Indian Horizon National English Daily www.indianhorizon.org RNI NO: APENG/2010/35309 In memory of Dr Asima Kemal and Prof. Dr. Salim W Kemal [email protected] / feedbackhorizon@gmail. Vol No: 11 ISSUE NO: 58 PUBLISHED FROM NEW DELHI & HYDERABAD HYDERABAD, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2021 PAGES 12 + 4 PULL OUT (P16) PRICE: 3.00 NATION INTERNATIONAL SPORTS Think about others: Yusuf Pathan Shah to visit Kerala for Queen urges people to get announces retirement from all culmination of BJP’s vaccine shots 5 ‘Vijaya Yatra’ 8 11 forms of cricket NAMAZ TIMING India talking to Bangladesh to take Mamata questions EC’s 8-phase FAJAR 05.25 AM poll schedule for Bengal ZOHAR 12.29 PM back sea-stranded Rohingyas Kolkata, Feb 26 (IANS) West ASAR 03.50 PM Bengal Chief Minister Mamata MAGHRIB 06.21 PM New Delhi, Feb 26 Srivastava had said that on to the occupants. Seven of Banerjee has questioned the ISHA 07.34 PM (IANS) India is negotiating February 11, the boat sailed them were administered eight-phase schedule for West with Bangladesh to take from Cox’s Bazar in Ban- IV fluids,” he added. But Bengal Assembly elections that back 81 Rohingyas whose gladesh carrying 64 women Bangladesh does not seem was announced by the Election GOLD & SILVER RATE boat drifted into its terri- including 8 girls and 26 inclined to take back these Commission of India (ECI) on 24K torial waters in mid-Feb- men including 5 boys. “The Rohingyas .A press state- Friday. According to the ECI, ruary. Eight Rohingyas on engine of the boat failed on ment by Bangladesh’s West Bengal will go to the polls nas district which is a Trinamool 47,970 that boat have already died February 15 and since then Ministry of Foreign Affairs in eight phases -- on March 27, stronghold? The voting will be and one has gone missing, it has been drifting. Due to ( MOFA) on Saturday said April 1, April 6, April 10, April held in three different phases KG possibly drowned in the the severe conditions, we that the UN news release 17, April 22, April 26 and April there,” she told a press confer- Andaman sea. understand that eight oc- ‘clearly specified the lo- 29 -- while the counting of ence after the poll schedule was 75,000 “We are in discussions country’s unwillingness to identity cards issued to cupants have died and one cation of boat at Anda- votes will take place on May 2. announced by the ECI. She also with the Government of take back the sea-stranded them by the UNHCR office of the occupants had been man Sea which lies to the Questioning the rationale be- questioned if the announcement WEATHER REPORT Bangladesh to ensure their Rohingyas on ground that in Bangladesh, which indi- missing since February 15,” southeast of Bay of Bengal, hind conducting the Assembly was made as per the BJP’s con- safe and secure repatria- their boat is far away from cated clearly they were dis- Srivastava said. “When we south of Myanmar, west of polls in eight phases, the Chief venience. “Are these dates being tion,” MEA spokesperson the country’s territorial wa- placed Myanmar nationals learnt of the boat in dis- Thailand and east of India’s Minister said, “I respect the Elec- announced by the EC to ben- Anurag Srivastava has said. ters. But MEA spokesper- and persons of concern to tress, we immediately dis- Andaman and Nicobar tion Commission’s decision and efit the BJP in Bengal,” Banerjee 34 20 However, a Bangladesh son Anurag Srivastava has UNHCR registered by the patched two coast guard Islands.’ The MOFA state- we will follow all its guidelines asked. Claiming that there would foreign ministry press re- insisted that 47 of the boat’s Bangladesh government. ships to provide food, wa- ment said: “ The boat has during the polls. But why has it be a political duel between the INDIAN RUPEE lease has made clear the 90 occupants possessed Speaking at a video briefing ter and medical assistance been traced approx. broken up the South 24-Parga- Trinamool Congress. EXCHANGE RATES Indian ` inv. 1.00 INR After tractor, Tejashwi cycles to US Dollar 72.525758 G-23’s first public event Euro 87.959414 British Pound 101.735435 Assembly against fuel price hike Australian $ 57.020478 Patna, Feb 26 (IANS) in Jammu as Rahul tours TN Kuwaiti Dinar 239.523038 During the Budget session New Delhi, Feb 26 Saudi Riyal 19.340202 of the Bihar Assembly on (IANS) In the first ever Friday, Leader of Op- show of strength, the dis- Qatari Riyal 19.924659 position Tejashwi Yadav senters in the Congress Chinese Yuan 11.203677 reached the Assembly rid- will be sharing a public UAE dirham 19.748335 ing a bicycle to highlight platform in Jammu as the rising prices of petrol party leader Rahul Gan- CHICKEN RATE and diesel in the state. dhi will be busy cam- Tejashwi Yadav, the paigning in Tamil Nadu. Farm Rate -89 Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Ghulam Nabi Azad, the Retail Live -111 leader and former Bihar veteran Congress leader WithSkin -161 Deputy Chief Minister, who recently retired Skinless -183. reached the Assembly on al Democratic Alliance oil prices. The beloved from the Rajya Sabha, a bicycle from his resi- (NDA) government led by government of the rich is on a three-day visit to NECC SUGGESTED EGG PRICE dence. He said the prices Nitish Kumar is silent. which deprives the poor his home state. The pro- pate in the programme in the party. fighting in the party is of petrol, diesel and cook- Earlier, Tejashwi Yadav has forced the common gramme, which will see are Anand Sharma, Bhu- The programme is far from over as Rahul Egg Whole Sale Rate ing gas are constantly had arrived at the Bihar man to die by increas- several G-23 leaders to- pinder Singh Hooda, Vi- also being seen in the Gandhi is placing people Egg Retail Price increasing which has cre- Assembly riding a tractor. ing the prices of petrol, gether, is being organised vek Tankha, Kapil Sibal, backdrop of the North vs close to him in key places Super Market ated difficulties for the Tejashwi tweeted diesel and cooking gas. under the banner “Shanti Manish Tewari and some South statement as Ra- and seniors are being Rs 4.78 common man. He said from his official Twitter The double engine Bihar Sammelan” in Jammu on others. The ‘dissenters’ hul Gandhi will be in the overlooked. They have the poor and the deprived account: “Reached the government is looting Saturday. have been unhappy over south, and a controversy not been consulted in India asks China sections are suffering Bihar Assembly riding the poor and backing Apart from Azad, other the way the party is func- recently erupted after this connection with the deci- due to inflation but the a bicycle today in pro- openly for the rich busi- Congress leaders who tioning and Rahul Gandhi statement by him. sions being taken for the to resolve remaining ‘double-engine’ Nation- test against the rising nessmen.” are expected to partici- taking key decisions with- Sources said the in- poll-bound states. boundary issues New Delhi, Feb 26 (IANS) The Bharat Bandh gets warm BJP set to retain power in six government said on Friday that Shah salutes valour of Air Force following the disengagement response in Bihar Gujarat municipal corporations Balakot airstrike of Indian and Chinese troops on 2 years of along the Line of Actual Control Patna, Feb 26 (IANS) The Ahmedabad, Feb 23 tions, made impressive in- (LAC) in Ladakh, it is not in the call of Bharat Bandh in protest (IANS) The BJP on Tues- roads by winning 18 seats New Delhi, Feb 26 (IANS) interest of either side to prolong against rise in fuel prices, new day appeared on course so far. A total of 192 seats Union Home Minister Amit the remaining boundary issues e-way bill and GST, witnessed to retain power in six mu- in Ahmedabad, 72 in Ra- Shah on Friday saluted the between the two countries. positive response in Bihar with nicipal corporations, win- jkot, 64 in Jamnagar, 52 in valour of the Indian Air Force The statement came a day af- trucks stationed along several ning 409 of the 474 seats Bhavnagar, 76 in Vadodara (IAF) on completion of two ter External Affairs Minister S. highways. The Bandh was called where results were de- and 120 in Surat were up years of the Balakot air strike Jaishankar and China’s State by different trade unions of the clared till evening. Polling for grabs in the elections. conducted in Pakistan on Councillor and Foreign Minister country and All India Transport for 576 seats in Ahmed- The AAP had fielded February 26 two years ago, Wang Yi had a conversation over Welfare Association (AITWA) has abad and five other civic 470 candidates across the in response to the terrorist phone that lasted for 75 minutes. supported it citing the continued United Front of Transport As- corporations was held on six corporations. Chief attack in Pulwama district of The Indian Foreign Minister told hike in diesel and petrol prices. sociation (UTFA) told IANS that February 21. The count- Minister Vijay Rupani Jammu & Kashmir on Febru- his Chinese counterpart that “a AITWA has announced Chak- 85 lakh trucks are registered ing of votes began on and Deputy Chief Minis- ary 14, 2019, prolongation of the existing situ- ka Jaam between 6 a.m. to 8 with his association and 80 per Tuesday morning and is ter Nitin Patel expressed On this day, the IAF med (JeM).Shah on Friday terrorism in ‘New India’. I ation was not in the interest of p.m. across the country. Trucks cent vehicles are off the road in still underway. While Con- gratitude to the voters and had entered Pakistan and tweeted, “Today in 2019, the remember the brave martyrs either side. It was, therefore, nec- were seen stationed at several support of the strike called by gress has won 43 of the BJP workers for the results. avenged the Pulwama terror Indian Air Force (IAF) had (army personnel) of Pulwama essary that the two sides should places at NH-2, NH-30, NH- Left affiliated Trade Union. “We declared seats so far, the “The grand victory of the attack by destroying the ter- responded to the Pulwama and salute the valour of the work towards early resolution of 31, NH-57, across Bihar. Har- have been demanding to roll Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), a BJP in these elections is ror camps of Pakistan-based terror attack and reiterated Air Force. Under the leader- remaining issues”, according to a ish Sabbarwal, the chairman of back diesel prices. new entrant in these elec- the victory. terror outfit Jaish-e-Moham- the country’s policy against ship of Prime Minister . statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday. It is necessary to disengage at all fric- 19 Himachal groups extend support to protesting farmers tion points in order to contem- plate de-escalation of forces in Shimla, Feb 26 (IANS) Nine- strengthening the minimum The organisations, compris- Act of 2020 has the potential Commodities (Amendment) this sector. That alone will lead to teen social organisations, support price (MSP) system ing the All India Democratic of destroying the government Act 2020 -- the corporates are the restoration of peace and tran- women’s bodies and farmer and extending it to different Women’s Association, the led-APMCs, they said. The sec- allowed to buy, store and sell quility and provide conditions groups in Himachal Pradesh crops, especially the fruits and Bhumiheen Bhumi Adhikar ond law on contract farming agri produce minus regula- for the progress of bilateral rela- on Friday issued a joint state- vegetables grown in the state. Manch and the Bharat Gyan puts the farmers in the dock by tion and accountability of any tionship, Jaishankar told Wang ment in solidarity with the The statement was critical of Vigyan Samiti, condemned not just exposing them to risks sort. It also seeks to restrict Yi. The two Foreign Ministers three-month-long farmers’ the ‘non-democratic’ manner the laws, saying they were when getting into contracts the powers of the government discussed the situation along the agitation in the country. in which the farm Bills were designed to benefit the cor- with companies, but also by with respect to production, LAC in Eastern Ladakh and also Demanding that the three passed in the Parliament in a porate houses. The Farmers’ closing the door of the courts supply and distribution of issues related. Central farm laws be repealed, hurry in the middle of the Cov- Produce Trade and Commerce for redressal for farmers. In certain key commodities, the the statement called for id-induced lockdown. (Promotion and Facilitation) the third law -- the Essential statement said. City Indian Horizon 2 Saturday, February 27, 2021 Rooster that accidentally killed its Siddipet: Grievances cell to be set up Jeevan Reddy owner to be produced in court for KLIS oustees lashes out at Hyderabad, Feb 26 (NSS) In a bizarre police station. The police, however, Siddipet Feb 26: The district col- incident, the police in Telangana’s denied that the rooster was arrested or lector P Venkatrami Reddy has said minister KTR Jagtiyal district will produce a rooster under police custody. Gollapalli SHO B. that they will provide each and every in court which accidentally killed its Jeevan clarified that the bird was neither benefit to the last displaced under Hyderabad, Feb.26 (NSS): Veteran Congress owner. The knife tied to the leg of the arrested nor detained. He said the police Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Projects leader and the party MLC T. Jeevan Reddy to- bird accidentally cut into the groin of took the responsibility of protecting the in Siddipet district (KLIS). Suggesting day lashed out at state industries minister KTR Thanugulla Satish (45). The incident oc- rooster and shifted it to a farm house. the displaced persons not to approach and alleged that the minister had misled the curred at Lothunur village on February “We will produce the rooster in court the middlemen, Reddy has said that people of the state over the jobs filled up by 22 when the man brought the rooster for and follow the direction of the judge as they will set up special cell in the col- the state government. He made these remarks an illegal cockfight but it tried to set it- to what to do next,” the SHO told . lectorate in March to receive griev- while responding to claims of KTR that they had self free from his clutches. Satish was in- Cockfights are common in parts of ances from the oustees. He said the filled up 1,32,899 jobs between 2014 to 2020. jured when the ‘kodi kathi’, as the knife neighbouring Andhra Pradesh during system will help redress grievances Countering the claims of KTR, Reddy said tied tied to a rooster’s leg for cockfight is Sankranti. Despite the ban imposed by with a single objective to provide all that the CM himself had stated in his address to called, cut into his groin. The profusely the courts a few years ago, some people the benefits to the displaced families. the Assembly in the year 2014 that the state had bleeding man was rushed to a hospital, continue to oragnise cockfights during The complaints will be received from a total vacancies of 1.7 lakh in the state while where he was declared brought dead. the festival. Some groups also illegally March 1 to 31 at the Collectorate. wondering as to how minister was able to fill up As cockfight is banned the state, a organise cockfights in parts of Telan- Kotchaguttapally under Anantha- 31000 more posts . He wondered if the regular- group of people had secretly organised gana. giri project, Mamidyala, Bilampur ization of contract employees of Electricity de- cockfight near the Yellamma temple in In such cockfights, specially-bred and Thanedarpally villagess under the sacrifices of these displaced villag- by issuing an acknowledgement from partment would mean the recruitment of new the village. After the inquest, the police roosters are made to fight against each Kondapochamma Sagar, Vemu- ers and farmers, whose lands were ac- 10.30 am and 5PM on every working posts. Referring to the statement of the minis- brought the rooster to the Gollapalli other with small knives or blades tied laghat, Etigadda Kistapur, Singaram, quired, Reddy has said hey were work- day, the Collector has said that they ter he wondered the recruitment of the posts by police station, where it was kept and to their legs. Punters bet lakhs of ru- Erravally, Pallepahad, Rampur, Lak- ing to extend each and every benefit can drop their applications after 5PM Singereni collieries management with the de- looked after by the police personnel. pees on the fights which often end with shmapur, and Brahmana Banjerupal- to the eligible under R&R. He has fur- in a grievance box placed at the same pendents of its ex-employees would also mean They also arranged food for it. Some the death of one of the two birds, while ly under Sri Komuravelly Mallikrajuna ther informed that they will receive cell. He has said that they will disburse the recruitment of the regular posts by the state news channels on Friday reported that a large number of people watch the Swamy Temple were displaced under the applications from all the displaced each and every application after thor- government.Referring to the statement of KTR the police have ‘arrested’ the rooster, bloody sport which they consider a part KLIS in Siddipet district. Stating that villagers in a format. Saying that they ough process during the April and that they had filled up 80 posts in the horticul- showing visuals of the bird tied at the of their tradition. they could complete the projects with will receive the complaints in person May months. ture department of the state Reddy said that the authorities concerned had removed 440 extension officers from the same department. He said that the credit to remove all the fields Bharat Biotech to from MGNREGS goes to CM KCR. He mocked Telangana resumes daily Covid that the removal of scavengers from the schools supply 20 million doses had forced their teachers to clean the floors on bulletin, records 189 new cases their own. KCR govt lying on Hyderabad, Feb 26 of Covaxin to Brazil (NSS) After a gap of three jobs : Aruna days, the Telangana gov- ernment on Friday re- sumed releasing daily Hyderabad, Feb.26 (NSS): BJP National Vice media bulletin about the President DK Aruna today criticized that the KCR Covid-19 situation in the Government is lying on jobs recruitment.Address- state. State health authori- ing a press conference here she accused the Chief ties, who had stopped Minister, K Chandrasekhar Rao of dumping the issuing the daily media youth and educated in Telangana. Both KCR and bulletin from Tuesday, re- his son KT Rama Rao are resorting to lying on the sumed the practice on the jobs.The government should inform people with direction of the Telangana correct data as how many jobs it filled actually so High Court. Hyderabad, Feb 26 (NSS) Bharat the vaccine maker said in a state- far. She condemned KTR statement of filling up The court had on Thurs- Biotech International Ltd on Fri- ment. Two days ago, Ukraine’s 1.32 lakh jobs which includes private and other day directed the state gov- day confirmed that it has signed Health Minister Maksym Stepanov sectors . TSPSC chief Chakrapani said to filled up ernment to resume releas- an agreement with Brazil for sup- had visited Bharat Biotech’s man- about 36000 jobs and what about the rest the BJP ing the bulletin within 24 ply of 20 million doses of Covaxin, ufacturing facility in Hyderabad leader asked. She dared that the government can hours so that people get human resources used for rate stands at 0.54 per cent samples, private laborato- India’s first indigenous vaccine for and discussed supplies of Covaxin come for an open debate on this key issue. Let information on daily basis, the same needed to used against the national aver- ries conducted 4,096 tests. Covid-19. The Hyderabad-based for his country. “We will soon firm KCR or KTR come to discuss on jobs at Osmania as it observed that provid- for Covid vaccination. He age of 1.4 per cent. With this, the cumula- company signed an agreement for up the Covaxin delivery plan for University openly, she challenged. She expressed ing information to people had said that a weekly bul- During the last 24 hours, tive number of tests con- delivery of Covaxin during Q2 and the mass vaccination of our peo- displeasure at the government for trying to divert is important, especially letin will be issued instead 129 people recovered, tak- ducted in the state rose to Q3 2021. ple, and further strengthen our attention of people in the name of poll code. Peo- when there is an upsurge of daily information. ing the total to 2,94,911. 86,18,845. Tests per mil- The company said it is is de- partnership on intranasal vaccine ple and educated persons have lost hopes on the in cases in some states, The bulletin released The state’s recovery rate is lion population climbed lighted to partner with Brazil in supplies after initial results from KCR government she said. The former minister leading to fears of a sec- on Friday shows that the 98.81 per cent against the to 2,31,564. Greater Hy- its battle against Covid-19 and aid its Phase 1 trials,” he had said. expressed serious discontent that the KCR gov- ond wave of the pandem- state recorded 189 new national average of 97.2 derabad saw maximum its immunisation program against Bharat Biotech is India’s lead- ernment has been duping youths and graduates ic. Director, Public Health cases during the last 24 per cent. A total of 42,432 number of cases at 31 fol- the virus. There is a strong interest ing vaccines and bio-therapeutics after statehood. She hit out that the government Dr G. Srinivasa Rao had hours, taking the cumula- tests were conducted lowed by Medchal. in Covaxin from many countries manufacturer. It has more than miserably failed to keep the promise of jobs and announced on Tuesday tive tally to 2,98,453. Two during the last 24 hours. Malkajgiri (19) and Ran- around the world, and the compa- 145 global patents, a wide product employment. Where does the government filled that they are stopping the deaths pushed the death While government-run gareddy (16). Five districts ny is fully committed to ensuring portfolio of more than 16 vaccines, up jobs she asked. Though KCR government said issue of the bulletin as the toll to 1,632. The fatality laboratories tested 38,336 reported no cases while in supplies promptly and efficiently, four bio-therapeutics. to regularise the contract and outsourcing staff. Drive against drunk driving continued in Cyberabad

Hyderabad, February 26, 2021: AICC by sitting on the blood and flesh of 1,200 all aspects and betrayed Telangana youth Spokesperson Dr Sravan Dasoju while de- Martyrs who have sacrificed their lives for by declining their legitimate rights and livering an emotional speech on Friday the statehood, but ignored their families ignoring the prime welfare responsibil- blasted KT Rama Rao (KTR), Minister for by declining jobs in the government. “Do ity, Dr Sravan warned that the Congress Industries, IT and Municipal Administra- you remember what we have promised Party will not spare the arrogance of the tion, who escaped from attending the open on the dead body of deceased Martyr Sri- government and will fight until they make debate organized at Telangana Martyrs kantha Chary at Gun Park? What happens KTR stands naked in front of the people Memorial, Gun Park to discuss on the para- if you give 1,200 jobs to the families of the of Telangana on employment issues. mount issues of employment in Telangana. Martyrs? Why is this negligence?”, he asked. Dr Sravan further stated that while they The Senior Congress leader criticized the While ridiculing KTR’s statements on job didn’t create employment, removed exist- Minister, for his massive arrogance and offers, Dr Sravan explained that there were ing employees in the state. Government sheer negligence on welfare of Telangana, 4.19 lakh sanctioned jobs at the time of 2014 has removed nearly 10,000 field supervi- who had utterly lied on recruitment num- while 3.12 lakh employees used to work in sors who were working for the MGNREGA bers during a meeting at Telangana Bha- the government, and there were 1.07 lakh scheme. 20,000 ration shop dealers are in a van. The AICC leader blamed KTR for his vacant jobs at that time. He asked KTR if he pathetic state without receiving salary while disappearance and said, “Like Father... Like was right, how could the current vacancies over 1.2 lakh contract employees are being Son. Shame Shame KTR, you shamelessly have gone up to 1.91 lakh and why the total exploited even though KCR has assured that betrayed 40 lakh beleaguered unemployed number of existing employees reduced to there won’t be any contract term used in the youth of Telangana with your fake and fab- 2.28 lakh? With the formation of new dis- newly formed Telangana state. Regularizing ricated statement of filling up 1.32 lakh jobs tricts and gram panchayats, the total num- contract employees who are working for 10 in the state ever since you came into power”. ber of sanctioned jobs should have been -15 years in Transco and Genco is not con- Dr Sravan along with Congress party leaders Democracy is all about healthy dialogue, jobs. But, now in Telangana, unemployed increased to 5.19 lakh. As per the Biswal sidered as filling up jobs. Even the black gold and cadre made beautiful arrangements to discussion and debate to arrive at con- youth are becoming ineligible for govern- Commission, the state has only 2.28 lakh em- mine – Singareni Collieries Company Lim- welcome KTR for an open debate on em- crete solutions to complex issues”, he said. ment jobs due to increasing age who are ployees while 4.19 lakh sanctioned jobs are ited is not an exception. There were 65,000 ployment issues in Telangana. A separate According to him, even the leaders from the also not even getting married due to lack available, which means 47% of sanctioned employees working before 2014 and that nicely decorated chair with a pink towel United Andhra Pradesh who were blamed of any job notification by our own leaders. jobs are currently vacant in Telangana. number has come down to just 45,000 em- was dedicatedly kept ready for the Minis- at the peak Telangana movement seem “Is Telangana formed only for your employ- “How can you assure good governance with ployees reflects the government’s negligence. ter who has to come to the Telangana Mar- to be better than KCR and KTR as they did ment (4 people)? Why don’t you provide just 53% of total employees? With your in- Neither this government provided employ- tyrs Memorial at Gun Park. However, the continuously issue job notifications which employment to our youth who have sac- ability to lose the prestigious ITIR project ment nor encouraged entrepreneurship in minister absconded fearing that his fake helped our local youth enormously. N Ki- rificed a lot for the separate statehood. We and Gaming and Animation city which Telangana. There are lakhs of self employ- statements and utter lies will publicly be ran Kumar Reddy, who opposed Telangana, don’t want your love letters… but, we want have a potential to generate 51 lakh jobs ment applications pending at BC Finance proven wrong. “We wouldn’t have beaten alone had filled 1.10 lakh jobs and Con- appointment letters”, Dr Sravan slammed. to the local youth”, Dr Sravan criticized. Corporation, SC, ST and also the Minority you KTR, infact, we would have greeted you gress party issued job notifications in 2006, The senior Congress party leader reminded Pointing out the failures of the TRS party, Finance Corporation proves this fact and with nice garlands and flower bouquets. 2008, 2012 and 2013 and filled 1.50 lakh KCR and KTR, who are enjoying the fruits KCR and KTR who have miserably failed in exposes the true colours of the ruling TRS Indian Horizon 3 State Saturday, February 27, 2021 Congress leaders meet Guv over lawyer Focused revenue drives with special couple’s murder; Seek CBI probe Hyderabad, Feb.26 (NSS): Lead teams to collect taxed launched: CS by Telangana Pradesh Congress Hyderabad, February 26: Chief Committee (TPCC) President Secretary Somesh Kumar held a & MP N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, coordination meeting with Cen- a delegation of Congress party tral and State GST officials on GST met Governor Dr. Tamilisai tax collections at BRKR Bhavan Soundararajan at Raj Bhavan on Friday. The Chief Secretary on Friday and requested her observed that if the State Govern- to direct for a court monitored ment and Central Government CBI investigation into the brutal worked together, the tax collec- murder of lawyer couple, Gattu tions would improve significantly. Vaman Rao and PV Nagamani. It was also decided to conduct reg- “Gattu Vaman Rao and his murder case were reportedly write a letter to Chief Justice of the ular weekly meetings to monitor wife PV Nagamani were hacked close to Chief Minister K. Supreme Court, the President of progress and for better coordina- to death by TRS activists in Chandrashekhar Rao. He also the Bar Council of India and other tion. The Chief Secretary said that broad daylight at Ramgiri on alleged that the local police authorities regarding the lawyer the State had already launched fo- the centre and the State in collect- Arya, Commissioner State Tax Purushottam, Commissioner February 17,2021. They lawyer were trying to shield the TRS couple’s murder. Congress MLC cused revenue drives with special ing taxes without any issues were Neetu Kumari Prasad, Commis- Secunderabad and Ranga Reddy couple, appearing as counsels leaders who were involved in the T. Jeevan Reddy, MLAs Sridhar teams to collect taxes in the state. also discussed. Chief Commis- sioner CGST Medchal Sridhar, Prl. M.R.R.Reddy and other State of- in different cases, had filed a brutal murders. He said there Babu and Jagga Reddy, TPCC SC The areas of cooperation between sioner CGST Hyderabad Mallika Commissioner CGST Hyderabad ficials attended the meeting. PIL about the alleged custodial was a larger conspiracy behind Department Chairman N. Preetam death of a Dalit, Seelam the murders which needs and senior leader Annaiah Goud Rangaiah, in Manthani police to be exposed. “The lawyer were part of the delegation. E-survey to map nutrition, health station of Ramagundam Police couple’s murder is directly Later, the Congress leaders Commissionerate. During a linked to Manthani’s custodial met Director General of Police recent hearing of the matter in death which is again linked to M. Mahender Reddy requesting status in India launched the High Court, Vaman Rao, who sand mafia backed by top TRS him to expedite the investigation Hyderabad, Feb 26 (NSS) The Nation- was appearing as counsel in the leaders. However, local police into the double murder case. al Institute of Nutrition (NIN) on Friday PIL plea filed by his wife stated are trying to suppress the facts He alleged that the police announced that it has launched an on- that they were being harassed to protect the TRS leaders who administration has collapsed line e-survey in an endeavour to gen- with false cases and threatening are involved in the murders,” with many senior police officials erate a national level participatory real calls from the police and he alleged adding that Police acting at the behest of ruling TRS time data on food intakes, dietary hab- others,” Uttam Kumar Reddy Commissioner Satyanarayana leaders. He feared that the local its and health indicators for mapping informed the Governor in the was acting like an agent of TRS police officials were trying to nutrition and health status of people representation. leaders. suppress the facts and tamper across the country. Reddy told the Governor He said that although the High with the evidence. Uttam Kumar ICMR-NIN has invited people of all that the brutal and horrific Court has directed the Telangana Reddy said that the land and sand age groups to visit the NIN website and murder of advocate couple in Police to submit a report on mafia in Manthani was getting fill in a simple e-survey form voluntarily. broad daylight in full public March 1, 2021, he said local police stronger due to their nexus with Considering that there are shifts in ag- view proves that there was a could not be trusted as they were the TRS leaders and some police ricultural production, food production, total collapse of Law & Order in being pressured by the ruling officials. He said this would not availability and accessibility of foods Telangana. “We or the general party to hush up the matter. “CM last long as TRS was all set to lose and their consumption, changes are public do not believe that the KCR did not issue a single-line power in 2023. The TPCC Chief bound to happen in the dietary patterns sonably,” ICMR-NIN Director, Dr He- information related to infant and young local police would carry out a statement condemning the brutal expressed concern over TRS and hence the health risks, it said. malatha R., said. There are two types of children feeding (IYCF), especially in fair or neutral investigation into murders. This clearly shows that Govt weakening the judiciary by “Monitoring of food intakes, nutri- e-survey forms available on NIN’s web- terms of food frequency, diversity and the double murder,” he said the Chief Minister is giving a free trying to protect the accused in tion and health status of population site - one is for adults (above 18 years) nutritional status. Immediately after fill- while urging the Governor to hand to ‘Sand, land and mines the lawyer couple’s murder case. should be dynamic in nature to enable to collect self-reported data on nutrition ing in e-survey forms, the respondents order a court-monitored CBI mafia’ to establish their control Reddy requested the DGP the planners, implementers and devel- status. (both adults as well as parents of chil- investigation into the matter. using murders as a tool to instill to take necessary steps to opmental partners to revise and design , food frequency and intakes, and dren below two years) can get a quick Speaking to media persons fear among common people. ensure protection of the family new nutrition and health intervention the second form of parents/caregiv- glance of their nutritional status or the later, Uttam alleged that the The TPCC Chief informed that of victims Vaman Rao and programmes. We hope this experiment ers of children below two years of age, child’s nutritional status based on the accused persons in the double the Congress party would also Nagamani. of e-survey will help us fill this gap rea- wherein they are expected to fill in the data provided online. Mother language is like mother’s milk: Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan

ADDL. COMMISSIONER OF RACHAKONDA POLICE COMMISSIONERATE SUDHEER BABU AND OTHERS CALLED ON GOVERNOR DR. TAMILISAI SOUNDARARAJAN AT RAJ BHAVAN ON FRIDAY.

Hyderabad, February 26: learning in the mother tongue ternative to mother tongue, the diversity and multilingual “Learning in mother tongue in childhood, she said that re- Governor said, “It is paining education,” She appreciated in initial years of childhood is search had concluded that a me to know that some young- the organizers for celebrating like giving mother’s milk to the child’s brain had tremendous sters are not able to speak cor- International Mother Lan- new born baby. Since both will scope for absorption in its rectly either in their mother guage Day like this as the cel- have immense positive and formative years and learning tongue or in English. ebrations like this would help vibrating effect on the well- through the mother tongue The precise reason for this reduce the extinction of lan- being of the children in their would immensely help chil- is non-importing of learning guages and promote the utility entire life,” said Governor Dr. dren grasp, imagine and retain in the mother tongue in the and spread of linguistic diver- Tamilisai Soundararajan. Par- better. “In case of our mother initial years. If children are sity and in turn had an im- ticipating as the chief guest at tongue, first we develop com- taught in their mother tongue mense potential to contribute the International Mother Lan- petence by listening and ex- during the initial years, they for the Atma Nirbhar Bharat. guage Day organized by the pressing our feelings through could be able to learn the Vice Chancellor of Bharathi- Bharathidasan University, Ti- our own words. Afterwards we other languages quite easily. dasan University Prof. M. ruchirapalli and Desiya Chin- learn to read and write. This Languages are the most pow- Selvam, Incharge Registrar of tanai Kaghagam, the Governor ideal sequence is not possible erful instrument of preserv- Bharathidasan University Dr. said, “Respecting, loving and to maintain while learning the ing and developing tangible G. Gopinath, State Organizing promoting mother language other language, wherein we and intangible heritage, and Secretary of Desiya Chintha- is nothing but respecting and first learn to read and write and the effort to promote the dis- nai Kazhagam Chi.Rajendran, loving our own mother.” High- their other things”, she said. semination of mother tongues were among others who spoke lighting the importance of Remarking that there is no al- will contribute to linguistic on the occasion. Bandi urges to vote for BJP in MLC elections

Hyderabad, Feb.26 (NSS): State BJP ing after welcoming former MLC K. spond when MIM leaders warned to President Bandi Sanjay Kumar to- Dileep Kumar into the BJP. Speak- destroy the PV Ghat.He reiterated his day slammed the Chief Minister of ing on the occasion he called upon demand of conducting a CBI inquiry the state KCR and his son and state the anti TRS forces to come on one into the murders of Advocate couple industries minister KTR and alleged platform and defeat the ruling party. Vaman Rao and his wife PV Naga- that the father and son duo were try- He alleged that CM KCR was using mani in Peddapalle district. He urged HYDERABAD (G H M C ) I S SADAN DIVISION CORPORATOR SWETHA ing to cheat the people of the state the name of former PM PV Nara- the people to not commit any mis- MADHUKAR REDDY VISITED ADARSH NAGAR COLONY IN SAIDABAD with their words. He made these simha Rao for his selfish politics. He take by casting their vote to the ruling ON FRIDAY AND ENQUIRED ABOUT THE PROBLEMS THE PEOPLE WERE remarks while addressing a gather- claimed that KCR did not even re- TRS party in the MLC elections. FACING AND ASSURED THEM OF REDNESSAL OF THEIR PROBLEMS. Indian Horizon 4 SOUTH Saturday, February 27, 2021 Goa Speaker hears two disqualification Poll schedule to spur petitions, matters reserved for final order Kerala fronts to wrap up

order. If the SC had not in- Chandrakant Kavlekar split seat-sharing pacts tervened, this hearing would from the Goa Congress in July not have happened today last year and subsequently and (hearings) would have merged the breakaway group continued till elections are into the BJP. Chodankar’s declared,” Chodankar told counsel has argued that the reporters after the hearing at split and merger of the 10 now the state legislative assembly former Congress MLAs is ille- complex. gal under Schedule 10 of the “Getting the order, in our Indian Constitution. favour or not, does not mat- In all 13 Congress MLAs ter. Disposal of the petition from Goa have quit the party Thiruvananthapuram, Feb in the LDF, as its two new- before the Speaker was very and joined the BJP since 2017. 26 (IANS) With Kerala slated est constituents, while in the important for us. Speaker has The Speaker has also heard to elect its new Assembly on UDF, had contested 18 seats heard us and our opponents, arguments in yet another dis- April 6, the state’s three po- (11 seats for KC-M and 7 for we will hope to have an order qualification petition filed by litical fronts will be racing the LJD) in the 2016 polls and very soon,” Chodankar also MGP’s Dhavalikar challeng- against time to finalise their have demanded they be given said. ing the split in the regional seat-sharing arrangements. the same number this time The hearing conducted by party led by two now former In the outgoing Assembly, around. Panaji, Feb 26 (IANS) Goa prayed for prompt disposal of the Speaker, comes in wake MGP MLAs, Deputy Chief the CPI-M-led Left Demo- “The first round of talks be- legislative assembly speaker their respective petitions. of a Supreme Court order ear- Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar cratic Front had 91 seats, tween these two parties are Rajesh Patnekar on Friday The Speaker, who heard lier this month, directing the and PWD Minister Deepak while the Congress-led Unit- over. It is quite natural for any heard two separate petitions arguments from counsels of Speaker to dispose of the peti- Pauskar, both of whom quit ed Democratic Front had 47, political party to demand as seeking disqualification of 12 both petitioners through Fri- tion by February 26. the regional party and joined and the BJP and P.C. George, many seats as possible. But MLAs, formerly attached to day, has kept both the dis- “The Supreme Court order the BJP in March 2019. whose party is not allied with everyone knows that there the Congress and the Maha- qualification petitions for compelled the Speaker to “The Speaker has been kind any of the three fronts, had are constraints. Things will rashtrawadi Gomantak Party final order, according to the complete the hearing on the enough to hear us on the mer- one each. be ironed out to the benefit (MGP), even as the petition- petitioners. disqualification petition filed its of the matter. Now it is re- The LDF comprises 14 par- of all. To accommodate the ers state Congress president “Today, the hearing has by me,” Chodankar said. served for orders,” advocate ties, including the Kerala new parties, both the CPI-M Girish Chodankar and MGP been completed and the mat- Ten Congress MLAs, led by Dhaval Zaveri, counsel for Congress-Mani and the erst- and the CPI will have to be MLA Sudin Dhavalikar have ter has been posted for final then Leader of Opposition Dhavalikar, told reporters. while Janata Dal-U (now the content with lesser number of Loktantrik Janata Dal), which seats than what they contest- crossed over from the UDF ed in 2016,” said a senior Left Chennai, Feb 26 (IANS) It is societies and cooperative banks. eigns by poor and farm labourers last year. leader who did not wish to be Ahead of assembly loan waiver season in Tamil Palaniswami said poor people from cooperative societies. In the UDF, there are just identified. Nadu ahead of the assembly and farm labourers are finding it Similarly, in order to help the five parties at present, and In the UDF too, the Indian polls TN CM polls. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister difficult to pay back these loans women self help groups who are while the BJP-led National Union Muslim League (IUML), K. Palaniswami on Friday an- taken to tide over their financial finding it difficult to pay back Democratic Alliance also has which is its second biggest waives loans nounced in the state assembly the difficulties during the Covid-19 their loans taken from coop- five, the others, apart from the constituent, and the faction of waiving of loans taken by pledg- pandemic period. He said in order erative banks and cooperative BJP and the Bharat Dharma the Kerala Congress-Mani led taken ing ornaments by the poor and to help them out the government societies, the government has Jana Sena, have just nominal by veteran P.J. Joseph are also farm labourers and women self has decided to write off loans decided to waive their loans, presence. trying to extract as many seats by poor, SHGs help groups from cooperative taken by pledging up to six sover- Palaniswami said. Things are going to be tough as possible. Goa bans students from K’taka govt colleges to get 12,500 driving two-wheelers to de-bonded desktops Bengaluru, Feb 26 (IANS) The (DCTE) here, Narayana, who also less manner violating Karnataka government on Fri- holds the Higher Education port- traffic rules,” Amonkar day signed an agreement with folio, said, “The ‘Help Educate’ said in his order. Cognizant Technology Solutions initiative is aimed at partnering Amonkar has also urged India Pvt Ltd and Rotary Club with MNCs and philanthropists heads of all educational Whitefield to provide 12,500 de- to educate and train students, institutions to address bonded desktop computers to train professors in modern the issue of reckless the first-grade government col- methodology through faculty driving by students with leges in the state as part of the development programmes and their respective Par- ‘Help Educate’ initiative, Deputy digital teaching and also equip ents Teachers Associa- Chief Minister C.N. Ashwath Na- the government colleges with tions, while also urging rayana said. digital assets in order to adopt them to ensure that no This initiative is part of the Kar- digital learning which is both a first grade colleges with com- being provided. student should drive nataka Learning Management recent trend and also a necessity puters and make a difference in “This contribution is valued Panaji, Feb 26 (IANS) son behind banning school two wheelers to the school System (Karnataka LMS) based of times.” the learning of students, most of about Rs 50 crore and will help fill The Goa Education Depart- students from driving on campus. “It is once again digital learning. The Karnataka He added that Cognizant India whom hail from a socio-econom- the digital divide of the students ment on Friday banned two-wheelers stems from enjoined upon all heads of LMS initiative is aimed at training will provide 12,500 de-bonded ically marginalised background. studying in government colleg- students from driving two- complaints of reckless driv- institutions to address this around 24,000 teachers and 4.5 desktop computers, while the “These 12,500 desktop com- es,” Narayana said, as he hoped wheelers to school. Ac- ing by students. issue in PTA meeting and lakh students of 430 government Rotary Club has come forward puters will be distributed among that many more MNCs would cording to an order issued “It is informed that many ensure that no students will first grade colleges, 87 govern- to instal Windows operating sys- all the government first grade come forward to contribute to by Director of Education students are seen using two drive two wheelers to the ment polytechnics and 14 gov- tem and Office 365 besides taking colleges to establish computer this initiative. Santosh Amonkar, the rea- wheelers and riding in a reck- schools,” the order states. ernment engineering colleges. care of transportation and instal- laboratories for the use of the stu- Launched in November last Addressing reporters after lation of the desktops in the re- dents,” he said. year, the Karnataka LMS is a Cognizant Technology and Rota- spective colleges. Narayana said that the gov- comprehensive system which Transporters’ strike in K’taka ry Club signed an agreement with The Deputy CM explained that ernment colleges need at least aims to empower teachers, en- the Department of Collegiate Ed- the initiative’s prime objective 30,000 computers, but under this rich students and bridge the digi- didn’t affect daily life ucation and Technical Education is to facilitate the government initiative, 12,500 computers are tal divide. Bengaluru, Feb 26 (IANS) The day- of goods, from 100 km per day, to 200 long strike in support of the Bharat km per day. He also told reporters that Bandh-call given by the CAIT on Friday transporters across the country have Court declares Mirchi’s family in protest against the rising fuel prices been using the latest amendment in among others, was largely successful as the GST laws, which has halved the majority of trucks and goods-carrying validity of the E-way bill, a permit as- members fugitive economic offenders vehicles did not ply on highways across sociated with the inter-state and intra- Mumbai, Feb 26 (IANS) In a ma- PMLA Court on December 16 last of Ceejay House having a market Prevention of Money Laundering the state. state movement of goods, from 100 km jor boost to the Enforcement Di- year had issued notices to two value of Rs 96 crore and six bank Act. The ED had said that the at- The Karnataka State Lorry Owners per day, to 200 km per day. rectorate (ED) probing the money sons and the wife of Mirchi to ap- accounts having a balance of Rs 1.9 tached properties in Dubai include and Agents Association (KSLO&AA) “Penalties for a truck carrying a con- laundering case against slain un- pear before it on February 21 this crore. Midwest Hotel Apartment and 14 came out in full support of the Bharat signment with an expired E-way bill, or derworld gangster Iqbal Mirchi year under the Fugitive Economic On the basis of the charge sheet other commercial and residential Bandh-call given by the Confederation with an erroneous E-way bill amount and his family members, a Special Offenders Act (FEOA), 2018 and filed by the ED before the Special properties with a total value of Rs of All India Traders to protest against to 200 per cent of the tax value, or 100 Court here on Friday declared his warned that they would be de- PMLA Court, open ended non bail- 203.27 crore. the rising fuel prices, Goods and Ser- percent of the invoice value under wife and two sons as “fugitive eco- clared fugitive economic offenders able warrants have been issued The case pertains to Mirchi’s vices Tax, E-Bill etc. Section 129 of CGST Act, 2017,” he ex- nomic offenders” and also ordered if they failed to comply. against them. Mumbai properties, which have KSLO&AA President G.R. Shan- plained. the seizure of their properties in The official had said that the The ED till date has attached been marked as “proceeds of mugappa said that around 75,000 According to him, a lorry owner in the India and abroad. court issued summons to the wife properties to the tune of Rs 798 crime”. trucks that operate in Bengaluru -- changed tax and fuel regime was forced A Special PMLA court here said and two sons of Mirchi on its plea crore in India and abroad under According to officials, the ED both up and down -- were off the roads. to shell out around Rs 1,000 extra just that Mirchi’s wife Hajra Memon, filed with the court on December 4 the PMLA provisions. had already identified Mirchi’s 30 “We did not disturb supply of daily es- to pass from Nelamnagala to Attibele, and his sons Asif Iqbal Memon and last year. The ED in September last year properties in London, Dubai and sential commodities like milk, medi- which is around 35 km. Junaid Iqbal Memon are hereby He said that in its application attached properties worth Rs 200 Mumbai valued at Rs 1,000 crore. cine and fruits and vegetables, but our “This is a classic case how cost has declared as Fugitive Economic to the court the financial probe crore in the UAE belonging to Mir- A criminal case was filed against strike was largely successful,” he said. become unmanageable to transport- Offenders as per Section 12 of the agency has made a prayer to order chi in a money laundering case. Mirchi, his family members and He also told reporters that transport- ers. Therefore, both union government Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, confiscation of their assets as en- According to ED officials, the others for alleged illegal dealings ers across the country have been using and state governments need to be 2018. visaged under FEOA. agency had attached around 15 in the purchase and sale of Cee- the latest amendment in the GST laws, more sympathetic towards us and must The court said that “their prop- He said that in the first phase, a properties of Mirchi and his fam- jay House, Sahil Bungalow, Rabia which has halved the validity of the E- agree to roll back their back breaking erties in India and abroad are prayer has been made for confis- ily members, including in Dubai Mansion, Marium Lodge, and Sea way bill, a permit associated with the taxes, toll charges and fuel prices,” he directed to be seized by follow- cation of 15 Indian properties in- in the United Arab Emirates, val- View properties in prime locations inter-state and intra-state movement appealed. ing due process of law”. A Special cluding the third and fourth floor ued at over Rs 200 crore, under the in Mumbai. Indian Horizon Saturday, February 27, 2021 Nation 5 Five Congress MLAs suspended for ‘jostling’ Himachal Governor

Shimla, Feb 26 (IANS) Five day of the session. He said the “The address has no mention house after adjournment under Congress legislators, including address had no mention of of corruption relating to Covid, rule 346 to discuss the issue, Leader of Opposition Mukesh price rise, unemployment and unemployment, price rise and which was most shameful and Agnihotri, were suspended on other important issues. other common man issues,” he never happened in the past. Friday for the entire Budget ses- As opposition legislators said. Parliamentary Affairs Minis- sion for creating ruckus and al- tried to disrupt the address, the Agnihotri alleged the Con- ter Suresh Bhardwaj said the legedly jostling Governor Ban- Governor abruptly ended his gress legislators were, in fact, Governor was manhandled daru Dattatraya when he was speech and said it may be treat- manhandled by BJP legislators when he was going towards his leaving the Himachal Pradesh ed as read. and ministers when they tried vehicle. Assembly complex after his ad- After that the Speaker ad- to talk to the Governor. “We did He moved a motion to sus- dress. journed the house till Monday. not touch the Governor, the CM pend the five Congress legisla- Speaker Vipin Parmar in- When the Governor was (Chief Minister) or ministers.” tors in the absence of the entire formed the house that five Con- about to leave the assembly After the ruckus, the Speaker, Opposition. gress MLAs -- Mukesh Agni- premises, Congress legislators who had earlier adjourned the Chief Minister Jai Ram hotri, Harsh Varhan Chauhan, tried to block his passage. BJP house, recalled it in special cir- Thakur informed the house Sunder Singh Thakur, Satpal ministers and legislators inter- cumstances and condemned that the Governor’s ADC was Raizada and Vinay Kumar, were vened and allegedly pushed the the behaviour of Congress manhandled by the Congress suspended for the entire ses- Opposition members aside. members and said they blocked Legislative Party leader and this sion till March 20. Later, Agnihotri told the me- the passage of the Governor, was against the traditions of the gress Legislative Party leader Congress MLAs for the entire The trouble began when Ag- dia that this was for the first threw the copy of Governor’s state assembly. Chief Minister and this was against the tradi- session. nihotri stood up as Governor time that the Governor ‘ran address on him and indulged in Jai Ram Thakur informed the tions of the state assembly. He said action was taken as Bandaru Dattatraya was deliv- away’ after reading two pages jostling. house that the Governor’s ADC At this, the house passed the per rules, adding “nobody is ering his address on the first of his 65-page address. He said he had to recall the was manhandled by the Con- resolution to suspend the five above the law”.

Tharoor’s auto rickshaw protest Partial response to Bharat 19 Himachal groups extend against fuel price hike Bandh in NE states support to protesting farmers

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 26 (IANS) Congress leader Guwahati/Agartala, Feb 26 (IANS) traders’ bodies supported the shutdown Shimla, Feb 26 (IANS) liament in a hurry in the getting into contracts with Shashi Tharoor on Friday protested against the rising The Bharat Bandh call by the Confeder- call. All Tripura Merchants’ Association Nineteen social organisa- middle of the Covid-induced companies, but also by clos- fuel prices by pulling an auto rickshaw with a rope here. ation of All India Traders (CAIT) against General Secretary Sujit Roy told IANS tions, women’s bodies and lockdown. The organisa- ing the door of the courts Tharoor took to the streets in his constituency and the rising fuel prices, new e-way bill and that thousands of their members have farmer groups in Himachal tions, comprising the All for redressal for farmers. In led hundreds of auto rickshaw drivers. He symbolically goods and services tax (GST) evoked not participated in the strike. Assam Pradesh on Friday issued a India Democratic Women’s the third law -- the Essential pulled a three-wheeler with a rope to express protest partial response in the northeastern Chamber of Commerce (ACC) Secretary joint statement in solidarity Association, the Bhumiheen Commodities (Amendment) against the soaring petrol and diesel prices. states on Friday. General Sisir Dev Kalita in a statement with the three-month-long Bhumi Adhikar Manch and Act 2020 -- the corporates are Tharoor, while addressing the drivers, said: “Where the In Assam, majority of the shops said that the recent GST amendments farmers’ agitation in the the Bharat Gyan Vigyan allowed to buy, store and sell burden of fuel tax is proving unsustainable for the aam and commercial establishments are a big threat to all business classes. country. Demanding that the Samiti, condemned the laws, agri produce minus regula- aadmi. It’s unconscionable that Indians pay 260 per cent across all the 34 districts, including He said that if these amendments three Central farm laws be re- saying they were designed to tion and accountability of any tax on their fuel while Americans, for instance, pay 20 per the main commercial hub Guwahati, are implemented then it would bring pealed, the statement called benefit the corporate houses. sort. It also seeks to restrict cent. Fuel taxes affect all other prices. remained opened barring some busi- doomsday to all communities. “If these for strengthening the mini- The Farmers’ Produce Trade the powers of the govern- Later he tweeted, “Symbolically pulled an auto-rick- ness establishments. reforms are implemented, honest GST mum support price (MSP) and Commerce (Promotion ment with respect to produc- shaw in Thiruvananthapuram to protest extortionate Vehicular movements were nor- payers would be penalised without any system and extending it to and Facilitation) Act of 2020 tion, supply and distribution fuel taxes & the failure of both Central & State govern- mal in all the districts, even as buses fault of theirs. The new provisions of the different crops, especially the has the potential of destroy- of certain key commodities, ments to reduce their share of the loot. Over a hundred were seen plying in limited numbers. GST would affect the middle class busi- fruits and vegetables grown in ing the government led- the statement said. They also autos joined the protest under the auspices of INTUC...” However, a large section of traders and nessmen. Due to these provisions, even the state. APMCs, they said. condemned the manner in transport operators claimed that they though the ITC (Input Tax Credit) avail- The statement was criti- The second law on con- which the state and Central were not aware of the shutdown call. It able, a person or a taxpayer needs to pay cal of the ‘non-democratic’ tract farming puts the farm- governments tried to ‘de- Goa Speaker resumes disqualifi- was a muted response to the bandh in GST at the rate of one per cent if the turn- manner in which the farm ers in the dock by not just fame’ the peaceful protests cation petition hearing against 10 other northeastern states, even as many over is more than 50 lakh,” the ACC said. Bills were passed in the Par- exposing them to risks when using various tactics. ex Congress MLAs Panaji, Feb 26 (IANS) Goa Speaker Rajesh Patnekar on Farmers’ cycle rally from Kanyakumari Special Covid Friday resumed hearings related to the disqualification pe- tition against 10 Congress MLAs, who split the party and to Kashmir against farm laws vaccination drive merged with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in July 2019. The hearing comes in wake of a Supreme Court order ear- Ghazipur, Feb 26 (IANS) It are joining this cycle march. ernment.” There have been for women in UP lier this month, directing the Speaker to dispose of the peti- has been three months since Akshay, who is involved in 11 rounds of talks between tion on February 26. In his response to SC directive, Patnekar the farmers have been pro- the cycle ‘yatra’, told IANS, the Central government and Lucknow, Feb 26 (IANS) The Yogi Ad- had moved an application seeking clarification over the apex testing against the Union farm “We are taking out a cycle farmer organizations, but no ityanath government in Uttar Pradesh court’s order, saying it would not be possible to complete the laws at the borders of the na- march which will be held from consensus has been achieved will launch a special Covid-19 vaccina- hearing proceedings in one day. tional capital. Now, a cycle Kanyakumari to Kashmir. We so far. On the other hand, both tion drive for women above the age of Speaking to reporters at the state legislative assembly march will be held across the will make people aware about the farmers and the Union 60 years on the occasion of International complex, the petitioner and state Congress president Girish country to intensify the farm- the farmers’ protest through government are ready to start Women’s Day on March 8. Chodankar said that the Speaker was duty-bound to follow ers’ protest and mobilise the this ‘yatra’ and will inform negotiations again, but have This was announced by additional the SC directive. “As per SC order, it is clearly written that people against the farm laws. them about the Union farm not yet been able to come to chief secretary (ACS) home, Avanish the Speaker will give a final verdict today, on the petition This cycle march will cover laws.” the negotiating table. Kumar Awasthi on Friday during a high- which I filed one and a half year back. We expect that the 8,308 kms from Kanyakumari “This cycle march will be Farmers have been protest- level meeting with of UP Women’s Com- Speaker will respect the SC order and Constitution of India to Kashmir. It will start on launched from March 12, with ing at various borders of the mission chairperson Vimala Batham. and uphold the constitutional authority of the chair he is March 12. nearly 70 to 80 people from national capital since Novem- The official, during the meeting with sitting in. He just has to give an order, in our favour, reject The rally will pass through the Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur ber 26, 2020 against the three Women’s Commission chairperson, our petition, but he has to dispose it,” Chodankar said. 20 states and those who can- borders set to join the yatra.” newly enacted farm laws. discussed measures to provide a safer “As on date, the SC order stands, till the Court passes an- not ride bicycles will be able Sanjay Singh told IANS about The farmers are protesting environment to women, strengthening other order. The order stands as of today. Three months to join the protest on other ve- the cycle ‘yatra’ and said,”We against the Central govern- the peace, effectively curbing crime and was the outer limit set (earlier) by the SC. It is more than hicles. are taking out a ‘Kisan Cycle ment bringing in the Farmers’ providing cent percent benefit of gov- one and a half years. Speaker had sufficient time to com- According to the farmers March’ of 8,308 km from Kan- Produce Trade and Commerce ernment-run schemes under the state plete hearing and dispose it,” Chodankar further said, add- who are participating in the yakumari passing through 20 (Promotion and Facilitation) government’s Mission Shakti campaign. ing that the merger of the Congress into the BJP was illegal cycle march, more than 50 states. Act, 2020; Farmers (Empower- Awasthi said, “As per directives from as the Election Commission of India has said in response to people from the Singhu, Tikri “We will try to gather farm- ment and Protection) Agree- chief minister Yogi Adityanath, effective a Right to Information query has said that no such merger and Ghazipur borders at Del- ers from all over the country ment of Price Assurance and action should be taken to make women proposal exists before the top poll body. hi have shown interest in this to protest against the way the Farm Services Act, 2020 and economically independent so that the march. At the same time, from corporate sector is tightening the Essential Commodities benefits of government-run schemes youngsters to the elderly, all its grip on the Central gov- (Amendment) Act, 2020. can be made available to women on pri- Assam CM stresses on ority.” ala. Chennithala was responding to He also directed the officers to pay strengthening trade ties with B’desh ‘Kerala CM and his cabinet Vijayan’s remarks on this project special attention to the programmes run when he said, “he does not remem- under the Mission Shakti campaign. Guwahati, Feb 26 (IANS) Ban- textiles, said that both Assam suffering from Alzheimer’s’ ber meeting EMCC officials. But if ACS Home also announced that the gladesh High Commissioner and Bangladesh should work to they say they have met me, I will state government will facilitate women to India Muhammad Imran on explore markets in their respec- Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 26 “Had I not exposed this fraudulent not deny it because so many people entrepreneurs on March 10 in Lucknow. Friday met Assam Chief Minister tive territories for the mutual (IANS) Leader of Opposition in the project, which was literally selling come and meet me.” “The invitees will be honoured, and Sarbananda Sonowal and latter benefits. He also said that since Kerala Assembly Ramesh Chen- the ‘seas’ to this US firm, the Vijayan Vijayan on Thursday said that the participants will be informed about emphasised trade and ties on Assam is a next-door neighbour nithala on Friday said the state government would have done that. the entire deal with EMCC has the efforts and success made by women agriculture, agri products, infor- to Bangladesh, there should be cabinet, including Chief Minister Documents have been released that been cancelled because he does entrepreneurs. Efforts will also be made mation technology, textile be- frequent exchange programmes Pinarayi Vijayan, is suffering from this project was being talked about not want anyone in Kerala to have to motivate women working in various sides discussing various bilateral between both the geographical Alzheimer’s disease. and discussed at the official and any doubt. institutions of Lucknow district in the issues and enhancing mutual entities. Chennithala said this after he ‘ex- ministerial level starting from 2018 “Just look back, each time Vijayan programme,” he said. trade and business, officials said. According to an official re- posed’ the controversial deep sea when Mercykutty visited the US. was caught napping, be it in Sprin- UP Women’s Commission chairperson An official of CM’s secre- lease, the Chief Minister also fishing project that the Kerala gov- Later a few rounds of talks were held kler or gold smuggling case, he got Vimla Batham said a work-plan would be tariat said that during the dis- advocated for improvement of ernment had decided to go ahead here, in which Vijayan, Jayarajan, away by putting the blame on the prepared by the commission for the em- cussion, Sonowal flagged is- connectivity between Assam with in collaboration with EMCC Mercykutty and officials from the bureaucracy. Look, in this deep- powerment of women through Mission sues concerning bilateral trade and Bangladesh through wa- -- a US headquartered company. industry and EMCC officials took sea controversial deal, he has again Shakti. and commerce for the mutual terways, airways and roadways. Vijayan and two of his cabinet col- part. When they were caught red- blamed the officials. I fail to under- “The commission has decided to interests of both Bangladesh Referring to ‘Act East Policy’, leagues, Fisheries Minister J. Mer- handed, each one of them has been stand that if Vijayan has no clue launch awareness campaigns in the 28 and Assam. The Chief Minister Sonowal said that riding on this cykutty and Industries Minister telling lies or their stock answer is, about anything that’s happening in districts in the first phase on March 3 while highlighting the areas like policy Assam and Bangladesh E.P. Jayarajan, have time and again they don’t remember. Is the Kerala his department, then why is he sit- to enlighten women about the various agriculture, agricultural prod- should collaborate for a new when asked about this deal, said cabinet including Vijayan suffering ting in the chair of the chief minis- schemes launched by the state govern- ucts, information technology, high in their mutual relations. “they don’t remember” anything. from Alzheimer’s,” asked Chennith- ter,” asked Chennithala. ment,” she said. Indian Horizon 6 Edit Saturday, February 27, 2021 Indian Horizon Why we should worry about Bengal polls Yogendra Yadav ed a landslide victory reducing the the East or the South. States such as cover their electoral reverses. I have I worry about the coming Assem- Communist Party of India (Marx- Tamil Nadu and Kerala are still far maintained, much to the chagrin of bly elections in West Bengal. Not ist) or CPI(M) to just 14 seats in a away for the BJP. So it needs major my anti-Narendra Modi friends, that because I am particularly invested in 280-member Assembly. If you go by gains from the East. For a party that there is so far no credible evidence who wins or loses this election. By all the pro-Left media and academics, is known to throw everything into to suggest that the BJP’s victory in accounts, the Trinamool Congress the entire election was ‘rigged’. a routine election, it is not hard to 2019 was based on EVM hacking or (TMC) has run an average govern- A more balanced assessment sug- imagine what it might do in an elec- rigging. ment with some popular schemes. gests that the Congress was poised tion it is desperate to win. Let me now spell out my worry, Saturday, February 27, 2021 Its track record on democratic rights for a narrow victory anyway, riding The BJP knows that it has an out- as far as I can see it in this stage. My or corruption is hardly sterling. The on the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation side chance in West Bengal. Its tally worry is that the 2021 election could demise of the Left and the continu- War. It seems that the last-minute of just three seats in the previous have much more at stake than 1972. Vaccination booster ing irrelevance of the Congress is panic of a possible defeat pushed Assembly elections does not indi- Specifically, I fear that in the coming now a template of Bengal politics. Siddhartha Shankar Ray, a close con- cate where it might stand today be- weeks, the present regime might use In this context, the Bharatiya Jana- fidant of Indira Gandhi at that time, cause its spectacular performance the following to somehow try to win Private sector will accelerate ta Party’s (BJP) meteoric rise in the into pressing the panic button and in the Lok Sabha elections of 2019 this election. state is to be expected. Ideological ‘manipulating’ the elections to en- showed that it was only three per- First, there is some fear we could drive, but with more players and personal likes and dislikes apart, sure a landslide. centage points behind the TMC. If witness a virtual Governor’s rule. there is no special reason for alarm. Whatever the motive, what we know the Lok Sabha elections were to be Given the blatantly partisan actions of No matter what the outcome, the is that in several constituencies, the translated into Assembly seats, the the current Governor, you cannot rule The Covid-19 vaccination drive fate of the people of Bengal is unlike- Congress used strong-arm tactics, vot- BJP would have won 126 seats to the out the Raj Bhawan virtually becom- ly to change in any major way. ers were allegedly turned away and TMC’s 152. ing the BJP headquarters. This would in the country is set to gain mo- More than the outcome, I worry booth-capturing took place. In many The BJP also knows that it is hard mean a slugfest for control of local bu- about the election itself. I worry constituencies, the sudden switch in for it to replicate this performance. reaucracy during the elections. mentum with the Centre deciding about the path to these elections. I voting behaviour was hard to explain. The party always does much worse Second, the Election Commission, worry about the day of the elections. In short, the 1972 election was seen to in the Assembly elections in the state already battered and compromised to rope in 20,000 private hospi- I worry about the aftermath of the be rigged in many instances. than in the Lok Sabha elections. Be- in public perception, might take elections. It could leave an irrepa- I worry because the BJP is rather sides, the party has no leadership further beating. This is one election tals for providing the jabs to those rable damage in many localities. It desperate to win this Bengal election. face to come anywhere close to Chief where the Election Commission’s who can pay for them. From next could leave the state of West Bengal It can smell a chance in the state but Minister Mamata Banerjee’s popu- neutrality would matter most. This is in disarray. It could cause long-term it knows it is not quite there. The BJP larity. It does not have a substantial where the Commission might come week, those above 60 and over 45 damage to some of our already weak has all the power and resources at election issue or a concrete agenda under pressure from the ruling party national institutions. its command. And, needless to say, to offer so far. In other words, it is a the most. with health problems can go to any I worry because there already is a little scruple. situation of ‘so close, yet so far’. This Third, the Central Government precedent in West Bengal. The in- The BJP’s desperation to win Ben- is dangerously tempting. might be tempted into using the of the 10,000 government-run vac- famous Assembly elections held in gal is no secret. Besides an overarch- Let me pause here: I am ultra-cau- powers at its disposal to neutralise 1972 is widely believed to be one of ing and all-consuming desire to ex- tious, almost a conservative, when the strong-arm tactics of the TMC cination centres, where no money the blots on India’s otherwise rela- pand its rule all over India, it has a it comes to allegations or insinua- cadre on the ground, for which the tively clean record on holding fair clear need. The losses that the party tions of electoral rigging and fraud. BJP has no match at this moment. would be charged, or to the private elections. In that election, Indira has suffered and is likely to suffer in I have scoffed at politicians, includ- There are fears of blatant partisan- Gandhi’s Congress — it was called the North, where it has reached sat- ing Mamata Banerjee in 2006, when ship on polling day. hospitals. The welcome move fol- Congress (R) at that time — record- uration, can only be made up from they used allegations of ‘rigging’ to IANS lows urgent appeals from business leaders, who warned of the risk of Covid vaccine rollout needs to be decentralised a disruptive new wave of cases un- Dinesh C Sharma In the current phase, the vaccination All this does not mean that the private were cornered by developed countries less private players were permitted The Covid-19 vaccination drive drive is fully funded by the govern- sector has no role in immunisation as through direct and advance purchase is set to enter a new phase to cover ment. It is not yet clear how the next such. The private sector has been a mechanisms, leaving little for several to help accelerate the rollout. The people eligible for vaccination beyond phase covering people above 60 and supplier of essential vaccines and also countries in Africa and Asia with little the first prioritised group of healthcare those above 45 with co-morbidities plays a critical role in delivery in urban or no supplies. Those asking for Co- modalities are yet to be formalised, and frontline workers. Those who were will be funded. Those supporting the areas, particularly of a host of new op- vid-19 vaccines available in open mar- vaccinated at the very beginning of the demand for letting the private sector tional vaccines. The private sector has kets should bear this in mind. but there is a need to drastically in- immunisation drive are also getting handle Covid-19 inoculation cite the been involved in Covid-19 vaccination The glitches seen in the public sec- the second dose of the vaccine. Vac- slow pace of vaccination in the public for healthcare workers at many cen- tor-led immunisation drive in the ini- crease the number of facilities au- cination has been initiated in all states sector, and the fact that many people tres. tial days are being progressively fixed. and union territories where over one in the next phase can afford to pay for The idea of keeping the Covid-19 Other inefficiencies can be identified thorised to administer the vaccine, crore healthcare and frontline workers their vaccine shots. This view is based vaccine drive in the public sector was and addressed in many ways to opti- have been covered. The coverage of on the assumption that the public sec- to ensure that those who need the vac- mise the use of available doses of the if not on March 1 itself then soon vaccination, however, is not uniform tor is inefficient and incapable of han- cine first should be prioritised, given two vaccines. The rollout needs to be throughout the country. Many states dling a large vaccination drive. This the limited supplies in the initial weeks decentralised. Instead of a Centrally enough. have reported vaccine hesitancy even is fallacious because it was the public and months. Affordability or willing- framed and implemented plan, we among healthcare workers who are sector healthcare system that led dis- ness to pay for the vaccine was not a need state-level immunisation pro- Since India has ample stockpiles at the forefront of the battle against ease eradication campaigns in the past factor while formulating this strategy. grammes based on epidemiological Covid-19. The lower-than-expected such as smallpox and polio that were Even developed countries, where af- factors driving the pandemic in each and the pharma giants have the achievement of vaccination despite driven mainly by the effective delivery fordability may not be a dominant state. If the pandemic curve in Ma- ability to produce additional dos- the availability of vaccine supplies of vaccines in every nook and corner of factor as in India, decided to keep vac- harashtra and Kerala is different from has led to questions about the poten- the country. cination in the state sector. It is a dif- that of other states, vulnerable groups es to meet the demand, the sec- tial wastage of doses in some places. The bulk of the essential child im- ferent issue that the same countries there need to be prioritised for vac- Besides, it has led to the demand for munisation programme is state-driv- did not bother about the issue of ac- cination even if they don’t fall in the ond phase of the vaccination pro- making Covid-19 vaccines available in en, though India is yet to reach 100 per cess vis-à-vis poor countries. The bulk priority groups decided by the Centre. the private market. cent coverage of life-saving vaccines. of available supplies in global markets IANS gramme could see a decisive push, after a rather sluggish first phase of Modi miffed with ‘babus’ doses for frontline and health work- Julio Ribeiro happen often because the officer Yashwantrao Chavan, Vasan- telligence Bureau is an added input ers. Given the hold and dependence What prompted Narendra Modi, is not a specialist. He is trained to trao Naik, Sharad Pawar and Vas- that is unofficially obtained in or- arguably the most decisive Prime take on any department of the gov- ant Dada Patil are other CMs I met der to clear doubts about ideology on private players in the healthcare Minister the nation ever had, to fly ernment. His superior intellect and quite often in the course of my du- and integrity. At one time, we were off the handle on one occasion last vast knowledge and experience ties. They were a cut above other told of another unofficial source of sector, their entry is bound to be week? He made a direct attack on help him along. politicians in their own party, the information obtained by the PMO ‘babudom’, the fraternity of IAS of- Other all-India and Central ser- Congress. You could guess why through a system called the 180° a game-changer. But a statutory ficers who have been executing, of- vices officers specialise in one sub- they were chosen for high office. initiative that entrusted a few re- ten initiating, policies of successive ject. They have fewer occasions to Each had his own strengths, possi- tired bureaucrats of the PM’s con- warning is essential. The authori- governments. meet political bosses and certainly bly weaknesses, too, but I remem- fidence to make their own quiet sation to vaccinate the vast popu- I heard on an English TV channel not the top man. The only PM I in- ber no occasion to fault them for inquiries about the candidates! the views of two highly respected teracted with on a regular basis was insisting on their own wishes being There is no dearth of honest lation has to be seen as a national former IAS officers for not having Rajiv Gandhi. Punjab Governor SS treated as sacrosanct! They were and competent officers in the accepted a post-retirement sine- Ray and I would fly to Delhi from men of steel but willing to listen to IAS. At times, lateral entry for duty, not an opportunity to profi- cure from their political masters. Chandigarh by a government air- the truth and to reason. specialised jobs has been tried They were Subhash Kumar Garg, craft to brief him on the course the I have contacts in Gujarat, most- out, but even these highly valued teer. The private sector will have to a former Finance Secretary who terrorist menace was taking in the ly in the IPS since I was DGP of that experts have often been replaced retired prematurely after a suc- state. He was receptive and reason- state for four months during the by IAS officers of high calibre. be its own conscience-keeper, and cessful career, and Anil Swarup, a able. It was only when I mentioned communal riots of 1985. There was The most striking example is of former Coal Secretary, equally dis- the guilty Congressmen of the 1984 a Congress government in Gujarat the appointment of Shaktikanta take the oath of acting responsibly tinguished. anti-Sikh riots that he turned re- then. Modi was installed as CM Das of the IAS as Governor of the The former Coal Secretary was sentful. That did not deter me from more than a decade later. The ju- RBI in place of the internation- with self-regulation. more forthcoming than the former mentioning it, at times, when the nior IPS officers had become senior ally acknowledged economist, Finance Secretary, who I learn has occasion arose. by then. They provided me with a Raghuram Rajan. Going forward, there would arise chosen the spiritual path over the In Maharashtra, where I was as- pen picture of Modi in office. Instances of lateral entry into the material. Anil Swarup, a man I per- signed, I would meet numerous That he listened intently was government’s top echelons have the need to allow access to other sonally know and admire, was very politicians, big and small. The first a common observation. That he occurred even in the time of the supportive of Modi, praising him CM I met was Morarji Desai. As CM decided quickly and decisively Congress. Dr Manmohan Singh, vaccines, ramp up dose production for being a good listener and a boss of the composite state of Bombay, was another. People appreciate a Montek Singh Ahluwalia, noted and allow large institutions to hold who did not hesitate to take quick he visited Mount Abu where IPS politician (or even an official) who economist, and Bimal Jalan, a fi- decisions. Subhash Garg was not officers were then trained. I was takes decisions, right or wrong! nance wizard, were all brought in camps on campuses to vaccinate so effusive in praise, but he too felt introduced to him along with three On the debit side though, was the from academia. The present gov- that it was a pleasure to work with other officers assigned to Bombay tendency to be ruthless with those ernment continues with the ex- the staff with strict monitoring. Af- Modiji. State. He picked on me for special who crossed his path, even inad- periment and has even taken it to An IAS officer has many oppor- attention when he heard my name. vertently. If Modi wanted some- the cutting edge level by recruiting ter a precipitous drop in daily new tunities to interact with top poli- He asked if my father had served thing to be said or done, it had to Joint Secretaries from the open ticians. It is the nature of the job. in the Postal Service and when I be said or done, even if the officer’s market. confirmed cases, there has been a Many a minister literally eat out nodded, he told me that my father, conscience was not comfortable So why is Modi frustrated? Well, of the hands of bureaucrats, in a who died when I was eight, and he doing so. he is a man in a hurry. He wants surge in recent days. The pandemic manner of speaking. If the minister were fellows of the Wilson College Today, more than half of the results even before the task is un- has been given charge of a ministry in Bombay at the same time, my PMO and other critical positions dertaken! And he also wants undi- is baring fangs at people who had in which he has no expertise, but is father in the Arts faculty and he, in the Centre are filled by Gujarat- luted loyalty and perhaps a dose expected to learn the ropes while Morarjibhai, in the science stream. cadre officers. The remaining slots of ideology thrown in. I am sure he declared its exit. The decision to on the job, the bureaucrat gets a This conversation, heard by my have gone to officers from other will be able to find such marvels in headstart, unless he himself or colleagues, made me a minor ce- state cadres who had found their this vast country without losing his step up the pace of the vaccination herself is being introduced to the lebrity in the Sixth Regular Recruit- way to the ‘approved list’ based on cool! drive gives a fighting chance to stay subject for the first time. This does ment Course. their ACRs. Clearance from the In- IANS ahead of the pandemic curve. Readers Response and contribution Welcome Indian Horizon Saturday, February 27, 2021 OP-ED 7 Biden administration sending wrong message to Iran regime By Dr. Majid Rafizadeh Iran is already known to support a not weak. Furthermore, taking revenge The Iranian regime has begun testing conglomerate of militias known as the against the US would deter Washington the Biden administration by escalating Popular Mobilization Units (PMU). and other parties from targeting Irani- its aggressive and belligerent policies These groups ratchet up the conflict an officials in the future. in the region. A barrage of rockets on in Iraq by engaging in various crimes, What is now crucial for the ruling cler- Saturday targeted an airbase in Balad, including torture, indiscriminate at- ics of Iran is how the new US adminis- north of Baghdad, where a US defense tacks and unlawful restrictions on the tration will respond to these attacks. company is based. A few days before movement of people fleeing the fight- Unfortunately, not only has the Biden that, a dozen rockets struck coalition ing. They have also become skilled at administration not taken a firm stance, forces at a US base next to Irbil interna- using sectarianism as a tool to gain it last week announced that it would tional airport, northern Iraq. Six people power and further Iran’s parochial, not be pursuing the previous adminis- were wounded and a civilian contrac- religious and political ambitions. The tration’s efforts to reimpose UN sanc- tor with the American-led anti-Daesh Tehran regime has even pushed the tions on the Iranian regime. This move coalition was killed. The Kurdish au- Iraqi government into recognizing the outraged several American lawmakers, thorities had to close the airport for a PMU members as “legitimate” groups, including Republican Sen. Marco Ru- short time and warned residents to stay incorporating them into the state appa- bio, who said: “Not long after Iranian- at home. ratuses and making Baghdad allocate backed forces attacked Americans in Shiite militant group Saraya Awliya wages and ammunition for them. Iraq, President (Joe) Biden is desper- Al-Dam (the Guardians of Blood Bri- It is important to point out that the ately trying to re-enter a failed deal and gade) claimed responsibility for the at- Iranian regime still intends to take provide sanctions relief to the Iranian tack on Irbil. It has also threatened to revenge on the US for Qassem Solei- regime. The president must make clear cause more bloodshed. According to mani’s killing. More than a year after that he understands that Khamenei can- was lifted in October in spite of the entering the 2015 nuclear deal. In a the Site Intelligence Group, a nongov- the Quds Force commander’s death, not be trusted to honor international fact the regime was violating all of the statement, State Department spokes- ernmental organization that monitors Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei contin- agreements, and that the United States restrictions of the nuclear deal, accord- man Ned Price said: “The United States the online activities of armed organiza- ues to mention him in his speeches. will not play into the hands of the Irani- ing to the International Atomic Energy would accept an invitation from the tions, the militia group said in a state- He warned last month: “Those who ans for the next four years.” Agency. The Biden administration has European Union High Representative ment: “The American occupation will ordered the murder of Gen. Soleimani By reversing the Trump administra- also lifted restrictions on Iranian diplo- to attend a meeting of the P5+1 and not be safe from our strikes in any inch as well as those who carried this out tion’s call to reimpose UN sanctions, mats traveling to the UN headquarters Iran to discuss a diplomatic way for- of the homeland, even in Kurdistan, should be punished. This revenge will Biden also appears to be in agreement in New York. ward on Iran’s nuclear program.” where we promise we will carry out certainly happen at the right time.” with the lifting of the arms embargo on By turning a blind eye to its aggres- turning a blind eye to Iran’s aggres- other qualitative operations.” Taking revenge for Soleimani’s killing Iran. Tehran’s leaders scored a major sion, the US is only empowering and sion, the Biden administration is only The Iranian regime most likely spon- is critical for the regime, partially be- political victory against the US, its al- emboldening Tehran. empowering and emboldening the sors this little-known militia group. It is cause Tehran has never faced such a lies and regional powers when the UN In addition, after the first attack in Tehran regime, which will further es- also likely that Saraya Awliya Al-Dam major humiliation in its four-decade Security Council in August voted down Iraq, the Biden administration an- calate its military adventurism and de- launched the rockets in order to win rule. It wants to show its proxies, mili- a proposal to extend its 13-year-old nounced that it was ready to meet structive behavior in the Middle East. the approval of the Iranian regime. tia groups and hard-line base that it is arms embargo on Iran. The embargo with the Iranian leaders to discuss re- Arab News US aims to ‘decolonize,’ but does it really mean it? named it Khuzestan. In 1971, Iran oc- something bigger — which would in- to the Houthi militia, which is ac- cupied three Emirati islands. clude not only the Gulf but also the Red cused of obstructing the delivery of Yet President Joe Biden, Malley and Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean, humanitarian assistance. Yet new US company don’t perceive Iran as a colo- which sounds more like expansionism Secretary of State Antony Blinken has nizer, only as colonized, which sug- than decolonizing. had the Houthis removed from the US gests either a lack of historical under- The Biden administration is dress- list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations standing or flagrant bias. ing up its decolonization policy as the because, he argued, the war in Yemen In his book “The Call from Algeria,” ditching of Donald Trump’s “America can only be resolved by talking to the Malley links the rise of Islamism to the First” unilateralism. In reality, the US Houthis. failure of communism in what he calls is being very choosy about just how Pursuing decolonization and com- the Third World. Leaving aside his use multilateral it wants to be. bating climate change appear to give of a term that is now deemed offensive, Biden rejoined the Paris agreement the US the moral high ground. The re- Malley fails to see that Islamism is in on climate change on his very first day ality, however, is that foreign policy is fact communism mark II. Both ideolo- in office. But the US also plans to re- never cut and dried or black and white, gies use populist rhetoric and sanction vive the nuclear deal with Iran, which but rather a frayed mess of gray areas violence. Had the Soviet Union not col- would allow Tehran to export more and compromise. lapsed, Islamism would have remained than 2 million barrels of oil a day. How The administration does not perceive a fringe movement. does that square with reducing fossil Iran as a colonizer, only as colonized, If Biden is persuaded by the de- fuel energy, one of the commitments which suggests either a lack of histori- colonization argument, the US will enshrined in the Paris agreement? cal understanding or flagrant bias. up sticks and leave the Gulf, which is The Biden team has been selective at The Biden administration seems set exactly what the mullahs have been the UN too, breaking with multilateral to put on a show of “fixing” the world dreaming of since 1979. The Iranians decisions to pursue its own unilateral by pursuing decolonization — a term have hardly made a secret of their in- policy. Security Council Resolutions it clearly does not fully understand but By Hussain Abdul-Hussain new envoy to Iran (not a universally tentions: With the US and its military 1559 and 1701 call for all militias in will still use to put a gloss on the fact There is a new administration in the popular appointment). But if Iran is forces gone, the way would be open for Lebanon to disarm and disband. For that the US, like all governments, has White House and a new watchword in one of those smaller foreign powers, Iran to step in as the dominant power “all militias,” read Hezbollah in partic- its own agenda. It will embrace multi- US foreign policy: Decolonization. Im- those in the State Department behind in the region, restructuring security ular. Yet the White House — especially lateralism when it is expedient. It will perialism, so the reasoning goes, is to the commitment to decolonize are not and turning neighboring countries into when occupied by the Democrats — “see things from the perspective of blame for all the ills of the world so, to only misguided, they are woefully mis- satellite states. prefers to talk to Hezbollah rather than smaller foreign powers” when it is ad- fix it, empires like America must “de- informed. Iran has often pressed for admis- enforce UN resolutions. vantageous. colonize.” The US, it is said, must see If imperialism equals occupying sion to the Gulf Cooperation Council, Similarly, on Yemen, the UN Secu- Under Biden, the US will pick and things from the perspective of smaller and bullying neighboring countries, which currently comprises Saudi Ara- rity Council has passed no fewer than choose where to dispense its largesse, foreign powers that it has often been at then Iran, for example, has a long his- bia, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait nine resolutions imposing an arms as all empires do. Impartiality has odds with. Those words might describe tory of it. In 1936, Tehran annexed the and Oman. In fact, Iran would like to embargo, travel ban and asset freeze nothing to do with it. the worldview of Robert Malley, the Arab Kaab emirate in the south and re- go further and replace the GCC with on any individual or entity connected Arab News Pandemic highlights need for robust social protection systems By Sara Al-Mulla human right. There is no doubt that ity. In an effort to achieve this impor- Many experts deem the ongoing a nation’s most precious resource tant condition, many governments coronavirus pandemic to be the worst is its human capital. Therefore, it is have established dedicated funds that global crisis since the Second World considered a moral and public duty yield positive yearly returns through a War. Lockdown measures have result- to support vulnerable groups at dif- portfolio of investment strategies. ed in massive job losses and income ferent life stages or in precarious cir- For example, Singapore’s Commu- reductions, leaving millions of people cumstances, ensuring they are not in nity Care Endowment Fund (Com- in precarious situations. The World poverty and are able to lead happy, Care) was established as a sustainable Bank has stated that, during the nine productive lives. Social protection funding source to support low-in- months following the onset of the pan- systems can deliver a spectrum of come Singaporeans. What started demic, a total of 215 countries deliv- benefits, such as reducing poverty, with $250 million of capital, along ered 1,414 social protection measures strengthening food security, improv- with periodical top-ups, is currently to an estimated 1.28 billion people, or ing education outcomes, enhanc- valued at $1.9 billion. In 2019, the 16 percent of the global population. ing health, improving relationships, fund financed a variety of social as- Data from 126 countries reveals that reducing inequality, and promoting sistance programs worth $69 million, a total of more than $800 billion has social cohesion and inclusion. They or about 45 percent of the ComCare been invested in these response ef- also aim to boost economic produc- program’s budget. forts. tivity, reduce government expendi- Similarly, the Canada Pension The pandemic’s devastating social ture on various support services, and Plan Investment Board is a Cana- and economic impacts have brought improve state-citizen trust. dian crown corporation established into focus the shortcomings of social They usually include a suite of with a mandate of maximizing protection systems during emergen- offerings, such as cash transfers, long-term investment returns from cies. Many factors are exacerbating government fee waivers, utility sup- workers’ pension contributions. these problems worldwide, such as port, health coverage, and in-kind The fund is currently worth $475.7 reduced fiscal leverage due to de- benefits to support households that billion and is projected to surpass clining government revenues, the need to cope with losses, emergen- $1 trillion by 2032. Over the past 10 duty to support vulnerable groups at and safer than in-person transactions. erous parental leaves, are also vital. universality of the crisis affecting a cies, an inability to work, and vulner- years, it has achieved a net rate of different life stages or in precarious It is also important for policymakers Furthermore, various types of aware- large segment of the population, lim- abilities. Global lockdowns have also return of 9.9 percent and is regarded circumstances. to work on pre-emptive policies that ness programs will ensure vulnerable ited social mobility policies, and the forced governments to offer wage as a successful model on retirement Program planners can utilize the increase social mobility across differ- communities adopt positive behav- prolonged, uncertain duration of the subsidies, unemployment benefits, security. power of digital technologies to de- ent life stages. There are a number of iors and make decisions that improve pandemic. UN Secretary-General An- paid sick leave, and childcare vouch- In addition to establishing funds, it sign agile social protection systems interventions that support vulnerable their lives, such as financial literacy tonio Guterres in December said that ers to make up for lost income and is also vital to engage the private sec- that provide rapid relief during emer- communities, such as offering univer- skills and healthy lifestyle habits. “the pandemic brings new awareness employment. tor, philanthropists and civil society gencies. Many governments have sal health coverage, housing grants, If anything, history has taught us of the social and economic risks that Reimagining and modernizing so- with different causes. We have wit- benefited from this to design simple child care allowances and subsidies, that crises are windows of opportu- arise from inadequate social pro- cial protection systems should be a nessed during this pandemic their ex- online application processes, dis- educational scholarships, fee waiv- nity for improvement. By designing tection systems.” It is important to national priority for governments in traordinary efforts and contributions pense cashless payments through ers for certain public services, and social protection systems that are re- note that those countries with exist- order to protect vulnerable popula- to alleviating people’s suffering. Sup- electronic banking, and keep an elec- food vouchers. Family-friendly poli- silient in the face of emergencies and ing strong protection systems have tions and safeguard years of economic port has included cash or product do- tronic register of all beneficiaries in cies that enable parents to work and able to universally cater to vulnerable been better positioned to support and social progress. Perhaps the most nations, grants, in-kind services, food order to coordinate relief efforts with care for their children, such as flexible populations, we can safeguard de- their populations during this calam- important aspect of any social protec- vouchers, scholarships, and volun- other government agencies. As a re- working arrangements, part-time em- cades of progress. ity. Social protection is a universal tion system is its financial sustainabil- teering efforts. It is a moral and public sult, responses are quicker, less costly ployment, paid sick leave and gen- Arab News

The views expressed in these columns are the writers’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Indian Horizon or its management.-Editor Indian Horizon 8 International Saturday, February 27, 2021

London, Feb 26 (IANS) Queen US strikes Iranian-backed reported."These strikes were Elizabeth II has urged the citizens THINK ABOUT OTHERS: QUEEN URGES authorized in response to to “think about other people” and militia targets in Syria recent attacks against Ameri- get a Covid dose when they are of- PEOPLE TO GET VACCINE SHOTS can and Coalition person- fered one.The monarch, 94, and nel in Iraq, and to ongoing the Duke of Edinburgh, 99, re- didn’t hurt at all.”The monarch tions where everybody feels able to threats to those personnel," ceived their fi rst doses of the vac- said she understood getting a take up the offer of a vaccination it said, adding the strikes cine in January, the BBC reported. jab could be a “diffi cult” experi- when they’re called,” she said.“And destroyed multiple facilities In a video call with health lead- ence for some people but urged Her Majesty offering her view on located at a border control ers delivering the Covid vaccine everyone to “think about other that is a huge boost to our confi - point used by a number across the UK, the Queen was people rather than themselves”. dence and I hope to confi dence of Iranian-backed militant asked about her experience of Emily Lawson, who is leading the more broadly in the programme.” Washington, Feb 26 (IANS) US military forces earlier groups.Thursday's airstrikes having the jab.She smiled as she vaccine deployment programme The Queen also said the speed of The Pentagon confi rmed this evening conducted air- also came at a time when the replied: “Well, as far as I can make for the NHS in England, said the the UK’s vaccination rollout had that the US military had strikes against infrastructure Biden administration, which out it was quite harmless.”“It was Queen’s comments about her vac- been “remarkable” so far.Speaking conducted airstrikes against utilized by Iranian-backed reportedly plans to bring the very quick, and I’ve had lots of let- cine experience were an “incred- to the four offi cials overseeing the infrastructure utilized by Ira- militant groups in eastern United States back to the ters from people who have been ibly important vote of confi dence programme in England, Scotland, nian-backed militant groups Syria," the Pentagon said 2015 Iran nuclear deal that very surprised by how easy it was in the programme”.“We just want Wales and Northern Ireland, she in eastern Syria."At Presi- in a statement on Thurs- the Donald Trump adminis- to get the vaccine.”She added: “It to make sure we create the condi- added: “Keep up the good work.” dent (Joe) Biden's direction, day, Xinhua news agency tration pulled out of. Russia faced with containment threat : Vladimir Putin Moscow, Feb 26 (IANS) Russia is also confronted the Xinhua news reported on against Russia, direct actions Russia, in its democratic pro- Russian President Vladimir with “a consistent and highly Thursday.This foreign pres- such as economic sanctions cedures, and of course, spe- Putin has warned that his aggressive policy” aimed at sure, the president said, is and the disruption of large cial services’ tools are being country is faced with foreign disrupting the country’s de- not of a healthy competitive international projects are de- used against us,” the presi- pressure in the form of a con- velopment, and “creating nature but rather part of a stabilising the economy. dent added. Indicating the tinued “policy of contain- problems along our external series of direct actions aimed In this context, the presi- futility of this kind of policy ment” aimed at provoking in- perimeter and contour, pro- at forcing Russia to succumb dent thanked the FSB for towards Russia, Putin em- ternal instability, weakening voking internal instability, to external control. Alongside providing timely informa- phasised that the country will the economy and interfering undermining the values that blatant “aggressive rheto- tion concerning planned ex- always protect its sovereignty in the country’s internal af- unite Russian society,” the ric,” groundless claims, and ternal “provocations.”“Our and national interests, ensure fairs.Amid a growing number president warned during his conspiracy-theory-like accu- partners are also interested the security of its citizens and of international threats such meeting with the Federal Se- sations used in foreign tar- in directly interfering in the protect the rights of the peo- as terrorism and cybercrime, curity Service (FSB) Board, geted information campaigns public and political affairs of ple to decide their future.

Israel, Bahrain discuss Netanyahu ‘Khashoggi assassins used jets linked trolled by the Saudi crown and is chaired by the crown prince, visit, vaccine factory who is known as MBS. to Saudi Crown Prince’ The documents establishing Jerusalem, Feb 26 (IANS) New Delhi, Feb 26 (IANS) US the link between the planes and Israeli Prime Minister Ben- President Joe Biden spoke to the prince were fi led by a group jamin Netanyahu said on King Salman of Saudi Arabia of Saudi-state owned companies Thursday that he has ac- over the phone hours ahead of as part of an embezzlement suit cepted an invitation by a new report was set to be made they opened last month in Can- Bahraini Crown Prince public in the sensational killing ada against a former top Saudi Salman bin Hamad Al Khal- of acclaimed journalist Jamal intelligence offi cial, Saad Aljabri. ifa to visit the Gulf state. Khashoggi in 2018. The embezzlement accusa- The prime minister’s of- Recently fi led court docu- tions against Aljabri came after fi ce issued a statement say- ments have mentioned that a lawsuit he fi led last year in ing the two leaders agreed the two private jets used by the Washington, DC, District Court that Netanyahu will travel alleged Saudi Arabian assas- against MBS. to Bahrain “as soon as pos- sination squad that killed and Aljabri has accused the crown sible,” once Covid-19 re- dismembered journalist Jamal prince of sending a hit team to strictions would allow it. Khashoggi were owned by a fi rm kill him in Canada just days after Bahrain was also looking that was seized by the Kingdom's Khashoggi was murdered. into a possible investment Crown Prince Mohammed bin MBS was served a summons in a planned Covid-19 vac- established in Israel togeth- of the lockdown’s restric- Salman, media reports said. via WhatsApp, and in December, cine factory that is expected er with other countries,” tions have been lifted but The documents are labelled a lawyer for the prince asked the to be built in Israel, accord- the statement read. a ban on outgoing and "Top Secret" and signed by a court to dismiss the case. ing to the statement. Netanyahu announced incoming flights is still in Saudi Minister who relayed the "immediately approve the com- ereign wealth fund in late 2017. Evidence that ownership of “The crown prince noted earlier in February that effect, the Xinhua news orders of the Crown Prince, the pletion of the necessary proce- The company's planes were later the fl eet of private planes had he is interested in examin- he postponed his first of- agency reported.Israel has young de facto ruler of Saudi dures for this." used in the October 2018 killing been moved into Saudi Arabia's ing a possibility of Bahrain ficial visits to Bahrain and signed the US-brokered Arabia."According to the in- The fi ling lays out how owner- of Khashoggi, CNN reported. Public Investment Fund has not joining an investment in the United Arab Emirates agreements to normalize struction of His Highness the ship of Sky Prime Aviation was The Kingdom's sovereign been previously reported and a vaccine manufacturing (UAE) due to Israel’s coro- ties with the UAE and Bah- Crown Prince," the Minister ordered to be transferred into wealth fund, known as the Pub- provides another link between plant that is planned to be navirus lockdown.Some rain in 2020. wrote according to a translation, the country's $400 billion sov- lic Investment Fund, is con- Khashoggi's death and MBS. S.Korea mulling to extend distancing norms for 2 weeks GLOBAL COVID Seoul, Feb 26 (IANS) vid-19 response meeting and cafes, will also remain transmission as schools CASES TOP 112.9 MN South Korea is mulling to held at the government in place for another two prepare to reopen next extend its social distanc- complex here.The great- weeks, Chung said.The week.Chung urged the Washington, Feb 26 ing measures for another er Seoul area, home to plan was announced amid public to adhere to the (IANS) The total number of two weeks, Prime Minister around half of the nation’s South Korea’s daily new government’s social dis- global Covid-19 cases has Chung Sye-kyun said on 52-million population, will coronavirus cases hav- tancing rules, expressing topped 112.9 million, while Friday, as the country con- remain under Level 2 dis- ing stayed around the 400 concerns of a shortage of the deaths have surged to tinue to witness a spike in tancing and the rest of the mark in the past few days. medical resources in the more than 2.50 million, ac- the coronavirus cases.“The country will be subject to The country also started case of a resurgence of cording to the Johns Hop- government will decide Level 1.5 distancing for an its public vaccination another pandemic wave. kins University. to extend the current dis- additional two weeks start- program to curb the virus He said that authorities In its latest update on Fri- tancing levels for another ing next week, Yonhap re- spread.“Sporadic cluster will prepare to revamp the day morning, the University’s two weeks starting next ported.Bans on gatherings infections are breaking current social distancing Center for Systems Science (1,673,252), Iran (1,607,081), week during today’s meet- of fi ve or more people and out continuously,” Chung scheme after monitoring and Engineering (CSSE) re- South Africa (1,509,124), ing,” the Prime Minister restrictions on small busi- said, while also pointing the virus situation for the vealed that the current global Ukraine (1,373,139), In- said during a regular Co- nesses, such as restaurants to the increasing risk of time being. caseload and death toll stood donesia (1,314,634), Peru at 112,981,257 and 2,507,271 (1,300,799), Czech Republic respectively. (1,198,168) and the Nether- WHO experts warn health risk of 'post-Covid' symptoms The US is the worst-hit lands (1,088,730), the CSSE country with the world’s fi gures showed. Copenhagen, Feb 26 (IANS) covered', but whose lives were making people feel unwell for highest number of cases and Brazil currently accounts As Covid-19 transmission rates still affected by debilitating only a few days before clear- deaths at 28,410,902 and for the second highest num- seemingly decline across the symptoms soon emerged. Re- ing up, others cause long-term 508,114 respectively, accord- ber of Covid-19 fatalities at European Region, the World grettably, some were met with problems. ing to the CSSE. 251,498, followed by Mexico Health Organization (WHO) disbelief or lack of understand- Early on, we realized that this India comes in second 183,692 on the third place Regional Director for Europe ing," said Kluge. new coronavirus was not just place in terms of cases at and India 156,705 on the Hans Kluge expressed health Professor Martin McKee, causing pneumonia. 11,046,914. fourth. concerns over "long-Covid" from the London School of Hy- In some patients it was at- The other countries Meanwhile, the nations or "post-Covid" symptoms at giene and Tropical Medicine, tacking many different body with more than a million with a death toll above 20,000 a virtual press conference on also speaking at the press con- systems, such as the heart and confi rmed coronavirus are the UK (122,303), Italy Thursday. ference, provided further in- blood vessels, the brain, and cases are Brazil (10,390,461), (96,974), France (85,734), "The disability following sight into "post-Covid" symp- the kidneys," said McKee. the UK (4,166,727), Rus- Russia (83,481), Germany SARS-CoV-2 infection lingers toms.McKee described them In response to the prevalence sia (4,164,802), France (69,327), Spain (68,813), Iran on for months with severe so- as "a varying combination of of the lingering after-effects of (3,746,475), Spain (59,830), Colombia (59,396), cial, economic, health and oc- overlapping symptoms, in- Covid-19, Kluge acknowledged (3,180,212), Italy (2,868,435), Argentina (51,795), South cupational consequences," Kluge, a total of 38 million in- ferers remain unwell after 12 cluding chest and muscle pain, that the WHO had earlier in the Turkey (2,674,766), Africa (49,667), Peru (45,683), said Kluge, who identifi ed fection cases had been regis- weeks, and many for much fatigue, shortness of breath, month "hosted a consultation Germany (2,426,819), Poland (43,094), Indonesia the issue as "a clear prior- tered in the European Region longer", the Xinhua news and what patients describe as on post-Covid-19 conditions, Colombia (2,241,225), (35,518), Turkey (28,358), ity for WHO, and of the utmost since the pandemic began, agency reported."Yet stories brain fog.""Although many vi- focusing on recognition, re- Argentina (2,093,645), Ukraine (26,991), Belgium importance."According to and "one in ten Covid-19 suf- of those who should have 're- ral infections are self-limiting, search and rehabilitation." Mexico (2,069,370), Poland (22,006) and Canada (21,868). Indian Horizon Saturday, February 27, 2021 BUSINESS 9 Bauxite ASP needs correction for Indian Al to be competitive New Delhi, Feb 26 (IANS) As tion, packaging and others. maNirbhar. This will also im- India is yet to leverage its arbitrary determination of India works tirelessly towards India’s existing wealth of prove the global competitive- significant bauxite deposits Average Sale Price (ASP) of becoming a global manufac- natural reserves of bauxite ness of the Indian aluminium effectively for its economic Metallurgical Grade of Bauxite turing hub under Prime Min- (the ore from which Alu- industry. Another important and social advancement. With linked with the selling price of ister Narendra Modis vision minium is produced) and change that is required is in aluminium demand slated to the end product Aluminium. of AatmaNirbhar Bharat, alu- industrial infrastructure to the methodology of the cal- double in the next five years, This present pricing structure minium is set to play a pivotal manufacture Aluminium and culation of the Average Sale India can effectively fill the is responsible for the most role in realizing this dream. its products has positioned Price (ASP) of Bauxite which if demand gap by utilizing its part, for various state govern- The world today is current- the country well to become a continued in its current form, large reserves of bauxite and ments not being able to auc- ly being constructed on the crucial source of the metal for will have a negative impact on coal, 5th in the world, for alu- tion the bauxite mine leases. building blocks of aluminium the world. As a manufacturer the overall growth of the do- minium production. The present pricing structure with this strategic metal find- of the base metal, this will Commenting on the un- ite blocks of the estimated mestic Aluminium industry. It is to be noted that in the links the selling price of the ing its application in multiple place India on the global map explored potential of India’s deposits of 3.8 billion tons of The price determined from last 5 years, since the incep- end-product (aluminium) to core sectors like aerospace, as a one-stop destination for bauxite reserves, Tapan Ku- bauxite in India into auction the current ASP system is arti- tion of MMDR Act 2015, no determine the ASP of metal- space exploration, national sourcing the metal, which will mar Chand, Ex-CMD, NALCO and increasing the capacity of ficially increased up to 300 per Metallurgical Grade Baux- lurgical grade bauxite and defence, building and con- go a long way in helping India & Author of the Book -- “Alu- existing mines by at least 50 cent to 400 per cent by includ- ite Mine has been success- ends up including costs such struction, transportation, au- realize its dream of becoming minium: The Strategic Metal” per cent will be key to moving ing expenditures incurred be- fully auctioned. This is largely as transportation, quality con- tomotive, electrical distribu- a $5 trillion economy. said, “Bringing enough baux- India towards becoming Aat- yond the mining lease.” linked to the unviable and trol, rehandling cost etc. Fuel price hike on hold for 3rd consecutive day India tablet market records 14.7% New Delhi, Feb 26 (IANS) In Mumbai, petrol price exchange rate, pump prices Oil marketing companies on is just Rs 3 per litre short (Rs can be expected to remain growth in 2020, Lenovo leads Friday continued with their 97.34 a litre) of touching three northbound over the next few New Delhi, Feb 26 (IANS) the crucial segment share in wait and watch strategy and digit mark of Rs 100 per litre days even if crude price stabi- India tablet market recorded the second half of the year, the kept the retail price of petrol for the very first time ever. lises. 14.7 per cent (YoY) growth IDC report mentioned. and diesel unchanged for the Diesel price in the city is clos- The petrol and diesel prices with 2.8 million unit ship- “Consumer shipments re- third consecutive day. ing on Rs 90 a litre (Rs 88.44 have increased 25 times in ment in 2020, with Lenovo ported an exceptional 59.8 per Accordingly, petrol contin- a litre). 2021 with the two auto fuels maintaining its lead with 6.6% cent growth over 2019. How- ues to be sold at Rs 90.93 a In all other metros, petrol is increasing by Rs 7.22 and Rs growth in its shipments over ever, commercial shipments litre and diesel at Rs 81.32 a over Rs 90 a litre-mark while 7.45 per litre respectively so 2019, an IDC report said on declined by 14.3 per cent litre in the national capital. diesel is well over Rs 80 a litre. far this year. Friday. (YoY) as few government proj- Elsewhere in the country as Premium petrol has crossed Oil companies executives Samsung was the top gain- ects were postponed to 2021,” well, fuel prices remained un- by Rs 4.19 a litre in Delhi. have also firmed up over re- Rs 100 per litre-mark in sever- said that petrol and diesel er as their strong control on the report added. changed after oil companies The price pause on Friday stricted supplies and a de- al cities of Rajasthan, Madhya prices may increase further component supplies helped According to the report, the increased the pump price on may be momentary as global mand pick up. The increase Pradesh and Maharashtra a in coming days as retail pric- them gain a 13-percentage demand remains centralised 13 of the last 18 days. oil prices are on the boil with of fuel prices in the previous few days back. es may have to be balanced point jump in their market to the budget segment with In the 13 increases since benchmark Brent crude weeks has taken petrol to Since fuel prices are bench- in line with global develop- share. Also, it managed to $100-$200 contributing to February 9, prices have gone prices remaining above $ 66 cross historic high levels of marked to a 15-day rolling ments to prevent OMCs from remain at the top spot in the more than half of total tablet up by Rs 3.98 per litre for pet- a barrel. The product prices Rs 100 a litre in several cities average of global refined making losses on sale of auto consumer segment with ship- shipments in India. rol while diesel rate has risen in the international market across the country. products’ prices and dollar fuels. ments growing 157 per cent Market above $300 also wit- over 2019, according to the nessed an impressive growth IDC’s ‘Worldwide Quarterly of 72.3 per cent YoY, support- Gelatin sticks near Ambani home: FIR lodged Personal Computing Device ed by strong shipments of Gal- Mumbai, Feb 26 (IANS) ered only at around 2 p.m. at the Gamdevi Police Sta- Tracker’. axy Tab S6 Lite and iPad 10.2. The Mumbai Police early on on Thursday by some alert tion invoking Indian Pe- Apple replaced iBall for the “Huawei ranked fifth for Friday registered an FIR and persons in the vicinity, nearly nal Code Sec. 286, 465, 473, third position as it witnessed a the full year of 2020 as ship- launched a massive manhunt 12 hours after it remained un- 120(b), 506(2) pertaining to 13 per cent (YoY) growth in its ments tripled from the previ- to track the two persons who attended, sparking off suspi- explosives, forgery, crimi- shipments. ous year. The online traction abandoned an SUV with 20 cions and triggering a chain nal conspiracy and criminal Apple struggled with stock with the suitable price points gelatin sticks near the land- of reactions. intimidation, and Sec. 4 of availability throughout the helped the vendor for impres- mark Antilia builidng, the The mystery vehicle, which Explosives Substance Act for year. However, with their new sive growth,” the report men- home of Reliance Industries has been seized by the police attempt to cause explosion, launches, it was able to gain tioned. Ltd (RIL) Chairman Mukesh - bears a registration number or for making or keeping it Ambani. similar to a vehicle which is with intent to endanger life or The development came af- part of the Ambani family’s property. Sensex down 2,000 points, Nifty ter the discovery of the SUV security detail and a letter was The Antilia building and was found parked near a tree found from it, the contents of the south Mumbai neigh- below 14,500 close to the Antilia building, which are not yet known. be known after a thorough ficials said. bourhood houses the who’s Mumbai, Feb 26 (IANS) The Broking & Distribution, the lavish multi-storied house Mumbai Police Spokesper- probe. State Home Minister Anil who of the Indian corporate freefall on the BSE Sensex Motilal Oswal Financial of the Ambani family in south son, DCP S. Chaitanya said Efforts are on to trace the Deshmukh, Mumbai Police world, top politicians, offi- continued towards the fag Servcies. Mumbai on Thursday, rat- late on Thursday that the two persons who parked the Commissioner Param Bir cial or private residences of end of the trade on Friday He said that investors have tling the country’s political, gelatin sticks recovered were SUV there, from where they Singh, home and intelligence various bigwigs, government with the BSE Sensex losing thus turned to pharma stocks corporate and security estab- “not an assembled explosive came, what were their mo- department top officers are officials, diplomats, people over 2,000 points. amidst this market crash lishments. device” but the exact detail tives, or who or what were monitoring the probe. from the glamour industry The frenzy in the Indian which is down just 0.4 per The vehicle was discov- of the risk they posed would their intended targets, etc, of- The FIR was registered and others. equities followed a global cent. sell-off after a massive jump “This sector has been in in the 10-year bond yields in consolidation mode so far India’s Apr-Jan fiscal deficit at over 66% of revised estimate the US. 2021YTD as it witnessed Gaurav Garg, Head of profit booking post sharp New Delhi, Feb 26 (IANS) items included in the Index corresponding month of the by 5.9 per cent in the month lacklustre 0.2 per cent in Research at CapitalVia Global rally in CY20. It has also The production of India’s of Industrial Production last fiscal. under review. December 2020.” Research said: “Global signals got boost from second PLI eight major industries (IIP). However, electricity In contrast, fertiliser According to Sunil Sinha, today are extremely negative scheme being approved remained flat on a year-on- These industries comprise generation, which has the manufacturing, which has Principal Economist, India against the backdrop of a for the sector. The market year basis during January coal, crude oil, natural gas, second highest weightage the least weightage -- only Ratings and Research: “In massive jump in 10-year correction might continue for 2021. refinery products, fertilisers, of 19.85, increased by 5.1 2.63 -- grew by 2.7 per cent. FY21 core infrastructure bond yields in the US. We can some time till inflation fears The Index of Eight Core steel, cement, and electricity. per cent, whereas the steel “The core sectors eked industries have shown see a downtrend and it will be ease down,” Jani added. Industries’ reading for last On a sector specific basis, production was up 2.6 per out a marginal YoY rise growth in only three negative for the market.” Around 3.22 p.m., Sensex month showed a rise of just the output of coal, which has cent last month. of 0.1 per cent in January months namely September, “Equity markets opened was trading at 48,950.73, 0.1 per cent in output from a weight of 10.33 per cent in The extraction of crude oil, 2021, benefitting from an December and January and gap down following spike lower by 2,088.58 points or an expansion of 2.2 per cent the index, showed a decline which has an 8.98 weightage, expansion in electricity, at cumulatively contracted in global bond yields and 4.09 per cent from its previous in the same month last year. of (-) 1.8 per cent in January declined by 4.6 per cent fertilisers and steel,” ICRA’s 8.8 per cent during April extended its weakness further close of 51,039.31. On a sequential basis, 2021 over the same month of during the month under Principal Economist Aditi 2020-January2021. as the session progressed. It has touched an intra-day the output of eight major the previous year. consideration. Nayar said.. “If core infrastructure Panic in global bond markets low of 48,950.05 points. industries had expanded by Similarly, the output of The sub-index for natural “Disconsolately, the other industries growth is an led to sharp rise in yields The Nifty50 on the National 0.2 per cent in December refinery products, which gas output, with a weightage five core sectors recorded a indication then IIP growth which spooked investors Stock Exchange was at 2020. has the highest weightage of 6.88, fell by 2 per cent. contraction, and the overall in January 2021 would amid fears of interest rate 14,480.15, lower by 617.20 ECI index comprises 40.27 of 28.04, declined 2.6 per Cement production, which growth eased a tad from the barely manage to be slip into cycle reversal,” said Hemang points or 4.09 per cent from per cent of the weight of cent compared to the has a weightage of 5.37, slid upwardly revised yet equally positive territory.” Jani, Head of Equity Strategy, its previous close. Karnataka to launch cargo services through its buses: Deputy CM Bengaluru, Feb 26 (IANS) revenue. Chief Minister B.S. Ltd for next five years in will be an SMS alert system factor will be our Unique In a bid to tide over the Yediyurappa will launch three transport corporations for the dispatcher and the Selling Point (USP),” the revenue loss due to the drop this service on Friday at the - the Karnataka State Road receiver of the parcel,” he official added. in passengers amid Covid-19, grand steps of the Vidhana Transport Corporation said. Meanwhile, a senior This is not the first the Karnataka State Road Soudha here.” According to (KSRTC), the North Western official told IANS that cargo time that these transport Transport Corporation him, the three State Road Karnataka Road Transport and parcel services will start corporations have ventured (KSRTC) will formally launch Transport Corporations have Corporation (NWKRTC) and in places where the three into such business, but the a parcel and cargo service been generating Rs 35 crore the North Eastern Karnataka transport corporations’ buses earlier attempt in 2008 failed named ‘Namma Cargo’ (Our revenue by transporting Road Transport Corporation ply. to evoke much response. Cargo) from Friday, Deputy luggage but now with launch (NEKRTC). “All three KSRTC, NWKRTC “We have studied success Chief Minister Lakshman of the new service, they “Strategic Outsourcing and NEKRTC together model of our neighbouring Savadi said. are likely to generate an will provide the basic operate around 16,000 buses, states Telangana and Andhra Addressing a press approximate revenue of Rs infrastructure. Our transport not only covering the length Pradesh which have making conference here, Savadi, who 70-80 crore. corporations will be stations,” Savadi said. bus stands like they do for their and breadth of Karnataka but turnover of around Rs 70 to holds the transport portfolio, Namma Cargo will be providing them the space He added that customers tickets. “They will be asked to also connecting all southern Rs 80 crore in this sector, and said: “We are starting this operated through the to set up parcel counters will have to book their parcel fill a form giving information states and also Maharashtra we are emulating them this new service to increase our Strategic Outsourcing Private at various facilities like bus at the booking counter at the about the consignment. There and Goa. Therefore, trust time,” the official said. Indian Horizon 10 BUSINESS Saruday, February 27, 2021 Equity indices fall nearly 4% amid global sell-off Mumbai, Feb 26 (IANS) off after a massive jump in the gap down following spike in He said that investors have continue for some time till in- The Indian stock market wit- 10-year bond yields in the US. global bond yields and ex- thus turned to pharma stocks flation fears ease down,” Jani nessed a bloodbath on Friday Gaurav Garg, Head of Re- tended its weakness further as amidst this market crash added. with the benchmark indices search at CapitalVia Global the session progressed. Panic which is down just 0.4 per Sensex closed at 49,099.99, falling nearly 4 per cent. Research said: “Global signals in global bond markets led cent. “This sector has been lower by 1,939.32 points or The BSE Sensex ended over today are extremely nega- to sharp rise in yields which in consolidation mode so 3.80 per cent from its previous 1,900 points lower, while the tive against the backdrop of a spooked investors amid fears far 2021YTD as it witnessed close of 51,039.31. Nifty50 on the National Stock massive jump in 10-year bond of interest rate cycle rever- profit booking post sharp rally It had opened 50,256.71 Exchange plunged nearly 570 yields in the US. We can see a sal,” said Hemang Jani, Head in CY20. It has also got boost and touched an intra-day points. downtrend and it will be neg- of Equity Strategy, Broking & from second PLI scheme be- high of 50,400.31 and a low of points or 3.76 per cent from ended in the red, led by The frenzy in the Indian ative for the market.” Distribution, Motilal Oswal ing approved for the sector. 48,890.48 points. Nifty settled its previous close. ONGC, Mahindra & Mahindra equities followed a global sell- “Equity markets opened Financial Servcies. The market correction might at 14,529.15, lower by 568.20 All the stocks on the Sensex and Axis Bank.

Two years of unlimited services and India’s eight core industries’ production remains flat in Jan New Delhi, Feb 26 (IANS) has a weight of 10.33 per 2.6 per cent last month. new JioPhone at Rs 1,999 The production of India’s cent in the index, showed a The extraction of crude Mumbai, Feb 26 (IANS) In yet eight major industries decline of (-) 1.8 per cent in oil, which has an 8.98 another affordable offering for remained flat on a year-on- January 2021 over the same weightage, declined by 4.6 consumers, Reliance Jio has come year basis during January month of the previous year. per cent during the month up with a new ‘JioPhone 2021’ offer 2021. The Index of Eight Similarly, the output of under consideration. wherein a customer will get two Core Industries’ reading for refinery products, which The sub-index for years of unlimited services and new last month showed a rise of has the highest weightage natural gas output, with a JioPhone at Rs 1,999. just 0.1 per cent in output of 28.04, declined 2.6 per weightage of 6.88, fell by 2 A Jio statement said that under from an expansion of 2.2 cent compared to the per cent. the first-of-its kind- offer in India, a per cent in the same month corresponding month of Cement production, new user would get a new JioPhone, last year. the last fiscal. which has a weightage of unlimited voice calls for two years, On a sequential basis, However, electricity 5.37, slid by 5.9 per cent in unlimited data (2 GB per month) the output of eight major weight of items included gas, refinery products,generation, which has the the month under review. for two years and ther would be no industries had expanded by in the Index of Industrial fertilisers, steel, cement, second highest weightage In contrast, fertiliser requirement for recharge for two 0.2 per cent in December Production (IIP). These and electricity. of 19.85, increased by manufacturing, which has years. 2020. ECI index comprises industries comprise On a sector specific basis, 5.1 per cent, whereas the the least weightage -- only As per the company, for the same 40.27 per cent of the coal, crude oil, natural the output of coal, which steel production was up 2.63 -- grew by 2.7 per cent. benefit, customers pay 2.5 times more on other networks. Along with unlimited voice calls Prime Focus shares jump 20%, SEBI likely to revise open offer price at fair value and data, an existing user would get New Delhi, Feb 25 (IANS) ered to be Rs 115 per share Focus shares have rallied SAT, challenging the very a JioPhone, along with 12 months of democratised internet and passed The shares of Prime Focus – a whopping 260 per cent over 40 per cent since the depressed offer price of Rs unlimited service for Rs 1,499, and on the benefits of technology to hit the roof on Thursday to higher than the current announcement of open of- 44. They have also sought not recharge would be required for every Indian.” close 20 per cent higher at open offer price of Rs 44 of- fer recently. Shareholders of the appointment of an inde- a year. Further, existing users can “Technology no longer remains Rs 62 with huge volumes. fered by the promoters. At Prime Focus, including Reli- pendent valuer by SEBI and also go for 12 months of unlimited a privilege of a select few. The New Market players expect fair value of Rs 115, Prime ance Media Works Financial a stay on the open offer till service at Rs 749, said the statement. JioPhone 2021 offer is another step SEBI to revise the open of- Focus open offer size will Services Private Limited, fair valuation of Prime Fo- Akash Ambani, Director, Reliance in that direction. At Jio, we have fer price at fair value. Credit to the increase in the Prime increase to Rs 900 crore which holds significant eq- cus shares is obtained. Jio, said: “There are still 300 million and will continue to take bold steps Suisse is the biggest benefi- Focus share price. from the current size of uity stake in Prime Focus, The open offer to the subscribers in India who remain to eradicate this digital divide and ciary of Prime Focus share The Securities Appellate only Rs 340 crore. Fair valu- had recently challenged the shareholders got triggered ‘trapped’ in the 2G era, unable to welcome every Indian to joint this price trading at 61 per share Tribunal (SAT) is likely to ation by an independent price of the open offer made as the Credit Suisse entered access basic features of the internet, movement,” he said. - 20 per cent jump in one appoint an independent valuer appointed by SEBI by the promoters, the Namit into an agreement with the at a time, when the world stands This offer will be available from day. Credit Suisse will fully valuer to arrive at the fair will benefit thousands of Malhotra family. Namit Malhotra family to at the cusp of a 5G revolution. March 1, across Reliance Retail and recover the loan taken by value of Prime Focus shares. small and retail sharehold- The shareholders have sell the shares acquired Since the last four years Jio has Jio retailers. Reliance Media Works due The fair value is consid- ers of Prime Focus. Prime filed an appeal before the upon invocation of pledge. After petrol & diesel, consumers face cooking gas price rise New Delhi, Feb 26 IANS) in Delhi. (DBT) benefits extended to be named. While consumers February 25 by Rs 25 to Rs 794 dized LPG cylinder means money that the government Government seems to be in While the practice of weekly cooking gas consumers. focus has remained on petrol a cylinder. that the government substan- would need in FY 22 is to- no mood to subsidise the or fortnightly price revision of “There may just be some and field prices, the cooking With government not sup- tially reduces DBT payments wards providing free cooking price of common mans cook- cooking gas is normally done element of subsidy that still gas price has gone almost un- porting even cooking gas con- in FY22 as well. gas connection to 1 crore ad- ing gas which like the price of for non-subsidised cylinders, may be involved in cooking noticed. It had risen sharply sumers in the time of rising If oil and products prices ditional beneficiaries under auto fuels petrol and diesel this year oil companies shave gas if it is getting transported by over Rs 100 a cylinder in prices, consumers are bear- remain range bound even the Ujjwala scheme. has maintained consistent maintained almost equal in- to far off distances from bot- the month of February itself ing the brunt of increase in next year, by the end of the As per provision made in increase for past few months. crease in price of subsidised tling plants. Otherwise, sub- from a level of Rs 694 to Rs both their transportation and year even LPG subsidy would this year’s budget, DBT trans- The price of domestic LPG cylinders as well. sidised and non-subsidised 794 a cylinder now. cooking expenses during the be completely eliminated, oil fer towards LPG subsidy has 14.2-kg LPG cylinder was in- This has equated its price cooking gas prices have al- This month cooking gas difficult period of pandemic. sector experts said. been brought down to Rs creased by Rs 25 on Thurs- with market prices cooking most remained same during prices increased on February There are around 30 crore Government’s DBT burden 12,480 crore in FY22 from a day, the third increase in the gas and thus helping the gov- entire FY21,” said an official 4 by Rs 25 (costed: Rs 719) and LPG connections in the coun- even from middle of current level of Rs 25,520.79 crore month of February itself, tak- ernment to completely elimi- of a public sector oil market- February 14 by Rs 50 (costed: try and the the levelling of fiscal has reduced to nil due in the revised estimates for ing its price Rs 794 a cylinder nate direct benefit transfer ing company not willing to Rs 769) and now again on non-subsidised and subsi- to softer LPG prices. The only FY21. Experience Apple-like never before @Croma with India’s Q3FY21 GDP grows 0.4%, exits technical recession #AppleYou&Croma New Delhi, Feb 26 (IANS) India has officially on Friday showed that the Q2FY21 GDP on a New Delhi, Feb 26 are just some of the benefits of offers across Apple product MacBooks as well. exited the technical recession phase that was year-on-year basis contracted by 7.3 per cent (IANS) Croma, Indias first this programme at Croma. categories. Croma with its Commenting on this brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, as from (-)24.4 per cent in the preceding quarter. omnichannel electronics With this programme, exclusive curated offers, brings exciting new partnership, the country’s Q3FY21 GDP grew by 0.4 per Though not comparable, the GDP had grown retailer from the Tata Group Croma seeks to plug a very to you exciting offers that Ritesh Ghosal, CMO, Croma cent, official data showed on Friday. by 3.3 per cent in the corresponding quarter today announced the launch evident gap in the purchase will make buying the whole said, “Apple as a brand takes The National Statistical Office (NSO) data of FY2019-20. of its #AppleYou&Croma experience of consumers, who Apple eco-system seem like a pride in the eco-system programme to commemorate are increasingly expressing cake walk. On buying 2 Apple it has created to offer its the birth anniversary of Apple great interest in the range of devices, customers can avail customers a seamless and founder Steve Jobs. products by Apple but lack of an additional 5% Off on secure connected experience. Dixon Technologies to set up unit in Starting February 26, thorough guidance. The lack the second device, on buying While Croma has long been customers can indulge in a of expert guidance during 3 or more, customers get an a preferred destination for Karnataka: Dy CM truly complete experience of purchase and an unclear additional 10% Off – you buy people interested in buying Bengaluru, Feb 26 (IANS) Tirupati, as well as the of Bengaluru Rural district, ‘all things Apple’ across all 180 understanding of the benefits more, you get more! That’s Apple products, we believe this Noida-based leading largest television, washing Harohally of Ramanagar. plus Croma stores and on its of integrated devices among not all, customers can avail of unique virtue of Apple is still manufacturer of laptop, machine and bulb assembly As per the ESDM policy, the website croma.com. Bringing consumers is one of the key a 24 Months No Cost EMI and not fully appreciated. Through tab and other consumer plants in India. company will be eligible together the whole Apple reasons for Croma to launch up to a 45% of assured buy the Apple, You and Croma electronic goods - Dixon Sunil Vachani, Executive for the subsidy and other eco-system under one roof, this programme in association back when they buy the latest programme, we are partnering Technologies (India) President of the company concessions if it establishes providing expert advice to help with Apple. iPhone.There are multiple with Apple in bringing alive Limited - has come forward submitted a proposal the plant outside the make an informed decision, The experience is offers, on other product this connect securely and to set up a manufacturing to Narayana, who holds region of Bengaluru Urban curating the best deals & offers, complemented by amazing categories such as iPads and seamlessly for our customers.” plant in Karnataka, Deputy the IT and BT portfolio, district,” the Deputy Chief Chief Minister C. N. seeking land and other Minister explained. Ashwatha Narayana said requirements to establish Narayana also directed Exim Bank extends $7.35 mn line of credit to Nicaragua here on Thursday. the unit. The company has deputy commissioners to New Delhi, Feb 26 (IANS) Nicaragua. Dixon Technologies sought 10-15 acres of land. facilitate the company’s The Export-Import Bank of Exim Bank has now in place (India) Ltd is an Indian According to a statement request and extend all India (Exim Bank), on behalf 269 Lines of Credit, covering electronics manufacturing released by the Deputy help in attracting the of the Indian government, 62 countries in Africa, Asia, services company and it is Chief Minister’s office, this investment and housing has extended Line of Credit Latin America and the CIS, a contract manufacturer project will be considered Dixon Technologies’ of $7.35 million to the central with credit commitments of televisions, washing under the ambit of manufacturing plant in the American nation of Nicaragua of around $26.64 billion, machines, smartphones, Electronic System and state. for replacement and supply quality of life of patients and till date, has extended five available for financing exports LED bulbs, battens, Design and Manufacturing The statement added of equipment of the High provide a modern hospital Lines of Credit to Nicaragua, from India. Besides promoting downlighters and CCTV (ESDM). that the company which Technology Centre of Hospital infrastructure in Nicaragua. on behalf of India, taking the India’s exports, Exim Bank’s security systems for several “Land parcels have been has a market value of over Antonio Lenin Fonseca in its It would also enable export total value of LOCs extended LOCs enable demonstration multinational companies. identified and will be given Rs 30,000 crore also makes capital Managua. of medical equipment from to $94.98 million. The LOCs of Indian expertise and project This company has any one of the locations of Desktop Computers, CFL The project, under the LOC, India. With the signing of the cover projects in the power execution capabilities in manufacturing units in Masthenahalli or Mindenalli bulbs, LED TVs, CCTV, and will facilitate improving the LOC agreement, Exim Bank, and healthcare sectors in emerging markets. Noida, Dehradun and of Kolara district, Haraluru washing machines. Sports Indian Horizon 11 Saturday, February 27, 2021

Patiala, Feb 26 (IANS) lower back pain. She has now Yusuf Pathan announces Assam’s ace sprinter Hima Das Dutee, Hima Das win sprints; Jacob switched to shorter sprints won the women’s 200m race -- 100m and 200m. She is also retirement from all while Odisha’s Dutee Chand 400m in personal best time one of the key runners in the dominated 100m in the second national women’s 4x100m forms of cricket leg of the Indian Grand Prix relay team.Despite being an meet here on Thursday, even Olympic qualifier competition, as Delhi’s Amoj Jacob recorded there were only two runners personal best time to win the in the 200m competition here men’s 400m. on Thursday, with Delhi’s Hima’s winning time of Simrandeep Kaur taking 23.31 seconds in her first race second spot at 24.91 seconds after a long layoff due to back in the one-day competition. injury could be seen as good The women’s 100m race performance, but it fell short went on expected lines with of Tokyo Olympic qualification Odisha’s international sprinter time of 22.80 seconds at Dutee winning comfortably. Patiala’s National Institute of She clocked 11.44 seconds. Sports here. She had clocked 11.51 seconds Hima, the 21-year-old 2018 in the first leg on February 18. world junior 400m champion Karnataka’s Daneshwari A was New Delhi, Feb 26 (IANS) support and love. I am sure and national record holder second at 11.89 seconds, while All-rounder Yusuf Pathan, who you will continue to encourage of 50.79 seconds, hasn’t Maharashtra’s Diandra Dudley was part of India’s two World me in future as well,” Pathan, done well over the one-lap Valladares clocked 11.92 Cup-winning teams, on Friday who represented Baroda in race since April 2019 due to seconds for third place. announced retirement from all domestic tournaments, said in forms of cricket. a statement posted on Twitter. A hard-hititng batsman and The Baroda-based Pathan’s Records that were laid to rest in 3rd Test in Ahmedabad effective off-spinner, 38-year- last appearance with the Ahmedabad, Feb 26 (IANS) day-night Test played with the 422 scored by Pakistan and spinner Axar Patel’s match the fourth Indian to take five- old Pathan was part of the Indian team was in a T20 A host of records fell during the pink ball.The fourth Test will Australia in Sharjah in 2002. haul of 11/70 is the best match wicket hauls in three or more Indian teams that won the 2007 international against South third five-day Test between also be played in Ahmedabad, England’s second innings’ 81 figures in a day-night Test, consecutive Test matches. T20 World Cup in South Africa Africa in Johannesburg on host India and England and starting on February 24.List is the second-lowest by any surpassing Australian Pat Ashwin is the fourth Indian and the 2011 World Cup in March 30, 2012. Virat Kohli’s team won by 10 of records that fell in the visiting team India. Cummins’s 10/62 against Sri after Anil Kumble (619), Kapil India. MS Dhoni was captain of After making his international wickets inside two days at third Test:It was the shortest England’s total of 193 runs Lanka in Brisbane in January Dev (434) and Harbhajan both teams. debut during the 2007 T20 the Narendra Modi Stadium Test match in terms of balls in the two innings is the lowest 2019.Patel’s figures are also Singh (417) to take 400 Test “I officially announce World Cup, against Pakistan in here on Friday. The win gave (842) since the Second World ever for any team in India. the cheapest 10-wicket haul wickets.Ashwin is the second retirement from all forms of Johannesburg, Pathan played 22 India a 2-1 lead in the five- War.Both sides scored a India’s 145 is the lowest first by an Indian in Test cricket, fastest, in terms of matches, the game. I thank my family, T20Is in which he scored 236 runs Test series.Spinners reigned cumulative 387 runs -- the innings total since 1909 by a surpassing Ashwin’s 12/85 to reach 400 Test wickets friends, fans, teams, coaches and picked 13 wickets. He also supreme as they captured 28 lowest in a Test match in Asia, team that went on to win the against New Zealand in (77 matches) after Muttiah and the whole country played 57 ODIs for India, scoring of the 30 wickets to fall in the surpassing the grand total of match by 10 wickets.Left-arm Hyderabad in 2012.Patel is Muralitharan (72). wholeheartedly for all the 810 runs and taking 33 wickets. Germany tour will be test of skills, fitness: Rani Indian skeet women in line for

Dusseldorf (Germany), Feb to fitness level, everything will Games,” Rani, 26, added.The 26 (IANS) The Indian women’s be tested, and that’s what we team had returned from their World Cup podium finish hockey team’s fitness and skills as a team want,” said Rani.“It tour of Argentina on February New Delhi, Feb 26 (IANS) will be tested during their tour will be a challenging tour for us, 4 and they reached Germany The Indian national women’s of Germany and will be valuable considering we will be playing on February 23.“Argentina tour skeet team, comprising match practice in the run-up back-to-back matches, but I helped us gain confidence, and Parinaaz Dhaliwal, Ganemat to the Tokyo Olympics, said feel we are up for any kind of we are really boosted for our Shekon, and Karttiki Singh captain Rani Rampal. The team challenges thrown at us.To next assignment.These back- Shaktawat, are in line for a is set to face world No.3 Germany be honest, there’s no extra to-back tours in a short span are podium finish at the season- in four matches starting on pressure as such. Our priority, like golden opportunities for us. opening shotgun World Cup Saturday.This is India’s second for now, is to get into that We are just months away from in Cairo on Thursday. assignment since their tour of competitive frame of mind. the Tokyo Olympics, and these The team scored 325 points Argentina that ended earlier this The experience of playing matches against top teams will out of possible 450, according month. “It is going to be a totally against a top team like Germany help us in finding loopholes a statement from the National different experience than the will really add value to our and gain momentum before the Rifle Association of India on Argentina tour. From our skills preparations for the Olympic Games,” said Rani. Thursday. finished 23rd with a total of The Indian men’s team are In the individual women’s 109 (21, 21, 20, 22, 24) while currently at the fifth position competition, Parinaaz was Karttiki Singh Shaktawat was with a total of 345 points. Choudhary squared the ball 16th. She shot 110 out of 150. 24th with an aggregate score Czech Republic are ISL: Jamshedpur survive Bengaluru to Doungel, who skipped past On Wednesday, she had shot of 107 (22, 22, 20, 18, 25). leading with 357 points his marker before drilling his 18, 23 and 20. But she had a Russian women are leading while host Egypt are in the fightback to win 3-2 shot at the far corner from good series of 24 and 24 on the field with 343 points second spot with 349 points an acute angle.Jamshedpur Thursday to help India stay while Kazakhstan are in and Kazakhstan are third continued their ruthlessness in the race.Ganemat Shekon second place with 334 points. with 348 points. in front of the goal and found the net once again from a set- piece just before the closure Deepak Kumar seals India’s 2nd medal of the first half. Monroy whipped a teasing cross in at Strandja Memorial the box for the unmarked Grande, who nodded home Sofia (Bulgaria), Feb 26 (IANS) past Ralte with ease. India’s Deepak Kumar cruised Bengaluru made two into the 52kg semi-finals of the changes at the break 72nd Strandja Memorial boxing with Gonzalez and Erik tournament with a 5-0 win over Paartalu coming on.Those Bulgarian Darislav Vasilev on substitutions would prove the fourth day. handy as Naushad Moosa’s Asian Championship silver side dominated the second medallist Deepak looked in half.They received a way back complete control throughout the as Gonzalez cut short their match on Thursday.Deepak was deficit with a strong finish. swift in his movements inside Vasco (Goa), Feb 26 (IANS) Goals from Stephen Eze (16th raced to a 3-0 lead at the Jamshedpur’s defence the ring and his speedy footwork Jamshedpur held on to sixth minute), Seiminlen Doungel break.Eze, who scored the failed to deal with Parag did not allow his Bulgarian position after staving off a (34th minute) and David winner in the reverse fixture, Shrivas’s throw-in and opponent any chance to score. fightback from Bengaluru FC Grande (41st minute) put opened the scoring for the Spaniard pounced on With this win, Deepak to win 3-2 in what was both Jamshedpur up at the break Jamshedpur through a free- the loose ball, burying his became the second Indian sides’ last match of the season before Bengaluru responded kick. The defender converted header into the net.There after Naveen Boora (69kg) to in the Indian Super League through goals from Francisco Aitor Monroy’s cross at the was more to come from seal a spot in the semi-finals in on Thursday.Jamshedpur Gonzalez (62nd minute) and far post after Bengaluru Bengaluru and it was their the on-going tournament and scored three goals in the first Sunil Chhetri (71st minute). keeper Lalthuammawia Ralte talisman Chhetri who pulled also assured a second medal half but had to then weather Jamshedpur were all over failed to clear his lines.Winter another back. Harmanjot for the country.Both Indians a spirited second half show Bengaluru in the opening signing Doungel soon joined Khabra delivered a powerful will play Uzbekistan boxers in in the second half from half. They constantly caused the party, netting his maiden cross in the box for Chhetri, their respective last-4 clash on Bengaluru to win the match problems for Bengaluru’s goal for Jamshedpur and also who got ahead of Eze and Friday night. While Deepak from Rio Olympic champion be up against Asian Games gold at the Tilak Maidan Stadium. inexperienced defence and the season’s first. Farukh scored a thumping header. will face a strong challenge Shakhobidin Zoirov, Boora will medallist Bobo-Usmon Baturov. 3,000m steeplechaser Avinash Sable to train under Belarusian coach New Delhi, Feb 26 (IANS) Indian Army had clocked 8 in Bengaluru.Sable had been of training as his visa wasn’t rule before joining the national Avinash Sable, national record minutes 21.37 seconds at the training under Army coach extended.The 72-year-old camp.This is Snesarev’s third holder in the men’s 3,000m 2019 Doha World Athletics Amrish Kumar for four years. Belarusian expert, who has been stint with the national team. steeplechaser who has qualified Championships to better the But in January last year, Sable appointed till this September to He had earlier quit the national for this year’s Olympic Games, Tokyo Olympic qualification went to Morocco to train with prepare the leading runners for camp in February 2019 as will train under Belarusian time of 8 minutes 22 seconds. distance coach Rizqi Boubker the rescheduled Olympic Games many athletes, including Nikolai Snesarev, a middle and The Maharashtra runner will whose base camp is near starting on July 23, reached Uttar Pradesh’s Asian Games long distance expert, from next train at the Sports Authority Rabat in that country. But he Bengaluru on Thursday and will medallist Sudha Singh opted to month.The 26-year-old from of India (SAI) training centre had to return after four weeks follow seven days quarantine train under an Indian coach. ENTERTAINMENT Indian Horizon Saturday, February 27, 2021 !"

ctress Tara Sutaria wit- ctress Kareena Kapoor Khan has ary 2021 once normalcy is a few other commitments the shoot of this Superhe- tily describes herself a shared an update on her preg- restored.Speaking about to wrap up before start- ro flick, Katrina will finish Acereal killer in her lat- Anancy. She is fi ve months preg- Katrina, Ali said, "Katrina ing work on the superhero off her other work com- est post on social media. nant and going strong. has already started her films." He also informed mitments. Tara posted a picture on In a new Instagram picture she has physical prep. But she has that before commencing IANS Instagram where she is seen posted, Kareena is seen sitting in a sporting black tights paired park and soaking in the sun. KATRINA KAIF TO STAR IN ALI ABBAS with a white crop top and "5 months and going strong PS : The leopard print jacket. In the #KaftanSeries continues," she wrote photograph, she is seen alongside the image, which currently ZAFAR'S SUPERHERO FILM, PHYSICAL PREPS holding a bowl of cereal has over 303K likes. and milk."Cereal killer," she On August 12, Kareena and her HAVE ALREADY BEGUN! wrote along with emojis of a actor-husband Saif Ali Khan had an- glass of milk, a leopard and a nounced that they were expecting an black heart emoji. addition to their family. Tara, who started her ca- "We are very pleased to announce atrina Kaif, the hot- reer as a child actor in 2010 that we are expecting an addition to test actress of Bolly- with the TV show "Big Bada our family!! Thank you to all our well Kwood, who we have Boom", was subsequently wishers for all their love and support. often seen in hot avatars, seen in shows like "The Suite is now all set to jump in Life Of Karan And Kabir" and a superhero fl ick with his "Oye Jassie". KAREENA SHARES best friend and 'Bharat' The actress, who is also a PREGNANCY UPDATE: '$ director Ali Abbas Zafar. singer, had her breakthrough As per a report from a in Bollywood with a starring MONTHS AND GOING STRONG' leading daily, Ali Zafar role in "Student Of The Year revealed that Katrina has 2" and was also seen in the already started the prepa- TARA SUTARIA action fi lm "Marjaavaan". ration for the superhero She now has two fi lms fl ick that is to be made in coming up -- "Tadap" and two parts. CONFESSES "Ek Villain 2". Spilling some more "Tadap" is Milan Luthria's beans on the film, Ali BEING A remake of the Telugu hit "RX told that he and his team 100". She is paired opposite have temporarily shifted 'CEREAL Suniel Shetty's son Ahan, to Dubai for the Super- who makes his Bollywood hero film to work with KARTIK AARYAN KILLER' debut in the fi lm. Mohit an international team. Suri's "Ek Villain 2", co-stars Talking about the film- John Abraham, Disha Patani ing of the movie, he said LOOKS DAPPER and Aditya Roy Kapur. the team might be roll- IANS ing the film from Janu- FLEXING HIS STYLE SUSHANT CASE: AIIMS FORENSIC BODY & CHIC WITH SLEEK HINTS AT SUICIDE, NOT MURDER IRUS SHADES!

he forensic department sources, the forensic team in tained that the agency is prob- artik Aaryan is a star whose golden Jacket, check it out-On the of the All India Institute its report has hinted the death ing all the angles, and no angle fashion looks never go un- work front the actor will next seen Tof Medical Sciences (AI- of Sushant as suicide, thus re- has been ruled out yet. Knoticed; he has been setting in comedy horror fi lm Bhool Bhu- IMS) in its report to the Central jecting the claims of 'poisoning' On September 28, CBI spokes- fashion goals for youngsters since laiyaa 2 directed by Anees Bazmee Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and 'strangling' made by the ac- person in a statement said that his debut in Bollywood. The actor and produced by Bhushan Kumar. has "hinted" that the death tor's family and their lawyer. the agency is conducting a pro- has stolen limelight from the fi lm Starring Kartik Aaryan, Tabu, and of Bollywood actor Sushant The doctors of the AIIMS re- fessional investigation into the fraternity for his fun sweatshirts Kiara Advani, it is a standalone Singh Rajput was suicide and fused to share further details death of Sushant in which all and airport looks (and dance), sequel of the 2007 fi lm Bhool Bhu- not murder, sources said on as the matter is sub judice.The aspects are being looked at and he is also loved for his effortless laiyaa directed by Priyadarshan. Saturday. remarks came after the AIIMS no aspect has been ruled out as dressy casuals. He will also star in the Dostana 2 The AIIMS forensic panel forensic body submitted its re- of date.Sushant was found dead The Pati Patni Aur Woh actor romantic comedy fi lm directed under Dr. Sudhir Gupta was port to the federal agency earli- on June 14 in the Mont Blanc recently shared a picture himself by Collin D'Cunha and produced formed at the request of the er this week, where it also hint- Apartment in Bandra in Mum- looking handsome and captivat- by Karan Johar, Hiroo Johar and CBI in August to assist in giving ed that his death was not a case bai. His family members raised ing, he is seen just fl exing his style Apoorva Mehta. Featuring Kartik medico-legal opinion in con- of organic poisoning.However, suspicion of Sushant having & chic with sleek Irus shades. Aaryan, Janhvi Kapoor and Laksh nection with the death of the CBI sources remained tight been murdered. Kartik also looks dapper in a white Lalwani in lead roles. late actor.According to AIIMS lipped on the issue and main- IANS tee and casually classy Black, and IANS

CINEMAS TO OPEN BUT WAIT ormer India Cricket MS DHONI WILL BE BACKING Captain Mahendra FOR BOLLYWOOD BIGGIES FSingh Dhoni, who re- MYTHOLOGICAL SCI-FI SERIES, WIFE cently announced his re- WILL CONTINUE tirement from international cricket, marked his debut in SAKSHI DHONI REVEALS THE DETAILS! he Government of states like Maharashtra the entertainment industry TIndia has announced and Tamil Nadu are yet as a producer last year.Dhoni that cinemas will be to open up. 'Sooryavan- entertainment, the media allowed to reopen across shi' and '83' have been company started by the two- the country starting ready for quite some time World Cup-winning October 15, and fans are time. 'Sooryavanshi' was captain stepped into the in- overjoyed. The decision originally slated for a dustry with his first project has been hailed by the Diwali release, but it's not in 2019, the document series fi lm fraternity, too, who practical. Even if theatres 'Roar of the Lion' are now waiting for all the open up in Novem- 'Roar of the Lion' was state governments to give ber, you can't release helmed by Kabir Khan and a green signal. such a big fi lm with 15 charted the comeback of Theatres had been days promotion time," Chennai Super Kings, the shut ever since lockdown Reliance Entertainment Chennai franchise of the Indi- was imposed in March, Group CEO Shibashish an Premier League (IPL) un- to curb the spread of the Sarkar told IANS.While der Dhoni after the two-year novel coronavirus. On fi lmmaker Rohit Shetty's suspension for spot fi xing. Wednesday, the Union "Sooryavanshi" will bring Now, Dhoni entertainment's Home Ministry an- Akshay Kumar back in next production will be an nounced it was allowing the cop avatar, actor Ran- adaptation of an unpublished cinemas, theatres and veer Singh will be seen in book by debutant author. multiplexes to reopen the much-hyped Kabir Mahendra Singh Dhoni's with 50 per cent seating Khan's "83" as the iconic wife Sakshi Dhoni, who took capacity from October Kapil Dev, who captained the spot of managing director 15."This is a great an- India's fi rst-ever cricket of the production house re- nouncement but we still World Cup victory cam- vealed that the upcoming se- have to wait for all the paign in 1983. ries is a 'thrilling adventure' . states to open up. Many IANS Courtesy : SantaBanta PRIYANKA CHOPRA'S MEMOIR, 'UNFINISHED', BECAME THE BEST#SELLING BOOK IN THE US!

n June 2018, it was an- years of waiting, Priyanka shared the pre-order link took a new high when she named this memoir years you to look at things differ- nounced that Priyanka has finished writing her on the social media plat- shared the news on Twit- before I started writing it. ently, reconciling so many IChopra will publish memoir and shared the forms.But just within 12 ter and wrote, "Thank you Having been a public per- things you thought you had her memoir titled `Unfin- first look on social media. hours of being made avail- all for taking us to number son now for 20 years, with put to bed. In doing so I've ished`, which is scheduled The actress always wanted able for pre-order, Priyan- 1 in the US in less than 12 so much life to live and a realized that being `unfin- to be released in 2020 by to be an author, and from a ka Chopra's memoir, 'Un- hours! I hope you all love long list of things to check ished" has deeper meaning Penguin Books in India, long time, writing stuff was finished', has become the the book." On Friday, Pri- off my list personally and for me, and has in fact been Ballantine Books in the on her 'bucket list'. With best-selling book in the US. yanka Chopra shared the professionally, I am very one of the most common United States, and Michael 'Unfinished', she admitted Although Unfinished is ex- first look of her memoir much #Unfinished.BUT the threads of my life...PRE- Joseph in the United King- that this memoir has deep pected to arrive in January 'Unfinished' on Instagram funny thing about writing ORDER NOW! dom. Now finally, after two meaning for her and also but still her fan-following and wrote, "Ironically, I a memoir is that it forces Courtesy : SantaBanta

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