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VOLUME 10, ISSUE 301 | www.orissapost.com BHUBANESWAR | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2 | 2021 12 PAGES | `4.00

FISCAL DEFICIT FOR FISCAL MARKET BORROWING EXPENDITURE CURRENT FISCAL AGAINST DEFICIT FOR TO FUND FOR THE NEXT UNION BUDGET 9.5 % 3.5 PC BUDGETED 6.8 % NEXT FISCAL 12L cr EXPENDITURE 34.83L cr FISCAL 2021-22 MAJOR ALLOCATIONS

COSTLIER

`2.24L cr Rural infra devp Sharp hike in fund up to capex to FM’S POLL PILL outlay for ` ` healthcare 40,000 cr 5.54L cr A major portion of the spend allocated to poll-bound n Refrigerators and ACs Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal and Assam n LED lamps, parts and spares such as printed circuit board required are targeted to be raised through n divestment and monetisation. Raw silk and cotton, TAMIL NADU n `4.78L cr Covid `20,000 cr While `1.75 lakh crore is being tar- Solar invertors and lanterns geted from the sale of non-strategic pub- n allocated to vaccination recapitalisation `1.03 lakh crore Automobile parts such as safety defence expenditure for PSBs lic sector companies, the government and toughened glasses `35,000 cr will get `30,000 crore from the new n Windscreen wipers agriculture cess. With government spend- n Signalling equipment KERALA ing more to support the economy during ` the pandemic that hit revenue collec- n Mobile phone parts like PCBA 65,000 crore tions, the fiscal deficit for the current year n Camera module was put at 9.5 per cent of the gross do- n Connectors mestic product (GDP) as against a target 10% Record n Back cover, side keys, mobile ` of 3.5 per cent. For the next fiscal, the fis- hike in farm loan 1.10 lakh crore phone charger components WEST BENGAL cal deficit was projected at 6.8 per cent. disbursal to `16.5 L cr allocated to railways ` "We have spent, we have spent and we n Inputs or raw materials of 25,000 crore have spent. That's why fiscal deficit has Lithiumion battery reached this number," she said. She also n Ink cartridges and ink spray no .. ASSAM signalled that the fiscal policy support of n Finished leather products the economy will continue for at least three No major deal ` years, with the deficit being brought 34,000 crore under 4.5 per cent by FY2025-26. Officials in her ministry at the press for Odisha conference explained that the new limit AGENCIES for interest-free PF would hit less than 1 per cent of the total EPFO base. NINL’s disinvestment to be New Delhi, Feb 1: Finance Minister For the agriculture sector, she main- Nirmala Sitharaman Monday proposed tained the reform momentum such as the n Gold and gold dore completed in coming fiscal a sharp increase in expenditure on in- extension of farm credit provision to n Silver and silver dore frastructure, doubling of healthcare farmers, commodity expansion under n POST NEWS NETWORK GPS-enabled recovery spending and raising of the cap on for- 'Operation Green' and extension of Precious metals like platinum vans will be installed on eign investment in insurance in her Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) to and palladium Bhubaneswar, Feb 1: the highway. Budget for the next fiscal in a bid to pull APMCs. In order to incentivise the pur- n Medical devices imported by Except for development Similarly, the Centre the economy out of the trough. chase of affordable house, the finance min- international organisation and of a fishing harbour and has decided to complete The Budget for the fiscal year made no ister proposed to extend the period for diplomatic missions landing centre at the strategic disinvest- changes in personal or corporate tax claiming an additional deduction for the n Leather Goods Pradaip, there is noth- ment plan of Neelachal rates but raised customs duties on cer- interest of `1.5 lakh paid for home loans n Nylon Clothes ing new or big an- Ispat Nigam Limited tain auto parts, mobile phone compo- has been offset by an equivalent or more cluded `1.18 lakh crore for the roads and by one year to March 31, 2022. n Iron, steel and copper Items nouncement for the state (NINL) during the year nents and solar panels in order to provide reduction in the import duty. highways sector and `1.08 lakh crore for To remove hardship faced by NRIs in in the Union Budget for 2021-22. Following the state impetus to domestic manufacturing. Interest on employee contributions to railways. The allocation was 37 per cent respect of their income accrued on for- the year 2021-22. government’s consent, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman PF over `2.5 lakhs per annum effective more than last year. The increased spend- eign retirement benefits account due to CHEAPER During her Budget the Union Cabinet had proposed new highways projects of 3,500 April 1, 2021, has now been made tax- ing is aimed at creating demand in the mismatch in taxation, new rules for align- speech, Union Finance approved the disinvest- kms in Tamil Nadu at a cost of Rs 1.03 lakh able. In the previous 2020 Budget, the fi- economy and support job creation. With ment will be noti- Minister Nirmala ment plan, January 8. crore, 1,100 kms of highways in Kerala nance minister had capped the tax ex- just 1 per cent of GDP being spent on fied. Foreign direct Sitharaman has proposed Four central PSUs - at an investment of Rs 65,000 crore. In West emption on employers contribution to PF, health, she proposed raising of the spend- investment limit in substantial investments Metals and Minerals Bengal, she proposed 675 kms of highways NPS and superannuation funds at an ag- ing to `2.2 lakh crore next fiscal to help insurance was pro- in the development of Trading Corporation works at a cost of Rs 25,000 crore and over gregate of `7.5 lakh per annum. improve health systems as well as fund posed to be raised to modern fishing harbours (MMTC), National 1,300 kms of highways in Assam at Rs In a relief to senior citizens, those vaccination drive against coronavirus. 74 per cent from the and fish landing centres. Mineral Development 34,000 crore. It also imposed an Agriculture above 75 years of age with only pension "We decided to spend big on infra- current 49 per cent. In first phase, the Corporation (NMDC), Infrastructure and Development Cess and interest income would no longer structure in this Budget. We attended to Also, a tax deducted Centre planned to de- Bharat Heavy Electricals (AIDC) on the import of certain items (like have to file income tax returns, subject the need of the health sector," she told a at source of 0.1 per velop fishing harbours Ltd (BHEL) and MECON apples, peas, lentils, alcohol, chemicals, to certain conditions. Delivering her press conference after presenting the cent will be levied at Paradip in Odisha and - and two Odisha gov- silver and cotton) to finance agricultural third straight Budget, Sitharaman allo- Budget for 2021-22 in Lok Sabha. "We de- on the purchase of four other locations – ernment companies IPI- infrastructure and other development cated `5.54 lakh crore for capital cre- cided to give greater impetus to the econ- goods exceeding `50 Kochi, Chennai, COL and Odisha Mining expenditure. But its impact on prices ation in the infrastructure sector. This in- omy in this Budget." Additional resources lakh in a year. Visakhapatnam, and Corporation (OMC) are Petuaghat –as hubs of shareholders in the UNION BUDGET 2021-22 economic activities. “We NINL. Apart from the RUPEE COMES FROM RUPEE GOES TO ` will also develop inland above, the state may get 10,840cr loss for state due to fishing harbours and benefits from the in- fish-landing centres along crease in allocation for the banks of rivers and the Post Matric cut in central tax share: CM waterways,” she said. Scholarship Scheme for The Union Minister the welfare of Scheduled said464 km length Castes. The Union gov- INTRODUCTION OF CESS IN PETROL AND DIESEL WILL Raipur-Vishakhapatnam ernment is allotting WEAKEN THE CENTRE-STATE FISCAL BALANCE industrial corridor pass- `35,219 crore for six years ing through till 2025-2026 to benefit POST NEWS NETWORK Chhattisgarh, Odisha four crores of SC stu- and north Andhra dents. Bhubaneswar, Feb 1: Giving mixed re- Pradesh will be awarded Though the state gov- Borrowings and other liabilities Centrally Sponsored Scheme actions to the Union Budget 2021-22, Chief in the current year. ernment had demanded Corporation Tax Central Sector Scheme Minister Naveen Patnaik said the state Construction of the road allocation of `5,650 crore Income Tax Interest payments government would lose `10,840 crore dur- project will start in 2021- for development of the Customs Defence ing the current year for its drastic re- 22, she said. telecom sector in Odisha, Union Excise Duties Subsidies duction of share in central taxes. Advanced traffic man- the Finance Minister has Goods and service tax Finance Comm. and oth. transfers As per the recommendations of the agement system with not mentioned anything Non-tax Revenue States’ share of taxes and duties 15th Finance Commission, the horizon- speed radars, variable about this in her speech. Non-debt Capital receipts Pensions tal share will decrease from 4.629 per message signboards, cent to 4.528 per cent for coming five Other expenditure years. This will seriously impact the state, Naveen said. Similarly, capital investments are very FDI in insurance 74% Disinvestment `1.75Lcr More Ujjwala gas Environment-friendly Relief to elderly much required in Odisha both in rail- ways and highways sectors. But, it has been of developmental financial institution, al- The govern- The Budget put Free cooking Finance Minister Finance Minister planned for other states, he said. location for Covid vaccine, bold decision ment raised `1.75 lakh crore gas LPG Nirmala Nirmala The Chief Minister also said that there to expand fiscal deficit to provide growth foreign as a target scheme, Sitharaman Sitharaman was a need to increase allocation in so- impetus and a medium & long term vision direct from stake Ujjwala announced the cut the time cial assistance programmes and quantum for self reliant India. invest- sale in public will be much-awaited limit for of transfers for local bodies. “I am also delighted to see Mission ment limit sector compa- extended voluntary vehi- reopening of The centralization of revenue by in- Shakti appear in Union Budget focusing in the nies and finan- to one crore cle scrapping IT assessment troduction of cess in petrol and diesel will on women empowerment. After Odisha’s insurance cial institutions. more benefi- policy to phase out cases to three weaken the centre state fiscal balance. Mamata scheme was adopted by the sector to 74 pc, Disinvestments of ciaries. old and polluting vehi- years from six years, while for a move aimed at attracting greater BPCL, Air India, Shipping Corporation Sitharaman said city gas distribu- cles. Sitharaman said that under volun- serious tax fraud cases where Banks have to be made accountable to ex- Union government from 2011-2012, repli- overseas capital inflows to help of India, Container Corporation of tion network of providing CNG to tary vehicle scrapping policy, personal concealment of income is `50 tend credit to women, farmers and cation of our state’s flagship women em- enhance insurance penetration in India, IDBI Bank, BEML, Pawan Hans automobiles and piped cooking gas vehicles would undergo fitness test after lakh or more it would be 10 years. MSMEs, he said. powerment initiative Mission Shakti the country. Under the new struc- and Neelachal Ispat Nigam Ltd -- to households will be expanded to 20 years while commercial vehicles Senior citizens above 75 years He expressed happiness that the Budget clearly shows that Odisha sets bench- ture, the majority of directors on among others are proposed to be com- 100 more districts. She announced would require it after completion of 15 having only pension and interest has turned green with digital budget like mark for the nation,” he said. the board and key management pleted in FY 2021-22. Other than IDBI a transport system operator for years. The minister said this will pro- income would not be required to what Odisha has been following from Patnaik exuded hope that like Mamata persons would be resident Indians, Bank, a proposal of privatisation of two regulating common carrier capaci- mote fuel-efficient and environment file income tax returns. Banks last year. and Mission Sakti, the next logical step with at least 50 pc of directors PSBs and one general insurance com- ty in gas pipelines to boost friendly vehicles while cutting on India's paying the interest would deduct The CM has liked a few points in the towards women empowerment would be being independent directors. pany will be taken up in 2021-22. gas-based economy. huge import bills. the tax on their behalf. Budget that include focus on capital in- reservation for women in Lok Sabha and vestment to push growth, reintroduction the State Assemblies.

This Budget has a special Forget putting cash in They (BJP) lecture others on Sitharaman has delivered on y focus on strengthening the the hands of people, nationalism, but in practice, her promise of unveiling a

agriculture sector and Modi government plans they are the ones who sell 'Budget Like No Other' with a

k y m boosting farmers' income. to handover India's the nation. They are selling raft of prudent measures c Villages and farmers are at assets to his crony everything from PSUs, aimed at rejuvenating govt its heart capitalist friends insurance, railways to ports spending towards critical areas NARENDRA MODI | RAHUL GANDHI | MAMATA BANERJEE | UDAY KOTAK | PRIME MINISTER CONGRESS LEADER CM, WEST BENGAL PRESIDENT, CII P2 TESSA THOMPSON FEELS SHE FOR ANTONIO, BEATING COVID TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 2 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR BECAME AN ADULT IN 2020 WAS HIS BIRTHDAY GIFT Actress Tessa Thompson feels that she became an Hollywood Antonio Banderas said the greatest adult during 2020 as she spent more time at home gift he received for his 60th birthday was due to the pandemic. The 37-year-old realised her defeating the novel coronavirus. Banderas’s shopping habits have changed and she is more girlfriend Nicole Kimpel said that they marked y leisure interested in interiors than clothes after spending his special day, it didn’t feel right to do anything

so much time at home, reports femalefirst.co.uk. lavish, femalefirst.co.uk reported.

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FORTUNE FORECAST Aamir decides to turn off Katrina starts shoot Deepika defines February for Phone Bhoot with blush pink mood ARIES his phone completely in Udaipur Mumbai: Actress Deepika Padukone Deepika will also be seen in an You will be quite circum- Monday greeted the month of untitled film with Amitabh spect throughout the day, predicts Ganesha. Mumbai: Bollywood superstar Hence, he has decided to go in- Mumbai: Actress Katrina Kaif has February with a stunning picture on Bachchan and Prabhas, and she has Your spirits will soar high as you will be Aamir Khan is going on a com- cognito and operate like in the started shooting for her upcoming social media. "83 in line where she stars opposite invited to join parties and socialise a bit. munication detox and has decided older days,” said the source. horror comedy Phone Bhoot in Deepika posted a picture on husband Ranveer Singh. You will find the correct balance to turn off his phone completely, so The source added that Udaipur. The actress shared Instagram, where she is seen She will also unite with between work and having fun. that it doesnt come in the way of Aamir has asked “all his the update with fans Monday, dressed in a blush pink embel- Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan work and personal life. close confidantes to reach with a video clip she posted lished kurta paired with diamond for the first time for an action ad- The actor’s spokesperson re- out to his manager in on Instagram. stud earrings. The actress is wear- venture, Fighter, directed by TAURUS vealed that Aamir took a break case of urgency or work- The clip captures ing soft make-up and has tied her Siddharth Anand. IANS from Laal Singh Chaddha to shoot related queries”, Katrina sitting in a hair in a neat bun. In the image, You are likely to be in a a cameo for his friend, Amin Hajee’s adding: “Even his social flight wearing a mask Deepika, who is married to mood to get away from directorial debut Koi Jaane Na in media accounts now and face shield, actor Ranveer Singh, looks the daily grind and take a much need break. You would naturally try Jaipur. will be managed by the ready to take off. She away from the camera to stay free from future concerns and It is now learned that Aamir is team until the release used emojis of a and smiles. commitments and keep all your woes and back in Mumbai and all geared up of Laal Singh Chaddha.” phone, a ghost and “February,” she cap- worries aside for the day. to get back to his own film, Laal IANS an airplane to up- tioned the image. Singh Chaddha. He will finish date fans about On the work front, the pending schedule of the her working trip. the actress has a GEMINI film and then get into post- Her co-stars busy year ahead. production with direc- Ishaan Khatter She will be seen in A long and hectic day tor Advait Chandan, to and Siddhant Shakun Batra’s up- awaits you. You will be in the mood to finish off get it ready for a Chaturvedi coming yet-unti- long-pending projects at work or at home. Christmas 2021 release. took to tled film that also There is a chance that your personal life In doing so, Aamir Instagram stars Siddhant may get affected due to the extra attention has decided to turn off Stories to Chaturvedi and you pay towards work. his phone completely share mo- Ananya from Monday so that it ments Panday. doesn’t come in the way of from the CANCER conducting work and per- airport Today, you will strictly sonal life. and the flight. follow your plan book. “Aamir feels that he Siddhant shared a All Ganesha needs to do is addicted by his picturesque image of to predict your day is cellphone and Udaipur, revealing that take a peep into the book. However, this that’s impact- the team is shooting in the is only one of those rare days when things go according to plan. You are like- ing his per- city. ly to keep your views to yourself, and sonal and pro- The film is directed by will hardly betray what's on your mind. fessional space. Gurmmeet Singh, and pro- duced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani. Phone Bhoot has been written by Ravi LEO Shankaran and Jasvinder Most battles are fought Singh Bath. IANS and won inside our head. Hence, Ganesha urges you to maintain a positive outlook today. The stars grant you the ability to double your efforts, and allow your imagination to take flight and chart new routes to success. Kashmir turns shooting hotspot for music videos

Mumbai: Kashmir is no longer paralysed owing to terrorism, like it was in the 1970s and 80s, and Recalling the experience, Saraiya VIRGO just a haven for filmmakers looking Bollywood has always loved the he says there is nothing to be afraid said: “Shooting in Kashmir was A day to look inside for a scenic backdrop for their lav- scenic beauty of the place. of for tourists. fun, we had the local crew from and contemplate. Find ish Bollywood productions. Beyond Music video makers add the lat- Merchant said: “Creative people there, who really helped us a lot in peace and prosperity, films, music video makers are also est twist in B-town’s romance with who are associated with music and pulling through the shoot.” says Ganesha. Clam finding ideal backdrop in Paradise Kashmir. A slew of videos, captur- cinema must visit Kashmir. Back “When we were shooting over up like those oysters and discover the on Earth, to tell their stories of just ing the essence of the music and in the seventies and the eighties, al- there, the minimum temperature peal within you. A fine helping hand you shall lend today to those who a few minutes. singing of some our most prolific most every Hindi film had at least one was one degree and even went down need it, says Ganesha. Bollywood’s romance with musical talents have lately been song that was shot in Kashmir. It is to minus levels. It was very difficult Kashmir is nothing new. The in- shot in the Valley. a great place for shooting. It is very to sit on a bike early in the morning, dustry has been revisiting Kashmir Music composer Salim Merchant unfortunate that people are not com- around six, and also to emote and lip- LIBRA Valley for shoots back from the six- recently returned from Kashmir ing to Kashmir because despite what sync in the freezing cold. It was fun ties, when films such as Junglee, after shooting for his upcoming you see on television and news, life but very difficult!” he said. Ganesha says that today Kashmir Ki Kali and Himalay Ki God song Tumhe dekh ke, and he sounds over there is completely different.” Actress Mrunal Thakur, who re- in your office you should be very careful in your Mein were filmed in the region’s super excited with the experience. Singer-composer Jigar Saraiya cently shot with singer Guru work. It is likely that gorgeous locales to present day “On the first day of our shoot, the India has the most beautiful place from Mumbai, and only worked features in the video of his latest Randhawa for his latest music video your superiors will not be happy about your when we had Raazi, Highway, and temperature went down to minus 10 in the whole world!” Salim Merchant with the local technicians from song Heera, which has been shot titled Abhi na chhodho mujhe in work or your ability today. Those of you Bajrangi Bhaijaan among numer- degrees celsius. However, despite the told IANS. Kashmir,” he informed. in Kashmir. The Sachin-Jigar song Kashmir, is smitten by the beauty who are businessmen should try and delay ous others. freezing cold, Kashmir is beauti- “The people of Kashmir are so lov- The musician suggests more and also features actress Shriya of the place. She describes her sending off tenders today. Except for a brief period when life ful. I don’t understand why people ing and hardworking. We did not more people should flock to Kashmir Pilgaonkar. This team also worked experience as ‘surreal’ and and tourism in Kashmir Valley was go to Switzerland and Europe when take a single technician with us and enjoy the beauty of the place, with the local crew from Kashmir. ‘enchanting’. IANS SCORPIO It is about time you learn to deal with frustration in a more healthy manner. SUDOKU The right choice is always PEANUTS post To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, the hardest to make. Do not let sentiments CROSSWORD column and box must contain the numbers sway you into hasty choices because they 0 to 9 and the letters A to E. may feel right, but might also be extremely impractical.

SAGITTARIUS Going to private parties is a high probability today. All in all, make the most of it as you get nos- talgic with old friends and make plans with new ones. Moreover, relatives will be pleased to meet you after a long time.

CAPRICORN It's time to prove your CALVIN AND HOBBES extraordinary skills as a professional, says Ganesha. You will go out of your way, and even double your efforts to accomplish set goals, and chances are that you might succeed. Family and friends will be glad that could SOLUTIONS take out time to spend some happy hours with them.

AQUARIUS It's a day you may want to spend with yourself. But it may still not bring the desired peace and tranquility. An unpleasant situation may force you to deal with reality, says BREVITY Ganesha. You now realise how much CROSSWORD strength you derive from your devo- tion to God.

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While you will need loads

k y m c of moral support to keep your spirits up, you are also likely to be blessed with the company of a person who is equipped to provide just that. Positive

results will come your way as long as you CHECK FOR SOLUTIONS OF THE PUZZLES TOMORROW SUDOKU do not give up. COVID-19 TRACKER P3 ADIVASI MELA TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 2 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR INFECTED RECOVERED DEAD Girls paint pattachitra, one World 10,35,94,874 7,52,16,218 22,39,275 of the oldest and popular art forms of Odisha, at the India 1,07,58,619 1,04,33,988 1,54,428 ongoing Adivasi Mela in downtown Odisha 3,35,151 3,32,239 1,906

Bhubaneswar, Monday

k y m c CURATE’S EGG BUDGET, SAYS CITY This was probably the toughest budget yet for PM Narendra Modi, as his government navigates the twin challenges of steering the $2.7-trillion Indian economy out of an unprecedented recession while ensuring more resources to fight the pandemic. With FM Nirmala Sitharaman introducing the all-important document, Orissa POST brings to you reactions from all corners of the society…

The government has focused on the The decision of strengthening of over I am happy that the Union Budget states where elections are sched- 15,000 Schools across India under 2021 has focused on qualitative uled with special attention given National Education Policy 2020 is a strengthening of over 15,000 to them. The government however welcome step and it is one of the schools across India under will ditch the same states post stronger steps of this government. National Education Policy 2020. election claiming that these prom- Other decisions such as 100 Sainik An umbrella structure will be ises were nothing but jumlas Schools to be set up are also wel- created for central higher educa- NARASINGHA MISHRA I CONGRESS LEADER come tion in various cities. BN PATNAIK I CHAIRMAN, Legislation to set up the Higher After a year of economic contrac- CONFEDERATION OF ODISHA PUBLIC SCHOOLS Education Commission will be introduced soon. The FM tion, the Union Budget rightly announced a central university to be established in Leh for focused on capital expenditure We strongly oppose the move to accessible higher education at Ladakh which was much needed. It qualitatively strengthen only BIJAYA KUMAR SAHOO I FOUNDER, SAI INTERNATIONAL needed to be more investment 15,000 schools under NEP. This EDUCATIONAL GROUP oriented rather than an income will deprive our students in other generating one. Laying emphasis parts. The allocation for educa- The allocation of Rs 1,000 crore to on development of infrastruc- tion is Rs 93,224 crore (around solar energy corporation and Rs ture across the country was essen- 2.676% of budget). This is less than 1,500 to renewable energy devel- tial to contribute to the growth and create employment last year’s allocation. opment agency in the budget MAHADEO JAISWAL I DIRECTOR, IIM SAMBALPUR We are in a very critical juncture of education as signifies the commitment to the National Education Policy is to be implement- green energy and climate change The Narendra Modi government ed in 2021. Low funding will result in a disaster mitigation. From healthcare and believes in the concept of Sabka for our education system infrastructure to innovation Sath, Sabka Vikas and the same BASUDEV BHATT I CHAIRMAN, OPF and R&D, the FM has taken utmost care for presenting a has been reflected in the Denizens watch Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman delivering her budget speech through well-balanced budget in the post-pandemic scenario giv- announcements of the 2021 televisions at an electronics store in Bhubaneswar, Monday OP PHOTO Bold steps are needed to mitigate air pollution ing justice to various sectors. Union Budget. The government in urban metros. The budgetary alloca- JK PANIGRAHI I SECRETARY, ODISHA ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIETY has ensured welfare of all sec- The Budget will help new start-ups tion of Rs 2,217 to address the issue tions of the people. The govern- On National Social Assistant and entrepreneurs as it has is dismal. The factors contributing Finance Minister’s statement on mon- ment has made special provisions of providing credits to Program (NSAP), there is a dip in increased the funds cap and to air pollution need to be etisation of airports of Tier 2 and the aspiring industrialists allocation from Rs 42,617 crore in allowed several relaxations in replaced in sectors like power, Tier 3 cities is a desperate attempt PRADIPTA NAIK I LEADER OF OPPOSITION Revised Estimates of current fis- order to invite investments and and garbage management. This to bring in private players. Many cal to Rs 9200 cr in the current brains to steer the economic needs policy reforms as well as Tier 2 airports such as BPIA have During the pandemic, economic budget. This indicates that the growth, which was badly hit by resources to come up with posted profits for consecutive condition of the state has wors- same amount of allocation has been retained for years, the COVID-19 pandemic. The NRI alternatives. The amount allocated years and have absolutely no ened. The Budget has not been except some deviations noted due to pandemic entrepreneurs will also be attracted more to plan their in the budget does not match the requirement need for privatisation. While it announced as per the prevailing BASANT NAYAK I ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, CYSD entities in the new economic microsystem SUDARSHAN DAS I SECRETARY, ODISHA ENVIRONMENT CONGRESS may bring infrastructural boost, it will certainly increase conditions of the deteriorating JEETAMITRA SATPATHY I PRINCIPAL, ITI BHUBANESWAR rents, docking charges and even loss of jobs economic health of the country. The plan of the government to It’s a reduced budget for environment RASMIRANJAN PRADHAN I AVIATION CONSULTANT The budget has not much in store include pneumococcal vaccines in The Budget has disappointed farmers compared to last year when the for the people from rural government schedule is likely to of the state as it goes against them. govt proposed Rs 4,400 crore. One It is a welcome move by the govern- areas, middle class and the poor. There has nothing spe- go way long way in reducing The budgetary allocation for needs to see the actual allocation ment to exempt senior citizens from cial done to counter the joblessness that people suffered childhood mortality and reduc- agriculture has seen a decline made for this purpose by the filing returns. Although I am yet to from the pandemic ing the burden of pneumonia in this year. This comes at a time Ministry of Environment & fully assess the complete benefits NIRANJAN PATNAIK I PRESIDENT, OPCC community. It was started as a when agrarian crisis is rising. Forests. Cities should invest in that I will be getting under this pilot program in a few districts The government is making false phasing out coal fired power year’s budget, it’s heartening to of some states and in Odisha it claims on MSP as it has failed to plants, reducing vehicular carbon see that we will be relieved of filing The expectations of the general was only available in private vaccination settings implement the recommenda- footprints, creating green spaces & designing dedicated the income tax returns on our tax payers were very high and BRAJA KISHORE BEHERA I ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, SUM HOSPITAL tions of the MS Swaminathan Commission cycle pathways own which was a lengthy and exhausting procedure they dreamt of a lot of reliefs SURESH PANIGRAHI I STATE SECRETARIAT MEMBER, CPI(M) RANJAN PANDA I WATER CONSERVATIONIST PRAFUL PANDA I SENIOR CITIZEN and concessions on income The Budget has totally ignored the tax in view of the fatal blow grievances of the corporate world The Budget has brought no cheers for The Centre should have come up with While on one hand the government is of Covid pandemic on earn- and small GST filers. It appears to the common people of the country a Budget for all urban areas rather planning to recapitalise about Rs ings and income. The budget be a half-hearted approach by the who are facing a stiff rise in petrol than focusing only on big cities. 20,000 crores for state-owned banks, has fallen miserably short Ministry. Direct tax reforms seem and diesel prices. Agri cess of Rs. The government claims to be com- it is also proposing infusing a same of their unreasonable desires. Not to be missing but it is a good 250 in a litre of petrol and Rs 4.00 on mitted towards reducing the risk of amount to public banks. This two- much tax concessions has been proposed in the budg- endeavor to up the healthcare infra- a litre of diesel will have cascading Climate Change. Therefore, the away approach clearly states that et. There is no change in the tax slabs and rates. No structure. Moreover, the govern- effect on the price of essential Budget focuses on the reduction the government wants to rescue increase in the standard deduction given to the ment needs to revisit crude oil price commodities which may lead to fur- of single-use plastic, air pollution, and smaller banks vis a vis privatisation meanwhile expanding salaried class. regulations for the common man ther inflation segregation of waste the larger government-owned banks by capital infusion SARAT DASH I IRS (RETD) DIVYANSH JAISWAL I COMPANY SECRETARY RABI BEHERA I PRESIDENT, SAMAJWADI PARTY, ODISHA PIYUSH RANJAN ROUT I URBAN PLANNER SARTHAK ARYA I BANKER

Std IX, XI classes from February 8 Idco to clear projects in industrial estates Highway patrolling Bhubaneswar: The state government POST NEWS NETWORK Monday decided to allow students of LURING INVESTORS more classes to attend physical learn- ing at schools. School and Mass Bhubaneswar, Feb 1: In another units launched Education Secretary, Satyabrata Sahu move towards ease of doing busi- THE PROPOSED SYSTEM WILL informed students of Class 9 and 11 ness in Odisha, the state government LESSEN BURDEN ON THE POST NEWS NETWORK The patrolling units will attend the physical learning at has planned to provide building INVESTORS schools from February 8. plan approval to units in the in- Bhubaneswar, Feb 1: Chief could save the lives of dustrial estates and sector specific THE CHIEF SECRETARY DIRECTED Minister Naveen Patnaik Monday many accident victims parks of the state through Idco. TO DEVELOP AN ONLINE SYSTEM rolled out 18 Highway Patrolling CLASSIFIED State PSU Odisha Industrial FOR THE PURPOSE Units along various stretches of by carrying them to the Infrastructure Development the State and National Highways nearby hospitals as Corporation (Idco) will provide FURTHER, HE DIRECTED TO SET to rein in the rising fatalities in LOSTAFFIDAVIT building plan approval for expe- UP IN-HOUSE PLANNING UNIT road mishaps. quickly as possible diting the process of the grounding IN THE IDCO The state govt has identified 18 It is notified for the of projects and lessening the bur- stretches in the state where the information that my dens of compliance on the investors rected to set up in-house planning units will do patrolling. accident to the nearest hospital Original Qualifying and entrepreneurs. unit in the Idco office with neces- Speaking on the occasion, the was crucial in saving lives. Examination Certificate The proposal was discussed in de- sary capacity enhancement orien- CM said, “These units will play a The Patrolling units could save of Main Secondary tail during a high-level meeting tation and training for meeting the crucial role in saving the lives of ac- the lives of many accident victims Examination of year 2007 held under the chairmanship of The proposed system will lessen develop an online system for the rising demand. cident victims on highways.” by carrying them to the nearby Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra this burden on the investors. As purpose. As of now, 116 Industrial Estates “The Government is committed hospitals as quickly as possible. and Roll No. 5171814 Mahapatra here Monday. the Idco is providing land and basic Chairman and Managing and eight sector specific parks in to reduce such fatalities and is tak- The state govt will soon roll out issued by CBSE has been At present, bulling plan approvals infrastructural facilities in the in- Director of Idco Sanjay Kumar Odisha have been developed by the ing up several steps to contain another 18 patrolling units in the actually lost. Name of the in the industrial estates and sec- dustrial estates, the building plan Singh was advised to make the en- Idco. The major sector specific these unfortunate incidents,” second phase. A total of 36 Candidate: Ranjeet Meher, tor specific parks is being done by approval by the same agency will tire system automated eliminating parks include sea food park at Deras, Patnaik added. Patrolling Units will be deployed in Full Address: C-102, the concerned urban local bodies make the process easier, the source the need for physical contact with Plastic Park at Paradeep, Aluminum He also stressed on the need to various accident prone stretches of AFHNB Jalavayu Towers, (ULBs) in urban areas or Gram said. the investors. It was decided to com- Park at Angul, Textile park at avail treatment to the accident vic- state. CM Patnaik also directed the Neeladri Vihar, Near Panchants/BDOs in rural areas. Considering competitive ad- plete development of the ‘web based Bhadrak, Food Processing Park at tims in the golden hour, the first officials to resume more sensiti- An investor is required to approach vantage of the proposed system in hour after accident. He further sation initiatives for drivers on Buddha Park, application’ along with its ‘dry run’ Khurda, IT Park at Infocity and the ULB or the GP for obtaining enhancing business eco-system in by end of March this year. Infovalley and Electronic added that the timing for taking an various road safety mechanisms and Bhubaneswar, Odisha - the approval, sources said. the state, Mahapatra directed to Further, the Chief Secretary di- Manufacturing Park in Khurda. accident victim from the point of laws relating to it. 751021, Ph.: 7042318615.

MARKET WATCH CP Mohanty OPSC gets new chairman Fire breaks out at Cuttack hosp takes charge Bhubaneswar: The state government has appointed senior IPS officer and DG INDEX VARIATION Fire Services Satyajit Mohanty as the new chairman of Odisha Public Service AGENCIES New Delhi: Lt Gen Chandi Commission (OPSC). GA & PG department has issued a notification in this SENSEX 48600.61 2314.84 Prasad Mohanty Monday regard, Monday. Mohanty will continue to remain in the post until he attends the Cuttack, Feb 1: A fire broke out at took charge as the Vice Chief age of 62 years. The service condition of the IPS officer will be regulated as per

BOURSES NIFTY 14281.20 646.60 a private hospital here Monday, but of the Army Staff, succeeding the Odisha Public Service Commission (Conditions of service) Regulations, 1952. DOLLAR 74.01 `0.16 there were no reports of any in- Lt Gen SK Saini. In a career jury or loss of life, officials said. spanning four decades, the Budget session from February 18 EURO 88.49 `0.92 The fire broke out at the top floor officer served in numerous CURRENCY of the five-storey building in positions in field and highly Bhubaneswar: The Budget session of the state Assembly will commence with GOLD `48,400 `696 Tulsipur area in the Millennium active counter-insurgency Governor Ganeshi Lal’s address February 18 and continue till April 9, 2021. City, they said. environments. Lt Gen Finance Minister Niranjan Pujari will present the annual Budget for 2021-22 SILVER `73,763 `4061 BULLION At least five fire tenders were Mohanty was heading the before the House, February 22. Appropriation Bill will be tabled March 31. As rushed to the spot, Cuttack district Army’s Southern Command per a notification issued Monday, the Budget session will have 31 working Magistrate-cum-Collector Bhabani when he was appointed as days in two phases. The House will remain closed from March 1 to 11. WEATHER Shankar Chayani said. Vice Chief of the Army Staff. BHUB CTK Odisha Fire Service and the State Gen Saini retired from service ‘Happiness kit’ to boost immunity

Disaster Rapid Action Force per- Sunday. He has the unique

k y m c MAX 28.7° 28.6° sonnel have been engaged to con- distinction of commanding Bhubaneswar: With schools in the state likely to reopen this month, the state

TEMP MIN 13.8° 12.0° tain the flames, he said, adding to safe places. The employees of said. Meanwhile, Odisha Fire and two brigades—first on the government has decided to gift students ‘Happiness kits’—comprising Forecast that the exact cause of the fire is yet the facility are also safe,” he said. Disaster Response Academy director Line of Actual Control and at peanuts, jaggery, chickpeas among other items—to boost their immunity. The Humidity 94% 78% Mainly to be ascertained. The facility has not admitted new Maheswar Swain said that the health- the multinational UN Brigade distribution, set to begin during the first week of February, would cover five clear Rainfall Nil Nil sky “There were only 11 patients in patients in the last few days as con- care facility has been operating with- in DR of Congo. districts in the initial phase, an official said Monday. Sun Hospital. And they were shifted struction work was on, an official out requisite fire certification. P4 TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 2 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR power post

FOCUS INDIA Whenever in your life, you meet

with a hardship, take it as a boon

k y m form the Divine’s Grace and it will c become so. THE MOTHER GROWTH-ORIENTED BUDGET

he government cannot company will be privatised. Also, spend even a rupee some of the government-owned without the consent of assets, such as toll roads, or land Perfect Math T Parliament. Hence its owned by government companies, annual spending plan, called the will be monetised. This is possibly inance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman read out her 10,500 worded Union Budget proposal is tabled in the first such budget which is Budget 2021-22 speech in slightly over 100 minutes. Media has labeled the Lok Sabha, as required by the showing conviction about gov- F it one of the shortest budgets in recent memory. The times justify this Constitution. The Budget pro- ernment vacating space for the brevity because, maybe, not much was to be said. The nation has already sur- posals are examined for how they private sector. Indeed, the stated rendered most of its lucrative ports, airports and even heritage sites. Recent impact the common man, how philosophy is that the government events highlighted the Red Fort of Delhi. But very few might remember that resources are to be raised, how is will get out of all non-strategic this Moghul period edifice has also been privatized. In 2018, the Red Fort was the gap to be filled, how will it sectors like airlines, hotels etc, officially handed over to Dalmia Bharat Ltd at an annual rent of only `5 crores. affect economic growth, and and leave it for the private sector. With this in the backdrop, it is not surprising when people joke that India whether the proposals make sense This will certainly improve effi- as a whole could be put up for sale on OLX. and are credible. ciency of the usage of capital and The disinvestment drive mentioned in the budget has targeted two pub- On the eve of the Budget, the lead to higher growth. lic sector banks and the mammoth Life Insurance Corporation of India prime minister had said that the India’s ranking in the world (LIC). In the meanwhile, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in insurance sec- Budget would carry on the work hunger index, or child malnutri- tor has been enhanced from the earlier 49 per cent to a new 74 per cent. The Ajit Ranade of the previous year, when five This Budget aims to double the spending on tion is quite low. Hence, we need obvious question that could arise is who will be willing to invest such huge mini-budgets were presented in health and nutrition. But to do more, we need to substantially increase public amounts for these banks and insurance giants. It is known that most rich the pandemic year, under the spending on health, which is below nations across the world today are on their knees economically. The pandemic “Atmanirbhar” package. By con- higher economic growth which can generate our peer country average. This has left no nation standing tall. In such a situation, even the US or Western THE BIG RELIEF trast the finance minister had said tax revenues to fund the social sector Budget aims to double the spend- European investors would be least interested to risk their money in India. this would be a “never before”, ing on health and nutrition. But to Therefore, one may wonder where will all this FDI come from. Some years IS THAT THERE once in a century kind of budget. do more, we need higher economic ago, people in Parliament used to say that ARE NO NEW What we have got is certainly GDP this year, since the GDP itself bly be in use for decades or longer. growth which can generate tax FDI is really a circuitous route for the mas- very bold and ambitious. It is has shrunk by 8 per cent, and the It’s just like when an individual revenues to fund the social sector. sive black money holders of India. All their TAXES AND THE clearly focused on reviving growth. economy was in lockdown for sev- buys a house (an asset) the home On health and education, surely the wealth stashed abroad needs to be brought FISCAL TAPS It makes up for the lack of fiscal eral months. But next year too, loan is repaid over the next fifteen Finance Minister could have al- back home sooner than later. More so now stimulus that was mostly absent the fiscal deficit will be 6.8 per or twenty years. The individual located more, but given that the since the pandemic has scared the Indian rich HAVE BEEN during the pandemic year. It now cent, which is more than twice as repays the housing loan before he size of the deficit is already high, that their massive wealth may be safe but Piate FULLY OPENED makes sense, that the government high as what is allowed by the fis- or she dies. But a government lives the policy focus is clearly on growth could become inaccessible. Therefore, banks Tathagata chose to backload the fiscal stim- cal responsibility law passed by on, so even in the future the gov- rather than redistribution. If indeed and insurance companies going under the Satpathy ulus, at a time when most of the Parliament. The Finance Minister ernment can borrow, and pay off old the economy manages to gener- hammer will just manage to create the ring O lockdowns around the country said in her speech that the fiscal loans with new loans. That is not ate 15.5 per cent nominal growth of return. are being dismantled. For if peo- deficit will come down to 4.5 per to say that this can be done reck- next year, as predicted by the In the recent past, the FinMin had announced `27.1 lakh crore as Corona ple are stuck in their homes, then cent only after four years, and lessly. Even Mumbai’s Municipal International Monetary Fund, then related lockdown package. These packages, which came in phases, were fiscal spending would not bring a even then it will be nowhere closer Corporation wants to borrow by sell- the current Budget projections mostly in the form of loans. There was hope that the budget will have an im- bigger bang for the buck. to the 3 per cent limit specified ing bonds, but its corporators are will turn out to be quite conser- petus for small and medium enterprises that generate bulk of the employ- The big relief is that there are by the fiscal responsibility law. opposing it. In this case however, vative and easily achievable. So, ment in this country. An economy prospers only when people have jobs and no new taxes and the fiscal taps If the deficit is so high, how does the finance minister has presented we must commend the Budget for thereby spending capacity. With the money rotating, the nation moves ahead. have been fully opened. Next year’s the government intend to finance a credible and realistic picture of a growth-oriented fiscal stimulus, Money has to come to the poor and not get stalled only with the super rich. annual Budget size is nearly `35 the gap? By borrowing of course. the government’s finances and that accompanied by some spending With the brave claim that this is not a populist budget, the government has lakh crore, which is about 16 per Today’s borrowing has to be paid will go a long way in building trust on social sectors, and deficit num- choked off all avenues of earnings for the man on the street. This could usher cent higher than last year’s Budget. back in the future, by taxing fu- with the taxpayers. bers which seem credible and in a dark economic future. But since we are just coming out ture citizens, who are basically un- Apart from the big spending achievable. On that count, kudos The proposal to create an Asset Reconstruction Company (ARC) which of a recession, the tax revenues born taxpayers. But today’s bor- thrust on infrastructure we also to the Finance Minister. will swallow the non-performing assets and loans of all banks seems like a may not be very buoyant. Hence rowing is going to be used to build have a decisive move toward pri- The writer is an peacock feather on a crow. NPAs cannot be blamed on only a particular gov- the gap between spending and rev- roads, highways, metro rail sys- vatisation. The Finance Minister economist and Senior Fellow, ernment or period. The amount of the past NPAs of the Congress have phe- enue i.e. the fiscal deficit will tems, ports and airports. Those as- announced that two public sector Takshashila Institution. nomenally increased since 2014. Whether we blame it on corrupt bank offi- widen. It was 9.5 per cent of the sets will last long, and will proba- banks, and one general insurance ©THE BILLION PRESS cials or an ineffective government, people continue to suffer. Formation of the ARC may set free the banks to go on a roll again. They will start lend- ing out depositors’ money afresh. The ARC may hide the NPA patches of eco- nomic leprosy for some time. However, the tax payer will again have to pay up for the losses to be incurred by the ARC. SPECTRUM ECONOMY Keeping the present political scenario in mind, the government has im- posed an Agri Infrastructure Cess on petrol and diesel. The budget claims the cess will not affect individual consumers because equal quantum of ex- cise duty will be reduced. Recent fuel price hikes have disturbed everybody. This change of nomenclature will temporarily not affect the consumer. But Where Finance Minister missed the bus when the price again goes up, there will be a difference. The common man will start abusing farmers since they will feel the cess has a role to play in he Budget has a number manufacturing are declining due to the price hike. Government will again claim market forces are deciding fuel of plus points. Investment mechanisation. A number of stud- prices and will throw up its arms. People’s anger against farmers will clinch T in infrastructure such as in ies show that total employment in another political victory. urban metro rails has been in- organised manufacturing sector A huge amount has been set aside for healthcare. Like the lockdown creased. A target of strategic dis- has been declining. The informal sec- packages vanishing into thin air, the healthcare funds will most likely leave investment of PSUs and even two tor too has been blown away by the no trace. Apart from a few crore frontline workers, the common Indian is public sector banks has been set triple whammy of demonetization, not going to get free CoVID 19 vaccines. All this money will go into infrastructure to garner `1.75 crore in the coming GST and lockdown. There is no building, which implies contracts and deals. year. Private players are to be en- hope for these millions. These youth Politics has played the major role in this budget. Four states bound for couraged to set up electricity dis- will take to crime and other de- Assembly elections have been doled out the biggest pies. While Tamil Nadu tribution companies so as to save structive activities in absence of will get `1.03 lakh crore, Kerala will get `65,000 crore, West Bengal `25,000 consumers from the inefficiency productive employment. It also will crore and Assam will get `35,000 crore. The elections are but a few months and corruption of state electricity not be possible to absorb these large away. There is no way the government can spend all this money before the boards and to give consumers a numbers in agriculture because election ban comes into place. In other words, these are just big attractive choice of suppliers. These are all will be difficult to obtain by en- bus. The Minister has allocated the share of agriculture in the GDP numbers to hoodwink the voters of those states. good. However, the fundamental hancing the MSP because the pro- `35,000 crore for research on vaccines. is seen to decline as a country de- The FinMin has said that this budget ends in 2022, which is the 75th year problem of providing employment duction of the supported crop in- This is in the right direction. velops. The only path towards pro- of Independence for India. So, she has waived off Income Tax for people aged has been given a miss. Employment creases disproportionately leading However, we have not overcome viding productive employment to 75 and above. In these virus ridden days, if someone survives till 75, then Bharat is needed not only for its own sake, to over production. The Finance the pandemic on the strength of our millions was to develop our only s/he can benefit. An interesting question could be that will this age bar but also to create demand in the Minister then has to spend further vaccine. We have succeeded on the services sectors. The Finance be raised to 100 when India attains her 100th year of Independence? Jhunjhunwala economy. The Budget has missed tak- money in storage and the disposal strength of our lifestyle, that is, Minister, therefore, has moved in the Perfect Math. ing steps towards meeting this fun- of the surplus stocks at low prices. consumption of turmeric, ginger, right direction in establishing in- damental requirement. The Finance Minister should giloy and other immune-boosting stitutes of translation to make avail- EMPLOYMENT IS The country is on the boil over have taken steps to diversify agri- spices and by the practice of yoga able government documents in re- NEEDED NOT ONLY the farmers’ issue. The Finance culture towards high-value crops. and the like. Therefore, the need gional languages. But there was a WISDOM CORNER Minister has rightly drawn atten- Large-scale cultivation of crops was to undertake research on the need to go much further. It was nec- FOR ITS OWN SAKE, tion to the fact that the purchases like mangoes, flowers, walnuts and immune-boosting properties of essary to establish institutes in There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of under the MSP programme have in- bananas for export should have these spices and other lifestyles every district, for example, to train improving, and that’s your own self. BUT ALSO TO creased 1.5 times between 2013-14 been encouraged. Our research and then globalise that knowledge. the youth in undertaking transla- ALDOUS HUXLEY CREATE DEMAND and 2019-20. However, the Capital establishment has failed to develop Further, a number of researchers tions in foreign languages, mak- You must trust and believe in people or life becomes impossible. Gains Index increased from 220 to the strains for the international have suggested that the low preva- ing music, movies and computer ANTON CHEKHOV IN THE ECONOMY. 289—or 31 per cent—in this same market and the system has shown lence of Covid infection in India apps, and in running portals for The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the period, according to figures pub- no interest in developing the in- could be due to the poor cleanli- providing online tutorials and med- broken places. THE BUDGET HAS ERNEST HEMINGWAY lished by the finance ministry. frastructure such as cold chains for ness and health conditions under ical advice. The Budget has failed MISSED TAKING Thus, the “true” increase in the exports. The Finance Minister which our people live. Our bodies to take any steps in this direction. purchase price was a meagre 19 should have given contracts to are more used to living with bacteria This is an ordinary Budget. The STEPS TOWARDS per cent in six years. Even this NGOs and corporate houses for and viruses. Having said that, our increased investment in infra- WORDSWORTH MEETING THIS does not translate into a 19 per cent undertaking research and exten- people deserve clean drinking water structure and the resolve to jump- increase in income of farmers be- sion, developing cold chains and and sanitation facilities. Therefore, start privatisation are most wel- FUNDAMENTAL cause the cost of inputs such as then exporting the produce. The the outlay of `2,87,000 crore made come. However, they fail to address Machicolation REQUIREMENT diesel, labour and seeds has gone contractor, for example, should be for providing clean drinking water the pressing problems of employ- up. Let us assume the increase in given the responsibility to bring the and improving sanitation in the ment. I expect social tensions to in- hen the world was younger, the principal defence against farmers’ income was 10 per cent. desired strains of cocoons, spread next five years is welcome. crease as we are seeing in the ongoing Wattackers was the castle, so effective before the age of gunnery This is pittance compared to the it among farmers, get silk pro- The third area is that of educa- farmers’ agitation because of the un- that the only way to subdue it was to undermine its walls. To stop the avowed objective of the finance duced and export it from Mandya tion. A large number of our youths derlying increase in unemployment. enemy doing this, defenders evolved several techniques, one of which minister to have it doubled by 2020. in Karnataka. That would have are entering and will enter the job The writer is a former was to build out structures from the tops of the walls with openings in There was a need to implement led to higher incomes for farm- market in the coming decade. The Professor of Economics their floors so that stones, boiling oil or other deterrents could be strong steps to secure this. That ers. The Minister has missed the number of jobs in agriculture and at IIM Bangalore. dropped on those below. At first these structures were of wood (called hoardings) but they were later reconstructed in stone, most commonly over the particularly vulnerable gatehouses but in some cases all along Strong message Regional peace Welcome move the walls. These were the machicolations. The word came from the Old French machicolor, a compound of Provençal macar, “crush”, and col, Sir, Expelled AIADMK leader VK Sir, There never was a democratic gov- Sir, It is welcome to note that the Union government has “neck”, a graphic description of the result of being bombarded with Sasikala sent out a strong political ernment in Myanmar. It’s a game plan issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on preven- stones from on high while you were trying to dig. etters message by leaving Bangalore, to avoid sanctions against Myanmar. tive measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 for cinema post her discharge from the Victoria Aung San Suu Kyi is a crusader against halls and theatres. The SOP clarifies that all COVID-related Hospital, in a car once used by her the military rule in a land of pagodas safety standards must be continued inside the premises. The Machinima TOL THE EDITOR friend and former Tamil Nadu where Buddhism is prevalent. For India, General Guidelines specify that respiratory etiquettes Readers of Orissa POST Chief Minister, the late J a peaceful neighbour is very helpful as must be followed, including the use of face masks, the ad- t used to be that the process of creating an animated film, even are most welcome to contribute letters Jayalalithaa. The car also had the we already have problems from Pakistan. equate social distancing of at least 6 feet to adhere outside digitally, required long hours of labour using specialised and (200 words), articles and flag of the ruling AIADMK. The Chinese interest in Myanmar is well the auditoriums, common areas, and waiting areas at all I columns (between 750-1250 expensive software. Then moviemakers cottoned on to the potential of words). Contributors are ploy by Sasikala, who served a known. Myanmar could have friendly re- times, spitting will be prohibited and usage of Aarogya Setu the image-generating engines that exist inside animated computer requested to send their four-year jail term in a dispro- lations with any country but shouldn’t app will be promoted. The SOP promotes the usage of con- games such as Quake. Some games, especially Quake 3, allow the user contact numbers and full portionate assets case, is a clear sign harbour anti-India activities. In Pakistan tactless digital transactions for payments for tickets, food,

access to the underlying code to customise scenes or create new ones. It postal address/email ID. They may also she would plunge into active pol- it’s a democratic government but re- and beverages, etc. The SOP also mandates theatre owners

k y m send in their valuable comments, opinion c didn’t take long for audio-visual experts to spot their potential for creating and suggestions, preferably by email, itics and give her adversaries a mote controlled by the army. Nepal has to ensure suitable arrangements to avoid crowding at the entirely new animated sequences. Films so made have been around for to: [email protected] run for their money, even as the Chinese inclination. India needs peace sale counters. After a long break, it seems to be good for the several years, but the technique, and the results, have begun to attract state stares at its most crucial polls in the region. A peaceful Myanmar is film industry and also for cinema lovers. Hope that every- mainstream interest only recently. Machinima is usually said to be a blend in recent years. more important for India than for one follows the COVID safety guidelines strictly while en- of machine plus cinema; the large number of Web sites in German that B-15, Rasulgarh Industrial Estate, NJ Ravi Chander, Myanmar’s rulers. joying new movies. feature it suggest the term may have been coined in that language. Bhubaneswar-751010 BANGALORE Sunil Pradhan, NUAPADA Amit Singh Kushwaha, SATNA (MP) P5 TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 2 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR state

FARM WORKS 700 Anganwadi centres

k y m operating sans buildings c As many as 419 buildings for Anganwadi centres are still under construction

POST NEWS NETWORK

Kendrapara, Feb 1: As per February guidelines issued by the state gov- ernment, Anganwadi centres lo- cated outside containment zones can start functioning from Feb 1. However, over 700 such centres in Kendrapara district are operat- ing without a building. Children coming here are made to sit on ve- randahs of nearby schools or houses. Though the project was launched in 2019, as many as 419 buildings for Anganwadi centres are still under construction. FILE PHOTO According to Banambar Sahu, a social activist, various schemes There are 2,147 Anganwadi centres However, targets have been and programmes, from immu- under Integrated Child Development fixed for completing Services programme in 9 blocks construction of 492 buildings Women farmers transplanting paddy saplings on a farmland for the rabi season in Hirakud command area in Sambalpur district OP PHOTO nization to providing food and se- curity to helpless elderly persons, of Kendrapara by the end of this year are being carried out at one Anganwadi centre in the district. and 46 Anganwadi centres in Aul, Kumar Biswal, a Pattamundai res- 17 stuck in Chilika, Padma Shri Pujari Locals have alleged that this Derabish, Garadpur, Kendrapara, ident, said, “Political interference JHARAPHULA DEATH sorry state of affairs was mainly due Mahakalpara, Marshaghai, is making the matter worse. The po- rescued after 6 hrs falls seriously ill to bureaucratic inertia. Pattamundai, Rajkanika and litical parties often get entangled Another social activist, Pratap Rajnagar respectively are yet to be over various issues. They should POST NEWS NETWORK POST NEWS NETWORK Chandra Padhi said that there are completed. work with a positive attitude to de- Police take Swain a total of 2,147 Anganwadi centres Similarly, even though permission liver goods to the society.” Balugaon, Feb 1: 17 visitors and Jeypore, Feb 1: Padma Shri under Integrated Child Development has been granted for construction When contacted, DSW 2 boatmen suffered a huge scare Kamala Pujari fell seriously ill Services programme in nine blocks of over hundred Anganwadi cen- Chinmayee Rath said, “The funds when they were stranded in the Monday and is currently bed-rid- of Kendrapara district. Out of them, tre buildings, no progress has been provided earlier were not enough Chilika Lake for over six hours on 3-day remand den at her native village Patraput targets have been fixed for getting made so far. to get an Anganwadi centre’s build- Sunday night. They were finally under Jeypore block in Koraput. construction works of 492 centres Bringing to the fore the real pic- ing constructed. After putting this rescued at about 11.30 pm. POST NEWS NETWORK She is suffering from multiple completed by the end of current ture of such centres in Mahakalpara under MGNREGS, the construc- Sources said, 17 visitors in- old-age related ailments. According financial year. block, Pratap Kumar Tripathy, a tion works of Anganwadi centres cluding a few children from Penth Jajpur/Jajpur Town, Feb 1: A to sources, she is in dire need of ur- The funds required for the con- resident, alleged that Mahakalpara have been sped up. If any dispute area under Chilika tehsil in Khurda local court Monday granted a three- gent medical care. struction works have already been block has been subjected to ‘step arises over land, local representa- had set out on a boat trip in the lake day remand of Rakesh Swain, the It has also been learnt that she released. Yet, the construction motherly treatment’. tives are being consulted to sort Sunday. They first went to Kalijai prime accused in the murder case is unable to take food which has works on 68, 46, 22, 52, 51, 32, 60, 44 Echoing the same, one Santosh out the issues at the earliest.” and also visited Nalabana. of Jharaphula Nayak, a student aggravated her problems. Pujari On their way back, the boat’s en- of RD Women’s University in is in need of nasal feeding, sources gine conked out leaving everyone Bhubaneswar. said. She had met with an accident stranded. It was 5.30 pm in the The district and sessions court in the past and sustained injuries. evening and by then, a thick fog here allowed the Kuakhia police The pain has returned making Ex-gratia for road mishap victims cover had engulfed the entire lo- to take Swain on three days re- her condition critical, they added. cality. The fog also made it difficult mand for interrogation in the case “She has been bedridden for AGENCIES and Chief Minister Naveen The PM has approved an ex- for the boatmen to navigate. over a prayer filed by the Kuakhia the last few days without any med- Patnaik Monday also expressed gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime police. Kuakhia police had earlier no. 201 of the hotel, January 26. ical treatment. We urge the ad- Bhubaneswar, Feb 1: Prime their grief over the loss of lives Minister’s Relief Fund for next prayed before the court for a five- Swain reportedly found ministration to take immediate Minister Narendra Modi Monday in a road mishap at Koraput of the kin of those who lost their day remand of the accused. During Jharaphula in an unconscious state steps so that she recovers at the ear- announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 Sunday night. lives to the mishap. Modi has also the remand period, the police is at the hotel room on the morning liest,” neighbours said. lakh each to the next of kin of As many as nine people died approved Rs 50,000 for the injured. likely to question Swain to find of January 27 and called up his those who lost their lives in a se- and 13 others were critically in- Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik out more details pertaining to the friend Shekhar seeking his help. vere road mishap in Koraput dis- jured in a road accident on condoled the deaths and prayed for death of the girl. The remand pe- While Shekhar drove the scooter, trict late Sunday night. National Highway-326 near the speedy recovery of all the in- riod will start from February 2 and Rakesh rode pillion making the The Prime Minister also an- Murtahandi under Kotpad police jured. Taking to his Twitter page, Alert passengers will remain valid till February 4. unconscious girl sit between them. nounced Rs 50,000 to those who sus- limits of Koraput district late Patnaik wrote, “Deeply saddened flashed the lights on Probe has been intensified on all as- They were spotted leaving the place tained critical injuries in the Sunday night. by the loss of precious lives in pects of the case and very soon the around 7 AM. mishap. The amount will be re- In a tweet, the Prime Minister the road accident near #Kotpad in their mobile phones accused will be arrested, Jajpur Rakesh initially intended to hos- leased from the Prime Minister’s said, “My thoughts are with all Koraput district. My condolences which helped the rescue Road SDPO Chinmaya Nayak said. pitalise Jharaphula at SCB Medical National Relief Fund. those who have lost their dear are with the bereaved families in Reports said that the Twin City College and Hospital in Cuttack. He A tribal woman, Pujari was con- “An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each ones in the tragic accident at this hour of grief. Pray for the team to locate them Commissionerate Police had ar- however, realised midway that ferred the Padma Shri for being a from Prime Minister’s National Koraput, Odisha. I hope that in- speedy recovery of all the rested Swain from his residence Jharaphula had died. The two pioneer in preserving hundreds of Relief Fund would be given to the jured recover at the earliest (sic).” injured (sic).” With no option left, the pan- at Sundarpada in Bhubaneswar friends rode all the way to Jajpur local varieties of paddy seeds and next of kin of those who have lost icked passengers contacted their and handed him over to Jajpur po- on the scooter and allegedly dumped for promoting organic farming. their lives due to the unfortunate acquaintances and relatives over lice. Rakesh and Jharaphula had the body on roadside around 9 AM. She has preserved over hundred road accident in Koraput, Odisha. phone. After being informed about checked into OYO Shiv Sai Guest Kuakhia police in Jajpur dis- varieties of locally grown paddy. Rs. 50,000 would be given to those the situation, additional tehsil- House, Dharma Vihar in trict had recovered the body near Pujari has also been a crusader seriously injured,” PMO tweeted. dar, Chilika, Apanna Dangua con- Bhubaneswar and stayed at room Mulapal Wednesday last week. against use of chemical fertiliser. Prime Minister Narendra Modi tacted Balugaon fire station ask- ing them to take immediate steps to rescue the stranded visitors. A team led by fire officer Nityananda Jena left from Jawans, Maoists exchange fire Balugaon jetty for the stranded boat. Initially, it was difficult POST NEWS NETWORK operation in the jungle area when the eration was underway in the region for the rescue team to locate the ultras opened fire by the security forces when re- stranded boat. However, the Bolangir/Lathore, Feb 1: Security after noticing the ports last came in. alert passengers continuously forces had a heavy exchange of fire jawans. This A Maoist was killed during flashed the lights on their mobile with Maoists during a combing op- prompted the jawans an encounter when a team of phones which helped the rescue eration by the former in Bender for- to retaliate with Special Operations Group team to locate them. Finally, they est near Lathore in Bolangir district gunshots. (SOG) and District Voluntary were rescued after spending Monday, police said. Reports said that Force (DVF) jawans were con- more than 6 hours in appre- Acting on a tip-off, the security a few guns were seized by the secu- ducting a search operation at hension and anxiety. forces were carrying out a combing rity forces from the spot. A search op- a forest. Int’l weightlifter takes to cultivation for a living

POST NEWS NETWORK SORRY STATE Arun has also won Fate smiled on Umerkote, Feb 1: A weightlifter several medals by him when he from Odisha with two international participating in was chosen to gold medals has taken to cultivation various national participate at for want of government help, a meets. He was the Asian report said. aiming to bring Championship The man was identified as Arun more laurels for held at Santa, an international the country by Myanmar and weightlifter and a native of participating in later at Telari village under this Olympic games Commonwealth block in Nabarangpur dis- but his career was Youth Games at trict. Santa represented cut short due to New Zealand the country twice at two lack of financial where he won international sports meet assistance from two gold the government and won gold in the events. Reports said that won two gold medals. Arun also medals He has also won several Arun studied from participated at national level meets Arun came back to his native village medals by participating in var- Class 1 till Class 11 at at New Delhi, Haryana and during the lockdown and took up ious national meets. He was aiming Tarakanad School in Jharigaon. Maharashtra and won gold and cultivation to earn a living. He wishes to bring more laurels for the coun- Later, he joined an Ashram School bronze medals. to establish a sports academy in try by participating in Olympic at Badabharandi where he studied His main aim was to participate Umerkote but lack of funds has games but his career was cut short from Class-IV till Class-VII. in Olympics Games but his hopes hindered his plan due to lack of financial assistance Later, his flair for weightlifting was shattered as he failed to get from the government. came to notice following which he any financial assistance from the academy in Umerkote but lack of He was preparing to participate joined the Sports Hostel in government. Later, he worked for funds has hindered his plan. in various national meets when Berhampur and undertook training sometime at a gymnasium in When contacted, Arun said there Covid-19 epidemic struck the globe in the event. The training helped Bhubaneswar to earn a living. are many talented children in his and poured cold water on his plans. him hone his skills in weightlifting However, he was left without any area who if provided with proper

As a result, he left Bhubaneswar and and participate in many national money after the gymnasium was training could bring laurels for the

k y m c came back to his native village and international events. shut down due to Covid-19 induced country. He lamented that he could where he took to cultivation for a Fate smiled on him when he was lockdown and subsequent shut- not study more due to his involve- livelihood by working on others’ chosen to participate at the Asian downs. He came back to his native ment in sports. He said he could do farmlands. He hopes to return to his Championship held at Myanmar village during the lockdown and more for the country if the Centre game if the government provides and later at Commonwealth Youth took up cultivation to earn a living. or state government provided him him with financial assistance. Games at New Zealand where he He wishes to establish a sports with financial help. PAGE

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TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 2 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR For middle class: Full of sound & fury signifying nothing In her third Budget presentation to the Parliament, FM Nirmala Sitharaman proposes to unleash the massive fiscal expansion in 2021-22 on the back of higher borrowings, fire sales and an agricultural-cess. The focus is growth, not minding the fiscal deficit concerns, but what about the middle-class taxpayer who has been waiting for years for a ‘meaningful’ relief to his/her wallet! Orissa POST takes a look: Fin Min claims new cess on HOPES DASHED Infra projects worth HE SALARIED INDIVIDUALS WERE HOPING fuel won’t push up prices TTHAT THE GOVT WOULD BROADEN SOME TAX ADVANTAGES THROUGH BUDGET `2.27 lakh cr for To balance the new agri and infra cess, the govt has reduced N THE RUN-UP TO THE BUDGET IPRESENTATION, SEVERAL EXPERTS AND basic excise duty and special additional excise duty on fuel PROFESSIONAL BODIES LIKE ICAI HAD RECOMMENDED THE GOVT TO INCREASE THE he government Monday im- global crude price at $55 per bar- so that auto fuels prices remain DEDUCTION LIMIT UNDER SECTION 80C OF THE posed agriculture and in- rel, a lot lower than $80 a barrel in under check. High prices of fuel 4 poll-bound states INCOME TAX ACT T frastructure development October 2018 when petrol and diesel have a multiplier effect and im- cess at the rate of `2.5 per litre on prices had first reached historic pacts pricing of various segments hile the BJP attempts to petrol and `4 per litre on diesel to high levels. and aids inflation,” said an indus- OME EVEN SUGGESTED THE GOVT TO woo voters in the four mobilise additional resources re- try expert asking not to be named. SALLOW HIGHER DEDUCTION UNDER Wpoll-bound states of SECTION 80D AND INCREASE THE DEPOSIT quired for investment required in The In the budget proposal, while Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala LIMIT IN PPF TO `3 LAKH these two key segments of the current rate of agriculture and infrastructure de- and Assam, announcing major infra ` economy. taxation of petrol and velopment cess at the rate of 2.5 projects and welfare schemes in ` However, to prevent the addi- diesel is the prime reason per litre on petrol and 4 per the Union Budget, the Opposition tional cess from impacting the litre on diesel has been levied, The Indian Internet and the middle-class termed it an “election manifesto” for its high retail prices…. janta of the country were, for the obvious retail price of two petroleum government has reduced basic that ignored the rest of the country. Government should have given a reasons, hooked to the Parliament session, one that products that have already excise duty (BED) on petrol The BJP is fighting a high-voltage thought to this... High prices of directly affects them. It was only a matter of reached historically high lev- from `2.98 a litre to `1.4 a litre minutes that the meme-makers of Twitter imagined election battle in West Bengal to dis- els across the country, Finance fuel have a multiplier effect and and special additional excise the expectations of the middle-class citizens lodge Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Minister Nirmala Sitharaman impacts pricing of various duty (SAED) from `12 a litre from the Budget 2021 Congress government and is also announced that rates of basic segments and aids to `11 a litre. Similarly, for diesel aiming for a second consecutive excise duty and special addi- inflation BED has been reduced from `4.83 is ailing. There is a need for liquidity in the sec- term in Assam. The BJP is also try- scheme announced for tea work- tional excise duty on INDUSTRY EXPERT a litre to `1.8 a litre and BAED from tor in terms of GST, input credit, reduction of spec- ing to form a government in Tamil DOLES BEFORE ers of West Bengal and Assam,” petrol and diesel are being `9 a litre to `8 a litre. trum usage charges. The incumbent telecom op- Nadu with alliance partner AIADMK POLLS said first-time MP Eden. The Budget reduced from the existing levels. Minor correction in retail prices People at an electronics store watch the Budget erators continue to face uphill struggles,” said and working hard to increase its proposed `1,000 crore for welfare Overall, while the agriculture “The current rate of taxation of even after this change is expected Amrish Kapoor, vice-president of Vodafone Idea. numbers in the Kerala Assembly ighways projects of 3,500 scheme for tea workers of Assam and infrastructure cess will raise petrol and diesel is the prime rea- to be absorbed by oil marketing ovid-19 pandemic-hit middle emption. However, in a major relief, senior citi- also the education of my children,” said Delhi- Eshwar Sharma, a retired Delhi government where it has only one member. Hkms in Tamil Nadu at a cost and West Bengal. the level of taxation on the auto son for its high retail prices now. companies keeping consumers class families kept their eyes zens above 75 years of age are now exempted based Vinita Kapoor. official, said: “There is no change in the income Finance Minister Nirmala of `1.03 lakh crore Budgetary announcements were fuels, reduction in excise duty will Government should have given a from any further increase in petrol glued to their television screens from filing tax returns. Another homemaker said that she did not like tax slab. No income tax return filing for super sen- Sitharaman proposed new highways (Assembly elections in TN are made for Kochi Metro rail phase due around May this year) make the taxation proposal in the thought to this and reduced taxes and diesel prices. as Finance Minister Nirmala Besides this, taxpayers were definitely left dis- the Budget. “The government should have made ior citizens is, however, a big relief. This gov- projects of 3,500 kms in Tamil Nadu II and Chennai Metro rail phase II. Budget tax neutral that would keep Sitharaman presented the appointed as the Union Finance Minister did not things cheaper at these tough times. Ration and ernment’s Budget was never satisfactory since the at a cost of `1.03 lakh crore, 1,100 ,100 kms of highways in Eden alleged that funds for phase oil marketing companies away from Budget 2021-22 Monday morn- announce any change in income tax slabs for home appliances are getting costlier day by day,” time it came to power.” kms of highways in Kerala at an in- 1Kerala at an investment of II of Kochi Metro announced by raising the retail price of petrol ing, but many said that they them in the much-awaited Union Budget an- Pushpa Sharma said. A recent graduate, who is now looking for job, vestment of `65,000 crore. In West `65,000 crore UPA government were stalled and and diesel based on the new im- had expected more from the government. nounced during an undeniably tough year. A Delhi-based telecom expert said that the said that the government has stretched itself Bengal, she proposed 675 kms of (The Communist-ruled state will made part of Budget of 2021-22. C ` also go to polls around April-May) position. In this year’s Budget, the government has em- Homemakers were not content with the an- government should have been given some kind quite a bit given the current situation. “Fiscal pru- more,” Manvika Shrivastava said. posal income. The government should have taken highways works at a cost of 25,000 “People are expecting announce- The rise in petrol and diesel phasised more on healthcare, infrastructure and nouncements. “Since my husband is the only of stimulus to the sector. dence was not a very vital criterion right now and Her mother, Manisha Shrivastava, who runs a into consideration the high premiums that are crore and over 1,300 kms of high- n Bengal, Sitharaman proposes ment of phase-III of Kochi Metro rail prices is on hold for the last five other sectors, while providing no particular re- earning member of the family, no relief on his “This Union Budget has been a dampener in the government could borrow to invest more in BPO in Delhi, said that the Budget did not help much. there in the insurance sector. The Budget is good ways in Assam at `34,000 crore. I675 kms of highways works at but the BJP government announced days, but before that it had risen 10 lief to middle class in terms of income tax ex- income tax will not only affect my kitchen, but terms of unshackling the telecom sector, which order to kick start the economy. The economy needs “This is a tough time and people do not have dis- in some aspects but I think that it needed more.” Rajya Sabha member and Assam a cost of `25,000 crore budgetary provisions for phase-II,” times in January with the two auto Congress chief, Ripun Bora tweeted, (Elections here are expected to Eden added. fuels increasing by `2.59 and `2.61 “So, the BJP government has made be held around April) Trinamool MP Derek O’Brien per litre respectively this month. parliament the place to launch elec- ver 1,300 kms of highways in said that India’s first paperless Petrol continues to be available at Fiscal position and health outlay HIGHLIGHTS TAX PROPOSALS tion manifestos for Assembly elec- OAssam at `34,000 crore Budget is also a 100 per cent “vi- new record high of `86.30 a litre in FITR filing not mandatory for senior citizens above 75 years, banks to deduct TDS tions. This Budget is nothing more (In this BJP-ruled state, the polls sionless” Budget. ` Delhi while diesel is available in the F Spending on healthcare hiked by 137 pc to over 2.23 lakh crore than an election manifesto full of are expected to be conducted “Theme of the fake budget is F I-T return filers increased to 6.48 cr in 2020 from 3.31 cr in 2014 around the same time of the year) city at `76.48 a litre. The high retail F `35,000 cr outlay for Covid vaccine in fiscal beginning April ‘jumlas’!” “Congratulations India, ‘Sell India!’ Railways: sold, Airports: price in the country is despite the F New Agri Infra Development Cess from Feb 2 FM presents the election budget,” sold, Ports: sold, Insurance: sold, ` ` F Sharp increase in capex for next fiscal to 5.54 lakh cr, up from 4.39 lakh cr of last fiscal Bora said. IANS that the whole Budget exer- PSUs: 23 sold! Common people ig- F Agri infra cess of 2.5 pc on gold, silver and dore bars; 35 pc on apples F Fiscal deficit for current fiscal at 9.5 pc, against 3.5 pc budgeted BJP General Secretary and West cise was turned into an “election nored. Farmers ignored. Rich get F Time bar for reopening I-T assessment cases halved to 3 yrs, for Bengal in-charge, Kailash drama” by announcing major infra richer, nothing for the middle class, F Fiscal deficit for next fiscal pegged at 6.8 pc, govt to borrow `12 lakh crore serious frauds it is 10 yrs Vijayvargiya said that this year’s projects in poll-bound states while poor get poorer,” O’Brien tweeted. Interest on EPF contributions F Committed to bring down fiscal deficit below 4.5 pc of GDP by 2025-26 F Agri infra cess of 30 pc on Kabuli chana, 10 pc on peas, Budget is an attempt to find a self-re- ignoring the rest of the country. Referring to 675-km highway 50 pc on Bengal gram/chickpeas, 20 pc on lentil (mosur) liant India, new possibilities of em- “All the infrastructure projects are work in West Bengal, Brien fur- and 5 pc on cotton ployment and business. “When the announced to reap political benefits ther tweeted, “What Bengal did yes- Allocation and reforms whole world is struggling with a de- in Assembly polls in four states to terday, Centre only talks today, ` F `2.5/ltr agri infra cess on petrol, `4/ltr on diesel over 2.5 lakh will get taxed teriorating economy, the new Budget be held in coming two or three Budget’21 promise – 625 km roads F FDI in insurance increased to 74 pc from 49 pc F Tax dept to notify rules to remove hardships under the leadership of Prime months. Even while announcing in WB, WB government (2018) - new nterest on employee contri- annual contribution of `2.5 lakh,” of double taxation faced by NRIs Minister Narendra Modi has brought welfare schemes for poll-bound roads of 5,111 km, No one in India. F Disinvestment target pegged at `1.75 lakh crore butions to provident fund over Sitharaman said in her Budget new hope,” Vijayvargiya tweeted. states, the BJP government has Plus 1,165 km roads in 2019.” F Tax holiday for startups, capital gains `2.5 lakh per annum would 2021-22 speech. This would come F BPCL, IDBI Bank, two more PSU banks, one insurance company to be Congress Lok Sabha MP from failed to include tea workers from Talking about promotion of sea- I exemption extended by one yr be taxed from April 1, 2021, a move into effect from April 1. privatised among others Ernakulam in Kerala, Hibi Eden told Kerala and Tamil Nadu in the weed farming, Sitharaman an- F Tax exemption for aircraft leasing cos; aimed at taxing high-value de- Addressing a post-Budget press F PSU Bank recapitalisation pegged at `20,000 crore next fiscal nounced setting up of a multi-pur- positors in the EPF. conference, the minister said up tax exemption for notified affordable pose seaweed park in Tamil Nadu. Finance Minister Nirmala per cent of the total number of to `2.5 lakh has been kept as the F Aatmanirbhar health programme with an outlay of `64,180 cr to housing for migrant workers DMK Lok Sabha MP from Namakkal be introduced Sitharaman said the Employee contributors in the EPF. Employees’ deposit limit for which interest is F `1.5 lakh tax deduction on in Tamil Nadu, AKP Chinraj told the Provident Fund (EPF) is aimed at Provident Fund Organisation has tax exempt. F Govt to introduce a bill to set up development financial payment of interest for affordable IANS that these Budget proposals welfare of workers and any per- over 6 crore subscribers. “We are not reducing any work- institution with an outlay of `20,000 cr housing extended by 1 yr are just an announcement and in re- son earning less than `2 lakh per “In order to rationalise tax ex- ers right. But at the same time, get- ality there is nothing on the ground F Voluntary vehicle scrapping policy to phase out old vehicles; F Exemption from tax audit limit month will not be affected by the emption for the income earned by ting tax exemption and 8 per cent to execute these projects. fitness tests after 20 yrs for personal vehicles and for doubled to `10 cr turnover for cos. Budget proposal. high income employees, it is pro- rate of interest for somebody who commercial vehicles its 15 yrs doing most of their biz through “Announcements are made with an Expenditure Secretary TV posed to restrict tax exemption for puts `1 crore into the account, digital modes eye on upcoming Assembly polls in- Somanathan said the number of the interest income earned on we thought is may be not correct. F National monetisation pipeline for potential brownfield cluding Tamil Nadu to grab power in infrastructure assets F Proposes review of over people who actually contribute the employees’ contribution to And therefore we have put the 400 customs duty exemptions; these states. They will forget all the more than `2.5 lakh is less than 1 various provident funds to the ceiling,” she said. F `3,726 cr for forthcoming Census, which will be the first to begin extensive consultation Trinamool MP Derek O’Brien also says India’s first paperless Budget is Budget proposals once the Assembly digital Census from Oct 2021 a 100 per cent “visionless” Budget polls get over,” Chinraj added. Fireworks at Dalal Street; bond yields rise VEHICLE SCRAPPAGE POLICY SOON FITNESS TEST FOR PERSONAL VEHICLES AFTER 20 YRS, FOR COMMERCIAL IT IS AFTER 15 YRS THE MONDAY-RALLY MARKS NIFTY’S BEST DAILY PERFORMANCE ON A FEDERAL BUDGET DAY SINCE AT LEAST 1996 resenting the Union Budget 2021, if a vehicle fails the fitness test more policy for vehicles owned by the govern- ndia’s blue-chip Nifty 50 growth side, with infra capex increase of around 2022 well above projections, said Aditi Nayar, prin- Finance Minister, Nirmala than thrice, it might be subjected to manda- ment and PSU which are older than 15 index Monday recorded HE STOCK MARKETS HAVE SALUTED 13,864.75 12:50PM 34 pc on a year-on-year basis, which is a very cipal economist at rating agency ICRA, adding Sitharaman, said that the govern- tory scrapping, according to the proposed years. This policy would apply to Central TTHE UNION BUDGET P Iits best performance on a healthy sign, a good roadmap on divestment and that yields were expected to sustain a harden- ment will announce a voluntary scrappage policy. That said, the government is yet to and state government-owned vehicles ef- budget day in over two decades ENSEX SAW GAINS OF 2,300 POINTS AS monetisation of assets of state owned enter- ing bias, in the absence of frequent open mar- based on fitness test soon. roll out the final scrappage policy. Setting fective from April 1, 2022. after the Finance minister an- STHE FEARS OF A COVID CESS OR prises,” said Rupen Rajguru, head of equity ket operations. In her presentation of the Union Budget up of vehicle scrapping facilities, is a dif- The voluntary scrappage policy will nounced a slew of measures INCREASE IN CAPITAL GAINS TAX DID NOT investment and strategy, Julius Baer India. Among stock sub-indexes, the Nifty Auto 2021, the Finance Minister, said, “We are ferent issue altogether. be based on fitness tests and for private to revive the pandemic-hit MATERIALISE The benchmark 10-year bond yield closed index climbed 4.2 pc, while the Nifty PSU Bank separately announcing a voluntary ve- Under the proposed Scrappage Policy, vehicles, the life has been set at 20 years, economy. Bond yields up 13 basis points at 6.08 pc, while the rupee weak- index, which tracks state-run lenders, jumped hicle scrapping policy to phase out old and 51 lakh vehicles in India are currently while for commercial vehicles, the life is NY ADDITIONAL TAX ON FPIs ALSO jumped sharply on the AFOUND NO MENTION ened to 73.02 per dollar versus its previous close 7.8 pc after Sitharaman said India would set up unfit vehicles. This will help encourage over 20 years old and 34 lakh vehicles in set at 15 years. More details will be shared government’s plans of 72.95, after Sitharaman said the govern- an asset reconstruction company to take over fuel-efficient and environment-friendly the country are over 15 years old, and the government, for scrutiny. This an- by the Ministry of Road Transport and to raise more funds This marked the Nifty’s best daily perform- ment’s fiscal deficit for the current fiscal year toxic assets. Gains in ICICI Bank and IndusInd vehicles, thereby reducing vehicular pol- these vehicles have the potential to be nouncement comes right after govern- Highways soon. The voluntary scrappage

from the market. ance on a federal budget day since at least 1996, to March was likely to reach 9.5 pc, compared Bank after quarterly earnings lifted the Nifty lution and oil import bills.” More details scrapped, thereby reducing vehicular pol- ment’s announcement of a scrappage pol- policy will be based on fitness tests and

k y k y The NSE Nifty 50 according to Refinitiv data. with the budget estimate of 3.5 pc, and that the Bank index 8.3 pc to an all-time closing high. will be shared soon by the Ministry. lution by up to 25 per cent. The scrapped icy for vehicles used by its various for private vehicles, the life has been set

surged 4.7 pc to 14,281.2, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman pro- At around 12:50 PM, markets saw a tremendous short-covering government will borrow an additional 800 bil- India’s economy is seen clocking robust growth She said this will promote fuel-effi- vehicles have the potential for providing departments and public sector under- at 20 years, while for commercial vehicles,

m c m c while the S&P BSE Sensex posed doubling healthcare spending, a vehicle lion rupees from the market by end-March. of 11 pc for the coming fiscal year after likely con- cient and environment friendly vehicles raw materials after being recycled. takings (PSUs). The Ministry of Road the life is set at 15 years. More details jumped 5 pc to 48,600.61 after six sessions scrappage policy, recapitalisation of public- owned lenders, aiming to bolster an economy the virus outbreak. A ‘substantially higher-than-expected’ ex- tracting 7.7 pc in the current fiscal year to March while cutting on India’s huge import bills. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has al- Transport and Highways (MoRTH) will be shared by the Ministry of Road of losses in the run-up to the Budget. sector banks and divestment of some state- that plunged into its deepest recorded slump amid “The budget has ticked the boxes on the penditure pushed fiscal deficit for fiscal 2021 and 31, an annual economic survey showed Friday. The proposed scrappage policy says that ready sent a Scrappage Policy proposal to Monday approved the vehicle scrappage Transport and Highways soon. P8 SELF-DEFENCE MUST TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 2 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR Delhi Police personnel of The greatness of the Shahdara district have tribes lies in the fact that been given iron batons they have managed to to protect themselves retain their primal and from attacks by sharp- natural simplicity

y edged weapons, police M VENKAIAH NAIDU | VICE PRESIDENT

national said on Monday

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of the day uote Only election ‘jumlas’: Oppn on Budget Govt asks Twitter to When the Lieutenant INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE Prime Minister Narendra Modi Governor is has brought new hope," Vijayvargiya Budget presented block 250 ‘fake’ posts responsible for the New Delhi, Feb 1: The Congress closure of textile tweeted. in ‘exceptional mills, how can Monday criticised the Modi-led Congress Lok Sabha MP from PRESS TRUST OF INDIA escalation of law and order in view Nadda accuse me NDA government for giving a size- Ernakulam in Kerala, Hibi Eden told circumstances’: Nadda of the ongoing farmer agitation, the and my government able chunk of the infra-Budget to IANS that the whole Budget exer- New Delhi, Feb 1: Twitter has sources said adding that these the election-bound states of Assam, cise was turned into an "election ailing the Union Budget, BJP blocked several accounts and tweets tweets/accounts have now been V NARAYANASAMY | PONDICHERRY CHIEF West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and drama" by announcing major infra Hchief J.P. Nadda on Monday after the government asked the blocked. The sources said incite- MINISTER Kerala, and termed the Budget as projects in poll-bound states while said that the 2021 Budget has microblogging platform to take ac- ment to genocide is a grave threat "road for vote" and full of election ignoring the rest of the country. been presented in "exceptional tion against 250 handles and posts to public order and therefore, MeitY "jumlas". "All the infrastructure projects circumstances" when the country for containing 'false and provoca- ordered blocking of these Twitter People were The BJP is fighting a high-volt- are announced to reap political is ready to write a new story of tive content' related to accounts and expecting a development in every region, age election battle in West Bengal benefits in Assembly polls in four the ongoing farmers' tweets under rebate in the despite the Covid-19 pandemic. to dislodge Mamata Banerjee's agitation, according to FARMERS’ AGITATION income tax slabs, states to be held in coming two or Praising the leadership of Prime Section 69A of the but it was not Trinamool Congress government three months. Even while an- Minister Narendra Modi, Nadda sources. Information raised. They were and is also aiming for a second con- nouncing welfare schemes for poll- said it is a Budget to fulfil the These include ac- Technology Act. also expecting a secutive term in Assam. The BJP bound states, the BJP government hopes and aspirations of all counts of Kisan Ekta When contacted, reduction in the prices of petrol- is also trying to form a government Congress chief, Ripun Bora tweeted, has failed to include tea workers sections, especially youth, Morcha and BKU Ekta a Twitter diesel and LPG, but they have been in Tamil Nadu with alliance part- "So, the BJP government has made from Kerala and Tamil Nadu in the elderly, women, organised and Urgahan that have spokesperson said cheated again ner AIADMK and working hard to parliament the place to launch elec- scheme announced for tea work- unorganised sector workers and thousands of followers if it receives a increase its numbers in the Kerala tion manifestos for Assembly elec- ers of West Bengal and Assam," small and big entrepreneurs. and have been actively "properly scoped KAMAL NATH | FORMER CHIEF MINISTER OF Assembly where it has only one tions. This Budget is nothing more involved in the ongoing protests. request" from an authorised en- MADHYA PRADESH said first-time MP Eden. The Budget member. than an election manifesto full of proposed Rs 1,000 crore for welfare According to sources, the tity, it may be necessary to withhold Finance Minister Nirmala 'jumlas'!" scheme for tea workers of Assam budgetary provisions for phase-II," Ministry of Electronics and IT access to certain content in a par- Sitharaman proposed new high- "Congratulations India, FM pres- and West Bengal. Eden added. Trinamool MP Derek (MeitY) directed Twitter to block ticular country from time to time." Without a ways projects of 3,500 kms in Tamil ents the election budget," Bora said. Budgetary announcements were O'Brien said that India's first pa- around 250 tweets/Twitter accounts "Transparency is vital to protect- written script, Nadu at a cost of Rs 1.03 lakh crore, BJP General Secretary and West made for Kochi Metro rail phase II perless Budget is also a 100 per cent that were making 'fake, intimida- ing freedom of expression, so we almost all our 1,100 kms of highways in Kerala at tory and provocative tweets' on native languages Bengal in-charge, Kailash and Chennai Metro rail phase II. "visionless" Budget. have a notice policy for withheld are only spoken and an investment of Rs 65,000 crore. In Vijayvargiya said that this year's Eden alleged that funds for phase "Theme of the fake budget is 'Sell January 30 with hashtags accusing content. Upon receipt of requests passed on orally. West Bengal, she proposed 675 kms Budget is an attempt to find a self- II of Kochi Metro announced by India!' Railways: sold, Airports: the Modi government of planning to withhold content, we will With modern of highways works at a cost of Rs reliant India, new possibilities of em- UPA government were stalled and sold, Ports: sold, Insurance: sold, farmers 'genocide' without any fur- promptly notify the affected ac- education and exposure, the 25,000 crore and over 1,300 kms of ployment and business. "When the made part of Budget of 2021-22. PSUs: 23 sold! Common people ig- ther substantiation. This blocking count holders (unless we are pro- younger generation is moving away highways in Assam at Rs 34,000 whole world is struggling with a "People are expecting announce- nored. Farmers ignored. Rich get was done at the request of the hibited from doing so eg if we re- from their native languages and it crore. deteriorating economy, the new ment of phase-III of Kochi Metro rail richer, nothing for the middle class, Ministry of Home Affairs and law ceive a court order under seal)," has become a major concern for us Rajya Sabha member and Assam Budget under the leadership of but the BJP government announced poor get poorer," O'Brien tweeted. enforcement agencies to prevent any the spokesperson added.

PEMA KHANDU | ARUNACHAL PRADESH CHIEF MINISTER PROTEST SITES TURN FORTRESSES TOUCHING THE SKY Man attempts SHORT TAKES Barricades strengthened, self-immolation outside Yogi’s office Schools reopen roads studded with nails in Jammu PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Jammu: Government and private schools reopened for Lucknow/Kannauj, Feb 1: A Classes 9 and 12 on Monday Farmers to block roads man set himself on fire outside the in the summer zone of the Chief Minister's Office in Lucknow Jammu region amid strict across India Feb 6 Monday to draw the attention of COVID-19 protocol, over 10 Farmer unions Monday announced the authorities to a land dispute months after remaining a countrywide 'chakka jam' on case, police said. closed due to the coronavirus February 6 when they would block Umashankar, 36, a resident of pandemic. The Jammu and national and state highways for the Indragarh area in Kannauj Kashmir administration had three hours in protest against the district, suffered 30 per cent burns on Friday last ordered the internet ban in areas near their and undergoing treatment Shyama reopening of all government agitation sites, harassment Prasad Mukherjee Civil Hospital, and recognised private AGENCIES allegedly meted out to them by they said. schools for senior classes in authorities, and other issues. The incident took place in the the summer zone of the New Delhi/Ghaziabad, Feb 1: Union leaders told a press morning when Umashankar ar- Jammu division from conference at the Singhu Border February 1. Farmers' protest sites at Delhi's rived at the Lok Bhawan in the borders turned into fortresses here that they will block the roads Hazratganj area of the city and between 12 pm to 3 pm February 6. Monday as police beefed up secu- poured kerosene and set himself They also alleged that farmers rity and strengthened barricades. afire, police said. A police team Three boys have been "ignored" in the Union Workers under the watch of police Budget 2021-22, and water and swung into action and doused the buried alive personnel were seen hooking iron power supply have been curtailed flames. rods between two rows of cement at their protest venues. Police Commissioner D K Bhuj (Gujarat): Three teenage barriers on a flank of the main Indian Air Force (IAF)s acrobatic team, Suryakiran, performs a sortie ahead of the AERO INDIA 2021 show at Yelahanka Thakur said Umashankar's land boys playing on the bank of a highway at the Singhu border to fur- Air Base in Bangalore PTI PHOTO was illegally grabbed and he had dry river were buried alive ther restrict the movement of pro- was done yesterday. Cement is to be complained to the village head when a mound of clay caved testers, agitating against the new poured in the space between the bar- and the lekhpal (revenue officer) in on them near Khavda farm laws. riers on this flank to make a concerned to get the encroachers village in Bhuj tehsil of Another portion of the high- makeshift wall," he said. The move removed from it but they had not Gujarat's Kutch district, an way at the Delhi-Haryana border comes days after the violent clashes helped him. official said Monday. The ICG CELEBRATES 45TH ‘RAISING DAY’ boys, all in the age group of is practically blocked now as a between some protesters and police He came to Lucknow on a road- 13 years to 16 years, were makeshift cement wall has come up January 26 during the tractor pa- ways bus in the morning and playing inside a bunker-like there. At Ghazipur on the Delhi- rade by the farmers. INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE reached Gate No. 2 of the Lok pit dug up by them on the Uttar Pradesh border, there are The section of the highway at the Bhawan, which has the CM's Office, river bank at the time of the multi-layer barricades to stop the Singhu border also saw a clash re- Gandhinagar, Feb 1: The Indian and set himself on fire, Thakur incident, Khavda police sub- movement of vehicles. Barbed wire cently between farmers and a group Coast Guard (ICG) virtually cel- said. A probe into the matter is on, inspector J P Sodha told has also been put up to keep off of people who claimed to be local ebrated its 45th 'Raising Day' police said. reporters. people on foot. Protesters were residents. On Monday, the Delhi side Monday. pouring in as Bharatiya Kisan of the Singhu border saw a sparse President Ram Nath Kovind, India, Qatar take Union members and its leader crowd of protesters while the Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu, Pak violates Rakesh Tikait stayed pitched at Haryana side was dominated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi stock of bilateral ties Ghazipur's UP Gate, occupying a people making vociferous speeches, and Union Defence Minister ceasefire on LoC stretch of the Delhi-Meerut high- denouncing the new farm laws. Rajnath Singh congratulated the PRESS TRUST OF INDIA way since November. Hundreds Security personnel from the para- ICG on their completion of 44 Jammu: Pakistan used small of security personnel, including military forces, RAF and CRPF, glorious years of yeoman service ploying nearly 50 ships and 12 air- ing boats with nearly 40,000 fish- New Delhi, Feb 1: India and Qatar arms fire and mortar shelling on Monday to violate the the Provincial Armed Constabulary were seen in relatively less numbers to the nation and appreciated the crafts daily. The deterrence at sea ermen were escorted to safe har- on Monday reviewed their bilat- ceasefire on the Line of (PAC) and Rapid Action Force compared to the past few days at role played by the service in pur- and coordinated air surveillance bours during the passage of 11 eral ties in a range of areas, in- Control (LoC) in J&K's Poonch (RAF), kept vigil. Singhu. But a large number of po- suit of the nation's interests in the by the service enabled seizure of cyclones in 2020, thus averting cluding energy, trade, investments, district. Defence spokesman Drones were being used to mon- lice personnel manned the stretch. maritime zones. The ICG also ex- contraband worth nearly 1,500 loss of lives and property at sea. defence, food security and health. Colonel Devender Anand itor the situation and vehicles Besides the makeshift wall on the pressed its commitment towards crore and apprehension of more From a modest beginning with The review was carried out at said, "At around 7.45 p.m. checked as more support flowed highway, a small trench was dug up safeguarding the country's coast- than 10 foreign fishing boats with just seven surface platforms in the fourth foreign office consul- today Pakistan used small in for the BKU from Uttar Pradesh, earlier across a street a little off line on its founding day. 80 miscreants illegally operating 1978, the ICG has grown into a tations between the two sides. arms fire and mortars to Haryana and Rajasthan. the highway and cement barri- Despite the restrictions im- in the Indian EEZ alone in 2020. formidable force with 156 ships and "The foreign office consulta- violate the ceasefire on the At Singhu on the Haryana bor- cades put up on both the sides. posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, The 'Preventive and Measured 62 aircrafts in its inventory and tions provided an opportunity to LoC in Mankote sector of der, a worker drilled rods in cross- Farmer leaders at the site, how- Indian Coast Guard has main- Response' stance of operations is likely to achieve targeted force review the entire gamut of bilat- Poonch district. The Indian formation between two rows of ever, asserted that the barricades tained 24x7 vigil in the Exclusive introduced more than a year ago levels of 200 surface platforms eral relations, including political, Army is retaliating solid barriers. "The other flank won't cage their spirit. Economic Zone (EEZ), by de- ensured that more than 6,000 fish- and 80 aircrafts by 2025. energy, trade, investments, de- befittingly." fence, food security, health security, science and technology, consular, community and cultural issues," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. SC to resume physical hearing in hybrid manner soon The meeting took place in the virtual format. "Both sides reiterated their PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Advocates-on-Record Association be hybrid system of hearing till sion to this effect shall be taken commitment to working closely and senior advocate Vikas Singh the pandemic period is over but as soon by the Chief Justice of India together in these areas and further New Delhi, Feb 1: Chief Justice of discussed the issue. proposed by senior advocate Vikas in consultation with the other discussing new areas of cooper- India S A Bobde told the bar lead- The apex court has been hearing Singh, the “video-conferencing (dur- judges,” the release said. ation," the MEA said. ers Monday that physical hearing cases through video-conferencing ing the hybrid hearings) could only The Supreme Court Advocates- It said the two sides also ex- in the Supreme Court will soon re- since March last year amid the pan- be done by the lawyers who are on-Record Association (SCAORA) changed views on issues of mutual sume in a hybrid manner amid the demic and several bar bodies and present in Delhi and that should said that in the meeting, it was interest at the regional and mul- COVID-19 pandemic, the Bar Council lawyers, including former SCBA be done only through cable con- assured that process for resump- tilateral levels, including cooper- of India (BCI) has said. President Vikas Singh, have been nections either in the lawyers cham- tion of physical hearings has al- ation at the UN and other inter- Amid protest by several advo- demanding that physical hearing bers or the cubicles (to be installed ready began and would be “avail- national fora. cates demanding resumption of should resume immediately. “The in the premises of Supreme Court)”. able soon in a hybrid manner that The Indian delegation at the y physical hearing in the top court, Chief Justice of India made it clear It said Mishra requested for evolv- is in both modes of physical hear- meeting was led by Sanjay

a meeting was held Monday in that the judges of Supreme Court ing an effective and expeditious ing and virtual hearing at the ear- Bhattacharyya, Secretary

k y m c which the CJI, Solicitor General themselves are willing to restart gradually,” said a press release is- courts could resume its functioning method for mentioning and listing liest; after considering the med- (Consular, Passport and Visa di- Tushar Mehta, bar leaders includ- the open court hearings but there sued by the BCI Chairman. physically from the first week of of urgent matters, on which the ical advice and clearing the existing vision) in the MEA while the ing BCI chairman Manan Kumar are medical and technical issues “The secretary general (of the March 2021,” Mishra, who is also a CJI “gave a positive assurance”. impediments regarding to health Qatari side was headed by Ahmad Mishra as also office bearers of the which the registry of Supreme apex court) was asked by Justice senior advocate, said. The release “Most probably one or two judges of the stakeholders, technology Hassan Al-Hamadi, Secretary Supreme Court Bar Association Court of India is trying to sort out Bobde to get the technical prob- said that after deliberations, it was will sit on all the working days for infrastructures and availability General in the Ministry of Foreign (SCBA) as well as Supreme Court and solve. Therefore, it will be done lems solved at the earliest so that also decided that though there shall ‘mentioning matters' only. A deci- of staff of registry.” Affairs. P9 SCHOOLS, COLLEGES TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 2 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR REOPEN IN T’GANA Those who have quit TMC After nearly 11 months schools and joined BJP have done and colleges in Telangana so to secure the money reopened for physical classes they have accumulated Monday with all precautionary MAMATA BANERJEE | y measures in view of pandemic

national WEST BENGAL CHIEF MINISTER

k y m c

of the day uote IMA begins hunger strike over ‘mixopathy’ India expresses The Maharashtra PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Internationally, the IMA shall government apprise various associations from will examine if any deep concern over objectionable New Delhi, Feb 1: The IMA said different countries about this un- speeches were its members and modern medicine scientific notification. The global made at a recent doctors have started a relay hunger voice of modern medicine shall Elgar Parishad conclave in Pune and strike from Monday at over 50 places echo the feelings of the Indian coup in Myanmar will take action accordingly across the country in protest against Medical Association and its all a notification by the Central Council members, the statement said. The ANIL DESHMUKH | MAHARASHTRA HOME of Indian Medicine (CCIM) autho- IMA asked its Medical Students' MINISTER The country’s powerful military grabbed power in a rising post-graduate practitioners Network (MSN), Junior Doctors' of Ayurveda to perform general Network (JDN), IMA Women's' coup against the civilian govt and imposed a state surgical procedures. Wing, IMA Hospital Board, in-serv- of emergency after detaining Suu Kyi and other Those who've The Indian Medical Association ice doctors, medical colleges to par- completed (IMA) said the new procedure will ticipate in the strike, it said. leaders in the early hours Monday three terms as lead to "mixopathy". IMA national Further, the recent policy tilt as elected president, secretary general and PRESS TRUST OF INDIA tion in Myanmar," the MEA said. representatives and evidenced in the medical plural- FILE PHOTO relatives of a other IMA leaders will visit various ism advocated by the National "We believe that the rule of law politician, won't get places across the country to en- Education Policy 2020 and the four New Delhi, Feb 1: India Monday and the democratic process must the party's ticket to contest the hance the public safety movement, tion of gangrene, nasal and cataract as there is a clear threat to the committees of NITI Aayog for of- expressed deep concern over the be upheld. We are monitoring the upcoming local body and civic the doctors' body said in a surgeries, the statement said. "IMA safety of healthcare of people, it said. ficially integrating the systems of military coup in Myanmar and situation closely," it said in a state- elections statement. demands immediate withdrawal The IMA also said it will release medicine in medical education, detention of its top political lead- ment. The Myanmarese military The relay strike will continue till of the said impractical, unscien- awareness posters and banners practice, public health and ad- ers, and said the rule of law and staged the coup amid its rising CR PATIL | PARTY PRESIDENT OF February 14, it said. It said the women tific and unethical notification," it across the country. ministration as well as research the democratic process must be friction with the ruling NLD gov- THE GUJARAT UNIT doctors will lead the nationwide added. "All IMA members shall update ostensibly for a ‘One Nation - One upheld in the country. ernment over the results of the hunger strike February 7. All specialty associations across their Members of Parliament and System' policy will ring the death In its reaction to the fast-paced November 8 general election. The The IMA condemns the notifi- the country have joined the strike MLAs regarding the true picture of knell of all systems of medicine developments in Myanmar, the NLD had registered a thumping vic- All these cation by the CCIM, a statutory through Federation of Medical the notification and integration as a whole, the statement said. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) tory in the polls. However, the mil- leaders may body under the AYUSH Ministry, au- Associations under the aegis of policy,” the statement said. “The Doctors in Gujarat started a Relay said India is monitoring the situ- itary had alleged discrepancies have come thorising post-graduate practi- IMA. The Dental Association also IMA will also give its rationale rep- hunger strike Monday as part of a ation closely and that it has been in the electoral process. from anywhere, now tioners in specified streams of steadfast in supporting the dem- they have gelled has joined this national movement, resentations to all state govern- nationwide protest called by the According to media reports, an with the BJP Ayurveda to be trained to perform the statement said. ments. Under the Save People IMA against the Centre's decision ocratic transition in that country. announcer on Myanmar's mili- surgical procedures such as exci- The IMA will launch a massive Movement, all NGOs will be up- to allow Ayurvedic physicians to per- According to reports from tary-owned Myawaddy TV de- P MURALIDHAR RAO | sions of benign tumours, amputa- awareness drive across the country dated with the core issues," it added. form certain types of surgeries. Myanmar, the country's powerful clared on Monday morning that the POLITICIAN military grabbed power in a coup military had taken control of the against the civilian government country for one year. Myanmar's and imposed a state of emergency leader Suu Kyi and other senior fig- SHORT TAKES BACK ON TRACK after detaining Nobel laureate ures from the ruling party have Aung San Suu Kyi and other lead- been detained in an early morning ers of her National League for raid, the spokesman for the gov- 1 dead, 5 injured in Democracy (NLD) in the early erning National League for hours Monday. "We have noted the Democracy (NLD) was quoted as building collapse developments in Myanmar with saying in the media. The demo- Thane: At least one person deep concern. India has always cratic transition in Myanmar had was killed and five others been steadfast in its support to taken place in 2011 after decades were injured after a building the process of democratic transi- of military rule. collapsed in Bhiwandi town of Maharashtra's Thane district Monday morning, a civic official said. Search and rescue operations are still on at the site as it is suspected that some more Children use people may be trapped under the debris, he said. The single-storey building, where a godown of an online goods delivery firm is road as ‘slate’ located, collapsed around 10.30 am in Harihar Compound at Mankoli INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE Sanskrit, names of grains, flow- junction in Bhiwandi, Thane ers, fruits, and vegetables etc civic body's regional Betul (Madhya Pradesh), Feb while also collecting interest- disaster management 1: Generally, people use roads ing information about the coun- control cell chief Santosh to commute but a road in try and abroad, and important Kadam said. Madhya Pradesh's Betul dis- personalities. Commuters travel in a crowded train as authorities permitted all members of the general public to travel in local trains, after a gap of about 320 days owing trict has come in handy for Whatever the children learn to the coronavirus pandemic, in Thane PTI PHOTO local children who are using at home or in community Student killed this road as a giant slate or classes, they write it on the blackboard to learn counting, road just for fun which is ac- by BSF Southwest Monsoon tables and other subjects. tually improving their writing NON-SHARING OF UPI DATA WITH 3RD PARTIES The corona pandemic has skills. Apart from this, when- Agartala: A 24-year-old severely affected children as ever any child passes through student was allegedly killed in 2021 likely to be by some BSF jawans in a schools are closed and roaming this road the written stuff acts village in Tripura along the normal: Skymet outside is a not safe. To tackle as revision material for them. India-Bangladesh border over the situation people have moved The children are also liking SC seeks WhatsApp’s reply PRESS TRUST OF INDIA to community classes and 'learn this concept. Shailendra suspicion that he was a cattle smuggler, police said. A with fun' techniques. Biharia, a teacher, said "This senior police official said that PRESS TRUST OF INDIA New Delhi, Feb 1: After two years, A unique experiment has road was a hangout venue for Jasim Mia was killed by the the southwest monsoon in 2021 is taken place in Simori village of children, they used to ride bi- BSF troopers in the wee New Delhi, Feb 1: The Supreme likely to be normal, private weather Betul district. Children here cycles and play here for most of hours on Monday at Debipur Court Monday asked instant mes- forecaster Skymet Weather has are using a road as a giant slate. their spare time. In this situa- village under Belonia sub- saging app WhatsApp to file re- said on initial outlook for the rain- They assemble every evening tion, we have combined road division in southern Tripura. sponse on a plea seeking a direc- fall season. and practice basic maths along and education in a single wire." tion to the RBI and the NPCI to The southwest monsoon was with playing. Mamata Gohar, member of a ensure that data collected on above-normal in 2019 and 2020. La Children adopt various prac- local NGO, said "We are pro- Six labourers Unified Payments Interface (UPI) Nina, which is associated with tices to learn like writing, count- viding white and coloured platforms is not shared with their the cooling of Pacific waters, was ing, tables, month and day chalks to children free of cost. killed in mishap parent company or any other third one of the important elements in- names, English, nouns, im- This new concept has become Chandigarh: Six labourers party under any circumstances. fluencing the Indian monsoon. portant days, counting in quite popular in the area." were killed and as many A bench of Chief Justice S A tice has been issued to it in the poses that the petition be tagged "There is sufficient cooling in the injured when their vehicle Bobde and Justices A S Bopanna plea for impleadment in the mat- with a similar plea pending in Pacific Ocean now and La Niña collided head-on with a and V Ramasubramanian said if ter. Senior advocate V Giri, ap- the top court and asked the Centre conditions are at peak. The Sea truck near village WhatsApp does not file its reply, pearing for Reserve Bank of India, to file an affidavit on the issue of Surface Temperatures (SSTs) are Giddarpindi in Punjab's then the averment made in the informed the top court that they spyware. Venugopal said that till likely to rise soon and the proba- Jalandhar district Monday, writ petition filed by petitioner have filed their reply in the mat- date Facebook and WhatsApp bility of continued La Niña will police said. The labourers Rajya Sabha MP Binoy Viswam ter. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, also have not filed a counter-affidavit fall," the Skymet Weather said. were coming from Makhu will be taken as accepted. appearing for WhatsApp, said in the matter, despite the peti- This will reduce to about 50 per cent side in Ferozepur district Several interlocutory applica- 'WhatsApp Pay' has received all tion being pending for months when the monsoon arrives, it and going to Lohian in tions have been filed in the plea necessary permission. and they should also be asked to noted. "This could be one of the Jalandhar district when the which also seek direction for fram- Senior advocate Krishna file counter-affidavit. normal monsoon years making a accident took place, said the ing regulation to ensure that data Venugopal, appearing for the pe- At the fag end of the hearing, the sound start and ending within the police. While two labourers collected on UPI platforms is not titioner, said the last time the court CJI told the counsels for WhatsApp upper half of normal range. The died on the spot, four “exploited” or used in any manner asked the company if Israeli syp- that pleas challenging its new pri- range of normal rainfall is 96-104 succumbed other than for processing pay- ware Pegasus has breached their vacy policy are pending before the per cent of LPA (880.6 mm). Initial to their injuries in Zira civil ments. Senior advocate Arvind system, it stated that the issue was Supreme Court and posted the readings are indicative of some risk hospital in Ferozepur, said a police official of Lohian Dattar, appearing for WhatsApp not pleaded in the petition, which matter for further hearing after attached to few pockets," the police station in Jalandhar. India, said however no formal no- is wrong. The bench said that it pro- four weeks. Skymet Weather said. The injured have been admitted to the hospital, said the police. Treat homeless people with humanity: Indore official to staff Policeman killed PRESS TRUST OF INDIA bilitation and health checkup of elderly people and beggars living on Sunday said he has apologised Tuticorin (TN): A police Sub- beggars here, they said. on footpaths in the city. Indore is to God for the local administra- Inspector in this district Indore, Feb 1: After facing flak for Indore Divisional Commissioner among 10 cities of the country se- tion's action. Earlier, Madhya died early Monday after a dumping homeless people outside (Revenue) and IMC’s administra- lected for the drive of rehabilitat- Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj man he had pulled up for Indore amid the biting cold, the tor Pawan Sharma said he has di- ing beggars under the Centre's so- Singh Chouhan on Friday sus- causing nuisance in an local administration has got into rected officials concerned to re- cial justice department, he said. pended an IMC official in connec- inebriated condition damage control by providing food habilitate beggars and homeless As part of the campaign, people tion with the incident. allegedly rammed and shelter to such people, and has elderly people with “sensitivity surviving on begging are being The civic body has also removed the victim's two-wheeler asked officials to treat them with and humanity”. There are already identified, and they will be pro- two temporary employees from y using a load van, police ‘sensitivity and humanity’. 10 facilities in the city for provid- vided employment to bring them the job. The incident has taken

said. Chief Minister K Food and bonfires are now being ing night shelter to those from de- into the mainstream, he said. On place at a time when the adminis-

k y m c Palaniswami, condoling the arranged in facilities where home- prived sections, Additional Friday, a video on social media tration of Indore, which has won death of sub-inspector Balu REPRESENTATIVE IMAGE less people are provided shelter at Municipal CommissionerAbhay showed municipal workersdump- the country’s cleanest city tag four of Eral police station, night, Indore Municipal Rajangaonkar told PTI. announced a relief of Rs 50 provided food under the state gov- in these facilities, he said. ing some homeless elderly persons times in a row, is making all ef- lakh to his family while the Corporation (IMC) officials said “In view of the severe cold ernment's Deendayal Rasoi Yojana,” Another civic official said they outside the city, drawing sharp forts to keep the city neat and tidy accused person surrendered Monday. Besides, a campaign has weather at present, the homeless he said. Bonfires have also been have started a week- long cam- criticism from various quarters. to win the ‘Swachh Sarvekshan before a local court. also been launched for the reha- elderly people are now also being arranged for those taking shelter paign for the health checkup of District Magistrate Manish Singh 2021’. I am deeply concerned PRINCE HARRY RECEIVES APOLOGY P10 by the Pakistani TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 2 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR Supreme Court’s decision to Britain’s Prince Harry has won an acquit those involved in Daniel apology and substantial damages Pearl’s kidnapping and murder. from the publishers of the Mail after We are committed to securing he sued the tabloid for libel over justice for the Pearl family and claims he had turned his back on the holding terrorists accountable international military when he ended his royal role.

ANTONY BLINKEN US SECRETARY OF STATE

k y m | c of the day uote US cops pepper-spray Myanmar military seizes power, detains Suu Kyi 9-year-old Black girl When you’re AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE French, you have THE DETENTIONS CAME AFTER DAYS OF ESCALATING TENSION BETWEEN THE CIVILIAN GOVERNMENT AND THE MILITARY New York, Feb 1: A nine-year-old everything you need to succeed IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE ELECTION, WHICH ACCORDING TO THE ARMY WAS FRAUDULENT Black girl was handcuffed and providing you dare pepper-sprayed by police in the to try REUTERS racity of the statement. LONG UNDER MILITARY RULE US city of Rochester, footage re- Supporters of the military cele- leased Sunday showed, sparking EMMANUEL MACRON | FRENCH PRESIDENT Naypyitaw (Myanmar), Feb 1: brated the coup, parading through Jan 4, 1948: Country then known as 2012: Suu Kyi wins a by-election and new outrage over excesses com- Myanmar’s military seized power Yangon in pickup trucks and wav- Burma gains independence from takes her seat in Parliament, holding mitted by the country’s law Monday in a coup against the dem- ing national flags. “Today is the day British colonial rule. public office for the first time. enforcement. The existing ocratically elected government of that people are happy,” one nation- 1962: Military leader Ne Win stages a Nov 8, 2015: The NLD wins a sweeping Deputy Police Chief Andre opposition Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, alist monk told a crowd in a video Anderson said Sunday the girl -- parties have coup and rules the country through a victory in general elections that were who was detained along with other published on Facebook. But democ- who has not been named -- had failed to achieve the junta for many years. the first openly held since 1990. confidence and trust leaders of her National League for racy activists and NLD voters were been suffering from a serious men- 1988: Aung San Suu Kyi, daughter of Aug 25, 2017: Insurgents attack of the people due to Democracy (NLD) party in early horrified and angry. “Our country tal health emergency, reportedly an independence hero, returns to her military outposts in Rakhine, killing lack of leadership. morning raids. was a bird that was just learning to threatening to take her own life and home country as pro-democracy dozens. The military responds with a But there is no doubt that powerful The army said it had carried out fly. Now the army broke our wings,” that of her mother. protests are erupting against junta. massive crackdown on the Rohingya opposition is a must for democracy the detentions in response to “elec- student activist Si Thu Tun said. Officers called to the scene population, who begin fleeing by tion fraud”, handing power to mil- “The NLD is the government we July 1989: An increasingly outspoken Friday responded by handcuffing SHEIKH HASINA | BANGLADESH PRIME hundreds of thousands into itary chief Min Aung voted for. If they’re unhappy with critic of the junta, Suu Kyi is put under her, before trying to force her into MINISTER I Bangladesh. Hlaing and imposing a urge people not the result, they can call another house arrest. a car and pepper-spraying her state of emergency for and other NLD election. A coup isn’t acceptable,” Dec 11, 2019: Suu Kyi defended the when she resisted, body cam videos to accept this, to one year, according leaders were said a woman, who declined to be May 27, 1990: The National League for military in a case at the International released by the city's police force I have only to a statement on a respond and “taken” in the identified, whose husband works for Democracy, founded by Suu Kyi, wins Court of Justice in The Hague, denying showed. Footage of police vio- a landslide victory in elections, but the limited military-owned tele- wholeheartedly to protest early hours of the military. Senior NLD leader it had committed genocide. lence against African-Americans, tolerance for a military refuses to hand over power. vision station. against the coup by the the morning, Win Htein said in a Facebook post including the May killing of George Republican Party Nov 8, 2020: Myanmar holds elections, Suu Kyi’s party pub- military the army chief ’s takeover demon- Oct 1991: Suu Kyi is awarded the Nobel Floyd, sparked a summer of that wrings its NLD spokesman with the NLD capturing an outright AUNG SAN SUU KYI Peace Prize for her peaceful struggle hands and talks lished comments on Myo Nyunt told strated his ambition rather than majority in Parliament. protests across the US against against the regime. about unity and Facebook that it said had Reuters by phone. concern for the country. Health racial injustice and police bru- Jan 29, 2021: Myanmar’s election com- moving forward. We had an been written in anticipation of a Reuters was subse- Minister Myint Htwe referred in a tality last year. Rochester police Nov 7, 2010: A pro-junta party wins mission rejects the military's allega- insurrection where the leader of coup, quoting her as saying people quently unable to contact him. post to the “evolving situation” and Saturday claimed they were ‘re- Myanmar's first elections in 20 years, tions of fraud in the elections, finding their party incited that insurrection should protest against the military A video posted to Facebook by one said he was stepping down. He quired’ to use handcuffs and the a vote that was boycotted as unfair no evidence to support the claims. and many of them continue to takeover. The coup derails years of MP appeared to show the arrest of urged colleagues to serve the peo- and rigged in its favour. irritant against the girl for her support him Western-backed efforts to establish another, regional lawmaker Pa Pa ple, especially with regard to the Feb 1, 2021: Military takes control of own safety. democracy in Myanmar, also known Han. In the video, her husband coronavirus and vaccinations. In the Nov 13, 2010: Suu Kyi is freed from PRAMILA JAYAPAL | US REPRESENTATIVE the country for one year, citing the as Burma, where neighbouring pleads with men in military garb capital, security forces confined detention after spending long periods government’s failure to act against its China also has a powerful influ- standing outside the gate. members of parliament to resi- of two decades under house arrest. claims of voter fraud. ence. The generals made their move dential compounds on the day they Trump announces SHORT TAKES hours before parliament had been BROKEN WINGS had expected to take up their seats, It gave no timeframe for an elec- of State Antony Blinken said, while due to sit for the first time since the The pre-written statement up- representative Sai Lynn Myat said. tion but the military had already said the U.S. embassy in Yangon issued new legal team NLD’s landslide win in a Nov. 8 gen- loaded on an NLD Facebook page the state of emergency would last an alert warning U.S. citizens of Russia fines eral election viewed as a referendum quoted Suu Kyi as saying such army ‘POTENTIAL FOR UNREST’ a year. The United Nations led con- the “potential for civil and political AGENCIES on Suu Kyi’s fledgling democratic actions would put Myanmar “back The military, summarising a demnation of the coup and calls unrest”. In Japan, a major aid donor Navalny’s wife rule. Phone and internet connections under a dictatorship”. meeting of the new junta, said Min for the release of detainees and with scores of businesses in Washington, Feb 1: After the de- Moscow: A Russian court in the capital, Naypyitaw, and the “I urge people not to accept this, Aung Hlaing had pledged to prac- restoration of democracy in com- Myanmar, a ruling party source parture of the lead attorney and Monday fined Yulia Navalnaya, main commercial centre of Yangon to respond and wholeheartedly to tice a “genuine discipline-flour- ments largely mirrored by Australia, said the government may have to re- four other lawyers, former US the wife of jailed Kremlin critic were disrupted and state television protest against the coup by the mil- ishing multiparty democratic sys- Britain, the European Union, India, think the strengthening of defence President Donald Trump has an- Alexei Navalny, 20,000 roubles went off air after the NLD leaders itary,” it quoted her as saying. tem” and promised a free and fair Japan and the United States. relations with the country under- nounced a new legal team for his ($265) for taking part in were detained. Reuters was unable to reach any election and a handover of power “The military must reverse these gone as part of regional efforts to Senate impeachment trial slated unsanctioned protests on Suu Kyi, President Win Myint NLD officials to confirm the ve- to the winning party. actions immediately,” U.S. Secretary counterbalance China. to begin February 8. Sunday, the court said. Riot In a statement issued Sunday, police broke up protests Trump said the new team will be across Russia on Sunday in headed by lawyers David Schoen support of Navalny, detaining Thousands flee HK for UK, FOR A CAUSE and Bruce L. Castor Jr., The Hill more than 5,300 people who news website reported. had braved the bitter cold and Trump's announcement came the threat of prosecution to fearing China crackdown a day after the Politico news out- demand he be set free. let said in a report on Saturday that Butch Bowers, a South Carolina ASSOCIATED PRESS already arrived on British soil to lawyer who was to lead Trump's Pak receives first get a head start. Britain’s gov- trial and "reportedly set to play a batch of vax Hong Kong, Feb 1: Thousands of ernment said some 7,000 people major role", left Trump's legal Hong Kongers have already made with British National Overseas team. The news report added that Islamabad: Pakistan Monday the sometimes painful decision to passports — a travel document that another laywer Deborah Barbier received the first batch of leave behind their hometown and Hong Kongers could apply for be- was also no longer with the team. 500,000 doses of the move to Britain since Beijing im- fore the city was handed over to coronavirus vaccine donated posed a strict national security law Chinese control in 1997 — have ar- by its closest ally, China, as on the Chinese territory last sum- rived since July on the previously Kushner nominated the country gears up to kick mer. Their numbers are expected to allowed six month visa. start its immunisation drive swell to the hundreds of thousands. It estimates that over 300,000 peo- for Nobel Peace later this week. The vaccines Some are leaving because they fear ple will take up the offer of extended were flown in from China on punishment for supporting the pro- residency rights in the next five REUTERS a special plane of the democracy protests that swept the years. “Before the announcement of Pakistan Air Force. The former British colony in 2019. Others the BN(O) visa in July, we didn’t Washington, Feb 1: Former White consignment was formally handed over to Foreign say China’s encroachment on their have many enquiries about UK House senior adviser Jared Minister Shah Mahmood way of life and civil liberties has be- Immigration, maybe less than 10 a Kushner and his deputy, Avi Qureshi by Chinese come unbearable, and they want month,” said Andrew Lo, founder of Berkowitz, were nominated Sunday Ambassador to Pakistan to seek a better future for their chil- Anlex Immigration Consultants in A participant shows a peace sign as he is detained by law enforcement officers during a rally in support of jailed for the Nobel Peace Prize for their Nong Rong at Nur Khan Air dren abroad. Most say they don't Hong Kong. “Now we receive about Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Moscow, Russia, Monday. REUTERS role in negotiating four normal- Base in Rawalpindi. plan to ever go back. 10 to 15 calls a day asking about it.” ization deals between Israel and The moves are expected to ac- Mike, a photojournalist, said he Arab nations known as the celerate now that 5 million Hong plans to apply for the visa and move “Abraham Accords.” Wine disputes Kongers are eligible to apply for to Leeds with his wife and young Nominating the pair of former visas to Britain, allowing them to daughter in April.His motivation Pak SC rejects plea to suspend deputies to then-President Donald president’s win live, work and study there and even- to leave came after the city's polit- Trump was American attorney Alan tually apply to become British cit- ical situation deteriorated follow- Dershowitz, who was eligible to do Kampala (Uganda): izens. Applications for the British ing the anti-government protests so in his capacity as a professor Ugandan presidential National Overseas visa officially and he realised the city's police release of Pearl murder accused emeritus of Harvard Law School. challenger Bobi Wine opened Sunday, though many have was not politically neutral. Kushner, who is Trump's son-in-law, Monday launched a court case seeking to overturn the AGENCIES interim detention order of main ac- acquittal by the Sindh High Court. and Berkowitz, who was the Middle re-election of President cused Sheikh and his aides - Fahad The judgement was denounced by East envoy, were key figures in ne- Yoweri Museveni, who has Islamabad, Feb 1: The Pakistan Naseem, Sheikh Adil and Salman Pearl's family as "a complete travesty gotiating deals between Israel and the been in power for 35 years. Supreme Court Monday rejected Saqib- by one day to hear the gov- of justice". The Sindh government United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Wine, whose real name is the government’s request to sus- ernment's position on the case. During Friday filed a review petition in the Sudan and Morocco. The deals were Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, had pend the order to release British- the hearing Monday, the Attorney apex court against the acquittal of announced in a four-month span suggested he did not want born al-Qaeda terrorist Ahmed General of Pakistan requested the Sheikh and his three accomplices. between mid-August and mid- to legitimize Museveni's Omar Saeed Sheikh and his three Supreme Court to suspend the de- Amid mounting pressure from US December and were the most sig- victory in last month's polls aides in the brutal murder of cision to release the accused so that and UN, a spokesman of Attorney nificant diplomatic breakthroughs by seeking justice with a American journalist Daniel Pearl, he could argue the case in detail. General announced the federal gov- in the Middle East in 25 years as the court that has been days after it announced to formally The apex court rejected the request, ernment will file an application region girds for a prolonged con- reluctant to rule against the join the review proceedings against according to The Express Tribune. before the apex court to be allowed frontation with Iran. Kushner said president in past elections. the acquittal of the accused amid The Supreme Court Thursday to join as a party in the proceedings in a statement he was honored to be The Supreme Court ruled mounting international pressure. ordered the release of the accused and further seek review and recall nominated for the prize, which will three times that electoral The court, however, extended the by dismissing appeals against their of the court's January 28 verdict. be awarded in October. irregularities were not substantial enough to affect the outcome.

Jihadist siege of As Google eyes Oz exit, Microsoft talks Bing with Morrison Somalia hotel ends Australia has introduced laws that would force Google and Facebook Inc to negotiate payments to domestic media outlets whose content links drive traffic to their platforms Mogadishu: At least five people have died in the attack REUTERS called the laws unworkable and ical world,” Morrison added. A quested a meeting over the law, and on a Mogadishu hotel by said last month they would withdraw Microsoft spokeswoman confirmed that they had talked, but that he Somalia's al-Shabab rebels Sydney, Feb 1: Software giant key services from Australia if the the discussion took place but de- would not back down on the change. that was ended early Monday Microsoft Corp is confident its regulations went ahead. Those serv- clined to comment, because the com- At a Senate hearing into the laws, by security forces, according search product Bing can fill the gap ices include Google's search engine, pany was not directly involved in the Department of Treasury deputy to the Somali police force. in Australia if Google pulls its which has 94 per cent of the coun- laws. “We recognise the importance secretary of markets Meghan Quinn The siege of the Afrik hotel search over required payments to try’s search market, according to in- of a vibrant media sector and pub- said the Australian government ended after a gun battle that media outlets, Prime Minister Scott dustry data. lic interest journalism in a democ- would have limited ability to in- lasted for more than eight Morrison said Monday. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has racy and we recognise the chal- tervene if Google's departure hurt hours, and all four rebel Australia has introduced laws since spoken with Morrison about attackers were killed, Somali lenges the media sector has faced businesses which rely on its search

that would force internet giant the new rules, the tech company over many years through changing function. “The (media bargaining)

k y m police spokesman Sadiq Adan c Ali said. The rebels exploded Google and social media heavy- told Reuters, and Monday, Morrison business models and consumer pref- code doesn't prevent the wholesale hand grenades and rocket- weight Facebook Inc to negotiate pay- said the software company was erences,” the spokeswoman said. withdrawal of services, and there's propelled grenades in their ments to domestic media outlets ready to grow the presence of its Google declined to comment. difficulty in any of the legislative attempt to repulse the police whose content links drive traffic search tool Bing, the distant No. 2 Satya,” Morrison told reporters in “We just want the rules in the A day earlier, Australian treasurer mechanisms we've got for someone forces who were closing in on to their platforms. player. “I can tell you, Microsoft’s Canberra, without giving further de- digital world to be the same that Josh Frydenberg said Facebook to (be forced to) provide a service,” them, he said. However, the Big Tech firms have pretty confident, when I spoke to tail of the conversation. exist in the real world, in the phys- CEO Mark Zuckerberg had re- Quinn said. P11 ‘LACK OF SUPPORT TO TOURISM SECTOR DISAPPOINTING’ TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 2 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR The lack of immediate support in the Budget has disappointed the tourism and hospitality sector, though measures to strengthen infrastructure may help the beleaguered segment, the industry players said Monday. The tourism, travel and hospitality industry was looking for immediate and short-term measures for critical revival. This has not

business happened in the budget announcements, they added.

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The focus on growth MSME sector: Proposal on ‘Budget reformist, will drive over fiscal cards to double allocation consolidation and steps to further economic revival post Covid’ help the startup AGENCIES of unprecedented economic stress, Ficci President Uday the government's responsibility Shankar said the budget is a ecosystem came The government has proposed to double the New Delhi, Feb 1: India Inc was to spend enough to revive clear-headed and growth-ori- allocation for micro, small and medium Monday hailed Finance Minister the economy or else face enor- ented one that lays a strong in for praise enterprises (MSME) sector, and set aside Nirmala Sitharaman’s Budget mous human suffering. foundation for an Aatmanirbhar `15,700 crore for the financial year starting for 2021-22 as a reformist one "So I had one expectation from Bharat. "The fact that gov- April 1. Finance Minister Nirmala that reimagines India's self-re- this budget: that we should be ernment chose growth over from industry Sitharaman made the announcement while liance like never before and will very liberal in terms of the tar- fiscal consolidation is presenting the Budget 2021-22 in drive revival of the economy geted fiscal deficit. Box ticked," indeed heartening. Parliament. "We have taken a number of from the impact of the pandemic Mahindra tweeted. There is a sharp leaders across steps to support the MSME sector. In this with enhanced spending. Lauding the finance minister focus on capital Budget, I have provided `15,700 crore to this The focus on growth over fis- for the focus on healthcare spend- expenditure," different sector, more than double of this year's BE cal consolidation and steps to ing and immunization especially he said. (budget estimate)," she said. further help the startup ecosys- for COVID-19 and the pneumo- sectors tem came in for praise from in- coccal vaccines, Serum Institute dustry leaders across different of India CEO Adar Poonawalla ‘Budget is a progressive and sectors. said this will help India recover "Coming in the backdrop of a rapidly from this pandemic. comprehensive document’ global pandemic of the century, "Hopefully, this will also en- it boldly spells the government's courage more innovation growth agenda and a march to- and expansion in the sec- wards building a new and pros- tor," he added. perous India. The budget clearly Bringing in the crick- has the stamp of our Prime eting angle, RPG Minister with a clarion call for Enterprises Chairman 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas' and Harsh Goenka 'Vocal for Local'," Founder and tweeted,"Combination Chairman of Bharti Enterprises of Pujara & Pant in- Sunil Bharti Mittal said. The nings - consistency and first budget of this new decade flamboyance! Steady focus reimagines India in the form of on infra, commercial laws, ease The Confederation of All India Traders Aatmanirbhar Bharat like never of business with big shots of (CAIT) has termed the Union Budget 2021 as before, he added. monetising PSU assets, new di- a "progressive and comprehensive Echoing similar views, Vedanta vestments, insurance FDI. India document". "The Union Budget is a Resources Executive Chairman won in Australia. Now India shall progressive and comprehensive document Anil Agarwal tweeted, rise above in new world order". Exemption from audit Relief for small trusts Iron and steel that ensures the structured development of "Congratulations to @naren- every sector of the economy. It also brings Congratulating Sitharaman urrently, if your turnover exceeds mall charitable trusts running educational SMEs and other user industries dramodi and FM @nsitharaman for presenting a "pathbreaking, relief to senior citizens from the burden of `1 crore, you have to get your accounts institutions and hospitals and whose annual have been severely hit by a paying taxes. Also, developing the health for a very reformist #Budget2021 inclusive budget in these un- C S M audited. In the previous Budget, the Centre receipt does not exceed `5 crore can avail blanket recent sharp rise in iron and steel sector and strengthening its services are its with many big ideas including precedented times", Hinduja had increased the limit for tax audit to `5 exemption. Presently, there is a blanket exemption prices. Thus, the government has specialty," the CAIT said. strategic disinvestment of two Group co-Chairman Gopichand crore for those who carry out 95% of their to small charitable trusts, whose annual receipt reduced the customs duty uniformly public sector banks & one in- Hinduja said,"The high fiscal transactions digitally. To further incentivise does not exceed `1 crore. However, in the to 7.5% on semis, flat, and long prod- surance company. Thrust on in- deficit would be a worry for many, digital transactions, the Centre has increased Budget 2021-22 it has been proposed to increase ucts of non-alloy, alloy, and stainless `14,200 cr allocated frastructure will boost growth." however, these uncertain times this limit for tax audit for such persons from the amount to `5 crore. steels. To provide relief to metal re- Mahindra Group Chairman call for high government spend- `5 crore to `10 crore. cyclers, mostly MSMEs, duty on steel to boost telecom infra Anand Mahindra said in a time ing". scrap has been exempted for a peri- Incentives for startups od up to March 31, 2022. n order to incentivise start-ups in the coun- Customs duty Itry, the Centre has extended the eligibili- ty for claiming tax holiday for start-ups on cotton Railways allocated by one more year, till March 31, 2022. imposed Further, the capital gains exemp- tion for investment in start-ups he Union government is ` extended for another year. T going to impose 10% ‘record’ 1.10L cr customs duty on cotton whereas the duty on raw The government Monday allocated `14,200 silk and silk yarn has been crore for telecom infrastructure that entails Duty on solar increased from 10% to completion of optical fibre cable-based 15%. It has also with- network for Defence services, rolling out lanterns hiked drawn end-use based broadband in 2.2 lakh panchayats and concession on denatured o encourage domestic improving mobile services in the North East. ethyl alcohol. Currently, ` production, duty on solar BUDGET The government had approved 24,664 crore T rates are being uniformly invertors has been increased for an advanced communications network calibrated to 15% on for defence services in lieu of their vacating from 5% to 20%, while duty items like maize bran, on solar lanterns has been TID BITS spectrum for mobile telephony in May 2018. rice bran oil cake, and hiked from 5% to 15%. The project was to be completed within 24 AGENCIES try during the coronavirus animal feed additives. months. lockdown. New Delhi, Feb 1: The railways "I am announcing a record has been allocated a “record” sum of `1,10,055 crore for rail- `1.10 lakh crore in Budget 2021 ways of which `1,07,100 crore of which `1.07 lakh crore ac- is for capital expenditure only," Tata Power bags LoI from OERC ‘Only 4% rural households have counts for capital expenditure, she said. Finance Minister Nirmala Railway Board Chairman Sitharaman said Monday. and CEO Suneet Sharma on POST NEWS NETWORK distribution utility of Odisha, Tata While the allocation in 2021- Monday described the Union Power shall now have privilege to piped water supply in Odisha’ 22 has been termed as a "record" Budget 2021-22 as a "transfor- Bhubaneswar, Feb 1: Tata Power, serve entire population of State of for the national transporter, mational" budget for the na- India’s largest integrated power util- Odisha with nearly 9 million con- POST NEWS NETWORK stated in its report that the state’s it had a slightly higher allo- tional transporter and said the ity, Monday announced that it has re- sumers shall now experience uniform health care sector is facing severe cation of `1.11 lakh crore in budget has focus on deliver- ceived the Letter of Intent (LOI) from processes and synergies in operations New Delhi, Feb 1: Only 4 per cent shortage of healthcare profes- the revised budget of 2020-21. ance. the Odisha Electricity Regulatory across the State. This expansion shall rural households, which is less sionals with 1,276 vacancies (83.5 The national carrier will "This budget is a different Commission (OERC) for the distri- enhance Tata Power consumer base to than one-fourth of the all India per cent shortfall) of specialists monetize the upcoming budget altogether. It is a trans- bution and retail supply of electricity nearly12 million from the present base coverage of 18.3 per cent, have in CHCs against the sanctioned Dedicated Freight Corridor formational budget, it is a fu- in Odisha’s five circles of NESCO con- of 9.6 million across Mumbai, New piped water supply in Odisha, re- strength of1,529 and409 vacan- (DFC) assets for operations ture ready budget for railway, stituting the areas of Balasore, Delhi, Ajmer, Central, Southern and veals the final report cies (30.8 per cent shortfall) of doc- and maintenance after com- it is path breaking budget," Bhadrak, Baripada, Jajpur and Western parts of Odisha. of15thFinance Commission for tors in PHCs against the sanc- missioning and the Indian Sharma said addressing a press Keonjhar. CEO and MD of Tata Power Praveer fiscal year 2021-22 to 2025-26, mended that the state needs to ex- tioned strength of 1,326. Railways will have a National conference here. As per conditions of Bid Sinha said, “We are thankful to the tabled in Parliament Monday. pedite the development of the The commission recommended Rail Plan to create a ‘future He said the focus of this Documentation Tata Power will hold Odisha Government and Odisha The commission recom- ports to provide impetus to in- that for a sustainable solution, ready’ Railway system by 2030, budget is on deliverance, com- 51 percent equity with management Electricity Regulatory Commission mended that Odisha needs to in- dustrialisation and economic Odisha may explore Sitharaman said. mitment to delivery, time sched- control and the State-owned GRIDCO for giving us this opportunity and vest into cost-effective and in- growth. Currently, Odisha has Maharashtra’s model of recog- Presenting the Union Budget ule, focus on customers, focus will have the remaining 49% equity reaffirming Tata Power’s commit- novative approaches such a only three ports, Paradip, nising diplomas from the College 2021-22, Sitharaman also ap- on technology, induction to stake in the company. ment of ‘Lighting up Lives’ for the rain-water harvesting and end- Dhamara and Gopalpur. Paradip of Physicians and Surgeons as ad- plauded the services provided provide better services to cus- With the inclusion of additional people of Odisha.” to-end value chain management is a major port while Dhamara equate for converting MBBS doc- by the Railways to transport es- tomers, better passenger and of drinking water. and Gopalpur are minor port. tors to specialists who may then sential goods across the coun- freight services. WHO SAID WHAT The commission also recom- The Finance Commission serve in remote and tribal areas.

The Budget 2021-22 FADA is happy to note that It is encouraging to Setting up of a The union government Extension of tax The steps taken by the The central government This is a Budget for a is a highly growth- THE Finance Minister note that the FM Development Finance tried to reduce the raw holiday for affordable Finance Minister will has been emphasizing Healthy India with a oriented budget. It finally has announced the favoured a major Institution to fund long materials cost like housing projects improve productivity in importance on young strong infrastructure and has given emphasis much awaited Scrappage expansion in gestation projects, and an ` iron, steel, aluminium for another year till infrastructure, result in entrepreneurs. We really industry. 64,180 cr would on infrastructure, Policy, though voluntary to government spending. asset reconstruction-cum- cupper etc. March 31, 2022 and housing for the poor, appreciate that it has be spent on healthcare health and education phase out old vehicles. If The 34.5% rise asset management Infrastructure and deduction on help in producing allowed one more year over 6 years with sector. The Budget's we take 1990 as base year, budgeted in the cap-ex company to deal with ` rural development was payment of interest cheaper electricity, of tax free business for additional 35,000 crore on allocation of `35,000 there are approximately 37 spending for FY22 stressed assets are also focused which to buyers also has stimulate the growth the start-ups. covid vaccines in FY 2021- crore towards lakh CVs and 52 lakh PVs mainly targeted welcome steps. Limiting means increase in been extended for of MSMEs and start- Incremental budget in 22. ICC compliments for

vaccination will eligible for voluntarily towards major reopening of assessments specific supports to jobs. As far as MSME is one more year, ups and create

k y m infrastructure will create c strengthen India's scrappage. As an estimate, infrastructure and providing for a faceless concerned there is no will boost overall massive job more job opportunities textile, housing, fishing, fight against COVID, 10% of CV and 5% of PV expansion initiatives ITAT will encourage the tea, agriculture, energy such extra budget that demand for opportunities. are laudable for youngsters may still be plying on road honest taxpayer. VIKASH AGARWAL I PRESIDENT, is provided affordable housing SANJEEV KUMAR MOHANTY GAURAV CHAWLA I CHAIR, YI ANIL AGARWAL VINKESH GULATI CHANDRAJIT BANERJEE SUBHRAKANT PANDA INDIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE GAURI SHANKAR DASH SWADESH KUMAR ROUTRAY I JOINT DIRECTOR, FICCI (BHUBANESWAR CHAPTER) I CHAIRMAN, VEDANTA I PRESIDENT, FADA I DIRECTOR GENERAL, CII I MANAGING DIRECTOR, IMFA I CHAIRMAN, OASME I PRESIDENT, CREDAI ODISHA P12

TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 2 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR sports

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k k y y m m c MESSI SHOWS HIS WORTH c Argentine scores 650th goal in his Barcelona career during the Catalan giants’ 2-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao Leo, Barca furious over contract-leak

AGENCIES the press about Messi was done maliciously. Barcelona, Feb 1: Barcelona “We have to try to know how have stated their fury after Lionel this could have come out in the Messi’s contract leaked in the press. We have to concentrate on Spanish press and threat- our season. The team’s been fine ened legal action against lately. We won a lot of games. We ‘El Mundo’ after the news- don’t have to focus on this issue, paper published details. but there are people who want However, more details to hurt Barca and Leo. were brought to light via “Messi has been demonstrating the Madrid daily Monday, his quality as a footballer for despite the declaration years, has helped a lot to make this from the Catalan giants. club great and has helped a lot to Barcelona find them- win titles.” selves in financial turmoil El Mundo’s initial report on with debts of over 1bn Messi’s contract – ‘a sum equiv- pound, despite boasting the alent to the aid approved by the highest revenues in Latvian government against European football, over COVID-19 for the next five years’ 200million pound of which – labelled it ‘the pharaonic con- must be repaid to banks by If you breakdown those num- tract that ruins Barcelona’. June 30. bers, the Argentine forward Equally as damning, they de- A copy of the 33-year- rakes in a reported 138,000,000 clare it a contract that ‘shows old’s enormous contract euro per season and, if those the servitude of former presi- at the Catalan club has numbers are indeed correct, it dent (Josep Maria) Bartomeu Antoine Griezmann looks on after scoring the winner against Athletic Bilbao, Sunday been obtained by would confirm Messi is in pos- before the star’ and which has Spanish publication session of the biggest deal in helped to take the club ‘from ASSOCIATED PRESS the scoring in the 20th minute with ‘El Mundo’, who sports history. glory to ruin’. a free kick shot that curled over the claims the six-time Los Cules have duly threat- Koeman added: “I don’t un- Madrid, Feb 1: Lionel Messi showed wall and found the top corner for his Ballon d’Or winner ened to take ‘appropriate legal derstand why they say he’s ruined his worth yet again, scoring on a 12th league goal. earns a maximum of action’, having confirmed the ve- Barca. He’s spent years and years beautiful free kick to lead Barcelona Athletic equalised with an own- 555,237,619 euro over racity of the document in ques- showing his quality as a foot- to a 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao in goal by Jordi Alba as the defender four seasons if a series tion. baller. We must highlight what he’s the Spanish league. tried to clear a cross by Raul Garcia of conditions are met. They stated: “FC Barcelona done for this club. He’s helped The 650th goal in his Barcelona ca- in the 49th, and Griezmann put On top of that, Messi’s four- categorically denies any re- make this club great and we have reer came amid the noise prompted Barcelona ahead again, completing year deal at the Camp Nou in- sponsibility for the publication to stop with all this contract non- by Spanish newspaper El Mundo’s a cross by Oscar Mingueza in the 75th. cluded a signing-on bonus of of this document.” They added: sense.” report that his contract is worth 555 It was the third meeting between 115,225,000 euro for accepting the “FC Barcelona expresses its ab- Messi has also threatened to million euros (USD 673 million). Barcelona and Athletic this month, initial renewal, and a massive solute support for Lionel Messi, take legal action also while he The Catalan club, mired in debt and with the Catalan club winning a over Cadiz to help Diego Simeone’s loyalty bonus of 77,929,955 euro. especially in the face of any at- has been defended by La Liga political turmoil, had to quickly postponed league game and losing team open a huge lead at the top. That means with just five tempt to discredit his image, president Javier Tebas on social deny its involvement in the leak. the Spanish Super Cup final. Suarez scored a goal in each half months left on the deal agreed and to damage his relationship media. Antoine Griezmann also scored for Athletic was trying to win its to reach 14 league goals this season, between club and player in with the entity where he has One man who has denied any- Barcelona, which won its fifth in a sixth consecutive match in all com- marking his best-ever league start well-placed curl- November 2017, the player has worked to become the best thing to do with the leaking of row in the league and moved into sec- petitions. The loss was only its sec- in Spain and becoming the league’s ing free kick in already earned 511,540,545 player in the world and in foot- Messi’s deal is ex-president ond place for the first time this sea- ond since coach Marcelino Garcia leading scorer. The Uruguay striker, the 28th and added euro – although he would ball history.” Bartomeu. son. It has the same 40 points as Real Toral was signed in the beginning who was let go by Barcelona at the end his second from the have had to pay around A seething Ronald Koeman The controversial former Camp Madrid but is ahead on goal differ- of the year — the first also was of last season, has scored nine goals penalty spot in the 50th. half of that amount in has had his say on the matter, Nou supremo - whose soured ence. Atlético earlier opened a 10- against Barcelona. in his last eight matches with Atletico. Saul Niguez netted before taxes. vowing to identify whoever is re- tenure led to Messi pushing to point lead after winning 4-2 at Cadiz It was Barcelona’s first home It was the eighth league win in a row halftime and Koke got on the sponsible and sack them. The leave the club last summer - hit out with a pair of goals by Luis Suarez. match in 2021. It had played eight for Atletico, which reaches the halfway board near the end of the match Dutchman also labelled the leak at suggestions that he had been in- Messi, who had his request to consecutive games away from the mark of the season with the 10-point to complete the scoring for ‘malicious’. volved in the information leak. leave Barcelona denied by the club Camp Nou, including in the Copa gap to Barcelona and Real Madrid Atletico, which is seeking its Speaking after Sunday There are only four copies of last season, seemed unaffected by the del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup. despite having a game in hand. first league title since 2014. night’s 2-1 win over Athletic the intricately detailed contract: leak Sunday of his contract details. Simeone’s team have 50 points from Cadiz, winless in its last Bilbao, Koeman said: one with Messi, one with Barca, He played well from the start and was SUAREZ ON A ROLL 19 matches, remaining on pace for a three league matches and sit- “Whoever has leaked Messi’s one with La Liga and one also decisive again at the Camp Nou Suarez continued his stellar form 100-point season for the first time. ting 13th in the standings, got contract cannot have a future with the law firm used by the Stadium. The Argentine great opened with Atletico, scoring twice in the win Suarez opened the scoring with a goals from Alvaro Negredo. at Barca. What has come out in Argentine, Cuatrecasas. Salah ends EPL goal Sports budget takes cut of `230.78 crore drought to lift Reds The impact of COVID-19 pandemic was felt on the national sports budget as the central government Monday allocated `2596.14 crore for the financial year 2021-22 – a reduction of `230.78 crore when compared to the amount earmarked initially for the previous year.

ALLOCATION HIKED ALLOCATION CUT NO CHANGES ` `660.41cr: Budget for the Sports Authority of India (SAI), 657.71cr: Budget for the government’s flagship `2cr: National Welfare Fund for ` `2596.15cr `160.41cr more than 2020-21’s `500cr. The SAI is the Khelo India programme, 232.71cr less than the Sportspersons, the same as the ` nodal organisation to manage nationals camps, provide previous fiscal year budget of 890.42cr. previous year. Total sports budget for 2021-22, infrastructure, equipment and other logistics to the `53cr: Incentives for sportspersons, `17cr less than `795.99 crore more than the revised `50cr: The allocation for the country’s sportspersons. 2020-21’s allocation of `70cr. budget of 2020-21 (`1800.15cr). The enhancement of sports facilities in government revised the sports `280cr: Budget for the National Sports Federations `25cr: Budget for National Sports Development Jammu and Kashmir, the same as the budget (2020-21) to `1800.15cr (NSFs), `35cr more than the previous fiscal year’s Fund, half of what they had got for 2020-21. previous year. from the initial allocation of allocation. `30cr: The allocation for the 2010 Commonwealth `55cr: The allocation for the Laxmi Bai `2826.92cr because of the lack of `2.5cr: Contribution to the World Anti-Doping Agency Games-SAI stadia renovation, `45cr less than what National Institute of Physical activity caused by the pandemic. (WADA), `50 lakh more than previous year’s allocation. they were allocated last year (`75cr). Education, same as the 2020-21 budget. 50 per cent spectators for Mo Salah sends West Ham goalie the wrong way for his first goal, Sunday Odisha FC lose to Jamshedpur ASSOCIATED PRESS defense. They jumped above AGENCIES second India-England Test Leicester, who lost 1-3 at home to Liverpool, Feb 1: With a trade- Leeds earlier Sunday. Goa, Feb 1: Jamshedpur FC eked PRESS TRUST OF INDIA mark left-footed curler into the top Salah scored twice in an FA Cup out a 1-0 win over Odisha FC at the 1st outdoor session corner and the deftest of finishes loss to Manchester United last GMC Stadium in Bambolim, Chennai, Feb 1: The BCCI and the CHENNAI: The Indian team Monday from a clinical counterattack, weekend, but he hadn’t netted in six Monday. Mohammad Mobashir’s Tamil Nadu Cricket Association underwent their first outdoor session Mohamed Salah ended one of his league matches, a barren run he had first half goal was enough for the have decided to allow 50 per cent since arriving here, ahead of the longest goal droughts in the Premier only experienced once — in Men of Steel to bag three points. spectators at the second India-England opening Test against England begin- League for Liverpool in style. February-March 2019 — since join- Both teams played end-to-end Test to be played at the MA ning Friday. The Indian players, who The champions’ chief scorer is ing Liverpool in 2017. football with Mobashir scoring the Chidambaram Stadium here, a top completed their six-day quarantine back doing what he does best. And His opener in the 57th minute was lone goal in the 41st minute. TNCA official told this agency, Monday. period in the city Monday, began that should make them the biggest classic Salah, twisting and turning Mobashir’s early cross sneaks into The issue was discussed by the preparations for the four-match Test threat to relentless leader as he came in from the right before the back of the net and the Red TNCA members after fresh COVID- series with an outdoor session, the Manchester City in the title race. bending a shot into the far corner Miners take the lead. Mobashir got 19 guidelines on easing of public team’s local media official said. The Salah’s sublime, second-half dou- beyond goalkeeper Lukasz the ball just outside the right side movement and entry of spectators Virat Kohli-led home team will hit the ble set Liverpool on its way to a 3- Fabianski. of the box. Nerijus Valskis’s attempt from a Mobashir Rahman shot confused Odisha FC into sporting venues were issued. ground running with net sessions 1 win at West Ham Sunday, which His second goal in the 68th was He crossed it early into the box. custodian as JFC takes the lead, Monday PIC: ISL The move was cleared in a meeting from Tuesday (10am to 1pm). The full backed up a victory by the same even better as he controlled a high, Nerijus Valskis, who was playing between TNCA and BCCI officials. England team is expected to train for scoreline at Tottenham Thursday. hanging pass from Xherdan Shaqiri on the shoulder of the last de- Choudhary on the far post. the stubborn defense of Stephen Eze “We discussed the issue of al- the first time since arriving in the city Jurgen Klopp’s team hadn’t won with his weaker right foot and fender, went to put the ball into Arshdeep, however, charged off and Peter Hartley. lowing spectators for the second Tuesday from 2pm, according to an any of their previous five games and poked home a finish with his left. the back of the net but he could- his line to close down Choudhary The best chance came in the 71st. India vs England Test following ECB spokesperson. had dropped off the remorseless title Georginio Wijnaldum added a n’t get a touch. However it con- and blocked his effort. Diego Mauricio had the ball on the fresh COVID-19 guidelines by the pace being set by City, which has third off a well-worked team move fused Odisha custodian Arshdeep Choudhary again came into play right edge of the box. He passed it Central government permitting Test begins Friday while the sec- won eight straight league games. in the 84th before Craig Dawson Singh and the ball sneaked into in the 90th. He got the ball in the left for Paul Ramfangzauva to his left. crowds at sporting venues and also ond match starts February 13. Despite their lengthy injury grabbed a consolation for an out- the back of the net. channel outside the box. He then Paul took a touch but then shot it the state government's SOPs given Crowds have already been allowed y list — and Sadio Mane joined it classed West Ham. Farukh Choudhary was in the drifted in and shot the ball with wide of the far post. Sunday,” the TNCA official said. for the third and fourth Test in

this week because of a minor However well Liverpool play in thick of things for missing out on his right foot. His effort came off the TP Rehenesh, the Jamshedpur FC “It has been decided by the BCCI Ahmedabad.

k k y y m m c c muscle problem — Liverpool can- the second half of the season, it will ample of opportunities – clear post to the keeper’s left. goalkeeper, also had to make a few and TNCA to allow 50 per cent The official also said that media not be discounted, even if the need City to drop their stunning lev- chances and from tight angle. In the second half, the saves. In the end, the Men of Steel spectators for the second Test by fol- would be allowed to cover both the third-place Reds are four points els of late. For Klopp, ideally that Seiminlen Doungel was played Bhubaneswar-based side did man- managed to hold on and have done lowing all safety protocols.” Tests from the press box at the sta- behind City having played one happens next weekend when City into the right side of the box by age to trouble the defense of well to win this game by a slender The MA Chidambaram stadium dium. However, media conferences game more in their turbulent title visits Anfield. Valskis. His low cross found Jamshedpur but they couldn’t beat one-goal margin. has a capacity of 50,000. The first would still be held virtually.

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