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-# +#45 14.12 per cent in December as against (-) 2.65 per cent in the etail inflation galloped to same month of 2018. It was R66-month high of 7.35 per 10.01 per cent in November cent posing a new challenge to 2019. The retail inflation based the Modi Government ahead of on Consumer Price Index the Union Budget. This is sec- (CPI) was 2.11 per cent in ond time that the inflation December 2018 and 5.54 per rate has reared its head so high cent in November 2019. In July since Narendra Modi took over 2014, the CPI was 7.39 per cent, as Prime Minister in July 2014. a tad higher than December The previous high in retail 2019’s number of 7.35 per cent. inflation was witnessed at 7.39 CPI was 2.11 per cent in per cent in July 2014. December 2018. The inflation The sharp rise in inflation rate was recorded 4.62 per means your money parked in cent in October, 2019. bank fix deposit will give you As per the data, urban food &" && negative return in majority of inflation increased to 16.12 per ' %' )" * + , the saving schemes. It will also cent compared to 12.3 per cent ' - narrow down the the previous month. Clothing Government’s option to bring and footwear inflation was at -# +#45 tal” crackdown by the police in Conference leader Hasnain in fiscal stimulus in the Budget 1.5 per cent in December com- Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, also Masoodi, besides Congress to revive the sinking economy. pared to 1.3 per cent in t an Opposition meeting said though the CAA and the leaders Rahul Gandhi, With fiscal deficit veering November. Housing inflation Askipped by Bahujan Samaj NRC were the immediate Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ahmed around 5.5 per cent — if the stood at 4.3 per cent compared Party (BSP), Samajwadi Party cause of the “nationwide spon- Patel and former Prime provisions for food subsidy to 4.5 per cent last month. Rural (SP), Trinamool Congress taneous protests”, these “reflect Minister Manmohan Singh and scheme and highway food inflation rose to 12.97 per (TMC), and allies DMK and widespread frustration and were among those present at building projects (both have cent in December 2019 as Shiv Sena, Congress president pent up anger, which is now the meeting. been taken off the Budget and against 8.8 per cent in Sonia Gandhi on Monday out in the open”. TMC supremo and West handed over to FCI and NHAI) November 2019. Not a single slammed the NDA NCP supremo Sharad Bengal Chief Minister Mamata are taken in to account — the item showed decrease in prices Government’s divisive poli- Pawar, Left leaders Sitaram Banerjee kept away from the rising inflation poses a new money in the hands of the November. markets. Prices of pulses, milk in December. Prices of fuel and cies and described the nation- Yechury and D Raja, JMM meeting, angry over the challenge to the Government. common man, it will also Prices of vegetables shot up and other food products have light increased the least, by just al population register (NPR) as leader and Jharkhand Chief Congress and Left cadres Economists feel that if the fis- nudge up inflation and add to 60.5 per cent, with a 53.37 per increased in the recent months. 0.7 per cent. the first step to a “nationwide Minister Hemant Soren, LJD unleashing violence in her cal deficit of the States is the fiscal deficit by impacting cent increase in urban areas Prices of pulses and prod- The Central Government National Register of Citizens chief Sharad Yadav, Rashtriya State during a recent bandh included, India is staring at a 8 revenue collection. and 75 per cent hike in rural ucts rose 15.44 per cent. In case has mandated the RBI to keep (NRC). Lok Samata Party leader call. The DMK’s absence, how- per cent fiscal deficit scenario. The rise in inflation can be areas. Most of the vegetables of “meat and fish” it was near- inflation in the range of 4 per Sonia, who criticised the Upendra Kushwaha, RJD ever, came as a surprise. The rise in inflation also attributed to sharp rise in were sold between 40 and 80 ly 10 per cent. The inflation in cent with a margin of 2 per cent “shockingly partisan and bru- leader Manoj Jha, National Sources said BSP’s reason to ties the RBI down to making prices of food and vegetable a kg since October last year. eggs was recorded 8.57 per cent on the either side. The RBI is keep away from the any monetary policy interven- prices, including onion, and Onion prices also touched while in case of spices it was scheduled to announce its next Opposition bandwagon was tion to stimulate the economy. tomato. According to the data 200 a kg in some parts of the nearly 6 per cent. Overall, the bi-monthly monetary policy on due to Congress’ poaching Under this scenario, the released by the National country last month. inflation rate of the food and February 6. In its December her party’s legislators in Government can ill afford to Statistical Office (NSO) on Besides, prices of tomato, beverages category was 12.16 policy, the central bank, which Rajasthan even though BSP cut down personal income tax. Monday, vegetables inflation cabbage, carrot, green corian- per cent. had been reducing rates, had had extended outside support While this will be a popular rose to 60.5 per cent in der leaves, lady finger, and As per the Government kept the repo rate unchanged to the Ashok Gehlot measure which will put more December from 36 per cent in potato are still high in the retail data, the food inflation rose to citing inflationary concerns. Government. !*2-* “There should be a debate on # CAA. If people want, then P n a clear rebuff to his ally the there will be a discussion in IBJP and signalling his this House,” the Chief Minister $% change of heart over the con- told the House. tentious Citizenship In the past, Nitish had O $% & '( " % "# $ Amendment Act, Bihar Chief dropped one-liner to suggest Minister Nitish Kumar on the NRC would not be imple- -# +#45 Monday said he is open to dis- mented in Bihar, but this time -# +#45 cuss the Act in the State he made his position official by JP working president JP -# +#45 Assembly even as articulating it in BNadda is set to take charge he Supreme Court on he emphasised the State Assembly. as the party president on TMonday asked the he Uttar Pradesh that here is no jus- Nitish’s rejection of January 20, succeeding Amit Enforcement Directorate (ED) TGovernment on Monday tification for a the NRC and his ! "#$ % Shah. Nadda was appointed to attach Indian properties of said that senior IPS officer country-wide willingness to & L BJP’s working president in JP Morgan, which engaged in Alok Singh will be the first NRC. debate the CAA in M July last year, after Shah was a transaction with the now- police commissioner of Noida. Speaking in the Assembly is picked as the Home Minister defunct Amrapali Group to The Government also named the State unlikely to please in the Modi Government. siphon off homebuyers’ money Sujit Pandey as the first police Assembly, Kumar his ally. In the run-up to the 2019 in violation of the Foreign commissioner of Lucknow. said the NRC was With his num- Lok Sabha elections, Nadda Exchange Management Act While Alok Singh was an Assam-specific ber two in the * + was made incharge of BJP’s (FEMA) and FDI norms. Additional Director General of regulation arising party Prashant ! O " election campaign committee The ED said it had prima Police, Meerut, Sujit Pandey out of the Assam Kishor targeting , in Uttar Pradesh, facie found violations of FEMA could be sent back to a prison Neelkanth and M/s Rudraksha was ADG in Prayagraj. accord signed by the Modi - . / where the party convinc- norms by the US-based firm here. According to the share — owned by a peon and an Soon after the UP Cabinet the Rajiv Gandhi Government ,-.0. ingly defeated the formidable and that a complaint in this subscription agreement office boy of Amrapali’s statu- gave its approval for the com- following agitation everyday on the & * 1 alliance of the Samajwadi regard was lodged. between JP Morgan and tory auditor Anil Mittal.A missionerate system of policing against influx of CAA and NRC, , Party (SP) and the Bahujan The SC also allowed the Amrapali Group, the US-based Bench of justices Arun Mishra in two cities, an official foreign nationals Nitish’s change of O & Samaj Party (BSP) by winning ED to take into custody the firm had invested 85 crore on and UU Lalit was told by ED spokesman said IGP attached in the State. stance is indicative 62 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats. defunct Amrapali Group’s October 20, 2010, to have a Joint Director Rajeshwar to DGP (HQ) Naveen Arora “A c o u n t r y - ! "#$ of his intention not Apart from handling cru- CMD, Anil Kumar Sharma, preferential claim on profits in Singh, who is supervising the and IG Provincial Armed wide implementa- to be seen as a ! " cial States for the BJP in the and two other directors, Shiv the ratio of 75 per cent to JP probe, that the MNC remitted Constabulary (HQ) Lucknow tion of NRC was piggy rider of the #$ general elections, Priya and Ajay Kumar, who are Morgan and 25 per cent to the the money back to the US. Nilabja Chaudhary will be the needless and had no justifica- BJP’s Hindutava agenda. %&'('% 2 Nadda was a Cabinet behind bars on the SC’s order, promoters of Amrapali Homes “They (JP Morgan) have a two joint police commissioners tion,” he said, adding that even The Bihar CM further said , 3 % Minister in the first tenure of for interrogation in the money- Project Private Limited and lot of properties in India. We of Lucknow. the Prime Minister has clari- his Government agreed in ! the Modi Government and laundering offences. Ultra Home. want you to attach their office DIG PAC (HQ) Lucknow, fied there is no move to enforce principle to National has been a member of the It said the Central agency Later, the same number of or corporate properties of a like Akhilesh Kumar, and DIG Jail the NRC across the country. Population Register (NPR) as & + & Parliamentary Board, the could take them into custody shares was bought back from amount. Then they will come Administration Sriparna At the same time, he said they did likewise when such an 0& ! BJP’s top decision making immediately and once their JP Morgan for 140 crore by running to us and we will see Ganguli will be additional he is open for debate in the exercise was last conducted 10 + 0 body. interrogation was over, they two companies — M/s to it,” the SC said. police commissioners of Noida. State Assembly on the CAA. years ago.
! $ -# +#45 dents who have been protest- ## -# +#45 December 15 crackdown, has already begun the enquiry ing peacefully against the CAA Jamia Vice Chancellor Najma into the police action against ith the normalcy yet to and police crackdown. “We fter Jamia Millia Islamia Akhtar said the varsity will the students, she said. Wreturn on the Jamia have right to express our points Astudents gheraoed the VC explore the possibility of mov- A team has already visited Millia Islamia campus even of view about the unprovoked office on Monday demanding ing court for an FIR against the university and another after 30 days of anti-CAA, police action inside the campus, the university to file an FIR police “brutality” on campus. team is scheduled to come on NRC protests that saw the during the protest. It had left against the Delhi Police for While addressing the irate Tuesday to record the state- police crackdown and trig- many students injured and one students outside her office ment of the victim students, gered boycott of exams by of them had lost his left eye”, twice, the VC announced that said the university. some students, many parents said Hamid, a postgraduate the ongoing semester exami- The university has already are in two minds over the student. nations will be cancelled till handed over all the evidence to safety of their wards on the “My parents called me after further notice. New schedule the NHRC, an official said. campus, particularly in the the violence and first thing they will be declared later, she said. On December 15 last year, hostels of the university. said was to pack my bags and “A decision has also been anti-CAA and NRC protest What added to students come home. I tried to convince taken that the administration organised by locals and stu- and parents’ worry was the them that I am fine but they will also explore the possibili- dents had turned violent with development on Monday in said you are not secure as the ty of moving court for the reg- the police entering the campus which Vice Chancellor Najma campus lacks security,” said istration of FIR in the and beating up students and Akhtar, buckling under the Shazia, a girl student. December 15, 2019 police bru- damaging university property, protesting students’ pressure, “Most of the students do tality in university library at the including the library. announcing that the ongoing not support the ongoing earliest. The university has A pitched battle was fought semester exams stand can- protest. CAA is not students’ already followed all possible between locals and police with celled until further notice. issue and if we want to raise steps for the registration of FIR. a few vehicles and buses also set The development has left voice against it, It has given its complaint to ablaze by protesters. the students and several parents we can take out a march to SHO Jamia Nagar and its copy The university accused the vexed as many studying in the Parliament and sit on dharna to Commissioner of Police police of entering the campus final year of graduation and for seven days but not for 40 (CP) Amulya Patnaik and DCP and library without its per- postgraduation cources strong- days,” said Shubham Rai, a South East. University has also mission. Also, police were ly feel that the delay in holding research scholar at Nelson written letters to Joint CP accused of using tear gas exam will jeopardise their future. Mandela Centre. Southern Range and DCP on the students inside campus Several students expressed their “Now exams were to start Crime for the registration of and the library. One student worries to The Pioneer. from January 9 but it has been .% / '+%0 . / FIR earlier,” said an official. studying in the library attacked Students said they want to postponed and the classes will " " 0 The National Human in the lathicharge lost vision in study but they can’t oppose stu- start from February 3,” said Rai. + Rights Commission (NHRC) one of his eyes. !"!" %&
()($' )(#)) ) ! *+ !'$ #$ 0 !0 *! 8 $$ && + 1 -# +#45 delivered in Pune. The Punjab following abrogation of comply with the CAR (civil avi- " 6 ! 9 &#%,''&%:)4,%'&,*44*%)% @"6!9A :BCD Police has arrested Indian '%%)*,+* 7&;'+ 4<=4%'(, Article 370 and reorganiza- ation requirements).” ore Army personnel and Army Naik Rahul Chauhan. tion of the erstwhile State of “In order to facilitate the !0 . ):7((&(,%7()'&,'>4&)=%4:'<%4))* ! & Mprivate persons have “At least five other persons &,'? '@)*'&+4%,%7)&($ ?=**,,%4&)& Jammu & Kashmir into two identification of civil drones come under the scanner of the and a few army personnel are Union Territories on August 5. and drone operators, a one- 0& 0 @ <47)4&**% '@)*'&'<<4:><)* 7&;'+ 0 A . 5 security agencies in connection under the radar of the securi- 4<',)', Meanwhile, the Aviation time opportunity for voluntary with the case registered by the ty agencies and they may be Ministry on Monday disclosure of such drones and 5 && & & 9 EC Punjab Police last week for use arrested soon by the police,” an = announced a scheme providing drone operators is being pro- !G ! 2 * EFE: of drones for smuggling pur- Intelligence official said. a window up to January 31 for vided... All persons in posses- & poses in collusion with Besides the drones, the 9 :E & voluntary registration sion of drones are required to & , ;: Pakistani accomplices. Punjab Police had on Friday 8 of all drones and their opera- complete the process (of online " ! P On Friday, an Army soldier seized 12 drone batteries, some 2 ! " tors against the backdrop of registration) by January 31, $ -0*0 * * and two others were arrested by custom-made drone contain- killing of top Iranian General 2020,” it added. * the Punjab Police for alleged- ers, an INSAS rifle magazine, 8 - FFFF FFFF Qasem Soleimani in a US The number of illegal EE ly smuggling drugs and and two walkie-talkie sets, drone attack. drones in India is likely to be & weapons from across the India- besides 6.22 lakh in cash 2 " * O Those who fail to register between 50,000 and 60,000, co- 9 Pakistan border using GPS-fit- from the arrested accused. The will face action under the Indian chair of a FICCI committee on * , ted drones in collusion with seized cash is suspected to be Penal Code and the Aircraft Act. drones, Ankit Mehta, had said & O their Pakistani accomplices, the proceeds from the sale of “Now we have come across (Pakistan) and they were to came months after a large In a notice, the Ministry said, on October 22 last year. & & the Punjab Police had said. smuggled drugs. However, a module in which three peo- bring back drugs payloads,” number of drones, including “The presence of such drones as The Civil Aviation 102 The two seized drones drugs was not seized from the ple were arrested and where Director General of Punjab with the capability to drop well as drone operators has Ministry’s move comes amid % & were purchased from a possession of the arrested they were launching drones Police Dinkar Gupta had said. payloads, were sighted on come to the notice of the emerging threats from rogue , = Ghaziabad-based firm but were accused. from India to across the border The arrests and seizure Punjab’s border on a daily basis Government which do not drones. 2 & #$(( (! 1 9 $ $ & # 2 - , ,-. , - ,-1- , 2 & & -# +#45 @5950+8- :EA - 2 ,-3 ,-, ,,3 ,- & he Supreme Court on & TMonday made clear that it & was not hearing pleas seeking -# +#45 remove the debris. There are set up pursuant to the order of & - review of a 2018 judgement reports that some portion of the apex court to oversee allowing women and girls of all he Supreme Court on debris has fallen in backwaters. demolition and assess total ages to enter Kerala’s TMonday directed the You have to restore the area,” compensation payable to affect- & & Sabarimala temple and would Kerala Government to remove the Bench told the State’s coun- ed buyers, has said that com- rather deal with larger issues, the debris, including from sel. One of the advocates rep- pensation would be paid for & & including the extent to which backwaters, of four apartment resenting some of the Maradu one flat only. the courts can intervene in complexes in Kochi’s Maradu flat owners said that the apex “You file a proper applica- “particular religious practices”. area that were demolished on court has ordered a “fine bal- tion about this,” the Bench A nine-judge Constitution considering issues referred to by comprises Justices R the apex court’s order for being ance” and has given interim said. Regarding other issues, # bench headed by Chief Justice a 5-judge bench earlier,” the Banumathi, Ashok Bhushan, L built in violation of the coastal compensation of Rs 25 lakh to including setting up of one 2 "= SA Bobde at the outset said that bench said. It said that though it Nageswara Rao, MM regulation zone (CRZ) norms. each of them. court to deal with pleas filed by it will only deal with the issues may not decide them, but it will Shantanagoudar, S Abdul “It is a painful job, a painful The lawyer said the top buyers to initiate appropriate & && referred to it by a five-judge order listing of petitions related Nazeer, R Subhash Reddy, BR duty,” said a Bench, comprising court has also granted liberty to proceedings against the builder, -"42 bench on November 14 in the to entry of Muslim women into Gavai and Surya Kant. Justices Arun Mishra and MR flat owners to approach civil the court asked them to file & & Sabarimala case, and asked the mosques, female genital mutila- The bench said the apex Shah, after it was informed by court to initiate appropriate proper applications. 6 ; lawyers to convene a meeting tion in the Dawoodi Bohra court secretary general will the State Government that the proceedings against the builder. this. Let us wait for that”. The Bench asked the State & on January 17 to decide on “re- Muslim community and barring coordinate with the four senior top court’s order has been When the lawyer said The counsel said there Government to file report & framing” or adding additional of Parsi women, married to advocates, including Solicitor complied with and the build- nothing was happening against were some flat owners who had before it with regard to removal issues to be deliberated upon by non-Parsi men, from the holy General Tushar Mehta and ings demolished. the officials who had permitted more the one flat in the demol- of debris of the demolished it. “We are not hearing review fire place at Agiary. AM Singhvi, in thrashing out “We will not dispose of this the illegality, the Bench said, ished buildings but the one- buildings and posted the mat- pleas of Sabarimala case. We are Besides the CJI, the bench the issues to be dealt by it. (petition) now. You will have to “Something is happening in member committee, which was ter for hearing on February 10. 2 0& " " O R = & " @* A % R $ EF:B & :F & 0 &G :FF . & 6 ! @6!A % % -# +#45 '&)*%' '&@'% %')',)',* # " -# +#45 Assamese”, the retired judge New Delhi: A parliamentary to assess the impact of a law on laiming that Citizenship $ >>4)*4&&,,7> * said they were yet to take a committee has started working people, society and economy CAmendment Act (CAA) M7&&<))'%N he high-level committee, decision on it and hope to on legislative impact assess- before and after it is framed, the has provided a chance to * - / Tset up by the Home come to a conclusion soon. “All ment, days after Rajya Sabha sources said. A similar move to expose Islamabad’s “barbaric '**'<@&(*4, $ Ministry to suggest ways for members of the committee Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu have judicial impact assess- treatment” of minorities, $4%&:&*&* 2 O providing constitutional safe- will soon meet to finalise the pitched for it, official sources ment on laws could not take off Union Law Minister Ravi >%4<))'&,*'**% 0 H 0 0 guards to the indigenous peo- report and all remaining issues said on Monday. in the past. Shankar Prasad on Monday 7&*)*44,M>4),N ple of Assam, on Monday met to be resolved,” he said. The Legislative impact assess- Based on the directions of said the Opposition’s resolution 8 Union Home Minister Amit committee is said to have com- ment is an informed law-mak- the Supreme Court, a task demanding withdrawal 1 Shah and discussed with him pleted its deliberations and ing process under which social, force was set up in 2008 to of the law must have made (from a meeting convened by Opposition in a blistering - + issues related to its work. A discussions with various stake- economic, environmental and study Judicial Impact Pakistan happy. Congress chief Sonia Gandhi). attack on Prime Minister four-member delegation of the holders in Assam. institutional impacts of leg- Assessment. But various The Minister also said the The resolution is neither in Narendra Modi and Home " ! # committee, headed by Justice The meeting was held islative proposals are made. experts had claimed that assess- Opposition ended up “unnec- national interest nor in the Minister Amit Shah, accusing $ (Retd) Biplab Kumar Sharma, amidst widespread protests It helps in realising the stat- ing judicial impact of a law was essarily” attacking the Modi interest of security. It is also not them of misleading people on * ! met the Home Minister for an against the Citizenship ed objectives of various laws. not practical. Government in the process in the interest of those minori- the amended CAA and the 0 O hour and briefed him about the Amendment Act (CAA) in Naidu is of the view that Later, a committee of and that their unity stood ties who fled neighbouring NRC, and claiming that their progress of its work. Assam. It bears significance as informed legislation will help in experts was constituted in “exposed”. countries to escape persecu- Government stands totally = 6 ! 2 “We have apprised the there has been a growing feel- realising the stated objects of September, 2013 to examine “Opposition unity stands tion,” Prasad told reporters. exposed for its inability to gov- Home Minister about the ing among the indigenous peo- various laws. the issue of implementing the exposed as major parties like SP, Congress president Sonia ern and provide security to & progress of our work. The ple of Assam that the newly It requires a detailed methodology of Judicial BSP, TMC and AAP kept away Gandhi on Monday led the people. Home Minister has given a few enacted legislation will hurt impact assessment of legislation Impact Assessment and suggest suggestions. We hope to submit their interests — both politically, at the stages of both pre-legis- further action. our final report within next 15 culturally as well as socially. lation and post-legislation. The committee in its report days,” Sharma told reporters The Assam Accord pro- Now, the department-relat- submitted on January 9, 2015, here. The committee with more vides for detection and depor- ed parliamentary standing had concluded that Judicial than a dozen members was set tation of all illegal immigrants, committee on law, justice and Impact Assessment was neither up as per the Clause 6 of the who have entered the personnel, headed by BJP leader feasible nor desirable as a -# +#45 6 G 0 & 1985 Assam Accord. country after 1971 and living in Bhupender Yadav, has started method of proper budgetary Asked whether the panel the state, irrespective of their working on the issue and would planning and allocation of n a first, newly-inducted 2 *9 could finalise the “definition of religion. come out with a report on ways funds for the judiciary. PTI Istealth attack helicopter & 2 Apache and transport copter & 8 K6 K Chinook will participate in the *45 87 0 & *9 Republic Day flypast. A model K 6 KK % " 03 of Rafale fighter jet will also be & 4"* 2 G 4"5 88 showcased as part of the Indian & * * K"K Air Force (IAF)’s tableau on & 8 -# +#45 1 && & & & KK effect of lead exposure was then Republic Day. 4 & studied. “It showed increased In October, Defence 9 8 * O & " K*& K ndian scientists have found cell death and increased levels of Minister Rajnath Singh had K# K & * O Ithat consuming antioxidant pro-apoptotic marker proteins. participated in the official han- & 8:L 7 "68 & foods like green tea, guava Further, the proteins involved in dover ceremony in France for & K>K leaves, apples, cherries, pears, - - neurodevelopment and regen- the first Rafale combat jet *9 black berries can minimise & & eration have depleted. Such acquired by the IAF. the potential health risk due to & effects led to decreased expres- During the parade, the IAF conducted in two phases,” a the Chinooks will be the when India faces complex secu- toxic metal lead-induced & & sion levels of synaptophysin, will also showcase its might and senior IAF official said. ‘Apache’ formation consisting rity challenges, including cross- Alzheimer’s disease. & finally leading to loss of mem- glory, with its tableau depicting Leading the ceremonial of the latest attack helicopters border terrorism. Toxic metal lead is found ory as in Alzheimer’s disease,” scaled-down models of five parade would be the ‘Ensign’ of the IAF. The five attack Leading the fixed wing for- in a number of commonly neurodegenerative condition. been unravelled. the scientist added. systems recently added to its formation comprising four Mi- helicopters would be flying in mations this year would be used materials in homes such These foods contain “In fact, alzheimer’s disease Dr R Hemalatha, Director, inventory — Rafale aircraft, 17 V5 helicopters in an invert- ‘arrowhead’ formation, the offi- Dornier formation consisting of as paints, cosmetics, batteries, antioxidant, anti-inflammato- has a complex pathophysiolo- ICMR-NIN talked about the indigenously developed Light ed ‘Y’ formation, also referred cial said. three Dornier aircraft in ‘vic’ glass and low grade toys among ry and metal chelant properties, gy which involves initially; health hazards of Lead expo- Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, to as the ‘wineglass formation’. The Chinook, twin-engine, formation. After this, the three many others. to effectively permeate brain formation of beta amyloid sure to a woman during preg- Light Combat Helicopter They will flypast the dais, troop- tandem rotor is a multi-role, C-130J Super Hercules ac will While studying that there and modify several cell sur- plaques and tangles in the nancy saying that it can cause (LCH), surface-to-air guided ing the national flag and the vertical-lift platform, which is fly in ‘vic’ formation. This will is possible link between vivals, said ICMR- NIN’s senior brain. In addition, oxidative developmental reprogramming weapon Aakash missile and ensigns of the three services. used for transporting troops, be followed by the ‘Eye in the Alzheimer’s disease and heavy scientist Dr Suresh Challa. stress and inflammation are which can lead to higher risk Astra missiles. They will be followed by ‘Dhruv’ artillery, equipment and fuel. Sky-Netra’ formation, compris- metal lead, scientists from the Talking about another known to be involved in the and early onset of Alzheimer’s Flt Lt Shrikant Sharma will formation, comprising four Equipped with night vision ing a single AEW&C flanked by ICMR-National Institute of study, conducted by them progression of the disease, disease in later life of the child. lead the 144-strong IAF contin- Advanced Light Helicopters devices, the helicopter can carry two Su-30 MKIs, they said. Nutrition (NIN) also found which showed possible link with loss of memory and neu- “Since lead exposure is an gent on Rajpath for the second (ALH) of the Army Aviation. out military operations not only Thereafter, a formation of that therapeutic potential of between the heavy metal and ronal cell death. In this sce- important public health con- time in a row. While Warrant The second and the main during the day but also at night. three C-17 Globemasters, in natural compounds such as the neurodegenerative disease, nario, our study investigated cern, the current findings Officer Ashok Kumar, an phase will commence after the Four of the US-made ‘displaced trail vic’ formation catechins, especially, epigallo- he said the molecular mecha- the basic molecular mecha- could be another piece in solv- accomplished Drum Major, will end of the ceremonial parade. heavy-lift helicopters — called ‘Globe’ formation will catechin gallate (EGCG) pre- nism behind both lead and nism behind the involvement ing the puzzle towards under- lead the IAF band, officials said. This will be led by ‘Rudra’ for- Chinooks — were inducted flypast the dais, showcasing the sent in foods like green tea, beta amyloid peptide induced of lead in Alzheimer’s dis- standing the intracellular “The Republic Day flypast mation of three ALH Mk-IV into the IAF in March last year. IAF’s heavy lift capabilities. guava leaves, apples, cherries, toxicity by investigating the ease,” Dr Challa said. mechanism of Alzheimer’s dis- will comprise 41 aircraft of the WSI helicopters of the IAF, fly- Eight US-made Apache Following the Globe formation, pears, black berries is protec- molecular mechanism involved He explained that they sim- ease. Such findings may as well IAF and four helicopters of the ing in ‘vic’ formation, they said. stealth attack helicopters were fighter formation comprising tive against lead toxicity and in the development of lead ulated brain cells in vitro with help in developing preventive Army’s aviation wing. The air- The ‘Chinook’ formation inducted into the IAF in the ‘Jaguars’, five MiG-29 can effectively decrease neu- induced Alzheimer’s disease beta amyloid peptides like in and management strategies for craft types include 16 fighters, will comprise three newly- September last year, signifi- Upgrade aircraft nad Sukhoi ronal cell death resulting in through in vitro studies have Alzheimer’s disease and the elderly,” she said. 10 transport aircraft and 19 inducted transport helicopters cantly boosting the force’s fire- will display their maoeuvres, helicopters. The flypast will be in ‘vic’ formation. Following power capability at a time they added. chhattisgarh 03 RAIPUR | TUESDAY | JANUARY 14, 2020 Govt removes bindings on Govt enhances financial power of local bodies token, paddy procurement limits STAFF REPORTER n RAIPUR STAFF REPORTER n procurement the subcommit- RAIPUR tee also decided to open a hhattisgarh government new procurement centres Chas enhanced financial he cabinet subcommittee, across the state to facilitate powers of urban local bodies Tformed by chief minister the farmers, he added. and its office bearers. to monitor paddy procure- On how they would pay By notifying in the state ment and to suggest the way ` gazette, the state government ` farmers 2500 per quintal of how to disburse 2500 to paddy as per their poll on Monday empowered the farmers for per quintal of promise, the minister said corporations’ municipal com- paddy, held its meeting on missioners, mayor-in-coun- Monday. they have discussed the issue and similar arrangements in cils (MiCs) with renewed Head of the subcommit- financial power. tee, Agriculture Minister neigbouring states of Odisha and Telangana were studied. Official sources informed Ravindra Choubey, later that from now onwards the informed media persons that A decision in this regard would be taken in further municipal corporations in the the subcommittee has decid- state will be categorized in meeting and the required ed in the meeting to remove three categories namely the bindings of 3 tokens and recommendation would be corporations based on also the limit for sale of given to the state government populations. The corpora- paddy. To ensure hassle-free later on, he said. tions with a population of missioners have been empow- with financial powers of `50 with financial powers from above 10 lakh will be in one ered to sanction amount up to Lakh, MiC with enhanced earlier `1 crore to now `3 category, those with popula- 75 lakhs, MiCs from `75 lakh financial powers of `50 lakh crore. The financial powers of Babul Supriyo tion in between 3 to 10 lakh in to `3 crore, corporations from to 1.5 crore and corporations’ municipal commissioner here another and another compris- `3 crore to `5 crore. financial limit enhanced from has been enhanced to 25 lakh Four different coloured ballot ing those up to 3 lakh. In municipal corporations 1.5 crore to `5 crore. while for the MiC the finan- in Bhilai today For municipal corpora- having population of 3 to 10 Similarly, the corpora- cial power has been enhanced ` ` RAIPUR: Union Minister tions having above 10 lakh lakh, municipal commission- tions having population up to to 3 crore in place of 1 papers to be used for rural polls of State for Environment, population, municipal com- ers have been empowered 3 lakh have been empowered crore. Forest and Climate change STAFF REPORTER n and result will be declared for Babul Supriyo will be on a RAIPUR Chhattisgarh will the first phase on January 31 day visit to Bhilai on at 10.00 am and the third January 14. He will partic- he polling for three-tier ipate in different functions Rly alerted Mid-day meal cooks to stage go for polling in phase on February 6 at 10.30 TPanchayat, panch, am. organised at the city. sarpanch, Janpad Panchayat the first phase There will be ballot As per his itinerary, he and Zila Panchayat members papers of four different will arrive from Kolkata at of possible day-long agitation on Jan 15 will be held together. on January 28, colours for the polls. The Raipur at 7.10am. He then After the polling process second phase Panch post will have white will proceed to Bhilai. STAFF REPORTER n them is just `1200 per month. is completed, the counting colour, Sarpanch blue, Janpad After reaching hotel, he KONDAGAON This is inadequate for an will be done in the polling Panchayat member yellow will take rest. He will then drone attack individual and a family. centre itself. A training of on January 31 meet Bengali delegation hhattisgarh School Midday and Zila Panchayat member n He added that showing 3360 presiding officers and and third phase pink. and other prominent peo- STAFF REPORTER Railway Board has CMeal Cook Association consideration for children they are polling officer number 1 for The counting will be also ple at Sector-6, then join RAIPUR forwarded to all the raising demand for fulfilling the continuing the work with polling and counting was held done accordingly by separat- the rally at Nandni Road Railway division, stated promises made by state dedication. Now several political on February 3 Raipur Railway that Railway institutions in capital city at National ing the colours and making Housing Board, Division, under South government during the state parties are approaching it to back like Wagon Repair Institute of Technology and Abhanpur Janpad on January separate bundles. The count- Gurudawara Chowk at East Central Railway in assembly elections will hold a its demands but association has Government Dani School, 28 and third phase on ing for Panch will commence 11am in support of Citizen a letter to Khamtari Shop, General Store day-long demonstration on decided to fight for the rights of its Depot, Exchange Yard Raipur. February 3 from 7.00 am to first, followed by Sarpanch, Amendment Act. police station has January 15 at Budhapara protest own rejecting the offer from Minister of State will and Railway area Chhattisgarh will go for 3.00 pm. The block level then Janpad Panchayat and sought its assistance fol- venue in capital city Raipur. outsiders to take up their cause. then participate in photo- security should be polling in the first phase on counting if necessary will be last Zila Panchayat members. lowing an alert of possi- According to Cook Markam appealed that no one January 28, second phase on held on January 29 and sec- The counting will be done in session in support of CAA. ble drone attack in enhanced and Association Kondagaon district should fall in the trap of political January 31 and third phase on ond phase on February 4 presence of candidate or At 1.00pm, then he would Railway institutions. arrangement should be president Sagram Markam, all the parties, instead they should fight February 3. from 9.00 am. his/her agent. address all officials and In a letter submitted made for counter the cooks across the state will be par- for their own rights. Association Raipur District Election The result will be If there is any suspicion guests in a meeting and on Sunday to Khamtari flying of drone in these ticipating in protest in their state president Ramraj Kashyap Officer’s office intimated that declared for the first phase on then each ballot paper will be address the media at 2.45 police station, the areas. respective work place. He said said all district association office in Raipur district the first January 30 at 9.00 am, second reviewed by presiding officer pm. He will then return to Railway Division It is, however, not there has been hike in prices of bearers and workers will phase of Panchyat election phase on February 5 at 9.00 and decision will be intimated Raipur and take regular officer, attaching the clear who has sent the essential commodities but even participate in the agitation in large will be held in Arang and am. Zila Panchayat tabulation to candidate and his agent. flight to Kolkata. threat letter that the threat letter. then the honorarium given to number. Two IEDs detected Congress to felicitate and defused KANKER: Two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted elected members of by Naxals were unearthed in Maoist insurgency-hit Kanker district, police said here on urban local bodies Monday. The IEDs weighed three kilo- STAFF REPORTER n RAIPUR grams each and could have caused immense damage if they had gone tate Congress is going to off, an official said. Sfelicitate elected mayors, "A Border Security Force chairpersons of urban local bod- ies at a function to be held at team found the two IEDs in two state capital on Friday, January pressure cookers placed beneath a 17. culvert near Akameta rivulet Official sources in Congress under Chhote Bethiya police informed that Chhattisgarh in- station limits during a de-mining charge of the AICC, P.L. Punia operation after getting specific and Chief Minister Bhupesh inputs about their presence," the Baghel will specially be present official said. at the function to be held at The IEDs were destroyed by Sardar Balbeer Singh Juneja the bomb detection and disposal Indoor Stadium. squad (BDDS), he added. Chhattisgarh State "They were planted to target Assembly Speaker Charandas security forces patrolling the Mahant, Deputy Speaker Manoj route. We have also seized 16 bat- Mandavi, AICC’s secretaries as well as all the members of the Different varieties of flowers on display at the flower show underway at Gandhi-Nehru Garden, in capital city, Raipur on Monday. Photo K.N. Kishore teries and three metres of wire in-charge Dr Chandan Yadav state cabinet will also attend the from the spot," the official said. and PCC Chief Mohan Markam programme. Movie politics picks Aroma of C’garhi cuisines fills youth fest venue up in Chhattisgarh STAFF REPORTER n district made traditional RAIPUR ‘Chousela’ and tomato chanti STAFF REPORTER n RAIPUR activate the imagination of the with tetheri, and khurmi. he whole venue of Second winner government by watching the Chhattisgarh State level hhattisgarh Chief Minister film.” T Suryaprabha Chhettiyar had Bhupesh Baghel and his Youth Festival 2020 was filled made dudhpharra, kodo kuti C Former Chief Minister Dr with aroma of the cabinet colleagues watched the Raman Singh interacting with in coconut milk and pulse. film ‘Chhapaak’ while former Chhattisgarhi cuisines media said it is a patriotic film Shail Usendi of Narayanpur, Chief Minister Dr Raman cooked as part of competition third winner had made Kosra of an unsung hero of Singh and other BJP leaders on Monday. rice ‘kheer’ and ‘Madia phej’. watched the Ajay Degan Maharashtra and everyone The Food Festival of The Kosra rice is sugar free starrer ‘Tanhaji- The Unsung should watch it. He did not Chhattisgarhi cuisines variety variety of rice which is gener- Warrior’ at Magneto Mall answer to question of and taste was part of festival ally consumed by diabetic based theatre on Monday ‘politicialisation’ of film by as participants from different patients. Amari flower chatni evening. political parties. districts were cooking the is considered of rich in Former minister After Deepika Padukone traditional food items in tra- Vitamn C while Chapda Brijmohan Agrawal raised had visited JNU premises, the ditional mode. They include Chatni is used for treatment question that when a film BJP and its frontal organisa- ‘Pharra’ ‘Cheela’, Chousela, of malaria and other diseases. made on acid-survivor starred tions have been opposing the airasa, hirwan puri, doodh The participants were by Deepika Padukone film making a call for boycott. pharra, dahrori, dhuska, sabzi given 45 minutes by jury ‘Chhapaak’ has been made tax Taking this cue, the Madhya of gimikand, tetheri, khurmi board and given 10 marks. free, why not the film with a Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and among others. tion in 15 to 40-year age cate- first, Surajpur district second Dhamtari and third was along with Cheela in attrac- Based on the presentation, patriotic film ‘Tanhaji’ too Rajasthan governments The Bastar specific were gory had 21 participants while and Janjgir-Champa clinched Narayanpur district. tive formation while in 40 decoration, brief description made tax free. Such films announced the film as tax-free. ‘Chapda Chatni, Amari flower in 40 plus category there were third place while in above 40 The winner Narayanpur plus category Jagdamba of cuisines, taste, art of mak- should be promoted by Since the the BJP has been chatni-sharbat and ‘lata’ made eight participants. In 15 to 40 years category, Kabirdham district has made Madia paij, Women group of Sahaspur- ing and a total impact were government. “We are going to promoting the film ‘Tanhaji’. from tamarind. The competi- years Narayanpur district was district was first, second was Amari and Chapoda chatni Lohara block of Kabirdham considered for points. !"!" %,
$& % $&& .0 Q R 1 "5*-+1*65 because your faith is my strength," Deol said. large number of posters But Congress leader and Adeclaring Gurdaspur MP Anandpur Sahib MP Manish and actor Sunny Deol "missing" Tewari said the “same thing” surfaced in Pathankot district, happened to Deol's father and which comes under the Lok veteran actor Dharmendra when Sabha constituency . he was a lawmaker from Bikaner The posters were pasted at Lok Sabha seat. public places, including near the "Not Suprising same thing railway station, and read, happened to his father “Gumshuda Ki Talash MP Dharmendra in Bikaner. Sunny Deol.” It was not imme- Gurdaspur missed the chance of diately known who pasted the a good man @sunilkjakhar rep- posters. resenting them again. Would ) + 4 - However, Deol said in a have added to @INCIndia ''s video message on his Twitter strength in Parliament," Tewari handle on Monday that his tweeted. political rivals were behind the In July last year, Deol had 899 "senseless" act. "I have learnt that faced flak from the Congress my rivals are talking some sense- over the appointment of a rep- less things about me,” Deol said, resentative to stand in for him promising voters to bring some in his constituency. Deol had 0 3 “big projects” to the Gurdaspur appointed Gurpreet Singh +#56*+.- constituency in the future. Palheri, a writer, as his repre- #!5*00-1 $- 25# 7*4.# *++2$- "5*-+1*65 He also said the traffic prob- sentative to attend meetings he Chief Minister $9 25# 9*6 !6$+."20 25# " 0*+ lem in Pathankot city would be and follow important matters. TTrivendra Singh Rawat has unjab Chief Minister Capt addressed by the narrow gauge Then, Congress said it was said that cluster based agricul- 25*2 25#6# 0 * 14$=*4 +#*-+ 9$6 PAmarinder Singh on elevated project as the Centre a "betrayal" of the voters'' man- ture and effective system of cer- 25# -*2.6*44> $"".66-1 9=6#0 $9 Monday urged the Prime has sanctioned funds for it. "I date.Riding a Modi wave, in 2019 tification of organic produces Minister Narendra Modi to have been able to do such things parliamentary polls, Deol defeat- are essential for augmenting the %*-+*4 @02-1-1 -#224#A *-+ constitute a national level com- because of the strength of faith ed Congress nominee Sunil income of farmers. He was mittee to oversee the year- you reposed in me. I will bring Jakhar by a margin of 82,459 addressing state credit seminar- -+.026*4 5#! *-+ 25# *6$*2" long 400th prakash purb cele- some big projects in the future votes on Gurdaspur seat. 2022-21 organised by National !4*-20 5*7# * 1$$+ !$2#-2*4 - brations of ninth Sikh master Bank for Agriculture and Rural Guru Teg Bahadur, on the Development (NABARD) here 02*2# lines of the 550th prakash purb on Monday. celebrations of Guru Nanak 5' He said that efforts should Dev. be made to develop irrigation Capt Amarinder’s letter facility in the mountainous the CM said that there is a cold stores is needed to be done came a day after the Shiromani 6 areas and for it water reservoirs global demand for the naturally so that the produce of farmers Akali Dal’s delegation met the should be developed. He said occurring fibres of Kandali gets good price. He said that Union Home Minister with that Uttarakhand is a state (Stinging nettle) and industri- different valleys are being the similar demand. "5*-+1*65 with vast geographical differ- al hemp and the aromatic developed for specific pro- In his letter to the Prime and the same would be short- Notably, the State ences and the agriculture in plants have a good potential in duces. The chief general man- Minister, Capt Amarinder ly sent to the Centre. Government had already decid- aryana Home Minister Anil Vij on Monday said "Haryana mountainous areas is mostly state. He said that the agricul- ager of NABARD, Sunil pointed out that the State Describing the 400th ed to commemorate the 400th HNarcotics Bureau" would be set up soon soon to curb drug rain dependent. “The lift based ture and associated products of Chawla said that bank has Government has planned to prakash purb of the ninth Sikh birth anniversary of the ninth abuse and drug peddling in the state. irrigation is costly so con- Uttarakhand are naturally assessed the credit potential of celebrate the historic occasion Guru, scheduled to take place Sikh Guru on April 18, 2021, "This bureau would perform a special framework to completely struction of reservoirs is need- organic and the need is to make Rs 24656 Crore for in a befitting manner with a in April 2021, as a fortunate with year-long celebrations control the drug peddling across the state," he said, adding strict ed to supply gravity based arrangement for their certifi- Uttarakhand for the year 2020- series of programmes through- occasion for all, Capt beginning April 12 this year. action will be initiated against those involved in drug trade in the water for irrigation and drink- cation. The Agriculture minis- 21 out of which the state has a out the year, beginning April Amarinder said that the Great Guru Tegh Bahadur was State and the n steps will be taken for the drug victims to over- ing purposes. These reservoirs ter Subodh Uniyal said that the farm credit of Rs 11802. In the 2020. Guru occupies a special place born on April 1, 1621. He come drug abuse. would also help in revival of Uttarakhand government has year 2019-20, the credit poten- The Chief Minister in the country’s history. resisted forced conversions of Vij added that a group of STF personnel, headed by an IPS rivers. The state government is taken many initiatives in agri- tial was Rs 23423 Crores. apprised Modi that Punjab He had sacrificed his life to Hindus, Kashmiri Pandits and officers will be engaged in the task, until the process of formation developing reservoirs in culture and in last two years the He said that this year the Government was already in the uphold the principles of reli- non-Muslims to Islam and was of the bureau will be completed. Pithoragarh, Champawat, state received six awards in the theme for this year’s state focus process of drawing up a gious freedom and amity and killed in 1675 on the orders of He said that no investigations other than handwriting test is Almora, Pauri, Chamoli and field. He said that the income paper is ‘high tech agriculture’ detailed proposal for the com- was, therefore, rightfully called the then Mughal emperor in pending in cases of forensic examination in the Madhuban lab- Dehradun districts. The of the farmers can be increased which is future farming that memoration of this mega event as ‘Hind di Chaadar’, he added. Delhi. oratory, for which officers have been exploring about the matter. NABARD should come for- with adopting integrated agri- would involve biodiversity and ward for funding of these culture and by bringing allied biotechnology driven seeds reservoirs’’ he said. Elaborating sector with agriculture. He and planting material and other on the state government’s effort said that short, medium and improved inputs . - +6* P "%%' to increase the income of farm- long term loans are needed to The emphasis on micro- ers, CM said that the interest be provided for horticulture. irrigation, environment friend- free loans of Rs Rs 1 lakh to Uniyal also stressed on the ly automation and mechaniza- farmers and Rs 5 lakh to farmer need for fencing of farms to tion, use nano technology groups are being provided. protect them from wild animals inputs, climate forecast, GPS, Emphasising on the value and repair of canals. The min- robots, pilot-less tractors, addition of the farm products, ister said that arrangement of drones and others. - . //
"5*-+1*65 + 6 0 0 fter wooing international " % % .%%/' " Amarket with Punjabi delica- .'/' .' / cies like Sarson da saag, Dal Makhani, among others, Punjab Government is now eyeing large 6 * .6* / "5 " % % .%%/ Echoing the views of Ranchi MLA and former Indian diaspora to expand its ' " .'/' .' / ) Seth, BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP minister CP Singh who too market base outside the country Mahesh Poddar said that in was present on the occasion by offering high quality ‘gur’ (jag- Pakistan, Bangladesh and said that Congress and Left gery) and ‘shakkar’ (sugar). 6*-"5 which was organised from (CAA) is to give citizenship Afghanistan there is religious parties always follow the poli- Punjab State Federation of Kutchery Chowk to Albert to migrants from Pakistan, intolerance with minority cies of appeasement. Cooperative Sugar Mills Limited, rotests against and in sup- Ekka was attended by senior Bangladesh, Afghanistan, but population as they have to He said, “These parties which on Monday launched Pport of the Citizenship BJP leaders including Ranchi some political parties face threat from majority are partners with Tukde three varieties of jaggery and Amendment Act (CAA) and MLA and former Minister CP (Congress and Left) are cre- population. Tukde gang that had raised sugar under the brand name of National Register of Citizens Singh, Ranchi MP Sanjay ating confusion on CAA with Poddar said, “The minor- slogans in support of Afzal ‘Fateh’, is also planning to export (NRC) continued in the city Seth, Rajya Sabha MP an aim to divide the ity population in these coun- Guru, but these parties the high quality gur and shakkar on Monday. Mahesh Poddar, Hatia MLA Country.” Seth claimed that tries which comprise Hindus, should understand that the to USA, Canada and the Gulf While the Bhartiya Janta Naveen Jaiswal, Ranchi Congress and Left parties are Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists and people of these country have countries “from next year Yuva Morcha-the youth wing Mayor Asha Lakra, along frustrated after the BJP Christians are victim of force- understood their divisive pol- onwards”. of BJP organized a pro-CAA with large number of BJP Government successfully ful conversion, mass murder, itics.” “Besides Punjab, the mar- human chain from Kutchery leaders including Aditya passed the Bill abrogating rape and forceful occupying Singh claimed that JNU keting potential of the gur and Chowk to Albert Ekka Sahu, Pratul Shahdeo, Article 370 from J&K, paving the properties of these minor- has become the hideout of shakkar would be tested in the roundabout, a social organi- Subodh Singh Guddu among way for construction of Ram ity population. anti-national forces as the markets of adjoining states too,” sation organised a seminar at others. temple in Ayodhya among These minority popula- historians from these coun- said the state Cooperation Xavier Institute of Social On the occasion, Ranchi others and so they have tions are taking shelter in tries have distorted the his- Minister Sukhjinder Singh Service (XISS). MP Sanjay Seth said, “The decided to oppose BJP on India as they are subjugated tory giving much importance Randhawa during the launch in The BJYM human chain, Citizenship Amendment Act CAA. to various types of atrocities.” to Mughals. an unique initiative. O 0P 3 %%
"5*-+1*65
s a private TV channel has Aclaimed exclusive rights over the telecast of ‘Hukamnama’ and ‘Gurbani’ from the Golden Temple, the Congress and the Aam Admi Party (AAP) on Monday dubbed it as a sacrilegious act while seeking “action” against the Sikh code of conduct. Punjab Panchayats and Rural Development Minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa asserted that “claiming rights over Hukamnama and Sarb- Sanjhi Gurbani, telecasted live from the Golden Temple. !"!" %0
3 4 5" & O $: 2 Dubai: Iranian police and security forces fired both live N O ammunition and tear gas to disperse demonstrators protest- % ing against the Islamic Republic’s initial denial that it shot down a Ukrainian jetliner, online videos purported to show Lahore: In a major relief for Pakistan’s self- Monday. exiled former military dictator, a top court # 2#56*- brought down hours after Iran There was no immediate report in Iranian State-run here on Monday quashed had launched a wave of missiles media on the incident near Azadi, or Freedom, Square in Pervez Musharraf’s death sentence and ran’s Government on Monday at US troops stationed at Iraqi Tehran on Sunday night after a call went up for protests there. termed as “unconstitutional” the formation Idenied a “cover-up” after it took bases in retaliation for the killing However, international rights groups already have called on of a special tribunal that tried him for high days for the Armed forces to of a top Iranian general. Iran to allow people to protest peacefully as allowed by the treason. admit a Ukrainian airliner was The Islamic republic initial- country’s constitution. The special court of Islamabad on shot down by mistake last ly denied Western claims based “After successive national traumas in a short time peri- December 17 last handed down the death week. on US intelligence that the pas- od, people should be allowed to safely grieve and demand penalty to 74-year-old Musharraf after six The comments came after a senger plane had been struck by accountability,” said Hadi Ghaemi, the executive director of years of hearing the high-profile treason case second night of demonstrations a missile before admitting it on the New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran. AP against him. The case was filed by the in Tehran against the authorities Saturday. Talisay City (Philippines): Lava and cracks that have opened in its northern Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz over the air disaster, according to “In these sorrowful days, broad columns of ash illuminated by light- flank, as accompanying earthquakes rat- Government in 2013. videos shared on social many criticisms were directed at ning spewed from a volcano south of the tled the area. A three-member full bench of the media. relevant officials and authorities,” 2 & Philippine capital on Monday, grounding “We are really scared of what might Lahore High Court comprising Justices The Ukraine International said Government spokesman Ali hundreds of flights as authorities warned happen to us... That our house might col- Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, Mohammad Airlines Boeing 737 was shot Rabiei. of a possible “explosive eruption”. lapse in a strong earthquake and that we’ll Ameer Bhatti and Chaudhry Masood down shortly after it took off “Some officials were even Fine grit weighed down trees and all be killed by falling debris,” said Jahangir unanimously declared the forma- from Tehran before dawn on accused of lying and a cover-up turned roads into muddy messes across Bienvenido Musa, aged 56. tion of the special court against Musharraf Wednesday, killing all 176 but, in all honesty, that was not EDMONTON, Alberta: Canadian Prime Minister Justin the region surrounding the Taal volcano, “Who wouldn’t be scared? That’s as “unconstitutional”. passengers and crew on board. the case,” he said in remarks aired Trudeau said Sunday it’s been gut-wrenching to listen to sto- which burst to life Sunday and has forced why I decided to send my family to an The court also ruled that the treason case The Kiev-bound airliner was on State television. ries from relatives of 57 Canadians who perished in the down- over 20,000 people to seek refuge in evacuation centre.” Taal is a tourist attrac- against Musharraf was not prepared in ing of a Ukrainian jetliner in Iran last week as he attended evacuation centres, a provincial gover- tion that sits in a picturesque lake, yet is accordance with the law. one of several memorials across the country. nor said. also one of the most active volcanoes in After Monday’s ruling, the special court’s Speaking at a memorial with a capacity crowd of 2,300 Geologists said the volcano remained a nation where earthquakes and eruptions verdict stands void, Dawn reported, quoting in Edmonton, Alberta, Trudeau said he has learned many of active, spurting red-hot lava some 500 are a frightening and destructive part of both the Government and Musharraf’s the victims came to Canada in search of new opportunities metres (1,600 feet) into the air from new life. AFP lawyers as saying. PTI for their families, but those families are now consumed by grief and outrage. The plane was shot down by an Iranian missile moments after taking off from Tehran on Wednesday. * 2& G " All 176 on board were killed, including 138 who were head- : O ed for Canada.Iran has admitted the plane was mistaken for & 5 a hostile target amid soaring tensions with the United States. P & 8 5 Trudeau called it a Canadian tragedy. AP 43 2& % ; "5< %'& 8 :F Washington: President # =#,-1 Donald Trump says the Senate Hong Kong: Hong Kong’s top . 0 should simply dismiss the judge on Monday delivered a hina on Monday defended impeachment case against him, passionate defence of the city’s Cbarring the head of Human 2 an extraordinary suggestion legal system as it struggles Rights Watch from entering & as the House prepares to trans- with a backlog of protester Hong Kong, saying non-gov- 0 && & O mit the charges to the chamber trials and accusations of bias ernmental organisations & 0 for the historic trial. from all sides. were responsible for & The president is giving The semi-autonomous city political unrest in the city and mixed messages ahead of the has an independent, British- should “pay the proper & & House’s landmark vote that style judiciary — viewed as one price”. & = will launch the Senate pro- of the bedrocks of the financial Kenneth Roth was sup- ceedings in a matter of days, hub’s identity and a key factor posed to give a press confer- .0 ! + 2& only the third presidential differentiating it from main- ence in Hong Kong this week impeachment trial in American land China. to unveil the New York-based history. Its courts have been over- rights group’s latest & Trump faces charges that loaded during seven months of global survey, which accuses - he abused power by pushing sometimes violent democracy China of prosecuting “an inten- & & Ukraine to investigate protests that have seen more sive attack” on L2 8 +$ -$2 Democratic rival Joe Biden than 6,500 people international human rights %44 >$.6 !6$2#02#60M 2& and then obstructed arrested, of whom around a agencies. 0 Congress. thousand are undergoing or The long-time executive 8 & First Trump was suggesting have completed legal proceed- director said on Sunday that he .0 + 0 # & his own ideas for trial witness- ings. was turned back by authorities 2& es, then he said almost the exact Since the protests began, at the city’s airport. L opposite Sunday by tweeting “many commentaries have China last month & that the trial shouldn’t happen been given as to the work of the announced sanctions on M at all. “Many believe that by the courts and many views have American NGOs, including 2 Senate giving credence to a been expressed regarding our HRW, in retaliation for the pas- trial” over charges he calls a judges”, Chief Justice Geoffrey sage of a US bill backing Hong # hoax, Trump tweeted, “rather Ma said. Kong’s pro-democracy move- than an outright dismissal, it “A lot of these have been ment. gives the partisan Democrat fair, but unfortunately, some “Allowing or not allowing Witch Hunt credibility that it have proceeded on miscon- someone’s entry is China’s sov- otherwise does not have. I ceptions and misunderstand- ereign right,” foreign agree!” The idea of dismissing ings,” he added in a speech to ministry spokesman Geng the charges against Trump is as mark the opening of the legal Shuang said at a regular press unusual as it is unlikely. AP year. AFP briefing. !"!" %1 N & P2 + ! N & N 50/3; 3# 1 4 3 6 ' ' & : ' & 6 2 ' deliberate politicisation of age- 8 old Indian traditions of accep- - # tance of diversity, which have a # : deep philosophical basis. This is the only prophetic vision that ' # can save the very existence of ' ;-8 # O planet Earth. Think of the tur- S moil being faced in Europe in O # : the wake of rapid demographic, 4" $* social and cultural changes tak- = > ing place there whether the 9 ? 6 >49?65 ' Europeans like it or not. Why ndependent India’s first few years saw should it not be appreciated that # : a unique kinship among political it was the impact of ancient " ' leaders and the people. The former Indian culture that while Hindus 6 '- # had an aura of sacrifice behind them. paid jazia to their rulers, they 2 # This is why people adored them and never disrespected the religious hadI high expectations from them. Mahatma places of Muslims. 6 ' - Gandhi was the cult figure, who was Even after Partition, India # -# 8 : remembered with respect and affection in could have restored its age-old 6 9?6 # ' every home. In schools and colleges, young religious amity had our leaders people animatedly talked about Netaji shown maturity, futuristic vision # 6 > Subhas Chandra Bose, Chandra Shekhar and the urgency to bring both ' # Azad, Bhagat Singh, Khudiram Bose, Veer communities together. This was : ' %12 % Savarkar, Jayaprakash Narayan, Jawaharlal the core requirement for march- Nehru and Sardar Patel among others. Even ing ahead on the path of growth, 2 $ %12 # in remote villages and towns, people were progress and development as # - 6 aware of the Azad Hind Fauj and were con- Jayaprakash Narayan realised. >> % 6) ) % !'% ! vinced that Netaji would return. For him, everyone was accept- One could say it from personal expe- able if willing to come togeth- 8 !2 4%825) ' 2 4 253 rience that in spite of the tragic Partition, er for the nation’s cause. The 9 ) ' 3)@ 88 ' life had returned to normalcy in the villages merger of the then Jan Sangh in 6 ' 8 6 of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar as also else- the Janata Party was the culmi- where. There were no visible traces of nation of the efforts of a great - ;-8 # Hindu-Muslim discord and children wit- visionary, who thought only of # nessed bonhomie in social, religious and India, the welfare of its people %' # cultural events as they grew up in a multi- and their future. religious society. They were learning to live The violence that has ' ## 8 ' together naturally, not under any planned occurred in a couple of univer- %12 6 initiative or project. Isolated instances of sities and some other places # # # communal skirmishes were there but they pected. The rise of caste-based date expenditure as set by the lage panchayats unhesitatingly must not be viewed in isolation. did not impact the thread of social cohe- parties contributed significant- Election Commission of India? and during election time, gave In fact, it must be seen in con- % !' # sion as people trusted and had faith in the ly to the erosion of pre-indepen- So, now our leaders need money tickets to candidates based pure- text with the seeds that have 8 leadership of the day. dent values that had the strength and more of it to be and remain ly on caste and communal con- been sown in post-independent # 8# %' However, gradually, things began to to sustain social and religious in politics. A ray of hope did siderations. It did not matter if India by vested interests and change. Those who tasted power and perks cohesion. Gandhi was indeed appear under the leadership of the aspirant was suitable, mer- those for whom self-interest is # : 6) that also came associated with pelf, began prophetic when he mentioned in Jayaprakash Narayan during the itorious or deserving. Did he the only interest. Their numbers S S to shed the values the Mahatma had per- a letter written in April 1922 that 1977 elections when several really serve the people with hon- are few but institutions are ) # - 6 > 46 5 9?6 8 sistently preached. They started ignoring his Swaraj or self-rule would not candidates won without any esty, sincerity and commit- invariably taken to ransom by S ! - %' ! great words: “My Life is My Message.” Social bring happiness to our people as resource, purely on the basis of ment? Leaders even preferred elements who have no academ- scientists and other learned scholars had four things would weigh heavi- their clean image and contribu- bahubalis (strongmen) without ic interest and are prone to 8 ' # # ; their own interpretations about the change ly on them and they would begin tions made to the public. But all winking an eyelid. prodding from unethical and 6 ' ' " that began with the infusion of debilitating to say that the earlier (colonial) of it disappeared after 1980. The imposition of the anti-social elements. For those 2 # %12 6 # elements inherent in democratic procedures, system was better. The four People have witnessed not Emergency in June 1975 and its who are interested in finding practices and parties. Gradually, people things included defects in the only the rise of caste-based par- continuance till March 1977 solutions, one would like to " realised the fallacy of the promises made by election system, injustice, ties but more than that, they have made the people realise how they submit the following from a let- # # # leaders. They also began to comprehend the administrative burden and seen how assets of some leaders were being taken for a ride by ter Albert Einstein wrote to - 6 ! 3)@ machinations involved to garner votes on treachery of the rich. have galloped at an unprecedent- those very people they had trust- Gandhi and which was quoted the basis of caste, creed, religion and other Today, systematic defects in ed pace within years. Obviously, ed. By this time, the roots of social by APJ Abdul Kalam in one his )@8 88 '-) ' -6 such factors that would create divisions the way elections are conduct- in such a scenario, there is little cohesion and religious amity books: “You have shown # %82' # 6 ); ? ! 'S among them. Social equations and equanim- ed appear to be beyond control. space for value-based politics. were considerably weakened. through your works that it is - # # 8 ity began to change and that, too, swiftly. For all that matters is money And when there are no com- Consequently, the trust possible to succeed without vio- Worse, it deliberately created distrust among and nothing else. News reports punctions about values and between two major communi- lence even with those who have 6 # %' communities. in the last week of May 2019 that principles, why care about ties came under serious stress. not discarded the method of vio- # - The new generation of leaders that out of 539 winning Lok Sabha means? Gandhian values in pol- For electoral gains, the history of lence.” Was JNU not expected to ' ? # 2 - gradually emerged a couple of decades after MPs, 233 had declared criminal itics were slowly and silently India, including the freedom strengthen this philosophy? It’s independence realised how lucrative it cases against them did not sur- erased by those who inherited struggle, was politicised. The depressing that JNU, with all of # '# could be to be at the seat of power through prise anybody. The way elec- power. Loudly and unashamed- writing of history textbooks and its much-publicised achieve- # - A 2 : 7 ' politics and elections. Hence, they decid- tions are won at every level has ly, they declared themselves as research was totally entrusted to ments, never seriously tried to " S # P ed to focus on winning polls. Icons of the led to serious aberrations in the the only political heirs of the the Leftists, who are known for listen to those who did not freedom struggle were no more; secularism way public affairs in our coun- Mahatma. People trusted them their dislike for all that was think alike. It has an obligation Q 6 ' # was swiftly being converted into a mighty try is conducted. It would be and this continued for decades. Indian. The great Jawaharlal to the nation to encourage, # " 6 political weapon; and no wily politician was rare exception if someone with To ensure “permanency” Nehru University (JNU) was nourish and nurture the great ' - - ' concerned about how disastrous even a a pure record of selfless service in power, they quietly created a built in a closed citadel of Left dialogical tradition of the coun- small dent in social cohesion and religious wins a panchayat-level elec- minority (read Muslim) vote- hegemony. It even refused entry try. It must become a place of amity could indeed be. They ignored the tion. Social kinship stands shat- bank, gave them false assurances to all “those who did not think intellectual interaction. India possible damage to the hallowed tradition tered because elections are now and convinced them that every- alike” in their campus. Had that needs leadership institutions of equal respect for all religions that was in being politicised. one else was against them. They not been the case, today’s out- that promote social cohesion and practice for ages and for which the coun- Can anyone think of any gave their own interpretation of burst would not have happened. religious amity. try was admired globally. election that has been fought and secularism, divided Hindus and What we are witnessing (The writer works in educa- 5 R 6 Such developments were not unex- won within the limits on candi- Muslims up to the level of vil- today is the culmination of tion and social cohesion) 7 4 7 ' ( + ! K * 2 & 2 ! 8& % ! "# 2 ! $# % @ 8" A & & !% 0 @80 A ! " & & % ! K # $ &):+'))',4% % & &4&&)*% <*4% *4&,' 4&(%))',% ' S K6 * K*G % & K0 K% & 0 $ ) % # * S $ ' ! ( '$ +,# $- ./,0 # # # % " # - ' ' Sir — Apart from being a harvest L0"O M Sir — The Maradu flat demolition festival, Makar Sankranti also @, ::A 2 0& "O in Kochi, as per the orders of the # # # ' ) marks the beginning of an auspi- 2& Supreme Court — as these were cious phase in Indian culture. & built in violation of the coastal %12S $ 3 " 4$3"5 What is most significant about this 0 :DD " " ! , regulation zone rules — is an eye 3 % # 6 7 ' day is that every State celebrates it opener. It is also a warning to the indigenously. In Haryana and & G 8 local administration, the State # # ' - Punjab, it is popularly called 8 machinery and various stake- # # " “Lohri”, in South India it is called & 8 holders, who ignore the law of $ # “Pongal”, in Bihar it is known as 1 O & 0 :DD nature and believe that political “Khichdi” and “Bihu” in Assam. In & influence, power and money can ' '# Gujarat, families celebrate this & & get them anywhere. What they ' " festival through kite-flying com- & & & % 88 forgot was that law and justice is ' petitions. & & & 8 above everything. This is a lesson The importance of this day has & & & 2 G meant for all cities, States, nations %12 8 even been signified in ancient & Q and mankind in general. 485 epics like the Mahabharata. So, & 2 & & 8 & The lesson is to not violate $3" # 7 ' 2 ) 9 )S apart from socio-geographical $',*4& rules and regulations. It was an importance, this day also holds a 2 & ! overwhelming sight to watch huge # 8 # historical and religious signifi- skyscrapers — that rose to the sky ' 3 ' cance. It is the festival of the Sun with so much of human energy # God and he is regarded as the sym- much fault with this mindset. The However, this policy-troika and labour, time and wealth — to bol divinity and wisdom. This is common man is apprehensive. Of (CAA, NPR and NRC) that is be razed to the ground within " # why the festival holds eternal far greater impact than this was now under way appears to delin- seconds. However, the entire # # meaning, too. Sankranti repre- Sir — We ought to have realised the fiasco of demonetisation that eate differences where none episode will be complete only # " sents a period of illumination, by now that an inclusive ethos is touched almost every citizen. should exist. It is precisely this when corrupt officials, politicians, peace, affluence and happiness. too deeply ingrained in Indian And yet, the reaction was more in that has fuelled people’s anger. builders and others are brought # - " ' Many melas (fairs) are held on minds. The Citizenship “hopeful anguish” than “fear.” The Government is yet to initiate under the law and punished. ## - this day, the most famous among Amendment Act (CAA) is being After all, the void created by cur- a dialogue. The state of the econ- M Pradyu # - # # - them being the Kumbh, which is seen in the perspective of the rency was not meant to differen- omy and employment has only Kannur held once in every 12 years. National Population Register tiate between people. That this added fuel to the fire. # 7 ! Jubel D’Cruz (NPR) and the National Register policy formulation could not R Narayanan "" 0 3 # # Mumbai of Citizens (NRC). There’s not deliver well is another matter. Navi Mumbai **%)*4>4&%E(:'5<4: !"!" %2 3 $ '# ",, 5-3' - ( !' $ ( ! " $ G - , # 5 " P G " # 5 H IG" $ 5 = L L " $" & & & & "" $ 3 6 3 6 .# "# "#$ $"! ! " # ./,,'DE " - DD # # # ' # "./,E'" # - ' #6 ./,0,F ., , ' 0/ # # G &4G&5 H % $ ) # 9"" # # 4"6G5 4# n the backdrop of the collection under the ,/5 # ./.D.I Goods and Services Tax (GST) not coming up #' - G&# Ito the expected level and the consequential # ' - - inability of the Central Government to meet its 4G.5 obligations towards compensation to the States as committed under the GST Compensation Act, 7 '"6G 2017 (it provides for compensation for five years "6G i.e. till 2021-22 to be calculated as the difference - '# between actual collection and the revenue it would ## G. 6 ' # have got with growth at four per cent over the 2015- "6G G. 16 level), the GST Council is undertaking a com- 3 prehensive review of the existing rate structure and , ' # G. - the implementation mechanism. - Meanwhile, a contentious issue that mandarins G. 2# # ' in the GST Council will need to urgently look at # relates to the treatment of the accumulated input tax credit which does not get automatically set off G& against output tax liability. At the core of the GST ## ' - # architecture is a feature that allows a producer/sup- plier to claim credit for the tax paid on inputs across 25# 1$7#6-#-2 G. # ' the value chain. This helps in eliminating the cas- 05$.4+ 4#7> " ' 6 cading effect of tax-on-tax, thereby reducing the 102 $- 1*0 : 46:5 - J cost of products to the consumer (the erstwhile dis- @=> 6#$7-1 "6G G pensation of central excise, value added tax 25# ".66#-2 er plants is imported as LNG (liquefied ther exacerbated by electricity duty while, the Government should take G. [VAT] and a host of local duties that were afflict- natural gas) attracts customs duty (CD) imposed by States for which no offset is steps to promptly release pending un- ed by the cascading effect). R#6$ 6*2# at 2.5 per cent. Imports of ammonia, available. We thus have an anomalous sit- availed input tax credit to fertiliser $ ' # 02*2.0A - G. 7 ' An anomalous situation may arise if the pro- phosphoric acid and sulphur — raw uation, whereby on one hand taxes paid manufacturers. The position in case of ducer/supplier does not have corresponding out- *-+ =6-1 materials and intermediates used in on inputs (primarily gas and electricity) telecom service providers, however, is dif- # # # put tax liability to provide for setting off accumu- #4#"26"2> manufacture of non-urea or phosphate used in the manufacture of urea are high ferent. -G. lated credit on input purchase. Indeed, this anom- .-+#6 102 and potash fertilisers — attract CD at five with a built-in cascading effect. On the Here, the output tax liability is ; - G& - : G& alous situation is currently faced by telecom com- *-+ 2*? =$25 *2 per cent (on rock phosphate, it is 2.5 per other hand, the tax liability on the out- insufficient to fully offset the input tax 7 I/' # panies. They have made heavy investment in aug- 97# !#6 "#-2 # cent). On the other hand, ammonia and put (urea) is low not just because of much mainly because of the rock bottom tar- % 6 6 ' G menting the infrastructure (needed to provide 25# 0*# *0 $- phosphoric acid attract GST at 18 per lower GST at five per cent but also due iff due to “unhealthy” and “destructive” ./'///.'/// # //'/// speed and quality services) even as there has been 9#6240#60 cent and 12 per cent respectively (initial- to lower MRP. Likewise, tax paid on raw competition (this was not mandated # ././ G ' ./ a steep drop in their revenue; courtesy tariff plum- 102 $- *$-* ly, GST on phosphoric acid was 18 per materials and intermediates (mainly under any law or Government regula- - meting to record lows due to the intense compe- cent but was brought down to 12 per cent ammonia and phosphoric acid) used in tion) unlike fertilisers where as matter of tition after the entry of Reliance Jio in 2016. *-+ !5$0!5$6" in January 2018). the making of non-urea fertilisers is high conscious policy, the selling price is con- 8 ! *"+ 05$.4+ ' - This increased accumulated credit on their The process of fertiliser manufacture even as tax on output is low for the same trolled at a low level to make them afford- input purchases and reduced their GST payments *40$ =# =6$.152 is power-intensive. Electricity generation reason. This inevitably results in unab- able to farmers. Nevertheless, it can’t be # - - to the Government (primarily due to low tariff/sale +$- 96$ 25# and distribution is also excluded from the sorbed input tax credit as output tax falls denied that service providers have D # ' - price), thereby reducing and eliminating the #?02-1 ambit of the GST. However, it is exempt far short of input tax. incurred excess input tax credit and not ! , G& " potential for automatic offsetting of dues. They are :C !#6 "#-2 *-+ from levy of Central VAT (CENVAT) Considering the adverse effect of refunding the same will go against the ,FF - G& unable to claim refund of the taxes paid on inputs :E !#6 "#-2 and VAT. Further, under the reimbursing the unabsorbed input tax very spirit of GST. # 'G.# as the GST law mandates corresponding output 6#0!#"27#4> Constitution, entry 53 in the State list of credit on tax collection, particularly at the The pending excess input tax cred- tax liability which is insufficient. The unabsorbed the Seventh Schedule empowers States current juncture when the exchequer is it of 36,000 crore may be refunded to 2$ 97# !#6 "#-2 # # input tax credit works out to a whopping 36,000 $- #*"5 to impose tax (or electricity duty) on sale facing a huge shortfall, the Government the telecom service providers. With tar- ' G. crore. The situation in fertilisers is broadly simi- and consumption of electricity, except may not be inclined to sanction it (in case iff being increased by all service providers " # %8&" lar. Given the critical role of fertilisers in ensur- when consumed by the Union of telecom service providers) or delay as and even the sector regulator Telecom ././ # - ' - ing food security, the Government controls their Government or the Railways. for fertiliser manufacturers. But, the Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) maximum retail price (MRP) at a low level, unre- Let us now look at the implications adverse impact of rejection/delayed contemplating a floor tariff (to bring a lated to the cost of production and distribution and of the above tax structure for input tax release on service providers/manufactur- semblance of discipline to the market) # reimburses the excess as subsidy to the manufac- credit. First, gas being virtually outside ers can’t be brushed aside either. What hopefully, such a situation may not %8&" ) ! G. turers. In case of urea, the MRP is 25 per cent to GST, gas companies viz. Oil and Natural then is the way forward? unfold in the future. " ,. 50 per cent of the cost whereas in the case of non- Gas Corporation (ONGC), Oil India Ideally, the Government should In fertilisers with the changes in tax ' ,. urea fertilisers, the price is 70 per cent to 75 per Limited (OIL) and so on, can’t claim maintain tax on the final product at the structure — as proposed — and move ./ ) cent. The balance amount is given to farmers as credit for the taxes paid on their purchase same rate (or higher) than the rate on raw towards direct benefit transfer (DBT) of ' G. subsidy. of inputs, consumables and equipment materials/intermediates so that there is fertiliser subsidy which will lift the Coming to the tax structure, fertilisers attract leading to higher price. The price of gas sufficient tax liability on the former to MRP, the output tax liability will be in - # 6 - five per cent GST, even as the tax on raw materi- to fertiliser producers (delivered at fac- enable automatic neutralisation of the tax sync with tax paid on inputs. > 4KG&5 als and intermediates used in their manufacture tory gate) further increases due to VAT paid on the latter. Notwithstanding the above, situa- is much higher. Natural gas (it accounts for about (which in some states such as UP is 21 Accordingly, it should levy GST on tions of mismatch can’t entirely be ruled # 3 '" 90 per cent of urea production) is at present “zero per cent) besides a host of local levies gas (by removing the current zero rate out. To address these, the Government ,// G. rated” under GST implying that it continues to wherever applicable. status) and bring electricity under GST should consider amending GST law to G ' G.# # attract excise duty (ED) and VAT as in the past. In case of electricity — it being out- and tax both at five per cent, i.e. the same allow refund of excess input tax credit - # Even as ED on gas is “nil”, VAT varies from State side GST and exempt from levy of CEN- as on fertilisers. GST on ammonia and and eventually match the output tax lia- G& ## # # to State with a low five per cent in Rajasthan and VAT and VAT — this results in a situa- phosphoric acid should also be brought bility. Meanwhile, it should intensify 21 per cent in Uttar Pradesh. Besides, some States tion whereby power companies don’t get down from the existing 18 per cent and efforts (including use of data analytics) 'G& # impose local levies. For example, the “purchase tax” any credit for taxes paid on inputs viz. 12 per cent respectively to five per cent to identify and crack down on fake claims in Gujarat applies to that portion of inputs used equipment, stores and so on, used in its on each. While making these changes of input tax credit to shore up its revenue. !"#$%& for making urea that is sold outside the State. generation and distribution. This results may take some time (particularly in view (The writer is a New Delhi-based pol- Nearly, one-third of gas consumption by fertilis- in higher cost of electricity, that is fur- of resistance from States), in the mean- icy analyst.) 8
be carried forward into their adult- maternal mortality. In this scenario, it the first trimester and only four per and makes the working of the compre- importance of family care and com- necessity. A collaborative structure hood. Therefore, the World Health becomes important for us to under- cent receive ante-natal check-ups; hensive plans redundant. munity-based interventions, RKSK among the stakeholders that allows Organisation’s (WHO’s) global strat- stand the extent to which teenage preg- showing that not only is there a pat- Schemes like the Rashtriya Bal has been driven with involvement of customisation for a localised approach egy for investing in their health aims nancies can impact the health and tern of early pregnancies but there is Swasthya Karyakram, that envisions counselling, outreach programmes, to region-specific problems, needs to to operate on three targets: Survive, nutrition of our future children, as a setback in access to necessary ser- child health screening and early inter- and adolescent-friendly health centres. be adopted for better service delivery. Thrive and Transform. These targets multiple studies have associated them vices. There are situations where only vention services, will only prove fruit- There must be an acceptance It is not just a technical reform that of putting an end to preventable to child undernutrition. The possibil- 11 per cent boys and three per cent ful when there is a convergence about the naivete and the challenges is required but a societal and political deaths, ensuring health and well- ity of teenage mothers being anaemic, girls aged between 15 to 24 report pre- amongst schools, social welfare depart- of physical, cognitive, emotional and one as well, as the issues are not just being and expanding an enabling underweight and having lesser access marital sex. ments, State health departments and societal change adolescents face while limited to structure of the policy but 5"$!# )! environment, although tangible, to healthcare services is also largely An early intervention at the incep- Integrated Child Development growing up. Family care plays a huge to the structure of the institutions for- require a concerted effort on behalf of reported. tion of adolescence, that would steer Services to ensure that children con- part in easing the process of growth mulating and implementing them as nvesting in adolescent health is both the Government as well as civil In order to address the concerns the progress of their health, should be tinue to receive their benefits even after and streamlining the strides that need well. essential to realising multiple sus- society. of adolescents, it is important that they carried forward to when they conceive, leaving school. to be made towards their education Recently, Madhya Pradesh and Itainable development goals set by Challenges concerning adoles- are represented in the dialogue. All subsequently to when they bear a child On the other hand, Rashtriya and health. Furthermore, the longer Uttar Pradesh launched the Saathi and the UN, to be achieved by 2030. Given cent health in India are ever-mount- stakeholders must engage in educat- at an age that is physically and emo- Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK), girls stay in schools, the lesser the Super Saathi programmes, which seek that India houses more than 253 mil- ing and have been progressing at an ing the population about the subject tionally mature. The high incidences has made huge strides in working chances of early marriages and to empower rural women and com- lion adolescents, it is pertinent to alarming rate. Currently, it is among of sexual and reproductive health of substance abuse, deaths due to Non- towards adolescent health as it has unplanned pregnancies. This will have munities through increased access to realise that neglecting their health may the top ten countries with the largest education and highlight the multi-sec- Communicable Diseases and compli- expanded its scope by reaching out to a positive impact on the female labour digital resources that help in generat- have enormous implications for the burden of teenage pregnancies, with toral approach that will be necessary cations during pregnancies and child- boys and girls, both married and force and the economy in the long run. ing awareness about health, education universal healthcare agenda. A recent nearly 27 per cent girls reported get- for improving adolescent health and birth, are all reasons for us to re-eval- unmarried, in rural as well as urban There is an urgency with which we and sanitation. By this measure, our Observer Research Foundation and ting married before the age of 18 and breaking inter-generational cycles of uate our approach. areas, and those who drop out of must combat the deeply-entrenched focus needs to be on curtailing the cur- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare 31 per cent giving birth by 18. Teenage disease. Although there is a significant Investing in adolescent health school and belong to marginalised evils of child marriage, the conflict of rent trends of teenage pregnancies, workshop discussed the possibility of pregnancies at the current rate have change in the nutritional status in has to be taken up with a multi-sec- groups. The programme also incorpo- medical termination of pregnancies revamping schemes like RKSK to scaling up best practices to address become a national emergency that terms of being overweight and obese toral and multi-dimensional approach. rates nutrition, violence, substance and the haste to prove fertility. allow suitable customisation in order issues of adolescent sexual and repro- needs to be addressed as a priority. between NFHS 3 and 4, with a rela- The notion of the policymakers, exe- abuse/misuse, mental health and non- Putting in place a system that to resolve ground-level region-specif- ductive health amidst the continued Issues of inequality, lack of choices, tive change of 75 per cent among girls cutioners and civil society working in communicable diseases. The preven- manages knowledge about menstru- ic problems and make adolescent challenges of early marriage, teenage interpersonal and sexual violence and and 182 per cent among boys, we still silos and their comfort zones needs to tive, curative and routine check-ups at ation, substance misuse, while equal- health services accessible outside med- pregnancies and high incidences of child marriages are all underlying fac- need to echo its importance. In terms be trumped as it nullifies the process the primary level and general care at ly reaching out to boy and girls, with ical centres. maternal mortality. It is understood tors that have contributed towards of teenage pregnancies, only 57 per and progress that comes out of shar- secondary and tertiary levels, are pro- family and community-based inter- (The writer is Junior Fellow with that an adolescent’s health status will teenage pregnancies and incidents of cent adolescents get registered during ing knowledge and communicating, vided under the scheme. Realising the ventions has now become an absolute ORF’s Health Initiative) !"!" %4
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