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NORA CHALLENGES FANS US, IRAN N-DEAL SACHIN HOSPITALISED Actor Nora Fatehi scorches social media with her Iran Friday said it was ready to welcome the Sachin Tendulkar has been hospitalised as a new Instagram post and challenges fans return of the United States to the precautionary measure, six days after he tested COVID-19 positive saying they “can’t take it” LEISURE | P2 nuclear deal INTERNATIONAL | P10 SPORTS | P12

VOLUME 11, ISSUE 3 | www.orissapost.com | SATURDAY, APRIL 3 | 2021 12 PAGES | `4.00 IRREGULAR by MANJUL Covid-19 second wave may peak by mid-April: Scientists

Now I know how to grow PRESS TRUST OF exponentially. I was in Mr Vadra’s COLLECTORS ASKED TO Taiwan train body recently New Delhi, April 2: Scientists have pre- dicted using a mathematical model BOOST HOSPITAL INFRA that the ongoing second-wave of COVID- mishap kills 50 19 pandemic across the country could BHUBANESWAR: The state Health Department Friday asked all district peak by mid-April, following which SHORT TAKES Collectors and Commissioners of Urban the infections may see a steep decline Local Bodies (ULBs) to boost the infrastruc- Vice President in by the end of May. ture in government hospitals to cope with state on 2-day visit During the first wave of COVID-19 the threat increase in the number of COVID infections across India, the mathe- patients in the state. The instructions given matical approach, named SUTRA, pre- by the department comes in the wake of con- dicted that the initial surge of infections sistent rise of COVID cases in the state. The in August would peak by September and department has asked the Collectors to put lower in February 2021. in place all the necessary infrastructure such Scientists, including Manindra as beds, oxygen cylinders and others, Agrawal from Indian Institute of besides ensuring smooth supply of medi- Technology (IIT) Kanpur, applied the cines to COVID patients. “Taking note of the model to predict the trajectory of the rapid surge of COVID-19 cases in the country AGENCIES than 100 people were in- current surge in infections and found and the state, you are requested to take jured, it said. Railways news Bhubaneswar: Vice-President M that the number of daily new infec- measures immediately to mitigate the pan- Hualien County (Taiwan), officer Weng Hui-ping called Venkaiah Naidu arrived in here tions is likely to peak in mid-April for demic,” the communique read. April 2: A train partially de- the crash Taiwan’s dead- Friday is on a two-day visit to the this ongoing pandemic wave. railed in eastern Taiwan liest rail disaster. state. A special aircraft carrying “For the last several days, we have However, Menon cautioned that such Friday after colliding with Weng said a construction the Vice-President reached the found that there is a reasonable chance A health worker collects a nasal sample from a passenger for COVID-19 test, amid projections of COVID-19 cases should an unmanned vehicle that truck operated by the rail- Biju Patnaik International Airport coronavirus pandemic, in New Delhi, Friday PTI PHOTO (BPIA) at 11.00am. He was that the cases in India could peak some- really be trusted only in the short term. had rolled down a hill, killing way administration slid welcomed at the airport by n During the first wave of COVID-19 n Now, scientists have predicted, “Any excessively precise prediction, 50 people. With the train onto the track from a work Chief Minister Naveen INDIA OVERTAKES US infections across India, the using a mathematical model, that the of a peak within just a 5-day window, still partly in a tunnel, sur- site on the hillside above. Patnaik and Governor Ganeshi mathematical approach, named ongoing second wave of COVID-19 would ignore the many uncertainties vivors climbed out of win- No one was in the truck at Lal. The Vice-President IN DAILY COVID CASES SUTRA, predicted that the initial surge pandemic could peak by mid-April, associated with the inputs to any such dows and walked along the the time. He said the speed proceeded to the Raj Bhawan of infections in August would peak by following which the infections may see calculation,” Menon, who was not in- train’s roof to reach safety of the train was not known. from the airport. Naidu will NEW DELHI: India has overtaken the US to September and lower in February 2021 a steep decline by the end of May volved in the SUTRA modelling, told this after the country’s deadliest The train had only par- inaugurate the 600th birth become the country with second-highest news agency. Agrawal noted that the railway disaster. tially emerged from a tun- anniversary ceremony of Adi daily COVID-19 cases in the world. Brazil time between 15-20 April. It is a sharp by Maharashtra. However, the IIT model uses three main parameters to The crash occurred near nel and many escaping pas- Kabi Sarala Das and attend 40th leads the chart with 91,097 cases recorded slope, but on the way down, it would Kanpur professor added that the model's predict the course of the pandemic. the Taroko Gorge scenic sengers were forced to annual day of Sarala Sahitya in the last 24 hours. India recorded 81,466 likely be equally sharp, coming down prediction of the new peak is sensi- “The first is called Beta, or contact area on the first day of a scramble out of doors and Sansad at Sarala Bhawan in new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours. very fast and by end of May may see a tive to the daily new infections data. rate, which measures how many peo- long holiday weekend when windows and scale the sides . After attending the two About 77,718 new cases were reported in dramatic reduction,” Agrawal said. “Even a little bit of change each day ple an infected person infects per day. many people were hopping of the train to walk along the events, Naidu will return to the the US April 1. India has been witnessing a “There is some uncertainty in pre- causes the peak numbers to change It is related to the R-naught value, trains on Taiwan’s exten- roof to safety. capital and Saturday attend the spike in cases since the last three weeks. dicting the peak value of daily new by several thousand numbers. But the which is the number of people an in- sive rail system. The train The stretch of track India recorded its first coronavirus case convocation ceremony of Utkal infections because of the sharp rise. location of the peak has remained on fected person spreads the virus to over had been carrying more where the orange-striped University. P3 January 30 last year and since then, a total Currently, it is coming to 1 lakh infec- mid-April,” he added. than 500 people. train came to a halt hugs of 1,23,03,131 people have been infected. the course of their infection,” Agrawal In the US, the first case was found January tions per day, but this can go up or Independent calculations made by sci- explained. The National Fire Service the coastline. Yellow and 3 terrorists killed in 22 and has now surged to 30,538,427, down. But the timing remains the same entists, including Gautam Menon from The other two parameters, he explained confirmed the death toll, red police tape marked the respectively. If the total deaths are consid- between April 15-20,” he added. Ashoka University in Haryana, have also are ‘Reach’, which is a measure of ex- which included the train’s area of the crash. Images Pulwama encounter ered, India is at the fourth position after The scientists predict that in the predicted that the peak of the ongoing posure level of the population to the pan- young, newly married driver, from the scene showed part the US, Brazil and Mexico. current wave, the first state to peak wave of infections could be between mid- demic, and ‘Epsilon’ which is the ratio of and said all aboard had now of the wall of one car had Srinagar: Three unidentified could be Punjab in a few days, followed April and mid-May. detected and undetected cases. been accounted for. More smashed into a seat. terrorists were killed in an ongoing encounter between the terrorists and security forces at Kakpora in South Assam poll team carries EVM New helpline Kashmir's Pulwama district on AWARENESS ON AUTISM Friday morning, officials said. number issued “Three unidentified terrorists in BJP candidate’s vehicle killed in encounter at Pulwama. Incriminating materials, AGENCIES Commission-assigned vehicle of to check including arms and polling team posted Ratabari. It was ammunition recovered. Search Guwahati, April 2: The Election on its way back to the strong room wildlife crime going on,” police said. Earlier Commission Friday ordered fresh after voting, official sources said. The the gunfight took place after a voting in one polling station of presiding officer contacted the sec- POST NEWS NETWORK joint team of the police and the Assam’s Ratabari seat following a tor officer for a replacement vehi- Army cordoned off the area controversy over officials inexpli- cle and was assured of one. Bhubaneswar, April 2: The alarm- and launched a search cably transporting an electronic vot- The polling staff, however, inex- ing rise in crime related to wildlife operation on the basis of a ing machine (EVM) in a BJP candi- plicably took a lift in the private in the state has become a major specific information about the date’s car Thursday. The officials car. Krishnendu Paul’s electoral af- cause of concern for both the state presence of terrorists. involved have been suspended, sources fidavit confirms that his wife, police and Forest department of- have said. The incident had led to Madhumita Paul, owned the vehicle. ficials. To rein in the growing violence in Karimganj district where As the car approached the lo- menace, the Special Task Force WEATHER the seat is located. The car belonged cality where the strong room is (STF) of state Crime Branch Friday BHUB CTK to the wife of Krishnendu Paul, a situated, supporters of the released a mobile phone number BJP contestant in nearby Patharkandi. Opposition identified the vehicle (9439263646) urging the citizens MAX 38.2° 37.4° Top Opposition leaders Friday cited and mobbed it, along with the to share information related to this to allege malpractices by the driver. The district administration any crime against wildlife in their TEMP MIN 25.5° 25.2° Forecast ruling BJP. had to resort to police action to locality with the police. The STF Humidity 81% 80% Partly The incident in Karimganj widely disperse the crowd and secure the has assured financial rewards to Rainfall Nil Nil cloudy shared on social media. It followed vehicle, the EVM, and the polling A motorbike rally was organised by Zain Foundation from Sandy Tower to Baramunda in Bhubaneswar to spread the informants and promised not sky the break-down of the Election personnel, officials said. awareness on the occasion of the World Autism Day, Friday (Story on P2) OP PHOTO to disclose their names. “In case of seizure or arrest based on the specific and pin- pointed information, the con- cerned informer would be suit- A first kiss, a battle with addiction: Floyd’s girlfriend testifies ably rewarded,” the STF announced in a press note. IN HER TESTIMONY, ROSS SPOKE ABOUT ADDICTION: AS WITH MILLIONS OF OTHER AMERICANS, FLOYD AND SHE STRUGGLED TO QUIT OPIOIDS Earlier, the STF sleuths suc- ceeded in arresting two wildlife REUTERS Americans, Floyd and Ross strug- hear about your struggles with opi- ern voice, raspy,” she said, “and he smugglers and seized a leopard gled to quit opioids. oid addiction,” he began. “Thank you was, like, ‘Sis’? You OK, sis’?’” skin from their possession in Minneapolis, April 2: George Floyd’s “It’s a classic story of how many for sharing that with the jury.” He sensed she felt sad and alone area of Khurda district girlfriend took the witness stand people get addicted to opioids,” Ross Before that, Ross, who had pinned and offered to pray with her. in intervening night of Thursday Thursday and described their re- said. “We both suffered from chronic a heart-shaped brooch to her black “It was so sweet,” Ross said, dab- and Friday. The accused persons lationship, from a first kiss to date pain: mine was in my neck, his was jacket for the occasion, smiled fondly bing a tissue to her eyes. “At the identified as Sudhira Behera and nights at restaurants, but also spoke in his back.” at the memory when asked by pros- time I had lost a lot of faith in God.” Subhash Chandra Behera are the about how an addiction to painkillers ecutors in the fourth day of wit- They had their first kiss in the residents of . took hold of their life together. CHAUVIN MURDER TRIAL ness testimony how she first met lobby that night and except an oc- A case (11/2) has been regis- Courteney Ross, 45, was the first The death of Floyd, a 46-year-old Floyd. “It’s one of my favorite sto- casional break were together until tered at the STF police station witness who personally knew Floyd Black man, set off protests across ries to tell,” she said. his death, she said. here under various Sections of to testify at the trial of Derek the United States and around the ‘SIS’? YOU OK?’ In his cellphone, Floyd listed IPC and Wildlife Protection Act, Chauvin, the former Minneapolis world over racial injustice and po- Ross, 45, said she first met Floyd Ross, a mother of two, as ‘Mama.’ 1972. The skin seized from ac- y policeman charged with murdering lice brutality against Black people. in August 2017 at a Salvation Army They took walks in the parks cused has been sent to the Wild Life

the man she loved by kneeling on Prosecutors wanted the jury to Floyd’s death, which the county to raise the drug use in an effort to homeless shelter, where he worked and around the lakes of Ross’s na- Institute of India at Dehradun for

k y m c his neck during an arrest last May. hear Ross’ frank account of opioid medical examiner ruled a homi- muddy Floyd’s character and that as a security guard. She was wait- tive Minneapolis, which was still new chemical examination. In her testimony, Ross described use to undermine a central plank cide at the hands of police, was re- the theory would be contradicted by ing in the lobby to visit the father to the Texas-raised Floyd, and dined STF, the specialised wing of how her romance with Floyd began of Chauvin’s defense in a trial seen ally an overdose from the fentanyl medical evidence. of her son after closing up the cof- out often: “He was a big man,” she state police dealing with organ- in 2017 when he offered to pray with as a litmus test of accountability in found in his blood at an autopsy. Nelson seemed to acknowledge the fee shop where she worked. Floyd said, describing his daily weightlift- ised crime, has seized 12 leopard her. She also spoke about addic- US policing. Prosecutors have said Eric Nelson, sensitivity when he stood up to approached her. ing, “and it look a lot of energy to skins, six elephant tusks and two tion: As with millions of other Chauvin's lawyers argue that Chauvin’s lead attorney, has sought cross-examine Ross: “I’m sorry to “Floyd has this great, deep, south- keep him going.” deer hide during the last one year. P2 JAMES ALMOST FIRED 'AVATAR' HAILEY BIEBER SAYS TROLLS ‘MESS’ SATURDAY | APRIL 3 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR SEQUEL WRITERS WITH HER MIND Filmmaker James Cameron has shared that the American model Hailey Bieber, who is married pre-production of his upcoming Avatar sequels to pop star Justin Bieber, says she has limited was not as smooth as it seemed. The director the use of Instagram owing to heavy trolling. told author Marianne Williamson that he almost Hailey was speaking to psychologist Jessica

y fired his Avatar sequel writers’ room, which is Clemons in a new vlog when she made the

k y m leisure pitching new ideas for the upcoming movies. revelation. c FORTUNE FORECAST Nora challenges fans Alia tests Mumbai: Actress and dancer Nora Fatehi scorches positive social media with her new Instagram post Friday, and ARIES challenges fans saying she doesn’t think they “can take it”. for Covid Career decisions and “Wet hair, bronzed skin... see I don’t think that u can money matters will keep you busy today. And take it..” she wrote as the caption with a set of pho- Mumbai: Alia Bhatt has tested positive for after all the work, you will want to tos where she strikes a pose or two in a metallic sil- Covid-19. The actress took to Instagram to share spend some leisure time and take it ver fringed dress, doing the half split. with fans that she has isolated herself and is in easy. A leisure trip may materialise, Nora is all geared up for her next film Bhuj: The quarantine at home. which will put you in high spirits. Pride Of India, which revolves around the Indian “Hello all, I have tested positive for Covid-19. Air Force pilot Vijay Karnik. I have immediately isolated myself and will be The film stars Ajay Devgn with Sonakshi under home quarantine. I am following all safety TAURUS Sinha. The period drama looks back at the story protocols under the advice of my doctors. Grateful of 300 women of Madhapar village in for all your love and support. Please stay safe and You will win the heart of Gujarat’s Kutch dis- take care,” Alia posted on Instagram Thursday your family members trict, who played night. today, forecasts Ganesha. A scene from play Shesha Sanlapa staged at Bhanja Kala Mandap Try and delay auction bids or sealed ten- a pivotal role Alia’s rumored boyfriend, actor Ranbir Kapoor, ders. Job aspirants may look forward to during the had got infected with Covid a few weeks back. belated success in interviews. Ganesha 1971 Indo- However, he has now recovered. advises you to take abundant precautions Pak war. Alia has multiple films lined up. She will be in all critical matters. IANS seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Gangubai Holy City troupe Kathiawadi. The film is slated to hit screens July 30. She is also part of Ayan Mukerji’s GEMINI Brahmastra, which also stars Ranbir. presents Shesha Sanlapa Alia will also be seen in SS Rajamouli’s RRR, Your business rivals may Karan Johar’s Takht and Jasmeet K. Reen’s Bhubaneswar: Ramchandi street plays to criticise the compete with you in sales and deals today, warns Darlings, which she has co-produced with Shah Socio Welfare Cultural wrongdoings of the estab- Ganesha. Care and concern must be the two Rukh Khan. IANS Orginasation of staged the lishment. Expectedly, due to watchwords in all your dealings. Hostility play Sesha Sanlapa (Last his fearlessness he gets sus- may come in the way of love. Those spurned Dialogue) Friday, on the second pended from his job. Though in previous romantic liaisons may get a day of monthly drama festival he takes a vow not to bow be- chance to pen a new love story, says Ganesha. Natyadhara, here at Bhanja fore anyone, ultimately he is Kala Mandap. forced by a local Natyadhara is or- legislator to com- ganised by NATYADHARA promise with his CANCER Department of Odia FESTIVAL values. Against his Today, you may have to Language, Literature will, Gautam do a lot of multi-tasking and Culture, Govt. of Odisha writes a script glorifying the at work, predicts in collaboration with Odisha Ganesha. And you are achievement of the MLA. This likely to do it with the dexterity of a Sangeet Natak Akademi and haunts him immeasurably juggler. You will finish your pending Odisha Natya Sangh, on first and he ends his life after writ- tasks with ease. three days and on the second ing the last dialogue of the Sunday of every month. play. The drama staged Friday The dignitaries who at- LEO was written by Ganeswar tended the event include ONS You will exercise your Mohapatra and directed by president Haren Sahoo, play- will today and will be in Pradyumna Mohanty. wright Krupasindhu Nayak, the mood to soar like a Play’s plot revolves around ONS secretary LB Roy and free bird today. You will Gautam Das, a clerk in a gov- vice-president Prakash not be in the mood to listen to anyone. ernment office who also writes Maharana. IANS Work related travel will be beneficial. Guard against ego clashes in personal relationships, says Ganesha.

VIRGO Superbikers’ rally marks World Autism Awareness Day in City Today you need to carry on with your success without rest- POST NEWS NETWORK portant intersections such as Jayadev ing on your past lau- Vihar, Nayapalli, CRPF Square and cul- rels. You will also need to stay focused Bhubaneswar: Zain Foundation Trust, minated near Trust’s office at and organised to continue with the same Bhubaneswar Friday organised a super- Baramunda.A number of kids with autism success level that you enjoyed in the past. bikers’ rally here to observe the World presented gifts to the superbikers. Autism Awareness Day. Mothers of a few children with special Several members of Bhubaneswar Super needs were also felicitated on the occa- LIBRA Bikers’ Club participated in the event to sion. support the initiative. After the grand success of this super- If there's a knock on The bike ride was flagged off by Prabodh bikers’ rally, the Trust has some other your door today, there's a very strong possibility Mohanty, the Managing Director of SN programmes in store. it might be a marriage Mohanty Group. “We have also planned a series of ad- proposal. Don't get startled, and grab While a similar rally was organised vocacy exercises in Bhubaneswar as well opportunities that come knocking Friday in Pune, the Trust will hold more as other cities. Besides, we will organise (literally!). The stars send you a partner rallies in Chennai, Bangalore and Indore member of the Foundation Trust. a special fair April 4 where our children who shall be your match in every way. in coming days to sensitise people about The rally that kicked off from the prem- will showcase their craftsmanship,” said autism, said Gargi Bhattacharya, a trustee ises of Sandy’s Tower, passed through im- Bhattacharya. SCORPIO It seems, the book, 'How to win friends and influ- ence people' has left a SUDOKU great impact on your post To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, mind, bringing about a lot of change in your PEANUTS CROSSWORD practical life too. As you switch to a new column and box must contain the numbers business venture, your efforts will be 0 to 9 and the letters A to E. appreciated. In short, you are a personality that every one would take a note of.

SAGITTARIUS Running helter-skelter and muddling of affairs is on the menu. Expect not to find even a moment's peace. But take a break, says Ganesha. And dive right back in the chaos and make the most of it.

CAPRICORN CALVIN AND HOBBES Impulsiveness, which is not really your trait, will be very evident in what- ever work you do today, say Ganesha. Money matters will keep you preoccupied for major part of the day, but ironically, your otherwise methodical approach to everything SOLUTIONS will go for a toss.

AQUARIUS Lady Luck gazes lovingly upon you today! Bosses are pleased, colleagues are happy, and this makes work seem like leisure. You may want to get in touch with old friends who have moved far away. What are BREVITY you waiting for, asks Ganesha, in this CROSSWORD age of communication?

PISCES

y You will have frequent

mood swings today but

k y m you will still manage to fix c a work related goal. Your mood will be better if you focus on work. You might feel stressed about some personal matter, but Ganesha says it is not a matter to worry. You will receive some good news by the end of the day. CHECK FOR SOLUTIONS OF THE PUZZLES TOMORROW SUDOKU COVID-19 TRACKER P3 SIGHT TO BEHOLD SATURDAY | APRIL 3 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR INFECTED RECOVERED DEAD Srimandir silhouetted World 13,04,14,047 10,50,56,579 28,43,614 against the setting sun in Puri, Friday India 1,18,46,855 1,15,25,039 1,63,396

downtown Odisha 3,41,772 3,37,430 1,921

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BJP alleges attack, BJD says saffron paranoid BJD, Cong release star 1/3rd of trained youths campaigners’ lists few days after the completion got jobs in five years Aof nomination process for Pipli bypoll, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and POST NEWS NETWORK the Congress party Friday released DISMAL SHOW their star campaigners’ lists. Bhubaneswar, April 2: Even Inclusion of Chief Minister though the state government has 4,325 youths have been trained under ’s name in the BJD formed Odisha Skill Development 5Placement Linked Training star campaigners’ list gave hints that Authority (OSDA) in order to ensure Programme through various private and Patnaik is likely to campaign for employment opportunities for ed- government project implementing agen- party candidate in the bypoll. Names ucated youths, data tabled in the cies during 2015-16 and 2019-20. Out of of several ministers have also been Assembly shows that only one third them, only 18, 419 youths have got placements included in the regional party’s of the skilled youths have got place- star campaigners’ ments in the last five years. he highest 6, 343 youths have got list. As per a written statement given Tskill upgradation training in Cuttack PIPLI Ministers Ashok by Skill Development and Technical district during the last five years of BATTLE Chandra Panda, Education Minister Premananda whom only 1, 939 have got jobs Samir Ranjan Dash, Nayak in the House recently, as Tukuni Sahoo, Tusharkanti Behera many as 54,325 youths have been The lowest 203 youths have been imparted the skill training programme in BJP workers stage a dharna in front of Pipli police station, Friday OP PHOTO and a few others have been included trained under Placement Linked during the period. Out of them, only 77 got jobs in the list. Several MLAs and MPs Training Programme through var- POST NEWS NETWORK me why I am supporting BJP. Soon have also found place in the list. ious private and government proj- youths of Keonjhar district have re- ment-linked training programmes they took the keys of my vehicle and Puri MP Pinaki Mishra, former ect implementing agencies (PIAs) ceived placements. from 2015 to 2020. However, only Bhubaneswar, April 2: The tried to damage it. They also threat- Puri MLA Maheswar Mohanty and during 2015-16 and 2019-20. Out of In Khurda district, 2, 711 out of 764 from Ganjam, 856 from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Friday The BJD has ruled the ened me of dire consequences for former Brahmagiri MLA Sanjay them, only 18, 419 youths have been 6, 084 skilled youths got jobs while Sundargarh and 783 from Rayagada accused the BJD workers of at- state for more than 25 supporting the party,” Chittaranjan Das Burma have been made star placed. 521 of 2,190 youths of dis- districts got jobs. tacking their worker during a cam- years“ and the Naik, the alleged victim said. campaigners for BJD. Similarly, The highest 6, 343 youths have got trict got placements during the pe- The lowest 203 youths have been paign rally in Pipli Assembly con- development is evident The BJP demanded strict action the names of party leaders Debi skill upgradation training in Cuttack riod. imparted the skill training pro- stituency where bypoll is scheduled everywhere. The BJP is against the culprits and continued Prasad Mishra and Pranab Prakash district during the last five years of Similarly, 3, 800 youths of Ganjam, gramme in Malkangiri district dur- for April 17. afraid of losing the seat their agitation on the PS campus Das have been included in the list. whom only 1, 939 have got jobs. 3,184 of Sundargarh and 2, 290 of ing the period. Out of them, only 77 The BJP claimed that one of their only to be dispersed from the site The Congress party’s list of star Similarly, only 707 of 2, 543 trained have got place- got jobs. IPSITA SAHU | BJD LEADER party workers was attacked in the after assurance from the police to campaigners includes AICC Odisha Sahajpur panchayat for support- nab the attackers by Friday night. in-charge A Chellakumar, Odisha ing the saffron brigade. Soon after Use of violence is not The BJD said that the BJP is Pradesh Congress Committee hearing the alleged attack, the vic- acceptable in poll paranoid and sees its likely defeat (OPCC) president Niranjan Patnaik, Oppn sees vote bank politics behind KALIA tim and party members including process. We condemn the in the upcoming bypoll. senior party leaders Narasingha the BJP candidate for the Assembly attack. We had demanded “The BJP is afraid of the election Mishra and Tara Prasad Bahinipati. POST NEWS NETWORK transferred Rs 693.94 crore to the He urged the state government to seat Ashrit Pattanayak reached the arrest of the person and that is why it’s indulging in A few other star campaigners of bank accounts of over 34 lakh farm- publish the panchayat-wise list of Pipli police station. engaged in such activities such activities. The BJD has ruled Congress party are: Bhakta Charan Bhubaneswar, April 2: A day after ers under the KALIA scheme. KALIA beneficiaries. The BJP workers staged a sit-in and have been assured by the state for more than 25 years Das, Chiranjibi Biswal, Jayadev the state government distributed However, it has not transferred the Congress leader Suresh Routray on the police station premises. Soon the police of timely action and the development is evident Jena, Prasad Harichandan, about Rs 700Crore KALIA assis- financial assistance to the benefi- alleged that the BJD government has a group of BJD workers also reached PRITHVIRAJ HARICHANDAN | BJP LEADER everywhere. The BJP is afraid of los- Saptagiri Ulaka and Suresh Routray. tance to 34 lakh farmers, Opposition ciaries of in view of given KALIA money to win votes the police station and protested ing the seat,” Ipsita Sahu, BJD BJP and Congress smelled vote model code of conduct. in Pipli. However, BJD leader Amar against the BJP’s claim refuting leader who was present in the po- We condemn the attack. We had bank politics behind the move. “To influence of the voters of Stapathy said, “KALIA is an ex- the allegation of any such attack. reported from Raigiripur village lice station said. demanded arrest of the person en- They alleged that the government Pipli, the government transferred isting scheme and not meant for The victim, meanwhile, alleged in Sahajpur panchayat. BJP leader Prithviraj gaged in such activities and have has transferred the money to woo such a huge amount of fund to the the Pipli bypoll. As April 1 was a that he was attacked because of his “Some BJD workers came to me Harichandan said, "Use of violence been assured by the police of timely voters ahead of Pipli bypoll. farmers,” alleged state BJP farm- good day for the state, the fund was allegiance to BJP. The incident was when I was on my scooter and asked is not acceptable in poll process. action.” The government has directly ers’ wing president Pradip Purohit. transferred.” Sarala Das enriched : V-P on Adikabi’s 600th birth anniv

dimmed among even after hundreds of years because of his unique style and diction. He said this shows the importance of writing and com- municating with the people in simple, colloquial language. Hailing Sarala Das as not just Adi Kabi, but also as Adi Aitihasika (histo- rian) and Adi Bhugolbith (geographer), Naidu said Sarala Das was a pioneer in democratizing literature as he had used colloquial language as early as the 15th century. Naidu compared Sarala Das with Kabir and Yogi Vemana, while high- V-P M Venkaiah Naidu confers ‘Kalinga Ratna’ on Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswa Bhushan lighting great poets having an extraor- Harichandan as Governor Ganeshi Lal and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan look on dinary ability to communicate complex PRESS TRUST OF INDIA children, the Vice-President said read- emotions and ideas in a simple language ing and writing should be inculcated and leave a lasting impression on a wide Cuttack/Bhubaneswar, April 2: Vice by teachers to strengthen foundational cross-section of readers. President M Venkaiah Naidu Friday literacy. More authors should write Hailing Das as a literary genius, who said inculcating reading habit among chil- books for children. These books should earned the title of 'The Father of Odia dren from a young age will help be written and illustrated keeping in Language', Naidu said that he has en- strengthen their foundational literacy view the children's varying interests riched Odia language and culture. “No and personality. and abilities, he said. wonder, Odia came to be recognised by The Vice-President called upon the Noting that he has been championing the Government of India as a Classical educationists, intellectuals, parents and the cause of promoting the use of the Language of India with Sarala Das teachers to bestow special attention in mother tongue in every state, Naidu standing as a beacon,” he added. promoting the reading habit among chil- said: “Firstly, the medium of instruction On this occasion, Naidu complimented dren and underlined the importance of up to primary school must be in the Biswa Bhushan Harichandan, Governor reading in the development of children's mother tongue or local language. Many of Andhra Pradesh, for being conferred personalities. studies have already catalogued the ad- with the prestigious 'Kalinga Ratna'. “This is imperative for their (chil- vantages of studying in mother tongue Earlier in the day, the vice-president dren) personalities to develop and to during early schooling. Besides, the ad- released the book titled 'Neelimarani My wean away children from excessive use ministration and the judiciary too should Mother, My Hero', written by MP Achyut of gadgets,” Naidu said while address- use the local language to effectively com- Samanta at Raj Bhavan in Bhubaneswar. ing Odia Adikabi Sarala Das's 600th municate with the people.” On his arrival at Biju Patnaik birth anniversary function in Cuttack. On Adikabi Sarala Das's literary International Airport, Naidu was wel- While stressing on the uses of mother achievements, Naidu said the comed by Odisha Governor Ganeshi tongue among the people, particularly Mahabharata written by him has not Lal and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Man kills sis-in-law over property CENTRE OKAYS

POST NEWS NETWORK Meanwhile, the victim’s family mem- `489CR ROAD bers alleged that the incident is fallout Cuttack, April 2: A 45-year-old of a property dispute. INFRA PROJECTS woman was allegedly stabbed to death “She [Kamakshi] had a fight with her by her brother-in-law over property brother-in-law, Himanshu Mohanty, 42, New Delhi: Union Road Transport and dispute at Uparsahi in Sikharpur late Thursday night over some property Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari area under Chauliaganj police limits issue. An enraged Himanshu locked approved Rs 488.55 crore for here in the wee hours of Friday, a Kamakshi in the kitchen and stabbed upgradation, rehabilitation and police official said. her to death. Himanshu had earlier at- reconstruction of several road projects The victim was identified as Kamakshi tacked my sister over the same issue. I in Odisha. According to the ministry, Swain. Her husband had died of jaundice had suggested Kamakshi to approach the construction of a bypass on NH-59 a few years back, the official said. the police in this regard, but she de- for town including 4L ROB The incident came to the fore around clined as the matter was resolved ami- on EPC mode in the state has been 7:40am when Kamakshi’s niece, 10, in- cably,” victim’s brother Ajit Bhuyan said. approved with a budget Rs 196.94 crore formed the former’s family as well as Himanshu has surrendered before the The Union minister also approved the Chauliaganj police about the murder. police. “As per preliminary investiga- construction of a railway over bridge at

Chauliaganj police officials reached the tion, the murder is fallout of a land dis- Matiapada on Puri - Konark Road on

k y m c spot along with forensic experts and pute. Forensic experts and police team EPC mode with a budget Rs 137.61 started an investigation. have been investigating into the case,” DCP crore. The ministry approved Rs 154.05 “We spotted the lifeless woman in a pool Prateek Singh said. crore for the reconstruction of five of blood. There were multiple deep in- The murder weapon, a blood-stained submersible bridges replacing them juries on her body,” a senior police offi- knife, has been recovered from the spot, with high level bridges of NH-326 cial said. another police official said. (Malkangiri - Motu) in the state. P4 SATURDAY | APRIL 3 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR downtown

Phulbani med college likely in 30 months ECOR SETS NAT’L RECORD

k y m c POST NEWS NETWORK BOOST TO HEALTH INFRA IN FREIGHT LOADING Bhubaneswar, April 2: If things he medical college & hospital will go as per plan, a new medical col- Thave 100 seats and 500 beds lege and hospital in Kandhamal POST NEWS NETWORK The zonal railway would be completed within 30 he project has been taken up at a achieved 205 million months. This was revealed at a re- Tcost of Rs 450 crore and is expect- Bhubaneswar, April 2: The East tonne of freight loading view meeting of a high-level team ed to be completed within 30 months Coast Railway (ECoR) has created during the period of state government officials at hief Secy appreciated the beauti- a record in India for surpassing all Last year too, the ECoR Phulbani. Cful location for the project and previous records in freight load- had created a record of On the direction of Chief suggested that plantation to be ing in financial year 2020-21. 202.56 MT loading. But Minister Naveen Patnaik, senior taken up in the adjacent hills and the The zonal railway achieved 205 this year it moved ahead officers comprising Chief Secretary Water Resources department would million tonne of freight loading and broke its own record SC Mahapatra, 5T Secretary VK Chief Secretary Suresh Mahapatra, 5T Secretary VK Pandian and Works plan for the drainage systems and during the period. Last year too, Pandian and Works Secretary department secretary Krishan Kumar during their visit to Kandhamal OP PHOTO water conservation structures the ECoR had created a record of Krishan Kumar visited Kandhamal 202.56 MT loading. But this year it their earlier records. The depart- ordination with government sectors Friday to review the progress of project. He appreciated the beautiful The traffic flows should be part of ‘Mo School’ campaign. moved ahead and broke its own ment said that to achieve this load- and industries,” the statement from construction of the new medical location for the project and sug- planned properly including the The Chief Secretary and 5T record. “By this, ECoR became the ing figure, East Coast Railway ECoR said. college and hospital in Phulbani. gested that plantation to be taken auto and taxi stands and alternative Secretary interacted with the teach- first zone to cross the milestone of utilised 8,447 wagons per day - about With this achievement, ECoR The state Cabinet, in December up in the adjacent hills and the alignment for NH in front of the site ers, alumni, school management 200 million tonne of loading for two 154.8 rakes/trains per day. became the most profit making 2020, had decided to set up a med- Water Resources department would to avoid accidents, he said. committee and students. Based on times in a row. It also broke its own The ECoR said that works were zone in India amid all railway ical college in Phulbani. The med- plan for the drainage systems and The campus will have facilities for their feedback, it was decided to record of 200.95 MT of freight load- done despite the challenges of lock- zones. “With an operating ratio ical college will have 100 seats and water conservation structures. 300 seated boys’ hostel, 150 seated take up various school develop- ing achieved last financial year downs and Covid-19. “This re- of 47.71 per cent, the zone easily the hospital will have 500 beds. The The 5T Secretary suggested pro- girls’ hostel, 650 capacity audito- ment activities like smart class- 2019-20. The target set by the Board markable loading has been achieved becomes the most profitable zone project has been taken up at a cost vision of facilities for attendants like rium, 100 seated resident doctors’ hos- room, library, infrastructure de- for the financial year for ECoR was despite lockdown and closure and of Indian Railways. Operating of Rs 450 crore and is expected to accommodation and food facilities. tel and quarter for doctors & staff. velopment, sports facilities etc. actually 203.02 MT, which the zone less workforce in industries and ratio is the term used to deter- be completed within 30 months. He further suggested that doctors The high-level team, thereafter, Kandhamal collector and SP briefed has clearly surpassed,” a statement in mineral units under East Coast mine the profitability. For every During the visit, Mahapatra di- and staff staying in the campus visited the AJO government high about various issues of the district. from the ECoR said. Railway jurisdiction. To achieve rupee earned by the zone, it has to rected the district administration should have proper ecosystem for school and government girls’ high In view of the Covid situation, the The department also said that this remarkable performance, ECoR spend 0.47 paisa. Different sectors to provide all support especially working and residential facilities for school in Phulbani. Both the schools district administration was directed all the three divisions-Khurda Road utilised its manpower and rolling across the spectrum have shown the availability of construction ma- the families including recreational have been selected under the high to be alert and enforce strictly the Division, Division, stock items in best possible way tremendous increase over last terial for timely completion of the and sports activities. school transformative initiative as Covid precautions protocol. Waltair Division and improved and with proper planning and co- year,” the ECoR said. Utkal all set for FOR A CLEAN CITY 50th Convocation 7 arrested for bomb Bhubaneswar: Utkal University is all set to organise its 50th Convocation Saturday. Vice President of India M Venkaiah Naidu will grace the occasion hurling at Sundarpada as the chief guest by delivering the convocation address. Higher Education POST NEWS NETWORK The accused and the Minister Arun Sahoo and Governor Ganeshi Lal will also be present at the Bhubaneswar, April 2: The complainants have been ceremony. Altogether 41 PhD degrees, Commissionerate Police Friday at loggerheads for the 90 gold medals will be given away to arrested seven persons on charges the scholars. Similarly, five doctor hon- of hurling bomb at the members of past few months over oris causa will be conferred on five a rival group over past enmity at eminent odias who have excelled in Azad Nagar in Sundarpada area the village committee different fields in the country. under Airfield police limits. president election The accused were identified as Sk Sarafat Ali, 36, alias Papu, Abu Talim Khan, 24, alias Bunty, Sk bomb at some villagers including MAN DUPED OF Ahmad Alli, 45,Sk Saukat Alli,43, the complainant standing nearby. babul Basar Khan, 32, Sk Sayad Later, they also started attacking the `72L IN CITY Alli, 50 and Md Asfar Iqbal, 36. All victims with sword, iron rod and the accused belong to Azad Nagar. wooden sticks. POST NEWS NETWORK According sources, the accused A youth sustained severe in- and the complainants have been juries while another escaped with Bhubaneswar, April 2: A man has at loggerheads for the past few minor bruises. allegedly lost around Rs 72 lakh to months over the village committee Airfield police arrested seven fraudsters who promised him to president election. On Thursday persons by registering a case under sell a property and help him get Rs evening, when a meeting was un- various sections of the IPC. 1.20Crore loan from a national- derway at the village, the seven The accused were sent to judicial MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, MLAs Muhammad Moquim and Souvic Biswal and CMC Commissioner Ananya Das launch a mechanised sweeping vehicle at Jobra ized bank in the city. The victim accused came to spot and hurled a custody by the court Friday. in Cuttack, Friday OP PHOTO has lodged a complaint with Khandagiri police in this regard. According to the complaint, the accused persons including a for- Underpass near Khurda mer employee of Bank of India State records 461 fresh nCoV cases (BoI) met the victim at his rented house at Khanduala Nagar in AGENCIES Dumduma area July 3, 2020. They BMC caps marriage gatherings at 100 DM’s office irks locals offered him to purchase a suit- Bhubaneswar, April 2: State’s able plot or flat in the city and as- Covid-19 tally surged to 3, 41, 772 POST NEWS NETWORK “We have been observing rise sured him to facilitate a loan from Friday as 461 more people tested in Covid cases for the last 7-8 days Kharavela Nagar branch of BoI. positive for the infection, a Health Bhubaneswar, April 2: In the and thus we have decided to put fur- They sent some photos of a department official said. wake of a steep rise in Covid-19 ther restrictions on social gather- landed plot measuring 2,400 sqft at Meanwhile, 218 persons who had cases in the state capital, the ings. We are also planning to in- Panchasakha Nagar in Dumduma earlier tested positive for the viral Bhubaneswar Municipal crease testing. Enforcement area under Khandagiri police lim- infection recovered Friday, added Corporation (BMC), Friday, re- activities will be stricter in coming its. Subsequently, the victim paid the official. toll remained unchanged at 1, 921 duced the number of people to be days. Meanwhile, we are targeting Rs 5 lakh in cash and Rs 67 lakh Of the new cases registered in 24 as no fresh fatality was reported allowed at marriage-related func- vaccination of up to 7,000 to 10,000 in cheque for the purpose in July of the state’s 30 districts, 272 were since March 30. tions from 200 to 100. per day,” said BMC Commissioner, 2020. However, they also allegedly reported in quarantine centres, For the first time this year, the Issuing an order, the BMC stated Prem Chandra Chaudhary. made him sign various forged doc- while the remaining infections number of active cases crossed the that only 100 people will be allowed Furthermore, the order also men- uments in order to hand over the were detected during contact 2,500-mark, Friday. to participate in marriage func- tioned that any other kind of social land and for the loan. The accused tracing. The state has thus far tested over tions and 50 for funeral ceremonies. gathering will require specific per- neither gave him the land nor re- registered the 91.03 lakh samples for Covid-19, in- The civic authority also has pro- mission from the BMC. It can be turned the money taken from him. highest number of new cases at 86, cluding 30, 716 Thursday. hibited any other gatherings, pro- mentioned that the civic author- They allegedly threatened of dire followed by Khurda (69), Sundargarh Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik motional activities, conferences, ity here in January had also al- Activists of Khurda Nagarik Manch holding a demo consequences if asked for his (62) and Kalahandi (36), the urged people to strictly adhere to the annual functions and other kind of lowed a maximum of 200 persons money. official said. Covid-19 guidelines and get vacci- jubilee celebrations by institutions for marriage-related functions and POST NEWS NETWORK The activists have urged The state’s coronavirus death nated when their turn comes. and individuals. 100 for funeral gatherings. Khurda, April 2: Activists of the administration to WASSUP TODAY Khurda Nagarik Manch have op- take necessary steps BGU celebrates 5th posed the construction of an un- for construction of a derpass on National Highway-16 BHUBANESWAR Boudh sizzles at 43 degrees C foundation day near the district Collector’s office flyover at the spot n Social service award by Youth for here. Bhubaneswar: Birla Global University, Voluntary Work, Buddha Mandir, MET PREDICTS THUNDERSTORMS WITH LIGHTNING AT SOME PLACES IN STATE The activists have urged the dis- Bhubaneswar celebrated its fifth foun- trict administration to take nec- cided to construct underpasses at Unit-9, 5.30 pm dation day April 1, the day Odisha POST NEWS NETWORK large change thereafter, it said. essary steps for construction of a Palla and Tapang squares and near n Third evening of Shrestha Odiani Meanwhile, the IMD has forecast became a separate state. Trilochan flyover near the Collector’s office. the Collector’s office. Competition by Sambhabana Trust, Mohapatra, Secretary, Department of Bhubaneswar, April 2: Heatwave light to moderate rain or thunder- Members of the outfit Friday Members of the Nagarik Manch Unit-2 Primary School, 6 pm Agricultural Research and Education continued to grip many places of shower at many places over the and Director General of ICAR graced the prevented the employees of a pri- have claimed that construction of the state Friday when Boudh state during next three days. vate firm from carrying out the an underpass near the Collector’s PURI occasion as chief guest and delivered recorded the highest temperature It also said thunderstorms with the foundation day lecture. The ceremo- construction work. office will create inconveniences for n Badadanda Seva, 6.30 am of 43 degrees Celsius. Ten other lightning and gusty surface wind ny started at the university seminar hall “Several outfits have pleaded for the locals. Besides, the underpass places in the state also recorded Twin city of Bhubaneswar and speed reaching 40-50 kmph is very with the traditional lighting of lamp the construction of a flyover at the may cause road mishaps in the lo- BALANGA a maximum temperature of 40 Cuttack recorded a maximum day likely to prevail at one or two places along with rendering of the Saraswati spot near Khurda Collector’s of- cality. n Dola Festival of Paschimashambhu degrees or above. temperature of 38.2 and 37.4 de- in Cuttack, Dhenkanal, , Vandana. Mohapatra discussed various fice. But, the administration has “Hundreds of people usually Dev, Balanga, 6 am As per evening bulletin of grees Celsius respectively. The , , , issues and challenges the farmers and done precious little. Some leaders visit the Collector’s office every day. Bhubaneswar Met Centre, Bolangir weatherman informed that not a Mayurbhanj, Ganjam, Nayagarh, the agriculture sector in the country is of the ruling party are tacitly sup- Besides, the locality is witness- recorded a day temperature of 42.2 single place of the state has re- Khurda and Jagatsinghpur dis- currently passing through. He stressed porting the underpass construc- ing frequent traffic snarls. Programmes/announcements degrees Celsius, followed by ceived rainfall between 8:30am tricts, Saturday. Similar weather on expanding the scope of agricultural tion,” said a few members of the Construction of an underpass for wassup today may be sent to Malkangiri (42), Sambalpur (41.6), and 5:30pm Friday. condition would prevail at some education in universities, and how it Manch. near the Collector’s office will not [email protected] for record, can open a plethora of opportunities for (41.5), Titlagarh (41.2), The maximum temperature is places of Rayagada, Gajapati, the young and talented people. He It is worth mentioning here that improve the situation. The au- it must also carry the sender’s Sundargarh & (41 each), very likely to fall by 2-4 degrees Ganjam, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, the National Highway Authority of thorities concerned should build mobile number for our stressed on how agriculture can con- & Hirakud (40.5 Celsius at many places over the Jajpur, Bhadrak and Kendrapara tribute towards moulding India into a 5 India (NHAI) is now widening the a flyover in the locality,” said the verification, but not for publication.

each) and (40). state during next two days and no on the next day (April 4). trillion-dollar economy. NH-16 at Khurda. The NHAI has de- Manch activists.

k y m c P5 SATURDAY | APRIL 3 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR state

Refugee influx from Myanmar HARD LIVING

k y m into Kendrapara may happen c tially came to the district as fish- ermen. So the arrival of Myanmar refugees cannot be ruled out, they observed. They also pointed out that both the forest department and the district administration have been slow in tackling the in- filtrators. So refugees fleeing Myanmar can take advantage of this fact. Several problems like lack of staff, shortage of arms and ammunition at Jambu and Tantiapal marine police stations Many people are already fleeing the Some locals say that the district and non-availability of patrol boats Myanmar fearing persecution in the administration should issue a have made this coastal region very hands of the armed forces and high alert in the territorial waters vulnerable. arriving in neighbouring countries bordering the district to prevent People said a large number of like India and Bangladesh. As a result, influx of Myanmar’s refugees into Bangladeshi refugees have already a fear of refugee infiltration into the coastal pockets. The refugees made Kendrapara their home build- Kendrapara through the water routes in the guise of fishermen might ing colonies indiscriminately. So of the Bay of Bengal haunts people come in small boats, they noted the influx of Myanmar refugees cannot be ruled out. POST NEWS NETWORK into through the Locals alleged hundreds of water routes of the Bay of Bengal trawlers illegally sail into the pro- Mahakalpara, April 2: The unrest cannot be ruled out due to lack of hibited area of Gahirmatha. A tribal couple collecting mahula flowers from forest floor in Koksara area of , Friday OP PHOTO in Myanmar has increased the pos- coastal security measures in place. However, the district administration sibility of refugees entering into Some locals have opined that the has done nothing to prevent such Kendrapara district through vari- district administration should issue illegal activities. They said the lo- ous sea routes. This can happen as a high alert in the territorial waters calities of Hukitola, Lunchogola, NTPC celebrates the district lacks a proper security bordering the district to prevent Shola Muhana, Madali and Nasi Fires still raging at 51 places system. influx of Myanmar’s refugees into jungles are very vulnerable areas. Utkal Diwas The unrest is the outcome of the the area. It is apprehended that the “The administration should be recent ouster of the Myanmar’s refugees in the guise of fishermen proactive and prevent the influx POST NEWS NETWORK democratically elected government might come in small boats and in- of Myanmar refugees,” local peo- in Similipal National Park by the armed forces of the country filtrate into the district. Later, the ple observed. Sundargarh,April 2: The National and subsequent crackdown on the refugees after their arrival might When contacted, Kendrapara SP POST NEWS NETWORK Thermal Power Corporation residents. Many people are already erect shanties in the jungles near Sandeep Sampat Madkar said (NTPC) celebrated the 86th Utkal fleeing the country fearing perse- the sea and set up their base there. they do not have any informa- Baripada, April 2: Forest fires Diwas at Dulanga Coal Mining cution in the hands of the armed Some local residents alleged that tion regarding Myanmar refugees. have been spreading in the Similipal Project in Sundergarh in compli- forces and arriving in neighbour- illegal colonies have cropped up “We are keeping a tab on this sen- National Park in Mayurbhanj dis- ance with Covid guidelines. ing countries like India and along the beach in the district. They sitive issue and the department trict with the forest department The celebration was marked by Bangladesh. As a result, a fear of in- said these colonies have been set up will act promptly if the situation failing to contain it. The park cake cutting and playing of the filtration by the Myanmar refugees mostly by Bangladeshis, who ini- so demands,” said Madkar. recorded fires at 51 places Friday state anthem. Project head of while it was at 41 places March 31. Dulanga CMP, CR Barik, senior of- According to reports, forest of- ficials and team members delib- ficials, ODRAF teams and locals erated on the contributions of STRICT VIGIL have been trying to douse the fires many erestwhile legendary lead- at these places. It is said that the fire- ers to the formation of the sepa- fighting teams were exhausted as fires break out at new places. Awareness campaign by locals The forest department has in- The fires have damaged vast areas tensified the awareness drive in Fires were spotted inJenabila, Dukura in the national park. This has Naana South, Naana North, the region, but hunters are said to affected several endangered Uparabarahakamuda, Kendumundi, be behind such fires. plants and animals in the park Pithabata and Chahala “Fires were reported from 38 places in south division of the Six ODRAF teams along with 50 firefighters and 600 forest officials have sanctuary while the north divi- been deployed in these areas to douse the fire. The exact cause behind the sion reported fires at 13 places forest fire has not been ascertained yet Friday,” said M Jagajayananda, the field director of the STR. Fires were spotted inJenabila, behind the forest fire has not been The heat generated by the forest Dukura Naana South, Naana North, ascertained yet. rate Odisha province. Odisha is the fires and the heat condition have Uparabarahakamuda, Notably, the chief of the task first state to be formed on the made life miserable for wild animals Kendumundi, Pithabata and force on wildfire Sandeep Tripathy basis of its language. and humans in the area. Chahala. said March 13 that the proactive The project head and the GGM The fires have damaged vast Six ODRAF teams along with steps taken by the state govern- detailed out the coal production areas in the national park. This 50 firefighters and 600 forest officials ment to curb the spread of forest target for the current fiscal and has affected several endangered have been deployed in these areas fire in Odisha has led to the total the production data of the pre- With a spurt in Covid infections, police have intensified checking on border areas of Malkangiri, Friday OP PHOTO plants and animals in the park. to douse the fire. The exact cause control of the situation. vious year. Hydropower project hangs fire Jungle Surakhya Samitis see red CHHELIGADA PROJECT IN GAJAPATI HAS BEEN HIT BY A TRADY PACE OF CONSTRUCTION over road inside reserve forest POST NEWS NETWORK he work of the main dam has not Tyet started. It was in 1985 when POST NEWS NETWORK Villagers argue that if a Berhampur, April 2: The work of then Congress government 2-km road inside the Chheligada hydropower project in proposed the project and had taken Nayagarh, April 2: A row has bro- tribal-dominated R Udaygiri block up its survey work. 20 years after ken out over a road project pro- forest is allowed, it will of has hit a tardy this (in 2005), its outlay was pegged posed to come up in Gudupangi pace, causing widespread resent- at Rs 97 crore. But as the project forest under Nuagaon block of damage the flora and ment among locals. The project as- work gets delayed, its cost has Nayagarh district with members of fauna, besides paving sumes importance as this is in a escalated to Rs 706 crore 12 Jungle Surakhya Samitis strongly backward region and it will help in opposing it, a report said. way for timber mafia and fter completion of the project, electrification of many remote vil- According to the report, the road A3600 hectares of farmland will country liquor makers lages, a report said. get irrigation coverage in Mohana is being laid through this forest to plunder the forest According to the report, the work and R Udaygiri blocks in Gajapati under MGNREGS. Earlier, the peo- of the main dam has not yet started. district, and ple of Gudupangi used to protest, It was in 1985 when then Congress Sanakhemundi blocks of Ganjam but now people of 11 other villages ministration. They have apprised the the opposition has started. government proposed the project district. Moreover, it will generate have come out against it. MLAs of Nayagarh and Dasapalla, On the other hand, people of 17 and had taken up its survey work. about 30 megawatt of electricity Villagers of Gudupangi agree the forest and environment minis- villages, who have been facing com- 20 years after this (in 2005), its out- every day. This hydropower project to allow a foot track inside the ter, the Chief Secretary, the sub- muting problem, have been re- lay was pegged at Rs 97 crore. But is expected to alleviate the power forest, but opposed a permanent collector, the SP and the Nayagarh peatedly urging the Collector to as the project work gets delayed, crisis in the region road. Because, they have been nur- DFO about their resistance to the carry forward the road project. its cost has escalated to Rs 706 crore. turing the forest since 1982. road project inside the forest. Arjun Nayak, a village head of The delay is likely to lead to fur- about 30 megawatt of electricity fourth meeting of the rehabilitation displaced family. A colony has been They argue that if a 2-km road Notably, in February this year, Gudupangi, said villagers allow a ther cost overrun while the time line every day. This hydropower project and peripheral development advi- set up at Samantrapur near inside the forest is allowed, it will when the road project was started, foot track inside the forest, but op- for completion of the project is un- is expected to alleviate the power cri- sory committee was held August 13, Digapahandi where all facilities damage the flora and fauna, be- people of Malisahi, Dhenkena and posed a permanent road. “The rea- certain. But the executive engineer sis in the region. 2019. It was attended by the then have been put up for the displaced sides paving way for timber mafia Khandugaon strongly opposed it son for the opposition is, we have of the project has hinted that the Besides, the project will help in southern range RDC, MP families. and country liquor makers to plun- February 5. However, people of 17 been protecting and nurturing the project may be completed by 2024. removing the drinking water woes Chandrasekhar Sahu, Gajapati According to the executive en- der the forest. other neighbouring villages sup- Dadhinauti forest since 1982. New After completion of the project, in the region. Over 500 families Collector, chief engineer and other gineer of the project, the blueprint Members of the Jungle Surakhya ported the project. The conflict trees are growing up. It is vibrant 3600 hectares of farmland will get will face displacement at Chheligada, engineers of the Berhampur water of the dam entails damming up the Samitis from Dhenkena, Malisahi, ended up in an armed confrontation with wildlife. A 2-km road inside the irrigation coverage in Mohana and Bidyadharpur, Taligaon, Kajili and resources division, Mohana MLA water of a hill stream from Ramgiri Khandugaon, Kridaspur, Balugaon, between the project supporters and forest will damage the flora and R Udaygiri blocks in Gajapati dis- Subiga. It is said that displacement and other people’s representatives hill. A tender for the dam con- Saradhapur, Champatipur, opponents. But the administration fauna. The permanent road will trict, Digapahandi and issues have hindered the work. and the displaced people. struction will be floated in April. Natugaon, Laxmiprasad, Sinduria, intervened in time and settles the pave the way for timber mafia and Sanakhemundi blocks of Ganjam The administration has been try- It was learnt that Rs 29 crore has Meanwhile, construction of a canal Bhattasahi and Ghaduala have issue at a meeting February 6. country liquor makers to plunder district. Moreover, it will generate ing to clear the bottlenecks. The been paid as compensation to the and a tunnel in the hill has started. taken up the issue with the ad- As road work resumed again, the forest,” he pointed out. Medicinal plants vanishing from Nayagarh forests

POST NEWS NETWORK Reports said, these trees have resentatives about protection of parts. “A kg of raw seeds is sold for much demand in preparation of ON RADARS OF MAFIA these plants. Thereafter, felling of Rs 20 while a kg of dry seeds is Rs Khandapada, April 2: Timber mafia some Ayurvedic medicines and some Adhunga plants had been stopped as 35,” they added. has been plundering valuable trees traders from outside have set their the forest department took imme- Some medicines are prepared and plants, especially those con- sights on these plants. Leaves and diate action to prevent cutting. from its seeds. When contacted, taining medicinal qualities in vari- branches of Adhunga plants are After a long gap, plundering of Khandapada ranger Sridhar Panda ous forests of Nayagarh district. Now, used for bouquets while its fruits the Adhunga plants has started in said some unscrupulous people cut Adhunga plants are in their target. act as a repellant for bugs in houses. some pockets. down these trees and eke out their Adhunga plants are fast vanish- Locals said some Ayurvedic prac- Antaryami Sahu came to know living by selling it. ing from forests in the district as tioners from outside have engaged about the development and visited “The forest department is aware

mafia from outside are cutting these middlemen to collect Adhunga plants Kaliapalli village recently. He saw of the development. About a month

k y m c trees with the help of locals. from forests. With the help of local some people cutting down Adhunga ago, forest officials had seized logs Environmentalists have expressed people, these middlemen have been plants. On enquiry, it was learnt that of Adhunga trees, which were being concern over it, a report said. collecting these trees. a man from outside the state asked shifted in a bus from Gania area. The forested landscape was once People came to know of the value of Kantilo area, had opposed cut- the locals to cut down these trees. The But the persons who were taking rich with Adhunga plants. Now, they of these plants in 2008 when ting of these plants. He visited vil- middleman has even paid some ad- the logs could not be caught,” he are found rarely in some areas. Antaryami Sahu, a retired teacher lages, sensitising people and their rep- vance to buy its seeds and bottom added. P6 SATURDAY | APRIL 3 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR power post

FOCUS ASSEMBLY POLLS This is faithfulness, to admit and to manifest no other

movements but only the

k y m c movements prompted and guided by the Divine. THE MOTHER WINDS OF CHANGE

ay 2, the date of the re- round, the incumbent government sults for the Assembly is likely to come back, though no M elections in the five states one can blame Rahul Gandhi for The wait for PESB – West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, not campaigning in Kerala. Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, will In Kerala, it is indeed a tough go down in history for having fight between United Democratic appointments gets longer turned the tide of the political ca- Front (UDF) and the Left reers of bigwigs, not only Mamata Democratic Front (LDF). If, under Banerjee or Edapadi Palanisami, the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, onder why key appointments in the public sector are held up? but also the Nehru-Gandhi scion the Congress can topple the LDF Here’s a clue. The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has Rahul Gandhi. It may not be “khela government, it will be a big victory Wbeen functioning without a chairperson since September last year shesh” (game over) for the TMC for him. The young leader realises when the then chairman Rajiv Kumar was shifted to the Election Commission. supremo, as proclaimed by Prime the importance of victory in any Also, the key post of member, one of three, has not been filled for a long time. Minister Narendra Modi, but yes, of the states and if he manages to Curiously, the selection board has seen five chairmen in the past five years definitely, “pariborton” (change) win Kerala, the only state where and is awaiting a sixth! is in the air. he can turn back the political tide, This situation has finally come to the notice of the Parliamentary Standing The BJP has turned the West he will make a mark as a Congress Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice, which passed Bengal Assembly elections into a Leader. Both he and his sister adverse comments on the Modi sarkar’s failure to fill the top positions in the Anita Saluja do-or-die battle as it is looking for- Priyanka Gandhi are aware that PESB. Sources say that the parliamentary panel has directed the PESB to ward to topple the 10-year “misrule” the G-23 rebel group is waiting report in three months about the number of vacancies and also supply rea- of Mamata Banerjee. The pollsters The BJP has turned the West Bengal Assembly anxiously to strike, after the elec- MAY 2, THE DATE sons why these posts have not been filled. Moreover, the panel also noted “with have predicted a three-digit figure elections into a do-or-die battle as it is looking tions. If at all they fail to wrest the anguish” the abysmal number of women in public enterprises. It has sought OF THE RESULTS for BJP, which had mere three government from the LDF in to know from the PESB whether this is due to the absence of competent women seats in the outgoing Assembly. forward to topple the 10-year “misrule” of Kerala, it will mark the beginning aspirants or the glass-ceiling effect. FOR THE The BJP, however, is confident of Mamata Banerjee. The pollsters have predicted of unrest in the Congress, with Apparently, as many as 135 posts of CMDs and directors have not been defeating Mamata, having sweated the rebels expected to raise the filled for more than six months to a year. And with several CMDs set to ASSEMBLY it out for the last few years to form a three-digit figure for BJP, which had mere pitch against Rahul Gandhi. For retire during the year, the number of vacancies is likely to grow unless ELECTIONS IN the government in the one-time three seats in the outgoing Assembly a change, both the brother and quick action is not taken. Left bastion, now occupied by TMC. the sister are working over-time, THE FIVE STATES Even if BJP crosses the 100-seat criss-crossing West Bengal and CVC struggling with delayed action in vigilance cases WILL GO DOWN mark in a 294-member Assembly, Assam to ensure the victory of it will be a great push for the right- gernaut of BJP, it will be the Congress leadership has so far the Congress. However, while in Perturbed by the prolonged de- IN HISTORY FOR ist party in an erstwhile Left bas- biggest-ever win for the lady, who kept itself away from the cam- other states, Tamil Nadu and West lays in finalizing disciplinary cases, BABUDOM HAVING TURNED tion, perhaps opening the doors single-handedly has taken up the paign, as it doesn't want to be seen Bengal, they have no stakes, in a parliamentary committee has to form a government after the task to confront the Central gov- hobnobbing with the same Left, Kerala and Assam, they still have recommended to the Central BYTES THE TIDE OF THE next Assembly polls. The presence ernment. It's one lady versus the against whom it is contesting a the possibility of working won- Vigilance Commission (CVC) to of the Left and the Congress is entire Central Cabinet and also fierce battle in Kerala. Moreover, ders. In Puducherry, the Congress explore the feasibility of holding the Dilip Cherian POLITICAL nowhere to be seen, with the con- the turncoats, who, at the last mo- it is aware of the fact that the is sure to lose, due to the mess concerned authorities answerable CAREERS OF test being limited, between the ment, ditched the Chief Minister. votes for the Congress-Left combine created by former Chief Minister for inaction or delayed action. The committee has also asked the Department BJP and the TMC. Mamata's victory will catapult will only help consolidate votes V Narayanswamy. Even the of Personnel and Training (DoPT) to provide funds to the CVC for strength- BIGWIGS, NOT The campaign in West Bengal her straight to the Centre, where for the BJP. “We are putting up a Congress legislators ditched him ening its surveillance capabilities and database. ONLY MAMATA has turned into a fierce battle, she may be asked to lead the anti- token fight in West Bengal, as we at the last-minute, thus toppling his In its report to the panel, the CVC had come down heavily on the Central where the political rivalry and BJP forces. Voices of her leading don't want BJP to win,” stated a sen- government. Victory in any one of Board of Direct Taxation (CBDT), the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and BANERJEE OR bitterness are not only reflected in the campaign will undoubtedly ior Congress leader. the five states for the Congress Customs (CBIC) and Railways, among others, for delays in pursuing vigilance vitriolic speeches and abuses, but be raised by her party, declaring For the Congress, however, will bring a ray of hope for Rahul cases. According to the CVC report, out of the 3,371 cases received in 2020, EDAPADI the wrath towards one another is her to be the person most suited Kerala is the state, which can her- Gandhi, who is seen to be strug- the commission disposed of 2,717 cases by way of tendering advice. It how- PALANISAMI, also manifested in physical vio- to become the prime ministerial ald the revival of Rahul Gandhi’s gling hard to make a mark in ever indicated that 654 cases may have to be moved forward to 2021 due to lence and blood on the streets. It's candidate of the secular forces. leadership, bringing him back as Indian politics. A win in Kerala or the delays in pursuing the cases. BUT ALSO THE not only the leaders, who can't see However, if she loses, it will be the Congress president. Pitched Assam will surely restore the wan- But the Chief Vigilance Commissioner Sanjay Kothari and his team NEHRU-GANDHI eye-to-eye with one another, but the difficult for her to make a come- against the LDF Government, the ing confidence of the workers in at the CVC received a shot in the arm after the panel decided to advise workers have also turned enemies, back in the near future, as the for- Congress, this time, is facing a him, making his task to adorn the the government to give adequate funds to the commission to cope with SCION RAHUL as never before. mation of a BJP government will tough resistance from the in- post of Congress president much the growing financial frauds. GANDHI For the Election Commission, mark a new beginning in West cumbent government. The poll- easier. However, if he fails to it would be a real challenge to con- Bengal. sters, too, have predicted a vic- achieve victory in these crucial DoPT directs ministries to speed up cadre reviews tain violence in the polls, which has Both the Congress and the Left tory for the LDF government, Assembly polls, the voices of dis- been wisely stretched into 8 phases, have no role to play in Bengal elec- though Kerala has seen the for- sent may bring to an end his po- The Modi sarkar is feeling stifled in its efforts to get the cadre controlling to avoid any untoward incident. tions though they are contesting mation of an alternate govern- litical career, finally closing the authorities of services like IAS, IPS, IFS and others to conduct the exercise Amidst this bedlam, if Mamata to cut the anti-incumbency vote, ment, after every five years. doors of politics for the Nehru- which would then allow the government to undertake further administra- Banerjee succeeds to halt the jug- thus helping the TMC. The Breaking the trend, this time Gandhi dynasty. tive reforms, which may include shutting down obsolete services and merger of some cadres for better efficacy. According to sources, Deepak Khandekar, Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), has directed all cadre controlling authori- ties to appoint joint secretary-level nodal officers to ensure that the cadre SPECTRUM CURRENCY reviews are completed promptly. The government aims to get one round of cadre review for all services completed in five years. The government’s action is clearly prompted by the growing number of vacancies in government services, complaints of delayed promotions from several affected officials. However, the cadre controlling authorities Is Bitcoin good for business? in the various Central ministries and departments have blamed the Covid pandemic for defaulting on the prescribed timeline laid down for the re- In a recent commentary for the decentralized private cryptocur- transactions can be completed In principle, they could be im- views. But the government is no longer willing to accept this plea, as the Financial Times, economist rencies like Bitcoin are not at risk per second. By contrast, Visa ex- plemented as individual accounts DoPT’s memo indicates. It wants to move ahead with its plans to stream- Dambisa Moyo makes a case for of being “over-issued” by profli- ecutes an average of 1,700 trans- with the central bank for every line the cadre structures to satisfy functional requirements and remove why business leaders should in- gate governments. It is also true that actions per second, and could fea- consumer and business in its ju- existing deficiencies in the system. vest in Bitcoin. Her three main ar- the risk of over-issuance is greater sibly handle more than 65,000 risdiction. Alternatively, those Share a babu experience! Follow guments are that Bitcoin is a way in some emerging markets than transaction messages per second. accounts could be guaranteed by [email protected]. Let’s multiply the effect. to mitigate company risk; cryp- in most advanced economies. By design, Bitcoin is simply too the central bank, but held with tocurrencies can provide possible But over-issuance of currency is inefficient ever to become an ef- a wide range of private finan- solutions for doing business in just one possible threat to emerg- fective medium of payment. cial institutions. emerging economies; and digital ing-market financial stability, and Similarly, the fact that Bitcoin’s Simply put, Bitcoin and other WISDOM CORNER currencies augur an exciting new removing it does not suddenly supply is fixed at 21 million units proof-of-work cryptocurrencies are future of “currency platforms.” make Bitcoin a reliable store of is more of a drawback than a sell- an environmental disaster. Worse, I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not Is Moyo right? Let’s take her value. Quite the contrary: Bitcoin’s ing point. A proper currency should cryptocurrencies can be replicated enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do. points in turn. price volatility since its inception be able to undergo a massive ex- without bound, further amplify- LEONARDO DA VINCI Willem H. Buiter First, it is unclear how buying in 2009 has been staggering. On pansion in supply when circum- ing the environmental damage. As Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things Bitcoin can mitigate company March 29, 2021, its price reached stances demand it, such as in the of March 29, 2021, CoinMarketCap that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the risk. The only risk Moyo identifies $57,856 – some distance below its all- case of a financial crisis or a shock listed 4,490 cryptocurrencies, start- bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, and catch the trade winds in THE BOTTOM LINE IS is that of missing out on what time high of $61,284 on March 13 – to aggregate demand. There can ing with Bitcoin (with a $1.08 tril- your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover. could be one of the greatest spec- MARK TWAIN with a market cap close to $1 tril- be no lender of last resort or mar- lion market cap) and followed by CLEAR: BITCOIN IS ulative bubbles of all time. True, lion. According to a note from ket maker of last resort capable Ethereum (with a $204 billion mar- I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 AN EXCESSIVELY a company that missed out on a JPMorgan on February 17, its three- of systemic rescue operations with ket cap). games. 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and continued Bitcoin appreciation month realised volatility at the Bitcoin and other decentralized The bottom line is clear: Bitcoin missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that could face dire consequences – in- time was 87%, compared to just is why I succeed. RISKY AND cryptocurrencies. is an excessively risky and envi- MICHAEL JORDAN cluding acquisition by a Bitcoin- 16% for gold. Similarly, a recent Finally, is Bitcoin really the van- ronmentally undesirable invest- ENVIRONMENTALLY invested rival. Obviously, invest- study finds that Bitcoin’s price guard of a new digital-currency ment. It is not a sensible solution UNDESIRABLE ing in Bitcoin is one sure way to volatility is almost ten times higher infrastructure that wise investors to any emerging-market problem, WORDSWORTH avoid missing out on capital gains than that of major fiat currencies cannot afford to ignore? No, be- and it cannot possibly serve as a INVESTMENT. IT IS on Bitcoin. But that hardly makes (such as the US dollar against the cause the CBDCs under develop- store of value or reliable medium By Jove NOT A SENSIBLE it a wise investment, especially euro and the yen). ment in China and elsewhere have of exchange. The sooner it and when one weighs the potential re- Moyo also suggests that Bitcoin nothing in common with Bitcoin other DLT-based cryptocurrencies our belief in my abilities is both gratifying and slightly alarming. In this SOLUTION TO ANY turns against the high risk of ma- could facilitate remittances to and other decentralized private are relegated to a footnote in eco- Ycase, though, your trust is not misplaced. Jove is the older name the EMERGING-MARKET terial capital losses. low- and middle-income coun- cryptocurrencies. There is no nomic history, the better. Romans had for the god Jupiter (which derives from an alteration of Jovis Equally far-fetched is the idea that tries. But this ignores the fact blockchain or other distributed pater, father Jove). Jupiter was the Roman god of the sky, the sovereign PROBLEM cryptocurrencies could provide so- that Bitcoin transactions are no- ledger technology (DLT) involved, The writer is Visiting deity who had powers over both gods and men (he was later identified with lutions to problems often encoun- toriously inefficient. Because its nor is proof of work required to es- Professor of International the Greek Zeus). If you got on his wrong side, he started chucking tered in emerging economies. It is block size is capped at one tablish the validity of a transaction. and Public Affairs at thunderbolts at you. There was a temple to him on the Capitol in Rome. true that, unlike conventional fiat megabyte and the block-discovery Rather, CBDCs function as Columbia University. From medieval times, Jove has been used in English as a poetical way of money – which includes central process takes approximately ten straightforward digital versions referring to Jupiter. It has also been linked to Jehovah, a form of the Hebrew bank digital currencies (CBDCs) – minutes per block, only seven of conventional bank accounts. ©PROJECT SYNDICATE name of God used in some translations of the Bible. By Jove was a mild oath, an exclamation that indicated surprise or gave emphasis to some comment, which dates from the sixteenth century. It was originally a neat way of calling on a higher power without using the blasphemous by God. Expand vaccination Encourage bilateral trade Shakespeare used it in Love’s Labours Lost in 1588: “By Jove, I always took three threes for nine”. It’s a very British expression. Sir, Apropos, “Vaccination for 45+ begins today’, Orissa Post, April 1. As the vacci- Sir, Pakistan's decision to allow imports from nation drive opens for all above 45, it calls for a reinforcement of the infrastructural India is a welcome move. Pakistan is finally per- etters facilities necessary to cater to the huge mass of beneficiaries now eligible for the mitting the import of yarn and five lakh tonnes jabs along with the 60-plus, who would turn up to the vaccination centres duly for of sugar from the country. This will help India to LOL their second shot as their four-to-eight week period between the two doses closes in. explore the market and reduce carry overstock for TOL THE EDITOR With COVID positivity rising among the younger population, the government would the following season. Earlier, Pakistan had stopped And Readers of Orissa POST do well to include people above 18, especially who are willing to take jab. Making the import of cotton and yarn from India after po- What's the difference? the are most welcome to contribute letters the largest number immunogenic to the virus is crucial to break the chain of trans- litical fallout over the abrogation of Article 370 in Jewish (200 words), articles and mission. At the same time, the authorities need to stay focused on and constantly Kashmir in August last year. Pakistani textile columns (between 750-1250 Jewish man walks into a bar and man sits back words). Contributors are review the efforts to check the spread of the rapidly escalating cases of COVID-19 manufacturers have been demanding that im- Asits down. He has a few drinks, down. requested to send their infections and deaths. Driven largely by the highly transmissible UK variant of the ports from India be allowed, as it would be a then he sees a Chinese man and Then, the Chinese man walks up to contact numbers and full coronavirus that has struck the country, the surge has given rise to a grave situa- cheaper option for them. Both nations should

punches him in the face. the Jewish man and punches him in postal address/email ID. They may also tion. Any laxity or complacency in following the COVID-appropriate behaviour at come forward to encourage bilateral trade by cre-

k y m send in their valuable comments, opinion c "Owch!" the Chinese man says. the face. "Ouch!" the Jewish man and suggestions, preferably by email, both the individual and institutional (both government and private) levels is fraught ating livelihood for the people. Resumption of "What was that for?" says. "What was that for?" "That was to: [email protected] with serious repercussions. Irresponsible actions have the potential to spin our hard- trade between the two neighbours will also go a "That was for Pearl Harbor," the for the Titanic," the Chinese man pressed health system out of control. Ramping up sampling and testing of random long way in improving the bilateral relationship Jewish man says. says. "But that was an iceberg!" people in crowded places and contacts of COVID patients is urgently needed to between the two nations. It is a welcome move that "But I'm Chinese!" "Chinese, "Ice berg, Goldberg, what's the B-15, Rasulgarh Industrial Estate, contain the virus. Only then can we avoid another lockdown. the process has already begun. Japanese, what's the difference?" difference?" Bhubaneswar-751010 N Sadhasiva Reddy, BANGALORE Amit Singh Kushwaha, SATNA (MP) P7 UTTAR PRADESH

TAMIL NADU

SATURDAY | APRIL 3 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR

k y m Mukhtar Ansari’s ambulance papers fake Dalit youth held c ANSARI'S WIFE HAS WRITTEN TO PRESIDENT RAM NATH KOVIND, EXPRESSING FEARS THAT HE MIGHT BE KILLED IN A FAKE captive, tortured ENCOUNTER WHILE BEING TRANSFERRED FROM PUNJAB TO UTTAR PRADESH FOLLOWING A SUPREME COURT DIRECTION PRESS TRUST OF INDIA ments such as PAN, electoral photo Ansari was allegedly involved in var- by 4 over affair id card and others were fake. ious cases like attempt to murder, Barabanki (UP), April 2: A case “The address on which these doc- murder, cheating and conspiracy has been registered here after the uments were made was also found apart from offences under the documents of an Uttar Pradesh to be wrong,” he said. Gangsters Act, lodged in Uttar registration number ambulance, The Supreme Court had re- Pradesh and out of them, 10 cases used to transport gangster-turned cently directed the Punjab gov- are at the stages of trial. politician Mukhtar Ansari to a ernment to hand over the cus- Ansari's wife has written to Mohali court, were found to be fake. tody of Ansari to the Uttar Pradesh President Ram Nath Kovind, ex- The BSP MLA from Mau, who is Police, saying it was being denied pressing fears that he might be wanted in Uttar Pradesh for vari- on trivial grounds under the guise killed in a fake encounter while ous cases, was produced before a of medical issues. being transferred from Punjab to Mohali court March 31 in connec- The apex court had also said that Uttar Pradesh following a Supreme tion with an alleged 2019 extortion. a convict or an undertrial prisoner, Court direction. Amid tight security arrange- who disobeys the law of the land, His brother, BSP MP from ments, Ansari was taken to court in cannot oppose his transfer from Ghazipur, Afzal Ansari told PTI, a wheelchair. He was sent back to one prison to another and courts are “To divert attention from the life REPRESENTATIVE PIC Punjab’s Rupnagar jail in an am- not to be a helpless bystander when threat to Mukhtar, BJP government bulance after the appearance. the registration of the ambulance,” 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating). the rule of law is being challenged is making wheelchair and ambu- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Wednesday night, the “After an initial probe, the name a senior police official said. Superintendent of Police, Yamuna with impunity. lance an issue.” and address given for the registra- The FIR was registered under Prasad said acting on media re- The court had said the custody “If the BJP is making Mukhtar Lakhimpur Kheri (UP), April Dalit man was tion of the ambulance were found relevant sections of the Indian ports that Ansari was produced in of Ansari be handed over to Uttar Ansari a 2022 election agenda, we 2: A 22-year-old Dalit man was al- mercilessly beaten up to be false. An FIR in this regard has Penal Code, including 420 (forgery), a court in Punjab on an ambulance Pradesh within two weeks so as to and our supporters will also make legedly held captive and tortured by the accused, on been registered by an additional 471 (fraudulently or dishonestly with the registration number of lodge him in Banda district jail in vindictive action of the govern- by four people on suspicion that he road transport officer against Dr using documents as genuine), 467 Barabanki, police teams probed Uttar Pradesh. ment against their family an issue,” was having an affair with a girl of suspicion that he was Alka Rai, whose name was given for (forgery of valuable security) and the matter and found that docu- The apex court had also noted that he said. their family, police said Friday. having an affair with a The man’s family members had claimed that an iron rod was also girl of their family inserted in his rectum, but Circle SHAMLI COPS PLAY CUPID FOR Officer Pradeep Kumar Verma, 2 arrested in nun who is investigating the case, denied Indian Penal Code sections 323 the charge, saying the med- (punishment for voluntarily caus- ical examination and ing hurt) and 506 (criminal They WEDDING OF 2-FT TALL MAN probe so far indi- intimidation), and pro- harassment row cate this is not have been visions of the SC/ST charged under Indian AGENCIES Mansuri had met true. (Prevention of PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Neem Khan Mansuri Circle officer, “The ac- Penal Code sections 323 Atrocities) Act,” he Government Railway Police (GRP), Shamli (UP), April 2: Azeem Chief Minister Yogi cused have (punishment for voluntarily said. Jhansi (UP), April 2: Two peo- on Friday. Mansuri (26), a two-ft-tall man, has Adityanath approaching been arrested causing hurt) and 506 They had sus- ple have been arrested for breach “They were threatening to launch finally received two marriage pro- and the victim (criminal intimidation), pected that the man of peace and misbehavior in con- an agitation claiming that police did posals and this young man is now the police to help him is under treat- and provisions of the was having an af- nection with last month's alleged not act properly and let the nuns go,” hopeful of getting married in the solve his problem ment at the dis- SC/ST (Prevention of fair with their harassment of nuns here, police said he said. “No action had been taken coming weeks. trict hospital. Atrocities) Act kin.“All the four ac- on Friday. against these two earlier in the Last month, Mansuri had made His condition GYAN PRAKASH TIWARI I STATION cused, Bramhadeen Two nuns and two postulants case. However, after this, Anchal headlines when he approached the name in the video, said. has been stated to HOUSE OFFICER and his three sons were taken off an express train Arjaria and Purukes Amraya, mem- police with a request to find him a Interestingly, Azeem Mansuri be serious,” police Bharat, Gajraj and detained for questioning by bers of a Hindu outfit, were ar- bride. The police were expectedly had even approached former Uttar said. and Raju, have been arrested,” railway police in Jhansi March 19 rested for breach of peace and their surprised at this unusual request Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh According to police, Wednesday he said notifying that a probe into after local Bajrang Dal activists role in misbehaving with the nuns,” but promised to help nevertheless. Yadav in 2019 to help him find a night, the Dalit man was merci- the matter is on. complained that two women were he added. Mansuri is a Class 5 dropout who bride. He had also met Chief lessly beaten up by the accused, Circle Officer Verma said that the allegedly being taken forcibly for After the issue of nuns being currently runs a cosmetic store. He Minister Yogi Adityanath and then causing injuries to his private parts. claim that an iron rod was inserted religious conversion. forced off the train came to light last blames his height—rather, a lack of keen on it. approached the police to help him Tikonia Station House Officer in the man's rectum was found un- “On Thursday night, during pa- month, the police had said there was it—on his inability to find a part- Another woman has proposed solve his ‘problem’. Gyan Prakash Tiwari said, “On true. trolling on the station, SHO, GRP, no basis in the complaint by the ner.After his story went viral, to Mansuri on WhatsApp. “You are The youngest of six siblings from the complaint by the victim’s “The medical examination and Sunil Kumar Singh got information Bajrang Dal activists and all four Mansuri started receiving mar- alone, I am alone. I live in Delhi a Kairana-based family, Mansuri brother, an FIR was registered probe so far indicate that the alle- that two persons were arguing with women later took the next train to riage proposals. There is one from and I want to marry you,” the has faced taunts and insults in against four persons.” gation of insertion of iron rod in policemen near booking hall,” said their destination in Odisha. Ghaziabad and Mansuri is rather woman, who does not reveal her school. “They have been charged under his rectum is not true,” he said. Gangrape claims Modi colluded with IT Over 3 crore people another life No MLAs in DMK-led front can want temples freed officials for raids: Stalin from govt grip: Isha PRESS TRUST OF INDIA INDO ASIAN NEWS SERVICE deployed outside. be purchased by BJP: Cong leader Meerut (UP), April 2: On her “We are DMK and we cannot be AGENCIES way back home from tuition, a Chennai, April 2: DMK President intimidated by the Income Tax or PRESS TRUST OF INDIA From class 10 student was allegedly ab- and Chief Ministerial candidate CBI raids and we don’t fear that. I demonetisation Coimbatore, April 2: “In just a ducted and raped following which M.K. Stalin on Friday hit out at was arrested under MISA and I Coimbatore, April 2: “None of to GST, the little over a month since its launch, she committed suicide after re- Prime Minister cannot be cowed the MLAs in the DMK-led alliance lives of people the ‘FreeTNTemples’ campaign turning home at his village in Narendra Modi, ac- down by these from Tamil Nadu can be purchased have become miserable has been endorsed by more than Meerut district, police said on cusing him of “col- raids,” he said. by the alleged power-hungry BJP and growth of all three crore people,” the founder of Friday. luding” with officials Noting that such as was done in many of the states,” businesses, MSMEs, Isha Foundation Sadhguru Jaggi The girl belonging to a village to conduct raids on raids were con- Opposition Congress Leader in the textile and agriculture Vasudev has said. under the Sardhana Kotwali area DMK functionaries ducted at the prem- Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjuna Kharge “Not only have the citizens of sectors have declined consumed poison after returning after Income Tax ises of AIADMK said on Friday. this state spoken their will, so home on Thursday evening, said searched premises leaders earlier, he “It was impossible and nobody MALLIKARJUNA KHARGE I have spiritual leaders of the com- police adding she died in the hos- of his daughter said, “AIADMK is can buy any MLA from Tamil CONGRESS LEADER munity who have long sought this pital during the treatment. Senthamarai, and as- It was the DMK that now controlled by Nadu,” Kharge told reporters while reform,” he said in his second let- serting that his party gave reservation to the Central govern- replying to a question after he ac- ter to the Chief Minister K cannot be intimated the Most Backward ment using the cen- cused BJP of encouraging defection city two days ago. said. Palaniswami and Opposition by such threats. Communities including tral agencies. This and toppling of governments by “From demonetisation to GST, the On the criticism of dynasty pol- Leader M K Stalin. Addressing a poll the Vanniyars. It was is DMK and we won't purchasing MLAs in States like lives of people have become mis- itics, he said that after former Prime Also, Vasudev posted an appeal programme at DMK that categorised budge an inch by Goa, Manipur, Karnataka and erable and growth of all businesses, Minister Rajiv Gandhi, there was to the leaders on his Twitter han- Jayankondam in Kongu Vellala Gounder such threats.” Madhya Pradesh. MSMEs, textile and agriculture no Prime Minister from the Gandhi dle saying, “Hereby, I convey the Ariyalur, Stalin said, as a backward class He said that with “MLAs in Tamil Nadu are well- sectors have declined,” he said. family. heartfelt wishes of over 3 crore “Prime Minister community and only 3 days remain- educated, highly qualified and fight Referring to the criticism by As far as AIADMK was con- Tamils. As responsible political REPRESENTATIVE PIC Narendra Modi provided reservation ing for elections, the for social justice; they cannot be Prime Minister Narendra Modi cerned, there was no Anna or Amma leaders, I beseech that you liber- reached Madurai yes- to them Income Tax raids purchased,” Kharge said. that Congress has no achievements and it was only Amit ShahADMK, ate temples, the core of Dravidian The police, on the basis terday night. He con- were aimed to con- Terming BJP as a poisonous during its 70 years of rule, he said he added. pride, to be always remembered as ducted meetings with M.K. STALIN I DMK PRESIDENT AND fine DMK leaders snake, Kharge said that the party the party has ensured right to ed- Asked about the IT raids on the the restorers of the soul of TN to CHIEF MINISTERIAL CANDIDATE of a suicide note left by IT officials to con- and workers at their was implementing RSS ideology ucation, food security up to 2014 premises of son-in-law of DMK its full glory & possibility.” He the girl, have arrested duct raid on the homes. “This won't of dividing people on religious and while BJP government has de- president, M K Stalin and DMK urged the Chief minister and the two of the accused and premises of DMK functionaries.” work for DMK cadre. This is a dif- communal basis, which was evi- stroyed the economy. leaders, he said this was the method Opposition Leader to make a prom- He said that 30 IT officials had ferent party and the people of Tamil dent from the violence during the “Modi takes decision without in which the BJP government func- ise to the Tamil people that their have launched a manhunt conducted raids at his daughter’s Nadu will give their answers to visit of Uttar Pradesh Chief thinking, without consulting and tions i.e. by threatening the oppo- beloved temples will be given back to nab two others residence and 100 policemen were this on April 6, the election day.” Minister Yogi Adityanath to the takes the nation backwards,” Kharge sition through various agencies. to them under your leadership.

Meerut's Rural Superintendent of Police Keshav Kumar said four youths were involved in abducting DMK goes with Stalin’s Kolathur segment, AIADMK fields Rajaram and raping the girl and the police, on the basis of a suicide note left by the girl, have arrested two of the AGENCIES nies off Paper Mills Road holding n The AIADMK camp is counting on its vals but also party backstabbers. accused and have launched a man- LPF-DMK flags and distributing government’s slew of welfare schemes Ruling party men take pride in re- hunt to nab two others. Chennai, April 2: The DMK men pamphlets.“Support DMK for cre- and poll promises like free houses for calling that Rajaram gave Stalin a In her suicide note, the girl had are in an upbeat mood in the ating job opportunities and to pro- those who do not own any and Rs 1,500 run for his money in the Thousand named four persons, including Kolathur constituency. They are tect the rights of workers,” he told assistance per month to people. Lights segment in 2006 and the neighbouring village residents bullish about their party president a resident as ‘trade union people’ of DMK leader managed to win by a Lakhan, son of Sanjay, and Vikas, M K Stalin’s re-election for the third Centre’s rail coach making unit, n DMK is highlighting ‘Anitha Achievers whisker, a margin of 2,468 votes son of Balwant alias Murali, be- straight time from this city seg- Integral Coach Factory which is Academy’, an initiative by Stalin to train that year. sides two others. ment which, they say, he nurtured nearby, joined them. students free of cost from middle, low It was over a decade ago and now Lakahn and Vikas have been for a decade though being in the Young women, separately, go door income and poor families in accounting the people ‘desired’ Stalin's lead- arrested while the police are on the opposition. to door giving away pamphlets that software Tally and tailoring. ership and he would win by a huge lookout for two others, the SP said. The DMK’s campaign appeared list out the ‘achievements’ of ‘Anitha margin, DMK workers countered. The SP said the girl was ab- to be the most visible with propa- Achievers Academy’, an initiative n Rajaram gave Stalin a run for his money They recalled Stalin's promise that ducted by four youths of Kapasad ganda at a feverish pace across the by Stalin to train students free of cost in the Thousand Lights segment in 2006 Kolathur would be developed into village and raped in a tower near segment for April 6 Assembly polls from middle, low income and poor and the DMK leader managed to win by a a model segment and ‘this will also whisker, a margin of 2,468 votes that year her house. After returning home, and Stalin is the party’s Chief families in accounting software, REPRESENTATIVE PIC be the CM’s constituency.’

she narrated her woes to her par- Minister candidate. Tally and tailoring. The extent to which the DMK is

k y m c ents and consumed some poison- DMK’s electioneering is driven by “Over 500 students have been focusing in this constituency could ous substance sometime later, several teams like a small group of trained in Tally and all of them distributed the pamphlet proudly schemes and poll promises like free nee Aadi Rajaram to take on Stalin. be gauged from the fact that a small prompting her parents to rush men affiliated to the Labour have been provided laptops free of claimed. ‘Placements’ were also fa- houses for those who do not own Rajaram is a noted party stretch of Red Hills Road in Kolathur her to the SSD Global Hospital in Progressive Front, party’s trade cost and 395 women have learnt tai- cilitated for them, she added. any and Rs 1,500 assistance per warhorse who was once praised by alone has two ‘Therdal Panimanai’ Modipuram, where she died dur- union wing led by a man in his 50’s, loring and got motorised sewing The AIADMK camp is counting month to people. The ruling party is late AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa (Election work stations that teem ing the treatment. who criss-cross the nook and cran- machines for free,” a woman who on its government’s slew of welfare also pinning its hopes on its nomi- for resolutely opposing not only ri- with party men). Let me be very clear. FALL IN ANIMAL DEATHS P8 We condemn any use SATURDAY | APRIL 3 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR The Delhi zoo recorded 125 animal of violence. We believe that the deaths in 2020-21, the lowest in rule of law should prevail. We the last three years, officials said. stand for the restoration of The zoo reopened to the public democracy in Myanmar Thursday after remaining shut for

y ARINDAM BAGCHI | SPOKESPERSON IN THE more than a year due to the

MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS coronavirus pandemic and bird flu

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of the day uote The infection is caused by the varicella-zoster virus It’s a matter of India pitches for Chickenpox spreading rapidly in Gaya concern since the COVID-19 INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE chicken pox break out began,” cases are rising exponentially. But Vidyarthi said. there is no need to Patna, April 2: There is a chick- “When my son died in the Uri panic. The enpox breakout reported in Bihar's attack, the state government had government is monitoring the early disengagement Gaya district. Hundreds of pa- announced to open a primary situation and taking all necessary tients from all age groups have health center in our village. It has steps been affected, according to village not happened yet,” Vidyarthi said. officials. Rahul Kumar, a resident of ARVIND KEJRIWAL | DELHI CHIEF MINISTER LAC STANDOFF Banshraj Bigha and Boknari Boknari village said: “My 5-year- villages under the Paraiya Khurd old son got chicken pox. For a The total block have reported many cases. week he was sick. We did not have revenue Villagers from Paraiya Khurd are and Boknari are said to be the any medicines for the disease. We collection by blaming the district administration hotspots with more than 100 pa- just prayed to the goddess (Mata the Excise and for not visiting the affected areas tients in the age group of two to Rani) and kept the patient in- Taxation even once. 80 being affected. Department in doors.” Himachal Pradesh in The chickenpox infection is Mathura Prasad Vidyarthi, res- Sunaina, another villager, told FY 2020-21 has surpassed the caused by the varicella-zoster ident of Boknari village and father the media that over 100 people are previous financial year’s figures by virus. It causes itchy rash with of Uri-attack ‘martyr’ Sunil Kumar affected with the chicken pox 3 per cent despite the Covid-19 small, fluid-filled blisters. It is Vidyarthi, told the media that the breakout. “Our village head pandemic highly contagious to people who state government has completely (Mukhiya) and Sarpanch informed haven't had the disease or been failed in rising to the occasion. health officials about the contagious JAI RAM THAKUR | HIMACHAL PRADESH CM vaccinated against it. “Health officials of Gaya have viral breakout but no one has Villages like Vanshraj Bigha never visited our village since the come here for inspection.” Raiding the opposition is the BJP's coping mechanism when facing Eateries, bars, electoral defeat RAHUL GANDHI | Maha faces acute malls to be shut CONGRESS LEADER for a week in Pune SHORT TAKES shortage of blood PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Indian, Chinese troops and tanks disengage from the banks of Pangong lake area in Eastern Ladakh PTI FILE PHOTO INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE Pune, April 2: Eateries, bars Robert Vadra and restaurants in Pune district AGENCIES alone will lead to the restoration of The border standoff between the Mumbai, April 2: As the Covid- of Maharashtra will remain shut tests covid+ve peace and tranquility and provide Indian and Chinese militaries 19 pandemic hits Maharashtra for seven days starting April 3 in New Delhi: Congress General New Delhi, April 2: India Friday conditions for progress of the bi- erupted on May 5 last year follow- again, a massive shortage of blood, view of the spike in coronavirus Secretary Priyanka Gandhi hoped that China will work with it lateral relationship. Bagchi also ing a violent clash in the Pangong like in the middle of 2020, looms cases of late, a senior official said Vadra has cancelled her to ensure disengagement of troops said that there was a consensus lake areas and both sides gradu- ahead, sending panic signals afresh on Friday. campaign schedule of Assam, in remaining areas of eastern that the two sides should now ally enhanced their deployment by among the health authorities. A curfew will be in place across Tamil Nadu and Kerala after Ladakh at the earliest, and asserted quickly resolve the remaining issues rushing in tens of thousands of The State Blood Transfusion the district from 6 pm to 6 am, her husband Robert Vadra that de-escalation of tension alone in the region. soldiers as well as heavy weaponry. Council (STBC) has alerted the state untarily and donate blood while and malls, cinema halls and places tested Covid-19 positive. will lead to restoration of peace “The disengagement in Pangong As a result of a series of military government after which the situa- adhering to all Covid protocols. of religious worship will also be However, she has tested and tranquility in border areas Lake area was a significant step and diplomatic talks, the two sides tion is being monitored on a daily Mumbai social worker Rakesh shut during this seven-day period, negative. She has released a and provide conditions for progress forward and it has provided a good completed withdrawal of troops basis, it was announced on Friday. Upadhyay said that though there is he said. video message apologising to of bilateral ties. basis for resolution of other re- and weapons from the North and Food and Drugs Administration not much requirement for blood The administration introduced the people, saying that At a media briefing, Spokesperson maining issues along the Line of South banks of Pangong lake in Minister Dr Rajendra Shingane re- among Covid-19 patients, the blood these "stricter restrictions" in the doctors have advised her to in the Ministry of External Affairs Actual Control in western sector," February in line with an agree- vealed that the average availability collection cycle has virtually stopped district, which reported more than be in self-isolation, so she is Arindam Bagchi said the two sides he said. Bagchi said the two sides ment on disengagement. of blood stocks is barely sufficient since the past 12 months owing to 8,000 COVID-19 cases in the past two following the guideline. continue to remain in touch through had detailed exchange of views on In the subsequent military talks to last a week in the state, putting the pandemic and lockdown. consecutive days. The decision to military and diplomatic channels on the remaining issues both at the the on February 20, India insisted on a question mark on routine or emer- "The blood banks in Maharashtra impose these curbs was taken dur- the issue. He also referred to External senior commanders' meeting and resolution of outstanding issues gency surgeries and other blood face an acute shortage of blood... ing a review meeting chaired by Four killed in Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's com- the discussions held under the including in Depsang, Hot Springs requirements by hospitals. It is the dire need of the hour and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar road accident ments that a prolongation of the sit- framework of Working Mechanism and Gogra. India has been insisting "There is a huge shortage of people should step forward to do- here Friday. uation is in neither side's interest. for Consultation and Coordination that peace and tranquility along blood in major cities like Mumbai, nate blood, voluntarily and self- "These stricter restrictions will Jaipur: Four people, including “We, therefore, hope that the (WMCC) on border affairs. the border is essential for overall Thane, Pune... the availability is for lessly, as it's a noble and humani- be applicable for seven days from a couple, were killed Friday Chinese side will work with us to Following the disengagement in ties between the two countries. 6-7 days, in some other districts it tarian case," Awhad appealed. Saturday. As part of it, there will when a truck carrying marble ensure that disengagement in the the Pangong lake area, India and Last week, Army Chief Gen MM may be around 10-11 days The state government has also be a curfew from 6 pm to 6 am. stone overturned on a car remaining areas is completed at China held the 10th round of mil- Naravane said that the threat to Collections need to be ramped up called upon political parties, NGOs, Eateries, bars and restaurants passing by it in Rajasthan's the earliest,” he added. itary talks, the WMCC meeting be- India has only "abated" following the drastically," he urged. Housing social organisations and the cor- will remain closed, but home de- Pali district, police said. All This, he said, would allow both sides a telephonic conversation be- disengagement in Pangong lake Minister Dr Jitendra Awhad urged porates to undertake blood dona- livery of the food will continue," four killed in the accident sides to consider de-escalation of tween the foreign ministers of the areas but it has not gone away al- the youth to organise blood dona- tion camps and encourage the Pune divisional commissioner were in the car on which the forces in eastern Ladakh as that two countries. together. tion camps or come forward vol- youngsters to donate blood. Saurabh Rao said. truck overturned on NH-62 near Balrai village of the district, Endla police station's SHO Bihari Lal Sharma said. Ambani security The killed people were MATTER OF FAITH identified as Ashwani Sharma, scare probe: NIA No ban on export his wife Rashmi, relative Manoj Sharma and driver questions club owner Buddha Ram, the SHO said. of Covid vax: MEA PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Woman found dead India is one of the world’s biggest drugmakers, an Mumbai, April 2: The National increasing number of countries have already New Delhi: A 26-year-old Investigation Agency which is woman was found dead probing the case related to a bomb approached it for procuring anti-coronavirus vaccines Friday inside her rented scare near industrialist Mukesh accommodation in northwest Ambani's residence here on Friday PRESS TRUST OF INDIA (for the vaccines) because it is a re- Delhi's Mangolpuri area, recorded the statement of the quest based on the requirement of police said. The deceased has owner of a club, said an official. New Delhi, April 2: Asserting countries," Bagchi said. The 'Vaccine been identified as Jyoti, they The agency had conducted that India has not imposed any ex- Maitree' initiative has been ex- said. On Friday at 10.52 am, searches at the `social club' lo- port ban on anti-coronavirus vac- police got information that a tremely successful and very well woman's body was lying on cated inside a hotel in south cines, the Ministry of External liked by our partners across the the fourth floor of a house in Mumbai Friday. The NIA is prob- Affairs on Friday said the coun- world and "we are continuing to try Mangolpuri area, a senior ing alleged links of its owner with try has taken the lead in sending to supply to the extent possible police officer said. Police bookie Naresh Gor and vaccines abroad with over 640 lakh given our domestic requirements", reached the spot where the suspended police constable doses supplied to more than 80 Bagchi said. deceased was found lying Vinayak Shinde, the official said. countries till now. Asked about reports that Nepal with injury marks on her The club owner was seen arriving Ministry of External Affairs has approached India to procure 5 head and right side of the at the NIA office around 11 am Devotees offer prayers outside Sacred Heart Cathedral Church, in New Delhi. Entry was restricted with prior Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi million more vaccine doses but face, the officer said. and left around 4.50 pm. registration on the occasion of Good Friday PTI PHOTO also said the ministry's 'Vaccine has not got any response, he said Maitree' initiative to supply vaccines India has taken the lead on send- abroad has been "very successful ing vaccines abroad. and very well liked" by our partners "No country has shared with across the world. the world the number of vaccines "As on date, under the 'Vaccine that India has while vaccinating DNA test gives clean chit to rape accused Maitree' initiative, we have sup- its own population. Till now, we plied a total of about 644 lakh doses have supplied vaccines to more THIS YOUNG MAN WAS FALSELY BOOKED FOR RAPE AND SPENT 26 MONTHS IN JAIL BEFORE THE to the global community and of than 80 countries across in the these, 104 lakh doses have been world and we have already stated DNA TEST ON THE SURVIVOR’S CHILD PROVED THAT HE WAS NOT THE BIOLOGICAL FATHER supplied as a grant, 357 lakh doses that our external supplies would on a commercial basis and 182 lakh be done keeping in mind our do- INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE brother Sunil and a distant rela- stated that Amit was not the bio- doses through the COVAX initia- mestic requirements," the MEA tive Teekshan Pal, he was also logical father of the child. tive," Bagchi said at an online media spokesperson said. Aligarh (Uttar Pradesh), April 2: booked for criminal intimidation and “It is apparent that the FIR was briefing. With regard to the de- "At this time, I hope our partners This young man was falsely booked house trespass at the Barla police lodged after considerable delay, that mand for made-in-India vaccines, understand that vaccines are pri- for rape and spent 26 months in jail station. too, when pregnancy was detected. many countries across the world marily purposed for domestic con- before the DNA test on the sur- Chandrashekhar got bail, and The victim alleged that the same was have been requesting for their sup- sumption. I want to emphasise that vivor's child proved that he was not Sunil and Teekshan’s names were a result of rape committed by Amit ply, he said. "I don't have an exact we have not imposed any export ban the biological father. later removed from the charge sheet but DNA report submitted in sealed number for what is the demand on vaccines," Bagchi asserted. Amit Kumar, 24, was accused of because there was not enough ev- envelope and opened before this raping and impregnating a minor idence against them. Court reveals that applicant is not girl at his Dattawali village in Amit was lodged in the Aligarh the biological father. The bail has Aligarh. district jail. Amit’s lawyer Hariom finally been granted by the Amit, who was working in Varshney said they pleaded before Allahabad High Court,” Varshney Faridabad, had come to his village the court for a DNA test of the sur- said. Aligarh SSP Kalanidhi y to attend the marriage of his elder Representative image vivor's child to ascertain whether Naithani, meanwhile, said the po-

brother in July 2018. Amit was guilty of having raped her lice would seek legal opinion from

k y m c Seven months later, he was sum- which led to pregnancy. the joint director of prosecution moned by the police in February 2019 Amit’s father, Sajjan Singh, told Amit was charged with rape and The survivor came with the child after going over the case diary. and accused of raping the girl. His reporters that he had a dispute with under sections of the POCSO Act at the hospital in the fifth attempt Amit’s counsel said that his next mother and sister-in-law had al- the survivor’s father over a piece of while his elder brother, Chandra and the samples of Amit and the step will be to apply for his client’s ready been detained. Amit rushed land and the case was set up to set- Shekhar, was charged with volun- child were taken in March last year. discharge from all charges under back and was arrested. tle scores. tarily causing hurt. With his younger The report came last month which which he was booked. Representative image P9 SIGNAL IS FASTEST GROWING APP SATURDAY | APRIL 3 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR BJP is not Amid the brouhaha over new and controversial interested in the WhatsApp privacy policy that is set to come into development of force from May 15, privacy-focused messaging Pondicherry app Signal became the fastest-growing app V NARAYANASAMY | globally, including in India, both in downloads y SENIOR CONGRESS and monthly active users (MAUs) in the first

LEADER

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of the day uote ‘Concern over nCoV cases in 11 states/UTs’ Mamata broke model BJP has won AGENCIES commensurate increase in en- more than 50 forcement of containment activities, seats out of 60 code of conduct: BJP New Delhi, April 2: The Central in the first two and urged the Chief Secretaries phase of Bengal government on Friday said that and DGPs of the states and UTs for PRESS TRUST OF INDIA polls, Didi (Chief the coronavirus situation in 11 taking appropriate strict action in Minister Mamata states/Union Territories is a mat- this regard. Kolkata, April 2: The Trinamool Banerjee) herself is losing from ter of "serious concern" and urged These states and UTs were cate- Congress Friday complained to the Nandigram the Chief Secretaries and Directors gorised as "states of grave concern" Election Commission of partisan General of Police concerned to take on account of their high and rising behaviour by central police forces AMIT SHAH | UNION HOME MINISTER appropriate action in this regard. daily case and higher daily deaths. in favour of its rival BJP, while the The directions were given during These have contributed 90 per cent saffron party made a counter- com- a review meeting Cabinet Secretary of Covid cases (as on March 31) plaint that Chief Minister Mamata IT raids on Rajiv Gauba held with Chief and 90.5 per cent of deaths (as on Benerjee had violated the model Stalin ji’s son Secretaries, DGP and Health March 31) in last 14 days, and have code of conduct by being inside a in law is yet Secretaries of Maharashtra, Punjab, polling booth in Nandigram for Minister Amit Shah are influenc- another example of crossed or close to crossing their GOI hounding Karnataka, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, early reported peaks during two hours on polling day. ing the poll process by passing on political opponents Chandigarh, Gujarat, Madhya last year. A high level Trinamool Congress instruction from Delhi. through their Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Delhi and It was pointed out the situation delegation, led by Yashwant Sinha, "We have told them, the role of trusted agencies Haryana. was particularly worrying in former Cabinet minister and now central forces have been partial in These states and Union Maharashtra, and the state ad- TMC vice president and state min- many booths in the first two MEHBOOBA MUFTI | PDP PRESIDENT Territories have been reporting a ministration was advised to take up ister Subrata Mukherjee, met the phases. There have been inci- very high rise in daily Covid cases immediate and high-effective meas- Chief Electoral Officer Aariz Aftab dents of violence and attacks on and mortalities in the last two ures to ensure containment of ac- with its complaint alleging cen- our party supporters by BJP. We Parkash Singh weeks. India recorded 81,466 new per cent growth rate in daily Covid communication to instil Covid ap- tive cases and daily deaths through tral police forces acted with par- have asked the EC to see to it this Badal had coronavirus cases in the last 24 deaths in this period. While India propriate behaviour among the adherence of the standard clinical tiality in favour of the BJP at cer- was not repeated in the next six promised to hours, the highest since was reporting about 97,000 daily populace. management protocol shared ear- tain polling centers. Soon phases," Sinha said. West Bengal extend free power October 2020. new Covid cases at the peak of the Niti Aayog's Member Health, Dr lier with all states and UTs. afterwards, a BJP delegation led Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee facility to farmers Taking note of the present situ- pandemic in September 2020, it has V.K. Paul emphasised on need for Another worrisome aspect BJP leader Sishir Bajoria and for- on Thursday had also accused for agricultural ation due to the continuous dete- mer governor Tathagata Roy told operations and now reached the critical figure of states to follow a protocol for shar- pointed out was that Tier-2 and central forces deployed in fulfilled this commitment in the rioration of the Covid scenario 81,000 daily new cases. ing clinical and epidemiological Tier-3 cities, along with peri-urban the Chief Electoral Officer that Nandigram constituency, where very first cabinet meeting after over the fortnight, the Cabinet In a detailed presentation, Union data for more detailed study of mu- areas have recorded the recent high the chief minister's presence inside she is locked in battle with her for- assuming power in the state Secretary pointed out that the cur- Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan tant strain of virus for genome se- rises in Covid cases, and how the the booth for two hours disrupted mer lieutenant, Suvendu Adhikari rent Covid case growth rate of 6.8 highlighted the current trajectory quencing. spread of infection from these areas the polling process and was against now with the BJP, of helping the SUKHBIR SINGH BADAL | SAD CHIEF per cent in March 2021 has sur- of Covid in the states and UTs while Union Home Secretary A.K. to the rural areas with weak health the model code of conduct. saffron party Central police forces passed the previous record of 5.5 per Information and Broadcasting Bhalla pointed out that the 11 states infrastructure would overwhelm Sinha told reporters after meet- function under the home min- SHORT TAKES cent (June 2020). Secretary Amit Khare showcased and UTs that are showing a surge the local administration was also ing Aftab that Prime Minister istry, which is headed by The country also reported 5.5 ways of effective behavioural change in daily Covid cases have not shown highlighted. Narendra Modi and Union Home Amit Shah. Fake call centre busted FOLK SHOW INDIA DECLINES New Delhi: Twenty-five Akhilesh’s dream TO COMMENT ON employees of a fake call centre here have been PAK’S FLIP-FLOP apprehended for allegedly duping US nationals, Delhi project in shambles ON BILATERAL TRADE Police officials said Friday. The call centre was in lagers in many stretches used PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Saidullajab in south Delhi's the track for drying cow dung Mehrauli area, they said. Its cakes, or for washing clothes". New Delhi, April 2: India Friday employees used to dupe US In the Bah area, close to the declined to comment on Pakistan's nationals by asking them to dreaded Chambal ravines, the flip-flop on plans to go for limited pay membership fees on track was not even fully com- imports of sugar and cotton from the pretext of providing plete, but the Akhilesh gov- the country. them US government grants ernment was in a hurry to in- "We have seen reports on this. for unemployed persons and handicapped persons, augurate the project on But as is evident, we are not the police said. November 26, 2016. right party to whom this question The cycle track with colour- should be directed at," said ful pillars meandering along Arindam Bagchi, Spokesperson shady trees, had to be bulldozed in the Ministry of External Affairs Senior citizen in Agra, to make way for the (MEA). His response came fol- killed by tiger six-lane Fatehabad road, con- lowing questions on the issue at necting the Kheria airport with a media briefing. Seoni (MP): A 62-year-old INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE the Taj Mahal. "Since this stretch In a volte-face, Pakistan's Cabinet man was killed by a tiger in of road is frequently used by on Thursday rejected the proposal a field near Pench Tiger Agra, April 2: The total neglect VIPs and foreign dignitaries, a of a high-powered committee to im- Reserve in Madhya Pradesh' and failure to maintain the 207 plan to widen it had been there port cotton and sugar from India. Seoni district Friday, an km-long cycle track from Etawah in the pipeline for a long time," Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood official said. The incident to Agra, the Rs 133 crore dream a contractor at the site along Artists perform Rabha Folk dance Hamja during an election rally of BJP in Kamrup district, Assam PTI PHOTO Qureshi said there can be no nor- took place in Ghatkohka project of former Uttar Pradesh the city's Mall Road said. malisation of ties until New Delhi buffer area at around 5am and the deceased has been Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, But now the cycle track is reverses its decision to revoke the identified as Ghasiram has reduced it to a state of used by buffaloes. In any case the Liquor shops in special status of Jammu and Verma, Pench field director shambles. project was a non-starter from Vikram Singh Parihar said. No longer does the ruined the very beginning. These days Chhindwara open ‘Stones pelted at "He was collecting mahua cycle track attract fitness freaks. how many people use cycles? seeds. The tiger mauled him The concrete layered cycle track Not many. Even students opt to death and then went through wilderness and ravines for scooters and mobikes. amid lockdown back into the forest," he of the Yamuna, never found "For want of security foreign said in a statement. patrons, in fact. Long-distance tourists showed no interest," INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE Tikait’s convoy’ runner and cycling maniac said environmentalist Shravan Pramod Katara said that "vil- Kumar Singh. Chhindwara (Madhya Pradesh), adding no one was injured in the Four Naxals April 2: A three-day complete lock- incident. The incident took place Kashmir. The somersault came a down has been imposed in Madhya when Tikait's convoy reached day after the Economic surrender Pradesh's Chhindwara district from Tatarpur chauraha on its way to his Coordination Committee (ECC) Friday, following the surge in coro- second rally venue, the SP said, under newly-appointed Finance Narayanpur: Four Naxals, Shared all data with WHO navirus cases in the district. While adding the farmer leader addressed Minister Hammad Azhar on three of them collectively carrying a reward of Rs 7 all shops and markets are closed, two rallies in the district Friday. Wednesday decided to buy the two lakh on their heads, to probe Covid origins: China liquor shops are still open and the He said Kuldeep Rai, a student key items from India, lifting a surrendered before the Congress has slammed the ad- leader of Alwar-based Matsya nearly two-year-long ban on their police in Chhattisgarh's INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE prehensive and expert-led mecha- ministration for this. University, along with his sup- import from the neighbouring Narayanpur district Friday, nism to expeditiously investigate Congress spokesperson Syed PRESS TRUST OF INDIA porters showed black flags when the country. Asked whether India is an official said. The cadres, New Delhi, April 2: China said that the origin of coronavirus. The US, Jafar tweeted: "Stop fudging the cavalcade was passing. "At this, planning to restore the Most including three women, it has shared all data and analyses the UK and several other countries Covid-19 figures in Chhindwara, Jaipur, April 2: Stones were al- some of the cars stopped and their Favoured Nation (MFN) status to turned themselves in before with the experts of the World Health have also voiced their concerns even after so many deaths the of- legedly pelted at the convoy of occupants in the vehicles argued Pakistan, Bagchi said he does not the police citing Organization (WHO) tracing the over the findings. ficials sitting in the district ad- farmer leader Rakesh Tikait in with them over the issue. Amid all have any information on it. disappointment with the origin of Covid-19, and it is ready Reacting to India's demand, China ministration and the state Health Rajasthan's Alwar district, dam- this, the windshield of one car was India withdrew the MFN sta- "hollow" ideology of the to continue working with global said that they had twice invited ministry are found sleeping just like aging the rear windshield of his car. damaged apparently in stone pelt- tus to Pakistan following the Maoist movement and experts to jointly study and analyse WHO experts for the study of the 'Kumbhakaran'. Shivraj Singh Police have detained a student ing,” the SP said. BKU's state pres- Pulwama terror attack in 2019. To increasing pressure of the the data. origin of Covid-19 and offered nec- Chouhan ji, if you have time, take leader, who the Bhartiya Kisan ident Rajaram Meel, who was ac- a question on whether there was security forces, Narayanpur The joint study group of WHO essary facilitation for the team's the feedback of people in Union claimed, belonged to ABVP, companying Tikait, alleged that any interaction between External superintendent of police and China to trace the origin of work, fully demonstrating its open- Chhindwara where the three-day the student wing of the BJP, and ac- at least 40 to 50 people carrying Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Mohit Garg said in a Covid-19 released a report two days ness, transparency and responsible lockdown has been imposed, but the cused the party of being behind sticks stopped the convoy and en- his Pakistani counterpart Qureshi statement. ago, in which it flagged that more attitude. China further said that liquor shops are open." Chhindwara the attack. tered into an altercation with them. in Dushanbe on the sidelines of a data will be made available to the the joint study group tracing the ori- SP Vivek Agarawal said that the Tikait, however, was not in his "We were moving towards Bansur conference, the MEA spokesper- investigators by Beijing. gin of Covid-19 has unanimously liquor shops are open as the guide- car when the stones were allegedly after addressing the first meeting son said he was not aware of any 6 people drown A day after the report was re- agreed that the allegation of a 'lab line from the Centre makes no pelted, Bhiwadi Superintendent in Harsoli when the incident took such interaction with the Pakistani leased, India had demanded a com- leak' is extremely unlikely. mention of their closure. of Police Ram Murti Joshi said, place,” he said. delegation. Hyderabad: In a tragic incident, six people drowned in Godavari river in Telangana Friday. The incident occurred at the VIP Pushkar Ghat at Karaikal district: Where independents have more fight in them Pochampahad in Nizamabad district. Police said rescue workers pulled THIS TIME, THE KARAIKAL DISTRICT OF THE UNION TERRITORY OF PONDICHERRY IS WITNESSING THE INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES GIVING A out five bodies while search TOUGH FIGHT TO THE PARTIES. ASSEMBLY CONSTITUENCIES IN THE PONDICHERRY REGIONS ARE SMALL WITH ABOUT 25,000-35,000 VOTERS was on for the sixth. PRESS TRUST OF INDIA toughfight to the parties. Assembly Nedunkadu, and Neravy-TR cabinet. BJP has fielded GNS Marimuthu, former MLA. In Rajaganapathy, son of former constituencies in the Pondicherry Pattinam constituencies are see- Rajasekaran. the Neravy TR-Pattinam Minister VMC Sivakumar, is also Farmer hangs self Karaikal, (Pondicherry) April regions are small with about 25,000- ing independents as among the In the nearby constituency, two in- in the fray as an independent. 2: In every Assembly election, 35,000 voters. top contenders. In Tirunallar, for- Nedunkaduconstituency, dependent candidates They both are taking on DMK's Bilaspur: A 58-year-old contestants belonging to popular The popularity of individual mer Minister and two-time MLA Dr V Vigneswaran, a are among the main Nagathiyagarajan and BJP's VMCS y farmer allegedly political parties alone are con- candidates in the area often be- PR Siva is contesting as an inde- prominent social ac- contenders. Manoharan. Interestingly, the BJP

committed suicide in sidered as serious contenders, comes the deciding factor in win- pendent. He was earlier with tivist in the area, is con- Sitting MLA candidate and the independent

k y m c Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur rarely are the independents so ning elections. On many occasions the AINRC. testing as an independ- Geetha Anandan, VMCS Rajaganapathy are broth- district Friday after he seen. and in many constituencies, The constituency has now been ent. He was previously who was with the ers. If any of the independents reportedly did not get a This time, the Karaikal district Independents have risen up to ex- allotted to the BJP. He is taking on with the DMK. DMK, is contesting as go on to win the elections, they duplicate copy of a of the Union Territory of pectations and won the elections. Congress's R Kamalakannan, who He is taking on AINRC'sS an independent as she might play a crucial role in the for- document of his land from a local revenue official, police Pondicherry is witnessing the This time, three constituen- served as Agriculture Minister Chandrapriyanka(sitting was denied a ticket mation of the next government said in a statement. Independent candidates giving a ciesin Karaikal district - Tirunallar, in the Narayanaswamy-headed MLA) and Congress's A this time. VMCS in the Union Territory. This is for the first time that APRIL FOOL: JILL P10 so many Indian-origin SATURDAY | APRIL 3 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR candidates are running for elections in BIDEN PRANKS STAFF Chicago land for this upcoming Staff, secret service and press were treated to dessert by a woman with Townships election. It’s our time to short black hair, a black face mask serve for the community we live in. It’s and nametag that read “Jasmine”, important that Indian-Americans are who made her way through the cabins as the first lady travelled represented in local body elections. home to Washington after

JITENDRA DIGANVKER US REP LEADER visiting California.

k y m international | c of the day uote Myanmar junta FIERY FURY US, Iran may cuts internet One-sided REUTERS pressure and calling for Myanmar, April 2: Opponents of sanctions or other coercive measures military rule in Myanmar marched give another and laid bouquets of flowers Friday will only aggravate tension and while trying to find alternative confrontation and further ways to organise their campaign complicate the situation, which is of dissent after the authorities cut by no means constructive. off most users from the internet. shot to N-deal A man flashes the three-finger ZHANG JUN | UN AMBASSADOR, CHINA salute as he passes burning tires during a protest against the mil- itary coup, in Mandalay, Myanmar As the federal April 1, 2021. Protests have taken government place almost daily since the mili- has become increasingly tary overthrew the elected gov- complex over the ernment of Aung San Suu Kyi years, the role of the Feb 1. Hundreds of civilians have Cabinet has evolved been killed in a crackdown by se- as well. In addition to serious policy curity forces that have drawn in- discussions, Cabinet meetings are ternational condemnation. an opportunity for the president to Friday, security forces opened lay out broad directions for how his fire at a rally near Myanmar’s sec- team should operate. ond city Mandalay, wounding four

CHRIS LU | FORMER CABINET SECY people and 2 critical, according to three domestic media organi- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA the U.S. to the nuclear deal does sations. Across the country, demon- As long as not require any negotiation and strators left bouquets of flowers, coverage Brussels, April 2: Iran and the the path is quite clear.” many with messages of defiance, A volcanic eruption in Geldingadalur in Iceland’s Reykjanes peninsula, March 20. The volcano in Iceland spewing lava remains low, major powers in the agreement to “The US can return to the deal at places associated with activists into the sky cloud continue its spectacular display for years, potentially becoming a new tourist attraction on the we need to apply keep Tehran from developing nu- and stop breaching the law in the killed by the security forces. island known for its natural wonders. REUTERS the same public clear weapons said Friday they same way it withdrew from the health and social were ready to welcome the return deal and imposed illegal sanctions measures as we of the United States to the deal. on Iran,” Araghchi was quoted have in the past, to compensate for The chair of the group including saying. delayed schedules. the European Union, China, France, Washington pulled out of the DR HANS KLUGE | WHO Germany, Russia, Britain and Iran deal unilaterally in 2018 under Pak, B’desh in UK travel ‘red-list’ said that the participants “em- President Donald Trump, but suc- phasized their commitment to pre- cessor Joe Biden has indicated that PRESS TRUST OF INDIA through these four additional coun- serve the JCPOA and discussed the US would be willing to rejoin. tries on a 40-country red list in the SHORT TAKES modalities to ensure the return to But there are some complica- London, April 2: Pakistan and previous 10 days will be refused its full and effective implementa- tions. Iran has been steadily vio- Bangladesh are among four addi- entry into England. Extremist kills tion,” according to a statement lating the restrictions of the deal, tional countries added to the “red Only British and Irish citizens, after their virtual meeting, refer- like the amount of enriched ura- list” of nations from where travel or those with residence rights in the self, her baby ring to the acronym for the accord nium it can stockpile and the pu- to and from England is banned to UK (including long-term visa hold- Tunis: Tunisian authorities — the Joint Comprehensive Plan rity to which it can enrich it. control the spread of coronavirus. ers), will be allowed to enter and they said a female suicide bomber of Action. Tehran’s moves have been calcu- The ban announced Friday will must stay in a government-approved killed herself and her baby The group said they would re- lated to put pressure on the other come into effect from April 9 quarantine facility for 10 days. during counterterrorism sume further talks next week in nations in the deal — Russia, China, and also cover the Philippines They will also be required to ar- operations in a mountainous Vienna on the 2015 agreement, “in France, Germany and Britain — to and Kenya in response to rive into a designated port. No di- zone in struggling interior order to clearly identify sanctions do more to offset crippling sanctions concerns about new vari- rect flight bans from these coun- provinces. Two other Islamic lifting and nuclear implementa- reimposed under Trump. ants of COVID-19 in those tries will be put in place, but extremists were killed in the tion measures.” Iran has said that before it re- regions, like those detected in England’s red list to protect such as those first identified in passengers are advised to check security operations Thursday The statement also said that the sumes compliance with the deal, the South Africa and Brazil. the country against new vari- South Africa (SA) and Brazil – en- their travel plans before departing night. Tunisian forces killed group’s coordinator “will also in- U.S. needs to return to its own ob- India currently is not on the red ants of coronavirus (COVID-19), at tering England. So far, surveillance for England. one suspect, whose wife then tensify separate contacts in Vienna” ligations under the deal by dropping list of countries, with an air bub- a critical time for the vaccine pro- has found that few cases of the SA During their stay, all passen- killed herself by activating an with all participants of the nu- the sanctions. ble arrangement in operation for es- gramme,” the Department for variant have been identified as gers linked to the red list are re- explosive belt while holding clear agreement and the United The International Atomic Energy sential travel while non-essential in- Transport (DfT) said in a state- being imported from Europe, with quired to take a coronavirus test on her baby in her arms, States. Agency has said that over the past ternational travel from the UK ment. most coming from other parts of the or before day 2 and on or after day according to the ministry. In Tehran, state television quoted two years, Iran has accumulated a remains banned under current “With over 30 million vaccinations world,” it said. 8, and are not allowed to shorten Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s nuclear lot of nuclear material and new lockdown rules. delivered in the UK so far, the ad- From 4 am local time next week their compulsory 10-day quarantine negotiator in the Friday virtual capacities, and used the time for “Philippines, Pakistan, Kenya ditional restrictions will help to re- Friday, international visitors who period on receipt of a negative test Death threats to meeting said that any “return by “honing their skills in these areas.” and Bangladesh have been added to duce the risk of new variants – have departed from or transited result. Italy's health minister Rome: Police in Italy have NAVALNY PROTEST Dutch PM wins seized computers and other devices allegedly used by EU nations struggle to show four Italians to send death no-trust motion threats and offensive emails Russia to buy anti-riot gear to the country's health INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE minister to protest his firm REUTERS Some 370,000 people have regis- stance on coronavirus Covid-19 vaccine solidarity tered so far. The authorities have The Hague, April 2: Dutch care- lockdowns. The Carabinieri PRESS TRUST OF INDIA with Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Moscow, April 2: Russia has is- called such street protests illegal and taker Prime Minister Mark Rutte health police said Friday that Latvia and Slovakia receiving a sued tenders to buy anti-riot kits and have pledged to break them up. Friday narrowly survived a no- the emails were sent Brussels, April 2: The European proportionally large number of protective police gear, state pro- An Interior Ministry tender, confidence vote called after he between October and January from foreign Union is struggling to show complete doses. Austria, along with the Czech curement documents showed, ahead published on Russia’s state pro- was accused of misinforming computer servers and coronavirus vaccination solidar- Republic and Slovenia, didn’t get ad- of a protest that allies of jailed curement online portal March 30, Parliament and actively seeking contained violent threats of ity among member nations, after a ditional shots. Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny hope requested the provision of more to move an inconvenient lawmaker retaliation against Health week of negotiations over the dis- “We are grateful for the re- will be the largest in modern than 2,000 police anti-riot kits to another position. Minister Roberto Speranza tribution of extra doses exposed markable efforts” and solidarity Russian history. worth some 239 million roubles The premier’s credibility was and his family, “including fissures Friday. Five EU nations of fellow EU member states, Latvian Navalny, 44, was jailed in February ($3.15 million). Each kit includes however seriously damaged as explicit death threats.” that struggled most to get their vac- Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins on charges he said were fabricated. body armor, a helmet and leg pro- parliament passed a motion of cination drive going were given said. He declared a hunger strike tectors. disapproval, saying he had not extra doses from an alliance of 19 He said the extra shots “will Wednesday in a bid to force the The ministry also issued ten- told the truth about remarks made Fire kills 3 in other countries. Three nations bring us closer to our common goal prison holding him to provide proper ders for the purchase of 1,625 pro- during coalition talks, reports dpa weren’t part of the deal, however, that some countries were receiving — a collective immunity across the medical care for what he said was tective kits, 200 helmets and more news agency. Rohingya camp showing the difficulties of com- more than their fair share at the cost EU.” AstraZeneca shots are cheaper acute pain in his back and legs. than 400 bulletproof vests. At a special session Thursday, promise politics when COVID-19 of others. EU leaders failed to agree and easier to handle than vaccines His allies, who staged three In February, the prison author- almost all parliamentary groups Cox's Bazar: A fire Friday cases are surging again. on a correction mechanism, leav- from Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna. demonstrations in the winter to ity issued tenders for the purchase voiced severe criticism of the destroyed more than 20 At an EU summit last week, ing it to their EU ambassadors. Overall, the EU continues to lag demand his release, said they would of hundreds of tasers, smoke right-wing liberal premier after shops in a makeshift market near a Rohingya refugee Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Late Thursday, a deal was reached well behind nations like the United announce a date for a new nation- grenades and protective gear after he gave the impression that he camp in southern Kurz criticized the allocation of on how to distribute an early batch Kingdom and United States when wide street protest once 500,000 nationwide rallies in support of wanted to sideline an inconven- Bangladesh, leaving at least shots in the 27-nation bloc, saying of 10 million Pfizer-BioNTech doses it comes to vaccinations. people had registered to attend. Navalny. ient critic and several opposi- three people dead. Local tion parties called for a vote of police chief Ahmed Sanjur confidence. Morshed said they recovered After a long and turbulent de- the bodies from the debris bate over Rutte’s controversial after it took firefighters China wildlife crackdown needs ‘more teeth’ statements during government several hours to bring the formation talks, the opposition blaze under control. The fire REUTERS “With farms you have a large China tested thousands ultimately lacked a majority for a broke out early Friday when pool of animals that are more or less COVID ORIGIN vote of no-confidence in the early residents of the sprawling Shanghai, April 2: China and its genetically homogeneous, where a of animal samples to hours of Friday in The Hague. Kutupalong camp for neighbours must not only crack virus can easily evolve,” said trace the coronavirus’s Rutte was expected to continue Myanmar's Rohingya down on wildlife trade but also shut Christian Walzer, chief veterinar- efforts to form his fourth coali- refugees were asleep. legal loopholes that allow disease- ian at New York’s Wildlife origins, but the study tion government after parlia- prone species to be farmed, experts Preservation Society. said more investigations mentary elections in mid-March said after an investigation team China tested thousands of animal were required. It also handed his centre-right People’s Pope celebrates concluded that COVID-19 most likely samples to trace the coronavirus’s Party for Freedom and Democracy Holy Thursday originated in animals. origins, but the study said more in- recommended surveys (VVD) a majority. A World Health Organization- vestigations were required. It also at mink and raccoon A first round of coalition talks Vatican City: Pope Francis led study, published Tuesday, said recommended surveys at mink and was unexpectedly broken off last celebrated a surprise Holy it was “likely to very likely” that raccoon dog farms, which China dog farms week after a confidential memo be- Thursday Mass with the SARS-CoV-2, the virus that caused still allows even though they are came public. cardinal he fired last year, the global pandemic, was intro- infection-prone. “In many places, wildlife trad- The note, which became public extending an extraordinary duced to humans from bats via an “Cramming millions of animals ing isn’t seen as a priority or even Thursday, mentioned re-positioning gesture to Cardinal Angelo intermediary species, with wildlife together in these abusive indus- as something that is necessarily Pieter Omtzigt, a lawmaker known Becciu by celebrating the farming playing a crucial role. tries creates a perfect petri dish for wrong, and we are suffering a pan- for often asking pointed or in- liturgy that commemorates Tong Yigang, a Chinese animal pandemics, and unless we ban farm- SARS-CoV-2, remain a major prize. operation. A special economic zone demic because of it.” convenient questions to the gov- Jesus' Last Supper with his disease expert involved in the joint ing for fur ... we will continue to play Pangolin scales were an officially in the border district of Mong La in China says the original spillover ernment. apostles before his study, said the findings vindicated Russian roulette with global public recognised TCM ingredient - used Myanmar, owned by Chinese busi- event could have occurred beyond Before the note became public, crucifixion. News of the Beijing’s decision last year to ban safety,” warned Peter Li, China ex- to treat conditions like arthritis - nesses, has long been a source of its border, but critics say wildlife trad- Rutte had claimed that the law- celebration in Becciu's trade in wildlife for human con- pert at Humane Society until last year. Though China has pangolin scales delivered into China. ing networks in Myanmar and Laos maker had not been a topic of con- private chapel was confirmed

sumption. International. since cracked down, activists com- “There’s no real government con- would not exist without Chinese versation.

k y m by Becciu's private secretary. c But the report also drew attention The visit carried enormous Regulatory gaps, lax enforcement plain that punishments remain un- trol there in Mong La,” said Chris demand, and Chinese investment. Once the note appeared to con- symbolic weight and could to the wildlife farms still allowed to and transnational trafficking gangs even: in a recent case, traffickers Shepherd, executive director of the “I don’t buy it that the Chinese tradict him, the premier told par- suggest Francis may have operate legally, serving the tradi- have allowed the wildlife trade to con- caught on the island province of Monitor Conservation Research are not responsible for these: they liament that he had forgotten this come to realise he had tional Chinese medicine (TCM) in- tinue, experts said. Pangolins, an en- Hainan were given only relatively Society, who studies illegal wildlife are driving it,” said Amanda remark, saying he had never in- erred in his handling of the dustry and the fur trade - and cre- dangered mammal identified as a small fines. trafficking. “There’s no enforce- Whitfort, an animal welfare law tended to move the Christian Becciu dossier. ating more spillover risks. potential intermediary species for Foreign traffickers also remain in ment of any kind.” specialist at Hong Kong University. Democratic lawmaker. P11 THE GREEN MISSION SATURDAY | APRIL 3 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR Tremendous progress has India’s greenhouse gas been achieved in building emissions are the third national highways across the largest in the world, country... We have achieved a contributing 7 per cent to road building pace of 37 km overall global emissions of highways a day

and temperature rise.

k y m business NITIN GADKARI | UNION MINISTER c of the day uote Adani bags `1,169 cr State refiners told to review NH project in Odisha SAIL clocks best At present, we can roll out PRESS TRUST OF INDIA 9,200 units a month from the New Delhi, April 2: Adani Hosur plant that we quarterly sales commissioned in import contracts with Saudi Enterprises Friday said it has won February. Given the a Rs 1,169.10 crore highway proj- rise in demand now, we are Govt tells four state-owned refiners to use collective bargaining ect in Odisha from the National planning to treble our capacity Highways Authority of India power to get favourable terms with the Middle East country (NHAI). TARUN MEHTA | CO-FOUNDER, ATHER ENERGY The contract has been won by AGENCIES Adani Enterprises' wholly-owned subsidiary Adani Road Transport We continue New Delhi, April 2: Amid ten- Ltd (ARTL). "ARTL has received to explore sions with Saudi Arabia over oil pro- a letter of award (LOA) for ...de- opportunities duction cuts, India has asked its velopment of six lane for value creation through our state refiners to review contracts Badakumari - Karki Section• of portfolio they enter into for buying crude NH-130-CD Road ... Under Raipur- realignment. We oil from the Middle East nation Visakhapatnam Economic remain focused on optimizing and negotiate more favourable Corridor in Odisha on HAM (hy- value through such strategic exits terms, a top official said. brid annuity mode)," the com- and are equally committed to Keen to break producers’ cartel pany said in a regulatory filing raise resources dictating pricing and contractual to the BSE. terms, the government has told BAJRANG KUMAR CHOUDHARY | With this, Adanis will MANAGING DIRECTOR, BRNL Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) have a total of 10 NHAI AGENCIES SAIL chief Soma Mondal said, and Hindustan Petroleum "After the difficult market condi- Corporation Ltd (HPCL) to look road projects under New Delhi, April 2: Steel Authority tions during the initial months of Our for oil supplies from outside the HAM and others of India Ltd (SAIL) clocked its best the financial year, the company distinguished Middle East region and use col- "While buyers have an obliga- Indian refiners will look to reduce ever quarterly sales at 4.27 million adopted focussed approach on im- consumers lective bargaining power to get tion to lift all of the contracted the quantity they buy through term The company said its bid proj- tonnes (MT) during the March proving its volumes, improving now have the favourable terms. ect cost is Rs 1,169.10 crore and quarter of the last fiscal year, up 14 operational efficiencies, operating opportunity to pre- quantity, Saudi and other produc- contracts and instead buy more book this latest India imports 85 per cent of its ers have the option to reduce sup- from the spot or current market. the construction period is two per cent over the year-ago period. the facilities at optimum levels, offering, Aprilia SXR oil needs and is often vulnerable to plies in case OPEC decides to keep Buying from the spot market would years. It further said ARTL The domestic steel giant's crude de-leveraging its balance sheet, re- 125, offering to maxify lives, with global supply and price shocks. production artificially lower to ensure that India can take advan- would continue to evaluate and steel production too increased by ducing its inventory levels, etc. the new Aprilia experience When oil prices started to rise in boost prices. Why should the con- tage of any fall in prices on any bid for attractive opportunities 6 per cent during the quarter to The multi-pronged strategy has February, it wanted Saudi Arabia sumer have to pay for decisions of day and book quantities. "It's like in the transport sector which gen- 4.55 MT. "(SAIL), the Maharatna helped us top the performances DIEGO GRAFFI | CMD, PIAGGIO INDIA. to relax output controls but the OPEC? If we commit to offtake, stock market. You would want to buy erates value for the stakeholders. PSU, has recorded its best ever during the month, quarter as well Kindgom ignored its calls. This they should also supply no matter shares on a day or time when the The group would use its im- quarterly performance in both pro- as the year." has led to India now pressing for di- what," he said. More importantly, prices are low. So is the case with mense expertise and experience of duction and sales during Q4 FY'21," The team effort by SAIL em- versification of the supply base. the buyer has to indicate at least six crude oil - we would want to buy setting up complex and mammoth the company said in a statement. ployees helped in seizing the op- SHORT TAKES "Traditionally, Saudi Arabia and weeks in advance of their intention when we see there is a drop. Term infrastructure projects in record The company had clocked 3.74 portunity offered by the pick-up other OPEC producers have been to lift quantity out of the annual contracts devoid us of that flexi- time and to world-class quality MT sales and 4.31 MT crude steel in the economic activities in the Sebi attachments our mainstay suppliers of crude oil. term contract in any month and bility," he said. Indian refiners have standards and also successfully output during the January-March country especially the steel inten- But their terms have often been has to pay an average official price raised spot purchases from 20 per operating them, it added. quarter of the fiscal 2019-20. sive sectors like infrastructure, New Delhi: Markets regulator loaded against the buyer," the official announced by the producer. cent a decade back to 30-35 per cent With this project award, Adani About annual figures, the com- construction, automobiles, etc, she Sebi has ordered attachment with direct knowledge of the dis- "In an ideal market, the pricing of the total oil bought now. Group will have a total of 10 NHAI pany said despite the volatility in added. of bank as well as demat cussions said. For one, Indian firms should be of the day when the load- "We want pricing flexibility as well road projects under HAM, Toll- the market during the year, the In line with its focus on reduc- accounts of Alchemist buy two-thirds of their purchases on ing is taking place. That way we can as the certainty of supply even dur- Operate-Transfer (TOT) and Build- determined efforts by the com- ing the borrowings, the company Holdings and three individuals to recover term or fixed annual contracts. These get the advantage of any drop in in- ing times when production falls due Operate-Transfer (BOT) Toll basis pany to improve its volumes saw has reduced its gross debts by investors money to the tune term contracts provide assured sup- ternational oil rates. But that is to any reason," he said adding state- in Chhattisgarh, Telangana, it clock its best ever annual sales around Rs 16,150 crore to stand at of Rs 444.67 crore. The plies of the contracted quantity but not the case. They insist on selling owned refineries have been asked to Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, at 14.87 MT, a growth of 4.4 per Rs 35,330 crore (provisional) as on recovery proceedings have the pricing and other terms favour at their official selling price only," coordinate buying and explore joint Kerala, Gujarat, West Bengal cent over 14.23 MT during FY'20," March 31, 2021 vis-a-vis Rs 51,481 been initiated against the only the supplier, he said. the official said. To begin with, strategy with private refiners. and Odisha. the company said. crore as March 31, 2020. entities after they failed to refund investors money as directed by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi). The regulator, in MCL eyes 168 MT coal output in FY’22 August 2015, had asked Won’t exit India: Alchemist Holdings and its THE COMPANY SPENT RS 193 CRORE UNDER CSR IN 2021 FISCAL, ACHIEVING A 14.5 % GROWTH directors to refund investors money. The company had POST NEWS NETWORK of one billion production by 2024. mobilised Rs 444.67 crore Frank Templeton Coal supply to consumers achieved through the issuance of Bhubaneswar, April 2: The a growth of 8.9%. redeemable preference AGENCIES Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) “The coal production, dispatch shares to 4.26 lakh people. In has set a target to produce about 168 and OB removal of MCL during an attachment notice New Delhi, April 2: Franklin million tonnes (MT) of coal during Thursday, Sebi asked banks the financial year 2020-21 was the and depositories not to allow Templeton Mutual Fund Friday the financial year of 2021-22, said highest ever at 148.01 MT, 146 MT any debit from the accounts said its commitment to India re- PK Sinha, Chairman-cum- and 174.5 MCuM respectively,” of Alchemist Holdings and mains 'steadfast' and the fund house Managing Director of MCL, Friday. CMD said. three individuals. has no plans to exit its operations “MCL has broken all its previ- Sinha also said the Capital in the country. do, as a matter of course. We have ous records by achieving the high- Expenditure (Capex) of Rs 2300 This comes following media re- endeavored to keep all stakehold- est ever production of 148.01 mil- crore was invested in FY’21, the ports suggesting intervention by the ers, including the relevant gov- lion tonne. Now, we aim to produce highest among all the Coal India sub- PNB eyes experts fund house's US-headquartered ernment and diplomatic authori- about 168 million tonnes (MT) of sidiaries. According to the com- art rake loading system at a total agreement with the state govern- New Delhi: Punjab National parent seeking the diplomatic route ties, appropriately informed of coal during FY’22,” Sinha said, pany, MCL is likely to double its expenditure of Rs 3,600 Crore. This ment and SUM hospital for setting- Bank is looking to hire a non- for a "just and fair" hearing by developments, and will continue adding MCL registered coal pro- Capex as it is expected to invest will generate a capacity of 126 up of a 525-bedded COVID Hospital judicial member for seeking market regulator Sebi in the in- to do so," Sapre said. duction growth 5.5%. Rs 4600 crore in FY’22. MT/Yr. at Bhubaneswar and a 150-bedded advice on issues like vestigation pertaining to six wound- The intention in reaching out MCL also achieved the highest MCL is committed to providing MCL, in the year ending March COVID19 hospital at Talcher. compromise and write off up debt schemes. remains bringing the current mat- ever coal dispatch of 146 MT with clean coal with minimum impact 31, 2021, spent Rs 193 crore under Besides, company also established related to loans. The public According to the reports, ters to an appropriate conclusion. a record over-burden removal of of environment. In this regard, CSR, achieving 14.5 % growth over a dedicated COVID Health Centre sector lender has invited Franklin Templeton had threat- The fund house said it has full con- 174.5 million cubic meters (MCuM) the company is implementing nine its target of Rs 168.44 crore for of 50 beds in Jharsuguda and other expression of interest (EoI) ened to exit India if it was not fidence in Sebi and all regulatory setting a strong foundation for First Mile Connectivity projects Financial Year 2020-21. Covid Care Centres having a ca- from professional or retired given a fair hearing. In a letter to and statutory authorities. making Coal India achieve target to provide pollution-free state-of-the- MCL had signed a tripartite pacity to accommodate 85 patients. personnel based in or around investors Franklin Templeton Asset The fund house has been fully Delhi. "Punjab National Bank, Management (India) Pvt Ltd transparent with the regulator and one of the leading public President Sanjay Sapre said, "we extended fullest cooperation to sector bank in India having have no plans to exit our India them, to help them examine the its corporate office in business. Any speculation sug- circumstances surrounding the ` Dwarka, New Delhi, invites 3,309cr disbursed to MSMEs Expression of Interest from gesting otherwise, or any rumours winding up of the six schemes by professional/ retired around sale of business in India are Franklin Templeton last year. The personnel based in or around incorrect and simply that-rumours". fund house had closed six of its POST NEWS NETWORK ECLGS SCHEME Rs 115 crore under PMEGP. Delhi, for honorary positions Sapre said that Franklin debt funds in April 2020, citing re- The state government has also (One Non- Judicial member)," Templeton was an early entrant demption pressures and lack of Bhubaneswar, April 2: The offered financial support of Rs it said in a notice. The non- in the Indian mutual fund indus- liquidity in the bond markets. These Micro, Small and Medium 774 lakh to 2814 members of SHGs judicial member will act as a try and remained a part of the in- schemes, together having over Rs Enterprises (MSMEs) department under PMFME scheme. Also, 21 member of the Head Office dustry even while many other 25,000 crore assets under manage- stated that a loan amount of Rs SHGs were provided subsidy of Committee, which has been global asset managers decided ment, were Franklin India Low 3308.69 crore was disbursed under Rs 53.96 lakh by the department. constituted by the bank for to leave. He, however, did not deny Duration Fund, Franklin India the Emergency Credit Line For the development of pack- scrutinising the proposal reports of engaging with govern- Dynamic Accrual Fund, Franklin Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) dur- aging and branding of the state’s relating to compromise/write ment authorities. "Our engage- India Credit Risk Fund, Franklin ing FY’21. A total of Rs 3417.02 food products, the state govern- off, the release of guarantors, ment with government authori- India Ultra Short Bond Fund and crore was sanctioned for the help Centre to provide financial as- Moreover, the department re- ment has granted Rs 8.50 lakh to waivement of legal action ties, in India and globally, is also Franklin India Income of these units. sistance to MSMEs who faced se- vealed that around 3694 firms the Odisha Rural Development among others. something we, and many companies Opportunities Fund. ECLGS was launched by the vere losses due to the pandemic. out of 4358 units were provided and Marketing Society (ORMAS).

Mansa bagged

New Delhi: ANG Lifesciences India Ltd on Friday said it has acquired printing and Reliance extends deadline for Future deal packaging firm, Mansa Print & Publishers Ltd, which has AGENCIES provided thereunder, extended the ment is now awaiting the nod from lenged by the Future Group before undergone corporate timeline for 'Long Stop Date' from the NCLT and shareholders. the Division Bench of the Delhi insolvency resolution plan, as New Delhi, April 2: Reliance Retail March 31, 2021 to September 30, Though the Supreme Court has High Court, which stayed the order part of its strategic backward integration. Located at Baddi Ventures, the retail arm of Reliance 2021 which has been duly ac- granted a go-ahead to the National of the Single Member bench. in Himachal Pradesh, Mansa Industries, has extended the time- knowledged by Reliance Retail and Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) Amazon and Future have been Print & Publishers Ltd is line for six months to complete its Fashion Lifestyle Limited, wholly- for its proceedings but has asked it locked in a bitter legal tussle after engaged in printing and Rs 24,713 crore deal with Kishore owned subsidiary of RRVL," it said. not to pass any final order sanc- the US e-commerce giant dragged packaging business covering Biyani-led future group to buy its Long Stop, an established prac- tioning the scheme. The NCLT has Future Group to arbitration at manufacturing of packaging retail and wholesale business. tice in mergers and acquisition reserved its order over the scheme Singapore International Arbitration products including cartons, Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd transaction, is a timeframe in which of arrangement in which all the Centre (SIAC), arguing that the lat- corrugated boxes and (RRVL) has extended the timeline parties agree on which all the con- Future Group's retail assets would ter had violated their contract by en-

aluminium foil. In addition to for the "Long Stop Date" from March ditions precedent for a transaction be consolidated under Future tering into the deal with rival

k y m c this, it has a separate 31, 2021 to September 30, 2021, said need to be fulfilled and the trans- Enterprises Ltd and then would be Reliance. stationery division with high- a regulatory filing by Future Retail. action completed. transferred to RRVL through sale. Amazon had invested in Future tech machinery giving good "Pursuant to the provisions of The deal, which is contested by Last month, a Single Member Coupons in August 2019 with an business opportunity, ANG scheme and other transaction doc- Amazon, is facing legal hurdles filed by the e-commerce major. has already received clearance from Bench of the Delhi High Court had option of buying into the flagship Lifesciences India (ALI) said uments executed in relation thereto, and a decision from the Supreme The Future-Reliance deal, which regulators such as CCI, SEBI and directed the Future Group to stay Future Retail after a period of three in a regulatory filing. RRVL has in exercise of the right Court is pending over the petition was announced on August 29, 2020, bourses, and the scheme of arrange- the deal. However, this was chal- to 10 years. P12 SATURDAY | APRIL 3 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR sports

CRICKET GREAT DOWN WITH COVID-19

y

k k y y m m c Sachin hospitalised as c Barty in Miami Open final precautionary measure cancellation of the 2020 Miami Open. Barty won the event in 2019, and said her run to that title was dif- ferent from this year’s matches in Miami. “Chalk and cheese,” the Aussie said. “The conditions have been different here this week. It has been a lot warmer and physically very de- manding.” Barty had been 1-5 previously against Svitolina, but took charge with two early breaks and used her strong serve and deep slices to keep the Ukrainian on the defensive. Midway through the second set, Svitolina made a rare trip to the net, and Barty responded with a perfect lob winner that drew an ap- preciative pat of the racket strings from her opponent. On match point, Barty closed out the victory with a forehand winner and a fist pump. Hurkacz’s upset win further PRESS TRUST OF INDIA scrambled the men’s draw. Novak Iyer to go under Djokovic, Rafa Nadal and Roger Mumbai, April 2: Former India Federer skipped the tournament, captain and batting icon Sachin the knife April 8 and No.1-seeded Daniil Medvedev Tendulkar has been hospitalised MUMBAI: India batsman Shreyas Iyer is lost in the quarterfinals Wednesday as a precautionary measure, six set to undergo a surgery April 8 for his night to No. 7 Robert Bautista Agut. days after he tested positive for shoulder injury which had ruled him Bautista Agut will face No.21 COVID-19. out of the last two ODIs against Jannik Sinner in the first semifinal The 47-year-old took to twitter to England and the entire IPL. The 26-year Friday, and a first-time ATP Masters announce the development Friday. old Iyer had suffered the injury during 1000 champion will be crowned “Thank you for your wishes and the first ODI against England in Pune on Sunday. prayers. As a matter of abundant March 23 when he dived on a drive hit “Maybe I feel extra pressure, be- precaution under medical advice, by Jonny Bairstow off pacer Shardul cause I’m the one left who’s in the I have been hospitalised. I hope to Thakur. He looked in tremendous pain as he left the field clutching his shoul- SWEATING IT OUT: Ash Barty reaches for a backhand return during her match against Elina Svitolina (not in pic) at Miami Open, Thursday top 10,” Rublev said. “But every- be back home in a few days. Take der. “Shreyas will get operated April 8 one can win now. All of them are care and stay safe everyone,” for his shoulder injury,” a source in the PRESS TRUST OF INDIA a match point, it’s a little bit of a terfinal loss to No.4 Andrey Rublev, Stefanos Tsitsipas 2-6, 6-3, 6-4. playing good tennis.” Tendulkar wrote. know of things told PTI. Iyer is likely to strange feeling,” she said. “You 7-5, 7-6(9-7). Korda, slowed in the Hurkacz, seeded 26th, has won Hurkacz was serving at 0-2, 15-40 Tendulkar had tested positive be out of action for a minimum of four Miami, April 2: In her first match have to be more open with what second set by a left thigh injury, three in a row when facing a top-five in the second set when he began his for the dreaded infection March months. He had signed up with at this year’s Miami Open, Ash the possibilities the rest of the tour- was the youngest American to make opponent, but he beat Tsitsipas for comeback. He steadied his base- 27 and was in home isolation ever Lancashire but now is unlikely to play Barty was one point from elimi- nament could be, and keep going out the men’s quarterfinals in Miami only the second time in their eight line game, while Tsitsipas became since. “He is doing fine and has for the English county side in their one- nation. Now she’s one win from be- there and keep fighting, knowing you since Robbie Ginepri in 2003. meetings. increasingly erratic and frustrated been admitted for normal (course day tournament starting July 23. coming a repeat champion. The could have just as easily been out While Korda departed, his sis- “I just try to like keep building my as the match progressed. of) treatment,” a source close to top-ranked Barty returned to the of the tournament.” ters, Jessica and Nelly, were in game and improving,” Hurkacz “I was very stressed these two Tendulkar told this agency. brother Yusuf and S Badrinath – final by beating No.5-seeded Elina Barty, who is assured of retain- contention at the LPGA’s ANA said. “Not all the time are you going weeks,” Tsitsipas said. “I felt like it The batting great, who was part of all of whom had recently partici- Svitolina 6-3, 6-3 Thursday. ing her No. 1 ranking next week, will Inspiration in California after to have the results that you want, was my opportunity. It’s a very dis- India’s historic World Cup win in pated at the Road Safety World Barty has gained momentum play for the title Saturday against breaking par in the first round but if you stay positive and im- appointing loss. Everything was 2011, also wished his teammates on Series Challenge – have so far an- after starting the tournament by the winner of the second semifi- Thursday. prove your game, the results will under control. And suddenly, I don’t the 10th anniversary of the victory. nounced that they have tested pos- saving a match point against qual- nal between No.8 Bianca Andreescu Rublev and Hubert Hurkacz of eventually come.” know, self-explosion.” “Wishing all Indians & my team- itive for COVID-19. ifier Kristina Kucova. That was and No.23 Maria Sakkari. Poland will play in their first semi- They’re coming for Barty after she Hurkacz hit 15 aces and saved 10 mates on the 10th anniversary of our Tendulkar had led the Indian team Barty’s first match outside her na- On the men’s side, unseeded 20- final at a top-level ATP event when was locked down for a year in of the 13 break points he faced. World Cup win,” he tweeted. to victory in the veteran’s tourna- tive Australia since February 2020. year-old Sebastian Korda’s break- they meet Friday night. Hurkacz ad- Australia because of the coron- He’ll climb in next week’s rank- Besides Tendulkar, former India ment in Raipur where crowds were “Whenever you come back from through run ended with a quar- vanced by rallying past No.2-seeded avirus pandemic, which forced the ings to at least 27th, a career high. all-rounder Irfan Pathan, his elder allowed inside the stadiums. Bhagat, Kadam sail into semis No decision yet on Osaka torch relay PRESS TRUST OF INDIA ASSOCIATED PRESS failures will prompt more ques- USD 6.7 billion is public money. Dubai, April 2: World No.1 Pramod tions about the risks of holding the Hashimoto said organizers had Bhagat and World No.5 Sukant Tokyo, April 2: A decision has Olympics and Paralympics with filed a “protest” with the weekly Kadam sailed into the semifinals of not yet been reached on rerouting 15,400 athletes entering Japan, ac- magazine Shukan Bunshun, which the Dubai para-badminton tour- the Olympic torch relay later this companied by tens of thousands of published 280 pages of leaked doc- nament after winning their re- month around the city of Osaka, the officials, judges, coaches and media. uments this week about planning for spective matches here. president of the Tokyo Games or- Organizers said last month that the opening and closing ceremonies. In the SL3 category, Bhagat ganizing committee said Friday. fans from abroad would be barred Organizers asked that the ma- showed why he is the top ranked in “We are discussing with the Osaka from attending the Olympics and terial be removed from the “online the world with a strong performance prefectural government as well as Paralympics. Hashimoto has said version” of the magazine. against Indonesian Ukun Rukaendi, the executive committee so we can repeatedly that a decision would Hashimoto said the leaked docu- taking 44 minutes to emerge 21-16, come to a conclusion at our earliest be announced this month on max- ments “contain secret information 21-13 winner. convenience,” Seiko Hashimoto imum capacities at indoor and out- that needs to stay inside the or- In the SL3 category, participants said in an online briefing. door venues. She hinted Friday ganizing committee, which could usually have impairment in one The mayor of Osaka and the gov- that decision might be delayed. eventually hinder the effective man- or both lower limbs and poor walk- ernor of the prefecture said “Within the month of April there agement of the organizing com- ing/running balance. Bhagat will Thursday they wanted relay legs may be some changing circum- mittee.” Most of the documents play Muhammad Huzairi Abdul through the city April 14 to be can- stances,” she said. “But we would seem to deal with internal com- Malek of Malaysia in the semifinals. celed because of rising cases of like to come out with an overall di- munication and not with concrete Bhagat has partnered Manoj COVID-19. rection within this month. But at plans for the ceremonies. Sarkar (SL4) in the men’s doubles The relay started from north- which point we would be able to but will be millions short because The magazine, in a statement and will play against Mohammad ter compared to SL3. He is also in Malaysia. eastern Japan a week ago and is make that direction, I am not able of the ban on fans from abroad. Friday, said it was operating in the Arwaz Ansari and Deep Ranjan the mixed doubles quarterfinals Kadam started off slowly but as crisscrossing the country with to say right now. We are in the mid- Any shortfall will have to be public interest because taxpayer Bisoyee in the semifinals. alongside Palak Kohli. the game progressed, he became 10,000 runners. It is to end July 23 dle of discussions right now.” made up by Japanese government money was involved. “It is clear In the SL4 category, players have Kadam, in SL4 category, stormed more confident and won 21-17, 21- at the opening ceremony. Organizers are hoping to fill ven- entities. The official cost of the this (publication) does not consti- impairment in one or both lower into the semifinals with a com- 8. Kadam will be playing Marcel The relay is a test to see if or- ues as much as possible with local Olympics is USD 15.4 billion, but tute a violation of copyright or an limbs and minimal impairment in fortable win over Muhammad Adam of Germany in his last-four ganizers can pull off a large-scale fans. They had budgeted USD 800 several government audits suggest interference with business opera- walking/running balance, but bet- Norhilmie Mohd Zainudin from clash. event during the pandemic. Any million for income from ticket sales, it may be twice that much. All but tions,” the magazine said. SOHINI CLAIMS KKR desperate to turn fortunes post tough transition DOUBLE CROWN

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA The English World Cup-win- and went on to miss four matches. 146-ball 198 against Punjab in the ning skipper, who took over the Before that he had to be pulled out Vijay Harare Trophy. Kolkata, April 2: Two-time IPL role after seven games last sea- of CPL final for Trinbago Knight Himachal Pradesh medium- champions Kolkata Knight Riders son, was one of the brightspots Riders as he was found chucking. pacer Arora is in the form of his will be striving for consistency in for the team in 2020. It was another mystery spin- life after taking a hat-trick on debut their bid to recreate old magic The left-hander struck 418 runs ner, Varun Chakravarthy a Tamil against Maharashtra in the Vijay which has been lost during a dif- in 14 innings at an average of 41.80 Naud architect-turned-cricketer Hazare Trophy. ficult phase of rebuilding after and also hit the most sixes (24), who took up the responsibility in THREATS Gautam Gambhir’s departure. giving impetus in the death overs Narine’s absence to finish with KKR would need good start from Be it the opening combination, with his cameos. most wickets – 17 – for KKR. opener Shubman Gill to give bet- middle-order or finding a finisher, KKR have made some smart ad- But Chakravarthy’s fitness has ter starts this year in the Powerplay KKR struggled for stability in the ditions to their squad in the mini- come under the scanner time and overs. Gill consumed a lot of de- last edition in the UAE, while a auction, apart from retaining their again as it remains to be seen how liveries upfront in most games change of captaincy at the halfway core of the side – 17 players – de- he shapes up for the IPL. which did create pressure on mid- stage did not help them either. spite a disappointing season. OPPORTUNITIES dle-order. Add the floundering forms of By bringing back Bangladesh Having decided to step away The Morgan-led side would look their two biggest Caribbean stars star all-rounder Shakib-Al-Hasan from being captain to ‘focus on to ensure that they get a winning POST NEWS NETWORK – a half-fit Andre Russell and Sunil and signing 2016 IPL Final man- his batting’, Dinesh Karthik too will combination, something that eluded Narine, who is not even half the of-the-match Ben Cutting, they look to make amends in 2021. them last time as they would be des- Ahmedabad, April 2: Odisha’s ris- bowler after being repeatedly called have got the much-needed back- Then there are the seasoned perate to make the cut. ing tennis star Sohini Mohanty for suspect action, KKR missed ups for the Windies duo of Narine duo of Shakib and veteran Indian KKR squad: Eoin Morgan (C), won both the singles and doubles the playoffs for a second time in a and Russell, who failed to fire last off-spinner Harbhajan Singh who Dinesh Karthik, Shubman Gill, crown at the Super Series U-14 row in the Gambhir era. season. too will look to make most of the Nitish Rana, Tim Seifert, Rinku event at the Alexander Waske Here’s is a SWOT analysis of KKR will also be buoyed by the Andre Russell goes big at the Kolkata Knight Riders’ net session ahead of limited opportunities that come Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Tennis Academy in Ahmedabad, the side that will take on Sunrisers smash-hit international debut of IPL 2021 their way on slow tracks on offer Kuldeep Yadav, Shivam Mavi, Friday. Sohini beat Hyderabad’s Hyderabad in their season-opener Prasidh Krishna, who took 4/54 in in Delhi and Chennai. Lockie Ferguson, Pat Cummins, Vanshika Maria Vaiz Vasanth 6- y in Chennai April 11. the first ODI against England in the WEAKNESSES he was not given the ball in one. KKR have two interesting un- Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Sandeep 0, 6-0 in the final.

STRENGTHS recently-concluded series. Once their strength, KKR of One of the architects of their capped new signings in Venkatesh In the doubles final, Sohini was

k k y y m m c Warrier, Prasidh Krishna, Rahul c In Eoin Morgan, his first stint This would also mean KKR late has struggled in the spin de- twin triumphs in 2012 and 2014 Iyer and Vaibhav Arora, who too Tripathi, Varun Chakravarthy, paired with Avani Sujit Chitale as full-time KKR captain, the Purple would have a settled pace attack partment. Left arm wrist spinner under Gambhir, Sunil Narine is also will look to grab their opportuni- Shakib Al Hasan, Sheldon Jackson, and the duo beat Prarthana Solanki Brigade have got one of the most spearheaded by Aussie superstar Kuldeep Yadav is a shadow of his floundering. Narine’s action once ties. Vaibhav Arora, Harbhajan Singh, and Priyanka Sanjay Rana 6-1, 6- astute brains of the white-ball for- Pat Cummins with Lockie past and retuned with just one again came to haunt him in 2020 Left-hand Madhya Pradesh bats- Karun Nair, Ben Cutting, 4. The Farhan Ali-coached Sohini mat. Ferguson as the back-up option. wicket in five matches, of which as he was warned of suspect action man Iyer is fresh from a blistering Venkatesh Iyer and Pawan Negi. is touted to become one of India’s top tennis players.

Printed and published by Tathagata Satpathy on behalf of Navajat Printers and Media Pvt. Ltd. and printed at Navajat Printers, B-15 Industrial Estate, Rasulgarh, Bhubaneswar -751010, Odisha;Phone:7894447142(Marketing). Editor: Tathagata Satpathy, RNI No. ORIENG/2011/37159