine Provincein2016,livein flood embankments andcycloneshelters. BHASAN (Above) Google Earth imageofBhasan Char tinues in Myanmar.Inthe recent elections in the camps at Cox’s Bazarinunhygienic con- According to areport in the Bangladesh CHAR 39 km: Bhasan Char’s distance from Noakhali on mainland whichSuu Kyi's party emergedwith abigger ditions. Bangladesh's plan is to move some 1 newspaperDailySun,1,440houseshave been majority than in 2015,therewerepractically lakhrefugees to Bhasan Char,39kmfrom constructedat 4mheight from the land, and 40 sq km: Itsarea no Rohingyavoters, this right having been Cox’s 2006: When it surfacedfromthe sea Naokhalionthe mainland. can accommodatearound 100,000 people. Sundarbans BayofBengal Bazar strippedbythe militaryjuntabeforethe last The plan has been in the making since Officials told the newspaper thatpeoplere- 100,000: Number of people who can be accommodated election. With up to amillion Rohingyaout- 2017.In2018, Prime MinisterSheikh Hasina located to the island can engageinfarming sideMyanmar,andvotingcalledoffinRakhine said it would be atemporary measure. One andlivestockbreeding,butwillnotbeableto Rapporteur on the Human RightsSituation, Rohingyasaying theyare “excited”atbeing “independentinternationalfactfindingcom- state, wherealakh Rohingyastill live,even of herministerssaidthoserelocatedto theis- “transact money” as Bangladesh is yettoof- told the Human Rights Councilin2019that relocatedtoanew,“peacefulandnice”place. mittee” said “[t]he horrors inflicted on those eligible could notvote. Nominations of landwouldnotbeallowedtoleave fromthere ficiallyrecognisethemasrefugeesandrefers itwasunclearto herevenaftershevisitedthe Rohingyamen, women and children during Rohingyacandidateswere rejectedfornot be- unless theyare going backtoMyanmar.The to them onlyas“stateless” people. Of 120 island if it was“trulyhabitable”. “Ill-planned Myanmar&Rohingya the August2017operations, includingtheir ingable to provecitizenship. decision has evoked international concern. shelters,20areallocatedforciviladministra- relocation, and relocations without the con- Myanmar,whichdoes notrecognise indiscriminatekilling, rise to the levelofboth ASEAN, of whichMyanmar is amember, tion,learning centres, mosques, community sent of the refugees concerned, have the po- Rohingyaasanindigenous group and refers warcrimes and crimes againsthumanity”. It has been unable to address the crisis. The What’sonBhasanChar clinics, day-carecentres, orphanageetc. tential to create anew crisis,” she said. to them onlyasBengalis,has notreactedto said the Armytargetedcivilians forkillings, grouping operates on the basis of non-inter- Bhasan Char is less an island and more GoogleEarth images showrowsofred- Accordingto theAssociatedPress,thefirst therelocationtoBhasanChar.Two yearsago, rapeandsexualviolenceon“ashockingscale”. ference. The international horroratSuu Kyi's mudflat,andisvulnerableto goingunderwa- roofedbarrack-likestructuresontheisland.It group of 1,642Rohingyaarrived at Bhasan Myanmarhadreluctantlyagreedtotakeback LastNovember, Gambia, with backing defence of the army’s policies at the ICJ has terfromtides and flooding. Muchofitissub- alsohasahelipad.Somefishingboatsare vis- CharonDecember 4, transportedbynaval some Rohingya, but hardlyany went back. fromtheOrganisationofIslamicCooperation, ledMyanmar to find solace in China's arms. mergedduring the monsoon. Located near ible, but the island is otherwise uninhabited. vessels from Chittagong. Some reports in The armycrackdown four years agowas took Myanmar to the International Courtof Amidallthis,Bangladesh,whichhasdone themouthof theriverMeghnawhereitflows westernmediaquotedsomeoftherelocated againstagroupcalledthe Arakan Rohingya Justice (ICJ) forviolating the 1948 Genocide morethananyothercountryfortheRohingya, intothe BayofBengal, Bhasan Char surfaced Habitable or not peopleassayingtheywerenot askedfortheir Salvation Army,which Myanmar said wasa Convention.StatecounsellorAugSanSuuKyi believesitiswithinitsrightstobypassUNcon- onlyin2006fromthesedimentdepositedby Yanghee Lee, former UN Special consent. Other reports quoted some Islamistterroristgroup. The UN-appointed represented Mynanmar at the hearings. cerns at the relocation to Bhasan Char.

Ahmedabad WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM

THEINDIANEXPRESS,MONDAY,DECEMBER7,2020 10 GOVT &POLITICS

4THPHASEOFJ&K DDC, PANCHAYATPOLLS Despiteredflag,J&Keyes100 Less than 18% panch, DELHI CONFIDENTIAL acresinJammuforestforHC 40% sarpanch seats built-up area of 90,000-100,000 go to polls today JAYMAZOOMDAAR sq m, including10,000sq meach NEWDELHI,DECEMBER6 for“judgesaccommodationfor35 judges” and “staff accommoda- opposed. Similarly,polling took AT Atime when land is under tion forjudicial administration”. ARUNSHARMA placefor 66 sarpanchseatsas scrutinyinJ&K, with lists of al- On October 15,2019, the JAMMU,DECEMBER6 therewas no candidatefor 20 leged beneficiaries under the Forest Departmentplacedthe seatsand candidatesfor 40 va- contentious RoshniAct being proposal before thethen FACand LIKETHE previous three phases cancies were elected unop- compiled,the National Boardfor recordedits objection -- but did of panchayatby-elections, which posed. Wildlife(NBWL)has cleareda notcall forany reassessment of arebeing held along with the The situation wasnodiffer- proposalfromthe J&K Lawand the land requirement. The FAC DistrictDevelopment Council ent in earlier twophases of Justice Department to build a approved theproposal subject to (DDC) elections in Jammu and polling held on November 28 newHigh Courtcomplexon clearance from the statewildlife Kashmir,voting will be held in and December 1. 40.66hectares, or around 100 board, whichgaveits nod on less than 18 per centofpanch In the 2018 panchayatelec- PAST RETURNS acres, inside Jammu city’s Bahu October 23, 2019. seatsand nearly 40 per cent of tions for33,592 panches and Conservation Reserve—ayear From proposal to state-level sarpanchseats, whichwereno- 4,290 sarpaches, 22,214 panches PUSHED TO thewall over thefarmers’protests, the BJP has afterForestofficials red-flagged The existing High Courtbuilding in Jammu clearances, the project was tifiedfor thefourth phaseof and 3, 459 sarpanches were dug out old letters from opposition leaders as well as press akey component. through in just12days before elections on Monday. elected.Following the election clippings to showtheir changingstand. In aseries of tweets, The NBWL clearance, which J&K became aUnion Territoryon Sources said out of the 1,207 of chairpersonsofBlock BJP organisation general secretaryBLSanthoshpostedclip- clears the decks forthe project, the duct.Damaging this system tion forforestclearance further October 31,2019. panchvacancies notifiedfor Development Councils in 2019, pings of farmers in Punjab and Haryana demanding that cor- came lastmonth. will affect the local airquality, raises the requirement to 40.66 In November 2019,two stu- polls, voting will take place for another307 seatsofpanches porates be allowedinagri marketing. He also posteda2010let- The project proposal had ear- hydrology and temperature. hectares. That is twice the ex- dentsfromJammu movedthe only216 seats. While candidates and sarpanches fell vacant. terwritten by Sharad Pawar, the then agricultureminister, to markedatleast20per cent of the Besides, the existing courtbuild- panse of the campuses of the NationalGreen Tribunal (NGT) in 416seatshavebeen elected Atotal of 12,153 panchand then Delhi chief ministerSheilaDikshit on private participa- built-up area forjudges’ and ju- ing is only15years old,” said CM Supreme CourtofIndia and the challenging the project. The unopposed, in the remaining 1.088 sarpanchvacancies arego- tion in marketing infrastructure. Also, Santosh postedthe 2016 dicial staffaccommodation. But Seth, formerchief wildlifewar- Delhi High Courtthat together Tribunal reliedonareportfiled seatsnonomination papers ing to the polls this year.Ofthese, DMK manifesto,whichtalkedabout facilitating farmers to sell on October 15,2019, twoweeks den and member of the J-K coveraround 21 hectares, or 51 by theJ&K Forest Department were filed. 11,814 panch and 935sarpanch their produce without middlemen. before J&Kofficiallysplit into Biodiversity Council. acres, aftermultiple expansions. “tothe effect that due process of Similarly,out of the 123 vacancies areinthe Valley. twoUnion Territories, the then The project note prepared by J-K Lawand Justice Secretary lawhas been followed” and dis- sarpanchseatsnotifiedfor polls About the DDC elections, stateForestDepartment had the J&K Lawand Justice Achal Sethi did notrespond to posedofthe application. Are- in the fourth phase, polling will sources said 7.17 lakh voters will placedthe proposal before the Department shows that the land multiple calls, emails and mes- viewpetition remains pending. be held in 50. While candidates decide the fate of 249candi- NOT IMPRESSED Forest AdvisoryCommittee being sought is about ten-fold of sages sent across aweek by The In June 2020, the proposal for stand elected unopposedin45 dates,who areinthe fray in 34 (FAC)onthe condition that “for- what is shown as the actual re- Indian Express seekingcomment “expansionofjudicial infrastruc- seats, thereare no contestants constituencies going to polls on THE GOVERNMENT strategy to pacify the protesting farmer estland shall notbeallowedfor quirement on record. on anumber of questions that ture” on 40.66-hectareforest forthe remaining28. Monday.Ofthese,17DDC con- leaders failedtoworkduring the fifthround of meetings on the construction of residential According to the note,the to- the proposalraises: whywas re- land with 38,000treesofvarious Almost all these vacancies stituencieseachare in Kashmir Saturday. It is learnt that MinisterofState forCommerce and Building/Colony”. The project, talbuilt-up area in lowand mid- quirement increasedfrom25 girth wasplacedbeforethe areinKashmirValley,wheremil- and Jammu divisions. IndustrySom Prakash, who is from Punjab, spokeinPunjabi however, went ahead without rise buildings would requirea hectares to 40 hectares;why was NBWL, whichgavethe green sig- itantshavebeen targeting Thereare 1,910polling sta- to strikeachordwiththe farm union representatives, mostof anymodification in land require- “ground coverage”of25,000- it notreducedfollowing the bar nal within four months. elected panchayat members. tions setupacross the Union whom arefromthe state. However, this did notimpress the ment. 50,000 sq m—2.5-5 hectares — on the project's residential com- When contacted,J-K princi- In the thirdphase held on Territoryfor this phase—781in farmers' leaders who asked him to speak in Hindi as some of Alongside Ramnagar wildlife allowing forexpansion over the ponent; and whether officials pal chief conservator of forests December 4, atotal of 1,738 Jammuand 1,129inKashmir. the members of the delegation could notunderstand Punjabi. sanctuary, Bahuconservation re- next 40 years. But what has been considered the acceptedprinci- (PCCF) Mohit Geradeclined to panchand 126sarpanchvacan- Out of these, 1,152havebeen cat- serve servesasthe green belt of sought is atotal requirement of ple of keeping forest landre- comment on whyhis cies were notifiedfor polling. Out egorisedashypersensitive and Jammu city.Bothreserves were 250,000 sq m—25hectares — quirement to theminimum. Department did notseek anyre- of them,polling took placefor 349assensitive.The rest have CAUGHT UP notified as protected forest in with 80 per cent open space for Theprojectplansubmittedby duction in the project's land re- only327 panchseatsasnoone been categorisedasnormal. 1981.“These arethe twolungs of “tree-coveredsurface parking”, the J&K Lawand Justice quirementatany stage. “I don’t filednomination papers for613 Polling shall be conducted from UNION MINISTER of Agricultureand Farmers’ Welfare the Jammu city with the Tawi etc. Department on October 11,2019, have anythingtosay as the proj- seats. In the remaining 798seats, 7amto2pm, an official state- NarendraSingh Tomar,who is leading the government in the riverflowingbetween them as The accompanying applica- contains abreak-upofthe total ect has been cleared,” he said. candidates had been elected un- ment said. talkswith the protesting farm unions, had to cancel his offi- cial engagementslastweek in viewofhis involvement in the deliberations. On December 5, he wasscheduledtotakepart MoD turns in aconference of directors of all institutes under the Indian CAAimplementation likely from Uttarakhand RSS to Council of AgricultureResearch,directors of Agricultural down museum TechnologyApplication Research Instituteand Vice Nadda: To win state, BJP Chancellors of the stateagriculture universities. However, he Jan-Feb: Vijayvargiya in Bengal proposal for could notattend it because of the meeting with farmers unions. Tomar also had to cancel public engagementson musttakeworkers along December 1and 3. EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE INS Viraat KOLKATA,DECEMBER6 LALMANIVERMA BJP LEADERS Kailash DEHRADUN,DECEMBER6 EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE NHAI says green cover is Vijayvargiyaand Mukul Roy MUMBAI,DECEMBER6 have claimedthat the process of THE BJP can win the 2022 as- contractor’s job, NGT implementing the amendedcit- sembly elections in the stateonly OVER Amonth afterthe ship- izenship lawwill begin in either if it takesits party workers along, breaker in Alang winchedINS JanuaryorFebruary2021. UttarakhandRSS leaders told BJP Viraat closer to theshore fordis- slams its ‘indifference’ “Mostprobablyfrom national president JPNadda in a mantling, the Ministryof January, the process of granting meeting in Dehradun on Sunday. Defence (MoD) had lastmonth compliance of suchmandate. citizenship to allthe people who Nadda and party’s stategen- formallyturneddownthe pro- EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE The stand of the NHAI that the arerefugees will be startedby eral secretary(organisation) Ajey BJP national presidentJP posal to convert thedecommis- NEWDELHI,DECEMBER6 roads areconstructedbyconces- the BJP government. These peo- Kumar visited theRSS office, Nadda at areviewmeeting sionedaircraftcarrierintoamu- sioners and it is onlytheirre- ple have come from Bangladesh, wherediscussions were held for in Dehradun on Sunday. PTI seum. THE NATIONAL Highways sponsibility to complywiththe Afghanistan and Pakistanafter morethan an hour.“It wasanin- In athree-pageletterto Authority of India has shown a mandateoflaw is patentlyun- facing religious persecution. BJP’s KailashVijayvargiyaand Mukul Roy(extreme leftand troduction meeting. We dis- EnvitechMarine Consultants "lackofresponsibility” and “in- tenableand shows indifference Theyhavesought refugeinour right) during aprogramme in KolkataonSunday. Express cussedsome national issues. The organisation's 28 departments Pvt. Ltd, whichhas proposedto difference” to itsduties, the and breachofpublic trustand country. The BJP government BJP leadershipsought our opin- on Friday—ahead of Nadda's visit turn the vessel intoamuseum, National Green Tribunal said this statutoryduties." will grant citizenship to all such ion on some issues. On the affairs to the state. the ministrywrote on week while directing the agency "Moreover, being public au- people. The Centrehas honest through amicroscope,” he leadershipisapprehensive that in Uttarakhand, it wassuggested On Sunday,the party presi- November 27 that taking “fac- to complywiththe lawonmain- thorities, taking suchplea shows intentionstogrant citizenship to added. delaying the implementation of that the party willwin the elec- dent held areviewmeeting of tual as well as policyaspectsin- taining green coverand remov- lackofresponsibilityorlackof persecuted refugees who have Lastmonth, Union Home the newcitizenship lawmight tions onlyifittakes itsworkers these departments. Lastweek, teralia related to safetyand ma- ing encroachmentsand illegal knowledge of law. Indifference come to India from neighbour- MinisterAmit Shah had said turn the community againstit. along,”saidanRSS functionary. the statenominated over a terial state of the vessel (whose access to highways. to issues of the environment af- ing countries,” Vijayvargiya, the during his visittothe statethat Lastmonth, BJP MP Santanu He said party workers at dozen leaders in the corpora- keel waslaid in pre- On Thursday, an NGTbench fecting public health, by apublic party observer forBengal, told the implementation of the CAA Thakur said he would writeto ground oftencomplain that the tions, boards and committees. Independence era) intoconsid- headedbychairperson Justice authority,can hardlybeappre- the media on the sidelinesofa wasjustamatter of time. BJP na- Shah, requesting him to quickly organisationwas notaddressing According to sources, Nadda eration, the requestofthe peti- Adarsh Kumar Goel took excep- ciated," it added. BJP event in North24Parganas tional presidentJPNaddahad implement the lawinBengal to their grievances, and that they andthe RSS leaders discussed tioner forgrant of NOC (no tion to an affidavit filedbyNHAI, The tribunal directed the district on Saturday. made similar commentsthe ensurethat Matuas getcitizen- were notgetting due regard from the state’s political scenario objectioncertificate) to convert whichstatedthat the primary NHAI, the National Highways On Sunday, Roy, the party’s month before. ship rights. Thakur is amember the party and the government. ahead of the assemblyelections the status of ex-Viraat cannot be responsibility of protecting high- and InfrastructureDevelopment national vice president, raised According to political ob- of the community. In viewofthe pandemic,onlya and the execution of Centre- accededto”. ways from encroachment, re- Corp Ltd (NHIDCL)and the rele- the matterataprotestmeeting servers, the BJP is keen to hold on Matuas have been migrating fewfunctionaries were invited fundeddevelopmentand wel- While manymay think that moving illegal access to them, vant Central and stateministries at RedRoad here. to the votes of the sizableMatua to West Bengal since the 1950s, to themeeting. fare schemes in the hill state. this would be theend of the road and planting of trees along the to develop appropriatemecha- “Implementation of CAA community,mostofwhose mostlybecause of religious per- In recent days,the party has Later in the day, Nadda virtu- forthe Viraat—once the Navy's carriageway and median, lay nisms forcompliance of laws [Citizenship Amendment Act] members arerefugees from secution. The community,with issuedshowcause notices to allyaddressedbooth-levelwork- flagship that wasdecommis- with the project contractor. that govern the issuesspecified will startfromJanuary-February. Bangladesh. The community an estimated populationofthree party MLAs and leaders who ex- ers. He asked them to create sioned in 2017 after30years of The benchobserved:“The in the application. Iamconfident that in the up- had voted in favour of the BJP in millioninthe state, influences at presseddisagreement with the WhatsApp groups at every service—EMCPL from Navi guidelines on tree plantationsre- These mechanisms aretobe coming Assemblyelections the the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, leastfour Lok Sabha seatsand stategovernment at different fo- booth, on whichtheyshould cir- Mumbai is preparingtomove quireleaving the space forthe overseen by environmental reg- BJP will come to powerwith helping the saffron partyregis- 30-40 AssemblyseatsinNadia, rums. Also, party leaders have culateevery 15 days clippings of Supreme Court. plantations upto 30 meters ulatoryauthorities at the Cente morethan 200seats. One will terits best-everperformancein Northand South 24 Parganas been complaining of notgetting speeches made by Prime “Wewill be moving Supreme width.Encroachmentsobstruct as well as state, the benchsaid. notbeabletosee the TMC even Bengal. Asection of the stateBJP districts. apositioninthe party organisa- MinisterNarendraModi, Home Courtinaday or two. This is not tion and government bodies. MinisterAmit Shah, and Chief over,” said Rupali Sharma, The party stateunit had an- MinisterTrivendraSingh Rawat, Director of EnvitechMarine nouncedoffice-bearers forthe among others. Consultants. PROGRAMME LAUNCHED IN REMOTE VILLAGES WITH POOR ROADS Nainital deploys ‘dolis’ to boost institutional deliveries HC says no accelerated promotion

quins can make500visitstothe tained,” Bansal said. for cops who helped nab Veerappan LALMANIVERMA district per year,and apregnant According to the DEHRADUN,DECEMBER6 woman can availofthe service Uttarakhand MedicalHealth and ernment order.The Jayalalithaa- as manytimes as she wants. FamilyWelfare Department,the EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE ledgovernment passedanother The administration in “Reimbursement (of Rs infant mortality rate (IMR) in the CHENNAI,DECEMBER6 Veerappan order in 2013,amending special Uttarakhand’s Nainital district 2,000)will be done foreachvisit. stateis32, Maternal Mortality waskilled rules forTamil Nadu police and has built on an existing ‘doli’ If found required,number of vis- Ratio is 165and institutional de- THE MADRAS High Courthas in 2004 paving the wayfor accelerated (palanquin) service forpregnant itswould be increasedfurther livery percentageis87. quashedastate government or- seniority to STFpersonnel. women to facilitate institutional and budget will be provided,” As per aspecial bulletinon dertogrant accelerated promo- The courtonSaturdayheld deliveries in villages in hillyar- Nainital DistrictMagistrateSavin maternal mortality in the period tionto personnelinvolvedinoper- affected due to the accelerated the order “unconstitutional” and eas whichhavepoor road con- Bansal said. He said the Chief 2016-18, releasedbythe office of ationsto nabVeerappan,whowas seniorityofSTF even though not quashedit. nectivity to hospitals. This serv- Medical Officer will transfer the the Registrar General of India killedinanencounter in 2004. being apartofthe operations JusticeVParthibanaddedthat ice will help women when they budget to the medical officer in- (RGI) earlier this year,the na- TheAIADMKgovernmenthad againstVeerappan wasnot their “eitherthegovernmentwasbliss- go intolabour as well as fortheir Amakeshift‘doli’ made withacot. Nainital district administration charge of hospitals. tional Maternal Mortality Ratio in2004grantedpromotionto 752 fault. An STFpersonnel moveda fullyignorant as howtoexercise antenatal check-ups. The administration has also (MMR) had declinedto113 from SpecialTaskForcepersonnelwho petitioninthe high courtagainst itspower referable to the In Nainital, overhalf of the planned to procure palanquins 122inthe period2015-17.Asper were partofthe operations .The the 2007 government order. Constitution in overruling the population livesinhillyareas, amakeshiftpalanquin to hospi- awoman can avail the facility forthose gram panchayats that report, the MMR in decision wasconceivedasaone- As the case filedbythe STF judgment of the constitutional and this service will be available talorthe nearestroad where onlyonce -- eitherfor theante- wherethe palanquins areinpoor Uttarakhand was99and mater- time measurebut beneficiaries personnel waspending, the next court, or it wasacocky demon- in the remote villages of five theycan gettransport. natal check-ups or fordelivery. condition. Thesevillages will be nal mortality rate was6.4 in were granted acceleratedsenior- AIADMK government ledbythe stration of officious imprudence”. blocks—Ramgarh, Dhari, Under the National Health TheNainitaladministration identifiedbyJanuary 15,and 2016-18. ity forlater promotions, too. lateJJayalalithaa cancelledthe “In the opinionofthis court, Okalkanda, Betalghat and Mission (NHM), the Central gov- found that suchrestrictions dis- thesepalanquins willprotect the According to datareleasedby The matterreachedthe court 2007 government order in 2012 suchcavalier approachbythe Bhimtal. Apalanquin serviceis ernment provides an incentive couraged thepractice. In order woman from sun and rain, will the RGIinMay,the national in- afterthe DMK governmentin and restoredthe acceleratedsen- government to theimportant is- already in practice in certain hilly of Rs 2,000pervisitofthe palan- to encourage pregnant women have sanitized sheets and pil- fant mortality rate was32in 2007 passedaGovernment iority.Irked at the government’s sue would tantamount to carica- villages which arenot accessible quin. However, the number of to visithospitals by using this fa- lows andwill have ample space 2018,while the figurefor Order cancelling the accelerated move at atime whenthe case is turing powervestedinthe state by vehicles. In suchareas, vil- visitsapalanquin can maketoa cility,asum of Rs 10 lakh has to carry necessarybaggage. “A Uttarakhand in the correspon- seniority,citing that promotions pending,adivision benchofthe under Article 162ofthe lagers ferrypregnant women on districtislimitedtojust60, and been allocated so that palan- comfortlevel will be main- ding period was31. of regular police personnel were high courtset aside the 2012 gov- Constitution,” he said. Ahmedabad

WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM

11 THEINDIANEXPRESS,MONDAY,DECEMBER7,2020 IDEA EXCHANGE Newsmakersinthe Newsroom HANNAN MOLLAH, GENERAL SECRETARY,ALL INDIA KISAN SABHA ‘ Nobody understands farmers’ problems. Everybody is giving us advice, nobody is ready to listen to us Th‘eCPI(M) leader andgeneral secretaryofthe All India Kisan Sabha insists farmers won’t accept“cosmetic changes” to newlaws, criticises“calculated attempt” to paint protestasPunjab movement and urgesgovttoharmonise ties between traders, farmers. The session wasmoderated by Deputy Associate Editor Manoj CG

MANOJ CG: Farmers’ organisations suicide... We arebuilding the movement workers arestill fighting. Over 26 crore want all the three newfarm laws to be and mobilising farmers. Thereare ups and workers participated from all over India repealed. Is thereamiddleground? downs in amovement... The farmers of in the laststrike. When thereare attacks, In the last sixmonths, farmers from West Bengal have thesame problems as reaction will also develop. Theyare facing across the countryhavebeen raising their those in the rest of the country—prob- averydifficult situation. Statepower,na- issues. When the ordinances were passed, lems of land, costofproduction, input tional power, media, intellectuals, all are farmerswerenot asked… The movement cost. putting pressureagainstthese toiling peo- wascontinuously gaining momentumin Thereweresome ple. Theyare fighting the lastsix months. Ultimately, when problems initially... againstall odds to farmers realisedthat the government is People forget theyare Farmersare producers. ‘ survive. notlistening to them, what else could they WHY farmers, and sud- do in ademocratic system? We decided denlybecome Hindu Don’t force us to become MONOJIT HANNAN MOLLAH to organise apeaceful movement… They and Muslim. We told traders. During Covid, MAJUMDAR: Butit (farmers) decidedtocome to the Capital he eight-time Lok Sabha them youcan be is the political and inform the government about their Hindu or Muslim, but farmerssurvivedwithout space vacated in problems.The government is insisting MP and CPI(M) youare afarmer... If West Bengal by the that these (farm) Acts areapanacea. But T youbecomeHinduor anygovthelp or package... Left and by the farmers neverwanted theseActs, no politburo member is Muslim,you become ‘ socialistparties in Govt should not destroyus. farmer organisation demandedit. among the prominent leadersof instrumentsinthe UP and Bihar that hands of communal createdthe space MANOJ CG: If the governmentdoes the ongoing farmers’ protest. As forces. So,atcertain forthe neo-liberal notrepeal the laws,are youwilling to general secretaryofthe AllIndia stage, they(farmers of policies that you acceptsome amendments? Bengal) were misledand became victims of aretalking about… We want the laws to be scrapped. If Kisan Sabha,the 74-year-old communalism, whichisalso dominating Earlier,when opportunities were thereweresome mistakes, therecould be other parts of thecountry. But nowtheyare available forthe Leftand socialistparties, amendments, but all the laws areanti- veteran from Bengal is part of realising things and coming backtothe theycouldnot utilise it properly.The farmer.That is whyfarmers have said that the team holding negotiations struggle. The farmers (of Bengal) arealso weaknesses were there. Theyrealisedthat cosmetic changes hereand therewill not realising that if we have to fight, we have theyshould consolidatewhat they serveany purpose. with the government, to fight unitedly.Thereisnoother way. achievedand take it further.The mistakes demanding that the new farm and weaknesseswereseen. Now, we un- LIZ MATHEW:Will your protestdraw MANOJ CG:Manyofthe farmer derstand that we needarelook,weneed morefarmers from otherparts of the laws be scrapped unions areaffiliated to the Left. You to rectify our weaknesses, and we have to country? be more practical and objective in our un- Thereisacalculated attempt by the derstanding. That thinking is nowdomi- government to paint it as aPunjab move- nating Leftand progressive circles. ment and, unfortunately, the media is helping them.OnAugust 9, there wasa NIRUPAMA SUBRAMANIAN: Is the ‘Jail Bharo’ (agitation) againstthese laws. international attention that the Nearly one crorefarmers in 600districts farmers’ movement has got actually across 25 states were on the streetsto hurting the protest? It hasbecome a protest. Did onlyfarmers from Haryana security question, people aretalking and Punjab protestthen? Punjab is defi- aboutKhalistanis... nitelyatthe forefront of the movement, This is aready-made prescription of the but the Punjab movement is part of the government —security... The government Indian movement. declared waragainstthe farmers when Thereisawrong perception that farm- theystarted coming. Theyencircled ers areverystrongand that theyhavebar- Haryana, they saidweare sealing the bor- gaining power… The government is mak- ders.Haveyou seen, afterIndependence, ing laws with wrong perceptions… anystate sealing itsborders to other Farmers needregulatoryprotection,but states? Even during the Khalistani prob- it isn’t thereinthe newActs. About86per lem, the Punjabborder wasnot sealed. The cent farmers aresmall farmers and have government sealedthe border and at- lessthantwo acres (of land). Howwill tacked farmers in this cold weather with these helpless people survive theattack watercannons... Nobody is understanding from the Adanis and Ambanis? our problem. Everybody is giving us ad- Farmers areproducers.Please help us vice, but nobody is ready to listentous. But remain producers. Don’tforce us to be- thereisnoother way(apartfromprotests). come traders… Afterthe pandemic, all production sectors collapsedexceptfarm- PARTHASARATHI BISWAS: In ing. Farmers survivedwithout anygovern- Maharashtra, the Shetkari ment help or package. The government Sanghatana has notsupportedthe should help us survive,and notdestroy us. present movement. Theyhave welcomedthe de-regulationof HARISH DAMODARAN:Why are APMCs and manyofthe farmer farmerunions demanding that MSP producers’ companies aremaking be madealegal right? If private Illustration: Suvajit Dey considerablygoodmoneyafter the tradershavetocompulsorily paythe market cesswas abolishedfor trade MSP,theywill nottrade.How will it outside the market.InMaharashtra, benefit farmers? improvethe situation,then asection of commission agents, who received2.5 so that theyare defeated. critics saythatyou areusing these thereisn’t agroundswell of support Whyshould everything be at the cost the younger people will remain in farm- per cent as commission on anything protests to gain political ground. forthe ongoing movement, unlike of the farmers? Youcan survivewithout ing. Government is nothelping (the farm- that the farmers sold. The newlaws SANDEEPSINGH: Youmentionedhow Farmer movementscannotalways be the protests twoyears ago. Whyisthe everything, but if youdonot have food, you ers).Theyare onlyinterestedincontract propose to changethat. In that case, earliersmall traders were looting equated with electoral battles. Election movementlimited to the northern willdie.Can youcompare food with any (farming). Thereiscontract farming all don’tyou think thatthe laws will help farmersand nowafewcorporates has different issues... Now, moneypower parts of the country? other product? Now, farming has become over the country, but at leastthereiscer- farmers? willdothat. So where does the farmer has become amajor issue (in polls). We Unlikeearlier,the farmers arenow suf- aloss-making venturebut despitethat tain control over it. Now, (because of these We keep the poorperpetually illiter- stand, becauseevenifthe previous sawitinBiharelections, wherefarmers fering directly. Their interests areindan- farmerscannot leave it becauseitistheir newlaws) contract farmingwill be totally ateand trytoexploit them. We arenot situation is restored,the farmer will voted againstthe government (BJP-JD-U ger. Whydoyou think despitethe cold, at wayoflife. Whyare youforcingustobe- free. The stronger partner will dominate. concernedabout raising their conscious- bear losses? government). the startofthe sowing season, theyhave cometraders? Letusremainproducers. Andoncetheybuy crops,giveloans and ness. Theyshould knowtheir rights. But Asinceregovernment can take stepsto lefteverything to protest? The govern-

Four lakh farmers have committed inputs, don’t youthink richpeople will when theygotoexert their rights,theyare protect the farmers,toharmonise there- HARISH DAMODARAN: Whyisitthat ment is using the pandemictodestroy us. suicide. Whydidn’tasingle corporate- graduallyhaveinfluence over the land? underattack. The government is talking lationship between smalltraders and the Left’s trade union politicshas In Maharashtratoo, thereissupport. aidedintellectualorjournalistmention of consensus, whichisavery, very farmers... Thereare lakhs of farmers and failedwhereas itsfarmer politics These newlawswill destroy thefarmers it?... We needcertain guarantees and pro- ANANT GOENKA: What wasthe best favourable word.But what is consensus? youhavetounderstand the existing situ- seems to be succeeding? all over the country. It is adeath knellfor tection. The government has aduty to pro- period forthe Indian farmer since This consensus is ademocratic consensus ation of the country. Youcannotwish it Thereisnocomparison. Earlier,farm- farmers. Today, onesection will getat-

tect the weaker sections. Now, India is no Independence? or fascistconsensus? Democratic consen- away.Insuchasituation youcannotfol- ersweresuffering, but afterneo-liberal tacked,tomorrowothers will face it. moreawelfare State. It is becoming aneo- No government had implemented sus means listening to all, taking every- lowwaysofSingapore.Indiaisnot policies, their problems took the shape of Gradually, it will spread to thewhole liberal State. perfect farmer- body’s concerns and opinions and com- Singapore. Youhave acrisis. Now, thereis country. These Acts arenot forPunjab, Welfarism is gradu- friendlypolicies. bining it to reachaconclusion. And if to consider your poli- an agricultural crisis. Haryana or Maharashtra. These arefor allybeing finished. Farmers work for18 ‘what Isay,you agree’ is (considered)con- cies basedonIndian We aretrying to take India. Imentionedhow thegovernment ‘ We arenot expecting ‘ Left parties couldn’t utilise But we aredemand- hours aday.Theiren- sensus, that is fascistconsensus. realities... We need up their cause and and the media triedtoshowthat it is a ing welfaremeas- muchfrom talks. They are tirefamilyworks,day reforms to ensurea opportunities earlier.There the farmers arecom- Punjab movement, but that is notthe case. ures. Without wel- and night, in rain and NUSHAIBAIQBAL: Is thereaway in harmonious relation- ing forward. But you Themovementisthereacross the country, fare measures, we killing time. Lakhs of cold,but theyare not whichwecan implementaset of ship(betweenfarm- were weaknesses. We have knowhow the trade onlythe degree, scale is different. cannotsurvive. people are sitting in the receiving anybenefit. reforms that would give farmers ers and traders). to be more practical. The union movements Howmanyin- The government morebargaining powerinthe market Government must have been destroyed SHUBHAJIT ROY: Can youtell us about dustrialists or traders cold …the govt is wasting should take responsi- without, as youmentioned, think about it. If you thought is nowdominating all over the world. some of the leaders who have been commit suicide? ‘ bility to some extent. furthering the neo-liberalagenda? keep farmersinyour ‘ Howthe neo-liberal most receptive to issues of farmersin And if theycommit time to exhaust farmers But theyare not Youcome to thefarmers, consult mindand form poli- Left,progressive circles policies have de- the pastyears? suicide, whatisthe ready to listentothe them, listentotheir problems and find out cies, that will beacer- stroyed theworkers’ (LateCPM leader) BenoyKishna Konar reason? It maybe problems. howthose problems can be addressed tain typeofpolicy. rights... Suchpolicies wasthere. Therewas Sundarayya (who because of bad man- with some participation from the govern- But if youthink about aretrying to destroy ledthe peasant revolt) in Telangana. In agement of the economy. But farmers fail MANRAJ GREWAL SHARMA: Farming ment and with some protective measures. onlyfarming production, trade and export, the trade union movements, and that is Maharashtra, Godavari Parulekar took up because of natural calamities,which is not is becoming aloss-making business. Reform does notmean that all burden will then the policy will be in adifferent direc- implemented in our countrytoo. issues of farmers and tribal communi- in their hands. Theydonot receive com- Howcan the situation be improved? pass on to thefarmer,and all benefit will tion. All the policies formulatedby succes- For70years, workers fought and got ties… No government in the countryin pensation. As anation, we have aduty to We aregivingRs6-7 lakh croreto go to the traders. sive governmentshavebeen keeping in manypro-workerActsimplemented.But the pasthas formulated absolutepro- protect our anna daata (foodproviders). those who arelootingthe countryby(cre- mind production,benefit, export, import now44labour Acts have been repealedin farmer policies. Therehavebeen small ating) non-performing assets,and cheat- HARIKISHAN SHARMA: What areyour etc. Our demand is to keep the farmer at the interestofthe corporates... The State cosmetic changes, some benefitshereand ANANT GOENKA: It’stough to be in ing the banksand government. Whycan’t expectationsfromtalkswiththe the centreofthe policy and to stop this powerisdirectlyinvolvedinattacking the there... But farmershavenever been at the the farming profession today. What apartofthe exchequer be giventofarm- government? economic exploitation forbenefit to a poorer sections, workersand peasants. centre of agricultural policies. That is would your advice be to a22-year-old ers forsurvival?… Unfortunately, as they We arenot expecting muchbecause small section of people. These arethe twoproducing classes, oth- our complaint. from afarmingfamily, whoplans to (the farmers) come from the poorer sec- the government’s attitude isn’t very ers areconsuming classes... The former is sell offhis land and work fora tions, no one is concerned. At one point, favourable. In the meetings tooItold the ATRI MITRA: The Lefthad astrong suffering, but the sympathyfor thesesec- MONOJIT MAJUMDAR: Over the years, corporate? the middle-classwas vocal in itssupport ministerthat the PrimeMinisterhas al- organisation among farmers in West tions(the poor) is reducing… As alastre- whichagricultureministerhaveyou The sons and daughters of farmers do of the poor.But now, since the neo-liberal ready said that these areverygood laws, Bengal. But thereisn’t aconsolidated sortwegotothe judiciary, and in the last found mosteasy to reachout to and notwant to engageinfarming because policies were introduced, we areseeking very beneficial, then what can youdo? movement against the newfarm laws 5-10years, since the neo-liberal policies, communicatewith? their fathers and grandfathers suffered. It abetterlifefor afew,and destroying the Youhavenopower. Theyare onlykilling in the state. Whyisthat the case? Is it yousee that the judgments in favour of (NCP chief) Sharad Pawarwas alittle is becoming aloss-making venture. In livesofcommon people. time. Lakhs of people aresitting in the becausetheybelieve the laws willbe the exploited people, poor people, work- sympathetic to thecause of farmers. suchasituation, what is the duty of the cold, three people died... Instead of amore beneficial to them? ers is being reduced. The mental make- When we went withour issues, he lis- government? Will profit only be forAdani MANRAJ GREWAL SHARMA:In humane attitude to resolve the problem The farmers (in West Bengal) arenot up is being changed in favour of neo-lib- tened... Theyhavemade some small and Ambani, and notfor the crores of Punjab, the major complaintofthe immediately, thegovernment is talking in good condition.During this govern- eral policies. Corporates aredominating changes, but our demand is foroverall farmers? If the government manages to farmer waswith the arhtiyas or the and wasting time to exhaustthe farmers ment’stenure, 219farmers committed the minds of well-offpeople. But the policy.

Ahmedabad WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM

THEINDIANEXPRESS,MONDAY,DECEMBER7,2020 12 THE WORLD

TOPOFTHE WORLD Trump keeps up claims of fraud Britaingetsreadyfor at Georgiarally for US senators roll-outofPfizer’s REUTERS VALDOSTA (GEORGIA), DECEMBER6 vaccinethisweek US PRESIDENT Donald Trump Juliari Batubara campaignedinGeorgia on Saturdayfor twoRepublican senators at arally that some in REUTERS INDONESIA his party feared could endup LONDON,DECEMBER6 Cabinetminister hurting, nothelping, their chances by focusing on his ef- BRITAIN IS preparing to become namedsuspect fortstoreverse his ownelection the firstcountrytorollout the defeat. Pfizer/BioNTechCovid-19vac- ingraftcase In his firstrally appearance cine this week,initiallymaking Jakarta: ndonesia’s anti- since he losttoDemocrat Joe the shotavailable at hospitals be- graftagencynamedSocial Biden in the Nov. 3presidential fore distributing stocks to doc- Affairs MinisterJuliari contest, Trumpurged the crowd tors’ clinics, the government said BatubaraonSundayasa to vote forRepublican candi- on Sunday. suspect in amillion-dollar dates in the Georgia runoffelec- The firstdoses areset to be briberycase, along with tion on Jan. 5despitehis unsub- administeredonTuesday, with four others, while stantiated claims of significant the National Health Service President JokoWidodo electoral fraudinthe state. (NHS) giving toppriority to vac- Specialistfreezers awaitdistribution of the Covid-19 warnedofficials against But he gave considerable Donald Trumpatacampaign rallyfor Republican US senators in Valdosta,Georgia. Reuters cinating the over-80s, frontline vaccines from asecure location in Britain. Reuters misuse of public funds. He time in his remarks to allega- healthcareworkers and care becomes the second cab- tions, made withoutevidence, of home staffand residents. inetministertobedesig- widespread fraudinthe nation- have refusedtobackhis claims, Democratic presidential candi- The races will determine Britain gave emergencyuse Virus could push people nated asuspect by the wide election that ledtoa including Georgia’s governor, datetowin in Georgia since 1992. whichparty controls the U.S. approval forthe vaccine devel- Corruption Eradication Democratreclaiming the White Brian Kemp.Earlier on Saturday, Statewide recounts, includinga Senate. Democrats, who already opedbyPfizer and BioNTechlast Commission(KPK) over House.Trumphas declinedto TrumpphonedKempand pres- painstaking reviewbyhand of have themajority in the House week -jumping ahead in the in extreme poverty to the lastfew weeks. Juliari concede the race. sured thegovernor on Twitter to some 5million ballots,turnedup of Representatives, needtowin global race to beginthe most and twoofficials aresus- “Theycheated and they take further steps to helphim no significantirregularities. both seatstocontrol theSenate. crucialmass inoculation pro- pected of taking bribes rigged our presidential election overturn the election results. The Januaryrunoffs pit two If Republicans win one seat, they gramme in history. over 1billion by 2030: UN over the procurement of but we will still win it,” Trump Trump’s allegations of wide- Republican senators, David will retain their majority and be In total, Britain has ordered “Severe long-term effectsof goods worth5.9 trillion said. “And they’regoing to try spread voter fraudhavebeen re- Perdue and KellyLoeffler,against able to blockmuchofBiden’s 40 million doses. As eachperson YOSHITASINGH the Covid-19pandemic could rupiah($420 million) to and rig this election too,” Trump, jected by stateand federaloffi- well-fundedDemocratic chal- legislative agenda. requires twodoses, that is UNITEDNATIONS,DECEMBER6 push an additional 207million be distributed as Covid-19 aRepublican, told the crowd, cials across the country, and his lengers Jon Ossoffand Raphael Biden said he would visit enough to vaccinate20million people intoextreme povertyon social assistance packages, who chanted “FourMoreYears!” campaign’s numerouslegal Warnock, seeking to capturea Georgia to campaign forthe people in the countryof67mil- AN ADDITIONAL 207million topofthe current pandemic tra- agencychief FirliBahuri The president repeated his challenges have almostall failed. statethat has notelected a Democratic candidates but did lion. About 800,000 doses are people could be pushedintoex- jectory, bringingthetotalto over1 said. REUTERS attacks on Republicans who Biden wasthe first Democratic senator in 20 years. notgiveatimetable forhis trip. expectedtobeavailable within treme povertyby2030 due to billion by 2030," notedthe study. thefirstweek. the severe long-term impact of The'BaselineCOVID'scenario, Initial dosesthat have arrived the coronavirus pandemic, basedoncurrent mortality rates Saudi prince from Belgium arebeing stored in bringing the totalnumber of the and the mostrecent growth pro- CHINA securelocations across the coun- world's extremelypoortomore jections by theInternational Coalmine criticizes Israel try, wheretheywill be quality than abillion, anew study from Monetary Fund (IMF), would re- checked, the healthministry the UN Development sultin 44millionmorepeopleliv- accidenttoll at Bahrain said. Programme (UNDP) has found. ing in extreme povertyby2030 The rollout coincides with a The study assesses the im- comparedtothe development climbsto23 summit crucial and perilous moment in pact of different Covid-19recov- trajectorythe worldwas on be- Beijing: The deathtoll due negotiations between Britain eryscenarios on the Sustainable fore the pandemic. to acarbon monoxide and the European Union on a Development Goals (SDGs), Under a‘HighDamage’ sce- leak inside acoal mine in ASSOCIATEDPRESS post-Brexit trade agreement. evaluating the multidimensional nario, wherethe recovery is pro- southwestChina has DUBAI,DECEMBER6 Astatus quotransitionperiod effectsofthe pandemic over the tracted,Covid-19 is likelytopush gone up to 23, while one will end on December 31 and a next decade. an additional 207million people person has been rescued, APROMINENTSaudi prince no-dealscenario would lead to The study is part of along- intoextremepoverty by 2030, officialssaid on Sunday. harshlycriticizedIsraelonSunday major disruptions in the move- standing partnershipbetween and increase the femalepoverty The accident took place at at aBahrain security summit that mentofgoods betweenBritain the UNDP and the Pardee Center headcount by an additional 102 around 5pm(local time) wasremotely attendedbyIsrael's and EU countries suchas forInternational Futures at the million compared to that base- on Fridayatthe closed foreign minister. Belgium. University of Denver. line, says the report. PTI Diaoshuidong collieryin Prince Turkial-Faisal, who Yongchuan district of ledSaudi intelligence formore Chongqing Municipality. thantwo decades and served as Factions within Nepal’s Jupiter, Saturn The dead areamong 24 ambassador to the US and peopletrappedunder- Britain, warnedthat anynormal- head for closest ground by excessive lev- isation deals neededtohelp the ruling party fail to reach els of carbon monoxide ROMANIA GOES TO POLLS Palestiniansobtain their ownin- visible alignment gasatthe coal mine, dependent state. wheretheyweredisman- Awoman exitsavoting cabin in Bucharest, Romania on Sunday.Votingstarted in Romania's He described Israel as a consensus, talks deferred in 800 years tling equipment in apit. legislative election, whichisexpected to restoresome measure of stability afterfiveyearsof “Western colonising” power. He The mine wassuspended politicaland socialturbulence, with morethan 18 million citizensregisteredtovote. AP/PTI said Israel has “incarcerated and shut down over two (Palestinians) in concentration YUBARAJGHIMIRE MICHAELLEVENSON months ago. The cause of camps under the flimsiest of se- KATHMANDU,DECEMBER6 NEWYORK,DECEMBER6 the accident is being fur- curity accusations -- young and ther investigated,state- old, women and men, who are PRIME MINISTER KPSharma Oli FORMONTHS, Saturn and Jupiter run Xinhua news agency UK, EU make last-ditch effort rotting therewithout recourse on Sunday skippedthe standing have appeared to be courting, as reportedonSunday. PTI to justice. committee of the ruling Nepal the giant celestial bodies have Theyare demolishing homes CommunistParty (NCP), but in a KPSharma Oli and Pushpa graduallydrawn nearer in the PAKISTAN to strikepost-Brexit pact as theywish and theyassassi- letter sent to theforum, calledon Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ nightsky. natewhomevertheywant.” party co-chairman and leader of Over the next twoweeks,as Christiangirlkilled ing rightsinUKwaters and gov- whether theycan be resolved. Although the prince does not dissenting faction PushpaKamal their orbitsalign moreclosely, afterkinreject ADITIKHANNA ernance matters afterBritain We arethereforeinstructing our hold anyofficial position, his Dahal 'Prachanda' to uncondi- Subsequently, Monday's the planets will pull closer until LONDON,DECEMBER6 ceases to be amember of the chief negotiators to reconvene stance is seen as closelymirror- tionallywithdraw aresolution standing committee meeting theyappear to bejustatenth of a marriageproposal economic bloc from January1. tomorrow[Sunday] in Brussels. ing that of King Salman. accusing him of corruption and wasdeferredbyaweek,and the degree apart—about the thick- Islamabad: AChristian girl THE UNITED Kingdomand “In aphone call on the ongo- We will speak again on Monday In contrast, Saudi Crown authoritarianism. NCPcentral committee meeting ness of adimeheldatarm’s waskilledallegedly by a European Union(EU) were setto ing negotiations between the evening,” theysaid. Prince Mohammedbin Salman Oli's letter,whichwas read has been rescheduled. length, according to NASA. MuslimmaninPakistanaf- hold crunchtalksonSundayto European Union and the United The key focus is over access to has signalledgreater willingness out by Deputy PrimeMinister While rescheduling the two The encounter,known as a terher parentsrejecteda give onelastpushto tryandthrash Kingdom, we welcomed the fact UK waters by the EU's fishing to quietlyengagewithIsrael to Ishwar Pokharel at the meet, meetingshas giventime to the great conjunction, happens marriageproposal sent by outapost-Brexittradeagreement that progress has been achieved fleets.According to reports, counter commonrival, Iran, and stated that Prachanda's letter warring factions forinformal about every20years. But this one him,amediareportsaidon before theend of the transition in manyareas. Nevertheless, sig- France isleading the charge in this boostforeign investment in the mustbewithdrawnuncondi- patch-upbids, Prachanda's camp —arrivingonDecember 21,the Sunday. The deceased, periodonDecember 31. nificant differencesremain on area and demanding rightsfor at kingdom. tionally."The letter (resolution) is seen as enjoying majority both winter solstice —isspecial, as- Sonia, and the accused, British Prime Minister Boris three critical issues: levelplay- least10years --ademandthe UK Prince Turki's comments that contains chargesheets in the central secretariat and tronomers said. Shehzad,were residentsof Johnson and European ingfield, governanceand fish- is unwilling to give in to,claiming come as neighbouring Bahrain againstmeisinappropriate standing committee. It will be theclosest align- Rawalpindi, the Express CommissionPresidentUrsulavon eries.Bothsides underlinedthat it fails to meet its“take backcon- and the United Arab Emirates re- morallyand politically," hislet- Thereare speculationsthat ment of Saturn and Jupiter,the Tribunereported.Localpo- derLeyenspokeonthetelephone no agreement is feasibleifthese trol” criteria forleaving the bloc. centlymoved to normalise rela- tersaid, adding it is aimedatdi- Oli, in an attempt to pre-empt largest planets in our solar sys- licestationofficersclaimed on Saturday to tryand find away issues arenot resolved," read a If adeal is notreachedbefore tions and establish ties with viding the party. anyaction againsthim by his tem, since 1623. But that con- to have arrestedanaccused out of astalematethat has lasted joint statement issuedby the December-end deadline,bor- Israel. However, Prachanda refused ownpartymen, mayresortto junction,just14years after namedFaizan, whereas months,endinginthechief nego- Johnson and VonDer Leyen. der checks and taxeswillbein- Saudi Arabia has insistedthat to withdraw theresolution, say- drastic actions likethe dissolu- Galileo built his firsttelescope, raids were being carried tiators on both sides concluding “Whilstrecognising the seri- troducedfor goods travelling be- anynormalisation betweenit ing that he is willing to acceptthe tion of Parliament, followedby was13degrees away from the outto arresttheprimesus- the latestround of talkswithout ousness of these differences, we tween the UK and the EU.It and Israel can onlyhappen rejection of the letter and itscon- mid-term polls. Prachanda has sun, making it almostimpossible pectShehzad,thenewspa- achieving abreakthrough. agreedthat afurther effort would have afar-reaching impact alongside alasting peace deal in- tentsthrough adebateand via warnedPresident Bidhya Devi to view from Earth, saidAmy C. per said. PTI Thereare lingeringdiver- should be undertakenbyour ne- on the waybusiness and trade is volving atwo-state solution to the majority opinion in the Bhandari to notapprove any Oliver, aspokeswoman forthe gences on keyareas of EU fish- gotiating teams to assess conducted in Europe. PTI the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. standing committee. "unconstitutional moves" by Oli. Center forAstrophysics, Harvard &Smithsonian. Thisonewillbetheclosestvis- ible encounter between the two Japan capsule with asteroid samples retrieved in Australia giantssince the Middle Ages,in 1226, Ms. Oliversaid. The next time the planetswill be this close solar system and lifeonour area. The retrievalofthe pan- 220,000 kilometers away in Australia near Murchison in is2080,shesaid,makingtheevent ASSOCIATEDPRESS planet, the Japan Aerospace shapedcapsule, about 40 cen- space afteritwas separated from Victoria statemorethan 50 years aonce-in-a-lifetime spectacle. TOKYO,DECEMBER6 Exploration Agency (JAXA) said. timeters in diameter, wascom- Hayabusa2 in achallenging op- ago. “It’s the rare astronomical Early Sundaythe capsule pleted about twohours later. eration that required precision “The Murchison meteorite eventwhereyou can appreciate JAPAN'S SPACEagency said its brieflyturnedintoafireball as it The fireball could be seen control. openedawindowonthe origin the motionofthe planetsaround helicoptersearch team hasre- reentered the atmosphere120 even from the International JAXA officials said they of organics on Earth because the sun without being some kind trievedacapsule, whichiscar- kilometers above Earth. At about Space Station. AJapanese astro- hopedtoconduct apreliminary these rockswerefoundtocon- of astronomer,” Konstantin rying asteroid samples that 10 kilometers above ground, a naut, SoichiNoguchi, who is now safetyinspection at an Australian tain simple amino acids as well Batygin, aprofessor of planetary could explainthe originoflife, parachutewas openedtoslow on asix-month mission there, laband bring the capsule backto as abundant water,”Ireland said. science at the California Institute that landedonaremote area in itsfall and beaconsignals were tweeted: “Justspotted Japan early next week. “Wewill examine whether of Technology, said. southern Australia as planned transmitted to indicateits loca- #hayabusa2 from #ISS! Dozens of JAXA staffhave Ryuguisapotential source of or- The conjunction is the result Sunday. tion. Unfortunatelynot bright enough been working in Woomerato ganic matter and wateronEarth of the orbital paths of Jupiter and “The capsule collection work “It wasgreat ... It wasabeau- forhandheld camera, but en- preparefor the sample return. when the solar system was Saturn coming intoline, as at the landing sitewas com- tifulfireball,and Iwas so im- joyedwatching capsule!” Theyset up satellitedishesatsev- forming, and whether these still viewedfromEarth. Jupiterorbits pleted...," the space agency said pressed," said JAXA's Hayabusa2 Hayabusa2 leftthe asteroid eral locations in the target area remain intact on the asteroid.” the sun about every12years, and in atweet about four hours after project manager Yuichi Tsuda as Ryugu, about 300million kilo- inside the AustralianAir Force Scientists saytheybelievethe Saturn aboutevery 29 years. the capsule landed. he celebrated thesuccessful cap- Amember of JAXA collectsHayabusa2's capsule afterit meters away,ayear ago. Afterit test field to receive thesignals. samples,especially ones taken Althoughtheywillappear to “Wepracticedalot fortoday sule return and safelanding from landedinWoomera, Australia. JAXA/Reuters releasedthe capsule, it moved Australian National from under the asteroid's sur- beclose together —resembling a ... it endedsafe." Hayabusa2 had acommand center in away from Earth to captureim- University space rock expert face, contain valuable dataunaf- bright balloratipped-over successfullyreleasedthe small Sagamihara, near Tokyo. ages of the capsuledescending Trevor Ireland, who wasin fected by space radiationand snowman in thesky,Ms. Oliver capsule on Saturdayand sent it “I've waited forthisday for the capsule landedsafelyinare- About twohours afterthe toward theplanetasitset offon Woomerafor the arrivalofthe other environmental factors. said —the planetswill notactu- toward Earth to deliversamples six years." Beacon signalswere mote,sparselypopulated area of capsule's reentry, JAXA said its anew expedition to another dis- capsule, said he expected the Theyare particularly interested allybethat close. In fact, theywill from adistant asteroid that could detected,suggesting the para- Woomera, Australia, said JAXA helicoptersearch team found the tant asteroid. Ryugu samples to be similarto in analyzing organic materials in be morethan 400million miles provide clues to the originofthe chutesuccessfully openedand official Akitaka Kishi. capsuleinthe plannedlanding Thecapsule descendedfrom the meteoritethat fell in the samples. apart, shesaid. NYT

Ahmedabad WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM

THEINDIANEXPRESS,MONDAY,DECEMBER7,2020 MarketWatch FPISPUMP IN `17.8K CR IN DEC SO FAR NewDelhi: Foreign portfolio investors(FPIs)remained net buyers, to the tune of Rs 17,818 crore,indomestic markets in first four trading sessions of Decemberamidst better than expected global 13 ECONOMY PTI economic recoveryand hopes about various vaccine results.

CENTRE’SEARLY PHASE VACCINATION TARGET SET AT 250 MN BY JULY 2021 Accused of stifling critics and Vialmanufacturerspreparetorampup peddling false ads, WhiteHat Jr capacity,govtstillunclearondemand in ‘course correction’ mode tory,ininfringement of trade- AASHISHARYAN& BOUGHTBYBYJU’S marks,among other issues. Kheruka,MDofBorosil, said. six months before theywill need PRANAVMUKUL FOR$300MILLION InastatementontheMalpani PRABHARAGHAVAN The manufacturers of these them. If vial manufacturers have NEWDELHI,DECEMBER6 case,WhiteHatJrsaid: “Faircom- NEWDELHI,DECEMBER6 products,whichare keytopack- alreadyoccupiedexistingcapaci- mentarycan be argued by indi- ■ TheMumbai-based agingand deliveringdosesofthe ties forotherexisting customers, CHANCESAREthatpeoplewould vidualswhodon’thave skininthe coding learning WITH AT leasttwo Covid-19 vac- vaccine, arehowever, still in the theywillhave to sparethatcapac- have come across an advertise- game and makecommentsfrom platform,acquiredby cinescloser to regulatoryap- darkabout whether and how ity forvaccinations or invest in ment being aired on television anarm’slength;notbyanindivid- ed-techgiantByju’sfor provals and acouple of interna- muchtoearmark. building morecapacity. where actorHrithik Roshan talks ual whose commercial invest- $300million, hasbeen tional candidates settobe HMD’sNathsaidthecompany “Otherwise,theremay beasit- about coding as an essential skill mentsstand to be impacted by embroiledin manufactured in the country, wasunclear howmuchthe gov- uation where therewill be a forthe future.Inthe ad, Roshan is defaming and disparaging asuc- controversies makers of medical devices are ernmentalready has in itsinven- scarcitybecauseof thetimelines.” endorsingWhiteHatJr,aplatform cessful business rival”. ramping up capacity in anticipa- tory,andhowmuchmoreitneeds Hesaidcapacitiesforbothvac- forkids to learn coding basedin Manyofthese videos and tion of apotential surge in de- to procure. And with the inocula- cines and syringes areavailable Mumbai. The platform’s earlier posts initiallyalleged that the mandfor vials and syringes. tiondrive imminent,BDIndia,the currently. “But whenmoresup- marketingcampaignswere,how- achannel that wastaken down companyhas misledits cus- Indo-German pharma pack- Indian arm of the NewJersey- plieswill be available from other ever,spearheadedbyafictitious wasreinstated. This wassuspi- tomersbyclaiminginits ads to aging joint ventureSchottKaisha basedmedical equipment major, companies(testingtheirvaccines character ‘Wolf Gupta’—achild cious. To this,YouTubesaid that have trainedkids, sometimes recentlyinvestedsome Rs 122 is still waitingpurchase orders in India),theremay come apoint who bagged multi-croresalary theyasked thecomplainant for evenasyoungasseven,to become croretoexpanditsvialcapacityby Giventhat the vaccines will likelybefilledinmultidose vials, from the government. in AugustorSeptember (2021), packageatalarge technology moreinformation on whythe masterprogrammers, whichled 300million pieces over the next industryexecutivesfeel this demand willeasilybemet. File “The Indian government has wherewe’ll essentiallyfall short firm, as claimedbythe company. takedown notices were sent but them to becoming speakers at year to preparefor increasedde- approachedus, but thereisno of auto-disabledsyringes. If it WhiteHat Jr’s transition from the complainantdid notgiveany events. Manyofthese ads also mand, and notjustinIndia. confirmation on orders yet,” a comesto that,thefall-backoption Wolf Gupta to Hrithik Roshan, response,” Poonia told The Indian drew theire of the Advertising Laboratoryglasswaremaker abledsyringes forthe country’s AZD1222candidate,isalsointalks spokesperson forBDIndia said, is disposable syringes.”His com- during whichitalso got acquired Express over the phone. StandardsCouncilof India(ASCI), Borosil Ltd has receivedapur- Covid-19mass vaccination pro- with an undisclosednumber of adding,“Asondatewehavesome pany, Saheb said, wasinthe by Indian ed-techgiant Byju’s for The initial reason fortaking which,inOctober,askedthecom- chase order foranundisclosed gramme.Sixtymillionof thesesy- other companies in India, and is sparecapacities available in our processofincreasing capacity. $300million,hasbeenembroiled downof thesevideosonYouTube panytowithdraw five ads, which quantity of vialsfromanIndian ringesarealreadyavailable.HMD cateringtoplayers in other coun- India facility and we would re- Thegovernmenthasanearly- in controversies and confronta- ranged from copyright violations were inviolationoftheself-regu- companythat is currentlytesting managingdirectorRajivNathsaid tries as well. The companysaid it quest(the government) to issue phase vaccinationtargetofupto tions, both legal and those relat- and harassment to child abuse. latorybody’s code. WhiteHat Jr itsvaccinecandidate,andisindis- he expectsanother tender to be is supplying to 10 vaccine candi- confirmedordersor(a) letter of 250 million peopleonpriority by ing to reputation. Akey highlight “Withcopyrightsviolationno- immediatelywithdrew theseads. cussions to supply vialstoafew releasedthis month foranaddi- dates currently, including both intent, so that capacities can be July2021. This would mean at of this journeywas allegedly us- tices on social media platforms, Twoweeksago,inaLinkedIn companies,includingfirmsbased tionalquantity of syringes. Indian and international players, blockedaccordingly forIndia. least500million doses will bere- ing takedown policies of social our default responseistomake post,Bajajaddressedanumberof outsidethe country. Schott Kaishadirector Rishad withoutdisclosingspecifics. KhasimSaheb, MD, Primary quired,giventhatfrontrunnersSII mediaplatformto stifleonlinedis- the video unavailable forall the theseissues, including the case TheIndianarmoftheGerman Dadachanjisaid:“We have ex- “Thesenseisthatvaccine Packaging Glass-India, Gerres- and Bharat Biotech arebothtest- senters of the company’s users. And then both the com- againstPoonia,inwhichtheDelhi pharma packaginggiant panded(our)capacityproactively makers arestarting to ramp up heimer,said: “Weare still in dis- ing vaccines that have to be ad- processes, including some mar- plainantandthedefendantof the High Courtordered the latter to Gerresheimer has blockedan becauseitcanbeanyday nowthat production nowand areplacing cussionswithsomemajorplayers ministered in twodoses. keting campaigns, whichthe video aregiven time to explain take down severalposts.Notably, undisclosedportion of itscapac- emergency usewill be granted in trialordersto judgetheabilityand dealinginIndia,butwe haven’tre- Giventhatthe vaccineswill companynow admitstohave their stand, whichisthen re- in the post, Bajajhas also admit- itytocater to an order from avac- some countryand it will needa speedofvial manufacturers to ceivedany ordersforthepotential likelybefilledinmultidose vials, been “poorly designed”. viewedinternallybyour team. tedtomaking“mistakes”.“We’ve cine maker in another country. flockofvials immediately... we supply. Clinical trials arealso ex- quantities(of vials)thatwouldbe industryexecutivesfeel this de- One suchcritic of the Depending of the submissions mademistakeswhilegrowingup. HindustanSyringesandMedi- have to bereadynowalsoforthis.” pected to getoverinthe next few required by them. However, we mandwilleasilybemet.However, WhiteHat Jr app, itspolicies and made by eachparty,the video is Our marketing campaigns were cal Devices (HMD), whichowns Thecompany, which supplies weeks,followingwhichutilisation have commitmentsfromaglobal the supply targetsfor Indian vac- the courses it runs —30-year old either restored or removedper- poorly designed, whichwe the DispoVanand Kojakbrands, around 5-6 million vials every of capacities will certainlygoup, player forthe 2021-22 period.” cine makers stretchbeyond this softwareengineerPradeep Poo- manently,”asenior YouTubeex- changed.Legitimate, honestfact- recentlyreceivedanorder from monthto SerumInstituteofIndia keeping in mind that the country According to Saheb, “Compa- figure,anditisunclearatthisstage nia —saidthat 17 videosposted ecutive said,askinganonymity. basedcriticism is trulywel- theHealthMinistrytosupplyover (SII)forCovishield,theIndianvari- is planning to vaccinate250-odd nies should ideallybeclear about howmuchcan be catered to over by himonYouTube,twoYouTube Replying to aqueryonallega- come...,” he wrote. 177million0.5mLKojakauto-dis- ant of Oxford-AstraZeneca’s million people by July,” Shreevar theirrequirementsofvialsatleast the courseofthe coming year. channels run by him,two Reddit tionsofWhiteHatJrusingpolicies This wasechoedbyasenior accounts,oneTwitterhandle,one of social media platforms to executive at WhiteHat Jr with Quoraaccount,threeLinkedInar- stymiefreedomof speech,acom- whom TheIndian Express spoke. QRMP scheme ticles, and one LinkedIn account panyspokesperson said: “We “Wehavebeenbadgeredforthese India Inc’s overseas borrowings have been eithertemporarilyor have always beenandwillremain issues of ASCI code violationand for GST payers permanentlytaken down as are- opento constructive criticism.We muzzlingof dissent,andrightfully sult of WhiteHat Jr’s complaints would liketohighlightthat we so. But nowwehavecourse cor- fall 41%inOctober to $2.03 bn to these platforms. have been underadeep targeted rected,”theexecutive furthersaid. with turnover One of the firstvideos up- attackfromanorganised group, Respondingto aspecificquery Borrowing by CorporateIndia from overseas markets fell loadedbyPooniawastitled‘Who whichincludedfalse allegations onwithdrawalofmarketingcam- by nearly41% to around $2.03 billion in October overthe up to `5 crore is Wolf Gupta?’. In the video, he and unauthorisedimages and paigns and advertisements, a year-agoperiod, according to ReserveBank of India data claimedtoexposehow Wolf videosbeingpostedthatseverely spokespersonfor WhiteHat Jr ENSECONOMICBUREAU Gupta is afictional character —a threatenedsafetyofour 11,000+ said: “First, we changed several $3.41BILLION DISTRIBUTIONOF NEWDELHI,DECEMBER6 fact notclearly putout by the women teachingstaff daily”. ads in June muchbeforeASCI $2.01BILLIONRAISED company. Wheneveravideoup- WhiteHat Jr founder and CEO feedbackand anycriticism. Amountraisedbydomestic INOCTOBER: THEGOVERNMENThaslaunched loadedbyPooniawastakendown KaranBajajhasfiledacaseinDelhi Second,ourlaunchcampaignwas companiesfromoverseasmarket $1.73billionthrough the Quarterly Return filing & by YouTube,hefiledforanappeal High Court againstPooniathat replacedquicklywiththeadcam- inOctober2019undertheexternal automaticroute MonthlyPayment of Taxes with thevideostreamingsite. stretchesfromdefamationandin- paignfeaturingDeepaMalikasan commercialborrowing(ECB)route $300millionthrough (QRMP)schemeforsmalltaxpay- “When Iwould file an appeal, fringement of copyrights to mis- inspirationalfigureinSeptember. approvalroute ers underthe GSTsystem. YouTubewouldtellmethatIdid- chief, invasion of privacy and The next campaign focusing on NOFUNDSFROMRDB, thepurposeofon-lending LONEBORROWER Taxpayers who have aggre- n’t have avalid reasontofile a damages.Additionally, acasewas kids’ joyofcodingand creation MASALABONDS: MAJORBORROWERS LarsenandToubroLtd:$100 THROUGHAUTOMATIC gate annual turnover of upto Rs5 counter-notification.Theywould filedagainstanangel investor waslaunchedinearly November. Noamountwasraisedbywayof THROUGHAUTOMATIC millionforrefinancingofearlierECB ROUTEOFECB: croreinthe preceding financial cancel my appeal everytime. It AniruddhaMalpani,inwhichthe We’llcontinueto drive campaigns rupee-denominatedbonds ROUTE: ATCTiresAPPvtLtd:$52million PowerFinanceCorporation: year and have filedtheir October wasinOctoberonedaysuddenly, companyhasallegedseveralofhis closer to our core essence of cele- (RDBs)ormasalabondsduringthe RelianceIndustriesLtd:$1billion fornewproject $300millionintwotranchesfor GSTR-3B (sales) return by 14 of my videoswere restoredand tweets and posts to be defama- brating kids’ creativity”. reportingmontheitherin forrefinancingofearlierECB LuxshareIndia:$51millionfornew on-lendingpurposes November30,2020areeligiblefor 2020or2019 BajajFinanceLtd:$100millionfor projectfunding Source: ReserveBank of India this scheme. The Goods and Services Tax INTERVIEW WITH MD &CEO, INDIANBANK (GST) Council, in itsmeeting held on October 5, had said thatregis- ‘We have reachedplateauon teredperson having aggregate BRIEFLY turnoveruptoRs5crore maybe Vivad Se Vishwas: I-T Dept allowedtofurnishreturnonquar- terly basisalongwithmonthly interest rate front ... credit PMatMobile payment of tax, with effect from Congress allows revision of declarations January1,2021. With the launchofthe QRMP offtake growth at 9% on-year’ NewDelhi: Prime Minister scheme, the CentralBoardof “In suchcase, the declarant schemeonDecember5,taxpay- NarendraModiwillinaugu- ENSECONOMICBUREAU Direct Taxes(CBDT) said that it willberequiredto withdraw both ers up to Rs 5crore turnoverhave PADMAJACHUNDURU, MD and we anticipated maynot happen. rate the4th India Mobile NEWDELHI,DECEMBER6 cannotbeavailedinacasewhere MAPapplicationandappeal,”the theoptionto filetheirGSTR-1and CEO,Indian Bank,says therewill Initially,wethought it could be Congress settostart from proceedings arepending before CBDT added.The I-TDepartment GSTR-3Breturnsquarterly begin- be much better growth in credit around Rs 5,000 crore, but it December8,accordingto in- THEINCOMETaxDepartmenthas Income TaxSettlement Commis- alsoclarifiedataxpayerwouldbe ningJanuary-March period. offtakebetween nowand March. might come to around Rs 3,500 dustrybodyCOAI.Thethree- saidthatentitiesfilingdeclaration sion(ITSC)orwherewrithasbeen eligibleformakingdeclarationsin Taxpayers can makeGST pay- Speaking to GEORGE MATHEW, croretoRs4,000crore.Corporates dayeventwillbeheldonline under the direct taxdisputereso- filedagainstthe order of ITSC. It cases wherethe Authority for mentsthrough challan every she said the bad loan situationis willtake (recast)asbigcompanies forthe firsttime due to the lution scheme ‘Vivad Se Vishwas’ also clarifiedthat in acase where Advance Ruling has ruledinfav- month eitherbyself-assessment manageable, Edited excerpts: willtaketime to comebackfully. Covid-19pandemic. can revise them tillthe time au- MutualAgreement Procedure ourof thetaxpayerandtheDepar- of monthly liability or 35 per cent thoritiesissuecertificate specifiy- (MAP)resolutionispendingoras- tmenthas filedappealbeforethe of netcash liability of previous Do youthink interestrates What’s the position of MSMEs? ing details of taxarrear and the sessee has notacceptedMAP de- High Court/Supreme Courtand filedGSTR-3B of the quarter. have bottomed out? Whathappenedwas that th- Petrol,diesel amount payable. cision, the related appealshall be the totalincome of the taxpayer Quarterly GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B Ithinkso.Thewritingisonthe erewas aspateofrestructuring risefor5thday In aset of FAQs issuedonthe eligible under ‘VivadseVishwas’. wasquantified before AAR. can also be filedthrough an SMS. wall.Now, inflationishigherthan Padmaja Chunduru startinglastyearitself.Somostac- expected.Ithinkcomingdownof countshavetakenearlierrestruc- NewDelhi: Forthe fifth ratesnow maybedifficult. We turing,whichmakesthemnotel- straight day, petrol and have reachedtheplateau.Howwe November festival season. igibleforrestructuring.ButMSME dieselpricesroseonSunday Newtariff structure for pipeline gas holdrates at this levelis(all)that In the case of corporate, it has is an ongoingprocess. inDelhi,withpetrolrisingby mattersnowandhowdoyouma- movedtothe investment book 28paisetoRs83.41per litre nagethe supplyand production partlybecause of RBI’s TLTRO Do youthinktherewill be a and diesel by 29 paise to Rs transport: Who stands to benefit most so thatinflation is under control. funding and all that. So at leastRs surge in bad loans because of 73.61per litre,due to firm- 7,000-8,000 crorehas shiftedto the withdrawal of the ing international oil prices. Will the RBI’sdecision to hold investmentbooks.Sofactoringin moratoriumand the Therefore,a “Entities in the nals on the west coast. The costof ratesboostgrowth? this, corporatehas also grownat contractioninthe economy? KARUNJITSINGH buyer usingmultiple hinterland especially gasfor them mayrise noticeably. TheRBI’stoneremainsdovish 5-6 per cent now. Between now During moratorium, we did BodyforAYUSH NEWDELHI,DECEMBER6 pipelineinGAIL’snet- in the north-eastwill “Consumers near the sources thoughreporate changewaskept and March,therewill be much notflag NPAs. Ithink this quarter, productsexport workswould likely benefit substantially of naturalgaswhoseetheirtariffs on hold and addingapromise to better growth. we mightdoitbecausewe expect THEPETROLEUMandNaturalGas benefit significantly from thisasfor them go up sharplymay seekremedia- take steps to boostgrowth. thatitwill liftthat ban on declar- NewDelhi: TheMinistryof RegulatoryBoard(PNGRB) has from this change. insomecasesthetar- tion,” said Sah. This proposal had Continuedaccommodative What’sthe status on loan ing NPAs. Whicheverway it goes, Commerce and Industry notifiedanewtariffstructure for An expertnoted ifffor can be closeto previouslycome under criticism stance will boostbusiness confi- restructuring scheme we tracknotionalNPAs. As mora- and the MinistryofAYUSH 14 naturalgas pipelines,whichit thatthis highlighted the priceofthe natu- from industry bodies whichsaid dence further.Wecan hope that approved by the RBI? torium wasthere andwegot ex- have decidedtoworkto- says aimsto reducethecostofnat- the government’s emphasis on ralgas itself, said Sanjay Sah part- that the move wassimilar to the signs of recovery in the second We find that the retail is very tendedtimetorecoverold ac- gether to setupanExport ural gasfor usersfurther away boostingtheconsumptionof nat- ner at DeloitteIndia. nowdefunct “freight equalisa- quarterand positive growth pro- muted—requests formoratorium counts, therewas softrecovery Promotion Council to boost from sources of natural gasand ural gas. The Centre aims to boost Multiple pipeline operators tion” policyintroducedbythe jectedforthesecondhalf willim- —eventhoughtheyare quotedon goingon.Therewillbehigherfig- exportofAYUSH products, LNGterminals on thewestcoast. consumption of natural gas, will,however, nowhavetosettle governmentin1952,underwhich provedebt servicing capacity of the websiteand we have done ureinQ3and Q4. It won’t be too accordingto anofficialstate- The move could alsoface some whichcurrentlyaccountsfor 6.2 dues among themselvesasthe the government subsidisedthe corporates goingahead. outreachinitiatives. Thereisthe muchbeyond normal —maybe ment on Sunday. PTI challengesinitsimplementation. per centofIndia’s energy basket, consumers will paythe transport transportationcostofmineralsto demandcollectiongraphthatwe 10-15percentmorethannormal. to 15 per centby2030. tarifftothe operator at the exit areas further away from the Credit offtakegrowthhas keep on tracking. Howmuchde- Itisnotsomethingunmanageable What is the change? pointof gasandtheoperatorswill sources of minerals. remainedsluggish. Do you mand is due this month and how but therewill be ahigher figure. Volkswagen Under the newunifiedtariff Howdoesthis impact gas then have to settledueswiththe think credit growth willpick muchhas been collected.Almost autonomouscars structure, buyers willbecharged transmission companies? operatorsofother pipelinesused What next? up anytimesoon? 95 percent of whatever is due is Do youthink this situation afixed tarifffor the transportof The changes in the tariffs will forthe delivery of the natural gas. Expertsnotedthattheregula- Our retail and MSME books coming. Our borrowers are will impact your profitability Berlin: Volkswagen CEO gaswithin300kmofasourceand likelyincentivise greater invest- Anumber of stakeholders had tionsare likelytofacelegalchalle- aregrowing-–retailisgrowingat mostlysalariedemployees and and therewill be higher HerbertDiess, speaking to afixed tarifffor the transportof ment into gastransmission infra- commented on the need forclar- nges as theywillleadtoasignifi- aslowerpacethanMSMEs,which notfromthe job-loss segments. provisions? German magazine gasbeyond 300kmonasingle structureasnaturalgas becomes ification of the settlement mech- cant hikeinthe costofgas aregrowing because of the gov- Theyhaveperformedwell. So we We have made aprovision Wirtschaftswoche, said the pipeline network. This,PNGRB moreaffordablefor usersfurther anism in the draftregulations. transportationformany consum- ernment-guaranteedloan.We don’texpecttoomuchfromretail. higher than what is requiredfora world’s largest automobile says,would be significantly away from the west coast. Gas ers who mayalready have agree- have done alot of outreach pro- We hadanticipatedquiteabitand notional NPA. As per RBI norms, maker by sales expects cheaperfor buyers further away transporttariffs areset to provide Who loses out? mentsinplaceforthetransportof grammes forMSMEs.Our credit expected it would be something we have to make 10 percent, but autonomous vehicles to be from the sourceofgas whowere a“reasonablerateofreturn” on Anumber of companies gasatlower pricesbased on the offtakegrowth is at 9per cent likeRs100croreorsomething,but we have made 15 per cent on all readyforsalebetween2025 earlierchargedonthebasisof the normative levels of capital em- whichuse natural gasasaninput existing regime. year-on-year.Due to Covid, there Ithink it wouldbehalf of that. these accounts. and 2030. REUTERS numberof pipelinesusedandthe ployedand operating costs for have setupfertilizerunits and Full reporton has been aslightlull but Ithink Corporates aremuchmore Fullinterviewon distancefromthe source of gas. pipelines,accordingto thePNGRB. powerplantsclose to LNGtermi- www.indianexpress.com nowit’spickingupsinceOctober- willingto usebuteventhenwhat www.indianexpress.com

Ahmedabad WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM

THEINDIANEXPRESS,MONDAY,DECEMBER7,2020 CHELSEAMOVEATOPTABLE Chelsea moved to the top of the Premier League as they came from behind to beat Leeds United 3-1athome on 14 SPORT Saturday, set on their way by afifth goal in four days from striker Olivier Giroud.

BRIEFLY More cases NZwinbyaninnings Powerplayer force ODI and134runs Hamilton: NewZealand completed cancellation the firststepofits mission forthe Hardik Pandyaseals the T20 series forIndia with an unbeaten 42 off22balls in achase of 195 home summer when it beat the West Indies by an innings and 134runs ASSOCIATEDPRESS Sundayonthe fourth morning of the SHAMIKCHAKRABARTY CAPETOWN,DECEMBER6 firstTest. The win beganNew DECEMBER6 Zealand's drive to win all four of its TWOMEMBERS of the England touring party home Tests--againstthe West Indies IN Atypical high-scoring T20 game at the in South Africa have returned"unconfirmed and Pakistan--this season which SydneyCricket Ground, it had come down to positive tests" forCOVID-19, the England and could liftitintothe toptwo in Test the final three overs. With 37 runs to getoff 18 Wales Cricket Boardsaid on Sunday, as the rankings, depending on the series be- balls, the equation wastiltedslightlyinIndia’s firstone-dayinternational wascanceledbe- tween Australia and India. The West favour,but the well-setVirat Kohli had been cause of avirus outbreak at the hotelwhere Indies resumedat196-6, still 185runs dismissedand Shreyas Iyer wasnew to the both teams arestaying. behind NewZealand afterbeing crease. The visitors neededtomakethe most The ECB did notrelease anynames and asked to followon381 runs in deficit of the 18th over to keep pressureatarm’s didn't sayifthe twomembers were players on the firstinnings. Theywerefinally length. or officials. It said the twopositive testscame all out for247.The stubborn seventh- MatthewWade, the stand-in Australia afteranadditional round of testing on play- wicket partnership between Jermaine captain in AaronFinch’s absence, decidedto ers and officials sparkedbythe news that two Blackwood and Alzarri Joseph which continue with leg-spinner Adam Zampa in- staffmembers at the Cape Town hotelused prevented NewZealand from wrap- stead of Sean Abbott’s pace. Zampa had by both teams forthe series had tested pos- ping up the matchonthe thirdday by bowled well in his previous three overs, but itive forCOVID-19. bowling out the West Indies twice in spin againstIyeratthe death wasadangerous The players and management arenow one dayfinallywas broken in the 58th ploy, and the decision backfired.A111-metre self-isolating in their rooms until further ad- over of the innings, the 16th of the day six over deep mid-wicket borderedon brutal- vice from the medical teams, the ECB said. Sunday. Joseph wascreeping towards ity.TVcameras caught Kohli in the Indian The remainder of the tour is nowindoubt af- amaiden test when he loftedafull, dressing room looking in disbelief, his mouth terthe firstofthree ODIs wasalready post- wide delivery from Kyle Jamieson to agape. Another boundaryfollowedand from ponedfromFridayafter aSouth African substitutefielder Mitchell Santner on thereon, Hardik Pandya’s heavy metalfinish- playertestedpositive forCOVID-19. the offside. AP ing –two sixes offDaniel Sams in the final over The South African, who wasalso not BRIEF SCORES: NewZealand 519/7d –took over to secureaseries-winning six- When India needed25off the last12balls, Pandyaknockedoff the runs on his own, including asix to win the game. Reuters named, is the thirdSouth African playerto beat West Indies 138&247 (J wicket win with twoballs to spare. test positive during England's tour. Blackwood 104, AJoseph 86; N India avenged their 2-1 ODI series loss by The news that the twohotel staffmem- Wagner 4/66) taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three- parturetoo, the team looked unfazed, as mainstream and social, laid intohim forhis tion as ayorkerspecialist. But in his firstthree bers tested positive initiallycausedadelay matchT20I series. Going beyond the result, Pandyaand Iyer completedthe job. indiscreetcommentsonthe show. The all- matchesininternationalcricket,especiallyin to the startofSunday's game in the nearby the limited-overs leg of the ongoing tour has Afreehit had givenmomentum to India’s rounder,along with Rahul, wassuspendedby the twoT20Is, the 29-year-old showedthat city of Paarl. It waslater abandonedwith Fansjeerasplayers further attestedPandya’s growing statureas chase. Andrew Tyehad oversteppedbyafrac- the BCCI and facedanin-house inquiry. Today he has learnt some decent variations as well. news regarding the twomembers of takeaknee the team’s chase master. The middle-order tion and KL Rahul acceptedthe favour by at the SCG, Pandyareturnedtothe pavilion to He wasn’t afraid to bowl length balls and take England's party. batsman has been immense throughout and launching afull delivery,outside off-stump, astanding ovation. them away from the batsmen. He variedhis The ECB stressed, however, that their tests London:Fans attending an English wasadjudgedthe Man of the Matchinthe sec- over coverfor asix. Until then, both Rahul and His 92 notout, and an unbroken 150-run pace. Asurprise shortball got the better of were "unconfirmed" positives. The ECB and second-tier matchbetween host ond T20I on Sunday. But the honour could well ShikharDhawanwerelooking atad edgy.The partnership with RavindraJadeja in the third D’Arcy Short, who wascaught at deep square. Cricket South Africa said in ajoint statement Millwall and Derbyjeered as players have gone to TNatarajan, whose bowling six helpedopen the floodgates. ODI, gave India aconsolation win in the 50- Natarajan nowhas 5/50 from eight overs in that the medical advice had been to cancel took aknee in supportofthe Black proved to be the difference between the two Rahul then sweptGlenn Maxwell fora over series. And his 42 notout off22balls twoT20Is and has been the find of the tour. the match. LivesMatter movement. In video sides. The run-chase wasclinical and this se- four.Dhawanbroke the shackles by taking a knockedthe hosts out of the T20I series. His Poor fielding, though, is notassisting the "A decision on the remaining matches in footagepublishedonsocial media, ries confirmedthat Indian batting in white- six and afour againstthe off-spinner.Together body,recovering from aspinal surgery,still Indian bowlers. Fartoo manycatches have the series will be takenonce the resultsof booing wasclearly heardfromthe ball cricket has steppedout of Kohli’s shadow, theyensured that India had an excellent can’t take the rigours of five-daycricket,which been droppedalready in five limited-overs the testsare ratifiedindependentlybymed- stands by some supporters as both although the captain remains the team’s finest Powerplay–60/1.Chasing 195for victory, ag- is the reason whyheisnot in the Test squad. matches. On Sunday, PandyadroppedWade ical experts," the twocricket bodies said. sets of players made the symbolic batsman in his ownright. gression upfront wasimperative. But this time around, Sydneysaw Pandya’s re- offShardul Thakur,when the opener wason "Weregret that we areunable to playin gestureafter the refereeblewthe Kohli has been pretty successful on this Dhawan’s batting on this tour had been a demption. 39. Then, Kohli grassedhim on 58, asitter,off today's ODI, but the welfareofthe players whistle to signal the startofthe tour so far–two half-centuries in three ODIs bit stop-startbefore this game. On Sunday, his In aT20 game wherenearly 400runs were Washington Sundar.The skipper recovered and supportstaff is our primaryconcern and matchatThe Den, the home stadium followedbyabeautiful 24-ball 40 on Sunday. 36-ball 52 setupIndia’s victory. Kohli made a scored,the left-arm seamer returnedfigures quicklytoaffect arun-out, as Wade and Steve whilstweawait the resultsoffurther tests of Millwall. "I hearditand wasvery Forachange, though, the captain hasn’t an- solid contribution, Iyer playedhis partand of 2/20 from four overs. India had restedboth Smith were caught in ahorrible mix-up. But the medical advice from both teams was surprised," said Derbymanager chored the chase in anyofthe matches. He Pandyatook the side home –aclinical chase Jasprit Bumrah and MohammedShami for India’s catching has been poor enough to put that this game should nottakeplace," Wayne Rooney, the former England waslivid with himself aftergetting out to a wasdowntoacollective batting effort. this game and everybowler,saveNatarajan, the team’s fielding coachRSridhar’s utility un- England men's cricket managing director and ManchesterUnited striker."It's a wide deliveryfrom debutant Sams on the first wasleaking runs. Even YuzvendraChahal, the der the scanner. AshleyGiles said. shame because therehas been great ball of the 17th over.Arun would have been Redemption song heroofthe lastmatch, conceded51runs in his Brief Scores: Australia 194for 5(MWade "Weremain in constant dialogue with progress in that campaign and hear- addedtothe sundries if he had leftitalone. Twoseasons ago, Pandyawas unceremo- four overs. Without Natarajan, Australia would 58, SSmith 46; TNatarajan 2/20) losttoIndia Cricket South Africa and will continue to ing that is very disappointing and up- But India were already in astrong position be- niouslysent home from Sydneyfollowing a have been out of sight. 195for 4in19.4 ovs(SDhawan52, VKohli work closelywith them to determine how setting foralot of people." Limited fore Kohli came out to bat. And afterhis de- TVshowcontroversy.Fans booedhim. Media, TheIPL hadenhancedNatarajan’s reputa- 40, HPandya42*; MSwepson 1/25). best to move forward." numbers of fans arebeing allowedin stadiums in England this week forthe firsttime since the coronavirus out- break in March.This wasthe first Rahane brings Agame to ‘A’ match with acentury game with supporters at The Den since Feb. 29, and 2,000were allowed intothe ground. Derbywon 1-0. AP But Vihari and Pujaraheld firm for16overs, ence and areknocking relentlesslyfor the enth-wicket stand took India closer to 200, EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE neutering the newball and preventing an door to open again. Neser is ahardworking whichhad seemed distant earlier in the day. DECEMBER6 outright implosion. Vihari’s wicket,though, bowler who keeps tight lengths and lines. Soon afterYadav’s exit, Rahane reachedhis JehanisfirstIndian stalledIndia’s recovery. YoungsterCameron Green bowled with pace hundred,his journeyfrom52to101 absorb- towinanF2race WITH AN unbeaten 108off 228 balls against It wasthen down to old friends Rahane and extracted bounce. Rahane and Pujara, ing just74balls, apace of scoring one is ac- aresourceful Australia ‘A’ bowling firm, and Pujaratorebuild the innings. Both have though, sawthrough them with grit and per- customedtoseeing from Rahane. Sakhir: Indian driverJehan Daruvala AjinkyaRahane notonlyrescuedthe Indians been largely peripheral figures in post-lock- severance. The dayendedwith aflurry of bound- created history when he became the from potential embarrassment but also of- down cricket.Pujara, without an IPL fran- Both batted watchfully, carefullydrag- aries, but from the blade of Umesh Yadav, firstIndian to win aFormula 2race feredassurance that he has put adifficult chise, had plannedacounty stint to shrug off ging India out of trouble, their 76-run part- whose 24 came off18deliveries. The seamer during the Sakhir Grand Prix hereon year behind him. rustbut had to abortthe trip. nership consuming 176deliveries. -his first-elevenprospectsbrightenedby Sunday. Athrilling battle againstF2 His century, his firstthree-figuremarkin Rahane did have afranchise but wasape- It wasonlyafter Pujaradeparted, caught Ishant Sharma’s injury-batted with carefree champion MickSchumacher and anyform or levelofthe game this year,nav- ripheral figureinDelhi Capitals’ schemes. He at leg-gullybyMarcus Harris foradogged 54 gusto.HestruckPattinson forthree bound- Daniel Ticktum sawthe 22-year-old igated India to 237for 8atstumps afterearly featured in onlyeight games, and barring a off140 balls, and Indian batsmen resumed aries in the space of four deliveries before Indian emerge on topinthe support jitters on DayOne of the warm-up game at 60 againstRoyal Challengers Bangalore, their hasty procession to the dressing room, smacking Neser forasix. Thereafter, Rahane race of the season-ending Formula 1 the Drummoyne Oval in Sydney. hardlyinfluencedagame. that Rahane accelerated. put the shutters down on his scoring, just Grand Prix. Jehan, driving forRayo When Rahane, India’s vice-captain in the His indifferent phase precedes the IPL, as By hisstandards, he crawledtohis half stealing singles offlastballs to protect Racing, had agood launchfromsec- red-ball form, strode out to the middle, India he could onlywinkle out 91 runs in the two- century, whichhebrought up with asix off Mohammad Siraj,and ensured that India did ond on the grid and wasupalongside were teetering at 40 for3,having justlost Test series in NewZealand. He looked more Pattinson, consuming 129balls. Thereafter, notlose another wicket. pole sitter Daniel Ticktum. Ticktum Hanuma Vihari for15, trappedinfront by confusedthan out of touch. Pujaradidn’t en- When Rahane, India’s vice-captain in though, he triedtoscoreabit quicker. He tar- The visitors would look backonthe day squeezedJehan on the inside which Jackson Bird. joythe tour either,scoring just100 runs in Tests, walked in, India were teetering at getedpart-timer Travis Head and medium- with mixed feelings. Content that Rahane allowedSchumacher to go around the The wicket had come justwhen Vihari four outings. 40 for3.Heremainedunbeaten on 108. pacer MarkSteketee, who he fetchedfor has discoveredsome vital red-ball form and outside of both of them. Eventually, and Cheteshwar Pujarahad pulledIndia out It waspertinent that the pair,soindispen- three boundaries apiece. Pujarademonstrated the resoluteness that Ticktum emergedinthe lead, followed of deep trouble afterthe loss of openers sable to India’s fortunes in the red-ball leg - Rahane found an unlikelyassociatein wasafeatureofhis dream run in his previous by Schumacher and Jehan in third. A Shubman Gill and Prithvi Shawfor ducks. moresointhe impending absence of skip- headsdownand groundedthe bowling at- Kuldeep Yadav, afterWriddhiman Saha and trip to these shores, but worriedabout the fewcorners later,Jehan made agood Shaw, on the backofadodgy IPL, nicked per ViratKohli afterthe firstTest-hit the tack,whichwas farmorepedigreedthan Ravichandran Ashwin departedcheaplyfor form of youngsters Gill and Shaw. move to pass Schumacher and getinto one behind to TimPaine offJames Pattinson straps at the earliest. The duo would be the what mostcountries would provide visitors aduckand five respectively. BRIEF SCORES: India A237/8 (Ajinkya 2nd position. PTI while South Africa-born Michael Neser ac- batting pillars once Kohli departs afterthe during warm-up games. Yadavshowedmoreapplication, rotated Rahane 108*, Pujara54; Pattinson 3-58, counted forGill offthe very firstball he faced. pink-ball Test in Adelaide. So theyput their Both Pattinson and BirdhaveTestexperi- strike, and repelled78balls. The 89-run sev- Neser 2-51, Travis Head 2-24) vs Australia A.

UNCOMFORTABLE TRUTH Yorkshire tries to redress racism against Asian cricketers

‘Forcedtodrink wine' suffering. It wasahardwatch,” Gillespie ‘Lazy’ stereotype VISHALMENON Rafiq, a29-year-old off-spinner of openeduptoMel Jones in “Cricket Institutional racism is notconfinedto DECEMBER6 Pakistani heritage, is at the heartofthe rag- Connecting Country”. Yorkshireand England alone. Usman ing racism firestorm. Rafiq, in interviews, Khawaja, the Australian batsman of THERE IS amassive churn at the cricket has alleged that the club that he repre- BLM movement trigger Pakistanorigin, recentlyopenedacan of county of Yorkshirewhichisfacing charges sented in twostintsfrom2004to2006and Rafiqsaid that he had complainedtothe worms when he suggestedthat the con- of institutional racism. 2008 to 2016,had encouraged asystemof club’s administrators on numerous in- stant criticism he coppedabout being ‘lazy’ Former employees arerecording past discriminatorytreatment towardscrick- stances, but it fell on deaf ears. However, the had racial undertones. instances of discriminatorybehaviour with eters of Asian origin. It oftentook the form widespread global outrageoverGeorge “I always had that ‘lazy’ undertone when an enquiryunderway, afterex-Yorkshire of getting pinneddownbyteam-mates and Floyd’s killing and the subsequent Black Iwas growing up and Ithink partofthat was cricketer and former England U-19captain “forcedtodrink wine” -despitebeing a LivesMatter movement spurredhim to go due to my relaxed nature, but partofitwas Azeem Rafiq’s allegations that relentless Muslim -tothe constant ridicule and social public. In aheartwrenching admission, he also because Iwas Pakistani, and people racisttauntsatthe club had almostdriven boycotts,getting referred to as ‘elephant would also claim that it wasunlikelyhe from the subcontinent were seen as lazy, him to attempt suicide. Rafiq’s struggles on washers’ and being asked to “gobackto would lethis children anywhereclose to a notdoing the hardyards,” he told the field have also been linked to the racist whereyou came from”. All this had left cricket field or career afterhis scarring ex- cricket.com.au. tauntshefaced. Rafiqmentallyscarredand “feeling suici- perience. dal.” In a2018press release, he said the rea- Probelaunched Taxi driverjibe son forthe prejudice was“because my face Moresupport In September this year,Yorkshireset up TajButt, who wasemployedwith the did notfit, because of my race, it had noth- Former Pakistanpacer Rana Naved-ul- asub-committee to launchaformal probe YorkshireCricket Foundation as acommu- ing to do with my ability.” Hasan came out in Rafiq’s support, stating intoRafiq’s allegations and areviewofthe nity development officer,has said it wasa Former England U-19captain Azeem Rafiqsaid he wasavictim of racism. File that he wasalso subjected to similar taunts club's culturebylaw firm SquirePatton practice in the club to refertoplayers of Heart-breaking: Gillespie during his stint with the club. Naved-ul- Boggs. In astatement, club president Roger Asian origin as ‘taxi drivers’ and ‘restaurant Former Australia pacer Jason Gillespie, Hasan, who playedasanoverseas profes- Hutton said: “Anyallegation of this nature workers’. “Therewereconstant references who wasthe Yorkshirecoachwhen Rafiq the media, and some of those experiences alise backthen that it wasbecause of racism. sional forYorkshirefor twoseasons (2008 is hugelyconcerning to everyone from the made to taxi drivers and restaurant work- waswaging his personal battle againstal- that he narratedhad happenedwhen Iwas Thereweresome issues with his cricket,but and 2009), said that Rafiqhad confidedto boardtothe playing staffhere. We take ers when referring to the Asian commu- leged institutional racism, said watching at the club, and it wasquiteconfronting and listening to that interview(to Sky) really him about his concerns backthen and these reports very seriously.”Taj Butt’s com- nity.Theycalledevery person of colour him narrate the ordeal washeart-breaking. heart-breaking forme. As acoach, when I openedmyeyes. Therewas alot happen- added: “ManyAsian players were similarly mentssupportingRafiq were partofthe on- ‘Steve’,” Butt said during aprobe. “I sawthis interviewthat he had givento sawhim struggling as aplayer, Ididn’t re- ing to him offthe field and his game was affected by the club’s bad attitude.” going probe.

Vol. LIII No. 263 RNI No. 15048/1968. Printed and Published by Hareshkumar K Bhagdev on behalf of The Indian Express Private Limited. Published at : 3rd Floor, Sambhav House, Bodakdev, Ahmedabad 380 015. Phone (Board) : 26872481- 82- 83, Fax No. 26873950. Printed at : Bhaskar Print Planet, Survey No. 148P, Changodar-Bavla Highway, Tal. Sanand, Dist. Ahmedabad. Chairman of the Board : Viveck Goenka, Chief Editor : Raj Kamal Jha, Editor : Unni Rajen Shanker, Editor : (Gujarat) Leena Misra * (*Responsible for selection of News under the PRB Act) Copyright : The Indian Express Private Limited. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any manner, electronic or otherwise, in whole or in part, without prior written permission is prohibited. The Indian Express®

Ahmedabad