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PUBLISHED FROM DELHI & KOLKATA VOL. 3, ISSUE 353 | Saturday, 30 December 2017 | Kolkata | Pages 16 | Rs 3.00 NO HALF TRUTHS pNIFTY 10,530.70 (+52.80) pSENSEX 34,056.83 (+208.80) pDOW JONES 24,865.11 (+27.60) pNASDAQ 6,953.08 (+2.92) pRUPEE/DOLLAR 63.87 (+0.21) qRUPEE/EURO 76.58 (-0.09) qGOLD/10GM 30,225 (-25.00) pSILVER/K 39,700 (+200.00) STATE-LEVEL FIVE CONG MLAS ENG REJECT BALL- I AM NOT HISTORICAL RECORDS RESIGN FROM TAMPERING AS RESTRICTING COMMISSION ON THE MEGHALAYA RAIN HALTS ASHES MYSELF AS AN CARDS: CM PG3 ASSEMBLY PG6 VICTORY PUSH PG14 ACTOR: KRITI PG16

POLITICAL FIGURES ATTEMPTING TO REWRITE HISTORY, SAYS CM PUB WAS HOSTING BIRTHDAY BASH; 21 OTHERS INJURED Mamata hits out at Centre Mumbai pub inferno kills 14 MPOST BUREAU »»A majority of those MUMBAI: A fire that started killed were women at a rooftop pub during a party who had come for a spread rapidly through the birthday party for trying to distort history building, killing 14 people, including a woman celebrat- »»The fire is suspected OUR CORRESPONDENT ing her 29th birthday and many to have started a of her friends, officials said on little after 12.30 am KOLKATA: Without naming BJP, Friday. and spread quickly the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee The fire, which also injured on Friday hit out at the Centre for its 21 people, started after 12.30 attempt to distort the country’s history. am in the “1 Above” pub on pound in Lower Parel area, a Hospitality, which manages the She was speaking at the 78th session of the terrace, and spread to favourite night spot as well as pub, along with others, under the Indian History Congress at Nazrul Mojo pub on the third floor commercial hub housing sev- various charges including cul- Mancha. one level below, said an offi- eral offices including national pable homicide not amounting “There has been a continuous cial of the Mumbai civic body, television channels. to murder. attempt to distort the history of our Brihanmumbai Municipal “I was on the night shift. They are also charged IPC country. I feel sad when I see that there Corporation. We heard people screaming at sections 337 (causing hurt by is a calculated effort to rewrite our his- Most of the victims died the pub. Initially, we thought it act endangering life or personal tory. If this trend continues what would of asphyxiation, said Avinash is due to the party which was safety of others) and 338 (caus- our future generations learn? Historians Supe, dean of the KEM hospi- underway there,” said Sanjay ing grievous hurt by act endan- are unhappy over the present situation tal where the injured and dead Jadhav, a programme producer gering life or personal safety of in the country,” Banerjee maintained. were brought. of a news channel. others). Two of those booked She also blamed the Centre responsi- Among the dead was “When I came out of my have been detained. ble for misguiding the people by distort- Khushbu Bansali who was cel- office, I saw that a fire has bro- Several media outlets, ing facts. “Some have gone to the extent ebrating her 29th birthday, and ken out on the rooftop pub. The including TV news channels of saying that Mahatma Gandhi was not ten other women, according main entrance of our office was Times Now, ET Now and TV9 a patriot. What would our researchers to an official list of the victims. blocked due to the flames,” he Marathi, have offices in the learn if some political figures attempt Bansali’s grandfather, Bab- said. complex. There have been alle- to rewrite history? History is our best ulal Mehta, blamed the “irre- The massive blaze engulfed gations that civic authorities teacher,” Banerjee asserted. CM at the History Congress in Nazrul Mancha PIC/MPOST sponsible” hotel management the entire building in about 30 have turned a blind eye to con- “One may come to power, but one and the civic authorities. minutes and took several hours struction irregularities and vio- should not forget constitutional obliga- “The hotel had put up a tem- to be put out. The cause of the lation of fire safety norms in the tions. The whole country is bleeding in the Centre that fabricating historical and Gujarat. “Regardless what may hap- renaissance. The glorious legacy of the porary structure supported by fire is not known. compound. the name religious fights and struggle facts was a crime. pen, our government will continue to country would remain incomplete with- bamboo, with the possibility of Teams of the fire brigade PM Narendra Modi and between different castes. We will con- Referring to recent incidents of pub- support historians to disseminate right out the history of Bengal. If political catching fire. There was no fire and police rushed to the spot, President Ram Nath Kovind tinue to raise our voice against those lic lynching in BJP-ruled states, Chief information. We must ensure that truth parties distort the country’s history in extinguishing facility either. It is and 35 injured people were expressed anguish over the who try to destroy the federal structure Minister said that the government prevails. History teaches us about the this manner, students will get an inac- the responsibility of the police, pulled out from inside the pub tragedy. of the country. There is an attempt to needed to take care of all communities glorious past of our country that links curate picture.” and civic authorities act against and taken to the hospital, a Maharashtra CM Devendra suppress the history of the country in irrespective of their caste, creed and reli- with the present and future. No one can “India is a great country. Unity in any violations,” he said. police official said. Fadnavis also expressed grief the name of political vendetta,” Baner- gion. It may be mentioned that in two change our history.” diversity is our main strength. The fed- 1 Above and Mojo are Police have booked Hratesh and said he had directed the jee pointed out. recent instances two men from Bengal Bengal is also rich in its heritage. eral structure of the country must be located in the Trade House Sanghvi, Jigar Sanghvi and BMC commissioner to conduct The Chief Minister also reminded had been brutally killed in Rajasthan It had played a significant role in the maintained,” the CM added. Building in Kamala Mills com- Abhijeet Manka of C Grade an inquiry. More reports on P5 GOVT IS GOING TO BRING A DATA PROTECTION LAW Medal prospects will Yes, economy did slow Centre releases not face funding hurdles down: FM Arun Jaitley `24,500 crore Will inquire into Facebook RAJYAVARDHAN SINGH RATHORE to compensate NEW DELHI: The Indian economy demanding users’ Aadhaar: Govt slowed down in 2016-17, with the states for GST gross domestic product declining OUR CORRESPONDENT In today’s drastically from 8 percent in 2015-16 to 7.1 percent the next year, the gov- NEW DELHI: Electronics and paper ernment said on Friday. Information Technology Minis- Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said ter Ravi Shankar Prasad on Fri- ... the slower economic growth reflected day said he would “get the entire CITY lower growth in the industry and the facts” about social network- E-TICKET FOR ECO PARK VISITORS 3 services sectors, due to many factors MPOST BUREAU ing site Facebook reportedly including structural, external, fiscal demanding new users’ Aadhaar NATION and monetary factors. the fastest growing major economy and revert to Parliament. He said in the Lok Sabha that the in 2016 and second fastest growing NEW DELHI: The revenue “I have also seen the news RURAL BANKS TO DISBURSE `22.9K CR 6 lower rate of global economic growth major economy in 2017 in the world. loss to states on account of (about Facebook) in media. However, Facebook has tional language on the account in 2016, along with a reduction in He said the government had taken GST implementation was Rs They have also given a reply already clarified that it was “not sign-up page to explain that EDIT gross fixed investment to GDP ratio, various initiatives to boost the growth 24,500 crore between July- that it was not mandatory. But collecting” the Aadhaar data using their Aadhaar name will IS IT TOO EARLY? 8 stressed balance sheets of the cor- of the economy, including a giving a October and the Centre had I will get the entire facts on and was just running a “small help family and friends recog- porate sector, lower credit growth fillip to manufacturing, concrete mea- released compensation to record before I revert to you,” test” to weed out fake accounts. nise them. INTERNATIONAL in industry sector were some of the sures for transport and power sectors make up for it, Parliament Prasad told the Rajya Sabha in “There have been some “We are not collecting Aad- reasons for the low growth rate in as well as other urban and rural infra- was informed on Friday. response to a supplementary reports about a small test we haar data and do not require INDIAN STUDENT SHOT DEAD IN US 11 2016-17. structure, comprehensive reforms in As per the details of GST question on cybersecurity and ran in India to help new users people to enter their Aadhaar BUSINESS “Slower growth in 2016-17 reflects the foreign direct investment policy compensation released to data protection. sign up for Facebook. Some name when they sign up to lower growth in industry and services and special package for the textile states as on November 30, The Minister also said have interpreted this test as a Facebook,” it added. NEW DATA PROTECTION LAW ON ANVIL 13 sector. Economic growth of a country industry. Karnataka got maximum that the government is going request for people’s Aadhaar Earlier, Prasad said that depends on many factors including The minister said the government compensation from the to bring a data protection law information when you sign up the government has no plans SPORT structural, external, fiscal and mon- had also announced various measures Centre at Rs 3,271 crore, fol- very soon. It was reported a few for a Facebook account. This is to make internet availability a M BAGAN HELD BY 10-MAN ARROWS 15 etary factors,” he said during Ques- in the 2017-18 budget to promote lowed by Gujarat (Rs 2,282 days back that new users trying not correct,” Facebook said in a fundamental right, but the gov- tion Hour. growth in which included a push to crore) and Punjab (Rs 2,098 to sign up for Facebook were blog post on Wednesday. ernment is “committed to pro- As per the latest estimates from infrastructure development by giv- crore). See P12 asked to enter their name “as “The test, which has now viding internet connectivity to Central Statistics Office, the growth ing infrastructure status to affordable per Aadhaar” records. finished, merely includes addi- its citizens”. See P13 FOR ADVERTISING rate of Gross Domestic Product housing, higher allocation to highway kindly contact at 9810195709 (GDP) at constant prices was 7.5 construction and focus on coastal or percent, 8.0 percent and 7.1 percent connectivity. Lack of Constitutional sovereignty will lead to anarchy: CJI [email protected] respectively in 2014-15, 2015-16 and “For highways development, 2016-17. the Bharatmala Pariyojana has been MPOST BUREAU The growth in GDP at constant launched. The government has will plunge into anarchy in the absence of Constitutional supremacy,” Justice Misra FOR SUBSCRIPTION market prices was 5.7 per cent and 6.3 launched a phased programme for bank Constitutional sovereignty, Justice Misra said while addressing a function organised kindly contact at 8800854665 per cent in Quarter 1 (Q1) and Quar- recapitalisation. This entails infusion BHUBANESWAR: Chief Justice of India said it is mandatory for all to abide by the by the All Odisha Lawyers Association. or ter 2 (Q2) of 2017-18 respectively. of capital to the public sector banks, Dipak Misra on Friday said Constitutional rules of the law. “We have to keep it in mind that the leg- [email protected] Jaitley claimed that despite the that is expected to encourage banks to sovereignty is supreme and all must sur- “We all are under the Constitutional islature, executive and judiciary are under slowdown, as per the IMF, India was enhance lending,” he said. PTI render before it. Stating that the country sovereignty, and we have to surrender to Constitutional sovereignty.” Bitcoins, other crypto-currencies TO ENSURE CONSUMERS DO NOT GET A RAW DEAL are like Ponzi schemes: Govt Now, probe agency to investigate consumer frauds OUR CORRESPONDENT hakrishnan in the Lok Sabha said the Department of Eco- DHIRENDRA KUMAR stipulated time and they wouldn’t have NEW DELHI: The government nomic Affairs had constituted to wait for years to get the justice as is on Friday cautioned investors an inter-disciplinary committee NEW DELHI: In a significant move the case with consumer courts.” to be wary of virtual currencies to examine the existing global aimed at protecting the interests of However, if there is a need move like Bitcoin, saying they are like regulatory and legal structures consumers, the government led by court, the investigation agency’s probe Ponzi schemes with no legal ten- governing Bitcoin; suggest the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has report would be used by consumers der and protection. framework for regulation of Bit- decided to set up a special investiga- as a valid evidence to seek justice, the “There is a real and height- coin if among others etc. tion agency to probe companies hood- official said, adding that the establish- ened risk of investment bubble nent loss of money, it said. The committee has submit- winking consumers. This will be along ment of investigating agency would of the type seen in Ponzi schemes Noting that there has been a ted its report which is under the lines of organisations investigating start soon after the formation of Cen- which can result in sudden and phenomenal increase in recent consideration of the govern- cyber and economic crimes. tral Consumer Protection Authority. prolonged crash exposing inves- times in the price of virtual cur- ment, the minister said in a writ- According to official sources, Hailing the initiative, Mansingh tors, especially retail consumers rencies (VCs) including Bitcoin, ten reply to the Lok Sabha. the investigating agency would be said, “Since a consumer court is a reac- losing their hard-earned money. in India and globally, it said, The Finance Ministry state- entrusted with the power to penalise tive forum, the victims have to file a Consumers need to be alert and the VCs don’t have any intrin- ment further said that users, errant companies for cheating con- case, and then the process of com- extremely cautious as to avoid sic value and are not backed by holders and traders of VCs have sumers. “The agency will work under any product, including onions, toma- wouldn’t have to move court and run plaint redressal would start, whereas getting trapped in such Ponzi any assets. already been cautioned three the Central Consumer Protection toes, pulses, etc. Besides, the agency from pillar to post to gather evidence the investigating agency is a proactive schemes,” the Finance Ministry “The price of Bitcoin and times by the Reserve Bank of Authority (CCPA) which is going to would also probe the cases of cheat- for proving the fraud committed by forum. The agency would itself take the said in a statement. other VCs, therefore, is entirely India (RBI) about the potential be formed soon. The agency would be ing and cartelisation,” the sources said. big players. cognisance of complaints and probe it.” VCs are stored in a digital/ a matter of mere speculation financial, operational, legal, cus- headed by a Director General (DG) “It would be an expert agency of Commenting on the move, former Notably, the Cabinet has approved electronic format, making them resulting in spurt and volatility tomer protection and security level official,” the sources said. consumer affairs, and upon receiv- Consumer Affairs Secretary Labany- the new Consumer Protection Bill, and vulnerable to hacking, loss of in their prices,” it said. related risks that they are expos- “The agency would investigate ing the complaint; the investigating endu Mansingh said, “The major ben- the bill is likely to be introduced in the password, malware attack etc. Earlier in the day, Minister ing themselves to by investing in cases of consumer goods, unexpected authority would register the cases,” the efit of the investigation agency would current Winter Session of the Parlia- which may also result in perma- of State for Finance Pon Rad- Bitcoin or other such currencies. price fluctuations and price crash of sources said, adding that consumers be that consumers get relief within a ment. See also P7 2 mp around town MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata| Saturday, 30 December, 2017

5 BOOKS TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN JANUARY 2018 fter a significant year for pub- A seemingly random selection of lishing in India, the upcom- heads of state is struck down like flies ing month of January in 2018 by unnamed killers who work with the will set the literary mood for clinical efficiency of butchers. Except Aa new beginning. The Jaipur Literature that they leave no trace of their meth- Festival will see the release of several ods. Sanghi returns with another quietly significant books, apart from hosting fearsome tale – this time of men who over 200 sessions that will witness par- guard the ‘Kalachakra’ – The Wheel ticipation from writers and thinkers of Time. Sanghi describes a world of from across the world. With a lot tak- people at war with one another – a ing place simultaneously and options as boomeranging conflict of faiths that diverse as ever, bookworms have quite results in acts of such slow and planned a choice to make. human cruelty that they defy imagina- Here is the list of five most prom- tion. Zigzagging from Rama’s crossing ising titles that bookworms must take to Lanka to the birth of Buddhism; from note of. the charnel-grounds of naked tantric 4‘Why I Am A 4‘Small Acts practitioners to the bespoke suits of Hindu’, by Shashi Tharoor, of Freedom’, by the Oval Office; and from the rites of In ‘Why I Am a Hindu’, Tharoor gives Gurmehar Kaur, Minerva, shrouded in frankincense, to us a profound book about one of the In February 2017, Gur- the smoke-darkened ruins of Nalanda, world’s oldest and greatest religions. mehar Kaur, a 19-year- the mystery novel is a journey that will Starting with a close examination of old student, joined a have you gasping for breath. his own belief in Hinduism, he ranges peaceful campaign 4‘Diwali in Muzaffar- far and wide in his study of the faith. after violent clashes nagar’, by Tanuj Solanki He looks at the myriad manifestations at a Delhi University Friendship between two teenage boys of political Hinduism in the modern college. As part of the dissolves in the aftermath of an act of era, including violence committed in campaign, Kaur’s post violence typical of the place they live the name of the faith by right-wing made her the target of in – the north Indian town of Muzaf- organisations and their adherents. He is an onslaught of social farnagar. A young man comes to the unsparing in his criticism of extremist media vitriol. Kaur, the same town to celebrate Diwali with his “bhakts”, and unequivocal in his belief daughter of a Kargil family and learns that, given his roots, that everything that makes India a great war martyr, suddenly his cosmopolitanism might not be an and distinctive culture and country will ing on extensive interviews, the book became the focal point of a nationalism option any more. A young woman, be imperiled if religious fundamental- also unravels the motivation behind debate. Facing a trial by social media, hitherto unburdened by family duties, ists are allowed to take the upper hand. the Pakistani nuclear physicist Dr A.Q. Kaur almost retreated into herself. But grapples with the absence of grief upon 4‘Pakistan’s Nuclear Khan’s involvement in nuclear prolif- she was never brought up to be silenced. her father’s death. Elsewhere, a recently Bomb’, by Hassan Abbas, eration in Iran, Libya and North Korea, “Real bullets killed my father. Your hate married couple is pulled apart by a crisis In ‘Pakistan’s Nuclear Bomb’, Abbas and argues that the origins and evolu- bullets are deepening my resolve,” she rooted in the woman’s traumatic child- profiles the politicians and scientists tion of the Khan network were tied to wrote at the time. Today, Kaur is dou- hood. In Solanki’s book of short stories, involved in the development of the the domestic and international politi- bly determined not to be silent. ‘Small young men and women travel between country’s atomic bomb and the role of cal motivations underlying Pakistan’s Acts of Freedom’ is her story. the past and present, the metropolis and China and Saudi Arabia in support- nuclear weapons project and its organ- 4‘Keepers of the the small town, and the always-at-odds ing its nuclear infrastructure. Draw- isation, oversight and management. Kalachakra’, by Ashwin Sanghi needs of life: Solitude and family. IANS Keep yourself fashionably A coffee bond that lingers SHREYA DAS Remarkably rousing don’t know much about warm this winter the rest of the country, but ‘THE GREATEST SHOWMAN’ Delhi, for a long time now, WITH THE PARTY season darker blues, which are perfect has been missing out on Director: Michael Gracey; on us, you know you’ve got for the winter months. Igood coffee. Be it espresso, latte Cast: Hugh Jackman, Zac your fabulous party outfits 4Complete your look with or cappuccino; it has become ready! But with winter here, winter accessories including quite hard to get that flavourful Efron, Michelle Williams, you don’t want to put on some woolen neck warmers, and cup of joe to beat your morning Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, dowdy jacket that takes away hand mittens or warmers. or the whole days’ woes. But Keala Settle, Yahya Abdul- from your perfect party look? FOR WOMEN that is not the case anymore. Mateen II, Natasha Liu Worry no more! 4Merino wool is a great Recently, I came across a quaint Experts list down some tips fabric for winters. It protects café called ‘Coffee Bond’ and Bordizzo, Paul Sparks, Sam to look cool this winter you from the cold as much as it serves the purest, gratifying Humphrey, Aystyn Johnson FOR MEN it allows for the air to circu- coffee in the Capital. and Cameron Seely; 4Layering is definitely the late. Besides this functional use, I have been to a lot of local Rating: way to go during the winter! it also drapes and falls like a shops and big brands to try out Layer a clean white shirt, with dream enabling jackets to layer their flavours and quality of whole leaves tea, some a round neck sweater to look up beautifully on anything. coffee beans, but quite frankly, surprising smoothies, period drama, directed by debutant Michael suave while remaining toasty 4Layering is definitely none have been able to match and hot chocolate. Gracey, the film is an original musical, loosely warm. Finish the look with something one can play with up to my expectations. Those Mix and match these based on the life of Phineas Taylor Barnum, a a trench coat, which is with- to build cosy and chic looks Rs 10 pouch or the Rs 200 jars drinks with spaghetti visionary who rose from nothing to become a out a doubt a timeless piece of this winter. of coffee that are available in marinara (spaghetti Aworldwide sensation of his times. clothing. 4Play with colour block- the market are, not mixed but, served with home- P T Barnum was an American showman, politician and 4Sport outfits in darker ing and different lengths of I would say, contaminated with made tomato sauce, businessman remembered for founding one of the earliest tones including greys, yak merino wool layers for a trendy other ingredients to make it roasted garlic, basil, circus in the US – the Barnum & Bailey Circus. brown, indigo, and other look. IANS taste less bitter. But what those and oregano), won- Set in the mid–19th century, the film tells us how as a kid brands do not understand is der omelette (omelette of humble origin, Phineas faced discrimination because he that their methods are strip- with goat cheese, roasted was a tailor’s son. Also being a dreamer who won’t amount ping the coffee off of its real single walnuts, and spinach), and to anything remarkable, he was cast aside by the community, flavour. satisfying fettuccine (spaghetti served especially the father of the girl he loves. Rahul Gidwani, cup of joe instead of with lots of garlic, fresh gin- He decides to “run away to the world, we design” and the co-founder of five cups that won’t even wake ger sauce and EVOO). If you starts off as a railway employee. He gradually marries Char- ‘Coffee Bond’ also agrees that them up from their slumber. want to make your own coffee, ity (Michelle Williams), the woman of his dreams and lands the coffee available in India is This picturesque place is enroll yourself in their brewing up working in a boring clerical job. It is only after being nothing compared to what one in every sense a café (unlike sessions and learn how to make fired from that job as the company becomes bankrupt, that gets in first world countries. those which serve everything that crème de la crème coffee at Phineas ponders as to what he wants from life. All it took was one sip of black and call themselves café for home. ‘Coffee Bond’ is worth Soon, he realises that his calling is in amusing people, coffee from Melbourne and he namesake). Their food pairs a try for anyone who is tired “cause every night I lie in bed, the brightest colours fill my knew that he had to do some- well with the coffee. A latte of searching for a taste that head. A million dreams are keeping me awake”. So he decides thing about it. The same hap- with their not too sweet and devours them and if it doesn’t to open a museum which gradually takes the shape of a cir- pened to me when I went to spongy, peanut butter waffle go that well, just abide by what cus and his dreams eventually come true after hard times this place and ordered a regu- is a delight. Cassandra Clare said, “As long and much hesitation. lar cup of black coffee. A per- It’s not just coffee that they as there is coffee in the world, The tale tabulates his meteoric rise and delivers on the fect aroma and consistency serve; you can also have light how bad could things be?” theatrics and wide-eyed buoyancy of a man fulfilling his engulfed me as I savoured that dreams and rising above his class. The film does not pride Popayan Cincuenta (coffee itself on dramatics or originality in terms of story, instead beans originating in Colom- choosing to excel in other areas. bia) coffee. The script, written by Jenny Bicks and Bill Condon, is What makes their cof- definitely a rose-tinted version of reality but nevertheless it is fee special is that these an awe-inspiring piece of escapism. With eleven songs in the people are not compro- narrative, the film is an extravaganza with excellent composi- mising on their quality of tion. The songs range from emotional to straight-up toe-tap- coffee beans brought from ping songs. While all the songs are excellent and seamlessly Australia, Belgium and mesh with the plot, the choreography of ‘How do we rewrite some parts of India. Hence, the stars’ picturised on Zac Efron and Zendaya, stands out. their Americano, Latte, Initially, the flavour of the narrative does seem synthetic, Cappuccino, Flat White, but when one of the odd characters reiterates and sings, mocha, espresso tonic and ‘when the sharpest words cut me down this is me’, the beat every other coffee based changes and the film touches an emotional chord. item is top-notch – flavour- Forever charming, Hugh Jackman does slip into Barnum’s ful, consistent and balanced. skin perfectly, but it is this conventional hero character that Apart from the machine-made makes the film seem contrived. coffees, their manual brews are Jackman is aptly supported by Michelle Williams who not to be missed. At a price, plays Charity, his angelic wife and mother to his two daugh- which does not go beyond Rs ters, Zac Efron as the love-struck actor Phillip Carlyle who 200, ‘Coffee Bond’ can give becomes his business partner, Zendaya as the trapeze artist the big shots in this industry and Efron’s love interest, Rebecca Fergusson as the singer a tough competition because Jenny Lind. They are all impressive in their respective space.

ICA-2666(6)2017 anyone would prefer having a Overall, the movie is remarkably rousing and entertaining.IANS Although every possible care and caution has been taken to avoid errors or omissions, this publication is being sold on the condition and understanding that information given in this publication is merely for reference and must not be taken as having authority of or binding in any way on the writers, editors, publishers, and printers and sellers who do not owe any responsibility for any damage or loss to any person, a purchaser of this publication or not for the result of any action taken on the basis of this work. All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of competent court and forums in Delhi/New Delhi only.

“MILLENNIUM POST”, Printed & Published by Jaiyendra Kumar Sharma on behalf of Front Row Media Pvt. Ltd. and printed at Aaj Kaal Publishers Pvt. Ltd., BP-7, Sector-V, Bidhan Nagar, Kolkata - 700 091 and published from Tivoli Court 1A, Ballygunge Circular Road, Block-A, Flat-94, 1st Floor, Kolkata-700 019. Editor: Durbar Ganguly, Executive Editor: Arya Rudra. Email: [email protected], [email protected]. For marketing, contact: 9836292306, 9830532306. For editorial, call: 9836072100 3 city mp MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata |Saturday, 30 December, 2017 Four revenue departments Night bus services from Howrah, State-level historical records merged to form West Bengal Sealdah stns soon Revenue Service OUR CORRESPONDENT OUR CORRESPONDENT KOLKATA: The state Trans- commission on the cards: CM With the merger, port department has decided KOLKATA: In a bid to ensure the present to introduce night bus services efficient and easy collection soon. The step has been taken Announces Rs 5 crore for infrastructure development of Jadavpur University of taxes, the state government incumbents of 4 to connect important places in has constituted integrated services shall be the city from Howrah and Seal- OUR CORRESPONDENT opment of the university. West Bengal Revenue Service dah stations. Speaking at the occasion, (WBRS) by merging the exist- inducted into the KOLKATA: The state gov- the Chief Minister criticised ing four Group-A state services. integrated WBRS Sufficient number ernment will soon set up a the Centre for its step-motherly The four services which are of buses will state-level historical records attitude in disbursing funds for being merged to form the inte- vices including the promotional commission. JU. “It is unfortunate that the grated WBRS are West Ben- prospects of the existing officers be deployed to Addressing a gathering at Centre is denying funds to a gal Commercial Tax Service, of these four services will con- operate from the the 78th session of the Indian prestigious institution like JU. the West Bengal Excise Ser- tinue as per their present ser- History Congress at Naz- Despite the fact that the Cen- vice, the West Bengal Agricul- vice despite the constitution of stations rul Mancha on Friday, Chief tre is not providing funds to tural Income Tax Service and integrated WBRS by merging Minister Mamata Banerjee this institution, we will always the West Bengal Registration the four services. Sources said that buses proposed to set up the “West stand by its side. We will extend and Stamp Revenue Service. The recruitment to the will be operated to ensure that Bengal Historical Records all possible help to make it one According to a memo- WBRS will be made through people do not face any trouble Commission” for better pres- of the finest institutions in the randum of the state Finance the combined West Bengal Civil in reaching their destinations ervation of historical records. world. It is my dream that JU department, the administra- Service (Exe) and the officials of even if they reach the city late Since Bengal is rich in its becomes number 1,” she said. tive reforms in the revenue the new service shall be posted at night at Sealdah and How- cultural heritage, the Mamata She also assured that the directorates under the Finance in any of the directorates of the rah stations. Sufficient num- Banerjee government has felt state government will extend department was under active Finance department and would ber of buses will be deployed the need to create a state-level all its support to JU which has past six-and-half years. Citing consideration for improving also get transferred within the to operate from the stations to history record commission already gained the status of a Indian History Congress is being a few statistics, he said that the the efficiency of tax collection directorates itself. The order will different flanks in North and whose primary job would be to centre of excellence. organised by Jadavpur University (JU) Mamata Banerjee government and providing better services come into force from the begin- South Kolkata. preserve the historical artefacts Suranjan Das, Vice-Chan- has set up 23 new universities to taxpayers. ning of January 2018 and it will Usually, the state-run buses of the state. It can be mentioned cellor of JU who was present at from December 28-30 across the state while 47 col- With the merger, the pres- be of great help for the com- start operating from 5 am. So here that the Centre has its own the programme, echoed simi- leges have come up in different ent incumbents of the four mon people from the new year. till then, there will be night bus history record commission. lar thoughts and said: “We are them in future to transform infrastructure revamp of the districts. Many more institu- services shall be inducted However, the recruitment rules services. The provision will be Indian History Congress facing discrimination from the the institution to the best edu- workshop at JU’s mechanical tions are coming up in the near into the integrated WBRS and of the new service will be noti- introduced soon and there will is being organised by Jadav- Centre. More than 66.6 percent cational institution in the coun- engineering department. future, Chatterjee maintained. with retirement or resignation fied in due course of time and be a separate team of drivers pur University (JU) from of our total funds are coming try. He also announced that State Education minister He also made it clear that of the existing officers of the the officials of the four services and conductors for the night December 28-30. During her from the state government.” among the Rs 5 crore grant Partha Chatterjee who was also one of the major thrust areas four services, the posts held will continue to work in their service. It will be ensured that speech, the Chief Minister He also thanked the Chief that the state government has present at the programme said of the present government by them will automatically get present posts and will carry on a driver, who will be on duty at also announced a fund of Rs 5 Minister for her support and agreed to provide, around Rs the education system has gone is in polytechnic and skill included in WBRS. Moreover, with their present assignments night, will not be given respon- crore for infrastructural devel- said this would “stimulate” 4 crore would be spent for the through a major reform in the development. the terms and conditions of ser- until further order. sibility the next morning. With new motor vehicle office, more than 3L USHERING IN THE NEW YEAR vehicles to get all transport-related services OUR CORRESPONDENT The owners of KOLKATA: With the setting vehicles will have up of the fourth unit of the motor vehicle office of the Kol- an option to pay kata Zone of the state Transport taxes, registration directorate around 3,13,245 fees through debit vehicles from the respective areas will get all transport or credit cards related services. Around 3.13 lakh vehi- fication centre is being set up cles from the areas that come by the Central Institute of Road under the jurisdiction of Transport (CIRT). 15 police stations including The Centre and state gov- Behala, Ekbalpore, Garden ernments both funded the Reach, Haridevpur, Metiabruz, project that has come up in Nadial, Sarsuna, Taratala and the land adjacent to the fourth Thakurpukur. unit of the motor vehicle office The owners of vehicles will of the Kolkata Zone. have an option to pay taxes, It may be recalled that a registration fees through debit crucial move as part of the state or credit cards. port department is also going ernment to ensure that e-office Transport department’s road This is the first office where to be paperless from January 2 gets implemented from Janu- safety measures, the integrated this facility has been made following the direction of Chief ary 2 itself. project to ensure automatic available. The entire facility Minister Mamata Banerjee. It The Behala office will also vehicle testing and certifica- A grand carnival has been organised by TMC MLA Sujit Bose in Lake Town to usher in the New Year. The event that began on Christmas Eve will become operational from may be recalled that the Chief have direct access to the Auto- tion facility and the automatic will continue till January 1, 2018. Hundreds of people thronged the fair to soak in the Yuletide spirit and enjoy the festivities with January 2. Minister has directed all the mated Driving Testing Track system of driving eligibility test friends and family PIC/MPOST At the same time, the Trans- departments of the state gov- and the Inspection and Certi- to issue the license was set up. E-ticket for Eco Park Bypolls: TMC 3 injured after portion of building Kolkata prohibits carrying names candidates visitors on Jan 1 of weapons in public collapses at BB Ganguly Street KOLKATA: Ruling TMC on OUR CORRESPONDENT Friday announced the names ment department visited the OUR CORRESPONDENT spot and cleared the debris. The The area comprising the ‘town of of candidates for the upcom- KOLKATA: Three persons civic officials said the structure KOLKATA: The Kolkata Calcutta’ has been set as defined in ing by-polls for Uluberia were injured, two of them seri- has not been repaired for sev- Police on Friday issued a Calcutta Police Act, 1866 Lok Sabha constituency and ously, when a portion of an old eral decades. The officials said notice prohibiting people Noapara Assembly seat. The building collapsed at B B Gan- owners of some old buildings from carrying sharp and party nominated Sajda Ahmed guly Street on Friday morning. have approached the KMC with offensive weapons in any urbs of the Town of Cal- that the notification will The injured persons have the idea of construction of new public place in the city and cutta”… for the period from ensure maintenance of the for Uluberia. Sajda is wife of been admitted to Calcutta buildings after pulling down the adjoining suburbs for a January 2, 2018 to January law and order situation in former TMC MP from Uluberia Medical College and Hos- the old one with proper reha- year starting January 2. 1, 2019.” the city and its adjoining Sultan Ahmed whose death pital and at a private nursing bilitation of tenants. In a bid to maintain However, as per the areas. It has also been men- earlier this year has necessi- home. The workers of Disaster They maintained that the “public peace and safety”, notification the prohibi- tioned in the notification tated the election, TMC secre- Management department and owners of more such buildings the Kolkata Police have tion of carrying such arms that steps are being taken the Kolkata Municipal Cor- should come forward and pull prohibited carrying arms is not applicable for persons considering “it necessary to tary general Partha Chatterjee poration (KMC) have already down the structures to make Those who will buy e-tickets can enter including swords, spears, who are exempted under do so for the preservation said. In Noapara Assembly removed the debris. room for new ones. They main- Eco Park by showing their identity bludgeons and the like. “Schedule-I appended of public peace and pub- constituency, TMC fielded Senior civic officials said tained that there are over 1,000 A notification stated to notification no GSR lic safety.” Sunil Singh, he said. The seat a portion of the building was old and dilapidated buildings. proofs without wasting any time at the that “…I Rajeev Kumar, 991 dated July 13, 1962, The police will ensure fell vacant following the death damaged after a truck mounted The civic authorities have given Commissioner of Police, issued by the Govern- a vigil so that the direction the pavement and hit the struc- notices asking the occupants ticket counter Kolkata, do hereby pro- ment of India, Ministry of is not flouted in the next of Congress MLA Madhusudan ture a few days ago. The repair to vacate but they are staying hibit any person from car- Home Affairs, or to a one year. Ghose a few months back. work was going on when on Fri- there risking their lives. It may OUR CORRESPONDENT have been built with impec- rying of swords, spears, holder of a permit granted Stringent steps will be The by-polls would be held on day morning another portion be mentioned that in 2017, 25 cable perfection. To give Taj bludgeons, or other offen- by the Commissioner of taken if anyone is found January 29 and counting will of the building caved in, injur- persons who used to stay in old KOLKATA: Housing Infra- Mahal a natural look, there is a sive weapons in any pub- Police, Kolkata…under the carrying such arms with- ing three. The police and civic buildings have died after por- structure Development Corpo- waterbody that resembles river lic place in the “Town Arms Act.” out having any prior take place on February 1. AGENCIES workers along with their coun- tions of structures caved in and ration (HIDCO) has introduced Yamuna flowing next to the of Calcutta” or in the “Sub- It may be mentioned permission. terpart in the Disaster Manage- fell on them. e-tickets for visitors to enter Eco structure. It may be mentioned Park avoiding long queues on that Chief Minister Mamata January 1, 2018. Banerjee had urged HIDCO Vice-Prez to The decision has been taken officials to construct the Seven IAF bids farewell to MiG-27 ML Bahadur after Eco Park recorded 1.07 Wonders for visitors. Her antic- arrive today lakh visitors on December 25, ipation is correct as the Seven KOLKATA: The last MiG-27 ML air- weapon computers, it is capable of the highest ever by an urban Wonders had recorded over craft roared over Hasimara Air Force delivering a variety of loads in different KOLKATA: Vice- park in the state. 12,000 visitors on a Sunday. On base in Bengal on Thursday for the last modes of attack with immense preci- President M Venkaiah Those who will buy e-tickets December 25, a few thousand time as the IAF bade farewell to this sion, the statement said. Naidu is scheduled can enter Eco Park by showing people had visited the site. legacy fleet in a function, a Defence Being a very stable weapon plat- their identity proofs without To ensure smooth flow of spokesperson said on Friday. form with good forward visibility and to arrive here on wasting any time at the ticket traffic on Biswa Bangla Sarani The MiG-27 ML, code named all around view, it can drop bombs, Saturday on a day’s counter. particularly in the evening, a ‘Bahadur’ in India, has had an impec- rockets, precision munitions guided by maiden visit to the HIDCO will set up 20 ticket new road has been constructed. cable track record in its more than three TV/laser and also fire air-to-air missiles city after assuming counters on January 1, 2018. To Eco Park, which stands on decades of glorious service to the nation, for self defence thus making it a lethal office. Official sources run them successfully, addi- 480 acres of land surrounded by the spokesperson said in a statement. and a potent weapon platform. tional staff will be deployed and 112 acres of waterbody, is com- The formidable strike aircraft of MiG-27 ML had proved its worth in said Naidu will attend there will be senior HIDCO ing up as an important tourist Russian origin has the single most pow- various operations, including in Kargil the inauguration of officials to oversee each coun- destination. There is a Japanese erful engine in the world and variable and earned rich accolades in numerous the celebration of ter. HIDCO has already set up garden and the replica of the geometry wing which allows the pilot international exercises held in India. and are presently based in Jodhpur. with its range, speed and ferocity in 187 years of Calcutta six toilet blocks and another Darjeeling toy train as well. to change the wing sweep angle while The pilots proudly call themselves The 22 Squadron, known as ‘Swifts’ attack has always been in perfect har- one will be put up near the Ghoom station has been rec- flying as per the mission requirements ‘Swing Wingers’ and have always was the last squadron of the IAF flying mony with the Swift , who bade it fare- Chamber of Com- area where the Seven Won- reated to near perfection. There to achieve optimum flying characteris- vouched the aircraft’s precise weapon the MiG-27 MLs. The squadron has a well with full military honours. merce and would ders are situated. CCTVs will is an arena where the visitors tics, it said. delivery and rapid acceleration, the rich history and is known for undertak- Squadron head Group Captain S L speak at its seminar be installed and staff will be do cycling particularly riding This swing wing fighter bomber was statement said. ing the famous ‘Boyra Day Operations’ Mahajan, who after a stint in Sukhoi-30 ‘Revitalising Parlia- engaged to do sweeping in the tandem cycles. With adequate inducted into the IAF fleet in the late Though the last MLs retire, they are in Gnat aircraft, marking the beginning MKI, proudly led the last ML. mentary Democracy afternoon. The Seven Wonders security arrangements in place, 1980s. Being a dedicated ground attack not the last swing wing aircraft in ser- of 1971 War. The ‘Swift’ pilots are slated to move were hot favourites among the the main thoroughfares on New aircraft, it was one of the main strike vice as few of them got a midlife avion- One of the youngest fighter squad- to other squadrons/appointments and in India’ to mark the visitors on December 25. The Town have been lit up to usher aircraft of the IAF. ics upgrade and continue to serve the rons, it converted to the MLs in Febru- the squadron would be number plated occasion. MPOST miniature of the Seven Wonders in the New Year. With its sophisticated avionics and nation. They are called MiG-27 UPG ary 1990. The lethal MiG-27 aircraft, for new induction. AGENCIES 4 city mp MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Saturday, 30 December, 2017 Guides to aid foreign Police arrest Govt mulls compensation constable tourists in RBU for harassing Jorashanko campus woman for Bhangar land owners KOLKATA: A Kolkata Police constable has been arrested for OUR CORRESPONDENT considerable amount for the giving an indecent proposal to purpose. a woman. On the basis of the KOLKATA: The state gov- At the same time, people’s complaint lodged by the victim ernment is contemplating the representatives from the area woman, police have arrested idea of giving compensation to have been asked to take all nec- the accused on Thursday night. those land owners above whose essary steps to ensure proper The accused, Krishna land, high tension line will be implementation of different Kamal Bhattacharya, had been passing in Bhangar. projects of the state govern- posted at Nadial police station. A high-level meeting was ment including Geetanjali. The victim, a resident of Charu held in Nabanna on Friday, in They have also been asked Market police station area, which Sovan Chatterjee, the to take necessary steps to alleged that she was standing state Fire and Emergency Ser- ensure widening and strength- outside her house on Thursday vices minister, the MLA from ening of more roads, among evening when the accused was Canning Pura Assembly con- other development work. passing though the area on his stituency Abdur Rezzak Mol- It has been learnt that a OUR CORRESPONDENT came into being from the fact motorcycle. lah, who is also the state Food peace rally will be held from that it was named after the Seeing the woman, the Processing and Horticulture Kashipur to Anantapur, where KOLKATA: In a unique initia- twin Shankar (Shiva) temples accused stopped his bike and minister and other represen- major trouble broke out tive, the state Tourism depart- located near the home. told her that he wanted to take tatives from the area includ- on Thursday, leaving some ment has decided to appoint In the year 1961, as part of her to a restaurant. ing Arabul Islam and Kaiser injured. The peace rally will guides at the Jorashanko cam- the centenary celebration of As the woman protested Ahmed were present. be organised by the Trinamool pus of Rabindra Bharati Uni- Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, against his indecent proposal, Sources said that it was a Mayor Sovan Chatterjee ahead of the meeting at Nabanna on Friday MPOST Congress leaders and workers versity to attract more foreign the then government took over the accused introduced him- prescheduled meeting but it in Bhangar. tourists. the house. Thus, it came under self as a police personnel. The hadn’t happened earlier for cer- ing with Chatterjee, they were wires passing over them. In a bid to ensure develop- Steps have also been taken Over the years, it has been the care of the state govern- woman became scared and tain reasons. Since it has taken called for a cup of tea in Chief It may be mentioned that ment work in the area, the state to ensure that the situation found that many foreign tour- ment. Finally on May 8, 1961, shouted for help. Hearing place on Friday, a day after ten- Minister Mamata Banerjee’s a conception has been devel- government is contemplating doesn’t deteriorate further. ists visit the Jorashanko cam- the Rabindra Bharati Museum her screaming, the local resi- sion broke out at Bhangar once office in Nabanna. oped among the local people to give compensation to such The situation remained grim pus. They face some problems was established by Pandit Jawa- dents rushed to her rescue and again over the issue of setting It has been learnt that the that the valuation of land will land owners. in Bhangar on Friday morning in knowing the place as there harlal Nehru, the then Prime caught the accused. up of power grid, the issue state government is mulling the drop if high-tension wires pass However, the quantum of as well, with people in areas are no appointed guides. The Minister of India, in honour of Local residents said that the has also been discussed in the proposal of giving compensa- above it. This is the reason why compensation is yet to be final- including Anantapur choos- university employees who are Rabindranath Tagore. accused was in an inebriated meeting. tion to the land owners, whose the land owners had been agi- ised. Sources said that the state ing to remain indoors most of there, do not always help tour- The museum complex has state. He was riding on a bike After they held the meet- plots will have high-tension tating in the area. government will be giving a the time. ists to see the places. several buildings. The Rabin- that had a ‘KP’ sticker attached Keeping in view the footfall dra Bharati Museum is housed to it. They informed the mat- of foreign tourists, the Trans- within the university and is a ter to the local police station. Revellers rejoice: Two minors port department has decided major repository of the works Police reached the spot and Body of teenage girl found that it would appoint guides of the Tagore family, espe- took the accused to the Charu Metros to run rescued from who will not only be well- cially of Abanindranath and Market police station. They versed in various languages, Rabindranath. came to know about the iden- past midnight on Metro stations, but will also have detailed Apart from the museum, tity of the youth from his iden- hanging in Haridevpur knowledge about the place. there are five art galleries which tity card. New Year’s Eve A sizeable amount of visi- a large number of people visit The woman alleged that thanks to RPF tors come from Bangladesh. every year. Senior officials of police initially tried to convince OUR CORRESPONDENT Apart from Bengali and Eng- the state Tourism department her to settle the matter with the KOLKATA: Timely interven- lish, the guides will also know have held meetings with the accused. Following pressure KOLKATA: Mystery shrouds tion by RPF personnel has other languages like French university officials. A written from the victim and the local the death of a 14-year-old girl recently led to a boy and a girl and Mandarin. letter would soon be sent to the residents, police finally started whose body was found hang- being rescued in two Metro sta- The Jorashanko Thakur- university regarding the matter. a case against the accused and ing from the ceiling inside her tions and handed over to their bari was the ancestral home of According to a senior Tour- arrested him. aunt’s house at Haridevpur on relatives and parents. the Tagore family where Rabi- ism department official, it The victim also told police Friday morning. On December 20, RPF per- ndranath Tagore was born and would be implemented soon. that this is not the first time Police said that the victim, sonnel rescued a seven-year- spent a major part of his life. It The guides will also be trained that the accused had given her identified as Nilanjana Das old boy at Rabindra Sadan was built in the 18th century by the department. The depart- an indecent proposal. He used (14) used to stay at her aunt’s station, who was found loiter- by Prince Dwarkanath Tagore, ment also has a plan to engage to tease the woman and tried to house in Haridevpur area in the ing aimlessly on the mezzanine Rabindranath Tagore’s grand- guides in various other tour- force her to establish a relation- southern fringes of the city. She floor of the station. On interro- father. The name ‘Jorashanko’ ist spots. ship with him. MPOST OUR CORRESPONDENT was a student of Gangapuri Sik- REPRESENTATIVE IMAGE gating the boy, it was learnt that shasadan Girls School. he had been separated from KOLKATA: With a view to On Friday morning, the and sent her to MR Bangur detailed probe in this regard. his relative. The boy’s guard- NATURE’S BOUNTY help party revellers and in victim’s uncle and aunt had Hospital where the doctors They are interrogating the vic- ian was contacted and he was anticipation of the heavy rush gone to their workplaces. Some announced her brought dead. tim’s friends and family mem- handed over. of commuters on New Year’s of the victim’s friends had come The body has been sent for bers in this connection so far. On December 22, at about Eve, Metro Railway, Kolkata to their house as they were sup- postmortem examination. In the primary investigation, 11:30 am, information was has decided to ply post-mid- posed to go to a private tuition Police have started a case police have come to know that received at Jatin Das Park night special Metro services for together. of unnatural death. The vic- the victim had been suffering Metro station through Central the benefit of passengers. Her friends found that the tim’s aunt and uncle have been from some mental depression. Control, Metro Railway, that On December 31, 2017 main gate of their house was informed about the matter. Police are investigating an eight-year-old girl had been (Sunday), 200 services will open. They stepped into the Police have recovered a diary to ascertain if the victim had separated from her mother in be run instead of the 110 ser- room to find that the victim from her room. No suicide note developed any love affair. Police a down Metro train at Netaji vices usually run on a normal was hanging from the ceil- has been found from her room. are not, however, ruling out the Bhavan Metro station. Sunday. ing. They informed the matter Police are yet to confirm if the possibility of the victim com- Immediately, the on duty The train service will com- to the local residents, who in victim committed suicide or if mitting suicide. They are wait- RPF staff stopped the down mence from 9:55 am and will turn informed the local police there was any foul play involved ing for the postmortem report, Metro train and rescued the continue till post midnight, i.e. station. behind her death. which might throw some light child at Jatin Das Park station 12:30 pm. Police rushed to the spot Police have started a on the girl’s death. at 11:33 am. MPOST millenniumpost.in Ex-PM’s name as Chancellor on VBU letterhead sparks row is now available in everypart of Bengal KOLKATA: Controversy was of the university. SL DISTRICT Centre Name Agent Name Contact No sparked off as Viswa Bharati The university authorities NO NAME University authorities sent have stated that it happened letters to the district magis- by mistake. Somehow, an old 1 East Midnapore TAMLUK N.C.Bera 7501493175 trate and district police in a letterhead was used. Though HALDIA Ayesha 9474306356 letterhead with the name of initially the university author- Begum,Ranichak Chancellor of the university ities were not giving much DIGHA Kamal Lochan Panda 8906868884 being printed as Dr Manmo- importance to it, they later han Singh. expressed their apology over 2 West Midnapore MIDNAPORE Balaram Pandit 9932708271 The university authorities the incident. 3 Jhargram JHARGRAM Champa Maity 9547230220 have sent the letters to the The controversy was 4 North 24 - Parganas BARASAT/NILGUNJ B N Kundu 9836333630 district magistrate and dis- sparked off as soon as the trict police to thank them for matter came to light. Ques- BARRACKPORE Biswajit Ghosh 9830830798 the successful completion of tion has been raised on how BASIRHAT Uttam Biswas 9474574927 Poush Mela. such a mistake can take place 5 Bardhaman BURDWAN Kamal Mukherjee 9332192230 But it was found that the when the matter is related 6 West Bardhman ASANSOL Hiralal Sen 9933662126 name of the Chancellor of to the Prime Minister of the the university on the letter- country. It may be mentioned DURGAPUR WARIA Joy prakash Ray 9563601176 / head was printed as Dr Man- that there is no clear indica- 7864818860 mohan Singh. It should have tion yet whether fresh let- NIRSHA Gopal Chatterjee 9386695330 been Narendra Modi, as the ters will be sent to the district Prime Minister of the coun- magistrate and the district BARAKAR Jai Bhagwan Singh 9334652173 Women farmers collect rice husks during the harvest season in Kalikapur, on the outskirts of Kolkata, on Friday PTI try is always the Chancellor police. MPOST 7 Murshidabad BAHARAMPUR COURT Dipak Choudhury 9851612424 8 Nadia KALYANI / Dey News Agency 9830609355 KANCHRAPARA Land Rovers deserve heritage status, say Hill residents 9 Howrah HOWRAH CENTRE Manik Lal Bag 9883393201 /9732243933 OUR CORRESPONDENT “The government should recognise 10 Purulia PURULIA D.C.Nag 9434130550 these vehicles as heritage and make 11 Jalpaiguri SILIGURI Toton Saha 9832046238 DARJEELING: It was a scene of old special provisions for them. As spare war horses running together in the parts are not available, these vehicles 12 Hooghly CHINSURAH / CHAN- B.Singh 9883108806 ongoing Teesta Rangeet Tourist Festi- have seen a lot of modifications. These DAN NAGAR val 2017, where the Darjeeling Hima- vintage vehicles cannot be judged on 13 Birbhum SHANTINIKETAN Anita Shaw 9232162151 layan Railway and vintage Land Rovers the same yardstick as prevailing gov- 14 Darjeeling DARJEELING Bitta Newspaper 9434131515 ran side-by-side on Thursday in a col- ernment norms such as emission fit- Agency orful rally. While the DHR is a world ness. If these vehicles are taken off the heritage, the land Rover owners have road, then an important part of history 15 Cooch Behar COOCH BEHAR Jayanta Das 9434217084 appealed to the government to declare will disappear,” stated Asish Gupta, 16 Alipurduar ALIPURDUAR Bablu Saha 9733166169 these vintage vehicles as heritage also. who is a Land Rover Instructor from 17 Kalimpong KALIMPONG Sandeep Jain 9832016738 A Land Rover rally commenced Delhi and had taken part in the rally, from Maneybhanjyang, 28 km from along with his family. 18 Uttar Dinajpur RAIGUNJ Pradyut Karmakar 9434384154 Darjeeling town. At Ghoom, 8km away Maneybhanjyang offered dis- 19 Dakshin Dinajpur BALURGHAT Sujan das 8670582892 from Darjeeling town, a DHR carni- counted stays to tourists on December 20 Malda MALDA TOWN Ashim Kr.Sarkar 7797919580 val train joined in and completed the 27, with cultural shows and felicita- Others District List epic journey running next to the vin- tion programmes being held as part of tage SUVs. ing fit Land Rovers, each more than The residents of these villages are the festival. 21 Jharkhand RANCHI Birendra Nath Singh 9431929279 / Maneybhanjyang, a hamlet on the 50 years old. dependent on the Land Rovers for the “70-year-old Radhey Tamang, who 8409298763 Indo-Nepal border, 28 km from Dar- These are the only vehicles that are transportation of nearly everything, still continues to drive a Land Rover, TATA NAGAR Surender Singh 9835170495 jeeling, could be the only place on this used to ferry both passengers as well from construction material, essential ferrying tourists to Sandakphu and DHANBAD S.K.Pandey 8409984151 planet where the residents are depen- as goods to the famous trekking spot commodities including LPG cylinders 65-year-old Phurba Tamang, a Sing- dent on a fleet of vintage vehicles, both of Sandakphu, at an altitude of around and food supply. The Land Rovers of halila National Park tourist guide, 22 Bihar PATNA Nandalal Yadav 7765012713 as a daily necessity as well as liveli- 12,000 feet, as well as the numerous vil- Maneybhanjyang have been manufac- were felicitated,” said Buddha Tamang, hood. The hamlet boasts of 42 fight- lages en-route. tured before 1957. organiser of the event. 5 MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Saturday, 30 December, 2017 mp nation Mumbai pub fire: Guilty won’t be spared, says CM CORRESPONDENT Narrow escape for news MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief BMC suspends 5 officials Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday promised action CORRESPONDENT against errant civic officials and Mumbai mayor channel employees the owners of a pub in central MUMBAI: The Brihanmum- said an enquiry Mumbai where a massive fire bai Municipal Corporation MUMBAI: About 15 employ- cafe and the music.” claimed 14 lives. (BMC) on Friday suspended has been ordered ees of the TV9 Marathi chan- When he came out of the Speaking to reporters after five of its officials in connec- and strict action nel working the night shift had office, he saw that a fire had visiting the building in Kamala tion with the fire in a Central a providential escape when a broken out at the roof-top cafe. Mill Compound in Lower Parel Mumbai pub that claimed 14 will be taken fire broke out shortly after “The main entrance of where the tragedy took place lives, a top official said. against errant midnight in a pub above their our office was blocked due to past midnight, Fadnavis said The civic body in the recent officials ground floor office. the fire. I raised an alarm and he had ordered safety audit of past had sent a few notices to The midnight blaze started about 10 to 12 people came all such structures in the city. the joints at the Kamala Mills in the 1 Above pub on the out through the fire exit,” said Officials have also been compound for violation of and strict action will be taken terrace of the Trade House Jadhav. Jadhav said he and his directed to demolish illegal norms, a senior BMC official against errant officials. Building in the Kamala Mills colleagues saw the temporary structures, he added. said. A fire that started at a roof- compound, killing 14 people, roof made of bamboo burning Fadnavis said he has asked “We have suspended five top pub hosting a birthday including 11 women, officials and falling down to the ground the Brihanmumbai Munici- officials in connection with the party spread rapidly through said today. floor. pal Commissioner to hold an fire tragedy,” Municipal Com- the building, killing 14 people, The fire, which also injured “Had we been late by five- enquiry and submit a report missioner Ajoy Mehta told PTI. most of them women, shortly 21 people, soon spread to the 10 minutes, we would have within 15 days. The officials suspended after midnight in a posh Mum- Mojo’s Bistro on the third floor, been trapped inside. It was a “Five (civic) officials have Grieving family member of Khushbu Bansali, who had hosted her birthday party at the restaurant which were attached to the fire bri- bai locality, officials said today. one level below, disrupting the narrow escape for us,” Jadhav already been suspended and gade and the G South Ward. The fire, which also injured services of several channels, added. A fire official said peo- caught fire in Kamala Mills compound in Mumbai, on Friday. PTI appropriate sections of the The suspended officials 21 people, started after 12.30 including Times Now. ple rushed to the washroom of Indian Penal Code will be dent in Mumbai. My thoughts take strong action against err- their lives in the unfortunate include an assistant divisional am in the “1 Above” pub on The roof collapsed and the the restaurant to escape as they invoked against the owners of are with the families who lost ing officials immediately. incident. I wish speedy recov- fire officer, while the remaining the terrace, and spread to Mojo entrance to the TV9 Marathi did not find any proper fire exit the pub, making them respon- their loved ones and prayers Maharashtra Governor ery to the injured,” the gover- four are from the ward office pub on the third floor one level office was blocked, said Sanjay and were asphyxiated to death. sible for the loss of lives. The for the speedy recovery of the Ch Vidyasagar Rao expressed nor said in his message. including engineers and health below. Jadhav, a programme producer Services of Mirror Now and guilty won’t be spared,” Fad- injured. Directed the BMC shock at the loss of innocent The fire, which also left 21 officials, civic sources said, add- Most of the victims, who with the news channel. Zoom TV, with offices adja- navis said. Commissioner to conduct an lives. people injured, started after ing the ward officer of G South included 11 women, died of Recalling the horror, Jadhav cent to the building where the Earlier, the chief minister in-depth enquiry.” “The incident of blaze was 12.30 am at the ‘1 Above’ pub has been transfered. asphyxiation, said Avinash said, “I was on the night shift. fire broke out, were hindered tweeted: “Disturbing to know In another tweet, Fadna- shocking. I convey my heart- and quickly spread to ‘Mojo Mumbai mayor Vishwa- Supe, dean of the KEM Hospi- We heard people screaming at as the blaze engulfed their dish about the loss of lives in unfor- vis said he has directed BMC felt condolences to the kin of Bistro’ pub on the third floor, nath Mahadeshwar said an tal where the injured and dead the cafe. We thought it’s due to antenna, said a senior Mirror tunate Kamala Mills fire inci- commissioner Ajoy Mehta to the innocent people who lost according to civic officials. enquiry has been ordered were brought. the party which was on at the Now journalist. Opposition blames ‘corrupt’ She was 29 on 29th: A birthday and inferno that followed CORRESPONDENT night spot as well as commer- The setting was cial hub housing several offices functioning of civic body MUMBAI: The pub was 1 including national television Above, the music was loud and perfect as Khushbu channels. CORRESPONDENT is inappropriate to announce ward have to be suspended the cake was chocolate. The set- Bansali rang in The cheerful music would a probe headed by the BMC because fire norms have been ting was perfect as Khushbu have been abruptly silenced, MUMBAI: Opposition Con- commissioner,” Vikhe Patil violated and that has caused Bansali rang in her 29th birth- her 29th birthday the celebrations giving way gress and Nationalist Congress said. these deaths,” Nirupam said. day with friends and family in with friends and to panic as the guests ran for Party on Friday slammed the He alleged the BJP-led Maharashtra Pradesh Con- the rooftop restaurant of a posh cover. Mumbai civic administra- dispensation in the state was gress Committee chief Ashok Mumbai building. family in the Many of them reportedly tion and the state government ignoring corruption in the Chavan said that over the last But Khushbu, who turned rooftop restaurant ended up in restrooms and for the Kamala Mills fire that Sena-run BMC to ensure sta- few days, there have been inci- 29 on the 29th, did not live to choked to death. killed 14 people and injured bility of the state government. dents of fire in different parts see the day. of a posh Mumbai A distraught Babulal several others. The state is run by a BJP-Sena of the city and innocent people The merriment soon turned building Mehta, Khushbu’s grandfa- They demanded a high- alliance government. have lost their lives. into mayhem as a fire broke out ther, blamed the “irresponsi- level probe into the tragedy Mumbai Congress chief He alleged that the civic shortly after midnight, reduc- ble” hotel management and the and said strict action should be Sanjay Nirupam, demanding a administration and the state ing the restaurant to a heap a gesture of denial before pro- civic authorities. taken against erring officials. probe, said the fire was a result government were just pay- of smouldering bamboo and ceeding to do the honours. “The hotel had put up a Senior Congress leader of “clear violation of fire and ing lip services and not taking wood. The happy party quite temporary structure supported Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil safety norms”. any tough action to curb these Fourteen people were oblivious to what was in store. by bamboo with the possibil- demanded a probe by the “In a small area like the irregularities. killed, 11 of them women, most Among the millions of sim- ity of catching fire. There was Central Bureau of Investiga- Kamala Mills compound, Mumbai NCP president of them asphyxiating to death, ilar ‘stories’ on social media, no fire extinguishing facility tion into the alleged corrupt 96 restaurants have come up Sachin Ahir said the corrupt officials said. the video is now on national either. It is the responsibility of practices and functioning of with zero fire protection. No functioning of the BMC was Among the dead was the media, underscoring the hor- the police and civic authorities the Brihanmumbai Municipal fire audits have taken place responsible for the death of birthday girl who just a short ror that followed just minutes to act against any violations,” he Corporation (BMC). either,” he alleged, holding innocent people. while ago was blowing out can- later. told the media. A popular res- “The Opposition rejects the the BMC, the fire brigade and He demanded action dles to the chorus of “Happy The fire that started from taurant listing app now says 1 government’s stand to hold an the Maharashtra government against guilty officials and Birthday” and wishes for a long took little time in uploading the The video, inscribed with a 1 Above soon spread across Above and Mojo’s Bristo, where inquiry into the incident by the answerable. maximum compensation to life. video of a laughing Khushbu, caption saying “Happiest birth- the four-storeyed building in the fire spread to, are “tempo- BMC commissioner. The BMC “All the BMC officials the kin of those dead and As is the wont in these days dressed in a black top, cutting day Khushi”, shows a friend Kamala Mills compound in rarily unavailable” for serving is responsible for the fire and it working in that particular injured. of social media, her friends her cake. teasing Khushbu, who makes Lower Parel area, a popular patrons. Pub flouted fire safety norms: Cops Prez condoles Kamala Mills fire latest in series of tragedies loss of lives NIKHIL BAPAT bridge linking the Elphinstone CORRESPONDENT drances created on the emer- flouted the rules and regula- The fire started at the roof- Road and Parel stations. gency exit way. “Negligence on tions by way of encroachment top of the pub which was host- NEW DELHI: Calling as “dis- MUMBAI: India’s financial And on Friday, in the dying MUMBAI: The ‘1 Above’ pub, the part of the pub led to the and other violations, the BMC ing a birthday party and spread turbing” the news about the fire capital was rocked by three days of the year, tragedy struck where a massive blaze killed death of 14 customers and inju- had taken legal action against rapidly through the building, at a building in Mumbai, Presi- tragedies this year - a deluge, again on the 29th with a fire 14 people, did not follow fire ries to several others.” its management on May 27 for killing 14 people, most of them dent Ram Nath Kovind on Fri- a stampede and a major blaze breaking out in a pub in a safety norms and violated reg- “The manager and other using the open space for com- women, shortly after midnight. day condoled the loss of lives in -- all on the 29th. building in the Kamala Mills ulations on encroachment with staff of the pub ran away from mercial activities,” he said. The police have booked the incident. The series of ‘29’ began on compound hosting a birth- obstructions blocking its emer- the spot without helping those Notices had been served Hratesh Sanghvi, Jigar Sang- “Disturbing news about the August 29 when torrential rain day party. The midnight blaze gency exit, police and civic offi- injured in the blaze,” police on the pub on August 4, Sep- hvi and Abhijeet Manka of C fire in Mumbai. Condolences brought Mumbai to its knees, killed 14 people, including 11 cials said on Friday. said. tember 22 and October 27 this Grade Hospitality, which man- to the bereaved families and disrupting rail, road and air women, and injured 21. In its daily crime report, the Meanwhile, a civic official year by the BMC, asking it to ages the pub, along with others, wishing the injured an early services, uprooting trees and The three tragedies, on the police also said the pub’s man- told PTI the Brihanmumbai stop encroaching on the open under IPC sections 304 (cul- recovery. Commend the val- leaving hundreds of Mumbai- same day of various months, ager and other staff fled from Municipal Corporation (BMC) space, he said. pable homicide not amounting iant efforts of fire-fighters and kars stranded. At least 10 peo- were also linked by allegations the spot instead of helping the had taken action against the “On August 2, we razed to murder), 337 (causing hurt those in rescue ops,” Kovind ple were killed in Mumbai and that they were the result of customers injured in the blaze. pub more than three times for a portion of the pub for by act endangering life or per- said in a tweet. At least 14 peo- its neighbouring areas. September 29, 23 people lost apathy and could have been “No fire safety norms were “violations”. encroaching upon the open sonal safety of others) and 338 ple, mostly women, were killed Exactly a month later, on their lives in a stampede on a avoided. followed by the pub and the According to the official, space. Thereafter, on October (causing grievous hurt by act and 21 injured in the fire that management did not make any the pub had obtained the fire 22, we seized the open space, endangering life or personal started at a rooftop pub host- arrangement for the safe exit of safety and building permis- where it illegally served the safety of others). ing a birthday party and rapidly its customers during the blaze,” sions from the civic body in customers. Despite that, the The case has been lodged spread through the build- police said. October 2016. owners of the pub had indulged at the N M Joshi Marg Police ing shortly after midnight in They said there were hin- “However, as ‘1 Above’ in violations,” he added. Station. Kamala Mills compound. PTI RS declares Jan 1 a holiday Govt felicitates WorldSkills-2017 winners OUR CORRESPONDENT CORRESPONDENT NEW DELHI: The Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Minister for Skill Devel- opment & Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan felici- tated the winners of World- Skills 2017 from India here on Thursday. NEW DELHI: The Rajya Sabha The Minister also disbursed will have a long weekend and reward money worth Rs. 50 resume work on January two, lakh among winners and their as it decided to have a holiday respective trainers, in various on the first day of 2018. categories, for their participa- Making the announcement tion in WorldSkills Interna- in the House, Minister of State tional Competition, that was for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay held in Abu Dhabi in October Goel said political parties and this year. several members, especially Led by National Skill Devel- those from the remote parts opment Corporation (NSDC) Applauding the accom- to garner success and respect in scoring highest amongst the like the Northeast, had urged under the guidance of MSDE, plishments of the participants, the society.” India contingent. Kiran Sud- that January 1 be declared a a team of 28 participants repre- Dharmendra Pradhan said, Team India exhibited exem- hakar, from Bangalore, was holiday. sented India in 26 skill catego- “It is encouraging to see the plary performance at the com- awarded a cheque of Rs. 6 lakhs Goel said the House, there- ries at the skills competition. passion, efforts and dedica- petition by winning One Silver for winning a Bronze in Proto- fore, would not sit on January 1 These talented and skilled mil- tion of these young competi- for Patisserie and Confection- type Modelling. and the loss of business would lennial hailing from different tors that has made the nation ary (Mohit Dudeja), One Eleven other competitors be compensated by putting in corners of the country, had proud. Such competitions not Bronze for Prototype Mod- were rewarded with Rs. 2 lakhs extra hours on the remain- competed at the WorldSkills only give opportunities to can- elling (Kiran Sudhakar) and each for winning nine medal- ing days of the ongoing win- Competition against their peers didates to represent the coun- Nine Medallions of Excellence. lions for excellence in trades ter session. at the global level. The compe- try at global platforms, but also Mohit Dudeja from Delhi such as mechatronics, brick- The announcement was tition had drawn 1,300 young raise the benchmarks of skill- NCR was rewarded with Rs. laying, restaurant service, auto- made as the Question Hour contestants from 59 World- ing. We truly believe that these 8 lakhs for winning a Silver in mobile technology, jewellery, came to a close in the Rajya Skills’ member countries and Skill India ambassadors would Patisserie and Confectionary graphic design technology, Sabha. Saturdays and Sundays regions, showcasing their talent inspire many others to take up skills. He is also the winner of mobile robotics, beauty ther- are holidays for Parliament. across 51 skills competitions. skill training, which is the key the “Best of Nation” award for apy and car painting. 6 nation mp MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Saturday, 30 December, 2017 Massive force mobilisation NGT orders closure of 19 tanneries in Jalandhar in Assam ahead of draft NRC OUR CORRESPONDENT OUR CORRESPONDENT started in 2005 under the then names of those whose claims NEW DELHI: The National Congress regime, got a major were verified. Green Tribunal has ordered GUWAHATI: Army troops push only after the BJP came When the NRC was first closure of 19 tanneries for dis- are on stand-by while a mas- to power in the state with illegal prepared in Assam way back charging pollutants includ- sive number of 45,000 security immigration from Bangladesh in 1951, the state had 80 lakh ing heavy metals into drains personnel are being deployed as a poll plank. citizens then. in Punjab’s Jalandhar district across Assam ahead of the pub- The Supreme Court, which The process of identifica- which was resulting in serious lication of the first draft of a list is monitoring the entire pro- tion of illegal immigrants in environmental hazards. of the state’s citizens, officials cess, had ordered that the first Assam has been debated and A bench headed by former said on Friday. draft of the NRC be published become a contentious issue in Chairperson Justice Swatan- Assam is on the edge ahead by December 31 after complet- the state’s politics. ter Kumar constituted a high of the publication of the part ing the scrutiny of over two A six-year agitation powered committee to inspect activity unless they submit whether unit has permission draft National Register of Cit- crore claims along with that of demanding identification and 61 industries and directed it to appropriate application for from Central Ground Water izens on December 31, and around 38 lakh people whose deportation of illegal immi- prepare a complete and com- obtaining the consent of the Authority or not. the security forces, including documents were suspect. grants was launched by the prehensive report on tanneries. Board,” the bench said. “The number of tanning 22,000 paramilitary personnel, Of the 3.28 crore applica- AASU in 1979. It culminated The report would submit The high powered com- hides that are processed by the are being deployed in different tions submitted, there was con- with the signing of the Assam report on source of water of mittee would comprise Mem- industry, whether the unit is districts, especially in sensitive fusion over the inclusion of 29 Accord on August 15, 1985 these tanneries, consumption ber Secretary of state pollution providing primary treatment pockets. There have been intelli- The exercise to update the lakh people who had submit- in the presence of then prime of water, whether any flow control board, senior most and it has its own chromium The Counter Insurgency gence inputs about possible NRC is being carried out in ted certificates issued by ‘gram minister Rajiv Gandhi. meters to the conveyor belts environmental engineer, recovery plant. If the chro- (CI) grid, involving the Army, tension in some parts of the Assam following a decision in panchayats’ as proof of iden- Assam Chief Minis- have been fixed and if they nominated by the chairman mium is recovered, how it is police, paramilitary and intel- state where names of doubtful 2005 after a series of meetings tity, after a Gauhati High Court ter Sarbananda Sonowal on have permission from Central of the Central Pollution Con- utilised, mode of management ligence agencies, has been citizens could be excluded in between the central and state order in February had deemed Wednesday sought to dispel Ground Water Authority. trol Board, representative not and disposal of sludge and ulti- regularly reviewing the situa- the draft list. governments and the influen- ‘panchayat’ certificates invalid, apprehensions and said “genu- “We direct that the 19 below the rank of scientist mate point of discharge,” the tion and directed all possible Union Home Secretary tial All Assam Students’ Union the official said. The Supreme ine” Indians missing from the industries which according from Environment Ministry bench said. The direction came action to ensure peace after the Rajiv Gauba spent two days (AASU) in an attempt to docu- Court set aside the high court citizenship register would get to the Punjab Pollution Con- and others. on a plea filed by local residents publication of the draft NRC, in the state last week, review- ment the bona fide Indian citi- order and upheld the validity of enough opportunities to incor- trol Board, are non-compli- “This committee shall per- Darshan Singh and others, a senior government official ing preparations for the pub- zens living the state. the certificates as identity proof porate their names. ant and are polluting and they sonally inspect all the 61 indus- residing in village Chami- said on condition of anonymity. lication of the part draft of the Assam, which faced influx if they were followed up with “No one should have any have been found to be violat- tries, prepare a complete and yara, alleging that tanner- Army troops have been NRC and security arrange- from Bangladesh since the proper verification. apprehensions. If the name of a ing various parameters they are comprehensive report stating ies in Jalandhar district were alerted and will be called if nec- ments, as ensuring peace in early 20th century, is the only The apex court also asked genuine Indian citizen is miss- directed to be closed forthwith. inter-alia source of water, con- discharging untreated efflu- essary to assist the administra- the state is a top priority for state having an NRC, first pre- authorities to stick to the origi- ing in the part draft of the NRC, “They would not be per- sumption of water, whether any ent containing various pollut- tion in case of any trouble, the the Centre and the state gov- pared in 1951. nal deadline for the publication he or she will get proper chance mitted to carry their manu- flow meters to the conveyor ants like heavy metals into the official said. ernments, another official said. The current exercise,of the draft NRC and include to incorporate it,” Sonowal told facturing or any other tannery belts have been fixed or not, drains which joins river Satluj. People in villages using TV, AC due Ruling AIADMK expels 130 more NATION BRIEFS KERALA CM’S SECURITY TIGHTENED to improved power situation: Nitish TTV supporters from party FOLLOWING THREAT OUR CORRESPONDENT formation in the people’s OUR CORRESPONDENT AIADMK. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Security has been lifestyle. Televisions and air- “Party workers are tightened for Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan LAKHISARAI/SHEIKH- conditioners are no longer CHENNAI: The ruling requested not to have any truck after an anonymous message threatening his life was PURA: Bihar Chief Minis- items of luxury that only those AIADMK continued its crack- with them,” Palaniswami, also ter Nitish Kumar on Friday living in the cities enjoy. Peo- down on the rebel TTV Dhi- the chief minister, and his dep- received on Friday, police said. A person at Kunnam- said the state has witnessed a ple in villages are using these nakaran camp by sacking more uty Panneerselvam, said in a kulam in Thrissur district got the message on his mobile tremendous improvement in too,” he said. than 130 functionaries on Fri- party statement. phone threatening that an attempt would be made on power situation since he came He, however, said “I would day for bringing “disrepute” to Panneerselvam and the chief minister’s life, they said. The cyber cell’s assis- to power 12 years ago, due to like to add that though power the party. Palaniswami “relieved” one tance has been sought for investigating the matter. The which even people living in vil- situation has improved, and it Party coordinator O Pan- person from his party post in chief minister is in Palakkad, a neighbouring district of lages could now enjoy televi- in the state used to be around is likely to only get better with neerselvam and co-coordina- Dharmapuri. sions and airconditioners. 700-800 MW. By 2012, things time, it is in our own inter- tor K Palaniswami announced A total of 132 functionar- Stung by the bypoll defeat, Thrissur, in connection with the CPI-M district confer- Addressing a public meet- had started looking up and the est not to indulge in wasteful “removing” 132 persons ies were sacked from the party. the ruling AIADMK on ence, they added. ing at Parpar village in Ariyari peak power demand had risen consumption.” from the party’s district units Tirupur topped the list with December 25 cracked the whip WANTED ‘CRIMINAL’ KILLED IN block of Sheikhpura district to more than 1700 MW. Things The CM had on Wednesday of Tirupur, Pudukottai and 65 being expelled. against nine party function- as part of his state-wide Vikas have improved even more rap- announced that all villages in Dharmapuri. The two leaders said in a aries, sacking four of Dhina- SHOOTOUT WITH POLICE Samiksha Yatra , Kumar, how- idly in the last few years and the state have been electrified. Meanwhile, T V Dhi- statement that 49 persons karan’s aides and expelling five BULANDSHAHR: ever, cautioned the people the figure reported in Octo- He had further said that nakaran, who secured an from Pudukottai and 18 from others. An alleged wanted criminal carrying against wasteful consumption ber this year was in excess of the state government would emphatic win in the Decem- Dharmapuri units were also The two leaders had warned Rs 50,000 bounty on his head was killed on Friday in of electricity. 5000 MW”, Kumar said to drive meet its target to provide free ber 21 R K Nagar bypoll, was being removed as they went of action against those who a shootout near Sikandrabad town here, police said. “When we assumed power home the point. electricity connection to every on Friday sworn-in as member against the party’s principles “betrayed” the party, and had The incident took place in the early hours when Sonu in 2005, peak power demand “This has brought a trans- household by end of next year. of the Tamil Nadu Assembly. and brought “disrepute” to the expelled 44 persons on Friday. opened fire on a police party at Santpura canal when Government of West Bengal they tried to apprehend him, they said, adding that North Bengal Development Department policemen retaliated and he was killed. SSP Muniraj Branch Secretariat Rural banks to disburse Uttarkanya, Fulbari, Jalpaiguri G said Sonu hailed from Jawan town of neighbour- ing Aligarh district and he had 27 cases of dacoity ABRIDGED --NIT Rs 22,920 cr loan to farmers registered against him. Since last week, a number of NIT Name of work Estimated Last date of ref. no Amount application dacoities took place in villages neighbouring Sikan- submission in current fiscal: Sushil Modi drabad circle, following which the police intensified its NIT- Outside and Inside Paint- 12/01/2018 vigil, he said. Meanwhile, circle officer of Sikandrabad 134 OF ing of Old Building of Mahila Rs. up to 14.00 OUR CORRESPONDENT Raghwendra Kumar was shunted out in view of wors- 2017-18 Mahavidyalaya at Alipurduar in 4,84,424.00 Hours timely repayment of loans, the District of Alipurduar. Modi said that 90 per cent of ening law and order situation. PATNA: Bihar’s Deputy Chief farmers fail to get the benefit Minister Sushil Kumar Modi of four per cent interest sub- THREE KILLED IN ACCIDENT ON Details can be seen in the Official Website www.wbnorthbengaldev.gov.in on Friday said that rural banks sidy as they don’t make timely DELHI-LUCKNOW NATIONAL HIGHWAY have to disburse a loan of Rs repayment of loans and end BAREILLY: Three persons were killed when their car Sd/- 22,920 crore among the farm- up paying 11 to 12 per cent of Executive Engineer rammed into a stationary mini-truck on the Delhi- Luc- North Bengal Development Department ers of the state in the current interest instead. financial year. The Centre and the state know National Highway amid heavy fog, police said. The loan amount has to be government provide three and The accident took place near Zed village last night, distributed in fiscal 2017-18 one per cent of interest subsidy killing three persons including two women on the spot, through various rural banks- respectively to the farmers on SSP Joginder Kumar said. Efforts were on to ascertain such as Bihar Grameen Bank, their loans, he said. the identity of the deceased who are all in the age Madhya Bihar Grameen Bank Of the total loans given by and Uttar Bihar Grameen rural banks, 65 per cent loans group of 25 to 40 years, the SSP said. Heavy fog last Bank- in the current financial are given to Kisan Credit Card night had hit visibility and appears to be the cause of year, Modi said in a statement. (KCC) holders, the Finance accident, police said. Modi, who also holds Minister said and added that portfolios of Finance and banks provide RuPay cards to MP FARMER KILLS SELF, FAMILY BLAMES Commercial Taxes, said this KCC farmers but only 10 to 15 DROUGHT-LIKE SITUATION while addressing a meeting per cent of KCC farmers make of Chairmen of rural banks, use of them (cards). TIKAMGARH: A 28-year old farmer allegedly WEST BENGAL TRANSPORT CORPORATION their senior officials and senior Banks have been asked to committed suicide yesterday night at Prithvipur town, (Calcutta State Transport Corporation) state government officials here give loans of Rs 50,000 to Rs about 65 kilometres from here. Prithvipur Police Station (A Govt. of West Bengal Undertaking) in the state capital. 5 lakh under MUDRA loan in charge Chandan Singh Parihar said that the farmer 5, Nilgunj Road, Kolkata 700056. Ph: 033-25532090 The three rural banks scheme, Sushil Modi said add- identified as Dhaniram Kushwah hung himself from a Web: cstc.org.in; Fax: 03325533017; Email: [email protected] operate with 2110 branches ing that it has been witnessed and 5555 business correspon- that banks normally advance tree near his home Thursday night. Parihar said that TENDER NOTICE dents in the state, he added. Rs 50,000 under the scheme the exact reason behind his death would be known Tender No. CSTC/ITS/SIM-01/17-18 While making a fervent which is a meagre amount to after a probe. He added that the deceased’s family Sealed tender bids are invited from the eligible agency appeal to farmers to make start and sustain any business. members have said that the farmer was finding it hard for supply of 1500 nos. SIM CARD for vehicle tracking to make ends meet due to his poor financial condition. system of WBTC. YOUTH RUN OVER BY A TRAIN Details are available at www.wbtenders.gov.in Manipur Guv lends voice to Last date for submission of bid is 22/01/2018 Sd/- IN PHAGWARA Joint Managing Director Modi’s stand on triple talaq PHAGWARA: A 26-year-old man was run over by a train near here, police said on Friday. The deceased IMPHAL: Manipur Gover- Sabha. Sufferings of Muslim was identified as Shiv Kumar of Prabhat Nagar (Lud- nor Najma Heptulla on Fri- women across the country day said that she is very happy will come to an end if the bill hiana), said Government Railway Police post incharge Government of West Bengal Gurbhej Singh. Kumar was run over by a train yes- North Bengal Development Department that the ‘Muslim Women Pro- becomes an Act, Heptulla said. Branch Secretariat tection of Rights on Marriage She appealed to the mem- terday near village Mauli railway crossing between Uttarkanya, Fulbari, Jalpaiguri Bill’ bill was passed in the Lok bers of the Rajya Sabha to Phagwara-Goraya rail section. The body, lying on ABRIDGED -e-NIT pass the bill unanimously as the track, was noticed by the Sackhand Express train she supports Prime Minister Tender Name of work Estimated Last date driver who informed local railway authorities, Singh Modi’s appeal for a consensus ref. Amount of bid said. The body was handed over to the deceased’s to pass the bill. submission family after the post-mortem examination, he added. NIT CONSTRUCTION OF HAT ` 16/01/2018 “It is a positive stand and No. SHED SMALL WARE HOUSE- 42,87,337.00 up to 12.00 triple talaq is a wrong practice PANTHER ENTERS RESIDENTIAL AREA, 111(2nd AND TOILET ATMOHANA Hours and most Muslim countries Call) of GP OFFICE CAMPUS UNDER have discarded it,” Heptulla CREATES PANIC IN RAJASTHAN MOHANA GP WITHIN said over phone. 2017-18 KUMARGANJ DEVELOP- JAIPUR: Panic on Friday gripped a residential area “The prime minister has MENT BLOCK, DISTRICT here when a panther entered into an under construc- DAKSHIN DINAJPUR taken a major historic step and Muslim women will be tion building, police said. The animal injured one man, very happy as it is not about they said. The thee-year old male panther entered a Details can be seen in the Official Website www.wbnorthbengaldev.gov.in religion but a wrong practice, three-storey building in the Rajiv Gandhi nagar area For all details and online tender submission visit https://wbtenders.gov.in which is anti-Islamic, and this morning. Later, a forest department team tran- Sd/- that Islam cannot have dis- Executive Engineer quilised him and released it in the Jhalana forest area. North Bengal Development Department crimination between man and woman.” Heptulla said. MPOST 7 MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Saturday, 30 December, 2017 mp nation Frigid in J&K, YEARLY REVIEW Govt bringing a new Bill HP, U’khand; 3 Govt to develop more security killed in UP on consumer protection due to fog infrastructure in the country NEW DELHI: Jammu and SIMONTINI BHATTACHARJEE OUR CORRESPONDENT Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand groaned NEW DELHI: After the mon- NEW DELHI: Consumer under a piercing cold wave umental move over controlling Affairs Minister Ramvilas with most places recording the cross-border fracas in 2016, Pawan on Friday asked mem- minimum temperatures the centre has now decided to bers in Rajya Sabha not to below the freezing point on emphasize more on security delay the approval of a pro- Friday, even as three lives infrastructure, security man- posed bill on consumer pro- were lost in an accident due agement, foreign cooperation tection after one of them to heavy fog in the plains. and some online portals to raised the issue of misleading Visibility levels dropped build bridge of trust and con- advertisements. on a foggy morning in fidence with citizens in terms As SP member Naresh Haryana, Punjab, UP and of security in this year. Agrawal raised the issue, New Delhi, though the sun The Ministry of Home Paswan said the cabinet has shone bright in the after- Affairs, which released its ect in August. The ministry Security between India and approved a new bill and urged noon in the region. yearly review report of 2017 undertook the steps to inte- USA to help in coordination the lawmakers not to refer it While it was cold in the on Thursday, mentioned about grate the various organs of the and interactions among the six to the Standing Committee night and morning in Delhi, inauguration of two new insti- Criminal Justice System such Sub-Groups that are proposed and delay the approval pro- the mercury settled at 25.3 tutions for National Disaster as the Police, Courts, Prisons, to be formed under Homeland cess, after it is introduced in degrees Celsius owing to a Management earlier this year Prosecution, Forensic Labora- Security Dialogue between the Parliament. Responding to the warm afternoon. The city and two new office complexes tories, Finger Prints and Juve- two countries. In this month issue during the Zero Hour, recorded a minimum of 6.8 for NIA and new headquarters nile Homes with the CCTNS India also signed a MoU with Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu degrees Celsius. for BPR&D in the national cap- database. The Digital Police Thailand in regulation of nar- referred to an advertisment Three persons were ital and for IB in Jodhpur. Portal enabled citizens to reg- cotic drugs and psychotropic through which a company inquiry was carried out. tions” and the Union Cabinet building collapse or fire are killed in Uttar Pradesh In April, the Cabinet Com- ister FIRs online and the portal substances and combating drug claimed to reduce weight in Naidu said it was found approved the new bill. discussed at the time of acci- when their car ploughed mittee on Economic Affairs, will initially offer seven Public trafficking. 28 days. that the advertisement origi- He urged the MPs not dent, but later forgotten and into a mini-truck on the headed by Prime Minister Nar- Delivery Services in 34 states To ensure the cross-border He said after making pay- nated from the US and added to send the bill again to the sought a long term policy to Delhi-Lucknow National endra Modi, approved the pro- and UTs. security the Union Home Min- ment of Rs 1,230 to the com- that it should be examined how Standing Committee so that it ensure safety of the people. Highway enveloped by a posal of the MHA for extension To counter terrorism and to ister Rajnath Singh also chaired pany as demanded, more to check such advertisments. could be passed at the earliest. BJD member Dilip Kumar thick blanket of fog, police of the implementation phase strengthen mutual support the meeting with chief ministers money was sought for deliver- In his response, Paswan Several other matters were Tirkey urged the Centre to said. of the Crime and Criminals Indian government also signed of Indo-Bangladesh Border ing the “original” medicine to said the current consumer raised during the Zero Hour. increase the minimum sup- In Jammu and Kash- Tracking Network and Systems some common agreements states in Kolkata on October reduce weight. “You know my protection law is 31 years old Rajani Patil (Congress) port price for paddy to Rs mir, Leh was the coldest (CCTNS) Project for another with other countries. In May to highlight the concept of Bor- mentality. I did not leave the and the NDA government has raised the issue of the major 2,930 a quintal. recorded place at minus year beyond March 31, 2017. to formalise the agreements der Protection Grid (BPG) for matter there,” the Chairman drafted a new bill. The bill was fire that broke out in a building K K Ragesh (CPI-M) raised 11.4 degrees Celsius. The Then after in June the ministry on anti- terrorism mechanism multipronged and foolproof said, adding that he asked his introduced in the Lok Sabha in Kamala Mills Compound in the issue of farmers suicide in night temperature at the launched CRPF Helpline. India and UK both agreed on a mechanism to secure our bor- staff to raise the matter with in 2015 and referred to the Lower Parel in Mumbai last the country. He said farmers nearby Kargil town set- Moving the focus on common accord. der. Earlier, in May he also the concerned ministry. Standing Committee. night, in which 14 persons all over the country are agi- tled at a low of minus 9.2 internal security MHA also In June the Union Cabinet chaired a similar meeting with The minister concerned, He said the Standing Com- have been killed. tated and demanded waiver degrees Celsius. MPOST launched the Digital Police approved the Memorandum of the CMs of states, bordering he said, acted promptly and an mittee gave “good sugges- Patil said incidents like of their loans. Portal under the CCTNS proj- Cooperation on Home Land with China in Gangtok. Clear exit exam to get Hugging row: Tharoor takes initiative to resolve issue OUR CORRESPONDENT An informal meeting held but we are almost there...I upcoming examinations, The boy had hugged the the Kerala State Commission licence for practising under the aegis of Tharoor with applaud all involved for hav- while the girl will be admit- 11th standard girl student for Protection of Child Rights THIRUVANANTHA- the representatives of the pri- ing approached the issue in a ted if she produces her transfer after her performance in a challenging the school’s action. PURAM: The issue of sus- vate school management and constructive spirit. This has to certificate. music competition. The school The panel had then directed Ayurveda: Draft bill pension of a class XII boy the parents of the boy and girl be win-win: the school must The St Thomas Central management immediately sus- the school to permit him to student by the management students arrived at a general win back its reputation &the School at nearby Mukkolak- pended the boy and had main- attend classes. OUR CORRESPONDENT of a church-run school here consensus, sources in Tharoor’s kids their academic careers,” kal has been in the eye of a tained that the girl had not Opposing it, the church- for hugging a girl is likely to be office said. he said. storm after the incident which submitted certain admission run school management, NEW DELHI: Medical grad- resolved following the inter- Tharoor later tweeted that According to manage- occurred on July 21 came to the documents and hence was not moved the Kerala High Court uates willing to procure a vention of Congress MP Shashi “there are still some i s to be ment sources, the boy would media glare nearly five months their student. which upheld the institution’s licence to practise Indian Tharoor. dotted & t s to be crossed be allowed to appear for the later last week. The boy’s family had moved decision. medicine systems, including Ayurveda, may soon have to Government of West Bengal clear an exit exam, according Hire specialist docs, we will North Bengal Development Department Branch Secretariat to a proposed legislation on Uttarkanya, Fulbari, Jalpaiguri the lines of the health minis- foot the bill: Centre to States try’s National Medical Com- ABRIDGED -e-NIT mission Bill. NEW DELHI: The Centre has told states to hire NIT Name of work Estimated Last date This is a part of a draft bill tral Council of Homoeopathy specialist doctors in various fields for rural ref. no Amount of bid which seeks to create a new (CCH), also calls for AYUSH areas with good pay packets, the salary bills for submission NIT- “Creation of Spot Water Source 29,12,597.00 11/01/2018 regulator, National Commis- National Teachers Eligibility whom would be footed by it, the Lok Sabha was sion for Indian Systems of Test to bring in quality teach- 135 of by drilling Rig System under up to 12.00 informed on Friday. Responding to supplemen- 2017-18 Different District Namely Hours Medicine and Homoeopathy, ers in the traditional systems Darjeling, Alipurduar and Jal- to replace the two statutory of medicine. The AYUSH taries, Health Minister J P Nadda said the states paiguri .(Total depth - 70M , 10 bodies governing higher edu- National Teachers Eligibility are free to hire experts such as gynecologists for nos)” Proposed by Task Force for cation in homoeopathy and will be conducted for appoint- the Upliftment of Tribal Com- rural health facilities on a good salary and the munities of Dooars Terai Region Indian systems of medicine. ment of all teachers in AYUSH Centre will pay it. There was mere 19 per cent The AYUSH ministry, in institutions, a senior official in consultation with NITI Aayog, the ministry of AYUSH said. availability of specialist doctors in the commu- Details can be seen in the Official Website www.wbnorthbengaldev.gov.in has formulated the inclusion A committee under the nity health centres (CHCs), especially those in The Executive Engineer, Krishnagar Division, Social Sector, For all details and online tender submission visit https://wbtenders.gov.in P.W. Dte. Govt. of W.B. Invites e-tender for 3(three) .nos. work of integrative medicine in the chairmanship of vice chair- the rural areas, across the country. MPOST Sd/- proposed bill which will enable man, Niti Aayog, additional Tender Ref. No. : WBPWD/SS/EE/KNG- 34(e)/2017-18 Executive Engineer (1) Construction of 2(two) nos. Cow-catcher and pathway North Bengal Development Department AYUSH practitioners to prac- principal secretary to prime The Superintending Engineer, North Circle, Housing Directorate has invited tise modern medicines and minister, Chief Executive Offi- open quotation against e-NIQ No. 5 of 2017-2018 / 4th Call, Tender ID: at entrance of main building, covered passagee and vice versa after undergoing a cer (CEO), Niti Aayog and sec- 2017_HSD_145974_1 for to conduct Mauza survey (RS or LR) jointly with shed for Mid-day meal In between Mid-day meal room “bridge course”. retary, Ministry of Ayush as Surveyor of BL & LRO office Rajgram and demarcated with firm pegging main building and beautification of play ground and Proposed by the NITI members examined the work- of available land as well as Encroachment at Dabgram & Binnaguri mouza, Installation of 6(six) nos., PVC tank with upkeepment District Jalpaiguri and Collecting of relevant Mouza Map and 02 (two) of Main Building of Bldhan Chandra Memorial Govt. Aayog-led panel, the draft ing of the existing regulatory sets of each Mouza Map Submitted to this Department after Completion bill known as National Com- bodies of Indian Systems of of the work with all relevant papers and drawings. Girls School at Kalyani, Nadia Tender ID : 2017_ mission for Indian Systems Medicine. The last date of Submission of Bid (online) is 17.01.2018 up to 18:00 hrs (IST) CB_145755_1 Rs. 34,10,802.00 of Medicine and Homoeop- It recommended the cre- Details may be seen from the office Notice Board on any working day (2)  Construction of Approach Road of newly constructed athy, which seeks to replace ation of National Commission within office hour and from the website www.wbetenders.gov.in Administrative Cum Academic Building of Kalyanl Central Council of Indian for Indian Systems of Medicine Sd/- P. SAHA Government Engineering College at Kalyanl, Nadia Superintending Engineer Medicine (CCIM) and Cen- and Homoeopathy. Tender ID : 2017_CB_145755 2 Rs. 23,11,651.00 North Circle Government of West Bengal (3)  Construction of waiting room and guard wall at the Nitin Gadkari Burning Ghat, Muktakeshl Mahasamshan, Chandurla-I PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, WEST BENGAL G.P. -Baitaranl scheme under 91 Chakdaha L.A. Constituency. Tender ID: 2017_CB_145755 3 Rs. taken ill after INDICATIVE ADVERTISEMENT NO. 29 /2017 8,68,186.00 MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES RECRUITMENT Bid Submission cosing date is 11/01/2018 upto 2:00 P.M.Details addressing EXAMINATION, 2018 are available In the website https://wbtenders.gov.in The Commission will hold the Miscellaneous Services public meet Recruitment Examination, 2018 on the results of which recruitment is to be made to certain posts under Government of West Bengal. Applications can be submitted by online mode only through the Commission’s website from 11.00 a.m. 3rd January, 2018. Before applying for the post, candidates are required to enroll themselves as per the guidelines provided in the website. Detailed information regarding age limit, qualifications, scale of pay, closing date for submission of fees and online applications, scheme and syllabus of the examination etc will be available in the Commission’s websites at : OUR CORRESPONDENT www.pscwbapplicatton.in or http://www.pscwbonline.qov.in MAJULI: Union Shipping Closing date for submission of application online : 24th Minister Nitin Gadkari on January, 2018 12-00 midnight Friday complained of uneasi- ness after addressing a public ICA/2699(5)/2017 meeting at Majuli island here. The minister who was here to flag off cargo movement on Government of West Bengal river Brahmaputra was seen North Bengal Development Department resting his head on the back Branch Secretariat Uttarkanya, Fulbari, Jalpaiguri of his chair after delivering an hour-long speech. A team of ABRIDGED -e-NIT doctors, deployed at the venue on this occasion, rushed to the stage to attend to Gadkari. They checked his sugar and blood pressure levels and offered him a banana to eat. The volume of the speakers was considerably reduced and a large pedestal fan was placed next to him for his convenience. Sd/- Superintending Engineer Majuli District Medical North Bengal Development Department Officer Sashidhar Phuka said Details can be seen in the Official Website www.wbnorthbengaldev.gov.in the minister’s blood pressure had shot up temporarily and For all details and online tender submission visit https://wbtenders.gov.in he was now out of danger now. 8 editorial mp MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Saturday, 30 December, 2017 EDITORIAL Is it too early? Murky memories of 2017 The worry over fiscal deficit may be presumptuous urs is essentially a ment or worse, the next gen- s we bring this year to a close, there is much to tragic age, so we eration. Second and no less introspect and much more to radically alter in our refuse to take it critical, is the political estab- everyday activities. Taking centre stage, among the tragically. The cat- lishment’s penchant to appease many catastrophes that have impinged upon ordi- SUGATO HAZRA Oaclysm has happened, we are interest groups which ensure naryA life, is the massive trouble of pollution, at large, and air among the ruins, we start to higher chunk of voters for it. pollution, in particular, that is plaguing our cities today. In build up new little habitats, Debt write-off is a common 2007, the pollution prevalent in 60 per cent of the cities in our to have new little hopes. It is enough example in India. This country had been classified as critical, the absence of timely rather hard work: there is now is the most favourite of suc- mitigative measures implemented with efficiency has led us no smooth road into the future, cessive governments, both at to this—today, we are battling a situation where 88 per cent but we go round or scramble the Centre and states, since the of our cities have a critical pollution level, with North India, over the obstacles.’’ But this was burden is on banks – mostly particularly the National Capital Region and major cities of in the times of Lady Chatter- state-owned with no pressure Uttar Pradesh witnessing the worst levels of particulate mat- ley’s Lover. For analysts keeping on the exchequer. ter dispersed in the air. The harmful particulate matter has a track of the economy in India Now, take a look at the lethal impact on our bodies, it hampers our lungs leading to and the government headed by issues which compel the gov- breathing difficulties, or in the long-run, even chronic car- Narendra Modi, the cataclysm ernment to increase its bor- diovascular diseases. For new-born children, studies show A new taxation came in the form of the deci- rowing limit. A new taxation now, besides affecting the respiratory system it is also com- sion to issue additional dated system has come into effect. It promising upon the nervous and immune systems leading system has come government securities during needs time to stabilise—more to mental health illness and a compromised immunity that into effect. It the current financial year. so, since there is resistance at succumbs at the first onset of disease. Despite the Supreme needs time to First, the calamity. The Gov- the ground level to accept GST. Court imposing a ban on crackers across Delhi, the pollution ernment of India informed that Without going into the reasons levels through November continued to choke the air in the stabilise—more it will raise additional market for the same and the politics capital, asphyxiating citizens and presenting AQI levels that so since there borrowings of Rs 50,000 crore underlining it, the fact remains overshot the desired tier by miles. The Sri Lankan cricket team during the remaining period of that the system needs breath- that played a test series in India, were left with their players is resistance at the financial year ending March The economy must be allowed to recover before we cry foul over existing deficit (Representational Image) ing space before the estimated choking and backing out of the field due to extreme nausea. the ground level 31, 2018, through dated gov- shortfall in collection can be Hospitals this time around are battling exigencies of pneu- ernment securities. Though the at the same percentage of the and Greece achieved a surplus Economic Stabilisation Act of covered. The circumstances for monia and compromised lung among the elderly in more to accept GST. communique mentioned that GDP as the year before. As budget only before the first oil 2008, to infuse cash into the breaching the fiscal deficit limit concentrated numbers than before. Farmers in Punjab and Without going against the long-term (dated) increasing the rate of the fiscal shock in the early 1970s. Defi- nation's banks to keep them are well accepted by academic Haryana continue to practice rampant residue burning as the borrowing the government deficit is like inviting dooms- cits were more of a rule than operating. The government lent literature. government has been ineffective in providing an alternative into the reasons would reduce short-term bor- day. Second, the possibility of the exception in these AAA- money and bought stock own- Second and no less impor- that would match their income levels and prevent the problem for the same rowing (that is through issue a rising share of fiscal deficit rated countries, for fifty years. ership in GM and Chrysler. It tant is the fact that, how much of noxious air suffocating the environment. The farmers are of T-bills) by Rs 61,000 crore, to GDP is staring at India for Between 1960 and 2011, coun- also provided incentives to spur will be the deficit as a percent- left with little option as the time gap between the end of one and the politics thus trimming down net mar- the first time in four years – a tries which ran deficits over 90 new car purchases. In effect, age of the GDP is debatable at season and the beginning of another leaves them with scant underlining it, ket borrowing by around Rs calamity unheard of – at least per cent of the time included the government nationalised this juncture. It will depend time to adopt intensive alternatives that are anyway detrimental 11,000 crore; but, the message for four years. the US, Portugal, France, Bel- GM and Chrysler as also Fan- upon the GDP growth rate in to both economic resources and time. Though the Delhi gov- the fact remains was read as and a leading busi- Fiscal deficit as an impor- gium, and Italy. nie Mae, Freddie Mac and AIG. the second-half. In terms of cur- ernment continues to blame the farmers of the north, it must that the system ness paper said, “The Centre tant component to gauge the Actually, the point Wyplosz Nobody talked of increasing fis- rent prices (backed by, like it or come about to realising that alternatives remain absent. The looks set to breach the fiscal health of an economy came in highlighted was that fiscal dis- cal deficit then. not, a higher rate of inflation), locked horns between the AAP in Delhi and the Central gov- needs breathing deficit target this year, with the Indian dictionary after 1991, cipline is a medium-term to This brings us to the much- GDP may be higher than it is ernment has further aggravated Delhi’s problem. With either space before lower-than-expected revenue when the Narasimha Rao Gov- long-term concept allowing hyped issue of independence being visualised by many. The preferring to blame the other prior to complementing efforts prompting it to go for addi- ernment had to bite the bullet slippages depending upon of the Central Bank. No Cen- rate of increase in the GDP and and reaching a crucial solution, Delhi is caught in a dead-end the estimated tional borrowing of Rs 50,000 and embark on liberalisation unavoidable circumstances. tral Bank can escape such an the final debt figure will deter- which is showing no signs of immediate respite. The upper shortfall in crore from the market.’’ against the previous licence- Even if a government main- emergent situation, howsoever mine if fiscal deficit will rise house of the Parliament on Thursday engaged extensively The borrowing is over and control Raj. This was a natu- tains a solid budgetary prin- independent it might be. Fed- alarmingly enough to deserve on this looming concern of pollution. The most detrimental collection can above the budget estimate of ral consequence of accepting ciple, it may have to deviate, eral Reserve of the US did not the kind of worrisome reports aspect is possibly this, Delhiites have become so dangerously be covered Rs 5.80 lakh crore gross mar- the rules of the global financial compelled by private debt turn- even squeak, let alone protest being peddled now. acclimatised to the troubles of the air that the danger has per- ket borrowing for 2017-18. The architecture. Before that, gov- ing into public debt. A case in when Washington under Presi- To sum up, cataclysm has meated their sensibilities. Even though the end of December reason why pundits are alarmed ernments the world over could point is the US in 2008. Hit by dent Obama bailed the private not happened. But the fact is continues to present heightened levels of particulate matter is that this will hurt fiscal bal- run budget deficits for decades. a massive debt crisis in com- companies out with the taxpay- that ours in India is indeed dispersed in the air, the impendency of the problem has been ance raising the deficit from a Charles Wyplosz wrote in the panies ‘too big to fail’ the land ers’ fund. at a tragic age. Here we cry sharply reduced. Despite the Supreme Court emphasising on target of 3.2 per cent of the gross 2013 volume of the National of free market economy had to This, however, does not catastrophe too often without the urgency of the problem and necessitating sharp orders for domestic product (GDP). It is Bureau of Economic Research resort to an emergency funding mean there need not be any thinking hard enough. Could the governments at the Centre and the states, there continues variously estimated to breach that, since 1960, all the mem- plan and effectively nationalise discipline imposed on the it be that certain policy mak- to be a lapse in coordination between the different stakehold- last year’s level by 0.3 per cent ber countries of the Organisa- these companies. Washington budgetary process. There are ers are despised by the pundits ers who govern our country. In a bit to appear hostile to the to 0.5 per cent. Two factors are tion for Economic Cooperation created the "Troubled Asset two factors which necessitate so strongly that we love to cry enemy and showcase individual strength ahead of the oppo- causing the alarm. First, it has and Development (OECD) had Relief Program" worth $700 a tether on budget office going wolf even when none is nearby? sition’s—every party which assumes power in India compro- been an accepted axiom that been running budget deficits. In billion. The US Congress autho- berserk. First, there is always a mises upon policymaking with effective coordination, always fiscal deficit has to come down fact, Wyplosz pointed out that rised the Obama administra- tendency to shift the burden of (The views expressed favouring the battle to outdo the opposition ahead of the idea year after year, at worst remain countries like France, Austria tion through the Emergency balancing on the next govern- are strictly personal.) of collaborative decision making. The Centre blames the AAP and the AAP blames the Congress in Punjab who will go on to again blame the Centre—the cycle is vicious, unending dear and only detrimental to finding a solution. A control on rapid Quote martial POWER THIEVES EDITOR millenniumpost.in urbanisation projects and containment of vehicular pollution must also be deliberated upon by the respective authorities. Nabbing the power thieves (“Electricity office ransacked….electric hooking”, 27/12) by Log on to write letters to the The dismal condition of public transport in India compels the affluent to afford cars for their daily commute. There is a Hunger makes a WBPDCL in south 24 Paraganas in which the death of a thief acerbated the situation is a editor or send them to pervading mentality that reserves public transport for the less thief of any man serious concern. While honest customers foot the bill of their consumption, a section of people [email protected] affluent and private vehicles thereby also assume symbols of known as power thieves take a dangerous risk by hooking, not only for themselves but for others You can also send your privileged conditioning. These meaningless binaries can only be dismantled when our public transport system is uplifted also. They destroy government property, lynch the personnel, and set government vehicles on comments to The Editor, without digging a hole in the citizen’s pocket—we must con- fire—what a bluster of the goons! Employees are beaten for no faults of theirs. These anti-socials Millennium Post, tinue to remember that over 23 per cent of our population PEARL S. BUCK Pratap Bhawan, 5 Bahadur Shah does sustain below the poverty level. With the 2019 Lok Sabha must be arrested and punished. elections now only a year away, there is little possibility that SAMIR CHAKRABORTY Via email Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110 002 all members of the Parliament will collaborate to form a con- sensus and battle climate change and pollution that has today infected our planet with a lethal virus. Only when the parties and leaders of our country set aside personal and political agendas to serve the nation ahead of individual ideology, will The right kind of resolve India progress to provide its citizens a dignified life. Abysmal air, ineffective policy-making and rampant corruption have compromised on the idea of the world’s greatest democracy. It is time for New Year’s Resolutions; how about making the ones that count this year? Lost sanctity tithi Devo Bhava an ideal we proudly embrace as Indians—worshipping the guest as an equivalent to SHUTAPA PAUL God. Yet, how often have we fumbled when it came to fulfiling this premise. Horrific accounts have arisen Aof abuse upon foreign nationals on Indian land, with accusa- tions of extortion, kidnapping and even rape under several circumstances. In 2016, 8.80 million foreign tourists travelled to India, contributing over Rs 1.5 lakh crore to our exchequer. The land of mysteries, wisdom and flourishing culture—India attracts enthusiasts from across the world who flock to the many monuments, forts, mountains, jungles and beaches of our vast country, contributing massively to the national exchequer while improving our imprint on the global map. Tourism is an essential aspect that drives the economy and has been a point of Perhaps this year, emphasis for all state and central governments. The barbarism we should make in our society has multiplied lately and this abuse has not only sidelined the Dalits and Muslims but also the foreign nationals the right kind of who travel to our country. UP, yet again, tops the list in instances resolutions that of abuse met out to foreigners, with an Argentinean sadhvi trau- matised due to attempt to rape by some men in Varanasi. Soon would make the after, a Swiss couple was locked up inside one of the Mughal world a better With the new year knocking, new resolutions must be aligned to achieve social harmony and collective well-being (Representational Image) gardens of Mehtab Bagh by the guard who harangued them and consequently threatened to assault them. This incident place to live in. he last week of December is strife and struggle; but also, minor yet ing promises to their gods of repaying were simpler – to be kind, to be forgiv- comes only a few months after another Swiss couple had been And by Jove, do probably the least productive significant victories and achievements. debts or returning borrowed things. ing, to be honest, etc. While these may harassed at Fatehpur Sikhri. In yet another incident, a group of time of the year. The west- Risks were taken, expectations dashed, The Romans under Julius Caesar wor- seem simple, they are far more strenu- foreign tourists, largely women, were beaten up and molested we need to leave ern world rejoices the end of fat salary packages rejected, but there shipped Goddess Janus on whose name ous to the person demanding a deeper in the Ahraura area of Mirzapur, by a group of men. There is a a better world Tthe year; a tradition that has caught on were also second chances met out, ran- was based the first month of the year, commitment than just controlling the complete absence of circumstantial evidence that would sup- well in India. There are parties galore dom acts of kindness shown, with the January. The Romans worshipped this number of calories on their plate. port the assault that is being instigated by the men of our coun- behind for our and year-end vacations to be executed; human spirit forging ahead with aplomb. two-faced god that looked backward Perhaps this year, we should make try towards foreign nationals. Abuse aside, foreign tourists are future generations! everyone is ‘in the spirit’. Work and the mundane can wait a into the previous year and forward into the right kind of resolutions that would often treated as props with locals posing around them to take The end of the year for me is a time few days as December sings the swan’s the future, with pledges of good behav- make the world a better place to live in. photographs, as if they were an item of decoration. This out- A kinder, more for introspection. I have had the most song; a weary tune bearing the trials iour in the upcoming year. Christians And by Jove, do we need to leave a bet- right disrespect that is being met out to tourists travelling to understanding and interesting year. I have stopped saying and tribulations of the year gone by. through their ‘watch night services’ ter world behind for our future genera- India will have a devastating impact on our economy if it is not accepting world I have had a ‘bad year’ because my ‘bad The winter cold is a time to bid the past also continue to make resolutions for tions! A kinder, more understanding and curbed within time. As modern society progresses our citizens year’ is nothing compared to the real year farewell and look on with hope and the new year. accepting world, where divisive politics are regressing to a time of barbarism and undiluted perversion. tragedies that occurred in 2017. The wonder towards the new year with its Therefore, people across various cul- cannot wriggle its ways into our mind- Our minds are becoming smaller and our hormones are becom- numerous terrorist attacks, the mind- promise of vigour and vitality. A new tures have been familiar with the con- set. That we should love rather than hate. ing larger in their capacity. The government must step up to less deaths, nature’s wrath, Demoneti- year where old wrongs can be corrected cept of New Year’s resolutions. We make That we remember above all else, we are take a tough stance against such hooligans who are hampering sation and its repercussions, etc.; it is a while still keeping a clean slate, waiting all kinds of resolutions – to be healthier, compassionate, rational, ethical human the sanctity of our society. Awareness must also be propelled to motley list of unpleasantness. Therefore, to be filled with our life’s happenings. to quit a bad habit, to spend more time beings first. To paraphrase an old quote, respect those belonging to different colour or identity. While I say that I have had an interesting year. It is also the time for promises, better with family, travel more, find a better we should resolve to always remem- on the one hand the majority of our muscle-flexing civilians It was not fantastic, it had its challeng- known as New Year’s resolutions. job, etc. I feel that all these resolutions, ber that our right to swing our arms proudly claim to be true Hindus, on the other hand, they do ing moments, but I learnt lessons. Valu- The tradition of making resolutions while valid in their relevance are more ends just where the other man’s nose not bat an eyelid before disgracing every pantheon of ethical able lessons in understanding who I am is ancient. 4,000 years ago, Babylonians, like goals to be achieved rather than begins. Happy New Year, dear readers! demeanour that is projected in our scriptures. and what I want out of life and people. were known to celebrate the oncom- resolutions that have to be sustained. (The writer is a journalist and media 2017’s mixed bag brought with it ing of the new year, while also mak- Resolutions of yesteryears reportedly entrepreneur. Views are strictly personal.) 9 MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Saturday, 30 December, 2017 mp in focus There is still hope in the world Victor Grossman writes a new year’s wish for that brighter socialist future!

erlin and Germany offer My almost subconscious reaction plenty to write about, some- was, I confess: “My God, with their times much of it unpleas- climate warming or whatever they ant. As we approach the have even taken our rooks away! BNew Year, none of it is burningly They are staying in their far-off new or urgent. Bargaining on form- breeding areas and no longer coming ing a new government will last well to us, like American “snowbirds,” for into 2018, with little prospect thus their winter vacations!” (This year far of change for the better, or of I might have been led to wonder, hope generally. So, with this a holi- instead, if those to blame were “those day season for so many, I decided to Russians” and maybe even Putin stray briefly from politics – if you himself.) Whoever was to blame, will permit. however, I missed them on my daily As an old birdwatcher, absence strolls, and even moped a bit. Despite from my U.S. homeland meant But hurrah! This year they are everything, I am losing friends of my young years, back again and are here now, cawing birds so common they were taken away while adorning almost every moved to a spirit for granted. Among the friends I second lawn with their gracious of hope for 2018. lost were robins, blue jays, cardi- presence. Yes, there is still hope in nals, redwings, hummingbirds – and the world, was my illogical feeling as Good things breathtaking rarities like the scar- I happily stared back at them. may happen let tanager. Over the many years I In March or April they will leave missed such winged friends almost again, like every year. But I will have or be won. Yet as much as some of the human ones. new hopes then, spring hopes that the fights which But, by and large, I accepted my my other favorites, the skimming, new home, all the more happily tweeting, amazingly swiftly flut- must be fought thanks to my wonderful wife and tering chimney swifts will be back, and difficulties my sons, and all the more hopefully, also dark against the sky, darting especially during the first decades, and twisting while speeding near endured may thanks to many achievements I saw my kitchen window in their search perhaps be around me. Those achievements for mosquitoes and other creatures, during the years of the socialist Ger- unliked by us, enjoyed by them. And a mite easier man Democratic Republic were not for me, somehow, their joyous twit- and lighter if in evidence everywhere and they tering flight is also a symbol. accompanied did not come without blunders and With rare luck, I might even blemishes. In so many ways, how- hear, a second time, loud thrilling by occasional ever, they pointed to the possibility calls and look up to see a group of deep breaths of a happier human future. migrating cranes flying high above During those years of hope I There is much to look forward to as the new year dawns (Representational Image) me, another hopeful symbol of pur- of nature, gradually became friendly with the pose, togetherness and freedom! Yes, freedom, hopes, fauna here. No tanagers, warblers or trees, ringed by countless lilac, for- – local retail shops were in retreat fighter planes overhead in the sky what I could. And there were cer- despite everything, I am moved to a hummingbirds, but I could rejoice to sythia, and a dozen others shrubs before supermarket advances. But than we ever saw before. tainly things to enjoy. One of them spirit of hope for 2018. Good things the values, and see a tiny kingfisher dart suddenly, whose names I never learned. But then this speeded up, and the new I never imagined in those GDR was surely unusual – and here I may happen or be won – although, I solidarity in a swift, straight, bright blue flash, urban bird life here was limited to supermarkets were no longer pub- days that in a new “united” Ger- return to my avian interests. Crows am well aware, not by bird-watching. across a wooded stream. Or I could less than a dozen species, with only licly or cooperatively owned but many the muted appeals I hear now are not many people’s favorite birds, Yet the fights which must be fought smile at the big white storks, clacking rarely the surprise of a less com- became links in three or four giant daily, appeals for small change, from but for me the autumn return of the and difficulties endured may perhaps their beaks on rooftops in lucky vil- mon visitor. chains, like Aldi and Lidl, which women standing outside supermar- rooks, a form of crow, brought an be a mite easier and lighter if accom- lages or striding with dignity behind My attention could not be limited offered a broad new expanse of com- ket doors. I never imagined then the annual joy. The handsome birds, panied by occasional deep breaths of a farm machine, hunting unearthed to birds, of course. The years, and modities, some hitherto unavailable figures of sleeping men I see now with a violet-metal sheen under nature with its simple joys, and the mice or worms. What a treat it was a series of tumultuous, if bloodless or even unknown. The new chains bundled up on hard cold subway the black color, invade Berlin and freedom hopes, the values and soli- when a skylark flew high, high into events, often less than a mile away, could provide customers with out- floors. The “generous” new Berlin really take over, waddling around, darity I sometimes find there. Here’s the sky –a mere dot – while twitter- brought many, many changes includ- of-season tropical delights because city government allows them this digging for food in all the lawns, hoping that similar enjoyments by ing its joyful melody. And nothing ing major ones. The chestnut trees they were linked to places where obscene privilege in the icy cold of and eying passersby from less than many good people will contribute could surpass, by day but most won- and lilacs remained, but the school exploitation of workers is the norm. winter. a yard away sometimes. The arro- to strengthening their fights for the derfully in an otherwise silent night, and playgrounds, refurbished at first Our old communal coops had no But let me not grow bitter, espe- gant challenge in their beady eyes good cause everywhere! the melancholy sobbing beauty of a during the GDR years, were then such advantage, of course. cially not in a holiday message! I demands to know, “Who permitted May it indeed be a hard-fought nightingale song. allowed to deteriorate. The wading Our main streets, after the have a fair pension and was never you to trespass here on my terri- but sometimes successful 2018, with But, growing older, I did far less pool, once filled with joyful chil- “Wende,” now offered new cafes in need. New technology is avail- tory?!” With luck, early in the morn- occasional joys and pleasures for all traveling and had fewer opportuni- dren, many unashamedly naked, was and foreign restaurants –and I had able now (in my case almost only ing or at the right time late in the my friends, relatives, and readers. ties to visit the countryside. Raised closed down. While rents soared, always missed the Chinese, Italian, a computer), and travel to all the afternoon, one could watch swarms IPA largely in Manhattan, I felt comfort- our jolly semi-annual communal Indian, and other foreign dishes. But world is allowed now too. After 42 of them, circling together beautifully (The author is a journalist from able even near the center of East Ber- clearing and prettifying of lawns and on the sunshades of even the nicest years and the success of progressives in ever-larger numbers, often in the the U.S. now living in Berlin. He is lin, and the new housing behind our shrubbery was forgotten, as well as cafés, we were urged to try Lucky who battled anti-communism in the hundreds, then flying off to cross the the author of the acclaimed book building was scattered spaciously, the occasional house get-together, Strikes or Camels. I had never imag- U.S. I was able to go back and visit city and spend nights in the woody “Crossing the River. A Memoir of the with a large kindergarten and nurs- feast or outing. ined in the GDR days that in a new my homeland. central park, the Tiergarten. American Left, the Cold War, and ery play area, framed by ever taller, Even before the big change here “united” Germany there would be Like all who were able to, I have One year ago I waited in vain. All Life in East Germany”. The views beautifully blossoming chestnut – in German “Wende,” or U-turn far more whirring helicopters and made the best of life and enjoyed winter long I saw less than a handful. expressed are strictly personal.)

tweet Making available cheap medicines RETWEET Drug prices need to be streamlined to make them affordable for all ince the cost of drugs comes to about 70 per cent of the out of ELIZABETH WARREN pocket expenditure on health, @elizabethforma this becomes a cause of major Sconcern. Because 80 per cent of medi- ARUN MITRA cal care in our country is in private sec- I’m going to say something really tor and advanced tertiary care is mainly coming up in the corporate sector, the crazy: I believe in science. Climate cost concerns are increasing. As per change is real and we have a moral the National Health Policy document obligation to protect this Earth for our 2017, every year 6.3 crore people are pushed below poverty line due to out children and grandchildren. of pocket expenditure on health. It is, therefore, very important that prices of drugs are streamlined and made afford- able. Unlike consumer products, where NARENDRA MODI There needs the buyer has a choice and can decide @narendramodi on what to buy, medicine is something to be a one over which the patient has no choice drug one price and is dependent on medical advice. formula. In fact, The disease is not by choice. There- Congratulations @vishy64theking! fore, it is all the more essential that You've proven your mettle time and any formulation the cost of drugs is within the reach of again. Your tenacity inspires us. India is once labeled every citizen. The government has the responsibility to bring down the cost proud of your exemplary success at the as medicine of medicines. World Rapid Chess Championship! becomes There is a National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM), the cost of which essential. So is to be controlled on a priority basis. the price of all Essential medicines are those that sat- MANOHAR PARRIKAR isfy the priority healthcare needs of a Exorbitant maximum retail price printed on the medicine causes distortion of price in the market (Representational Image) drugs should majority of the population. The primary @manoharparrikar be under check. purpose of NLEM is to promote ratio- of coronary stents came up in pub- the consumer from such fleecing”. margin recommended was a maximum nal use of medicines, considering the lic knowledge, these have been dis- A committee was constituted by the of 35 per cent. For this purpose, three important aspects i.e. cost, safety, cussed at various levels and different Department of Pharmaceuticals in the Drug prices can be streamlined to a the National and efficacy. Because of their essential forums. Exorbitant maximum retail Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers large extent if these recommendations Passing the #TripleTalaqBill in Lok nature, the price of these drugs needs price (MRP) printed on the medicine on September 16, 2015 under the chair- are implemented. There needs to be a Pharmaceutical to be fixed. Many of these drugs have causes distortion of price in the market. manship of Sudhansh Pant, Joint Sec- one drug one price formula. In fact, any Sabha is an historic step towards Pricing Authority been manufactured in bulk by Indian Trade margin allowed to the retailer in retary, Pharma, to compare the prices formulation, once it is labeled as medi- gender equality and social progress. should be drug companies mainly in the public some cases is as high as 1,800 per cent. of trade generic and regular channels cine, becomes essential. So the price of Congratulations to PM @narendramodi sector and have been used in various In the hearing of a case in the Pun- of marketing and give its recommen- all drugs should be under check. For ji, and all parliamentarians who strengthened. The national health programmes. jab and Haryana court, the Ranbaxy dations. This committee suggested cap- this purpose, the National Pharmaceu- Drugs in our country are marketed Laboratories Vs. State of Haryana and ping of the trade margin as per the per tical Pricing Authority (NPPA) should supported it. Uniform Code of in two forms: branded medicines and another, dated 19 March 2013, the court unit price. be strengthened. The Uniform Code Pharmaceutical trade generics. The latter constitute said: “Before parting with judgment, it Fearing that if capping of prices was of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices about 15 per cent of the whole phar- has to be noted that although the peti- done in all segments, the manufactur- (UCPMP) should be made mandatory. Marketing maceutical market. Cost of the generic tioner is allegedly selling the drug in ers would shift to medicines with a high The PSUs, which have been rendering Practices ones is expected to be low so that the question to the consumers at about cost for the purpose of more profit, the great service to the nation by supplying RAMESH SRIVATS benefit goes to the patient. Branded 900 percent of reasonable price of the committee recommended putting of cheap bulk drugs at the time of national @rameshsrivats should be made drugs are expensive because their mar- drug, but there appears to be no legal lesser cap on the low-cost medicines. calamities and in the national health mandatory keting involves many chains and pro- provision in force to save the consumers It opined that there should be no cap programmes, should be strengthened motional activities. On the other hand, from such naked fleecing by the peti- on drugs the retail price of which is up if the dream of affordable health care is approximately 50 per cent of the trade tioner or other drug manufacturers by to Rs. 2 per unit, i.e., per tablet/capsule/ to be met. IPA As 2017 fades away, I have much generics are consumed by dispensing overpricing the drug to such an extent. vial/tube/bottle/injection etc. For prod- (By Dr. Arun Mitra is senior vice satisfaction, but one regret - That this doctors. But the trade margin in sev- It is surprising that no remedial or ame- ucts with per unit retail price from Rs. President Indian Doctors for Peace and eral generic products is very high, thus liorating step has been taken either by 2 to Rs. 20, the trade margin should Development, Former Chairman Ethi- the year when the words “liberal” and belying the very purpose of cheap drugs the state or by the Union of India in be a maximum of 50 per cent; and for cal Committee Punjab Medical Coun- “secular” became insults. to the patient. this regard. The court hopes that now those costing between Rs 40 and Rs 50, cil & Member core committee Alliance Though the issue has been high- at least the concerned authorities shall it should be up to 40 per cent while for of Doctors on Ethical Healthcare. The lighted after discrepancies in prices wake up and also take some step to save those costing above Rs.50, the trade views expressed are strictly personal.) 10 world mp MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Saturday, 30 December, 2017 US vows to ‘work closely’ with Sharif calls Musharraf coward, Afghanistan after terror attack asks judiciary to bring him back LAHORE: Pakistan's ousted on medical grounds. Sharif's prime minister Nawaz Sharif comments came a day after WASHINGTON: The US on on Friday called former mil- Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Friday condemned a "barbaric" ‘Pak must demonstrate its desire itary dictator Pervez Mush- Chairman Bilawal Bhutto attack on a Shiite cultural cen- arraf a "big coward" and asked accused Musharraf of killing tre in Afghanistan that killed the country's judiciary to bring his mother Benazir Bhutto. 41 people and vowed to "work to partner with US against terror’ him back from self-exile and Bilawal said his mother closely" with the Afghan gov- make him accountable for his paid the price for fighting ernment to hunt down the NEW YORK: Pakistan must lerson said. "A commitment crimes. against the dictatorship and terrorists. demonstrate its desire to col- to stop Islamist terrorism and Musharraf is facing treason Musharraf got her killed. White House Press Secre- laborate with the US in its extremism also motivated the charges in Pakistan for impos- "Pervez Musharraf directly tary Sarah Sanders said in a fight against terrorism, Secre- administration's decision to ing emergency rule in Novem- threatened my mother that statement that the "enemies" tary of State Rex Tillerson said adopt a new South Asia strat- ber 2007, arresting judges and the guarantee of her secu- of Afghanistan will not succeed on Friday. egy, which focuses on Afghan- limiting their powers. He Nawaz Sharif rity upon her return to Pak- in their attempts to destroy the In an op-ed published in istan. That country cannot could face the death penalty, "We will soon bring this istan depended on Bhutto's country and divide the Afghan The New York Times, Tiller- become a safe haven for terror- if convicted traitor to justice," Sharif cooperation with the govern- people, who are resilient and son reiterated what the Trump ists, as it was in the days before Musharraf, 75, who came pledged and demanded the ment. I personally hold Pervez committed to establishing administration has been saying the September 11 attacks," he to power in a bloodless coup judiciary to bring Musharraf Musharraf responsible for the peace and stability. An Afghan man reads verses of the Quran near the grave of his about Pakistan for the past sev- wrote as he summarised up in 1999, has been living in back and make him account- assassination of my mother," "The US strongly condemns relative who died in Thursday’s suicide attack on a Shiite cultural eral months now after President his key diplomatic accomplish- Dubai since last year when able for his sins. he said. barbaric attack at a cultural and centre in Kabul, on Friday AP/PTI Donald Trump announced his ments in the first year. he was allowed to leave Paki- "This coward man is mak- Musharraf, however, dis- social centre in Kabul, Afghani- and cowardly" terrorist attack of Afghanistan, UN Secretary- South Asia policy in August. Defeating terrorism stan on the pretext of medical ing excuses of his bad health to missed Bilawal's claim, saying stan, and offers its deepest con- and underlined the need to General Antonio Guterres said Trump while announcing remains one of Trump's high- treatment. extend his stay abroad. Time some "rouge" elements in the dolences to the victims and bring "perpetrators, organis- the world body firmly believes his South Asia Policy had crit- est priorities, Tillerson said. Sharif, 68, called Mush- is not far away to bring such establishment might have been their families," she said. ers, financiers and sponsors of that a peace process is the only icised Pakistan for not doing "The administration'sarraf a "big coward" and said traitors to justice," Sharif said. involved in her killing. She said, "The US stands these reprehensible acts of ter- path to ensure Afghanistan s enough to combat terrorism. aggressive strategy to coun- he should be brought to justice. Musharraf had toppled Benazir, the Pakistan Peo- firmly with the government rorism to justice." stability. "Pakistan must contribute ter the Islamic State delegates "Musharraf is a big cow- Sharif's government in 1999. ples Party chief and a two- and people of Afghanistan The UNSC urged all states An Islamic State suicide by combating terrorist groups greater authority to American ard who is hiding abroad. If He remained in power till time prime minister, was killed and will work closely with the to cooperate actively with the bomber struck a Shiite cul- on its own soil. We are pre- military commanders on the any courage is left in him he 2008. Sharif who returned along with more than 20 peo- National Unity Government to Afghanistan government and tural center in Kabul yester- pared to partner with Pakistan battlefield, giving our forces should return and face cases to power in 2013 instituted ple in a gun and bomb attack bring the perpetrators of this all other relevant authorities in day, killing at least 41 people to defeat terror organisations more freedom and speed to do against him," Sharif said, add- a treason case against Mush- in Rawalpindi's Liaquat Bagh heinous attack to justice.” this regard. and underscoring the extrem- seeking safe havens, but Pak- what they do best, in partner- ing Musharraf had abrogated arraf who left the country in during an election campaign The UN Security Council Expressing solidarity with ist group's growing reach in istan must demonstrate its ship with indigenous fighting the Constitution and he must 2016 when the apex court rally on December 27, 2007. also condemned "the heinous the people and the government Afghanistan. AGENCIES desire to partner with us," Til- forces," he asserted. AGENCIES be punished for that. allowed him to travel abroad She was 54. AGENCIES Two dead in ‘mistaken identity’ Singaporeans B’desh targets 1 lakh for first Rohingya repatriation charged over $7 COX'S BAZAR (Bangla- citizenship. shooting by Philippine police desh): Bangladesh wants to Quader said repatriations mn metro scandal send up to 100,000 Rohingya would start as soon as a work- MANILA: Philippine police chief Oscar Albayalde. of the police and watchmen back to Myanmar in the first ing group of officials from the SINGAPORE: Four Singa- have killed two people, includ- The wounded woman later would be checked to see who batch of repatriations of Mus- two countries finalise a list of porean men were on Friday ing a woman on her way to died and one of her companions had fired on the van. lim refugees who fled ethnic names. charged over a scandal involv- hospital, after mistaking them in the van was also killed while "They said that practically all violence this year, officials said "Based on the decision of ing contracts for the metro for gunmen, authorities said two others were wounded, he of them fired their guns. It was on Friday. the joint working group, a first worth almost $7.4 million, the on Friday, the latest deaths told reporters. only some guys who arrived last Senior minister Obaidul list of 100,000 Rohingya will latest problem to hit the finan- at the hands of law enforce- "I find no excuse (for) this who did not fire their guns," Quader said a list of 100,000 be sent to the Myanmar gov- cial hub's train network. ment under President Rodrigo unfortunate event that has Albayalde said, referring to the names was to be sent to Myan- ernment on Friday for their The prosecution of the Duterte. caused the death of two individ- responding policemen. Videos mar authorities on Friday so safe and honourable return," group, which included for- The incident occurred last uals and the wounding of two of the incident, aired on local repatriations could start in Quader, road transport min- mer and current employees of night when police were called others," he said in a statement. television, show policemen with late January under an accord ister and deputy leader of the metro operator SMRT, came to a Manila suburb following He said village watchmen had guns drawn, surrounding the between the two governments. That added to more than Many aid groups and diplomats ruling Awami League, told after a series of breakdowns on an earlier shooting during an been the first to open fire on van as gunshots ring out. More than 655,000 300,000 in camps in Bangla- doubt that fearful Rohingya reporters during a visit to the train system and a collision argument between residents. the van but said police would "We are not hiding anything Rohingya from Myanmar's desh after fleeing earlier vio- will agree to return. Cox's Bazar where the refugee that injured dozens. The acci- But they mistakenly opened investigate why they had fire- here. We are not discounting Rakhine state have sought ref- lence in the Buddhist majority The Rohingya have been camps are. dents have caused anger in the fire on a van that they thought arms which are not normally the fact that there is the possi- uge in Bangladesh since a mili- state. the target of past pogroms in "The next meeting of the city-state where public trans- was carrying the shooter but issued to such personnel. bility that there may have been tary crackdown in late August, The two governments Buddhist-majority Myanmar, working group, which will be port is usually efficient and which in fact was taking a Albayalde said 36 shells overkill or violation of our POP fleeing what the US and United signed an agreement in which does not recognise the held in Myanmar, will decide most have to rely on buses and woman injured in the incident from fired rounds had been (police operating procedure)," Nations have described as eth- November allowing for repa- group as a genuine ethnic- how the repatriation process trains as car prices are among to hospital, said Manila police recovered and that all the guns Albayalde said. AGENCIES nic cleansing. triations from January 23. ity and has stripped them of begins," Quader added. AGENCIES the highest in the world. Three of the four men caught up in the latest scandal failed to disclose their interest Heavy air pollution blankets Beijing S Korea seizes Hong Kong ship in two engineering companies which had been awarded con- BEIJING: Beijing on Friday the city dropped this year as tracts from SMRT totalling 9.8 wore the familiar look of thick Beijing phased out more than for oil transfer to North: Seoul million dollars, the anti-cor- smog blanketing the skyline, 4,450 coal-fired stoves in 2017, ruption bureau said. presenting a bleak picture amid reducing the capital city's coal The offences allegedly hap- reports of improvement in air consumption by nearly three SEOUL: South Korea briefly cial said. South Korean cus- Sam Jong 2 as well as to three pened between 2007 and 2012, quality. China has made heavy million tonnes, local authori- seized and inspected a Hong toms authorities briefly seized other non-North Korean the bureau said, adding that the investments to replace coal ties said. Kong-registered ship in and inspected the ship when vessels in international men have been charged under fired heating plans with that of The move also reduced November for transferring oil it returned to Yeosu Port on waters, the foreign ministry a law that prohibits cheating. natural gas to reduce air pollu- emissions of 5,500 tonnes of products to a North Korean November 24, he said. official said. Two of the men, Jamalludin tion in the country. smoke and 6,600 tonnes of sul- vessel and breaching UN The ship, chartered by "This marks a typical case bin Jumari, 61, and Zakaria bin PM 2.5, the fine particu- fur dioxide, the Beijing Munic- sanctions, a foreign ministry Taiwanese company Billions of North Korea shrewdly cir- Mohamed Shariff, 52, are for- late matter that causes smog ipal Environmental Protection official said on Friday. Bunker Group Corp, previ- cumventing UN Security mer employees of SMRT and today touched 253, regarded Bureau said. The Lighthouse Winmore, ously visited Yeosu on Octo- Council sanctions by using face 28 charges each. very unhealthy as per the read- As part of a campaign which was chartered by a Tai- ber 11 to load up on Japanese its illegal networks", the offi- Zulkifli bin Marwi, 52, still ing of the air quality bu the US launched in 2013, Beijing has wanese company and carry- refined oil before heading cial told journalists. works at the rail company as Embassy in Beijing. very cold with temperature tion for the several years due phased out about 99.8 per cent ing around 600 tonnes of oil towards its purported desti- "The actions taken will be a line manager and faces 24 The city wore the familiar dropping to below zero. to massive industrialisation and of coal-fired stoves in the city. products from South Korea's nation in Taiwan. reported to the UN Security charges. Akbar Ali bin Tam- look of thick smog blanketing Beijing and several cities in high usage of coal besides mas- Natural gas and other forms Yeosu port, transferred part Instead of going to Taiwan, Council sanctions committee bishahib, 59, a director of the the skyline presenting a bleak northern part of China have sive expansion of automobiles. of clean energy are used to of its cargo to a North Korean however, the vessel trans- on North Korea in the future," companies awarded the con- picture. The weather too turned been witnessing heavy pollu- The pollutions levels in replace coal. AGENCIES vessel on October 19, the offi- ferred the oil to the North's he said. AGENCIES tracts, faces 28 charges. AGENCIES Nepal Prez endorses Keep calm and be average: India facing huge key ordinance for China’s unambitious millennials challenges in gender BEIJING: While their country's leader formation of new govt has encouraged citizens to work harder justice: UN Women and dream big, some Chinese millennials are declaring their allegiance to the art of WASHINGTON: India is fac- KATHMANDU: Nepal Presi- Under this, 42 out of a total being average. ing "very very big" challenges dent Bidya Bhandari on Friday of 59 members will be elected Nicknamed "Buddhist Youth", these in gender justice, a top UN endorsed a key ordinance relat- under single transferable vot- young people have embraced a laissez-faire Women official has said, add- ing to the election of Upper ing system while 14 will be approach to life which has more to do with ing that the government has House members, that paves elected through majority vot- being chilled out than reading sutras. "prioritised" women's issues the way for formation of a new ing system. "Life is quite tiring," said 23-year-old in its policies and programmes government after recent pro- The remaining threeGuo Jia, who believes being a Buddhist but there is need for greater vincial and parliamentary polls. members are supposed to be Youth means "accepting the things you momentum. going forward." There were disputes among appointed by the president. cannot change and going with the flow". Lakshmi Puri, assistant Puri, who was acting head the ruling Nepali Congress Under single transferable As a viral Chinese social media post secretary-general of the United of UN Women from March party and main opposition voting, weightage will be given outlined this month, behaviours associ- Nations and deputy executive to August 2013, noted that CPN-UML as to which voting to the votes casted by the eligi- ated with the largely irreligious Buddhist director of UN Women, called the challenges being faced by system to be adopted for the ble voters to decide the winning Youth include eating the same food every for setting up special courts India in the arena of women election of the 59 members of candidates. day, allowing one's romantic partner to for hearing cases of violence equality and gender justice are Upper House. Meanwhile, senior leader of make all the decisions and being devoid of against women, and provid- "very very big". Without the formation of CPN-UML Lal Babu Pandit has strong feelings about virtually everything. ing gender responsive train- In addition to addressing the Upper House the forma- asserted that party chairman They are the latest in a string of sub- ing to police. She said Prime the challenges being faced by tion of the bicameral Parlia- and former premier K P Oli cultures to achieve online fame in China On the surface, they live ordinary lives, eating lunch with co-workers and playing sports over the Minister Narendra Modi has women in cities, she under- ment could not be completed, is most likely to lead the new –with labels like "greasy uncles", a type of weekend. But Buddhist Youths are always wary of overdoing it prioritised women issues in scored the need for safety of which was crucial for conven- government formed under the pompous yet slovenly middle-aged man, his policies and programmes. women in rural areas in India. ing a full parliamentary session Left alliance. to "cultured youth", the Chinese equiva- Jinping's China, where the president has not return the things they don't like. "He (Modi) has priori- "Rural women face differ- which is essential to form a new The Left alliance won 116 lent of a hipster. Some of these labels have endeavoured to rally young people in par- And a "Buddhist Employee" is one who tised it (gender equality and ent types of violence and the government. seats out of a total 165 under been condemned by authorities, but Bud- ticular around the notion of the "Chinese desires nothing more than to "arrive at gender issues) in every pro- more disadvantaged amongst The NC has been advocat- the first-past-the-post system dhist Youth have been greeted –appropri- Dream". "A nation will be prosperous if work peacefully and leave work quietly". gramme, every mission that them, marginalised amongst ing for single transferable vot- while the Nepali Congress ately –with indifference. its young generation is ambitious and reli- A Buddhist Youth wants nothing he has launched. He has put them, the poorest face differ- ing system for the Upper House bagged just 23 seats in the When Guo first arrived in Beijing, able," Xi said in 2013. because she or he expects nothing -- win gender equality in the middle ent types of violence. So that election, while the CPN-UML country's recently-concluded everything –from working at his finance Chinese millennials' unique take on or lose, adversity or good fortune, they of that. Jan Dhan Yojana is a needs to be addressed. The had been sticking to the major- historic polls that many hope job to riding the subway –made him anx- monkhood grabbed attention online after accept it all. very big win for women. In number, the scale, the scope ity voting system. will bring much-needed polit- ious. Like many of the nation's young striv- a popular public account on the WeChat Lin Kexin, a 20-year-old student in Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, he of the challenges are so big that The president had been ical stability to the Himalayan ers, he came to the capital eager to meet the messaging app, called "Ways of the 21st eastern Fujian province, said she began to is highlighting more gender sometimes the impact cannot holding the ordinance for nation. high expectations he had set for himself. Century", described various types of Bud- identify more as a Buddhist Youth after act- related issues. Similarly, Skills be seen immediately, she said. some time due to the dispute Former minister Pandit But more than a year later, he has found dhist Youths in detail. ing too impulsively on a romantic crush. India, Digital India..." she said. Despite India making con- between the two major politi- said the two Left alliance par- peace in letting things be. A "Buddhist Passenger" is someone "That was tiring," she said. Considered a guiding force siderable progress in the last cal forces. ties –CPN-UML, CPN-Maoist "I haven't been able to stop caring about who chooses to walk to their DiDi (Chi- The trend has even caught the atten- in driving the women related 70 years, the country is still Now with the president's Centre –would unite only after everything," Guo said, "but these days I am na's equivalent of Uber) rather than explain tion of the People's Daily, the official paper agenda of the UN, Puri said, facing the challenge of patri- endorsement, the ordinance the top leaders forge a consen- generally calm and unperturbed. their exact location to their driver. of the ruling Communist Party, which "We would of course like to see archal social and cultural incorporates a mix voting sus on division of positions of It is enough to just be content with life." A "Buddhist Online Shopper" is some- published two articles on Buddhist Youth greater momentum in regard norms that hold back women, system. leaders and cadres. AGENCIES Such declarations are curious in Xi one who buys the things they like but does last week. AGENCIES to some of these initiatives she rued. AGENCIES world 11 MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Saturday, 30 December, 2017 mp S Africa's top court delivers Baby among 12 killed in NY’s Zuma impeachment blow

JOHANNESBURG: South deadliest fire in decades Africa's top court today ruled that parliament failed to hold embattled President Jacob NEW YORK: A massive fire swept Zuma accountable for using through a five-story apartment building The blaze was the state funds to upgrade his in New York, killing at least 12 people private home, in a move that including a toddler and injuring four worst in the city since could trigger impeachment others in the deadliest blaze to hit the 87 people were killed proceedings. city in decades. The opposition had gone to The fire broke out around 6:50 pm in a 1990 inferno at a court arguing that the Speaker (local time) on Thursday on the first Bronx social club of parliament had failed to floor of the Prospect Avenue apartment institute appropriate processes National Assembly to make court judgements against him. in the Bronx borough of the city and to hold Zuma accountable rules regulating removal of Today's ruling is expected spread quickly, officials said, adding monitoring the devastating fire in the for his failure to abide by the the president... constitutes a to pile up more pressure on the that the cause of the blaze is under Bronx. anti- corruption watchdog's violation," of the constitution, beleaguered leader. investigation. "As always we are thankful for our recommendations in 2014 the court said. Zuma was succeeded by his New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio first responders. Our thoughts are with over refurbishments at his rural It ordered that the national deputy Cyril Ramaphosa in a during a late night briefing outside the the victims and their families tonight, home in the eastern KwaZulu assembly "must comply" with tightly fought contest in which building, near the Bronx Zoo, called the he said. Natal province using some 15 the constitution to make his former wife Nkosazana fire the "worst fire tragedy in this city in The building, which had more than million of taxpayers money. rules that could be used for Dlamini-Zuma also ran. at least a quarter century." 20 flats, was built just over 100 years The scandal came to a the removal of the president He is due to resign as state "This is the worst fire tragedy we ago, the New York Times reported, dramatic climax when the "without delay". president after general elections have seen in this city it will rank as one adding that it was not fireproof. Constitutional Court last year Defeated in court and in 2019. of the worst losses in a fire in many The daily citing the City records found the president guilty of facing mounting public The ANC's deputy secretary years," the mayor said. said that the building had six open violating his oath of office by criticism, Zuma later relented general Jessie Duarte said the More than 160 firefighters helped Firefighters respond to a deadly fire in New York on Thursday AP/PTI violations, including one for a defective refusing to pay back the money. and paid 500,000, a sum set by party had noted the ruling bring the blaze under control. The smoke detector on the first floor. "We conclude that the treasury. and would "discuss its full building had no elevators. apartment building," New York Fire the search of the building continues, That was the floor where the fire (National) Assembly did not In power since 2009, Zuma implications" when the party A one-year-old child was among Department Commissioner Daniel and the death toll could rise further, began, Commissioner Nigro said. hold the president to account," stepped down last week as decision-making body the those killed in the blaze. Niger said. He said that the tragedy is the mayor warned. The blaze was the worst in the city said Constitutional Court president of the ruling ANC National Executive Committee "The victims, ranging in age from "historic in its magnitude". New York Governor Andrew since 87 people were killed in a 1990 judge Chris Jafta. party after a 10 year term meets in just under two weeks 1 to 50, died on various floors of the At least 12 people were rescued, but Cuomo in a tweet said that he is closely inferno at a Bronx social club. AGENCIES "The failure by themarked by numerous damning on January 10, 2018. AGENCIES 10 killed in Indian-origin student shot dead Iran arrested 52 in economy terror attack on in America, relative injured protests, says official Egypt church CHICAGO: An Indian-origin was not injured. According TEHRAN: An Iranian official reformist media group, Nazar, the protests were more deeply CAIRO: Ten people were college student was shot dead to ABC 7 Chicago, the police said on Friday that 52 people showed people in Mashhad rooted, according to one local killed and eight others injured during a robbery attempt believe the suspects came and had been arrested in the chanting "Death to Rouhani". lawmaker. in a terrorist attack on a church at a gas station in the US on left on foot. Though they are previous day's protests against More provocatively, there "There is a major crisis in in Egypt's capital today, the Thursday and his relative investigating the shooting as high prices that highlighted were also chants of "Death to Mashhad caused by illegal government said. critically injured, media reports an armed robbery, police said deep-rooted economic the dictator" and "Not Gaza, financial institutions," Hamid A health ministry said. the cash register appears to problems in the second city of not Lebanon, my life for Iran" Garmabi, who represents spokesman said the attack Nineteen-year-old Arshad be untouched and they have Mashhad. -- a reference to anger in some the city of Neyshabour near took place when gunmen on a Vhora was filling in for his not had problems with the gas Hundreds took to the streets circles that the government Mashhad, told Fars. motorbike opened fire outside father –who was in India to station in the past. of Mashhad, a site of holy is focusing on the wider He was referring to the Mar Mina church in Helwan attend a wedding –at the gas "Investigators are still pilgrimage in the northeast region rather than improving mushrooming of unauthorised area. station in Dolton, Illinois, combing through video and of the country, on Thursday conditions at home. lending institutions under At least 10 people, including when the attempted robbery canvassing the area and seeking with slogans mostly directed Similar yet smaller protests former president Mahmoud eight Coptic Christians, were took place, ABC 7 Chicago out potential witnesses, so at President Hassan Rouhani's reportedly took place in a Ahmadinejad between 2005 killed in the shootout outside reported. He was pronounced was in custody as of Thursday father was out of the country. right now we do not have any government for failing to tackle few other cities, responding and 2013. A poorly regulated the south Cairo church, he said, dead at the scene. The other afternoon, Collins said. His father is on his way back." potential suspect information," a range of economic problems. to calls on the Telegram banking sector combined with adding, one gunman was shot victim, 55-year-old Bakar Police said they received Vhora was a sophomore said Collins. "Right now, we're The head of Mashhad's messaging service for a day of a construction boom left many dead as was a security officer. Saieed, was taken to a hospital a 911 call from the Clark gas business major at South looking at one suspect but that revolutionary court, Hossein demonstrations to say "No to credit companies stuck with State-run MENA news and is in serious condition. station from a man who was Suburban College, relatives doesn't rule out the possibility Heidari, said people were high prices". toxic debts and unable to repay agency reported that the other The business is family- unable to speak. The officers said. Police are reviewing that there may be more suspects arrested for chanting "harsh Egg prices have doubled investors. gunman fled the scene. The owned and operated and the rushed to the scene and found surveillance video from the gas involved." slogans", the Fars news agency since last week due to the Since coming to power in ministry said two of the injured victims were related, though the victims. station, and are investigating A $12,000 reward is being reported. "We consider protest government's culling of 2013, Rouhani's government are women, adding it employed it was not immediately clear "This is another act of the incident as an armed offered by the victims' family, to be the people's right but if millions of chickens diagnosed has sought to clean up the 10 ambulances to transfer the how, Chicago Sun-Times said, senseless killing. As we know, it robbery homicide. Police are community activist Andrew some people want to abuse with avian flu, government financial sector, shutting injured to hospitals. The attack quoting Dolton Police chief happens too often," said Abdul also interviewing a delivery Holmes and Dolton Mayor these emotions and ride this spokesman Mohammad down three of the biggest new comes days before the Coptic Robert M. Collins Jr. Vhora, a relative. "He was a man who had just arrived at Riley Rogers for information wave, we won't wait and will Bagher Nobakht told reporters credit institutions –Mizan, celebration of the new year and The attempted robbery took very intelligent kid. He was the gas station as a potential leading to the arrest of confront them," Heidari said. on Tuesday. Fereshtegan and Samen orthodox Christmas Day on place about 11 a.m. and no one filling in for his father while his witness to the shooting. He the killer. AGENCIES Videos published by a small But the reasons behind al-Hojaj. AGENCIES January 7. AGENCIES 19 civilians Russia probe makes US ‘look very bad’: Trump among 66 Erdogan seeks to mend WASHINGTON: US President it puts the country in a very But I think he's going to be fair," Donald Trump has said he bad position," Trump told Trump said of Mueller. killed in Syria strained ties with Europe believes the probe into Russian the Times. "So the sooner it's He repeated the allegations meddling in the US election worked out, the better it is for were invented by Democrats ANKARA: Turkish President Recep Tayyip "makes the country look very the country." "as a hoax, as a ruse, as an fighting Erdogan has signalled he wants to mend fences bad," according to The New The president added that he excuse for losing an election," with the governments of several European York Times. was not concerned about the the Times reported. Trump nations he's quarrelled with this year, saying Speaking to the newspaper ongoing investigation –which also distanced himself from Turkey must "decrease the number of enemies yesterday, Trump said he from Republicans, who have his lawyers insisted would be ex-campaign chairman Paul and increase friends." believes special counsel Robert pressed for a new independent finished by Thanksgiving –as Manafort, who was indicted In comments published yesterday in Turkey's Mueller will treat him fairly -- prosecutor to investigate anti- "everybody knows" there was in October in the first legal Hurriyet newspaper, Erdogan described the a view in contrast with recent Trump bias. "It makes the no Russian collusion. action stemming from the leaders of Germany, the Netherlands and attacks on Mueller's credibility country look very bad, and "There's been no collusion. investigation. AGENCIES Belgium as "old friends," called recent contacts with them "quite good" and noted that they, like 9 jailed in Vietnam Turkey, oppose a controversial US decision to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Cyprus president among nine "We have no problems with Germany, or European nations also have balked at for ‘attempt to BEIRUT: Clashes pitting with the Netherlands or Belgium," Erdogan told the deteriorating state of human rights and mainly jihadist and rebel journalists on his return from a trip to Africa. democratic institutions in Turkey, especially in overthrow state’ fighters against regime forces "On the contrary, those in power there are my the wake of last year's failed military coup. candidates for January poll backed by Russian warplanes old friends. They have wronged me, but that's Erdogan's government embarked on an killed at least 66 people on the another matter." unprecedented crackdown on opponents, HANOI: A Vietnamese court NICOSIA: Conservative edge of Syria's northwestern Ties between Ankara and some European arresting around 50,000 people and purging has jailed nine people for incumbent Nicos Anastasiades Idlib province, a monitor said nations frayed after authorities in several more than 110,000 public sector workers. "attempting to overthrow the was among nine candidates on Friday. countries prevented Turkish government A state of emergency declared after the coup state", official media reported who registered on Friday to Among the victims were ministers from holding political rallies to court attempt allows Erdogan to rule by decree, often today, the latest heavy sentence stand in a Cyprus presidential at least 19 civilians killed by expat votes ahead of a referendum in Turkey bypassing parliament. doled out in a harsh crackdown election likely to be dominated air strikes, the Britain-based earlier this year over giving Erdogan expanded Several German or German-Turkish this year against activists in the by stalled peace talks and a Syrian Observatory for Human powers. nationals, including a prominent journalist, one-party state. reviving economy. Rights said, adding that the Erdogan aimed a series of insults at his have been jailed on terror-related charges as part Communist Vietnam Anastasiades, 71, is the casualties were over 24 hours allies accusing European officials of racism, of the crackdown, further damaging ties with routinely jails its critics, but frontrunner to win the vote of fighting in an area straddling harbouring terrorists and behaving like "Nazis." Berlin. AGENCIES 2017 has been particularly grim scheduled for January 28, with Idlib and Hama provinces. for dissidents, with at least 15 opinion polls making him The head of the arrested and several others favourite to secure a second Observatory, Rami Abdel sentenced to lengthy prison term, which by law will be his Rahman, said seven children Lanka Prez banks on ‘global terms. last. were among the civilian Nine people were convicted "We are in the final Cyprus president Nicos Anastasiades victims. yesterday for attempting to stretch before the presidential He said 27 soldiers and overthrow the government election," Anastasiades told the last presidential election inspired Greek Cypriot coup members of allied paramilitary victories’ for local polls and for anti-state propaganda reporters after submitting his in 2013, has criticised the seeking union with Greece. units were killed in the fighting -- a charge rights groups have candidacy. president for failing to reach a Anastasiades has also as well as 20 anti-regime COLOMBO: Sri Lankan support from SLFP's old rival slammed for being vaguely "I believe that in the next few compromise to end the island's played up his success in combatants, from Islamist rebel President Maithripala Sirisena United National Party (UNP), worded and used to crush weeks and until the elections decades-old division. rescuing the island's economy groups the former Al-Qaeda kicked off his campaign for has faced criticism from the dissent -- in central Binh Dinh a mild political climate will Papadopulous, whose from the near collapse of its affiliate Fateh al-Sham. local council elections in rival SLFP faction of former province. prevail, because on the day after father led Greek Cypriots in banking system. The fresh violence in February here today, on the president Mahinda Rajapaksa. They were accused of the elections Cyprus should voting resoundingly against After coming into power in the area appeared to signal back of what he termed his Rajapaksa loyalists have distributing leaflets "defaming find us all united for the good a UN-brokered reunification March 2013, he had to negotiate the initial phase of a major "international victories". posed a serious challenge to leaders and calling for the of our country," he added. plan in 2004, has accused the a painful bailout agreement government operation against Addressing his Sri Lanka Sirisena by forming their own government to be overthrown", Anastasiades had been president of offering too many with international lenders to Idlib, the only province in Freedom Party (SLFP) party. according to an online report widely expected to stand again, concessions in the talks. avoid bankruptcy but turned the country that completely candidates for polls to all 341 They alleged that President Friday from ANTV, the official despite his failure to reach a Anastasiades has the economy around in less escapes regime control. local councils set for February Sirisena had postponed the police television channel, citing peace deal for the divided campaigned on a pro-peace than four years. An AFP correspondent 10, he said he was able to Pakistan prime minister. Just a local council elections by the indictment. island in UN-backed talks that ticket, vowing to try to revive Cyprus has recovered near the fighting said aerial gain international support few minutes before I came here nearly three years for fear of Ta Tan Loc, 42, was collapsed in July. talks with Turkish Cypriot to post well above average activity was intense and the during his three-year reign I received his message agreeing seeing the SLFP relegated to sentenced to 14 years in prison, His main challengers will be leader Mustafa Akinci, despite eurozone growth rates with entire area rocked by frequent as president. "When Russia to send 40,000 metric tons. third position behind them while his eight accomplices got Stavros Malas, an independent the souring of their relationship the government expecting 4 air strikes. banned our exports my "When I visited Qatar and the UNP. His decision to between three and 13 years, backed by the main opposition through two years of tough percent GDP growth for 2017. Rebel leaders issued personal letter to President recently, even before I could campaign vigorously shows ANTV reported. communist party Akel, and and ultimately abortive Also in the mix of an all- warnings informing the Vladimir Putin enabled to get into my return flight an that he is keen to silence his The court accused the Nicolas Papadopoulos, whose negotiations. male line-up of candidates are remaining civilians in the get the ban lifted within a few investment delegation had critics who claim that he had group of having links to an late father Tassos Papadopoulos Cyprus has been divided former foreign minister George area that Friday prayers were days," Sirisena said. left Qatar for Sri Lanka," betrayed SLFP's interests by overseas "reactionary" group, served as president from 2003 since 1974 when Turkish Lillikas and the leader of the cancelled and that residents "When we faced the current Sirisena said. Sirisena, who forming a government with the channel added, without to 2008. Malas, who was troops invaded its northern far-right Elam party Christos should stay indoor. AGENCIES fertiliser shortage I called the was elected president with the UNP. AGENCIES providing details. AGENCIES defeated by Anastasiades in third in response to an Athens- Christou. AGENCIES 12 business mp MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Saturday, 30 December, 2017 Centre releases `24,500 crore 8-month fiscal deficit is 112% of full-year target to compensate states for GST NEW DELHI: India's fiscal deficit at the end of November breached the target and touched NEW DELHI: The revenue 112 per cent of the budget esti- loss to states on account of GST Govt extends deadline for filing mate for 2017-18 mainly due implementation was Rs 24,500 to lower GST collections and crore between July-October final GST returns to January 10 higher expenditure. and the Centre has released In absolute terms, the fiscal compensation to make up for NEW DELHI: The government has extended deficit -- the difference between it, Parliament was informed on by 10 days the last date for filing of final sales expenditure and revenue -- was Friday. Rs 6.12 lakh crore during April- As per the details of GST return GSTR-1 till January 10 under the Goods November 2017-18, according compensation released to states and Services Tax, sources said. Businesses with to the data by the Controller as on November 30, Karnataka turnover of up to Rs 1.5 crore will have to file General of Accounts (CGA). got maximum compensation GSTR-1 for July-September by January 10, 2018, During the same period from the Centre at Rs 3,271 as against December 31, 2017 earlier. For busi- of 2016-17, the deficit stood crore, followed by Gujarat (Rs at 85.8 per cent of that year's 2,282 crore) and Punjab (Rs nesses with turnover of more than Rs 1.5 crore target. 2,098 crore). GSTR-1 has to be filed for the period July-No- For 2017-18, the govern- Tax (GST) collections slipped ment's total expenditure was "...the revenue loss due to vember by January 10. Earlier these businesses ment aims to bring down the to their lowest in Novem- Rs 14.78 lakh crore at Novem- implementation of GST to were required to file GSTR-1 return for July-Oc- fiscal deficit to 3.2 per cent of ber as rates were cut on doz- ber-end, or 68.9 per cent of the the states for month of July to and sin goods to make good Shukla said. GDP. Last fiscal, it had met the ens of goods to make the new budget estimate. It was 65 per October has been estimated the loss suffered by the states The other states that tober by December 31 and that for November by target of 3.5 per cent of GDP. national sales tax regime more cent of the budget estimate a Rs 24,500 crore and the same on account of roll out of the required hefty compensation January 10. For the month of December, GSTR-1 The CGA data showed acceptable. year ago. amount has been released to new indirect tax regime. This include Rajasthan (Rs 1,911 is to be filed by February 10 and for subsequent that the government's revenue Total collections under the Capital expenditure dur- the states as compensation to is levied on top of the highest crore), Bihar (Rs 1,746 crore), months, it would be 10th day of the succeed- receipts were at Rs 8.04 lakh GST in November slipped for ing April-November of 2017- make up for the loss of reve- tax rate of 28 per cent on this Uttar Pradesh (Rs 1,520 crore), ing month. The GST Council had in November crore in the eight months to the second straight month to Rs 18 was higher at 59.5 per cent nue on bi-monthly basis for the goods. West Bengal (Rs 1,008 crore) November, which work out 80,808 crore, down from over of the BE compared to 57.7 per month of July-August, 2017, "Since the rate of cess shall and Odisha (Rs 1,020 crore). allowed businesses with turnover of up to Rs 1.5 to 53.1 per cent of the budget Rs 83,000 crore in the previ- cent in the same period of the and September-October, 2017," be such so as to maintain the In a seprate reply, Shukla crore to file final returns GSTR-1 quarterly. Busi- estimate (BE) of Rs 15.15 lakh ous month. previous fiscal. Minister of State for Finance pre-GST tax incidence on such said the GST anti-profiteering nesses with turnover of up to Rs 1.5 crore will crore for 2017-18. The GST was implemented Revenue expenditure, Shiv Pratap Shukla said in a goods therefore there may not authority has till December 26 have to file returns by February 15 for the period The receipts, comprising from July 1, 2017 to amalgam- including interest payment, written reply in the Lok Sabha. be much difference in total tax received 169 complaints alleg- October- December and that for January-March taxes and other items, were at ate the excise duty, service tax, was 70.5 per cent of the BE dur- Under the Goods and Ser- incidence (tax plus cess) on ing suppliers of goods have not 57.8 per cent of the target in the VAT and several other indi- ing April-November 2017-18. vices Tax (GST) regime, a cess these goods between the pre- passed on benefit of cost reduc- by April 30. PTI year-ago period. rect taxes. This compares with 66.1 per is levied on luxury, demerit GST and post-GST regime," tion to customers. PTI The Goods and Services As per the data, the govern- cent a year earlier. PTI Govt identifies 77 Price cap on drugs Promoters infuse `9,000 cr in firms in list Govt: 50,000 Aadhaar enrolment helps patients DLF since closure of GIC deal of vanishing cos operators suspended till date save `11,365 crore NEW DELHI: As many as NEW DELHI: Nearly 50,000 NEW DELHI: Capping of NEW DELHI: Realty major 77 "vanishing" companies enrolment operators have prices of medicines and med- DLF on Friday said its promot- Saurabh Chawla remained untraced after hav- been suspended for violating ical devices, including stents ers have infused Rs 9,000 crore ing raised funds through initial the process guidelines for Aad- and knee implants, has helped in the company and the amount appointed public offers (IPOs), Parlia- haar enrolment till date, Rajya patients save a total of Rs will be utilised to reduce debt ment was informed on Friday. Sabha was informed on Friday. 11,365.61 crore till December significantly. Vanishing companies are An operator is blacklisted 2017, Parliament was informed DLF, the country's larg- DLF Group CFO those firms which cease to file on crossing certain threshold of on Friday. est real estate firm, has issued their statements of return after errors during enrolment, Min- Ceiling prices of 851 for- compulsorily convertible NEW DELHI: Realty major raising capital, and where- ister of State for Electronics and mulations (including two cor- debentures and warrants to DLF on Friday appointed Sau- abouts of their registered office IT, Alphons Kannanthanam onary stents) under Revised promoters entities in lieu of rabh Chawla as group chief or directors are not known. said in a written reply. Schedule - I based on National this investment. financial officer (CFO). From the IPOs, which The erroneous enrolments List of Essential Medicines Earlier this week, DLF pro- Chawla, age 53 years, joined were issued during 1992-2001 are rejected during quality (NLEM), 2015, were fixed till moters concluded the sale of ment of CCDs and warrants," DLF in April 2006. period, a total 238 firms were checks, and, as a result, Aad- December 2017, Minister of 40 per cent stake in rental arm the filing said. "...upon elevation of the identified as vanishing com- haar is not generated in respect State for Chemicals & Fertil- DLF Cyber City Developers Ltd The conversion of CCDs group CFO Ashok Kumar panies by the Coordination of such enrolments. Eligible isers Mansukh L Mandaviya (DCCDL) for Rs 11,900 crore. and exercise of warrants would Tyagi as whole-time director and Monitoring Committee enrolments, that are error-free, related offences. mobile numbers, 14.63 crore said in a written reply to the This deal included sale of 33.34 be undertaken in a manner of the company, the board of (CMC), a joint mechanism of lead to Aadhaar generation, he The Unique Identification Permanent Account Numbers Rajya Sabha. The government per cent stake in DCCDL to that is in compliance with the directors... Corporate Affairs Ministry and added. Authority of India (UIDAI), and 82 crore bank accounts by implementing the provisions GIC for Rs 8,900 crore and buy- minimum public sharehold- has appointed Saurabh markets regulator Sebi. "As on date, about 50,000 the Aadhaar-issuing body, rou- have been linked with Aadhaar of DPCO, 2013 has helped the back of remaining shares worth ing norms. Chawla as Group CFO of the Of these, 161 companies Aadhaar enrolment operators tinely organises training and as on December 8, 2017. consumers save Rs 11,365.61 Rs 3,000 crore by DCCDL. When contacted, DLF's company," DLF said in a regu- have since been removed from have been suspended for violat- sensitisation workshops for Aadhaar, the 12-digit num- crore, Mandaviya said. DLF's debt stood at nearly newly appointed group CFO latory filing. the list, as they have subse- ing process guidelines relating enrolment agencies and oper- ber backed by fingerprints, iris The National Pharmaceuti- Rs 27,000 crore at the end of Saurabh Chawla said the pro- Chawla is a B.Com (Hons) quently been traced, Minister to Aadhaar enrolment," he said. ators working under them on scans and certain demographic cal Pricing Authority (NPPA) the second quarter of the cur- moters have invested Rs 9,000 graduate from University of of State for Corporate Affairs The Aadhaar Act and its various issues of enrolment. details of Indian residents, is on fixes the ceiling prices of medi- rent fiscal. crore on Friday and another Rs Delhi and an MBA (Finance) P P Chaudhary said in a writ- regulations prescribe punitive To another query, the Min- Friday the world's largest bio- cines listed in the Schedule - I of In a filing to the BSE, DLF 2,250 crore would be infused in from Pace University, New York. ten reply to the Lok Sabha. PTI actions for various Aadhaar- ister said, that about 71.24 crore metric database. PTI Drugs (Prices Control) Order on Friday informed that the the next one year. He has 20 years of work (DPCO), 2013. board has allotted to promot- "All capital being raised will experience in the field of cor- Savings from capping of ers nearly 38 crore compulsorily be utilised towards debt reduc- porate finance. price of drugs under NLEM convertible unsecured deben- tion," he said. Prior to joining DLF, After US tax overhaul, China gives investors breaks 2011 were Rs 2,422.24 crore, tures (CCDs) of Rs 217.25 each Upon completion of the Chawla worked with Global while the same for NLEM 2015 on a preferential basis. issue of debentures and war- Capital Management Group, BEIJING: China is responding state-dominated economy by on taxes paid this year. power, "green farming" and were 2,643.37 crore. The board approved issue of rants and conversion into First Capital, GE Capital, Intel- to Washington's tax overhaul opening more industries wider Beijing wants to "attract for- other fledgling fields in which Consumers also benefited nearly 13.81 crore warrants of equity shares, DLF had said that listudent Services Pvt Ltd and by offering foreign companies to foreign companies. Foreign eign investors after a host of Beijing is trying to develop tech- by Rs 4,450 crore from price Rs 217.25 each as well. "the total additional amount of Moser Baer India Ltd. a break on Chinese taxes in a companies will be exempt countries unveiled similar mea- nology. Supporters of the U.S. control of coronary stents. "The company has received promoter/promoters groups He currently spearheads bid to retain investment. from withholding taxes on sures to lure foreign and domes- changes enacted this month say Similarly, price cap on knee Rs 8,250 crore towards allot- equity contribution to the com- the Investor Relations function The measure announced is profits they re-invest in indus- tic investment," the official said. it will encourage investment in implants resulted in savings of ment of fully-paid CCDs and pany will be approximately Rs at the group level and is also Beijing's first major reaction to tries specified by Beijing, the The exemption will apply to the United States. Governments 1,500 crore and Rs 350 crore Rs 750.10 crore towards 25 11,250 crore." responsible for private equity, the US decision to cut corporate Finance Ministry and tax agency companies that re-invest profits including Canada and private savings resulted from cardio per cent of the warrants issue DLF also plans to raise over M&A transactions, capital mar- tax rates. It follows a flurry of announced. It is retroactive to in industries cited in govern- sector analysts have warned that and anti-diabetic category till price, aggregating amount Rs Rs 3,500 crore through quali- ket transactions (debt or equity) promises by communist leaders January 1, 2017, meaning com- ment investment catalogues. could draw money away from December 2017, the minister 9,000.10 crore towards allot- fied institutional placement.PTI within the DLF Group. PTI to spur growth in the slowing, panies would receive a refund Those include solar and wind their economies. PTI added. PTI ‘25% BFSI jobs to Japan’s SoftBank to buy 15% stake in US Uber, pump in $1 bn face existential NEW YORK: Japanese con- co-founder Travis Kalanick. glomerate SoftBank will pick up Uber also aims to go public by US Apple claims it’s ‘sorry’ 15 per cent stake in Uber and 2019. pump in $1 billion as primary With the deal closing, Soft- threat by 2022’ investment in the US-based Bank becomes an investor ride-hailing app in early 2018, in two of India's largest on- for slower iPhones, cuts NEW DELHI: Around 25 per according to multiple sources. demand cab service -- Uber cent of existing jobs in BFSI The fresh capital infusion and Ola. space are expected to face exis- comes at a time when the Ola and Uber are locked battery replacement price tential threat by 2022, as the sec- company is looking at moving in an intense battle for lead- tor is witnessing rising adoption beyond the controversies it was ership in the Indian market. NEW DELHI: Tech giant of automation to increase effi- mired in 2017 and further scal- Both companies have pumped Apple on Friday apologised to ciency, says a report. ing up operations. in millions of dollars towards its customers feeling aggrieved According to the FICCI- Two people close to the rider discounts and driver for slowing down of iPhones Nasscom and EY - Future of developments said SoftBank incentives. with older batteries and slashed Jobs - report, by 2022, 20-25 per Among the major Group Capital Ltd, a wholly For Uber, India is one of the price for battery replace- cent of existing jobs in banking, threatened jobs owned subsidiary of SoftBank its largest markets where it has ments to $29. financial services and insurance Group, will hold 15 per cent seen strong growth. It saw the In India, users of iPhone 6 (BFSI) sector will face existential are data entry share in Uber. number of completed trips on (or later) can get their out-of- threat, while 15-20 per cent of operator, data The tender offer will also see The fresh capital infusion comes at a its platform grow to 41.3 mil- warranty batteries replaced for workforce in the sector would the remaining members of the lion in July this year, from 19.2 Rs 2,000 (plus taxes), compared to intentionally shorten the be deployed in new jobs that do verification consortium picking up about time when the company is looking million in July 2016, a jump of to about Rs 6,500 previously. life of any Apple product, or not exist on Friday. personnel, three per cent stake, another at moving beyond the controversies 115 per cent. The Cupertino-based firm degrade the user experience to "The BFSI sector has been official said. The sources However, the world's most will also update its software to drive customer upgrades". shifting gears from a technol- teller, cashier declined to be identified as the it was mired in during 2017 and funded startup has also had its give users more visibility into Apple is offering a replace- ogy adoption standpoint and is and underwriter deal is private. further scaling up operations share of troubles in the Indian the health of their iPhone's ment of an out-of-warranty witnessing an increasing advent Previously, Uber had market. The company was tem- battery. Apple has been facing iPhone battery for $29 (com- of robotic process automation the threatened jobs in the BFSI entered into an agreement with porarily banned in New Delhi consumer uproar and a slew pared to $79 earlier) for users (robotic process automation/ sector are data entry operator, a consortium led by SoftBank Group Corp Rajeev Misra said Contingent on the overall after one of the drivers on its of lawsuits after it admitted to of iPhone 6 or later. This will chatbots) to increase efficiency data verification personnel, and Dragoneer to explore a in an emailed statement. transaction closing, Uber will platform allegedly raped a reducing performance of older commence from late January and productivity in the day- teller, cashier and underwriter. potential investment. An Uber spokesperson said be moving from a supervoting woman passenger in 2014. iPhones to prevent unexpected and will be available worldwide to-day processes," said Abizer On the other hand, new job When contacted, SoftBank the transaction is expected to structure (certain shareholders Globally too, Uber has been shutdowns. through December 2018. Diwanji, Partner and National roles in BFSI sector will include declined to comment on the support the company's technol- possess 10X the voting power surrounded by a slew of contro- "...We know that some When contacted, Apple Leader, Financial Services, EY cyber security specialist, credit details but said it is "apprecia- ogy investments, fuel growth, of others) to a 'one share/one versies, including allegations of of you feel Apple has let you India confirmed that the bat- India. analyst, robot programmer, tive of the support from Uber's and strengthen corporate vote' model. widespread mismanagement down. tery replacement will be avail- Diwanji further added that blockchain architect and pro- shareholders in the successful governance. Also, the Board will be and harassment at workplace. We apologise. There's been able in India for Rs 2,000 (plus "these technologies are taking cess modeler expert. tender offer". Uber said the tender offer expanded from 11 (current) In August this year, Uber a lot of misunderstanding taxes). over not only rule-based jobs Around 68 per cent of "...(We) look forward to period has officially ended and to 17 directors, including two named Expedia chief Dara about this issue, so we would In its note, Apple explained but also jobs that require knowl- respondents surveyed said sup- closing the overall investment the consortium has reached seats for SoftBank, one seat for Khosrowshahi as its new like to clarify and let you know that "continued chemical edge-based activities. Therefore, ply chain optimisation through in January. We have tremen- their target shareholding. The an independent chairperson CEO, handing him the hercu- about some changes we're mak- aging" of batteries in the older the impact on jobs in terms of exponential technologies like dous confidence in Uber's companies are now proceeding and three new independent lean task of repairing Uber's ing," Apple said in a lengthy generation iPhones contrib- skill-sets is expected to be sig- chatbots and blockchain is leadership and employees..." to close the overall transaction, seats. The completion of the image, boosting employee apology note on its website. uted to the performance issues nificant in this sector". transforming the Indian BFSI SoftBank Investment Advisers including the $1.25 billion pri- deal will also see dismissal of morale and turning the Apple further said it has "never after a software update about a As per the report, some of sector. PTI CEO and Director at SoftBank mary investment, in early 2018. the Benchmark lawsuit against business profitable. PTI and would never do anything year ago. PTI business 13 MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Saturday, 30 December, 2017 mp Govt wants separate Coop banks will not receive IT regulator for CAs New data protection law on exemption, Govt ... but ICAI disagrees tells Lok Sabha anvil, Govt tells Rajya Sabha NEW DELHI: The govern- NEW DELHI: The govern- ment on Friday ruled out giv- ment is in favour of an inde- NEW DELHI: A new law on ernment came to power in 2014, ing income tax exemption to pendent regulator to oversee data protection is in the pro- only 358 kms of optical cable profit-making cooperative compliance with account- cess of being framed, the gov- network was laid, but in 3.5 banks saying they functioned ing and auditing standards as ernment on Friday informed years a total of 2.53 lakh kms like commercial banks and well as for oversight of audit the Rajya Sabha. of optical cable fibre has been should be treated on par. professionals, Parliament was Asserting that it is alive to laid. One lakh gram panchay- Finance Minister Arun informed on Friday. the issue of cyber security, Law ats have been lit up. Of these, Jaitley said in Lok Sabha that However, the Institute of and IT Minister Ravi Shankar 57,000 have internet facilities. the cooperative banks func- Chartered Accountants of Prasad said there was no pro- "BPOs have been set up in tioned like any other com- India (ICAI) is of the view that posal to make internet avail- 68 per cent of small towns like mercial bank and the principle existing framework of the regu- ability a fundamental right, but Muzaffarpur, Bareilly, Kanpur of mutuality, which is central lator to perform these function are underway for establishing made it clear that the govern- and Imphal," he said. to granting exemption under is "adequate". the National Financial Report- ment is committed to provid- He said as per a TRAI report Section 80P of the Income "The government, however, ing Authority (NFRA). ing easy access of internet to all. of June, India has over 431.21 Tax Act, does not apply to is of the view that, in addition The Companies Act pro- Responding to supplemen- million internet users and, with them because their area of to the self regulation mecha- vides for setting up of NFRA taries during Question Hour, several million new internet operations extends even to nism existing within the ICAI for recommending to govern- he said a committee headed by users joining every month, non-members. framework, there is a need for ment on formulation and lay- a former Supreme Court judge this has resulted in more Indi- “Income tax is a tax on an independent regulator to ing down of accounting and Justice B N Srikrishna has been lated and field hearing is going said "internet access is not The minister said the gov- ans going online and using the profits and there is no ratio- inter alia oversee compliance auditing policies, adoption of set up in this regard. A paper on and very soon we come up negotiable". ernment is working towards 100 internet. nale for exempting profit- with accounting and auditing standards, monitoring their has been circulated and field with a data protection law," he He, however, clarified that per cent internet connectivity He said the Government's making cooperative banks standards and for oversight of compliance and overseeing hearings are going on, before said while responding to con- there is no proposal to make and "we are concouraging com- 'digital India' programme envi- from payment of income tax,” audit professionals," Minister quality of service of profes- the law is brought. cerns by a member on data internet availability a funda- petition in the sector to ensure sions to transform India into he said during Question Hour. of State for Corporate Affairs P sionals associated with such "India is emerging as a big protection. mental right but the govern- better services. ... Our vision of a digitally empowered society Jaitley said most of these P Chaudhray said in a written compliance. centre of data analysis. The gov- "We are alive to cyber secu- ment is committed to provide digital India is inclusive digital and knowledgeable economy banks provided standard reply to the Lok Sabha. Institute of Chartered ernment has set up a commit- rity and our prime minister has internet connectivity to citizens. development". through broadband highways, banking facilities like open- Internationally, also inde- Accountants of India informed tee headed by retired Supreme said publicly that cyber war is a "A paper transaction declar- He said in 2011, there was universal access to mobile con- ing of letters of credit, bill pendent regulators have been that till December 20 this year, Court judge Justice Srikrishna. bloodless law," he said. ing of fundamental right is one a plan to connect every village nectivity and public internet discounting and collection, assigned these functions in a total of 1,583 cases are pend- "We are in the process of On whether internet avail- thing, while making it available in the country to internet and access programme that will lockers and safe deposit vaults over 50 countries. ing at different stages of disci- framing a data protection law. ability is being made a fun- without discrimination is the optical cable fibre laying but it address the issue of internet and bank guarantees. PTI The minister said that steps plinary actions. PTI The paper has been circu- damental right, the minister other," he said. did not move. "When our gov- availability in the country. PTI Govt allows defaulters to take part in House panel worried Sensex gains 28% in 2017 to bidding under insolvency proceedings at lack of infra to curb end year at record 34,056.8 NEW DELHI: Loan defaulters Railway cyber-crimes MUMBAI: The BSE Sensex can participate in bidding under rose 209 points to finish at a Investor wealth ` rises by 405p the insolvency proceedings after NEW DELHI: A parliamentary fresh life-time high of 34,056.83 rose by `45.5 l cr paying due interest and making panel has expressed serious con- on the last trading day of 2017, (5.96%) in 2017 their bad loan accounts opera- cern over lack of infrastructure capping off a remarkable year during the year tional, Finance Minister Arun in the railways' vigilance direc- which saw the benchmark to 63.87 per $ Jaitley said on Friday. torate to deal with cybercrimes, surging by 28 per cent. points, or 0.34 per cent, while The government cannot days after the CBI busted a tick- Power, IT, auto and infra- the Nifty gained 37.70 points, MUMBAI: Pushing the allow loan defaulters to "mer- eting scam in the national trans- structure stocks witnessed or 0.35 per cent, during the momentum through year- rily walk back" by paying a frac- porter. The Railway Convention robust buying, while the begin- period. end, the Indian rupee on Fri- tion of the due amount, he said Committee that submitted its urged the ministry to induct ning of January 2018 series of The Sensex clocked its best day capped off a fabulous 2017 while replying to a debate in the report in Parliament on Friday persons with "ample experience" futures and options also added performance in recent years at a fresh four-month high of Lok Sabha on the Insolvency on vigilance in Indian Railways in handling cybercrimes, either to the momentum. in 2017, rising by 7,430.37, or 63.87 a dollar, rising by a good and Bankruptcy Code Amend- said they were not satisfied that through deputation or perma- The 30-share index started 27.91 per cent year-on-year. 21 paise amid bearish dollar sen- ment Bill, 2017, which was later the ministry's vigilance direc- nent absorption, so as to elimi- the day on a strong note at Investors became richer by timent. This is the highest clos- passed by a voice vote. torate was foolproof as far as nate any scope of "manipulation 33,889.39 and hit a high of Rs 45.50 lakh crore this year ing for the home currency since The bill seeks to replace an dealing with cybercrimes was of the system by vested inter- 34,086.05 before closing at helped by a strong rally in the September 8 this year. On year- ordinance which was promul- concerned. ests". The parliamentary panel, 34,056.83, up by 208.80 points, stock market. over-year basis, the rupee appre- gated in November to prevent Lok Sabha passes Insolvency and "When there is no requi- chaired by BJD MP Bhartruhari or 0.62 per cent. Led by the strong show ciated by a whopping 405 paise, unscrupulous persons from site infrastructure or expertise Mahtab has 12 members from It surpassed its previ- in the stock market, the mar- or 5.96 per cent, as compared misusing or vitiating the pro- Bankruptcy Code Amendment Bill available with the railways to Lok Sabha and and six from ous closing high of 34,010.61 ket capitalisation of BSE- to 2016-end level of 67.92. The visions of the Insolvency and effectively deal with cybercrime Rajya Sabha. reached on December 26. listed companies soared by year 2017 gave a massive edge Bankruptcy Code (IBC). the UPA regime, have escalated that during the Congress-led and software manipulation, the The Central Bureau of Inves- The broad-based NSE Nifty Rs 45,50,867 crore to Rs to the Indian currency when The ineligible persons or during the rule of the present regime efforts were made to e-tendering and e- auction sys- tigation (CBI) on Wednesday rose 52.80 points, or 0.50 per 1,51,73,867 crore ($2.3 trillion) compared to its counterparts in entities will include undis- government. brush the NPA problem under tem introduced by the ministry arrested its software program- cent, to end at 10,530.70 after this year. A total of 36 compa- other Asian and emerging econ- charged insolvent, wilful Responding to him, Jaitley the carpet by "window dressing" cannot be claimed to be fool- mer for developing an illicit trading between 10,538.70 and nies have hit the market with omies, after a long six-year hia- defaulter and those whose said "but I am sorry that Gogoi and "evergreening" of bad loans. proof," the committee has said, software to subvert the rail- 10,488.65. their initial public offers this tus. Frantic dollar unwinding by accounts have been classified has still not take cognisance of "What was below the carpet raising doubts over the security ways Tatkal reservation system, Both the indices rose for year, with most of them receiv- banks and exporters along with as non-performing asset. what the problem is. has now come above the carpet," of all e-platforms used by the allowing hundreds of tickets to the fourth straight week. The ing strong response from inves- bullish local equities, further These persons, however, can How did this problem of he stressed. railways. The committee has be booked in one go. PTI Sensex advanced by 116.53 tors. PTI impending bout of strength. PTI become "eligible to submit a res- NPAs happen in such a big He said the amendment to olution plan" if they clear all the magnitude? the Bankruptcy Code became overdue amounts with interest "Gogoiji has studied in good necessary to prevent defaulters and other charges relating to educational institutions of the from taking advantage of the Govt unlikely to slow down ‘labour reforms’ in 2018 their NPA accounts. world and he must have many situation to come back into the Those defaulters who had times heard of the proverb that management by paying a frac- NEW DELHI: General elec- health and working conditions. Rajya Sabha in 2018. for putting it before Union Cabi- participated in the insolvency there were three types of lies -- tion of amount. tions being just over one year Labour Secretary M Sathiya- The Code on Wages ration- net so that it could be pushed for proceedings before November lies, damned lies and statistics. "We have tried to fill in that away notwithstanding, the gov- vathy expressed the ministry's alises, amalgamates and simpli- passage in Parliament next year. 23 can also bid for stressed assets Today he has himself become a gap...that is the objective ... if ernment is not looking at slow- intent to push all four codes for fies the relevant provisions of the The Trade Unions Act, 1926, provided they clear their dues victim of the third one," he said. we had not done this, all such ing down on labour reforms in passage in Parliament next year. four labour laws-- The Mini- the Industrial Employment in a month. Citing World Bank data, defaulters would have rejoiced 2018 and is likely to get at least "Government is not going mum Wages Act, 1948; The Pay- (Standing Orders) Act, 1946, Taking a dig at Congress Gogoi said gross NPA ratio was because they would have merrily two codes on wages as well as slow on labour reforms. All four ment of Wages Act, 1936; The and the Industrial Disputes Act, member Gaurav Gogoi, the 2.7 per cent in 2011, 3.4 per cent walked back to these companies industrial relations passed by codes would be pushed in 2018," Payment of Bonus Act, 1965, 1947, would be combined into minister said that NPA was in 2012 and 4 per cent in 2013. by paying only a fraction of the Parliament. she said. security to workers. and The Equal Remuneration the code on industrial relations. a "legacy problem" and was After the NDA government took amount and that is something, The Ministry of Labour and The codification of the The draft Code on Wages Act, 1976. The unions had objected the mainly on account of the reck- over in 2014, the NPA ratio rose which besides being commer- Employment has envisaged to labour laws will remove the Bill 2017 was introduced in the Similarly, Code on Industrial proposed amendment in the bill less lending undertaken by the to 4.3 per cent, and further to 5.9 cial imprudent, would also be concise over 44 labour laws multiplicity of definitions and Lok Sabha in August 2017. The Relations Bill has been finalised to allow units with up to 300 banks during the erstwhile UPA per cent in 2015 and peaked to morally unacceptable. That's into four broad codes in wages, authorities leading to ease of bill will be pushed for consid- by a group of ministers headed workers to retrench, lay off or regime. Gogoi had said that 9.2 per cent in 2016, he added. the real rationale behind this industrial relations, social secu- compliance without compro- eration and passage in the Lok by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley close down without the permis- NPAs, which were low during Jaitley responded by saying particular bill," Jaitley said. PTI rity, and occupational safety, mising wage security and social Sabha and subsequently in the and is likely to be approved soon sion of the government. PTI 25,800 online banking Gadkari flags off cargo movement on Brahmaputra ESIC: FAST FORWARD

frauds reported in MAJULI (ASSAM): In a major in Majuli Island here. "Another of upper Assam and Dhubri was level expert committee of the boost to inland waterway trans- roll-on, roll-off (ro-ro)' ferry declared the National Water- central government. port system in the northeast, service to transfer passengers way-2 in 1988. Members of the committee 2017; `179 cr involved Union Shipping Minister Nitin and vehicles in large numbers Sources said the Inland visits the island at least twice a Gadkari on Friday flagged off will start here soon," Gadkari Water Authority of India (IWAI) year to monitor anti-erosion NEW DELHI: Over 25,800 cargo movement on the Pandu- said. Stating that modern and will charge Rs 318 per tonne of measures, official sources said fraud cases involving about Dhubri route of the Brahma- well-equipped river ports would cargo from Pandu to encourage here. As part of the scheme, riv- Rs 179 crore related to credit/ putra river. be established along the banks entrepreneurs and logistic oper- erbank revetment work would debit cards and Internet Bank- He said five bridges would of the river, the minister said ators to shift to inland waterway be carried out with sand or ing were reported in 2017 (up be constructed on the river to transportation of cargo on the from road transportation. earth-filled geo bags at 14 loca- Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Labour & Employment to December 21), Parliament ease transportation. National Waterway 2 -- from Gadkari also laid the foun- tions. Majuli district, with an Santosh Kumar Gangwar releasing the ESIC calendar, diary and was informed on Friday. The bridges would connect Pandu in Guwahati to Dhubri dation stone for a new scheme area of 1,245 sq km, includes telephone directory for 2018 at a function at Shram Shakti "As per the data provided by Jorhat with Nematighat, Disang- along the Assam-Bengal border for protecting Majuli Island the main Majuli Island, a large Bhawan, New Delhi, on Friday. Labour & Employment Secretary Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on mukh with Tekeliphuta, Louit -- would reduce logistics cost from flood and erosion. number of smaller islands, Sathiyavathy, Addl Secretary (L&E ) Heera Lal Sarmariya, frauds related to ATM/Credit/ with Khablu, Numaligarh with and save 300-km road travel. The Rs 233.57 crore scheme some of which are inhabited, ESIC Director General Raj Kumar, Jt Secretaries (L&E) Manish Debit cards and net banking as Maharashtra Gohpur and North Guwahati The 891-km stretch of the was framed by the Brahmaputra and the Brahmaputra river up Gupta and Kalpana Rajsinghot, and Director (L&E) H L Meena reported by the banks, 10,220 with Guwahati, the minister Brahmaputra river between Board after taking into account to its south bank touching Jorhat were also present on the occasion cases of fraud were reported in topped the list said at the flagging-off ceremony Sadiya in the easternmost part the recommendations of a high- and Sibsagar districts. PTI the December 2017 quarter (up of credit/ debit to December 21)," IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said in a card and Internet written reply to the Rajya Sabha. banking-related Coaches with anti-collision device to be built from 2018: Goyal The amount involved was Rs 111.85 crore in the said quarter, frauds in fiscal NEW DELHI: Only those 1.3 lakh vacancies assessed built anti-collision devices duction plants in Perambur he added. 2016-17 with 380 railway coaches which have as per sanctioned strength of which cause less fatalities, near Chennai. Prasad said 7,372 cases were in-built anti-collision devices Railways. New technology is while more fatalities have been Maintaining that there reported in September quarter, cases involving will be produced in the coun- being used to monitor tracks recorded in the ICF coaches, were 28,000 level crossings 5,148 cases in June quarter and `12.10 crore try from June 2018, the gov- and as an interim measure. We the minister said. and 4,000 of them were still 3,077 cases in March quarter of ernment said on Friday. have decided to fill up 50 per "As a policy decision, after unmanned, he said "the rail- 2017, with the amount involved topped the list of credit/debit Railway Minister Piyush cent of such vacancies. June 2018 we will not produce ways has taken a policy deci- adding to Rs 67.13 crore. card and Internet banking- Goyal also told the Rajya Sabha "Normally it takes over a any more ICF coaches and sion that by Ganesh Chaturthi In 2016, 3,156 cases and related frauds in the fiscal 2016- that a policy decision to fill up year to complete the process, only LHB coaches will hence- of 2018, not a single unmanned 4,147 cases were registered in 17 with 380 cases involving Rs 50 per cent of the total vacan- but we will speed up the pro- forth be produced," he told the level crossings will remain all the September and December 12.10 crore. cies of 1.2 to 1.3 lakh in the cess and the vacancies will be members. will be removed on heavily quarters, respectively. Haryana ranked second railways, assessed as per the filled up between six to nine The LHB coaches are man- congested routes." The amount involved -- in with 238 cases (Rs 8.27 crore), sanctioned strength, and has months," Goyal said. ufactured by the Rail Coach He said technology was these two quarter was -- Rs followed by Karnataka (221 been taken. He also said the Railways Factory (Kapurthala) under a being studied and efforts are 45.50 crore, the minister said. cases worth Rs 9.16 crore), This process will take has taken a policy decision to of 2018, slated in September. and Integral Coach Factory Transfer of Technology agree- on make them useful in the As per the state-wise details Tamil Nadu (208 cases worth another 6-9 months, he said remove all unmanned level He said the railways has (ICF), that are produced in ment, while the "Integral Indian context to ensure more of frauds involving amount of Rs 4.38 crore) and Delhi (156 during Question Hour. crossings on heavily congested two kinds of coaches - the the country. Coach Factory" are produced safety and the accident rate was over Rs 1 lakh, Maharashtra cases worth Rs 3.43 crore). PTI "There are a total of 1.2 to routes from Ganesh Chaturthi Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) The LHB coaches have in- in railways' main coach pro- also coming down. PTI 14 sport mp MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Saturday, 30 December, 2017 Fit-again Du Plessis, Steyn named in Eng reject ball-tampering as South Africa's full strength squad

CAPE TOWN: A fit-again Faf du Plessis will return to lead Kohli will rain halts Ashes victory push a full-strength South Africa squad, also comprising lead face his real MELBOURNE: England pacer Dale Steyn, for the first rejected ball-tampering alle- Test against India beginning gations as a "beat-up" on Friday here on January 5. competition as rain frustrated their push for Du Plessis and Steyn could their first victory of the Ashes not be part of the four-day in SA: Bedi series against Australia. Test against Zimbabwe due to England's Alastair Cook car- illness. NEW DELHI: Spin legend ried his bat for a world- record Ab de Villiers, who played Bishen Singh Bedi believes 244 not out before David War- his first Test in almost two India skipper Virat Kohli is yet ner, unbeaten on 40, and cap- years, had led South Africa to to face real competition and tain Steve Smith, on 25, defied a comfortable win against Zim- the upcoming tough tour of the visiting bowlers on a rain- babwe in Du Plessis' absence. South Africa will test his bat- truncated day. Fast bowling all-rounder ting as well as captaincy skills. When the match umpires Chris Morris too has been The lone specialist spinner While Bedi praised PV called off play at 5:20 pm (0620 added to the 15-man squad, in the squad is left-armer Kes- Sindhu for her continued GMT), after persistent rain, joining the likes of Steyn, hav Maharaj, who took a fifer success against top players Australia were 103 for two and Morne Morkel, Kagiso Rabada, in the second innings against at the world level, he dared trailing by 61 runs with a day Vernon Philander and Andile Zimbabwe. Kohli would be "struggling" remaining. Extended hours will Phehlukwayo in a formidable Theunis de Bruyn, picked as to achieve what the Olympic be played on the final day on pace attack. a reserve batsman against Zim- medallist shuttler has attained Saturday as England press for Morris has not played for babwe, retained his spot for the over the years. Bedi said Kohli their first win of the series, in South Africa since July when series-opener. will now face his real compe- which Australia hold an unbeat- he suffered a back injury dur- De Villiers' welcome return tition in the upcoming tour of able 3-0 lead. ing the tour of England. to the five-day format has bol- South Africa. "Any time there's a bit of rain There is stiff competition stered the batting. He had a "Sindhu has achieved a lot and you're on top in the game it's in the pace department and it decent outing against Zimba- over the years and I dare Virat a bit frustrating, but we've got an remains to be seen who will b bwe, scoring a 65-ball 53. Kohli would be struggling," opportunity on Saturday to win picked in the eleven alongside India, who have never won the former India cricket cap- and that's the attitude we've got probable starters Rabada and a Test series in South Africa, tain said. to take," England coach Trevor England's Joe Root (left) and Jonny Bairstow unsuccessfully appeal for a caught behind on Australia's Cameron Bancroft (right) during the fourth Philander. arrived here last night after a "She has been competing Bayliss told reporters. day of their Ashes cricket test match in Melbourne on Friday PIC/PTI Steyn, who is returning to long flight from Mumbai. with the best of the world, but "We showed in the first action after a shoulder surgery The remaining two games Kohli will now be competi- innings that we can take a said on the Channel Nine TV saw the headlines I raced into "I did see the footage and eron Bancroft off Pat Cummins that kept him out of the team of the three-match Test series tion with the best of world in number of wickets reasonably coverage. Fellow former Test star the umpires and that was their if he (Anderson) was trying to for a duck. for more than a year, has a good will be played in Centurion(Jan South Africa. The tour of South quickly. Michael Slater added: "That's words: 'Nothing to worry about, scratch it then he was scratch- It meant that Cook achieved chance to play. 13-17) and Johannesburg (Jan Africa will be a test for Kohli," "So, 98 overs on Saturday, interesting, you can't get your it was a beat-up, absolutely fine'," ing the wrong (shiny) side for the highest score of anyone car- Morkel has increased the 24-28). Bedi added. it's more than enough time if nail into the ball. That's a no-no." Bayliss said. it to go reverse. I'm quite sure rying his bat -- the rare feat of selectors' headache by taking a SQUAD: Faf du Ples- Bedi's comments came we play well to force a result." Anderson, skipper Joe Root and "The umpires spoke to both that wasn't the case." batting throughout the innings five-wicket haul against in his sis (captain), Hashim Amla, in an event where the Sport- Bayliss also slammed claims fellow fast bowler Stuart Broad captains during this game about The match referee Ranjan -- in Test cricket, bettering New comeback game against Zim- Temba Bavuma, Quinton de star magazine has been re- of tampering after footage of were involved in discussions throwing the ball into rough Madugalle said after the day's Zealand's Glenn Turner's 223 babwe. Quinton de Kock, who Kock, Theunis de Bruyn, AB launched in a new, refreshed England bowler James Ander- with umpires Sundaram Ravi areas. play there would be no report not out against the West Indies pulled a hamstring while bat- de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Kes- look. Sportstar will now return son working the ball with his and Kumar Dharmasena. "Every team in the world into the allegations. in Kingston in 1972. ting on day one of the one-off hav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, to magazine form again from thumbnail drew suspicions. But Bayliss said the umpires does that and obviously the Earlier, England were all out The last Englishman to carry Test, has been named as the Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, tabloid. It will be issued "I'm not sure you are allowed had later told him that the alle- umpires don't want it to go on their overnight total of 491 his bat in Tests was Mike Ather- sole wicketkeeper in the squad. Andile Phehlukwayo, Vernon fortnightly with increased to use your fingernail there," for- gations were trumped up. overboard and both teams have on the first ball of the day, when ton, who scored 94 in New Zea- De Villiers had kept wickets in Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Dale 84 number of pages in mer Test spinner Shane Warne "It's a beat-up. As soon as I taken it on board. Anderson was caught by Cam- land in 1997. AGENCIES his absence. Steyn. AGENCIES place of weekly. AGENCIES Ranji Trophy: Delhi, Vidarbha share honours after Shorey’s unbeaten ton

INDORE: Displaying steely final, and in came Shorey to resolve, Dhruv Shorey stood join Gambhir. out with an unbeaten century Vidarbha did not take long and steered Delhi to 271 for six, to break into another round but Vidarbha did just enough of celebration as off-spinner to share honours on day one Akshay Wakhare clean bowled of the Ranji Trophy final here. Gambhir (15) with a ball that The 256-ball 123 was Sho- went straight through after hit- rey's third, and undoubtedly ting the batsman s pad. It was a the most important, knock of milestone of sorts for Wakhare his first-class career. Batting as he reached his 200th wicket in almost through the day, Sho- front of a handful of spectators. rey hit 17 boundaries. The side s senior-most bats- The 25-year-old, who man back in the dressing room, walked into bat in the very first Delhi needed a partnership, but over of the match following that was not to be as Nitish Rana Kunal Chandela s dismissal, Vidarbha bowler Rajneesh Gurbani celebrates with his teammates (21) was trapped in front of the survived testing opening spells after dismissing Delhi's team captain Rishabh Pant during the Ranji wicket by Thakare. by the Vidarbha seamers before Trophy final cricket match in Indore on Friday PIC/PTI Going through an indiffer- opening up himself at the Hol- ent run of form this season, kar Stadium. could be disappointed with Gurbani finished the day with skipper Rishabh Pant (21) Shorey added 105 runs for Himmat s dismissal. two wickets apiece. showed poor temperament the fifth wicket with Himmat Himmat was going great Thakare gave his team, a when he slashed a wide delivery Singh, who produced a fluent guns, hoisting left-arm spin- first-time finalist, as well as his to give semifinal hero Gurbani 66 off 72 balls with the help of ner Aditya Sarwate over long- first-class career a head-start as his first wicket of the match. eight boundaries and two sixes. on and long-off for sixes and he removed Kunal Chandela in With Delhi in a spot of Considering that they lost punishing Rajneesh Gurbani the first over. After beating the bother at 99 for four, Himmat their openers, including the for three boundaries in an opener with an out-swinger, the joined Shorey and the duo seasoned Gautam Gambhir, over, before a debatable caught India U19 World Cup standby looked to rebuild the innings. within the first hour of the big behind decision cut short his induced an edge with another While Himmat played fluently, final, Delhi would be contend stay in the middle. away-going delivery, and skip- Shorey was a picture of con- with the way the day progressed. Debutant seamer Aditya per Faiz Fazal pounced on to centration as they helped the Given the flow he was in, the Thakare, playing in place of the offer at first slip. seven-time champions come seven-time winners, though, Umesh Yadav, and Rajneesh Delhi were 1-1 in the big back into the game. AGENCIES New Sri Lanka Medal prospects will not face cricket coach funding hurdles, says Rathore bans music

NEW DELHI: Sports Minister problem for them," he added. during training Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore Rathore's statement comes on Friday said genuine medal amid reports that the Sports COLOMBO: New Sri Lanka prospects will not face any Ministry has decided stop cricket coach Chandika Hathur- problem in getting financial direct release of funding to the usingha pledged to get tough support from the govern- athletes, who are part of the with the under- performing ment but also emphasised on TOPS programme. national team – including ban- the need to use the taxpayers' right place. Concentration Presently, there 184 athletes ning music in training – while money judiciously. of effort is very important," enrolled in the scheme but the demanding "full control" over Rathore said athletes under Rathore told reporters on the Sports Minister said the list can selection. With the 1996 World the Target Olympic Podium sidelines of the re-launch of me modified. Cup winners coming to the end (TOP) scheme will face no Sportstar magazine here on Fri- "Presently there are 180 odd of their worst year in interna- hurdle in their preparation for day. "There is a selection com- athletes under TOPS and if they tional cricket, Hathurusingha next year's Commonwealth mittee in every sport which are close to medals they will said he would impose strict and Asian Games and the 2020 is tasked to select the medal get all funding. The list, how- discipline to make sure they Tokyo Olympics. prospects. Those who are real ever, will keep changing. It will are ready for the 2019 World "It is taxpayers' money so medal prospects will get all the be a case to case basis study," Cup. Asked about reports that the should be utilised in the support. Funding won't be a Rathore said. AGENCIES players were admonished for listening to music in practice, Hathurusingha said after his PRESS NOTICE first training session with the Haryana PWD (B&R) team on Thursday: "If they are Sr. Name of work Approximate Bid Security Cost of Time limit Date and time for bid prepa- interested in music they will No. value of (Rs.) document ration in Hash Submission have to go home." works (Rs.) (Rs.) Sri Lanka, who tour Ban- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 gladesh next month, have 1. Supplying Installing Test- Rs. 98.71 lacs Rs 1.98 lacs Rs 5000/- 4 Months 22.12.2017 been severely criticised over ing and Commissioning of for contrac- - 10:01 hrs Fire Fighting System for tor & Rs Rs 1000/- to whitewash defeats by India at Newly 200 Bedded Hospital 0.99 lacs for 09.01.2018 home and in India in the past Additional Block Building in Society 17:00 hrs Panipat Distt. six months. Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera said in June 1. Tender e-services fees Rs 1000/- (Non refendable) that many players were "too fat" 2.  For further details and e-tendering schedule visit website For & behalf of Governor of Haryana https://haryanaeprocurement.gov.in and that none chosen to play a Executive Engineer series against Zimbabwe had Provincial Division PWD (B&R) Br passed international fitness PRDH-Advt. No:-1081/11/4460/1718/59399 Panipat, Dated: 29.12.2017 Ph. No. 0180-2638652 standards. A special diet was later imposed. AGENCIES sport 15 MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Saturday, 30 December, 2017 mp Mumbai rout Delhi in ill-tempered Profligate Mohun Bagan game to jump to second spot in ISL

MUMBAI: Mumbai City FC packed a strong punch to out- class Delhi Dynamos FC 4-0 and leap to the second spot on held by 10-man Arrows the table after an ill-tempered Indian Super League game here KOLKATA: Former champions house at the 17,000-capacity on Friday. Mohun Bagan failed to make stadium as crowd turned up in Such was the intensity of their ‘home debut’ count as a large numbers, even for a week- the game that one player from 10-man Indian Arrows dished day match with a 2pm kickoff. each side was red-carded in the out a spirited show to return But disappointed with the first half. The goal-getters for with a creditable 1-1 draw in an result, the crowd booed Mohun the home team, which scored I-League fixture here on Friday. Bagan’s I-League winning coach its second successive win, were A profligate Mohun Bagan Sanjoy Sen with ‘go back’ slo- their Romanian captain Lucian took the penalty route to draw gans while giving a standing Goian (12th minute), the Brazil- sending off of Sehnaj Singh of Everton Santos, put through by first blood in the 27th minute ovation to the Luis Norton de ian mid-field duo Everton San- Mumbai and Claudio Matias of a Raju Gaekwad-Balwant Singh through Aser Pierrick Dipanda Matos’ side. tos (43rd) and Thiago Santos Delhi for indulging in a fracas combined move, was brought Dicka in what appeared to be “It’s natural, and obvious to (49th) and Indian international in added-on time. down by a flying tackle from a contentious decision by the be disappointed. I’m not blam- Balwant Singh (79th minute), Sehnaj brought down Delhi custodian Arnab Das referee. ing them, they have come all his fifth of the season and third Matias on the left wing as the Sarma on the left side of the pen- But their joy was shortlived the way to see us win at home. in the last two matches. Uruguayan midfielder was on alty area. The spot-kick by Cam- as the All India Football Fed- How many more opportunities The three points gained a sprint with the ball and then eroonian Achille Emana, who eration’s developmental outfit would we have got? We have no from the match helped Mum- put his hand on the latter s face. had a good game, struck the left restored parity within six min- excuse. It’s more shameful than bai take their tally to 13 points The latter retaliated and post and captain Lucian Goian utes in a fine display of passing losing,” Sen said referring to from eight games and jump referee Rahul Kumar Gupta ran forward and left-footed the football with Rahul Balan slot- their string of draws at home. three spots from fifth spot and red- carded both, who later con- ball that went in after hitting ting it home. After six matches, which lie in second place, three points tinued to fight in the players Arnab’s body. It was Rahim Ali who raced include four draws, Mohun behind league leaders Chen- tunnel, leaving both the teams The 12th minute goal by past Kingshuk Debanth and Eze Bagan now have 10 points, three naiyin FC. with ten men to play with in the the home team skipper stung Kingsely from the left before points clear of Indian Arrows Delhi remained at the bot- second half. Before the fracas, Delhi a bit. Although they could a cool-headed Rahul finished Amarjit Singh Kiyam was sent sists of mostly India’s under-17 the Man-of-the-Match award at number six on I-League tom of the league by suffering Mumbai dominated the half and not stitch some decent passes it beautifully getting past the off and later in the 74th min- World Cup players, put up a and hand Mohun Bagan a hat- standings. their sixth successive loss in deservingly took a handy 2-0 at a stretch, the effort was on Mohun Bagan defenders. ute when Ashish Rai had to be solid show. trick of draws at home. It was a like a festive atmo- seven ties. The closing stages of lead too while Delhi muffed a and it nearly bore fruit mid- Mohun Bagan stepped up stretchered off after receiving a Goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh It was for the first time that sphere at the Mohun Bagan the first half of the match, played few chances that came their way. way through the session but for their attack in the second-half head injury. also put up a fine save to deny an I-League match was held at ground as hundreds were seen at a fast pace with plenty of fouls Mumbai were on the attack Romeo Fernandes and S Nand- and the Arrows got a twin blow But despite playing with Ansumana Kromah at the the Kolkata Maidan and the on the lookout for tickets to gain marring it, deteriorated into a from the whistle and got a pen- hakumar blasting wide in close -- first in the 65th minute when 10-man, the Arrows, who con- stroke of halftime to return with venue witnessed a near full- a last-minute entry. AGENCIES physical fight and resulted in the alty awarded when the speedy succession. AGENCIES Novak Djokovic Prannoy extends unbeaten run Wrestlemania at CWG trials; pulls out of Abu as Masters maul Hunters in PBL Sushil, Rana supporters clash Dhabi comeback ABU DHABI: Former world NEW DELHI: World No.10 and Pia Zebadiah in the open- NEW DELHI: Double Olym- supporters beat him and his number one and 12- time Grand HS Prannoy extended his ing mixed doubles. pic-medallist Sushil Kumar’s elder brother “for daring to take Slam champion Novak Djokovic unbeaten run as Ahmedabad Hunters, however, levelled qualification for next year’s the ring” against him. withdrew from the Mubadala Smash Masters outplayed affairs with Masters after the Commonwealth Games ended Sushil, on the other hand, World Tennis Championship on Hyderabad Hunters 4-3 in the 37-year-old Lee Hyun II out- in ugly scenes after his support- claimed that he was bitten by Friday with elbow pain to raise Premier Badminton League classed Sourabh Verma 15-9 ers clashed with those of rival Rana during the bout. fresh doubts over his fitness. (PBL) here on Friday. 15-11 in the first men's singles. wrestler Parveen Rana, result- “...he bit me but no problem, The Serbian star had targeted Prannoy beat fellow Indian World No 1 Tai Tzu Ying ing in an unprecedented brawl it might be his tactics to stop me Abu Dhabi for his first match Sai Praneeth 15-10 15-8 in the then toyed with young Rasika after the trials here on Friday. from performing well. All this since his quarter-finals loss at second men's singles to give his Raje and put Ahmedabad 2-1 The selection trial for the supporters of both the wrestlers is a part of sports,” Sushil told Wimbledon in July this year. team an unassailable 4-1 lead ahead with a 15-5 15-6 verdict Gold Coast Games, to be held came to blows. reporters after the bouts. Djokovic was scheduled to play in the tie. in the women's singles. in April next year, was organ- Sushil, who returned to the “Whatever happened here Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut Ahmedabad s trump player Prannoy then took the ised at the Indira Gandhi Indoor international arena after three was wrong. I condemn it. There in the semi-finals of the exhibi- Ahmedabad Smash Masters player H S Prannoy returns a shot of Prannoy started in his usual Hyderabad Hunters badminton player B Sai Praneeth during the men's responsibility of sealing the Stadium, and was attended by, years with a Commonwealth was mutual respect after the tion tournament at 1900 local flamboyant manner and took singles of PBL in New Delhi on Friday PIC/PTI match in Ahmedabad's Trump among others, Wrestling Fed- Championships gold, won all fight ended,” he added. time. But four hours before that, a lead of 6-2. But World No.16 match and the National cham- eration of India (WFI) Presi- his bouts in the 74kg category. Incidentally, the 34-year- Djokovic released a statement Praneeth did not let him off the point but Prannoy took the 8-15 to see his team go down pion lived upto his billing by dent Brij Bhushan Singh Sharan. But things took an ugly turn old Sushil had beaten Rana in on his website announcing his hook so easily and overturned next one to win the opening 1-4 on points. This is Prannoy getting past Praneeth. The proceedings ended on a when Rana, after losing to Sushil the Commonwealth Champi- intention. It is not clear still if he the deficit to take six straight game 15-11. s ninth win on the trot in the In the inconsequential stormy note at the Indira Gan- in the semifinal clash, claimed onships final in South Africa a will play the Qatar Open where points to lead at the interval. The current National cham- competition. men's doubles, Kidambi Nan- dhi Indoor Stadium here when that the decorated wrestler’s few weeks back. AGENCIES he is top seed next week. AGENCIES After the break, Prannoy pion was unstoppable in the Earlier, Lee Reginald and dagopal and Lee Reginald of got his act together and after second game as well and his Kamilla Ryter Juhl gave Mas- Masters were up against Mar- initial exchange of points, won combination of power smashes, ters early advantage as they kis Kido and Yoo Yeong Seong. four straight points to race to deceptive drops and net play notched up a superb come- The Hunters were able to pull a 14-10 lead. Praneeth delayed was too much for Praneeth from-behind 4-15 15-12 15-8 one back with Kido and Seong the inevitable by saving a game to handle and he went down win over Hunters' Satwiksairaj winning 15-14 15-11. AGENCIES Anand starts slowly in World blitz C'ship

RIYADH: Newly-crowned superior form as he held a win- World Rapid Champion Viswa- ning position in just 11 moves nathan Anand won two and with black pieces. The Spaniard drew four in the first six rounds had no clue what hit him and it to make a slow start to his cam- was all over in quick time. paign at the world blitz chess Anand raised visions of championship here on Friday. another victory when he had a With absolutely no time slightly better endgame against to relax after a brilliant show Gabrial Sargissian of Armenia that saw him clinch the World but the latter stood his ground Rapid Championship on to hold a draw. Thursday, Anand was a bit ten- With four points out of a tative at the start of the world possible six, Anand is a full blitz that is played with just point behind eight leaders on three minutes to each player five points apiece and currently with a two second increment shares the 18th spot. after every move is made. The best Indian performer As a result, it was a draw thus far is P Harikrishna who with Jhao Jun of China in bounced back in the event fol- the opening round and then lowing a loss to compatriot Vladislav Kovalev of Belarus Vidit Gujrathi. With 4.5 points proved no match for the Indian in his kitty, Harikrishna shares in the second round. the ninth spot currently. Two more draws with Alex- There are 15 more rounds ander Moiseenko of Ukraine to go in the event. and Nigel Short of England World Champion Magnus ensued before Anand won Carlsen, meanwhile, suffered a fluently against Ivan Salgedo shocking loss to Sjugirov Sanan Lopez of Spain. of Russia in the second round The game against Lopez was and is now trying to find his just an indication of Anand's way back to the top. AGENCIES

millenniumpost.in

Jitu Rai shoots millenniumpo NO H ALFst TR U THS

50m pistol gold CHANGE OF NAME It is for general with record score information that I, Ashok MUMBAI: Deepak Kumar Kumar Shukla S/o Shri (248.5), of the Indian Air Force, Brham Swaroop Shukla edged Punjab s Anjum Moudgil R/o 167, Shiva Khand, (248.3) on the last shot to walk Vishwakarma Nagar, away with the 10m air rifle title Shahdara, Delhi-95, in the RR Lakshya Cup 2017 Invitational Shooting Cham- declare that name of pionships on Friday. Both mine/my wife/has been were tied after 23 shots before wrongly written as Ashok Kumar clinched the top prize of Shukla and Shanti in Rs 50,000 in thrilling fashion. my son’s educational Moudgil took home Rs 15,000 documents. The actual in the event held at the Karnala name of mine and my Sports Academy in neighbour- ing Panvel. Kumar had made the wife are Ashok Kumar grade with a top score of 626.4 in Shukla and Shanti Devi the preliminaries while Moudgil respectively which may was placed seventh with a tally be amended accordingly. of 622 points. AGENCIES 16 mp Entertainment MILLENNIUM POST | Kolkata | Saturday, 30 December, 2017

It has been a mixed year AR Rahman to for Kriti as Raabta did not do well at the box pay tribute to office but Bareilly Ki Barfi was appreciated. I AM NOT Tamil Nadu CHENNAI: Music maestro A R Rahman is all set But that doesn’t stop her to pay his respects to his homeland, the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, in a concert mark- from experimenting ing his 25-year-long musical journey. The A R Rahman concert will be held at Y M C A RESTRICTING grounds, Nandanam, Chennai on January MUMBAI: Actor Kriti Sanon says after spend- 12, 6 pm onwards. ing four years in film industry and starring in The 50-year-old music composer will films such as Dilwale and Barielly Ki Barfi she perform in the city after a gap of two years myself as an actor: Kriti and enthral the audiences through his has improved a lot as a performer. The actor, who hails from Delhi, said to create her own show ‘Netru Indru Naalai’ (Yesterday, space in films without and any support sys- Today, Tomorrow). tem “feels great”. “We’ve had the opportunity to “The fact that I had never thought of work with AR Rahman on sev- becoming an actor in the first place when I eral projects... More recently was doing B-Tech... then coming to a com- the premiere of his 25-year pletely new city, where I knew no one and celebration at the Metlife Stadium in now to having done four films and have been New York.” able to (have) space of myself on my own, it “The concert before his home fans does feels great. “With every film I feel I have is a truly exciting opportunity because grown as a person and as actor. I learnt a lot they have followed and encouraged him on my job as I had no real training of being an through this entire journey and he is their actor. When I look back at my films and roles pride. We are grateful to Rahman for giving us and the approach towards work it is different the opportunity to produce and promote this now then what it was earlier. For me growth celebration,” Wizcraft International direc- is more important,” said Kriti. The 27-year- tor and co-founder, Sabbas Joseph said in a old added that she is open to take risks if the statement. role interests her. The three-hour musical and visual “Whatever opportunities I get I should extravaganza will also feature artistes such like it. I am not restricting myself as an actor, as Neeti Mohan, Carnatic vocalist Harich- I want to play different kind of characters but aran, multilingual composer Vijay Prakash I should like the offers.” For Kriti it has been a and Indo- American music producer Sid mixed year as her first release Raabta did not Sriram. do well at the box office butBareilly Ki Barfi The concert, presented by 7 UP is was appreciated.“I take it all as an experi- an initiative by IIFA Utsavam, and will ence, whether it is Raabta or Bareilly Ki be produced by Wizcraft International Barfi both the films have been spe- Entertainment. PTI cial to me as an actor. I learnt a lot while working on these two films. What matters to me is the expe- rience I had and whether I have moved ahead with some positivity or I will still love acting when learning,” she said. PTI I’m 75: Kate Winslet

LOS ANGELES: Kate Winslet says she loves her job as an actor and will continue to be attached to it even when she is as old as 75. The 42-year-old actor said it was sur- real for her to believe the heights she has achieved as an artiste in her 27- year-long career. “I’m the most unlikely person to be in the position I’m in right now... I love this job. I love it more than ever, and I will still love it when I’m 75...” Winslet said in the Awards ‘Dr. Phil’ accused of offering drugs, alcohol to addict guests Chatter’ Podcast with The Holly- wood Reporter. The Oscar-winning actor, who LOS ANGELES: Former guests on “Dr. her to go to Skid Row to buy heroin. recently featured in Woody Allen’s Phil” have accused the show of exploit- While McGraw didn’t respond to dramedy “Wonder Wheel”, said ini- ing addict guests by providing them the claims, Martin Greenberg, a psy- tially she was unsure about play- with drugs and alcohol. chologist who serves as the show’s ing a bad mother, Ginny Rannell The guests have claimed it was all director of professional affairs, denied in the film. done in an attempt to boost the rat- the claims, aceshowbiz.com reported. “I just didn’t think I knew how to ings of the show, which was hosted by In response to Herzog’s allegation, play the part, I just didn’t think I had former licensed psychologist and host Greenberg said: “We do not do that with the stuff to be able to do it. Every- Phil McGraw, reports aceshowbiz.com. this guest or any other,” adding that the thing Ginny feels is gigantic... She’s Todd Herzog, a former “Survivor: claims were “absolutely, unequivocally an awful mother, and I don’t like China” winner, appeared on “Dr. Phil” untrue.” Herzog was “medically super- playing people who are bad moth- to discuss his alcoholism. He detailed vised the entire time he was involved ers... “There were many, many rea- to the health news publication STAT with tapings of ‘Dr. Phil’.” sons why I was nervous to play it, and Boston Globe that he found a bot- “These people volunteer to come because I felt like I could have got it tle of vodka in his dressing room. After on. They beg to come on. And he tries wrong so easily,” she said. PTI drinking the vodka, he was allegedly to treat them with respect... and to give given Xanax to “calm his nerves”. That them the opportunity to get help if they led him to be totally wasted by the time want to do that. It’s not a complicated he was about to go on the stage to the formula,” Greenberg added. point he needed to be physically car- As for Smith’s allegation, ried to his chair. Greenberg said: “We could go Julianne Hough “You know, I get that it’s a televi- on and talk about Jordan sion show and that they want to show L. or ten others. Same the pain that I’m in. However, what zog, who blew a .263 of Blood Alcohol Marianne Smith, a family member reality. All had medical would have happened if I died there? Concentration when Dr. Phil breatha- of another guest identified as Jordan, supervision.” IANS You know, that’s horrifying,” said Her- lyzed him in the episode. added that “Dr. Phil” staffers advised was called fat Bono shares while filming a movie his near-death experience

NEW YORK: Bono has often had brushes with death but the rock star says he did not cry a river over his condition when he had one recently. The 57-year-old musician said he dealt with the LOS ANGELES: death scare, which took place in the middle of record- Actor-dancer Juli- ing U2’s latest album ‘Songs of Experience’, like any anne Hough, known other “event”. for her fit frame, has “It’s just a thing that... People have these extinc- revealed that she was tion events in their lives; it could be psychological or called “fat every day” it could be physical. And, yes, it was physical for me, during a filming of a movie. In an she was talking about. but I think I have spared myself all that soap opera. interview to Redbook magazine, Hough made her film debut at “Especially with this kind of the 29-year-old star, said there was age 11, playing a Hogwarts school- celebrity obsession with the a time in her life when she compared girl in the first Harry Potter movie, minutiae of peoples’ lives I herself to everyone around. “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s have got out of that. I want “I was very self-accepting grow- Stone,” which was released in 2001. to speak about the issue in a ing up, then something switched Her next film role came in 2010 way that lets people fill in the in middle school. I would compare at age 22, she played a dancer in the blanks of what they have been myself to everyone ... and later I did Christina Aguilera and Cher dance through,” Bono told Rolling a film where I basically was told I was drama film “Burlesque”. Stone. fat every day, yet I was the skinniest Hough went on to star in films “... By the time it (the news) I’d ever been. such as “Footloose”, “Rock of Ages”, gets to your local tabloid it is just “Now, when I’m self-conscious, “Safe Haven” and “Dirty Grandpa”, awful. It becomes the question I’ll do something completely crazy as well as FOX’s hit “Grease Live!” that everyone is asking,” he added. or goofy to get out of my own head musical, and recently filmed the The U2 vocalist had met with a – something fun that reminds me of movie “Bigger”, in which she plays bike accident in 2015 and he termed the the freedom I felt as a kid before all pin-up model-turned-fitness pio- event as a “comic tragedy” as he did not remember it. that happened,” Hough said. neer Betty Weider. The drama is set “That left me a little uneasy, but the other She did not reveal which movie for release next year. PTI stuff has just finally nailed me. It was like, ‘Can you take a hint?’” he said. PTI