Follow us on: @TheDailyPioneer facebook.com/dailypioneer RNI No. TELENG/2018/76469 Established 1864 ANALYSIS 7 MONEY 8 SPORTS 12 Published From HYDERABAD DELHI LUCKNOW MANY INDIA TO BENEFIT FROM SHIFTING OF KOHLI NAMED ICC MALE BHOPAL RAIPUR CHANDIGARH A SLIP... GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAINS FROM CHINA CRICKETER OF THE DECADE BHUBANESWAR RANCHI DEHRADUN VIJAYAWADA *LATE CITY VOL. 3 ISSUE 70 HYDERABAD, TUESDAY DECEMBER 29, 2020; PAGES 12 `3 *Air Surcharge Extra if Applicable

CHAY PLAYS A HOCKEY PLAYER IN HIS NEXT { Page 11 } www.dailypioneer.com ONLINE EXAM FROM NEXT YEAR FOR RAM TEMPLE PROJECT LIKELY TO COST AMID OPPOSITION, ASSAM TABLES BILL 3 GUJARAT SIBLINGS, AGED 30-42, SELECT GOVT RECRUITMENTS: CENTRE RS 1,100 CRORE, SAYS TRUST OFFICIAL TO ABOLISH STATE-RUN MADRASSAS RESCUED FROM ROOM AFTER DECADE Common Eligibility Test (CET) will be onstruction of the Ram temple complex in he Assam government on Monday tabled a n a shocking incident, three siblings in the age Aconducted online across the country from CAyodhya, including the main structure, is TBill in the Legislative Assembly to abolish Igroup of 30 to 42 years were rescued from a next year to screen and shortlist candidates for estimated to cost around Rs 1,100 crore and is all state-run Madrassas by converting them room in which they had been locked up for nearly recruitment to select central government jobs, expected to be completed in three-and-a-half into general schools from April 1 next year. a decade in Rajkot in Gujarat, according to officials Union Minister Jitendra Singh said on Monday. years, said the treasurer of the trust overseeing Despite a united opposition objecting to of an NGO which brought them out with the help He said the test will be a major boon for the project on Monday. Swami Govind Dev Giriji tabling of the Bill, Education Minister of their father. When the members of the NGO youths seeking government employment. "The Maharaj, treasurer, Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Himanta Biswa Sarma introduced The Assam broke open the door of the house on Sunday National Recruitment Agency (NRA) for Kshetra Trust, said structural experts and Repealing Bill, 2020 on the first day of the evening, they found the room had no access to conducting Common Eligibility Test has been engineers are drawing up a plan for foundation of three-day winter session. The legislation sunlight, and it was reeking of human faeces with constituted with the approval of the Union the temple. Addressing a press conference here, proposes to abolish the two existing Acts – stale food and newspapers scattered around, said Cabinet," said Singh, the Minister of State for he said the cost of construction of the main Ram The Assam Madrassa Education Jalpa Patel of "Saathi Seva Group" that works for Personnel. The NRA will be a multi-agency Temple is estimated at Rs 300 crore to Rs 400 (Provincialisation) Act, 1995 and The Assam the homeless on Monday. "The siblings, including body which will conduct the common test to screen and shortlist crore, while the entire premises will "cost not less than Rs 1,100 crore". "But, Madrassa Education (Provincialisation of Services of Employees and brothers Amrish and Bhavesh and their sister Meghna, had locked themselves candidates for Group-B and C (non-technical) posts, he said. these are all estimation that we need to raise, the seer said. Re-Organisation of Madrassa Educational Institutions) Act, 2018. up in the room for nearly a decade, according to their father," Patel said. New coronavirus strain in TS Fund crunch forces TS govt CCMB sends report sent to Centre, official confirmation likely today to freeze all payments PNS n HYDERABAD Orders issued not to pay bills without CMO nod Tests conducted by the Centre MHA issues fresh Covid VENKAT RAM REDDY LAKKADI for Cellular and Molecular n HYDERABAD Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad on 20 samples of UK guidelines over new variant The acute funds crunch has returnees detected the new NEW DELHI: The Centre on Monday said there has been a forced the state government to coronavirus strain that was continuous decline in the number of active Covid-19 cases in the freeze all payments, except recently discovered in the country but there is a need to maintain surveillance, containment salaries and pensions, for the United Kingdom, according and caution, keeping in view the surge in the number of cases next two months. to well-placed sources in the globally and the emergence of a new variant of the virus in the Oral instructions have been CCMB. United Kingdom (UK). In a statement, the Ministry of Home issued to the Finance However, CCMB officials Affairs (MHA) said it has issued fresh guidelines for surveillance Department not to clear any remain tight-lipped on the with regard to Covid-19 and these will remain in force till January bills without the permission of issue following strict instruc- 31. "While there has been a continuous decline in the active and the Chief Minister's Office. stopped all payments following suffered by the State tions issued by the Union new Covid-19 cases, there is a need to maintain surveillance, Bills worth over Rs 15,000 the instructions of 'higher ups'. Government in this fiscal so far Ministry of Health not to dis- details detected in the tests These samples had been containment and caution, keeping in view the surge in cases crore are believed to be stuck The State Government is at Rs 60,000 crore. close or speak anything in conducted by CCMB and a few sent for analysis to the CCMB globally, and emergence of a new variant of the virus in the UK,” in the Treasuries Department facing severe funds crunch The Government is relying public regarding the new other Central agencies. and the Institute of Virology, the MHA said. "Accordingly, containment zones continue to be following the Government's since the beginning of this fis- on loans to run the show and coronavirus strain until it Telangana State govern- Pune, to ascertain if the infec- demarcated carefully; prescribed containment measures strictly decision to freeze all pay- cal 2020-21 in April due to to meet the day-to-day expens- makes an official statement. ment's department of health tion is due to the new coron- followed within these zones; Covid-appropriate behaviour ments. Corona-induced lockdown es, besides paying salaries and The Union Ministry of has been collecting the samples avirus strain recently discov- promoted and strictly enforced; and the Standard Operating Though bills were approved and the resultant financial cri- pensions to its employees, Health is expected to hold a of UK returnees. Of them, 20 ered in the UK. Procedures (SOPs) prescribed in respect of various permitted by the Finance Department sis. both serving and retired. press conference in New Delhi were tested positive for Covid- activities followed scrupulously," it said. and tokens issued for clear- The Finance Department on Tuesday and disclose the 19 till Sunday. 2 ance, the Treasury Department has estimated the revenue loss 2

‘Central Crime rate in Modi’s opponents Adhibhatla agencies being Rachakonda are beginning to HC allows Ilayaraja urban body misused’ down by 12% see reason behind chief rejoins in 2020 Farm Laws to meditate in studio PNS n CHENNAI Congress 5 3 2 The Madras High Court on PNS n HYDERABAD Monday allowed music com- poser Ilayaraja one day to Aadibhatla municipal chair- meditate in the music room person Kotha Aardhika Three held where he composed his songs Praveen Goud on Monday GHMC imposes Rs 5.5 lakh fine on for the past 35 years. In return, returned to the Congress fold with MDMA the celebrated composer from the TRS. would withdraw cases filed She joined Congress in drug in Goa over the denial of his access to presence of Bhongir MP four shopping malls in Hyderabad the studio in 2019. Komatireddy Venkat Reddy. PNS n PANAJI The court recorded the set- Aardhika had been elected to ANUSHA PUPPALA The EVDM imposed penal- advertisements, use of moving, tlement between Ilayaraja and the municipality on a n HYDERABAD ty on Kalamandir, Chandana rotating or variable message Three men have been arrest- the proprietors of Prasad is present inside the room. The Congress and had then Brothers, One Plane and Kan- advertising devices etc are ed for allegedly possessing Studios where the former had room originally used by switched sides to the TRS. The Enforcement, Vigilance cheepuram Varamahalakshmi offences violating Sections 420 banned MDMA drug worth composed his songs for the Ilayaraja has been converted and Disaster Management Silks on Monday. These estab- and 421 of the GHMC Act. Rs 8.50 lakh at Dona Paula past 35 years. into an IT room, the court was (EVDM) wing of the GHMC lishments were charged with The Hyderabad citizen who near here in Goa, police said Justice N Sathish Kumar told. on Monday imposed a fine of erecting advertisements with a raised the complaint against on Monday. Police also recorded the settlement before It is understood that TODAY Rs 5.5 lakh on four shopping height of over 15 feet from the the establishments said, impounded a high-end car disposing of the suit between Ilayaraja is likely to visit the malls for displaying unautho- ground level, in violation of the "Gradually, a change is taking which was used by the accused Ilayaraja and Prasad studios. studio on Monday to under- ALMANAC rised advertisements. The fines rules. place.” trio to transport the drug, a The judge said that the pro- take his meditation. Month & Paksham: were imposed based on a com- According to EVDM, erec- ments, use of flashing lights or Goa Police spokesperson said. prietors of the studio will 2 Margashirsha & Shukla Paksha plaint by a concerned citizen. tion of unauthorised advertise- non-static illumination in the 2 endeavour to see that nobody 2 Panchangam Tithi : Chaturdashi: Full Night Nakshatram: Rohini: 03:39 pm 1,500 mobile towers Time to Avoid: (Bad time to start ‘Right to live on her terms’: HC A country that does not respect any important work) vandalised amid Rahukalam: 08:10 am – 09:33 am Yamagandam: 10:55 am – 12:17 pm reunites UP interfaith couple farmers' fury on Jio agriculture will fall: Kamal Haasan Varjyam: 06:53 am – 08:38 am, PNS n NEW DELHI on her terms and is free to PNS n CHANDIGARH PNS n TIRUCHIRAPPALLY He was responding to a 09:42 pm – 11:25 pm move as per her choice with- question on the more than a Gulika: 01:40 pm - 03:02 pm The Allahabad High Court has out any restriction... has More than 1,500 of Reliance Backing the farmers protesting month-long farmers' protest in ruled in favour of an interfaith expressed that she wants to live Jio's 9,000 telecom towers in against the contentious Central Delhi, where ryots mainly Good Time: (to start any important work) couple, underlining that the with her husband... is free to Punjab have been put out of farm laws outside Delhi, from Punjab and Haryana Amritakalam: 12:09 pm – 01:54 pm woman is an adult who "wants move as per her own choice action, allegedly by farmers Makkal Needhi Maiam have held ground demanding Abhijit Muhurtham: 11:55 am – 12:39 pm to live with her husband", had without any restriction or hin- protesting against the farm (MNM) founder Kamal repealing of Centre's three the "right to live life on her drance being created by (a) laws, disrupting service in Haasan on Monday said any farm laws. HYDERABAD terms (and) is free to move as third party," the court said. parts of the state. country that "does not respect To a question on actor WEATHER per her choice without any The two-member bench Chief Minister Captain agriculture will fall." Rajinikanth, who was dis- restriction or hindrance being spoke to the woman - Shikha Amarinder Singh issued a Farmers were "annadaata", charged from a Hyderabad Forecast: Sunny created by (a) third party". - and verified she married stern warning on Monday ag- the celebrated actor-turned- hospital on Sunday after being Temp: 29/14 The court also quashed an returned home. The FIR was Salman of her own free will, as ainst vandalisation of mobile politician, who earlier deput- treated for blood pressure fluc- Humidity: 54% FIR registered against her hus- filed after the woman's father well as confirming she had towers and disruption of tele- ed a party delegation to express respect agriculture will fall. I tuations, Haasan wished him Sunrise: 06:44 am band in September in Uttar alleged his daughter had been reached the age of majority; com services in the state, and solidarity with the agitating believe that should not happen good health, saying that was Sunset: 05:50 pm Pradesh's Etah district, and kidnapped and forced into her school certificate listed asked the police to take strict farmers near the national cap- to our country. They (farmers) more important. Current Weather Conditions directed police to provide secu- marriage. her date of birth as October 4, action in such cases. ital, told reporters here. are the annadata (providers of Updated December 25, 2020 5:00 PM rity for the couple till they "She has a choice to live life 1999. 2 "A country that does not food)," Haasan said. 2 VANTAGE POINT -NNARSIM KCR’s ‘adopted daughter’ Pratyusha gets married PNS n HYDERABAD Ranga Reddy district adminis- "adopted daughter" of the rul- tration since 2015 following ing TRS supremo, who had in A 23-year old woman, Rao's intervention, married 2015 promised to take care of described as the 'adopted' Charan Reddy at a village near her education and to admit her daughter of Telangana Chief Shadnagar, around 50 kms from in a good hostel. Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, here, a senior official said. Observing that Pratyusha, who ensured her rehabilitation The chief minister's wife whose mother had died, was in the last five years after she Sobha Rao, state Women and very brave against all odds and was tortured by her step moth- Child Welfare Minister completed her education under er, entered into wedlock near Satyavati Rathod and officials the government's initiative, the here on Monday. attended the pre-wedding rit- official said she was a role Pratyusha, who was under uals of Pratyusha on Sunday, model for any girl child who the care of the Women and official sources said. had a troubled childhood. Pratyusha with KCR (file photo). Child Welfare department and Pratyusha is described as an 2 Pratyusha with husband Charan Reddy (right) HYDERABAD | TUESDAY | DECEMBER 29, 2020 hyderabad 02 Modi’s opponents are beginning to see reason behind Farm Laws

ome learn their lessons KCR, Modi does not dictate loss. He also eased the inter- The Centre procured Prices Commission former quickly while others take terms to farmers nor would he In politics, opposing policies of one state trade restric- Punjab paddy by paying chairman Ashok Gulati has Stheir time. It seems Chief leave them in the lurch. government by another political party is tions. Rs 1,000 crore to likened Modi’s reforms to Minister K Chandrasekhar Perhaps the unseasonal Vice- TRULY middlemen last year. the reforms of the PV gov- Rao may have attained wis- rains that caused immense loss natural. The Opposition should realise that President M What is wrong in ernment in 1991. dom rather late, perhaps after to cotton farmers made KCR the ruling party, once voted to power, has Venkaiah SPEAKING Modi’s plan to facil- The BJP might have criti- his Delhi trip. see reason. Now, KCR says the authority to take decisions in tune with Naidu, speaking itate farmers to sell cised the UPA’s policies but it Earlier, KCR had termed that the state government sus- at a book release their produce directly to did not obstruct every deci- the three farm Bills piloted by tained Rs 7,700 crore loss in the policies of the country. The Opposition function in anyone, eliminating middle- sion taken by the then gov- the Centre in Parliament as a procurement of crop at MSP should limit its differences with the Hyderabad, reminded that men? ernment. It also never resort- big loss to the farmers and had and is asking farmers to sell government only up to a certain extent. it was PV who initiated agri- Modi has an objective in ed to a vilification campaign said that agriculture will pass their produce in any market cultural reforms. mind and also proper per- against the government. into the hands of corporates. across the country. In 2005, Agricultural spective and this is the idea In politics, opposing poli- He described the Bills as The PM promised that MSP should be seen as a sign of with foresight and hold con- Produce Market Committees behind his declaration that he cies of one government by ‘sugar-coated tablets’ and would continue, food grain rethinking among Modi’s sultations with experts before Y SATYA KUMAR were scrapped by the would double the income of another political party is nat- exhorted TRS Parliamentary procurement will go on and at opponents. they take decisions. BJP National Secretary Congress. Rahul Gandhi farmers by 2022. In his recent ural. The Opposition should Party leader K Kesava Rao to the same time extensive Now, non-BJP parties like During PV Narsimha Rao went on record declaring ‘Mann ki Baat’, Modi spoke of realise that the ruling party, oppose them in Parliament. opportunities would be pro- BJD, AIADMK, TRS and rule too, several Congress agricultural reforms. that he would scrap APMCs the saffron flowers produced once voted to power, has the During his recent visit to vided for farmers to sell their Janata Dal (S) have changed leaders opposed crucial deci- Thousands of farmers across the country. The in J&K that are much in authority to take decisions in Delhi, he called on Prime crops freely. their views in favour of the sions taken by him. Today, demonstrated on the out- Hooda government in demand in the international tune with the policies of the Minister Narendra Modi and Earlier, Janata Dal (S) leader agricultural laws. the whole nation is enjoying skirts of Delhi when the PV Haryana implemented the market. Modi wants to help country. The Opposition Home Minister Amit Shah HD Kumaraswamy said that We cannot overlook farm- the benefits of PV’s econom- government decided to sign decision. the people by walking in the should limit its differences and this meeting served as an farmers should welcome any ers expressing support to the ic reforms. Surprisingly, some the GATT pact. The farmers It should be kept in mind footsteps of PV and Vajpayee. with the government policies eye-opener for him. change that allows them to new Agriculture Laws and Congress leaders claim them- tore up the draft agreement how the Punjab government, He believes in the idea of only up to a certain extent. Till the other day, KCR wriggle out of the current staging protests on the out- selves to be architects of the papers and made a bonfire. dependent on commission farmers deriving benefits While wisdom has dawned acted like a dictator asking vicious circle. skirts of Delhi. They know reforms. PV then assured Parliament agents and commissions, is only through implementation late on leaders like KCR and farmers to practice only reg- This change of stand by that those who implement They are not aware that the that his government would providing funds and ameni- of agricultural reforms. Kumaraswamy, it is inevitable ulated agriculture. Unlike both KCR and Kumaraswamy reforms in the country act same PV also introduced not allow farmers to sustain ties to the agitating farmers. Agriculture Costs and to dawn on other leaders too. New corona ENCROACHMENTS strain in TS Fund crunch forces TS govt Continued from page 1 Political pressure weighs to freeze all payments Sources revealed that a case of new coronavirus strain Continued from page 1 Department and Rs 100 crore run into lakhs and stop pay- was detected in the CCMB in the Health Department. ments of higher value bills tests and a report to this effect down cops, officials The Government has already With the government freez- that are worth several crores of was sent to the Centre on mobilised nearly Rs 30,000 ing all payments, contractors rupees. Contractors argue that Monday. KOLISHETTY VENKATESHWARLU crore through auction of bonds and subcontractors are run- they mobilise funds by taking Till the time of filing of this n HYDERABAD so far, which is highest ever. It ning from pillar to post seek- loans to take up Government report, not a single case of is planning to raise nearly Rs ing payment of arrears. works and with the govern- new coronavirus strain was It seems like Police and 15,000 crore in the remaining They are approaching ruling ment delaying payment of bills reported in India. Revenue Departments in the three months of this fiscal, party leaders, ministers, MLAs they would incur huge interest If the Centre so confirms, state are becoming weak with thanks to the Centre raising etc to exert pressure on the on loans and be pushed into Telangana will be the first each passing day. On Sunday, the FRBM limit from 3 percent Finance Department to clear debt trap. State in the country to report the Rachakonda Police arrest- to 5 percent of the GSDP to the bills. The Government has this case. ed 12 people for allegedly tide over the crisis. Unable to bear the pressure stopped all the bills this month As many as 1,200 passen- encroaching on government Despite all this, the tactics of contractors, subcon- with an aim to arrange Rs 7,500 gers have arrived in land and setting a police Government is not in a posi- tractors, several officials in crore for Rythu Bandhu. The Hyderabad since December inspector on fire. The police tion to clear the pending bills. the Finance Department have disbursal of the Rythu Bandhu 9. The health department said that they had booked According to those in the stopped coming to Secretariat amount began on Monday. already traced nearly 1,000 cases against as many as 25 know, bills worth Rs 15,000 and are discharging duties On Day-1, Rs 494 crore was passengers but 279 could not people for creating a ruckus crore are pending in the from other locations. paid to 16 lakh farmers own- be tracked so far. and attacking government offi- Irrigation Department, Rs Contractors are expressing ing land up to 1 acre. The gov- Andhra Pradesh has 1,214 cials who were trying to 1,500 crore in Roads and anger at the government stop- ernment has to disburse returnees of which 1,158 remove encroachments from Buildings Department, Rs ping payment of bills even money to remaining 50 lakh were screened and six have government land under 1,000 crore in Municipal worth Rs 10 lakh. farmers in the next 10 days for been found to be Covid pos- Jawahar Nagar Municipal Administration Department, They are demanding the which nearly Rs 7,000 crore is itive. Corporation limits. Rs 750 crore in Panchayat Raj government to clear bills that required. AP is using IT-enabled Expressing shock over the said that these days the politi- political leaders. Even gulli to RDO, on condition of toll, which is using mobile Jawahar Nagar incident, a cos are dictating terms to the leaders are dictating terms to anonymity, the Revenue tower signals to trace the retired police official, on con- police. "The police officials the police. In some cases, the Department officials have lost travel history of UK dition of anonymity said that have no freedom to settle the police got habituated to take freedom to work to do justice Adhibhatla urban body chief... Three held... returnees. the attack on the police official issues and do justice to the vic- bribes as they are not in a posi- to the people. "No doubt there proves how the system has tims. Some political leaders tion to do justice. As part of are corrupt officials in the Continued from page 1 He pointed out that Chief Continued from page 1 degraded. "Encroachers are make a call to the police station these developments, sadly the department. They can be con- Minister K Chandrasekhar The accused, who were GHMC the main reason behind the before the victims reach the PS. Jawahar Nagar incident took trolled easily. Earlier, the offi- Welcoming her back in the Rao had earlier opposed the arrested on Sunday, are iden- atrocious incident. They resort- With their pressure, the police place," he claimed. The cials were afraid of their high- party fold, Komatireddy exud- Centre’s contentious Farm tified as Ayan Ali Khan (42), imposes ed to the act with the support don't even conduct investiga- encroachers are least bothered er ups. But now there is no ed confidence that the Laws and was now trying to who hails from Hyderabad, of political leaders or else the tion into the matter," he about the police as they have such thing. Political leaders are Congress would return to implement them. He also and Valentine Perreira (35) common people don't do such alleged. political leaders support. The putting pressure on the officials power in the next elections as accused both the State and and Strome Fernandes (27), Rs 5.5 lakh things. There are rumours that "Many youth want to join political leaders would get per- to resort to wrongdoings. For “development has stalled in Central Governments of both from Mumbai, he said. a Minister is behind this," he the Police Department so that centages from these encroach- many, it is turning out to be a Telangana State”.“The people deceiving the farmers. A case has been registered fine on four... alleged. they can do justice to the peo- ers, he alleged. good revenue source. The offi- have lost faith in the TRS and Komatireddy warned that against them under the Finding fault with the pre- ple. However, things are differ- On the other hand, the cials resort to wrongdoings as they would extend their sup- the Congress would lead a Narcotic Drugs and Continued from page 1 sent political leaders of the ent here. The police are becom- Revenue Department case is they have no alternative," he port to Congress in next elec- movement if the government Psychotropic Substances state, the retired police officer ing puppets in the hands of also not so different. According said. tions,” Komatireddy said. failed to withdraw LRS. (NDPS) Act. He said that due to the num- ber of fines being levied, many establishments are falling in line and are remov- HC allows KCR’s ‘adopted daughter’ Pratyusha... ing or covering the advertise- A country that ment boards that are installed Ilayaraja Continued from page 1 course and has got a job in a as a safety officer in a private activists from the clutches of against the rules. “It would be government hospital, the offi- firm. Pratyusha was rescued her step mother and father in great if the EVDM team can to meditate She completed a nursing cial said. Charan Reddy works by police and child rights 2015. remove the violations within does not respect... a week of the complaint,” the complainant said. in studio Continued from page 1 Matters like chief ministe- EVDM Director Viswajit Continued from page 1 rial candidate have to be dis- Kampati told The Pioneer, “If Gutka sale unabated in Nizamabad Asked if the superstar, who is cussed with other probable establishments repeat the The judge said that during slated to launch his political partners, he added. same mistake, we will be the time Ilayaraja is meditat- PNS n KAMAREDDY are hidden somewhere under- party next month, will come When asked about the taking appropriate action on ing inside the room, his neath the main display area forward to join hands with actor highlighting late chief them after a few reminders. belongings, kept in a separate Regardless of the ban on tobac- and are sold mostly to known him, Haasan only said "we minister and AIADMK We have sealed many estab- room at the same premises, co chewing products, the ille- customers. The illegal sale is have done so forty years ago," founder M G Ramachandran lishments that have contin- shall be removed by the gal sale of gutka and such pow- continuing regardless of the in an apparent reference to in his election speeches, ruf- ued to violate the rules. defendants after an invento- der packets continues unabat- periodical raids being con- their working together in fling the feathers of the ruling Hathway has been sealed just ry is prepared. ed in Erstwhile Nizamabad ducted by the authorities. many movies. party, and if he will also recall today. They have pending At the time of Ilayaraja's district at the cost of the pub- During the past one week, Haasan added "it is not others like the late DMK penalties cumulative of Rs entry to the premises, only lic health, especially the vulner- the police task force authori- necessary that friendship president M Karunanidhi, 1.20 crore." three people would be per- able youth in the age group of ties recovered lakhs worth should go away" if they the actor-politician said he mitted to accompany him – 19 to 25 years. Most of these gutka packets indicates the entered politics. will "do so at the appropriate HYDERABAD one personal assistant and banned tobacco products are flourishing nature of the ille- Earlier, the two had hinted time." BULLION RATES two music assistants. being secretly transported from gal trade. at working together in the The MNM chief also Ilayaraja has told the Court neighbouring states during Earlier, the government has field of politics. released what he claimed was GOLD that he would withdraw all night time every week. placed a ban on selling gutka To a question, he indicated a "bribe list" to be paid for pending suits before the lower The use of these unhealthy in the state. However, taking his party might lead a 'third various government services ` 51, 280 (10 gm) courts against the studio so products has been rising advantage of the porous bor- front' in the state for the in the state such as providing ` 330 that both can bury their dif- among the unsuspecting sec- ders with other states the 2021 Assembly elections, like- birth certificate and driving SILVER ferences and end the dispute tions of people whose aware- smugglers have resorted to ly to be held in April-May licence. ` 72, 600 (1kg) between them. The matter ness is found to be so little that ucts but, later on, some touch anywhere around Rs. 25 the illegal trade. Towns like next year. ` 1300 reached court after Ilayaraja they think these products are unscrupulous persons are crore every year. Medak, Nizamabad, Nirmal, was denied access to the not harmful to the extent of managing to smuggle them to Though there is a much Banswada and other towns Prasad studio citing renova- causing terminal illnesses. sell the same at much higher publicised ban, the small pan and cities get the supply from CHICKEN tion work in 2019. It is report- After the ban on these prod- rates. Considering the high shop keepers continue to sell neighbouring states. From RATES `/KG ed that the maestro's offer to ucts by the Supreme Court, returns involved, this trade is these products by collecting 50 these places, Kamareddy and lease the premises was also there was an initial lull period going on unchecked. The over- to 100 per cent more than the other towns and districts get Dressed/With Skin `151 rejected by the studio. in the sale of the gutka prod- all illegal sale is expected to wholesale price. These packets the supply of gutka. Without Skin `172 Broiler at Farm `104

EGG 1,500 mobile towers vandalised amid farmers'... RATES Continued from page 1 Reliance, snapping power sup- being threatened and made to or public property. Pointing out tion breakdown will be costly for `/100 ply, cutting cables of telecom flee have been widely circulat- that his government had not students, especially those HYDERABAD 495 A representative of the telecom towers and damaging infra- ed.The state police had not objected to, or stopped, peace- preparing for Board Exams and company said that the towers structure of the firm owned by taken action against the perpe- ful protests in the state, he said professionals working from VIJAYAWADA 519 have taken a hit due to physical Mukesh Ambani, seen as one of trators so far. damage to property and incon- home due to the Covid out- VISAKHAPATNAM 505 damage, power disruption or the major beneficiaries of the But today, the Chief Minister venience to people will not be break. Even banking services, RETAIL PRICE `4. 95 theft of generator. farm laws. In Jalandhar, some said he would not allow Punjab tolerated. largely dependent on online (IN HYDERABAD) Over the last week, farmers bundles of Jio's fibre cable were by plunged into anarchy or tol- Mr Singh also reminded the transactions now, are taking a have been venting anger against burnt. Videos of Jio employees erate destruction of any private farmers that such communica- major hit, he said.

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Obscene dance Crime rate in Rachakonda down by 12% in 2020 party busted at DURGA PRASAD SUNKU villa, 5 rescued n HYDERABAD Rachakonda SHE 200% increase in cyber crimes PNS n HYDERABAD Crime rate in Rachakonda has come down by 12 per cent PNS n HYDERABAD include arrest of Nigerian and teams avert 21 Police raided a villa here and in 2020 in comparison to the his accomplice from New Delhi arrested 11 people after bust- previous year, Rachakonda There is 200 per cent increase who cheated a victim to a tune child marriages ing an obscene dance party Police Commissioner Mahesh in cyber crimes in Rachakonda of Rs 30 lakhs in the name of PNS n HYDERABAD and rescued five women who M Bhagwat said here on Commissionerate limits. charity. "Rachakonda Cyber were allegedly dancing in an Monday. As many as 704 cyber crime Crime police is always Woman and child safety teams obscene manner, sources said Some of the major crimes cases have been reported in committed in safeguarding the of Rachakonda averted 21 child on Monday. including, grave property Rachakonda police netizens by spreading marriages and conducted 2,142 A police team raided the offences, chain snatching, commissionerate this year, as awareness in public about decoy operations this year. The villa in Keesara area on murders, robbery, automobile against 334 cases last year. Digital Hygiene as a preventive SHE teams have registered 277 Sunday evening and found a theft, rape, dowry deaths, kid- Customer care frauds in the measures l and by detecting the cases this year as against the gathering of people with the nappings, outrage the modesty name of insurance, dating saw cyber Crimes," previous year with 482 cases. women performing vulgar, of women, bodily and other highest number of cases (330) said Mahesh M Bhagwat. “To enhance the safety and obscene dances to music, offences had seen a drop. this year followed by social "In coordination with an NGO security of women, SHE teams police said. This year, as many as 20,641 media frauds (104 cases), End Now foundation we are have been introduced," said The party ahead of the cases of major crimes have online marketplace frauds (81) starting new initiative 'Cyber Bhagwat adding that 23 child New Year was organised by been reported as against the and others. Other cyber crimes Yodha' in the upcoming year, to marriages were stopped this an Area Manager of a seed 23,127 cases in last year. are classified into matrimonial, increase awareness among the year in rural areas. In addition to company for dealers in his Speaking at the annual press credit/debit card frauds, data students and people especially that, SHE teams of Rachakonda area as they are supporting conference, Bhagwat said, "We theft, visa frauds, Nigerian gift, youth in usage of social media police caught two child his business, they said. have ensured convictions in 51 lottery, loan and ATM cloning. and internet," Mahesh M trafficking cases of Bibinagar While 11 people, including per cent cases. Some of the Some of the important cases Bhagwat added. and Ghatkesar police stations. the organisers, were arrested, major cases include sensa- the five women were being tional serial killer case of sent to a protection home, Hajipur. Nalgonda POCSO have invoked PD act against 86 they added. court convicted the accused accused who are habitual Marri Srinivas Reddy with offenders. death sentence and life impris- Further to curb the menace AHTU goes all out on human, child traffickers onment in two cases respec- of ganja in Rachakonda com- PNS n HYDERABAD against Trafficking, a first-of-its- operations from both minor victim. The victims organisers who were running tively." missionerate limits, the police kind in the country, which commercial sexual exploitation belonged to Telangana, Andhra human trafficking network. A In a dowry deaths case of an have intensified the enforce- Anti human trafficking unit became operational in the month and labor exploitation were Pradesh, Maharashtra, West total of 89 organisers were air hostess Reetu Sareen, police ment against the peddlers. cracked 10 complicated human of September. In 100 days, the completed in 100 days. Working Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, arrested and produced before ensured that the accused hus- Around 25 cases were booked trafficking cases rescuing over unit cracked 10 complicated round the clock, the team did Karnataka and Bangladesh. Of the Court, 56 victims rescued band Sachin was convicted for illegal possession and 35 victims and apprehending 32 human trafficking cases rescuing intelligence gathering, the 12 victims rescued from from Telangana, AP, Jharkhand, with life imprisonment. transportation of ganja and human traffickers. The officials over 35 victims and conducting rescue operations labor trafficking, all of them UP, Delhi, Haryana. Total 17 Further, police ensured the drugs. The officials seized a also placed 10 notorious apprehending 32 human and followed up the cases until were minor boys below the age brothels houses have been accused in heinous gang rape large quantity of 2190 kgs of traffickers under Preventive traffickers and placed 10 charge-sheeted," said Mahesh of 16 years in hazardous sealed after obtaining orders of migrant worker has been ganja, 433 yaba tablets and 31 Detention (PD). Rachakonda notorious traffickers under M Bhagwat. Of the 24 victims industry. Meanwhile, from concerned RDOs and convicted for 20 years. vehicles besides arresting 59 police established Anti Human Preventive Detention. rescued from sex trafficking, 23 Rachakonda Police have booked other MROs in the limits of In addition to that police accused persons. Trafficking Unit on the World Day "Ten complicated rescue were adults and one was a around 41 cases against the Rachakonda Commissionerate. CITY LIGHTS ‘Be cautious and adhere The rise of Big C continues, A THING OF BEAUTY completes 18 yrs of operation to all preventive norms' The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority has ounder and Chairman-cum- beautified both sides of the arterial Tank Bund Road. Tank PNS n HYDERABAD Managing Director of Big C Bund’s footpaths are being laid afresh to last longer. Fmobile outlets chain M Balu Modern ducts are being provided for creating a proper Chowdary has said that the Governor Dr Tamilisai Sou- drain system to clear storm water, so that water-logging ndararajan stated on Monday festival offers announced by the does not remain an issue. Separate ducts are being retail chain have become that new strain of Covid was provided for electric cables, optical fibre and other cables transmitting fast in Abroad. popular with the customers and running through the sidewalks of the Tank Bund. helped Big C became more popular with them. He said that the Instead of getting panic, peo- prices of the mobiles in Big C outlets have been priced less than the ple need to be cautious and prices of online sale of mobiles. Moreover, the customer gets a luck adhere to all the preventive draw coupon, cash points and a gift.He said that the retail group has norms to break the chain. completed 18th year of operation and entering the 19th year. It The Governor was respond- started with just one showroom in Vijayawada and now extended to ing to a series of queries on every small town in Telugu state. It has showrooms even in Tamil twitter as part of her Responding to a query, Dr Nadu, he said. #AskDrTamilisaiGuv on Tamilisai Soundararajan said Monday evening between 4:30 that the genome reports of the pm and 5:30 pm. The new strain from the UK Governor, who herself is med- returnees were awaited. UoH Scholar selected as ical doctor, advised people to "I salute the government be extra cautious and follow all and our scientists for making Assam Civil Service officer the preventive norms like the vaccine possible. Vaccine maintaining distance, washing is only to prevent the spread. ruhid Rabha, pursuing PhD in the hands, using sanitiser, and It will develop the antibodies. School of Economics at the University the all important wearing Even those who have got Bof Hyderabad (UoH), has been mask to prevent the spread of affected earlier need to take selected as the Assam Civil Service (ACS) new strain of the Coronavirus. the vaccine,” she said. officer of the Assam Public Service Commission. The results for this 2018 batch were declared on 24 December. His merit rank stands at 48 among a total of 135 successful civil service candidates in Assam. Currently, with the UGC fellowship, Telangana logs 205 Hyderabad ranks top in he has been writing a thesis on the socio- economic and environmental impact of natural rubber plantation with special reference to Assam's Economy under the supervision of fresh corona cases consumption of chicken Professor Phanindra Goyari of School of Economics. Bruhid hails from a remote village of Bathan Para in Goalpara district of Assam. PNS n HYDERABAD avirus statewide between PNS n HYDERABAD Currently, his family is dependent on agricultural farming. Bruhid Saturday and Sunday taking has been a brilliant student since his school days. He obtained his In a dip in daily count, the total recoveries in the The city has ranked top in BA Economic (Major) degree from the Cotton University in Telangana reported just 205 state so far to 2,77,304 consti- terms of chicken consumption Guwahati in 2012 and an MA degree in Economics from the new Covid cases till 20:00 hrs tuting a recovery rate of 97.25 in November and December as University of Hyderabad in 2016. He obtained his MPhil degree in on Sunday taking the total per cent while the national Minor fire the Covid has shown the signs Economics in 2016 under the supervision of Prof Phanindra Goyari. coronavirus caseload in the recovery rate was 95.8 per of some let up in the state. state to 2,85,068 as on date. cent. The state now has 6,231 breaks out Nation's capital Delhi and The decline in infection active cases of coronavirus the garden city Bangaluru SBI MD lauds staff for their count during the last 24 hours including 4,136 individuals in ranked second and third was due to lesser samples test- home or institutional isolation, at furniture respectively in devouring on contribution during pandemic ing on account of Sunday the bulletin said. chicken. being a holiday. The state rep- During the last 24 hours, godown As the pandemic showed halla Srinivasulu Setty, MD orted two fresh fatalities due 27,244 samples have been test- some let up, the chicken con- cof State Bank of India on to Covid in the past 24 hours ed to detect the contagious PNS n HYDERABAD sumption in the city is put at Monday conducted Local pushing the total death toll in virus out of which the results 6 lakh kgs, followed by Delhi Board Meeting at LHO the state so far to 1,533 trans- of 369 swab samples were Fire broke out at a furniture with 5.5 lakh kgs and Hyderabad. On the occasion, lating a case fatality rate of 0.53 awaited. Since the outbreak of godown cum office located Bangaluru with 5 lakh kgs, he interacted with ground level per cent as against the coun- the coronavirus pandemic, on the second floor of a poultry traders say. functionaries in the State and trywide mortality rate of 1.4 67,50,954 Covid tests have building at Narayanguda on Poultry traders cite nutri- addressed officials through per cent. A total of 551 people been carried out in the state Sunday night. tional values including proteins varieties of chicken dishes in The city outskirts have many video conferencing and have recovered from coron- thus far. According to the fire offi- are very high in chicken. other towns and cities, poultry farms. Compared to felicitated top performers in cials, the fire broke out Moreover, chicken is affordable Hyderabad hotels churn out at other towns and cities, chick- business and operations in the State. Setty also inaugurated the around 11.30 pm on the by people of all income groups. least not less than 20 varieties en prices are less in the city. new premises of Regional Business Office at Kothagudem. Setty, upper floor of the building That is why the demand is on of chicken, leading to the peo- Moreover, the city exports while interacting with representatives of Officers’ Association and housing the Canara Bank at the rise with each passing day. ple enjoying their favourite chicken to northern states. Staff Union, appreciated profusely the contribution made by staff Narayanguda. The chicken sales have chicken dish. It is not an exag- While chicken sales 6 lakh during the Covid pandemic. Setty took pride on the commitment The bank is located on the increased in the wake of the geration to say that almost all kgs a day, mutton sales are put level of SBI people for ensuring uninterrupted service to customers ground floor. pandemic, but not the mutton variety of chicken dishes that at one lakh kgs a day. Com- across branches in India. He expressed condolences for 202 On noticing the smoke sales, according to statistics. are available across the globe pared to the chicken price, the precious lives of SBI staff, lost during pandemic, while serving the locals alerted the police and A survey conducted by the are available in Hyderabad. mutton price is very high. For customers. On this occasion, SBI donated at the hands of its immediately the fire control food delivery agencies say that Owners of various hotels, the cost of one kg mutton, Managing Director two Maruti EECO 7 seater vans to two room was informed. the residents of the city have who dish out many chicken three kg of chicken can be pur- orphanage homes -- Anadha Vidyarthi Gruha, LB Nagar & Abhi Sai Fire officials said that two been ordering their favourite varieties, say that the city is chased. Among other non- Dutta trust, Uppal under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fire tenders were rushed to chicken dishes online in spite home to food lovers and hence vegetarian items, consump- initiatives. the spot and a fire fighting of their hectic daily routine. availability of almost all vari- tion of fish and prawns has operation is being taken up. Compared availability of eties of chicken dishes. increased considerably. Teachers' woes continue despite ease in Coronavirus A CHANDRASHEKHAR RAO and some of them even dong district employ only 10 per jobs to provide a square meal to fees to lower middle class and n SANGAREDDY menial jobs to fend themselves cent of teachers and they are not their families. low-income children. Most and their families being paid full wages unlike in According to official esti- schools are on the verge of clo- Teaching is the noblest profes- According to the Telangana the past. It is clear that employ- mates, up to 80 per cent of pri- sure, with fees falling to 75 per sion among all and teachers are Private Teachers' Forum, there ers are not in a position to pay vate schools are budget schools cent, lack of new admissions, revered and considered next to are 12,000 government recog- full salaries to more than 2,000 with low fees. About 70 per cent rentals and administrative costs. parents. But, Coronavirus has nised private schools in the teachers working in private of private school students pay Hence, they are not paying sal- left them in the lurch. State. The Teachers' Unions schools in the joint Medak dis- less than Rs 1,000 per month aries to teachers. Though online Thousands of private teachers, said that the salaries of these trict. In this backdrop, many and 45.5 per cent less than Rs classes are being conducted, the who are dependent upon their teachers have not been paid for teachers are doing menial jobs 500 per month. Unlike corpo- attendance of students is very profession, have lost their jobs the past nine months. Most like watchmen and vegetable rate schools, these schools pro- low except for Class I and and changed their profession school owners across the Medak vendors. They are doing odd vide education at affordable among them, the fees is less. HYDERABAD | TUESDAY | DECEMBER 29, 2020 hyderabad 04 Makeover for Water Dept Uttam accuses KCR of PNS n HYDERABAD taking U-turn on farm laws

The State government has PNS n HYDERABAD revamped the Water Resources Department in tune with major Telangana Pradesh Congress changes that took place in the HRDCL officials Committee (TPCC) president field of Irrigation sector in the and MP N Uttam Kumar State. Chief Minister K work lauded Reddy on Monday accused Chandrashekhar Rao on Chief Minister K Monday held a meeting with PNS n HYDERABAD Chandrashekhar Rao of taking Water Resources Department a U-turn on the new farm laws officials at Pragathi Bhavan and Chief Secretary Somesh of BJP government. Speaking finalised the structure and Kumar on Monday compli- after hoisting party flag on the form of the department. mented the HRDCL officials occasion of party's 136th Under the restructuring, the for constructing missing Formation Day at Gandhi departments under the Major, link roads which has result- Bhavan, Uttam has strongly Medium and Minor irrigation ed in good connectivity in condemned KCR's decision to were all brought under one the city. The 12th meeting of wind up procurement centres umbrella and all the affairs of the Board of Directors of in villages. MP N Uttam Kumar Reddy hoisting party flag on the occasion of party's 136th the water resources under one Hyderabad Road He said those procurement Formation Day at Gandhi Bhavan in Hyderabad on Monday region were brought under Development Corporation centres were not new and they one officer to monitor. Limited was held under the were established by the previ- Accordingly, the posts of high- Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar and officials of Water Resources Department at a Chairmanship of Chief ous Congress regime and not By stating that farmers were free to er officials were also increased. meeting in Pragathi Bhavan in Hyderabad on Monday Secretary at BRKR Bhavan. by the TRS government. He sell their produce anywhere they like, The Chief Minster decided Chief Secretary directed said that the State Government the Chief Minister is directly to identify 19 Water Resources wings will have E-in-Cs exclu- Superintendents' posts are rains. Ministers Errabelli the officials to identify the should continue to buy agricul- regional Centres in the State sively. Among the regional increased from 187 to 238 and Dayakar Rao, Satyavathi dense traffic locations to tural produce at Minimum supporting Prime Minister Narender and each centre would be Chief Engineers, three were Record Assistants from 134 to Rathod, former Deputy CM construct more bridges Support Price (MSP). He said Modi's new farm bills, said MP Uttam headed by one Chief Engineer given the responsibilities of the 205. It is estimated that due to Kadiam Srihari, former across the Musi River to it was CM who imposed reg- as the monitoring officer. E-in-C. There are three E-in- revamping, additionally 945 Ministers C Laxmareddy, Jogu open up areas as it gives ulated farming and pushed Kumar Reddy Adilabad, Mancherial, Cs and newly three posts of E- posts are required. Ramanna, Government Whips huge impact on the develop- farmers into huge crises. Nizamabad, Kamareddy, in-C are sanctioned. With this Chief Minister said that irri- Balka Suman, Guvvala Balraju, ment of areas in the vicini- However, now KCR is blaming Jagtial, Karimnagar, the E-in-Cs number will be six. gation projects constructions MLAs KoneruKonappa, ty. the farmers for the losses. He of the Congress party for the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Ramagundam, Warangal, CE posts are increased from 19 had been taken up the govern- RekhaNaik, Athram Sakku, The Chief Secretary, while said that KCR's opposition to nation. He said that the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Mulugu, Sangareddy, Gajwel, to 22, SEs posts are increased ment in the state as a high pri- Hanmanth Shinde, Aruri reviewing the progress of new farm laws of BJP govern- Congress party not only Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy, Nalgonda, Suryapet, from 47 to 57, EE posts are ority item on the agenda. As Ramesh, Challa Dharma works taken up on Missing ment was fake. By stating that brought freedom for the coun- Damodaram Sanjeevaiah, PV Wanaparthy, Mahbubnagar, increased from 206 to 234, part of the important projects, Reddy, Sanampudi Saidi Links Project of HRDCL, farmers were free to sell their try from the British, but post- Narasimha Rao, Nijalingappa, Nagar Kurnool, Hyderabad, DEE posts from 678 to 892, the Chief Minister instructed Reddy, Government's Chief directed the officials to take produce anywhere they like, independence, it also played a Kamaraj, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Kothagudem and Khammam AEE posts from 2,436 to 2,796, the officials to complete a few Advisor Rajiv Sharma, Chief up more works in a planned KCR is directly supporting major role in nation building. Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul will be the regional Centres. Six Technical Officers from 129 to links on the fast track. Secretary Somesh Kumar, manner. The HRDCL has Prime Minister Narender He said many great leaders had Gandhi. Uttam said despite the Engineers-in-Chief are also 199, Assistant Technical offi- The Chief Minister instruct- Principal Secretary taken up 37 Missing Links Modi's new farm bills. He served as the Presidents of emergence of hundreds of polit- appointed and responsibilities cers from 173 to 242, Junior ed the officials to take up Ramakrishna Rao, Principal with an amount of Rs 313.65 announced that the Congress Congress party. They include ical parties across the country, are given. Technical Officers from 346 to repair works on a permanent Secretary (Water Resources crore in phase 1 of which 23 party would continue its fight Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. BR Congress party was still the largest General, Administration, 398, Non-Technical Personal basis for all the tanks that were Department) Rajat Kumar and links are in advance stage/ till farmers get justice. Ambedkar, Pandit Jawahar Lal party with its presence in almost Operation and Maintenance Assistants from 31 to 45. damaged during the recent others participated. nearing completion. Uttam recalled the services Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose, every nook and corner of India.

Leopard kills dogs Warangal CP in Peddapalli ‘Turn Rythu Vedikas as cautions people PNS n PEDDAPALLI procurement centres’ on cyber crime The movement of leopard PNS n WARANGAL on the outskirts of coal mines under the PNS n HYDERABAD built with the Central funds," Commissioner of Police P Ramagundam-I division he said. He demanded the Pramod Kumar advised the created panic among people Telangana BJP chief Bandi Chief Minister to reveal the loan seekers in and around Tribals celebrate in the surrounding villages Sanjay Kumar on Monday reasons behind Rs 7,500 crore Warangal district not to fall and colonies. The Singareni demanded Chief Minister K loss while purchasing crops prey to cybercriminals. Bonalu officials and workers found Chandrasekhar Rao to trans- from the farmers. On the In a press release issued the pug marks of the leop- form Rythu Vedikas as pro- other hand, the BJP corpora- here on Monday, he reiterat- PNS n JAYASHANKER ard, which killed curement centres. He alleged tors staged dharna at Tank ed that loan seekers should BHUPALAPALLY two dogs on that there is a conspiracy Bund alleging that the TRS not believe in fake loan links Sunday. Later, behind KCR's statement that raising curtains to another as they are being sent by Tribals celebrated Bonalu they informed he will remove procurement corrupt activity to lure the BJP cyber criminals to hoodwink with fervour and gaiety at the forest offi- centers. He said that the gov- corporators. you. "Petty vendors and Bodaigudem village in cials of the ernment is trying to confuse The BJP corporators, along those who are in dire need of Pulimela mandal of Peddapally district. Forest the farmers by removing pro- with party MLAs T Raja Singh money are falling into the Jayashanker Bhupalapally dis- officer Rahmatullah, along curement centers. and Raghunandan Rao, trap of cyber criminals. trict on Monday. Tribals offer with officials, reached the "The state government has alleged that both state govern- Hence, cybercrime police Bonam to Goddess Lakshmi spot and confirmed that been doing business with ment and State Election sleuths are intensifying raids Devara seeking Her blessings the footprints were those of farmers. Already there are Commission are insulting the across the district to crack the for their well-being. Scores of a leopard. Meanwhile, the discussions going on in the winning corporators by not whip against such criminals," tribals thronged Bodaigudem forest officer advised the state that KCR is a big liar. conducting mayor elections. he said. village from surrounding vil- people of surrounding vil- However, thanks to KCR for More so, TRS is trying to He cautioned the people lages and performed worship. lages and colonies to be understanding farm laws at attract BJP corporators, he not to give Aadhaar number On the occasion, they per- vigilant. last. Rythu Vedikas are being alleged. to anybody and inform 100, formed traditional dances or give a call to 9491089257 COURTESY and their culture came to to trap those who seek infor- Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao with V Sunitha Lakshma Reddy, the chairperson to the light with the display of tra- mation. CALL State Women's Commission, at Pragathi Bhavan in Hyderabad on Monday ditions. Shanker is dist KTR to visit Water released from chief of Toddy Tappers Assn Warangal on Jan 4 SRSP for Rabi crop PNS n PNS n JAYASHANKER WARANGAL Bhagiratha to all homes. PNS n KARIMNAGAR BHUPALAPALLY "So far, 21,000 connections In view of IT Minister KT were given and 24,000 more The project engineers had Maragoni Shanker Goud has Rama Rao's scheduled visit to are yet to be given in the city, released water from Sri Ram been appointed as the district Greater Warangal Municipal including the slums," he said. Sagar Project (SRSP) for cul- president of Telangana State Corporation limits on January The Minister asked the offi- tivation during Rabi on Toddy Tappers Association of 4, Minister for Panchayat cials under Re 1 tap connec- Monday. Farmers treat SRSP Jayashanker Bhupalapally. Errabelli Dayakar Rao tion scheme, to hasten the as a boon giver for the entire Shanker hails reviewed the arrangements pipelines development works. northern Telangana districts. from with government chief whip If necessary, he asked them to Irrigation officials released districts will get water from Damarakunta Dasyam Vinay Bhaskar and depute personnel from Rural 2,000 cusecs of water to the Lakshmi Saraswati canal, village in other party functionaries and Water Supply scheme and Kakatiya canal, 1,000 cusecs to Jagityla, Karimnagar and Kataram of the officials at his camp office. Mission Bhagiratha. the flood canal and 300 cusecs Peddapalli districts will get water district. State During his visit, the IT Minister Under the AMRUT scheme, to the Lakshmi canal. from Kakatiya canal. About president of Toddy Tappers will take part in a series of the Centre extended Rs 150 The flow will be increased 9.50 lakh acres have been strate- Association Venkanna Goud development programmes. crore so far, while the state to 5,500 cusecs for the gically stabilised under the issued orders in this regard. Reviewing the implementa- government spent Rs 170 Kakatiya canal and 3,000 Sriramsagar project, of which Later, he appealed to the new tion of decisions taken in a crore out of local bodies' cusecs for the flood canal. The the Sriramsagar project is to irri- chief to strive for the welfare meeting with KTR on funds. He said Rs 1,000 crore government has already fixed gate five lakh acres in the upper of toddy tappers. He further December 21, he said that as was spent under Mission release dates for rabi crops as stream of the Lower Manair pro- stated that Shanker Gound per the decisions arrived at the Bhagiratha in Warangal. The the Sriramsagar project has ject. It is already known that was chosen as he used to meeting it was decided to give Minister also discussed devel- ample water storage due to water is being released from the move closely with people as 45,000 connections in opment of parks, sanitation, good rains. Lower Manair reservoir to the he had worked as an MPTC Warangal city limits to supply town planning works and Nizamabad and Adilabad lower stream for rabi needs. of Damarakunta earlier. tap water under Mission other works with officials. No caste-based names for colonies in Anantapur PNS n VIJAYAWADA Harijanawada or Girijanawada. Vincent Ferror. Anantapur district collector Following the resolution, a Speaking to The Pioneer, Anantapur became the first committee of senior officials Gandam Chandrudu said that district in Andhra Pradesh to directed officials not to use was constituted to name the SC after verifying the Centre's do away with caste-based words like Dalits, Harijans or colonies after renowned free- guidelines issued in 1982, an names of residential areas. dom fighters and social order was issued to ban the In an important move Girijan in official activists. usage of Harijan/Girijan name towards social transformation, communications and instead Chandrudu ensured that all in all records including the villages and colonies with an the 390 SC colonies were names of villages and colonies exclusive population of only use SC/ST to define renamed in official records. As in February 2020. Scheduled Castes in Anantapur persons belonging to these many as 203 colonies were He also said that titles such district are being renamed named after Dr BR Ambedkar, as Mala Palle-Madiga Palle after freedom fighters and communities while the others were named were removed that degrades social activists. after Chandrasekhar, Azad, the particular community. The Anantapur district collector Girijan in official communica- those who violated the instruc- Netaji, Gandhi, Nehru, Mother names of these colonies were Gandham Chandrudu, who tions and instead only use tions. Teresa, Vallabhai Patel and changed after a proper meeting was moved by the discrimina- Schedule Caste/Schedule Tribe Further he made the district Gautam Buddha. Another 39 and resolution of the villagers, tion that the SC communities to define persons belonging to panchayat officers to make all colonies under the Rural later that will be informed to continue to face in the villages, these communities. village panchayats pass a reso- Development Trust were re- the gram panchayat to official- directed the officials not to use Chandrudu also warned of lution seeking a change of named either RDT Colony or ly change the name in the words like Dalits, Harijans or disciplinary action against their names form the existing after the RDT's founder records, he added. HYDERABAD | TUESDAY | DECEMBER 29, 2020 nation 05 ‘Central agencies being misused’ Delhi gets first-ever driverless

n PNS MUMBAI Raut said that the ED action reflected train on Magenta Line Launching a veiled attack on ‘frustration’ of the BJP against him, as PNS n NEW DELHI the BJP-led Central govern- he was instrumental in the formation ment after the Enforcement Inaugurating India's first-ever Directorate summoned his of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) driverless train operations on wife, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay government last year the Delhi Metro's Magenta Raut on Monday said Central Line on Monday, Prime agencies were being used as Minister Narendra Modi said "weapons" against family mem- Sabhaaffidavit. The ED woke MVA government to survive". his government unlike its pre- bers of those political oppo- up to this deal after ten years," The Maha Vikas Aghadi decessors has taken growing nents who cannot be won over. he wondered. government consists of the urbanisation as an opportuni- Raut told reporters that the Raut also suggested that Sena, the NCP and Congress. ty and asserted that metro ED action reflected "frustra- some BJP leaders speaking "I was told that 22 MLAs of train services will be extended tion" of the BJP against him, as against him since December 27 the Congress and the NCP are to 25 cities by 2025 from the he was instrumental in the for- used to frequent the ED office on the radar of Central agen- current 18. mation of the Maha Vikas (in south Mumbai) and "have cies who will be taken in and In his addresss via video- Aghadi (MVA) government taken away some papers from forced to resign. Shiv Sena conferencing, he said the grown from five to 18 now. an all-round strategy, he said. last year and didn't yield to the the office". MLA Pratap Sarnaik (who is launch of the driverless train By 2025, this is going to be The Regional Rapid Transit pressure to make it unstable. He declined to give any under the ED scanner in con- and start of the National extended to more than 25 System (RRTS) between Delhi Shiv sena will respond in the names. "When you can't fin- nection with a money launder- Common Mobility Card, also cities. and Meerut will reduce the dis- equal measure, he said."I have ish off your opponents politi- ing case registered against a inauguarated by him on "In 2014, only 248 km of tance between the two cities to been doing regular correspon- cally, weapons such as the ED firm) is just one such example. Monday, at the Airport Express metro lines were operational in less than an hour, he said, dence with the Enforcement or CBI are being uses blatant- "When nothing envisaged by Line of the Delhi Metro are an the country and today it is adding that for cities with fewer directorate (ED)for the last ly against their family mem- the BJP happened till attempt to make urban devel- about three times, more than passenger numbers, work is one-and-a-half months regard- bers," Raut said. November, which was deadline opment future ready. 700 kilometers. By the year being done on the MetroLite ing a Rs 50 lakh loan taken by had said on Sunday. then how can BJP leaders say The MP said he discussed set by the BJP for itself to top- He lamented that when 2025, we are working to version. MetroLite version my wife ten years ago from a The officials had said that so?" he asked. the issue with the Sena presi- ple the state government, chil- urbanisation gathered pace a expand it to 1,700 km," he said. would cost 40 percent less than friend to purchase a house," the Varsha Raut has been asked to Raut, the chief spokesperson dent and Chief Minister dren and wives of those who few decades ago, not much The prime minister assert- the normal metro while Metro Rajya Sabha MP said. appear before the federal of the Uddhav Thackeray- led Uddhav Thackeray. were associated with the for- attention was given to the ed these figures are a proof of Neo is being developed in cities He said all the details regard- agency in Mumbai. This is the party, said his wife is a teacher. "The ED is issuing sum- mation of the MVA govern- needs of the future with "half- ease of living in the lives of with less ridership. This would ing this loan had already been third summons issued to her "We are middle-class people. mons...The BJP is targeting ment are being targeted," he hearted" efforts being made crores of Indians and an evi- be built at the cost of 25 per- submitted to the ED during the after she skipped the earlier two My wife had taken a loan from me in its frustration. The Shiv claimed. and confusion persisting while dence of the fulfillment of the cent of the normal metro, he correspondence. on health grounds, they said. a friend 10 years ago to pur- Sena will respond in the equal He said there was no threat the gap between the existing aspirations of the citizens. said, adding that water metro The ED summoned Varsha "When the ED itself did not chase a house. Details have measure," he said. to the state government. infrastructure and needs grew. Metro rail is a great way to would be an out of the box Raut for questioning in the mention that the correspon- been given to the Income Tax Raut said the BJP had been "You send a notice or arrest us, Noting that urbanisation reduce pollution and has taken thinking for cities with large PMC Bank money laundering dence was regarding the PMC (department) and also men- pressurising him since the last the government will remain should not be seen as a chal- thousands of vehicles off roads, water bodies. Modi also case on December 29, officials Bank scam case and HDIL, tioned in my Raya one year "to not allow the stable," he added. lenge but used as an opportu- he said, adding his government emphasised on the importance nity to build better infrastruc- has formulated metro policy as of 'Make in India', a reference ture and enhance people's ease per the needs of a city and its to domestic manufacturing, in of living, he highlighted his working population. laying out metro services, say- INDIA CORNER government's works towards The government formulat- ing this reduces costs, saves for- Lockdown increased chess' this, saying the number of ed the metro policy for the first eign exchange and generates Farah Khan, Vikrant Massey's cities with metro rail has time and implemented it with more employment to people. social media accounts hacked popularity, says Anand Man arrested horeographer-director PNS n CHENNAI the life of an orphaned chess EC gearing up for Farah Khan and actor prodigy who rises to the top CVikrant Massey on Monday "Cruel as it may sound" but the while struggling with drugs for robbing said the security of their social COVID-19 lockdown was a and alcohol, has made chess media accounts has been boon for chess, feels five-time appealing to a younger gener- shopkeeper elections next year compromised and efforts are world champion Viswanathan ation with online searches PNS n NEW DELHI on to restore their profiles. Anand but he hopes the sport's for the sport and its practi- PNS n NEW DELHI Khan said while both her expansion into the online tioners hitting a new high. A 23-year-old man was West Bengal, Twitter and Instagram page space does not spell the end of Reputed chess website arrested for allegedly robbing The Election Commission Kerala, Tamil were hacked, she was able to the traditional board. chess.com declared that it's a shopkeeper after seeking successfully held assembly Nadu, Assam and reinstate the latter thanks to her husband, director Shirish Kunder. In an interview to PTI, the subscriber base shot up sig- change for a Rs 200 note in polls in Bihar, one of India's "My Twitter account has been hacked as of last evening. Please do 51-year-old maestro touched nificantly after the series's southeast Delhi's most populous states despite Puducherry are not click or reply if you get any message from it as it maybe used to upon a variety of subjects, release. Anand said he has Govindpuri area, police said the COVID-19 pandemic and due for elections hack into your account too..." she wrote in a photo message shared including the immense popu- liked what he has seen of it. on Monday. is now preparing to conduct next year on Instagram. Khan, known for directing films like "Main Hoon Na" larity of chess-based Netflix ments taking place. "I think it is pretty good. It The arrested has been polls in states and union ter- and "Om Shanti Om", also asked her followers to remain vigilant. drama 'The Queen's Gambit, Asked if there was a possi- is one experience of a chess identified as Vishal, a resi- ritories as per schedule next "This is true! My Instagram was also hacked and many DMs could his new role of a mentor to bility of it going online com- player. I feel that a lot of the dent of Saurabh Vihar in year, its chief Sunil Arora said have gone from it. Pls be vigilant. I've managed to restore Instagram youngsters and an upcoming pletely, Anand said, "I hope not tournament scenes are very Jaitpur, they said. summing up 2020. civil society organisations and thanks to computer engineer @shirishkunder. Hoping to get Twitter biopic on his remarkable career but I don't know...we will see accurate. The portrayal of According to a complaint The Chief Election individuals, and the support of reinstated too," the filmmaker wrote in the caption of the post. and life. what happens. It would be nice the tournament halls and filed with the police, Vishal Commissioner (CEC) pointed all stakeholders, including "Certainly chess is one sport to grow chess online but it players, a lot of that is very and his associate came to the out that the exercise involved political parties, and above all, Bina’s plea against Lalit's arbitration that has benefited during the would be a pity to move the accurate," he observed. grocery store of Shambhu nearly 7.3 crore voters and the voters themselves," he said. lockdown, cruel as it sounds. other lines." "...it is the biggest series on Kumar in Tughlakabad over 1.06 lakh polling stations. "As I have already men- proceedings maintainable: HC Actually we can build on that "We have to see what hap- Netflix and that tells you Village around 3.30 pm on "We were able to conduct a tioned, it was a leap of faith for and grow the sport," Anand pens once the situation with quite something. Maybe it Saturday and sought change COVID-safe election, with a the Commission, and not a The Delhi High Court has held said. the virus is under control. was the fact that people were for a Rs 200 note, police said. voter turnout of 57.34 per cent, leap in the dark," Arora said, that it has the jurisdiction to As most sporting action Whether it is a long-term sitting at home and somehow Kumar gave them two notes which was higher than the referring to the decision of decide a plea by late shut down because of the lock- trend or a short-term one I they were waiting for some- of Rs 100 in change, they 56.8 per cent turnout record- holding polls as per schedule. industrialist KK Modi's wife down when the pandemic don't know." thing like this. I don't know said. Efforts were on to nab ed during the previous election Some political parties had challenging her son Lalit Modi's spread, chess found new life Not just the lockdown, 'The but it has driven a boom in his associate Rocky, the in 2015," Arora told PTI. earlier urged the EC not to move to initiate arbitration online with several tourna- Queen's Gambit', a drama on chess. police added. This was also an election hold elections amid the pan- proceedings in Singapore over marked by enthusiastic partic- demic. Bihar assembly elec- property dispute of the family. ipation of women voters, who tions were the first full-fledged A bench of Justices Siddharth outnumbered men at the polls to be held amid coron- Mridul and Talwant Singh set AIMIM to tie polling booths, he said. avirus. Over 4 crore of the total aside the judgement of a single judge of the high court which had MP Cong MLAs stage silent The facility of postal ballots over 7 crore voters exercised said that it does not have the jurisdiction to adjudicate the anti- was extended to citizens above their franchise. T o arbitration injunction suits filed by Lalit Modi's mother Bina, his up with BTP the age of 80 years and persons ensure distancing norms, the sister Charu and brother Samir and they are open to take such pleas with disability. Besides this, the EC restricted the number of before the arbitral tribunal in Singapore.The single judge had said in Gujarat protest against farm laws EC also conducted elections voters per polling station to that an anti-arbitration injunction suit does not lie, so the pleas are PNS n AURANGABAD across several states for Rajya 1,000 from 1,200. This led to not maintainable, and dismissed.Bina, Charu and Samir, in two PNS n MUMBAI Sabha seats, and by-elections the increase in the number of separate suits, contended that there was a trust deed between the The AIMIM will contest local for nearly 60 legislative assem- polling stations. Similarly, in family members and the KK Modi family trust matters cannot be bodies' polls in Gujarat in Bhopal, Dec 28 (PTI) Madhya bly constituencies, he West Bengal, where elections settled through arbitration in a foreign country as per Indian laws. alliance with the Chhotubhai Pradesh Congress MLAs led observed. are due along with Kerala, Vasava-led Bharatiya Tribal by state unit chief Kamal Nath "All this was made possible Tamil Nadu, Assam and Party (BTP), the AIMIM's on Monday staged a silent through the zeal, commit- Puducherry next year, the Kerala Cong leaders demand Aurangabad Lok Sabha MP protest against the Centre's ment and dedication of lakhs number of polling stations Imtiaz Jaleel said. He said that new farm laws in front of of officials, security personnel, would go up by nearly 28,000. removal of non-performing DCCs his party planned to make an Mahatma Gandhi's statue in entry into Gujarat's political the Assembly premises here. oncerned over the party's theatre after tasting success The protest began with Nath poor showing in recent with five seats in the Bihar garlanding the statue of Ccivic polls, several Assembly polls, results of Gandhiji amid MLAs holding Congress leaders in Kerala which were declared on placards and toy tractors and have flagged various issues November 10. "We plan to shouting slogans denouncing including, the contest the local bodies' elec- the Centre. Narendra Saluja. "We will con- An earlier plan by the party need to change the working tions in Gujarat in alliance The decision to stage a silent tinue to extend support to the to arrive at the Assembly com- style of the state leadership and with the BTP. We do not have protest was taken since the ongoing farm agitation against plex in tractors was set to face sacking of non-performing a state unit as yet in Gujarat three-day winter session of the Centre's new laws," he hurdles from an order issued district units, ahead of the but there are AIMIM sup- the Assembly, set to begin on added. The winter session got by the district collector ban- assembly elections likely in April-May. Presenting a hordes of porters working in places Monday, was postponed due to postponed after 61 Assembly ning the movement of several complaints and concerns before an All-India Congress Committee like Ahmedabad and the coronavirus outbreak, said staffers and seven MLAs test- types of vehicles within a 5- delegation which was here on Sunday to examine the party's Bharuch," he said. state Congress spokesperson ed positive for the virus. kilometre radius. debacle in the crucial local body polls which the ruling LDF swept, the leaders wanted immediate intervention of the high command to address the issues, party sources said. There was also a general suggestion to give more representation for youth in the assembly polls. Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) political affairs J-K youths give up terror path for variety of reasons committee members, state-level office-bearers and DCC presidentswere among those who met the delegation headed by PNS n ANANTNAG (J-K) joined the ranks of terrorists a AICC general secretary (incharge of Kerala) Tariq Anwar. Officials said the Army has been couple of months ago,” an offi- There was the young man who focusing on surrenders and has had cial said. Efforts began to iden- surrendered after he spent a many successful counter-terror tify their families and get their Cross FIRs lodged as farmer, night on a tree to hide from a parents to appeal to them to bear on the prowl and felt his operations in the Valley, especially in surrender. paddy centre in-charge fight in UP militant recruiters had left him south Kashmir "Waghey's elderly father and to die and another, so moved mother made appeals to their ross FIRs have been lodged by the entreaties of his parents son and finally he came out and in connection with a quarrel that he laid down arms right in he encountered the bear. Details of his surrender are not surrendered before the troops. Cbetween two individuals at a the middle of an operation. "The bear ran after me and being divulged, said a senior We requested Mir's parents to paddy purchase centre in the The stories of the 17 recruits I managed to climb a tree. I was official. do the same and he, too, came Puwayan area here, police said to the militant movement who on the tree the entire day and In another incident on out and laid down his arms," an on Monday. A farmer, Charanjit took the decision to surrender night on an empty stomach December 22, troops of the 34 official said. There is a video Singh belonging to Mukimpur, their arms to the Army officials with a grenade in my hand. I Rashtriya Rifles received infor- capturing the moment of has filed a complaint with the this year are varied but their realised that our mentors are mation about the presence of Waghey's parents with their police alleging that when he subtext is the same – the desire year-old from the Valley was said. making fools of us," he is quot- two Lashker-e-Taiba terrorists son. It shows Waghey's moth- went to take the receipt for his paddy at the purchase centre, its in- to return to the mainstream. persuaded to join militancy by The disenchantment set in ed as saying in his interrogation at Tantraypora in Kulgam dis- er kissing him on the forehead charge Ashish Singh beat him up, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Officials said the Army has a local militant Abbas Sheikh. soon after, they said. The youth, report. trict. while the father reassures both Puwayan, Navneet Kumar Nayak said. However, Ashish Singh has been focusing on surrenders He was given a grenade and whose identity is being kept It was a turning point. He The two terrorists were iden- that the Army was there to pro- also alleged that Charanjit Singh assaulted him, he said. Cross FIRs and has had many successful designated a member of The under wraps, spent a night on gave up his arms at a nearby tified as Yawar Waghey and tect them and would take care have been lodged on the complaints of both the individuals, Nayak counter-terror operations in Resistance Front (TRF), a shad- a tree, tired, hungry and fear- Army unit in the interiors of Amir Ahmed Mir. of them. "...Tell them every- said. A video of the incident, which took place on Saturday, where the Valley, especially in south ow group believed to be a sub- ful of a wild bear who lay in south Kashmir. He was "As we launched the opera- thing and you will soon have both the individuals are seen engaged in a heated argument and Kashmir. sidiary of the banned Lashker- prowl. He had been roaming promised that he and his fam- tion, we came to know that meals with us," the father tells thrashing each other, has gone viral on social media, police said. Three months ago, a 24- e-Taiba terror outfit, officials the jungles of Kokernag when ily can now lead a normal life. both were locals who had the son. HYDERABAD | TUESDAY | DECEMBER 29, 2020 op nion 06 www.dailypioneer.com facebook.com/dailypioneer | @TheDailyPioneer | instagram.com/dailypioneer/ PAPER WITH PASSION The new warriors 2020 turned man into superman. Helming the frontline One nation, one election were our inspirational doctors and healthcare workers t is said that Marvel Comics was working on creat- ing a new superhero team called New Warriors when The EC may be ready for simultaneous polls but the Govt itself is indecisive ICOVID-19 hit the world and ended the Hollywoodian magic spinner’s dream. But without the pandemic, would about it, knowing the difficulties of handling hung Assemblies simultaneously man have discovered that superman was within him? Or that no martial valour could make up for the heal- er’s miracle that just about saved the human race from giving up hope? For fighting the Coronavirus, which has mutated with Frankensteinish zest, was no less than war. And the doctors, nurses and healthcare workers who gave back countless lives, weren’t ever trained for a glob- PRIYADARSHI DUTTA al war of this nature. These dedicated and selfless pro- eplying to a private news fessionals were undoubtedly the new warriors this year, ceaselessly fighting a still unknown channel’s query on “one enemy, dying at the frontline and getting back up, living to fight another day. Yet their story nation, one election”, Chief Election was never as lionised as that of legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan contracting and recov- CommissionerR (CEC) Sunil Arora ering from COVID-19. We still not do full justice to the doctors, rarely talking about the pithily said that the Election long hours they continue to put in to revive the sick or forget that while we rebel against Commission was ready for it if the legislature (Parliament) carries COVID fatigue, they cannot even afford to slip up for even a moment as the virus recoups out the necessary (constitutional) and attacks in waves. The doctors have no time to regroup; they carry on with extreme amendments. The Election grace under pressure and with depleting numbers as many of their own fall along the Commission was not authorised way. And with a healthcare system that infrastructurally offers little backup, the doctors to decide on it, he clarified. The amendments that the have only showed rare courage under fire. Their stories are an embodiment of human- CEC was referring to were per- ism in cynical times. Some of them have worked non-stop for weeks on end, some have haps Article 83 (2) and 172 of the never seen family for months while others have not stopped reporting for critical care Constitution of India which per- tain to durations of the House of despite having co-morbidities themselves. Doctor-nurse parents have still not hugged their People and State Assemblies, children almost a year after the pandemic as they have not been let off their rotational respectively. At present, they COVID rosters. Worse, overstressed and overworked, most continue to work at almost enjoy a term of “five years from the date appointed for its first 50 per cent pay cuts as a lull in admissions has forced big hospitals to cut costs. And meeting”. At any given time, dif- in a gross travesty of justice, healthcare professionals, who died in the line of duty, have ferent State Assemblies would be left behind kin who are running from pillar to post to get the compensation promised to in different stages of their life cycle. No elected Government them under the Prime Minister’s Garib Kalyan package. The wife of a Chandigarh-based would voluntarily like to give up doctor, who succumbed to the deadly disease, committed suicide as she was driven to the term even a day earlier than panchayats and municipalities of the Fifth Lok Sabha was general elections. The Election concluded that simultaneous penury and no relief came to her even six months after the compensation was promised is absolutely necessary. However, also enjoy five-year duration extended until 1977 under Commission has 23.3 lakh Ballot elections are not feasible in the at present, the President of India under Articles 243 E and 243 U, Article 352. Thereafter, the Units, 16.35 lakh Control Units near future. However, citing to her. And how did the society repay its debt? By shunning doctors in their neighbour- under Article 85 (2) (b) can dis- respectively, of the Constitution Sixth, Seventh, Ninth, Eleventh, and 17.4 lakh VVPAT machines, that under Sections 14 and 15 hoods as potential carriers of infection, denying rentals and looking at them with suspi- solve the Lok Sabha. The of India. However, there are no Twelfth and Thirteenth Lok including those blocked in elec- of the Representation of the cion. Yet for all the doctors’ discontent and agitations that the media reports, there is their Governor of a State, under Article clear-cut constitutional provi- Sabha were dissolved prema- tion petition cases. A majority of People Act, 1951, the Election 174 (2) (b), can dissolve a legisla- sions to dissolve these local turely. On numerous occa- these were procured over the Commission can notify elec- reassuring companionship and commitment that every COVID survivor acknowledges. tive Assembly. bodies prematurely. sions, various States went under preceding three years. In reply tions to the Lok Sabha and State Sadly, only the affected could see them for what they were. It is, therefore, disconcert- Prime Minister Narendra In 2015, the department- the President’s rule under to another question (vide legislative Assemblies six ing that nobody bothered to champion the concerns of our distressed healthcare givers, Modi’s idea of simultaneous elec- related Parliamentary Standing Article 356, and came out of it unstarred question 5198 dated months prior to the end of their tions is apparently more compre- Committee of Personnel, at different times through fresh July 24, 2019), the Minister natural term, it suggested hold- who should be our national heroes. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has been cru- hensive. The BJP’s election man- Public, Law and Justice had legislative elections. replied that the Election ing elections in two phases. It sading that all doctors who had died, almost 400 at last count, should be given martyrs’ ifesto, “Sankalp Patra-2019”, examined the issue of The committee found that Commission had procured implied that elections to some status. But the Government appeared insensitive when Minister of State for Health Ashwini pitches for simultaneous elec- “Feasibility of Holding seven out of 16 Lok Sabhas 13.95 lakh Ballot Units and legislative Assemblies could be tions to Parliament, State Simultaneous Elections to the elected in 1969, 1977, 1980, 10.55 Control Units between held along with the Lok Sabha Kumar Choubey told Parliament that no data about dead healthcare workers was main- Assemblies and local bodies with House of People (Lok Sabha) 1984, 1996, 1998 and 1999 2016 and 2019 at an estimated polls, and others in the mid- tained at the Central level as health is a State subject. Are we as a nation abdicating our a view to “reducing expenditure, and State Legislative witnessed premature dissolu- cost of `2056.20 crore (exclud- term of the Lok Sabha. The conscience? For, if the IMA is to be believed, no nation has lost as many doctors and ensure efficient utilisation of the Assemblies”. From Report tion. The Anti-Defection Act, ing taxes and transport). Standing Committee recom- healthcare workers as India. It has even quantified their threat levels, saying: “Doctors Government’s resources and secu- No.79 of the Standing 1985, that prevented switchover The Election Commission mended the plan to be initiat- rity forces, and effective policy Committee — tabled in both by breakaway factions in case knows the template of handling ed with effect from November suffer four times the mortality of ordinary citizens and private practitioners suffer eight planning”. The manifesto states Houses of Parliament — on the Government loses majori- simultaneous elections. The 2016. The Government sat over times the mortality on the same scale. To feign that this information doesn’t merit the that the BJP will try to build con- December 17, 2015, it appears ty, has a direct bearing upon the 2019 general elections were the report for more than two attention of the nation is abominable.” sensus on this issue with all polit- that political parties were divid- term of the legislature. held simultaneously along with years before sending it to the ical parties. However, no attempt ed on the subject. In their writ- Putting the clock back to elections to four legislative Law Commission. The Law But they have been an inspiration to ordinary Indians. Consider the funeral service work- at “consensus building” appears to ten submissions, the AIADMK, 1952 might not be easy. But a Assemblies like Andhra Commission’s report has not ers who ensured the dignity of the dead and gave solace to families who were robbed of have been undertaken by it so far. DMDK, Asom Gana Parishad, more important question is, Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal been finalised as of date. In fact, their last farewell. Remember the essential service providers who made the pain of the The Election Commission of the Indian Union Muslim how desirable would it be? The Pradesh and Odisha. However, after the 21st Law Commission’s India’s authority to conduct elec- League and the Shiromani proposal comes with attendant the Election Commission’s tenure ended on August 31, lockdown bearable, rushing supplies in the middle of curfews and sealed borders. Spare tions extends over the House of Akali Dal supported the idea, logistical and expenditure chal- inventory of EVMs and 2018, there is no clarity about a thought for the bankers who enabled seamless processes and online transactions. Or People (the Lok Sabha), Council though with certain riders. On lenges. In terms of numbers, the VVPAT machines, though in the Law Commission itself. those who spearheaded the digital revolution and created a parallel universe for us to retain of States (the Rajya Sabha), State the other hand, the Indian Election Commission of India excess to the requirement for This has recently resulted in a legislative Assemblies, legislative National Congress, Trinamool has Electronic Voting Machines general elections, might be public interest litigation being our sanity and the human connect, if not touch. And a word for the policeman, who apart Councils, the President and the Congress, the NCP, the CPI and (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable quite insufficient for holding filed in the Supreme Court. from wielding lathis to manifest the extra powers he had been invested with during the Vice-President of India and so on. the AIMIM opposed the idea as Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) simultaneous elections all over At present, “one nation, crisis, did turn into the neighbourhood friend . S/he would check on old people, ensure It has been constituted under impractical. machines in excess to the num- India. The older EVMs, which one election” seems more of a Article 324 of the Constitution of The first general elections ber required for the Lok Sabha have outlived their lifespan, rhetoric than a resolution. Even deliveries to the recipients in containment zones and generally see to it that all were secure India. The offices of the Chief to the Lok Sabha and to the elections. In reply to a question have to be retired and replaced. the ruling party knows well that and safe. Perhaps these people inspired common Indians to turn into Samaritans them- Electoral Officers in all States and State Assemblies were held in the Lok Sabha (vide unstarred This would mean (a) signifi- it would be difficult to tackle selves. There are countless stories of groups helping returnee migrants with food and sup- Union Territories are part of the simultaneously in 1952. The question 1911 dated July 3, cant enhancement, if not dou- the situation if simultaneous Election Commission. The elec- practice continued in three 2019), Law Minister Ravi bling, in the number of EVMs elections result in hung plies, community endeavours of feeding the sick and the quarantined and, most signifi- tion to local bodies like panchay- subsequent elections in 1957, Shankar Prasad informed the and VVPAT machines avail- Assemblies in four or five cantly, individuals sharing their resources despite little earnings and joblessness. Interestingly, ats and municipal corporations/ 1962 and 1967. However, the House that 14.88 lakh Ballot able; (b) augmenting storage States simultaneously. people watched the original TV adaptation of Ramayana with great passion through the municipalities, on the other hand, synchrony got disturbed due to Units and 11.3 lakh Control facilities for these during elec- (The writer is an author and are conducted by the State the premature dissolution to Units (constituting an EVM) tions (strong rooms) and per- independent researcher based in lockdown when even Bollywood failed to think of new diversions. In retrospect, could peo- Election Commissions constitut- some legislative Assemblies in and 11.59 lakh VVPAT manently (warehouses). New Delhi. The views expressed ple have been affected by the Hanuman syndrome, the character underrated most of the ed under Article 243K. Moreover, 1968 and 1969. Later, the term machines were used in the 2019 The Standing Committee are personal.) time under the luminescent glow of divinity but crossing all limits to deliver what is need- ed, without being asked? The word Hanuman means killing the “maan” or ego. In times that tested us, a few of us rose to the occasion. And became Corona warriors! S O U N D BITE The first Metro was start- The Opposition has united I read an article about Lal The reason players opt for a ed with Atalji’s efforts. In to rescue Pakistan from the Bihari Mritak years ago and review is because they're 2014, only five cities had inefficient PTI Government. I was touched. I researched unhappy with the on-field Metro services. By 2025, The people of Pakistan about him and felt that his umpire’s decision. The DRS Don’t drink, stay warm we will take it to more must similarly unite to story deserved to be told. I system needs to be thorough- than 25 cities. save the country. wanted to do that myself. ly looked into by the ICC. Why is the Indian Meteorological Department advising North Prime Minister PPP chairperson Actor and filmmaker Former India skipper Indians to not drink? Well, there is some actual science to it —Narendra Modi —Bilawal Bhutto —Satish Kaushik —Sunil Gavaskar t is the season of festive cheer! As we bid adieu to one of the worst years in recent memory, we L E T T E R S T O TH E EDITOR Ishould ideally do so with a peg of rum. But the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) is advising Blot on Kerala’s name Indo-UK cooperation North Indians in particular to not drink at all in the SC order favouring flat buyers is welcome Sir — United Kingdom (UK) cold weather as the plains experience the coldest win- Sir — It is really shocking that in he recent verdict by the Supreme Court in favour Prime Minister Boris Johnson, by ter in almost a decade. This is not some crazy pre- an alleged honour killing case, a of apartment buyers is a welcome development. accepting India’s invite to be the young man was murdered by his TApart from the builders to pay to the buyers an annu- chief guest at the next Republic cursor to prohibitionism, but based on actual scien- wife’s relatives in Kerala, and al interest on the flat’s cost for the period of delay in its Day parade in New Delhi, has tific fact. While the story of Swiss ski rescuers with what makes it more horrendous delivery, in addition to the meagre monthly per square pleased a host of nations, and St Bernard dogs with a small case of brandy or cognac is that this crime took place in a foot penalty mentioned in the apartment buyers’ agree- rubbed a few the wrong way. State known for its literacy rate ment, there are many other factors that should be set- That it would be his first on their collars is true, the fact is that alcohol dilates and progressive nature. A simi- tled in favour of buyers. official tour abroad after exiting the capillaries in the body. While that does help in get- lar incident had occurred a year The factors needed to be addressed imperatively the European Union indicates ting some warmth into your fingers and toes, it is actu- ago in the State which boasts of include that the pricing should be on the basis of car- the importance attached by gender and social equality and is pet area and not built-up or super built-up area. Even him to the Indo-UK coopera- ally counter-productive as it takes away heat from the core of your body. If you remem- well known for its political and though RERA has ordered this, there is no transparen- sites, saying that they do not offer loans for purchas- tion. Both nations are tradition- ber your secondary school biology, you will know that the core of the body is what social consciousness. cy. The carpet area should strictly be 25 per cent lower ing units from these builders. ally bound together through has to retain temperature so that your organs can function normally; lose too much Kerala is the birthplace of than the super built-up area. The builders must disclose Additional expenses such as GST, stamp duty, home areas of common interest. one of the greatest reformists our the carpet area and loading factors of all the units on loan processing fee, registration charges and all other Mutual trust has always been core temperature and, no matter how warm your fingers, hypothermia will set in and nation has seen — Sree Narayana their websites as well as on the brochures. charges should be disclosed by the builders. A certifi- the glue that has firmly held your body will slowly shut down. So, yes, the advice to steer clear of too much alco- Gurudev, who devoted his entire There should be no permission granted for any cate should be issued by the builders that they are fol- together the two countries. hol, or alcohol altogether, is based on facts. And, of course, since drinking is in essence life for the uplift of the downtrod- change in the layout once the initial plan is exhibited to lowing the National Green Tribunal’s regulations as well An early harvest deal and a den and put an end to casteism the buyers. The soil quality and topography of the land as ensuring that the buildings are at least 100 metres free trade agreement are expect- a social activity, drinking less also means that you socialise less, which is not a bad and communalism during the on which the houses are constructed have to disclosed away from water bodies and high tension wires. ed to be inked by Johnson and thing especially in these unsafe times of Corona outbreak. early period of the last century to the buyers. Nationalised banks should list the builders Vijay Kumar HK PM Narendra Modi. The Sure, that does not mean that you can’t enjoy a glass of warm rum toddy but if and paved the way for a highly with a bad reputation and exhibit the same on their web- Raichur “Enhanced Trade Partnership” is literate, enlightened and progres- all set to see the light of the day you do drink make sure that you keep yourself warm and do not indulge in drunken sive society which later became Be truly self-reliant if the country with the highest sake of making announcements. as also a decade-long roadmap bravado where you take your jacket or sweater off. It is predicted to be very cold in a role model for the nation. Sir — India is the second most percentage of youth is unable to The unemployment scenario between the two countries. After the coming weeks, and several places in North India are already reeling under mini- Such shameful incidents tar- populated country in the world direct them and offer them is getting worse. If India gets to the pandemic, India and the UK mum temperatures below the 5°C-mark. In such harsh conditions, keeping the body nish the good reputation of the with nearly 1.35 billion people. employment? It seems surpris- use her own youth’s brainpower, seem committed to reinvigorat- State and its people whose pro- Not only after the lockdown but ing that the results of an elec- that would be the true definition ing the badly affected economy warm is essential. Wear warm clothes, drink warm tea and coffee or, better still, hot gressive thinking, passion for before that too, India was a tion pop up everywhere but the of becoming self-reliant rather through each other’s largesse. chocolate besides ensuring that you take your vitamins through the plentiful winter universal literacy and robust wholesale market of unem- results of competitive exams than using the technologies of Ganapathi Bhat fruits and juices. Remembering your basic biology is important; yes, this has been public healthcare system have ployed youth. hardly make it to the news. The other countries and calling it Akola always earned wide praise. This sorry state clearly begs promises of employment seem developed and digital India. a bad year thanks to the Coronavirus but you should not let the year end with you M Pradyu the question, which type of to be made just for adding Aman Jaiswal Send your feedback to: being cold and miserable. Stay safe, stay warm and stay healthy into 2021. Kannur self-reliant India do we wish for beauty to manifestoes or for the Delhi [email protected] HYDERABAD | TUESDAY | DECEMBER 29, 2020

www.dailypioneer.com analysis 07 FIRSTCOLUMN Many challenges POINTCOUNTERPOINT THE BJP SAYS THAT FARMERS WILL BE ABLE TO SELL COME TO MY OFFICIAL RESIDENCE AND I WILL lie ahead THE CROP OUTSIDE THE MARKET. BUT OUTSIDE IT IS EXPLAIN THE FARM LAWS TO YOU. LET’S DO SOLD AT HALF THE PRICE. HOW IS THIS A BENEFIT? CONSTRUCTIVE POLITICS FOR FARMERS’ BENEFIT. By and large, 2021 is expected to be a mixed bag —DELHI CHIEF MINISTER —BJP MP with some good and some bad news, not only for ARVIND KEJRIWAL MANOJ TIWARI India but also for the world Many a slip... KALYANI SHANKAR It is natural to expect an economic rebound in FY 2021-22. But it is vital to take a pragmatic he famous French astrologer, physician and prophet Nostradamus had predicted that 2021 would be catastrophic, as the pandem- view based on an objective assessment of how the situation unfolds on ground zero Tic would rage on, though many optimists expect it to be better than 2020. When the contagion hit the world, it was most unexpect- ed and many countries, even in the developed world, were unprepared to face the pandemic. One year down the line, governments around the world and the people, too, are much better prepared to face the continued onslaught of the COVID-19 outbreak. Fortunately, some coun- tries, including India, have come up with vaccines to combat the virus. Nostradamus had predicted that the world economy would col- lapse and “the rich would die many times.” Importantly, the work from home culture will continue in the new year too. It will be a year of challenges, particularly for governments. The biggest challenge for the Narendra Modi Government would be dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak. It will not be easy to ensure that the 1.3 billion people of UTTAM GUPTA the country get the vaccine in time. Particularly as India lacks the cold chain infrastructure to keep the vaccine effective and safe for users. he green shoots seen in October, in partic- This gap has to be bridged urgently. Even though the COVID warriors ular the rise in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) by 3.6 per cent, have have done an excellent job till now despite many constraints, they will T prompted agencies to revise their growth assess- face many more challenges in the times to come. ment for the current financial year (FY) from the The second challenge is to find more money to deal with the minus 9.5-10.5 per cent projected earlier to minus Coronavirus in the 2021 Budget as there is an urgent need to improve 7.5-8.5 per cent, now. For the FY 2021-22, when healthcare facilities, particularly in rural areas. the impact of the virus is expected to subside to The third challenge is the sliding economy. Many economists pre- a large extent due to the availability of the vac- dict that 2021 will be a bad year not only for India but also for the cine, it is only natural to expect an economic entire world. The Economist Intelligence Unit predicts that fiscal con- rebound. However, it is necessary to take a prag- ditions are likely to be weak in India in 2021 owing to the strains faced matic view based on an objective assessment of by the banking sector. This will lead the economy to register a dou- how the situation unfolds on ground zero. To begin with, the Gross Domestic Product ble-dip recession. The Reserve Bank of India had also projected that (GDP) growth had already started sliding from the Gross Domestic Product would contract by 9.5 per cent in the the third quarter (Q3) of the FY 2018-19 and con- current financial year amid disruptions caused by the pandemic and tinued all through the FY 2019-20, culminating it may turn positive in the last quarter (January to March). in a low of three per cent during its last quarter Even though credit rating agency Moody’s had said that “India’s ending March 31. During the whole of 2019-20, credit profile is increasingly constrained by low growth, a high debt the growth plummeted to a decade low of 4.2 per burden and a weak financial system”, it expects India’s economic growth cent, down from an average 7.5 per cent record- to rebound to 10.6 per cent in the fiscal year 2021-22 on a strong ed in the previous five years. base effect. A nationwide lockdown in March dwelt a The fourth challenge is to find jobs for the millions who lost their body blow by bringing most of the economic activities to a grinding halt. As a result, there was livelihoods due to the extended lockdown. Added to that is the migrant a precipitous decline in GDP growth by 24 per labour issue as many of those who walked back home after the lock- cent during Q1 of the current FY ending June 30. down are yet to come back to the cities. The fifth challenge is to tack- The slide continued during Q2 ending on GOING and November. These packages inter stimulus package. For instance, `75,000 to come from the Centre and States each le the growing farmers’ unrest. Thousands of farmers from about 11 September 30, though the deceleration was FORWARD, alia targeted MSMEs (micro, small crore under PM-KISAN, `90,000 crore (balance 22 per cent by the private sec- States have marched to Delhi and are protesting since November 26. modest at 7.5 per cent (courtesy the graded exit A BIG PUSH and medium enterprises), NBFCs, to PDCs to enable them to clear their tor). This translates to `8,00,000 crore Modi is facing his biggest challenge from the farmers’ lobby that wants from the hard lockdown). TO GROWTH power distribution companies (PDCs), pending dues to power generators, annually by the Centre and State each. the Centre to repeal the three farm laws passed by Parliament. Politically, However, the crucial point is that even if migrant labour, agricultural credit, the `65,000 crore to clear pending subsidy But there is no blueprint on how these growth rebounds to the seven per cent-10 per cent DURING 2021-22 lower middle class, agriculture infra- dues to fertiliser manufacturers and so resources will be garnered. Even so, the BJP-led NDA will be in a much stronger position in Parliament. It COULD BE HIT BY will provide the BJP the leeway to further its political agenda with greater range, the resultant GDP would have merely recu- structure and farm reforms, structural on. Second, of the total package of given the current financial health of ` CONTINUING ` manoeuvrability and attempt more reforms. However, while such perated to the 2019-20 level or about 14,500,000 reforms in coal, minerals, civil aviation, 30,00,000 crore, the actual outgo by banks with ballooning non-performing crore or $2.1 trillion. The Union Budget for 2020- VULNERABILITIES defence, fertilisers and the Mahatma way of budgetary support is just about assets, they don’t have the wherewith- reforms will support medium-to-long-term growth, in the short term 21 was prepared with an overarching focus on OF BANKS Gandhi National Rural Employment `4,00,000 crore. Out of this, a major al for financing on this scale. weak economic conditions and tensions might continue. making India a $5 trillion economy by 2024-25, AND NBFCS, Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), health slice of `1,50,000 crore is for providing Put shortly, there is too much A major political challenge will be the Assembly polls scheduled a target that Prime Minister Narendra Modi set OVERLEVERAGED and the State Governments’ resources free food — five kg per person per focus on packaging but too little from in five States amid the pandemic. The poll-bound States include Assam, at the start of his second inning in May 2019. AGENCIES and public sector reforms. Together with month to over 80 crore people covered the Government by way of budgetary West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry. Essentially it is the To reach there, the economy needed to grow IMPLEMENTING the RBI’s support, including on-tap under the National Food Security Act support. On the other hand, even as the fight between the BJP and the regional satraps. The stakes are high close to 20 per cent per annum consistently over Targeted Long Term Repo Operations (NFSA) and one kg pulse per household RBI has pumped too much money into PROJECTS SUCH ` for both, the regional satraps and the BJP which wants to capture a period of five years — a rate never seen before AS THE NATIONAL (TLTROs) of 1,00,000 crore to 16 crore households. Being help in the loan tap, with the fundamentals of West Bengal and expand in the South by improving its position in Tamil even in a single year. It was totally unrealistic. announced on October 11, these add to kind, it does not put cash in the hands demand being weak, there are not Now, with the setback of 2019-20 and 2020-21 HIGHWAY a grand total of nearly `30 lakh crore of beneficiaries; hence it does not many takers. Loan sanctions and dis- Nadu and Kerala. Naturally, there will be political regroupings. The polls AUTHORITY OF will decide the fate of the new entrant superstar Rajinikanth in Tamil and India likely to remain stuck at $2.1 trillion or 15 per cent of the GDP. boost demand. bursements have also been affected due during 2021-22, the target of $5 trillion by 2024- INDIA AND THE This is in addition to the demand Third, an overwhelming share of to inherent weaknesses of NBFCs (they Nadu. It will decide the fate of the Congress too, whether it will improve 25 is unrealistic. For now, we need to analyse the INABILITY OF THE boosters announced in the Budget pre- the stimulus is in the form of loan from are mostly into giving loans to MSMEs or slide down even further in political relevance in the country. reason behind the slowdown during these two GOVERNMENT TO sented on February 1. Those included banks and Financial Institutions (FIs). and individuals). Some of the big ones As for foreign policy, Nostradamus predicted that in 2021 there years apart from the COVID-19 impact. The two IMPLEMENT inter alia changes in personal income For instance, `3,00,000 crore to MSMEs such as Dewan Housing Finance would be a possibility of creating a union between India, China, Britain determinants of growth are demand (this includes LONG-PENDING tax to leave more money in the hands or identified stressed sectors under the Corporation Limited, Infrastructure and Russia. As it is, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will visit India private consumption, Government demand and REFORMS of individual assesses, abolition of Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Leasing & Financial Services Limited as the Republic Day chief guest in January. But most visits of foreign exports) and investment. Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT), Scheme (ECLGS), loan of `75,000 and so on, have gone bust. dignitaries have been stopped as the new norm is virtual meetings. During 2019-20, thanks to the massive loss concessions for MSMEs (including crore loan to NBFCs, housing finance Going forward, a big push to Despite that, the new year might see fresh strategic tie-ups and trade of jobs and declining incomes, even as private innovative steps for timely payment of companies (HFCs), microfinance insti- growth during 2021-22 could be hit by challenges emerging. New Delhi will continue its diplomatic engage- consumption suffered, an increase in Government their dues and increase in financing tutions (MFIs), `30,000 crore addition- continuing vulnerabilities of banks and ments with more vigour. spending failed to offset this loss. A number of especially through “invoice financ- al emergency working capital (upfront) NBFCs, overleveraged agencies imple- fiscal measures announced by Finance Minister ing”), start-ups, exporters and the real to farmers for crop loans from the menting projects such as the National Engagement with big and small powers will continue in 2021 Nirmala Sitharaman in August/September 2019 estate sector. National Bank for Agriculture and Highway Authority of India and the despite COVID. Indo-US relations will continue to be warm as the new (steep reduction in corporate tax, tax refund to Given the canvas of the Rural Development (NABARD) and so inability of the Government to imple- Joe Biden Administration is expected to be friendly to India. The US exporters, sops for the real estate sector, support reforms/measures and the “seemingly” on. ment long-pending reforms. This would President-elect might ease visa regulations as he had promised that to housing finance companies and so on) besides large quantum of money promised for The impact thereof is only to the include failure to implement land and before the presidential elections. Biden might also address trade-relat- monetary policy support, including reduction in all affected segments, it is only natural extent these facilities are actually availed farm reforms, the inability to make ed issues. The diplomatic strength at the Permanent Mission of India the repo rate by 1.35 per cent, failed to provide to expect a rebound of the economy of. Here, one is reminded of the proverb direct benefit transfers of fertiliser and to the United Nations is being enhanced as India readies to sit in the the required demand boost. after the impact of the pandemic is “there’s many a slip between the cup and power subsidy, enforcement of con- UN Security Council as a non-permanent member this year. India will During 2020-21, both the Reserve Bank of reduced and eventually dissipated. the lip.” Look at these numbers: Under tracts, elimination of bureaucratic red launch year-long celebrations from August 2021 to commemorate India (RBI) and the Centre unleashed their fire- However, it is necessary to make an the ECLGS, `3,00,000 crore was intend- tape, removing bottlenecks in trans- 75 years of Independence with a slew of programmes to showcase power to counter the effect of the virus. While objective assessment of how many of the ed to be loaned to eight million MSMEs. portation and clearances at the ports the former cut the repo rate again by 1.15 per cent above policy announcements and mea- Against this, only about `1,50,000 crore and so on. So, while we must be opti- development, governance, technology, reform, progress and policy and injected mammoth liquidity close to sures have been operationalised on has been given to four million such mistic about the coming year, we have over the years. By and large, 2021 is expected to be a mixed bag `8,00,000 crore besides granting a six-month ground zero. enterprises. Fourth, the Government is to be realistic, too. with some good and some bad news, not only for India but also for moratorium on repayment of banks loans, the lat- First, in several areas, the betting big on investment in infrastruc- (The writer is a New Delhi-based the world. (The writer is a senior journalist. ter came up with stimulus packages announced Government has merely camouflaged ture. Of the `100 lakh crore proposed policy analyst. The views expressed The views expressed are personal.) by Sitharaman in three tranches in May, October expenses on existing schemes under the over the next five years, 39 per cent has are personal.) The media must become the voice of the people again The Fourth Estate in India must attack feudal forces like casteism, communalism, religious bigotry and attempts to polarise society

these stirring words: “In the First Founding Fathers saw so clearly. In bat feudalism, religious bigotry and social harmony and the unity of our Lakmé Fashion Week in which the Arab Emirates and so on. Some of Amendment, the Founding Fathers revealing the workings of the superstitions. people. It should stop diverting models wore cotton outfits. This them were apparently infected with gave the free Press the protection it Government that led to the Vietnam Thus, the media was of great attention from real issues and focus- event was covered by over 500 the virus, without being aware of it. must have to fulfil its essential role war, the newspapers nobly did pre- help in transforming European ing on relative non-issues like the fashion/lifestyle journalists while the But to say that they knowingly in our democracy. The Press was to cisely that which the Founders society from the feudal to the mod- lives of film stars and cricketers (e.g. farmers who produced that cotton brought the disease with them to serve the governed, not the gover- hoped and trusted they would do.” ern age. India’s national aim is to the suicide of Sushant Singh Rajput, were committing suicide just an spread it in India, as propagated by nors. The Government’s power to Historically, the media arose in transform itself from an underdevel- allegations made by Kangana hour’s flight away, in Vidarbha. No certain sections of the media, was censor the Press was abolished so England and France in the 17th and oped to a highly developed and Ranaut, Kareena Kapoor’s second one covered those suicides except patently false (as indeed the court that the Press would remain forev- 18th centuries as an organ of the highly industrialised country. If we pregnancy and Virat Kohli’s decision for a few local journalists. has now found). er free to censure the Government. people against feudal oppression. At don’t do so, we will remain con- to take paternity leave and so on), Many TV anchors forget their Another example of the parti- MARKANDEY KATJU The Press was protected so that it that time all the organs of power demned to massive poverty, record petty politics, astrology, among oth- journalistic ethics and just indulge san behaviour of the “godi media” could bare the secrets of the were in the hands of the feudal unemployment, appalling level of ers, and instead focus on the real in propaganda. To give an example, is the way they have characterised oday a large part of the Indian Government and inform the people. authorities (kings, aristocrats and so child malnourishment, almost total issues, which are mainly socio-eco- some time ago an organisation the ongoing farmers’ agitation as a media has lost its voice and Only a free and unrestrained Press on). Hence, the people had to cre- lack of proper healthcare and good nomic. This includes the problems called the Tablighi Jamaat was lam- movement of Khalistanis, Pakistanis, Tthe trust of the people, too. It can effectively expose deception in ate new organs which would repre- education for the masses, among of unemployment, malnourishment, basted by the media as spreaders of Maoists and anti-nationals. has become a “godi media.” Instead Government. And paramount sent their interests and the media other things. lack of healthcare, price rise, the the Coronavirus. They were even Countless examples of this kind of of being the Fourth Estate and among the responsibilities of a free (apart from the Parliament), was one Our media must play an impor- agrarian crisis and so on. given despicable names like “Corona biased reporting can be given. serving the Indian people, it has Press is the duty to prevent any part of these new organs. In Europe and tant role in this historical transfor- For years, the Indian media jihadis” and “Corona bombs.” I One can only hope that the largely become part of the First of the Government from deceiving America, it represented the voice of mation, as the European media turned a Nelson’s eye to the large made a personal investigation into Indian media will some day get over Estate, as stated by eminent journal- the people and sending them off to the future, in contrast to the old, feu- did. But for that it must stop behav- number of farmers’ suicides in our this and found that the allegations its sorry plight and emerge as a ist and Magsaysay Award winner distant lands to die of foreign fevers dal organs which wanted to preserve ing like a mouthpiece and serve the country, until a brave journalist, P against the Tablighi Jamaat were champion of the people instead of Ravish Kumar. This brings us to the and foreign shot and shell. In my the status quo. governed, not the governors (as Sainath, revealed the sad truth false. The Tablighi Jamaat is a reli- being, to use US President Donald key question: What is the role of the view, far from deserving condemna- Great writers like Voltaire, Justice Black said in his judgment). through his persistent reporting. It gious organisation which meets at Trump’s words, “an enemy of the media? tion for their courageous reporting, Rousseau, Thomas Paine and so on The Indian media must attack feu- was only then that the rest of the its Markaz in Delhi once or twice a people.” Only then will it earn the This was explained by Justice The New York Times, The used the media (which was then dal forces like casteism and commu- media began reporting the agrari- year, where Muslims come from sev- people’s respect. Hugo Black of the US Supreme Washington Post and other newspa- only print media and that, too, not nalism, condemn religious bigotry an distress in the country. eral countries. This year, too, many (The writer is a former judge of Court in The New York Times vs. US, pers should be commended for in the form of regular newspapers and attempts to polarise our society. Some years ago, a fashion show people came from Indonesia, the Supreme Court of India. The 1971 (the Pentagon Papers case) in serving the purpose that the but pamphlets and leaflets) to com- It must promote scientific ideas, was held in Mumbai during the Malaysia, Kazakhstan, the United views expressed are personal.) HYDERABAD | TUESDAY | DECEMBER 29, 2020 Money 08 India to benefit from shifting of Telecom industry financially stressed; seeks govt support on key challenges global supply chains from China PNS n NEW DELHI The telecom industry, which facilitated wide-spread digital PNS n NEW DELHI lent'. of the surveyed firms said adoption during the pandem- “The results of the survey are moving forward, they will use ic, continues to be financially India could benefit from the encouraging and highlight the a mix of travel and virtual stressed and seeks govern- likely shift in global supply ongoing industrial and eco- meetings even after the situa- ment support on issues like liq- chains from China to other nomic recovery. This momen- tion becomes normal. uidity, rationalisation of levies, economies in the aftermath of tum needs to be built upon and The results of the December AGR and spectrum pricing, the COVID-19 pandemic, now all eyes are on the upcom- 2020 survey also indicate that according to COAI. according to a survey . ing Budget," Ficci President there has been a further The Cellular Operators' The Ficci-Dhruva Advisors Uday Shankar said. improvement in the perfor- Association of India (COAI), Survey conducted this month He observed that the context mance of companies compared in its outlook for 2021, said 5G covered more than 150 compa- of this Budget is completely dif- to the situation in August. launch is expected in the later nies in India. ferent due to an unprecedent- With improvement seen in part of the year. "Another major outcome of ed social and economic chal- the economy, nearly 40 per cent The technology is poised to COVID-19 is the likely shift in lenge, exuding confidence that of the surveyed firms are oper- open up a plethora of possibil- global supply chains away from the government will take bold ating at a capacity utilisation ities in the context of business COAI said these relate to liq- ness and individuals adopted China to other economies. steps to respond to these chal- level of over 70 per cent, vis-a- models, better education, uidity, rationalisation of the digital ways, telecom industry Nearly 70 per cent of the sur- lenges. vis 30 per cent of the compa- healthcare, smart cities, smart regulatory levies, Adjusted emerged as a "saviour". vey participants have said India According to the survey, nies in August 2020. manufacturing, and intelligent Gross Revenue (AGR) issues, Many telecom players have could benefit from this move COVID-19-induced travel Other indicators of improv- logistics, S P Kochhar, Director spectrum pricing, Right of benefitted from a surge in the and they expect a fair share of cant positive impact on their address the immediate pain restrictions have limited the ing business performance in General of COAI said in a Way (RoW) rules, and cell traffic of data and voice, due to manufacturing to shift from business once the vaccine is points of the economy as well ability of companies to under- the recent survey are related to statement. "However, industry tower radiation. which the telecom sector is China to India in the near made available, the survey as steps to improve India's take business operations effi- order books and exports. continues to be financially "COAI has been pressing the performing well as compared future," said Ficci on the find- revealed. manufacturing competitive- ciently, as 74 per cent of the Nearly 50 per cent of the stressed and we seek the sup- government and TRAI to other infrastructure sub-sec- ings of the survey. However, to capitalise on the ness. respondents have validated companies have reported see- port of the government in (Telecom Regulatory Authority tors, he said. Moreover, the prospect of opportunities that could come These measures have been this. ing an increase in their order enabling the industry to truly of India) on these," Kochhar In the first quarter of this fis- introduction of a vaccine India's way, there is need to well received by the industry, To overcome this challenge books and about 40 per cent play its role as an enabler of added. Like any other sector, cal year through June, cus- against COVID-19 early next strengthen its manufacturing with 45 per cent of the sur- and maintain business opera- said their exports have horizontal growth and a boost the telecom industry too was tomer spending on voice and year has improved the confi- ecosystem. Under the veyed companies rating the lat- tions, companies have lever- increased. In the August 2020 to the nation's economy," impacted by the pandemic data services increased 16.6 per dence level of businesses, with Aatmanirbhar Bharat package, est set of announcements made aged digital tools for commu- survey, the corresponding fig- Kochhar said. Listing out the with a sharp fall in the num- cent year-on-year, amounting almost 74 per cent of the par- the government has intro- under Aatmanirbhar Bharat nication. Given the benefits of ures were 44 per cent and 30 top challenges faced by its ber of subscribers in March to Rs 35,642 crore (USD 4.80 ticipants foreseeing a signifi- duced several measures to package 3.0 as 'good to excel- use of technology, 64 per cent per cent, respectively. member telecom companies, and April. However, as busi- billion). NTPC declares Dulanga MCX launches futures Gold rises MONEY MATTERS Rs 185, silver AICTPL's USD bond issuance coal mine operational trading in natural rubber jumps by PNS n NEW DELHI oversubscribed 10 times PNS n NEW DELHI Rs 1,322 dani International State-owned power giant PNS n NEW DELHI Container Terminal Pvt Ltd NTPC on Monday said its Leading commodity bourse A(AICTPL) on Monday said Dulanga coal mine is commer- MCX on Monday launched Gold prices gained Rs 185 its maiden USD 300 million cially operational from futures trading in natural rub- to Rs 49,757 per 10 gram in bond issuance witnessed 10 October 1, 2020. ber. the national capital on times oversubscription. "...based on achievement of At present, four contracts of Monday, in line with the AICTPL, a JV between Adani approved norms and due rubber futures that will expire rally in price of the precious Ports and Special Economic approval; Dulanga Coal Mine in January, February, March metal globally, according Zone (APSEZ) and Terminal (in Odisha) of NTPC Limited, and April of 2021 are made to HDFC Securities. Investment Ltd (TIL), is a having an ultimate peak rated available for trading. In the previous trade, container terminal operating company based out of Mundra, having annual capacity of 7 Million The launch of rubber the yellow metal had an annual capacity of handling over 3.1 million TEUs (twenty foot Tonnes Per Annum, is futures comes after strong closed at Rs 49,572 per 10 equivalent units). "AICTPL settled its first USD 300 mn public USD declared commercial opera- demand from physical partic- gram. bond issuance on 21st December 2020. The issue witnessed large tion from October 1, 2020, a annum from these mines ipants including small-mid Silver prices also participation from marquee real money investors with interests BSE filing said. when all the mines reach the sized producers/consumers jumped Rs 1,322 to Rs coming from around 220 accounts leading to approx.” The central government has peak-rated capacity. and large physical side corpo- 68,156 per kilogram from allocated nine coal blocks -- Out of 10 blocks, three rate houses. Rs 66,834 per kilogram in Pakri-Barwadih, Chatti- mines, Parkin-Barwadih, "Given the huge market size the previous trade. Sebi to auction properties of Bariatu & Chatti- Bariatu Dulanga and Talaipalli are in for natural rubber in India in the rubber of ‘Ribbed Smoked of sales/GST with delivery In the international (South), Kerandari, Dulanga, operation -- about 27.2 MMT terms of production and Sheets4 (RSS4)' quality for a centre at Palakkad, Kerala. market, gold was trading Talaipalli, Banai, Bhalumuda, of coal has been produced imports, and its global price minimum lot size of 1 tonne. MCX rubber futures are with gains at USD 1,885 Sunheaven Agro on Jan 18 Mandakini-B and Badam -- from these mines (till linkages and volatility, the The rubber futures are of available for trading from 9 am per ounce, while silver arkets regulator Sebi will directly to NTPC. November 2020). launch of rubber futures on the compulsory delivery logic con- to 5 pm on weekdays. was also quoting in the auction properties of Banhardih coal block, allo- Two mines -- Chatti-Bariatu exchange holds significance tracts. They would finally be The new rubber futures at green at USD 26.32 per MSunheaven Agro India Ltd on cated earlier to the Jharkhand and Kerandari -- are in for industry stakeholders as an settled at expiry on the last the exchange aims at providing ounce. January 18 at a reserve price of Rs government, is now being advance stage of development. efficient hedging tool for man- business day of the contract a fair and transparent price dis- "Gold prices gained 9.4 crore in order to recover developed by Patratu Vidyut NTPC is in the process of aging price risk,” MCX CEO month. covery mechanism that reflects amid dollar decline. investors' money. Sunheaven Agro Utapadan Nigam Ltd. obtaining various and Managing Director P S The tick size (minimum fundamentals in the physical Concerns over the new had garnered funds from more than PVUNL is a joint venture approvals/clearances in the Reddy said in a statement. price movement) for the con- market, both domestic and strain of coronavirus and 7,700 investors through issuance of company of NTPC and the remaining five mines. Acumen Capital Market tract is Rupee 1. Pegged at a global, to the rubber value lockdowns have also lifted redeemable preference shares without complying with public issue Jharkhand government. The power giant has incor- made the first trade in MCX minimum initial margin of 10 chain participants including gold prices," according to norms. In a notice on Sunday, the Securities and Exchange Board of NTPC is planning to pro- porated NTPC mining Ltd, a rubber contact. per cent, the price to be quot- growers, traders, exporters, HDFC Securities Senior India (Sebi) said it will auction two properties of the company at a duce about 103 million metric wholly-owned subsidiary, for The futures contract enables ed will be for 100 kg as per the importers and end-users like Analyst (Commodities) reserve price of Rs 9.4 crore. The auction will be conducted online tonnes (MMT) of coal per its coal mining business. market participants to trade in ex-warehouse rates, exclusive the tyre industry. Tapan Patel. on January 18, 2021 between 10:30 am to 11:30 am. The properties to be auctioned are land parcels and a building in Kolkata. Mamta Binani, insolvency professional, has been engaged by Sebi to assist it in the e-auction and e-Procurement Technologies Limited has been Cottonseed oil appointed as the e-auction service provider. In October 2015, the Business as usual for markets watchdog asked Sunheaven Agro and its directors to refund DPIIT sends proposal for LEDs, the money collected from investors along with 15 per cent annual cake futures interest. ACs to expenditure fin committee fall on soft Indian IT, pharma PNS n NEW DELHI boost its exports", the official demand Hero Electric ties up with added. PNS n NEW DELHI firms post-Brexit The Department for The scheme would help startup eBikeGO Promotion of Industry and India become self-reliant, Cottonseed oil cake prices on PNS n BENGALURU So, we don't think that is Internal (DPIIT) has sent a boost manufacturing as well as Monday declined by Rs 35 to going to drastically change ero Electric on Monday said it proposal for providing incen- enhance exports. Rs 1,967 per quintal in The United Kingdom leaving post-Brexit", the Partner and has tied up with e-mobility tives to ACs and LED lights The government in futures trade as participants the single European Union Chairman of Exfinity Venture Hstartup eBikeGO to supply under the PLI scheme to the November approved the PLI reduced their bets tracking a market would have no adverse Partners said. over 1,000 bikes to transform last expenditure finance commit- scheme for ten key sectors, weak trend in spot market. impact on India's information "Earlier also, on Visa, they mile deliveries. eBikeGo will tee for appproval, an official including telecom, automo- Analysts said sell-off by technology and pharmaceuti- had to deal with the U.K. and procure these Hero Electric bikes has said. biles and pharmaceuticals, tak- participants at existing levels cal companies and it would be Europe separately". through the next financial year In November, the Union ing the total outlay for such amid subdued trend in mar- business as usual for them Executive Chairperson of with the first batch of 120 already Cabinet had approved Rs 6,238 incentives to nearly Rs 2 lakh ket mainly weighed on cot- post-Brexit, say key industry biotech major, Biocon Ltd, delivered to the startup, the crore outlay for these two sec- LED lights to the expenditure crore over a five-year period. tonseed oil cake prices. veterans. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw said company said in a release. Through the partnership, the companies tors, air conditioners and LED finance committee (EFC) for The final proposal of the PLI On the National There won't be any mater- Indian Pharma is a key play- will further transform the last mile deliveries from petrol to electric lights, under the production their approval," the official scheme for individual sectors Commodity and Derivatives ial impact because the er in the U.K. market. with their expertise in EV technology and internet of things (IoT) linked incentive (PLI) scheme, said. would have to be approved by Exchange, cottonseed oil U.K.already has a good Visa "I believe that post-Brexit, enabled operations, it said. "At Hero Electric, we've always believed which aims at making Indian Significant jump in capaci- an empowered finance com- cake for January delivery fell regime for Indian techies, for- India has an opportunity to that to solve last mile delivery connectivity, the best option is to go manufacturers' competitive ty addition in the LED sector mittee and Union Cabinet. by Rs 35, or 1.75 per cent, mer Chief Financial Officer of strengthen its bilateral trade in electric. In the endeavour to drive the same, we have many partners globally. has helped the industry to The departments concerned to Rs 1,967 per quintal with Infosys Limited, V several key areas, pharma who help not only busines-ses but also consumers with an "The department has sent cater to the domestic markets would have to implement the an open interest of 65,390 Balakrishnan, told PTI on being one of them", affordable and efficient solution. "With this partnership, we look the proposals for ACs and and "now there will be focus to scheme. lots. Monday. "So also Europe. Mazumdar-Shaw said. forward to leveraging the reach eBikeGO brings to further transform the space and bring more electric vehicles on road," said Naveen. Maritime piracy cause of concern for 2L Indian seafarers Fund raising via equity issues PNS n NEW DELHI ers supplying nations to the napping reported in the Gulf of Indian nationals were kid- jumps 116% to Rs 1.78 lakh- cr world maritime industry," MUI Guinea, compared with the napped recently from a Concerned at rising incidents said in a statement. same period in 2019. Marshall Islands-flagged oil he devastating pandemic failed of piracy during the COVID- It said the West Coast of Pirates armed with guns tanker vessel MT Duke off to dampen the primary and 19 pandemic, maritime body Africa comprising Benin, and knives are abducting big- Lome, Togo in West Africa. Tsecondary capital market MUI on Monday said it has Angola, Equatorial Guinea and ger groups of seafarers at fur- The vessel was attacked and issuances with the year closing with become a major cause of worry Ghana are the current hot ther distances off the West boarded by six pirates some the highest ever fund raising from for over two lakh Indian seafar- spots of maritime piracy. African coast, MUI said quot- 115 nautical miles southeast of the equity markets, that grew at 116 ers. "It has become a political ing the report and added that Lome. These Indian seafarers per cent to Rs 1.78 lakh crore in The Maritime Union of issue unfortunately as govern- it details 132 attacks since the were recruited by London- IPOs, OFS and other market India (MUI), India's oldest ments of certain countries are start of 2020, up from 119 inci- headquartered V Group issuances, according to a report. union of merchant navy offi- unable or not willing to extend dents in the same period last through its ship management Despite the entire 2020 being overshadowed by the pandemic, an all- cers, said there is around 26 per their control over various year. company operating in India. time high fund raising through public equity markets at Rs 1,77,468 cent increase in maritime pira- groups of pirates who manage In the first nine months of MUI said billions of dollars crore. This was 116 per cent higher than Rs 82,241 crore was raised cy due to the pandemic, which to procure arms and ammuni- 2020, seafarers reported 134 are paid every year by ship in 2019, according to Pranav Haldea, managing director at Prime has shut down many business- tion without much difficulty,” cases of assault, injury and owners or ship management Database. The previous highest amount raised in a calendar year es and job opportunities said Amar Singh Thakur, threats, including 85 crew companies worldwide to sea was Rs 1,60,032 crore in 2017. Strong retail participation in IPOs, around the world. General Secretary MUI. members being kidnapped and pirates towards ransom huge listing gains and highest-ever amount raised through QIPs and "The menace of maritime "The temptation of a little 31 held hostage onboard their amount for securing the safe InvITs/REITs were the key highlights of the year, he said While IPOs piracy is a major cause of con- quick money has led many res- ships. release of abducted seafarers fetched Rs 26,770 crore, which was 40 per cent higher than cern for over two lakh Indian idents of the underdeveloped izens," said Thakur. indicates a rise in piracy and A total of 112 vessels were and added that these compa- collected in 2019, FPOs netted Rs 15,024 crore, followed by OFS seafarers as India now provides countries to choose such an A global piracy report pub- armed robbery on the world's boarded and six were fired nies ironically solicit services (offer for sale) at Rs 21,458 crore and REITs/InvITs/QIPs at Rs around 9.35 per cent of the illegal path which continues to lished recently by the United seas in the first nine months of upon, while 12 reported provided by kidnap-for-ran- 84,501 crore, shows the report. Of the last category, REITs/InvITs global seafarers and ranks third terrorize millions of seafarers Kingdom-based The ICC - 2020, with a 40 per cent attempted attacks. som consultants based in constituted Rs 29,715 crore, totalling the entire equity capital raising in the list of the largest seafar- globally, including Indian cit- International Maritime Bureau, increase in the number of kid- The body said twenty developed countries. at Rs 1,77,468 crore in the year. Follow us on @TheDailyPioneer facebook.com/ dailypioneer

Tuesday December 29, 2020

Indian artist Aryaana G For all tastes teamed up with multi- Marriage platinum and moods rapper O.T. or avid readers confined to homes and nature in her precise and spare rendition of certain deprived of opportunities of external traumatic facets of the human conditions such as pain Fsources of leisure, it was a dream and loss — both personal and public — but also longing Genasis to opportunity to work through pending piles and self-realisation, while the Booker went to debutant and acquire fresh material. Here’s an insight Scottish-American writer Douglas Stuart’s Shuggie Bain, release of melodies! into reading habits of 2020: a semi-autobiographical story of a young boy maintain- With a microscopic organism upending life ing a fraught relationship with his alcoholic mother. third collaboration as we know it, the realm of books was among The world of literature was also left poorer with a Stockholm ever in life, so it’s the few which held its own, operating near galaxy of veterans bidding adieu including controversial just been great normally in this tumultuous year. The flow of English philosopher and writer Roger Scruton, 75, Syndrome. overall. Aryaana new titles, across all genres, continued British academician Christopher Tolkien, 95, the son of has a great song unabated and provided readers a safe haven the great fantasy novelist JRR Tolkien and the one who and we are doing a for a troubled psyche. For avid readers, con- drew the maps for The Lord of the Rings, American The rapper’s video together, it’s fined to homes and deprived of opportuni- Queen of Suspense Mary Higgins Clark, 92, Clive amazing. You know ties of external sources of leisure, it was a Cussler, 88, known for the Dirk Pitt series of marine forthcoming she’s from the other dream opportunity to work through pend- adventures, Urdu poet Rahat Indori, 70, Hindi poet side of the world and ing piles and acquire fresh material. Manglesh Dabral, 72, Soviet/Russian writer and satirist standout I’m from somewhere But amid the host of autobiographies Mikhail Zhvanetsky, 86, British spy novelist John le else and it’s amazing to and biographies, examinations of political Carre, 89, and Urdu author and literary critic Shamsur fuse these synergies. partisanship and their social effects, new Rahman Faruqi, 85, known for his penetrating analysis collaboration The song speaks for looks at history and more as well as a of the poetry of Mir Taqi Mir. itself, my verse talks wide array of fiction for all tastes and Some of the year’s notable offerings included former will mark his about all these relation- moods, the worst health crisis the US President Barack Obama’s A Promised Land, an ship problems but I kept it world faced in over a century found account of his eventful first term, J.K. Rowling’s non- fresh. I hope to come to its own niche. Harry Potter world The Ickabog, a cautionary fairy tale debut innings India soon, once this virus While there is no shortage of about inept leadership and demonisation of the ‘enemy’, calms down. I remember books on Coronavirus, some repre- Hari Kunzuru’s The Red Pill and the irrepressible Moni in the Indian coming to India last sentative ones could include physi- Mohsin’s The Impeccable Integrity of Ruby R, but there November and I love the peo- cian and evolutionary biologist was much more. While it is virtually impossible to ple, they’re really cool and gen- Frank Ryan’s Virusphere: Ebola, make a list of books that could even approach a repre- music uine, they’ve shown me a lot of AIDS, Influenza and the Hidden sentative section let satisfy each palate, some sugges- hospitality and been very warm. World of the Virus, which tions/recommendations in various genres can be landscape and Make sure you listen to Aryaana, explains why epi- attempted. to OT, live life!” demics are In non-fiction, there is astro- O.T. Genasis has enjoyed a fair inevitable and physicist Janna Levin’s Black will see him share of successful collaborations their benefits, Hole Survival Guide, which not in the past with the list featuring science journal- only seeks to demystify one of featuring in names like Lil Wayne, T-Pain, ist Sonia Shah’s most perplexing celestial Future, Yo Gotti, Charlie Wilson, Pandemic about objects, but also shows the 21-year-old Young Thug, Snoop Dogg, and the interplay of unflattering role of humans in Chris Brown, Postcard, Dax, history, politics the cosmos, Tim Harford’s How Afrojack, DJ Esco, D Black, Busta and science in to Make the World Add Up: Ten Mumbai born hirty two-year-old multi- ity. The song featuring both the artists Rhymes amongst others. tackling the Rules for Thinking Differently platinum American rapper in the slick video narrates a story of A self-taught musician, Aryaana scourge of dis- About Numbers, an engaging singer- and songwriter O.T. Genasis how everybody can at some point G was musically inclined from a ease, and John guide to avoid getting bamboo- t needs no introduction. The become hostage to their negative attrib- very young age and started learning Barry’s The zled by statistics, and Michiko Times Square native has an utes and defends their dark side some- to play the piano at the age of eight. Great Influenza: The Story of Kakutani’s Ex Libris, a personalised introduction to 100 songwriter incredible catalogue of hits; times to the extent of falling in love Being averse to the concept of for- the Deadliest Pandemic in key books, old and new, for those without everything he drops has to be high-fly- with it. Aryaana who recently shifted mal education, she embarked on History, which not only inclination/opportunity to read the originals in full. Aryaana’s ing from the record to the visual to the her base from Mumbai to Los Angeles her journey as a digital creator chronicles how the Spanish flu On the humanities side, Richard Eaton’s India in the overall vibe. Giving something fresh to and signed up with Collabtribe to focus right after her schooling and of 1918-20 devastated a world Persianate Age: 1000-1765 seeks to show how the coun- the listeners, his forthcoming standout on her music career says, “I have always opted out of college. already laid low by years of try’s pre-colonial history was not a binary construct as maiden music collaboration will mark his debut in the been an ardent fan of OT Genasis since Over the last couple of years, war, revolutions and other long politically propagated, Anne Appelbaum’s self- Indian music landscape and will see as far as I can remember. I was over the she has garnered a consistent fol- upheavals, but also shows how explanatory but disturbing Twilight of Democracy: The single. The him featuring in 21-year-old Mumbai- moon when he finally agreed to jump lowing amongst the millennial the political handling is as Failure of Politics and the Parting of Friends, and the born singer-songwriter Aryaana G’s onto my debut single. I penned this community for her urban important as the medical mea- very vital Bad News: Why We Fall for Fake News by Rob maiden music single titled Stockholm song when I was 16 and I am finally lifestyle-inspired digital con- sures. A contemporary look at Brotherton, whose earlier Suspicious Minds explained duo talks to Syndrome! launching it five years later with my tent. Before shifting base to this aspect can be found in leg- why conspiracy theories have a receptive audience. The new culture of collaborations dream collaborator. I met up with the Los Angeles early last year, endary journalist Bob Woodward’s In fiction, consider Curtis Sittenfeld’s Rodham: What The Pioneer's has become the new normal certainly. duo Almost Famous during the lock- she interned with film score Rage, his second book on the mav- if Hillary hadn’t married Bill? exploring this tantalising The smashing tune in which Aryaana down earlier this year and they helped composer Rohit Kulkarni erick presidency of Donald Trump. premise, Mieko Kawakami’s Breasts and Eggs, an SHIKHA G’s dreamy vocals and soulful melodies me breathe life into the project. I am for a little over a year. An Indian perspective is provided account of the female life experience (and commodifi- are accentuated by Genasis’ rapid-fire looking forward to much more exciting When it comes to music, by The Coronavirus: What you Need cation thereof), and former ISI chief Lt Gen Asad bars and Almost Famous duo’s sublime collaboration in 2021.” she fluently shuffles to Know about the Global Pandemic by Durrani’s Honour Among Spies, about the dangers of DUGGAL production will be available on all Describing himself as young, wild, between various gen- Dr Swapneil Parikh and Maherra Desai, asking inconvenient questions about issues the estab- streaming platforms. The track which truant, happy, humble and high off life, res including clas- and Till We Win: India’s Fight Against The lishment would prefer to be forgotten. about their was shot in Los Angeles finds the Genasis is all about turning up and liv- sic rock, dub- Covid-19 Pandemic by Dr Chandrakant For aficionados of whodunnits, two authors take Indian native showcasing an unapolo- ing life to its fullest. Though currently, step, country Lahariya, Dr Gagandeep Kang, and AIIMS them to places which were long ripe for the genre — getic perspective on the dichotomy of he is taking this downtime in quaran- and R&B. Director Dr Randeep Guleria. Mark McCrum in The Festival Murders (literary festi- music, the human nature. tine to explore the theme of self-intro- But with the virus mutating into new variations vals) and Kiran Manral in The Kitty Party Murder. For a Accompanied by lucid visuals, the spection. He says, “Stockholm Syndrome and universal vaccination still a long way off, the last rarely-invoked locale, there is Sujata C. Sabnis’ Blood on single and uninhibited warehouse scene sets the is special for me because I don’t do word on coronavirus is still to be said. But some sign- the Sands, set in Kutch. If Rick Riordan, whose finale to flawless high-intensity stakes as the music with a lot of women and it’s posts can be found in Fareed Zakaria’s 10 Lessons for the Trials of Apollo series came out or even Roshani record metaphorically takes inspiration been a great experience doing a Post-Pandemic World and the prolific Kiran Manral’s Chokshi’s Aru Shah series (third out now) are not to more from the psychological phenomenon of song with her. This is Raising Kids with Hope and Wonder in Times of a your taste, Anuja Chandramouli, who has a penchant capture-bonding while it navigates probably my sec- Pandemic and Climate Change. The coveted Nobel Prize for a lyrical but contemporary refashioning of Indian around the theme of the contrasting ond or for Literature was won by American poet Louise Gluck, mythology, had Mohini:The Enchantress. elements of negativity and positiv- who draws on classical mythology, family life and We can only hope 2021 is as abundant. Fashion lessons of 2020 ate and valued the importance of to connect virtually. They were doing Indian crafts a significant part of glob- With a tough year being a responsible consumer.” video calls, asking for images and al fashion and with the e-store, we can “I can only say about myself and I sending queries on Instagram, which see that happening sooner or later. We coming to a close, did learn the entire above very well made us do something we never also want to market our textiles dig- and also changed a few things of how thought i.e. starting an e-store. We itally and make it reach to a larger a few fashion I look at my work now. Being an started working on it in June and by audience. The time we got was after ardent lover of craft, especially Indian July end, we completed it with all the five years of no holiday and this made designers share handmade textiles, I was worried old images. Yes, the use of technolo- us also realise the potential, the col- about what would happen to it as the gy does help and now we are able to laborations and the relationships we their biggest weddings and occasions were getting bridge a gap between us and the con- have made which we can leverage out. confined and due to social distancing sumer, irrespective of the location,” The emergence of the new possible takeaways both the demand was surely going to take shares she. Now, they are able to get market has also made us develop a hit. We did speak to a few clients, in touch with their old clients who designs which are not geographical especially whose weddings were due stopped coming due to location issues. bound and the creative team is rejoic- personally and in 2020 and took feedbacks. The This step also made designers learn ing more,” adds the designer. response was mix and lot of weddings marketing better. “‘Student for life’ is For designer Leena Singh, the pan- professionally that were scheduled for April hap- something I always live by and is hap- demic came as a teacher. “We have pened in July with restrictions. The pening now in a big way. We realised begun to appreciate the smallest he year has overturned our next dates were in November and how there is a demarcation of prod- blessings. The biggest lesson I learnt lives in the most unforeseen everyone was clueless as to how many uct and price with different age was to live in the present and not Tmanner. There were numerous weddings will happen and of what groups, how a millennial engages on worry about the future. Today, every- difficulties to survive and tough nature,” adds she. social media and how a mother of the thing is so terribly in the air and no lessons to be learned; we can at least Once the lockdown got over and bride still prefers to wear the saree one knows when will we find normal- find a bit of solace in the knowledge clients started coming, Asha realised ding wear irrespective of what hap- before buying. The phrase ‘quarantine cy again. This year, I also came up with that these challenging times have led that at least some weddings will hap- pens in the global fashion scene,” she wedding’ has changed the pattern of my new collection Umme Rabab, to personal growth. Below, a few fash- pen. One takeaway came from the adds. Though the demand was pick- ornamentation and use of textiles as which is a tribute to karigars who were ion designers share their biggest take- shopping pattern where many fami- ing up but it was nowhere near and well. The magic of a NRI bride doing struggling and trying to cope with the aways from this unusual year. lies preferred heritage pieces than there was still a lot of sluggishness. a video call, seeing the entire collec- changes this pandemic has brought to Designer Asha Gautam says, “This FAD’s and it was a delight to see the “Then we started to introspect as to tion, taking suggestion and also all our lives. Our brand Ashima year will always be remembered in his- value heirloom pieces still have on what all can be done. No inter-state approving designs is really amazing. Leena tried to support them in every tory for various reasons. We can’t ever Indian consumers. “Though we travel was happening, no NRI clients The digital integration also helped us possible way and stands in solidarity take the pain, suffering and losses that always believed in it but the response coming, plus limited gathering was in expanding our design portfolio as and in gratitude towards them. As we people across the globe suffered due was reassuring. This is not only a take- making a huge impact. This made us we introduced our prêt collection of face challenges, we are also given an to COVID-19 and at the same time it away but a lesson for life that no mat- go back to the drawing board and kurtas which was overdue,” Asha opportunity to re-invent, re-imagine also taught us a lot of things. We start- ter what, our roots will always play an think as to how to connect with more says. “The response has been phenom- new and improved ways of working.” ed valuing life more, we spent more important role in our life. Similarly clients. We always had a reservation enal and now we are adding more Well, certainly, this year estab- time with family, we valued environ- our Indian textiles (handmade) will of luxury selling on e-commerce but affordable segments keeping intact our lished itself as a teacher to the entire ment more, we all became tech liter- also make an important role in wed- slowly we realised that the clients want love for crafts. Our vision is to make world. 10

Hyderabad Tuesday December 29 2020 what’s brewing?

PARTY Aswini Sri l Mannara Chopra Diya l l Navnita l Kusum Aswini Sri l l

BEHIND THE CURTAIN

Aby Dominic Actress Mannara Chopra, Ashwini Singh and other leading

l ladies of fashion and tinsel town marked their presence at the Hi-Life fashion showcase and curtain raiser at HICC Novotel.

The actresses, accompanied by models Karnica and Kritya Kritya Karda, unveiled the poster of the much-awaited l Kamashi Bhaskarla exhibition, which is showcasing exquisite fashion l wear, home decor, jewelry and art. The exhibition ends today, so go grab your favourite pieces!

FUN

ARCHIE CALVIN AND HOBBES

GARFIELD REALITY CHECK SPEED BUMP CROSSWORD

NANCY

SUDOKU Yesterday’s solution

GINGER MEGGS

Rules l Each row and column can contain each number (1 to 9) exactly once. l The sum of all numbers in any row or column must equal 45. 11

Hyderabad Tuesday December 29, 2020 tollywood Chay plays a hockey player in his next In his next, Thank You, with Vikram Kumar, Naga Chaitanya Akkineni will be seen as a hockey player in some portions. While the film is not a sports drama, Chay, on his part, prepped for the part by getting trained under a coach for a week, finds NAGARAJ GOUD

Dil Raju joins Oh My fter playing a segment forms a minor part schedule and now are gearing cricketer whose of the film, which is primari- up to commence the second hopes of making ly a well-packaged commer- schedule from January 4 in a it to the national cial entertainer in tune with Hyderabad. team are dashed Vikram Kumar’s sensibilities, Vikram is directing Thank after his love Chay, being a perfectionist You from a story of writer- Kadavule remake story fails in Shiva Nirvana’s that he is, took the game seri- director BVS Ravi. Speaking Majili — a project which ously. He trained in hockey to us some time back, the ended his poor run at the under a Hyderabad-based former said that it’s a story he Telugu remake phone for the remake as BVSN Prasad’s new untitled cash counters — Naga coach for a week before that needs to be told now. “It of Tamil film Oh well. The muhurat clap was production which marks the Chaitanya will now be seen beginning filming. While like would resonate with the T My Kadavule was given by Dil Raju, while directorial debut of lensman as a hockey player in Vikram any game, it was hard to get audience at various levels. launched at pro- BVSN Prasad switched on Vidyasagar. Kumar’s next, Thank You. it right in just a matter of That said it’s not a message- ducer PVP’s the camera. Tharun A fantasy comedy, Oh My The SVC production, which week’s time, he did ensure oriented film but has an office in Hyderabad on Bhascker, who has penned Kadavule remake centers on went to floors early last week that he got the basics and undercurrent of something Monday. Leading producer the film’s dialogues, directed the story of a young man (to in Hyderabad after being in body language right. Vikram which is wonderful. It got me Dil Raju has also joined the the honorary first shot. be played by Vishwak) who development for over six shot the hockey portions last connected to the story in the film, featuring Vishwak Sen, Vishwak will begin shooting marries his best friend. months, will see him as a week and was pleased with first place. It has got all as a presenter. Ashwath for the film from mid When his life gets compli- sportsperson in some por- the effort that Chay put in.” mainstream elements — Marimuthu, who wrote and February. cated, he receives a ‘golden tions. The source adds that humour, drama, romance directed the original, is on He will be juggling between ticket’ that facilitates him to A source close to the unit Vikram and team are happy and a little bit of action,” the board to wield the mega- the sets of this film with rewrite his fate. tells us, “While the hockey with the footage of the first director had said. My first priority is choreography: Jani master Set to face the klieg lights as an actor for the first time, Jani said he agreed to front the project as an actor 20 minutes into the narration. A romantic-action entertainer, Hippi girl Digangana Suryavanshi will be seen as his romantic interest in the untitled venture Monal Gajjar to shake eading supervising a song on (Yevadu), Cinema a leg with Sreenivas choreograph- Siva Karthikeyan in Choopista Maava (Race er Jani’s Chennai and I had to Gurram) and Sundari L maiden film postpone it to noon (Khaidi No 150) among looded with offers after her initiated talks with Monal, who as an actor (Monday) to attend the others, said. stint in reality show Bigg has developed a great following was launched muhurat. Initially, I said He added that there Boss, actress Monal Gajjar among youngsters courtesy the in Hyderabad on I won’t attend it but the were many people F seems to have signed her recently concluded Big Boss. Monday, with VV producer insisted. including his wife who first Telugu project. She was more than happy to Vinayak sounding the Murali was after me for were concerned about According to reports, it isn't, have said yes to it, reports indi- clapper-board for the the past 45 days as I his decision to act, however, an acting assignment but a cate. An official announcement is first shot. was busy with my work. especially with his dance one. The Gujarati beauty, it is awaited. Being made under Suji When I finally wanted choreography career said, has given her consent to perform Subrahmanyam Gorrela is Visuals by Vizag-based to know what he want- going great guns. for a special number in Bellamkonda bankrolling Alludu Adhurs, a Devi Sri Venkata Ramana, the ed from me, he said he “Initially, I was Sreenivas-starrer Alludu Adhurs, which Prasad musical, under Sumanth Movie film, a romantic-action was looking to intro- scared to begin with but on Sunday confirmed its big screen roll Productions Banner. Nabha Natesh entertainer, marks the duce me as a hero. I instead of attending TV out for Sankranti. and Anu Emmanuel are the leading directorial debut of told him, ‘I’m more shows when there are Reports have it that the makers ini- ladies, while the likes of Prakash Raj, Murali Raj Tiyanna, interested in choreogra- no choreography tially planned to sign on Bollywood Sonu Sood, Vennela Kishore Srinivas while Digangana phy and direction than assignments, I decided bombshell Mouni Roy for the number Reddy, Sathya, Kadambari Kiran, Suryavanshi plays the acting’. He pleaded with that I would shoot for but as she couldn’t commit due to Chammak Chandra and Duvvasi female lead. me to allot five minutes the film. That’s it,” he scheduling conflicts, they immediately Mohan are playing supporting roles. Speaking after the of my time to hear the pointed out in a modest muhurat formalities, story. He narrated it in tone. Jani said that he even 20 minutes and I liked Digangana pointed doesn’t have an answer it immensely,” the star out that the untitled on why he is making choreographer, whose film has a brilliant the transition to acting. bona fides include Mee script and she is excited “My first priority is Intiki Mundhu (from about Jani master’s choreography. I was Julayi), Freedom debut. -NG AR Rahman bereaved areema Begum, of music legend A R Rahman have seen the divine, but we mother of Oscar has passed away,” Palaniswami are created through our par- winning composer said in a tweet. ents. If we have a sound and K AR Rahman, The chief minister con- love in that life where we get passed away in veyed his condolences to the nurturing of a mother and Chennai on Monday due to Rahman and the bereaved a father, I think we are stable age related ailments. family. in mind,” he said. Mourning her demise, Rahman was very close to “I had this in my mind on Rahman, posted a photo of his mother and often spoke how to crack it because I was her on his verified Twitter about her. Earlier this year, very objective about it, think- account on Monday after- while remembering the patri- ing whether patriotism will noon. otic song Maa Tujhe Salaam work or not. So, I was like, Commenting on his tweet, from the 1997 album Vande forget about the country, let’s celebrities from the world of Mataram, Rahman spoke do it as a personal song — music and cinema expressed about his relationship with his like singing a song for one’s condolences. mother, Kareema Begum, and mother. That’s how it was cre- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister how she has been pivotal in ated,” Rahman added. K Palaniswami and DMK defining his success — espe- Kareema Begum is survived President M K Stalin con- cially the particular song. by her daughters AR Reihana, doled the death. “Sad to know “In all lives, the common Ishrath Qadri, Fathima that Kareema Begum, mother factor is, not many people Shekhar apart from Rahman. sport 12 HYDERABAD | TUESDAY | DECEMBER 29, 2020 Kohli named ICC Male India close in on series-parity Cricketer of the Decade

PTI n DUBAI lone player to be named in Bowlers leave Aussies reeling at 133/6 in second innings after taking 131-run lead teams of the decade across for- ndia captain Virat Kohli on mats and was named captain of 2nd Test. Day 4 IMonday headlined the ICC the Test all-stars. Live from 5:00am IST top honours for the decade, win- On being also named the SONY TEN 1, 3 & SIX ning the Sir Garfield Sobers ODI Cricketer of the Decade, award for the best male cricketer Kohli added: “ODI cricket is cause for concern as Umesh of the past 10 years. something that I took to very hobbled off the field after suffer- Kohli was also picked for early. I came to the ODI team ing a calf injury in the innings’ the ODI Cricketer of the Decade first and then, I made my Test eighth over. award. debut a couple of years later. Bowling his fourth over, the Former India skipper M S “So, I got the understanding pacer had complained of pain in Dhoni won the ICC Spirit of of my game pretty soon, pretty his calf and had been taken for Cricket Award of the Decade, early. And as I mentioned scans after being assessed by the chosen by fans for his gesture of amassed 12040 runs in ODIs, before, my only intention and BCCI medical team. calling back England batsman 7318 runs in Tests and 2928 mindset was to make winning Earlier, riding captain Ian Bell after a bizarre run out runs in T20Is, averaging more contributions for the team and Ajinkya Rahane’s classy hundred in the Nottingham Test in 2011. than 50 across formats. Kohli I just tried to do every game that and Ravindra Jadeja’s 15th half- The International Cricket was also part of the World I play. century, India managed enough Council made the announce- Cup-winning India squad in “I never focussed on stats runs on the board to put ments via Twitter, bestowing the 2011, something he will cherish and numbers along the journey Australia under pressure despite top honours on Kohli, who for life. at all and those things just losing their five remaining wick- scored 66 out of his 70 interna- “Firstly, it’s a great honour become the by-product of what ets for only 49 runs after resum- tional hundreds, in the ‘ICC for me to receive this award. The you do on the field and those for ing the day on 277 for five. Awards’ period. moments I hold closest to my me, just end up being milestones Jadeja (57) added 123 runs In the same period, he was heart in the last decade definite- that you cross on the way to the for the sixth wicket with skipper also the batsman with most ly has to be the World Cup win path to victory.” For the ODI Rahane, whose vigil came to an fifties (94), most runs (20396) in 2011, the Champions Trophy honour, Kohli was the only when he was run out, his first in besides having the maximum win in 2013 and winning the player with 10,000 plus runs in Tests, after making a classy 112 average (56.97) among players series in Australia in 2018,” the ICC Awards period includ- with the help of 12 boundaries with 70 plus innings. said Kohli in a statement. ing 39 hundreds and 48 fifties in 223 balls. Overall, the 32-year-old has On Sunday, Kohli was the at an average of 61.83. Pak avoid follow on in 1st Test n Indian players walk from the field at the close of play on day three of the second cricket test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground AP AP MOUNT MAUNGANUI

PTI n MELBOURNE only two runs at close of play. Labuschagne (28 off 49 balls) series continued as he was ew Test captain Mohammad “This game is not over yet, with a slider that went straight bowled by Jasprit Bumrah (1/34) NRizwan made 71 and Faheem ndia marched towards a we still have to get four more with the angle. round his legs when the ball Ashraf 91 to help Pakistan weather dominant series-levelling vic- wickets,” India skipper Ajinkya Ashwin let one slide across clipped the bails of the off-stump a top-order collapse, then fight back Itory after their formidable Rahane, whose hundred on the and with the batsman looking to after the batsman had shuffled on a day punctuated by lashing rain bowlers scythed through the second day set the tone for the defend. The ball went the other too much. and hail to reach 239 before their last Australian batting, relentlessly side, said at the end of day’s play. way and took an outside edge on Wade, looking the best wicket fell in the last over on Monday pressing home the advantage of “Credit to the bowlers, they its way to Rahane at first slip. among Australian batsmen, was on the third day of the first Test a sizeable first-innings lead on bowled in the right areas,” he Matthew Wade (27 batting, trapped in front of the wicket by against New Zealand. 1st Test. Day 4 the third day of the second Test, added. 89 balls) and Steve Smith (6 bat- Ravindra Jadeja (2/25) at 98 for Rizwan came to Live from 3:30am IST here on Monday. Seeking to wipe out the ting, 20 balls) survived the four. the crease when FANCODE APP Australia were wobbling at deficit, Australia began their sec- remaining overs prior to the tea And while the score Pakistan was 52-5 dur- 133 for six at stumps on the third ond innings on a disastrous note break, which they took at 65 for remained the same, Australia ing a morning session in which they day of the Boxing Day Test at the as Joe Burns (4) not only got out two. At that break, the hosts lost another wicket in Travis lost four wickets for 32 runs. He left magnificent Melbourne Cricket for a poor score, but also wast- trailed India by 66 runs. Head a couple of overs later. when they were 186-7 in the final ses- played some elegant shots, some Ground. ed a review after pacer Umesh More misery awaited There was no encore of sion, having done as much as a cap- streaky to accumulate 15 fours and Aiming to exorcise the Yadav (1/5) opened him up Australia in the final session skipper Tim Paine’s battling tain can to rescue his team from a six and ensure Pakistan avoided a ghosts of being bowled out for with the one that swung away when they lost four wickets for knock in the first Test as he was imminent peril. follow on NZ likely would not have a lowest ever 36 in the series- very late. the addition of 68 runs, taking caught behind off the bowling of With Faheem, who made his enforced late in the day. He carried opener, the visitors had put up Introduced early into the India closer to an equaliser in the Jadeja. highest Test score and was the last Pakistan past the follow-on mark of 326 on the board for a 131-run attack, seasoned off-spinner four-match series after the Australia could have been man out, Rizwan put backbone into 231 with a four from the bowling of lead in reply to Australia’s first- Ravichandran Ashwin (1/46) humiliating defeat in the open- seven down had Pant held on to DDCA President Rohan Jaitley presents a memento to BCCI President Sourav the Pakistan innings as they replied Wagner 15 minutes before stumps innings total of 195 all out. once again showed his class er at Adelaide Oval. a Pat Cummins edge off Ashwin. Ganguly after unveiling the statue of former union minister late Arun Jaitley at to New Zealand’s first innings of 431. which also took him past his previ- Australia were ahead by when he bamboozled Marnus Smith’s horror run in the However, India too have a Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Monday Ranjan Dimri | Pioneer Faheem outlasted Rizwan and ous highest test score of 83. It’s just been very poor batting Still feel the hundred at Du Plessis’ 199 so far from Australia: Ponting Lord's is my best: Rahane puts SA on top PTI n MELBOURNE “It’s been one of the reasons, I think, that they've eventually got themselves out, AP n CENTURION here were no demons in the MCG playing rash shots. They haven't been able PTI n MELBOURNE of a series-levelling win by Tpitch but very very poor batting by the to tick the scoreboard over on a regular reducing Australia to 133 for six af du Plessis fell for 199 to miss out on a first career Australian batsmen, said the legendary enough basis. Pressure builds. When pres- jinkya Rahane produced a in their second innings. Ftest double-century but that was the only disap- Ricky Ponting, lashing out at the home sure builds, bad shots come,” Ponting said. Amaster-class after taking Asked about the match, he pointment for South Africa as it took complete con- batters for playing rash shots against the “I talked about it in first innings as over the reins at a low point for preferred to stay cautious. trol of the first test Monday against a Sri Lanka team Indian bowlers in the second Test. well particularly with the way they played his team but when it comes to “This game is not over yet, battered by injuries. India are marching towards a domi- Ravi Ashwin. They weren’t proactive his best knock, the stand-in still have to get four more Du Plessis’ career-best score sent South Africa nant series-levelling victory after reduc- against him. Yes, it's been good bowling, India skipper Monday placed wickets.” to 621 all out at SuperSport Park on Day 3 and a 225- ing Australia to 133 for six at stumps on but sometimes against the best bowlers his century at Lord’s ahead of Leading the team in the run first-innings lead. the third day. The hosts are ahead by just you have to take more risks as a batsman. the latest effort, against absence of Virat Kohli, Rahane Sri Lanka's tough position was exacerbated by two runs with only four wickets in hand, For the sheer fact they’re not going to bowl Australia. came into the match after los- the fact that it has had five players injured in the open- going into the penultimate day. bad balls.” Rahane’s classy 112 paved ing seasoned pacer ing three days of the test, with three of them ruled And Ponting minced no words in crit- He went on to praise the display of the the way for India taking a sub- Mohammed Shami and he was out for the rest of the game. icising the Australian batsmen. Indian bowling attack. stantial 131-run first innings also held responsible for run- Du Plessis’ big hundred, and half-centuries from “You can’t blame the pitch. The “The lesser skilled bowlers you can lead in the ongoing second ning out Kohli in Adelaide. four other South African batsmen, wiped out Sri pitch has been absolutely perfect sit on all day because you know you're Test against Australia, who However, on Monday it Lanka's early advantage. The tourists made 396 in today. It’s a little bit of spin, yes, but going to one or two scoring opportu- were in all sorts of trouble at was Rahane who found himself their first innings - their best total in South Africa - you’d expect that. Day three of a nities an over, but Bumrah, Ashwin, the close of play on the third at the receiving end after what and were feeling good about their chances after the Test Match. Very little on offer Jadeja, even Siraj to a cer- day. Ajinkya Rahane bats during play on day two of the second test match AP seemed like a needless call by first day-and-a-half in Centurion. for the fast bowlers, but it’s just tain degree in this game, “It was really special. Ravindra Jadeja, which led to Those positive Sri Lankan vibes disappeared by been poor batting. Very, very they don’t make many Getting a century always is. the Indian team’s tour of placements at Melbourne. his dismissal. the end of Day 3. poor batting so far,” Ponting mistakes. “They’ve actual- Still feel that my hundred England in 2014. “Captaincy is all about Asked about his run out, The South Africans also made inroads in the field was quoted has saying by ly forced the Australian against England at Lord's is my Leading the side just days backing your instinct. You’ve Rahane said, “I initially thought in the 12 overs they bowled before stumps as Lungi Seven. batsman into making mis- best," Rahane said after the after a humiliating defeat in got to back your gut feeling. I was in. I told him (Jadeja) not Ngidi struck twice in the space of two overs late in The former skip- takes. When you're just sit- day’s play. the series-opener at Adelaide Credit to the bowlers, they to worry about my run out and the day. per believes the ting there waiting for good The unassuming Indian Oval, Rahane earned praise bowled in the right areas,” he to do keep doing well.” Sri Lanka was 65-2 in its second innings and still Australians were not bowlers to make mistakes, entered the Lord's Honours from the cricket fraternity for added. Jadeja went on to score his 160 behind when Dinesh Chandimal (21 not out) proactive enough against the you're basically are a sitting Board when he struck an ele- the manner in which he han- After his effort with the bat, 15th Test fifty but got out after limped off at stumps alongside Kusal Perera (33 not Indian bowlers in this match. duck,” Ponting said. gant 103 off 154 balls during dled his bowlers and his field his bowlers put India in sight reaching the milestone. out). Chandimal reached the edge of the field before being picked up by a medic on a golf buggy and car- ried away, the latest Sri Lankan worry in what might be the worst run of injuries for a team in a test. Hitting one area consistently is key to get Aussies out: Siraj Umesh suffers injury, Allrounder Dhananjaya de Silva and fast bowlers Kasun Rajitha and Lahiru Kumara were definitely PTI n MELBOURNE in future too,” he said. ruled out for the rest of the game, Flower said, while What helped Siraj perform taken for scans legspinner Wanindu Hasaranga and Chandimal ndia’s debutant pacer impressively with the red kook- would be assessed overnight. IMohammed Siraj on Monday aburra is his experience of play- back to the dressing room. De Silva was injured while batting on the first said that the MCG track has ing for A team in New Zealand “Umesh Yadav complained day, Rajitha went off after bowling just 13 deliveries slowed down considerably and to earlier this year. of pain in his calf while bowl- on the second day, and the other three all got wipe off the Australian tail, they “The SG seam is more pro- ing his 4th over and was injured on Monday. will have to hit one area consis- nounced and the kookaburra assessed by the BCCI medical Flower said it’s probable that Sri tently. seam flattens quickly like it has team. He is being taken for Lanka’s lack of any four-day cricket in the The Indian bowlers, despite happened now. I bowled well in scans now,” BCCI media team buildup to this two-test tour because of Umesh Yadav’s injury early into New Zealand during A tour and released a statement. the coronavirus pandemic meant the the second innings, reduced the that experience helped me a lot. Umesh had dismissed players were out of condition. It was home team to 133 for six. The "Actually, if you see there is opener Joe Burns with a peach unclear how many Sri Lankans hosts have just a two-run lead not much difference as to how of a delivery in only his sec- might be able to make it out on the with four wickets remaining in you perform in Ranji Trophy and ond over earlier. Debutant field to bat on the fourth day. the second Test. at this level. Yes, performances at pacer Mohammed Siraj complet- Flower said all that was left now “The track on the first day the Test level has its own value ed what was the eighth over of was for the fit players to show some was very helpful for bowling but but the basics don’t change,” he the innings. grit. it has become very slow today. said. India are already missing the He wasn't the only one to cash in. Not much is happening and He is indebted to Indian services of seasoned pacers Dean Elgar made 95 and Aiden there wasn’t much swing on team's bowling coach Bharath Mohammed Shami and Ishant Markram 68 in their 141-run open- offer. The key is to remain patient Arun, who was also his mentor PTI n MELBOURNE Sharma and the latest injury would ing stand on Sunday. Temba Bavuma and hit one area consistently,” dot balls and there should be first-class level. when he first came up the ranks add to the visiting team’s woes in the hit 71 in a 179-run stand with du Siraj said during the virtual equal focus on each ball,” the 26- “During lockdown, I had for the Hyderabad Ranji side. ndia fast bowler Umesh Yadav hob- four-match Test series. Plessis, and then tailender Keshav media conference. year-old Hyderabad pacer said, worked very hard on my fitness “I have always said about Ibled off the field after suffering a calf With updates awaited on Maharaj added to the pain for the Sri His senior pace bowling having already got three wickets and that's paying off well. I did Arun sir's contribution in my muscle injury during the third day of Umesh’s injury, India’s decision to Lankans with his best test score of 73. partner Jasprit Bumrah told him in the match including that of well for India A in red ball for- career. When he was Hyderabad the second Test against Australia play five bowlers at the Melbourne It seemed du Plessis’ double- that the only way to get wickets Travis Head in the second mat and that really helped and coach, he would tell me, “The here on Monday and has been taken Cricket Ground might help their century would top off the day for the on a flat deck is to build pressure innings. after my good performance with kind of quality you have, you can for scans. cause. South Africans but, needing one run with a lot of dot balls. Siraj’s elevation as a Test the white ball in this year's IPL, get any batsman out in world Umesh, 33, was in the middle of Having bowled out Australia for his 200, he tried to hit over the “Jassi bhai told me that don't bowler has happened in the I got confidence that I can do well cricket. Same here before my Test a fine spell when he experienced pain for 195 in their first innings, top and lobbed a catch to Sri Lanka try anything different. Bowl in wake of some great performances for senior team also and hopeful- debut, he gave me a lot of encour- in his left leg and called for immedi- India put up 326 for a substan- captain Dimuth Karunaratne at one are and create pressure with for Hyderabad and India A at the ly, I will keep up the good work agement,” he said. ate medical attention. He later limped tial lead of 131 runs. mid-on.