Indian Horizon National English Daily [email protected] www.indianhorizon.org RNI NO:DELENG/2013/51507 In memory of Dr Asima Kemal and Prof. Dr. Salim W Kemal [email protected] Volume Issue No: 319 Published from Hyderabad & New Delhi New Delhi, Wednesday, November 25, 2020 Pages 12 + 4 pull out (P16) No:7 Price: 3.00

CONG SAYS K-RAIL, IMRAN KHAN TO AD- KOHLI, ASHWIN NOMINATED TUNNEL PROJECTS DRESS NATION OVER FOR PLAYER OF THE A BLUFF BYKERALA COVID AFTER NCC DECADE AWARD CHIEF MINISTER MEETING PINARAYI VIJAYAN P-5 P-8 P-11 NAMAZ TIMING FAJAR 05.10 AM India bans 43 Chinese mobile apps Telangana ready to administer ZOHAR 12.03 PM ASAR 03.16 PM over national security concerns MAGHRIB 05.40 PM Covid vaccine: KCR to PM New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) ISHA 06.56 PM Continuing with its ban or- Hyderabad, Nov 24 (IANS) “People are eagerly waiting for the vaccine. ders on Chinese apps, the In- Telangana Chief Minis- GOLD & SILVER RATE dian government on Tuesday ter K. Chandrasekhar Rao A scientifically approved vaccine is need of 24K blocked 43 new mobile apps, announced that the state the hour. The Telangana state government is including shopping website government is ready to ready to distribute and administer the vaccine 50,880 AliExpress owned by e-com- administer the “scientifi- merce behemoth Alibaba. cally approved vaccine” for to people on a priority basis. Accordingly, we KG Other popular apps that Covid-19 to the people. He have drawn an action plan. However, one has 664,500 have been banned include felt that it should be veri- to take into consideration whether the vaccine WeWorkChina, CamCard and fied whether the vaccine has any side effects,” Snack. These apps have been has any side effects before WEATHER REPORT banned by the Ministry of its administration. cine too may give different the vaccine in the State years of age and those peo- Electronics and Information Rao expressed the opin- side effects in different re- and also instructed them ple suffering from acute Technology (MeitY) for en- ly popular PlayerUnknown’s 47 Chinese apps from oper- ion during a videoconfer- gions,” he said. KCR sug- to create the required in- diseases. He asked them gaging in activities which are Battlegrounds (PUBG) Mo- ating in the country, which ence meet which Prime gested that initially a batch frastructure facilities. to prepare a list. Chief 28 18 “prejudicial to the sovereignty bile, Baidu and couple of vir- were largely clones of the 59 Minister Narendra Modi of vaccine doses be sent to KCR also instructed the Secretary Somesh Kumar, and integrity of the country, tual private networks (VPNs) apps that were banned in held with all the Chief Min- the states, which can be officials to put in place cold Principal Secretary, CMO, INDIAN RUPEE defence, security of the state that allowed access to TikTok June. On June 29, the govern- isters to discuss the meth- administered to some peo- chain all over the state. He S Narsing Rao, Principal EXCHANGE RATES and public order”. that was banned earlier.Other ment banned 59 Chinese apps, od pertaining to distribu- ple. “Let us assess the situ- said committees should be Secretary, Medical and The ministry banned these popular banned apps were including TikTok, WeChat, tion and administering of ation after administering formed at the state, district Health, Murtuza Rizvi, Indian ` inv. 1.00 INR apps based on reports re- Baidu Express Edition, Share- UC Browser and Xiaomi’s Mi the vaccine to people. said vaccine on these people and Mandal level to con- Medical Health Director US Dollar 74.106999 ceived from the Indian Cyber Save by Xiaomi, WeChat Work, Community, over national KCR, as the Chief Minister and then administer it to duct the vaccination pro- Srinivas Rao, Medical Edu- Euro 87.945398 Crime Co-ordination Centre, Tencent Weiyun, Tencent security concerns amid the is popularly known.“There the rest,” he added. gramme.He said the vac- cation Director Ramesh British Pound 98.791208 Ministry of Home Affairs. Watchlist, Alipay, GO SMS Pro, border tussle in Eastern La- are different weather and After the videoconfer- cine should be given first Reddy, Health University Australian $ 54.371084 The Indian government had ZAKZAK Pro and Live, Smart dakh which led to the death of climatic conditions in the ence, he held a meeting to the Covid warriors and VC Karunakar Reddy, Co- Kuwaiti Dinar 242.206338 on September 2 banned 118 AppLock and Ludo World-Lu- 20 Indian soldiers in a bloody country. Coronavirus also with the officials and di- frontline workers like the vid Experts Committee apps on national security con- do Superstar, among othersIn clash with Chinese PLA troops did not affect the country rected them to prepare an police and other depart- member Gangadhar and Saudi Riyal 19.761866 cerns, including the immense- July, the government barred in the Galwan Valley in June. in a uniform manner. Vac- action plan to administer ments, people above 60 others participated. Qatari Riyal 20.359066 Chinese Yuan 11.251054 58K women banking PM holds review meeting with Chief Ministers on COVID Puzzled by CEA celebrating current UAE dirham 20.178897 correspondents to New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) account surplus: Chidambaram CHICKEN RATE Prime Minister Narendra begin training in UP Modi today asked state gov- New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) For- Farm Rate - 92 Lucknow, Nov 24 dent Sakhis. A total ernments to establish cold mer Finance Minister P. Chidam- Retail Live -114 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh of 58,000 gram pan- storage facilities for COVID baram has said he is “puzzled” Skinless -188 chief minister Aditya- chayats in the state 19 vaccine and send detailed by Chief Economic Adviser K.V. WithSkin -165 nath has asked the will have a BC Sakhi plans to the centre on how to Subramanian celebrating the cur- rural development each.“Once the BC take the vaccine to the low- rent account surplus. India may NECC SUGGESTED EGG PRICE and panchayati raj de- Sakhis begin work- est levels.The Prime Minister witness a current account surplus partments to go ahead ing, it will help a lot who held a meeting with Chief due to the recent economic re- Egg Whole Sale Rate with the training of of the villagers in Ministers of various states to forms announced by the govern- Egg Retail Price 58,000 women bank- their banking related review the situation arising ment, said Subramanian. Super Market ing correspondent needs. BC Sakhis out of the COVID pandemic he said and added that each tion and said vaccine work is Reacting to the CEA statement, Rs 4.74 (BC) Sakhis before will function from and progress on the devel- State and stakeholder had to ongoing but there should be Chidambaram said, “CEA has count surplus,” he added. Chid- they begin their job. their village’s pan- opment of vaccine, said the work as a team to ensure that no carelessness. ‘’The States confirmed my suspicion that abaram said many economists SHORT TAKES The state govern- chayat bhavan,a¿ the mission of Corona virus vac- this mission is systematic, are required to establish cold India will end 2020-21 with a have pointed out, a current ac- ment has completed chief minister said cination of each citizen is smooth and a sustained effort. storage facilities for COVID19 current account surplus. But I count surplus means that India, Avalanche warning the first-of-its-kind in a statement. Addi- like national commitment. Urging states to send detailed vaccine’’. He said it was not am puzzled by the tone of his a country that needs more capi- technology driven tional chief secretary, ‘Vaccine distribution strategy plans soon on how they plan certain whether there would remarks. Is the CEA celebrat- tal, is investing its capital abroad! issued in J&K and process for select- rural development will be chalked out in collec- to take vaccine to lowest lev- be one, two or three doses of ing a current account surplus?” “Our policies should ensure that Ladakh UTs ing 58,000 women and panchayati raj tive coordination with states. els, he said it would help in a vaccine and also what would “Given that we are a developing both exports and imports grow Jammu, Nov 24 (IANS) Af- for as many posts of department, Manoj States must also start work- making decisions. He hoped be the price of the vaccine. country in need of capital, we smartly leaving a manageable ter two days of inclement banking correspon- Kumar Singh. ing on cold storage facilities,’’ for their pro-active participa- ‘’We still don’t have answers cannot celebrate a current ac- current account deficit. weather, authorities on Monday issued avalanche Cyclone Nivar: Modi warning for higher reach- India calls for immediate and comprehensive India’s COVID tally surges to es of different districts in dials TN & Puducherry Jammu and Kashmir and ceasefire in Afghanistan 91,77,841, active cases 4,38,667 Ladakh UTs. An official of CMs, assures support the Disaster Management New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) Re- New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) After the data added. Meanwhile, na- Department said a medium iterating that the peace process New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) Prime witnessing a rise of above 40,000 tion’s overall COVID tally has now danger avalanche warning must be Afghan-led, Afghan- Minister Narendra Modi on Tues- cases daily for the past several reached 91,77,841, while fatalities has been issued for the high- owned and Afghan-controlled, day spoke to the Chief Ministers of days, India on Tuesdayaay rre-e-e dueue to the highly contagious er reaches of Kupwara and India on Tuesday called for an Tamil Nadu and Puducherry ahead corded a fresh spike oof virusv have now mounted to Bandipora districts in J&K. immediate and comprehensive of the impending cyclone that is go- 37,975 new infections, 1,34,218 till date. Talking “A low danger avalanche ceasefire to stop violence in Af- ing to cross into the state and UT by while 480 more lives of recoveries, 42,314 more warning has been issued ghanistan as increasing level of Wednesday. “Spoke to Tamil Nadu were claimed by the CO-O COVIDC patients were cured for higher reaches of Ram- violence in remains a matter of CM Shri @EPSTamilNadu and Pu- VID-19 pandemic in the in the past 24 hours, taking ban, Kishtwar, Anantnag, grave concern.Speaking at the ducherry CM Shri @VNarayanasami past 24 hours. According to the the total number of COVID sur- Kulgam, Baramulla, Gan- Afghanistan 2020 Conference regarding the situation in the wake Union Health Ministry data up- vivors so far to 86,04,955. In per- derbal (J&K) and Leh (La- in virtual format, Minister of Dam and phase 4 of high im- of Afghanistan.”Dr Jaishankar of Cyclone Nivar. Assured all pos- date this morning , the active case centage, the active cases are now dakh) districts,” the official External Affairs S Jaishankar pact community development said that India and Afghanistan sible support from the Centre. I load of the disease also witnessed 4.78 per cent, discharged/cured said. Avalanche threat in the said, “India has invested heav- projects in Afghanistan. share a natural and histori- pray for the safety and well-being of a dip by 4,819 on the country since 93.76 per cent and the fatalities higher reaches of J&K has ily in peace and development He said, “I am happy to an- cal relationship and moreover those living in the affected areas,” Monday, with the nation housing 1.46 per cent of the total case been more common during of Afghanistan. nounce today an agreement “our strategic partnership and the PM tweeted.Earlier on Monday, 4,38,667 active cases at present, count of the nation till date. the last three decades. Ex- We strongly believe that the with Afghanistan for build- long term commitment to Union Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba perts believe that deforesta- gains of the last two decades ing the Shahtoot Dam, which the development of Afghani- chaired a meeting of the National Cri- tion is one major reason for must be preserved and the in- would provide safe drinking stan reflects these time tested sis Management Committee (NCMC) avalanche occurrence. Once terests of the minorities, wom- water to 2 million residents partnership.”The Minister to review the status of impending an avalanche rolls down the en and vulnerable sections of Kabul city. India will also said, “Our development port- Cyclone through video conferencing slope of a mountain bereft must be ensured. The increas- launch phase 4 of high im- folio of more than USD 3 bil- with the Chief Secretaries of Andhra of its tree cover, there is ing level of violence in Afghani- pact community develop- lion for Afghanistan is aimed Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Puduch- nothing to check it. his Sec- stan naturally remains a matter ment projects in Afghanistan, at building capacities and ca- erry. The Cabinet Secretary had told tor-49 house in Gurugram. of grave concern.” During the which include around 150 pabilities of Afghan nationals the officials that the Crisis Manage- A case was registered at the conference, he also announced projects worth USD 80 mil- as well as its institutions with a ment Committee is aiming at “zero Sector-50 police station. the India-Afghanistan agree- lion. India has invested heav- view to improving governance loss of life” and early restoration of ment for building the Shahtoot ily in peace and development and public service. normalcy in the affected areas. Indian Horizon 2 city Wednesday, November 25, 2020 Sacked BSF man’s plea against Modi doesn’t disclose right to sue: SC New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) ments in the petition do not the appellant is not an elec- corruption or disloyalty to the otherwise. The Supreme Court on Tues- disclose that the appellant tor registered in the Varanasi state. “It is not in dispute that Tej Bahadur had filed two day said an appellant has to has a cause of action which constituency since he is ad- the appellant’s nomination nominations, one on April 24 establish the cause of action invest him with right to sue. It mittedly enrolled as an elec- paper was not accompanied and April 29. One was filed as which invest him the right to is settled that where a person tor of Bhiwani, Mahendragarh by a certificate from the Elec- a Samajwadi Party candidate sue, as it dismissed the peti- has no interest at all, or no Parliamentary Constituency, tion Commission, further, he and the other as an indepen- tion by sacked BSF jawan Tej sufficient interest to support Haryana. His locus thus de- was served a notice to cure the dent candidate. The nomina- Bahadur challenging the elec- a legal claim or action, he will pends entirely on the ques- defect. He did not do so,” it tions were found to be invalid tion of Prime Minister Naren- have no locus standi to sue.” tion whether he is a candidate said. The bench observed that by the returning officer be- dra Modi from Varanasi in the Tej Bahadur had moved or can claim to be a duly nom- it is settled that for a person cause they were not accom- 2019 Lok Sabha polls. the top court challenging an Tej Bahadur’s appeal does not 83 of the electoral act allows inated candidate,” it held. to make claim that he was panied by a certificate to the A bench, headed by Chief Allahabad High Court order, raise any arguable question only an elector (from Varanasi The bench noted that Tej duly nominated, his nomi- effect that he was dismissed Justice S. A. Bobde and com- which dismissed his election of fact or law and admitting constituency) or candidate Bahadur’s nomination pa- nation paper must comply for corruption or disloyalty to prising Justices A. S. Bopanna petition against the Prime it would amount to an exer- to maintain an election peti- per was not accompanied by with statutory requirements the state as required by Sec- and V. Ramasubramanian, Minister. cise in futility for the court to tion, and Tej Bahadur was a certificate to the effect that which govern the filing of tion 9(2)1 read with Section said: “We find that the aver- The bench observed that do so. It noted that Section none of these. “Obviously, he had not been dismissed for nomination papers and not 33 (3)2 of the Act. Delhi woman posing as gangster kin Corona under control in Chhattisgarh, only 1% fatality opens fire at shop, arrested New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) A wom- shock. According to details avail- rate, says Bhupesh Baghel an, claiming to be the sibling of a able, the woman in the question vember. of the vaccination when it in the state, 8 per cent in notorious gangster, opened fire at a claimed to be the sister of gangster “There were no cases of comes. August, 15 per cent in Sep- shop in Northeast Delhi’s Jafrabad. Nasir. She has been identified as Covid infection in rural ar- Baghel said the number tember, 10.5 per cent in The firing was filmed on a mobile Nusrat. eas earlier, but later a few of beds with oxygen facil- October and 7 per cent in phone and the clip went viral. It Police said that Nusrat had gone cases were reported. But ity and ICU beds has been November. showed the woman clad in a burqa to threaten the owner of the gro- healthcare workers have increased in Chhattisgarh. The death rate was one was firing at the shop which luckily cery store in Chauhan Banger area. done commendable work All the medical colleges in per cent in October-No- had its shutters down. Her accom- Someone known to her had asked for prevention of infec- the state have RTPCR fa- vember, 2020. plice -- a man awaited on a bike. for cash by mortgaging his phone at tion,” Baghel said in the cility. Four new labs have The Chief Minister said Delhi Police have arrested the the shop. When he went to collect meeting. been established for test- that initially there were woman from the Jafrabad area. The his phone, the grocery store owner New Delhi, Nov 24 vid-19 situation in the state In the meeting, measures ing. Since October, the very few cases of Corona incident took place on Thursday. declined to return it. This infuri- (IANS) In the meeting is under control. Every day taken for prevention of Co- number of new cases has in Chhattisgarh, but as Visuals showed she was clad in ated Nusrat. According to the po- chaired by Prime Minister 23,000 screening tests are vid-19 infection in various gradually declined. people started from other a burqa and hurling abuses as she lice, Nusrat is not the sister of Nasir Narendra Modi, Chhat- being done and the state states of the country were Baghel said that in the states began to come, the fired multiple rounds from a pistol and threw his name to threaten the tisgarh Chief Minister Bh- reported one per cent fa- reviewed, along with an month of July there were number of cases increased with people in the lane watching in shop owner. upesh Baghel said the Co- tality rate in October- No- action plan for distribution 4 per cent positive cases significantly. 70-year-old man shot dead by 2 youth killed 3 injured in separate road mishaps in Gurugram Gurugram, Nov 24 (IANS) canter. The driver of the car In connection with the in- will be revealed either from were in their 20s. bike-borne assailants in Delhi Two youth were killed and died on the spot while the cident, the police have start- the CCTV cameras installed The police said Suraj New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) A dpur Dham village in Karala,” said three others were injured in youth sitting on the rear seat ed a probe after registering nearby or from the arrest of rammed his bike into a trac- 70-year-old man was shot dead al- Deepak Purohit, Deputy Commis- two separate road accidents was seriously injured. The a case at Sector-5 police the driver,” said additional tor trolley which was parked legedly by two unidentified bike- sioner of Police (DCP) west Delhi. in Gurugram , the police errant canter driver escaped station. The body has been in-charge of Sector-5 police roadside without any warn- borne men outside his house in According to the official, the police said on Tuesday. from the spot after the ac- handed over to the family station, Satish Kumar. ing signage on Sohna road. West Delhi’s Vikaspuri. The accused received a call at around 5.20 p.m. on In the first incident, an ac- cident. after an autopsy. In the other incident, Suraj died in the mishap fled the spot after shooting the man Monday that a man has been shot in cident occurred in front of The deceased was identi- “During preliminary in- a man identified as Suraj while his friends are under- identified as Attam Sigh, who re- the H block of Vikaspuri. Attam Singh the petrol pump on Sheetla fied as Abhishek (20), a resi- vestigation it came to fore died in the accident while going treatment in a hospi- ceived bullet injuries on his head, also dealt in the sale and purchase of Mata Road in the early dent of Rajiv Nagar, while that Canter was standing on his friend Pinki and Sachin tal. An FIR has been lodged police said on Tuesday. the property near the Gurdwara. His hours of Monday. the injured was identified as the road. The car came from were injured in the mishap. at Sohna Sadar police sta- “The deceased is an Afghani refu- recent deals are being looked into by A car coming from Palam Paras (20). The injured man behind and rammed into Suraj was driving his bike tion and search is on for the gee who settled in India 28 years ago. the police to know if the murder is Vihar area at high speed is undergoing treatment at a it. This caused an accident. while his two friends were erring vehicle and its driver, He does sewa at Gurdwara at Anan- the fallout of any such deals. crashed into the rear of a private hospital. However, the whole truth pillion riders. All the youth the police said. PLA’s morale extremely low, China sets up recreation centres New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) China has started to set up borders. Now with the winter The recreational centres clothing and has gone for a quality supervision team for working classes, scientific The morale of Chinese’s Peo- recreation centres comprising setting in and the temperature also have computers and emergency procurements. emergency procurement of planning, factory supervi- ple Liberation Army (PLA) a fitness centre, heated swim- dipping to as low as minus play stations, sources said. Also, PLA troops are strug- extreme cold climate cloth- sion, on-site inspections and troops deployed along Line ming pools, hot tubs, library 30-degree Celsius, the troops’ “One such recreation centre gling to survive in the sub- ing. placement of military rep- of Actual Control (LAC) in and other facilities, sources condition has worsened with has come up near the Moldo zero temperatures with poor This team has been tasked resentatives in factories to Eastern Ladakh under harsh said. less rotation on the ground. Garrison, opposite India’s quality of clothing and ac- to ensure good quality cloth- supervise production have weather and terrain condi- China has deployed thou- “This is a matter of concern Chushul,” the source said. commodation, sources said. ing and fast delivery to for- been put in place,” the source tions is extremely low, top in- sands of its troops along the for the PLA,” said a source, The sources also said that The sources added that the ward area troops. said. This team is reporting telligence agencies said. LAC with India in a bid to adding that PLA troops’ “mo- China is facing a shortage PLA Joint Logistics Support “Emergency plans such directly to the Central Mili- To boost the troops’ morale, change the status quo on the rale is extremely low now”. of specialised cold climate Force (JLSF) has constituted as the setting up of special tary Commission. NGT concern over unused Rs 800Cr meant for victims of hazardous substances CBI arrests accused in missing minor tribal girl case New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) lized in terms of award made New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) The official said that Pal following the December The National Green Tribunal by the collector on any appli- Almost 11 months after was arrested after a thorough 2019 order of the Madhya has expressed disappoint- cation by the victims. registering a case, the Central investigation including a Pradesh High Court. The ment over non-utilization of “We find it to be travesty of Bureau of Investigation search of accounts in several girl had gone missing on more than Rs 800 crore meant justice that even after 29 years (CBI) on Tuesday arrested banks. He said Pal was traced February 14, 2017 from MP’s towards Environment Relief of the enactment of a laudable Arun Pal, accused in an on- to Rajpura in Punjab. Bhind. Fund for victims of accidents welfare legislation and inspite going investigation of a case The linked mobile The father of the girl in his in the process of handling haz- the Ministry of Defence, ex- Act, 1991 was enacted for of deposit of huge amount relating to a tribal girl who number with the said bank complaint alleged that his ardous substances and asked pressing grievance that the providing immediate relief to meant for the needy victims, went missing from Madhya account was allegedly in a minor daughter was taken the environment ministry to funds are lying unutilized as persons affected by accident the amount remains unuti- Pradesh’s Bhind during a third person’s name. The away on a motor cycle by Pal look into it. the collectors do not publish in handling hazardous sub- lized to the detriment of the visit to a relative’s house. official said that Pal will be and another person, both NGT Chairperson Adarsh the accidents and victims are stance. victims for whose benefit the A CBI official said that the produced before a court for residents of Uttar Pradesh’s Kumar Goel passed the order not aware of the remedies and It provides for establishing law was enacted,” the green agency arrested Pal from transit remand. Jalaun district and when on an application by Gyan relief available. an environment relief fund tribunal said in an order dated Punjab and the missing girl The CBI took over the he chased them he was Prakash, a retired official from Public Liabilities Insurance and the amount is to be uti- November 20. has also been found. probe on January 1 this year threatened. Gurugram administration launches app for Covid information Gurugram, Nov 24 Play Store. tion. During the launch, (IANS) To fight against According to the Gu- the Divisional Commis- the Covid-19 pandem- rugram administration sioner, Rajeev Ranjan, ic and provide all the officials, at present the stated that the avail- necessary information, portal provides infor- ability of information the Gurugram district mation regarding test- on various platforms is administration has ing centres, helpline much needed and these launched a portal -- co- numbers, ambulance online platforms will vidggn.com -- for mak- helpline number, hospi- provide the requisite ing relevant information tal bed availability, loca- information to the end readily available to the tion of hospitals, general users. people. statistical reports, test- The portal also has All the required infor- ing charges, number of provision of adminis- mation will be also avail- Covid-19 patients etc. trative login, wherein able on the GC3 android Officials said the other all departments like mobile application. GC3 useful information re- Municipal Corporation, stands for ‘Gurugram lated to Covid manage- Health and Ayush can Covid Combat Compan- ment will be added to work in parallel without ion’, which is available enhance the utility of loss of time for trans- for download on Google this portal and applica- mission of data. Indian Horizon Wednesday, November 25, 2020 city 3 Moin Qureshi case adjourned after CBI gets stay on top officer’s summoning Delhi riots: Court takes cognisance New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) subsequently granted by the is a violation of the principle of supplementary charge sheet A Delhi court on Tuesday court. The High Court slated of natural justice.” adjourned till December 24 the matter to December 22. The matter pertains to against Khalid, Imam the corruption case against In the last hearing, Spe- the corruption case against controversial meat exporter cial Judge Sanjeev Aggarwal meat exporter Moin Akhtar Moin Akhtar Qureshi, in had pulled up the CBI for its Qureshi and others. Former which former CBI directors slow-paced investigation in CBI director’s role is un- Ranjit Sinha and A.P. Singh the case. “Four years have der the scanner, along with are also under the scanner. passed. In four years, no in- Qureshi. Special Judge Sanjeev Ag- vestigation has been done. The meat exporter was ar- garwal adjourned the matter How many more years will rested in 2017 for allegedly after the CBI Special Public you take? Seven to ten more collecting money from indi- Prosecutor informed that the years?” viduals directly or through Delhi High Court has put a rector, who is supervising the Court claiming that Sanjeev The judge added, “CBI di- Hyderabad-based business- stay on the trial court’s earlier case. Agarwal is “interfering in the rector is the accused, and the man Sathish Sana Babu and New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) Umar Khalid, are present today orders in which it had sum- On November 17, the probe investigation” and sought agency is itself investigating using funds to influence CBI A Delhi court on Tuesday with their counsel through moned the agency’s joint di- agency had moved the High stay on the orders, which was the case? I am surprised. This probes. took cognisance of the Webex app, hence, there is no fresh supplementary charge need to issue summons,” the sheet filed against former court said. Energy transition must go hand in hand with ‘Just Transition’: Study JNU student Umar Khalid, On Sunday, the Delhi Police university’s research scholar had filed a supplementary New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) inquiry into the challenges mining areas and coal-de- for the people whose liveli- Sharjeel Imam and Faizan Khan charge sheet, running into 930 The International Forum for and opportunities for a post- pendent industries.” hood is likely to be affected in a case related to the alleged pages, against the trio. The Environment, Sustainability coal future -- was released “If we do not start planning by the energy transition. conspiracy in the communal case pertains to a ‘conspiracy’ and Technology (iFOREST), by Jharkhand Chief Minister for a post-coal future now, India has so far not en- violence in northeast Delhi in to incite the riots, which had the New Delhi-based envi- Hemant Soren at an online our coal-dependent regions gaged nationally or interna- February. left 53 people dead and 748 ronmental non-profit, has public event on Tuesday. will face major economic and tionally on coal phase-out “After perusal of the charge injured. The police has claimed published the first on-ground Speaking at the occasion, social disruptions in the com- and ‘Just Transition’ because sheet and accompanying that the communal violence study to understand what Soren said, “We are mind- ing years.” ‘Just Transition’ of the country’s high depen- documents, there is sufficient was a premeditated conspiracy ‘Just Transition’ means for ful that coal will reduce over was included in the Paris dence on coal for energy se- material to proceed against allegedly hatched by Khalid and India. time, and therefore we have Climate Agreement in 2015 curity and industrial growth. accused persons,” Additional others. The charge sheet against The study details the risks to plan for a post-coal future. consider. to ensure that the workers But coal is rapidly losing Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat the three accused was filed and opportunities of coal “As Jharkhand is rich in iFOREST President and and the local communities its cost advantage to renew- said in the order. The court under the stringent Unlawful phase-out and proposes a other natural resources, we CEO Chandra Bhushan said, dependent on fossil fuels like ables, and the supply of af- has directed the counsel of Activities (Prevention) Act and policy and planning frame- are diversifying our economy “Just Transition is an im- coal do not suffer due to the fordable 24x7 electricity from the accused to collect the sections related to criminal work for ‘Just Transition’, and promoting tourism, for- perative for India as we have phase-out of coal to meet the solar and wind with battery soft copy of the charge sheet conspiracy, murder, rioting, based on an in-depth sur- estry, agro-based industries, only 20-30 years to phase-out climate change goals. storage is becoming a real- on December 2 afternoon. sedition, unlawful assembly vey of Ramgarh district of and the service sectors.” coal-based power to avoid Therefore, the basic idea of ity. In such a situation, coal Faizan, who is on bail, has been and promoting enmity on the Jharkhand, a top coal-pro- He said ‘Just Transition’ is catastrophic impacts of cli- ‘Just Transition’ is to ensure consumption in the country summoned on December 22. grounds of religion, language, ducing district. The book -- a good planning framework mate change. This is a very decent work opportunities is projected to peak by 2030 “Since two accused persons, caste under the Indian Penal Just Transition in India: An for the state government to short time to transform coal and social support systems and then start reducing. namely Sharjeel Imam and Code. India sees consecutive year-on-year decline in coal funding: Report New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) tion of six per cent year on 2019 saw two coal projects almost always happens to awarded to Doosan Heavy The third annual Coal vs Re- year although it received 95 (total capacity of 3.06GW) change term conditions such Industries. newable Financial Analysis per cent of the total lending receiving Rs 1,100 crore as interest rates or maturity NTPC, India’s largest coal 2019 marks a second consec- to energy projects. ($190mn) in project finance. date. JSW Energy is among power operator, recently an- utive year-on-year decline in The report, prepared by In 2018, five coal-fired proj- the progressive private power nounced a moratorium on coal funding in India follow- the Centre for Financial Ac- ects with a combined capac- generation companies that construction of new green- ing a 90 per cent decrease in countability (CFA) and Cli- ity of 3.8GW received Rs 6,081 announced a moratorium field coal power plants. 2018. mate Trends, looked at 50 crore ($850mn). on construction of new coal “In addition to private and The report, made public project finance loans across By contrast, Rs 60,767 crore power plants and focussed publicly owned coal power on Tuesday, finds a 126 per 43 coal-fired and renewable ($9.35bn) was lent to 17GW of on expanding their renew- companies, heavily industri- cent drop in funding from energy projects in India. Only coal projects in 2017. able energy portfolio. alised states like Gujarat and the commercial banks to coal projects that reached finan- Of the total lending to coal The remaining Rs 400 Maharashtra have also an- compared to 2018. cial close between January 1, ning to realise the associated Pushing healthy commercial in 2019, Rs 700 crore went to- crore ($91mn) went towards nounced a no new coal pol- There has also been a signif- 2019, and December 31, 2019, financial and reputational risk banks into financing unvi- wards refinancing of JSW En- financing NTPC’s new coal icy. These policies are being icant drop in the state-owned were included in the analysis. in investing in coal,” said CFA able coal projects in India ergy’s Barmer power plant in project in Barh in Bihar. The announced due to the coal financing of coal projects. “A significant drop in proj- Executive Director Joe Athialy. and abroad will only lead to Rajasthan. This project was project’s engineering, pro- overcapacity problem as well Lending to renewable energy ect finance to coal means that “Our policy makers need to more stress in the financial also refinanced in 2018. curement and construction as plummeting cost of renew- projects saw a minor contrac- financial institutes are begin- read the writing on the wall. sector,” Athialy added. Refinancing of projects responsibilities have been ables. CBI registers 2 more FIRs in Rs 25K cr J&K land scam case Two wanted criminals nabbed New Delhi, Nov 24 State land measuring seven portion was hit by the Ribbon have fetched about Rs 2.15 given at the rate of Rs 48 lakh after shootout in Rohini (IANS) The Central Bureau ‘kanals’ and seven ‘marlas’ to Development Act. crore to the exchequer under per ‘kanal’, whereas the then New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) Three sophisticated pistols of Investigation (CBI) has Parvez under the commercial “This fact was not taken the commercial category, prevailing market rate was Rs The Delhi Police’s Special along with 8 live cartridges registered two more FIRs category, at the rate of Rs 45 into account,” it said. instead of a little over Rs 1.17 70 lakh, the FIR stated. Cell on Tuesday arrested and a Honda City Car have linked to the Rs 25,000-crore lakh per ‘kanal’. The CBI FIR stated that crore paid by the beneficiary. In March 2014, the two criminals, wanted in been recovered from their Roshni land scam against The FIR stated that a the empowered committee “Thus, the Revenue officials Comptroller and Auditor murder and extortion cases, possession. the Revenue Department vigilance inquiry later found in its meeting on April 28, caused a loss of close to Rs General (CAG) report was following an encounter in the A trap was laid in Rohini officials and others in Jammu that under the Roshni Act, 2007, decided the case under 97.7 lakh to the exchequer,” placed in the assembly of the capital’s Rohini area. Arms and where the two accused came in and Kashmir, taking the total Parvez was not an occupant the commercial category. the FIR said. The CBI filed the erstwhile state of J&K and it ammunition were also seized a car and intercepted at around number of cases to seven so and could not have been “However, the subsequent second FIR against unknown mentioned that land sold to from the two, identified as 4 a.m. on Tuesday. They were far. The probe agency took given the ownership rights. committee, while acting public servants and others private owners between 2007- Rupender and Amit. signalled to stop but they over these cases in pursuance He was only an authorised on the complaint of the pertaining to the instances 13 managed to earn just Rs Rupender was carrying a started firing on the police team. to the J&K High Court’s order. agent of the original beneficiary, changed the where proper procedure was 76 crore instead of Rs 25,448 reward of Rs 2 lakh announced Two bullets hit the bulletproof According to CBI officials, occupants, Ashok Sharma category to residential in not adopted while disposing crore which was the target set on his head by the Haryana jackets of the policemen and in one of the cases, the agency and Bipan Sharma, by virtue August that year. It did not off cases of illegal occupants by the state government, thus Police for an attempted murder in the retaliatory fire, the two has booked Sajad Parvez of a special power of attorney. determine the nature of land for vesting ownership in defeating the purpose of the of Haryana Police Inspector in criminals were hit on their besides unknown Revenue “Despite this, the empowered usage from field officials,” it Srinagar. Roshni Act. Gurugram. He was also wanted legs. “Rupender had friendship officials. committee allowed his said. In the case of adjoining In many cases where the The CAG in its report had in many other cases of murder, with Ajay alias Bitto, resident According to the FIRs, in proprietorship,” the vigilance properties, the empowered recovery rates had been fixed noted that though the state attempt to murder, extortion, of Village Barona, who, in April 2007 an empowered inquiry report said, adding committee had fixed a rate by the competent authority, had lost considerable area kidnapping and firing on police turn, had strong relations with committee under the now that a ground report and of Rs 65 lakh per ‘kanal’. they were not remitted to the of land but the principal whereas Amit was wanted in infamous gangster Sandeep repealed Roshni Act had the site plan clearly showed Therefore, it is alleged that exchequer. In a particular objective of the Roshni Act murder and attempt to murder alias Badwasni and introduced granted ownership rights of that out of the leased land, a the land given to Parvez could case, the ownership was that of raising investment. cases. Rupender to him. Respite for slum dwellers as Centre says no coercive steps New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) is taken, there will be no had informed the top court senior Congress leader Ajay directly affected as they are counsel assisted by Lubna already initiated the process The Centre on Tuesday coercive steps. that for the time being, there Maken, had submitted before ‘jhuggi’ dwellers. Khurshid Naaz, Advocate-on-Record identification and removal informed the Supreme Court After a brief hearing in will be no removal of 48,000 the bench that the court emphasised that they need to for the applicant(s).” of jhuggis and have issued that no coercive steps will the matter, the bench, slums along the railway tracks should order a status quo. To be heard and urged the court Maken had moved the demolition notices in various be taken against the slum which also comprised in Delhi. this the bench said that it will to make them a party in the Supreme Court challenging slums in Delhi. dwellers, until a decision is Justices A.S. Bopanna and Mehta had submitted that not, as the Centre has already case. its order to remove nearly “Further, while doing so taken by the government on V. Ramasubramanian, the Ministry of Railways, stated that there will be status Delhi government counsel 48,000 jhuggis along the they have circumvented the the issue of removal of 48,000 adjourned the matter for four Ministry of Housing and quo till a decision is taken. had contended before the railway tracks in Delhi. On established procedure by law slums along the railway tracks weeks after taking on record Urban Affairs, and the Delhi He argued that demolitions court that the government August 31, the Supreme Court with respect to rehabilitation in Delhi. the Centre’s submissions. government are going to take have taken place on Friday will fully co-operate in regard had ordered removal of these of the slum dwellers prior to Solicitor General Tushar During a brief hearing, the a decision on the issue raised and Monday, therefore the to the laws and rules in place slum dwellings within three eviction/demolition of their Mehta, representing the Chief Justice inquired as to in the instant interlocutory instructions need to be given for rehabilitation. months and said that no jhuggis and ignorance of the Centre, submitted before the number of residents in applications and “till then to stop it. The top court, in its order, political interference will be procedure enshrined in the a bench headed by Chief these slums along the railway they will not take any coercive Senior advocate Salman said: “Stand over for four entertained in the matter. Delhi Slum & JJ Rehabilitation Justice S. A. Bobde that tracks, and senior advocate action against the slum Khurshid had submitted weeks. Put up along with the Maken, in an intervention and Relocation Policy, the government is still Collin Gonsalves responded dwellers”. before the bench that he interlocutory application(s) application, said the agencies 2015 and the Protocol (for deliberating on the issue and that it runs into lakhs. Senior advocate Abhishek appeared on behalf of for impleadment as prayed for - Ministry of Railways, Delhi removal of jhuggis),” said the assured that until a decision On September 14, Mehta Manu Singhvi, appearing for the applicants who are by Salman Khurshid, senior government etc, - have application. Indian Horizon 4 SOUTH Wednesday, November 25, 2020 Thackeray seeks ‘national vaccine distribution policy’

Mumbai, Nov 24 (IANS) Ma- ay said. As far as Maharashtra harashtra Chief Minister Ud- is concerned, the CM said that dhav Thackeray on Tuesday state government has set up a urged the Centre to formulate task force for the distribution a ‘national vaccine distribution of the much-awaited Covid-19 policy’ to combat the Covid-19 vaccine to deal with the pan- pandemic more systematically. demic situation. He said that this could in- “We have set up a task clude the movement of citizens force for the vaccination pro- between states, determining gramme. The state government the containment areas and is in regular touch with the other related aspects to fight Serum Institute of India and the pandemic effectively. is keeping track of the vaccine has now come down to around we may invite a fresh corona “Today, the cases have in- development,” Thackeray said 5,000 a day. wave,” Thackeray pointed out. creased in Delhi or Kerala, to- at a meeting of CMs of eight “Despite the declining num- In this context, he said the morrow it can go up in some states with Prime Minister Nar- ber of patients, we have asked state’s flagship initiative, other state. The Prime Minister endra Modi. the people to remain vigilant “My Family, My Responsibil- or Home Minister should con- He pointed out that the state However, Thackeray rued directed to refrain from doing and practice all precautions ity” campaign has worked very vene a meeting of all political government is bringing public that some political parties are so. like physical distancing, wear- well, it has covered around parties and explain to them the life back to normal as per the playing politics with the lives of On the progress achieved by ing face masks, cleanliness, 11.92 crore population and gravity of the situation, plus in- directives of the Centre and the people, taking to the streets the state, he said that barely etc. But if some political par- succeeded in reducing the in- struct all to cooperate without implementing the precaution- and attempting to violate the three months ago, the state ties continue their politicking, fection rate, besides creating a resorting to politics,” Thacker- ary measures. health rules, so they must be had 24,000 patients daily which then all our efforts may fail and ‘health map’ of the state.

Goa CM criticises Maharashtra’s Actress abduction case: Actor- Punjab CM invites ‘sulking’ new Covid SOPs turned-legislator’s staffer held Sidhu for lunch

Panaji, Nov 24 (IANS) Goa Chief Minister Pramod Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 24 taken into custody. The actress was Chandigarh, Nov 24 Sidhu has been lying low Punjab Congress MLAs Sawant on Tuesday criticised the new SOPs set by the (IANS) The Malayalam actress ab- abducted and assaulted in a moving (IANS) Signalling an end to ever since his resignation and ministers protested Maharashtra government, claiming that subjecting duction case took a new turn on car in Kochi on February 17, 2017. their “political differenc- from the state Cabinet in against the Union govern- symptomatic Covid-19 patients to antigen tests was Tuesday with an aide to an actor- Hugely popular Malayalam film es”, Punjab Chief Minister July last year. ment over the recently- pointless. turned-legislator being arrested from actor Dileep was arrested in July Amarinder Singh on Tues- Political observers told passed farm laws. Speaking to reporters at the State Secretariat, following Kerala’s Kollam district. 2017 in connection with the case and day invited former Cabinet IANS the efforts of Con- Sidhu greeted the Chief a video conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi Police from Bekal in Kasargode spent several weeks in jail before se- minister Navjot Sidhu for gress’ state in charge Har- Minister before his speech, along with Chief Ministers of all states, Sawant also said district came to Kollam and took into curing bail. lunch on Wednesday. ish Rawat have borne in which he said that the that the conference had been organised to review the Co- custody Pradip Kumar, a staffer of Dileep has been named as a con- The two leaders have results as he was instru- “Union government wants vid situation in all states, as well as to discuss the modali- ruling LDF legislator K.B.Ganesh Ku- spirator in the case and been charged not seeing eye-to-eye for mental in pacifying Sidhu. to suppress the voice of ties of creating a nationwide distribution network for the mar, for trying to influence approver with “revenge crime”. quite some time and the He had called Sidhu a Punjab Chief Minister and Covid-19 mass vaccination programme. Vipin Lal at his home town in Kasar- Since securing bail, he has been meeting is being seen in “national asset” because of MLAs and this will not be “The Maharashtra SOPs say that even if the person is gode early this year. allegedly trying to delay the trial in political circles as a bid to his reputation as a crowd allowed”. symptomatic, the person will be subjected to an antigen Meanwhile, Vipin Lal said that Pra- the case, through legal submissions, bury the hatchet. puller and hinted at a na- The Chief Minister re- test. How can that work? If a person is symptomatic, the dip Kumar is only “a small fry”. even before the apex court. The two leaders are tional role for him in the ciprocated the gesture and person will have to undergo an RT-PCR test. Only then “A probe has to take place on this Incidentally, this case even rocked expected to discuss state party. mentioned Sidhu’s name. can a person be successfully segregated or else it will be conspiracy as Kumar is only a small the smooth functioning of the Asso- and national politics Both Amarinder Singh Sidhu and Amarinder of no use,” Sawant told reporters. fry... there are big fishes behind this,” ciation of Malayalam Movie Artistes over the luncheon meet- and Sidhu shared the stage Singh then attacked the On Monday, the Maharashtra government made test- he said. A court in Kasargode had on (AMMA) wherein a group of woman ing, the Chief Minister’s on November 4 at Jantar Centre for favouring cor- ing mandatory for all persons travelling to the state from Monday refused anticipatory bail to actors raised a banner of revolt in the Media Advisor Raveen Mantar in Delhi on the porates over the existing Delhi, Gujarat, Goa and Rajasthan in wake of a surge in Pradip Kumar and hours later, he was way it had handled the issue. Thukral said. farmers’ issue where all system of ‘mandis’. Covid-19 cases. Informing journalists about the Prime Minister’s video conference, Sawant said that Modi briefed all Chief Ministers about the Covid-19 scenario vaccine stores -- Bengaluru Urban, Customs arrests in the country, especially in view of the rising cases in Karnataka well prepared Shivamogga and Bellary, he added. Maharashtra, Delhi, Kerala and West Bengal. These newly proposed regional Sivasankar in gold vaccine stores will also require addi- for Covid-19 vaccine tional walk-in-coolers and walk-in- Miracle baby in UP stuffed in freezers. smuggling case delivery: Minister “Karnataka already has 10 walk- Kochi, Nov 24 (IANS) After getting gunny bags, survives in-coolers and four walk-in-freezers. the court’s nod to arrest the former Besides this, the union government Principal Secretary of Kerala Chief Meerut (Uttar Pradesh) Nov 24 (IANS) A baby girl was is going to supply three walk-in- Minister, the Customs on Tuesday ef- found stuffed inside three gunny bags on the side of a coolers and two walk-in-freezers for fected the arrest of Sivasankar. Uttar Pradesh road in Meerut city. Miraculously she has which necessary civil works are being It was the Ernakulam Principal Ses- managed to survive. She was found reportedly when initiated,” the minister said. sions Court that gave the nod to the people heard her wails and found her inside the sacks. He added that Karnataka had Customs Department on Monday to The police was called and she was rushed to a hospital. sought exact information about the arrest Sivasankar in the gold smug- The baby is healthy and is being treated, said the police. total storage capacity required for gling case, which first surfaced on July “The child has been admitted to Pyarelal Hospital for treat- the vaccines. “We have already re- 5. ment. The police are taking required action,” the Meerut quested the union government to Following this, a team of the Cus- police tweeted. “We got a call from a locality called Shatabdi Bengaluru, Nov 24 (IANS) Karna- union government’s advice. “Health provide information to have an ex- toms officials arrived at the jail, where Nagar that a new born was found. A police team went there taka has identified 29,451 vaccina- Care Workers data has already been act assessment of the cold storage Sivasankar is presently lodged in un- and the baby has been admitted to the district women’s tion sites and 10,008 vaccinators as compiled for all the government fa- capacity required for Covid-19 vac- der judicial custody and effected his hospital. She is being given proper medical treatment and per the norms of the Universal Im- cilities. 80% of the private health fa- cine programme, number of doses arrest. doctors say she is a premature baby but healthy. All SOPs munization Programme, Karnataka cilities have also shared their data. in each vial, the volume of a vial etc,” His arrest by the Customs came a day are being followed,” ASP Akhilesh Narayan Singh said. Health and Family Welfare Minister Compilation of data for the remain- he said. after the Kerala High Court posted his K Sudhakar said here on Tuesday. ing 20% private facilities is likely to The union government also helped bail plea in the case of the ED to De- Speaking to reporters after the Kar- be completed in a week’s time,” he Karnataka to get dry storage facil- cember 2. Sivasankar was arrested by Depression intensifies nataka Task Force members’ meet- informed. ity space assessment for the vaccine the Enforcement Directorate on Octo- ing on the state’s preparedness here, The minister that Karnataka has programme. “Union government ber 29 in the gold smuggling case. the minister said that the state had around 2855 cold chain points for has already allocated certain deep The new arrest came at a time when into cyclone Nivar, to already initiated the necessary action storage and distribution of vaccines. freezers and ice-lined refrigerators as his present judicial custody ends on for Covid-19 vaccine delivery, distri- The state government had also pro- per the Universal Immunization Pro- November 26. cross TN, Puducherry bution and administration as per the posed setting up three new regional gramme norms,” he said. The Customs had arrested P.S. Sarith, a former employee of the UAE coast on Wednesday Consulate here, on July 5 for allegedly Unruly tourists thronging casinos as if smuggling gold in diplomatic baggage Chennai, Nov 24 (IANS) kmph gusting to 120 kmph. destined for the Consulate. Swapna, A deep depression over Squally weather with wind who was also an ex-employee of the Southwest Bay of Bengal speed reaching 80-90 kmph it’s carnival time: Goa BJP MLA Consulate, and her associate Sandip has intensified into cy- gusting to 100 kmph is like- Panaji, Nov 24 (IANS) A rul- lowed in the offshore casinos testing compulsory for Goans. Nair were also arrested by the National clonic storm Nivar and lay ly to prevail over Southwest ing BJP MLA on Tuesday lik- of Goa. But here, it is free for all. Ac- Investigation Agency from Bengaluru. centred about 410 km East- Bay of Bengal and along & ened the crowds thronging “They (tourists) come here cording to the guidelines, they Vijayan removed Sivasankar as his Prin- southeast of Puducherry off Tamil Nadu, Puducherry Goa’s offshore casinos to mer- to have fun, but Goans should cannot allow operations like cipal Secretary, and then as the IT Sec- and 450 km southeast of coast on Tuesday. ry mobs in Goa’s famed Carni- not be infected by Covid-19 this,” Monserrate said. retary after it surfaced that Swapna and Chennai, said the India Me- On Wednesday, squally val parade, while bemoaning because of this. I will be Carnival is a popular Catho- Sivasankar were allegedly close friends. teorological Department on weather with wind speed the lack of social distancing speaking to the Chief Minis- lic event which marks the be- Vijayan has all along said that he had Tuesday. reaching 100-110 kmph norms and non-observance of ter and the Health Minister to ginning of the holy lent sea- no clue of what was happening, but the According to the weather gusting to 120 kmph is like- SOPs by the casino industry. see what can be done to check son. On Monday, after photos principal opposition parties -- the Con- department, over the next ly to prevail over Southwest Speaking to reporters here, if SOPs are being followed,” of thousands of tourists mill- gress and the BJP -- have alleged that he 24 hours it is likely to in- Bay of Bengal and along BJP MLA Atanasio Monser- Monseratte said, comment- ing on beaches and outside knew everything and is now scared that tensify further into severe and off Tamil Nadu and Pu- rate also expressed concern ing on the large unruly crowds casinos without masks and in the probe may enter his office. cyclonic storm and cross ducherry. about increasing number of outside the six offshore casi- violation of the social distanc- The ED had asked Vijayan’s Assis- Tamil Nadu and Puduch- Sea condition is likely to Covid-19 cases traced to Goa’s nos operating in the Mandovi ing norms, were published in tant Private Secretary C.M. Ravindran erry coasts between Karai- be very rough to high over offshore casinos, while urg- river off Panaji. the local media, Chief Min- to appear before the agency. However, kal and Mamallapuram these regions. Fishermen ing Health Minister Vishwajit “No one is wearing masks. It ister Pramod Sawant had an- Ravindran after turning Covid posi- around Wednesday as a are advised not to venture Rane to direct his officials to is like a carnival. Goans may nounced an increase in penal- tive could not do so. He is likely to be Severe Cyclonic Storm with into these sea areas for the conduct an inspection to see end up paying dearly for this. ty for not wearing masks from served the notice again after his recov- a wind speed of 100-110 above mentioned period. whether SOPs are being fol- Maharashtra has even made Rs 100 to Rs 200. ery. Indian Horizon Wednesday, November 25, 2020 NATION 5 8 bikes, 1 scooty stolen in a day Agitations in Tripura against in Gurugram

Gurugram, Nov 24 (IANS) Vehicle thefts are again on the rise refugee resettlement called off in Gurugram as the district police have registered nine cases which include theft of eight motorcycles and one scooty in the Agartala, Nov 24 (IANS) Movement Committee (JMC), refugees only in Kanchanpur last 24 hours across the city. The incidents of vehicle thefts took The agitation and indefinite comprising two organisations sub-division, we would again place in sectors 49, 51, 52, 17-A, Jyoti Park, Heera Nagar, Islam- shutdown, which began in -- Nagarik Suraksha Mancha start our agitation,” Barua pur village, Pataudi and Manesar. the Kanchanpur sub-division (Citizen Protection Forum) told the media. Motorcycle thefts have become common in Gurugram in re- opposing the BJP-led Tri- and Mizo Convention, both Clearing the doubts, the cent months. On an average ten vehicles are stolen every day in pura governments decision representing the non-trib- state government said in a the city. Cases have been registered under section 379 (theft) of to rehabilitate thousands of als and Lusai tribals, which statement that it has identi- the Indian Penal Code at different police stations in Gurugram. Reang tribal refugees, were spearheaded the indefinite fied various locations spread “After the lifting of lockdown there is an increase in the num- suspended after nine days on shutdown since November 16 across six of the eight districts ber of thefts in the city, especially during the daytime when Tuesday. -- would hold a meeting with of Tripura for the resettle- people are indoors,” said a senior police official. The Reang tribal refu- Chief Minister Biplab Kumar main present in the crucial with the Chief Minister. “BJP ment of the Reang tribal refu- One of the cases was registered at Sector-53 police station. gees sheltered in seven relief Deb in Agartala on Tuesday meeting. MLA Bhagaban Das as an em- gees. “The complainant Kapil Sharma was inside his house but when camps in two northern Tri- evening. JMC’s Joint Convener Su- issary of the state government “The claims that the re- he stepped outside, he couldn’t find his Royal Enfield motor- pura sub-divisions had fled to Deputy Chief Minister shanta Bikash Barua and held two marathon meetings settlement would take place cycle. The theft occurred on Monday at around 9.30 a.m.,” said adjoining Mizoram 23 years Jishnu Dev Varma, Law and Chairman Ziramthiyama Pa- with us till late Monday night. in any one district or sub-di- a police officer. ago, following ethnic strife in Education Minister Ratan Lal chu told the media that they If the state government re- vision are completely false,” In another incident the complainant Pradeep Kumar told the state. Nath and top officials of the have suspended the shutdown mains firm on its decision to said the statement issued on the police his TVS Apache bike was stolen from outside his The leaders of the Joint government would also re- and would hold a meeting rehabilitate 6,000 Reang tribal late Monday night. Sector-49 house in Gurugram. A case was registered at the Sec- tor-50 police station. Another TVS Apache motorcycle was stolen from South City, Phase-II, Sector-49, a Scooty was stolen from Jyoti Park area, UP: Couple loses BJP to embark on ‘Thanksgiving and a Hero Splendor Plus from Sector 17-A. The police said a Hero Splendor was stolen from Manesar and one more bike jewellery, car Yatra’ in Bihar from Dec 3 from Pataudi. Sources in the police department said most of the stolen ve- Patna, Nov 24 (IANS) to December 25. BJP state panchayats. All the party hicles are taken to Mewat and Bharatpur in Rajasthan where the on wedding night Emerging as the single larg- President Sanjay Jaiswal candidates who won or lost parts of the vehicles are sold. In some cases, the motorcycles Shamli (Uttar Pradesh), Nov The car was parked outside est party in the National said,”The party will express have been instructed to are sold for a few thousand rupees to customers in rural areas 24 (IANS) A newly wed couple to take the couple from the Democratic Alliance (NDA) its gratitude to the people of work for solving the people’s where there is little monitoring by the police. and their wedding party re- venue. during the recent Bihar Bihar by taking out this yatra genuine concerns. In some cases, the engines are taken out and used as water ceived a rude shock when all According to Harun, a mem- Assembly elections, the for the emphatic win in the The BJP believes that it pumps by farmers, the police said. the jewellery gifted to the bride ber of the bride’s family, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) recent Assembly elections. has electorally performed and the car in which it was entire incident has come as will hold a ‘Dhanyavad Sam- During this time we will visit much better than before kept, went missing on the wed- a huge shock not just for the melan (Thanksgiving Yatra) all the 243 assembly con- and this momentum needs Farmers not allowed to cross Hry, ding day. newly married couple but also across Bihar from December stituencies which went to to be carried forward. This The incident took place in to both the families and the lo- 3, to express its gratitude to the polls.” is why keeping in touch with threaten to block highways Shamli district’s Kandhla area, cals. the people of Bihar. A BJP leader said the party the public is important. late on Sunday night, when the The groom’s father has reg- The saffron party is not MLAs have been instructed In the recent Bihar As- Chandigarh, Nov 24 (IANS) After a large number of groom’s father Kurban Ahmed istered a complaint with the willing to let the momen- to reach out to the people sembly elections, the BJP, farmers from Punjab, who are heading for indefinite was preparing for ‘nikah’ of his cops at Kandhla police station. tum slow down and further and thank them for electing which is part of the NDA, ‘siege’ of Delhi from November 26 over their demand son. Kandhla SHO Rojant Tyagi strengthen the connect with the party once again. In the had emerged as the single to revoke the Central farm laws, were not allowed to The family alleged that on the said, “We are investigating the the people on the ground. assembly seats where the largest party among its allies enter Haryana owing to travel restrictions there, farm- fateful night Ahmed’s nephew matter. The incident looks sus- The parwty will take out party lost, the candidates -- Janata Dal United JD(U), ers’ bodies on Tuesday threatened to block the high- Azad came in to inform that picious. Action will be taken this yatra in all regions and party leaders have been Vikassheel Insaan Party ways. Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) President Balbir the car, along with gold jewel- once we start getting the leads. across Bihar. BJP MLAs will asked to remain in touch (VIP) and Hindustani Awam Singh Rajewal said Haryana Chief Minister Manohar lery worth lakhs of rupees, was All the aspects of the ceremony take out the ‘Dhanyavad with the people. BJP officials Morcha (HAM) -- winning Lal Khattar has sealed borders for Punjab farmers to missing. are being looked into.” Yatra’ from December 3 have been asked to visit all 74 seats. prove that “Punjab is not part of India”. “We will peacefully block the routes to Himachal and Jammu and Kashmir. Will start dharna on the roads,” he of the previous Congress govern- tweeted. Rajewal questioned Khattar for refusing to give Cong says K-Rail, tunnel projects a bluff by ment. passage to the farmers to go to the national capital. The K-Rail project is one which “Can’t the high court take suo moto notice to give Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will run from the southern point justice to the peaceful farmers,” he asked. to the northern end of the state To avoid the movement of farmers, Khattar on Tues- Pinarayi Vijayan’s announce- tunnel project at Wayanad, with- and is often referred to as the Sil- day announced that the state will seal its borders with ments of some projects as a out even applying for permission ver Line project. Punjab for two days. Reports said a large number of ‘bluff’. Chennithala said no man- to the Ministry of Environment, “During our time it was E. tractor-trailers carrying farmers were lined up on the datory sanctions have been made Vijayan laid the foundation stone Sreedharan, who prepared the borders of Haryana. for the mega projects, which in- for it. bullet train project and that was At least one member from each household in village in Punjab clude the K-Rail and a tunnel in “The K-Rail project is one dumped, but using that project is gearing up to seek the axing of the farm laws following the ‘Delhi the hilly district of Wayanad. which is expected to cost over Rs report, a new project was an- Chalo’ slogan and the growing resentment against three agricultur- Speaking to the media here, 60,000 crores and has no sanction nounced to fool the people. Vi- al laws passed by the Parliament in September.m A movement has Chennithala said the game plan from anywhere, but in a meeting jayan has to answer why he is been gaining ground at the grassroots level across Punjab, which of Vijayan is to announce mega held last week, it was decided doing this when no permission comprises 75 per cent of the farming community, against the ‘dra- projects without even doing the that even with no sanction, it has from any quarter is taken. More- conian’ laws that the farmers fear will not allow them to earn even Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 24 basic work for them. been decided to go forward,” said over why is there no discussion the minimum support price (MSP) fixed by the government and (IANS) Leader of Opposition Ra- “This is done to pocket a fat Chennithala and added that this on this mega project? Has it been besides getting exploited at the hands of the corporate houses. mesh Chennithala on Tuesday sum after giving consultancies for new project was envisaged after discussed with anyone in Kerala,” termed Kerala Chief Minister such projects. For the proposed dumping the bullet train project added Chennithala.

NDA candidate Old practice of feni-making will Couple attempts self- immolation outside confident of bagging continue, no changes: Goa CM Bihar Speaker’s post Odisha Assembly Panaji, Nov 24 (IANS) in order to facilitate mass coholic beverage in Goa. Bhubaneswar, Nov 24 their possession, the police Patna, Nov 24 (IANS) Na- Speaker Jitan Ram Manjhi to Chief Minister Pramod manufacture. The cashew apple is har- (IANS) High drama un- took them into custody. tional Democratic Alliance conduct the oath-taking cer- Sawant on Tuesday de- One of the changes in vested from orchards by folded outside the Odisha The couple alleged that candidate for the Bihar As- emony of every candidate of nied any efforts to alter the excise laws, Kamat farmers, who lease the Legislative Assembly (OLA) police have not taken any sembly Speaker’s post, Vijay his alliance. the process of auctioning had said was the cancel- tracts from the govern- here after a couple from action in connection with Sinha of the BJP, said that Yadav was hinting at Bahu- of cashew plantations in lation of auctioning of ment every season. Nayagarh district allegedly the kidnap and murder of normally the post of Speaker bali MLA Anant Singh of the the state, which the Op- government-owned ca- The juice from the ap- attempted self-immolation their five-year-old daughter goes to the ruling party as it RJD and Amarjeet Kushwaha position as well as feni shew plantations, from ples is then fermented on Tuesday. in July this year. has the majority in the House. of the CPI (ML). The former distillers had alleged as a where the raw source of and distilled using tradi- They maintained that Her body was found in “The post of Speaker is was elected from Mokama conspiracy to corporatise feni, cashew apples are tional equipment. A simi- they have been denied jus- the backyard with eyes elected with mutual un- and is currently lodged in jail. and facilitate mass pro- harvested from. lar process is also used to tice in the alleged abduc- gouged out and kidneys re- derstanding of ruling and Kushwaha has been elected duction of Goa’s heritage Sawant however has distill coconut feni from tion and murder case of moved, they said. opposition parties and it is from Ziradei and is lodged in drink. maintained that the palm toddy. their five-year-old daugh- Soudamini alleged Ag- based on numbers. Our al- Siwan jail. Both of them are “No one needs to worry. “government has no Cashew feni is also the ter. riculture Minister Arun liance has projected me on facing criminal charges. The old practice of (mak- such plans to make any country’s first indige- When the couple tried to Sahoo is shielding the ac- the basis of seniority and we The opposition Maha- ing) cashew feni will con- changes in the existing nous liquor to obtain the immolate itself by pouring cused in the incident. are fully confident about it,” gathbandhan which has tinue,” the Chief Minister process”. Geographical Indication kerosene, security person- “Our daughter was bru- Sinha said. fielded RJD MLA Awadh told reporters here. He also maintained tag. nel deployed outside the tally murdered. Babuli Tarkishore Prasad, the Bihari Choudhury for the On Monday, Leader of that cashew farmers In 2016, the Goa gov- Assembly rushed and pre- Nayak along with his ac- Deputy Chief Minister of Bi- Speaker’s post, has 110 seats Opposition Digambar should not believe in ernment had passed vented them from lighting complices killed her. Even har and BJP leader said: “We in the Assembly and there is Kamat as well as feni dis- “such rumours”, which amendment to the state the matchstick. as months have passed, the have the numbers to elect the reportedly a big chance of 5 tillers in Goa had accused Sawant said had been excise law, elevating feni, The couple has been accused are moving scot- Speaker in the House and we AIMIM, 1 BSP and one inde- the Goa government of “created by mischievous a popular locally brewed identified as Ashok Sahu free. Minister Arun Sahoo will prove our majority. Tra- pendent candidate voting in trying to ‘corporatise’ elements”. cashew-based alcohol, to and Soudamini Sahu of is sheltering the criminals,” ditionally, it goes to the ruling its favour. The ruling NDA feni manufacture in the Cashew feni is distilled the status of a heritage Jadupur village in Nayagarh said the mother. She said alliance.” has 125 seats. In such a situ- state, by trying to alter from fermented juice ex- spirit, bringing it on par district. the main accused was a key Meanwhile, the RJD’s Te- ation every vote is important the state excise laws deal- tracted from the cashew with scotch whisky and After seizing the kerosene aide of the Minister from jashwi Yadav urged pro-tem for both the sides. ing with country liquor, apple and is a popular al- tequila. bottle and a matchbox from Nayagarh district Indian Horizon 6 Edit Wednesday, November 25, 2020 No signs of winter thaw Indian Horizon Manoj Joshi the same direction, even though the been at least half a kilometre away more troops along the frontline and Last Saturday, according to a report impact of India’s restrictions on Chi- from the place where the incident refrain from changing the ground— in The Tribune, India-China military nese trade and investment is not very occurred and where they wanted to nothing has been done. talks were deadlocked, at least for significant. Actually, during 1988-93, retain an observation post there. Sat- Earlier this month, there was a flurry now. The last round, the eighth since India did indeed decouple the bound- ellite imagery confirmed that they of media reports that India and China June 6, was held on November 7, and ary issue from that of normalising ties. have amassed substantial men and were close to an agreement for the the two sides have been unable to find Subsequently, it built a multi-layered equipment in the Galwan valley, and Pangong-Chushul area. This would dates for another round. relationship with China, based on their intention was not to guard their begin from the north bank of the Pan- As temperatures began to plummet trade, investment, people-to-people portion of the LAC, but to push a road gong Tso where the PLA had occupied Wednesday, November 25, 2020 in Ladakh, there were expectations contacts and cooperation in a range 8 km into the Indian side to the point and fortified an 8 km stretch from Fin- that the two sides would find a solu- of areas on global and regional issues. where the Galwan river meets the ger 4 to Finger 8 since early May. The tion to the problem arising out of the What the incidents in Galwan and Shyok. Subsequently, the Chinese Chinese side would pull back to east Chinese action of breaching the LAC other parts of eastern Ladakh have have claimed the entire Galwan val- of Finger 8, while the Indians would Mask as metaphor at several points last May. Instead, done is to disrupt this. Beijing needs ley. Incidentally, by now, the Chinese pull back to a position between Fin- both sides have dug in by providing to know that it is not easy to put the side has confirmed that they, too, suf- gers 2 and 3. This zone would thereaf- Safety protocol is needed to their personnel special housing and toothpaste back into the tube. fered casualties in the incident. ter become a ‘no patrol’ zone. clothing. The Galwan incident, where 20 In- Efforts to defuse the situation began Thereafter, they would pull back check virus China has given no indication that dian soldiers lost their lives, has had a almost immediately. The Prime Min- tanks and heavy weaponry near the it is aware that it is responsible for profound impact across the country. ister himself denied that there had LAC, and then, lastly, both sides changing the situation. It would be This is especially since there had been been any intrusion. Maybe, he did would pull back from the forward NON-CONFORMIST behaviour is com- foolhardy to assume that we can re- no casualties on the LAC since 1975. this to protect his government from positions they have taken along the turn to normality soon. Given the Indian system, the Chi- accusations of mishandling the situa- Pangong (Kailash) range in the south ing into display with public places get- Conversations with the Chinese nese sometimes find it difficult to un- tion, or, perhaps he was hoping to en- bank of Pangong Tso and also make side reveals that they continue to derstand, no government can afford sure that this could calm the situation. this a ‘no patrol’ zone. ting swarmed by people not wearing a blame India for the problem and to ignore public opinion. It is true that Talks between military officials that Almost immediately, the reports maintain that the boundary issue in India, the media nowadays often had been held since May 6 did not were denied by the Communist Party face mask despite safety protocols re- should be decoupled from the nor- plays an inflammatory role. But it is work and eventually the issue was mouthpiece Global Times, which mal ties between the two countries. If still a largely free media and it is dif- taken up in Moscow on September 4 said that the reports were inaccurate peatedly being advocated even as Cov- India insisted in coupling the issues, ficult for even the Modi government and 10, when Defence Minister Ra- and contained half-baked informa- id-19 is yet to relent. Though it is natural they say, the question will be further to control it. jnath Singh and External Affairs Min- tion. This was not a total denial, and complicated. When India presses In Galwan, a local situation went ister S Jaishankar met their Chinese a commentator cited acknowledged for pandemic fatigue to set in, throwing its case, it gets homilies on properly out of hand and poor Indian com- counterparts. that the two sides had some agree- managing and containing differences mand and control played a contribu- After the second meeting, the one ment, though not as wide-ranging as caution to the winds with a confirmed and not allowing the situation to es- tory role. But the primary responsibil- between the two foreign ministers, a described in the media. The report calate. In a period when the Chinese ity is that of the PLA which should not five-point de-escalation process was claimed that the Indian media’s re- cure elusive and the vaccine still some are facing the US and other efforts to have been there in the first place. supposed to have begun. But after tak- ports were aimed at pressuring China decouple from the Chinese economy, As it is, by their own description ing the first step in the military meet- and stirring up domestic nationalism. time away is best avoided. The wearing they are sensitive to Indian actions in of the LAC in 1960, they should have ing of September 21—not to add any IANS of masks was all along advocated and indeed there was trouble ensuring their Drones aren’t be-all & end-all of air warfare adequate supply when the pandemic be- Group Captain Murli Menon (Retd) linking to ground stations and for weap- Information war by both defence defence weaponry may not obtain all International social and electronic on delivery or suicide attacks. ministries and unconfirmed battle casu- across our long borders. gan with the advice finally coming that media — and, by extension, our own Both the belligerents were devoid of alty figures further exacerbate the ‘fog of Also, why the Armenians were unable media outlets — have gone to town regular sizeable air forces. Armenia has war’ scenario in the Nagorno-Karabakh to bring down any Azerbaijani drones, even cloth masks would suffice for pro- regarding the successes achieved by around 18 Russian Sukhoi-25 ground at- battle zone. Azerbaijan has, apparently, despite having two batteries of potent tection, despite different views on their Azerbaijanis on the Nagorno-Karabakh tack aircraft, MiG-29 and a few Mi-24 at- employed drones more liberally, target- Russian S-300 missiles, defies imagina- battlefield, employing armed ‘kamikaze’ tack helicopters and some L-39 trainers. ing Armenian tanks, artillery and air de- tion. It just goes to show the unprofes- efficacy. Warnings of a surge during the Turkish unmanned aerial vehicles, such Azerbaijani air assets include about 30 fence radars, given the nearly 200 drones sional air power wherewithal of both the as the Bayraktar TB2 and Harpy/Harop MiG-21/SU-27/ SU-24 of Russian origin in its inventory as compared to a few belligerents, generally. It’s also valid that festival season had come because of and Orbiter 1K made by Israel Aircraft and sundry Mi-24 attack helicopters and tens with its opponents. The newfound especially low-flying drones would be li- Industries. They are also known to have L-39 trainers. Some Turkish F-16s are revenues from oil and gas reserves has able to have their control and guidance large gatherings, increasing the risk of employed a Russian conventional air- known to have been seen over the Azer- given it more wherewithal to go on a systems interfered with via jamming craft’s converted-to-drone adaptation baijani skies, including possibly one that buying spree of weaponry, drones and caused by electronic combat. infection, with social distancing norms such as the AN-2, as also other Israeli downed an Armenian SU-25 Frogfoot a equipment, turning to Israel and Tur- Turning to the emerging situation drones, such as Hermes, Heron and Sky- while ago. key for technology not available with nearer home, with two professionally being flouted. striker. But none of the fighters otherwise the Russians, who were the traditional blooded air forces as existing in India The Bayraktar is known to be an have been reported flying during the weapon suppliers to both countries. and Pakistan, drones would, at best, While advances have been made in American Predator/Reaper copy and war, both countries apparently taking Now, while running a drone opera- serve as another tool for combat air the Turks have, statedly, used them ex- the cheaper kamikaze drone option. On tion is capital-intensive, it cannot be a power enhancement and for special the search for a vaccine with phar- tensively earlier in Syria and Libya. The July 13, replacement for traditional air power operations and anti-terror warfare. The Armenians have a much smaller drone the Houthi rebels in Yemen had used assets. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards on reported advent of the Heron class of maceutical companies claiming var- fleet, comprising models such as home- armed kamikaze-type drones (possibly June 20, 2019, shot down an expensive armed drones in India’s inventory (stat- grown Krunk, Baze and Ptero-5. Most of Iran supplied) to attack the Jizan Aram- American RQ- 4A Global Hawk (costing edly, a programme to develop around ied success, it is still some months these drones were initially designed for co oilfields on the Red Sea, and, are also over $100 million) over the Strait of Hor- 1,500 such platforms for the three ser- away before it will be available for reconnaissance and surveillance and known to have targeted Patriot missile muz, employing a surface-to air missile vices being underway), along with the adapted later for suicide missions. Also, batteries at some Saudi airfields. (possibly, an SA-2), amply illustrating quantum change expected in the re- the public with the variation in pric- the limited size of the Caucasian battle- Now, given the small size of the bat- the vulnerability of drones per se to con- fined real time intelligence-gathering, field in question lent itself to such kami- tlefield in Nagorno-Karabakh and ex- ventional air defence weaponry. becoming a game-changer hopefully, ing being another cause for concern. kaze missions by drones. pensive fighter aircraft inventory, both Several Pakistani unsophisticated thanks to the Basic Exchange and Co- Anywhere else, with an effective air countries have sought to find a cheap al- quadcopter-type drones indulging in operation Agreement for Geo-Spatial Will the government’s flagship health defence orbit existing, such low-speed ternative to enhance their strike poten- terrorist weaponry drops have been Cooperation (BECA) deal, would enable aerial platforms would be swatted off the tial through the use of drones. Besides, downed by our BSF along the LAC. the IAF to take out enemies of the state insurance scheme include vaccina- sky, like flies. It is believed that the Azer- there is, of course, the great advantage Higher-flying Predator class of drones in the neighbourhood, such as Hafiz baijani TB2s were operated by Turkish of not losing any trained pilots to battle would be difficult to spot on the radar Saeed and Dawood Ibrahim. tion along with treatment and test- military personnel, including for data casualty. and shoot down, given that optimal air IANS ing for the coronavirus will be known only gradually. By advocating the use The limited impact of the roko agitation M Rajivlochan to come forward to support the farm- They had to open the roads. The few days. The military, which was of masks, like the Punjab CM did by The farmers’ agitation in Punjab ers. Patwaris, traders, unions of vari- farmers did ensure that all move- stocking up materiel in the Himala- has shown us the limits of roko an- ous state government employees, ment became toll-free. This, how- yas to challenge the Chinese incur- saying, ‘Mask hi vaccine hai’, govern- dolans in contemporary India. They commission agents, dairy farmers, ever, would have hurt only the sion in Leh-Ladakh, quietly shifted inevitably peter out unless they are singers, artistes and all major politi- concessionaire and none else. The to transporting its goods by trucks, ments are also being realistic as the for a just cause. This would be the cal parties came out in support. Even concessionaires were not bothered though movement by truck is almost long wait for the vaccine is being test- second major roko andolan to hap- many from the BJP announced their about losing revenue in this way twice as costly as that by railroad. By pen in the past year. The previous support. How far this support was since their contracts state that they the third week of the rail roko stir, ed by the concerns of the people who one was the Shaheen Bagh protest in because people genuinely believed can collect revenues till such time however, some people had started Delhi, where mostly Muslim wom- in the cause is anyone’s guess. that they recover the cost of the complaining about shortages. have to earn their living. en blocked an entire market street The farmers’ leadership, coming roads, plus a little more. If stopping Farmers, those who were cultivat- against the Citizenship (Amend- from some 31 different politically toll collection pleased the farmers, ing their lands, complained about Even as the Prime Minister begins ment) Act of 2019. The anti-CAA pro- active groupings, insisted that un- made them imagine that they were the shortage of fertilisers and other test fizzled out after a hundred days. less the laws were withdrawn, the empowered, then the concession- agricultural inputs that would have his consultations with the Chief Min- It was Gandhi who perfected an- farmers would stop work across the aire wasn’t going to disabuse them come by train. Industrialists com- dolan techniques during the non-co- state — and also force other people of such fancies. The losses could plained about their inability to meet isters to take stock of the situation, operation movement in 1920-22. The to stop work. This has been a fairly always be recouped at a later date with export commitments since andolan has to be for satya — truth common way of protesting in India. from the same farmers. trains had been stopped. Manufac- the Supreme Court has asked for a re- — Gandhi would say. Erik Erikson, Usually, it meets with a fair amount The farm agitation then shifted turers rued the absence of material the psychiatrist who studied Gan- of social approval, if not indifference, to the railway tracks. Stopping the to manufacture. port on the measures taken and the dhi’s techniques of non-violent pro- leaves the participants quite elated, movement of trains is a preferred ac- None of this evoked a positive re- test, pointed out that before launch- irrespective of whether it achieves tion in any agitation in India. Once in sponse from the farmers till the ther- help needed from the Centre as well ing an agitation, Gandhi made efforts its goals or not. But then, achieving a a while, trains are also burnt to dem- mal power plants in Punjab reported to build bridges with his opponents. goal is seldom the objective of such a onstrate the intensity of the agita- that they had exhausted their coal as the situation in hospitals. It is time His success came from the fact that protest. Showing annoyance is. tion. One such burnt train has been reserves and, in the absence of fresh to correlate needs with priorities. In he put in great effort to formulate a In the present instance, the first standing on the sidings in Jalandhar supplies, were planning to shut down non-negotiable demand which was step in this protest was to stop all since 2009, when the locals had de- the generation of electricity. The fear the present times, wearing a mask is also just. It was just not from the movement on major roads. With cided to express their annoyance at a of power outages seemed to have point of view of the protestors, but more than 50,000 trucks enter- happening in far off Vienna. had an impact. Which is surprising, essentially a precautionary measure also that of those against whom the ing Punjab every day just from the The agitating farmers in 2020 considering that till just a few years protest was being carried out. Shambhu barrier, the stoppage of hadn’t burnt any train. But their in- ago, everyone in Punjab was living and unlike in the US, should not be However, not everyone has the roads was bound to have a serious sistence on stopping all trains did with long power outages. But this stamina, wisdom or ability to reach impact. It did. Not on the economy cause hurt all around. Some trains time, the issue of electricity shortage allowed to become the subject of a out to opponents as Gandhi had. The or the government or the political had been stopped since September seemed to be emotive enough. leaders of farmers today certainly parties, but on the truckers man- 24. Meanwhile, the initiative of the On October 21, the leaders of agi- debate between the liberals and the don’t have it. ning these vehicles. Their trucks Punjab Assembly to pass laws that tating farmers announced that they Farmers in Punjab came out on were stranded. Within a few days, tried to rescind the impact of the would allow the movement of goods conservatives. The challenge before the streets on the September 25, to reports came in that the truckers laws that the Parliament had passed trains. Now, it was the turn of the protest against the farm laws that the had started an agitation of their did not seem to appease the farmers, railway management to baulk and the government will lie in convincing Modi government had brought in. In own. They wanted the roads to be though they welcomed the Assem- insist that it would run trains only Punjab, which prides itself on being a opened so that they could go back bly’s initiative. The blockade of trains if all tracks were vacated and the the people to abide by the social dis- farming state, the cause was emotive home. That was the first major was extended to all tracks on October movement of all trains allowed. tancing norms, not an easy task with enough for a large number of people setback for the farmers’ agitation. 1. No one complained about it for a IANS livelihoods at stake. Readers Response and contribution Welcome Indian Horizon Wednesday, November 25, 2020 OP-ED 7 Violence against women deformed the civilized society By Lalit Garg is a unique means of making women media and strict laws have been made. . Not only in India, incidents of in- powerful, progressive and cultural. Women from every corner of the coun- creasing violence, are exploitation, It It is estimated that 35 percent of try are raped, sexually abused, burnt insecurity and oppression on women women worldwide have experienced for dowry, physical and mental torture around the world a serious problem. physical and sexual violence at some and women are heard of news of horse- The United Nations is celebrating 25 point in their lives by a non-partner. trading. The atrocities on women can- November as International Day for However, some national studies sug- not be controlled by merely bringing the Elimination of Violence against gest that 70 percent of women have women into minority circles. Because Women.On this day; several programs experienced physical and sexual vio- the root of female oppression, female are organized underlining the need lence from an intimate partner in their reproach and woman being considered to make more efforts to stop violence lifetime. Adult women account for 51 low and is found in our ancient theolo- against women. Women’s groups and percent of all human trafficking vic- gies, our customs, rites and religious organizations are undertaking various tims worldwide. One in 10 women in texts and religious stories. initiatives to bring about the worri- the EU report has experienced cyber- The mentality of considering a some situation in the society of women harassment since the age of 15. The woman as small and second-class has and consequently, the ill effects on the risk is highest among young women seeped into the background of Indian physical, mental and psychological between the ages of 18 and 29. Violence society. The real question is to change health of women. against women is a global epidemic. 70 this mind-set. Over the years, the ten- On November 25, 1960, three sisters, percent of women experience violence dency to hide crime and to fear crimi- Patria Mercedes Mirabail, Maria Argen- during their lifetime. In the Rajasthan nals has started to wane. Be it from tina Minerva Mirabail and Antonia Ma- province of India, there has been a ter- the movements like Me too or the laws ria Teresa Mirabail, were brutally mur- rible mentality of giving respect to the made after the Nirbhaya incident. dered in 1960 on the orders of political girl child as soon as it is born. Therefore, such crimes are not com- activist Dominican ruler Rafael Trujillo With some contemplation, we learn frightening in the context of India. male supremacy by nature and con- pletely correct, but still quite a lot. The (1930–1961). These three sisters strong- that sexual harassment, torture, moles- Even though the Indian government is vinced of the feudal state of mind. Then unjust does injustice until it is endured. ly opposed Trujillo’s dictatorship. Sup- tation, prostitution, coercion against currently doing commendable work for how is it possible to solve this problem? A fundamental change in the justice the empowerment of women under the Sexual harassment of women contin- system and mind-set is also needed to leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in its modern era, not only thou- sands of minorities but ordinary wom- en are far from their rights. The gov- ernment may have devised hundreds of schemes for the upliftment of women, but the lack of education and aware- ness among the women is still missing. Unaware of their duties and rights, the world of women has been confined to the stove. The women of the tribal communi- ties in India are oblivious to their rights and their life is like a tragedy even to- day.Like ordinary women and young women, women of minority society are also getting acid attacks, then there are frequent murders-rapes and search- dowry harassment incidents. There is occasional noise on these incidents, porters and activists of women’s rights women, buying and selling women and people protest, the media is active but have celebrated this day since 1981 as a girls, violent behaviour arising out of why do not take the name of reducing commemoration of the death of these war and gruesome torture in prisons crime. We see that the Indian leader- three sisters. On 17 December 1999, it still continues against women and is ship has increased the will power but ues in our country and society, but it instil this belief among women. People was unanimously decided in the Unit- increasing rather than decreasing. ironically, there is no resentment or de- will only be said that the government, in the country are not fully aware of the ed Nations General Assembly that 25 Today it is necessary to discuss the sire for change in this situation among administration, courts, society and rights of women and it is not followed November would be celebrated as the women of the society suffering from the common citizens about the atroci- social institutions have not been able with full sincerity and will. Despite all International day for the Elimination of violence and oppression. It is unfortu- ties on women. They are advocates of to reduce this malpractices even after the claims of women empowerment, violence against Women. nate if there is shadow of oppression, women are far from their real rights. Along with development in the coun- exploitation, discrimination and op- They have to understand that the ac- try and the world, instead of stopping pression of women in developed and cident does not choose the person and violent thinking towards women, new developing countries. Minorities and the time and they have no fault in ev- forms are coming out. To overcome women belonging to the core com- erything. this violent social thinking and ide- munities of the respective countries The polluted and perverted ways of ology, International Women’s Vio- worldwide are subjected to rape, mo- man-society are not only to change, but lence-Elimination Day is a day associ- lestation, harassment and murder due also to uproot the roots of the reasons ated with the existence and identity of to their caste, religion and original for which women are forced to drink women, which conveys the message identity. Minority Rights Group In- sip of poison again and again. World of consciousness of responsibility, a ternational, in its annual report titled Women’s Violence-Elimination Day is call to develop a new civilized and de- ‘The condition of minorities and Native an opportunity for non-governmental cent thinking towards women. This peoples of the world’, describes how organizations, international organiza- day keeps watch on the places where women of minority and parent com- tions and governments to spread pub- there are possibilities of deviation and munities are more vulnerable to vio- lic awareness of violence against wom- violence of life ideals, it holds the aspi- lence around the world, whether it is a en. The world should play a role for rations which have a very violent pace period of conflict or a period of peace. genuine respect for the human dignity but which shows the wild race of the Mark Latimer, the executive director of women so that the work of realizing society without purpose. Among the of the organization, said that women their real rights can be made practical. objectives of celebrating this day, there face the brunt of physical violence So that in this creation, words like rape, is also a resolve to control the increas- under discrimination against minori- gang rape, female harassment, female- ing violence towards women. This day ties worldwide. This situation is also violence ceases to exist. Making headlines: COVID-19 and gender inequality

what should, in fact, be obvious: they get things were already profoundly unequal now is neither as sudden nor unexpect- the causality all wrong. before the pandemic struck. ed as these reports often imply. Prior to The language used often implies that To be clear: the intention of many March 2020, women in the UK, for in- the pandemic itself is responsible for media reports is clearly to highlight the stance, were already more likely to be liv- intensifying inequalities and for eroding worsening of gender inequality and the ing in poverty, particularly as they make women’s rights. In fact, blaming COV- urgency of addressing it. Yet their fram- up the majority of single parents, single ID-19 for women’s deteriorating materi- ing too often diffuses responsibility and elderly people, and those with caring al, economic, physical, and psychological reinforces a feeling of inevitability. And responsibilities, which then limit their conditions, has three striking effects. this needs to change. time for paid work. Women were also First, it deflects accountability for Rather than blaming the “pandemic”, over-represented in insecure, precarious growing inequality, locating it in “the we need reporting – including headlines employment and in the low-paid sectors pandemic”. Take the BBC News head- – that clearly identifies the root causes of hardest hit by the pandemic, such as hos- line: “Five ways virus upheaval is hitting gender inequality so that we can appor- pitality, leisure, retail and tourism. women in Asia”, or the Guardian’s sub- tion responsibility where it truly belongs Thus, when we hear that “Millions of heading: “Just like every emergency, CO- and mobilise to effect concrete change. career women are considering giving up VID-19 is racist, ageist, classist and sex- The first step is to name the forces re- work due to the stress of juggling their ist”. This kind of framing implies that the sponsible for growing inequality. jobs with childcare and household chores coronavirus has its own agency. For instance, rather than talking about in lockdown,” it is crucial that we are re- Second, blaming the virus produces the “pandemic” causing the dramatic minded that before the pandemic, gen- and reinforces a sense of fatalism, inti- rise in domestic violence, media state- der inequality in the workplace was rife By Catherine Rottenberg, Shani Orgad ticularly women of colour, have been mating that the massive blow to women, ments can identify the lethal dynamic of in most countries. In the UK, for example, We have repeatedly heard about how sacked or furloughed at a higher rate dur- the poor and the vulnerable in society is poverty, women’s economic dependence before the pandemic, the gender pay gap COVID-19 disproportionately affects ing the pandemic, stalling their careers inevitable since it has been caused by a alongside dominant norms around gen- was already holding steady at 8.9 percent women. While men are more likely to die and jeopardising their financial security. natural force beyond our control. State- der, all of which have been severely ag- for those in full employment, and 17.3 from the virus, in many other respects, And the list goes on. Media reports have ments like “the pandemic will take wom- gravated post-COVID, while highlighting percent for all employees. women are bearing the brunt of the pan- continuously documented the pandem- en 10 years back” or “the pandemic is the lack of appropriate resources for criti- Finally, we must urgently replace fatal- demic’s impact. ic’s devastating impact on gender equal- destroying women’s rights”, which have cal services like gender-based violence istic sentiments with bold demands and The effects on women have been ity. An article appearing in the Atlantic been repeated even in the most progres- refuges, helplines, and routine health swift action on a mass scale. multiple: violence against women has reads: “The Coronavirus Is a Disaster for sive media outlets, imply not only that checks. We have roadmaps to draw on. The Wom- increased, with incidents of domestic Feminism”, while a Financial Times ar- increasing inequality is the pandemic’s Instead of decrying how millions of en’s Budget Group, for instance, has called violence soaring. School closures, over- ticle queries: “Is the coronavirus taking “fault”, but that it has also been inevi- women are forced to quit their jobs be- for a radical transformation of our economy: burdened healthcare systems and social women back to the 1950s?” table. cause of COVID-19, headlines need to from one that prioritises profit over people to distancing measures have significantly Such headlines matter because they Third, headlines and statements like underscore that women, and especially one where there are ample resources for high- increased many women’s unpaid care shape how we think about the issue. And these create the false impression that be- mothers, have been pushed out of the quality care services so that mothers in waged and domestic loads at home, which, in today, more than ever, when people tend fore the pandemic women’s conditions workforce because of the failures on the employment are supported, and where living turn, has made them less able to balance to consume news quickly, often on their were improving apace. They suggest that part of governments, institutions and wages and safe working conditions are guar- these responsibilities with paid work. phone screens, they are more likely to the pandemic has rapidly reversed de- workplaces to support them. anteed for all. Similarly, the Care Manifesto, More caring work at home has also read the headline and scan the text, rath- cades of steady progress vis-à-vis gender Second, we must situate the pandem- published this year, demands that we roll out meant that more women have been er than read word for word. Yet, we have equality – as if prior to March 2020 there ic’s disastrous impact on women within universal care on all scales of our lives, from forced to scale down or leave the work- become so accustomed to these head- have been few setbacks, let alone re- the broader context of our contemporary our most intimate to the planetary. force. Simultaneously, women, and par- lines that we rarely pause and challenge trenchments. This obscures the fact that crisis of care. What we are witnessing Al Jazeera News

The views expressed in these columns are the writers’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Indian Horizon or its management.-Editor Indian Horizon 8 International Wednesday, November 25, 2020

Geneva, Nov 24 (IANS) GHANI CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE AT GENEVA CONFERENCE ruption, unequal distribution While addressing the opening of resources, and internal con- ceremony of the Afghanistan commitments to negotiations comes when we move past the ism operations in 2015”.“We working on making peace, and fl ict,” he stated. 2020 Conference in Geneva on with the Taliban remain fi rm”, war, the poverty, and the pan- have held the frontline in the responsibility for “ushering the Ghani said the Afghan Tuesday, Afghanistan Presi- TOLO news reported. demic,” Ghani said. global fi ght against terrorism. peace-making process forward people, the government and dent Ashraf Ghani called on the “We need to create a strong He also said that after the We held our provinces. When is now in the hands of the two the international community Taliban to agree on an immedi- regional consensus for a stable international forces reduced Taliban managed to take tem- negotiating teams at the table”. share a vision of a sovereign, ate ceasefi re to move the peace and peaceful Afghanistan,” from 150,000 in 2011, to below porary control of a district, “We must create conditions unifi ed, democratic Afghani- process forward and end the Ghani said.“The ultimate re- 10,000 in Afghanistan, the Af- we quickly took back most of well-being. We must also stan at peace with itself, the re- suffering of the people of the sult of our work moving for- ghan security forces “success- of them,” Ghani said.Ghani create rules of the game, so that gion and the world, capable of country.President Ghani said ward, and the ultimate benefi t fully took over responsibility said that in Doha, the Afghan we do not fi nd ourselves pulled ernance in which destructive preserving and expanding the that despite the suffering, “our of our committed partnership, for security and counter-terror- Republic negotiating team is backwards by vacuums of gov- forces can thrive, such as cor- gains of the past two decades. Imran Khan to address nation over 1 KILLED, 23 INJURED IN BUSAN APARTMENT FIRE Busan, Nov 24 (IANS) A fi re smoke inhalation, according have been evacuated by fi re- Covid after NCC meeting broke out at an apartment to fire officials. fi ghters who arrived at the Islamabad, Nov 24 (IANS) COVID-19 infections across building in the southeastern scene, after a 13th-fl oor resi- Pakistan Prime Minister Im- the country. city of Busan on Tuesday, leav- dent reported smoke coming ran Khan will address the The premier will be briefed ing one dead and 23 injured, from the lower fl oor. nation after chairing the Na- on the measures taken to fi re authorities said. The blaze did not spread tional Coordination Commit- contain the spread of coro- The fi re started at around to other rooms and was com- Now ‘real tee (NCC) on Tuesday where navirus and will give the fi nal 6.50 a.m. on the 12th fl oor of pletely put out in about 40 he aims to take the nation approval on the closure of ed- a 24-story apartment building minutes, fi re offi cials said. hope’ to end into confi dence over the gov- ucational institutions, which in the northern ward of Geum- The father and the son were The apartment building, ernment’s latest coronavirus was announced earlier by jeong in the city, some 450 km sleeping at their apartment constructed in 1995, was COVID-19 measures. to sources, the meeting is be- Education Minister Shafqat southeast of Seoul, Yonhap when the fi re broke out. found to have no sprinkler in- Amid deteriorating situ- ing attended by offi cials from Mahmood. news agency reported. The son, who woke up from stalled. with ation of the coronavirus the National Command and Sources revealed that im- A man in his 40s was found the smoke, opened the bed- Police and fi re authorities pandemic in the country, Operations Centre (NCOC) portant decisions are expect- dead in the bedroom of his room door where his father are currently investigating the vaccines: PM Imran Khan is review- and the Ministry of National ed to be taken in the NCC home on the 12th floor, was asleep but could not do exact cause of the fi re. They ing the national strategy to Health Services Regulation meeting which can include while 23 others, including anything due to the fi erce plan to request an autopsy of WHO chief curb the spread of the virus, and Coordination.They will more smart lockdowns in dif- his teenage son, have been blaze, according to a police the dead to the National Fo- Geo TV reported.According discuss the growing trend of ferent parts of the country. sent to a nearby hospital for investigation.Other residents rensic Service. Geneva, Nov 24 (IANS) “There is now real hope that vaccines, in combination BRITISH PM ANNOUNCES ‘TOUGHER’ TIERED SYSTEM OF COVID RESTRICTIONS with other tried and tested public health measures, will London, Nov 24 (IANS) tem "is designed to carry us delivery, takeaway and drive- this year".Meanwhile, shops, cial distancing is maintained. help to end the pandemic,” British Prime Minister Boris safely to spring", the Xinhua through. Hotels and indoor gyms and salons are allowed For the fi rst time since the said the World Health Or- Johnson announced on Mon- news agency reported. entertainment venues must to reopen across the country country's fi rst lockdown in ganization (WHO) Director- day a "tougher" tiered system According to the Prime Min- also close in these areas. after December 2. The "rule of March, fans will be allowed General Tedros Adhanom of coronavirus restrictions ister, under Tier One, the low- Johnson said he will an- six" will return, which means back into outdoor sports sta- Ghebreyesus. to replace England's current est of the new three-tier sys- nounce which areas will fall people will again be able to diums in areas with the lowest The WHO chief’s remarks lockdown when it ends on De- tem, people in the areas will into which tier later this week, meet up to six people from dif- coronavirus infection rates. came after drugmaker As- cember 2. be urged to work from home probably on Thursday.The ferent households outdoors Britons will also be allowed traZeneca said on Monday Under the "Covid Winter wherever possible.In Tier Two Prime Minister said he was across England. to travel abroad for holidays that its COVID-19 vaccine, Plan" which Johnson revealed areas, pubs and bars must "very sorry for the unavoid- According to the plan, col- once again from December developed with Oxford Uni- to the House of Commons close unless they are serving able hardship to business lective worship, weddings and 2, although they will remain versity, was up to 90 percent (lower house of parliament), substantial meals along with areas all pubs, bars and res- owners who have already en- outdoor sports can resume subject to quarantine rules effective, making it the third the revised three-tiered sys- alcoholic drinks.In Tier Three taurants must close except for dured so much destruction across England as long as so- when they return. major drug company after Pfi zer and Moderna to have reported late-stage data for a NZ Prime Minister highlights post-Covid economic recovery plans potential COVID-19 vaccine, Xinhua news agency reported Wellington, Nov 24 (IANS) it is keeping the milk fl ow- mary Industry Summit held in lion) in export to the food and Partnership (RCEP).“RCEP on Tuesday.“The signifi cance New Zealand Prime Minister ing through our processing Te Papa, national museum of fi bre sectors over the next ten will increase opportunities of this scientifi c achievement Jacinda Ardern on Tuesday plants or livestock moving New Zealand in Wellington, years, and create 10 per cent for our exporters, cut red tape cannot be overstated. No vac- highlighted the crucial impor- through our freezing works, Xinhua news agency reported. more job opportunities in the and offer one set of trade rules cines in history have been de- tance of the primary industries, the food and fi bres sector has She estimated that the am- primary sector in the coun- across the Asia Pacifi c region. veloped as rapidly as these. implying that her government kept New Zealanders fed and bitious goals of the govern- try by 2030.Ardern also men- This will result in around a 2 The scientifi c community has would invest huge resources maintained our vital export ment Fit for a Better World tioned the importance of New billion NZD increase to New set a new standard for vaccine in the areas for accelerating markets,” Ardern said during roadmap would add 44 billion Zealand signing the Regional Zealand’s GDP over all,” Ard- development,” Tedros added. economic recovery.“Whether her speech at the second Pri- NZD (about US $30.36 bil- Comprehensive Economic ern said. S. KOREA HOPES TO WORK CLOSELY WITH BIDEN AS ‘NATO will not let Daesh Moon requests public support BLINKEN NAMED TOP DIPLOMAT ‘Rebuild’ in Afghanistan’ for antivirus campaign secretary of state under Korea’s denuclearization, Brussels, Nov 24 (IANS) NATO said. "Either stay – and pay the Seoul, Nov 24 (IANS) South the Barack Obama admin- akin to the 2015 Iranian Secretary General Jens Stolten- price of a continued military Korean President Moon Jae-in istration has a deep under- nuclear deal. berg at the 66th Annual Session engagement. Or leave – and risk appealed to the public on Tues- standing of Korean Penin- When asked about of the NATO Parliamentary As- that the gains we have made are day to continue supporting the sula issues, Yonhap news Blinken’s views, a foreign sembly said that the alliance lost. And that the peace process government’s fi ght against the agency reported. ministry offi cial said Tues- cannot let Daesh rebuild in Af- falters." rapid spread of COVID-19. “In the case of Blink- day that the government ghanistan "the terror caliphate The NATO chief said the with- He posted the message on his en, the nominee for does not presuppose or it lost in Syria and Iraq". drawal of international troops Facebook and Twitter accounts, secretary of state, he make predictions based Stoltenberg said on Monday from Afghanistan is conditions- as tougher social distancing re- is known for his ample on certain remarks. that the US has announced based and "we will only leave if strictions took effect at the start experience and ex- “We value his expertise that it will reduce its presence the Taliban has met their side of of the day in Seoul, Incheon distancing and preventive virus pertise in foreign on issues including the Ko- in Afghanistan, but NATO mis- the agreement". and Gyeonggi Province, where control are the only way to curb Seoul, Nov 24 (IANS) affairs. He also has rean Peninsula and we’re sion will remain and that it will Trump's decision to withdraw around half of South Korea’s the spread of the virus. South Korea anticipates a deep understanding of doing a lot of research at continue to provide support to troops from Afghanistan has 52-million population reside, He asked the people to join working closely with South Korea-US relations our bureaus, including the Afghan security forces, TOLO been criticized by some US offi - Yonhap news agency reported. forces once again so that the US President-elect Joe and Korean Peninsula is- North America affairs bu- news reported. cials and former military gener- “I am very sorry for the in- COVID-19 situation can be stabi- Biden’s pick for secretary sues,” Choi said in a press reau, on how we’re going "One of the reasons we need als who have called it an attempt creased inconvenience again lized at an early date. of state, Antony Blinken, briefi ng. to work with him,” Choi a strong military is for our fi ght in favor of the Taliban. in daily life and diffi culties in He also cited the urgency of to deepen the alliance be- “We will work with these added. against international terrorism. Retired US general and former the people’s livelihoods,” Moon fl attening the curve ahead of the tween the two countries, offi cials under the next Blinken, 58, served as As we have been doing in Af- advisor of the US president, HR wrote. annual state college entrance the foreign ministry said US administration in the deputy secretary of state ghanistan for almost 20 years," McMaster, criticized recent an- Under the Level 2 guidelines, exam scheduled to be taken on on Tuesday. hopes to further develop under President Barack he said. nouncement on reduction of the third highest in the na- Dec. 3 by nearly half a million Ministry spokesperson the Korea-US alliance,” he Obama and then Vice Stoltenberg said NATO's fu- American troops presence in tion’s fi ve-tier social distancing students and others across the Choi Young-sam made said. President Biden from 2015 ture presence in Afghanistan Afghanistan and said the Trump system, the operation of some country.“In particular, ensuring the remark after Blinken Blinken’s nomination to 2017. He also served as will be addressed in their next administration is handing the businesses is limited and public that the CSAT, which is nine days was named to be Biden’s raised the prospects that deputy national security Defence Ministers meeting in Taliban a victory by withdraw- gatherings are restricted, among away, is held safely is the respon- fi rst secretary of state, he might take a more re- adviser under the former February."We will be faced with ing troops from Afghanistan, various measures.The president sibility of the whole society,” saying the former deputy alistic approach to North US president. a diffi cult choice," Stoltenberg calling the plan "abhorrent". stressed that thorough social Moon emphasized.

Beijing, Nov 24 (IANS) China will will see the China-Cambodia free with ASEAN, Singapore, Republic level in fi elds including customs XI CALLS FOR CHINA VOWS TO step up efforts to expand the free trade agreement take effect at the of Korea (ROK) and New Zealand, procedures and trade facilitation, trade area network across the world earliest and accelerate investment and facilitate China-Japan-ROK, intellectual property protection, CLOSER CHINA˨ EXPAND GLOBAL to enlarge its "circle of friends", agreement negotiations with Eu- China-Gulf Cooperation Council, e-commerce and trade remedies, according to China's Commerce rope, Zhong said in a signed article China-Norway and China-Israel China will actively engage in dia- ETHIOPIA FREE TRADE Minister Zhong Shan.After signing published Tuesday in the People's free trade agreement negotiations, logue and communication with the Regional Comprehensive Eco- Daily.Zhong also urged efforts to Xinhua news agnecy reported. more major economies and re- COOPERATION AREA NETWORK nomic Partnership (RCEP), China upgrade the existing trade pacts With the RCEP reaching a higher gional trade mechanisms, he said. Beijing, Nov 24 (IANS) Chi- nese President Xi Jinping the establishment of diplomatic lomatic ties, traditional friend- ship, the two countries have and support to each other on is- VID-19 pandemic, China and pledged on Tuesday to work more benefi ts to both countries ties between the two countries, ship of the two countries has been deepening political mu- sues of their core interests and Ethiopia have helped each other with his Ethiopian counterpart and peoples.Xi made the re- Xinhua news agency reported. been getting stronger.In recent tual trust and achieving fruitful major concerns, and have coor- in time of diffi culties, setting an Sahle-Work Zewde to enhance marks in an exchange of con- In his message, Xi said over the years, with the building of the cooperative results in various dinated closely in international example of China-Africa unity in China-Africa and the Belt and gratulatory messages with Ze- half a century since the estab- China-Ethiopia comprehensive fi elds, said Xi.The two sides have and regional affairs, he said. fi ghting the pandemic, said the Road cooperation, so as to bring wde on the 50th anniversary of lishment of China-Ethiopia dip- strategic cooperative partner- rendered mutual understanding Since the outbreak of the CO- Chinese president. Indian Horizon Wednesday, November 25, 2020 Business 9 Nifty crosses 13K as vax hopes boost markets globally Mumbai, Nov 24 (IANS) of 44,499.62 points. candidate in the UK and Bra- er dosing regimen showed 62 Earlier Pfizer and Moderna Optimism over the vaccine Healthy buying in auto, zil showed it was highly effec- per cent efficacy when given had reported their vaccines of front against the novel Coro- banking and finance stocks tive in preventing the disease, as two full doses at least one being highly effecting. navirus and the continued supported the indices. the primary endpoint, and month apart. The combined At 12.27 p.m., Sensex was flow of foreign funds have Optimism has been fueled no hospitalisations or severe analysis from both dosing at 44,402.66, higher by 325.51 boosted the Indian stock in the global markets after cases of the disease were re- regimens resulted in an aver- points or 0.74 per cent from its market, as on Tuesday the the recent series of positive ported in participants receiv- age efficacy of 70 per cent. previous close of 44,077.15. Nifty50 crossed the 13,000 announcements on the vac- ing the vaccine. All results were statistically It opened at 44,341.19 and mark for the first time. cine front. One dosing regimen significant. More data will has so far recorded an intra- The Nifty50 on the Nation- AstraZeneca on Monday an- showed vaccine efficacy of continue to accumulate and day low of 44,247.12 points. al Stock Exchange touched nounced Monday that posi- 90 per cent when ‘AZD1222’ additional analysis will be The top gainers on the an all-time high of 13,048.75 tive high-level results from was given as a half dose, fol- conducted, refining the effi- Sensex were Axis Bank, Ma- jor losers were Bharti Airtel, 13,026.10, higher by 99.65 points on Tuesday, and the an interim analysis of clinical lowed by a full dose at least cacy reading and establishing hindra & Mahindra and Maru- HDFC and IndusInd Bank. points or 0.77 per cent from its BSE Sensex hit a record high trials of the Covid-19 vaccine one month apart, and anoth- the duration of protection. ti Suzuki India, while the ma- Nifty was trading at previous close. Vaccine hopes push gold below Rs 49,000 per 10 gram Cyclone Nivar: Modi dials TN & Mumbai, Nov 24 (IANS) 50,100 levels for the target of in the UK and Brazil showed Puducherry CMs, assures support Futures of gold, which were 49,000 levels,” Gupta said. it was highly effective in pre- soaring well above the Rs In the international market, venting the disease, the pri- New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) Earlier on Monday, Union 50,000 mark till sometime gold may test $1780 to $1800 mary endpoint, and no hos- Prime Minister Narendra Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba back amid the weak econom- per ounce levels soon, ac- pitalisations or severe cases Modi on Tuesday spoke to chaired a meeting of the ic scenario, have now started cording to him. He was of the of the disease were reported the Chief Ministers of Tamil National Crisis Management to ease and have fallen below view that traders can also go in participants receiving the Nadu and Puducherry ahead Committee (NCMC) to review the Rs 49,000-mark amid op- for sell in Silver at Rs 61,000 vaccine. of the impending cyclone that the status of impending timism regarding vaccines for levels, with the stop loss of One dosing regimen is going to cross into the state Cyclone through video the novel Coronavirus. 61,800 levels and for the tar- showed vaccine efficacy of and UT by Wednesday. conferencing with the Chief The December contract of on the MCX is currently at Rs on the front of corona virus get of 59,800 levels. 90 per cent when ‘AZD1222’ “Spoke to Tamil Nadu Secretaries of Andhra Pradesh, gold on the Multi Commodity 59,825 per kg, lower by Rs 700 vaccine. Gold ETF holding is Optimism has been fueled was given as a half dose, fol- CM Shri @EPSTamilNadu Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Exchange (MCX) is currently or 1.16 per cent from its previ- also falling more than a mil- in the global markets after lowed by a full dose at least and Puducherry CM Shri @ The Cabinet Secretary had trading at Rs 48,975 per 10 ous close. lion ounce in this month, he the recent series of positive one month apart, and anoth- VNarayanasami regarding told the officials that the Crisis gram, lower by Rs 505 or 1.02 Anuj Gupta, DVP for Com- said. “The trend of gold and announcements on the vac- er dosing regimen showed 62 the situation in the wake of Management Committee is per cent from its previous modities and Currencies silver now become down and cine front. AstraZeneca on per cent efficacy when given Cyclone Nivar. Assured all aiming at “zero loss of life” and close. Research at Angel Broking expectation of safe haven de- Monday announced Monday as two full doses at least one possible support from the early restoration of normalcy Similarly, domestic futures Ltd said that noted that the mand of this asset may fade that positive high-level re- month apart. The combined Centre. I pray for the safety in the affected areas. He has of silver also continued its decline has been on the back out. As for today traders can sults from an interim analy- analysis from both dosing and well-being of those living ordered strict implementation downward trend on Tuesday of recovery in global equity go for sell in gold at Rs 49,800 sis of clinical trials of the regimens resulted in an aver- in the affected areas,” the PM of the advisories. Fishermen and its December contract market and development levels with the stop loss of Rs Covid-19 vaccine candidate age efficacy of 70 per cent. tweeted. are not to venture into the sea. Cohesive retail policy can help create 30L jobs by 2024: Report Innovation culture fuelling New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) A stakeholders with job cre- It further said that the re- is needed to streamline ap- arney. business resilience in India: Study cohesive National Retail Pol- ation, upskilling, and im- tail sector is also one of the provals and compliance Shashwat Goenka, Chair- acknowledged that innovation icy can help in generating 30 proved labour productivity, largest employers of women, mechanisms, improve access man, CII National Commit- has become easier in the post- lakh jobs by the year 2024, ac- value chain modernisation which account for 25-30 per to capital, enable technology tee on Retail & Sector said: “A COVID-19 era. cording to a report by CII and and an improved consumer cent of the workforce. Wom- led modernization, bridge in- National Retail Policy needs Prior to the pandemic, Kearney. The report noted experience. en-centric policy tweaks can frastructure gaps in retail and to be rolled out with immedi- only 32.5 per cent of Indian that an investment of Rs 6,500 “By implementing a cohe- increase this share to 35 per increase labour participation ate effect that brings all forms business found innovation in crore in retail-related infra- sive National Retail Policy, cent or more. and productivity. These will of retail under one umbrella. their products and services structure, including ware- the government can fuel the It noted that the govern- bring back five to seven lakh There are four crucial areas easy. “Innovation is no longer housing and cold-storage retail sector’s growth, which ment can act as a catalyst by retailers who have shut shop, that the policy needs to pay an option, but a necessity. facilities, can create 2-3 lakh can generate up to 30 lakh rolling out a cohesive model back into business, generate attention to, ease of doing New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) We have seen how the recent more jobs by 2024, it said. more jobs 2024, in addition retail policy to reinvigorate 30 lakh more employment business, modernisation and Amid the pandemic, 77 per crisis has spurred the need It noted that retail invest- to creating indirect employ- the sector and unlock next and drive 2 per cent incre- adoption of technology, ac- cent of Indian organisations for transformation; for ments can have a cascading ment opportunities in associ- phase of growth. mental GDP growth,” said cess to capital and employee have found innovation to be organizations to adapt and effect, creating value for all ated sectors,” it said. “A National Retail Policy Subhendu Roy, Partner, Ke- upskilling.” critical or important to their innovate in order to emerge performance and resilience, stronger,” Rajiv Sodhi, Chief said a Microsoft and IDC Operating Officer, Microsoft Govt no to additional performance security on abnormally low bids report released on Tuesday. India, told reporters in a virtual New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) on low bids may affect the bid price, in combination The study found that in roundtable. The government has decided ability of contractors to bid with other elements of the a short span of six months, “We commissioned this not to seek additional in tenders and hence reduce Bid, appears so low that it organisations in India have research to gain better performance security on competition. raises material concerns as increased their ability to understanding of the abnormally low bids received The finance ministryfor the capability of the bidder innovate by 4 per cent by relationship between having on government contracts to has noted that there is no to perform the contract at the maturing their culture of a culture of innovation and provide relief to contractors provision of higher security offered price. innovation. an organization’s growth. But already facing liquidity issues deposit/ bank guarantee Procuring Entity in The study also showed now, more than achieving in the wake of the ongoing in general financial rule for such cases seek written that close to 78 per cent growth, we see that having a pandemic. procurement by government clarifications from theof India organisations are mature culture of innovation The finance ministry departments. So, it had said bidder, inctuding detailed speeding up digitalisation in translates to resilience, has asked all government that no provision should be price analyses of its bid a variety of ways to adapt to and strength to withstand ministries and departments circular on the issue. infrastructure development. made unless approved by price in relation to scope, the new reality. This included economic crises to recover,” not to ask for additional Under the Atmanirbhar The relaxation from higher higher authorities. schedule, allocation of risks launching digital products and he added. security deposit or bank Bharat Abhiyan 3.0 performance security on The ministry has said and responsibilities, and any introducing digital payments The study introduced guarantees in cases of announced earlier this month lower bids now will help that its instruction will be other requirements of the bids to embracing ecommerce and the culture of innovation low bids unless there is a the government has relaxed contractors facing acute applicable for all kinds of document. If, after evaluating automation. framework, which spans the compelling reason to do so. regulations on earnest financial crunch on account procurements viz. Goods, the price analyses, Procuring As a result, Indian companies dimensions of people, process, Even in such cases, money deposit (EMD) and of slowdown in economy Consultancy, Works, non- Entity determines that the are aiming at increasing their data, and technology, to assess performance guarantee performance security on due to the pandemic and consulting Services etc. bidder has substantially failed revenue from digital products organizations’ approach to deposit should be taken only government tenders and prevent delays in execution of As per the Manual for to demonstrate its capability and services to 50 per cent in innovation. It surveyed 439 after approval from higher reduced performance security projects. Procurement of Goods 2017 to deliver the contract at the the next three years from 36 business decision makers and authority and properly on contracts to 3 per cent The industry had earlier issued by the expenditure offered price, the Procuring per cent at present. 438 workers in India within a assigning reasons, the from a level 5-10 per cent now represented that higher Department, an Abnormally Entity may reject the bid/ According to the survey, 6-month period, before and ministry said in a recent to boost construction and guarantee being sought Low Bid is one in which the proposal. 64 per cent of respondents since COVID-19. Von Wellx Germany’s India ops eye exports, Nearly 200 LVB branches were loss-making, 100 employment generation unviable: Ex-Director New Delhi, Nov 24 Iatric Industries Private the German company footwear products Chennai, Nov 24 (IANS) 17 evening, the Reserve Sinha told IANS. by Clix group into the (IANS) German footwear- Limited for Von Wellx products are already will be manufactured The superseded board of Bank of India (RBI) The Clix group LVB, Sinha said. maker Von Wellx which Germany and other sub- being sold. using unique patented the 94-year-old Lakshmi took series of decisions comprises Clix Capital Noting that they felt recently shifted its brands. The German company technologies across Vilas Bank (LVB) was - superseding the LVB Services Private Ltd, Clix “nearly two-thirds of operations from China to The collaboration plans to set up multiple segments -- men’s, supposed to meet on board, appointing an Finance India Private Ltd Clix loan books were not India amid the pandemic between the companies footwear factories and women’s and kids’ November 18 and was administrator, putting and Clix Housing Finance banking compatible”, is eying exports to would be across ancillary industry in categories -- which were close to taking a decision the bank under one Private Ltd. According to he declined to comment around 80 countries and technological transfer, India with footwear earlier imported from on the deal proposed month moratorium with Sinha, the difference in whether the then board creating around 10,000 research & development, capacity of over 50 lakh China. by the Clix group of a cap on withdrawals and negotiations had come would have taken a direct and indirect job marketing and pairs. The production The company will also companies, said a also coming out with its down with Clix group. decision in favour of the opportunities in the production, it said. of the company in setup a new factory at member of the old board decision to amalgamate Sinha said when the Clix deal. country. Iatric industries will be India now begins at two Yamuna Expressway of directors. the bank with DBS Bank three Clix companies Sinha also said two Earlier this month, the exclusive collaborator manufacturing unit with Industrial Development Board member Shakti India, subsidiary of DBS would have brought in other NBFCs and private the company started for the next 25 years for production capacity of Authority, Jewar in Sinha also said, for a Bank, Singapore almost a loan book of about Rs banks showed interest its manufacturing the German company in over 25 lakh pairs, located 10,000 square metre for bank of LVB’s size, its 563 free of cost. 4,200 crore, which, in in the LVB. Queried operations at two India for both production in the Export Promotion which land has already branch network was huge “The LVB board was turn, would increase the about LVB’s 563 branch factories in Agra. Casa and sales. The products Industrial Park (EPIP) been allotted and the and nearly 200 of them supposed to meet on capital adequacy ratio network, Sinha said for a EverzGmbh, the owner manufactured will be Shastripuram, Agra. foundation stone will were loss-making and Wednesday/Nov 18. We (CAR). bank of its size it was huge of the footwear maker, exported to all the 80 As per the company, be tentatively laid in about 100 were unviable. were close to a decision on There would have been and nearly 200 of them has tied up with India’s countries in which all different types of December 2020. However, on November the Clix group proposal,” no fresh capital infusion were making loss making.