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in Odisha, 14 with high densi- ty of tribal population, have who is an SPG protectee, went riven by hunger and cul- witnessed outbreaks of anthrax back in her white Toyota Land Dtural practices, tribals in affecting at least 1208 people ongress leader Sonia Cruiser with a convoy of vehi- many pockets of Odisha are and killing 436. CGandhi’s son-in-law cles carrying the elite com- taking to butchering and de- Koraput was worst affect- Robert Vadra on Wednesday mandos. skinning of dead animals ed with total 354 human appeared before the Vadra was directed by a and consuming them, anthrax cases and 9 deaths Enforcement Directorate (ED) Delhi court to cooperate with exposing themselves to reported in last seven years. in connection with a money the ED investigation after he anthrax, a deadly infectious During the survey, the sci- laundering case for the alleged approached the court seeking zoonotic disease. entists observed that tribals also possession of illegal foreign anticipatory bail in the money Ringing alarm bells, scien- dig out the buried animal at assets. The Congress tried to laundering case. The court had tists from the Indian Medical night and consume the meat. tactically turned the focus away asked him to appear before the Council of Research (IMCR)- “Meat is dried in sun or in fire from him by having Priyanka ED on Wednesday on his Regional Medical Research and kept hidden for later use. drop her husband at the return from London. Centre, Bhubaneswar, have Even the dead animal is con- Enforcement Directorate office. A team of three ED offi- called for mass awareness cam- sumed over a village get- In what could be seen as a cials asked Vadra about trans- paign and livestock vaccination together,” said scientists political message, Priyanka actions, purchase and posses- in villages and monetary incen- Debdutta Bhattacharya, said, “I stand by my family. He sion of certain immovable tive to the tribals for disposal Deepika Barla, Sanghamitra is my husband, he is my fami- assets in London. His statement of dead livestock to combat the Pati from ICMR-Regional ly...I support my family.” was recorded under the amount despite incurring addi- unhealthy practice of con- Medical Research Centre, Asked if it was a political Prevention of Money tional expenses of approxi- sumption of dead animals. (Department of Health vendetta, she said that everyone Laundering Act (PMLA), offi- mately 65,900 GBP on its ren- During the household sur- Research, Union Health knows why this is being done. cial sources said. ovation. vey conducted in four anthrax- Ministry. Priyanka’s show of support to The case relates to the pur- “This gives credence to hit districts—Koraput, Unawareness among the her husband came days after an chase allegedly by Vadra of a the fact that Bhandari was not Rayagada, Sundargarh and tribals was blatant. “The trib- emotional message from Vadra London-based property locat- the actual owner of the prop- Malkangiri—in April- als are at high risk of devel- on her appointment as AICC ed at 12, Bryanston Square erty but it was beneficially December, 2017, scientists oping human anthrax …and general secretary. worth 1.9 million GBP (British owned by Vadra who was charge as the AICC general tion related activities exuded found that of the 88 anthrax they are unaware about the Vadra entered the ED pounds). The agency had told incurring expenditure on the secretary incharge for Uttar confidence that Priyanka cases reported, at least 36 per diseases and its preventive office around 3.45 pm, and the court that it has received renovation of this property,” the riyanka Gandhi Vadra on Pradesh west. Both Priyanka would go to Prayagraj also to cent affected persons were measures,” said the survey soon a team of his lawyers information about various new ED had told the court. PWednesday took charge as and Scindia have been take a dip in the Sangam on engaged in butchering and which noted that about 20 per reached the ED office at properties in London which Arora, a key link in the AICC general secretary at appointed with Rahul’s resolve the occasion of Kumbh Mela. deskinning and consuming of cent of the respondents had Jamnagar House here. This is belong to Vadra. case, was aware of Vadra’s over- the party headquarters to strengthen the party in the She along with Rahul may also dead animal, both as part of never heard about the deadly the first time Vadra turned up In December, rhe ED had seas undeclared assets and was amid celebration and sloga- crucial State of Uttar Pradesh, address a rally later this their cultural practices as also disease. before a probe agency for ques- raided and questioned Vadra’s instrumental in arranging neering. Priyanka was appoint- which has 80 Lok Sabha seats. month. to combat hunger. “Vaccination of cattle is tioning on charges of dubious aide Manoj Arora, an employ- funds, the ED had alleged. ed as general secretary and AICC leaders said While she met several About 23 per cent of the often refused. Often the dead financial dealings. ee of Skylight Hospitality LLP, Vadra has also been direct- incharge of Uttar Pradesh east Priyanka is likely to begin her party workers particularly total 555 respondents admitted people handling infected dead However, Vadra has denied a firm linked to Vadra. ed by the Rajasthan High Court on January 23 by her brother Uttar Pradesh tour from those hailing from the eastern to follow practices that pro- animals and come in contact the allegations and claimed The ED has alleged that the to appear before the ED again and Congress chief Rahul February 11. She may hold a region of UP, Priyanka had a scribed burial of dead animals for with infected body fluids while the cases are an outcome of a London-based property was on February 12 in connection Gandhi. road show in Lucknow and nearly two-hour long meeting disposal while about 18 per cent slaughtering, butchering, skin- political witch-hunt. bought by arms dealer Sanjay with another money launder- Along with Priyanka, then address a meeting of with Rahul and Scindia to admitted to consuming them. ning and consuming the After dropping Vadra off Bhandari for 1.9 million GBP ing case being probed by the senior Congress leader UPCC office-bearers. Party chalk out the Congress’ UP No surprise that during the infected meat are at risk,” said outside the ED office, Priyanka, and sold in 2010 for the same agency. Jyotiraditya Scindia took workers engaged in UP elec- game plan. last 15 years, out of 30 districts scientists. tabled in Parliament soon. inal laws can’t be enforced on The Bill enables creation of old cases. an online Central data base for Union Cabinet chaired by collection and sharing of infor- Prime Minister Narendra mation of deposit taking activ- Modi also approved the pro- ities in the country. The CBI posal for establishment of will be nodal agency to initiate Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog action against the violators. for Conservation protection The Minister justified making and development of cows and the CBI the nodal agency and their progeny. The setting up said that many Ponzi schemes of Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog he Cabinet on Wednesday are operating in several States will lead to conservation, pro- Tapproved amendments to and the State police could not tection and development of cat- the Banning of Unregulated coordinate effectively. tle population in the country. Deposit Schemes Bill, 2018, The Bill also added provi- “It will result in increased and empowered the CBI to sions to fix the cheaters who growth of livestock sector take action against violators. put advertisements in newspa- which is more inclusive, bene- The amendments include ban pers to fool the people. “They fitting women, and small and on their advertisements. will be arrested immediately if marginal farmers. The Addressing the media, Law they put advertisements to fool Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad people,” said Prasad. The Bill will work in collaboration with said these comprehensive also makes provisions to veterinary, animal sciences or amendments would strengthen retrieve the deposits, attach- agriculture university or depart- the enforcement agency and ment of fraudsters’ property, ments or organisations of the help people who are cheated by and imprisonment. Central/State Government Ponzi schemes. The amend- To a volley of questions engaged in the task of research ment to the Banning of regarding the timing of the in the field of breeding and Unregulated Deposits Schemes amendments and Saradha rearing of cow, organic manure,   Bill 2018 is expected to be scam cases, Prasad said crim- biogas, etc,” said the statement. 28, 2018 judgement, even as the the people should gracefully the verdict and urged the court Board later asserted that its lat- accept it. to trash review pleas. est position was not due to any The temple board, in ear- Senior advocate Jaideep political pressure. lier round of litigation, had Gupta, appearing for the state Some right-wing activists opposed the PIL by Indian government, said a constitu- have alleged that the Board Young Lawyers Association tional court should not worry changed its stand before the seeking to throw open the about law and order problem court under pressure from the shrine for all women. and “social disturbances”. Services (DGHS) had revealed state’s CPI(M)-led LDF Justice Malhotra interdict- Exclusion of women from that out of 1,011 cases, only he Travancore Devaswom Government. ed senior lawyer Rakesh temples is not an essential round 124 fresh cases, 895 cases belonged to Delhi TBoard, which runs The apex court, by a major- Dwivedi, appearing for TDB, practice of Hindu religion, he Aincluding 104 adults and which included 712 adults temple, on ity of 4:1, had lifted the ban that and said, “You had argued said. At the outset, the bench 20 children, of seasonal and 183 children and the rest Wednesday made a U-turn to prevented women and girls against women’s entry”. told lawyers it would hear only influenza H1N1, including a were acquired from other support the Supreme Court’s between the age of 10 and 50 “The Board has now decid- those who are parties to review death, were recorded in the States. order allowing women of all from entering the famous ed to respect the judgment”, petitions and asked them to national Capital on Tuesday Interestingly, till Monday, ages to enter the shrine as it Ayyappa shrine in and Dwivedi replied, adding, confine arguments on grounds taking the total number of the Delhi Government had not joined the Kerala Government had held that this centuries-old “Article 25 (1) equally entitles for reconsideration of the cases in Delhi to 1,019, said a reported any death due to to oppose a batch of pleas Hindu religious practice was all persons to practice religion.” judgement. report. swine flu this year, but on seeking review of the historic illegal and unconstitutional. tion Bench, which had earlier The Bench, also compris- “Women cannot be exclud- Senior advocate K According to the national Tuesday, the report said one verdict. However, as many as 65 agreed to hear the pleas in an ing justices RF Nariman, AM ed from any walk of life on bio- Parasaran, appearing for data released by National death was recorded. A five-judge constitution petitions — including 56 open court, reserved its deci- Khanwilkar, DY Chandrachud logical attributes... Equality is Service Society, assailed the Centre for Disease Control On the contrary, two Bench headed by Chief Justice review petitions and four fresh sion after hearing the parties, and Indu Malhotra, was in for the dominant theme of the majority verdict, saying Article (NCDC) recently, around major hospitals in Delhi, Ranjan Gogoi reserved its deci- writ petitions and five transfer including Nair Service Society, a pleasant surprise as the tem- Constitution,” Dwivedi said. 15 of the Constitution throws 1,011 cases were recorded till namely Safdarjung Hospital sion after hearing various par- pleas — were filed in the apex Thantry of temple, temple ple board, which also com- The Kerala Government, open for public the secular Monday without any death. A and Ram Manohar Lohia ties for three and half hours, court after its verdict sparked Board (TDB) and the State prises the State Government which had taken conflicting institutions of the country but senior official from (RML) Hospital, recorded 13 including those seeking re- violent protests in Kerala. Government, in favour and nominees, took a U-turn by stands on women’s entry into doesn’t deal with religious insti- Directorate General of Health deaths collectively last year. consideration of the September The five-judge constitu- against the review plea. supporting the verdict and said the hilltop shrine, supported tutions.

Minister in the Modi- national security of this coun- Government) was attempting a try and played with security,” the he BJP on Wednesday coup against the Government. BJP spokesperson said. Tquestioned whether “The top leadership of the “This is not just a politi- Congress chief Rahul Gandhi UPA 2 government, in the last cal conspiracy but also an The CRPF, which has a CRPF (274), the SSB (206) was behind planting the Army few months of 2011 and early attempt to defame the Indian strength of 325 operational and the ITBP (85). D i r e c t coup story in 2012 even as it 2012, had informally indicated army. In January 2012, there he Union Home Ministry battalions (3,25,000 person- Recruitment for these posts sought the Standing to the Intelligence Bureau (IB) were media reports that Thas launched a massive nel) will get nearly 22 more bat- also will be made by the SSC Committee on Defence to take to try and establish that the claimed that the Indian Army recruitment drive to fill 76,578 talions (22,000 personnel through a written examination note of “fresh reports” on the Army, under its chief, General was staging a coup against the vacancies, including 7,646 posts approximately). The CRPF is a between February-March. alleged episode. VK Singh, was attempting a then-Manmohan Singh for women, in Central Armed designated anti-Naxal, counter- At the level of the Assistant Taking a serious note of a section of the press. He coup to topple the Government. The stories were Police Forces (CAPFs). terror and anti-insurgency Commandant, there exist 466 what he described “new reve- sought the name of the Government. This was at a planted by senior leaders of the In a statement on Central Force. vacancies for which direct lations” on the alleged coup Minister who had leaked the time when the UPA 2 Congress party, including cer- Wednesday, the Home The paramilitary is heavi- recruitment is being made attempt in 2012, BJP information to the media. Government was reeling under tain Cabinet Ministers. This Ministry said out of these ly deployed in Jammu and through the UPSC. The result spokesperson GVL Narsimha The report in a national charges of immense corruption was a manufactured coup. vacancies, 54,953 posts are for Kashmir, Naxal areas and the of the written examination to Rao said he has raised the issue English daily on April 12, 2012, and the Anna Hazare move- Based on the information that the constable cadre and they Northeast. fill these posts has been with the Standing committee had claimed that the “alarm’ was ment was going on. A few was given to him, the then- will be hired through the The addition of the 22 bat- declared on January 1. chairman Kalraj Mishra who is raised in January 16, 2013. The months later, despite the IB cat- Prime Minister asked the IB to Staff Selection Commission talions will give a boost to the The shortlisted candidates also a Union Minister and a lead story of the daily suggest- egorically reporting that there present facts on the rumour. (SSC). Force that has for long been will appear for physical and senor BJP leader. ed an attempt of coup by the was absolutely no chance that Even after the IB had cleared Out of the 54,953 posts of deprived of the reserve com- medical examination to be “I am a member of Army. The report then alluded Gen Singh would carry out any the rumours, the UPA still constables, the CRPF, the ponent, leading to fatigue conducted by the Sashatra Parliamentary Committee on that an entire unit of infantry coup, this fiction was “leaked” planted the story in media world’s largest paramilitary amongst personnel due to Seema Bal (SSB), the nodal Defence and (this fresh report) based in Hisar (Haryana) had to the media..”, the report of the that attempted to malign the force, has the maximum 21,566 continuous deployment in hard force, from February 25 is a matter of great concern and started moving towards Delhi Weekly alleged. Indian Army,” he said. vacancies, followed by the BSF areas. onwards. I have raised the issue with our while a section from Agra also Rao asked if Congress Reacting to the charges, ex- (16,984 posts), the SSB (8,546 After the completion of the In addition, 20,086 vacan- chairman and requested him moved towards Palam. leader Rahul Gandhi was the Defence Minister and senior posts), the ITBP (4,126 posts) recruitment, the personnel will cies pertain to promotional that we should find answers to The BJP leader was react- ‘brain’ behind these conspira- Congress leader A K Antony and the Assam Rifles (3,076 be able to get soft postings like posts and in other cadres such these questions,” Rao told ing after ‘fresh report’ in an cies, and wondered why UPA said in a brief reply, “As posts) with the remaining training and the areas not hit as tradesman, ministerial, med- newspersons here. English Weekly ‘Sunday ministers spread these ‘lies’ Defence Minister at that time, being in the CISF and other by insurgency or terror. ical, paramedical, communi- The BJP’s Rajya Sbha Guardian’, this month, alleged despite the Intelligence Bureau there were lot of questions in CAPFs. There are 1,073 vacancies cation and engineering and member claimed that four of that the UPA dispensation calling any news about these Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. I For the entire exercise, the in various CAPFs at the level of these are also being filled by the Narsimha Rao Government’s under Manmohan Sigh had attempts ‘false’. had given detailed answers. SSC will start a computer- Sub-Inspector, out of which 38 CAPFs. Cabinet Ministers were in the asked Intelligence Bureau to “This Congress party had Please go through Parliament based written examination posts are reserved for women. Thus, in all 76,578 vacan- know of things and one of establish that the then army not only indulged in loot, but website, you’ll get the answer I from this month itself, the The BSF has the maximum 508 cies are getting filled up, the them had leaked the report to Chief Gen. V K Singh (now a they have also played havoc with had given,” statement said. vacancies of SI, followed by the statement added.  ))) + + ) +  ++    ,-  + Those with less than 45 years of age are not eligible to meeting of the high powered faculty reservation, which is Government filed an SLP he Government has sought apply. selection committee compris- calculating total posts institu- against it and it was argued well Tapplications for chairman According to rules, there is he Supreme Court on ing Prime Minister Narendra t the backdrop of protests tion-wise rather than depart- but the Supreme Court did not and members of anti-corrup- a provision for a chairperson TWednesday sought a Modi, Justice A K Sikri and Afrom various sections, ment-wise, was dismissed by accept the SLP,” Javadekar said tion ombudsman Lokpal, near- and a maximum of eight mem- response from activist and leader of the largest opposition including Parliamentarians, the the Supreme court last month. briefing the media outside the ly five years after the Lokpal bers in the Lokpal. Of these, lawyer Prashant Bhushan on party Mallikarjun Kharge. Centre on Wednesday said the The roster system provides Parliament. Act came into force, officials four need to be judicial mem- contempt pleas by Attorney The Centre’s plea also Government will file a review that number of vacancies are The University Grants said Wednesday. bers. General K K Venugopal and referred to the contents of petition in the Supreme considered department or wing Commission (UGC) had issued An advertisement seeking “Not less than 50 per cent the Centre for his tweets Venugopal’s petition and sub- Court after its Special Leave wise in a college or university a communication to all uni- applications from desired and of the members of the Lokpal allegedly criticising the court it said, listing the matter for fur- mitted that they be also read as Petition (SLP) on faculty reser- and not total number of posts versities and higher education eligible candidates has been shall be from amongst the per- over the appointment of M ther hearing on March 7. part of its plea. vation mechanism for univer- available for recruitment in institutions (HEIs) to “ issued by the Personnel sons belonging to the Nageswara Rao as interim CBI Bhushan, in his tweets, Venugopal’s petition sities was rejected by the apex any institution. This results in postpone the recruitment Ministry. Scheduled Castes, the director. alleged that the Centre, repre- referred to Bhushan’s February court. limited seats available for process” till the Supreme Court For the appointment as Scheduled Tribes, Other Bhushan was given three sented by Venugopal, misled 1 tweets in which he alleged “We will file review peti- recruitment by each depart- issued its verdict on the SLP the chairman, a person who is Backward Classes, minorities weeks to reply. the apex court on the issue of that the government appeared tion soon and we will put our ment or wing under reserved and that decision has not been or has been Chief Justice of and women,” the advertise- A bench of Justices Arun Rao’s appointment. to have misled the apex court point strongly. We are confi- categories. withdrawn yet, the Minister India or a Supreme Court ment seeking the applications Mishra and Naveen Sinha said On Tuesday, the Centre and perhaps submitted fabri- dent there will be justice and “Earlier universities were said. judge is eligible to apply. reads. it would deal with the larger moved the apex court seeking cated minutes of the meeting of reservation will continue as per treated as a unit for reservation The UGC had announced Besides, individuals with Upon selection, the chair- question of whether it is open initiation of contempt pro- the high-powered selection the earlier system. The gov- which was the right thing and in March last year that an “impeccable integrity and out- person and members shall hold for lawyers or any other person ceedings against Bhushan for committee. ernment will ensure that reser- the SC/ST/OBC were treated in individual department should standing ability” having special office for a term of five years or to criticise the court in a sub his tweets and said they Through his tweets, vation for SC/ST/OBC is not a just manner. be considered as the base unit knowledge and expertise of till they attain 70 years of age. judice matter which would amounted to making false Venugopal said, Bhushan hampered,” HRD Minister Initially the Allahabad to calculate the number of not less than 25 years in mat- The salary and allowances lead to influencing public opin- statement in a pending case. appeared to have deliberately Prakash Javadekar said. High Court and then the teaching posts to be reserved ters related to anti-corruption of the chairman of the Lokpal ion. Criticising the court may This was days after Venugopal’s intended to cast aspersions on The announcement comes Supreme Court decided that for Scheduled Caste (SC) and policy, public administration, will be same as that of the Chief also lead to interference in the contempt petition against the “integrity and honesty” of in the wake of protests by department wise reservation Scheduled Tribe (ST) candi- vigilance, finance including Justice of India. The members course of justice, the bench Bhushan. the attorney general who had teachers and students bodies will happen which meant dates following an order by the insurance and banking, and law will be paid salary and added. Venugopal, in his con- placed the minutes of the meet- after the SLP seeking restora- reduction in reservation for Allahabad High Court in April and management are eligible to allowances same as that of a “This issue required to be tempt plea, referred to the ing before the apex court dur- tion of earlier mechanism of SC/ST/OBC. The Modi in 2017. apply. judge of the Supreme Court. heard in length, notice issued,” extracts of the minutes of the ing the February 1 hearing.

has written to Ministry of Housing and it has been made 10,908 crores. Urban Affairs that proposed change in A total of 32.385 km of metro rail head of the upcoming Lok Sabha alignment of the project as well as will be built in Kanpur. As per the here on Wednesday. Apolls this year, the Ministry of change of station at Sarai Kale Khan revised DPR, two corridors will be built Sitharaman will hold wide Finance’s Public Investment Board from underground to elevated would under the Kanpur Metro project. The efence Minister Nirmala ranging discussions with her (PIB) on Wednesday approved metro affect the construction plan of ISBT proposed metro rail of Kanpur city will DSitharaman will discuss Swedish counterparts and is rail projects of Agra, Kanpur, Sarai Kale Khan and the proposed hotel cover IIT, Rawatpur, Bada Chauraha, the entire range of bilateral also likely to visit some state of Ahmedabad phase II and Patna besides under the PPP mode to fund the rede- Motimahal, Kanpur Central, ISBT strategic and defence issues the art defence industries there, the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Rapid velopment of the ISBT. This will lead Jhakarkatti and Naubasta. The Agra with Germany and Sweden they added. Rail Transit corridor. to delay in the entire project. According metro project cost was estimated to respectively during her four- In her talks with German Meanwhile, the Delhi Government to sources, the after refusing the share 13,781 crores. Now it has been made day two-nation tour starting leaders, the Defence once again made it clear that its share the project cost by the Delhi 8,262 crores. A 30 km metro rail net- February 11. Minister will discuss issues of 1138 crore towards the project cost Government, the question arise whether work is to be built in Agra which will Incidentally, Prime like terrorism, possibility of has to be borne by the Centre as it did the Centre will pay the share of Delhi consist two corridors. Minister Narendra Modi had exchanges between officers at not have adequate funds. The question Government. The Ahmedabad metro phase II paid an official visit to the two the military level and strategic thus reminas as to who will pay the The metro rail project of Patna will projects will cost Rs 7500 crore. As per countries in April last year to matters. share of Delhi Government, sources cost 13,400 crore. As per the DPR, the east-west corridor will mostly be under- the revised DPR for phase-II, the route hold high level discussions Though India and said. 14.5km east-west corridor will cover ground, the north-south corridor will length has been shortened to 28.26 km. especially focussing on strate- field of defence manufacturing. Germany do not have much Sources in the Government said Saguna Mor, Bailey Road, Patna be elevated. It will have two corridors - the first one gic and defence relations. Sweden’s fighter jet Gripen is defence trade, the two sides that financial implications of the afore- Junction and Mithapur bus stand. The For Kanpur and Agra metro, the having a length of 22.84 km will link During her visit to in the race for the may hold discussion about mentioned metro rail projects have been 16.5km north-south corridor, on the Uttar Pradesh government had reduced Motera with Mahatma Mandir and the Sweden, the defence minister 110-fighter jet proposed deal possible tie-up for manufac- approved. The proposals would be sent other hand, will connect Patna Junction the cost of the projects after the Ministry second one about 5.42 km-long branch will explore possibilities of for the IAF costing more turing submarines as Germany to the Union Cabinet for approval. with the proposed bus stand at Barriya of Housing and Urban Affairs’s objec- from GNLU (Gujarat National Law industries from there partici- than ten billion dollars for three decades ago had helped On the Delhi-Ghaziabd-Meerut via Ashok Rajpath, Gandhi Maidan and tion. For the Kanpur project, a proposal University) and linking PDPU and pating in the “‘Make In India’’ which the global tender was India in manufacturing HDW corridor of RRTS, Delhi government Rajendra Nagar terminal. While the of 18,143 crore was sent earlier. Now GIFT City. programme especially in the floated last year, sources said submarines here. not relent and kept on raising slogans like “Anti-poor gov- oth the Houses of ernment cannot function”. BParliament were adjourned They were also holding plac- on Wednesday without trans- ards to protest against the ros- acting any business. While the ter system. Leader Siddhartha Negi, proceedings of Lok Sabha were He then requested SP both from Aircraft and he Supreme Court has said adjourned for the day after pay- leader Ramgopal Yadav to end he bereaved family of late Systems Testing Establishment, Tthat linkage of PAN with ing obituary to sitting BJD the protest as he will be given TSquadron Leader Samir died after their fighter jet Aadhaar is mandatory for filing member from Odisha Ladu a chance to speak on the issue Abrol, one of the two test crashed. of Income Tax returns. Kishore Swain, Rajya Sabha too during the Zero Hour. Yadav pilots who died in a Mirage- They were conducting an A bench comprising Jus- were washed out completely for said the government has devi- 2000 crash in Bengaluru last acceptance sortie of the tices A K Sikri and S Abdul Naz- the third day in a row over var- ated from its promise made in week, has said while the Mirage-2000 trainer, which eer said the top court has alre- Income Tax Act. In view there- ious issues including the the House on this issue. bureaucracy enjoy its “corrupt had been newly-upgraded by ady decided the matter and of, linkage of PAN with Aadhaar Citizenship (Amendment) Bill In the meantime, cheese and wine”, the air war- state-run aerospace company upheld the section 139AA of the is mandatory,” the bench said. and roster system for reserva- Parliamentary Affairs Minister riors are given “outdated Hindustan Aeronautics Income Tax Act. The court’s dir- The top court noted that tion in educational institu- Vijay Goel tried to pacify machines” to fight. Limited, when it crashed on ection came on an appeal filed with regard to Assessment Year tions. The MP from Aska was TMC members trooped Yadav. However, the protest An emotional poem Friday. by the Centre against a Delhi 2018-19, it has been informed As soon as the Lok Sabha 71. Swain was a member of the into the well protesting over continued. penned by Abrol’s brother Though the two pilots High Court order allowing two that the two petitioners had filed met for the day, Speaker parliamentary committee on various issues mainly intro- HRD Minister Sushant, posted on Facebook, made a bid to eject, they were persons, Shreya Sen and the Income Tax returns in terms Sumitra Mahajan informed Rural Development and OBCs. duction of roster system in edu- Prakash Javadekar said states it is an “unforgiving” job caught in the flames as the Jayshree Satpute, to file Income of the orders of the High Court members about the demise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi cational institutions which they Government is working on the to be a test pilot given the risks plane crashed with a huge Tax returns for 2018-19 without and the assessment has also the Biju Janata Dal member in and UPA chairperson Sonia claim limits the scope of reser- issue and preparing a special it posses. explosion. linking their Aadhaar and PAN been completed. “We therefore Bhubaneshwar on Wednesday Gandhi were among members vation for jobs. Besides leave petition and review peti- “While the bureaucracy In another post, numbers. make it clear that for the assess- morning. present when the obituary ref- Congress members were also tion for filing in the Supreme enjoyed its corrupt cheese Sushant said, “It’s high time we “The aforesaid order was ment year 2019-20, the income The debate on Motion of erence was made. on their feet to lodge their Court. and wine. We give our warriors care not just for lost votes, but passed by the High Court having tax return shall be filed in Thanks to the President’s The Rajya Sabha proceed- protest. When the members con- outdated machines to also for our lost pilots to the regard to the fact that the matter terms of the judgment passed by Address to the joint sitting of ings were within seconds in the Deputy Speaker Harivansh tinued raising slogans and fight, They still deliver it negligence of this corrupt sys- was pending consideration in this this court. The special leave peti- Parliament is likely to contin- morning for post lunch. asked protesting members in showing placards, Harivansh with all their prowess tem!!” Court. Thereafter, this Court has tion is disposed of in the above ue on Thursday where Prime Thereafter as soon as the upper the well to return to their said, “In this situation, I have and might,” Sushant said in the The post was also shared decided the matter and upheld terms,” the bench said in an Minister is expected to reply to house resumed its proceedings respective seats. no other option but to adjourn post that was widely shared. by Abrol’s wife Garima on the vires of section 139AA of the order on Monday. the debate. at 2 PM, RJD, SP, BSP and However, the members did the House till February 7.” Abrol and Squadron Instagram. RAIPUR | THURSDAY | FEBRUARY 07, 2019 chhattisgarh 03 ‘Suraaji Gaon Yojana' to boost villages’ economy

STAFF REPORTER n RAIPUR State in the entire country. The State development. By improving the habi- orest Minister Mohammad Akbar Government is keen on conserving and tats of wild animals water resources Fsaid on Wednesday that the State rejuvenating canals which can bring can be made available throughout the Government had initiated 'Suraaji transformation in the rural economy,’’ year in the forest areas,’’ Akbar said. Gaon Yojana' to strengthen the econo- the minister opined. He added, ``If Additional Chief Secretary CK my of the villages. adequate infra-structure is built the Khaitan said that are innumerable ``The focus is on Narwa, Garuva, irrigation facilities can be increased canals and water resources and abun- Dhurva, and Baari which will con- manifold. Technical and practical solu- dant rainfall in the State but due to serve, innovate and develop the rural tions should be implemented to man- inadequate management and conser- economic landscape. There is a need age the water resources,’’. vation of water the agriculture sector for developing double-crop patterns He stressed upon the need to study could not be developed to the opti- and rejuvenating the water resources in in detail the suggestions offered by the mum level. The workshop will elicit the entire state,’’ the minister remarked common people. adequate suggestions from the gather- while addressing a workshop on 'Narva Akbar said that rivers-canals are ing. Advisor to Chief Minister Pradeep Vikaas Yojana' at Aranya Bhawan in the main sources of water but due to Kumar Sharma gave a detailed presen- Naya Raipur. rapid urbanization the number of tation on 'Nurva Vikaas Yojana'. Akbar stated that there were canals had been reduced considerably. Several senior officers were also pres- roughly 36,000 small-big canals in the ``There is a need for master plan to ent. Representatives of Forest Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel paid a courtesy visit to residence of Sujeet Kumar, Resident Editor entire State. conserve canals and lakes. The water- Development Samitis and Social insti- (The Pioneer) at Media City in Raipur on Tuesday, February 5. ``It is the second biggest riverine table can be increased through 'Narva' tutions were also present. Baghel extends warm EOW to probe complaints against Aman Singh welcome to Rahul Gandhi STAFF REPORTER n RAIPUR tate government on Wednesday STAFF REPORTER n Bhavanipatna area in Odisha’s Sordered Economic Offence Wing JAGDALPUR Kalahandi district by a chopper (EOW) of the state to form a Special with Baghel. Those other key Investigation Team (SIT) to probe hhattisgarh Chief Minister personalities welcomed charges against Aman Singh, former CBhupesh Baghel received Gandhi, were MLA Rekh principal secretary to Chief Minister. Congress president Rahul Chand Jain, Mayor Jatin According to information, Gandhi on Wednesday at Jaiswal, MLAs Mohan Markam, Secretary General Administration Rita Jagdalpur, headquarters of Deepak Baij, Lakheshwar Shandilya through an order instructed state’s poverty-hit Bastar Baghel, Vikram Mandawi, Ex- the EOW to probe into the complaint region. Minister Arvind Netam, Ganga against Singh which was levelled by Gandhi arrived at Potai, Shankar Sodi, Rajiv Vijaya Mishra to the Prime Minister’s Jagdalpur airport at 10.40 am Sharma, Phoolodevi Netam Office (PMO). by a special flight where Baghel and a large number of public In the complaint Mishra had also accorded him warm welcome. representatives. Director complained that the former Indian Commerce and Industry General of Police (DGP) DM Revenue Services official, Singh, during several corruption cases were pending Minister Kawasi Lakhma along Awasthi, Commissioner his contractual appointment in against Singh prior to his deputation in with MLAs and other public Dhananjay Dewangan, Chhattisgarh had hidden the fact that Chhattisgarh. representatives were also pres- Inspector General of Police there was no probe pending anywhere Mishra had also produced the com- ent at the airport to receive Vivekananda Sinha, SP D against him. plaint raised by senior BJP leader and Gandhi. Shravan, In-charge Collector Mishra in complaint citing infor- former Home Minister Nankiram After a brief stopover, the Prabhat Malik were also pres- mation received through Right to Kanwar in which he had levelled cor- Congress chief left for ent on the occasion. Information (RTI) had claimed that ruption charges against Singh. BJP stages sit-in against probes Ministers’ panel formed to Dharamlal Kaushik, former minister Rajesh Munat and other senior leader participated in the protest. Kaushik while addressing the gather- ing said, “Congress government is creat- withdraw political cases ing a sense of terror among the BJP work- ers. Why in Antagarh Audiotape incident, FIR was lodged in late night’’? RAIPUR: A four-member Warning the Congress, Kaushik said cabinet sub-committee under that the fight against Congress will con- chairmanship of Home tinue from village-level to Parliament. Minister Tamradwaj Sahu has Munat said, “In what conditions the been constituted by state gov- SIT incharge was shifted. The issue ernment on Wednesday to should come before public. FIR was look into all the cases regis- lodged after midnight.” He demanded tered against the leaders, that a SIT should also be constituted in purely linked to political agi- which the CD was released in which Chief tations. Minister Bhupesh Baghel and P L Punia The other members of the could be seen talking about providing sub-committee are Urban party ticket to leaders for financial gains. administration and develop- Reacting to the BJP’s demonstration, ment, labour minister Dr Shiv Congress spokesperson Sushil Anand Daharia, Women and child Shukla said, “The demonstration is farce development, social welfare as the office-bearers having indulged in minister Anila Bhedia and assaulting the journalists in the party Higher Education, Skill STAFF REPORTER n RAIPUR party workers, Bharatiya Janata Party office are speaking on law and order. Development, Technical lleging vendetta politics by the (BJP) staged a day-long sit-in at the Antagarh issue is a political conspiracy Education and Employment, ACongress government by filing First Budhatalab, the agitation site, on against the Congress party. It will be Science and Technology, Information Report and commencement Wednesday. probed. Why should BJP fear the probe, if Sports and Youth Welfare of probes against former ministers and Chhattisgarh BJP state president their hands are clean’’? minister Umesh Patel. DKS team gives new lease of life to woman RAIPUR: Plastic surgery department of Dau Kalyan Singh Singhdeo to launch Six injured at (DKS) Super-Speciality Hospital and Research Centre gave a new lease of life to a young woman through surgery, having a rare disease of fungal sinusitis. Due to the disease, she had also developed nasal cutaneous NTPC’s Sipat plant fistula. She had also lost her one eye and speaking ability. deworming drive today According to a team of doctors, 23 year old Rashmi Dewangan, resident of Bhilai due to the disease had lost her bones near nasal part, lost her right eye and her eye-lids have STAFF REPORTER n ered. also become abnormal. On her palate (upper part of mouth) a RAIPUR The objective is to hole had developed due to which, she was unable to speak ealth Minister T S deworm all pre-school and properly and food was also passing through a hole near the HSinghdeo will launch school-age children eyes. Her face was deformed due to the prevailing condition. state level community medi- between the ages of 1-19 cine intake programme for years through the platform ‘Deworming’ and launch the of schools and anganwadi ‘National Deworming Day’ centres. programme on February 7 Due to contamination, in an event at 12.00 noon at children are affected by dif- New Circuit House, Civil ferent types of worms, STAFF REPORTER n NTPC, Sipat, M R Sahu said The official further said Lines, Raipur. mainly Helminths, round BILASPUR that the mishap took place that “the plant management Under the programme, ment, Government of India work, whipworm and hook- t least six persons were while some civil works was had initiated an internal probe in all the 27 districts, as part had launched the drive to worms. Generally, if chil- Ainjured on Wednesday at undertaken in power plant. into the incident and was of ‘National Deworming make every child in the dren are infested with India’s leading power produc- The injured that included committed for undertaking all Day’ (February 8) event, the country worm free. It is one worms, then they can have er in public sector NTPC’s one staff and five contract measures necessary to ensure children will be adminis- of the largest public health anaemia, malnutrition, Sipat unit in Chhattisgarh’s labourers, were immediately safety of our work force.” The tered medicines to de-worm programme where within a impaired mental and physi- Bilaspur district, a company rushed to the plant’s medical NTPC’s Sipat thermal power them. short period maximum cal and cognitive official informed. facility and first aid was given plant has total installed capac- As per health depart- number of children are cov- development. Public Relation officer, to them, he added. ity of 2980 MW.

comprises Sukhpal Singh made in the coming days, once Political leaders, includ- Khaira’s Punjabi Ekta Party; the seat sharing and other ing those from AAP, its rebel argari Insaaf Morcha has SAD (Taksali)— including sit- related issues would be decid- faction led by Khaira, along Bfinally decided to embark ting MP Ranjit Singh ed. with Sikh preachers, come on the route of ballot rather Brahmpura, former MP Ratan Bargari Insaaf Morcha together to observe third than protest. It has decided to Singh Ajnala, and former came into being in June 2018 anniversary of Kotkapura and enter the electoral field to con- Minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan; when various panthic organi- Behbal Kalan firing incidents test the 2019 Lok Sabha elec- Bains brothers’ Lok Insaaf sations and leaders came — an event organised by par- tions in Punjab. Party; Bahujan Samaj Party together to stage a protest allel jathedars. Gen Singh said that it was The Morcha, announcing (BSP); along with AAP’s “sus- dharna (sit-in) at Bargari to During the event, the pro- a mistake to join SAD after he its four candidates on pended” MP Dr Dharamvir press for the arrest of those testers demanded action both day after Punjab Vidhan became the member of the new Wednesday, has also made it Gandhi’s Punjab Manch. involved in the 2015 sacrilege in the sacrilege cases as well as ASabha’s former deputy outfit, which he described as clear that its doors are open for Now, the Bargari Morcha and police firing incidents. subsequent police firing. They speaker Bir Devinder Singh the genuine Taksali party of any outfit, “except the has also thrown its hat in the Notably, a spate of sacrilege lashed out not only at the for- joined the Shiromani Akali Punjab. Congress, SAD (Badal) and the poll arena, keeping its options incidents shocked the state, mer Chief Minister Parkash Dal (Taksali), the newly- “Both SAD and Congress BJP”, for an alliance ahead cru- open for a coalition. that was followed by subse- Singh Badal holding him formed outfit on Wednesday are working hand-in-glove. cial parliamentary polls. Morcha’s senior leader and quent police firing incidents at responsible for police firing, but got another shot in its arm with They tried their best to ruin my With this, the Sikh radicals Akal Takht’s acting parallel the peaceful protesters on also at the ruling Congress and the former Indian Army chief status. SAD is a commercial would add another dimension jathedar Dhian Singh Mand October 14, 2015, killing two the Chief Minister Capt (retired) General Joginder party which has been running to the already multi-cornered announced the candidatures of Sikh protestors — Krishan Amarinder Singh for “delaying” Jaswant Singh coming in its hotels and many more business contest the State is expected to former MP and SAD Bhagwan Singh and Gurjit action against the guilty, espe- fold. in the State,” he said. witness in the ensuing elec- (Amritsar) president Simarjeet Singh — at Behbal Kalan vil- cially the Badals. Gen Singh, who had He joined the Taksali tions. Besides the traditional Singh Mann from Sangrur, lage in Faridkot. Three years The issue of sacrilege had unsuccessfully contested 2017 brigade in the presence of SAD players—the Congress, and the United Akali Dal president after the incident, the political cost SAD-BJP combine a lot State Assembly elections (Taksali) president and SAD-BJP, the Aam Aadmi Mohkam Singh from Khadoor Congress and SAD (Badal), to alliance with the SAD (Taksali), and religious leaders, Sikh during 2017 state assembly against Capt Amarinder Singh Khadoor Sahib MP Ranjit Party (AAP) has emerged as Sahib, UAD general secretary make an alliance to contest PEP, BSP, and others under the preachers, common people, polls. Keeping the issue alive, from Patiala urban segment as Singh Brahmpura and senior the third alternative in the Bhai Gurdeep Singh Bathinda polls.” Punjab Democratic Front. converged at Bargari to send the ruling Congress party has SAD-BJP combine candidate, vice-president Rattan Singh State. from Bathinda, and Bikramjit It has been learnt that the Mand has reportedly held out a clear message to the planned to make the most of it had recently bid adieu to the Ajnala. Brahmpura said that Other than that, the maha- Sodhi from Sri Anandpur Morcha constituents, a series of talks with the lead- Congress-led Punjab during the ensuing Lok Sabha Shiromani Akali Dal, headed with the inclusion of Gen JJ gathbandhan (grand alliance) Sahib. Shiromani Akali Dal ers of these outfits to contest Government—punish those polls too. by Sukhbir Badal, about two Singh, his party has become by the various splinter groups Mand said: “The Morcha (Amritsar) and United Akali the elections in alliance. It is guilty or meet the same fate as But with the Bargari months back citing personal stronger in Punjab. is set to make the electoral bat- has constituted a three-mem- Dal, have decided to contest the believed that the formal the Akalis. The event has sent Morcha deciding to enter elec- reasons. He was heading the Gen JJ Singh had already tle four-way. The grand ber committee that would upcoming parliamentary elec- announcement of the Morcha alarm bells ringing in the toral battlefield, it expected to SAD’s ex-servicemen wing. expressed his keenness to fight alliance, under the name of negotiate with other political tions under the banner of becoming the party of grand camps of both the Congress do some harm to both the A former Arunachal the coming Lok Sabha elections Punjab Democratic Alliance, groups, except for the BJP, Bargari Insaaf Morcha in alliance in Punjab would be and Akali Dal. Congress and the SAD. Pradesh Governor, Gen Singh from Ferozepur constituency, has joined the Akali Dal on the the home seat of SAD president become the Army chief, Gen among the architects of defeat- Chief of the Indian Army from After joining SAD (Taksali) Government in Punjab of giv- Sahib and the police firing at eve 2017 polls in his first polit- Sukhbir Badal. Singh has fought the 1965 and ing Pakistani intruders in January 31, 2005, to September in Amritsar, Gen Singh accused ing “safe passage” to the culprits Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan ical stint. The first Sikh officer to 1971 wars, apart from being Kargil. He served as the 22nd 30, 2007. the Capt Amarinder of desecration of Guru Granth firing incidents. 33 assembly constituency on upcoming polls. held at Jat Bhawan here. that the party is in strong posi- patriarch OP Chautala is also Wednesday announced his In the recently held Jind During the meeting, the tion. expected to meet BSP chief othing seems to be going support to Dushyant Chautala’s bypoll, the INLD had not failed party discussed the reasons of Mayawati over the recent devel- Nwell for the Indian JJP in Hisar. to retain its Jind assembly seat, its poor performance in the opments after the Jind bypoll. National Lok Dal, Haryana’s Three party MLAs includ- which it had won in 2009 and bypoll and also, chalked out ejecting reports that his A day before, BSP’s main opposition party. While ing Naina Chautala, Anoop 2014 polls, but also ended up strategy for upcoming budget Rparty’s alliance with the Haryana in-charge Meghraj peaker, Haryana Vidhan INLD’s alliance with the BSP is Dhanak and Rajdeep Phogat at fifth spot behind the candi- session of Haryana Assembly. BSP is under strain after Jind had that the split in INLD has SSabha, Kanwar Pal Gujjar on unjab Government on on the verge of break up after are already openly supporting dates of BJP, JJP, Congress and OP Chautala’s younger son bypoll, INLD leader Abhay affected the party and this was Wednesday administered the PWednesday launched party’s humiliating defeat in the JJP. Loktantra Suraksha Party. Abhay Chautala, while address- Singh Chautala said, “Has any- witnessed in the Jind bypoll. If oath of office and secrecy to ‘Punjab Vision Zero’ campaign Jind bypoll, another party MLA INLD’s chief OP Chautala The party’s candidate ing the party leaders and work- one said that the INLD-BSP the Chautala family does not newly elected MLA of Jind to tackle road fatalities to on Wednesday extended sup- elder son-Ajay Singh Chautala Umed Singh Redhu could ers asked them not to get influ- alliance ended? Our alliance come together, we will have to Assembly Constituency, ensure safer roads across the port to its splinter group, -is patron of the JJP while his secure only 3454 votes and had enced by the JJP and stay with stands. We entered into an rethink about our alliance with Midha, here. State. For the same, the State Jannayak Janta Party. two sons–Hisar MP Dushyant even lost his security deposit. the INLD. alliance (last year) to fight the the INLD, he had said. BJP’s candidate Krishan Government signed a Skipping party’s executive and Digvijay-are spearheading BJP’s Krishan Middha had He also claimed that Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha Middha had won the Jind Memorandum of committee meeting in the party in the absence of Ajay, registered an emphatic win Dushyant is trying to influence polls together and we will joint- Assembly seat, trouncing his Understanding with Honda Chandigarh, Pirthi Singh, who is serving a jail term in while OP Chautala’s grandson another party MP Charanjeet ly contest these polls.” nearest rival Jannayak Janta and WRI INDIA. INLD MLA from Narwana connection with the teachers Digvijay Chautala of the JJP Singh Rori to join the JJP. Chautala said, “If there are Party’s Digvijay Chautala by recruitment scam in Haryana. had finished at number two INLD was founded by any issues, we will sit together fter party’s defeat in Jind over 12,900 votes in the bypoll. Following INLD’s poor spot. Choudhry Devi Lal and its and discuss them.” Abypoll, Abhay Chautala said The bye-election to Jind performance in Jind bypoll, With this, the number of roots will stay strong forever “Mayawati has said that the Election Commission Assembly seat was necessitat- BSP supremo Mayawati has INLD MLAs in the State but the party leaders and work- the INLD, which has split, should order a probe into the ed following the demise of also hinted at breaking nine- Assembly has fallen to 17 and ers should be careful to not get should unite which will alleged misuse of money power Hari Chand Middha in August month old ties with the INLD four of them have extended influenced by others ahead of strengthen the alliance. After and government machinery. last year. INLD’s Hari Chand ahead of Lok Sabha polls. The support to the JJP. the election, he said. the Jind bypoll, I spoke to her,” He said that the discussion was Middha had represented the Leader of opposition and While Abhay Chautala He also told the partymen he said. held during the party’s executive Jind seat for two consecutive INLD’s senior leader Abhay denied the reports of Pirthi that OP Chautala will soon be When asked what tran- meeting on Jind bypoll result. terms in 2009 and 2014. Chautala has however denied Singh joining the JJP, his con- out of Tihar jail on furlough and spired between the two leaders, the reports of breakup of cern to keep the flock togeth- will meet them soon. he said, “All things cannot be alliance and said that INLD- er was clear during the party’s Talking to the mediaper- made public”. BSP combine will contest the executive committee meeting sons later, Abhay Chautala said Sources said that INLD

account for more than 40 per- won from Gurugram parlia- According to the political one of country’s poorest district. cent of the electorate in mentary seat in last elections. analysts, the former The parliamentary seat vot- Gurugram Lok Sabha con- Rao Inderjit Singh, a promi- Congressman, Rao Inderjit ers’ are spread over nine assem- stituency. nent Ahir community leader Singh was counting on the bly segments including Bawal fter being carved into a In 2014 general elections, had won by nearly 2.74 lakh “Modi magic” to retain his seat (SC), Rewari, Pataudi (SC), Anew constituency following there were three Yadavs and one votes against his nearest rival of and it worked for him in the Gurugram, Sohna, Nuh, delimitation, Gurugram’s elec- Meo Muslim candidate repre- the Indian National Lok Dal’s 2014 polls. Ferozepur and Punhana. In toral fate hinges on caste factor senting major political parties Zakir Hussain, a Meo Muslim. Rao Inderjit Singh, who is 2014 polls, Rao Inderjit Singh with Ahirs and Meo Muslim in the fray. The Congress’s candidate Union Minister of State for had led in five constituencies voters deciding the eventual Riding on a pro-Modi was Rao Dharampal and Aam Chemicals and Fertilisers had while INLD’s Zakir Hussain winner. wave, BJP’s Rao Inderjit Singh, Aadmi Party had fielded himself credited his victory to had taken the lead in Nuh, These two communities a former Congressman had Yogendra Yadav, a big name in Modi wave saying that it acted Ferozepur, Punhana and the intellectual and academic as a “catalyst” in the 2014 polls. Badshahpur. circles of the country. Rao Inderjit had secured over According to the Election Considering the signifi- 6.44 lakh votes (48.82 percent) Commission, the parliamentary cance of caste equations in the while his nearest rival Zakir constituency has 17.89 lakh Gurugram parliamentary con- Hussain was polled 3.70 lakh voters including Gurugram and stituency, the three major polit- votes (28,02 percent). Congress’ Badshahpur segments having ical parties-the Congress, BJP nominee Rao Dharmpal got more than 6 lakh voters. and AAP-had all fielded Yadav 1.33 lakh votes (10.12 percent) Gurugram, which earlier candidates while the INLD had while AAP’s Yogendra Yadav, came under Mahendragarh Meo Muslim candidate, Zakir who has left the party now, was parliamentary seat was made a Hussain. polled 79452 votes (6.02 per- separate constituency after the Unable for finding a suitable cent) delimitation process before candidate from its own ranks in The Gurugram Lok Sabha 2009 Lok Sabha polls. At pre- the State, the BJP had to rely on constituency, on one side has sent, Mahendragarh, which has Rao Inderjit Singh, who was a urban assembly segment of now been clubbed with the Congressman for over 35 years Gurgaon with towering corpo- Bhiwani-Mahendragarh par- and had switched over to the rate offices and posh residential liamentary constituency, is rep- BJP before the 2014 general complexes while on the other resented by BJP’s MP elections. side, there is Mewat (Nuh), Dharamveer. C M Y K

0 222345 agents as having the greatest 1 need, and as these agents will aking yet another strong tell you, where walls go up, ille- Mpitch for people to come gal crossings go way down. into the US based on merit, US “Simply put, walls work rance’s yellow vest protest President Donald Trump said and walls save lives. So let’s Fmovement joined ranks on Wednesday that tolerance work together, compromise, with a major union, a first for for illegal immigration is not and reach a deal that will truly both, in a day of nationwide compassionate — it is cruel. make America safe,” said the protests over taxes and buying Trump, in his annual State US President. power that brought tens of of the Union address, said: Asking the Congress to thousands into the streets. “We have a moral duty to cre- defend the very dangerous Brief scuffles marked the ate an immigration system that southern border, Trump said mostly calm Paris demonstra- protects the lives and jobs of no issue better illustrates the tion on Tuesday. our citizens”. divide between America’s Police fired several rounds The lawless state of the working class and America’s of tear gas, clearing trouble- southern Mexico border is a political class than illegal immi- makers from the Place de la threat to the safety, security and gration. Concorde, which borders the financial well-being of all He said that wealthy politi- US Embassy. Americans, he said. cians and donors push for Tear gas was also used in “This (moral duty) open borders while living their Lille and elsewhere. before the Senate, would also He noted overlapping includes our obligation to the lives behind walls and gates and However, tension was min- make it a crime for protesters demands between his union millions of immigrants living guards. Meanwhile, working imal compared with the week- to conceal their faces — a and yellow vest protesters. here today, who followed the class Americans are left to pay ly protests held since mid- common occurrence during “There’s no reason why we rules and respected our laws. “It includes humanitarian Trump said. the price for mass illegal migra- November by the yellow vest Saturday protests by the yellow shouldn’t demonstrate next to Legal immigrants enrich our assistance, more law enforce- This is a smart, strategic, tion -- reduced jobs, lower movement to demand fiscal vest movement, by both those each other or one behind nation and strengthen our soci- ment, drug detection at our see-through steel barrier -- wages, overburdened schools and social justice in a major trying to offset the effects of another. ety in countless ways. I want ports, closing loopholes that not just a simple concrete wall, and hospitals, increased crime, challenge to President tear gas and by troublemakers What’s important is that people to come into our coun- enable child smuggling, and he said. and a depleted social safety net, Emmanuel Macron. concealing their identities. our first day together is a suc- try, but they have to come in plans for a new physical barri- “It will be deployed in the he told members of the US As protesters marched, Meanwhile, the cess, in the middle of the legally,” said the US President er, or wall, to secure the vast areas identified by border Congress. lawmakers in the national Communist-backed CGT week,” he said. in his address to a joint session areas between our ports of Assembly, the Lower House of union marched from Paris City “I find business leaders of the US Congress. entry. Parliament, voted 387-92 to Hall to the Place de la have it easy and it’s time we Trump said his adminis- “In the past, most of the pass a bill aimed at preventing Concorde side-by-side with hold big company bosses in this tration has sent to Congress a people in this room voted for Q154 violence during protests, and protesters from the yellow vest country accountable,” Martinez commonsense proposal to end a wall — but the proper wall helping authorities maintain movement, which takes its said. The grassroots yellow the crisis on southern border. never got built. I’ll get it built,” order. name from the safety vests vest movement has no anoint- 4R The Bill would, for they wear that are required in ed leader and an array of instance, authorise regional all cars. demands. along the US-Mexico border, prefects to prevent people seen Union chief Philippe However, increasing buy- 1R which shut down the govern- as a serious threat to public Martinez cheered the hand-in- ing power and ending what S President Donald Trump ment and postponed the order from protesting, or force hand protests with the yellow they perceive as favoritism Uon Wednesday called for address which was earlier protesters involved in violence vests, promising daily initiatives toward the powerful at the 3 rejecting politics of revenge, scheduled on January 29. to pay for damage. and “something big” each expense of the less fortunate are resistance and retribution, but “We must reject the politics The Bill, which must go Tuesday. leading demands. insisted on building a wall of revenge, resistance and ret- out intervention in internal along the US-Mexico border as ribution,” Trump told Congress affairs.” he appeared before a divided near the beginning of his State R raq’s most senior Shiite cler- Iraq “rejects being a Congress for his annual State of of the Union address, claiming Iic on Wednesday joined a launching pad for harming the Union address. in his speech that he is putting chorus of Iraqi politicians and any other country,” he said His calls for reconciliation forward “the agenda of the 9 clerics criticizing recent state- during a meeting with UN were met with mostly stone- United States.” 4 ments by President Donald Iraq envoy Jeanine Hennis- faced silence from Democrats, “An economic miracle is Trump in which he said US Plasschaert at the cleric’s base who bitterly oppose his agen- taking place in the United Colombo: Sri Lankan troops should stay in Iraq to in Najaf. da and accuse him of hasten- States — and the only thing President Maithripala Sirisena keep an eye on neighbouring Both Iraq’s President and ing the decline in cross-party that can stop it are foolish wars, said on Wednesday that he will Iran. Prime Minister have hit back at cooperation. politics or ridiculous partisan Caracas: Venezuelan military implement death penalty for Grand Ayatollah Ali al- Trump’s statements to US The president had a record investigations,” the president officers blocked a bridge on he drug dealers within three ope Francis has acknowl- Sistani said Iraq aspires to have media this week stating that US 35-day standoff with the said. border with Colombia ahead of months, ending a 42-year Pedged receiving a request “good and balanced relations” troops should stay at a base in Democrats led by House He said that tolerance for an anticipated humanitarian moratorium on capital pun- from embattled Venezuelan with all of its neighbors “based Iraq so that America can Speaker Nancy Pelosi over his illegal immigration is not com- aid shipment Tuesday, as oppo- ishment in the country. President Nicholas Maduro to on mutual interests and with- “watch Iran.” proposed controversial wall passionate — it is cruel. sition leader Juan Guaido Sirisena said that execution help relaunch talks to end the stepped up his challenge to of drug convicts is a necessity country’s political crisis but President Nicolas Maduro’s in view of the fast spreading ruled out any involvement :3 authority. The Opposition- drug menace in the island unless opposition leader Juan 5 dominated National Assembly nation. Guaido requests it. Francis on ; had earlier warned the armed “I will implement the death Tuesday acknowledged that he forces, which make up much of penalty during the next 2-3 hadn’t read Maduro’s letter, 4 Maduro’s power base, not to months,” he said while address- which he said arrived at the Vatican City: Pope cross a “red line” by ing the parliament. Sri Lanka’s Vatican via diplomatic pouch. Francis says his pil- blocking aid. last hanging took place in June He added, “We’ll see what grimage this week to the Guaido, who proclaimed 1976. Since then successive can be done.” But speaking to United Arab Emirates himself acting president on presidents have refused to sign reporters en route home from wrote a “new page in January 23 -- sparking an inter- death warrants to hang con- the United Arab Emirates, he history of the dialogue national crisis -- claims that up victs. Sirisena took the decision recalled that a previous Vatican between Christianity to 300,000 people face death if despite Sri Lanka becoming diplomatic effort to facilitate and Islam” and in pro- the aid is not delivered. party to a UN moratorium on talks between Maduro and the moting world peace “You know there’s a red death penalty in 2016. opposition “went up in smoke.” based on brotherhood. line, you know well there’s a He said that his decision And he insisted on the Telling pilgrims at limit, you know that medicines, which was expressed last year basic diplomatic requirement the Vatican on food and medical supplies are could not be carried out due to that two sides to any conflict Wednesday about mak- that limit,” lawmaker Miguel bureaucratic lethargy and the must jointly request external ing the first-ever papal Pizarro said in a message to the links between officials and facilitation or mediation of trip to the Arabian military. AFP drug mafias. PTI negotiations. Peninsula.

C M Y K     < 95 5       > 0   >       ,             '; ! ,         ,   !     !         ,                     '     3       - 4-5     =       '   , <!!  $!/$0! !         3       , 0   ibi Aasia Noreen, the Pakistani    '    Christian woman who was on ( ,   ) ,    0  ,   death row for blasphemy, is final- ly out of the woods. The Supreme           ! 0      3  ' Court of Pakistan recently reject- 2            !   !  Bed the final appeal against her acquittal. But        3  ' 0     she might still have to relocate to the West, as living in Pakistan could prove perilous ) S - S        =%"     !    for her. India could have set an example by   $?%#   6     @#  ' inviting her to live in this country. )  0      "#%#' 0  !    Imagine if Aasia Bibi were a Christian woman in India, working in an agricultur- !         ! 0        al field alongside Hindu women. Consider      3   !  6  ! ,   S a hypothetical scenario. Thirsty after           '=  0   working under the hot sun, she fetches a pail of water for fellow workers, but first     S    3       drinks some herself from the metal mug   '          ! (!       lying beside the well. The other women, 3      '            S suddenly realising that she is a Christian, wonder whether Aasia Bibi had “polluted”                     their well and “diluted” their religion. And               6      then, angered and hurt, Aasia Bibi reacts       ' S      , by telling some horrible things about Hindu deities as though she had been read-  !    !        !    ing BR Ambedkar’s Riddles in :  ' 0         6 The Annotated Critical Selection the pre- offences related to religion, Constitution of Pakistan, 1973, recommended the removal of Mogor how a rich Jew in    '8   <  (!      vious night. commonly called “blasphemy was carried out to exclude the alternative provision of life Aleppo (Syria) outwitted a What options would Hindu women laws” that are discriminatory Ahmediyas from the legal def- imprisonment. Since the Muslim Governor, who want-      R0   S   ,      have against Aasia Bibi? First, a cat-fight against non-Muslims. The most inition of being a Muslim. The Pakistan Government did not ed to deprive him of his wealth,    !       !     to teach her a lesson on the spot. Second, dangerous of them are 295-C language of the amendment appeal against this recommen- life and religion by abetting + ,  ! '     (!  0  2    tell the owner of the land to dismiss her (use of derogatory remarks had a theological overtone dation in the Supreme Court by blasphemy in the 16th century.                from services. Third, to complain to their with respect to Prophet incompatible with modern con- the deadline of April 30, 1991, The Governor asked the Jew, respective husbands about the defilement. Mohammed) and 295-B (defil- stitutions. It says that a person, the capital punishment without who was the greatest Prophet      !          ' Fourth, to tell the priest about a local tem- ing the Holy Quran) which who does not believe in the an alternative attained finality. among Moses, Christ and 8                 ple. Fifth, go to Rashtriya Swayamsevak carry a punishment of manda- absolute and unqualified final- A judgement of Peshawar Mohammed? Had the Jew said  !   !            Sangh (RSS) and Vishwa Hindu Parishad tory death sentence and life ity of the prophethood of the High Court in 2006 expressed Mohammed, he would be asked (VHP) karyakartas. Sixth, to go to the law imprisonment respectively. Mohammed, is not a Muslim serious concern that whenever to accept Islam. Had he men-     ,             enforcing authorities like police and court. Some of these deadly pro- for the purpose of the a person was charged with tioned the others, it would be         '        The third and fourth options would visions were inserted in Constitution or law. such an offence, the media considered a blasphemy and he !        !       have been treated as nothing more than gos- Pakistan’s Penal Code not when In 1977, General Zia-ul gave extensive coverage and the would be put to death. sip-mongering. Also, since Aasia Bibi is not the Islamic Republic was Haq came to power through a accused person was abused by The Jew, however, proved 3       6    '8    a Bible-thumping Christian missionary, founded but in the 1980s, when coup d’état. The ensuing 11 the society/people at large. cleverer than expected. He nar- 3      ,   !   ' there would be little to excite the RSS and the rest of the world was seized years saw increased Even under Islamic injunc- rated a story of how a rich man  6(!   2    ! 0    ' VHP karyakartas. The fifth option of with the idea of progress. Islamisation of Pakistan in var- tions, the court added, it is for had a precious stone, which approaching the law enforcing authorities Pakistan had inherited some ious spheres. These included the Qazi alone to decide the each of his three sons wanted would be positively dangerous for them as blasphemy laws from the insertion of five provisions guilt or innocence of the to inherit on his death. So he they would be hauled up under Section 3 British period but those were relating to blasphemy in the accused and none could be got two exact replicas made of the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, religion-neutral. Their basic Pakistan Penal Code between allowed to forejudge and con- from the lapidaire; and gave to enforce religious disabilities (denying purpose was not to defend 1980 and 1986. Close to 1,500 demn any person accused of away those to each son so that 1 access to water sources). Thus, rather than religious principles but main- people have been charged such offence without facing one had the original and the doing any harm to Aasia Bibi, they them- tain communal peace. under those sections till date proper and fair trial. other two had replicas. But he selves would have ended up in prison for up In three decades between though none were actually Right to fair trial is what the told each to keep it a secret that to six months besides depositing a penalty. 1947 and 1977, there were only hanged. Supreme Court based its case he had given him the original But on June 14, 2009, Aasia Bibi was 10 reported court judgements A Federal Shariat Court upon in its judgements (dated and the false one to others. But unfortunately in an alternate universe in Pakistan pertaining to (FSC) was established in 1980, October 7, 2015, and January, only the father knew who got          called Pakistan. She was arrested on charges offences against religion. The with the power to “examine and 28, 2019). But unfortunately, the original. So God gave three      of making derogatory remarks about complaints were made mostly decide the question whether the court could not discard or Prophetic religions viz Judaism,  Prophet Mohammed, based on the evidence by Muslims against other any law or provision of law is challenge the atrocious rubric Christianity and Islam to three        of Mafia Bibi and Asma Bibi. Qari Muslims, by non-Muslims repugnant to the injunctions of of blasphemy laws. This means races. While each thinks his         Mohammed Salam, a local cleric, filed a against Muslims. No case was Islam”. The FSC’s decisions are there will be no end to this religion is true, God alone         !     case of blasphemy with the police, based on registered by a Muslim against binding upon the Government madness in Pakistan. The knows the truth. The Muslim "#$%  "#$&' (    hearsay. The case spiralled in importance non-Muslims for committing unless the latter successfully courts could not counteract governor conceded defeat in his with a local court awarding death sentence an act of blasphemy against appeals to the Shariat bench of blasphemy because they know mission and even rewarded     ) S      to Aasia Bibi for denigrating Prophet Prophet Mohammed or “defil- the Supreme Court. it is an integral part of Islam. Its the Jew.  +) ,      $# Mohammed in 2010, and later a Lahore ing” the Quran. But all these When Section 295-C was misuse though has been possi- (The writer is author of    -, +  -, . court upholding its judgement in 2016. was about to change soon. introduced in 1986, it had a bly as old as its application itself. recently published book, ‘The The Pakistan Penal Code has several In 1974, when Zulfikar Ali provision of life imprisonment Nicholas Mannucci (1638- Microphone Men: How Orators  , )      /0, controversial sections (and sub sections Bhutto was the Prime Minister, as an alternative to capital pun- 1717), the Italian adventurer to created a Modern India’. Views  , 1 ! ,  thereof) ranging from 295 to 298-C under the first amendment in the ishment. But in 1990, the FSC India, relates in his Storia do expressed are his personal) /      !  ' 2  ,      3               )!  S 4)S 5       6     ,    !              '      ,  0     )                !   '          !        !       '    !      , 7            6  )   /0          1'  ,      )          !' 8              !       Budget, at best, should have     0 '   0 ,1        Q      reduced tax incidence on the !             !   0   lower rungs of taxpayers rather     0  '9 S  !     Sir — The interim Budget pre- than completely exempting a sented by stand-by Finance large chunk from the tax radar.              Minister Piyush Goyal was clev- This is misplaced populism. The    !      ':  S   7   !    !      erly crafted. It sought to lure all saving grace is that it did not cut         ;S   6 sections of Indian society, espe- down tax on corporate entities. cially the middle classes and the Fiscal discipline seems to have )<  /  '=         6  worker communities. Although    been adhered to, but it looks like < 7 =    !     !      the Opposition termed the it is based more on hope than on               , measures as a “drop in the   substance.      ,    S   !     ' ocean”, one hopes that the R Narayan Government will rise above Navi Mumbai   !     !   :  S  ,!     rhetoric and deliver on the     '        0! promises. It is true that the         6     0 '       promise of achche din continues to be a distant dream. Yet, if the              )+,  6 measures as suggested in the Sir — One needs to express            ,         Budget are implemented in deep appreciation to cancer sur-       !             earnest, the standard of living vivors, those who are bravely should improve substantially.  fighting the disease and also the  '   ! ,   +    !    No Budget, however, can medical fraternity. It is a combi-          0      appease every section of society. nation of medicine, the fighting   0      '!   !     The standard deduction limit Last year, the figure was shown    mented for only four months of spirit and the never-say-die atti- has been increased from 40,000 to have increased from 6.46 the new fiscal year. tude which will aid them in       0  <  '      =7 to 50,000; taxpayers with an crore to 8.27 crore. But this time, Unfortunately, most such recovery. The answer to cancer  !     (=7 '2 ,  ! annual income higher than five only the number of returns filed Sir — In an election year, the indirect taxes have been ren- is: Never give up, fight back.    !            6     lakh rupees are surely not as has been mentioned. Now, it Budget was expected to be inter- dered obsolete by Goods and Greater awareness and early happy as the ones who will be remains to be seen if this is an im. Ironically, this year’s Budget Services Tax. In their absence, the interventions are much needed    !  )'   !        exempted from taxes for earning intentional one. In any case, in sounded like a full-fledged one. Centre has proceeded to outline to tackle the disease.   , !   ,    0    '  6  less than the stated amount. a country with a population of Earlier, it was the announcement policies that go beyond the usual TS Karthik           ! 0    6  One must note that this over 130 crore, a lot remains to of indirect taxes that added some practice of setting broad pointers Chennai year’s Budget has not made a be done. relevance to an otherwise large- for the incoming Government.  ';            0  , mention about the exact figure Hemant Kumar ly inconsequential presentation — The foray into direct taxation       0  ' of the effective taxpayers’ base. Ambala City the interim Budget is imple- should have been avoided. The     (!" (!"

 ) +   +  + +

1$ 778         0                 68    !         ' ; !, , ,  !              '2              0          ,       ! ' $B              ';                 ,        '          !3/       $@$#';     !             '    !   "$/"  6        ,    ! !        '      !  0  t was expected that the fury and furore  ! !          ' generated by the Sabarimala imbroglio ,   ,         would subside with the seasonal closing               of the shrine. But controversy has resur-    '    !        , faced and resulted in a public outcry in KeralaI once again. The latest provocation for  ,         6  the was the news widely publicised that             the affidavit submitted by the lawyers of the          6 ' Marxist Government of Kerala — that con-        ,      tained the names of women below the age of            ' 50, who entered the Sabarimala shrine — is a     ,  ,  !  fabricated list of lies. It has names of men and        ,  6        women over 50 years of age, whose age has   ! !     '  S0 been deliberately reduced and also the name O   ,  0 ,  ,  , of a woman, whose address cannot be traced.         '  ,  A heap of lies concocted by the       ,     ' Government is beginning to get exposed. But         !   ,   !   the question of larger significance, which more and more Hindus are asking themselves,        O      that too vocally now is: Why this haste to   'D0!      >   reform our rituals alone? Why resort to lies,  0          6  police brute force and false propaganda to  !     6   , !  0   demolish Hindu faith?        !   '< Marxism and Hinduism in Kerala:          6   0     Marxism anywhere cannot be tolerant of reli-               gion. But in Kerala (and in West Bengal too)   ' the party confronted an Indian reality. They  ,          could not attack the faith of the organised reli- control and celibacy is followed by the devo- prompted to say that had Shri Rama Krishna icance of Sabarimala’s rituals and tradition is !   7            gions who had well-established vote banks. In tees as they prepare for a visit to the holy shrine. Paramahansa been born in the West, he would to be understood, surely it has to be by using Kerala, therefore, Hindu faith became the pri- Once they put on the bead garland, they are have been subjected to shock treatments. the semantics of spiritual literature and not new   !  ,    !   ' , 6  mary object of derision. In this task, they always called swamys, suggesting they are worthy of Gender and Sabarimala: If my right to fangled words imported from an alien culture.           had the unstinted support of the Western- respect. When the devotee reaches Sabarimala, swing my walking stick ends where your nose To paraphrase Sri Aurobindo’s observations on  !                biased media. he is better qualified to realise the ultimate begins, then the feminist bandwagon should Western psychology, the secret of the beauty   !      ,$?@#4 5'16  Sanatana dharma and Marxism: As the truth, tatvam asi (thou art that) inscribed at the realise that the right place to swing their walk- of a lotus flower cannot be unravelled by  !           ,     !  erudite Purohit Swami wrote in his autobiog- entrance of the temple. Sabarimala is not just ing stick is not the Sabarimala shrine. The faith- analysing the composition of the mud in which          '<   6  raphy, “Civilisations superstructure may be very a place of worship, it is a nursery for those ful women devotees of Kerala realise this it grows but it can only be done by looking at       (!         fine indeed but it totters like a house of cards, desirous, who follow the path of yoga. It is for unique nature of the deity and this is the rea- the ideal of a lotus existing in some heavenly     6  '        !   for the everlasting kingdom is established in this very reason that the unique tradition of son why they spontaneously carried out rallies sphere above.  , (!  O )     man’s hearts and not an inevitable denouement Sabarimala needs to be preserved. against Government interference in Sabarimala. The last citadel and the long fight: Kerala    0  <(2  E )O !   outwardly to dazzle these eyes.” Marxist Yogic traditions and media lies: Can’t the The faithful respect the right to worship for oth- is the last communist citadel and the LDF Governments in USSR, Czechoslovakia, women too practise these very virtues and dis- ers and Sabarimala is the only temple (one or would fight with all collective strength of the              '   Yugoslavia and East European countries did cipline? They can, and it for this very reason two local exceptions apart) where age restric- Government machinery, police force and the       !        totter like a pack of cards because they did not that all temples, including the temple of tion for women is followed. numerical strength of its well-knit party cadre 0   !!     ' improve the inner man. Ayyappa, are open to women of all ages. The The feminists, who still insist on swinging against any consolidation of the forces of Hindu           0   Marxism and social maladies: Hindu Sabarimala idol is conceived by the devotees as their walking sticks at other worshippers’ dharma. They will try to buy over the Christian     !  6 ,  !  ,  youths have been the most vulnerable targets a naishtika brahmachari, a youth who has con- noses, are State-sponsored activists of various and Muslim vote banks and also use nefarious  !           '8  for this loss of values and Marxist indoctrina- served all his vital energy and performs tapas hues. Many have shady pasts, police cases pend- tactics of widening caste divide to split the con-                tion. If weaned away from religious moorings, for God’s realisation. He is depicted as sitting ing against them and have Maoist affiliations solidation of Hindu votes. , -       2   youth become rebellious and Marxist ideolo- in a unique posture, yoga pattasana, which too. When the State Government manipulates For the Hindus of Kerala, the battle is a long 4-25     R   !  6   S gy can then be easily driven into such discon- tantric science says is conducive for the arousal the list of young women, who have already drawn out one. They will be isolated, maligned  ':   !       , !  6  tented minds. In northern Kerala, these unem- of the Kundalini . If one observes the idol, entered the temple premise, it was the culmi- by the media and curbed by police power. What ployed and under-employed youth are being with even a rudimentary knowledge of tantra nation of a large game plan that divine inter- the Hindus of Kerala need is belief, the peren-     0   !     used as volunteers to carry out and yoga (the writer claims nothing more), it vention has exposed. nial nature of Sanatana Dharma that has sur-    '8  !    '+  ,   the political murder. can be seen that in this posture of sitting, pres- Gender, Sabarimala and some common vived greater onslaughts and invasions. But F,###     < 0  ,    The intellectual pauperism: Sloganeering sure is put on the mooladhara chakra and the sense: Gender parity is a pre-requisite for the Hindus need to fight without forsaking the spir-    !  !   !  '-2   0  and repetitions of cliché have stunted indepen- lower energy centres of the body. This posture functioning of democracy. There are times it of tolerance and compassion fostered by their           !  6  dent thinking minds in the State. “Idiotically is unique and Ayyappa idol at Sabarimala is the when you have to give Caesar what is his due faith, without becoming cowards in the bargain.  0   ) ('8   0       pompous” that is what most people have been only deity depicted in this posture. and to God what is due to him. But again, who But in the political battle field,   ,       !  6   0   reduced to by the communists’ propaganda. Is the total sublimation of the vital ener- shall decide where Caesar’s domain ends and Governments of the day will only acknowledge   ! '     S      They vainly mouth fascism, sangh parivar, gy, conceived in the idol, ideally suited to be God’s begin? Justice Indu Malhotra said in her the strength of the vote bank. In the neo-  !  '     '    renaissance (navodhanam) or any other phrase- worshipped by women of reproductive age? dissenting note that the judiciary itself should Darwinian political scene of India, it is the sur-              ' ology coined by the communist bandwagon. To denounce esoteric religious practices in not judge matters of spiritual significance. vival of the vote bank. And it is here that divid- While Vedantic traditions and faith hold terms of modern-day rationality would be as Media and the propaganda of ed Hindus will have to think wisely, decisive- ;    !   ,  !   through time, the communists are flogging a absurd as dismissing the bread and wine taken lies: Ayyappa is no misogynist, nor is his celiba- ly and cast their votes. Hindu religion never did    ,           dead ideology. by the faithful Christians during Eucharist as cy under threat if women visit the shrine. stoop to fascism. It fostered civilisational val-             !   '  Sabarimala and its unique tradition: being bakery items of gastronomical delights Neither Ayyappa nor his devotees have con- ues and strengthened nationhood. The writing (!      ,0     Sabarimala has always been a temple that was or giving a biological explanation to the vir- tempt for menstruating women or consider on the wall is clearer now for the Hindus of   6      ' intended to instill qualities of renunciation, gin’s motherhood of Christ. them unclean. These are arguments concoct- Kerala than ever before.                   peace and bramhacharya. A 41-day period of Romo Rolland knew the dangers of state ed by Western-biased media and the commu- (The writer is President, Thapasya Art and        ! discipline regarding diet restriction, sleep interference in spiritual matters and he was nist propaganda machinery. If the true signif- Literary Forum) 6  E            ! "# $$#!%     $#

ceptually the Third Pole. Usually, mountains warm up faster cent of the habitat in biodiversity The Himalayas are the last Countries in the HKH region But thanks to rapid climate than global averages. Even if we hotspots has been lost over the last citadel of nature and climate change can take inspiration from the Arctic change, the Himalayas hog the limit global warming to 1.5 degree 500 years and one-fourth of the is breaching it. There is an urgent Council where countries have unit- headlines and mostly for all the Celsius, mountain temperatures endemic species could be lost need for the HKH countries to step ed to share information, to jointly wrong reasons. The ICMOD’s would rise above two degree Celsius by 2100. up efforts to lower greenhouse gas develop solutions and to speak assessment report is an effort by the and if current trends continue, Even now, overall condition in emissions so that runaway temper- with a common voice to the inter-governmental body, involving temperatures could go up by four the HKH region is not good as atures can be controlled. global communities about the $!$2 a massive scientific exercise, com- to six degrees Celsius. poverty incidence is one-third as In order to get there, it is impacts of climate change and prising over 300 researchers and This holds dire consequences compared to the national average important that they rein in air and other concerns. ebruary 4, 2019, was a signif- spanning over four years. not only for our glaciers but also for that’s one-fourth. water pollution and promote sus- The world will not realise as it icant day for the Himalayas as The report said that the HKH food, energy, ecosystems and for the Besides, over 30 per cent of the tainable energy. This will help con- will not stand to lose if the HKH Fon this very day, the region is warming faster than the people, who rely on them in terms HKH population suffers from food tain biodiversity loss and assist region is climatically compromised Kathmandu-based International global average. And it would con- of ecosystem change, changing insecurity and 50 per cent are some of the most poor and vulner- but HKH countries will surely feel Centre for Integrated Mountain tinue to do so during this century. water flow patterns and increased faced with some form of malnutri- able people to adapt to the environ- the adverse impacts of climate Development (ICIMOD) released This assessment is very concerning hazards of disasters. tion. Moreover, about 80 per cent ment. Inter-governmental cooper- change on the region, and India the much-awaited first ever assess- as the HKH region is an incredibly In a 1.5 degree Celsius world, of the rural population living in ation has to be the foundation for being part of the same, must take ment report on the impact of cli- important asset for Asia and the about one-third of our glaciers HKH countries lack access to clean this effort and the ICMOD’s report the lead and sensitse the countries mate change on the Hindu Kush- world. It is a key source of water, will disappear by 2100 and under energy for cooking. Added to this, can make for a good start. of the impending environmental Himalayan (HKH) region. energy, carbon stocks as well as rich the current emission scenario, we there remains persistent gender Yet another method is to draw problems of the region and do the The region — spread over 3,500 biodiversity. For example, the rivers will lose two-third of our glacier and social imbalance in develop- the countries into a meaningful dia- needful. square kilometres across eight starting from HKH are home to volumes. Many major cities in and mental activities. logue so that the importance of The uniqueness of the HKH countries, including India, Nepal about two billion people with the near the HKH region have annual Given these circumstances, it is health of the HKH region in par- region is its topography and ecol- and China — is also known as the potential to generate 500 gigawatts average PM2.5 concentrations of crucial to bring global attention to ticular and the Himalayan region in ogy. They have to be preserved. Water Tower of Asia due to its of hydropower. almost 10 times higher than the the Himalayas. The ICMOD, with general is emphasised. This will Ditto for its traditional culture and reserve of frozen water. The region The region is, however, under guidelines made by the World its 350 researchers, practitioners help politicians, Government offi- communities. However, this can be is considered to be the core area of threat from climate change in addi- Health Organisation. and policy-makers, has put minds cials, media, business and other possible only by keeping climate the Himalayas, which by them- tion to a host of other changes, In addition to negative health together to bring out this scientif- influential people work together, in change at bay at any cost. selves, are not the only youngest including ecosystem degradation, impacts, this also adds to melting ic assessment so that the message is tandem with the goals of preserv- (The writer is an environmental       mountain range but are also con- outmigration and air pollution. of our glaciers. Already, 70 to 80 per spread without any confusion. ing the environment. journalist)    RAIPUR | THURSDAY | FEBRUARY 7, 2019 nation 08 Mayawati joins Sabarimala royal custodian raps board for U-turn Thiruvananthapuram: The the wishes and aspirations of What I have been told is that headline hailing it as “historic”. Pandalam royal family, the cus- the Sabarimala devotee, it was today we were asked about our Former Chief Minister and social media todian of the Sabarimala tem- all a bluff. stand in relation to the Congress leader Oommen ple’s jewellery, on Wednesday “Today their true colours September 28 verdict. Chandy said the TDB’s somer- slammed the Travancore have surfaced and this means “It was to this that our sault showed that it was hand Devaswom Board (TDB) for both the government and the counsel said that they will abide in glove with the Pinarayi To interact with changing its opinion and now TDB are out to destroy the cus- by the court verdict. The court Vijayan Government. supporting the entry of all toms and traditions of the has also given time till February “Just what Vijayan wanted, media, people women to the hilltop shrine. Sabarimala temple,” he said. 13 to give in writing if there are the TDB has done,” he said. Lucknow: BSP president After the TDB announced Noting the court had now any more things that should be State BJP president PS Mayawati has for the “first its stand in the Supreme Court decided to give another seven brought before the court. Sreedharan Pillai said Vijayan time” joined Twitter to interact as it heard numerous review days for written submissions, “We will meet to discuss on has taken everyone for a ride. with the media and masses, her petitions against its September Verma alleged that this means what needs to be given in writ- “The people have been party said on Wednesday, 28 verdict lifting the ban on that the temple premises were ing,” said Padmakumar, a for- cheated and very soon the almost a fortnight after a han- Twitter family. This is my entry of women of all ages to going to witness another show- mer CPI-M legislator. people will give a fitting reply dle in her name appeared on opening and inauguration. the Lord Ayyappa temple, the down when it opens for the “The TDB will abide by for what has happened,” he the microblogging site. @sushrimayawati is my official royal family’s spokesperson PS monthly pujas on February 12. whatever the verdict is,” he said. said. Former TDB president She will be also expressing Twitter handle for all my future Verma said the “true colours” “So as far as we are con- tion. We will go to any extent had changed its stand. Asked if there was a shift in the Prayar Gopalakrishnan, who her views on national and mat- interactions, comments and of the TDB had been revealed. cerned, we have not lost hope to protect the traditions and “We did not file a review stand, the TDB reminded the also filed a review petition, said ters of political importance on updates. With warm regards. “They have toed the line of as we feel that if there is going customs of the temple,” he petition. Instead we filed a media that the Bharatiya Janata he was confident the temple Twitter, a BSP release said. “This Thank you,” the January 22 the Kerala Government. When to be another setback, there is added. TDB president A. ‘delay petition’ (requesting the Party’s organ had soon after the customs and traditions will be to inform you BSP (Bahujan post said. PTI they earlier said they are with an option to file a curative peti- Padmakumar denied the board court to defer the judgment). September 28 verdic ran a protected. IANS Samaj Party) national presi- dent, former Uttar Pradesh CM INBRIEF and ex-MP Mayawatiji has for the first time decided to join BSP-SP alliance has BJP ally in Goa MANOHAR PARRIKAR Twitter for speedy interaction Guv hits back at Mehbooba, says DISCHARGED FROM AIIMS with media and masses, besides ‘working on Plan B Panaji: Ailing Goa Chief expressing her views on left BJP ‘sleepless’, Minister Manohar Parrikar various issues of national and we are standing with our forces for political stability’ returned to Goa on Wednesday, political importance through after being treated at the All Twitter,”the release posted on MOHIT KANDHARI n JAMMU a spade instead of accusing us Panaji: Turning the heat on the says Mayawati India Institute of Medical Mayawati’s Twitter handle of demonising the army. I have Manohar Parrikar-led coali- Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi for @SushriMayawati said. etting the record straight also spoken to the Core tion Government in Goa, its seven days, his office said. The first tweet on Lucknow: BSP president The BJP is sensing that it SJammu & Kashmir Governor Commander to take note of ally Goa Forward Party (GFP) @SushriMayawati was posted Mayawati on Wednesday will face a drubbing in the Satya Pal Malik on Wednesday this incident,” she added. on Wednesday said it is work- HARDIK HAPPY WITH on January 22. “Hello brothers claimed that the BSP-SP alliance upcoming elections and will said that nobody should take Earlier, when Governor ing on a “Plan B” to ensure CENTRE’S 10% QUOTA and sisters. With due respect let has left the BJP’s top leadership lose power because of the BSP- former Chief Minister was asked whether her irre- political stability, irrespective of Ahmedabad: In a major me introduce myself to the ‘sleepless’ and ‘afraid’, due to SP alliance, and hence is out to Mehbooba Mufti’s statements sponsible statements would the fact which party heads the revelation, firebrand Patidar which the party curses the defame it, she claimed. seriously as her PDP was break- lower the morale of the secu- new dispensation in the state. leader Hardik Patel has stated coalition in all its meetings. “It is most unfortunate that ing up and she was trying to rity forces, Govenor Malik hit “Plan B is 100 per cent that he is satisfied with the 10 Asia’s oldest Mayawati’s counter came they are trying their best to save the party by commenting who allegedly beat a man from back and said her statements ready. Goa will not have sta- per cent reservation in hours after BJP president Amit entangle the leaders of opposi- against the security forces. Pulwama and threatened to kill will not affect the morale of the bility if it is not done. Does Goa Government jobs and education captive Shah attacked the alliance at a tion parties and conspiring to “It is election time. Her him in an encounter. security forces.We are standing need a stable government or for economically weaker meeting of booth-level workers defame them among the peo- party is breaking up and is Mehbooba Mufti took to with our forces and have issued not? Irrespective of the party sections in the general category elephant dead in Aligarh. “The BSP-SP ple,” she added. The former UP already in a bad shape. She is Twitter to vent her ire. She directions to them to deal with which leads (the government), announced by the Centre. Patel alliance has not only made the CM said none of the BJP’s plans very worried and facing serious wrote, “Instead of taking cog- such situations. He said if any do people need stability or also said he may contest the PTI n THIRUVANANTHAPURAM BJP’s top leadership sleepless, will work as people were aware problems. Show some sympa- nizance of the brutality that the specific complaint is received not? Why do people elect us? upcoming Lok Sabha elections. but also afraid and they are out of party’s designs and unhap- thy towards her by not taking young boy has been subjected we order an inquiry to ascer- For stability or to have a tot- ldest captive elephant in to curse it in all the big and py about prevailing situation. her statements seriously,” to, and ordering action against tain the truth of the matter. tering government, which may 60 BRAHMINY DUCKS OAsia and Guinness record small programmes,” the BSP “Everyone is aware of how Governor told reporters at the culprits, it is sad that the Before Mehbooba Mufti, fall any day?” GFP president FOUND DEAD IN BHARUCH holder, 88-year old Dakshayani, chief said in a party release. under the BJP-led central and Jammu University. honourable governor is talking former Chief Minister and and Agriculture Minister Vijai Vadodara: Over 60 Brahminy died at a care centre at “We got to hear the same in Uttar Pradesh Governments “She had come to power by politics instead. Saddened to National Conference Vice Sardesai said. ducks were found dead under Pappanamcode. the Aligarh programme, in casteism, political vendetta and supporting such elements,he see the constitutional authori- President, Omar Abdullah had The veiled threat was made mysterious circumstances in The end came following which the alliance was termed communalism have increased,” added. Governor’s jibe at her ties taking sides so brazenly.” also reacted strongly to the by Sardesai while interacting Bharuch, Gujarat, a forest old age illness, sources in the a farce,” Mayawati said. “This Mayawati said. On the Ram invited sharp reactions from “Kashmir is a political issue Governor’s utterances. with reporters at the state sec- official said on Wednesday. The Travancore Devaswom Board, cursing only encourages the temple, she said construction of both Mehbooba Mufti and and can’t be resolved through “Governor Sb this is an unac- retariat, days after Bharatiya cause of their death was being which owns the elephant said. people of the ‘sarv samaj’ asso- the shrine is not an issue, but Omar Abdullah, instantly. military power. Army men ceptable statement & an unnec- Janata Party (BJP) legislator investigated, said VZ Tadvi, In 2016, she was conferred ciated with the alliance to work the real issue is whether the Governor was apparently hailed as heroes for their brav- essary interference in politics. and Deputy Speaker in the forest official based in Jhagadia. the “Gaja Muthassi” title and hard, in turn adding to the frus- country will be run according reacting to Mehbooba’s ery also need to be held At this rate, it won’t be long Assembly Michael Lobo said The birds were found dead in entered the Guinness book of tration of the BJP,” she added. to the Constitution or the nar- Tuesday statement in the accountable if they commit before people stop taking Raj the government would be in a the riverbed of the Narmada records. Postal department had Mayawati said the BJP row mindsets of the BJP and SMHS hospital in Srinagar human rights violations,” Bhavan seriously so please con- crisis if Parrikar steps down as across three villages on also brought out a postal cover could sense its defeat in the the RSS — the ruling party’s where she had demanded Mehbooba tweeted. sider the office you occupy the Chief Minister. Tuesday. on the elephant. upcoming Lok Sabha elections. ideological parent. PTI action against an Army officer, “So please lets call a spade before you give statements.” IANS THUNDERSTORMS, RAIN IN PARTS OF UP Lucknow: The skies opened up Latest communication Rivals claims ADMK in the Uttar Pradesh on J&K witnesses fresh rain, snow Wednesday, adding to the winter chill. Heavy rain started satellite GSAT-31 early in the day, disrupting poised for BJP ties normal life and greatly inconveniencing office-goers and schoolchildren. According launched successfully to the regional MeT office, there is a likelihood of hail in some and will provide continuity to areas. The weather conditions ATM networks, operational services on some of are expected to continue for the the in-orbit satellites. next 24 hours. DTH services “It gives me great pleasure on the successful launch of CONG YET TO DECIDE ON to get boost GSAT-31 spacecraft on board TIE-UP WITH TDP IN T Bengaluru: India’s latest com- Ariane-5,” ISRO’s Satish Hyderabad: The Congress is yet munication satellite GSAT-31 Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) KUMAR CHELLAPPAN n Chennai on Friday and a picture to take a call on whether to join was successfully put into orbit in Director S Pandian said at CHENNAI would emerge by the next day. hands with the TDP in the early hours on Wednesday Kourou soon after the launch. But the CPI, former allies of the Telangana for the coming Lok by an European rocket from “Congratulation to hough the AIADMK lead- AIADMK declared on Sabha elections or fight alone, a French Guiana, in a mission that Arianespace on the successful Tership is yet to disclose the Wednesday that the BJP and key party functionary said on is expected to enhance connec- launch and precise injection of party’s strategy for the upcom- AIADMK are going to forge an Wednesday. tivity for ATMs and provide for satellite into the orbit,” he ing Lok Sabha elections and alliance. “It does not require any uninterrupted DTH services. added. The GSAT-31 is a “high PNS n SRINAGAR Friday forenoon. A Kashmiri auto rickshaw driver holds who would be its prospective intelligence to understand that BJP LAUNCHES 25 Blasting off from Ariane power” communication satel- The fresh snowfall in the a Kangri to warm himself as it snows in alliance partners in Tamil the AIADMK and the BJP have RATHS IN RAJASTHAN Launch Complex at Kourou, a lite with Ku-band, and it is resh rain and snowfall dis- Banihal area caused slippery Srinagar on Wednesday AP Nadu, many fringe groups have already forged an alliance for the Jaipur: The BJP on Wednesday French territory located in going to serve and replace Frupted normal life in road condition at Zig Post come out with details of the elections. We all know that flagged off a fleet of 25 ‘raths’ northeastern coast of South some of the satellites that are Srinagar and other parts of upto Jawahar Tunnel amid bad said that the system is likely to ruling party’s would-be allies. the Edappadi Palaniswamy for its ‘Bharat Ke Mann Ki Baat, America at at 2.31 am (IST), going to expire soon, he said. Kashmir Valley on Wednesday weather condition. cause widespread rain or snow “The AIADMK is certain Government in Tamil Nadu is Modi Ke Saath’ campaign in the Ariane-5 vehicle of the Arianespace CEO amid forecast for inclement for The Officials said fresh mainly in South Kashmir, to form a winning alliance for the minion of Narendra Rajasthan to seek suggestions European launch services Stéphane Israël tweeted: “2019 two more days. snowfall occurred in the Pirpanjal Range (Doda, Batote, the Lok Sabha elections. We Modi and Amit Shah,” said from the public for the party’s provider Arianespace injected is off to a roaring start for The bad weather forced the Kashmir mountains including Bhaderwah, Ramban, Banihal are in discussions with parties Mutharasan, State secretary, CPI. Lok Sabha election manifesto. the “high power” satellite into #Arianespace! Flight #VA247, authorities to close the strate- on the Pir Panjal range. and Baramulla) including which stand for the welfare of While Mutharasan SP, BSP TO USE the orbit in a flawless flight that carrying Saudi Geostationary gic 270-km Srinagar-Jammu Srinagar recorded 1 degree Jawahar Tunnel area. Tamil Nadu. The AIADMK churned out details of the JOINT FLAGS lasted about 42 minutes. Satellite 1/Hellas Sat 4 and national highway for vehicular Celsius while Pahalgam minus Traffic Department had would be the leader of the alliance to be formed in Tamil Lucknow: With a mission life of 15 GSAT-31, is a confirmed suc- one way traffic. Besides, the air 0.6 and Gulmarg recorded scheduled one-way traffic from alliance which we are forming,” Nadu by the AIADMK and the After fixing the years and weighing about 2,536 cess that underscores our lead- traffic was also disrupted with minus 4.6. In the Ladakh area, Srinagar to Jammu. They said said O Panneerselvam, deputy BJP, he was silent about the electoral arithmetic and forging kg, GSAT-31 is the country’s ership position in the geosta- cancellation of several flights to Leh recorded minus 4.3, Kargil nightlong rains triggered chief minister and convener of combination of parties to be led an alliance, Samajwadi Party 40th communication satellite to tionary launch market. and from Srinagar airport. minus 16 and Drass minus 6.3 shooting stones in some por- the AIADMK leadership while by the DMK. and Bahujan Samaj Party are be built by the Indian Space @KACST #HellasSat @ISRO The MeT department said degrees Celsius. tions of the highway in speaking to reporters at According to Mutharasan, now focusing on electoral Research Organisation (ISRO) @LockheedMartin.” PTI that plains of the Jammu divi- The Indian Metrological Ramsoo-Ramban sector. They Madurai on Wednesday. No the PMK led by Dr S Ramadoss chemistry for uniting party sion will receive rain while Centre in Srinagar has already said a fresh major landslide hit amount of cajoling by the and the DMDK of Vijayakanth cadres. The two allies have higher reaches both in Jammu issued weather forecast that the highway at battery reporters could make the too will figure in AIADMK brought out joint flags to and valley region will receive western disturbance will like- Chashma area in the sector. Deputy CM to reveal the par- front. But leaders of the PMK encourage party workers to moderate to heavy snowfall. ly to affect the J&K. The divisional administra- ties with whom the AIADMK and the DMDK remained tight work in coordination. “We have MeT Director Sonam The forecast said the main tion Kashmir has put in place is in dialogue. lipped about it. Vijayakanth is made a beginning by promoting Lotus said that there will be activity of the system could be robust contingency plan and He said the elected repre- undergoing treatment in a US solidarity between the two gradual increase in rain and from heavy to very heavy rain or precautionary measures have sentatives (MLAs, PMs includ- hospital and his close rela- parties. Already, flags of both the parties are being used at snowfall across the State fol- snow most likely to occur for two been taken at all levels to meet ed) and the district secretaries of tions including wife Premalatha PNS lowed by improvement from more days. The weather warning any weather related eventuality. the AIADMK would meet at are attending to him. meetings of either party. Assam Budget proposes 1 tola gold to brides, rice at `1! Guwahati: Assam Finance panies with turnover of `10 lakh The Government has also Sarma added that the ben- Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma are required to register for proposed to give 1 tola of gold efit is commensurate with the on Wednesday presented a Goods and Services Tax (GST). (11.66 grams) to brides’ parents state’s population policy and `1,193 crore deficit budget for However, to give succour to belonging to the economical- would be made available for 2019-20 with no fresh taxes small businesses and consider- ly weaker sections of the soci- the first two children of a and introducing new schemes ing the small base, the govern- ety. “We shall give one tola family and only in cases like providing rice to poor at `1 ment has raised the GST thresh- gold, costing around `38,000 as where the bride and groom a kg and gold for brides. old limit to `20 lakh following of today, to brides belonging to have both attained the The budget also proposed approval of the GST Council all such communities of our legal age of 18 years to provide financial assistance effective February 1, 2019. state where it is customary to and 21 years, to students, including girls Sarma further proposed to provide gold at the time of respectively. from the minority communi- raise the threshold limit for households in Assam covering wedding under the Arundhati The Assam ty. With an opening balance of registration under GST for a total population of 2.46 crore. scheme,” he said. Government will minus `1,799.84 crore, the suppliers of goods to `40 lakh. “To further strengthen The scheme can be availed verify birth cer- budget proposed to have trans- However, the limit stays at food security for our people, we by formal registration of the tificates and con- actions of `606.80 crore during `20 lakh for suppliers of ser- will provide rice at a further marriages under the duct medical exam- 2019-20, Sarma told the House vices. He said under the subsidized rate of `1 per kg, Special Marriage (Assam) ination, if required, on Wednesday. National Food Security Act instead of the present Rs 3 per Rules, 1954 and will reach the to ensure claims Sarma said for special cat- (NFSA), the Centre provides kg, and the move will benefit 53 beneficiaries at the time of are true, he said. egory States like Assam, com- rice at `3 per kg to 57 lakh Lakh households,” Sarma said. marriage, he said. PTI .

C ; The MLAs had, however, replied pledging their complete gnoring whip, nine Congress loyalty to the party, in response IMLAs in Karnataka skipped to the first notice. The BJP chief also claimed the legislature sitting on MLAs being absent from that even if “Rahul Baba” Wednesday, keeping the ruling the House om Wednesday haratiya Janata Party (BJP) (Congress chief Rahul Gandhi) coalition on tenterhooks on the despite the whip and warning Bpresident Amit Shah went with “Bua and Bhatija”, opening day of the Budget of strict action has caused seri- ridiculed the Samajwadi Party the NDA’s tally of seats in the Session. The nine Congress ous concern to the edgy ruling (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj State will go up (from 73 to at MLAs, including Ramesh Congress-JD(S) coalition in Party (BSP) alliance for the least 74). Jarkiholi, Umesh G Jadhav, B the State. upcoming Lok Sabha polls on “In 2017 (Uttar Pradesh Nagendra, Mahesh Kumathalli, Four BJP lawmakers were Wednesday, saying party work- Assembly polls), a similar who had skipped the January also absent but the party ers would put “Aligarh locks” alliance was forged and two 18 Congress legislature party sources said they had obtained on the shop of “Bua-Bhatija”, boys (Gandhi and Yadav) from (CLP) meet, official and party prior permission. referring to BSP supremo Uttar Pradesh had come sources said. A JDS MLA also did not Mayawati and SP chief together. At that point of time, MLA JN Ganesh, who is show up. Frontline Karnataka Akhilesh Yadav respectively. I had declared that the BJP declared absconding after an the legitimacy of the JDS- and former CM Siddaramaiah Minister DK Shivakumar hit Addressing a meeting of the would win 300 plus seats and alleged brawl with a colleague Congress Government. issued another whip to party out at the BJP for showing dis- booth-level workers of the BJP ? thanks to the hard work of our lawmaker at a resort recently, Unruly BJP members cre- MLAs asking them to “compul- respect to the Governor “out of here, Shah used the “Aligarh @ workers, we won 325,” he said. was among the absentees. ated a ruckus disrupting the sorily” attend the session frustration”, on not being suc- locks” coinage as the city was Shah also accused West The whip asking all ruling address of Governor Vajubhai between Feb 6 and 15. cessful to come to power. once known for the lock indus- Shah asserted that the gen- was different from other polit- Bengal Chief Minister Mamata coalition legislators to be present Vala, forcing him to cut short Speculation are rife that the “We are aware what three try, which is now dying. eral election would be fought ical parties as poll victories Banerjee of making continuous on all days of the Budget Session his speech and read the last four MLAs are still in touch to four BJP MLAs are doing sit- “BJP workers will put on the lines of Prime Minister were guaranteed by the work- efforts to stop the surge of the of the Assembly was issued on para. “We don’t want a bundle with the BJP and may jump ting in Mumbai, our party will Aligarh locks on the shop of Narendra Modi versus the rest. ers in the party and not on the BJP in the State. Tuesday amid allegations of of lies to be read. Down down... ship, as they have not yet take a call on it,” he said. Bua-Bhatija,” he said amid an The BJP had rid Uttar basis of any leader. “If Mamata Banerjee thinks renewed bid by BJP to destabilise the Government that has lost responded to the second notice According to BJP sources, the applause from the gathering. Pradesh of goons, he said, “When BJP workers ask me that by denying permission to the Kumaraswamy Ministry. majority and trust,” BJP mem- issued by Siddaramaiah asking party would continue its agita- Shah said reporters often asked adding that Chief Minister Yogi about the Mahagathbandhan the BJP to hold its programmes The joint Session of the legisla- bers said shouting down Vala. them to appear before him and tion against the government in him how the BJP hoped to win Adityanath had successfully (the proposed Grand Alliance in West Bengal, she will be able ture began on a stormy note with Stung by the MLAs’ absence, explain their absence from the the assembly and during bud- 74 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar tackled the land mafia problem. of opposition parties), I tell to stop the party from forming the Opposition BJP questioning Congress Legislature Party leader CLP meeting. get presentation on Friday. Pradesh with the SP and the “Upar Modi, neeche Yogi them it is a sham and there is the Government there, then she BSP joining hands. (Modi as Prime Minister and no need to fear it. If Mamata should clearly listen with ears “I tell them that if you see Adityanath as Chief Minister). Banerjee, Chandrababu Naidu open that BJP workers will the sea of BJP workers, you will This general election will be come here to seek your sup- demolish the TMC (Trinamool Q> get to know where those 74 seats Modi versus the rest. port, will it make any differ- Congress). The BJP will win 23 9 will come from,” he added. “The BJP has rid Uttar ence? They are leaders only in of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in The BJP and its ally, Apna Pradesh of goons, of parivarvad their respective states,” he said. West Bengal,” he said. Dal, had won 73 of the 80 Lok (dynasty). Yogi has tackled the Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh in land mafia in Uttar Pradesh. 2014 and five years on, the saf- The goons are now scared of believed to be hiding in the ? fron party hopes to increase its police,” Shah said. area. The search operation tally in the State. Shah claimed that the BJP 5 Lashkar-e-Tayyeba (LeT) continued till late in the Aterrorist was killed in a evening. shootout with security forces at Massive clashes erupted in Chakoora village of south the village after local youths he Indian Army has Kashmir’s Pulwama district took to streets and clashed Tdetained three soldiers of while one Central Reserve Police with forces conducting the Jammu & Kashmir Light Force (CRPF) personnel was operation. The protesters pelt- Infantry (JAKLI) to probe their injured in a grenade attack in ed stones and bricks on secu- involvement in a conspiracy to national President or an ordi- Kulgam district, officials said. rity personnel who in turn reveal whereabouts of their col- nary party worker could rise to They said a cordon and retaliated with tear gas shells to league Lance Naik Aurangzeb ttar Pradesh Chief Minister the position of the Prime search operation was launched disperse the protesters. who was killed by terrorists in n a gruesome incident, UYogi Adityanath has asked Minister, he said. by a joint team of Army, police In another incident, sus- south Kashmir on June 14. Iextremists believed to be the Congress, the Bahujan This could never happen in and CRPF after unknown ter- pected militants hurled a Affiliated with 44 from the Islamic outfit Popular Samaj Party (BSP) and the the BSP, the SP or the Congress rorists fired upon an army grenade on CRPF camp of 18 Rashtriya Rifles unit, with him. Front of India (PFI), mur- ment, a group of people barged Samajwadi Party (SP) to clari- as they only think of their own vehicle passing through Battalion at Laroo area of Aurangzeb, who was posthu- The three soldiers Abid dered Ramalingam, a 45-year- into the residence of fy their stand on the issue of families, he added. Chakoora village in jurisdiction Kulgam district resulting in mously awarded Shaurya Hussain Wani, Tajamul old Pattali Makkal Katchi Ramalingam and attacked him members of Scheduled Castes The time has come to of Awantipora police district. injuries to one paramilitary Chakra on Independence Day Ahmed and Adil Wani were activist at Thirupuvanam town with knives and swords. They (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) inform the people about the They said in the retaliato- CRPF trooper. The injured last year, was travelling to his his colleagues. They are all in Thanjavur district of Tamil chopped one of his hands and a and Other Backward Classes negative politics of these par- ry action one terrorist was was taken to nearby hospital for native place in a private vehi- local residents. Nadu late on Tuesday night. leg,” said a local resident who did (OBCs) not getting reservation ties and re-elect the BJP in the killed. He was identified as treatment they said. cle on eve of Eid when terror- The Army has not reacted The incident occurred not want his name to be quoted. benefits at the Aligarh Muslim upcoming Lok Sabha polls, he Irfan Ahmad Sheikh, a local Meanwhile, a 13-year-old ists waylaid the vehicle and to the reports about the deten- within hours of a video featur- Dr S Ramadoss, leader of University (AMU). said. The CM also asked the resident who was active as LeT boy Junaid Iqbal succumbed to kidnapped him. tion and questioning of the sol- ing the stand-off between the PMK condemned the act Addressing a gathering party workers to work hard to commander in the area for sev- his injuries at a premier Sources said the trio is diers. The detention came to Ramalingam and some of the and asked the Government of here on Wednesday, Adityanath ensure that offices of the oppo- eral years. The encounter took hospital after battling for life for being quizzed to know if they fore after a youngster Abid Islamist activists went viral all Tamil Nadu to arrest the cul- said while the Centre was giv- sition parties are shut forever. place amid heavy downpour in five days. He and his teenage somehow leaked information Tauseef Wani was allegedly over the State. prits behind the heinous crime. ing crores of rupees to AMU, Prime Minister Narendra the area. Sheikh’s body friend had received injuries after about Aurangzeb’s movement tortured by an Army officer in Ramalingam could be Office of the deputy superin- the opposition parties were not Modi had brought laurels to the drenched in blood and mud an explosive device they were fid- out of his battalion headquar- Shadimarg camp. Former Chief heard in the video questioning tendent of police, Thiruvidai- coming clean on the issue as nation and now every Indian went viral after the encounter. dling with exploded in a south ters in a private vehicle. Minister Mehbooba Mufti went and objecting the PFI activists’ maruthur, under whose juris- they were preoccupied with held his/her head high as the They said search operation Kashmir village. The explosive Aurangzeb was known for his to see Wani at Sri Maharaja efforts to convert the people of diction the incident occurred appeasing minorities. nation was galloping in global was launched by security forces was left over after a gunfight in counterinsurgency offensive Hari Singh Hospital (SMHS) his locality into Islam. refused to reveal any informa- Only in the BJP, a booth rankings in various segments, after the attack in the area. the area last week that resulted in the area and his proximity and accused an Army officer “Within hours of the argu- tion citing absence of staff. President could become the Adityanath said. They said some terrorists were into killing of two terrorists. with an Army officer who has for torturing the youngster. commanded several successful A relative of Wani said operations against militants they have lost touch with Abid  + )  3 +)  +    including killing of Sameer since June and the Army is not Tiger, a top-ranking com- telling them anything about mander of Hizbul Mujahideen. his whereabouts. “We are wor-  )4 5+ 1Q) 7)+  3   Aurangzeb’s vehicle was ried now. They (Army) also waylaid by terrorists at called Tawseef and tortured Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Opposition by the tactics of the ED in connection with a Qalampora village and in a him inside the camp. They Minister Mamata Banerjee on sending notices “casually to money-laundering probe, days short duration his body was were asking about his involve- Wednesday slammed the everybody”, Banerjee said: “We after his wife, Priyanka Gandhi, found by a team of police and ment in the killing of Centre for the interrogation of will complain to the Election was formally inducted into the Army officials at Gussu village. Aurangzeb,” he said. Robert Vadra by the Commission against such party. Banerjee also said she A video of his kidnapping was Aurangzeb was posthu- Enforcement Directorate, trend.” “They (the Centre) are would be in Delhi next also released by his abductors. mously awarded Shaury Chakra claiming that the BJP was doing it deliberately ahead of the Wednesday and Thursday, Media reports earlier while as Defence Minister deliberately doing it ahead of polls,” the Trinamool Congress where the Opposition parties claimed that Aurangzeb’s Nirmala Sitharaman trekked a the general election. supremo told reporters at the would make a decision on whereabouts were leaked by a long distance to travel to his Asserting that the BJP will state secretariat. their future course of action. local woman who had alleged- native village in mountainous not be able to scare the Vadra was questioned by PTI ly developed a relationship Poonch district to pay homage. DEEE F Bengaluru: The black box of the Mirage-2000 trainer air- craft, which crashed in Bengaluru last week killing two pilots, has been sent to 45 France’s Dassault Aviation, the Original Equipment Manufacturer, for decoding of its data, a senior HAL official 4= said on Wednesday. A black box collects in- Anamalai Tiger Reserve,” G flight information and decrypt- Ramakrishnan, Range Officer, ing it gives insights about the told The Pioneer. aircraft’s activities. PTI ven as senior officials of the Eforest department were in serious discussion about the next course of action in the a la Chinna Thambi incident, the hero of the story is continuing his odyssey in search of Thadagam Forests, his home turf. At the same time, a new guest in the form of a leopard has started giving ‘headache’ to the forest officials. As on Wednesday evening, for re-locating. One of the Chinna Thambi, who has options before us is to take him endeared himself to the local back to Thadagam, his favorite population through his charm- location,” said the official. ing style, was roaming around Meanwhile, on Tuesday Udumalpet area, according to a night a four-year old leopard senior Tamil Nadu Forest from the nearby reserve forest Department official. “He had “trespassed” into an unoccu- sugarcane for breakfast and pied house in Gudalur in lunch and is taking rest in a search of some eatables. mango orchard,” said the official. By Wednesday morning, He said the department has the ‘guest’ was trapped and has decided not to train him as been moved to the forest kumky (specialist elephant who inspection bungalow. “The ani- trains other elephants) as Chinna mal has suffered some minor Thambi has crossed the maxi- bruises when it was caged and mum age limit prescribed for the forest veterinary surgeon is such training. “We are monitor- attending to him. Once the ani- ing his movements through the mal is found to be in good radio collar which we tied to his health, we would release it neck when he was tranquilised into the reserve forest at /1 @H 7 ? 2 (domestic tariff area) may not 134 be extended to EoU/SEZ,” the DGFT notice said. / SEZs and EoUs are export- 6 oriented units outside the elecom regulator Trai has ambit of domestic customs Tserved a showcause notice 9: laws. to Airtel over the blackout 99: “Members of trade and faced by some of its DTH cus- industry are informed that tomers during the switchover 9 export of bio-fuels for non-fuel to the new tariff regime, purposes from EoU/SEZ will sources said. be regulated” under certain The showcause notice was rules of SEZs and foreign trade issued by Telecom Regulatory policy, it added. Authority of India (Trai) earli- he Government has It said that the feedstock for er this week, and Airtel has Tallowed export of bio-fuels production of bio-fuel for as the LDF Government had been given three days time to from special economic zones export from these areas should already decided to levy only 1 respond, they told PTI. (SEZs) and export-oriented be from imported sources only. he Kerala Government will per cent fuel tax from airlines When contacted, an Airtel units (EoUs) with certain con- Bio-fuels include ethyl Tslash the tax on aviation operating service from the spokesperson said a few cus- ditions, according to a notice of alcohol, petroleum oil and oils fuel to 5 per cent from the cur- newly commissioned Kannur tomers may have experienced the directorate general of for- obtained from bituminous rent 28.75 per cent for domes- airport. delays in provisioning of chan- eign trade. minerals, bio-diesel and mix- Securities Head, PCG and domestic institutional investors tic airlines, state Finance The announcement comes nels, owing to a massive surge In August 2018, the tures. Capital Markets Strategy, V K bought equities worth 525.26 Minister T M Thomas Isaac a day after the Congress-led in last minute requests during Government imposed restric- Before August 2018, he rupee on Wednesday Sharma said. crore, provisional data showed. said on Wednesday. UDF opposition had staged a migration, and that the service tions on export of bio-fuels for exports of these items were Tended almost flat at 71.56 He added that volatility for The benchmark Brent Isaac made the significant walkout in the State assembly provider remains committed to non-fuel purposes. allowed without any restric- per US dollar as participants the USD-INR pair could be crude futures fell 0.76 per cent announcement in the assembly alleging bias in the tax cut on ensuring compliance with all After this restriction, tions. preferred to wait for the confined to a narrow range to $61.51 per barrel. during the discussion on the aviation fuel announced for regulatory norms. exporters operating from SEZs India exported ethyl alco- Reserve Bank’s interest rate until the release of the policy Meanwhile, domestic equi- state budget for 2019-20. Kannur airport and urged Trai has unveiled the new and EoUs made representations hol worth $276.35 million in decision for further cues. statement. ty indices darted up for the fifth “The tax on ATF will be them to extend the relief to tariff order and regulatory to remove this prohibition stat- 2017-18 as against $224 million The domestic currency has According to Sunil straight session Wednesday on reduced to 5 per cent from the three other airports in the regime for the broadcast and ing they only use imported in the previous fiscal. been trading in a narrow range Sharma, Chief Investment across-the-board buying amid existing 28.75 per cent for state. cable sector, which would pave material for export of final Similarly, export of petro- ahead of RBI’s monetary poli- Officer, Sanctum Wealth expectations of a shift in RBI’s domestic airlines operating Chief Minister Pinarayi the way for consumers to opt product. leum oil and oils obtained cy meeting outcome, scheduled Management, though Indian policy stance. service from the state air- Vijayan had defended the deci- for channels they wish to view, They also informed from bituminous minerals for February 7. rupee is the worst performing The BSE Sensex vaulted ports. A revenue loss of 100 sion to levy only 1 per cent tax and pay only for them. Government authorities that increased to $8 million in At the Interbank Foreign emerging market currency over 358.42 points, or 0.98 per cent, crore is expected through on ATF for airlines operating It had said every channel SEZ units have been granted 2017-18 from $0.54 million in Exchange market, the rupee the last one month, it is expect- to close at 36,975.23, while the this,” he said. from the Kannur airport, say- should be offered a la carte, with letter of approval for export of the previous fiscal. moved between 71.68 to 71.49 ed to recover “should crude broader NSE Nifty gained Aviation fuel accounts for ing it was given as a support to a transparent display of rates on bio-fuels and EoU units have Biodiesel and mixtures during the session, before final- prices continue to slide and RBI 128.10 points, or 1.17 per cent, a major portion of operating the newly commissioned air- electronic programme guide. obligations to fulfil under an shipments rose to $5.36 million ly ending at 71.56, showing a announces a rate cut in to 11,062.45. cost for airlines. port. The new framework came export promotion scheme. in the last financial year from gain of just 1 paise. Thursday’s meeting”. The Financial Benchmark Not only airports under the However, he had evaded into effect from February 1. “Considering the hardship $2.73 million in 2016-17. On Tuesday, the rupee had Meanwhile, the dollar India Private Ltd (FBIL) set the UDAN (regional connectivity the repeated question of the In a statement on faced by the trade community Last year, the directorate settled 23 paise higher at 71.57 index, which gauges the green- reference rate for the scheme), but non-UDAN air- UDF on why the Government Wednesday, Trai said it had and the fact that production of had also imposed restriction on against the greenback. back’s strength against a basket rupee/dollar at 71.5731 and for ports would also get the new had not implemented the deci- “received information that bio-fuels in EoU/SEZ would be import of bio-fuels including “This week, there are rela- of six currencies, was trading at rupee/euro at 81.5461. The tax breather, Isaac said. sion of its own cabinet in 2017 while migrating consumers, from imported feedstock, ethyl alcohol and other dena- tively thin volume trades in 96.21, higher by 0.16 per cent. reference rate for rupee/British The tax cut is expected to to reduce the fuel tax to 5 per one large service provider has therefore, it would not impact tured spirits, bio-diesel, petro- currency markets, as many Foreign funds purchased pound was fixed at 92.6886 and benefit three international air- cent for airlines operating ser- caused blackout on the TV the domestic production/con- leum oils and oils obtained Asian markets are shut on shares worth 694.97 crore on for rupee/100 Japanese yen at ports- Thiruvananthapuram, vice from all airports in the screen of a few thousand sub- sumption. Hence, the restric- from bituminous minerals Lunar New Year,” HDFC a net basis Wednesday, and 65.21. and Karipur in the State State. scribers”. tion as applicable to DTA other than crude.

3 DEEE

he National Stock TExchange will revise the trade execution range for cur- et Airways on Wednesday rency futures and options con- Jstated that a new framework tract from February 11. would be implemented from In a circular Wednesday, February 7 onward under which he Government on the exchange said orders shall if any changes or cancellations TWednesday gave its nod to be matched and trades should are made seven days prior to a proposal for setting up 12,000 take place only if the trade price flight departure, the domestic MW grid-connected solar pho- is within the trade execution passenger would attract a small- tovoltaic (PV) power projects range based on the reference er penalty compared to the rate have to shell out 4,800 and with an estimated viability gap E price of the contract. The ref- after this period. 3,800 respectively, if they are funding of 8,580 crore. ?F erence price for each contract The carrier also announced cancelling ticket. The decision was taken by DED EE would be computed on the imposition of cancellation According to the airline’s the Cabinet Committee on DEI basis of various parameters. charges of 3,800 on “flex cat- website, no cancellation charge Economic Affairs (CCEA) egory” of business-class pas- was imposed on “flex” catego- chaired by Prime Minister sengers from February 7 ry of business-class passen- Narendra Modi, Law Minister onward. Till date, this catego- gers till date. Ravi Shankar Prasad said ry of passengers was exempt From February 7, business- here. from cancellation fee, accord- class passengers, who belong to The proposal seeks to ing to the airline’s website. “classic” category, would have to implement “the Central Public According to the new shell out 2,300 for making any Sector Undertaking (CPSU) penalty framework, an econo- seat change, date change, flight Scheme Phase-ll for setting up my-class passenger would have change, etc. The “flex” catego- 12,000 MW grid-connected to pay an amount in between ry of business-class passengers Solar PV Power Projects, by the 2,000 and 3,800 if he or she can continue to make any such Government Producers with is cancelling the seat seven days changes free of cost. Viability Gap Funding (VGF) prior to flight departure. “As part of the new policy, support of 8,580 crore for self- If an economy-class pas- charges for various changes use or use by Government or senger cancels seat within seven including those for flight, date, Government entities, both days of flight departure, he or sector, booking class, cabin, Central and State she would have to pay anywhere etc., and refund penalties for Governments”, an official state- in between 2,800 and 4,600. ticket cancellations at least ment said. The new framework states seven days prior to the date of With the implementation that if an economy-class pas- travel will attract lower penal- of the scheme, 12,000 MW or senger makes a seat change, date ties compared to those who more of grid connected solar change, flight change, etc,. Prior undertake booking changes PV power projects would be set to seven days of flight departure, within seven days,” the airline up by government producers in the charges would be in between said in its statement. four years (2019-20 to 2022- 1,500 and 3,500. Senior Vice-President — 23), thereby creating invest- However if the passenger Worldwide Sales & ment of about 48,000 crore, it makes any such change with- Distribution, Jet Airways, Raj said. in seven days of flight depar- Sivakumar said: “The tiered “The Scheme will mandate ture, he or she would have to policy is a carefully crafted use of both solar photovoltaic pay a penalty in between endeavour that allows our (SPV) cells and modules man- 2,300 and 4,300 as per the guests the opportunity to ufactured domestically as per new framework. amend their domestic travel specifications and testing Business-class passengers, ahead of time offering addi- requirements fixed by MNRE who belong to “classic” catego- tional value, choice and con- (Ministry of New & Renewable ry and “flex” category, would venience.” Energy),” it added. 11

> Nagpur: < ‰ gled when a delivery kept low. The resultant faint edge was pouched by aurashtra stared down the barrel substitute wicket-keeper Avi Barot. after Cheteshwar Pujara's second Barot has been doing the duty successive failure that put defending behind the stumps since Vidarbha S champions Vidarbha on the brink of an innings in place of Snell Patel, who encore after a stirring fourth day of the was hit on helmet by Umesh. Ranji Trophy final on Wednesday. Jadeja then trapped Satish Left-arm spinner Aditya Sarwate once with a full-length ball. The TV again turned out to be star batsman's replays showed an inside edge nemesis as he was trapped leg before for carried to the silly-point fielder. nought with Saurashtra tottering at 58 for Later the officials changed the 5 in their pursuit of 206. decision as he was declared caught Sarwate (3/13 in 10 overs) bamboo- by Vishvaraj. Jodhpur: zled the Saurashtra batsmen after being Vidarbha failed to recover handed the new ball on a track that offered from the twin blows even as turn and variable bounce. Saurashtra skipper Unadkat Saurashtra were best chasers during uprooted stumps of Akshay the knockout stage but their reliable bats- Sarwate faced 133 balls in his Wakhare, completely missed the Wadkar, who went without both- men came a cropper in the most-impor- fighting knock and hit five bound- ball and was bowled. ering the scorers. Š tant clash. aries, negating the good work At the start of the day, In first 11 overs of the morn- Š Going into the final day, Saurashtra done by Saurashtra bowlers. Jadeja came out with a ing, Vidarbha had lost three wick- ‹ who have ended runners-up twice in the Sarwate, who was the clear plan of bowling ets and added just 18 runs. past, need to score 148 more runs on a last man out in Vidarbha wicket-to-wicket on the Unadkat after bowling eight tricky track with Vishvaraj Jadeja (23) and innings, then returned to slow VCA stadium testing overs, took himself off the Kamlesh Makvana (2) set to resume the rattle the Saurashtra top- track to register the attack but continued with a pacer chase. order with his left-arm most significant figures from one end, handing the ball to It will be more about the battle of spin. In a mesmerising spell, of his first class career, left-arm seamer Chetan Sakariya. nerves, considering that lower-order bats- Sarwate dismissed first innings helping Suarashtra bundle out Soon off-spinner Kamlesh men from both the sides have shown that centurion Snell Patel (12), Harvik the hosts for an even 200. Makwana was introduced into the scoring runs is not impossible, if the appli- Desai (8) and Pujara (0) in his first Jadeja scalped four batsmen, attack, replacing Sakariya and he cation is correct. five overs, and conceded just 13 including key man Wasim Jaffer delivered in his third over of the Earlier, left-arm spinner runs in his 10 that he bowled on (11) and Ganesh Satish (35), in the spell, sending back dangerous Dharmendrasinh Jadeja (6/96) had cleaned the day. first session. Akshay Karnewar (18). New Delhi: up the Vidarbha top-order early in the day India pacer Umesh Yadav, This was after Suarshtra began It was a flighted ball outside off, to hand Saurashtra an advantage but to who was expensive in his first two with a two-pronged pace attack Karnewar went for an expansive their credit, the hosts did extremely well overs, returned for a second spell with captain Jaydev Unadkat and drive and ended up edging to first to reach 200 after being reduced to 147 for to sent back young Arpit Vasavada Chetan Sakariya attacking in tan- slip where Desai took a comfort- eight. (5), who fished one outside off to dem. But it was Jadeja, who pro- able catch. Mohit Kale contributed 38 off 94 balls be caught behind. duced a sensational spell in which The hosts lost remaining four ‹ and Sarwate, batting at number eight, pro- Sheldon Jackson (7) was guilty he dismissed both the overnight wickets in the post-lunch session duced a combative 49 after hosts resumed of playing a reckless shot as he batsmen. with Jadeja taking two more to the day at 55 for two. L stepped out to hammer Akshay First it was Jaffer, who strug- complete his six-wicket haul. @ ?5 he fairy tale run of Real TKashmir Football Club in Kolkata: the I-League continued as the club from the Valley defeated Gokulam Kerala FC by a soli- tary goal to go to the top of points table on Wednesday. The match between the ‹ 'Snow Leopards' and Gokulam was played at the TRC Ground in chilling weather conditions amid a mix of rain and snow- fall with none of the teams willing to yield the ground. Ivorian striker Claudio Pizarro and Martin Harnik, ‹ Gnohere Krizo scored of the Synthetic Kerala to push for an equalis- to force penalties after Chelsea-bound the all-important goal Astro Turf pitch. er. undesliga leaders Borussia Christian Pulisic and Achraf Hakimi in the 51st minute to Real Kashmir While Kerala striker BDortmund crashed out of the had scored for Dortmund. hand Real Kashmir should have taken Marcus Joseph was wayward German Cup on Tuesday, losing a "It's a bitter defeat," admitted ngland Lions will be one of full three points from the the lead in the first half but in most of his attempts at the penalty shoot-out at home to Werder Dortmund striker Mario Goetze. Ethe innumerable stops that match. Krizo missed several easy goal, Real Kashmir goalkeep- Bremen following a 3-3 draw after "We shouldn't have conceded out-of-form opener KL Rahul The win propelled the chances to put his side ahead. er Bilal Khan was in top form extra time. two equalisers in extra time and then Paris: will encounter in his road to Jammu and Kashmir side to Mason Robertson, son of to deny the visiting team. Goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka was to lose on penalties is really tough." ‹ redemption as he gears up to the top of the table with 32 head coach David, who was Real Kashmir had the Bremen's hero in the shoot-out as he Peru veteran Pizarro, who turns play for India A in the first unof- points, dislodging Chennai playing behind Krizo in a 4-4- chance to double their lead in saved Dortmund's opening attempts 41 in October, was delighted with his ficial Test. City FC (30 points) which, 1-1 formation, also missed a the 80th minute but from Paco Alcacer and Maximilian 56th German Cup goal. ‹ The match will also feature however, have two games in couple of chances to score. Abednego Tetteh, who came Philipp as Bremen won the last-16 tie It meant third-choice keeper Eric two of India's quickest bowlers hand over Real Kashmir. However, it was Krizo who on for Krizo in the 73rd 4-2 on penalties. Oelschlaegel made his Dortmund in young Avesh Khan and the Chennai City will take on broke the deadlock after the minute, shot wide of Das' It finished 1-1 over 90 minutes debut against Bremen, the club he left not so young Varun Aaron, Indian Arrows on Friday while break, pouncing on a rebound right post from 15 yards. after Dortmund captain Marco Reus last June after six years. ‹ who will be keenly watched by Real Kashmir will meet East in front of the Gokulam goal This was the ninth clean rifled home a direct free-kick to can- Earlier on Tuesday Bayer the national selection commit- Bengal at home on Sunday. in the 51st minute. sheet for the Real Kashmir, cel out an early goal by Bremen's Milot Leverkusen, who pulled off a shock 3- tee. Each team will play 20 match- Local boy Farhan Ganiae which has the meanest Rashica. 1 win over Bayern last Saturday, was ‹ Virat Kohli wants three es in the league. saw his fierce shot from the defence in the I-League this The game exploded into life with another big name casualty as they more fast bowlers which will It started snowing before top of the box stopped by year, having conceded only four goals in extra time as Bremen slumped to a 2-1 defeat at second-divi- broaden the base of the current the match and heavy rains Gokulam custodian Arnab eight goals in 16 games so far. twice equalised, through substitutes sion Heidenheim. pool of speed merchants and lashed the ground later on. The Das but Krizo was well placed that's the specific reason why two sides played a goal-less to tap in the rebound. injury prone not known for his first half as controlling the ball After taking the lead, Real consistency has been recalled. became difficult for the play- Kashmir players relaxed a bit, " + )+  It's all about sheer speed and ers of both the teams due to allowing a window of oppor- same for Avesh, who has really waterlogging in many patches tunity for the team from intimidated the domestic bats- +   ) 9 men during the season. Rahul hasn't exactly set the stage on fire during the limited that Delhi held FC Goa to a overs games having come back goalless draw in their last from an interim suspension for orthEast United FC will clash and will be out to play his sexist comments on a televi- Nlook to avoid any hiccups spoilsport, again. In all likelihood, China sion chat show. and strengthen their position The Dutchman will also will top Pool B and it will be India chief coach Ravi in the top four when they host be concerned with his own ndia Fed Cup coach Ankita between India and Kazakhstan Shastri has recently made it clear an unpredictable Delhi team's results, picking up only IBhambri reckons a good in Pool A. that he would like Rahul to play -League leaders Chennai City FC on Wednesday signed a deal Dynamos FC in a Hero Indian one win in their last five serve will be the key on indoor "The plan and determina- a lot of A games in order to Iwith Swiss champions FC Basel, which has nurtured current Super League fixture on matches. courts when Ankita Raina and tion is the same. I have always regain form. Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, to sell 26 per cent of its share, Thursday. Delhi Dynamos, on the Karman Kaur Thandi fight it played my best tennis when The India 'A' team led by becoming the first Indian side to do so with a foreign club. The Highlanders current- other hand, finally seem to out with higher-ranked players playing for the country and Ankit Bawne, comprising Established in 1893, FC Basel has been Swiss national cham- ly occupy the last play-off have some wind in their sails. in the Fed Cup. hope to do the same," said 25- domestic performers, will be pions 20 times and has qualified for the group stages of the UEFA spot, having tallied 23 points They have picked up seven India will begin their cam- year-old Raina, who is at a favourites against the Lions, Champions League more times than any other club of Switzerland. from 14 games. points from a possible nine in paign at the Asia/Oceania career-best rank of 165. who have not had the best of They made it to the Round of 16 in 2017-18 of the top-flight With just four more their last three matches. Group I against Thailand on "I am not looking at the time on the tour so far. European club competition. games left to be played and However, a disastrous ini- Thursday before clashing with rankings and focusing on Kerala all-rounder Jalaj Both Chennai FC co-owner Rohit Ramesh and FC Basel Jamshedpur FC and ATK tial half of the season has all formidable hosts Kazakhstan myself and the game I want to Saxena finds a place after a President Bernhard Burgener refused to divulge the financial breathing down their neck, but put paid to their play-off on Friday. execute. Also, I am analysing strong Ranji Trophy season as aspect of the deal but said the partnership will focus on co-oper- NorthEast United needs to hopes. The Dynamos, howev- Getting past Thailand is the opponents' game," she has Siddhesh Lad along with ation for setting up of, among other things, a residential Youth make the most of their home er, will be confident of show- not expected to be too hard for added. spinners Shahbaz Nadeem and Academy in Coimbatore and rolling out of football schools across games. ing everyone that they can India with Ankita and fast- Talking about conditions Mayank Markande. Tamil Nadu in Phase-1. Eelco Schattorie's side has give any team a run for their improving Karman in good and courts, Raina said, "I am The visiting Englishmen, Rohit said that despite the sale of 26 per cent stake to FC Basel, won just two of the seven reputation. form. able to adapt much better since on the other hand, have had a his club has not given anything to the Swiss club in terms of deci- matches they have played at "If we win our remaining Thailand's best-ranked sin- Kazakhstan's world num- I have been here three times tough time, being hammered in sion making. home. Dropping points at matches, the team will be gles player is Peangtarn ber 43 Yulia Putintseva and before." the five-match ODI series, los- Burgener said his immediate focus would be on making the this juncture could potential- more motivated. We know Plipuech, who is placed at 297 Zarina Diyas, ranked 96, would Bhambri said raising the ing 1-4 and will look for already established academy (at Coimbatore) a word class facil- ly endanger their bid to reach maybe we won't qualify for while Punnin Kovapitukted is be the tough obstacles for game at the right time would be redemption. ity with expertise from FC Basel and also produce good coach- the ISL play-offs for the first the play-offs but if we win the way lower at number 657. India, if they are to top Pool A. important. Captain Sam Billings has es through the introduction of a top-class coach education sys- time. next games, we will get con- "To be very honest, the girls The winners of Pool A "We had good practice, we been in good form and will look tem. "It is difficult for them fidence. are improving every year. and B, which has four teams, hit for 3-4 days and in Fed Cup to carry it into the longer format Asked why he chose an Indian club instead of one in China, (Delhi) to qualify. They can "In our home match, we Karman is stronger and fitter will clash to determine which anything can happen. You can too. The young team includes he said, "In China, most of the academies have government con- play without any pressure. It lost to NorthEast United 2-0. while Ankita is also strong and nation qualifies for the World be favourites or underdogs players with Test experience, trol. It is not so in India." is always a completely differ- Now if we win tomorrow in has more experience. They Group II. when you step out, you also including Ben Duckett and Ollie As part of the plan for the Coimbatore academy, it was revealed ent mindset if you have to the away game the team will need to put it together," "It's always tough to play step up," Bhambri said. Pope. that it would provide free education and boarding facilities for deliver something. get great confidence," said Bhambri said. top-100 players. Ankita had Karman, 20, said she is Lanky paceman Jamie talented players from the age group of 10-18 so that they could "We are in a position assistant manager Mridul The matches will be played played the match of her life feeling confident about her Overton has impressed with study, play and focus on a career in football. where we need to win and Banerjee. indoors due to the sub-zero against Yulia last year. That game. his performances and will be All India Football Federation General Secretary Kushal Das they are in a position where Delhi do have a couple of temperature in the city. experience should help her," "Going into the Fed Cup assisted by Tom Bailey. The said:"This (26 per cent share) deal with a legacy club of they will try to get a result. If fitness concerns though. "It is important to serve opined Bhambri. this year, definitely I have spinners-Danny Briggs and Switzerland to provide capital and technical know-how is to mind you can score quickly against Midfielder Bikramjit Singh is well (indoor) and reach out to Pool B features China, who improved. I have beaten many Amar Vardi will have a big role the first ever in Indian football. I will all the success to both the such a team, you can break injured while Adria Carmona the ball faster. If you start a has world number 40 Shuai girls in top-200 and with top- to play on a track expected to be clubs." them down because of less is not expected to feature in point well, the chances of end- Zhang and world number 42 100 players. I have learnt a lot bowler-friendly on the evidence Das said a new coach of the Indian senior football team to motivation," Schattorie said. the starting XI despite travel- ing it well also get better," Saisai Zheng, along with Korea, and hope to get some wins for of the recent Ranji matches. succeed Stephen Constantine is not expected before April-May. Schattorie will be aware ling with the squad. Bhambri said. Indonesia, and Pacific Oceania. India," she said. 1 C ML

mriti Mandhana remained an Sunstoppable juggernaut with a record-smashing half century but the Indian women's cricket team failed to make it count, going down by 23 runs in the opening T20 International against New Zealand on Wednesday. Mandhana held the record for the fastest fifty by an Indian before the match and she bet- tered it by a ball during her 58- run knock at the WestPac Stadium. The 22-year-old faced 34 balls in all but reached the 50- mark off 24 deliveries. DFDE  However, New Zealand pacer Lea Tahuhu played a deci- best delivery of the match was sive role with three scalps off her bowled by Lockie Ferguson, four overs to derail India's pur- only reason," said Harmanpreet overs after being put into bat. who yorked Dhawan. suit of a 160-run target which when asked about Mithali's Devine's aggressive innings They kept the batsmen Œ ‰ was going smoothly till the time absence from the line-up and was laced with six boundaries under tight check and for some ‰ Mandhana was at the crease. whether her experience would and two sixes. She and captain like World Cup aspirant Rishabh India eventually folded for 136 have come handy here. Amy Satterthwaite (33) shared Pant (4, 10 balls), it was a frus- Œ in 19.1 overs. Mandhana and Jemiamah a 69-run stand for the third trating little stay in the middle Œ Leg-spinner Amelia Kerr Rodrigues (39 off 33 balls) com- wicket to steer New Zealand out and he simply couldn't get going. (2/28) clinched the crucial wick- bined for a 102-run second- of trouble after a stuttering start. On a pitch where Indian FFF ets of Mandhana and Indian wicket stand that should have Spinners Radha Yadav and spinners Yuzvendra Chahal captain Harmanpreet Kaur to been a solid foundation for the Poonam Yadav dimissed Suzie MLDE (1/35 in 4 overs) and Krunal wreck the visitors' chances. Off- rest of the line-up. Bates (7) and Caitlin Gurrey (15) (1/37 in 4 overs) went for plen- vious best score in T20 when Dhoni dropped a sharp spinner Leigh Kasperek also But India collapsed in the cheaply to reduce the home cult one and India was all out for ty, the Black Caps slow bowlers Internationals happens to be 14, chance after the batsman had picked up a couple of wickets. face of an inspired performance side to 47 for 2 at the end of the 139 in 19.2 overs. literally tightened the noose on was promoted to open alongside edged one off Krunal. "Obviously we didn't get the by Lahuhu. seventh over. But the Indians below-par India slumped Mahendra Singh Dhoni (39 the visitors. Colin Munro (34 off 20 balls) But he promptly put the start we wanted but it was pret- From 101/1, the visiting failed to make further dents with to its worst ever defeat in off 31 balls) did play his part but While Pant didn't do his and they added 86 runs in only next delivery into the stands, ty good to come back and win. team was down to 117/6 in a Devine and Satterthwaite deny- AT20 Internationals as it was always an impossible chances any good, Vijay Shankar 8.2 overs in a whirlwind start. moving across towards off and It's just about keeping calm," said matter of five overs that turned ing them any success for 8.3 New Zealand outclassed the chase with wickets falling at reg- (27 off 17 balls) impressed dur- Seifert's knock had seven sweeping it over backward Tahuhu, who was adjudged the match on its head. overs. visitors in all departments to win ular intervals at the other end. ing his little cameo but would fours and half a dozen sixes, set- square leg. player of the match for her per- Harmanpreet (17 off 15 Devine and Satterthwaite fell the first match of the series by India had never lost a T20 need to do more in order to ting the tone for a big total. There wasn't any sign of formance. balls) played out a small cameo, in the space of six deliveries off a comprehensive 80-run margin International by 50 or more runs book a place in that World Cup Seifert showed the intent overt footwork but he shuffled Harmanpreet, on the other including a massive six off Kerr, the bowling of Arundhati Reddy at Westpac Stadium on prior to this match. India's pre- bound squad. straightaway as he gave enough inside the crease to hand, blamed India's loss on a but couldn't steer the team and Deepti Sharma in the 16th Wednesday. vious worst was a 49-run loss to The Pandya bothers — Bhuvneshwar Kumar the charge, make room for the big shots and poor batting effort, especially in home, failing to find any support and 17th overs respectively but Batting first, unheralded Australia back in 2010. Krunal and Hardik — endured picking the knuckle ball early, in the process disturbed the line the last 10 overs. at the other end. New Zealand still made a late keeper-batsman Tim Seifert New Zealand bowlers kept a contrasting day. dispatching it over mid-wicket and length of the bowlers. "I think bowlers did really Mandhana was her usual flourish by scoring 38 runs took the Indian bowling apart the pressure on Indian batsmen, While Krunal (he also for a six. The next shot was a The elder Pandya finally got well as we expected. We didn't aggressive self and played anoth- from the final 3.3 overs. blasting 84 off 43 balls as New especially the two spinners — scored 20 off 18 balls) had an four as he stood and hammered a breakthrough when Munro bat well in the last 10 overs. That er strokeful knock, studded with Wicketkeeper Katey Martin Zealand posted a commanding left-arm orthodox Mitchell okay outing, Hardik would past the bowler. was caught in the deep off Vijay is only area where we are always seven hits to the fence and remained not out on 27 from 14 219 for six. Santner (2/24 in 4 overs) and quickly like to forget the night- With Munro hitting Khaleel Shankar. struggling," she pointed out. three sixes. balls as the home team scored 16 With the crack opening leg-spinner Ish Sodhi (2/26 in 3 mare (2/51 in 4 overs and 4 Ahmed (1/48 in 4 overs) for two But Seifert never let the Veteran Mithali Raj, who Earlier, opening batswoman runs from the final over. pair of skipper Rohit Sharma (1) overs). runs) before India play the sec- successive sixes, New Zealand momentum drop and hit two captains the Indian ODI side, Sophie Devine smashed a 48- Martin hit a six off the sec- and Shikhar Dhawan (29) Senior pacer Tim Southee ond match of the series in was off to a blazing start scoring more sixes off Krunal, who just was dropped from the match. ball 62 in an enterprising innings ond ball of the final over as well departing within the Powerplay (3/17 in 4 overs) had the best fig- Auckland on Friday. 44 off the first four overs. kept on pushing the ball through "We are looking to give to take New Zealand women to as from the last delivery of the overs, the chase became a diffi- ures among the bowlers and the Earlier, Seifert, whose pre- Seifert was lucky to survive a flatter trajectory. chance to young girls, that's the a challenging 159 for 4 from 20 innings. 0 + + + %& ) + Q@    )4 + he repeated failure of the middle-order to Tup the game when it matters has convinced ielding restrictions in the first six Indian women's team vice-captain Smriti FPowerplay overs is challenging for Mandhana that she has to "practically bat for any bowler but according to Krunal 18 to 20 overs" for the side to stay in the hunt Pandya it was the middle overs that during stiff chases. proved costly during India's 80-run Mandhana smashed a 58-run knock off loss to New Zealand in the first T20 34 balls but the Indian team failed to make it International. count and was dismissed for 136 while chas- "In the Powerplay as well as in the ing a target of 160 in the opening T20 on middle overs also, we gave away plen- Wednesday. ty of runs," Krunal said at the post- "My wicket along with Jemimah's turned match media conference after India out to be crucial. If you get out back-to-back folded for 139 while chasing 220. in T20s, it proves costly. When you are chas- He maintained that the target ing 160 and the run-rate is above 7 or 8, next wasn't easy to chase. time we have to plan and play better. It did- "Yes, obviously I guess, when you n't work out today," Smriti said after the match. are chasing 218 (220), it's not that easy. "Practically, I would say I have to bat till Initially, we gave away (too many) 20 overs that is the best option. The more I runs and kept on leaking runs in the bat till 18 overs, we won't collapse because if DE middle overs as well. So no matter the top three or four batters can bat till the 18- how the pitch was, the scoreboard 20th overs then the rest can revolve around "The way we played the ODI series, even ndia skipper Rohit Sharma on Wednesday said that pressure was obviously there," the them. So tactically that is what I will try to do," today we were cruising till the 12th over but Ia line-up with eight specialist batsmen should have Baroda all-rounder said. Mandhana said, indicating the absence of a in T20s there is always a collapse. So, the next chased down the 220-run target set by New Zealand, Krunal felt that India's defeat was finisher in the line-up. time we have to keep that in mind as a bat- however steep it might have looked for a T20 match. "a combination of both poor bowling Mandhana bettered her record of fastest ting unit. India folded for 139 in 19.2 overs collapsing to their and some great batting by the Black fifty by one delivery, fetching this one off 24 Down 0-1 in the three-T20I series, worst-ever defeat by 80 runs in the first T20 game. Caps". deliveries. Mandhana said the team will be under pres- "It was a tough game. We were outplayed in all three "They batted really well and we Asked if it was her best, she responded: sure. departments. We didn't start well and we knew that 200 bowled a few loose deliveries as well. fielding, Krunal replied: "No not that New Zealand's Tim Southee was "You never know what your best is. I can't limit "Being 1-0 down, we will be under the was not going to be an easy chase," he said after the game. So it was a combination of both." much. It was fine. In fact, it was good the pick of the bowlers with figures myself to a 60 and say it is my best. If I can pump, everyone will be aiming to be better "We have chased such (big) targets in the past and A couple of catches were dropped weather to play. As far as the wind is of 3 for 17 and Pandya lauded his chase any total and if I win matches for India, than what we were today and win the next two that is why we played with eight batsmen. But we did- including one by wicketkeeper concerned, it wasn't difficult to catch efforts. then only it would be my best." matches for India, that is what we are think- n't have (even) small partnerships and that made it Mahendra Singh Dhoni, when Man the ball so I guess it was absolutely "I did play against him (recently) Mandhana said though Indian conceded ing and not what happened today." tougher. New Zealand though played well, they had part- of the match Tim Seifert hadn't fine." in an India A game when we came for a few runs in the end, the team should have Wind came into play at the WestPac nerships. We need to go to Auckland, have a look at the scored much. "Dropping catches is a part and the A tour. I always knew that he was been able to chase the target. Stadium and Mandhana said she kept that fac- conditions and take it from there," he added. Seifert went on to smash 84 off 43 parcel of the game. One day you a good player but today he proved "We almost got our run-rate under 7, tor in mind while taking on-field decisions. Outplayed 1-4 by India in the ODI series, Black Caps balls with seven fours and six sixes. might take a blinder like Siraj and why," he praised the senior pacer. which was great but definitely we gave away "We were thinking of taking pacers and skipper Kane Williamson was happy to finally see his Dinesh Karthik also dropped a sitter then another day two catches (Dhoni However Krunal seemed confi- 10-15 runs extra in the end while bowling. We spinners from whichever way the wind was team produce a "complete performance" in the first T20I. in the deep. and Karthik) get dropped as well. It's dent that the team will make a had got (Suzie) Bates and (Sophie) Devine but going. According to the wind, we were think- "Fantastic performance all around, everyone rose and When asked if wind and cold just that you have to learn from every comeback in the next game at the wicket was good and batters should have ing of bowling at the stumps or outside the it was one of those complete performances that you conditions posed a problem while game," he said. Auckland. chased the target," she said. stumps," she said. search for. The top-order was superb and we built part- nerships that helped us," Williamson said. "But it has finished now, we move on in a day's time and we have another game. Hope we can keep the momentum through the series having set the tone."  +   9 7 )4 5+  Opening duo of Tim Seifert (84) and Colin Munro (34) lay the foundation for New Zealand's total before the bowlers returned to complete the job. "The last time we played the have come down to number three Satterthwaite said her side has "Seifert and Munro were outstanding. It really was Qualifiers, but this time we want in the rankings table but I am learnt its lessons from the deba- a good experience for the boys. Some of the short con- he Indian women's ODI team to have direct qualification for happy that India is in the top four," cle against India. tributions were of great importance. Daryll bowled real- Tcaptain Mithali Raj feels the 2021. With series against England she added. "We have our first real winter ly well and played a good cameo down the order. We side's confidence has gone up fol- and the Windies coming up, we The coming month will see at home in 3-4 years coming up had the runs on the board, but the bowling and field- lowing the 2-1 series win over will definitely look to get maxi- focus on the championship with which gives us a great opportuni- ing too was of high standard," Williamson said. New Zealand and it is now aim- mum points," Mithali was quot- two more series featuring teams in ty to develop our skill sets, so play- Seifert, who was adjudged the 'Man of the Match' ing to avoid qualifiers for the 2021 ed as saying in a release from the the upper tiers of the points table ing a quality side like India helps for his 43-ball 84, said he was happy to live up to the World Cup by staying in top four International Cricket Council. — Australia host New Zealand highlight those areas both individ- expectations after his selection in the team. of the ICC table. "...We did not have too many and India host England in series ually and as a team," she said. "It was a great way to start the series and the boys India is currently placed third players who had the experience of starting February 22. "The points table is a hard one are really happy. It feels great to go up the order. I had in the table after winning the the conditions with only Jhulan These teams are the frontrun- to read into much because some a look at the first two overs and then took it from there three-match away series against (Goswami) and me having toured ners to make the cut since New teams haven't played as many and put pressure on the bowlers," he said. New Zealand 2-1 recently. They here before. So winning two Zealand and four other top teams games as us. Sitting in second is "I have been selected for a reason and it feels nice are scheduled to host England in games here has given us a lot of get direct entries to the premier a great place to be, but as other to have backed my ability," he said when asked about the next assignment of the cham- confidence," she said. event two years from now. teams play more games, that may his big-hitting prowess. pionship cycle later this month. "Losing the third game, we New Zealand captain Amy change," she added.