MILLENNIUMPOST.IN RNI NO.: WBENG/2015/65962

PUBLISHED FROM DELHI | KOLKATA VOL. 7, ISSUE 234 | Friday, 27 August 2021 | Kolkata | Pages 12 | Rs 3.00 No Half Truths

City: Pg 2 Nation: Pg 6 Film: Pg 12 ‘Industries will not face delay in Four-day Malabar wargame begins ‘I aim at touching getting nod for projects in state’ off coast of Guam in Western Pacific people’s hearts’

Unitech: SC furious as ED submits Chandras running ‘secret office’ with help from jailers Orders Sanjay and Ajay Chandra’s transfer to Arthur Road and Taloja jails; directs CP, Delhi to personally conduct inquiry

OUR CORRESPONDENT Following these materials being raised some serious and disturb- sonally and shall not be delegated to ities by flouting the jail manual, aspects which have been adverted to made available to the top court in ing issues. any other officer. making transfers of assets and dis- in the communication to the Com- NEW DELHI: In a set of startling two separate reports, a Bench of It said that the video conferenc- Significantly, in their reports, the sipating the proceeds of crime and missioner of Police.” revelations in the Supreme Court, Justices DY Chandrachud and MR ing facility at the jails to which the ED has told the top court that they influencing witnesses and attempt- It said that letter’s content and the Enforcement Directorate has Shah on Thursday directed that accused are being transferred shall had unearthed the “secret office” in ing to derail the investigation. It the material which has come on said the Chandra brothers — Sanjay erstwhile Unitech promoters San- be made available so as to enable South Delhi and found that it was added that an ED investigator had record indicate that, despite the and Ajay — of the Unitech Group jay and Ajay Chandra be moved out them to record their presence in the being operated by erstwhile Uni- already written to the Delhi Police orders of this Court, irregularities had been operating a “secret under- of Tihar Jail here and be shifted to court proceedings where their pres- tech founder Ramesh Chandra. It Commissioner about these allega- are taking place within the precincts ground office” in South Delhi, in the Arthur Road Jail and Taloja Jail ence is required. added that whenever Sanjay and tions on August 16. of the Tihar Central Jail where the connivance with Tihar Jail officials, in Maharashtra. However, taking serious note of ers with regards to the allegations Ajay would be out of jail on parole “What is of concern to the Court two accused have been lodged. to freely communicate, instruct The Bench said two reports of the violation of jail rules and con- against the Chandras in the ED’s or on bail, they would visit the office. is that the jurisdiction of this Court These activities undermine the their officials, dispose of proper- the Enforcement Directorate about nivance of Tihar Jail officials, the top reports. It sought a report of this The court added that the reports is sought to be undermined in authority of the Court and will ties, and move around proceeds of the conduct of Sanjay and Ajay and court directed Delhi Police Com- probe in the next four weeks. contain details of the manner in complicity with the jail staff, if the derail the investigation which has their crimes from inside the jail — connivance of Tihar Jail staff in missioner Rakesh Asthana to per- The Bench clarified that the which the premises of Tihar Cen- contents of the letter are true,” the been ordered by the Directorate of thereby rendering judicial custody flouting the orders and undermin- sonally conduct an inquiry hereon inquiry shall be conducted by the tral Jail have been misused by the Bench said, adding: “The second Enforcement, the Bench said. meaningless. ing the jurisdiction of the court have about the conduct of Tihar Jail staff- Commissioner of Police, Delhi per- accused for engaging in illegal activ- status report elaborates upon several Continued on P4 ‘SITUATION IDEAL AS COVID CASES HAVE DECLINED SIGNIFICANTLY IN STATE’ Celebrate with caution, says Centre as India TMC submits memorandum to EC, urges logs 46,164 new cases holding of bypolls in Bengal immediately

OUR CORRESPONDENT seven constituencies where the Takeaways by-elections would be held and KOLKATA: A five-member »»Trinamool Congress chairperson Ma- found that the Covid situation Trinamool Congress (TMC) mata Banerjee had repeatedly said as was under control there. delegation, on Thursday, sub- Sukhendu Sekhar Ray said mitted a memorandum to the the Covid situation was under control, holding bypolls in September Chief Election Commissioner bypolls should be held at the earliest would be ideal as the festive (CEC) demanding that by-elec- »»TMC had on July 15 written to the Elec- season would begin in October. tions in the seven poll-bound Mohua Moitra added that the Assembly constituencies in tion Commission of India (ECI) demand- ECI officials had opined that Bengal be held immediately. ing holding early by-elections like the Assembly elections, The TMC delegation » bypolls might also be con- A health worker administers Covid vaccine dose, in Jabalpur, on Thursday PTI comprising Saugata Roy, »Speaking about the bypolls in Bhowa- ducted in more than one phase. Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, nipur where Mamata Banerjee will Asked to comment on Jawhar Sircar, Mohua Moitra be contesting, Roy said in Bhowanipur, BJP’s view that the situation 84-day gap between 2 Covishield and Sajda Ahmed met CEC the by-elections should be held by was not congenial to hold by- Sushil Chandra and other November 21 and not November 6 as elections in Bengal, Roy said doses based on vax efficacy: Govt senior officials and submit- circulated by a section of the media after the devastating result in ted the memorandum stating the Assembly elections, the OUR CORRESPONDENT that with decreasing number BJP was scared of losing more Highlights of Covid cases in the state, the earliest. Addressing a press time was ideal to hold bypolls, to the Election Commission of tions in the seven Assembly seats in Bengal. NEW DELHI: Asserting that »»Addressing a media condition is conducive to hold conference, Saugata Roy said stated Roy. India (ECI) demanding hold- seats by August 31. Speaking about the bypolls the Covid second wave was briefing, Union Health bypolls maintaining all Coro- Covid cases in Bengal had gone The seven constituencies ing early by-elections. Again, Roy said the meeting was in Bhowanipur where Mamata not yet over, the Central gov- Secretary Rajesh Bhushan navirus protocols. down from “33 per cent to 1 per where by-elections would be another memorandum was held in an ideal environment Banerjee will be contesting, ernment on Thursday said Trinamool Congress chair- cent.” Moreover, in the seven held are Bhowanipore, Khar- submitted by TMC to the Chief and senior officials told the Roy said in Bhowanipur, the the months of September and reiterated that the coun- person Mamata Banerjee had constituencies where the by- dah, Gosaba, Shantipur, Din- Electoral Officer, West Bengal, delegation that it was the ECI’s by-elections should be held by October would be crucial in try is still in the midst of repeatedly said as the Covid elections are slated to be held, hata, Shamshergunj and on August 6. The ECI had asked duty “to hold the by-elections.” November 21 and not Novem- pandemic management and the second wave situation was under control, the Covid situation was fully Jangipur. all political parties to give their The officials added that they ber 6 as circulated by a section cautioned that festivals should »»The Centre on Thursday bypolls should be held at the under control, and hence, the TMC had on July 15 written opinion on holding by-elec- had also got reports from the of the media. be celebrated in accordance with COVID-19-appropriate told the Kerala High State to allot behaviour. Court that the 84-day 2 suicide attacks outside Kabul Addressing a media brief- gap between two doses Nine new judges to ing, Union Health Secretary of Covishield was fixed 10 acres Rajesh Bhushan reiterated that to increase the efficacy be sworn in on Aug airport; 13 dead, many wounded the country is still in the midst of the vaccine to docs for of the second wave. 31, say SC sources ICMR Director General »»Of the 46,164 fresh cases Several US service personnel killed: Pentagon housing Balram Bhargava said vac- recorded in the country in cines are disease-modifying the last 24 hours, 31,445 BV Nagarathna could be 1st and not disease preventing so were in Kerala KABUL: Two suicide bombers the first official casualty count. complex it is very important to con- woman CJI in 2027 and gunmen targeted crowds John Kirby also confirmed the tinue the use of masks even massing near the Kabul air- blasts, saying one was near an air- KOLKATA: The state govern- after vaccination. Meanwhile, reducing the port on Thursday, in the waning port entrance and another was a ment will allot 10 acres to doc- Bhushan said: “We are gap between two doses of Cov- OUR CORRESPONDENT days of a massive airlift that has short distance away by a hotel. tors and nurses free of cost to set still in the midst of the sec- ishield is being considered drawn thousands of people seek- Even as the area was hit, the up their own housing complex, ond surge of COVID-19 in and will be discussed in the NEW DELHI: Nine new ing to flee the Taliban takeover of official said evacuation flights Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee our country. The second surge National Technical Advisory judges, including three Afghanistan. At least 13 people continued to take off from Kabul said on Thursday. has not yet concluded. It is not Group on Immunisation in women, whose appoint- were killed and 15 wounded, Rus- airport, which Western govern- Banerjee made this over and therefore, we have to India, official sources said on ments to the Supreme sian officials said. ments earlier warned was a target. announcement during her visit maintain all necessary precau- Thursday. Court have been cleared by A US official said the com- One explosion went off in to SSKM Hospital on the same tions, particularly in light of The Centre on Thursday the Centre, are likely to be plex attack was definitely believed Smoke rises from a deadly explosion a crowd of people waiting to day. She said she had asked our experience that after every told the Kerala High Court sworn in on August 31 by to have been carried out by the outside Kabul airport on Thursday PTI enter the airport, according to Chairman, Board of Admin- festival we see a spike.” that the 84-day gap between Chief Justice of India (CJI) Islamic State group, whose affili- Adam Khan, an Afghan waiting istrators, Kolkata Municipal “The coming months of two doses of Covishield was N V Ramana, Apex Court ate in Afghanistan grew out of the Pentagon Press Secretary said. nearby. He said several people Corporation (KMC) and Trans- September and October are fixed to increase the efficacy of sources said on Thursday. disaffected Taliban members who “A number of others are being appeared to have been killed or port minister Firhad Hakim to crucial for us because we would the vaccine, as recommended President Ram Nath Kovind has signed hold an even more extreme view treated for wounds. We also know wounded, including some who find out land for the purpose. be celebrating a few festivals. by the National Expert Group the warrants of their appointment, includ- of Islam. that a number of Afghans fell vic- lost body parts. Banerjee also held a meeting Thus festivals have to be cele- on Vaccine Administration for ing that of Justice B V Nagarathna, who is “We can confirm that a num- tim to this heinous attack.” The Taliban condemned the with the hospital authorities brated with Covid-appropriate COVID-19 (NEGVAC) and in line to become the first woman CJI in ber of US service members were At least 13 people died and 15 attack, saying it happened in an to find out ways and means to behaviour,” he stressed.Bhar- was also based on the technical September 2027. killed in today’s complex attack were wounded, according to Rus- area controlled by US forces. upgrade the healthcare system gava said an upsurge is being inputs provided by the NTAGI. Sources said that four out of nine new Apex at the Kabul airport,” John Kirby, sia’s Foreign Ministry, which gave Continued on P4 across the state. P3 witnessed in a few districts. Continued on P4 Court judges are Chief Justices of different high courts and they need some time to wind up their administrative and judicial work there. Make mandatory ‘bumper- ‘JUST 5 FORMS, 4 TYPES OF FEES’ They said in all the high courts, Friday is the last working day of the week and the judges need at least one working day to wind up their to-bumper’ insurance: HC work there. Aviation ministry eases rules With a sanctioned strength of 34 judges, the Supreme Court as of now has 10 vacan- OUR CORRESPONDENT durai, challenging the orders dated cies. Once the new judges will take oath next December 7, 2019 of the Motor Acci- week, the top court will have only one vacancy. CHENNAI: In a significant order, dents Claims Tribunal, Special Dis- to operate drones in India Besides Justice Nagarathna, the third the Madras High Court has ruled trict Court in Erode. senior-most judge of the Karnataka High that “bumper-to-bumper” insurance The Insurance company pointed Court, the other women judges who have been should be mandatory whenever a new out that the insurance policy in ques- OUR CORRESPONDENT “It will open up new possibilities for appointed to the top court are Justice Hima vehicle is sold, from September 1. tion was only an “Act Policy”, which innovation and business. It will help lever- Kohli, the Chief Justice of the Telangana High This must be in addition to would cover only the risk that NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Civil Avia- age India’s strengths in innovation, tech- Court, and Justice Bela M Trivedi, the fifth covering the driver, passengers might be confronted by a third tion has eased the rules regarding drone nology and engineering to make India a senior-most judge of the Gujarat High Court. and owner of the vehicle, for a party to the vehicle and not its operations in the country by reducing the drone hub,” he mentioned. The Chief Justices of different high courts period of five years. occupants. The coverage for an number of forms that need to be filled to The fee, according to the new rules, who have made it to the Supreme Court are Thereafter, the owner of the occupant of the vehicle could operate them from 25 to 5 and decreasing has been reduced to nominal levels and — Abhay Shreeniwas Oka (Chief Justice of the vehicle must be cautious in safe- be extended upon payment of the types of fees charged from the opera- de-linked from the size of the drone. Karnataka High Court), Vikram Nath (Chief guarding the interest of driver, pas- additional premium by the owner tor from 72 to 4. For example, the fee for a remote pilot Justice of the Gujarat High Court) and Jiten- sengers, third parties and himself/ of the car, the insurance company Prime Minister Narendra Modi said The Prime Minister said the license has been reduced from Rs 3,000 dra Kumar Maheshwari (Chief Justice of the herself, so as to avoid unnecessary contended. on Twitter that the new drone rules usher new rules will tremendously (for a large drone) to Rs 100 for all catego- Sikkim High Court). liability being foisted on the owner The judge passed this order, which in a landmark moment for the sector in ries of drones and it is valid for 10 years. Besides them, Justice C T Ravikumar of the of the vehicle, as beyond five years, as would go a long way in coming to the India. “The rules are based on the premise help start-ups and youth The rules have also abolished the Kerala High Court and Justice M M Sundresh on date there is no provision to extend aid of lots of accident victims. He, of trust and self-certification. Approvals, working in this sector requirement of various approvals, includ- of the Madras High Court have also been the bumper to bumper policy, due to however, could not come to the res- compliance requirements and entry bar- ing certificate of conformance, certificate appointed to the top court. Senior advocate its non-availability, Justice S Vaidya- cue of the claimants in this case, as riers have been significantly reduced,” of maintenance, import clearance, accep- and former Additional Solicitor General P S nathan said in a recent order. the vehicle, in which their breadwin- he stated. Rules, 2021, which had come into force tance of existing drones, operator permits, Narasimha has also been appointed as a judge The judge was allowing a writ ner was travelling/driving, was cov- The Drone Rules, 2021, were issued on March 12. The Prime Minister said the authorisation of R&D organisation and of the Apex Court. Continued on P4 petition from the New India Assur- ered only with third-party insurance. on Wednesday. They supersede the new rules will tremendously help start- student remote pilot license. ance Company Limited in Avalpoon- Continued on P4 Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) ups and youth working in this sector. Continued on P4 mp millenniumpost 2 City FRIDAY, 27 AUGUST, 2021 | KOLKATA ‘TECHNOLOGY IS ONE OF THE KEY FOCUS AREAS OF BENGAL GOVT’ Bengal logs 717 fresh cases; 9 ‘Industries will not face delay in fatalities reported in a day OUR CORRESPONDENT Covid-19 Stats getting nod for projects in state’ KOLKATA: Single-day Covid »»Number of deaths in past 24 hours 9 infection slightly jumped on »»Total death toll so far 18,402 Thursday as the figure rose up to 717 from 708 on Wednesday. »»Tested COVID positive in the past 24 hours 717 OUR CORRESPONDENT government and our policy Highlights Single-day Covid fatality how- »»Total COVID positive cases so far 15,45,534 focuses on big data analysis ever dropped to 9 on Thursday KOLKATA: State Industry and decimation, animation »»Industry minister Partha Chatterjee said Bengal was from 10 on Wednesday. »»Total patients recovered from COVID so far 15,17,965 minister Partha Chatterjee and gaming, cyber securities, leaving no stone unturned to ensure that it becomes the IT The recovery rate reached »»Discharged from hospitals in a day 726 assured the industrialists on drones, artificial intelligence, hub for not only India but also to the rest of the world 98.22 per cent with fatality rate »»Total sample tested so far 1,68,14,817 Thursday that delay in project quantum computing to name »»Chief Minister has promoted the Bengal Silicon Valley in being restricted within 1.19 for clearance will be a thing of the a few,” he said. 3 weeks. The positivity rate has past with the formation of the He added that Chief Min- New Town, which is fast becoming a satellite city gone up to 1.73 percent from on Thursday. As many as been released from the hospi- industrial promotion board to ister has promoted the Bengal »»The minister explained that Bengal has the highest number 1.66 per cent on Wednesday. 3,80,50,837 doses have been tals so far. be headed by Chief Minister Silicon Valley in New Town, of MSME’s in the country, which is a progressive step Number of daily caseload still cumulatively administered in As many as 726 people were Mamata Banerjee. which is fast becoming a sat- towards global business expansion remains higher in the dis- Bengal so far. discharged from different hos- “The West Bengal Indus- Partha Chatterjee ellite city. “Another 100 acres tricts like North 24-Parganas, State on last Monday pitals on Thursday. The per- trial Promotion Board has been have been marked for extend- »»Another 100 acres have been marked for extending the Kolkata, South 24-Parganas, achieved more than 5 lakh centage of occupancy of Covid formed to expedite implemen- Global Value Chain’ organised ing the existing Silicon Valley existing Silicon Valley in phase II, added the minister Hooghly and Darjeeling. daily vaccination mark. Bengal beds in the State remains at tation of investment propos- by the apex industry body, the in phase II,” he informed. Around 96 fresh cases were performed more than 4.5 lakh 3.05. als. Chief Minister Mamata Associated Chambers of Com- He explained that Ben- Electronics, Tourism, Power, Bengal Industrial Development detected in North 24-Parga- vaccinations for three consec- Bengal has so far carried Banerjee heads the 16-mem- merce and Industry of India gal has the highest number of Land, Finance and Food Pro- Corporation (WBIDC) and nas while in case of Kolkata utive days till Wednesday. On out 1,68,14,817 Covid sam- ber board. So, I can assure you (ASSOCHAM) on Thursday. MSME’s in the country, which cessing Industries and Hor- West Bengal Industrial Infra- the number was registered at Thursday the number dropped ple tests out of which around that if anybody had experi- Chatterjee said Bengal was is a progressive step towards ticulture are members of the structure Development Cor- 118. Darjeeling has seen 65 a little. 41,498 tests were done in the enced delay in project clear- leaving no stone unturned to global business expansion. industrial promotion board poration (WBIIDC) are also new cases, South 24-Parganas Around 18,402 people have past 24 hours. Kolkata has seen ance earlier will not witness the ensure that it becomes the IT Ministers and secretaries of with secretary of the Industry the members of the board. 38 and Hooghly 38. Coochbe- so far died of Covid across the 1 Covid death while North 24 same in future,” Chatterjee said hub for not only India but also departments including Micro Commerce and Enterprises as Recently, the state government har has reported 25 new cases, state. The total tally of COVID- Parganas has seen 3 deaths, at the virtual event, which was to the rest of the world. Small and Medium Enterprises its member convener. set up the board after getting Howrah 45, Nadia 36. 19 infected cases reached Hooghly 1, East Midnapore 1, themed around ‘Bengal Read- “Technology is one of the and Textiles (MSME & T), The state’s Chief Secretary nod from the Cabinet to help Bengal has adminis- 15,45,534 out of which around West Midnapore 1, Nadia 1 and iness for Global Business at key focus areas for the state Information Technology and and chairpersons of both West attract more investments. tered around 3,93,962 doses 15,17,965 patients have already Darjeeling 1. Seven-member panel set up for Vax scam: Chargesheet CM mourns City to get CNG station upgradation of Rabindra Sarobar filed against Debanjan demise of at Transport Bhawan elocutionist OUR CORRESPONDENT and seven others OUR CORRESPONDENT

KOLKATA: A seven-member Gouri Ghosh KOLKATA: A CNG station committee has been set up to OUR CORRESPONDENT will be set up at Kasba Trans- upgrade Rabindra Sarobar, the Police have also OUR CORRESPONDENT port Bhawan soon. The state city’s oldest artificial lake. KOLKATA: The police have sought permission Transport department’s initia- The committee is headed filed chargesheet against KOLKATA: Noted elocution- tive to install an alternative fuel by Krishnendu Acharya, a imposter Debanjan Deb on to continue with the ist Gouri Ghosh died at a city station was taken up to bring professor of Botany Calcutta Thursday at the ACJM court, investigation and hospital on Thursday after a down the cost of operating University. Alipore. brief illness. buses, following the spiraling The committee mem- Apart from Deb, file supplementary She was 83 years old and diesel price hike by the Central bers visited Rabindra Sarobar chargesheet was filed against chargesheet later is survived by her husband, Government and to reduce air The project site recently to make an on-the seven other accused. Deb was also a well known elocutionist pollution . spot study. They will suggest arrested after Trinamool Con- Partha Ghosh. Condoling her “The construction work of Gas /Piped Natural Gas in Kol- that kind of trees that will be File Photo gress MP, Mimi Chakraborty, Deb and seven others accusing death Chief Minister tweeted: CNG station work has started kata and parts of its adjoining planted. It has been decided raised an alarm after she took them on charges of cheating, “Her own style of rendition at the Kasba Transport Bha- districts. that a medicinal plant garden Chandrima Bhattacharya, got damaged had been brought the first dose of covid vaccine conspiracy, attempt to murder, has left a permanent imprint wan. Its construction work will BGCL and WBTC have and a butterfly garden will be state minister for Urban Devel- back to life. from the fake vaccination camp impersonating a public servant, in the minds of the listeners. be completed in a few months,” entered into a five-year agree- set up. opment and Municipal Affairs In 1920 Calcutta Improve- organised by Deb. violation of government ser- The state government had con- said an official of the state ment where BGCL will be set- Hundreds of morning said steps had been taken to ment Trust (now Kolkata But later it was found that vant, forgery and other allega- ferred Kaji Sabyasachi Sam- Transport department. ting up CNG facilities within walkers visit Rabindra Sarobar beautify and upgrade Rabindra Improvement Trust) took over in the vaccination camp organ- tions. During the investigation, man to her in 2018. She was a He reiterated that the West the premises of WBTC and in the morning and evening. Sarobar. The flora and fauna 192 acres of marshy land. The ised by Deb, Amikacin injec- police have recorded statement member of West Bengal Kobita Bengal Transport Corporation supply CNG to buses. Eight The committee will also rec- will be preserved. The trees will excavation was done by Cecil tion, which was labelled as of more than 130 witnesses. Academy. Her death will cre- (WBTC) and the Bengal Gas Bus depots (Howrah, Salt lake, ommend how better amenities be planted as per recommenda- Henry Bompass after whom covishield, was administered. The chargesheet contains ate a void in the cultural world. Company Limited (BGCL) Thakurpukur, Nilgunj, Belgho- can be provided to the morning tion of the committee. a road in South Kolkata has Deb had also impersonated more than 1000 pages. have signed a CNG Bus fuel ria, Santragachi and Karunam- walkers. There is a mosque in Many trees of Rabindra been renamed. It was known an IAS and a senior official of However, police have also agreement at Kasba Transport oyee) including Kasba Bus one of the islands. Bird watch- Sarobar got uprooted and as Dhakuria lake. It was named KMC, was arrested on June sought permission to continue Her unique office on June 21. depot have been identified to ers from across the city visit damaged by Amphan. Fol- Rabindra Sarobar to pay hom- 22 by the cops of Kasba police with the investigation and file presentation BGCL, a joint venture create such CNG facilities. Rabindra Sarobar and take lowing recommendations of age to Tagore on his birth cen- station. On Thursday, police supplementary chargesheet Company of GAIL and GCG- BGCL will be investing photographs of the rare birds. the experts, many trees that tenary in 1961. submitted chargesheet against later. of Karna Kunti SCL (Greater Calcutta Gas Rs 3.5 crore to build up CNG Sangbad along Supply Corporation Limited), infrastructure at each Bus with her husband has been authorized by Petro- depot. About 15 buses per hour State takes steps to develop infra for preserving onions leum and Natural Gas Regu- can be refueled with two bus Partha Ghosh will latory Board (PNGRB) for dispensers in the online CNG be remembered supply of Compressed Natural Stations at Bus depots. SOUMITRA NANDI making it available to the com- ture would not be a constraint mainly on imports. Maharash- taking up large scale cultiva- mon people in the market after with ample space available in tra, Karnataka and Rajasthan tion of onion during the Kharif by the people KOLKATA: The state Agri- importing onion from Nashik. some of the Kisan Mandis of are the leading states in onion season on 1800 acres spanned cultural Marketing depart- If we can develop infrastruc- the department. production and exports onion across nine districts in the News at a Glance ment is working to develop ture for preservation, then we The state has to import to other states. Chief Minister state. The official added that My deep condolences to her infrastructure for preserva- can cut down reasonably on over 6 lakh metric tonnes of Mamata Banerjee wants that cultivation will be taken up in family, friends and admirers.” tion of onion. The produc- import and on the subsidy too. onion annually to cater to Bengal should emerge as the Hooghly, North 24-Parganas, Ghosh, a multi talented person tion of onion has increased by We are taking expert opin- its annual demand of 13 lakh fourth major onion producing Nadia, Murshidabad, Bankura, had worked in Akashbani as a CID SLEUTHS NAB 2, SEIZE SUSPECTED leaps and bounds, thanks to ions on what technology can metric tonnes. In 2019-20, the state and become self sufficient Purulia, Birbhum, West Mid- presenter. Her unique presen- RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL various measures taken by the be embraced for onion preser- state grew 6.70 lakh metric in onion cultivation. “There is napore and Malda as the cli- tation of Karna Kunti Sangbad state government and so pres- vation keeping in parity with tonnes on 37400 hectares. As a great potential for export to mate and soil conditions are along with her husband Par- KOLKATA: The Criminal Investigation Department ervation has assumed utmost our weather conditions,” Biplab the cultivation of onion is less Bangladesh which consumes suitable.As per estimates, 25 tha Ghosh will be remembered (CID) has nabbed two persons from Kolkata Airport importance to cut down import Mitra, state Agricultural Mar- during the Kharif season, the onion to a large extent but does quintals of onion can be pro- by the people. She had acted area and seized two stones of the cash crop. keting minister said. price often soars up particu- not grow enough,” a senior offi- duced on 1 acre, hence 1800 in Ashukh directed by Ritu- which are suspected to be “We have to spend a rea- The minister said space larly during the winter months cial of the department said. acres have the potential of pro- porno Ghosh. She took classes radioactive material identified sonable amount in subsidy for for developing the infrastruc- when the state has to depend The state government is ducing 45000 quintals. on recitation. as Californium.The duo, identi- KMC to speed fied as Sailen Karmakar of Now, branding rights for Singur and Asit Ghosh of Polba up tender Anit Thapa quits GJM in Hooghly, was arrested on corporates at Metro stns Wednesday evening. From their process for possession, police found four Leader likely to float new party in September pieces of stones which are said KOLKATA: Kolkata Metro can also put their brand logos parking lots Railway has offered stations and names at all the entry and to be Californium. According to for branding rights to cor- exit gates of the stations. Cor- AMITAVA BANERJEE ing resigned. “It is an obvious sources, Californium is a radio- KOLKATA: In a significant porate houses, including pri- porate houses will also be able move. I have already made it active material which is being used in cancer treat- stride to cut down delay in vate universities, banks, health to utilize prime/prominent DARJEELING: A letter doing public that we will be floating ment purpose, petrochemicals industry and nuclear tenders in connection with car care institutions and insurance spaces (of about 1500 sq. ft. at the rounds on social media on a new party in the first week of reactors. One gram of Californium costs around Rs 17 parking lots in the city, senior companies. all six stations except about 530 Thursday of Anit Thapa, the September. If I have to do so I crore. The seized materials are weighing about 250 officials of the Parking depart- “A tender has already been square feet at Belgachia) at the working president and general have to resign from this party,” ment of Kolkata Municipal floated on August 19, 2021 concourse and platform lev- secretary of the Gorkha Jan- added Thapa. grams. It is suspected that the duo somehow man- Corporation (KMC) held a in the portal www.ireps.gov. els, on platform screen doors, mukti Morcha (GJM) resigning He stated that the matter aged to steal the objects from a laboratory. However, meeting with stakeholders on in inviting corporate houses pillar wraps, entry/exit gates from the party, created ripples pertaining to the rightful port to ascertain whether it is originally Californium, the Thursday. to participate in it through wherever possible with- in political circles. folio holders of the GJM party stones have been sent to laboratory for necessary Municipal Commissioner, open tender,” said an official. out affecting and infringing Following the resignation is a sub judice matter in the examination. KMC has recently directed the He reiterated that five stations existing Railway installations of Binoy Tamang from GJM Calcutta High Court between tender calling authority to con- of North-South Metro namely and structures for branding/ (Binoy,) on July 15, a meet- the Bimal Gurung and Binoy ALERT LOCO DRIVERS SAVE ELEPHANTS sult stakeholders before float- Dumdum, Noapara, Belga- advertising.These apart, cor- ing of the central committee Tamang faction. ing any tender to avoid delay. chia, Esplanade and Park Street porate entities will also enjoy and frontal organisations of “My lawyer has also sub- DARJEELING: In two back-to-back incidents alert lo- “We will soon float ten- and two stations of East-West the rights of putting their the GJM had nominated Anit mitted a copy of my resignation comotive pilots managed to save elephants from get- der for parking lots in the city. Metro namely Bengal Chem- kiosks for promotions/cam- Thapa as the working president in court,” added Thapa. ting mowed by trains in Dooars. In the first incident, In recent times, we have wit- ical and Sealdah (which will paigns at the most prominent of the faction on July 16. He Anit Thapa The GJM faction headed around 5:45pm on Wednesday locomotive drivers nessed delay in maturity of ten- be operational very shortly) and exclusive floor spaces at was also holding dual charge by Anit Thapa had already loco pilots D Dorai and P Kumar of the Kanchank- ders and in some cases it has have been offered for award- the stations and branding of of general secretary also. he is tendering his resignation stopped using the party flag anya Express Special noticed a lone tusker standing taken almost a year. So, we have ing station branding rights in stations entry/exit structure as The letter dated July 16 is from the primary membership for more than a month now. decided to float tenders after the tender. The duration of the well as the inside. addressed to the vice-president, of the party. “I now look ahead In the first week of Sep- next to the track at KM 72/1 between Nagrakata consultation with stakeholders contract will be of five years. Kolkata Metro Railway has GJM states that he has been a to a new start,” he stated in the tember, the new party headed and Chalsa. They applied emergency brakes immedi- so that the process gets expe- This tender will close at 1. 30 already given station brand- primary member of the party letter. by Thapa is scheduled to be ately. Only after the tusker moved into the forest the dited. If we know in advance, pm on September 17, 2021. ing rights of Salt Lake Sector V, for the last 13 years and has Soon after the letter had launched. “The resignation is train started running again. At 5:13 pm on Thursday the clauses that are difficult for Corporate houses which will Salt Lake Stadium, Karunam- decided to move on. gone viral, Opposition parties more of a legal move and to loco pilots of Intercity Special, Paritosh Das and Na- the executing agency to meet get the station branding rights oyee, Shovabazar Sutanuti, He goes on to state that his cried foul stating that Thapa avoid future legal complica- resh Pal suddenly noticed a herd of elephants cross- , we can make amendments,” and will be able to add their Chandni Chowk, Baranagar, aim and purpose is to serve the had betrayed his own party tions,” stated a party insider. ing the track at KM 19/8 between Gulma and Sivok. Debasish Kumar, Mem- brand names and logo (pre- Phoolbagan, City Centre people of the region and coun- supporters. Interestingly, Binoy Tamang ber Board of Administrators fixed/suffixed) to the station stations to different big try and that he believes that Laying to rest all specula- had also talked of submitting a They stopped the train and waited for the entire herd , KMC in- charge of Parking name at all places where the Commercial Corporate he is not able to do this any- tions, Thapa addressing media copy of his resignation in court to enter the forest before resuming the journey. department. MPOST station name is displayed. They Houses. MPOST more within this party hence persons admitted to hav- too.

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For marketing, contact: 9836292306, 9830532306. For editorial, call: 9836072100 millenniumpost mp KOLKATA | FRIDAY, 27 AUGUST, 2021 City 3 ‘...SENIOR NURSES WOULD BE PROMOTED TO A POST OF PRACTITIONER SISTERS’ CM to visit North Bengal State set to allot 10 acres to in first week of September OUR CORRESPONDENT Key Points medicos for housing complex KOLKATA: Chief Minister »»She would be holding an administrative review meeting at Mamata Banerjee would visit Uttar Kanya besides some political meetings as well North Bengal in the first week »»Condemning the demand of “dividing Bengal” Banerjee OUR CORRESPONDENT Highlights of September. This would be had repeatedly stated that she would never allow it to her first visit to the region after KOLKATA: After announcing »»Banerjee will hold a meeting with the principals of five returning to power for the third happen that the state government will medical colleges in the city at SSKM on September 16 consecutive term. »»Out of the 54 Assembly segments in North Bengal, Trin- allot 10 acres to the doctors and »»An eleven-storeyed hostel building (G+ 10) will come up The Chief Minister’s visit amool has bagged 21 seats in the 2021 Assembly polls nurses free-of-cost to set up their on Lee Road for the students of SSKM comes crucial at the time when own housing complex, Chief a section of BJP leaders raised »»The Mamata Banerjee government has increased the Bud- Minister Mamata Banerjee on »»Another seven-storeyed building ( G+ 6) will come up demands to divide the region get exclusively for development of North Bengal by more Thursday said it was the duty of at Hastings where quarters of the principals of different as a separate Union territory. than 800 per cent in the past 10 years the state government to ensure medical colleges and secretary level officers of the state Condemning the demand comfort of the doctors and para Health department will be set up of “dividing Bengal”, Baner- political rallies for her party. cent in the past 10 years com- medicos. jee repeatedly stated that she Overcoming the setback pared to that of in the last fiscal “We have given land to the would never allow it to happen. that the state’s rulling party of the Left Front government. IPS, IAS, WBCS officers but this promoted to a post of “Practi- care can be given to the patients. Though the schedule of had faced in the 2019 Lok This comes when the Ben- is for the first time when land tioner Sisters”. The Health department would her visit is yet to be finalised, Sabha polls in North Bengal, gal government has spent Rs will be allotted to the doctors The post would be a newly cre- prepare a standard operating Banerjee would be visiting Trinamool Congress regained 4,968.51 crore since 2012-13 and nurses who have made us The Chief Minister at SSKM Hospital on Thursday ated one and it has been decided procedure (SOP), which will be North Bengal on September its control in major parts of fiscal only through the North proud by offering selfless ser- in the meeting headed by the followed by the sisters. 6 if everything remains as north Bengal districts includ- Bengal Development depart- vice. It is the duty of the state trators Kolkata KMC, was also Hastings where quarters of the Chief Minister with senior health The state government is con- planned. She would be hold- ing Malda and North Dinajpur. ment that was set up by government to ensure comfort present at the meeting. Talking principals of different medical department officials at SSKM sidering a proposal to engage ing an administrative review Out of the 54 Assembly seg- Mamata Banerjee after com- to the doctors and para medi- to media persons, Banerjee said colleges and secretary-level offi- Hospital. quack doctors in the Primary meeting at Uttar Kanya besides ments in North Bengal, Trin- ing to power in 2011. cos,” Banerjee said, during her she had asked Hakim to find cers of the state Health depart- “Sisters, based on their per- Health Centres and discussions some political meetings as well. amool has bagged 21 seats in Apart from the develop- visit to SSKM hospital, where she land for the purpose. Banerjee ment will be set up. formance and experience, would will be held to ascertain whether Sources said that the final the 2021 Assembly polls. The ment work carried out by the held a meeting with the hospital will hold a meeting with the Steps will be taken to con- be promoted to the post of Prac- this can be implemented. A move list of her programme is yet to overwhelming result came North Bengal Development authorities to find out ways and principals of five medical col- nect the buildings that are situ- titioner Sisters. The state Health has also been taken up to set up a get prepared but she may also despite BJP winning all the department, other departments means to upgrade the health care leges in the city at SSKM on ated at SSKM complex to that of department would frame a guide- parking lot for doctors of SSKM visit to some places affected Lok Sabha seats in the region including Tourism, Industries, system across the state. September 16. the doctors and the paramedics line in this regard,” the Chief Hospital where the proposed due to inundation after heavy in 2019 General elections. MSME, Transport, Agriculture, The state Health secretary NS An eleven-storeyed hostel so that they could move easily Minister said at SSKM where she cancer hospital would come rainfall. It needs mention that the Irrigation, School Education Nigam, doctors, nurses and senior building (G+10) will come up from one building to another. held the meeting on Thursday. up and a footover bridge would Ahead of the Assembly Mamata Banerjee government and Higher Education have officials of SSKM were present on Lee Road for the students The Chief Minister also The state Health department be constructed connecting the polls, Banerjee visited almost has increased the Budget exclu- undertaken different projects in the meeting. Firhad Hakim, of SSKM. Another 7-storeyed announced that senior and is preparing a guideline to train parking lot with the main cam- all the eight North Bengal dis- sively for development of North involving investment of crores chairman Board of Adminis- building (G+ 6) will come up at experienced nurses would be up the senior sisters so that better pus of SSKM Hospital. tricts several times and held Bengal by more than 800 per of rupees from its own funds. Nurses cheer as CM announces Demand for resolution to avoid floods: Act tough to ensure to come up with policy to create State team to visit Delhi on Aug 31 safety of women: OUR CORRESPONDENT They would be first ect to flood in Malda, North and ‘practitioner sisters’ post for them South Dinajpur, the project worth Mamata tells cops KOLKATA: The group of minis- meeting the Union Rs 571 crore to check erosion ters, MLAs and MPs from Ben- at vulnerable areas along river SULAGNA SENGUPTA gal would hold meetings with Jal Shakti minister Ganga and Padma, project to the Centre and Niti Aayog on at 2 pm on check erosion along river Bha- KOLKATA: Minutes after Chief August 31 demanding a com- girathi, the remaining work of Minister Mamata Banerjee said prehensive resolution to avoid Tuesday and projects related to devastation the state Health department flood and erosion in Bengal. Vice-Chairman of caused by cyclone Aila, dredging would form a policy to make The eight-member team Niti Aayog at 4 pm at reservoirs of Damodar Valley “practitioner posts for the nurses”, comprising Ghatal’s MP Dev, Corporation and the remaining the initiative was lauded by the state Irrigation minister Saumen work of the Keleghai-Kapalesh- nursing community who claimed Mahapatra, Water Resources them to fly to New Delhi to place wari project. that they could now render their Representative Image Investigation and Development the demand. Implementation of the services to private establishments minister Manas Bhunia, Minis- They would be first meet- Keleghai-Kapaleshwari proj- and this would help to increase ments in the state faced dearth for various private establishments ter of State for MSME and Sal- ing the Union Jal Shakti Min- ect is crucial for flood control their remuneration. of nurses. Many nurses had to and render their services. boni MLA Srikanta Mahato, ister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in certain parts of West and East According to doctors and work overtime to meet the cri- Shila Roy, a nurse who is Minister of State for Panchayat at 2 pm on Tuesday while the Midnapore. With a lackadaisical nurses, the decision will help sis. As a result, the decision has also a member of the Nurses and Keshpur MLA Seuli Saha, meeting with Vice-Chairman attitude of the Centre, state gov- the nurses to raise their income been lauded by the doctors and Unity said: “After the policy has Midnapore MLA June Malia, of Niti Aayog Dr Rajib Kumar ernment has executed a major File photo like the practising doctors and nursing community. been framed by the state Health Minister of State for Technical is at 4 pm. The eight chartered part of the Keleghai-Kapaleshwari they can render their services The members of Nurses Unity department, it will become clear Education Hyumayun Kabir of demands include immediate project at an expense of Rs 700 OUR CORRESPONDENT in both government and private welcomed the Chief Minister’s to us how we will function. But, and Rajya Sabha MP Sukehndu financial sanction for Rs 1238 crore. “Now they must cooper- ‘We have to be establishments. decision and claimed that this the efforts that Chief Minister Sekhar Roy would leave for New crore worth Ghatal Master Plan, ate to complete the remaining KOLKATA: Chief Minister alert as there are During the COVID-19 pan- would boost the nursing commu- Mamata Banerjee has taken is Delhi on Monday. Chief Minister Sunderbans and Digha Master part of the project,” said a senior Mamata Banerjee directed the demic, many private establish- nity and they would enjoy working laudable.” Mamata Banerjee had directed Plans, a Rs 471 crore worth proj- state government officer. police to take immediate and sections of people strict steps in case there is any all around who can complaint of women atrocities cause harm any KMC to take stern action Duare Sarkar: Only 500 people allowed in each camp irrespective of political affilia- tion of the accused person. time...’ “Immediate steps need to against any negligence at OUR CORRESPONDENT Bhandar scheme that ensures tives to increase the number of be taken if there is any sort Soon after the direction More than 85 lakh a minimum income of Rs 500 camps and if needed additional of atrocities on women from given by the Chief Minister, Duare Sarkar camps KOLKATA: The state govern- per month and Rs 1000 per camps would be held at every scheduled tribes, scheduled superintendents of police and ment has decided not to allow people have so month for women from gen- polling station level. caste and tribal mothers and commissioners have been more than 500 people at each of far applied for eral category and SC/ST cat- So far 1.50 crore people sisters. Measures have to be directed to take necessary steps the Duare Sarkar camps. the Lakshmir egory respectively. Directions have turned up at Duare Sarkar taken to avert incidents of in this connection. Sources said that the direc- have also been given to dis- camps across the state. The state women atrocities. We have to It needs to be mentioned tion in this regard has been Bhandar scheme trict authorities to increase the government has held 15232 be alert as there are sections that Kolkata had come up as given during a virtual meet- total number of camps across camps including 2190 camps of people all around who can the best state in terms of secu- ing headed by Chief Secre- enrolled under the Lakshmir the state after it came to notice only on Thursday. cause harm any time,” Banerjee rity of women. tary HK Dwivedi with District Bhandar scheme. that in some districts there were At the same time the district said while heading a meeting of The Chief Minister had Magistrates. Sources said that till the incidents of chaos that led to authorities have been directed the Scheduled Caste Advisory repeatedly condemned the It needs mention that most report last came in, more injuries of some applicants. to give stress on identifying Council. incidents like Hathras and of the applicants are turning up than 85 lakh people have so District authorities have Covid hotspots as containment She also directed Direc- Unnao in Uttar Pradesh and at Duare Sarkar camps to get far applied for the Lakshmir already started taking initia- zones. tor General of Police Virendra demanded a thorough probe to conduct an inquiry in case in this connection. there is any incident of atrocity The Chief Minister had also on women and to take “strong directed MLAs to work impar- Dept ready to supply uninterrupted action” if the probe reveals it tially to help people get benefits to be true. “There is nothing of state-run schemes without Firhad Hakim at a Duare Sarkar camp, in Kolkata, on Thursday to safeguard anyone,” Baner- giving any importance to their jee said. political affiliation. SOUMITRA NANDI ‘Under no power during Durga Puja, says Min KOLKATA: Kolkata Munici- circumstances the BJP leader held for posing as pal Corporation (KMC) will programme should ‘Repairing & maintenance works will be completed by Sept 30’ take strong action against lawyer, duping man of Rs 6L officers and staff, who will be be hampered due negligent in discharging their to late attendance OUR CORRESPONDENT duties in connection with the ‘During the Puja OUR CORRESPONDENT She was produced Duare Sarkar programme, a or absenteeism...’ KOLKATA: State Power days, CESC will flagship scheme of the state minister Aroop Biswass said KOLKATA: The police have at the Bankshall government. despite the increase in elec- operate 170 mobile arrested a BJP leader for alleg- Court on Thursday Municipal Commis- on the acknowledgement to be tricity demand, the Power vans for urgent edly duping a man worth Rs 6 sioner, KMC Binod Kumar handed over to the beneficia- department is ready to supply lakh by impersonating a lawyer. and has been has instructed all officers and ries and the form should be uninterrupted power supply repairing work The fake lawyer Nazia remanded to staff, who have been deployed received mentioning a note on during Durga Puja. while WBSEDCL Ellahi Khan had allegedly in different camps of Duare documents to be submitted,” On Thursday, Biswas met promised the man to settle his police custody till Sarkar programme, to reach the communiqué read. with the puja committees will operate 2319 divorce matter. September 3 the venue on the specified date The zonal managers have along with agencies like Cal- mobile vans...’ According to sources, the well before the commencement been requested to visit the cutta Electric Supply Corpora- man identified as Sanjib Agar- of the camp. He has reiterated camps on a daily basis to be tion (CESC), West Bengal State wal lodged a complaint Khan Council seeking information that officers and staff will be held under their jurisdiction. Electricity Distribution Com- This apart, it has been claiming that he met her on about Khan. Recently the coun- issued showcause notice for KMC has been entrusted with pany Limited (WBSEDCL), Aroop Biswas informed that a round-the- social media during September cil informed police that there any dereliction of duty due the implementation of Duare West Bengal State Electricity clock-control room will func- 2018 where she claimed herself is no lawyer registered in that to late attendance or sudden Sarkar programme in 144 Transmission Company Lim- tion from Vidyut Bhavan as a lawyer. name. After the information absence and under no circum- wards under KMC with the ited (WBSETCL), Damodar weather conditions, he said. details of electricity con- which will monitor the zonal She had promised to settle received police nabbed her stances the programme should programme being monitored Valley Corporation (DVC), This apart, the minister sumption of the past three and divisional control rooms Agarwal’s divorce suit which from Rajarhat on Thursday. be hampered due to late atten- at the highest level of the gov- Coal India and Indian Railways informed that during the Puja years, a tentative list has during the puja days. was pending for the last few She was produced at the dance or absenteeism. ernment officials. to discuss about the steps that days, CESC will operate 170 been prepared with expected “We are prepared to sup- years before 2018. Bankshall Court on Thurs- A communiqué issued It has come to the notice of need to be taken for smooth mobile vans for urgent repair- consumption. ply obstruction-free electric- He earlier lodged a com- day and has been remanded to by Kumar makes it clear that the top brass of the civic body electricity supply during the ing work while WBSEDCL will Biswas also claimed that ity during the puja days. My plaint against her in the Bagu- police custody till September 3. under no circumstances the that senior citizens have been Puja days. operate 2319 mobile vans for at present there was no short- request to the people is please iati police station but no action It may be mentioned that prospective beneficiaries / made to wait in the queue for Biswas informed that the High and Low Tension work age of coal as WBSEDCL was let us know through the control was taken. Khan is a leader of BJP’s minor- citizens coming to the camp a long time. The Commissioner repairing and maintenance purposes. extracting coal from five mines rooms about any irregularity During the year 2020, ity cell. to collect the forms should has also directed for special works would be completed It has been mentioned that which supply around 60 per or disturbance and obstruc- Agarwal again lodged a com- She had joined BJP during be refused. “In case, if there arrangements to be provided by September 30, so that no the demand for electricity has cent of the demand. For the tion so that action can be taken plaint at the Girish Park police January, 2018. She had taken is any want of requisite doc- to offer them quick relief, so obstruction ruins the festive gone up compared to the past remaining 40 per cent, the quickly. The control room station against her. the saffron party flag from uments to be submitted with that the waiting time can be mood of the people. The work few years. company was dependent on numbers will be announced in During probe, police sent Dilip Ghosh as a symbol of forms, the same may be noted minimised. had been delayed due to bad After going through the Coal India. a few days,” said Biswas. a letter to the West Bengal Bar her joining. mp millenniumpost 4 Nation FRIDAY, 27 AUGUST, 2021 | KOLKATA States to protect minors ‘India’s immediate concern evacuation’ who lost parents during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar says India adopting ‘wait and watch’ approach Covid pandemic: SC

OUR CORRESPONDENT shared among the participants resented all sections of Afghan ernment of India personnel Over one lakh children need care and at the meet, the government society after the withdrawal of at the Kabul Airport coordi- NEW DELHI: Asserting that has evacuated --175 Embassy American troops. nated with NATO and the US protection, NCPCR tells Supreme Court the government is committed Personnel, 263 other Indian Jaishankar also cited the for landing permissions and to "full evacuation" of Indians Nationals, 112 Afghan Nation- evacuation of Indian staff access to the airport. MPOST BUREAU from Afghanistan, where the als including Hindus and Sikhs, from the Indian consulates Jaishankar said India's other situation is "critical", External 15 third country nationals and in Kandahar on July 10-11 priorities in view of the situa- NEW DELHI: The Supreme Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the total figure stood at 565. and from Mazar-e-Sharif on tion in Afghanistan included Court Thursday said the states Thursday said India's "immedi- The document further said August 10-11, besides mention- international coordination and have to protect children, who ate concern and task is evacu- the government also facilitated ing a series of security advi- humanitarian efforts. have either lost one or both ation and long term interest is the evacuation of Indians by sories issued between June 29 India's diplomacy and inter- parents during the COVID- the friendship for the Afghan other agencies. and August 12, urging Indian ests are recognised by other 19 pandemic, and ensure that people". NCP leader Sharad Pawar, nationals to leave the country countries and the government their education is not disrupted ward or willing to waive off the Briefing an all-party meet- Leader of the Opposition in External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar with Union Ministers Piyush immediately. is in touch with many partners, at least in the current academic fee, the states can bear the fee of ing on the situation in Afghan- Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Goyal, Pralhad Joshi, briefs the all-party panel over the present The external affairs minister Jaishankar told reporters. session. such children for this academic istan, Jaishankar said the Kharge, Leader of Congress situation in Afghanistan, in New Delhi, Thursday PIC/PTI said India's priorities follow- The external affairs minis- The apex court said that year at this stage. government has adopted a "wait party in Lok Sabha Adhir Ran- ing the recent developments ter referred to Prime Minister identification of such children The court said it is neces- and watch" approach in dealing jan Chowdhury, DMK's T R the other issues by instituting footprint and activities natu- included the evacuation of Narendra Modi's recent conver- is the starting point to find out sary that benefits announced by with the Taliban, depending on Baalu, former prime minister an E-visa policy. So the overall rally keep in mind the ongo- Indian nationals, ensuring the sations with Russian President their needs and their welfare is the state governments should the evolving situation, and later H D Deve Gowda, Apna Dal's sense was that the government ing change. safety of its diplomatic staff, Vladimir Putin and German of paramount consideration. reach the needy children. told reporters in an answer to a Anupriya Patel were among is very very strongly committed "We have undertaken evac- extending assistance to Afghan Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Even if there are 1,000 chil- NCPCR has told the similar question that let the situ- those who attended the meet. to ensuring the full evacuation uation operations in extremely nationals in distress and pro- said there will be many more dren without their parent, Supreme Court that over one ation settle down there. "We have a strong national as soon as possible," he said. difficult conditions especially viding some leadership as part communications in the com- just imagine what is going to lakh children are in need of "Let the situation settle...You position on Afghanistan. The With the situation in at the airport. Our immediate of the 'Neighbourhood-First' ing days. happen to them. They can be care and protection as they will have to keep patience on the friendship with the Afghan peo- Afghanistan fluid, he said there concern and task is evacuation policy, the sources said. He also referred to India pushed to child labour. They are either orphaned, lost one question of our future policy," ple is something which matters will be a lot of activity on this and long term interest is the It is learnt that Shringla also chairing the UN Security Coun- can be landing themselves to of their parents or are aban- he said when asked about the to all of us. So we (all parties) front but at the moment India's friendship for the Afghan peo- briefed the leaders and referred cil special Session on Afghani- hands of undesirable elements doned during the COVID-19 government's approach towards approached this situation very "focus is on evacuation and the ple," the minister tweeted after to preemptive measures under- stan and the UN Human Rights in the society. We don't know pandemic from April last year. the Taliban. much in a spirit of national government is doing everything the meeting. taken by India. Commission in Geneva. what will happen to them. In an additional affida- Besides Jaishankar, Union unity," he told reporters. to ensure that we bring back Sources said Jaishan- Referring to attacks on Referring to challenges These are vulnerable children. vit filed in the apex court, the minister and Leader of the Under Operation 'Devi our people". kar apprised the floor leaders Indian diplomatic premises faced while evacuating people So, we have to be extremely NCPCR has given details of House in Rajya Sabha Piyush Shakti', the government has On the all-party meet, he about the pre-emptive mea- in Afghanistan, Shringla spe- from Kabul, Jaishankar cited careful about these children, a the number of children who Goyal and Parliamentary Affairs undertaken six flights and tweeted "briefed the floor lead- sures taken by India including cifically mentioned attacks on frequent incidents of firing near bench of justices L Nageswara have lost either their mother Minister Pralhad Joshi were also brought back most of the Indi- ers of all political parties today the temporary withdrawal of the Indian embassy in Kabul in the airport and inside Kabul, Rao and Aniruddha Bose said. or father or both between present during the nearly three ans but not all of them, he said, on Afghanistan and 37 leaders Indian personnel from its con- 2008, 2009 and 2010 as well as putting up multiple checkpoints The bench said most of April 1, 2020 to August 23 this and a half hour briefing on the noting that a few Indians are from 31 parties attended. Thank sulates in Herat and Jalalabad in the massive blast near it in 2017. by various groups and certain these children may not have the year based on the information latest situation in Afghanistan still there. them all." April last year, scaling down of Shringla said the Indian issues at the airport, sources means to fend for themselves. uploaded on its Bal Swaraj’ after the Taliban captured power "Some of them could not He said India's strong the strength of the embassy in Consulates in Herat, Jalalabad, said. So, it is the state which portal by the states and Union there last week. make the flight yesterday. friendship with the people of Kabul in June this year. Kandahar and Mazar-e-Sharif Delays in landing permis- has to protect them, said the Territories. Senior officials of the exter- But definitely we will try and Afghanistan is reflected in the Last year in February, Tali- have been attacked from time sions for aircraft, overflight bench, which was hearing a suo It said as per the informa- nal affairs ministry, includ- bring everybody. We have also more than 500 projects it has ban leaders and the US inked a to time. clearances from relevant coun- motu matter on contagion of tion uploaded on the portal up ing Foreign Secretary Harsh brought out some Afghan citi- there and that the friendship pact in Doha in February 2020 About the evacuation mis- tries and coordination on the COVID-19 in children protec- to August 23, there are total Shringla also participated in zens who wanted to come to will continue to guide New which envisaged religious free- sion, the foreign secretary is ground were some other chal- tion homes. 1,01,032 children who are in the meeting. India at this point of time. We Delhi. dom and democracy, with a believed to have said that a lenges flagged by the external The top court took note of need of care and protection. As per the evacuation data have tried to address many of Jaishankar said India's government in Kabul that rep- multi-agency team of the gov- affairs minister, they said. state-wise details of children, As per the data, there who have become orphans are 8,161 children who have or lost one parent during the become orphans, 92,475 have ANTI-CAA SPEECH pandemic period, and also the lost either of their parents and status of their identification 396 have been abandoned. process so that benefits meant The affidavit, filed by advo- Allahabad HC quashes criminal proceedings against Kafeel Khan for them could be extended. cate Swarupama Chaturvedi, The bench said states have said out of the total 1,01,032 OUR CORRESPONDENT nisance order passed against The charge sheet and cogni- different groups), 153B (impu- 2020. Khan then filed a peti- our faith in judiciary." "Yogi to take pro-active steps in tak- children -- 52,532 are boys, Khan, noting that the requisite sance order was passed against tations, assertions prejudicial to tion challenging it. According Adityanath government's high- ing care of these children and 48,495 are girls and five are ALLAHABAD: The Alla- sanction was not taken by dis- Khan by the Aligarh Chief Judi- national integration), 505(2) to Section 196(A) of the CrPC, handedness towards people of also ensure that their education transgender. habad High Court on Thursday trict magistrate from central cial Magistrate (CJM) in a case (statement creating or promot- no court shall take cognisance Uttar Pradesh has been com- is not disrupted due to the loss It said out of these total quashed criminal proceedings and state governments under wherein Khan had allegedly ing, enmity, hatred or ill-will of any offence under Section pletely exposed by this ruling of of either one or both parents. children, 10,980 are in the age against paediatrician Kafeel Section 196(A) of the Criminal delivered an inflammatory between classes) and 109 (abet- 153A of the IPC, except with the the honorable Allahabad High It said the states may talk to group of 0-3 years while 16,182 Khan over an anti-CAA speech Procedure Code (CrPC). speech during a protest against ment of offence) of the IPC. previous sanction of the central Court," he said. the private schools, where such are in age group of 16 to up to made by him at Aligarh Muslim However, he made it clear the Citizenship Amendment Consequently, he was government or state govern- "We also hope this brave children are studying, so that 18 years. University due to lack of neces- that the charge sheet and its Act (CAA) at AMU in 2019. arrested. Police submitted the ment or the district magistrate. judgment will give hope to all there could be waiver of fee and The affidavit was filed in the sary sanction from the govern- cognisance may be taken by the Following the event, an charge sheet before the Aligarh Reacting to the develop- pro-democracy citizens and their education continues at apex court which is hearing a ment. A single judge bench of court after mandatory sanction FIR was lodged against Khan court on March 16, 2020 and ment, Dr Kafeel Khan said, activists languishing in jails least for this academic session. suo motu matter on contagion Justice Gautam Chaudhary set is granted by the central as well under Section 153A (pro- the Chief Judicial Magistrate "This is a big victory for the across India. Long live Indian The bench observed that if of COVID-19 in children pro- aside a charge sheet and cog- as the state governments. moting enmity between took its cognisance on July 28, people of India and restores democracy,"he added. the schools are not coming for- tection homes.

have pledged not to attack Western forces dur- from 6-8 weeks to 12-16 weeks and said the deci- Venkataramiah. to its non-availability,” the judge said. From Page 1 ing the evacuation, but insist the foreign troops sion to increase the gap was based on scientific The Supreme Court collegium had last week In view of untoward incidents like the pres- must be out by America’s self-imposed deadline evidence. recommended to the Centre these nine names ent one on hand, the order shall be circulated by of Aug. 31. Based on emerging data, India would revisit for appointing them as judges of the Apex Court. the Additional Chief Secretary, Transport depart- Overnight, warnings emerged from Western the dosage interval for Covishield vaccine and The recommendation by the Supreme Court’s ment, to all the insurance companies and he Unitech: SC furious capitals about a threat from Afghanistan’s Islamic take appropriate action, Arora had earlier said. five-member collegium headed by CJI Ramana must ensure that the above direction is followed State group affiliate, which likely has seen its Bhargava, on the other hand, added: “We at its meeting on August 17 puts an end to the scrupulously in letter and spirit without any It asked the Enforcement Directorate to pro- ranks boosted by the Taliban’s freeing of prison- have 41 districts reporting a COVID-19 weekly 21-month-long logjam over appointment of new deviation, the judge added and posted the matter ceed ahead with the investigation expeditiously ers during their blitz across the country. positivity rate of more than 10 per cent and there judges to the top court. on September 30 for reporting compliance. WITH saying that the probe in the matter has been pro- British Armed Forces Minister James are 27 districts which have weekly test positivity The impasse over the appointment had led AGENCY INPUTS ceeding at a tardy pace and the Court should be Heappey told the BBC early on Thursday, there between 5 and 10 per cent. Population density is to a situation in which not a single name for the apprised of the status of the investigation within was very, very credible reporting of an imminent causing the spread. So wherever Covid-appropri- judgeship in the Apex Court could be recom- a period of four weeks from today. attack at the airport, possibly within hours. Bel- ate behaviour is not being followed there we are mended after the superannuation of the then CJI Drones in India The Bench posted the matter for hearing after gian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said his seeing an upsurge in cases.” Ranjan Gogoi on November 17, 2019. six weeks and sought a status report of ED by country had received information from the US Highlighting the importance of vaccina- Three out of these nine new judges are set to Other approvals such as unique authorisation then. and other countries about the threat of suicide tion, he said vaccines reduce the disease severity, become the CJIs. Justice Vikram Nath is in line number, unique prototype identification num- The top court noted that its order of May 9, attacks on the mass of people. reduce the possibility of hospitalisation and also to become the CJI upon the retirement of sitting ber and certificate of manufacturing and airwor- 2019, adverts to the status report filed by M/s The acting US ambassador to Kabul, Ross avert deaths to the tune of nearly 98-99 per cent. Apex Court judge Justice Surya Kant in Febru- thiness have also been abolished, according to Grant Thornton, who were appointed as Forensic Wilson, said the security threat at the Kabul air- According to the government, daily new ary 2027. Drone Rules, 2021. Auditors to assess the financial dealings of Uni- port overnight was clearly regarded as credible, COVID-19 cases continue to show a decline and Justice Nath would be succeeded by Justice No flight permission will be required for up tech Ltd, which indicates that the auditors were as imminent, as compelling. But in an interview 58.4 per cent of the total cases last week were Nagarathna, who would have a tenure of over a to 400 feet in “green zones” and up to 200 feet in not provided complete access to all electronic with ABC News, he would not give details and reported from Kerala. month as the head of the judiciary. the area between 8 and 12 km from the airport records, including those which were in posses- did not say whether the threat remained. Only one state, Kerala, has more than 1 lakh Senior advocate Narasimha would succeed perimeter, the new rules stated. sion of the Chief Financial Officer, Unitech Ltd. A while later, the blast was reported. US Pres- active cases, or 51.19 per cent of the countrywide Justice Nagarathna as the CJI and would have a “Green zones” are the airspace up to a verti- In this backdrop, the Court recalled the ident Joe Biden has been briefed on the explo- number. tenure of over six months. WITH AGENCY INPUTS cal distance of 400 feet that have not been desig- facilities which had been made available to the sion, the White House says. Kerala posted 30,007 fresh Covid cases on nated as red zone or yellow zone in the airspace accused — Sanjay and Ajay Chandra, former Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid Thursday, the second consecutive day it reported map. Directors of Unitech Limited who were lodged in denied that any attack was imminent in the wake more than 30,000, and 162 deaths which pushed Bumper-to-bumper An interactive airspace map with green, yel- Tihar Central Jail. of those warnings. the total infection count in the state to 39.13 lakh low and red zones shall be displayed on the digi- The Court directed that Sanjay and Ajay shall Earlier Thursday, the Taliban sprayed a and the toll to 20,134. Left with no other choice but to deprive the tal sky platform within 30 days of publication of not be entitled to any additional facilities apart water cannon at those gathered at one airport With Kerala accounting for 68 per cent claimants of the accident benefits ordered by the these new rules. from those which are available in normal course gate to try to drive the crowd away, as someone of the fresh COVID-19 cases in the country, Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal in Erode, the The Drone Rules, 2021, have also prescribed in terms of the jail manual. launched tear gas canisters elsewhere. Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla on Thurs- judge quashed the order of the Tribunal award- easier processes for the transfer and deregistra- Both the erstwhile promoters were arrested The Sunni extremists have carried out a series day reviewed the situation and the steps taken ing a compensation of Rs 14.65 lakh to K Par- tion of drones. in 2017 after they failed to deliver homes to as of brutal attacks, mainly targeting Afghanistan’s to contain the alarming graph of the virus in the vathy and three others. No pilot license will be required for micro many as 17,000 buyers who had already paid Shiite Muslim minority, including a 2020 assault southern state. The judge, however, made it clear that this drones (for non-commercial use) and nano either half or the full amount. It has been alleged on a maternity hospital in Kabul in which they Of the 46,164 fresh cases recorded in the order will not preclude the claimants from claim- drones, the rules mentioned, adding that the that more than 50 per cent of the funds invested killed women and infants. country in the last 24 hours, 31,445 were in ing compensation for the death of the deceased maximum penalty for violations has been by the home buyers were allegedly siphoned off The Taliban have fought against Islamic Kerala. from the owner of the car, as per the terms of the reduced to Rs 1 lakh. for personal gain by the Chandras. State militants in Afghanistan. But IS fighters The Home Secretary reviewed the COVID- policy for which the car was insured. According to the new rules, the type certifi- were likely freed from prisons along with other 19 situation and the steps taken to contain the Before parting with this judgment, the judge cate and unique identification number will be inmates during the Taliban’s rapid advance. spread of the virus in the southern state and gave said that it is saddening to point out that when required only when a drone is to be operated in 2 suicide attacks Extremists may have seized heavy weapons and a number of suggestions, a Home Ministry offi- a vehicle is sold, the purchaser/ buyer is not India. equipment abandoned by Afghan troops. cial said. clearly informed about the terms of policy and If a drone is being imported or manufactured India’s External Affairs minister S Jaishankar The meeting in which Bhalla took stock of the its importance. Similarly, at the time of buying only for export purposes, it will be exempted termed the crisis in Afghanistan as “extremely situation in Kerala also discussed issues related to the vehicle, the buyer is also not interested in from type certification and the requirement of a critical” during an all-party meeting in New 46,164 new cases containment strategy and medical infrastructure, thoroughly understanding the terms and condi- unique identification number. Delhi on Thursday, convened by the Centre to the official added. tions of the policy, as he/she is more concerned Drone corridors will be developed for cargo discuss the prevailing situation in Afghanistan, The submission was made before Justice P about the vehicle’s performance and not about deliveries and a drone promotion council will and added that India’s top priority was to evacu- B Suresh Kumar, who had on August 24, asked the policy. be set up to facilitate a drone-friendly regula- ate “as many as possible”. the central government whether the 84-day gap Nine new judges When a buyer is ready to pay a huge amount tory regime in the country, according to the draft During the meeting, which lasted for about between two doses of Covishield was based on for purchase of a vehicle, it is really shocking as rules. three-and-a-half-hours, Jaishankar said the the availability of the vaccine or its efficacy. The Apex Court, which came into being to why he/she is not interested in spending a pal- The rules also stated that there would be government has adopted a “wait and watch” Chairman of India’s COVID-19 Work- on January 26, 1950, has seen very few women try sum to take a policy so as to safeguard him- no restriction on drone operations by foreign- approach in dealing with the Taliban, depending ing Group of NTAGI, Dr N K Arora, however, judges since its inception and in the last over 71 self/herself and others. owned companies registered in India. on the evolving situation, and later told report- said no such proposal for changing the dose years has appointed only eight lady judges start- “Therefore, this court directs that when- Digital sky platform will be developed as a ers in an answer to a similar question that let the interval for any COVID-19 vaccine is under ing from M Fathima Beevi in 1989. ever a new vehicle is sold after September 1, it is business-friendly single-window online system, situation settle down there. consideration. Presently, Justice Indira Banerjee is the lone mandatory for coverage of bumper to bumper the new rules mentioned. Several countries urged people to avoid the “There are several studies and programmatic serving woman judge in the Apex Court after her insurance every year, in addition to covering the Civil Aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia airport earlier in the day, with one saying there data collection processes are on to assess the elevation on August 7, 2018, from the Madras driver, passengers and owner of the vehicle, for said on Twitter that the new drone rules will trig- was a threat of a suicide bombing. But just days vaccine effectiveness. NTAGI is reviewing the High Court where she was serving as the Chief a period of five years. Thereafter, the owner of ger a revolution in the logistics and transpor- or even hours for some nations before the evacu- vaccine effectiveness data on a regular basis. Cur- Justice. the vehicle must be cautious in safeguarding the tation sector and create change ripples across ation effort ends, few appeared to heed the call. rently, there is no proposal for change in the dose While high court judges retire at the age of interest of driver, passengers, third parties and sectors such as agriculture, healthcare and Already, some countries have ended their interval for Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik V is 62, the retirement age of Supreme Court judges himself/herself, so as to avoid unnecessary liabil- mining. evacuations and begun to withdraw their soldiers under consideration,” Arora said. is 65. ity being foisted on the owner of the vehicle, as “It (new drone rules) will also provide a and diplomats, signalling the beginning of the The government in May had further extended Justice Nagarathna, born on October beyond five years, as on date there is no provi- launchpad to our startups who are ready to lead end of one of history’s largest airlifts. The Taliban the gap between the two doses of Covishield 30, 1962, is the daughter of former CJI E S sion to extend the bumper to bumper policy, due this revolution from the front,” he mentioned. millenniumpost mp KOLKATA | FRIDAY, 27 AUGUST, 2021 Nation 5 AGITATION AGAINST FARM LAWS TMC to stand by Centre Farmers’ convention focusses on over Afghanistan crisis OUR CORRESPONDENT

NEW DELHI: Trinamool making stir pan-India movement Congress (TMC) on Thursday decided to support the govern- ment over its policy on Afghan- OUR CORRESPONDENT representing 300 farmer and "deep transformations" that istan after the all-party meeting agricultural workers' unions the farmers' movement has called by the Centre to discuss NEW DELHI: The first day and associations, 18 all-India brought about and the "many the prevailing situation. Senior of an all-India convention of trade unions, nine women's positive outcomes" already Lok Sabha MP Saugata Roy farmers that began at the Sin- organisations and 17 stu- being experienced due to the informed the media persons Trinamool Congress MPs Sougata Roy, Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, Jawhar ghu border here on Thursday dent and youth organisa- prolonged protest, it added. that "There should not be any Sircar, Sajda Ahmed and Mohua Moitra address a Press conference in focussed on expanding the tions are participating in the The convention also paid double-voice, our party decides New Delhi on Thursday PIC/NAVEEN SHARMA protest against three agricul- convention. homage to the farmers who to stand by the government on ture laws of the Centre all over According to a statement lost their lives while participat- the national interest. We shall world, was following a "wait annexe was attended by 37 the country. issued by the Samyukt Kisan ing in the agitation. stand united." and watch" policy. Jaishankar leaders from 31 political parties The two-day convention Morcha (SKM), three sessions The event comes after nine Calling the situation 'vul- further described the situation including Adhir Ranjan Chow- that marks the completion of were organised on the first day months of persistent pro- nerable', the TMC urged the as "critical". dhury, Mallikarjun Kharge and nine months of the farmers' of the convention -- one on tests by farmers from across government to stress the evacu- Another senior TMC Rajya Anand Sharma from the Con- agitation against the three con- the three farm laws, one dedi- the country, who have been ation during the meeting. Fur- Sabha member Sukhendu gress, Sharad Pawar from NCP, tentious laws was inaugurated cated to industrial workers and camping at Delhi's borders ther, the Trinamool Congress Sekhar Roy told media persons Saugata Roy and Sukhendu by Bharatiya Kisan Union another pertaining to agricul- The two-day convention that marks the completion of nine months since November last year and representatives submitted a list that opposition parties raised a Shekhar Roy from TMC, for- (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait. tural workers, the rural poor of the farmers’ agitation against the three contentious laws was agitating against the three of 125 families from the state of series of questions on the gov- mer PM Deve Gowda, Tiruchi "It is sad that even after and tribal issues. farm laws that they claim will West Bengal, who are stuck in ernment's contingency plan Siva and T.R. Baalu from DMK, inaugurated by Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait nine months, the government "In all the three sessions, do away with the MSP system, Afghanistan to the Minister of to evacuate Indians if they are Nama Nageshwara Rao from is still not ready for talks (with the speakers emphatically gave pan-India movement. country so that the (Narendra) leaving them at the mercy of External Affairs S Jaishankar. stranded beyond the August 31 TRS. TDP’s Jaydev Galla and the farmers). But we should their suggestions for widening "Ashish Mittal, convenor Modi government be forced to big corporations. The Opposition also raised deadline and the exact number Binoy Viswam from CPI were not feel demotivated. During and expanding the movement of the organising committee repeal the three anti-farm laws Over 10 rounds of talks questions on India's future of Indians yet to be evacuated. among others. this convention, we will reflect involving farmers, workers, of the convention, placed the and give a legal guarantee on with the government, which engagement with the Taliban However, the government did Foreign secretary Harsh on what we have lost and what agricultural workers, adivasis draft resolutions before the MSP," the statement said. has been projecting the laws and the external affairs min- not share the exact number yet Shringla and India's Ambas- we have gained over the last and common people, thus wid- delegates, which called upon Each session saw 15 speak- as major agriculture reforms, ister informed the representa- be evacuated. sador to Afghanistan Rudren- nine months," Tikait said. ening the scope of the 'kisan people to intensify and expand ers deliberating on a range of have failed to break the dead- tives across all political parties The three and a half hours dra Tandon were also present Delegates from 22 states andolan' so that it becomes a the ongoing struggle across the issues emphasising on the lock between the two sides. that India, like the rest of the long meeting at the Parliament at the briefing. Former Punjab minister Sewa Prez Kovind Yogi Govt to build 1st handicrafts Singh Sekhwan joins AAP to address Himachal park of UP in YEIDA area CHANDIGARH: Former Punjab minister Sewa Singh Assembly on LUCKNOW: In view of the ries being set up at the park will tional handicrafts, including world. While on the one hand, Sekhwan joined the Aam growing popularity of a wide provide permanent employ- Banarasi sarees, brass works of the park will enable people Aadmi Party in the pres- Sept 17 variety of traditional handi- ment to 22,144 people. Moradabad, perfumes of Kan- to get all famous handicrafts ence of its national convener crafts of Uttar Pradesh follow- The maiden handicrafts nauj, chikankari of Lucknow of UP under the same roof, Arvind Kejriwal in Gurdaspur ing the launch of One District park of UP will feature work- and terrocotta art of Gorakh- on the other it will provide a on Thursday. OUR CORRESPONDENT One Product (ODOP) scheme, shops, factories and outlets pur are world- famous. In fact, huge market for these prod- Sekhwan was a minister the State Government led by making, showcasing and selling every district of the state has at ucts, boosting UP’s handicrafts in the Shiromani Akali Dal- SHIMLA: President of India Chief Minister Yogi Aditya- the wide ranging handicrafts least one special product that is business. It will facilitate export led government and currently Ram Nath Kovind will address nath is building the first handi- of the state to the domestic integral to its identity. of UP’s handicrafts to different the senior vice-president of the one-day special session of crafts park of UP in Sector 29 and global visitors, aiming Hundreds of craftspersons countries of the world. SAD (Sanyukt), formed earlier Himachal Pradesh Assembly of Yamuna Expressway Indus- at conserving the traditional are making beautiful things People living in Delhi and this year after the dissolution of on September 17–an event pro- trial Development Authority crafts, providing employment from clay, wood and other Noida will also be able to eas- the SAD (Taksali) and the SAD Former minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan joins AAP in presence of party posed as part of Golden Jubi- (YEIDA). to thousands of artisans of the materials, including toys and ily find handicrafts of Lucknow, (Democratic). convenor and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, in Gurdaspur, on Thursday lee celebrations of Himachal A total of 76 industrialists state and boosting the handi- idols that have started drawing Meerut, Bareilly, Firozabad, Sekhwan (71) had quit the Pradesh and put state’s 50-year have acquired land at the park crafts sector’s contribution to attention of people from other Agra, Varanasi, Chandauli, Shiromani Akali Dal in 2018 Pathankot. He also cited his govern- development journey into a spread over an area of 50 acres the state’s economy. parts of the country as well. Gorakhpur, Allahabad, Prata- after revolting against the party After landing at the Amrit- ment's achievements in the new spotlight. to set up their factories at the It is already known to The park will showcase pgarh, Azamgarh, Mirzapur leadership and formed the SAD sar airport in the afternoon, the national capital on several As per the state govern- cost of Rs 403 crore. The facto- everyone that UP’s rich tradi- their craftsmanship to the and Jhansi and Lalitpur. MPOST (Taksali) with former MPs Delhi CM travelled to the resi- fronts, including schools and ment, the President will arrive Ranjit Singh Brahmpura and dence of the former minister at hospitals. on September 16 and will stay Rattan Singh Ajnala. Sekhwan village in Gurdaspur. Kejriwal said, "It is our mis- at the Retreat –a holiday resort He later switched over to Addressing the media, sion that we want such a Punjab of the President at Chharabra, a the SAD (Democratic) formed Kejriwal said, "He (Sekhwan) where there is peace and happi- high security zone 14 km from by another disgruntled Akali blessed us and joined our fam- ness and progress for all." Shimla. He is also expected to STUDY IN leader, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa. ily. We welcome him in our Be it rich or poor, their chil- attend an official dinner of the Ahead of the state's Assem- family and want him to guide dren should get good educa- state government, and invite bly polls next year, the induc- us." tion and be it rich or poor, their prominent citizens over tea at tion of Sekhwan is expected to The AAP's national conve- families should get good treat- the Retreat. THE UK give a boost to AAP prospects ner said Sekhwan's father and ment in hospitals, he said, add- State Assembly Speaker in the state's Majha region, family had made a great con- ing that the joining of Sekhwan Vipin Singh Parmar said on which has district like Amrit- tribution to the state's progress will give a boost to his party's Thursday that necessary notifi- sar, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran and and politics. "mission". AGENCIES cation about the special session has already been issued. The session apart from State Om Birla: Political turmoil in any Governor Rajendra Vishwnath Arlekar will be attended by all sitting and former members of other country won’t affect India the state Assembly. President Ram Nath Kov- ind will be the third President OUR CORRESPONDENT part of the ‘parliamentary region is the land of Buddha to address the House at a spe- outreach programme for the who preached peace and har- cial occasion, after APJ Abdul NEW DELHI: In a reference to empowerment of panchayati mony and that is what India Kalam and Pranab Mukherjee. the crisis in Afghanistan, Lok raj institutions’. Birla said that also propagates. Here from Himachal Pradesh though Sabha Speaker Om Birla said he is visiting the two Union Leh, the land of Buddha, we had completed its 50 years on Thursday that the armed Territories to strengthen the only want to send the mes- in 2020 but a detailed plan forces would not let political panchayati raj system and dem- sage of peace and harmony. worked out for year long cel- turmoil in any other country ocratic institutions. In reply to India has always opposed ebrations had to be shelved affect India. a question on Afghanistan, he cross-border terrorism and because of Covid crisis. Birla, who is on a three-day said, “India has always prop- expansionism. But it is the “Now the Covid situation is visit to Ladakh, said that the agated peace and worked for expansionist approach of few under control and our vaccina- expansionist approach of a few strengthening democracies countries which led to disputes tion drive has almost covered countries results in border dis- across the world. We have at borders.” 98 percent, the government has putes and asserted that India full faith in our armed forces Birla is scheduled to visit decided to hold some of the key always propagates peace and that they wouldn’t let political far-flung areas of Ladakh, events, a total of 51 proposed to works for strengthening dem- turmoil in any other country including Pangaong Lake and retrace the state’s development ocratic set up in other nations. (Afghanistan) affect India.” Nubra Valley. He will also visit journey and contributions The Lok Sabha speaker is On the recent tensions on Pahalgaon and Srinagar and made by people of Himachal on a week-long trip to Jammu the Line of Actual Control interact with panchayat leaders Pradesh,” said Chief Minister and Kashmir and Ladakh as (LAC), Birla said, “Ladakh from all these places. Jai Ram Thakur. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS Sikkim, Tripura lead N-E states

OUR CORRESPONDENT

NEW DELHI: In a report released by NITI Aayog, it has Know more about Chevening scholarships: been declared that Sikkim and Fully-funded opportunity to study in the UK Tripura are ‘front runners’ in sustainable development goals 8 September 2021, 5.30-6.30pm IST (MS Teams) (SDG) in the northeast as all the districts in these two states earning high scores. To join the webinar, please write to [email protected] Out of the 103 districts *This webinar is open for professionals with at least 2 years of work experience considered for the ranking, 64 Vice-Chairman NITI Aayog Rajiv Kumar along with Union Minister G Kishan Reddy launches the ‘North districts belonged to the front Eastern Region District SDG Index India & Dashboard, 2021-22’, in New Delhi, on Thursday runner category while 39 dis- tricts were in the performer SDGs at the national and state/ goals such as zero poverty, Mizoram, eight out of 16 in Media partners category in the composite score UT levels and shares the com- quality education and gender Manipur, 23 out of 33 districts and ranking of districts. All dis- mon ethos of benchmarking equality to be achieved by 2030. in Assam and 13 out of 25 dis- tricts in Sikkim and Tripura fall performance and ranking on As per the report, all the tricts in Arunachal Pradesh too in the front runner category the SDGs to foster competition eight districts in Tripura and made it to this category. and there are no districts in the among the districts. all four in Sikkim have scored In Nagaland, 11 out of 12 aspirant or achiever categories. The NITI Aayog report in the range of 65-99 on a scale districts scored in the range The index is based on NITI prepared in collaboration with of 100 that indicates the over- of 50-64 and were included in Aayog’s SDG India Index – the Ministry of Development of all score across different wel- the category of ‘performers’. In principal and official tool for North Eastern Region tracks 84 fare goals. Meghalaya, 10 out of 11 dis- monitoring progress on the indicators that cover 15 global Seven out of 11 districts in tricts were in this category. mp millenniumpost 6 Nation FRIDAY, 27 AUGUST, 2021 | KOLKATA Four-day Malabar wargame begins Anti-conversion law: Guj HC denies state's plea to modify order off coast of Guam in Western Pacific OUR CORRESPONDENT bench that section 5 of the either before or after mar- Gujarat Freedom Of Religion riage, or even in cases without AHMEDABAD: The Guja- (Amendment) Act, 2021 was marriage. rat High Court on Thursday there ever since the original "Since there is a stay on sec- ‘The exercise demonstrated the commitment among the like-minded turned down the state govern- law was enacted in 2003 and tion 5, no one will come for ment's plea seeking rectifica- it has nothing to do with mar- the permission even if it's a nations to uphold a rules-based maritime order in the Indo-Pacific’ tion of its recent order in which riage per se. voluntary conversion without it stayed the operation of sec- He tried to convince the marriage. They will say that OUR CORRESPONDENT US Navy's largest forward- live-fire gunnery events, replen- tion 5 of the new anti-conver- judges that a stay on sec- the high court had stayed the deployed numbered fleet and ishments-at-sea and cross-deck sion law. tion 5 would actually stay rigors of section 5. It is meant NEW DELHI: The high-voltage routinely interacts and oper- flight operations." "Malabar 21 Section 5 of the Gujarat the application of the entire for such propositions where Malabar exercise featuring the ates with 35 maritime nations is an excellent opportunity to Freedom Of Religion (Amend- law itself, and no one would everything is willingly done. navies of all four Quad countries in preserving a free and open conduct multi-national train- ment) Act, 2021 mandates that approach the authorities for This order means the whole -- India, the US, Australia and Indo-Pacific region. ing to hone warfighting and religious priests must take prior seeking permission before get- law now stands stayed," said Japan -- began on Thursday off "Malabar-21 would witness maritime security skillsets," said permission from the district ting converted. Trivedi, while urging the bench the coast of Guam in the back- complex exercises including Capt. Chase Sargeant, Com- magistrate for converting any On August 19, the high to lift the stay on section 5 by drop of a resolve by the four anti-surface, anti-air and anti- mander, Task Force (CTF) 71 of person from one religion to court stayed sections 3, 4, rectifying the previous order. nations to solidify cooperation submarine warfare drill, and US 7th Fleet. another. 4A to 4C, 5, 6 and 6A of the "The other sections which for a free and open Indo-Pacific other manoeuvres and tacti- "US destroyers closely inte- Moreover, the one who got amended Act pending further have been stayed are related in view of China's rouge behav- cal exercises. The exercise will grating with our partners and converted also needs to "send hearing, saying they "shall not to marriage, while section 5 is iour in the region. provide an opportunity for par- allies builds the foundation for an intimation" to the district operate merely because a mar- for legal voluntary conversion. A range of complex drills Indian Naval Ships Shivalik and Kadmatt arrived at Guam, an Island ticipating navies to derive ben- regional security and stability magistrate in a prescribed riage is solemnised by a person Under that section, if someone involving warships, aircraft and Territory of the USA PIC/PTI efit from each other's expertise that benefits all Indo-Pacific form. of one religion with a person of goes to the priest, the priest has helicopters will be carried out and experiences," Indian Navy nations," he said. "We do not find reason to another religion without force to take the permission. It deals during the four-day exercise, deployed its stealth frigate INS patrol and reconnaissance air- Spokesperson Commander In an interactive session at make any changes in the order or by allurement or by fraudu- with lawful conversion. Why being hosted by the US Navy Shivalik, anti-submarine war- craft from Task Force 72, and VivekMadhwal said. the Observer Research Foun- passed by us on August 19," a lent means and such marriages a section dealing with lawful in the Western Pacific, officials fare corvette INS Kadmatt and military sealift command's The US 7th Fleet said the dation (ORF), Commander division bench of Chief Jus- cannot be termed as marriages conversion should be stayed?" said. The US Seventh Fleet, in a fleet of P8I maritime surveil- Henry J Kaiser-class under- first phase of the exercise is an of the US Indo-Pacific Com- tice VikramNath and Justice for the purposes of unlawful asked Trivedi. a statement, said the exercise lance aircraft in the 25th edition way replenishment oiler USNS opportunity for the four Indo- mand Admiral John Aquilino BirenVaishnav after hearing conversion". However, the bench told demonstrated the commitment of the mega exercise. Rappahannock are among the Pacific navies to operate together on Wednesday spoke about the arguments put forth by Trivedi told the court that Trivedi that it is his own among the like-minded nations The US Pacific Fleet's assets deployed by the US Navy to strengthen their skills in key challenges facing the Indo- state Advocate General Kamal section 5 does not use the interpretation that the court to uphold a rules-based mari- Arleigh Burke-class guided-mis- in the exercise. "combined maritime operations, Pacific and delved into China's Trivedi. word "marriage" and it deals has stayed the prior per- time order in the Indo-Pacific. sile destroyer USS Barry, naval Under Commander, US anti-submarine warfare opera- rapid military build-up includ- Trivedi, on behalf of the with permission from the dis- mission part for all sort The Indian Navy has special warfare forces, maritime Pacific Fleet, 7th Fleet is the tions, air warfare operations, ing in the maritime domain. state government, told the trict magistrate for conversion, of conversions. SC terms filing of sedition cases on ‘Ensure seamless enrollment Bengal send process for hassle-free voting’ names of 6 regime change as disturbing trend IPS officers OUR CORRESPONDENT OUR CORRESPONDENT was invoked against him later comprised Justice Surya Kant, on the grounds of his alleged directed the Congress-led state NEW DELHI: With the agenda to UPSC for NEW DELHI: Filing of sedi- involvement in promoting government not to arrest Singh to review the preparedness of tion cases when regimes enmity and hatching a con- for four weeks in either of the state election commissions, the post of DGP change is a disturbing trend spiracy against government. cases. It also directed Singh to Election Commission of India , the Supreme Court said on The bench expressed dis- cooperate with the agencies in on Thursday organised a two- Thursday while granting pro- pleasure over the trend of fil- the investigation. day Systematic Voters’ Educa- OUR CORRESPONDENT tection from arrest to the ing of sedition cases just after This is a very disturb- tion and Electoral Participation suspended Director of Chhat- senior advocate F S Nariman ing trend in the country and (SVEEP) consultation work- polling day. The CEC further Chandra along with Elec- KOLKATA: The Bengal gov- tisgarh Police Academy against Supreme Court made opening submissions the police department is also shop for conducting extensive stressed ensuring a seamless tion Commissioner Rajiv ernment has sent names of six whom two criminal cases of on behalf of Singh, saying the responsible for this... When deliberations on the important enrollment process to make the Kumar unveiled a new initia- senior most IPS officers to the sedition and amassing of dis- Durg and Bilaspur during the gentleman has served as the a political party is in power, aspects of SVEEP for a compre- polling experience pleasant and tive to reach out to new vot- UPSC for the post of the state’s proportionate assets have been earlier BJP rule, was initially Additional Director General police officials take the side hensive strategy for the forth- hassle-free for the voters. ers through a personalised Director General of Police filed by the state government. booked in the disproportion- of Police (ADGP) and was act- of the particular (ruling) coming elections. “It is imperative that we letter from the commission (DGP). "State of affairs in the coun- ate assets case following raids ing as the Director of the Police party. Then when another While addressing the partic- evaluate our strategy and cur- when sending out their voter try is sad," said a bench headed at his premises by state's Anti- Academy and now the pro- new party comes into power, ipants, Chief Election Commis- rent interventions at regular ID cards. The package would Malaviya is the by Chief Justice N V Ramana. Corruption Bureau (ACB) ceedings under section 124A the government initiates sioner Sushil Chandra observed intervals. Identify critical gaps include a voter guide for new Gurjinder Pal Singh, the and Economic Offences Wing (sedition) of the IPC have been action against the police offi- that each voter interacts with and address the challenges voters along with a congratu- officer of 1986 batch 1994-batch IPS officer who (EOW). initiated against him . cials. This needs to be stopped, the election machinery at two to devise deliverable action latory letter and a pledge for while Sahoo, Sharma, had served as the IG of Raipur, Another case of sedition The bench, which also the bench said. critical stages of enrollment and points,” he said. ethical voting. Nirajnarayan and Singh are officers of Girl dies in machete attack by Mysuru gang-rape: K’taka HM withdraws rape 1987 batch

remarks following oppn furore, CM’s disapproval The present DGP Virendra estranged boyfriend, outrage on is going to retire on August BENGALURU/ NEW ments, Jnanendra withdrew his form a special team,” Bommai, 31. The state government has GUWAHATI/ LAKHIMPUR: In a purported video shot the roads demanding "extreme DELHI: Karnataka Home statement. who was on a two-day visit to sent the names of DGP Anguish and outrage poured in after the attack, Sharma was punishment" for the accused. Minister Araga Jnanendra on Meanwhile, the Chief Min- the national capital, told PTI. (Organisations) Manoj from across Assam on Thurs- seen with a machete, claim- "Anguished to learn about Thursday kicked up a row over ister said his government will A college girl was allegedly Malaviya, DGP Telecom- day after a college student suc- ing that Saikia and her family the demise of Nandita Saikia, his rape comments made in the form a special team to inves- raped by five men near Cha- munication Suman Bala cumbed to injuries in a machete "spoiled my life despite doing who was undergoing treatment context of a gangrape incident tigate the gang-rape case and mundi Hills in Mysuru late on Sahoo, DGP (Railways) attack by her estranged boy- everything for her". He was after a heinous attack on her. My in Mysuru, that did not go asserted that the perpetra- Tuesday and the incident came Adhir Sharma, Director friend, who was a non-teach- arrested by the police immedi- deepest condolences to her fam- down well with Chief Minister tors will be caught soon and to light on Wednesday. General (Fire and Emergency ing staff at her college. Nandita ately after the crime along with ily and friends. In this hour of Basavaraj Bommai and opposi- brought to justice. Bommai The girl and her male Services) P Nirajnarayan, DGP Saikia, a BA student at Morid- the weapon. grief, I stand in solidarity with tion Congress, prompting him also disapproved of the com- friend, who was assaulted by (Enforcement Branch) Gan- hal College in Dhemaji district, Students of Moridhal Col- her family members," state min- to withdraw his controversial ments made by Jnanendra and the gang, are undergoing treat- geshwar Singh and Director was attacked by Rintu Sharma lege said that they were in an ister Atul Bora tweeted. statement. Araga Jnanendra said, “I just don’t agree with the ment in a private hospital. (Security) Vivek Sahay. while she was returning home affair for some time, but Saikia Expressing his sadness, The home Minister’s comments made by my Home “Around 7-7:30 pm (on Malaviya is the officer from her college on Saturday, was wanting to break up for BJP Lok Sabha MP PradanBa- remarks that the gang rape vic- ing to derive political mileage Minister regarding the gang- Tuesday) they (the victim and of 1986 batch while Sahoo, police said. Saikia's friend and reasons known to them. This, ruah said Saikia was the victim tim and her male friend should from the ‘inhuman’ incident. rape incident. I have advised male friend) had gone there. It Sharma, Nirajnarayan and Singh the friend's father were also angered Sharma, who was a of extreme cruelty and there not have gone to the deserted Hitting out at the Home Min- him to give a clarification.” is a deserted place, they should are officers of 1987 batch. Only injured in the attack, they said. grade four staff at Moridhal should not be recurrence of place and his claims that the ister and the ruling BJP, the “I have directed the officials not have gone.. but we can’t Sahay is of the 1988 batch. Saikia, a resident of College, and he tried for some such atrocities. Rajya Sabha MP opposition Congress was try- Congress said they are “inca- to pursue the matter seriously stop anyone from going, they The commission would Dhakuakhana in Lakhimpur, time to convince her not to leave Bhuyan said, "Anguished by the ing to ‘rape’ him by targetting pable” of protecting the peo- and update me on the develop- have gone. It is a deserted place prepare a panel of three officers was undergoing treatment at a him, they said. As the news of act of the perpetrator, urge the him, following the incident, ple of the state. With the issue ments,” he added. and no one usually goes there based on merit and seniority private hospital in Dibrugarh her death broke, people took to administration to take necessary evoked sharp reactions from snowballing into a major con- “Once the DGP (Director as no one will be there,” Jnanen- and the state government has where she died on Wednesday social media, expressing their steps to provide exemplary pun- the opposition party, even as troversy and the Chief Minister General of Police) and I reach dra said in response to a ques- to choose one of the officers for evening, police said. anguish, while many outfits hit ishment to the accused."AGENCIES Jnanendra accused it of try- also disapproving of his com- Bengaluru, we will immediately tion. MPOST the post of DGP. Nation Briefs Forced sex with wife does not ‘Section of Cong, AIUDF in Assam hand SEVEN ARRESTED FOR RS 1-CRORE amount to rape: Chhattisgarh HC ROBBERY IN UP’S MATHURA in glove with BJP’ MATHURA (UP): Days after a bullion trader was robbed of Rs 1.05 crore here, seven people have The HC did not grant any relief to the man who was OUR CORRESPONDENT been arrested in connection with the incident, police where I come. I had felt that if said on Thursday. “While Rs 44,86,000 were recov- also charged under IPC Section 377 (unnatural offences) we lose the 2021 election, we KOLKATA: Accusing a won't have the face to ask the ered from the accused arrested on Wednesday, a section of the Congress and electorate to vote for us again," hunt is on to nab another two, including the kingpin,” OUR CORRESPONDENT tions, the order said. reserved its order on August 13 AIUDF of being in cahoots Dev told the news agency in said Rajeev Krishna, ADG Agra zone. Four motorcy- The trio, including wom- and it was delivered on Mon- with the BJP in Assam, TMC an interview. cle-borne men had snatched a bag containing over BILASPUR: The Chhattisgarh an's husband, approached the day (August 23). leader Sushmita Dev has said The former Congress Rs 1 crore from the trader, Ankit, while he was going High Court has discharged a High Court seeking to set aside The order said, Exception there is a "vacuum" in the MP from Assam's Silchar to deposit the money at State Bank of India on August 37-year-old man in a rape case the order of the trial court II of Section 375 of the IPC, opposition space in the state questioned the "intent" filed against him by his wife and discharge them from the referred to above, makes it and the Northeast which her of the Congress and 16. A reward of Rs 1 lakh has been declared on Ar- after observing that sexual charges, including that of rape clear that sexual intercourse new party can fill. opposition parties like the vind, the kingpin who has gone absconding with intercourse or any sexual act against him. or sexual act by a man with his Dev, who was one of the AIUDF of fighting against his accomplice, the ADG told the media in the pres- with a legally wedded wife is Counsel for the appli- own wife, the wife not being national spokespersons of the the BJP in Assam and ence of IG Agra zone Navin Arora, SSP Gaurav not rape even if done by force cants submits that the com- under eighteen years of age, Congress and its women's the Northeast. Grover and other senior officials of the district. or against her wish. marriage, the woman's hus- plainant and the applicant is not rape." The judge said wing chief, switched over to "We allied in Assam to However, the HC did not band and her two in-laws alleg- No. 1 (man) are legally wed- charge under IPC section 376 the TMC last week. defeat the BJP. But what was TWO ARRESTED WITH FIREARMS, grant any relief to the man edly started harassing her for ded wife and husband, there- (rape) against the man was She feels her joining the demoralising was that after who was also charged under dowry. fore, none of the ingredients to erroneous and illegal. TMC will not come in the way we lost the elections, several DEER HORNS IN MAHA VILLAGE IPC section 377 (unnatural The woman later lodged constitute the offence punish- In this case, complainant is of an alliance between the two leaders of Congress, AIUDF NAGPUR: Two persons were arrested from a village offences). Justice NK Chan- a complaint at the Bemetara able under Sections 376 and legally wedded wife of appli- parties at the national level as and some other opposition in Nagpur district of Maharashtra and two guns dravanshi delivered the police station of Bemetara dis- 377 of the IPC are spelt out cant No. 1, therefore, sexual "politics is not about charity". parties started praising the widely used for animal hunting and five deer horns judgement on August 23 in trict against the three. against him, because, in India, intercourse or any sexual act She said the Congress, too, is chief minister. A section of were seized from their homes, the state forest depart- a criminal revision plea filed After investigation, a marital rape is not recognized with her by the husband would inducting people from other leaders of these opposition ment said on Thursday. Acting on a tip-off provided by the man and his two fam- charge-sheet under section and the same is not an offence not constitute an offence of parties. parties is hand in gloves with ily members, seeking to quash 498-A (dowry harassment), in view of Exception II of Sec- rape, even if it was by force or "It is indeed a big change Himanta Biswa Sarma (Assam by an alleged poacher arrested in adjoining Madhya rape charge (against him) and 377 (unnatural offences), 376 tion 375 of the IPC, the HC against her wish. and step in my thirty-year- CM). Pradesh, a team comprising Nagpur forest division other offences framed against (rape), 34 (common intention) said. Therefore, charge under old political career. Politics is "My question is if the and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) personnel them, their lawyer YC Sharma of the IPC was filed against The counsel had prayed Section 376 of the IPC framed also about being relevant and mainstream opposition parties made the arrests and seizures from village Pindkepar said on Thursday. them. After providing oppor- that the impugned order be against the husband is errone- serving the people. Certain have joined hands with the BJP, under the Deolapar forest range on Wednesday, As per the order, the vic- tunity of hearing to counsels of set aside and the applicants ous and illegal. Hence, he is decisions that the Congress then where is the opposition it said. tim married the man, a native both the parties, a trial court be discharged from charges entitled to be discharged from took in the greater interest in Assam. Who will oppose of Changorabhata in Raipur, had framed charges against brought against them, it said. the charge under Section 376 of the party had a negative the anti-people policies of the in 2017. After a few days of the applicants under these sec- After hearing, the HC had of the IPC , it said. impact in the area from BJP?" she asked. millenniumpost mp KOLKATA | FRIDAY, 27 AUGUST, 2021 Editorial 7 EDITORIAL A big blow Removing the The return of Taliban has destabilized the hard-earned democracy in the South ambiguities Asian nation; Northern Alliance seems to be the only glimmer of hope

mid the rising rift between the government t would not be an exag- pared to the situation of Sai- and the opposition during the monsoon ses- geration to note that the gon in South Vietnam in 1975 sion, there was unanimous convergence on one present world is already which brought such humili- point — the passing of the 127th Constitutional ABHISEK KARMAKAR in the midst of a kind ating and embarrassing sit- AmendmentA Bill. The government aims to bring in greater ofI new Cold War between uations during the Vietnam socio-economic and political inclusivity with this legisla- authoritarian capitalism led by War. Many have already started tion and the opposition almost nodded without the slight- China and a new liberal econ- labelling the situation as ‘Joe est resistance. But it also did not fail to raise the demands omy under US leadership. In Biden’s Saigon Moment’. On of caste census and lifting of 50 per cent ceiling on reser- this era of complex interde- this, the US Secretary of State, vations. Now, these demands are being echoed by experts pendence, such hypotheses Antony Blinken, has claimed and community stakeholders and are backed by some rea- may also seem a bit over-sim- that the basic mission of the sonable arguments. The 127th Constitutional amendment plification of the situation. In USA has been successful as it overturned the 102nd Constitutional amendment wherein this context, the withdrawal of was able to grab Osama Bin the Supreme Court had, in 2018, empowered the President NATO troops and the imme- Laden. But again, it seems a to notify Socially and Economically Backward Classes diate Chinese response wel- merely lame excuse as Laden (SEBCs) after consulting with the National Commission coming Taliban in Afghanistan was assassinated by the US in for Backward Classes. While this re-empowering of states have provoked much impetus 2011, almost one decade earlier is a welcome first step towards more inclusion, it lacks to this growing debate. from this insurgency. substantial backing. Apprehensions are being raised across However, the reincarnation However, it may be argued various quarters about the pathway the states will adopt to of the Taliban may be seen as that such backsliding of the bring the law on the ground. Firstly, the powers provided the biggest blow to the process USA will have some far-reach- to the states remain meaningless unless there is appropri- of democratization in Afghan- ing consequences. Especially, ate data that would serve as a basis for the notification of The most istan, broadly to the region of in the midst of the COVID-19 communities. The demand for caste census — that could South Asia. The process of pandemic when a ‘New Cold provide the required base — can be seen in this light. The significant democratization in Afghan- The role of the USA behind such rapid insurgency of Taliban has to be scrutinized closely War’ between the authoritar- states must know the exact composition and status of caste reason behind istan has always been the ian capitalism led by China and within their territory to notify them as SEBCs. Despite most fragile in comparison to the country. Prior to this Tali- iban in Afghanistan has to be Moreover, they confirmed that neo-liberal capitalism under caste being a visible reality in India, it is perplexing that the decline other post-colonial nations of ban insurgency and civil war, scrutinized closely, which has if the US Army is being with- the leadership of the USA has caste data has not been conducted in India since 1931. of morale of South Asia. Prior to the dras- Afghanistan had been occu- already raised some unresolved drawn from Kabul, Taliban already been felt in the new Though caste data was collected in the 2011 census but tic changes since August 15, pied by the USSR in the 1980s questions as well. What made will occupy the entire land in millennium. Such political has not been publicized initially due to inherent techni- Afghan soldiers 2021, Afghanistan, during the due to its geo-strategic impor- America quit in such a man- no time. The escape of Afghan developments in the region cal flaws in the collection process; and lately because it has was the ‘Peace last two decades, was showing tance. Since the early 21st cen- ner even after spending more President Ashraf Ghani is will unfold new avenues and become ‘old and unusable’. A persistent argument has been some optimistic development tury, especially after the end of than USD two trillion and los- another big blow to the Afghan new challenges to the process — from different political regimes — that caste data will Deal’ signed towards democratization in the Taliban regime, Afghani- ing around 2,500 US army per- soldiers that badly caused a of democratization inevita- create a wider gulf among castes and communities. These between terms of holding presidential stan had been gaining some sonnel in different skirmishes decline in their morale. Thus, bly. And this backsliding of notions seem largely misplaced because we have been bas- elections at regular intervals, democratic grounds with an during the past two decades poor leadership, huge corrup- the USA from Afghanistan ing our policies until now on Mandal reports and other the then US securing the political rights elected President and a bi-cam- in Afghanistan? Even the US tion, and strategic failures are is undoubtedly a reason for sources that are no less ‘old’. Furthermore, caste is a reality President of the Afghans and creating a eral legislature at the Centre. President was seen so confi- some of the reasons for this China to have a fresh impetus that a large part of India lives with on a daily basis. Lack relatively promising ambience Nonetheless, democratization dent when he, while respond- outright insurgency. The most to further its influence in the of exact information around the composition and status Donald Trump towards prevailing of demo- in Afghanistan has been rid- ing to a journalist, said that a crucial reason behind the region. The official response of of castes will only lead to ambiguity and hurdles in pol- and the Taliban cratic norms and principles. dled with so many anti-dem- mere 75,000 Taliban will never decline of morale of Afghan China in this regard has shown icy formulation and implementation. Whatever may the in February But presently, the situation has ocratic forces, amidst which be a big deal to the three lakhs soldiers was the ‘Peace Deal’ the same as it will provide a source be — caste census or any other source — the criti- changed drastically overnight. the threat of gender violence, well-equipped Afghan troops signed by the then US Presi- formidable impetus to its BRI cality of caste data cannot be ignored. The passing of the 2020 in Qatar The region witnessed the discrimination and exclusion- backed by NATO. The US dent Donald Trump and Tali- projects and its connectivity 127th Constitutional Amendment Bill may earn political first democratic election in ary socio-cultural practices intelligence agencies assured ban in February 2020 at Doha with Central Asia as well. dividends for various parties but when it comes to impact- Afghanistan only early this have been the main challenges that the Taliban, even if they in Qatar. It was an eye-opener The only hope that the ing the reality, a more rigorous exercise awaits policymak- century in 2004 and 2005. that have always impeded its are to take over entire prov- to the Afghan soldiers who province of Panjshir — under ers. Secondly, the lack of data serves as an opportunity for Due to its geopolitical loca- democratic path. Women in inces they need at least three took the matter as a breach the able leadership of Ahmed the influential social castes to tilt the benefits arising out tion at the crossroads of Cen- Afghanistan have been the to four months. But it has been of promise. It was followed by Masood, son of towering from the amendment into their own favour. Caste equa- tral and South Asia, it has been most vulnerable and margin- seen that within a quick span the poor leadership of Biden leader Ahmed Shah Masood of tions and their relation with the power structure in rural the playground of big powers alized section in Afghanistan. of merely 10 days, Taliban cap- who clearly stated that the US Northern Alliance — and Vice India in particular, has to be understood on a comprehen- for their geostrategic interests. It has been found that Afghan tured all provinces including troops would be withdrawn President Saleh are showing sive basis. It has, all throughout history, been more lay- From 1996 to 2001, it was cap- women, like other nations of Kabul. Is it the utter failure of step by step by September. It is at the epicentre of all resis- ered than is conceived. If appropriate data is not available tured by the Pakistan-backed South Asia, have historically US intelligence only? To accuse is needless to say that Trump’s tance against Taliban. The res- in these areas, the ‘gulf among castes and communities’ is Taliban, a hardline Islamic mil- been subjugated due to exclu- the US intelligence abruptly policy of ‘America first’ (known toration of democracy and more likely to be widened than from enumeration of caste itant group. The Taliban rule sionary and patriarchal socio- would only be a mere sim- as Xenophobia) followed by relatively limited governance data. Another congruent demand that is being raised is came to an end with the forma- cultural practices. Needless to plification of the fact. Espe- Biden’s call for the same gave depend much on this North- of lifting the ceiling of 50 per cent in reservation — put in tion of Hamid Karzai’s govern- say, atrocities against women cially, when on July 13, 2021, much positive impetus to Tal- ern Alliance and their mode place by the Indira Sawhney case of 1992. Having a cap on ment. The Afghan government, will be enhanced badly in the it was exposed that 23 offi- iban to take over Afghanistan of resistance against Taliban. reservation is no doubt essential to prevent disproportion- since the 9/11 attack of 2001, coming days under ‘Taliban cers from the US Embassy of again after two decades. Such The whole democratic world ate use of it as a political tool. But the 50 per cent ceiling had been fighting alongside 2.0’. Kabul warned President Joe a picture of evacuation from including India is eyeing Pan- across India lacks any substantial basis. This translates into the NATO forces against any The role of the USA behind Biden about the movements the US Embassy has been jshir at the present. a problem on the ground — socially and economically kind of Taliban insurgency in such a rapid insurgency of Tal- of Taliban in bordering areas! severely criticized and com- Views expressed are personal backward sections of population are present in different proportions across different regions and states of India. A uniform and abrupt capping could be better be replaced by a limit that is systematically deduced after a thorough analysis of data around castes. Back in 2006 itself, the Rajinder Sachar Commission report had identified at least A strong move three states, namely Jharkhand (60 per cent), Tamil Nadu (69 per cent) and Maharashtra (52 per cent) that had exceeded the reservation capping. These anomalies need to be removed from the legal system — and the possible Ratifying a global pact to phase-down potent greenhouse gases places India answer once again is data around caste. Reservation had been instituted in India as a tool to bring lagging commu- on a firm footing ahead of the UN climate negotiations in November nities at par with privileged ones. But due to the political and economic benefits accorded under it, it has become a political tool, increasing the chances of exploitation of the he Union Cabinet enable the industry to transi- legislation by politically and economically affluent classes. in August decided tion. In addition, there would Legal and statistical ambiguities need to be done away to ratify the Kigali be opportunities to promote with to improve the situation on the ground. Amendment to the domestic innovation for new TMontreal Protocol, a move that generation alternative refriger- SOUMYA SARKAR provides a significant impe- ants and related technologies. tus to climate action. In line This action by the Indian with the international agree- government also provides it DearEditor ment, India will phase-down with ammunition to negotiate the production and consump- at the United Nations climate NEED OF THE HOUR tion of hydrofluorocarbons summit to be held in Glasgow Kudos to the Defence Research and Development (HFCs), a potent greenhouse in November, where countries Organisation (DRDO) and the Tirumala Tirupati gas that leads to further global across the world are expected Devasthanam (TTD) for coming out with eco-friendly warming. to promise stronger action to biodegradable bags for packing and carrying the famous The Kigali Amendment rein in climate change. India aims to reduce HFC emis- is often criticised for its depen- laddu prasada at Tirumala temple. According to the sions by over 80 per cent by dence on coal-fired electric- DRDO, it is after doing a lot of study and research that 2047. This will restrain global ity. But its participation in the they have invented such an eco-friendly carry bag, temperature increase by up Kigali Amendment will reduce replacing polythene bags that have turned out to be a real to 0.5 degrees Celsius by the its greenhouse gas emission menace to ecology and living beings. The special feature end of the century. After a tre- that is equal to closing a sixth of this bag is that it is made from the starch of corn and mendous growth in the use of of its thermal power plants degrades naturally within 90 days. It is also not harmful India had HFCs in the refrigeration and over 35 years, according to an even if cattle consume them. Ordinary polyethylene announced a air-conditioning industries, analysis by IndiaSpend, a data- bags are made from petrochemicals; they are toxic to the countries that are parties to the The government has instructed makers of room ACs to ensure a default temperature setting of 240 Celsius analysis platform. environment and take many years to degrade. The new national cooling 1989 Montreal Protocol agreed India can also take heart eco-friendly bags are sustainable, cost-effective and even action plan in at an October 2016 meeting phase-down by 2023 after con- common, but fossil fuels burnt posed action plan — reduce from the fact that it is one ocean-safe which itself shows that it can be used as an March 2019, held in the Rwandan capital sulting all industry stakehold- to power these machines will cooling demand by 20-25 per of the few countries whose alternative to plastic bags. Such biodegradable products of Kigali to add HFCs to the ers. It will modify existing laws add to the effects of climate cent by 2037-38; reduce refrig- actions are compatible with are essential for the survival of mankind and definitely becoming the list of controlled substances. and regulations to align with change, according to the Cool- erant demand by 25-30 per keeping global warming below putting them in usage for our day-to-day activities is the first nation to They also agreed to a timeline the global agreement. ing Emissions and Policy Syn- cent; reduce cooling energy two degrees Celsius by the end need of the hour. for their gradual reduction by This is not the first time thesis Report. The essential requirements by 25-40 per cent of the century, according to produce such a 80 per cent by the late 2040s. that India has taken proactive nature of cooling services is by 2037-38; and train and cer- the Climate Action Tracker. — M PRADYU, KANNUR via email This could potentially pre- initiative to reduce emissions underlined by the Covid-19 tify 1,00,000 servicing techni- There is, however, little room document under vent the release of as much as that emanate from cooling pandemic, as temperature- cians by 2022-23. for complacency. The latest millenniumpost.in the umbrella of 105 billion tons of climate- efforts. In an unusual move in sensitive vaccines will require India’s latest move to rat- report by the Intergovernmen- changing emissions by 2050. January last year, the Central quick deployment around ify the Kigali Amendment is tal Panel on Climate Change, Log on to write letters to the editor or send them to the Montreal It would be enough to take government instructed mak- the globe. However, increas- therefore significant in the the world’s largest group of [email protected]. You can also send your comments to The Editor, Protocol the world a quarter of the way ers of room air-conditioners ing demand for cooling is global arena. It proves the climate experts, global aver- Millennium Post, Pratap Bhawan, 5 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110 002 towards achieving the two- to ensure a default temperature contributing massively to cli- country’s willingness to take age temperatures have already degrees Celsius global-warming setting of 24 degrees Celsius mate change by emitting large strong climate action. Nations risen by about 1.1 degrees Cel- target set by the December 2015 instead of 20-21 degrees. It also amounts of planet-warming must deliver massive cuts in sius compared with pre-indus- Paris Agreement. However, asked all commercial buildings HFCs, carbon dioxide and their greenhouse gas emissions trial times. reducing demand for refriger- to maintain air conditioning black carbon from the mostly to get on track to limit global India is the third-largest Tweet of the day ants and mechanical cooling at that level. This one measure fossil fuel-based energy used to temperature rise this century emitter of greenhouse gases, presents a difficult challenge alone has the potential to cut power cooling devices. to 1.5 degrees Celsius, as rec- after China and the United in a rapidly warming world. energy consumption in homes India had also announced ommended by scientists. States. It does have a responsi- Rising #COVID numbers are worry- The Union Cabinet, chaired by a quarter and by 20 per cent a national cooling action plan The environment minis- bility to take stringent action ing. Vaccination must pick up pace by Prime Minister Narendra for businesses in the nation, in March 2019, becoming the try has said that there would so that our planet does not to avoid serious outcomes in the Modi, went beyond the rati- according to the International first nation to produce such a be scope for domestic man- become unliveable. Its com- next wave. fication of the Kigali Amend- Energy Agency. document under the umbrella ufacturing of equipment as mitment to phase-down HFCs Please take care of yourselves RAHUL GANDHI ment by also announcing that Cooling devices like refrig- of the Montreal Protocol. The well as alternative non-HFC is a step in the right direction @RahulGandhi because GOI is busy with sales the country will formulate a erators and air-conditioners environment ministry has set and other chemicals with low- but more needs to be done. national strategy for the HFC are becoming increasingly four main goals in the pro- global warming potential to Views expressed are personal mp millenniumpost 8 World FRIDAY, 27 AUGUST, 2021 | KOLKATA Pentagon says Afghan evacuations Hundreds of displaced families seek food and shelter in Kabul will continue through August 31 KABUL: Hundreds of Afghan families who have been camp- ing in searing heat at a Kabul park after the Taliban overran ‘Over 82,000 people evacuated from Afghanistan so far,’ says Blinken their provinces begged for food and shelter on Thursday, the WASHINGTON DC: The but this is very high-risk. most visible face of a humani- Pentagon rejected reports on The US is “on track” to com- tarian crisis unfolding in the Thursday that they are prepar- plete its mission by August 31 war-torn country. ing to end evacuations from provided the Taliban continue to The Taliban's swift take- Afghanistan before this week- cooperate and there are no dis- over of Afghanistan this end, saying the operations from ruptions to this effort, Blinken month, culminating in the Kabul airport will continue until said, adding that President Joe capture of Kabul on Aug. 15, August 31. Biden has also asked for contin- has thrown the country into “Evacuation operations in gency plans “in case he deter- turmoil, Reuters reported on nothing in my stomach.” bers in ministries and ordered Kabul will not be wrapping up mines that we must remain in Thursday. Ahmed Waseem, displaced some officials back to work but in 36 hours. We will continue to the country past that date”. While thousands of people from northern Afghanistan services are yet to resume, with evacuate as many people as we But let me be crystal-clear have crowded the airport to try said those in the park were banks still closed. can until the end of the mission,” about this: There is no dead- to flee, many others, like the hoping the central government Phalwan Sameer, also from Defence Department Spokes- line on our work to help any families in the park, are stuck would pay attention. “We are in northern Afghanistan, said his man John Kirby said. remaining American citizens in limbo, unsure whether it is an open field and in the heat,” family came to Kabul after the Key U.S. allies France, Can- who decide they want to leave safer to try to go home or stay he said. situation rapidly deteriorated ada, Hungary, the Netherlands to do so, along with the many where they are. Afghanistan’s western- in his home town. and others already announced Afghans who have stood by us “I’m in a bad situation,” backed president and many “There (was) a lot of fight- they had or would soon halt over these many years and want said Zahida Bibi, a housewife, other officials fled after gov- ing and bombing as well. That’s their evacuation flights, and to leave and have been unable to sitting under the blazing sun ernment forces melted away in why we came here. The houses Germany was also expected to do so. That effort will continue with her large family. “My head the face of the Taliban advance. were burned and we became carry out its last flights by Fri- US Air Force loadmasters and pilots assigned to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, load people being every day past August 31,” he hurts. I feel very bad, there is The group has placed its mem- homeless,” he said. AGENCIES day, amid intelligence that sui- evacuated from Afghanistan onto a US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III at Hamid Karzai International Airport asserted. cide bombers were threatening in Kabul, Afghanistan PTI Blinken said the Taliban the Kabul airport. have made public and private The total number of peo- forces, said Tuesday that the icans have been safely evacu- security, and humanitarian commitments to provide and Germany’s Merkel calls off ple who have been taken out evacuation operation had to ated along with their immediate undertaking.” permit safe passage for Ameri- of the U.S.-controlled Kabul end on August 31. family members, Blinken told “Over the past 24 hours, cans, third-country nationals airport since the international The US has so far evacuated reporters here on Wednesday. we’ve been in direct contact and Afghans at risk going for- Israel trip due to Afghan crisis airlift began on August 14 hit over 82,000 people from Kabul, Since August 14th, more with approximately 500 addi- ward past August 31. 95,700 Thursday, including both with about 19,000 in the last than 82,300 people have been tional Americans and pro- The US, our allies and part- BERLIN: German Chancel- It was called off in consul- to go ahead with her visit at an Afghans and foreign nation- 24 hours alone, in “one of the safely flown out of Kabul. In the vided specific instructions on ners, and more than half of the lor Angela Merkel has called tation with Bennett because unspecified later time. als, AFP reported. President largest” airlifts in the world his- 24-hour period from Tuesday how to get to the airport safely,” world’s countries 114 in all off a planned weekend visit to of current developments in Merkel is approaching Joe Biden said on Tuesday that tory, Secretary of State Antony to Wednesday, approximately he said, adding that the US is issued a statement making it Israel because of the situation Afghanistan, Merkel's office the end of her time in office. the United States would stick Blinken has said. 19,000 people were evacuated aggressively reaching out to the clear to the Taliban that they in Afghanistan, the German said in a statement. Germany She isn't running in Germa- to its deadline of withdrawing Starting on August 14, the on 90 US military and coali- remaining roughly 1,000 con- have a responsibility to hold government said Thursday. is one of the countries that has ny's national election on Sept. all troops from Afghanistan day when the Taliban toppled tion flights. Only the US could tacts. Noting that the US is oper- to that commitment and pro- Merkel was due to travel to been scrambling to evacuate 26 but it isn't yet clear when by August 31, to end the two- the US-backed Afghanistan organise and execute a mission ating in a hostile environment vide safe passage for anyone Israel on Saturday for her first from Kabul its own nation- she will step down. In Ger- decade US-led war there. government, there were 6,000 of this scale and this complex- in a city and country now con- who wishes to leave the country trip to the country since Naftali als and Afghans who helped many, the outgoing govern- A spokesman for the Tal- American citizens in the war- ity, he said. trolled by the Taliban, with the not just for the duration of our Bennett succeeded Benjamin its forces during a nearly-two ment stays in office until a new iban, which seized Kabul on torn country who wanted to Blinken said, “This is one very real possibility of an ISIS- evacuation and relocation mis- Netanyahu as prime minister. decade deployment in the one is sworn in, and form- August 15 to cap a lightning leave. Over the last 10 days, of the largest airlifts in history, K attack, the secretary said the sion, but for every day thereafter, Her visit had been due to last country. Merkel's office said the ing a coalition can be a time- campaign against government roughly 4,500 of these Amer- a massive military, diplomatic, US is taking every precaution, he said. AGENCIES until Monday. intention is for the chancellor consuming process. AGENCIES China, Pak, Thai, Mongolia Taliban China accuses US of politicising COVID-19 vaccination to hold military exercise strengthened triples in Africa but control around COVID-19 origins research BEIJING: The militaries of China, Pakistan, Mongolia and All the four countries BEIJING: China has gone still low, says WHO Thailand will take part in a mul- Kabul airport: on the offensive ahead of the tinational peacekeeping exercise will dispatch more release of a US intelligence LAGOS: COVID-19 vaccina- to be organised by the People's than 1,000 troops Pentagon report on the origins of the tions in Africa tripled over the Liberation Army in the coun- Coronavirus, bringing out a past week, though protecting try's central Henan province to participate in WASHINGTON DC: The Tal- senior official to accuse the US even 10% of the continent by next month, a senior official the drills, involving iban have strengthened their of politicising the issue by seek- the end of September remains said here on Thursday. measures of access and control ing to blame China. a very daunting task," the Africa The four countries will units of infantry, around the Kabul airport, the Fu Cong, a Foreign Minis- director of the World Health take part in the first multina- fast response, Pentagon has said. try director general, said at a Organization said Thursday. tional peacekeeping live exer- The Hamid Karzai Inter- briefing for foreign journalists Meanwhile, the continent cise Shared Destiny-2021 at the security, helicopter, national Airport is the only on Wednesday that scapegoat- saw 248,000 new confirmed combined-arms tactical training engineering, access point for the interna- ing China cannot whitewash cases over the past week, with Director-General of the World base of the PLA in Henan's Que- transportation and tional community to reach out the US. at least 28 countries seeing a Health Organization Tedros shan county from September 6 to people in Afghanistan, a If they want to baselessly conclusive, and WHO Direc- for the joint report warned surge in infections driven by Adhanom Ghebreyesus PTI to 15, spokesperson for China's medical services, land locked country. accuse China, they better be tor-General Tedros Adhanom Wednesday that the window the delta variant. Ministry of National Defence The Taliban have bol- prepared to accept the coun- Ghebreyesus said all hypothe- of opportunity for solving the "This is a preventable tragedy struggle, the United States and Senior Colonel Tan Kefei told Tan said stered their own security at terattack from China, he said. ses are on the table and warrant mystery is closing fast . if African countries can get fair other high-income countries an online media briefing. their checkpoints and have China, the US and the complete and further studies . China has responded to access to the vaccines, Matshi- are talking about booster shots. All the four countries will response to violent and terrorist gotten involved in crowd World Health Organisation are He added in July that there had continuing speculation about diso Moeti told reporters. WHO director-general dispatch more than 1,000 troops attacks, construction of tempo- control...every day is a dif- entangled in a feud that cen- been a premature push to rule a leak from the Wuhan Institute The WHO Africa direc- Tedros Adhanom Ghebreye- to participate in the drills, rary operation base, battlefield ferent day, and yesterday we tres on whether the virus that out the lab leak theory. of Virology by suggesting the tor said 13 million doses were sus recently said it was uncon- involving units of infantry, fast first aid and pandemic control estimated that crowds were causes COVID-19 could have In May, President Joe Biden virus could have escaped from administered in the past week, scionable that some countries response, security, helicopter, will be conducted for the pur- about half the size they had leaked from a lab in the city of ordered a 90-day review by Fort Detrick, a US military lab three times more than the num- are now offering booster shots engineering, transportation and pose of responding to the UN's been the previous days, Penta- Wuhan, where the disease was intelligence agencies of both in Maryland. ber of shots given in the previ- while so many people remain medical services, Tan said. Action for Peacekeeping initia- gon Press Secretary John Kirby first detected in late 2019. theories. White House Press Fu, who heads the For- ous week as donations of doses unprotected. The scenario of the exer- tive, promoting practical coop- told reporters at a press confer- A joint WHO-China report Secretary Jen Psaki said Biden eign Ministry's Arms Control increased from developed coun- I think it is very difficult for cise is joint operations of mul- eration and making joint efforts ence on Wednesday. published in late March con- received the report and a clas- Department, denied that China tries. But that remains a drop in us to talk about booster doses tinational peacekeeping forces to enhance the peacekeeping We still haven't seen them cluded that a lab leak was sified briefing about it on Tues- is engaging in a disinforma- an ocean on the continent home in Africa, Moeti said Thurs- and the exercise will be held in standby forces' capability of car- rise to the level they were in extremely unlikely , and China day, and that an unclassified tion campaign. He said if other to 1.3 billion people, where the day. We have not covered even a close-to-real battlefield envi- rying out tasks. the early days of this. But yes, wants the investigation to move summary is being prepared parties insist on pursuing the Africa CDC says only 2.4% are 5% of the population yet with ronment set in accordance with Tan said that the Chinese part of the reason is, certainly on to other possibilities. The expeditiously for public release. lab leak theory, then the WHO currently vaccinated. the initial vaccinations that the international, professional military will continue to take a that the Taliban have strength- most likely scenario, the report The feud over whether to team of researchers should visit Africa's brutal resurgence are needed to slow down the and realistic combat standards, more active part in UN peace- ened their measures of access said, is that the virus jumped keep pursuing the lab leak the- Fort Detrick. He portrayed it driven by the delta variant is fur- spread of the virus and most he said. keeping operations and always and control around the field, from bats to another animal ory has delayed the next phase as a fairness issue, since the ther stretching already strained importantly, stop what we think In the exercise, drills of bat- be a staunch defender of the he said. Responding to ques- that then infected humans. of research, and the scientists WHO has been to the Wuhan health systems across the con- might be a fourth wave which tlefield reconnaissance, secu- world peace, the Chinese mili- tions from reporters, Kirby said But the findings are not who made up the WHO team institute twice. AGENCIES tinent. As African countries is coming. AGENCIES rity guarding and patrol, armed tary's official website chinamili- after August 31, it would not escort, protection of civilians, tary.com.cn reported. AGENCIES be the responsibility of the US to manage the Kabul airport. He said the US embassy is COVID-19 most transmissible 2 days before, RAILWAY ELECTRIFICATION, GUWAHATI currently running from the air- e- TENDER NOTICE port. The Taliban are responsi- No.KGRE-EL-GHY-TENDER-21-13 Dated: 25.08.2021 ble for running an airport that's Open e-tenders in single packet system are invited by Deputy Chief Electrical in a city that they are now the 3 days after symptoms appear: Study Engineer, Railway Electrification,New Bongaigaon for & on behalf of the President of India for the work of - titular heads of government 1. e- Tender No. & Date there, Kirby said. KGRE-EL-GHY-TENDER-21-13 Dated: 25.08.2021 There's no military assets The researchers conducted contact tracing and studied Covid transmission among approx 9K 2. Name of work :- Loading, Unloading packing and transportation of guarding the embassy com- transformer 21.6 MVA. 132 KV/25 KV from Gwalior TSS to Dalkhola and close contacts of primary cases in the Zhejiang province of China from Jan 2020 to Aug 2020 Rangapani TSS under Gr. 150 RE project. pound. The US embassy is 3. Tendering Section ELECTRICAL operating out of the Hamid Karzai International Airport BEIJING: People infected with of Public Health, US, moni- ual developed noticeable 4. Bidding Type Normal Tender and "as for the Turks, they are the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which tored infected individuals for symptoms. 5. Tender Type Open still on the ground at the air- causes COVID-19, are most at least 90 days after their ini- "Our results suggest that 6. Bidding System Single Packet port assisting in this security contagious two days before, tial positive COVID test results the timing of exposure rela- 7. Bidding Style Single Rate for Tender mission that we have there, and three days after they to distinguish between asymp- tive to primary-case symptoms 8. Bidding Unit Above/Below/Par he said. AGENCIES develop symptoms, according tomatic and pre-symptomatic is important for transmission, to a study conducted in China. cases. and this understanding pro- ` 41,14,503.52 millenniumpost.in 9. Tender Value The research, published Of the individuals identi- vides further evidence that

10. millenniumpo NO H ALFst TR U THS Amount of Earnest money to be deposited Nil in the journal JAMA Inter- fied as primary cases, 89 per rapid testing and quarantine 11. Cost of Tender document Nil nal Medicine, also found that cent developed mild or mod- after someone is feeling sick is CHANGE OF NAME 12. Validity of offer 30 (Thirty) days from the date of opening infected individuals were erate symptoms, and only 11 a critical step to control the epi- I Fatema Bibi W/o Md more likely to be asymptom- per cent were asymptomatic -- demic," Martinez said. 13. Completion Period 02 Months (60 Days) from the issue of LOA atic if they contracted the virus and no one developed severe In comparison to mild and 14. Nazrul Islam Mondal D/o Date & Time of closing of e-Tender 20/09/2021 at 12:00 hrs. Rajjak Biswas, R/o Vill + P.O. from a primary case -- the first symptoms. moderate symptomatic indi- 15. Web site where details of tender www.ireps.gov.in Kanchdaha P.S. Swarupnagar infected person in an outbreak Household members of viduals, asymptomatic pri- notice & document can be seen -- who was also asymptomatic. primary cases, as well as peo- mary individuals were much NOTE: Dist, North 24 Paragans Pin- i) For any changes of tender, please check on internet website/Corrigendum of the 743247 . Do hereby declare "In previous studies, viral ple who were exposed to pri- less likely to transmit COVID original tender notice. that my name is recorded in load has been used as an indi- onset, could be confirmed by August 2020. mary cases multiple times or to close contacts -- but if they ii) Railway administration will not be responsible for any delay/difficulty rect measure of transmission," looking at secondary cases "Close" contacts included for longer durations of time, did, the contacts were also less /inaccessibility of the downloading facility for any reason whatsoever. my Passport (J1862866) as iii) After opening of the tender, any document/credential pertaining to the Fatema Jahara Bibi Mondal said Leonardo Martinez, an among close contacts," Mar- household contacts -- defined had higher infection rates than likely to experience notice- technical & financial eligibility and constitution of the firm will neither be asked shall henceforth be known assistant professor at Boston tinez said. as individuals who lived in the other close contacts. able symptoms, the research- nor be entertained/considered under any circumstances & no claim or as Fatema Bibi and Fatema University School of Public The researchers conducted same household or who dined However, regardless of ers said. representation whatsoever in this regard, from the tenderer shall be Health (BUSPH) in the US. contact tracing and stud- together -- co-workers, people these risk factors, close con- "This study further empha- entertained. However, the railway reserves the right to ask for any clarification Jahara Bibi Mondal is the same on the documents already submitted by the tenderer along with the offer. one and identical person vide "We wanted to see if results ied COVID-19 transmission in hospital settings, and riders tacts were more likely to con- sises the need for vaccina- Dy. CEE/RE/NBQ Affidavit sworn before the from these past studies, which among approximately 9,000 in shared vehicles. tract COVID-19 from the tion, which reduces clinical Railway Electrification, Guwahati Ist Class Judicial Magistrate show that COVID cases are close contacts of primary cases The researchers, including primary infected individual severity among people that PR/119/2021 Adk For & On behalf of President of India Basirhat Court on 25.8.2021. most transmissible a few days in the Zhejiang province of study co-lead Yang Ge from the if they were exposed shortly develop COVID," Martinez "Serving Customers with a Smile” before and after symptom China from January 2020 to University of Georgia College before or after the individ- added. AGENCIES millenniumpost mp KOLKATA | FRIDAY, 27 AUGUST, 2021 Business 9 DGCA lifts ban on Boeing 737 ‘Global oil majors may be Max after two-and-half years

NEW DELHI: India’s aviation permit its commercial flight return to service”. joining race to acquire BPCL’ regulator DGCA on Thursday operations again. A senior DGCA official lifted the ban on Boeing 737 The European Union Avia- confirmed that the ban on 737 Max planes’ commercial flight tion Safety Agency (EASA) had Max planes’ commercial flight operations after almost two- in October last year declared the operations has been lifted on ‘Reliance Industries & Adani group are ‘extremely unlikely’ to join race’ and-half years. Max aircraft safe to fly. A month Thursday. The March 10, 2019 On March 13, 2019, all later, US aviation regulator FAA accident near Addis Ababa was Boeing 737 Max planes were cleared Max aircraft to fly. the second in a period of five OUR CORRESPONDENT lionaires Mukesh Ambani and ration Ltd, was considered a grounded in India by the Direc- In its order dated August 26, months. On October 29, 2018, a Gautam Adani as well as global potential candidate but sources torate General of Civil Avia- 2021, the DGCA said that since 737 Max plane operated by Lion NEW DELHI: Global oil oil majors such as Royal Dutch said he was not interested in tion (DGCA) after the crash the orders issued by FAA and Air had crashed in Indonesia, majors may be teaming up Shell, BP and Exxon did not BPCL whose acquisition will of an Ethiopian Airlines 737 EASA in October and Novem- killing 180 people. with investment funds that are submit an EoI for acquiring cost nearly Rs 80,000 crore at Max plane on March 10 near ber last year, it “has been closely On March 13, 2019, SpiceJet already in the race to acquire BPCL at the close of the dead- current market trading price. Addis Ababa which had left 157 monitoring the global trend had to ground 12 Max planes, Bharat Petroleum Corpora- line on November 16, 2020. The document showed people, including four Indians, with regard to un-grounding” forcing it to cancel a significant tion Ltd (BPCL), a document However, several top oil financial bids will be called dead. Currently, in India, only of 737 Max planes. number of flights on that day as detailing steps needed to com- producers from the Middle East after submission of asset val- SpiceJet airline has Boeing 737 Total 34 airlines across the well as on the next day. plete India’s biggest privatisa- and Russia’s Rosneft were said uation report and business Max aircraft in its fleet. The world have operated 1.22 lakh Jet Airways also had five tion showed. to be interested in BPCL which valuation report by Asset Val- budget carrier, in a statement flights using 345 Max aircraft Max planes in its fleet but they Billionaire Anil Agarwal’s would give the buyer access to uer and Transaction Advisor on Thursday, said it expects to -- since the plane was un- were already grounded as on Vedanta group as well as two over 14 per cent of India’s oil respectively. start operations of Max planes grounded in late last year -- March 13, 2019 due to non- US funds — Apollo Global and refining capacity and 23 per Reserve price will be fixed around the end of September, without “untoward reporting”, payment of dues to the lessors. I Squared Capital - had last year cent fuel market share. But they thereafter and price bids will subject to regulatory approvals. India’s aviation regulator said. A month later, the full-service submitted initial bids to buyout hadn’t submitted any bids. be opened after that. Aircraft manufacturer Boe- Therefore, the DGCA stated carrier had shut down its opera- the government’s entire 52.98 Billionaire Anil Agarwal’s Vedanta Industry sources said it was If its bid is accepted, the bid- ing has been modifying the 737 that the operation of Boeing 737 tions due to lack of funds. per cent stake in India’s third- group as well as two US funds — Apollo possible that one of the global der quoting the highest price Max plane since March 2019 Max planes in India are per- In March 2019 itself, several biggest oil refiner and second- oil majors or a Middle East will be called to executive share so that various countries’ reg- mitted “only upon satisfaction countries grounded 737 Max largest fuel retailer. Global and I Squared Capital - had last oil producer may be teaming purchase agreement and make ulators, including the DGCA, of applicable requirements for planes. PTI Detailing the ‘Next Step’, year submitted initial bids to buyout the up with the investment funds payment. Open offers required the ‘Brief Note on BPCL Dis- government’s entire 52.98 per cent stake already in race. under the extant guidelines/ investment’ said Transaction Ambani’s Reliance Indus- approvals shall follow, it said. Advisor and Asset Valuer are in India’s third-biggest oil refiner tries Ltd and Adani group are BPCL owns 35.30 million Delay in taking change of scope to submit an inception report, “extremely unlikely” to join the tonnes of oil refining capacity bidders have to complete due bidders may be needed “since join and form a consortium race, a source said. spread over three refineries at diligence of the company and consortiums are being formed”, with any one of the bidders Steel magnate Lakshmi N Mumbai, Kochi in Kerala and ‘approval’ delaying NH projects sale purchase agreement has to it said without giving details. which had submitted an expres- Mittal, who runs an oil refinery Bina in Madhya Pradesh. It has be finalised. The bidding process allows sion of interest (EoI). in Punjab in joint venture with 18,768 petrol pumps and 6,169 DHIRENDRA KUMAR In the letter, the NHAI Also, “security clearance” of for other interested parties to Firms run by Indian bil- Hindustan Petroleum Corpo- LPG distributors. has noted that serious delays NEW DELHI: In a shocking in taking in-principle approv- revelation, it has come to notice als of COS/RIS have come to MEIL hands that the collusion between con- the notice. In some cases, the nd Resignation ends legal relation with pilots, tractors and the National High- proposals for change in scope over 2 oil way Authority of India (NHAI) were returned by the NHAI engineers/officials are one of officers to engineers for getting rig to ONGC; can’t be withdrawn later: Air India tells HC the key reasons for the delay in further details and thereafter timely completion of national these were neither pursued nor to supply 21 highway projects leading to a closed, it noted. A resignation is a resignation. There is no potential resignation or condi- huge financial loss to the gov- they would face adverse action “In many cases, this situa- ernment exchequer. for such a deliberate act. tion has been used as a strat- more by 2022 tional resignation in service law, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said As per official sources, the The NHAI, in a letter to all egy to cover up the delays in contractors and project heads concerned officials, has made it construction by the contrac- NEW DELHI: Infrastructure NEW DELHI: Air India nation takes effect today,” the be disciplinary action and he of national highways are in the clear that if processing of COS/ tor. Another practice by NHAI company MEIL on Thursday Thursday told the Delhi High Solicitor General asserted. resigns today you will have to practice of ‘deliberate delay’ in RIS is delayed without proper officers has come to notice that said it has delivered the second Court that once a pilot tenders Around 40 pilots had let him go today. taking in-principle approvals justification, an appropriate they ask for undertakings from oil rig to ONGC, and another resignation, the legal relation- moved the high court after The Solicitor general said of change of scope (COS) and entry in APARs will be made contractor for no claim on COS 21 rigs will be supplied to the ship of an employer-employee Air India refused to accept that such unilateral resigna- reduction in scope (RIS), which against the errant officers of despite the fact such undertak- state-owned firm by 2022. comes to an end with it and the withdrawal of their tions would be in cases of no- is a gross violation of the NHAI the NHAI. ings are irrelevant,” it said. The delivery is a part of the the resignation cannot be with- resignations. inquiry resignations . directives issued in this regard. Notably, the Ministry of “The NHAI would not con- Rs 6,000 crore order Megha drawn subsequently. Mehta said his case was that The court adjourned the Taking a strong note of such Road Transport and Highways, sider the COS proposals beyond Engineering and Infrastruc- The submission was made the original petitioners were hearing till August 27 and ‘intentional’ delays, the NHAI, in its report to the Parliamen- six months of appointed date. It tures Ltd (MEIL) had won before a bench of Justices Rajiv a formal acceptance of resig- offered a better job, better pros- sought a two-page submission in a fresh directive issued on tary Committee, has stated would be allowed in very rare from ONGC for the supply of Shakdher and Talwant Singh nation by the national carrier, pect with some private airline from the parties along with a August 24, has asked all con- that 888 projects pertaining to cases after vetting out the justi- 47 rigs. which observed that Air India’s and that the six-month notice and the question for deter- chart on the details of specific cerned officials to submit pro- construction of 27,665 km of fication for delay in this regard. MIEL is the first private stand of unilateral resignation period post-resignation is only mination here was the con- instances before it. posal of in-principal approval national highways have been Also, the NHAI officials would company in India to manufac- was treading a dangerous path. to avoid any hardship to the sequence of change of mind Air India has challenged for CoS before August 31 else delayed. have to justify the delay,” it said. ture oil and gas extraction rigs The bench was hearing Air passengers. after tendering the resignation. the June 1 order of the single with indigenous technology, a India’s appeal against a sin- The moment you tender A resignation is a resig- judge which had also ordered company statement said. gle judge order quashing the resignation, the de jure rela- nation. There is no potential that back wages would have An oil rig is a structure with national carrier’s decision to tionship ends. The jural rela- resignation or conditional res- to be paid to the reinstated equipment for drilling an oil terminate the services of sev- tionship ends.. Resignation is ignation in service law, he said pilots. well. eral pilots, both permanent only given de facto prospective However, the bench which The single judge had said Outfitted with advanced and on contract, and direct- effect (after six months) so that observed This is a very dan- that the back wages, includ- hydraulic technology, the sec- ing their reinstatement. the passengers are not left in a gerous path where Air India ing allowances, have to be ond rig is set to begin oper- Solicitor General Tushar lurch, he said. is treading. Suppose a pilot paid at par with what in-ser- ations at an oil well near Mehta, representing Air India, “Law requires me to con- undertakes a flight and on vice pilots were receiving GGS-IV oil field near Kalol said that under the applica- tinue de facto (as a matter of the aircraft, there is a misde- and in accordance with the in Gujarat, under ONGC ble law, there is no need for fact) as a mandate. But resig- meanour. He realises there may government rules. PTI Ahmedabad Asset. By March 2022, 23 rigs will be delivered to ONGC. The New drone rules to usher ICA- T10558(4)/2021 aim is to hand over all the 47 rigs at the earliest, the com- growth, innovation: Nasscom pany said. ICA- 1260(3)/2021 “MEIL is also planning to NEW DELHI: The new rules which had come into force on GOVERNMENT OF WEST BENGAL GOVERNMENT OF WEST BENGAL expand its overall business to for operating drones in the March 12. Tender has Invited by the up to USD 2 billion in coming country will usher in new “We welcome the govern- Tender Notice Executive Officer Furfura Sealed tenders are invited by the office of the U/S days by manufacturing indige- growth opportunities and ment’s decision to liberalise Sharif Development Authority, –Name of work: e-NIT No: WBHD/EE/ED-II/e-NIT- nous rigs. MEIL will manufac- enable startups and SMEs to norms for operating Drones 04/21-22, Tender ID 2021_HSD_341506_1 : & S.D.0 Serampore. For Replacement and Renovation work of the existing ture and supply it in India and create innovative use cases and in the country for both com- Renovation Work at furfura electrical wiring of 15 Nos. B type quarters, 3 Nos. globally,” it said without divulg- applications in various sectors mercial and non-commercial C type quarters and 9 Nos. D type quarters at RHE Sharif ( Main Mazar) under Dinemardanga, under Chinsurah Electrical Section ing any further information. like e-commerce, mining and purposes under the new Drone FSDA. Last date for submissin (H.D.) under Electrical Division No- II, H.D. Bid Submission end date: 13.09.21 upto 3 P.M, Tender The oil rigs manufac- emergency response, IT indus- Rules, 2021,” Nasscom said in a of Tender: 17.09.2021 up to Opening Date: 15.09.21 at 4 P.M, Tender details tured by MEIL with advanced try body Nasscom said. statement. ICA- T10592(3)/2021 5.00 P.M. Tender ID No2021_ may be obtained from the Office of the Executive Engineer, Electrical Division No. II, Housing hydraulic technology dig oil The new rules on drones This will not only usher ICA- T10611(2)/2021 FSDA_341580 _1 Website: Directorate, 67, Bentinck Street, Kolkata–700069 wells faster and operates with make it mandatory that these in new growth opportunities ICA- T10583(4)/2021 http://wbtenders.gov.in on all office days during office hours. minimal power. With a capac- devices are registered and but will also enable startups ity of 1,500 HP, the rig can agencies will be able identify and SMEs (small and medium GOVERNMENT OF WEST BENGAL ICA- T10556(3)/2021 easily drill up to 4,000 metres. those which are rogue through enterprises) to create innova- WEST BENGAL HOUSING INFRASTRUCTURE The rig is expected to be oper- tracking mechanisms. tive use cases and applications N. I. T No.20 of A.G.M (Engg-III) of 2021-22 ational for 40 years and comes The Drone Rules, 2021 were in various sectors like e-com- Sealed Tender is invited for the works having experienced in with the most modern technol- issued on Wednesday and they merce, mining, healthcare, from any Govt. Organization. Last date of receiving appli- ogy, even in terms of security supersede the Unmanned Air- emergency response and logis- cation- 03.09.2021upto2.00 P.M. All other information and standards. PTI craft System (UAS) Rules, 2021, tics, among others, it added. PTI details may be obtained from the office of the A.G.M (Engg).- III, WB HIDCO at Eco Park Office, Gate No.-6, New Town, Kolkata. ` -Sd- Addl. General Manager (Engg.-III) RBI extends 345 cr PIDF WB HIDCO scheme to street vendors GOVERNMENT OF WEST BENGAL ICA- T10563(3)/2021 ICA- T10586(3)/2021 MUMBAI: Reserve Bank on to Rs 10,000 of one-year ten- ABRIDGED SHORT NOTICE INVITING TENDER Thursday extended the scheme ure to approximately 50 lakh S.N.I.T No WBIW/EE/WMD/SNIT- 06 of 2021-202 for encouraging deployment of street vendors. In a statement Executive Engineer West Midnapore Division invites tender for the 21 Point of Sale (PoS) infrastruc- on Thursday, RBI said it has (Twenty One).nos. works Urgent flood protection & mitigation works ture to street vendors covered now decided to include street amount Put to Tender is ranging from Rs 6.61 Lakh to Rs.19.42 under the PM SVANidhi pro- vendors identified as part of the Lakh. Tender forms and other details can be obtained from the gramme in tier 1 and 2 centres. PM SVANidhi scheme in tier-1 ICA- T10596(3)/2021 Departmental web site www.wbiwd.gov.in. Last Date & Time for The Payments Infrastruc- and tier-2 centres as beneficia- application of 02.09.2021 up to 15.00 Hrs ture Development Fund (PIDF) ries under the PIDF scheme. Sd/- scheme, with a corpus of Rs 345 As hitherto, the street vendors [S/d Devendra Kumar Singh] Executive Engineer, I.&W.Dte. crore, envisages creating 30 lakh in tier-3 to tier-6 centres will West Midnapore Division new touch points every year continue to be covered under Midnapore, Paschim Medinipur for digital payments in tier-3 the scheme, it added. ICA- T10609(2)/2021 ICA- T10589(3)/2021 ICA- T10601(3)/2021 to tier-6 centres. The scheme, “This decision to expand the operationalised in January this targeted beneficiaries under the GOVERNMENT OF WEST BENGAL year, has now been extended PIDF scheme will provide fillip GOVERNMENT OF WEST BENGAL WEST BENGAL HOUSING INFRASTRUCTURE Press Notice to select street vendors in tier to the Reserve Bank’s efforts E-Tenders (Re Tender) are hereby invited from bonafide contractors having requisite credentials and machin- 1 and 2 centres. Launched in towards promoting digital N. I. T No.21 of A.G.M (Engg-III) of 2021-22 Sealed Tender is invited for the works having experienced in eries for the following works up to 3.00 P.M of 14/09/2021 June 2020, the PM Street Ven- transactions at the grass-root Sl No. NIT No Name of the work Tender Cost Earnest money dor’s AatmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM level,” the central bank said. from any Govt. Organization. Last date of receiving appli- SVANidhi) scheme is aimed at Out of PIDF’s total cor- cation- 01.09.2021upto2.00 P.M. All other information and 1 NIT1/DYO of 2021-22 Construction of Stadium of Selata Rs. 197.11 Lakkh Rs. 3.9422 Lakkh helping street vendors impacted pus of Rs 345 crore, RBI’s details may be obtained from the office of the A.G.M (Engg).- (Re Tender) within Raghunathpur-I block by the coronavirus pandemic to contribution is Rs 250 crore III, WB HIDCO at Eco Park Office, Gate No.-6, New Town, Details of timings, eligibility criteria etc. pl visit www.wbtenders.gov.in. resume their livelihood activi- and Rs 95 crore is from major Kolkata. Memo no 1250/ICA/puru District Magistrate ties. It facilitates collateral-free authorised card networks in -Sd- Addl. General Manager (Engg.-III) dated: 26/08/2021 Purulia working capital loans of up the country. PTI ICA- T10607(3)/2021 WB HIDCO mp millenniumpost 10 Business FRIDAY, 27 AUGUST, 2021 | KOLKATA Trai proposes to reduce BSNL Markets make nominal employees levies on satellite services union, AIBOC oppose NMP gains, Nifty at fresh peak Telecom regulator also suggestes measures like avoiding NEW DELHI: State-run tele- intermediaries in segment to make services affordable com firm BSNL’s employees RIL was top gainer in Sensex pack, rising over 1 per cent, union on Thursday opposed NEW DELHI: Telecom regu- of space segments. The spec- the government’s plan to mon- followed by M&M, HCL Tech, Axis Bank, ICICI Bank & HUL lator Trai on Thursday recom- trum charges paid by the ser- etise 2.86 lakh kms of optical mended to the government to vice licensee should cover all fibre laid under the BharatNet reduce/remove various levies the administrative, operational project as well as 14,917 mobile OUR CORRESPONDENT imposed on satellite operators and testing charges,” Trai said. towers owned by it and sister as well as measures like avoiding At present government lev- concern MTNL. MUMBAI: Equity benchmarks intermediaries in the segment to ies NOCC charges of Rs 21 lakh BSNL Employees Union Sensex and Nifty ended on a flat Rupee rises make services affordable. per transponder per annum alleged that sale of mobile tow- note on Thursday as monthly The regulator, in its rec- along with applicable service ers to corporates is the begin- derivatives expired amid a weak 2 paise to ommendations on licensing tax and cess on satellites, and Rs ning of privatisation of BSNL trend in global markets and sus- framework for satellite-based for low bit rate services but has 6,000 per antenna per trial for and MTNL. tained foreign fund outflows. 74.22/dollar connectivity for low bit rate suggested amendment in the mandatory performance vali- If monetisation of these After trading range-bound applications, has suggested existing GMPCS (Global Mobile dation testing of earth station. assets is allowed, then the gov- through the session, the allowing use of all types of satel- Personal Communication by Trai recommended that as ernment’s next target will be to 30-share BSE Sensex ended lites for low bit rate connectivity. Satellite) licence meant for sat- per captive VSAT CUG (closed monetise 7 lakh route kilometre just 4.89 points or 0.01 per cent It also recommended use ellite services. user group) service license, the length of optic fibre, it added. higher at 55,949.10. of foreign satellites for provid- Trai has also pitched for licensee shall pay license fee “In the name of National Similarly, the broader NSE ing connectivity for a longer lowering the spectrum usage annually at Rs 10,000 per annum Monetisation Pipeline (NMP), Nifty advanced 2.25 points or duration than the permissible charges to 1 per cent from 4 per VSAT terminal or earth sta- the government has decided to 0.01 per cent to its fresh clos- 3-5 years at present. Low bit per cent for low bit rate satel- tions installed. hand over the national assets ing peak of 16,636.90. rate services are required for lite connectivity. The regulator further sug- at throw away price to the cor- Reliance Industries was the machine-to-machine communi- “Replacing the existing for- gested that there should not be porates. “The argument of the top gainer in the Sensex pack, cations, sensors used for track- mula-based mechanism, spec- any separate license fee for the government that the ownership rising over 1 per cent, followed ing cargo, vehicles, railway and trum usage charges for using Internet of Things and aggrega- of these assets will continue to by M&M, HCL Tech, Axis Bank, traffic signals, soil content for satellite frequencies under the tor devices which are connected remain with the government ICICI Bank and HUL. On the other hand, Bharti Airtel, Maruti, farming, among others. GMPCS service authorization to VSAT terminal in a hybrid itself, is nothing but a sugar- On the other hand, Bharti MUMBAI: The Indian “The service licensees should be prescribed as 1 per model of architecture. coated poison,” BSNL EU said. Airtel, Maruti, SBI, Power- SBI, PowerGrid, NTPC and Tata Steel rupee eked out a marginal should be mandated to estab- cent of AGR. These charges Besides, Trai has called for The government has Grid, NTPC and Tata Steel were were among the laggards 2 paise gain to close at lish the earth station in India, would cover the entire spec- setting up a comprehensive, announced plans to garner Rs among the laggards. 74.22 against the US dollar corresponding to the chosen trum charges for handsets/user simplified, integrated, end-to- 35,100 crore from the partial “Indian market started flat ous sectors, he said, adding that extended gains in overnight on Thursday as participants foreign satellite or satellite sys- devices as well as for earth sta- end coordinated, single window monetisation of BharatNet fibre to marginally negative follow- sentiments were positive amid session with S&P 500 and Nas- looked for fresh triggers. tem, prior to using the leased tions,” Trai said. online common portal, having assets and 14,917 mobile tow- ing negative Asian market cues reports that Indian economic daq witnessing fresh record Moreover, a strong dollar capacities,” Trai recommended. The regulator has also rec- inter-departmental linkages for ers owned by state-run telecom as South Korea’s central bank growth will likely touch a record highs ahead of Fed Chair- in the overseas markets and The Telecom Regulatory ommended removal of network transfer of application and infor- firms BSNL and MTNL as part hiked interest rates, making it high in the June quarter. man Jerome Powell’s speech rising crude prices weighed Authority of India (Trai) said operations and control centre mation for parallel processing. of the Rs 6 lakh crore NMP. The the first developed economy However, markets trimmed on Friday at the Jackson Hole on the investor sentiment, providing choice to the VSAT (NOCC) charges and facilita- The portal should connect union said it strongly opposes to do so in the pandemic era,” their gains in the closing ses- Symposium. forex traders said. operators to directly negotiate tion charges by the government all the agencies involved in grant the handing over of the nation’s said Narendra Solanki, Head- sion as a report from ratings Elsewhere in Asia, bourses Meanwhile, the dol- and execute agreements with when hiring foreign capacities of various approvals like the wealth to corporates in the Equity Research (Fundamen- agency Moody’s said India’s in Shanghai, Hong Kong and lar index, which gauges the satellite system provider will from the approved list of for- Department of Space, Depart- name of the NMP. tal), Anand Rathi. second COVID-19 wave has Seoul ended in the red, while the greenback’s strength also help in avoiding the inter- eign players. ment of Telecom etc, wherein It called upon all BSNL During the afternoon ses- increased asset risks for banks Tokyo was positive. against a basket of six cur- mediaries and making the sat- “The Authority recom- the service licensees can place employees to organise sion, markets attempted a come- in retail and the SME loan seg- International oil benchmark rencies, rose 0.05 per cent ellite-based services affordable. mends that the government their request and the agencies lunch hour demonstrations back following buying in blue ment, he noted. Brent crude fell 0.60 per cent to to 92.87. MPOST The regulator has not rec- should consider doing away respond online in a transparent on Friday. chip stocks from across vari- Meanwhile, US equities $70.85 per barrel. ommended any separate licence with the NOCC charges for use and time-bound manner. PTI Moreover, The All India Bank Officers’ Confedera- tion (AIBOC) on Thursday Include tobacco under ACAE inaugurates opposed the National Mone- Govt launches e-SHRAM portal tisation Pipeline, terming the move as “wholesale privati- NEW DELHI: Union Minister RoDTEP: Indian Tobacco new office in Kolkata sation” of public sector assets for Labour and Employment across all crucial infrastructure Bhupender Yadav on Thursday Association asks govt sectors. launched the e-SHRAM portal The bank officers’ union to maintain a database of 38 urged the Union government crore workers in the unorgan- NEW DELHI: Indian Tobacco to desist from moving along ised sector. Through the portal, Association on Thursday said this “disastrous path of selling the government aims to regis- it has urged the government family silver”. ter 38 crore unorganised sector to include tobacco under the “This wholesale privatisa- workers such as construction tax rebate scheme RoDTEP tion of infrastructure assets labourers, migrant workforce, (Remission of Duties and Taxes under the garb of ‘asset mon- street vendors and domestic on Exported Products) with an etisation’ is accompanying workers, among others. The reg- aim to encourage exports from tion, transportation, and logis- the disinvestment and strate- istrations began from Thursday. If a worker registered on portal meets with the sector. tics have adversely impacted the gic sale of entire PSUs across “For the first time in the his- The government on August price competitiveness of Indian several sectors, including gen- tory of India, a system is being an accident, he/she will be eligible for the 17 announced rates of tax tobacco, it said in a statement. eral insurance companies and made to register 38 crore unor- amount on death or permanent disability refunds under the export pro- As there is no level playing banks in the public sector, ganised workers. It will not only motion scheme RoDTEP for field in the international market, initiated through the Union register them but would also be and Rs 1 lakh on partial disability 8,555 products, such as marine India’s exports of unprocessed KOLKATA: On the occasion of who was also duly felicitated Budget 2021. helpful in delivering various goods, yarn, dairy items. Under tobacco have fallen sharply, it their 62nd Foundation Day on to mark this red- letter day for “Such privatisation will social security schemes being portal meets with an accident, The objective behind the the RoDTEP, various central claimed. “Indian Tobacco Asso- Thursday, Association of Cor- the association. only benefit a handful of large implemented by the central and he/she will be eligible for the move is integration of social and state duties, taxes, and ciation appeals to the govern- porate Advisers and Executives President Association of corporates while destroy- state governments. amount on death or perma- security schemes of the govern- levies imposed on input prod- ment to include tobacco in the (ACAE) inaugurated their new Corporate Advisers and Exec- ing the foundations of our “The portal will prove to be nent disability and Rs 1 lakh on ment. The details of the work- ucts, among others, would be RoDTEP scheme and encour- office at 4th Floor, Unit no. 1, 6 utives ACAE CA Anup Sanghai national economy,” it said in a s a huge boost for the last-mile partial disability. A national toll ers will also be shared with state refunded to exporters. age exports through aggressive Lyons Range, Kolkata – 700001. welcomed guests and Project tatement. delivery of services,” Yadav said. free number -- 14434 -- was also governments and departments. The association said that promotion schemes,” it said. This inauguration was car- Chairman CA Anand Chopra Employees, officers and He added that Prime Minis- launched to assist and address A worker can register using India is well-positioned to The global competitiveness ried out by the Chief Guest briefed about ACAE. CAJiten- other stakeholders of public ter Narendra Modi has sanc- the queries of workers seeking his/her Aadhaar number and become a major player in the of the Indian tobacco industry for the occasion – CA Nihar dra Lohia briefed about set- sector enterprises, which col- tioned Rs 2 lakh accidental registration on the portal bank account details, apart from global tobacco market if it can has also been severely affected N. Jambusaria, President and ting up of complete state of lectively serve as the backbone insurance cover to every reg- As part of the initiative, filling other necessary informa- harness the emerging oppor- due to factors like subsidies Guest of Honour CA Dr. the art techonolgical equip- of the economy, are totally istered unorganised worker on the workers will be issued an tion like date of birth, home tunities through price com- being provided to tobacco in Debashis Mitra , Vice Presi- ments installed at ACAE CA opposed to privatisation of the e-SHRAM portal. e-SHRAM card containing a town, mobile number and social petitiveness. However, steep countries like Zimbabwe, Tan- dent , of the Institute of Char- Vivek Agarwal offered Vote public assets in any form, If a worker registered on the 12-digit unique number category. PTI increases in the cost of cultiva- zania, the EU, and the US. MPOST tered Accountants of India of thanks. MPOST it added. PTI SAIL aims at reducing net ED seizes funds worth `107 cr of Chinese- India’s wearable market debt to `15K-20K cr in FY22 controlled loan app co for FEMA violation logs over 118% growth to KOLKATA: Steel Authority of 20,000 crore, depending on steel 11.2 mn units in Q2: IDC India Ltd is aiming at reduc- prices and demand situation,” NEW DELHI: The Enforce- have been seized under the pro- tomers illegally and threaten- latest case, the NBFC was giv- ing its net debt to a range of SAIL chairman Soma Mondal ment Directorate (ED) on visions of the Foreign Exchange ing and abusing them through ing out such loans through Rs 15,000-20,000 crore in the said on the sidelines of the inau- Thursday said it has seized Management Act (FEMA). call centres, the agency said in a mobile phone app called NEW DELHI: India’s wearables current fiscal if the prices and guration of MSTC’s new head- funds worth about Rs 107 crore The total amount seized is a statement. “c a s h b e a n”. market grew 118.2 per cent year- demand for the commodity quarters in New Town on the of a Chinese-controlled NBFC, Rs 106.93 crore. The alleged illegalities of “PCFS is a wholly-owned on-year in the June 2021 quarter remain stable, a top company outskirts of the city. She was engaged in dishing out instant The ED said the case came these apps were reported from subsidiary (WOS) of Oplay at 11.2 million units with strong official said on Thursday. hopeful that demand will pick personal loans over an internet- on its radar during an ongo- a number of states last year, Digital Services, SA de CV, shipments from homegrown The Maharatna PSU has up in the coming months. based app, for alleged violation ing money-laundering probe especially following the eco- Mexico, which is in turn is a brands in earwear and watches around Rs 30,000 crore net debt Prices of flat products of the foreign exchange law. against a number of NBFCs nomic stress triggered by the WOS of Tenspot Pesa Limited, fuelling this growth, according as of June 30, 2021, down from remain stable, while those The agency said the funds and FinTech companies that are lockdown clamped to curb Hong Kong, owned by Opera to research firm IDC. intention of further corrections Rs 35,350 crore by end of the of long ones are improving, of PC Financial Services Private linked to instant personal loan- the spread of COVID-19, Limited (Cayman Islands) and The second wave of COVID- in the prices,” Singh added. previous fiscal. Mondal said. Domestic steel Limited (PCFS), a non-bank- providing mobile applications. and a number of people were Wisdom Connection I Holding 19 had a marginal impact as the Singh noted that an upside “We are aiming at reduc- major had decreased its net debt ing financial company (NBFC), These loans were being reported to have been driven Inc. (Cayman Islands), which overall wearable (which includes of over 35 per cent seems an eas- ing the debt drastically from by Rs 16,131 crore to Rs 35,350 were lying in bank accounts and dished out with a high rate of to end their lives due to the are ultimately beneficially smartwatches, wrist bands and ily achievable feat in the second around Rs 30,000 crore now to crore during the 2020-21 finan- virtual accounts over online interest and recovered using extortion and bullying of these owned by Chinese national earwear) shipments declined by half of 2021 when compared to anywhere between Rs 15,000- cial year. PTI payment gateways and those the personal data of the cus- “dubious” companies. In the Zhou Yahui. PTI 1.3 per cent sequentially in the the same period last year. June quarter. “However, vendors will Partial lockdowns, weekend be selective in their channel curfews, and disrupted sup- inventory with focus remains Tech cos pledge billions in cybersecurity investments ply chains resulted in a skewed on e-tailers as concerns around slump in the early-quarter ship- COVID-19 third wave still pre- ments, IDC said. However, vails in the country,” he added. US President Joe Biden referred to cybersecurity as a ‘core national security challenge’ for the US unlike last year the market was Watches continued to be quick to recover as the vendors the fastest-growing category WASHINGTON: Top exec- structure, in some cases with “The reality is most of our trust programmes. their defences. IBM plans to White House said Wednesday. stocked the channels to fulfil the accounting for 81.2 per cent utives meet US President Joe the attackers extorting multi- critical infrastructure is owned The Biden administration train 1,50,000 people in cyber- Also read: White House to pent-up consumer demand in share in the wristwear category Biden in the backdrop of relent- million-dollar payments from and operated by the private sec- has looked for ways to safeguard security over three years, and tackle cyber challenges with the quarter, it added. that includes watches and wrist- less stretch of ransomware major corporations, as well as tor, and the federal government the government’s supply chain Apple said it would develop Apple, IBM, insurance CEOs IDC India Research Man- bands - up from 35 per cent a attacks Some of the country’s other illicit cyber operations can’t meet this challenge alone,” following a massive Russian a new programme to help Though ransomwareager (Client Devices) Jaipal year ago. The earwear category leading technology companies that US authorities have linked Biden said. “I’ve invited you all government cyber espionage strengthen the supply chain. was intended as one focus of Singh said the robust growth also maintained its momen- have committed to investing to foreign hackers. here today because you have campaign that exploited vul- Top executives of each of Wednesday’s gathering, a senior in wearable is attracting brands tum, doubling its shipments in billions of dollars to strengthen The Biden administration the power, the capacity and the nerabilities and gave hackers those companies were invited to administration official who who have businesses around the June quarter and remains cybersecurity defences and to has been urging the private sec- responsibility, I believe, to raise access to the networks of US Wednesday’s meeting, as were briefed reporters in advance devices and accessories to the largest category (in terms train skilled workers, the White tor to do its part to strengthen the bar on cybersecurity.” After government agencies and pri- financial industry executives said the purpose was much expand their presence across of number of units shipped) in House has announced, follow- cybersecurity defences against the meeting, the White House vate companies. and representatives from the broader, centered on identify- all wearable categories. the wearables market in India. ing President Joe Biden’s private those increasingly sophisticated announced that Google had Microsoft, meanwhile, said energy, education and insurance ing the “root causes of mali- “Thus, the influx of new As per the data, earwear cat- meeting with top executives. attacks. In public remarks before committed to invest $10 bil- it would invest $20 billion in sectors. A government initiative cious cyber activities” and ways entrants remains a key driver of egory logged shipment of 9.2 The gathering was held the private meeting got under- lion in cybersecurity over the cybersecurity over the next five that at first supported the cyber- in which the private sector can growth. As we approach the fes- million units, wrist band was Wednesday during a relentless way, Biden referred to cyber- next five years, money aimed years and make available $150 security defences of electric util- help bolster cybersecurity. The tive season, vendors and chan- 372,000 units and watch 1.6 stretch of ransomware attacks security as a “core national at helping secure the software million in technical services to ities has been expanded to focus official briefed reporters on the nel partners are gearing up for million units in the June 2021 that have targeted critical infra- security challenge” for the US. supply chain and expand zero- help local governments improve on natural gas pipelines, the condition of anonymity. PTI record level of demand with the quarter. PTI millenniumpost KOLKATA | FRIDAY, 27 AUGUST, 2021 mp 11

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

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mp millenniumpost 12 Leisure FRIDAY, 27 AUGUST, 2021 | KOLKATA ‘I aim at touching people’s hearts’

Adeeb gets candid about his directorial ‘Kaali Peeli Tales’ and his ‘vision’ to make the anthology relatable for audience

ALEN PAUL ented actors who coordinated today’s audience,” said Adeeb. well enough to make this proj- Rais also shared his love for deeb Rais, whose ect a success.” creating anthologies. He said, directorial ‘Kaali Throwing light on his “Making a short film is some- Peeli Tales’ recently ‘vision’ behind making ‘Kaali thing that I enjoy a lot as it is got released on Ama- Peeli Tales’, the young and fun to give life to shorter and Azon’s ‘MiniTV’, is enjoying all promising director stated, meaningful stories. Moreover, the appreciation coming his “Before I started working on In times like these when peo- Nusrat Jahan becomes way. The anthology film is get- ple have unlimited options ting applauded for its unique (in terms of the available con- storyline that revolves around The director tent) to entertain themselves mother of baby boy characters going through the feels that with, ‘anthologies’ are receiv- crossroads of change and ing immense love. The anthol- acceptance in their relation- people nowadays ogy format is working well Her friend Yash Dasgupta revealed ships. It stars Vinay Pathak, for OTT as anthologies are Maanvi Gagroo, Gauhar love watching quirky, trending widely.” that baby and Nusrat are both fine Khan, Soni Razdan, Adeeb relatable and As a director, Adeeb and many others. believes in ‘touching’ people’s KOLKATA: Trinamool Con- doing well,” he said. The baby In an exclusive conversation snappy content hearts with stories that have a gress MP and actor Nusrat was born via C-section, as per with ‘Millennium Post’, Adeeb message attached to them. Jahan gave birth to a baby boy Dr Rajiv Agarwal. got candid about’ ‘Kaali Peeli “Through my films and at a private hospital in Kolkata Nusrat had not officially Tales’. the series, I had a much larger series, I aim at touching people’s on Thursday afternoon, sources confirmed her pregnancy or Speaking about working on vision behind it - it was not just hearts with messages that hold said. talked about it on social media. the anthology, Rais explained, about bringing several great significant lessons. Even in my Jahan, who was admitted However, she did share pictures “It took me two years to com- actors on board but also to cre- latest project ‘Kaali Peeli Tales’, I to the hospital in Park Street with her baby bump in June plete this beautiful series, for ate an anthology that people made sure to mesh in the emo- on Wednesday evening, gave and even photos of a preg- which I’m getting great reviews can relate to while enjoying tions, thoughts and perspective birth to the child around 12.20 nancy-themed cake, sent to and am happy about it! I wanted at the same time. People love in every character’s persona and pm, a source at the hospital her by her friends. to make a series with different watching quirky and snappy make it more relatable for peo- said. Jahan’s estranged husband characters having their own content where the story is not ple. After all, fiction is inspired Nusrat’s friend and actor Nikhil Jain said, “There might identities, flavour and stories dragged for too long. I’m glad by people’s real-life experiences Yash Dasgupta said both of be differences between us, but for the audience to understand to have made a series like ‘Kaali and so we directors bring out them are well. “For those who I am wishing the newborn and love them. Besides, the Peeli Tales’ which people’s stories through actors,” have been enquiring about and his mother all the best. I filming process was fun is being well he admitted towards the end of Nusrat’s health, the mother wish the baby boy has a bright with the tal- received by the interaction. and child are healthy and future.” PTI Kangana showers praise on Abhishek undergoes surgery, Karan Johar’s ‘Shershaah’ back to work after ‘freak accident’ The actor thanked all his fans for their wishes The movie was lauded by superstar Kamal Haasan as well MUMBAI: ‘The Big Bull’ actor Abhishek Bachchan said he has angana Ranaut, who resumed work after suffering has been embroiled an injury in his hand on the in a public battle of Chennai set of his upcoming Kwords with producer-film- film. maker Karan Johar for a Last week there were few years now, on Thurs- reports that Abhishek had an day morning took to her accident and was being treated Instagram story to share a at a hospital in suburban Mum- couple of notes on late Cap- bai after his veteran star-father tain Vikram Batra, and his Amitabh Bachchan and sis- recently released biopic ter, author Shweta Bachchan Shershaah. Nanda were photographed at However, this time the medical facility. around, the Thalaivi actor In an Instagram post on only had good things to write about Karan Johar-produced In an Instagram post, the 45-year-old “And now back in Chen- Shershaah. The actor congrat- actor Sidharth Malhotra, watching Shershaah made nai to resume work. As they ulated the team of the film for Kangana penned, “What his ‘chest swell with pride.’ actor confirmed that he had an accident say The show must go on! a ‘glorious tribute’ to the dec- a glorious tribute @sidm- “Right from my childhood on the set of his movie, in which he And as my father said . Mard orated officer. “National hero alhotra. Congratulations as a film fan and a patriot’s ko dard nahin hota! Ok, ok, Vikram Batra was a Himach- to entire team. It was a big son I resented the way Indian fractured his right hand ok it hurt a little. Thank you ali boy from Palampur, very responsibility and you all army was depicted in some all for your wishes and get- popular and loved soldier. excelled.” The team of Sher- of our Cinemas. Shershaah Wednesday night, the 45-year- gery to fix it! So a quick trip well-soon messages,” he said, When the tragedy happened, shaah is yet to respond to the is that exception that makes old actor confirmed that he had back home to Mumbai. Sur- quoting the famous dialogue news spread like wildfire in praise. my chest swell with pride a “freak accident” in which he gery done, all patched-up and from his father’s 1985 film Himachal, it slit through our Shershaah has been receiv- for my soldiers. Thanks @ fractured his right hand. casted,” Abhishek captioned his ‘ M a r d ’. hearts. As a kid, I remember ing love from all quarters. The DharmaMovies for promot- “Had a freak accident in post-surgery photo. Abhishek recently com- being tormented for days,” movie was lauded by south ing a talented director like @ Chennai on the set of my new The actor thanked fans pleted work on the crime read Ranaut’s first post. superstar Kamal Haasan as vishnu_dir. Congrats @SidM- film last Wednesday. Fractured for their wishes and informed thriller ‘Bob Biswas’ and Heaping praise on lead well. The actor had stated that alhotra. AGENCIES my right hand. Needed sur- them that he was back to work. ‘Dasvi’, a comedy-drama. PTI 16-year-old Amaatra Misra, Vidyottama Foundation: Lighting who studies at The Shri Ram up lives through education School Moulsa- ri, is the founder of Vidyottama Foundation

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maatra Misra, a student at The Shri Ram School Moulsari, has proved Athat age is just a number. The 16-year-old is running ‘Vidyot- tama Foundation’ - a non-profit organisation working towards funding education for under- The NGO privileged girls in rural Uttar the problem. The quality of edu- professionals - also aims to partnered with women in urban slum commu- Pradesh and providing them cation was sub-par and stigma- everything to Myna Mah- nities in Bombay in the areas of with educational resources in tisation on menstruation, sex help schools address issues ila Founda- education. the form of online workshops education and gender equality the founda- that will make tion which Vidyottama hopes to create and webinars. The NGO helps had plagued communities on tion has part- students socially is a globally more holistic learning environ- in providing students with a a very large scale. This is what nered with. recognised ments in the schools they work more holistic, well-rounded drove the young girl to start After kick- aware women’s health with and aspires to rid India education. ‘Vidyottama’. starting the organ- and employ- of the stigmas it holds on the While growing up, Amaa- The NGO’s aim isn’t only isation in early 2020, ment organisation topics that are essential to stu- tra witnessed gender dispari- to fund education, but also to Vidyottama managed based in the slums of dents’ education. In addition ties and barriers in her ancestral address the issues that will help to raise funds for four girls’ edu- Govandi. They have impacted to Vidyottama’s current cam- Nushrratt Baruccha village located in eastern Uttar students grow up to be well-edu- cation and conducted several over 6,00,000 women at their paigns, Amaatra - who is also Pradesh, India. She noticed girls cated and socially aware at the workshops in-person and online doorstep with health prod- passionate about filmmaking - surely loves to experiment with not being encouraged to work same time. early this year. Vidyottama is ucts and services and aim to is currently working on a short fashion as can be seen in her or study and saw them getting ‘Vidyottama’ has initiatives currently running a campaign reach 2 million beneficiaries documentary that captures the married at the ages as young as that range from scholarships to fund education for girls by 2025. The Vidyottama X stories of the Vidyottama schol- latest insta post 15 or 16 years. This, however, to online workshops on social residing in urban-slum com- Myna Mahila Campaign aims ars that will be released some- constituted only a small part of issues to webinars with industry munities of Bombay. They have to expand opportunities for time in late July.