VIJAYAWADA, MONDAY, MAY 24, 2021; PAGES 12 `3 RNI No.APENG/2018/764698 Established 1864 Published From VIJAYAWADA DELHI LUCKNOW BHOPAL RAIPUR CHANDIGARH BHUBANESWAR RANCHI DEHRADUN HYDERABAD *LATE CITY VOL. 3 ISSUE 188 *Air Surcharge Extra if Applicable www.dailypioneer.com New research records 8 more P Markets to be guided P Cops stop Nikhil P species of NCT snakes from delivering essentials 5 by Corona developments, trends this week 8 amid lockdown 11 In brief CAG exposes irregularities in Man spots village on Govt: No objection to video call, reunites Commercial Taxes Department with kin after 13 yrs e was separated from his family ‘Krishnapatnam cure’ n Assessing authority ignored fraud, wilful negligence: CAG at the tender age of five, and H spent the next 13 years at a PNS n VIJAYAWADA SNV SUDHIR seven cases, there was under dec- children's home, some 1,700 km away n VIJAYAWADA laration of output tax either due to from his village here. Deepak Dehri, The Andhra Pradesh govern- fraud or wilful negligence. In one now 18, recently discovered that fate ment on Sunday said it prima A test check by the Comptroller case where under declaration was can also be kind, after images of facie has no objection to allow and Auditor General (CAG) of not wilful and tax due was more Massanjore Dam and its scenic Ayurvedic practitioner B India in Andhra Pradesh into VAT than 10 percent, penalty was pro- surroundings during a video call made Anandaiah to continue his tradi- assessment files of seven dealers posed at 10 percent instead of at 25 him instantly locate his long-lost place tional system, which people start- who had under declared output tax percent in the assessment order. of residence, and reunite with hisloved ed calling the 'Krishnapatnam and those claimed excess Input Tax “However, no penalty was levied by ones. A member of the Paharia medicine'. Credit (ITC), has established that the AA. Of the seven cases AAs primitive tribe of the state, Dehri lost However, the government will that it was done ‘wilfully’ with an have short levied penalty in three his father when he was just five and his mothersubsequently abandoned take a final call after the team of intent of fraud. not only do the irregularities per- cases and did not levy any penal- him, Officer-in-Charge of Massanjore experts from the state Ayush Intriguingly, despite the estab- sist; these also remain undetected ty in the remaining four cases. This police station Chandrashekhar department submit their report lishment of wilful negligence and until an audit is conducted again. had resulted in non-levy/ short levy Choubey told PTI. on it. fraud, the Assessing Authority There is a need for improvement of of penalty of Rs 3.18 crore over the "There doesn't seem to be any (AA) either short levied penalty or internal controls so that repetition of under-declared tax of Rs 3.81 objection to continuing the tradi- did not levy any penalty at all. such omissions can be avoided or detect- crore,” the report said. tional system that has been con- While this could be a tip of the ed and rectified in a timely manner”. Audit of commercial taxes Two years of Modi tinuing for the last many years. He iceberg regarding the happenings in Interestingly, after the expose by department was conducted Govt: Cong, NCP has been doing such traditional the state Commercial Taxes the CAG, AAs accepted the audit through a test check of the assess- systems for several years now. Department, the CAG also passed observation in six cases pertaining ment files, refund records and highlight failures There is no objection to contin- a stinging remark on the function- to five offices and issued penalty other related records in 37 out of he Congress and NCP in ue it without declaring it an Acute shortage in AP ing of the Department in its report orders and notices. 117 offices which is 31.62 percent Maharashtra on Sunday ayurvedic medicine," Principal on AP’s Revenue Sector for the year “During the test check of records of the department during 2018-19, T slammed the Narendra Secretary (Health) Anil Kumar ended March 2019 which was tabled of five Circles, Audit observed to gain assurance that the taxes Modi government as the latter gets set Singhal said. of Amphotericin-B in the state Legislature on May 20. from the VAT assessment files of were assessed, levied, collected to complete two years of its second He told a press conference India’s apex authority responsi- seven dealers that the AAs identi- and accounted for in accordance term on May 26. Senior Maharashtra here that there was a system to C PRADEEP KUMAR Black fungus patient. ble for external and internal audits fied cases of under declaration of with the relevant Acts, Codes and Congress leader Anant Gadgil said the validate it, through various tests, n VIJAYAWADA Dr Arja Srikanth, state nodal of the expenses of the national and output tax and excess claim of ITC Manuals, and the interests of the "Gujarat model of governance" on clinical trials and other proce- officer, says that the State gov- State governments — CAG of as per the assessment order,” government are safeguarded. which Modi came to power in 2014 dures, if it was a medicine. ‘Black fungus’ cases are on the ernment was yet to receive the India — said: “Such omissions are observed CAG in its report. 2 stood exposed amid the coronavirus "Without declaring it as an rise across the State during the medicine stocks from the pointed out in audit every year, but The report said that in six of the outbreak with even the High Court Ayurvedic medicine for Covid any past few days. Central government. “We are pulling up the BJP government on health supplement or traditional The spike in the Black fungus expecting the stocks to arrive on ineffectiveness of measures to tackle system depends on people's belief. cases is creating fear among the Monday. The patients are getting the outbreak. In Uttar Pradesh, There is no need to control or place patient and their relatives. The treatment at various Covid des- CYCLONE YAAS Petrol, diesel prices photographs of funerals on open restrictions if it has no harmful major concern among patients ignated hospitals,” Srikanth said. grounds and bodies being disposed of contents," Anil pointed out. is the acute shortage of He said that the Central gov- hiked again; petrol in rivers have made headlines. The so-called Krishnapatnam Amphotericin-B injection used ernment had allotted 1,650 vials Govt looks to avoid medicine being administered by to treat those suffering from to AP; the order has been placed inches closer to Anandaiah so far had no (nega- Black fungus infection. to purchase the same which tive) impact and all ingredients The State government has would be received on Monday. Rs 100/litre mark Haryana and Punjab being used in the preparation placed order with the Central He said that according to O2 supply disruption were certified to be safe. government; however the med- experts each patient needs 50 PNS n MUMBAI farmers to mark "Our teams are monitoring icine is yet to reach Andhra vials. Keeping this in view, the PNS n VIJAYAWADA icine, and other necessary infra- ‘Black Day’ In Delhi the persons and their contacts Pradesh for dispatch to various State government has included structure. The state-owned oil market- mid a statewide Covid lockdown, who used it to check if there are hospitals across the state. black fungus cases in the To mitigate the risk of any supply In this background ensuring ing companies (OMCs) on thousands of farmers today set any negative or positive effects. A Private hospitals are making Aarogyasri scheme. disruption of Liquid Medical uninterrupted LMO becomes crit- Sunday once again increased team from the Ayurvedic College attendants run from pillar to post The state government had Oxygen (LMO) in the wake of ical considering the fact that AP is fuel rates across the country, A off from Karnal, Haryana, for Delhi, where they plan to observe May in Tirupati, is also on the job. The to get Amphotericin-B injections decided to buy 15,000 vials Cyclone Yaas, the Andhra Pradesh largely dependent on supplies taking petrol and diesel at 26 as 'Black Day', marking six months data is being collected," the by giving a few documents per- from three companies as Black government has increased supplies from steel plants located in eastern new record highs. of their protest against three central Principal Secretary added. taining to the treatment. fungus cases are on the rise. from Odisha in the last two days India, in places like Angul, According to Indian Oil farm laws. Reports have also emerged It may be recalled that an The attendants coming from With the growing demand for using Oxygen Express trains to Kalinganagar and Rourkela. Any Corporation, petrol became of many from Sangrur, Punjab, leaving Ayurvedic practitioner B nearby towns are finding it an Amphotericin-B, the pharmacy maintain buffer stocks in all the disruption of supply from these costlier by up to 17 paise a for the national capital. Led by BKU Anandaiah has been distributing uphill task to get the life saving and the middle-men are secret- districts. places can cause severe distress in litre, and diesel soared by up leader Gurnam Singh Charuni, the his preparation to people for a injection in the grey market due ly selling the life saving injection Almost 100 metric tonnes (MT) AP. to 29 paise a litre. famers set off from the Bastada toll month now and it has created a to shortage. in the black market making it of LMO has been sourced from Apart from this, the State gov- The two auto fuels remained plaza, heading in hundreds of vehicles lot of buzz in the social media, “Presently, doctors are treat- difficult for the common and Rourkela, Odisha and a further 100 ernment has taken steps to mon- constant on Saturday. for the Singhu border point near Delhi. resulting in a heavy rush of peo- ing patients by giving general the poor people to buy the MT is expected by Monday itor and ensure that the regular This is the twelfth time this They will perform langar seva for a ple to Krishnapatnam village in fungal infection medication,” medicine. through Oxygen Express. supply of almost 200 MT using month when oil retailers have week after reaching their destination. Nellore district. says V Nagaraju, brother of 3 Indian Meteorological road transport tankers from Angul, increased fuel prices across Department (IMD) has warned of Kalinganagar and Rourkela is not the country since May 4, 2021. Cyclonic storm Yaas in the Bay of interrupted due to Cyclone Yaas. In the national capital, Bengal. In this regard, Centre has The state has been in regular petrol is now priced at Rs Depression in Bay to directed the five States, including coordination with the local admin- 93.21 a litre and diesel retailed Andhra Pradesh to effectively istration of Odisha to ensure seam- at Rs 84.07 a litre. Fuel prices develop into cyclonic Data reveals covid taking heavier manage Covid patients by ensur- less supplies. had been stable in the run-up storm by Monday: IMD ing adequate supply of food, med- 2 to elections earlier this year. low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a toll on 31-40-50 age group in AP A depression that will cross the West Bengal and Odisha coasts on PNS n VIJAYAWADA of the total deaths and men 65.67 to 21.06 percent in the second Caught on camera slapping teenager, May 26 as a "very severe cyclonic percent. wave as compared to the first wave storm", the India Meteorological Coronavirus is taking a heavy toll The toll percentage and the case last year. Department (IMD) said on Sunday. on people in the 31-40-50 age mortality rate in the first and sec- Here, the positive cases dropped The depression is expected to intensify groups while largely sparing chil- ond waves in the state remained by 0.15 percent. Chhattisgarh IAS officer removed into a cyclonic storm, "Yaas", by dren and those over 60 in the almost the same, a death audit by The fatality rate among those Monday, it added."It (the depression) ongoing second wave in Andhra the State government revealed. aged 31-40 years increased by 5.19 PNS n RAIPUR In a video widely circulated, A case of misbehaviour towards is very likely to move north- northwestwards and intensify into a Pradesh. About 50.4 percent of the percent now to 11.13 percent, as District Collector Ranbir Sharma a young man by Surajpur Collector cyclonic storm by 24th May morning The State has now crossed the deaths were being reported from the percentage of positive cases Chhattisgarh Chief Minister is seen upbraiding and slapping a Ranbir Sharma has come to my and further into a very severe cyclonic 10,000-mark in the total number urban areas and 49.6 percent also increased by 1.16 percent, Bhupesh Baghel, in a string of teenager who attempts to show him notice via social media. It is very storm during the subsequent 24 of Covid-19 deaths since the first from the rural side. compared to the first wave. tweets on Sunday, said he had a piece of paper and explain why sad and condemnable," tweeted the hours. It would continue to move one was reported on April 3, 2020. The State currently occupied The fatalities rose by 2.04 per- ordered the immediate removal of he was out during the lockdown. Chief Minster. "In Chhattisgarh, no north-northwestwards, intensify The overall mortality rate so far the 19th position in the country cent among the 51-60 age group Surajgarh District Collector for The IAS officer then throws the such act will be tolerated at all. further and reach Northwest Bay of since the outbreak of the pandem- in overall Covid-19 toll. though the positive cases declined slapping a person who was out to boy phone on the road and is he- Instructions have been given to Bengal near West Bengal and north ic stood at 0.65 percent, with Mortality in the 41-50 age by 1.95 percent. buy medicines amid the COVID- ard telling the accompanying cops: remove Collector Ranbir Sharma Odisha coasts by May 26," IMD said. women constituting 34.27 percent group jumped up by 5.96 percent 2 19 lockdown. "Maaro isse" (beat him up). with immediate effect."

TODAY COVID CONUNDRUM ALMANAC Positivity rate dips, Month & Paksham: BJP in a flux over pinning blame on KCR, Jagan Vaishakha & Shukla Paksha Panchangam recoveries increase SNCN ACHARYULU have realised that the Central gov- n n Tithi : Trayodashi: 12:10 am (Next Day) PNS VIJAYAWADA is now 2,09,237, it added. HYDERABAD ernment has a bigger role than the East Godavari district added state government regarding oxygen Nakshatram : Chitra: 09:49 am Andhra Pradesh reported 20,109 2,887 and Chittoor 2,323 new In the wake of any crisis, the ruling and vaccination. Time to Avoid : (Bad time to start recoveries while adding 18,767 cases in 24 hours while seven dis- party, be it at the State-level or at the The Telangana government too any important work) fresh cases of coronavirus in 24 tricts added between 1,000 and Centre, tries its best to pass on the started making the same points Rahukalam : 07:22 am – 08:59 am hours ending 9 am on Sunday. 2,000 each. blame to someone else and wash its after AP did. By pointing the fin- Yamagandam : 10:36 am – 12:13 pm Also, 104 fresh fatalities were Four districts reported less hands off the responsibility. ger of failure at the Central govern- recorded in the state in a day, a than 1,000 new cases each. This is particularly true when the ment, the governments in both the Varjyam : 02:47 pm – 04:12 pm health bulletin said. On Sunday, Prakasam became party at the helm in the State and Telugu states have managed to Gulika : 01:49 pm - 03:26 pm Principal Secretary (Health) the 10th district in the state to at the Centre are different. control the damage done by Covid Good Time : (to start any important work) Anil Kumar Singhal noted that the cross the aggregate of one lakh Blame game has happened in the to their image to some extent. Covid-19 positive cases showed a coronavirus cases while past and is all too visible in the The response of the Central Amritakalam : 11:17 pm – 12:42 am declining trend over the past five Vizianagaram went past the ongoing Covid-19 crisis in both the government is also helping the state Abhijit Muhurtham : 11:47 am 12:38 pm days. 70,000 mark. Telugu States. in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, deaths of a sizable number of governments counter the allega- “There has been a reduction of Chittoor district reported 15 However, there is an interesting accusing them of failing to effec- Covid patients and shortage of vac- tions being levelled by the local BJP VIJAYAWADA more than 1,000 new cases per fresh Covid-19 fatalities in 24 difference in how the blame game tively tackle the pandemic. cine is blamed for the spread of the leaders. WEATHER day in the last five days. The pos- hours, West Godavari 13, is being played out between the AP Chief Minister YS infection. For example the Telangana BJP Forecast: mostly cloudy itivity rate also declined to 20.48 Vizianagaram 11, Visakhapatnam State governments in the rest of the Jaganmohan Reddy, has from the Jagan has been indirectly accus- president and MP Bandi Sanjay Temp: 42/31 percent on Sunday," he pointed nine, Anantapur, East Godavari, country and the Centre and the outset been saying that the two ing the Central government of not wrote to the State Governor Humidity: 34% out. Guntur, Krishna and Kurnool governments in the Telugu States important issues in facing the sec- supplying enough oxygen and vac- Tamilisai Soundararajan alleging Sunrise: 05:41 am According to the bulletin, the eight each, Srikakulam seven and and the Centre. ond wave of Covid-19 — oxygen cines to deal with Covid and also that TRS government has totally Sunset: 06:44 pm gross positives touched 15,80,827, SPS Nellore six. Governments in both the Telugu and vaccination — are under holding the Centre responsible for failed in dealing with the second recoveries 13,61,464 and toll Kadapa saw only three more States have cordial relations with Central government control. Lack the situation in the state. wave of Covid-19. Current Weather Conditions Updated may 23, 2021 5:00 PM 10,126. deaths in a day while Prakasam the Centre but the local BJP con- of oxygen is acknowledged to be A senior YSR Congress Party The active caseload in the state did not report any fresh fatality. tinues to attack the ruling parties one of the main reasons for the leader commented that the people 2 VIJAYAWADA | MONDAY | MAY 24, 2021 vijayawada 02 Data reveals Monday Mirchi Sales tax revenue goes up covid taking... Continued from Page 1 Feeling the pulse for a politi- the Agriculture Department got lift later in gov- cal plunge ernment-nominated posts. B Janardhan Reddy, In patients in the 61-70 age In bureaucracy, the career graph of babus who principal secretary to Agriculture Department, to 37.08pc of State income bracket, the mortality rate choose to toe the political line, instead of focus- due to retire next year, has just been rewarded declined sharply by 6.11 per- ing on the rule book, leaves much to be desired with the key post of Chairman of Telangana State PNS n VIJAYAWADA cent to 23.08 percent, as the unless they shed their inhibitions. At some point Public Service Commission. Earlier, IAS officer number of positive cases also or the other, they need to show their true colours. C Pardhasaradhi, who served as principal sec- Sales Tax revenue (VAT and Tax revenue in AP went up CAG exposes fell by 1.83 percent. Once Covid subsides, one can see in TS a promi- retary to Agriculture Department, was made State GST) forms the largest In the 71-80 age group, the nent official taking a step back from his posi- Commissioner of the Telangana State Election source of revenue for the state after bifurcation irregularities... percentage of deaths came tion and plunging into the rough and tumble of Commission. Since Chief Minister K and accounts for 37.08 percent down by 4.9 to 11.41 with a politics. No prizes for guessing! Director of Public Chandrasekhar Rao needs to appoint a new sec- of the total revenue of the state. Vijayawada: As per the CAG’s tations projected by the state Continued from Page 1 0.71 percent drop in positive Health G Srinivas Rao seems to have created the retary to the Agriculture Department, babus who As per the CAG’s latest report latest report on AP’s revenue government in its budget in cases. path for his eventual transition to politics. From look at the position as a springboard for a career sales tax revenue has been sector for the year ended any year during the four year CAG selected these The toll among those over PDSU, to TDP to PRP and now with his eye leap are itching to catch the CM's attention. increasing year-on-year since March 2019 tabled in the state period 2015-19. Same was the offices on the basis of the 80 years slid by 1.37 percent trained at TRS, the doctor has been trying his 2016-17, although, the actual Legislature, the tax revenue case with land revenue, which quantum of revenue col- and the positive cases mar- best to soft-land in the political arena. His lat- Seedha rastha, theedi chaal receipts did not match budgetary raised by the state has lagged behind budgetary pro- lected. Audit brought out ginally by 0.14 percent, the est move is to start a charitable trust -- a time- In the 1979 film Gol Maal, directed by projections in any of the years increased during the post jections during 2014-19. instances of deviations, government data said. tested method for would-be politicians among Hrishikesh Mukherjee, the title song has during 2015-16 to 2018-19. bifurcation period 2015-19 — Revenue from taxes on vehi- non-compliance with the Coronavirus has infected babus. He has also indicated which party he is memorable lines "seedhe rasthe hi pe theedi hi Revenue from sales tax and by 11 percent in 2016-17, 12 cles exceeded budgetary pro- relevant Acts/ Codes/ persons in the 11-20 age looking at. By stating publicly that he wants to chaal hain…" (suggesting that one should not SGST increased from Rs percent in 2017-18 and 17 per- jections during 2014-18 but Manuals leading to group the most during the "touch the feet of Chief Minister K walk wrongly while going on a straight path). 10,820 crore during 2017-18 to cent in 2018-19. lagged behind during 2018-19. under assessment of VAT second wave, showing a 2.21 Chandrasekhar Rao", the doctor has declared his This is all the more important for babus. The Rs 20,611 crore in 2018-19 at However, non-tax revenue Taxes and duties on electrici- in 448 cases involving an percent increase, compared to credentials to be a healthy part of TRS. other day Nellore District Collector KVN a growth rate of 90.49 percent showed a mixed trend with a ty could not meet budgetary amount of Rs 84.11 crore, the first wave last year. Babus' Twitter handles wake up Chakradhar Babu sought help from Bollywood primarily due to increase in dip during 2017-18, before expectations during the peri- due to various reasons. But the highest number of actor Sonu Sood to set up an oxygen plant SGST receipts. picking up pace during 2018- od 2015-16 and 2017-19. The Among the total 448 positive cases came in per- This week witnessed the quick re-activation (costing around Rs 1.5 cr) at Atmakur However, there was wide vari- 19. The percentage of tax and decrease in land revenue was such cases, 180 belonged sons aged 21-30 years during of the Twitter handles of many officials who Government Hospital. This was grist to the ation in SGST receipts across the non-tax revenue raised by the attributed by the department to non-levy, short levy of the first and the second had been inactive on social media platforms mill for a section of the media known for its months during 2018-19 with state government to the total to drought conditions in five VAT category with an waves, at 21.63 and 23.29 per- for months on end. Even Director of Medical 'yellow' journalism. They gave the whole thing November accounting for high- revenue of the state has also districts during the period amount of Rs 65.29 crore. cent respectively, marking a Education Dr K Ramesh Reddy has become a spin and made it sound like Sood delivered est receipts mainly on account of been 50 percent and above 2014-2018 and non-availabil- During a test check of rise of 1.66 percent. active on Twitter. The nudge by Minister K T when the government failed. Some senior IGST transfer to SGST. post bifurcation. ity of adequate water due to VAT records of three Interestingly, fatalities in Rama Rao to these handles have jolted many bureaucrats, siding with Chakradhar, called his Commercial Taxes Depart- CAG found that receipts inadequate rainfall, resulting in Circles, CAG teams also this age bracket showed only tech-averse officials to action and reflexive action "overenthusiastic" that had ment is one of the key revenue under sales tax and SGST the inability of the farmers to observed that four dealers a marginal increase of 0.04 responsiveness. Even the collectors who boomeranged on him. At the end of the day, earning departments in the have not matched the expec- pay water tax. running hotels and pay- percent, from 2.68 to 2.72. thought they could make do without social Chakradhar had the last laugh. For, Sonu Sood Government of Andhra Pradesh. ing tax under Section Among children aged upto media posts have changed their ways and have readily agreed to provide Rs1.5 crore for the The department administers Pradesh Entertain-ments Tax The Department has been 4(9) (d) of the Act 10, the number of coron- become responsive to people's pulse. However, construction of the oxygen plant. and collects revenue on goods Act,1939, The Andhra Pradesh administering and collecting claimed ITC on their pur- avirus cases declined by 0.26 this is true only of those who happened to have Plateful for just a handful of babus and services under Andhra Tax on Professions, Trades, revenue on goods and services chases in contravention to percent and deaths by 0.29 been tagged by the Minister. Otherwise, few Pradesh Value Added Tax Act, Callings and Employment Act, under the Andhra Pradesh the provisions resulting in percent (practically zero now) babus were tweeting in the absence of the Telangana bureaucracy is facing a strange 2005 (VAT Act), Central Sales 1987 apart from other minor Goods and Services Tax Act, incorrect claim of ITC of compared to the first wave, Minister. It looks like TS babus' social media situation in which a just a handful of babus Tax Act, 1956 (CST Act), Andhra Acts. 2017. Rs 14.89 lakh. the data showed. presence is not a matter of choice, but largely have their plates full, while the bulk of their an outcome of political compulsion. colleagues, to borrow a word from the IT sec- Rooftop garden or forest? tor, appear to have been 'benched' i.e. on rolls, but with no allocation of significant work. Each It is rare to find green-fingered officials of these four to five of preferred babus is han- Govt looks to avoid O2 supply disruption... among babudom, though some may be happy dling a minimum three to four key depart- tom-tomming from the rooftops the govern- ments. The trusted ones handle Agriculture, Continued from Page 1 Tirupati as a buffer stock in case increased case load resulting in of LMO and are crucial for tion and the Energy depart- ment's green initiatives. But in TS bureaucra- Panchayat Raj and Rural Development, IT, of emergency. the requirement of more oxy- ensuring oxygen supply in the ment has taken measures cy, we not only have green-fingered officials Industry, Energy, Municipal Administration Further, the International “In these critical times, we gen. Government has also alert- State. regarding the same. with lush rooftop gardens, but also gushing col- and Urban Development et al. Committee of the Red Cross, thank Reliance Industries ed the energy department to Besides these primary The Government has asked leagues who go out of the way to highlight it. Raghunandan Rao, Commissioner, was through Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Jamnagar for support- ensure uninterrupted power sources, there are 49 re-fillers the collectors to ensure unin- An IAS officer's rooftop garden has been given full additional charge of Agriculture and Ltd (IOCL) is handing over 120 ing Andhra Pradesh by supply- supply to the three important who convert the liquefied terrupted power supply to all attracting several eyeballs in bureaucratic and Agriculture Marketing after B.Janardhan MT of LMO through six ISO ing more than 200 MT of LMO LMO sources located in the oxygen into gaseous form and the hospitals by checking the other circles. Ajay Mishra shared a picture of Reddy was chosen to head TSPSC. Rao is also cryogenic tankers of 20 MT on three Oxygen Express trains state two in Vizag and one in distribute it through cylinders availability of diesel genera- the greenery on his rooftop garden when there heading the committee that is looking into each to Andhra Pradesh at the on May 16, 19 and 22. We are Srikakulam,” said Transport for last-mile use to various tors. It was instructed to make was drizzle. He attributed the soothing verdure alleged encroachments on Devaryamjal Visakhapatnam port on Sunday. thankful for their kind gesture Secretary MT Krishna Babu. hospitals. Power supply to arrangements of standby there to the consummate skills with which the Temple lands and assigned lands. This 120 MT will be placed which has really helped to man- These three sources togeth- these re-fillers has to be Generators in case DG sets are plants are being tended by his wife Shalini Sunil Sharma handles Transport and R&B, as a reserve stock in Guntur and age the situation in view of er account for supply of 210 MT ensured without any interrup- not available in any hospital. Mishra, also an IAS officer. One cannot stop Housing and is also the MD of TSRTC; Jayesh admiring the detailing and the effort put into Ranjan looks after IT, Industry, and several maintaining a wide variety of plants. Another affiliated departments under it, while Sandeep former bureaucrat SK Joshi, known to be a good Sultania handles Panchayat Raj and RD, friend of the Mishras, shared these images and Fisheries, Energy and Education and is CEO commented that the lung space is likely to qual- of SERP. Arvind Kumar has the most demand- Gold gains primacy in global markets ify as a 'rooftop forest' in a short while. To lay ing MA&UD, I&PR, HMDA requiring max- it on thick, he suggested that the Union imum interface with public seeking redressal As expected, due to the cur- and Nifty 50 closed at count of Rs.50 (per gram) on principal wholesale commod- current season, India has Ministry of Environment, Forests &Climate of grievances. Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar rent geo-political conditions 50,540.48 and15,175.30 points the issue price will be given to ity markets in the twin cities shipped a consignment of 2.5 Change has to come out with a new type of for- is not free to supervise all departments as the and the US dollar becoming respectively. the investors who apply online remained moderate. Rythu MT of GI certified mangoes to est classification. administrative head as his hands are full with weak, gold gained primacy in Leading foreign currencies' and make payment through Bazars and the various com- South Korea. Fertile ground for IAS officers Revenue, Excise, Commercial Taxes and the global markets. Despite exchange rates on Saturday digital mode. Thus, effective modity markets located in The mango varieties of CCLA. better employment figures were: US $: Rs.72.91, British price for the online buyers will Begum Bazar, Kishangunj, Banganapalli and Greenery is indeed soothing, even when we With such skewed distribution of work, and improved stock values, Pound: Rs.103.17, Euro: be Rs.4,792 (per gram) which Mukthyargunj, Risala Suvarnarekha sourced from are talking about departments. Of late, the TS babus are shuttling between Pragathi Bhavan investors preferred gold as a Rs.88.81, Singapore $: is much lower than current Abdullah, Mir Alam Mandi, Krishna and Chittoor dis- Agriculture Department has become a fertile and their own departments located in differ- tool of investment mainly for Rs.54.77, Swiss Franc: market price. Dilsukhnagar, Kukatpally, tricts have been exported as ground for honing the skills and enhancing the ent places and linked to the ad hoc Secretariat its easy liquidity character. Rs.81.19, Australian $: In local markets, standard Bowenpally and General Bazar the first consignment. career prospects of babus. The TS Agriculture at BRKR Bhavan. Consequently, for the third Rs.56.35, Saudi Riyal: gold (24 carats) appreciated recorded subdued trading. Common vegetables such as Department in particular has sentimental attrac- Time for equitable distribution of work, consequent week New York Rs.19.44, New Zealand by Rs.770 and closed at During the week, common cabbage, cauliflower, ribbed tion for babus, who have seen incumbents rise bemoan benched babus. gold closed higher at US $ Dollar: Rs.52.55, Rs.49,750 (per 10 gms). pulses such as tuar dal, masoor gourd, snake gourd, lady's to high positions of power. 1,880.70 (per ounce) while sil- Kuwaiti Dinar: Ornamental gold too dal, moong dal and urad dal finger, cucumber, potatoes, Two principal secretaries who had served in - Yours truly ver closed at $ 27.53 (per Rs.242.60, Omani followed suit and and commodities like chillies, onions, tomatoes, French ounce). Platinum and palladi- Rial: Rs.189.39 was quoted in the turmeric and garlic remained beans and leafy vegetables um closed at $ 1,162 (per and UAE range of unchanged at their respective flared up once again as the ounce) and $ 2,684 (per Dirham: Rs.45,500- last week's closing levels, while summer's heat resumed after ounce) respectively. Rs.19.85, 45,600 on the staple food grains and com- the dispersal of cyclonic BJP in a flux over pinning... Other economic parameters Japanese WEEKLY MARKET REVIEW closing day. mon edible oil recorded a clouds. too improved. Brent closed at Yen: Rs.0.67 and Hong Kong Silver (0.999) declined by marginal increase. The NECC wholesale price of Continued from Page 1 A similar situation prevails in Ministers from the BJP had US$ 68.44 (per barrel) while Dollar: Rs.9.39. Rs.300 and closed at Rs.75,700 The efforts of APEDA bore egg in Hyderabad appreciat- Andhra Pradesh. While local BJP praised the TRS government sky Crude MCX oil was quoted at Meanwhile, much-awaited (per kg). fruits when it organized a ed by Rs.34 and closed at Surprisingly, on the same day the leaders are doing their best to cor- high when they came to Rs.4,662 (per barrel). While Sovereign Gold Bonds 2021- COMMODITIES virtual buyer-seller meet in Rs.482 (per 100). The highest Central government praised the ner the State Government, the Hyderabad, causing much embar- Gold MCX stood at Rs.48,425 22 (Series II) opens on May 24 Due to Covid-19 (II) restric- collaboration with the Indiam price of Rs.590 was recorded TRS government’s handling of the Central government is praising the rassment to the local BJP leaders. (per 10 gms), MCX Silver and will close on 28. The set- tions in place, trading in essen- Embassy in Seoul and the at Muzaffarpur, Ranchi, pandemic, according to a press Jagan administration. Their complaints to the party closed at Rs.71,071 (per kg). tlement date is June 1. The tial commodities has been Indian Chamber of Kolkata and Lucknow, while release from the Chief Minister's Incidentally, ahead of the 2019 high command at that time did Copper MCX closed at issue price of the Bond will be adversely affected. Commerce in Korea (ICCK). Hospet recorded the lowest of office. General Elections, the Union not result in noticeable action. Rs.741.20 (per kg). Sensex Rs.4,842 (per gram). A dis- Therefore, the sentiment in Eventually, first time in the Rs.470. Let the rule of law prevail over the rule of outlaws! n HC UPADHYAY during the pre- and post- Constitution also declares the accept the advice tendered by and execution of sinister plans ing ruthlessly attempts by the ceedings under the IBC and prising vacation judges, Assembly elections in West President as the Supreme the Council of Ministers but through blatant misuse of outlaws to undermine the duped the banks of huge pub- Justice Vineet Saran and The moot question before the Bengal too, has been a part of Commander of the Defence also his position as the state machinery and her party President's authority. lic money, will be liable to Justice B.R Gavai, observed knowledgeable people today this anti-Centre attitude of the Forces of the Union. Further, President is just titular in cadre, she has thrown an clear off the defaulting com- that the possibility of custo- here at home is whether there opposition parties. as per Article 74 (1) a provi- reality. open challenge to the SC on guarantor's liability pany's balance amount due dial torture of Raju cannot be shall be the supremacy of the Unfortunately, the ruling sion has been made in the Therefore, the Council of Constitution and the law- In a remarkable judgment from their private wealth. ruled out. In the result, the Rule of Law or the Rule of clan at the Centre has not Constitution for the Council Ministers headed by the enforcing agencies. People in on the liability of guarantors court granted conditional bail Outlaws? The growing intoler- risen to the occasion, but has of Ministers headed by the Prime Ministers is an all- West Bengal, including the for corporate loans from Custodial torture MP! to Raju. ance among the people in given a long rope to the divi- Prime Minister "to aid and powerful organ of the gover- Governor, are living under the banks, the Apex Court on Imagine the plight of a sit- power as well as out of power sive, extremist, terrorist and advise" the President. nance. The role of judiciary is shadow of fear and violence May 21 held that approval of ting Member of Parliament Blow to 'Me too' has been the root cause of the jihadi elements masquerading The Constitution specifi- limited to the judicial review and are forced to migrate to a resolution plan does not (MP) being taken into cus- After seven and a half years present sorry state of affairs. as political workers. cally binds over the incum- of the actions taken by the other States for safety and ipso facto discharge a per- tody and tortured by the of prolonged court proceedings, Let us take stock of the Consequently, the life and bent President that he would Council of Ministers and security. sonal guarantor of a corpo- police throwing all norms of the Court of Additional recent happenings. Forgetting property of people, in whose discharge the functions of answering any point of law In short, there has been rate debtor of his liability decency and legality to winds! Sessions Judge, Kshama Joshi the spirit of federalism name and for whom the the President 'faithfully' upon reference by the complete breakdown of the under the contract of guar- One wonders if this can hap- acquitted Tehelka founder-edi- enshrined in the Constitution Constitution has been and will to the best of his President. Constitutional machinery in antee. pen to a privileged elected tor, Tarun Tejpal on May 21 of of India, almost all the parties framed, are at stake. ability preserve, protect The task of preserving, pro- West Bengal. Earlier, on November 15, representative, then what safe- the charges of raping a col- opposed to the ruling BJP-led Ours is the largest and defend the tecting and defending the Therefore, the President, 2019 the government had ty and security could be league in a luxury hotel in NDA have been up in arms functional democracy in Constitution and the Constitution virtually falls in acting through the Council of issued a notification fastening expected for a common man! Panaji (Goa) in 2013. against the Union government. the world with an elect- law. the realm of the Council of Ministers headed by the liability of bad debts on cor- The MP, K.R Krishnam Immediately after the pro- Each and every decision, ed President. TheMinisters though the Prime Minister, is duty-bound porate guarantors for loans Raju, who is facing serious nouncement of judgment, including the laws enacted by Under Article 53 Council of President has committed to to preserve, protect and obtained by their companies, charges of sedition, was grant- Goa's Chief Minister Pramod Parliament, wherein their own of the Constitution Ministers, among do so while stepping into the defend the Constitution, which subsequently failed to ed conditional bail by the Sawant said that the govern- elected MPs are also sitting, is of India "the others, has all the office. which grants fundamental pay up and went into resolu- Supreme Court, after perus- ment will prefer an appeal in targeted viciously. Executive power of powers about the mat- In this background, open rights to all citizens at any tion proceedings under the ing the medical report sub- the High Court. That is the reason why abro- the Union shall be LEGAL ters on which Parliament defiance of the authority of cost urgently. Insolvency & Bankruptcy mitted by the doctors of the The judgment has served a gation of Articles 370 and 45A vested in the is competent to make the CBI and the august office Let the Council of Code (IBC). Army Hospital at severe blow to the activists who of the Constitution, three Bills President and shall ROUNDUP laws. of the Governor by a person Ministers rush to the 'aid' of After this judgment, big Secunderabad. Notably, the had supported the global move- for the welfare of farmers and be exercised by him Thus, virtually the no less than an elected Chief the President and tender suit- sharks who offered personal medical report showed undis- ment called, Me Too wherein the Citizenship (Amendment) either directly or Council of Ministers has Minister, Mamata Banerjee able 'advice' without losing guarantees and availed huge placed fracture of second toe the women victims of sexual Act were senselessly opposed in through officers subordinate been vested with the deserves serious considera- any time so that the President amounts as loans from the of left foot of Raju and con- harassment were encouraged to the street by the opposition to him in accordance with the Executive powers. The tion by the Council of is not let down in his faithful banks and after their compa- tusions and edema on the come out in open to name and parties. Constitution." President is not only Ministers. and sincere attempt to enforce nies became defaulters, went soles. shame the alleged perpetrators Violence and lawlessness In the same breath the Constitutionally bound to With her active planning the Rule of Law while crush- ahead with resolution pro- Therefore, the bench, com- of crimes against them.

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Printed and published by B Krishna Prasad for and on behalf of CMYK Printech Ltd., Printed at Sree Seshasai Enterprises, D.No. New 3-88, Old 3-22, Chandra Theatre, Gosala, Penamaluru Mandal, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh - 521 151, Resident Editor: B Krishna Prasad, AIR SURCHARGE of Rs 2.00. VIJAYAWADA | MONDAY | MAY 24, 2021 vijayawada 03

Kanna says AP AP vehicles without e-pass failed to provide Jagan, KCR playing games Oxygen,vaccines with people's lives: TDP to people restricted entry by TS Police PNS n VIJAYAWADA PNS n VIJAYAWADA PNS n VIJAYAWADA TDP AP unit president K Atchannaidu on Sunday Hundreds of vehicles coming Accusing the YSRCP govern- slammed the YSRCP govern- from Andhra Pradesh were ment of having “totally failed” ment for not immediately tak- stopped at the State border to contain the spread of Co- ing any steps to resolve the with Telangana at Garikapadu, vid in the state despite sup- problems of the Covid patients Mattapalli, Pulichintala and port from the Central gov- who were being prevented Ramapuram by the Telangana ernment, BJP senior leader from entering Telangana. police. Kanna Lakshminara yana on Atchannaidu accused the Following this, a large num- Sunday announced that the Chief Ministers of Andhra ber of vehicles lined up at the party conducted statewide Pradesh and Telangana of play- Telangana-Andhra Pradesh protests in this regard. “We ing games with the lives of the border at Ramapuram village staged protests against the common people at a time near Kodad in Suryapet district failure of YSRCP govern- when the Covid-19 epidemic of TS on Sunday as only vehi- ment to contain the spread of was putting them to untold suf- cles that had an e-pass to enter Covid-19 second wave,” the fering. The lathicharge on vehi- Telangana were allowed to former AP BJP chief said. cle users by the Telangana LS Speaker should punish CID proceed. Police use the cane to chase Taking objection to the police at Pondugula check post The Telangana police closed letter by Chief Minister YS was condemnable, he said. the Mattapalli, Pulichintala away persistent commuters Jaganmohan Reddy to Prime In a statement here, the for torturing rebel MP: TDP and Ramapuram check posts police maintained that they Minister Narendra Modi TDP leader said that the PNS n VIJAYAWADA the judicial orders, the CID and did not allow vehicles were only following orders PNS n VIJAYAWADA/GUNTUR, Suryapet SP Bhaskaran point- seeking supply of Covid vac- Telangana police were not shifted the MP to the inside Telangana even during and they had no personal KURNOOL ed out that that e-pass was cines to private hospitals, allowing the AP vehicles on the TDP MLC Mantena Guntur sub-jail. At every the lockdown relaxation tim- grievance against the people made mandatory for those Lakshminarayana said that borders and even threatening Satyanarayana Raju on step all along, the AP ing. The unpublicised stop- from AP. Commuters stuck at the coming to Telangana from the BJP was severely oppos- the vehicle users if they tried Sunday asserted that the Government spewed page resulted in a huge traffic Meanwhile, one of the com- Vadapalli check post at Andhra Pradesh. ing that letter and asked to cross over. report of the Secunderabad venom and used the CID jam that stretched over 5 km muters said that he was on his Nalgonda district alleged that On Saturday, he inspected Jagan to focus on infrastruc- The AP officials were not Army Hospital has made it sleuths to wreak vengeance inside AP by 10 AM on way to Telangana along with the police used their lathis to AP-TS border check post at ture, medical facilities devel- talking to their Telangana clear that third degree against an MP just for rais- Sunday. Hundreds of vehicles his wife — who is working in chase them away. Ramapuram crossroads of opment and vaccination pro- counterparts when such unto- methods were used on ing his voice against the were stuck in the traffic jam. a private biotech company. He According to the com- Kodad mandal.He said the gramme to save the lives of ward incidents were taking YSRCP rebel MP Raghu CM's failures,” he said. The Telangana government said that her presence at her job muters, extensive police ambulances would be allowed people to get rid of Covid-19. place on the borders. The Ramakrishnam Raju while The TDP MLC demand- has made e-pass mandatory for was very important. checks were carried out at as usual and vehicles with e- He said the BJP leaders, Governments should explain in the custody of the AP ed that the Lok Sabha vehicles coming from AP, with “We reached Ramapuram border check posts. pass would also be allowed activists and supporters par- whether some other laws out- CID police. Speaker take stringent ambulances and emergency border at 5.30 am but the Those possessing the e- during lockdown relaxation ticipated in dharna protests side of the Constitution were Satyanarayana Raju action against the AP CID vehicles being exempt. police did not allow us to pro- pass were allowed to enter times. Meanwhile, TDP state from 10 am to 12 noon on in force in Telangana, asked why the Chief for ill-treating a Member of However, drivers of these ceed despite our repeated Telangana and motorists who president K. Atchannaidu Sunday against YSRCP gov- Atchannaidu said. Minister and the Home the Lower House. emergency vehicles were man- requests. We tried requesting do not have the document alleged that the TS government ernment’s failure in combat- The TDP leader asked how Minister were not breaking Since the Supreme Court dated to carry identity cards. them till 10 am. We also were sent back. unnecessarily stopping the ing Covid-19. the AP Government would their silence on this issue has confirmed that Police closed three of the applied for the TS e-pass but The long wait and hot sun vehicles entering the state on He alleged that the Chief react if the Telangana officials till now. Everybody had Raghurama Raju was ill four check posts in Suryapet did not get the approval,” he led to frayed tempers, with regular occasions. Responding Minister did not take Corona would stop any ruling YSRCP seen how Raghurama Raju treated in the custody of district — Mathampalli, said. He said that the people motorists getting into argu- to the blockage of vehicles at seriously from the beginning MLA or Minister on the bor- became the victim of a AP police, the Speaker Pulichintala and Ramapuram. of Andhra Pradesh still had a ments with the police over the border, he said that the while Prime Minister ders from going to take emer- Government-sponsored should consider this as a However, vehicles were allowed right over Hyderabad and crit- how the cops were stopping police were lathicharging Narendra Modi warned at the gency treatment in Hyderabad. 'custodial torture'. privilege motion and take at Kodad. Eventually some of icised the Telangana govern- vehicles without prior notice. motorists at Pondugula. “Is the meeting of Chief Ministers AP Government should form In a statement here, the action against the AP the commuters who were des- ment for its actions. When the arguments got Chief Minister taking care of that the Covid-19 second a task force so as to coordinate TDP MLC recalled how Government and the police perate to reach Telangana Meanwhile, Telangana too heated, the Telangana the people?” Atchannaidu wave would be severe. “The with the Telangana officials for the AP CID defied the officers. All those police crossed the border on foot. police stopped vehicles at the police used their lathis to cane questioned. Chief Minister did not even resolving the border prob- Andhra Pradesh High officers guilty of 'custodi- A woman from Challapalli, Pullur toll plaza on the border some motorists and sent He demanded to know if conduct a review on the lems, he said. Court and the magistrate al torture' should be sus- Krishna district was not of Kurnool district. them back. This created a Telangana was no longer an establishment of beds and the The TDP would not watch court by not taking the pended immediately, he allowed to proceed to a hospi- Only vehicles with e-pass tense situation at the border integral part of India. “Are availability of the vaccine to silently if the AP Government injured MP to a private demanded, adding that tal in Telangana, despite her were allowed to enter check posts for a while. there any special laws being control the situation,” continued to ignore the hospital. criminal cases should be fervent pleas. Telangana. Two-wheelers and Andhra Pradesh motorists enforced? It’s not clear Lakshminarayana said. patients' woes on the borders, “Without any respect for filed against them. She told the media that the auto-rickshaws were also were angry over the behav- whether there is a govern- He claimed that Modi had Atchannaidu said. police did not allow her despite stopped. This resulted in vehi- iour of the Telangana police. ment in the state or not,” allocated Rs 35,000 crore in her having hospital records. cles parked on the highway for Speaking to the media, Atchannaidu said. the Budget to bring the vac- However, the Telangana kilometres on end. cine early. YSRCP Govt covering up lapses Two years of farmer welfare Mayor hails Budget instead of helping people: TDP

PNS n VIJAYAWADA hearted efforts but not show- under YSRCP government allocation for women ing any complete commitment TDP MLA Nimmala to the cause of saving the peo- PNS n VIJAYAWADA n Benefits worth nearly Rs as guarantee against PNS n VIJAYAWADA which are 7.2 percent extra Ramanaidu on Sunday accused ple's lives,” Ramanaidu said. 85,000 crore to farmers discounted prices for funds compared to last year’s the YS Jaganmohan Reddy He said that it would Despite the financial crunch, crops grown by farmers. Vijayawada Mayor Rayana budget. The Mayor welcomed Government of trying to cover require Rs 1,600 crore to all promises made by the n Services from seed to Bhagyalakshmi on Sunday the special budget for children up its failures instead of mak- administer Covid vaccines to YSRCP government have been crop sale in villages n Crop compensation at the hailed the introduction of the welfare and hailed it first of its ing timely efforts to save the those between 18 years and 45 fulfilled with the aim of farmer through 10,778 RBKs end of the season for gender budget allocating huge kind in the country. She stat- lives of the people from the years of age in AP. The welfare. In fact the State gov- funds to women development ed the despite pandemic deadly Covid-19 second wave. Government was trying to n crop damage in any ernment has gone beyond its Nearly 2 lakh bores and season like never before and welfare. The Mayor Corona crisis, Jagan never Ramanaidu termed it as wash its hands of this respon- promises to help farmers. pump sets at a cost of in history… As of thanked Chief Minister YS flinched from allocation of unfortunate that the Chief sibility, he said. With the firm belief that the about Rs 4,932 crore December 2020, Rs 1,038 Jaganmohan Reddy for giving funds for Sub-Plans for BC, SC, Minister was trying to pass the Ramanaidu deplored that State will prosper if the farmer’s high priority to women wel- ST, Minority and Women and buck to private hospitals for the the Chief Minister lacked the under the “YSR Jala Kala crore has been paid to families are content, Chief scheme”. fare by allocating nearly 25 for the welfare of all sections of failures of his Government to heart to spend enough money Minister YS Jaganmohan 13.56 lakh farmers whose percent of the total budget. the people and the develop- provide vaccines to the people. for people's vaccines when his Reddy has brought about rev- n A price stabilisation fund crops have been Bhagyalakshmi said that the ment of all sectors showing his “The Central Government start making sincere efforts regime had spent thousands olutionary changes in the field of Rs 3,000 crore set up damaged. budget allocation of about Rs dedication towards people’s has given approval for the towards free and total vaccina- of crores on the ruling party of agriculture and standing by 47,582 crore for women welfare welfare and AP’s development. States to buy 45 percent vac- tion without any further colours, on unwanted advisors the farmers in all aspects. and development under gender Bhagyalakshmi said that the cines directly from the manu- attempts to shift the blame to and on the multi-crore adver- The government is giving RBKs. The paddy procure- the noble objective of avoiding budget showed the dedication Chief Minister started a new tra- facturers and the private hos- others. “The AP Government tisements in the Sakshi media. Rythu Bharosa assistance of Rs ment arrears of Rs 960 crore to interest burden on farmers. of the Chief Minister for dition by announcing the wel- pitals can buy only 5 percent,” failed to place advance orders “The negligent Chief 67,500 per farmer over five be paid by the previous gov- The government has so far women of the State. She stat- fare calendar and implementing the MLA said. in time to the vaccine compa- Minister should tender a pub- years at Rs 13,500 per annum. ernment were cleared by this spent Rs 1,261 crore on 67.50 ed that further Rs 8,727 crore the same without fail fulfilling Addressing a press confer- nies and has lost precious lic apology and step aside in The state government has so dispensation on priority soon lakh farmers, including past funds were allotted for munic- all promises under flagship ence here, the TDP MLA time. Even now, the Chief the best interests of the State far spent about Rs 17,030 crore after it came to power. RBKs arrears, with the aim of ipal and urban development Navaratnalu programme. advised the Chief Minister to Minister was making half- and its future,” he said. on 52.38 lakh farmers under provide training on advanced encouraging them to repay YSR Rythu Bharosa - PM technologies to fishermen and those loans on time. Kisan Scheme. It is the only aqua farmers through RBKs For the first time in the his- government in the country to and also supplies quality seed, tory of the country, the govern- provide investment assistance feed supplements, medicines, ment is implementing a free to tenant farmers, farmers cul- nets, and other inputs required crop insurance scheme to Acute shortage in AP of Amphotericin-B tivating endowment, forest for livestock, poultry, and fish- reduce the financial burden on and assigned lands under the eries. farmers by paying the farmers' YSR Rythu Bharosa. Multipurpose facilities were share premium without incur- Continued from Page 1 A few deaths were also at home. When he developed ing from Black fungus and gus patients are awaiting treat- The first instalment of Rs established by the government ring even a single rupee bur- reported due to Black fungus breathing problems, he was distribute Amphotericin-B ment at Vijayawada 7,500 crore was paid for Kharif at a cost of Rs 14,000 crore. den on them. So far, the gov- Incidentally, Amphotericin- across the state in the last few shifted to a private hospital injection available at all the Government Hospital due to crop in May, the second instal- These facilities have cold stor- ernment has benefited 15, B was not much in demand in days inviting criticism from where they confirmed Black Covid designated hospitals unavailability of ment of Rs 4,000 will be paid ages, warehouses, grading 67,000 people to the tune of Rs the recent past, as it was used various political parties. fungus infection. across the state. “As Amphotericin-B. in October and the third instal- facilities, packing system, pri- 4,113.70 crore. for very few patients with One more death was Despite their best attempts, Remdesivir injection was sold Senior TDP leader ment of Rs 2,000 will be mary processing equipment It will be the first time in his- comorbidities. With Black reported at Nunna village of the family could not get their in the black market, Devineni Uma Maheswara deposited into the accounts of for quality testing of agricultur- tory that insurance claims will fungus cases being reported Krishna district. Ch hands on Amphotericin-B Amphotericin-B is also being Rao said the government was farmers in January. al products. The Government be paid in April, following among post Covid recovery Venkateswara Rao (64) suc- injections. Jana Sena Party sold at Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000 not paying attention towards The Government has set also set up custom hiring cen- reports from the Planning patients in large numbers the cumbed to Black fungus infec- official spokesperson PV each. The government should the rising number of Covid up 10,778 YSR Rythu Bharosa tres integrating them with the Department, as soon as the demand suddenly spiked and tion on Sunday. He was infect- Mahesh demanded the state immediately regulate the sale,” and Black fungus cases in the Kendras (centres) across the RBKs. Milk collection centres 2020 Kharif harvest trials end there is an acute shortage of ed from Covid and recovered government provide quality Mahesh said. state. Black fungus is rampant state to provide services to and bulk milk cooling centres in March. the medicine. after undergoing treatment treatment for patients suffer- He said that 25 Black fun- across AP, Devineni Uma said. farmers at the farmer's place, were established in partnership Around 15.15 lakh farmers thereby providing assistance in with Amul for RBKs. Dairy who lost their crops in Kharif the villages from seed to crop farmers through integration 2020 will get a compensation sale. The Government is pre- with Amul are receiving addi- of Rs 1,820.23 crore from the venting adulteration through tional income of Rs 5 to Rs 15 government, on May 25, 2021. Select few to get Covishield first dose for 3 days RBKs. They provide more per litre of milk com- Through the implementa- Government-certified non- pared to earlier. tion of the YSR Jala Kala PNS n VIJAYAWADA across 13 districts in the state, dose. The state government contaminated quality seeds, The Government is provid- Scheme, the government is including 1,55,000 Covaxin would purchase 14,86,220 vac- quality fertilisers, quality pes- ing training to sheep and goat providing free installation of Principal Medical and Health doses. cines by June 15 — 11,45,540 ticides, e-crop registration, breeders through ‘Pashu bore wells and pump sets. A rig Secretary Anil Kumar Singhal Singhal reminded that Chief Covishield and 3,40,680 crop insurance, zero interest Vignana Badi’ on modern has been set up in every on Sunday said the first dose Minister YS Jaganmohan Covaxin doses. loans, crop purchasing centre nutrition and ownership prac- Assembly constituency across of Covishield vaccine will be Reddy has written to Prime The Centre has allotted services, soil testing, agricul- tices. As part of providing the state under the "YSR Jala administered to Railways, Minister Narendra Modi men- 14,15,420 doses to AP for tural expert advice, agricultur- affordable prices to the farm- Kala Scheme" to drill nearly 2 RTC, bank employees aged 45 tioning that vaccines are not May, of which 11,65,365 doses al prices at the village level, ers for the years 2019-20 and lakh borewells in four years at and above, and also journal- available as per the require- were received and 2,50,060 market details and weather 2020-21 Rs 27,028 crore for a cost of about Rs 4,932 crore. ists, for three days starting ment and it is not appropriate doses were expected. forecasts. 1,46,58,882 metric tonnes of The government also instals from May 24. to sell vaccines through private In June, the Central govern- In case the farmers do not paddy, Rs 5,964 crore for free motors for small and mar- Instructions to this effect hospitals. ment had allotted 7,68,010 get the minimum remunera- 16,46,303 metric tonnes of ginal farmers. have been given to district Singhal said that till date, doses to AP by June 15. In tive prices, the facility of buy- other crop products and a So far 1,19,875 fishing fam- Collectors, Singhal said. 76,49,960 doses have been addition to the quota due in ing at the minimum remuner- total of 1,63,05,185 metric ilies have benefited from an The vaccine doses will be received from the Central gov- May, 10,18,000 doses are ative price is provided through tonnes of crop products Rs amount of Rs 332 crore under given on Monday, Tuesday ernment, while the State gov- expected to be received from these centres. 32,992 crore are procured at the YSR Matsyakara Bharosa and Wednesday. Covaxin ernment has purchased the Centre by June 15, said Janata Bazaars have been set remunerative price. Scheme. At a cost of Rs 780 would not be administered, he 11,64,120 doses on its own so Singhal. up next to these RBKs for Providing timely crop loans crore per annum, 53,550 aqua said. far. Till date, 78,78,604 doses In the past 24 hours, 91,629 farmers to sell their crops to farmers on the basis of e- farmers have so far been sup- Singhal said a total of have been administered across corona tests were performed, without any hassle or loss. As crop data, fully subsidising plied with a unit of power for 28,15,000 vaccine doses will be include supplies from the ment. the state, of which 23,38,791 18,767 positive cases were many as 744 fisheries assistants crop loans taken below Rs 1 just Rs 1.50, bringing in a ben- procured by the state govern- Central government and doses He said that 13,13,000 vac- people received two doses and reported while 104 succumbed have been hired to serve in lakh for crop cultivation with efit of Rs 1,560 crore. ment till June 15. These purchased by the State govern- cine doses are distributed 32,01,022 received their first to the virus. VIJAYAWADA | MONDAY | MAY 24, 2021 vijayawada 04 Prevalence of black fungus alarming TTD ready to produce in bulk

VASIREDDY RAVICHANDRA Anandaiah's anti-corona drug the body, the use of steroids has sought medical attention with n GUNTUR been leading to extreme con- similar symptoms. ENT doc- PNS n TIRUPATI sequences, doctors warned. tors can treat this type of dis- A new disease in the form of Fungus accumulates due to a ease better. MLA and TTD (Tirumala black fungus was emerging lack of control of sugar levels The black fungus was com- Tirupathi Devasthanam) board among the survivors of the in the body after corona was monly treated with injections of member Chevireddy Bhaskar Covid and the health experts brought under control. In med- deoxycholate, lipid emulsion Reddy said that the TTD was warned that it could be fatal if ical parlance, the disease was and liposomal Amphotericin-B. ready to prepare the not detected in time. They called mucormycosis and in They were used from one week Krishnapatnam Anandaiah's said the people were recover- the colloquial language, it was to six weeks depending on the corona medicine in bulk at the ing from the coronavirus after called a black fungus. patient's condition. There were TTD Ayurvedic pharmacy if the they were administered The black fungus was a life- three types of injections and reports by ICMR and AYUSH steroids due to a lack of aware- threatening disease if not their prices were Rs.400, supported the medicine. ness. detected and treated in time. Rs.1700 and Rs.7000. Doctors After inspecting the raw The usage of steroids was When the fungus starts to advise that they have to use 12 materials in the pharmacy, the has no side effects. The preparation of the Anandaiah's minimal during the first wave of grow in the body it first affects to 36 vials each, sometimes 60 MLA held a meeting with the AYUSH Commissioner corona antidote were available the corona last year. But now use the eye, then the nose, then the vials. Since black fungus was a SV Ayurvedic Pharmacy doc- Ramulu also clarified that the abundantly in the Tirumala of steroids has increased indis- brain. Fungus infected parts very rare disease these drugs tors at Chandragiri here on drug was safe and no harmful Seshachala forests and the TTD criminately when the patient have to be removed. Severe were also not found every- Sunday. He said a team with ingredients were used in the Ayurvedic pharmacy was ready was facing severe symptoms. brain infection may lead to where. Mostly, these medicines the Ayurvedic professors and preparation. It was identified to prepare the drug as an Doctors were also prescribing death. were available only at wholesale doctors visited the as a herbal drug, but not an immunity booster once get the same medication without The number of cases of dealers but the stock was over. Krishnapatnam on Saturday to Ayurvedic drug. approval from the AYUSH and considering the patient's future black fungus has increased in Recently the state government examine the ingredients used Stating that the drug was ICMR. SV Ayurvedic College health condition. However, doc- who admitted to the hospitals. in isolation and taking medi- Guntur district in recent times. has announced that they pur- in the Anandaiah's drug. The safe, Chevireddy said that the principal Murali Krishna and tors were cautioned against the But there were problems too for cine. Over the past week or so, chased about 16,000 vials, and medicine was harmless and raw materials used in the other doctors were present. use of steroids for the patients those who were staying at home Ignoring the sugar levels in more than 300 victims have were still to arrive in the state. Black marketers on prowl with black fungus drugs

PNS n GUNTUR receiving 40 vials per day as stocks. The medical and health manufacturing these drugs in approached them as there were they planned five vials per and family welfare has released the country. However, the raw no drugs. Many people were Intending to exploit the situation patient, but they were not a Covid instant Order-123 to material required for moving to Hyderabad for to make money, the black sufficient. About 40 patients address the problem of the black manufacturing has to be treatment, due to the lack of marketers were on the prowl to were being treated for black market and an application. To imported from abroad. Due to its facilities and availability of sell the rare black fungus drugs fungus at GGH alone. get the drugs, the application inadequacy, drugs were not medicine in the state. Medical in the black market. Each vial of It would be a hard job for the should be attested by the available to meet the current services at most ENT hospitals liposomal Amphotericin-B was people who need vials from the Collector. As there were no growing demand. Medical have been suspended due to sold at an unbelievable price of government stores getting sufficient stocks available in the experts said the shortage of Covid severity across the state. treatment at the private stores, the officials were also medicines was severe. They owever, with the increase in Rs 48,000. It came to know that Krishnapatnam Ayurvedic doctor B Anandaiah addressing a media conference in Nellore on Sunday, ruled out reports that he the Krishna district was hospitals. They have to appeal to missing from the scene. Only observed that they were unable black fungus cases, the demand the district Collector to get six companies were to treat the patients who for the drugs has gone up. and his crew were arrested and appealed to people not to believe in rumours. Sarvepalli MLA Kakani Govardhan Reddy (Left) is also seen along with Ramanaiah. Three lakh MTs of paddy Mandal-level Covid isolation centres proposed in EG DHV SAMBASIVARAO procured in E Godavari n KAKINADA People's support need of the In the wake of an alarming PNS n KAKINADA increase in the Covid cases in hour, says Collector East Godavari district, the dis- PNS n KAKINADA About three lakh metric tonnes trict machinery laid a special of grain were procured across focus on setting up more iso- District Collector D East Godavari district for the lation centres to curb the Muralidhar Reddy said pub- current Rabi season, East spreading of the coronavirus. lic co-operation was need of Godavari District Joint As part of the drive, it was pro- the hour to control the Collector (Revenue and Rythu posed to establish five to ten spreading of the Covid pan- Bharosa) Dr Lakshmi Shah isolation centres in each man- demic. The Collector lauded the village sarpanchs, said on Sunday. dal to cover at least 500 villages inspected the Covid village deputy-sarpanches, village The Joint Collector said across the district. The village isolation centres set up at leaders, ward members and three lakh metric tonnes has isolation centres were kept Vadlamuru, G Ragampeta officials for setting up village been procured so far out of the ready for patients from Sunday. and Kattamooru villages in isolation centres in coordina- total target of 11 lakh metric District Collector arrange separate beds. Services tre would be rushed to the the Peddapuram mandal and tion and isolating the coro- tonnes of paddy through 350 Muralidhar Reddy has been of Asha worker and ANMs nearest hospital if they have any inquired about the health na victims at the centres by rice mills in the district and setting up Covid care centres in were also made available. They complications like difficulty conditions of the corona vic- serving them food and other another six lakh MTs would be villages for Covid patients who were providing Covid kits to in breathing. tims at the centre. needs. He exhorted that procured in the next week. getting a price of Rs 1401 for to clear the remaining balance. did not have a facility for positive patients and they Speaking to 'The Pioneer', On the occasion, he spoke everyone should follow the When the farmers brought a 75 kg bag as per the promise Lakshmi Shah was accom- home quarantine. If each fam- would take steps to ensure CH Balaji Venkata Ramana, to the Covid victims at the Covid rules such as wearing to his notice the delay in the given by the authorities and panied by J Vijay Kumar, Joint ily have 4 to 7 members in the timely medications to the Panchayat Extension Officer isolation centre. He said the masks, adhering to social payment after the paddy was they were given only Rs 1250 Director of Department of villages, it was difficult to patients, The patients were said that the setting up of person who tested corona distance and staying away procured, the Joint Collector per bag. Reacting to the farm- Agriculture, DME Lakshmi adjust all in one house with one advised to get meals from their Covid care centres in schools positive should stay in quar- from weddings, festivals, admitted it and assured that ers' issue, Lakshmi Shah Reddy, Assistant Director of or two rooms. Hence, the cases homes. The food would be pro- has more toilets, fans and antine for 14 days and seek trips etc. there would not be any delay warned that strict action would Department of Civil Supplies, have been multiplying every vided with the help of donors power supply. medical services. Many peo- DPO R Nageshwar Nayak, if the farmers gave their be initiated against the rice JV Padmasri, Assistant day. for those who do not have such Nadakuduru Panchayat ple having corona positive RDOs Mallibabu, Pulimeru Adhaar card, bank passbook millers and cases would be Director, Zonal Agriculture To overcome the problem, a facility. Secretary PSRK Brahmananda were coming out and wan- Medical Officer Dr Rambabu and phone number correctly. filed against the erring millers Officer, A Gayatri Devi, the Collector directed to set up Mandal primary health cen- Rao said the arrangements dering on the roads or mov- Nayak, MPDVO Ramana Farmers from Karapa village if the farmers could furnish the Deputy Tahasildar P Srinivas, five to ten centres in each tre physicians would visit the would help keep the rest of the ing in groups causing the reddy, EVOPRD Hima Mandanakka Jaggarao and details. He said he would RI P Machara Rao, VRO mandal. In addition, schools, centres to examine the patients persons in the family safe if a spreading of the corona. Maheshwari and others were Allampalli Shesharao com- immediately talk to the con- Bhadriraju Chandi, VAA K colleges and function halls from time to time. The people person tested positive for the The district Collector present on the occasion. plained that they were not cerned millers and take steps Kiranmayi and others. were taken in the villages and who were admitted to the cen- Covid in the family. No shortage of oxygen, Covaxin, Covishield vials seized, BioPhore Pharma says Joint Collector RMP arrested at Narasaraopeta PNS n donates Covid drugs KAKINADA being taken to reopen the oxy- gen plant at Peddapuram after PNS n GUNTUR cines in the black market. PNS n GUNTUR 500 tablets, one lakh V tab, Joint Collector Dr Lakshmi renovation. The plant was On a tip-off that people 50,000 Zincovit tablets and Shah said all measures were expected to become operational The Covid vaccine vials were given the jab for Rs 2,000 Hyderabad-based BioPhore 50,000 Ecosprin 75 mg being taken to provide oxygen in five days. The plant would Covaxin and Covishild were at a house in Arundalpet, the India Pharmaceuticals came tablets. The officials said to the Covid-19 patients produce 400 cylinders of seized from the residence of a secretariat staff went to the forward to help the Covid these medicines would be in East Godavari dis- oxygen per day, which Registered Medical house on Saturday and patients and distributed given to 5,000 Covid patients trict without any was equivalent to 4 Practitioner (RMP) at inquired. A complaint was medicines worth Rs 25 lakhs in the district. shortage. tons. This was enough Arundalpet in Narasaraopet of lodged with the police after in Guntur on Sunday. The Dr Arja Srikanth, State He told 'The to maintain 100 beds Guntur district, police said on vaccine stocks were found in company officials brought Covid Special Officer said it Pioneer' on Sunday with oxygen. Sunday. the house. medicines in two vehicles was welcoming to note that that a special oxygen The Rajahmundry According to belated Meanwhile, the culprit and donated them to Central the BioPhore India Pharma manufacturing plant has paper mill produces oxy- reports, the police seized Srinu was chased while flee- Drugstore in Guntur. company came forward to been set up at the Kakinada gen in the form of gas, which was eight Covaxin and Covishield ing from his house and The medicines donated save the lives of the Covid- Government Hospital for being supplied directly to the ESI vials stored in the RMP's caught. He was handed over by company CEO Rangisetty hit people. He appealed to patients. In addition, oxygen hospital through a pipeline. He house. The police said they to the police. CI Prabhakara Jagadish Babu include 50,000 pharma companies to extend was being acquired from also said that ONGC has nitro- have so far seized drugs to Rao seized eight vials of tablets of Doxycycline 100 their helping hand in the Visakhapatnam and Odisha. gen tanks that have been con- treat the coronavirus while Covishield and Covaxine vac- mg, 25,000 Ivermectin 12 mg critical times of the corona He said all measures were verted to supply oxygen. being sold in the black mar- ket, but they were first time seeing the sale of corona vac- cines from the house. tablets, 25,000 Azithromycin pandemic. TTD performs Hasta Nakshatra Isthi Yagam PNS n TIRUPATI ple here on Sunday morning. Mounted atop the gold gild- Seeking the divine interven- ed carrier that formed a daz- tion to overcome the Covid- zling halo behind the deity, 19 crisis, the Tirumala the bejewelled deity was Tirupati Devasthanam taken in a procession in the (TTD) performed Hasta temple premises. The ritual Nakshatra Isthi Yagam as a was performed in privacy part of the 28-day-long (Ekantham) adhering to the Nakshatra Satra Yagam Covid rules. which was commenced on Garuda and Hanumantha May 9, on Sunday at are considered to be the Dharmagiri Veda Vignana favourite celestial carriers of Peetham in Tirumala. Lord Venkateswara as they are According to the Veda the noblest servants who COVID PRAYERS Peetham Principal, the served him with devotion and Yagam would be performed dedication. They are consid- Minister Balineni Srinivasa Reddy's wife Balineni for 28 days starting from ered to be the icons of Sachi Devi and Mayor Gangada Sujatha Krittika star to Bharani star 'Saranagathi Prapatti'. Pedda performing Sri Sudarshana Lakshmi Narasimha including Abhijit star, 28 Additional EO AV Dharma Hanumantha Vahanam: As Swamy rode on the Jeeyar Swamy, Chinna Jeeyar Homam at Lord Sri Prasanna Chennakesava Yagams dedicated to each Reddy, Veda Peetham part of the ongoing annual Hanumantha Vahanam Swamy, Temple Dy EO Swamy temple in Ongole on Sunday wishing to would be observed every Principal KSS Avadhani, fac- Brahmotsavams in (Elephant Chariot) and was Rajendrudu, temple chief priest save mankind from the deadly corona pandemic. day. The Yagam would con- ulty, Ritwiks and others were Govindaraja Swamy temple taken out in a procession on Srinivasa Dikshitulu and other clude on June 15. TTD present in the Yagam. the deity of Lord Govindaraja the sixth day inside the tem- staff took part in this ritual. VIJAYAWADA | MONDAY | MAY 24, 2021 nation 05 Women can get Covid vaccine Lockdown in Delhi extended by another week anytime after delivery: Experts PNS n NEW DELHI Chief Minister Arvind PNS n NEW DELHI patient has taken the first dose Kejriwal on Sunday and later turned out to be announced extension of the A woman can get vaccinated pregnant, they are advised to ongoing lockdown in Delhi by against COVID-19 anytime continue the pregnancy. another week, saying the after the delivery of her baby, "Pregnancy doesn't increase process of unlock will start healthcare experts have said the risk of acquiring SARS- from May 31 in a phased and stressed on the need to COV-2 infection but appears to manner if the number of permit vaccination of even worsen the clinical course as COVID-19 cases continue to pregnant women to protect compared to non-pregnant decline. them from the infection. women," she added. Kejriwal said the top prior- The government recently Experts have stressed on the ity of his government is to vac- allowed vaccination for lactat- need to vaccinate pregnant cinate people of the city at the ing mothers. women to protect them from earliest to prevent the third went further down to below made in the last one month The NITI Aayog Member the infection. wave, and added that he was in 2.5 percent, the chief minister through a lot of struggles, (Health) has stressed that there Maroof said the government talks with vaccine companies said in an online briefing. hard work and sacrifice may be is no problem in breastfeeding guidelines has not yet recom- for required doses and is ready "I consulted many people lost. after vaccination and it must mended COVID-19 vaccina- to buy vaccines at any cost. and the general opinion "If the current downward not be halted "even for an tion for pregnant women. Vaccination of people aged favoured lockdown extension trend in number of cases sus- hour". "This is because the Covid 18-44 years has been stopped for one week. So, Delhi govern- tains in next one week and Healthcare experts have also vaccine trials were not done on in Delhi on Sunday as the city ment has decided that lock- people follow precautions said that a woman can get vac- pregnant women and their has run out of stocks. down will be extended to 5 against COVID with strict cinated against COVID-19 "There is no reason to delay Dr. Loveleena Nadir, senior but there has been an increased safety and efficacy related data In the past 24 hours, Delhi AM on May 31," he said. discipline as they have done so anytime after the delivery of the vaccination after delivery," consultant gynaecologist and frequency of pre-term births is not available. The Federation recorded around 1600 positive Kejriwal said if the lock- far, we will start the process of her baby. Dr Khan Amir he said. obstetrician at Fortis La and caesarean deliveries, prob- of Obstetric and Gynaecol ogi- cases and the positivity rate down is lifted now the gains unlock from May 31," he said. Maroof, Professor, Department Further, he said, no specific Femme, Rosewalk Hospital ably due to maternal illness cal Societies of India has, how- of Community Medicine, precautions need to be taken by and Apollo Cradle Royale, said associated with COVID-19 ever, recommended that Covid University College of Medical lactating women in view of vaccination can also be done infection. If one has recovered vaccine should be given to Sciences and GTB Hospital, vaccination and the same pre- during any phase of menstru- from Covid infection, defer pregnant women as the risk of Vaccine drive INDIA CORNER Delhi, said there is no risk to cautions which apply to the al cycle. vaccination for 3 months from getting infected with Covid and the neonate from a vaccinated, general population are applic- "COVID-19 is not an indi- date of recovery," she said. mortality is high during this breastfeeding mother. able to them as well. cation for caesarean delivery She further said that if a pandemic," he said. to get faster Lockdown extended in from June: Puducherry till May 31 uducherry, May 23 (PTI) Maha: 8 bodies found in Raigad Maha CM The Puducherry gover Pnment on Sunday annou Centre should give district-wise PNS n MUMBAI nced extension of the ongoing suspected to be of barge victims lockdown till May 31 as COVID- PNS n MUMBAI Maharashtra Chief Minister 19 cases continue to soar in the Uddhav Thackeray on union territory. The two-week data of daily inoculations: Cong long lockdown clamped on May Eight unidentified bodies were Sunday expressed confi- found at three different loca- PNS n NEW DELHI the vaccine. there are no vaccines. dence that the vaccination 10 is to come to an end on May tions along the coast in Congress leader P "The fact that the number of drive would be expedited 24 midnight. Lt Governor Tamilisai Soundar arajan said the lockdown Maharashtra's Raigad district The Congress on Sunday Chidambaram said after Delhi daily vaccinations is declining after the state starts getting is extended till month end, beyond midnight of May 24. All and the police suspect they claimed there is shortage of suspended vaccination of 18- can only be attributed to the adequate supply of doses restrictions imposed from May 10 would continue and only essential could be of some of the victims vaccines in the country and 44 years age group because of shortage of vaccines," he from June. services such as vegetables would be available till noon every day, an of barge P305 that sank off the asked the Centre to put out dis- shortage of vaccines, there is alleged, urging Union Health Inaugurating a field train- official release said. Milk and essential services would continue to Mumbai coast in cyclone trict-wise data of those inocu- more bad news from Minister Harsh Vardhan to ing workshop titled be available and the government is keen that livelihood sources Tauktae, a police official said lated as state-wise data hides Telangana. "The Union Health meet Delhi Chief Minister Pediatrics COVID-19 , should not suffer any setback. on Sunday. Cyclone Tauktae fury last many facts. Ministry should put out a Arvind Kejriwal and sort out Thackeray said his govern- Out of the eight bodies Monday and was located on Congress leader Rahul daily statement of the number the issue. ment was relentlessly pursu- found on Saturday, five were the seabed on Saturday, a Gandhi also took a swipe at the of vaccinations administered The Centre says that there ing the issue of vaccine sup- 9th ‘Oxygen Express’ carrying 120 washed ashore in Mandwa, Navy spokesperson earlier prime minister, alleging that he district-wise every day. The are 1.6 crore doses of vaccines ply, adding that his govern- two in Alibaug and another said. is arrogant. number for the whole State available with the states, but ment was ready to make tonnes LMO reaches Bengaluru one in Murud, the senior offi- The death toll on the barge "One there is a pandemic, on hides many alarming facts," he several states including one-time payment for 12 cial from Raigad police said. rose to 66 with the recovery of top of that the leader is arro- said on Twitter. "Will the “no Karnataka and Delhi have crore doses for beneficiaries he ninth "Oxygen Express" "The bodies are yet to be six more bodies on Saturday, gant," he said in a tweet in shortage” Harshvardhan please stopped vaccinating the 18-44 in the 18-44 age group, who carrying 120 tonnes of Liquid identified," he said. while nine personnel are still Hindi, while citing a media answer the facts emerging age group citing shortage of account for six crore of the TMedical Oxygen (LMO), in 6 Local administration and missing, the Navy had said. report quoting a top official of from Delhi and Telangana," he vaccines, he said. state's total population.. containers has reached the city senior officials of the state Of the 261 personnel who Covishield maker Serum said. The former union minis- The Congress has been crit- "I am confident the vacci- this morning, South Western police have been informed were on barge P305 at the time Institute that WHO guide- ter said no vaccines have been ical of the government's vacci- nation drive will pick up Railway said on Sunday. So far, about the bodies, he added. of the incident, 186 have been lines on vaccine sticks were not administered in 29 out of 33 nation policy and slow pace of once the supply is smooth Karnataka has received 1,062.14 Barge P305 sank during the rescued so far, it had said. followed while announcing districts of Telangana because inoculation. after June," the CM asserted. tonnes of LMO by Rail. "The ninth Oxygen Express reached ICD Whitefield at 07:30 am today (May 23). It had started from Tatanagar, Jharkhand at 23:35 hrs on May 21," South Western Railway said in a release. A signal free 'Green MP: Man's body taken in Corridor' was created by the Railways to enable swift transport of Absence of medical resources forced this Oxygen Express, i.e. this train has run stoppage free, and has not had to wait for crossing/passage of another train, it said, garbage vehicle for last rites adding that this train has carried 6 Cryogenic Containers and each cryogenic container carried 20 tonnes LMO (total tonnage: 120 PNS n DEWAS tim, who was a resident of tonnes). Covid patients to fend for themselves: HC Rolupipalia village, had alleg PNS n NEW DELHI resulted in people scrambling The body of a 21-year-old man, edly committed suicide and for oxygen cylinders, oxygen who allegedly committed suicide, the body was being sent for Absence of medical resources concentrators, and in cases was taken for last rites in a last rites to a burial ground Ex- Mahila Cong chief Lathika forced COVID-19 patients to where a person has suffered garbage vehicle in Madhya from the mortuary of a local fend for themselves and look severe infection, for hospital Pradesh's Dewas district, health centre after post- Subhash to join NCP for oxygen concentrator as an beds, so that the person con- prompting the local civic admin- mortem. Sonkatch Muni ormer Mahila Congress chief alternative to liquid medical cerned could be put on a ven- istration to suspend its health cipality's chief municipal offi- Lathika Subhash, who had oxygen (LMO) and even pro- tilator. official and terminate the services cer Ravi Bhatt told PTI on Sun Ftonsured her head in protest and cure the device from overseas "The absence of adequate of three temporary employees. day that the civic body per- quit the Congress after being denied amid short supply, the Delhi medical resources forced per- The incident took place in formed the last rites of 67 peo- ticket to contest the recent Assembly High Court has said. sons infected with coronavirus, Sonkatch town on Saturday ple since April 18 this year. polls in Kerala, is all set to join the The court made the obser- their relatives and friends, to following which a video of it Referring to Saturday's inci- Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress vation while declaring as fend for themselves and thus, went viral on social media. dent, he admitted that the Party (NCP). The 56-year old Subhash "unconstitutional" the Centre's find necessary means for sur- In the video, some civic unclaimed body was sent for said she held discussions in decision to impose Integrated vival. The fact that enough employees were purportedly last rites in a garbage vehicle. this regard with NCP state chief P C Goods and Services Tax beds were not available in hos- seen dumping the body in an He said an inquiry has been Chacko and an official announcement would be made soon. (IGST) on oxygen concentra- COVID-19, challenging the rate his condition. pitals which, understandably, empty garbage vehicle. ordered into the incident and Interestingly, Chacko, a senior Congress leader and working tors which are imported by imposition of IGST on the A bench of Justices Rajiv were required for critically The opposition Congress taking a serious note of it, the committee member of the grand old party, himself had joined the individuals or received as gifts import of oxygen concentra- Shakdher and Talwant Singh patients, forced other patients hit out at the BJP over the inci- civic body's health department NCP earlier this month. Chacko had resigned from the Congress on for personal use. tors as gift for personal use. He took judicial notice of the fact to look for sources for supply dent, but the ruling party said in-charge was suspended and March 10, alleging group interest in deciding party candidates for The verdict came on a plea had said his nephew sent an that LMO was in short supply which provide a viable alterna- immediate action was taken by the services of three temporary the recent Assembly elections in Kerala.Subahsh saidNCP is a by 85-year-old Gurcharan oxygen concentrator for him as not only in Delhi but in all tive to LMO," the bench said in local civic authorities. employees, including a sanitary national party which comes from the Congress tradition and she Singh, who was suffering from a gift from the US to amelio- parts of the country which has its May 21 verdict. According to sources, the vic- supervisor, were terminated. has had a close relationship with Chacko since a young age. Maha: Doctor hit for botched Sisters Arrested For Online Contacts With Suspected ISI Agents SMS-based Remdesivir allocation in Karnataka PNS n BHOPAL matter. The women are now Pakistan for over a year over swab sample collection being questioning and the cre- social media platforms through arnataka which is PNS n PALGHAR (MBVV) police said. The Indore police have arrest- dentials of their Pakistani con- fake identities, the police allege. battling the second wave While collecting samples ed two sisters from the Mhow tacts are being verified, sources Their cell phones and other Kof COVID-19, has put in Several people were booked in of a woman, a part of the swab cantonment on suspicion of close to the investigation said. electronic equipment have place a SMS-based Virar in Palghar district on stick broke and remained espionage after they were The sisters, aged 32 and 28, are been seized, sources privy to Remdesivir allocation and Sunday for allegedly assaulting stuck in her nose, leading to allegedly found to be in touch school teachers based in Dr the probe disclosed. information system, aimed at a doctor of a private hospital her relatives abusing the para- with two Pakistani nationals Ambedkar Nagar, better Indore Inspector General curbing its blackmarketing and misuse."In order to bring after their kin faced discom- medical staff and hitting a doc- suspected to be operatives of known as Mhow, near Indore Hari Narayan Chari Mishra transparency in the allocation fort while being subjected to tor who arrived at the spot, a that country's spy agency, the city. said the local police and intel- of Remdesivir a tech-driven an RT-PCR test, Mira Virar police station official Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI). They have allegedly been in ligence agencies are jointly system has been developed and now the patient will get a SMS Bhayander Vasai Virar said. The police and Military Intelligence are probing the touch with the men from working on the matter. informing which hospital is provided the medicine against the SRF ID," Health Minister K Sudhakar said on Sunday. "In case if the #Remdesivir is allocated against the SRF ID & the hospital has not provided it to the patient, a facility is provided in the same link to New research records 8 more species of NCT snakes 1,001 new report it to the government. This will help govt in curbing Covid cases in blackmarketing & misuse of Remdesivir," he said in a tweet. PNS n NEW DELHI kukri, streaked kukri, common like the Wildlife Trust of India sandboa and saw-scaled viper. and Fauna Foundation of MiG-21 crash: NDA pays homage Eight more species have been The research, published in India. Thane, 52 added to the national capital's the American Journal “Reptiles Professor Dr Chirashree list of snakes after an extensive and Amphibians”, covered all Ghosh from the Department of more deaths to Sqn Ldr Choudhary five-year study conducted by eleven districts of Delhi, Environmental Studies, who PNS n THANE he National Defence researchers from the Delhi between January 2016 and supervised the research, said Academy (NDA) paid University. October 2020, through 376 documentation of urban biodi- With the addition of 1,001 Thomage to Squadron This has taken the number field surveys in various urban versity is an urgent require- new cases of coronavirus, Leader Abhinav Choudhary of snake species recorded in the forests, parks, private gardens, ment as latest statistics and the infection count in who died in a MiG-21 crash in capital to 23, updating the farms, vacant plots, lakes, and generated data on urban floral Thane district of Moga in Punjab a couple of 1997 list mentioned in the water bodies. and faunal biodiversity has Maharashtra has gone up days ago, an official said on book 'Fauna of Delhi' that is The findings were revealed not been compiled and docu- to 5,08,647, an official said Sunday. The Bison aircraft was widely used to track Delhi's last month. mented properly. on Sunday. on an operational sortie from native species, according to Data collection techniques “Rapid urbanization is heav- These new cases were Suratgarh in Rajasthan when it Gaurav Barhadiya, a researcher included pitfall traps, oppor- ily impacting the animal and reported on Saturday, he crashed in Langeana village on Thursday night. from the Department of tunistic encounters, nocturnal reptilian population, including said. The virus also A wreath-laying ceremony was organized at the Hut of Environmental Studies, Delhi road cruising, and road kills snakes. The future planning claimed the lives of 52 Remembrance on Saturday in honour of late Sqn Ldr Choudhary, University, who conducted the 329 snakes in 23 species and back tree snake, common trin- encounters. Secondary infor- should be inclusive of preser- more people, raising the with Lieutenant General Asit Mistry, Commandant of NDA, paying study. nine families. The new addi- ket snake, common cat snake, mation on snake rescue has vation of its green spaces and death toll in the district to homage along with others, a statement from the premier military The study recorded a total of tions are -- common bronze- barred wolf snake, common also been taken from NGOs wildlife,” she said. 8,820, he said. institution said. VIJAYAWADA | MONDAY | MAY 24, 2021 06

www.dailypioneer.com facebook.com/dailypioneer | @TheDailyPioneer | instagram.com/dailypioneer/ PAPER WITH PASSION The genesis of the Hasty decision? Our vaccination drive is sputtering, and now there are doubts over the time gap between the doses Israel-Hamas scuffle PRAFULL GORADIA hould the Indian Government reconsider its May 13 decision to increase the gap between Covishield doses to 12-16 weeks? The Government has accept- The various sides claiming to be the rightful owners of the land of Sed the recommendation of the technical group to extend the gap from six-eight weeks after reports that the second dose after a longer gap can develop stronger immunity. NITI Aayog member VK Paul said the efficacy of even a single dose was Palestine, or Judea, have their sharp arguments at the ready not a problem. A month earlier, Adar Poonawalla of the Serum Institute of India had said the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine was 90 per cent effective when the gap was ho has the superi- or right over three months. The Indian Government got a shot in the arm when scientist Andrew Palestine or, say, Pollard, who co-developed the AstraZeneca vaccine with Sarah Gilbert at the Oxford Judea? Hamas per seWis an authorised organisation University, said that a three-month interval produces “very good” protection; this gets even better with but it does represent the Arab point of view. Just as the Israeli a longer interval from three to four months. forces are acting on behalf of However, within days of India extending the gap, virtually Jewish sentiment the the UK Government, which was earlier following world over. Who provoked the a three-month gap, reduced it to eight weeks. This current clash and why or how, is a matter of detail. If only one was done because of concerns that an extended side were to get the whole of first dose may not be of help against the notori- Palestine, which side has a ous B.1.617 variant that was first discovered in more valid right to the owner- India. The Financial Times reported using the lat- ship of that land? I had an opportunity to dis- est UK data that a single dose “offered 33 per cent cuss this fundamental issue protection against symptomatic infection from with a few educated Jews as B.1.617.2 and 51 per cent against B.1.1.7”. These well as Arabs and, believe it or are the mutants of B.1.617. Both doses together reduced this gap in protection to not, also with an Israeli six percentage points, giving 81 per cent protection against B.1.617.2 and 87 per Christian couple when we were visiting Jerusalem a few years cent against B.1.1.7. ago. The Arab viewpoint was The Cornell University’s Weill Cornell Medicine community said the UK that we have lived in Palestine Government’s decision to delay the second dose was controversial and risky and the for centuries and the fewer Jews Indian policy needs “reconsidering”. A virologist of the centre said a single dose does who were here were treated Where else could we go and preached in Judea, was break down and weep. well by us. There was no ten- resettle, and why should we? betrayed and crucified on Please remember that we not give enough protection against B.1.617. India is in an unenviable situation as on sion, no rioting and no fight- Remember our Prophet, rid- Calvary Hill. The lady was have no other country that we date. The vaccination for 18+ has either stopped or is at a snail’s pace. There is vac- ing. Even when we saw ing Barukh the horse, more articulate and she can call our homeland and go cine shortage in the country since the last week of April. From a total of 2.47 crore shiploads of Jews arriving in ascended to Heaven to meet pleaded fluently. She asked to. We have had to roam all vaccinations in the week of April 3-9, it has come down to 92.1 lakh during May 15- the late 19th century and early Allah the Merciful from me: “So, you judge, is it an over the world like gypsies years of the 20th, we did not Jerusalem and returned at Arab area by right or more since we had no place of our 21. Of the 19.33 crore people who received vaccination till May 22, only 4.13 crore resist. We might not have wel- the same place in two days. Christian? The Jews are nice own. Muslims have nearly 57 received both doses. Delhi, for instance, has halted vaccination in the 18-44 age group comed them warmly but we That also makes the city one to us Christians here.” countries; they have no prob- centres, claiming shortage. Against a demand of 80 lakh doses a month, it got only took them as people of the of our holiest ones. Until a The several Jews I got to lem, why harass us with one-fifth, or 16 lakh doses, in May. Full relief is not available till July end when the Book or ahl al-kitab. They call few decades ago, our namaz talk to on the subject were bombs and missiles from our first prophet Abraham, we used to be read facing clear that they had the first time to time? At present, it is SII would have reached ramped up production capacity. And yet, the Government is call him Ibrahim; their biggest Jerusalem. Only recently the right to Judea. They the Hezbollah; tomorrow it confident of vaccinating all adults by this year’s end as 16 crore doses would become prophet was Moses, whom we mehrabs in the masjids point belonged here before they could be the Hamas and the available in July and 25 crore in October. Where does this confidence emanate from? call Musa and respect him. So to Mecca. Above all, the went to Egypt for employ- day after another group. It may be too soon to say if the delayed dose policy is a definite risk, but there are we were cordial. whole of Palestine is ours IT WAS THE BALFOUR ment but, unfortunately, the Palestine should have been It was the Balfour legally by adverse possession Pharaoh trapped and reserved for us Israelis. That no second thoughts on the need for scaling up vaccination. Declaration of 1917 which for centuries. DECLARATION OF 1917 enslaved us. When Prophet would have averted so much gave us Arabs a jolt. Britain Quite accidentally, soon WHICH GAVE THE Moses after long years liber- of our suffering, anti- PIC then was a big imperial power after listening to these Arab ARABS A JOLT. ated us, he brought us back Semitism, pogroms and all TALK and Prime Minister Lloyd gentlemen, I bumped into a to Judea. He was a great soul that. It has been nice of us to George had blessed the decla- Christian couple at the hotel BRITAIN THEN WAS A and wrote the five books of let others stay in Israel and be ration which promised the who claimed that their fam- BIG IMPERIAL POWER the Torah. In fact, there happy. Half of Palestine is still Jews a homeland, by implica- ily always belonged to were no Islam in this world theirs. “What more, sir?” one tion, in the Holy Land. As the Palestine and, since 1948, AND PRIME MINISTER until 14 centuries ago where- of them asked. 20th century progressed, more the parents became Israelis. LLOYD GEORGE as the Jewish right to this When I raised the issue of shiploads of Jews started com- They said they were happy HAD BLESSED THE land is thousands of years adverse possession they have ing in. That is when the ten- in Jerusalem which should old. Jerusalem was founded enjoyed in Palestine for cen- sions started between us and belong to Christians, if at all, DECLARATION WHICH by us, we believe. Our tem- turies, the answer was ready the Jews. In due course, we not to Muslims just because PROMISED THE JEWS ple on the mount was built and reflex. You mean that came to know that they were of the Al Aqsa Mosque A HOMELAND, BY by our ancient kings but because I stole your grandfa- also importing arms and which celebrates Prophet demolished by ther’s watch 30 years ago, it is ammunition. That left us no Muhammad’s journey to IMPLICATION, IN THE Nebuchadnezzar II of legitimately mine now? You choice but to get military help Heaven and back. On the HOLY LAND Babylon. We rebuilt it and it have no right over it? How from the neighbouring Arab other hand, Jesus, the son of was destroyed by another would you feel? countries. After all, Palestine God, was born at invader. Now only the (The writer is a well- belonged to the Arabs who had Bethlehem, a few miles from mount is there on whose known columnist and an been in a majority for cen- Jerusalem. The Lord spent Wailing Wall local as well as author. The views expressed turies; it is our homeland. his life around here, visiting Jews pray, often are personal.) LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SOUNDBITE Cardinals pray as Pope Francis celebrates a Pentecost Mass inside St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican AP WITHER THE CONGRESS PARTY? The Government is Sir — Today, the Congress is a party with- committed to making out any active cadres and is saddled with a Sunderlal Bahuguna, a visionary the State drug-free by lifeless leadership. Unless the Gandhis vacate adopting a multi- Corona’s cost pronged strategy. their position at the top, fresh blood and ideas construction of big dams, like the Tehri dam, won’t flow into the party and it won’t be seen and sat on two long hunger strikes. His 4,800- Inconvenience, rising prices, job and revenue losses as a serious player in national politics. km Kashmir to Kohima foot march in 1981- Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister — Jai Ram Thakur are the byproducts of the continuing lockdown Can its soul-searching begin now, at 82 was an awareness drive to save the least? For the Congress and its leader Rahul Himalayas from deforestation. or more than a year now, the Corona pandemic has been playing havoc with Gandhi, the recent election results are a grim His life was devoted to the protection and Pakistan desires people’s lives and livelihood. Hundreds of thousands of people have died with- reminder that they have no viable politics conservation of forests in the foothills of the normal relations with India; however, the in the year, and many have been rendered homeless. The pernicious virus has going for them at the moment. Rahul has to Garhwal Himalayas. By mobilising the region’s F rethink his freelancing, footloose politics and womenfolk who embraced trees in order to pro- onus is on India to not only impacted individuals, but also businesses and normal life. The lockdown, the recent verdicts are no indication that a tect and preserve them from the onslaught of create an which had been seen as an effective tool in the fight against the virus, is now show- national-level alternative is in the making. commercialisation in the then Chamoli district atmosphere to enable meaningful engagement. ing side effects. It has brought the nation’s economy to almost its knees. Many indus- The Congress would do well to try and of UP, he and the other activists brought about lead the formation of like-minded Opposition tries, like aviation and tourism that provided a huge number of jobs, have been maimed. a transformation in the people’s attitude Pakistan Foreign Minister parties. It should also take care of the rum- towards their immediate environment and, in The indicators suggest that the economy of the coun- ith the passing away of well known envi- — Shah Mahmood Qureshi blings in its Punjab unit and revive the prac- no time, spread to other States. It was only due try is going through a grim phase and the lockdown tice of annual organisational sessions, invit- ronmentalist and Gandhian Sunderlal Bahuguna, also known as Vrikshmitra to his valiant efforts that the cutting of trees I’ve learnt so much is partially responsible for it. The biggest effect of ing mass leaders from across the country, to W was banned in 1981 by the then Government. be able to hope to reach the grassroots. It is across the world, the country has lost a true living in India, and I the lockdown has been psychological as many peo- son of the soil. He was one of the pioneers of In recognition of his efforts, he was con- feel blessed about it. evident that Sonia will not have anyone other ferred with the Jamnalal Bajaj Award in 1986 ple have postponed their business decisions or cur- than Rahul as the party’s president but he does the Chipko Movement, a tree-embracing cam- The struggles have tailed their operations, leading to more job losses not want to take the chair. The party must paign in the 1970s, to save trees in the and the Padma Vibhushan in 2009. His truly been worth it. and weaker purchasing power in the hands of the enlarge its footprint by bringing in new ideas, Himalayan region. immortal words, that “soil, water and air, the gifts of forests, are the foundation of life”, sum people. On the one hand, people have lost jobs and new talent and, most importantly, greater In fact, his never-say-die attitude, extra- Actor national participation by way of bigger ordinary ability to communicate as a journal- up the selfless path of harmonious living with — Elli AvrRam their source of livelihood; on the other, the prices of crowds and campaigns to change the public ist, social activist and following the tenets of nature and its protection that he chose in order essential commodities are on the rise. This comes perception about it. “simple living and high thinking” raised his to make the planet a better place to live in. For me, Ravindra as a double whammy for the people. Yash Pal Ralhan | Jalandhar stature to an iconic figure. He was against the Vijay Singh Adhikari | Nainital Jadeja will be the For instance, mustard oil that sold for around X-factor (in the WTC AN EXERCISE IN FUTILITY on the people’s sufferings due to the brutal mucormycosis under the Epidemic Act. final). He's been in ` ` dal spread of Coronavirus and to work in part- The SARS-CoV-2 virus has given birth 120/litre is now selling at 180/litre. Arhar , Sir — The verbal duel between West Bengal terrific form in the which sold around `90 in March last year, is selling for around `110 a kg. Since nership for providing succour to them — to several new diseases; among them the Indian Premier Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the BJP ending on a sour note is disturbing. several expenses, like the home rent, cannot be curtailed, the daily earners are leav- at the Prime Minister’s COVID meeting in rapidly spreading infection post-COVID League. All in all, it appears to be a wasteful exer- recoveries is black fungus. If not treated in ing for their villages and hometowns. This has led to the migration of the work- the midst of the ongoing health emergency cise where Mamata threw tantrums and clearly reveals the existence of trust deficit time, the infection can turn fatal. Former England captain force in large numbers, having repercussions for various industries. The pandem- turned her ire on the Prime Minister, reveal- Shockingly, amid the rising cases of black between the Centre and the Opposition par- ing clearly that her interaction was only meant — Monty Panesar ic, let’s face it, is here to stay. We know that it will not go anywhere, anytime soon. ties. In fact, having shown disdain for every fungus infection, four cases of white fungus to settle political scores rather than working infection have been reported from Patna. The As we approach the end of the second wave, a third wave is staring us in the face; meeting called by the Prime Minister, with the real intention of meeting the chal- Mamata’s contention now that he deliberate- latter is considered more dangerous than While choosing a experts say in October, probably. So the businesses in the revival mode will face lenges currently being faced by our nation. project, I make it a ly bypassed protocol to insult the Chief KR Srinivasann | Secunderabad black fungus as it affects lungs as well as other another jolt then. It is not clear how much has the lockdown helped in containing Ministers at the meeting appears far-fetched. parts of the body. To beat these fungi, check point to choose the disease. In Delhi, the number of cases rose and fell with the rest of the coun- stuff that will blow Mamata’s intervention and not allowing WE MUST FULFIL OUR DUTY, TOO the local advice where you live and work. me and not let me try despite the lockdown. However, the Government doesn’t seem keen on lifting a district magistrate of her State to air his Sir — The Bengali proverb, “Nere beltola Don’t forget that it’s our duty to save ourselves sleep a couple of the lockdown. People are already questioning the rationale for going ahead with the views on the best practices adopted in the lat- ekbar-e jaye (A scalded dog fears even cold from these killer diseases. days before we ter’s district to contain the pandemic once Bidyut Kumar Chatterjee | Faridabad shoot, and this is bang on. lockdown in Delhi when the positivity rate is 3.5 and the total deaths recorded have again revealed her disruptionist agenda, water)”, is applicable as the Narendra Modi come down to less than 2,500 a day. It is not only inconvenient to the people but besides her intent to pin down the Prime Government has promptly directed all the Send your feedback to: Actor also a great revenue loss for the country. Minister. In short, a meeting — called to focus States to notify the cases of black fungus or [email protected] —Sunil Grover VIJAYAWADA | MONDAY | MAY 24, 2021 07 www.dailypioneer.com facebook.com/dailypioneer | @TheDailyPioneer | instagram.com/dailypioneer/ FIRSTCOLUMN The challenge is the SEEKING DIRECTION IN RUSHING WATERS missing compassion MANOJ KUMAR JHA Many protocols in these testing times are at different stages of evolution There were no lessons learnt from the first wave of the pandemic. Now, though we remain united in grief, the hollowness of several institutions stands exposed he last eight to 10 weeks have shaken the very foundation of how we perceived and GAUTAM deconstructed the 'idea of India.' For all our VINAYSHIL commitment to inclusive development andT 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,' hopelessness and OVID times will someday get chronicled.The coverage will have a special place in history. The experience will add to despair are writ large - irrespective of our class hier- human endeavour to be healthy. The responses to the virus archies. From the power elite in themetropolitan C centres to ordinary citizens in the peripheries, sud- have been diverse in different parts of the globe. Solutions in the denly we havebeen caught unawares; howeverunit- field to meet the situation have somethings in common, but much ed in grief. But this united-in-grief moment has in diversity. Understandable because of the changing variables exposed us to the hollowness of the institutions we in different countries in terms of sophistication of technology, appli- thought were robust. cation of science and how exhaustive planning is. And then there Whilethe first wave of Covid-19 last year is the pharmaceutical sector, evolving from drug producer to vac- brought out the vulnerabilities of the working- classpopulation, particularly the labourers and cine creator, its profit motive never completely written off. migrant workers, thesecond wavetranscended these class hierarchies and barricades and engulfed the entirenation. Visuals of people helplessly running for ICU beds, oxygen cylinders, and external insti- tutional support shall remain etched in our collec- tive memoryforever. The spin doctors of the estab- lishment have been playing around with data, num- bers, statistics. Still, the nation's 'collective conscience' does not always accept manipulation from a regime or its para-troopers. An alternate discourse is being woven around empty catchphrases of 'incul- cating positivity,' especially when a large part of the nation grieves in want of some recognition and There are many protocols for response to COVID circulatin- assurance, let alone timely assistance. gin the world. From the World Health Organisation to the des- Sadly,the establishment has repeatedly failed to WE MUST take cognizance of how the nationand its people are REMEMBER THAT ignated bodiesin nation states they all have some kind of a pro- evolved enough to deconstruct the 'subjectivity' COUNTING OUT, tocol they have adopted. In India, the protocol which has the behind the objectivity of data. Those in power must NEGATING AND highest authority is that of the Indian Council of Medical Research. remember the deaths and cases are no longer dis- VILIFYING THE Instead of comparing protocols, it is purposeful to realise that tant or remote. The nation, her people - the most OPPOSITION DENTS each one is a sincere effort to find a solution in terms of the important actors in a democracy can now see, wit- A NATION'S IMAGE empirical evidence available to that given agency. It also depend- ness, and perceive the casualties up-close - not in AS A DEMOCRACY. son research competency. a detached or a clinical manner, which the dispen- THERE ARE sation would like us to interpret as. Most regrettably, Possibly,several of these respected protocols are among INSTANCES GALORE it will be a travesty of truth to club Covid-19 deaths WHEN capital,elementslike trust, faith, less if there is no feedback mecha- - essential to physical, emotional, and themselves at different stages of evolution. Illustratively, in one and deathstaking place as a result of scarcity of empathy, and confidence. nism between the transmitter and the mental healing. Simply put in the research environment an elevated D-Dimer, (a sign of throm- POLICYMAKING healthcare services and delayed treatments. An over- AND LEGISLATING Onecan never overlook that receiver. Least of all the prime min- context of these haunting images of bosis), is taken as something which has to be responded to whelmingly high number is reported to have said ARE BEING DONE while the pandemic was ravaging dif- ister and his team can do is to devel- the destruction caused by the second with anti-coagulants of different types, compositions and poten- goodbye to their near and dear ones on account of ferent parts ofIndia, supposedly the op the art of listening. wave what people from the hinter- abysmal health infrastructure. Covid-19 first hit us WITHOUT THE world's largest political party, was We must remember that count- land to the big cities need to listen cy. In another environment, research points out the abundant SLIGHTEST use of ambulation, plenty of fluid intake and letting nature take in 2020. For a country that has a 90 percent-plus keen on proving its political- ing out, negating, and vilifying the to from the government is --We are workforce employed in the informal sector, a coun- PRETENCE OF prowess.Words of caution from oppositiondents a nation's image as sorry!! its course. In certain other environments, response to Covid try whose mainstay is agriculture; having not con- DELIBERATION. AS diverse sections of the civil society a democracy. There are instances In times of unprecedented col- requires quick use of steroids. The pros and cons of these sidered warning signals hinting at a poor emergency A RESULT, THE and the oppositionwerenot only galore when policy-making and leg- lective grief, healing demands much approaches cannot and need not be analysed here. More to the health care system, inadequate rural capacities, lim- JUDICIARY HAS ignored but ridiculed. Suggestionsor islating are being done without the more than premeditated wet eyes point, it is this lack of uniformity which can and does cause a ited oxygen infrastructure, and grave implications HAD TO INTERVENE ideas for course correction offered by slightest pretence of deliberation. As from the top.It demands an imme- problem in the range of responses. of Covid-19 on villages and the urban poor -such TO ENSURE THAT anybody, whether a former Prime a result, the judiciary has had to inter- diate course correction at every Add to it the fact of bulging numbers and how there are absolute lack of preparedness cannot ever be for- THE EXECUTIVE Minister or anypolitical leader, vene to ensure the basic executive level. It requires assessing the huge FUNCTIONS simply not enough qualified doctors. Apart from the sheer num- gotten or forgiven. wereeither ignored or passed off as functions properly and saves lives. gaps in the public health infrastruc- Amature democracy can withstand the gravest PROPERLY AND some 'tool-kit.' Regrettably, 'they' do The critical observations made by ture and work on addressing them bers of patients, it is also because physical examination has of challenges because people, asactive participants SAVES LIVES not wish to change their priorities different High courts shall remain a at a war footing. All ambitious pro- become a rarity and teleconsultation has become the norm. It in democratic processes feel they have a stake in even amid a pandemic costing us living testimony to these impossibly jects including the central vista be put ultimately boils down to chance as to what kind of doctor one it.However, substantive participation of people is socially, economically, and psycho- difficult times when personal grief on hold and all the resources be has access to. It is these issues that will ultimately determine only possible when democracy isperceived to be an logically. Voices of opposition or dis- transcended into a state of collective diverted to protect life and save liveli- the effectiveness of the response to the disease. entity that does not expire right after the counting sent within or outside the parliamen- despair reeking of abandon, neglect, hoods. Failing which the grief can Each patient is unique and whereas standard protocols do days ofelections. For very long, we have been tak- tary structure are denigrated. Limited and apathy. turn into anger at a level where it shall go a distance they do not necessarily enable an organic pro- ing pride in overstating 'we are the largest democ- attempts at consensus-building are The people of this country des- be impossible for the regime to racy' without paying any heed to what constitutes- seen - efforts that would have been perately sought their elected govern- contain or deal with. It is amusing to gression that can fully respond to a patient's need. When this the distinction between 'the largest' and 'the great- The author is Member more inclusive, collaborative, and ment at the centre to acknowledge see the audacity of some people who is coupled with less than total reliability of the screening tests est.' These twosuperlatives mean different things, of Parliament (Rajya participatory for the regime that takes what should have been done but keep repeating -yes! The situation is of the disease, the level of confidence the line of treatment evokes and the disruption caused during thepandemic has Sabha), represents the pride in introducing concepts of could not be done.People also need- not good but what is the alternative? becomes ambiguous. Under the circumstances, there needs told us in unambiguous terms that we have not only Rashtriya Janata Dal. 'cooperative federalism.' And it must ed to see a genuine sense of regret Who is the alternative? To all of them to be a far greater accessibility of medical solutions so that the failed thepeople that make our democracy but have The views expressed show in action that there is a distinc- and remorse so they could have a piece of unsolicited advice-When patient has an intelligent choice of what works for him or her. shaken the veryfoundations of ourcollective con- are personal. tion between dialogue and mono- found some consolation, empathic people become an alternative the sciousness and all that constitutes our social logue. Communication is meaning- resonance, and a sense of ownership question is over. One can make out some of the complexities of and short- comings in our Covid responses. Singapore, Taiwan and now in the United States of America have succeeded in overcoming POINTCOUNTERPOINT the problems. So much so that in parts of the US they are con- sidering stopping usage of masks, media reports say. The point is a simple:one has to collectively create a climate of evidence- A HIGH-LEVEL VIRTUAL MEETING IS BEING CONVENED I FAIL TO UNDERSTAND THE REASONING BEHIND HOLDING based protocols making allowances for individual characteris- WITH ALL STAKEHOLDERS TO DISCUSS THE PROPOSALS THESE EXAMS, NOT TO MENTION HAVING STRETCHED THIS tics of body system. There is no crash course to achieve this FOR THE CONDUCT OF EXAMS FOR CLASS 12. DECISION OUT FOR MONTHS. target. What can be done is strengthen a policy framework for — UNION MINISTER — CONGRESS GENERAL SECRETARY enabling it. It will take time. The journey must begin somewhere. RAMESH POKHRIYAL ‘NISHANK’ PRIYANKA GANDHI (The writer is a well-known management consultant of international repute. The views expressed are personal.) Leprosy must not be forgotten amid the pandemic Today, we can see parallels in discrimination and hostility between the COVID-19 patients and those affected by leprosy he 74th World Health Today an effective treat- and scattered hot spots of lep- published its new Global UN General Assembly in Assembly (WHA) takes ment exists in the form of rosy in many countries and Leprosy Strategy 2021-2030, 2010.But the real measure of Tplace from May 24 to multidrug therapy (MDT) some three-four million peo- which includes the ambitious success will be when princi- June 1. This year's gathering and with early detection and ple are living with visible targets of zero leprosy ples and guidelines accompa- is likely to dominated by treatment, the disease is com- impairments or deformities patients in 120 countries and nying the resolution are fully COVID-19, but here I want pletely curable. But if treat- due to leprosy. Meanwhile, a 70 percent decrease in new implemented.This must to talk about a different dis- ment is delayed, leprosy can the persistence of stigma and cases detected globally by include abolishing or amend- ease-leprosy-and a resolu- YOHEI SASAKAWA cause impairments to the discrimination can inhibit 2030. In order to achieve ing laws that discriminate tion that was adopted at the skin, nerves, face, hands and people from seeking treat- these targets, there will need on the grounds of leprosy, of WHA exactly 30 years ago. feet, and lead to permanent ment. to be commitments and which there are around 100 in This resolution called for disability. Together with Since becoming WHO financial support from gov- India. the elimination of leprosy as deep-seatedfearsand misper- Goodwill Ambassador for ernments; this is not some- Over the past half-centu- a public health problem at the ceptions about the disease, Leprosy Elimination in 2001, thing the WHO can achieve ry, in India, the government global level by the year 2000, this has subjected persons I have visited some 120 coun- on its own. is working diligently to com- with elimination defined as a affected by leprosy as well as tries and observed the situa- Concerning the rear bat the disease, and in the pri- prevalence rate of less than 1 their family members to tion on the ground for myself. wheel, I have worked hard to vate sector, NGOs such as the case per 10,000 population. It severe discrimination, which This has led me to think of have leprosy recognized Sasakawa-India Leprosy was a landmark resolution for The author is WHO continues to this day. leprosy in terms of a motor- internationally as a human Foundation and the the time. Goodwill Ambassador for Sadly, amid the coron- cycle: the front wheel symbol- rights issue since the early Association of People Leprosy, also known as Leprosy Elimination; avirus pandemic, we can see Following the 1991 WHA Unfortunately, this does not izes curing the disease, and 2000s when I first Affected by Leprosy (APAL) Hansen's disease, is a chron- Japanese Government parallels between the dis- resolution, elimination of mean that leprosy has disap- the back wheel represents approached the Office of the have an important role to ic infectious disease caused Goodwill Ambassador for crimination and hostility leprosy as a public health peared. eliminating discrimination. UN High Commissioner for play. But challenges remain. by the bacillus the Human Rights of toward COVID-19 patients, problem was successfully Each year, around Unless both wheels are turn- Human Rights. One result Especially now, during the Mycobacterium leprae. It Persons Affected by their families and health per- achieved at the global level by 200,000 new cases of leprosy ing together, we will not has beenthe resolution on COVID-19 pandemic, it is Leprosy; Chairman, The sonnel that has been report- the end of 2000, and almost are reported to the WHO, reach our ultimate goal of elimination of discrimina- important that we do not lose mainly affects the skin and Nippon Foundation. The peripheral nerves and is said views expressed are ed in different parts of the all countries, including India, withIndia accounting for zero leprosy. tion against persons affected sight of leprosy and continue to be one of the oldest dis- personal. world and society's attitudes have replicated that success at more than half of these. As regards the front by leprosy and their family to build on the progress eases in human history. toward leprosy. the national level. There are still endemic areas wheel, the WHO recently members, adopted by the made. VIJAYAWADA | MONDAY | MAY 24, 2021 Money 08 Markets to be guided by Corona Curfew restrictions impact retail sales; hygiene, instant food products pick up developments, trends this week PNS n NEW DELHI Retailers are having continued PNS n NEW DELHI growth in health and hygiene Benchmarks category products as well as in With earnings season largely closed the food, personal care and home coming to a close, equity mar- care items, but discretionary kets this week would be guid- previous trading categories like beauty and cos- ed by updates on the COVID- week with metics, fashion and apparels 19 front as well as global trends have been affected adversely for further direction, analysts robust gains, during the second wave of the said. enthused by a pandemic. Benchmarks closed the pre- Now, there is a renewed vious trading week with robust declining trend focus on healthy alternatives apparel, fashion and home "Of course, sales of the non- gains, enthused by a declining in Covid cases, such as ayurvedic toothpaste care categories, as they had essential category has been trend in COVID-19 cases in and juices, while instant foods stocked up their inventory in hit as you are selling only India, though the pace of the though the pace and ready-to-eat snacking March in anticipation of the food and other essentials. vaccination drive remains an of vaccination items with nutritional offerings upcoming season after having Because of that, categories overhang. are also seeing larger penetra- a good run rate in the January- such as fashion and home are "The entry of new vaccines drive remains tion. March quarter. impacted very high. in the market which will ease an overhang Moreover, value packs are "Spends have dropped in "We have stocks but sudden- supply crunch and a steady doing well his time as smaller high price point and non- ly sales have gone down. The decline in the new COVID packs of Rs 5 and Rs 10 have essential categories," METRO summer sales, which we were cases are factors boosting Equity markets may also tors on rotational basis would caseload and vaccination ramp Besides this, movement of witnessed a rise of up to 20 per Cash & Carry India MD and expecting in fashion, are now investor confidence in the mar- witness volatility this week further fuel the recovery," said up in the country in the near the rupee, foreign institution- cent across categories like bis- CEO Arvind Mediratta said. washed away," he added. ket. "Hence, the market will amid derivatives expiry on Ajit Mishra, VP - Research, term," said Binod Modi, Head - al investors' investment trend cuits, ketchup and jams, while Future Group, which oper- Daily essentials such as fresh continue to focus on COVID Thursday. Religare Broking Ltd. During Strategy at Reliance Securities. and Brent crude prices would the large and premium packs ates big format stores such as vegetables, staples and pulses; numbers to pump in more "We feel global cues will the last trading week, the 30- Grasim Industries, BPCL, Sun also be monitored by investors. have been affected as people Big Bazaar and has now shift- dairy products like milk; optimism... due to a relatively continue to dictate the trend in share BSE benchmark Sensex Pharmaceutical Industries and "Going ahead investors will are cautious about their dispos- ed mostly to home delivery ready-to-cook items such as quiet week for economic data," near future. The recent buoy- jumped 1,807.93 points or 3.70 Central Bank of India are among keep a close eye on COVID-19 able income. model, said sales in the non- dosa barters; packed foods said Vinod Nair, Head of ancy in banking and financial per cent. the few major companies sched- related development," said Besides, some retailers are essential category have gone such as noodles, pasta and Research at Geojit Financial stocks is certainly encouraging "Investors will continue to uled to announce their quarter- Sumeet Bagadia, Executive also facing the issue of excess down after the second wave pickles are selling well at Big Services. and participation of other sec- focus on trajectory of daily ly earnings this week. Director, Choice Broking. stocking in categories such as restrictions. Bazaar, he added.

MONEY MATTERS 5G to spur contractual staffing After NBCC MCX posts 41.31 per cent salvo, Jaypee's requirement in telecom sector CoC to meet fall in Q4 net profit PNS n NEW DELHI eading commodity bourse on May 24 MCX reported a 41.31 per The much-awaited 5G ser- Lcent drop in its consolidated vices roll-out is expected to PNS n NEW DELHI net profit at Rs 38.44 crore spur telecom contractual during the fourth quarter of the staffing over the next two The creditors' panel of 2020-21 fiscal on poor income. years and will emerge as a key Jaypee Infratech Ltd (JIL) Net profit stood at Rs 65.50 driver for hiring activities in will hold a meeting in the crore in the same quarter ONGC reaches out to the sector, according to a morning on May 24 to dis- previous fiscal, according to a senior official at TeamLease. cuss submissions made by regulatory filing released late on The Department of Telecom state-owned NBCC about Saturday. Net income declined on a consolidated basis to Rs 108.46 (DoT) already set the ball in its resolution plan, just crore in the fourth quarter of the 2020-21 fiscal from Rs 134.94 families of sunk barge motion for 5G trials earlier this before the start of the sched- crore in the same quarter previous year. Expenses remained lower at PNS n NEW DELHI the state-owned firm has month, when it approved "Telecom vertical is one of will be a clear impact for the uled voting process on On Rs 58.92 crore as against Rs 70.32 crore in the said period. Further, extended an immediate relief applications of telecom compa- the biggest markets for staffing next two years in telecom May 20, the Committee of MCX said its average daily turnover in commodity futures (including State-owned ONGC has start- of Rs 1 lakh to the survivors nies including Reliance Jio, industry...this was one of the industry in a positive way Creditors (CoC) approved index futures) on the exchange decreased by 13 per cent to Rs ed reaching out to families of and Rs 2 lakh to the deceased Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea verticals which grew even dur- with launch of 5G services, Suraksha group's bid and 31,823 crore in the fourth quarter of the 2020-2021 fiscal from Rs the dead, missing and sur- and missing persons' families, for conducting the trials. ing the COVID times, and I when it comes to economy rejected the offer made by 36,626 crore in the same quarter previous year. MCX observed that vivors of the private contrac- company officials said. According to Deval Singh, believe that trend will contin- and when it comes to labour NBCC, which on May 22, the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to spread tor-operated barge that sank in "Teams have formed which Business Head- Telecom, IT ue in 2021," Singh told PTI. market," Singh noted. shot off a strongly-worded across the globe including India. COVID-19 has taken its toll on not the Arabian Sea after being have started visiting the fam- and ITES, Media and The 5G roll-out in future As per TeamLease, the tal- letter to JIL's Interim just human life, but business and financial markets too. battered by a severe cyclone. ilies to hand over immediate Government, TeamLease will offer a boost to the econ- ent requirement by the indus- Resolution Professional While Indian Navy, Coast relief amounts," an official Services, the outlook for con- omy and to the labour market, try is expected to see 18 per (IRP) questioning his juris- Guard, ONGC teams and pri- said. "So far, 13 families have tractual hiring in the sector Singh said. cent growth this year, with pro- diction. According to Maruti, Toyota remain bullish vate contractor Afcons are been provided with the imme- remains positive, notwith- "The second wave is a little files ranging from technicians sources, the CoC meeting putting in all efforts to locate diate relief and the rest will be standing some ambiguities on ambiguous, so no one knows to installation engineers, and has been scheduled from 10 the missing personnel through handed over the cheques at the account of the second severe how the growth will be from civil engineers to project am till noon. on growth of used car biz sea vessels and aerial search, earliest possible. wave of COVID-19. shaped. Having said that, there managers, in demand. eading automakers Maruti Suzuki India (MSI), Mahindra & Mahindra Land Toyota Kirloskar Motor are bullish on the long-term growth prospects of their respective used car GST Council may decide on IGST Minosha India ‘MSME needs ‘right verticals even as the second wave of COVID-19 continues to pose severe challenges to the business aims Rs 300 activities across the country. The companies remain a bit on imported oxygen concentrators circumspect regarding the near-term situation owing to the PNS n NEW DELHI crore revenue kind' of relief package’ pandemic but expect the segment to grow on a long-term basis PNS nLUCKNOW loan, he added. As last time with personal mobility gaining acceptance amid the coronavirus The GST Council is its upcom- in three years some relief measures were pandemic."It is very difficult to predict how used car business will ing meeting, scheduled to be Lucknow, May 23 (PTI) taken specifically for the rural perform this fiscal year due to COVID situation. Demand for such held on May 28, is likely to take PNS n NEW DELHI Industry body Assocham has sector, a similar step once cars is there in the market but there is pressure on their availability a call on levy of 12 per cent tax demanded from the govern- again should be taken, the because of restrictions across states on account of lockdowns and on import of oxygen concen- Digital printing solution ment a 'concentrated and right Assocham president said. curfews," MSI Executive Director (Sales and Marketing) Shashank trators for personal use. firm Minosha India, for- kind' of relief package for "Certainly, there is a need Srivastava told PTI in an interaction.The auto major currently has The Delhi High Court last merly Ricoh India, is MSME sector, which was most for some kind of impetus at 570 True Value outlets across the country where it certifies the pre- week said that imposition of 12 expecting to generate a affected by covid-19 pandem- various levels and definitely owned cars it takes from various sources, including customers who per cent Integrated GST revenue of Rs 300 crore ic. more at the MSME level," said exchange their old cars for new Maruti models. (IGST) on oxygen concentra- in the next two-and-a- "Yes, there is a need for a Agarwal, who is also the man- tors for personal use or those half years by servicing relief package which has to be aging director of TCIL. received as gifts is "unconsti- globally managed directed very carefully. We at On the impact of the second tutional". accounts and sale of mul- Assocham believe that both wave of the COVID-19 pan- India challenges $1.2 bn Cairn The Court's observation Abhishek Jain, Tax Partner, may consider accepting the tifunction printers, a the Centre and the states need demic on the economy, he came on a plea filed by an 85- EY, said, the government had judgement and extending the senior company official to come together with certain said, "As we saw during the year old COVID patient whose already provided exemption benefit," Jain added. said. plans, so that we can give a first wave as well, the larger international arbitration award relative had sent oxygen con- from IGST on free import of AMRG & Associates Minosha India concentrated, focused and the companies were able to come ndia has challenged an centrator from the US. oxygen concentrators for Senior Partner Rajat Mohan Managing Director Atul right kind of relief to whoev- out of it much faster. We are international arbitration tribunal It also quashed a May 1 noti- COVID relief by any state said collecting tariffs on med- Thakker told PTI that er needs it the most," seeing that MSMEs are facing Iasking it to return USD 1.2 fication of the Finance government or any agency ical equipment, medicines, easing price competi- Assocham president Vineet a brunt of issues now. So billion to UK's Cairn Energy Plc Ministry which said that a 12 authorised by the state govern- and vaccines, scarcity of tion in the market is Agarwal told PTI on Sunday. many of them are facing on grounds that it had never per cent IGST will be levied on ment. which is leading to the death also bringing in stabil- Suggesting some measures, demand cuts. Some of them agreed to arbitrate over a oxygen concentrators import- "The Delhi High Court has of millions, is against the ity and margins in the he said banks should increase are not receiving their pay- "national tax dispute", the finance ed for personal use or gift. beneficially extended the nation's fundamental princi- enterprise printing working capital limit of ments on time. ministry said on Sunday. While the government appointed a judge Sources said the final deci- benefit of this IGST exemp- ples. business. MSMEs by 20 per cent but not "We also know that the on the three-member arbitration panel and fully participated in the sion on this issue would be tion to personal import as "Lowering prices for Covid "We have started ser- charge any extra collateral. commodity cycle has proceedings against India seeking Rs 10,247 crore in back taxes taken by the Council in its gifts for individual use as related material is needed, vicing some of the glob- Secondly, re-classification increased i.e., the prices of from Cairn, the ministry said the tribunal "improperly exercised upcoming meeting on Friday. well. Given the enormity of and neutralising tax on all ally managed accounts of NPAs of MSMEs should be commodities have increased, jurisdiction over a national tax dispute that the Republic of India Tax experts said that the the pandemic situation and as such imports is one such (GMA) of Ricoh in done, Agarwal said. which is impacting their cost never offered and/or agreed to arbitrate." India had seized and sold Council may decide to exempt a life saving measure and effective method that would India and expect more Thirdly, street vendors, small structure. Overall, on shares of Cairn in its erstwhile India unit, confiscated dividend due IGST on such imports as the given that the revenue loss for have an immediate trickle- to come over the period shopkeepers should be provid- MSMEs the impact has been and withheld tax refunds to recover the tax demand it had levied revenue implications would the government may not be down effect on the entire sup- of next few months. ed with some sort of relief, disproportionate in the econ- two years after passing a law in 2012 that gave it powers to levy tax not be much. significant, the government ply chain," Mohan added. direct benefit, working capital omy." retrospectively. Cairn invoked arbitration under the India-UK bilateral investment treaty. IHCL: Will have delivered Discoms' dues to gencos fall in March Gold saving funds see PNS n NEW DELHI Power producers give 45 over 3L meals by day-end days to discoms to pay bills for Rs 864-cr inflow in April PNS n NEW DELHI and the larger community are Total dues owed by electricity electricity supply. After that, old saving funds and gold integral to our culture of distribution companies to outstanding dues become over- exchange traded funds (ETFs) Tata Group firm Indian Hotels Tajness. In line with this, we power producers fell 3.4 per due and generators charge Gwitnessed net inflows of Rs Company Ltd (IHCL) on have created a structured and cent to Rs 78,379 crore in penal interest on that in most 864 crore in April amid uncertain Sunday said it will have deliv- holistic approach that covers March 2021 as compared to the cases. economic environment in the wake ered over 3 lakh meals to all our stakeholders," IHCL year-ago period, showing a To give relief to power gen- of the second wave of COVID-19. healthcare providers in 32 hos- MD and CEO Puneet said. reversal of discoms' growing eration companies (gencos), The positive inflow is expected to pitals and COVID centres The company's priorities in outstandings. the Centre enforced a payment continue in the financial year 2021- across eight cities by the end of this regard are preventing Outstanding dues of dis- security mechanism from 22 as the precious metal remains the day as part of COVID care infection, protecting lives, pro- coms towards electricity pro- August 1, 2019. Under this an under allocated asset in investor portfolios in these uncertain initiatives of the company. The viding support and persever- ducers have been increasing mechanism, discoms are times, Chirag Mehta, Senior fund manager- Alternative Investments company has once again start- ance in ensuring sustained year-on-year as well as month- declined from Rs 98,673 crore not cleared even after 45 days required to open letters of at Quantum Mutual Fund, said. Gold saving funds and gold ETFs ed its #MealsToSmiles initiative safety, he added. on-month for years showing in February and Rs 99,023 of grace period offered by gen- credit for getting power supply. have seen net inflow to the tune of Rs 184 crore and Rs 680 crore, from May 2, 2021, IHCL said. "This thrust includes the perennial stress in the power crore in January this year. erators, stood at Rs 67,417 The Centre had also given respectively in the month of April, according to data provided by The meals are being deliv- restarting of 'Meals to Smiles' sector till February this year. The PRAAPTI portal was crore as against Rs 68,587 some breathers to discoms for Morningstar India.This comes following net inflow of over Rs 3,200 ered in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, initiative from 2nd May. We Distribution companies (dis- launched in May 2018 to bring crore in the same month a year paying dues to gencos in view crore in gold funds in the entire 2020-21, while the same for gold Bengaluru, Goa, Hyderabad, will have delivered over 3 lakh coms) owed total Rs 81,116 in transparency in power pur- ago. of the COVID-19-induced ETFs was more than Rs 6,900 crore as per the data. "The sharp and Kolkata, New Delhi and meals by today evening to 32 crore to power generation chase transactions between The overdue amount stood lockdown. intense surge in coronavirus cases this year has fanned hopes that, Varanasi, it added. "At IHCL, hospitals and COVID-19 cen- firms in March 2020, accord- generators and discoms. at Rs 84,478 crore in February The government had also as an asset class, gold may continue to perform well in the current the health and safety of our tres across eight locations," ing to portal PRAAPTI . In March 2021, the total and Rs 85,490 crore in January waived penal charges for late environment.” employees, guests, partners Chhatwal said. The dues in March also overdue amount, which was this year. payment of dues. 9

Vijayawada Monday May 24, 2021 spirituality

Sachchidananda Swamiji, who was christened Satyanarayana by his parents, began organiz- Life is short, make ing satsangs that were dotted by discourses and bhajans (prayers of the Almighty). The small group had begun to swell. Lo and behold, in the age of technology, the Swamiji the most of it has over a crore of followers on his Facebook page. Even a small act The Swamiji’s “Sahasra Chandra Darsanam” — denot- ing the occurrence of 1,000 of kindness can full moons — will be the longest and the biggest cele- contribute bration in Datta Peetham and will be spoken of for decades towards your to come. Several vedic rituals are being performed by pun- moral progress, dits all over India since his 78th birthday in 2020 and says Rajyogi they will culminate in the gala celebrations of the seer’s 80th Brahmakumar birthday. The Ganapathy Nikunj ji for any other thing. Since the afore-men- Sachchidananda Swamiji’s tioned virtues are considered as sublime Ashram also organizes a veryone born would die one or angelic, people reward such a person unique event called Chaitanya day — a fact none can deny. generously with their heart-felt devotion Archana (worshipping of Another fact is that everyone and ever-growing respect. One of these enlightenment) in which emi- would be judged by one’s lessons could be learnt by asking the self nent personalities from differ- e actions. The recent deaths of this question: If a human being is a mere ent streams of knowledge are many notable personalities body and brain, whom do people pay felicitated on a grand scale. across the world during the pandemic homage to when the body and the brain In his bid to practice while witnessed a large number of VVIPs become dead? For whom do they pray preaching, the Swamiji, with a coming to pay their respectful homage, to the lord to give peace? If a person sin- single-point agenda of inspir- and of thousands of people expressing cerely believes that there exists no entity ing people to “stay home and their feeling of deprivation, show how other than the material, then where do stay safe”, delivered the dis- these personalities found a place in the the virtues or moral values, such as com- course of Mahabharatam in hearts of people by their certain uncom- passion, love, kindness... abide? Are Telugu every evening for over mon charismatic acts. These events of these the qualities of matter that take a year for two hours. This was the demise that saddened the hearts of some complex forms as a body and webcast live on the Facebook millions should indeed have provided brain? On what basis can one substanti- page of Avadhoota Datta people some moments for earnest intro- ate or establish the mere assumption that Peetham. spection and deep reflection on their these are qualities of things that are After staying continuously own personal life and acts. If people material? Aren’t moral considerations for a record 402 days within developed this into a sort of a good habit often in conflict with attractions that the Ashram, the Swamiji visit- to consider such occasions as hidden relate to flesh, thus, indicating that the ed Chanumdi temple on April reminders by the Cosmic Order, by two are separate? Does not sometimes a 12 and offered prayers. He whatever name it be known, they would person think of sacrificing life (body and took a holy dip in the Cauvery become more sane than mundane and brain) for a moral cause? Can a social followed by puja, commemo- profane. They would, gradually, be order be run merely on the belief that rating the completion of the uplifted to be themselves, the veritable man is an evolved form of matter? Do grand Mahabharata saints rather than pay only lip-service to the moral and ethical principles not per- BY A.SAYE SEKHAR Pravachana series. A robe saints and be lost in the strong surge of tain to something that aspires for a high- with names of a few devotees, grief and remorse. It has been well-said er and nobler order and makes efforts to who served the Swamiji with that every saint has a past and every sin- be above the bondages of the material ervice to the poor commitment, written on it ner has a future. So, such events, seen in world? and the needy will was offered to “Goddess a right perspective, could have served as If one argues with oneself on these or mark the birthday Cauvery”. Marking the culmi- rungs of a ladder to rise high. Death that similar lines and takes into consideration S celebrations of His SERVICE IS nation of Mahabharata gave their admirers a jolt, could have the reported accounts of reincarnations, Holiness Sri Sri Pravachana Deeksha, He took served to push them high but lethargic hypnotic regressions, near-death and Ganapathy a holy dip in the Ganga at as human nature is in this age, soon peo- out-of-body experiences, and the nature Sachchidananda Swamiji on Haridwar on May1. ple would return to their earthly ambi- of moral values that are meant to regu- May 26, this year. He will turn The Ashram, in its pursuit tions, petty objectives. Most would again late the body and the brain and are non- 79. CELEBRATION of service, offers donations to go into a deep slumber of ignorance as physical and of a higher order, then one With a profound hope that the physically challenged, the earlier. For, this also is a fact of life that will easily conclude that the real actor in the pandemic would end private) in the mornings and demic emergency medical kits 40-acre precincts near the economically backward, and the mood of giving up negative habits or the drama of life is a non-material entity, soon, Swamiji’s devotees are evenings in the city of Mysuru for traffic policemen in foothill of Chamundi Hills in to organisations that shoulder evil intentions is only evanescent and called the soul, self or atman. The body looking forward to the during lockdown, donating Mysuru. Each kit consists of a Mysuru, 55 years ago. the onus of social causes. like white froth on the surface of dirty serves the purpose of a costume and also grandiose festivity of ‘Sahasra hundreds of e-learning tabs to pulse oximeter, 12 masks, Sri Ganapathy Apart from the service ren- water. And very soon, one takes again to as an assemblage of instruments that are Chandra Darsanam’ of Sri enable poor schoolchildren to hand sanitizers, and medi- Sachchidananda Swamiji con- dered by the Ashram, many wanton and wild ways. required by the soul to act and to make Swamiji, the founding pontiff receive online education cines. siders his mother Jayalakshmi devotees individually and also Whatever be one’s philosophy of life, efforts. The body also serves as a medi- of Sri Avadhoota Datta through the world’s biggest Providing succour and Mata as his Guru who had ini- collectively make donations as the truth is that even a small act of kind- um for experiencing pleasure and pain. Peetham, when he turns 80 crisis caused by the novel solace to people, especially the tiated him into his spiritual their way of celebrating Sri ness paves the path of one’s moral If one adopts this truth, one would be next year. In fact, the run-up coronavirus are just a few to needy, through multiple ser- journey when he was barely Swamiji's birthday. progress. It enables one to pay one’s debt above all kinds of sorrow and miseries. for the celebrations began last name. vice activities has been the nine years old, before she Millions of devotees wish to the society, to leave a lasting impact This would also remind him/her that year, when the seer turned 78. The Ashram provided food hallmark of the Avadhootha passed on in 1951. Sri Ganapathy on the sands of time and to earn the this life can come to an end at any Providing food in about 20 to policemen on duty during Datta Peetham which moved With the divine blessings of Sachchidananda Swamiji a blessings of thousands or millions of moment and we should not postpone hospitals (government and the first wave of corona pan- to the serene and sprawling Sri Dattatreya, Sri Ganapathy very happy birthday. men and women. So, the reward for good acts but engage ourselves into these one’s virtues is greater than the reward soulfully. FUN

ARCHIE CALVIN AND HOBBES

GARFIELD REALITY CHECK SPEED BUMP CROSSWORD

NANCY

SUDOKU Yesterday’s solution

GINGER MEGGS

Rules l Each row and column can contain each number (1 to 9) exactly once. l The sum of all numbers in any row or column must equal 45. Follow us on @TheDailyPioneer facebook.com/ dailypioneer

Monday May 24, 2021 PARENTING IN THE INSTAGRAM ERA LESSONS WITH LOVE AND LIBERTY he coronavirus parenting tips, or just casual ceived her child, she wasn’t mommy of Vidya Nirvana Rapid-fire with the tain way because I don’t has created panic glimpses into her whole- yet ready, and was wonder- adds. celeb mommy: care, just do you across the globe, some life with her sweet lit- ing if it was too late for her Just to have the pre-domi- Your favourite children’s adding new tle family — Lakshmi to give her up to someone nant tweak of knowledge on Describe your parenting book you can’t stop reading T strains to fight Manchu sure knows how to who could take better care. kids, Laksmi Manchu came style Dr. Seuss with! India is now make the most of even the However, her really close up with the YouTube series At liberty Hours you spend on preparing itself for the third dullest of days. Parenting is friend from LA advised her Chitti Chilakamma while The one thing you would Instagram daily wave which, experts say, certainly a challenge but the to not make everything accrediting some approba- like to do with your daugh- I wake up with it could affect children more. Tollywood actress didn’t about the child and not lose tion to the privilege she’s ter post coronavirus Worst parenting advice that It is now time to brace one- force her daughter to adopt her own identity, but make grateful for as it led her to Travel a lot you’ve received self ahead of the storm while any traditional discipline the baby a part of her, and some child development Being a parent in the ‘Why is she sitting like that’, children have been locked techniques forcefully trying that stuck by her to date. experts. A few of the actress’ Instagram era Don’t pres- change the attitude, don’t inside the houses for over a to undermine any of her “She also told me that the friends are mums too and sure your kid to dress a cer- raise the girl to be demure. year now, with schools being aspirations at such a tiny child doesn’t know anything seem to be so exhausted, so shut and lockdowns being age, neither forged a shaky better but learns from what she decided to consolidate imposed. One of the things framework but rather is you teach him or her. all she’s learnt, onto one we can reflect on, during building a solid foundation Hence, I remember when platform for both the south- this time, is the value of for the most valued, life- she was months old, she was ern states, because it’s all connection! long bond. legit my weight tool as I about giving back, according Many celebrity parents “I am just trying to stay practised my kick-boxing to her. It’s all about raising have turned to homeschool- afloat with all the uncertain- sessions! They are like your children with love and ing amid the pandemic. ty and insecurities looming sponges, it’s not what you freedom and not with fear Above all, managing chil- around us, my close-knit tell them but the actions that and suppression, she says in dren’s challenging behav- family keeps me sane these you enact. She even started a live session with iours along with an increase days. At times, yes, we do crawling with the help of a ‘Kidstoppress’, a discovery in work from home hours wanna kill each other but it medicine ball! If I am medi- platform for parents found- and added care responsibili- all boils down to that love tating, she’ll come and sit by ed by entrepreneur Mansi ties have been very hard and that keeps us all bound. This my side. I am not aware if Zaveri. exhausting for many mums. simplicity is the factor that is she’s doing it correctly or The mother of a six-year- As you must have noticed, giving me those vibes of not, but she’s dedicating 2-3 old daughter certainly feels Tollywood actress Lakshmi normality,” shares the actress minutes in deep silence. Her it is important to have a Manchu’s Instagram feed is who has also been a televi- birth has taught me how healthy dialogue with chil- flooded with videos, images, sion presenter, on how is she kids are so limitless, so why dren around what is hap- and posts of her enjoying dealing with the second put them in any boundaries. pening. her routine life, making the wave currently. I always keep the door open “Looking at content where most of the small moments Everybody’s going gaga for her, nothing like ‘oh we can do partake in activi- with her daughter, and also over the actress’ workout Amma is busy/reading’. She’s ties and address our chil- sharing messages of empow- videos with her little girl in a way like my blanket, I dren’s problems, give us erment! Whether it’s putting online. So how did she throw her onto me and she’s more tools and power to up posts about self-love, fun instill that in her? Laxmi with me all along because handle our children,” she videos with her daughter, reveals that when she con- she’s so easy to be with,” the concluded. Teens' trials and tryst Mesmerising with a message

um Bewafa audience’s heart with brought popular actors song is about Arjun pressure, he marries Ho is the his superb work! From Arjun Bijlani and Nia getting married for the another girl and has to latest hit working with top- together. “It was amaz- second time since his stay with two wives. with the lockdown T song by notch singers like ing shooting with first wife, personated It’s an all-out emotion- Navjit Jubin Nautiyal, Vishal Arjun and Nia as they by Nia is infertile, so al romantic song.” he ongoing Buttar, Mishra, Jassie Gill, and both are remarkable his parents pressurise Since the song is shot Covid-19 pan- who’s well known for Diljit Dosanjh, to giv- performers”, Navjit him to marry someone in Himachal Pradesh, demic has his quality work, and ing some video of says of them. else again, for a baby. the locations in the accelerated the is leaving no stone everlasting chart- On spilling beans So it revolves around song too, are mes- T creation and unturned to touch the busters, for the first about the new song how he loves his first merising, with a beau- evolution of a right chord of the time ever he has Navjit shares, “The wife but due to family tiful message! new socio-technical envi- ronment around the world. Lockdowns spurred an unprecedented surge in online communication as people moved school, work, and social lives online. In the midst of lock- downs, teens explored and analysed their own experi- ences of connection dur- ing this unparalleled time of social isolation. With the sudden shift to virtual distancing orders forced relaunch our experiment, internet access for school, learning and restrictions them to disconnect from and think through the work, and socialising — on in-person gatherings, everything but technology, ways that technology can things which many others they wanted to explore it was a perfect opportuni- and can’t connect us when in their communities and how their reliance on tech- ty to reconvene and we’re physically isolated. around the world don’t nology and networked People often assume have. devices for communica- that teens have an uncom- At the same time, after tion and socialisation plicated relationship with examining their own expe- affected their sense of technology. Yet, this is riences of using networked connection to not always the case, technologies during the themselves and especially for young first lockdown teen others. people who are researchers concluded that The teens had marginalised. connecting over comput- originally come Certainly, the ers can only connect you India’s art fraternity raises together to youth members so much. Although they learn more of the research continued to chat online about their rela- team Youth with their closest friends, tionship with Participatory the link between them and Rs 2 crore for Covid relief technology by Action Research their wider community of disconnecting project, were the peers was much more dif- from their devices first to admit that ficult to maintain virtually. support and daily sustenance for a week and they had it easy dur- Reflecting on this loss, one to those living on the margin, tracking the impact ing the first lockdown: research team member having encountered great this had on them. safe houses to live in, said, “Normally I would loss, and/or in need,” said When pandemic-related families for company and consider myself to be Saffronart. stay-at-home and physical support, and, sufficient friends with people that I Saffronart CEO and Co- would see and talk with at founder Dinesh Vazirani school, or at extracurricu- said, “This auction was made The sale was led by an lars. Now, I only have fre- possible thanks to the untitled work by Amrita quent contact with very indomitable spirit of the Sher-Gil, which sold for Rs few people that I am close Indian art community that 15.88 lakhs, nearly doubling with, and I am missing out joined hands to raise funds to its lower estimate. on talking to these other assist the NGOs doing criti- Other highlights include a people. I do not know rt Rises for India, donated by artists, gallerists, cal work at the grassroots 2015 oil on canvas by A them well enough to a 24-hour no- collectors and patrons to sup- level during these unprece- Ramachandran, which sold Facetime them one-on- reserve, online port the cause. dented times. We sincerely for Rs 7.32 lakhs, and Nilima one, or to have a lengthy fundraiser auction All the proceeds from the thank the artists, gallerists, Sheikh’s Wakeful Night 4, conversation online.” A has raised over Rs auction, including the and collectors who have gen- 2021, which sold for Rs 7.26 Even though these teens 2 crores to assist reduced Buyer’s Premium, erously donated artworks for lakhs. had access to a lot of tech- on-going Covid-19 relief will be donated to nine grass- this fundraiser auction as Among the contemporary nology and by extension, efforts in the country. roots non-profit organisa- well as the members of the works, Imran Qureshi's work the ability to communicate According to the auction tions: Goonj, Hemkunt art community who have on paper titled ‘When I online with others — house Saffronart, bidding Foundation, YUVA, Dastkar, enthusiastically bid on the Thought of You’, 2017 sold being so physically discon- from across the globe result- FICA, Khoj, Street Survivors, artworks to contribute. We for Rs 12.27 lakhs; N.S. nected felt incredibly lone- ed in all lots being sold. Aangan and Charaka. are humbled by their partici- Harsha’s ‘Beginning’, 2019 ly. As we readjust to life as The sale featured over 120 “These teams deserve a pation that has allowed us to sold for Rs 6.57 lakhs; and the pandemic moves works of modern and con- special recognition for their raise over rupees two crores Atul Dodiya’s ‘Houseboat’, towards some kind of res- temporary South Asian art incredible work on the to further aid Covid-19 relief 2013 - 2019, a watercolour on olution, let’s ensure we which were generously ground to provide medical efforts across the country.” paper, sold for Rs 3.01 lakhs. protect that real world! VIJAYAWADA | MONDAY | MAY 24, 2021 sport 11

shortpasses ASIA CUP POSTPONED TO 2023 DUBAI: The 2021 edition of the Asia Cup will India will be more conditioned for WTC final: Taylor now be held in 2023 due to a lack of window in a rejigged cricket calendar that is constantly subject to change amid an evolving Covid-19 Kiwi batsman feels IPL suspension gives Virat & Co more time to prepare for WTC Final situation. PTI n LONDON SWANSEA TO FACE BRENTFORD LONDON: Swansea and Brentford will meet enior New Zealand bats- WTC final result for a £180 million place in the Premier man Ross Taylor feels League after winning their Championship Sthe suspension of the IPL play-off semi-finals on Saturday. Swansea “played into India’s hands”, clinched a 2-1 aggregate success against giving Virat Kohli’s team more will depend on Barnsley thanks to a 1-1 draw at the Liberty time to get acclimatised to Stadium in the second leg. English conditions before next month’s World Test TEENAGE ATLETICO FAN DIES Championship final. conditions: Panesar MADRID: A 14-year-old Atlético Madrid fan The Indian Premier PTI n NEW DELHI said. died in an accident while celebrating the League, which was suspend- “On that basis, you are team's La Liga title early Sunday. Spanish ed earlier this month due to ormer England spinner looking at two spinners media reports said he died after his head hit a multiple cases of Covid-19 FMonty Panesar feels New (Ashwin and Jadeja) from wall at the entrance of a parking garage while inside its bubble, was due to Zealand will hold the edge India and three seamers. If he was leaning out of a moving vehicle. finish on May 30, while the over India in the World Test the weather is clear then WTC final between New Championship final if condi- India become favourites. So it RED STAR BELGRADE FANS RIOT Zealand and Indian is sched- tions favour the pacers at the depends a lot on the condi- BELGRADE: Several people have been injured uled to start from June 18 in Ageas Bowl in Southampton. tions.” and more than 100 Red Star Belgrade fans Southampton. It is rainy and cold in the Panesar feels Jadeja “will were arrested after violent clashes during “For India, IPL finishing UK at the moment and if it be the X-factor” in the WTC boisterous celebrations of the club's Serbian early under unfortunate cir- stays that way for the WTC final. “For me, Ravindra national league football title. cumstances has probably final starting from June 18, Jadeja will be the X-factor. played into their hands a lit- then it will be advantage He’s been in terrific form in BURL GETS PUMA SPONSORSHIP tle,” Taylor told reporters on New Zealand, feels Panesar. the IPL. If India decides to go HARARE: Frustrated with financial Sunday. “At the moment there is with just one spinner, I’ll go New Zealand team touring for the two-Test series against host England, as well as World Test Championship final against India next month, took a break from constraints, Zimbabwe batsman Ryan Burl “If IPL would have gone training to witness the final day of a county game between Hampshire and Leicestershire at Ageas Bowl @BLACKCAPS a lot of rain around. If the with Jadeja instead of Ashwin requested for sponsorships for the national on they would have had a weather stays like this then it as the spin-bowling option. team by posting a photo of his worn-out smaller preparation but now “Age is just a number and power. It is what it is, players how it works, and try and for- learning curve for me, in will be an interesting battle Jadeja’s defensive bowling shoes to highlight the plight of his country's they will be a lot more condi- as long as you’re still enjoying want to play in it. mulate a game plan, how to go terms of how the protocols are between the Indian and New skill and being a left-armer cricket and was obliged by footwear giant tioned, their bowlers will have it and feel like you’re good “I hope that International about things,” Conway said in all set set in place, and just try- Zealand seamers. The New give him an upper hand,” PUMA. Burl's plea worked as sportswear their loads up,” he added. enough and can contribute to cricket still has relevance and an online press interaction. ing to adhere through all that. Zealand batsman also play Panesar said. giant Puma promised him sponsorship. However, Taylor reckons the team on and off the field.” priorities at times. As long as “But yeah, I think not a lot You know, just seeing the the moving ball better than Indian team will arrive in New Zealand will still have “I did have 35 in my things are being moved changes. You know, we under- guys being around the group Indian batsmen. the UK on June 2 and will get WINDIES HALTS TRAINING CAMP slight advantage over India as mind because of the 2019 around it is fine... As long as stand that the Dukes ball does for an extended period, it’s “So, that, that would be a little over 10 days to train. GROS ISLET: The West Indies team was they are are scheduled to play World Cup but I went there they aren’t getting cancelled swing a little bit more than been fun. And, yeah, a lot of quite interesting to see if the New Zealand, on the forced to halt its red-ball training camp here two Tests against England in and felt I could still con- and what not.” than what the Kookaburra memories created already in ball is swinging and moving other hand, are playing two this weekend after Jamaican pacer Marquino the run up to the WTC final. tribute, and therefore, I did- does, but you know, you’ve just the short period. at some stage during the Test Tests against England before Mindley tested positive for Covid-19. The 26- “I would be lying if you n’t think just because it was a DUKES PREP BENEFICIAL got to face the ball and come “In the Test set up the guys match, how the Indian bats- the WTC final and many see year-old returned positive in his second test. think there isn’t some sort of World Cup it was time to New Zealand batsman up with a game plan and stick have been here for a very long men, stand up to it compared it as a big advantage but thought about the WTC final retire, but no I don’t have a Devon Conway feels preparing by it,” said the South Africa- time. So you know, it’s good to to the New Zealand,” Panesar Panesar reckons it can be a 21 DIES IN CHINA ULTRAMARATHON but I couldn’t think of a bet- number in mind,” he added. with the Dukes ball back born player, who made the sort of learn from the experi- said from UK. double-edged sword. BEIJING: Twenty-one people were killed after ter preparation than playing There had been some home has helped his side team after impressing in lim- ence of players that have been However, if it is nice and “If New Zealand do well hail, freezing rain and high winds hit runners two Tests against England. At talks that the BCCI has immensely as it gears up for ited overs cricket. at this level, they’ve been play- sunny in the port city of in the next two Test match- taking part in a 100-kilometre cross-country the end of the day it’s a neu- requested to alter the sched- three Tests in England, includ- During the camp back ing at this level for a long peri- Southampton, then the con- es, then the momentum is mountain race in China. The extreme weather tral venue. ule for India’s five-Test series ing the WTC final against home, Conway sprinkled cat od. ditions will suit India more, going to favour them against hit a high-altitude section of the race held in “Playing two Tests gives against England for complet- India here. litter on practice wickets to Adjusting to the cold said the former spinner. India. But if England can beat the Yellow River Stone Forest near Baiyin city us a slight advantage but this ing the IPL, something the Conway, who is among simulate spin bowling on the weather in England is a chal- Panesar also expects the them, suddenly they’re going in northwestern Gansu province on Saturday. Indian team has been number England and Wales Cricket the three uncapped players in rough, hoping it will help him lenge though, feels Conway. ICC to prepare a neutral to be low on confidence and one for a long period of time Board (ECB) has denied. the 20-man squad, feels the counter the likes of “...It’s about adapting to the wicket and not a green top as it is a good time for India to POPE RISKS MISSING EURO 2020 and has had a lot of success Asked if he was con- camp back home in Lincoln Ravichandran Ashwin dur- lower degrees. I think that’s a the WTC is supposed to be a come,” he said. BURNLEY: Burnley and England goalkeeper over here,” he added. cerned about the future of ahead of the tour was ideal. ing the WTC final. slight challenge in itself but I good advert for the five-day “James Anderson and Nick Pope is a major doubt for Euro 2020, The right hander, who has international cricket amid New Zealand play with the On his first Test tour, the think, you know, once the game. “They have got a great Stuart Broad are usually very with the Premier League club confirming on featured in 195 Tests, 233 T20 leagues’ boom, Taylor Kookaburra at home. 29-year-old is trying to soak in body acclimatised to that, it’s draining system at the Ageas effective at this time of the Sunday he will have knee surgery this week. ODIs and 102 T20Is for New said, “IPL is probably the “That was very beneficial as much as he can from estab- about just really understand- Bowl. Normally you see nice year but England have picked After the operation he will be assessed to see Zealand also squashed most high-profile and coun- for us, you know, having that lished names like Tom Latham ing what you want to do and good hot weather. Hopefully, a B team (for NZ series) in the if he can make Southgate's squad for the rumours regarding his retire- tries move it around when opportunity to play amongst and Ross Taylor in his team. not overcomplicate things...,” the game will go on for the absence of some key players, Euros, which is named on Tuesday. Agencies ment. they don’t have the same the Dukes ball, get to learn “It has been a massive the southpaw added. whole four to five days,” he so we will see.” Verstappen wins in Monaco AFP n MONACO

ax Verstappen capitalised Mon Ferrari pole-sitter Charles Leclerc’s cruel last- minute withdrawal to win Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix and go top of the drivers’ world championship for the first time. Carlos Sainz for Ferrari took second with Lando Norris of McLaren completing the podium. Red Bull’s Verstappen dis- Mehidy, Mushfiqur placed Lewis Hamilton at the top of the 2021 standings after the Mercedes world champion finished in seventh. Red Bull driver Max Verstappen celebrates with his team after winning the Monaco AP star in B’desh win The Dutch driver pitched Grand Prix at the Monaco racetrack in Monaco on Sunday IANS n DHAKA who put up 47 runs for the sev- up in the Principality trailing an embarrassing end when a “I’ve never finished a race enth wicket with Dasun Hamilton by 14 points, and routine pitstop took a disas- here — this year, I don’t start Inter Milan players celebrate with the Serie A winner’s trophy after clinching the Scudetto at the end of the Serie A match ehidy Hasan Miraz’s four- Shanaka and 62 runs for the leaves it four points ahead. trous turn as a wheel refused to it. It’s a difficult one to take and between Inter Milan and Udinese at the San Siro stadium in Milan on Sunday AP Mwicket haul, coupled with eighth with Isuru Udana but “It’s so special to win. The come off. I also feel for the team.” wicketkeeper Mushfiqur the target turned out to be too first time for me on the podi- The Finn’s frustration will His last minute absence Rahim’s 84, helped Bangladesh big for Sri Lanka to chase. um here. It was all about look- have been nothing to the was all the more unexpected as beat Sri Lanka by 33 runs. Sri Earlier, Bangladesh were ing after the tyres. I was pret- heartache Leclerc suffered just a couple of hours earlier Ferrari Tsitsipas blasts Lanka were all out for 224 in buoyed by a 109-run partner- ty much in control,” said before the start when he report- had announced repairs had India assured of seven reply to Bangladesh’s 257/6. ship for the fifth wicket Verstappen after taking the ed a gearbox problem on his been carried out without a to Lyon title Miraz dismissed Sri Lanka between Rahim and captain chequered flag waved by ten- Ferrari. grid penalty after Leclerc’s acci- openers Danushka Mahmudullah, who scored 54. nis superstar Serena Williams. For the locally-born dent in qualifying 24 hours ear- AFP n LYON medals at Asian C’ship Gunathilaka and captain Kusal Brief scores: Bangladesh 257/6 Hamilton had a low key Leclerc it was a cruel end to his lier. Perera within the first eight in 50 overs (Mushfiqur Rahim weekend, qualifying in sev- dream of winning his home For the 23-year-old it was orld No5 Stefanos stake their claim for the top hon- overs. Miraz then dismissed 84, Mahmudullah 54; enth and finishing in seventh. grand prix. just the latest misfortune at WTsitsipas swept to the ours, which will also come with Dhananjaya de Silva and Ashen Dhananjaya de Silva 3/45) beat His teammate Valtteri “In the garage it was very Monaco. Lyon ATP clay court title on an unprecedented bonus of Bandara to leave Sri Lanka on Sri Lanka 224 all out (Wanindu Bottas was in contention to difficult to feel ok, but I guess Despite his familiarity with Sunday with a 6-3, 6-3 victory prize money this time. 106/2. Hasaranga 74, Kusal Perera pounce on any mistake by now I’m getting used to this the narrow, unforgiving street over Briton Cameron Norrie. A total of 27 countries were Sri Lanka were given some 30; Mehidy Hasan Miraz 4/30) Verstappen. feeling here unfortunately,” said circuit his record at his home With a week to go before expected to participate but that hope by Wanindu Hasaranga, by 33 runs But then his race came to Leclerc. race remains bleak. the prestige Roland Garros shrunk to 17 on Sunday due to tournament the 22-year-old Covid-forced travel restrictions. Tsitsipas lifted his seventh Heavyweights like Uzbekistan, career title and his second red Philippines and Kazakhstan are surface win this year. among those in contention. Biles makes history in Nagal to clash with Marcora, Tsitsipas lost in the A total of six Indian male Barcelona final to Rafael Nadal boxers, including defending but landed the Monte Carlo champion Amit Panghal (52kg), Prajnesh vs Otte at qualifiers ATP with a 6-3, 6-3 win over got first-round byes into the return to competition Russian Andrey Rublev. quarterfinals. PTI n PARIS Playing with confidence “This will give us a good AFP n LOS ANGELES championships June 3-6. and power Tsitsipas rampaged Dubai: A crucial test of prepa- sign as to where we stand before They’ll be followed by the ndia’s top singles players Sumit around the Lyon court with his rations for Olympic-bound box- the Olympics and where we S gymnastics superstar US Olympic Trials June 24-27, INagal on Sunday drew lower- shoulder length hair kept ers, the Asian Championships need to adjust. It would be USimone Biles returned to where the top two finishers will ranked Italian Roberto Marcora under a headband and lost just will get underway here on good for us that way,” Indian competition with a bang on book Tokyo berths, along with while Prajnesh Gunneswaran a single set all week, in the Monday with India already men’s boxing’s High Saturday, completing an historic two other gymnasts named by and Ramkumar Ramanathan semi-final against Lorenzo assured of podium finishes after Performance Director Santiago vault to launch her final run to USA Gymnastics selectors. got matching rivals for their Musetti. seven women boxers entered the Nieva said. the Tokyo Olympics. Biles wasn’t perfect on first-round clashes at French “I kept my objectives in semifinals due to small size of India had delivered its best The five-time Olympic Gold Saturday. In addition to her Open Qualifiers. mind and it worked,” said their respective draws. ever Asian Championship per- medallist, who hadn’t competed step back on the vault landing The 23-year Nagal is yet to Tsitsipas. Six-time world champion M formance in the 2019 edition in since winning five Golds, includ- she had a bobble on her floor earn a main draw berth in the “Now I’m going to rest up C Mary Kom (51kg), seeded top Thailand, claiming 13 medals, ing a fifth all-around title, at the so much power that she over- routine and on the asymmetri- Clay court Grand Slam and and get back to training for in her category, defending cham- including two Gold, four Silver 2019 World Championships, rotated slightly and stepped cal bars. must make a good start against 152. Roland Garros. It’s the Grand pion Pooja Rani (75kg), and seven Bronze. This time too, delivered on the vault she’s been back on the landing. “I was just But she won the all-around the 191st ranked Marcora. Ramkumar, who has failed Slam I adore the most,” he said. Anupama (+81kg), Saweety expectations are high. preparing — a Yurchenko dou- thinking, do it like training,” she competition with a score of The Jhajjar-born Indian, to enter the main draw of a “I hope to do well there.” (81kg), Lovlina Borgohain “We always come to win. ble pike — at the US Classic in said of her mindset as she took 58.400, with Jordan Chiles sec- who competed at the Australian Grand Slam in a number of On Sunday, he blasted his (69kg), Lalbuatsaihi (64kg), and We know it will be a very tough Indianapolis, Indiana. off down the runway. ond on 57.100 points and Kayla Open this year, has come into attempts, will open his campaign way through the first set in 39 Monika (48kg) made the last- competition with many nations The vault, featuring a “Don’t try to overdo any- DiCello third on 56.100. the tournament after playing against American Michael minutes and finished off the four stage when draws were featuring Olympic qualified box- roundoff onto the springboard thing, because I have a tenden- “I’m just happy to be back two Challenger-level events, Mmoh, ranked 168. victory by taking the second set unveiled on Sunday. ers and many medal winners and back handspring into a cy as soon as I raise my hand to out here on the competition where he made the quarterfinals. In the women’s singles, in just 30 minutes, losing a sin- The total women’s participa- from the world championships. piked double backflip, had never kind of overpower things. I did floor in an arena with all of the The left-handed Prajnesh, Ankita Raina will open her gle point in the last two games. tion in this edition is 47 boxers But we are confident that our before been done in women’s a little bit, but at least I still was girls, especially after the long ranked 149, will take on campaign against Australia’s The loss left the 25-year- across 10 weight categories. team will bring home a good competition. on my feet and it’s a new vault.” year and time off we’ve had,” Germany’s Oscar Otte, ranked Arina Rodionova. old Norrie still seeking his first In all, 19 Indian boxers — results,” Nieva added with con- Biles sailed through it with She now heads into the US Biles said. tournament victory. nine men and 10 women — will fidence. PTI 12

Vijayawada Monday May 24, 2021 tollywood TEJA SAJJA'S NEXT WITH MAKERS? MAHANATIoung actor, made his debut as a Baby, Zombie Reddy, has tainer featuring Teja Sajja sequent lockdown. actor lead actor recently with signed a new film which as the main lead. More It is bankrolled under Teja Zombie Reddy, which will be bankrolled by details regarding this new veteran producer RB Sajja, fared well at the box office. noted production house project of Teja Sajja will be Chowdary under the ban- Y who was Teja Sajja, known for Vyjayanthi Movies, which out soon. ner of Mega Super good intro- films like Choodalani is known for making On the other side, Teja Film. duced to Vundi, Indra, Mahanati starring Keerthy Sajja is waiting for the small screen Kalisundam Suresh and Dulquer release of the youthful as a child Raa, Oh! Salmaan, it is learnt. romantic thriller titled Apparently, the ban- Ishq. The film Ishq ner Vyjayanthi has been postponed Movies is planning indefinitely due to to come up with a the pandemic and the youthful enter- sub-

Keerthy Suresh gets jabbed

fter actress Nayanthara, dress that she styles with a white COPS STOP NIKHIL Singer her filmmaker boyfriend mask. Just minutes after posting the Vignesh Shivan, Gautham picture, Keerthy Suresh’s comments Karthik, and Mohanlal section was filled with hearts and FROM DELIVERING A took their first jab of the wishes. Madhu Priya coronavirus vaccine, the On the work front, Keerthy Suresh latest celebrity to receive the has a number of projects in the ESSENTIALS AMID dose is Mahanati and Penguin pipeline, including Mohanlal’s starrer fame Keerthy Suresh. Marakkar and Rajinikanth’ starrer big harassed on social media The National award-win- budget drama Annaatthe. She is also ning actress recently took playing the female lead in the upcom- LOCKDOWN layback singer through e-mail with the to her social media to ing film Sarkaru Vaari Paata , where Madhu Priya details of the call logs and inform that she has taken she is paired opposite Superstar yderabad City police lifesaving Medicines from Peddinti, who abusive comments. the first dose of the Mahesh Babu under the direction of have started strict Uppal to Kims Minister was one of the A case has been booked Coronavirus vaccine. Parasuram of Geetha Govindam fame. vigilance during road… In spite of providing P participants of under sections of IPC 509 Keerthy also shared a She was last seen in Venky Atluri H lockdown hours. the Prescription and patient Bigg Boss Telugu and 354B, and the investiga- picture of her getting the directorial Rang De, which has Vehicles are being details, I was stopped and season 1, became popular tion is said to be underway. shot, on microblogging Nithiin in the lead role and Sai seized for travelling asked to Get an Epass.” on Telugu TV with The police are yet to reveal page Twitter, in which Kumar, Kausalya, Naresh, Rohini, on roads without a proper rea- “Tried 9 times but the server Adapillanamma Nenu more details regarding this she is seen wearing a Brahmaji, Vennela Kishore and son. But what is baffling peo- is down…I thought medical Adapilanani. case. Madhu Priya made blue colored checkered Vineeth in crucial roles. ple is cops not allowing essen- emergencies were allowed!!!,” Reports have been com- her debut in Tollywood tial services in some areas. he further added. Not only the ing in that the singer is with her singing for the Certain media reports and actor, but many other people being harassed in the form movie Daggaraga videos circulated online travelling for essential services of filthy comments on the Dooranga. For the song showed food delivery boys were being scrutinised by the social media and blank Vachinde from the beaten by cops for allegedly Hyderabad police. calls. movie Fidaa starring violating ‘lockdown rules’ Soon after Nikhil’s tweet According to singer Sai Pallavi and Varun whereas the government’s went viral, Hyderabad City Madhu Priya Peddinti, she Tej, she won the order had allowed food deliv- Police’s Twitter handle has been receiving a lot of Filmfare Award for ery in the original lockdown responded on the microblog- blank calls from an the Best Play guidelines. On Sunday, actor ging site saying, “Dear sir, unidentified person over Back Singer Nikhil Siddharth of Happy please share your location, we the last few days. After Female. Days fame, who was travelling will inform the facing this harassment, to deliver medical supplies, concerned/local staff, to get it Madhu Priya said she had was stopped by the police. resolved. Thank you.” lodged a complained with Sharing his experience, the The Swamy Ra Ra actor the SHE teams Karthikeya actor took to social soon commented that he has media and tweeted, “Was on DM’ed them the required the way to deliver Emergency details.

Sesh gives major fitness goals

ctor Adivi Sesh, Major, is essaying the role film workout". who is known for of 26/11 Mumbai attacks The post invited a great his work in martyr Sandeep response, with his fans Telugu block- Unnikrishnan. appreciating his workout A busters such as In the video posted on regime. Goodachari, his Instagram page, the Major also marks the Evaru and Kshanam actor is seen lifting production debut of well uploaded a workout video weights. known star Mahesh Babu. on his social media page Dressed in a red and Besides this, Sesh has on Sunday. white T-shirt, and adding a Goodachari 2 and Hit 2 The actor said he wants to slight geeky look with lined up next. “maintain a strict workout spectacles on, the actor Major is expected to regime.” captioned the video as: “No release on July 2 in Hindi, Sesh, who will soon be music, no filter, just breath. Telugu and will be dubbed seen in the bilingual film Gotta keep up that #major- in Malayalam too. RRR rights sold for a record price

TR, Ram Charan’s acquired the digital rights of upcoming multi star- RRR in all languages for a rer RRR directed by whopping sum of Rs 325 crores. Rajamouli is the Analysts say this is a record N cynosure of all eyes. in the Indian film industry. The film happens to Inside talk is RRR’sdigital, be Rajamouli’s first after his music and satellite rights will be magnum opus Baahubali and around Rs 850crs. The produc- so craze is increasing on the ers already made a table profit project with each passing day. of over Rs 400crs. According to the sources, the RRR stars top stars from film’s pre-release business is across the country like Alia leaving everyone shocked. Bhatt, Ajay Devgn, Shriya Reports are coming that the Sharan, Samuthirakhani and film’s digital rights fetched a Irish actors Olivia Morris, Ray whopping sum. reports have it Stevenson, Alison Doody in that popular ZEE 5 has important roles.