)*          RNI Regn. No. CHHENG/2012/42718, Postal Reg. No. - RYP DN/34/2013-2015 +&,"#+ -./0 -+./ + ""+, #+012 (   .7.'791 66- .1+ <4'6 . ,79.: N'1#'O .- ,169' 5148'7 9 6+79 +#,-48 74.+ 7#.68.1 '4 A BC 9 $.#.13D 19 .'. 1.,79 1.9#1 ,7.95.17 68 .+.39.  841 9 6 9,9' 671.# 7361.. <9$.38.. , ("12 ++3 => ?.   6 ! .&&( %$ $445% 6   !"#  !$%& "' ! (()            %  68 6+79 deputed a fact-finding team to investigate the cases of violence. week after North-east In a statement, the NHRC said # %  ADelhi’s deadly communal it had asked its Director violence, the situation in riot- General (Investigation) to &  hit areas was peaceful but depute its fact-finding team tense on Sunday as four more for on-spot enquiries into vio- Q  bodies were fished out from lation of human rights during drains in Gokalpuri and Shiv the violence.   R  Vihar and heavy police Soon after taking charge on deployment continued. Saturday, acting Delhi Police    %  -4+-.'. However, it is yet to be ascer- chief SN Shrivastava said his tained if they are linked to the priority is to restore peace and undreds of saffron-clad riots and authorities have not ensure communal harmony in HBJP workers raised “goli updated the death toll figure. the national Capital, which maaro…” slogans as they The heavy presence of earlier this week witnessed its marched down close to the police in the riot-hit areas has worst riots in three decades. venue of a massive rally where helped in bolstering the confi- Shrivastava was given the addi- Home Minister Amit Shah dence of residents and more tional charge of Delhi Police insisted that “come what may” people and vehicles were seen Commissioner with effect from Citizenship Amendment Act on main roads on Sunday. Sunday, following Amulya (CAA) will not be taken back. In parts of North-east      Patnaik’s retirement. Scores of workers marched                 !   Delhi, people complained of Police have also started a down the streets towards " #    cash crunch as several bank police official said. While 38 deaths were injured patients since February massive outreach programme Saheed Minar, the venue of the branches and ATMs have Till Saturday, at least 42 reported at the GTB Hospital, 24, of which many were criti- and senior officers have been rally, repeatedly shouting “desh Act. “It is a law to provide cit- ing to an end. Accusing the remained closed in the after- people had lost their lives and three were reported at Lok cal. “At present, only 40 victims meeting and speaking with ke gaddaron ko … goli maaro izenship and not to take it away Chief Minister of “patronising” math of the riots. more than 200 people have sus- Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital. At remain at the hospital. Only 32 people from every communi- …” (shoot country’s traitors from any citizen. Mamata Didi rioters who torched trains to Delhi Police officials said tained serious injuries. the GTB Hospital, 28 victims victims with minor injuries ty in order to build confidence dead)” even as a helpless police is misleading the Muslim oppose the controversial law in they have registered 254 FIRs Moreover, properties worth were brought dead while 10 were brought to the hospital in among them. force stood a mute spectator in brothers and sisters that their December last year, he said the including 41 cases pertaining to crores of rupees have been died during treatment. the last 24 hours. Out of the 32 Art of Living founder Sri absence of appropriate orders. citizenship will be taken away Chief Minister instigated the Arms Act and have arrested damaged in the communal The GTB Hospital offi- injured people that were admit- Sri Ravi Shankar visited some On his arrival at the airport if this Act is implemented,” said violence and added “in spite of 903 people till now. The police violence. cials said it has admitted 271 ted at the GTB hospital, 31 peo- of the riots-hit areas, including on Sunday, Shah faced protest Shah. Linking violent anti- all her opposition the CAA said they did not receive any ple have been discharged while Brahmapuri, and consoled the by the Opposition parties CAA protests in Bengal and the cannot be stopped. It will not PCR calls of rioting in the last one injured person is being people disturbed by the worst whose cadres greeted him with Delhi riots that claimed 42 be taken back.” four days. The two Special treated,”, an official of the hos- violence in three decades in “go back” slogans. Hundreds of lives, Shah accused the Chief Playing to the refugee Investigation Teams (SITs) of pital said. Delhi. protesters of the Left Front and Minister for letting her State to gallery, Shah said lakhs of the Crime Branch have fast Meanwhile, acting Delhi The situation in Shiv Vihar, Congress, holding black flags burn for several days in the Hindus, particularly those from tracked the probe and more Police Commissioner SN among the worst hit areas, is yet and anti-CAA posters, demon- wake of the enactment of the the Matua (SC) community people could be arrested, said Shrivastava visited DCP Amit to improve. Even days after the strated outside gate number 1 CAA. who had to leave Bangladesh in sources. Sharma, undergoing treatment violence, the lanes in the area of the Netaji Subhash Chandra He said from today our the face of persecution will now “Autopsy on bodies of 32 of at a hospital in Patparganj after were deserted and almost all Bose International Airport. workers will take part in “aar get Indian citizenship. “Mamata 38 bodies has been performed suffering serious injuries dur- the houses locked. In Addressing a well-attend- noy annyay” drive which will Didi is trying to stall the effort and bodies have been handed ing the violence in Gokulpuri Mustafabad, people were wary ed BJP rally, Shah attacked be a door-to-door outreach of the Central Government to over to the family members. on February 24. of stepping out of their homes Chief Minister Mamata campaign to tell the people provide citizenship to the Three of the six bodies still Also, the National Human in narrow bylanes. Banerjee for misleading the about our strong resolve that Matuas. remain unidentified,” a senior Rights Commission (NHRC) Continued on Page 4 people on the controversial Bengal’s days of woes are com- Continued on Page 4  %  68 6+79 he second half of the TBudget session of           Parliament is expected to start      P  on stormy note on Monday   O  with the Opposition parties set            to raise the issue of riots in       Delhi and demand the resig-             nation of Union Home       Minister Amit Shah for the “failure” to control the law and    %  68 6+79     order in the Capital.   The Congress, Trinamool   ! "  n an ambitious project aimed   "#  !    Congress, NCP, CPI(M), CPI Iat boosting self reliance in #    ! leaders told media on Sunday   "  defence manufacturing, the    !      O that they will give adjournment public sector aerospace major $ % &   notice demanding the debate !"   Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd  '      on the communal violence (HAL) has worked out a % ( )*  %  which resulted in 42 deaths and % *   68 6+79 detailed proposal to produce copter and that initial plan is to ! + %     lapses from police machinery. attack helicopter in the 10-12 produce at least 500 units with   &   Reacting to Opposition’s well as the CPI and the CPI(M) ne suspected case of coro- tonne category by 2027, five the first prototype set to be  ! (  (     demand, Arjun Ram Meghwal, will also raise the issue in the Onavirus was reported at the years ahead of the Indian Air ready by 2023 if the    %  ! (   Minister of State for Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Mumbai airport on Sunday Force’s planned phase out of the Government gives the go ahead &   Parliamentary Affairs said the and demand answers from the even as the outbreaks spread to bulk of the helicopter fleet to the project this year. Government is always for Home Minister. “Left parties new territory globally, comprising the Mi-17 by 2032. “One major project we are  $ debates and it should not be will strengthen the voice of the will seal it border with The proposed copters focusing on is to produce a     used to “play politics.” Opposition in Parliament and Afghanistan, and New Delhi when realised will be compa- helicopter in 10 to 12 tonnes %&'   , !   Congress’ leader in Lok raise the issue of Delhi violence got in touch with Iran to facil- rable to medium-lift military category to replace the Mi-17  -   Sabha Adhir Ranjan in both the Houses. I have itate the return of Indians who $        $%&'(           choppers like the Apache of the fleet. It will be an indigenous        .  Chowdhury said the party will given a notice under Rule 267 are struck in that virus-hit )          $%&*   )   ( ', Boeing. platform with the potential to        strongly raise the issue of riot- to the Rajya Sabha chairman to country.    %$ Chairman and Managing manufacture around 500 heli- %  & L!  M torn Delhi and ask why the vio- discuss the issue in the House,” Reports said since January Director of HAL R Madhavan copters. It will stop import of          !  lence happened. “The CPI(M) MP KK Ragesh said. 19, a total of 59,654 passengers Affairs V Muraleedharan said Muraleedharan said in a tweet. said the aim of the mega pro- more than 4 lakh crore worth    1$O Government has miserably CPI general secretary D have been screened at the on Sunday. Iran’s Health Ministry on ject is to stop import of military of platforms from foreign '2  3 ! ( failed to maintain law and Raja said his party will demand Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Indian envoy to Iran Sunday reported 11 new deaths helicopters, worth over 4 lakh countries,” he told the agency.  4&&  5 . order. I think there must be that Shah answer for the “inac- Mumbai International Airport Gaddam Dharmendra had on from the novel coronavirus crore, for the three services in A fund of Rs 9,600 crore  (    some sort of a nexus between tion” of the Delhi Police, which for suspected exposure to the Saturday said the authorities are and 385 infections, bringing the the coming years. will be required for formulation  the rioters and a section of comes under the Ministry of coronavirus (Covid-19). One of working to facilitate the return overall number of lives lost to This is the biggest project of the design and production of police officials which resulted Home Affairs . “The violence the passengers is believed to be of Indians who wish to go back 54 and cases to 978. undertaken by the HAL after the prototype of the helicopter,      in gruesome killings and arson in Delhi will be raised in infected with the virus. home and discussions “In view of COVID19, development of the Tejas mil- the HAL chief said.     that has tarnished our image Parliament by our party. We Meanwhile, reports said were underway with working to facilitate the return itary aircraft and the move is in “If we get the approval in #""(') . *   across the globe. This is a mat- will also reach out to other par- that the Modi Government authorities. of those Indians wishing to go line with Prime Minister 2020, we will be able to man-   (   ! ter of serious concern for us,” ties on the issue. We will also has received reports of Indians “Received reports on back home. Discussions under- Narendra Modi’s vision to min- ufacture the first chopper by &&     he said. raise the issue of hate speech- including fishermen stuck in Indians including fishermen way with concerned authorities imise dependence on import of 2027. We are looking at pro-  O 6  -   7 “We will continue to raise es by BJP leaders and question Iran due to the coronavirus from Kerala stuck in Iran due to work out arrangements. Will military hardware. ducing at least 500 helicopters         the demand of Shah’s resigna- why they have not been arrest- outbreak and the embassy in to #COVID19. Our Embassy in keep you updated (sic),” In an interview to news of the variant. It will be a major %        tion on the floor of the House,” ed. Also, Shah needs to be held Tehran is in touch with local Tehran is making an assess- Dharmendra had said on agency PTI, Madhavan said the project we are working on,” ( (  ( Chowdhury added. accountable,” he said. authorities on the issue, ment of the situation and is in Twitter. HAL has completed the pre- Madhavan said. &        Trinamool Congress as Continued on Page 4 Minister of State for External touch with local authorities,” Continued on Page 4 liminary design of the heli- Continued on Page 4

  68 6+79 retrofitting of Janpath hotel is the Central Public Works necessary as the structure is Department of the Union he sprawling Indira Gandhi over 50-year-old. Housing and Urban Affairs TNational Centre for the The renovation will start Ministry, a new Parliament Arts (IGNCA) is likely to be from March and it will com- building near the existing cir- shifted to Janpath hotel by July plete in July. cular heritage structure has 2020 as part of the Central In the first phase, four out been proposed. Vista Redevelopment project. of 10 blocks or buildings have The triangular building Top sources said that been proposed to be con- will have a Lok Sabha chamber Central Works Board of the structed. Out of these three big enough to accommodate Ministry of Housing and Urban blocks will come up in the plot 900 MPs usually, in view of any Affairs has approved a proposal of IGNCA. future increase in the number to renovate and upgrade hotel The IGNCA, established in of seats, and up to about 1,300 Janpath, so IGNCA building the memory of former Prime for a joint session of could be shifted under the Minister Indira Gandhi, may be Sinha, set up last year to work Udyog Bhawan, Nirman Parliament. Central Vista Redevelopment shifted near Jamnagar House, out details such as land usage Bhawan, Shashtri Bhawan, vice Two MPs would share one project. where around 15-acre-land and how the hotel property president residence, are likely 1,300 mm bench, which would Janpath is currently shot currently used by hutments are should be used, has approved to be demolished to pave the be enough to accommodate a down awaiting renovation. likely to be removed. the proposal to develop the 4.4- way for the construction of a third MP during a joint session. IGNCA will be eventually Ahmedabad-based firm acre-plot as GPOA. common Central Secretariat to The triangular building shifted to Jamnagar House plot HCP Design Planning and Central Vista. 74 crore. The hotel spread in Accommodation (GPOA). According to the proposed house various Ministries. would have a spire, though the by 2024. Management is designing the The total cost of renovation 4.4-acre-plot will be used as A committee of secretaries plan, the IGNCA and other As a part of the ambitious material it would be made of is According to sources, the master-plan for the new of Janpath is estimated to be General Pool Official headed by cabinet secretary PK nine buildings, including plan, being executed through yet to be decided.     

  7    .33      , !   ! & D , %  68 6+79     $ &  $     &O %  68 6+79 other locations. sion by chance, which gave the purview of the previous BJP he top body of Rashtriya   E F + Over the last few days, the information about the scam has Government. TSwayamsevak Sangh (RSS)    &      he Congress has claimed Income Tax department con- been put forth in front of the The Congress leader stat- which is to meet at Bengaluru Tthat the Central force was ducted searches at multiple media by Congress party lead- ed that the Congress on March 15 will, among &  being used for “political locations linked to ers like Bhupesh Baghel, T S Government of Chhattisgarh other key issues, deliberate on vendetta” like other investiga- Chhattisgarh government offi- Singh Deo and myself," he will take this as a "sign of communal violence in Delhi 1     (     & tive agencies. cials and others. The searches said. encouragement" that their own and protests against the new Describing CRPF-assisted are being conducted to probe Surjewala said that the investigations are proceeding in citizenship (Amendment ) Act    &     Income Tax raids in charges of alleged tax evasion raids have been conducted in a the right direction. during its three-day discus- %    Chhattisgarh as retaliatory by these people who include clandestine, cloak-and -dagger a "We as a country have sions. measure to the State the family of a senior IAS offi- manner without any informa- become familiar with these The annual meet of ‘Akhil Government’s probe into cer in Chief Minister Bhupesh tion being provided to the tactics over the alast five and a Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha ‘, '           alleged corruption under the Baghel-led Congress govern- state government or to the half years. the highest decision making      &&     previous BJP Government , ment in the state. state police. But Modi-Shah duo, in body of RSS, will be held from    the Congress on Sunday "The Modi Government’s "This deployment of a their zeal and desperation to March 15-17 in Karnataka’s claimed that the central force so called alliance with central central force to assist in moti- intimidate, have done the Capital. The Pratinidhi Sabha Top Sangh leader Bhaiyyaji of one community in the and increasing the number of was being used for "political investigative agencies in non- vated income tax raids under- nation a huge disservice," meets once a year to take stock Joshi had this week sought beginning has been widely training camps, will be dis- vendetta" like other investiga- BJP states has now been mines almost every line of Dr alleged Surjewala. of RSS work and lays down Government to establish peace criticized by the opposition cussed in the meeting. More tive agencies. extended to include the CRPF," Ambedkar’s caveat and the "When we say that plan for future and also navi- in the violence hit areas of parties. than 1,400 representatives will Describing it as "coercive Surjewala said. constitutional scheme laid out Constitution is a federal gates its cadre on the ideo- North-East Delhi. Over 44 RSS Delhi unit may be participate from all over the and insecure centrism", He said that the way in in List II of the Seventh Constitution, it means that the logical and policy issues . people have been killed in the asked to come up with a country and also pass resolu- Congress chief spokesperson which I-T department and the Schedule of the Constitution Provinces are as sovereign as BJP president JP Nadda communal violence in the detailed presentation on the tions on important issues. Randeep Surjewala alleged that CRPF carried out raids in the which places law and order the Centre. In other words, bar- and the party’s general secre- national Capital with ruling violence, according to sources RSS representatives work- "fly-by-night midnight opera- last four days, without inform- under the state’s exclusive ring the provisions which per- tary (organisation) BL BJP and opposition parties The annual meet will also ing in its different outfits have tions" and "cover-up corrup- ing the police and the democ- remit," he said. mit the Centre to override any Santhosh are expected to attend blaming each other for insti- discuss ways to take Sangh to been invited to share their tion" raids were being con- ratic government in the state, Surjewala also said that it legislation that may be passed this all-important meeting. gating it by high-pitch provoca- areas and people where it is yet experiences and inputs on dif- ducted in Chhattisgarh to shows that the Centre is run- is not surprising that the raids by the Provinces, which have a The recent violence in tive statements. to reach. ferent issues of national impor- destabilise the ongoing inves- ning scared. began only after the econom- plenary authority Delhi, protests against the CAA `Inaction` by the Delhi Planning for expansion tance. Representatives from tigations in corruption cases. "A PDS scam worth Rs ic offences wing of the state to make any law for the are among the issues likely to police which is under control and consolidation of the RSS women wing ‘Rashtra The I-T teams were assist- 36,000 crore broke out in government launched an inves- peace, order and good govern- dominate the brain-storming of union home ministry and Sangh’s work, including Sevika Samiti’ will also attend ed by central paramilitary force Chhattisgarh earlier. The diary tigation into alleged acts of cor- ment of that Province," the sessions during the meeting. also seen to be partial in favour improving Shakhas (centres) the three-day meet. in the raids in Raipur and a few that came into police posses- ruption that took place under Congress leader said. *+ *+ + *  ( % #    

%  68 6+79 Jharkhand, West Odisha and in some subdivisions from south- one or two parts of West ern India from March to May (        )  he India Meteorological Bengal. Places like Gaya, 2020. Moreover, the seasonal TDepartment (IMD) on Aurangabad, Patna, average mean temperatures are %  68 6+79 to reform the ‘colonial admin- Sunday said a formation of Daltonganj, Ranchi, expected to remain more than istrative paradigm bequeathed fresh western disturbance is Jamshedpur, etc, are likely to 1°C over few northwestern ongress MP Manish Tewari to us by our erstwhile Imperial likely to affect Western witness rainfall activities," it parts like Himachal Pradesh, Chas written to Lok Sabha Masters’," he said. Himalayan Region from the said. Uttarakhand and west Speaker Om Birla suggesting Tewari said that govern- night of March 3, and plains of "Due to increased moisture Rajasthan, resulting in a swel- constitution of a permanent ments irrespective of their northwest India from March 4. levels along with the formation tering summer this year. Parliamentary Standing political colour have been This will cause widespread of a Cyclonic Circulation over Average seasonal tempera- Committee on comprehensive "completely inept" at taking any rainfall and snowfall accom- Sub Himalayan tures of 1°C above normal can administrative reforms. Tewari initiative in this regard. panies by thunderstorm and and adjoining region, the rain- mean a rise of several degrees has suggested that the com- "The government may lightning over western fall activities may increase in above normal on extremely mittee be headed by Lok Sabha strongly resist any such pro- Himalayan region and over the northeastern states for the hot days of the season. For tem- Speaker individually or jointly examine reports of both the posal to set up a permanent Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, next few days. These weather peratures, the normal value is with Rajya Sabha Chairperson previous administrative reform Standing Committee. There is Delhi and Uttar Pradesh months in the last decade. degrees Celsius. activities are expected to be considered to be the average of The senior Congress leader commissions, take evidence, also a huge vested interest, between March 5 and 7. In February 2020, the aver- According to Skymet more in Arunachal Pradesh as temperature values from 1981 said that time has come for hold broad-based consulta- ably led by the bureaucracy, The IMD said that due to age minimum temperature has Weather, a private weather compared to other states of to 2010. As per the IMD fore- Parliament to set up a perma- tions with the experts and that will go to any length to convergence in easterlies, light been recorded at 14.2 degrees broadcaster, an upper Trough Northeast India," Skymet said. cast, both maximum and min- nent Standing Committee on come up with detailed recom- stymie any such effort," Tewari rain at isolated places with Celsius. In the past 10 years, which currently lies over Meanwhile, the IMD’s early imum temperatures are likely the issue of comprehensive mendations as to how India’s said. isolated thunderstorm likely according to the IMD data, the Madhya Pradesh would be early trends suggest, the sum- to remain 0.5 to 1°C warmer Administrative Reforms, which archaic administrative system The second half of the over Southern Karnataka and highest minimum average tem- shifting east/northeastwards mer months of March, April than the long period average should be headed by the can be holistically overhauled," Budget Session of Parliament Kerala next 2 days. perature was recorded in 2010 and start affecting the eastern and May are likely to be across western coast, northwest Speaker or jointly with the he stated in the letter will begin on Monday. According to the IMD, the at 14.7 degrees Celsius. parts of the country. "Thus, warmer than normal across as well as central parts of India Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. "Despite two The Government is expect- soaring mercury levels are In 2013 the minimum during the next 24 to 36 hours, most parts of India. Forecasts this summer. Only parts of "It should consist of 30 Administrative Reforms ed to push its legislative agen- touching new highs as average temperature was a light spell of rain and thun- suggest warmer-than-normal eastern and southeastern states members just like any other Commissions set up earlier, da that includes Bills relating to February 2020 is recorded as recorded at 14.3 degrees dershowers along with gusty temperatures over northwest, are likely to witness near-nor- Standing Committee of there has been no attempt or surrogacy and resolution of dis- one of the hottest second Celsius, and in 2016 it was 14.6 winds may occur in Bihar, west and central India and mal temperatures. Parliament with the mandate to effort in the past seven decades puted tax. ,      '  )    .(/!

    of success stories and Battalion for Resolute 68 6+79 Maheshwari has sought a sys- Action (CoBRA) has in tematic study of the achieve- the last few months he CRPF, the lead counter- ments to bring out the USP of recorded significant Tterrorism and anti-insur- the paramilitary, identify inad- achievements against gency paramilitary, has equacies, if any and measures the ultra-Left extremists, embarked on a mission to pre- to overcome them. officials said. pare a doctrine of the Force and "The findings should be Maheshwari has codify a Unique selling propo- documented, duly codified, so served in the CRPF as sition so as to capitalise on the that we can capitalize on Inspector General strengths and replicate the strengths of the organization (Operations) in the past same for repetition of success- and replicate then to pave the and the move is aimed es in different operational areas. way for repetition of such suc- at streamlining the pro- Director General of cess stories," reads an order fessional approach to Central Reserve Police Force issued by the CRPF recently. minimize casualties in (CRPF) AP Maheshwari has The CRPF is not only the the operations, officials articulated to senior officials of largest paramilitary with over said. /  the Force that there is a need to 300 operational battalions but As part of the pro- prepare strategies and set agen- also the oldest Force in the posed overhaul, there is a need revitalize organisational struc- paramilitary forces will chalk da for the next year and where country and is engaged in to revive the existing training ture and combat preparedness. out their own operational the paramilitary wants to see counter-terror operations in procedure by incorporating The last vision document strategies but the same is often itself in the next two-three Jammu and Kashmir and anti- the latest equipment and tech- of the CRPF was prepared ignored by the CRPF officers years. insurgency roles in the nology. over two-decades back. on the ground and they follow While operating in multi- Northeast as also fighting the The aim of the formulating While Standard Operating the deployment strategy of the /        &0     #          )( ,    ple operational theatres, the Naxals in the affected States. the doctrine of the Force is to Procedure of the Union Home local police, a senior paramil-   %$ CRPF has recorded a fair share The anti-Naxal force Combat enhance operational synergy, Ministry has laid down that the itary official said.   ,     & ! G   %  68 6+79

apidly changing climate    Rand inadequate urban plan- ning is causing water insecuri- %  68 6+79 appeals and review petitions in ty in the Hindu Kush the case. Himalayan (HKH) region, a he Supreme Court will on Advocate A P Singh said new study said on Sunday. TMonday consider ‘in cham- he has filed an application in The study covering 13 ber’ the curative plea of one of the apex court registry on towns across four countries - the four death row convicts, Sunday seeking an oral hearing Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pawan Kumar Gupta, in the on Pawan’s curative plea in the Pakistan shows that the inter- 2012 Nirbhaya gang rape and open court. linkages of water availability, murder case, a day before their Pawan is the last death row water supply systems, rapid scheduled hanging. convict in the case to move the urbanisation, and consequent region. towns, projections show that The curative petition will top court with his curative increase in water demand (both The study said that com- more than 50 per cent of the be considered by a bench of plea, the final legal remedy daily and seasonal) are leading munities are coping through population will be living in justices NV Ramana, Arun available to a person. to increasing water insecurity short-term strategies such as cities by 2050," it said. Mishra, RF Nariman, R A 23-year-old physiother- in towns in the HKH region. groundwater extraction, which This will naturally place Banumathi and Ashok apy intern, who came to be "This water insecurity is is proving to be unsustainable. tremendous stress on water Bhushan in the chamber of known as ‘Nirbhaya’ (fearless), attributed to poor water gov- "There is a lack of long- availability, it added. Justice Ramana. was gang raped and savagely ernance, lack of urban plan- term strategies for water sus- The study shows that the Pawan, 25, against whom assaulted in a moving bus in ning, poor tourism manage- tainability in urban centres, and water demand-supply gap in the death warrant has been South Delhi on December 16, ment during peak season, and this requires the special atten- eight of the surveyed towns is issued for execution on March 2012. She died a fortnight later. climate-related risks and chal- tion of planners and local gov- 20-70 per cent. 3 along with the three other Pawan and another con- lenges," said the study con- ernments," it said. "There is a high depen- condemned prisoners, has vict Akshay Singh also moved ducted by the International "Urbanisation has pulled dence on springs (ranging claimed juvenility to seek com- a trial court here on Saturday Centre for Integrated Mountain people from rural areas in the between 50 and 100 per cent) mutation of sentence to life seeking stay on the execution Development (ICIMOD), an HKH region into nearby urban for water supply in three- imprisonment. of death warrants. The trial intergovernmental knowledge centres. Although only three fourths of the urban areas. He has filed the curative court has issued notice to Tihar and learning centre, based in per cent of the total HKH Under current trends, the plea through lawyer A P Singh Jail authorities on the pleas, /  &0      (   12    )  (%  !  1(2

Kathmandu, working on behalf population lives in larger cities demand-supply gap may dou- seeking setting aside of the apex directing the officials to file   (   1((2    &    )       &  !  of the people of the HKH and 8 per cent in smaller ble by 2050," the study said. court’s earlier verdicts on their response by Monday.   %$ chhattisgarh 03 RAIPUR | MONDAY | MARCH 2, 2020 ‘Federalism demolished, democracy President Kovind arrives attacked’, says Congress on IT raids on a two-day visit to state IT raids issue to be raised in Parliament Parliament, which is reconvening on Monday after a recess of 19 days in the Budget session is expected to be stormy. The Opposition is set to raise the issue of IT raids in Chhattisgarh. The Congress will also raise the issue of income tax raids in Chhattisgarh, which it says happened without the knowledge of the state government and under the CRPF protection. The Congress on Sunday alleged the government steps were "coercive". purview of the previous BJP Government. The persons targeted are also chosen to send a clear message to the State Leadership." said n STAFF REPORTER nation," alleged Congress chief minister Raman Singh. Surjewala alleged that the Surjewala. STAFF REPORTER n RAIPUR other senior officials received high tea, the official said. NEW DELHI/RAIPUR spokesperson Randeep Those prominent figures Income Tax raids in "We as a country, which the President at the Swami On Monday, Kovind will Surjewala. who have been raided include Chhattisgarh were carried have become familiar with resident Ram Nath Kovind he Congress has launched an Vivekanand airport in the address the convocation The meticulously planned former chief secretary Vivek out after the Bhupesh Baghel these tactics over the last five Parrived here on Sunday on state capital Raipur after he ceremony of the Guru Tattack on the Union raids began on February 27 Dhand, who is presently government launched an and a half years. But Modi- a two-day visit to arrived at around 11.30 am, a Ghasidas University in Government over Income Tax early hours and were contin- chairman of Real Estate investigation into irregulari- Shah duo, in their zeal and Chhattisgarh during which he government official informed. Bilaspur at 10 am. After the raids in Chhattisgarh for the past ued till date. Reports said that Regualtory Authority ties of the previous BJP desperation to intimidate, will take part in the convoca- Soon after his arrival, function, he will return to 4 days and termed it as about 300 officers are engaged (RERA), tainted IAS officer regime in the state. have done the Nation a huge tion ceremony of a central Kovind left for Bilaspur dis- Raipur and leave for Delhi "Coercive & Insecure Centrism". in the raids in which paramil- Anil Tuteja, Raipur mayor "Is this a Cover-up disservice," alleged Surjwala. university in Bilaspur. trict by helicopter. around noon. The Congress said itary CRPF troopers were Aijaz Dhebar, liquor baron Corruption exercise by "When we say that Governor Anusuiya The President will meet Multi-layered security Constitution has been tram- deployed at the raid sites Pappu Bhatia, former MLA Union BJP Govt? Can the Constitution is a Federal Uikey, Chief Minister Chief Justice and Justices of arrangements have been made pled, federalism demolished while state policemen were Gurumukh Singh Hora and Modi-Shah government Constitution, it means that Bhupesh Baghel, Chief the Chhattisgarh High Court for the President's visit, a and democracy attacked. entirely kept out. deputy secretary in CM’s sec- share the basis on which the Provinces are as sovereign Secretary R P Mandal and in Bilaspur in the evening over police official said. "Over the last four days, The raid was conducted retariat Saumya Chaurasia. these raids are being con- as the Centre. In other words, multiple raids on various loca- on bigwigs linked to the state Dhand, Tuteja, Chaurasia ducted?" asked Surjewala. barring the provisions which tions have been carried out by government. It began just a and others hold considerable "Unsurprisingly, and permit the Centre to override the Income Tax Department in day after Congress-ruled state clout in Chhattisgarh govern- most importantly, the raids any legislation that may be Chhattisgarh. Unfortunately, government’s Economic ment and speculation was rife have begun only after the passed by the Provinces, for the Modi Government, the Offences Wing (EOW) regis- in state capital Raipur that economic offences wing of which have a plenary authori- clumsy method, manner and tered an FIR against former raid was directly linked to the State Government ty to make any law for the Girl goes missing before timing of these raids have principal secretary Aman `political funding’ though IT launched an investigation peace, order and good gov- exposed their mal-intentions Singh, the long-time top asso- department has not made any into alleged acts of corrup- ernment of that Province," the and designs before the entire ciate of BJP leader and former statement so far. tion that took place under the congress leader reminded. convocation ceremony CGBSE exams Raman hits back at Cong from today STAFF REPORTER n RAIPUR RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh Board of JP national vice president and Secondary Education (CGBSE) main Bformer chief minister Raman annual examination for high and higher Singh strongly refuted the charges secondary school will commence from levelled against him by the AICC Monday, March 2, across the state. Spokesperson Randeep Singh As many as 3,92,068 candidates for Surjewala at a press conference high and 2,77,475 candidates for higher called in New Delhi on Sunday to secondary are appearing in the exami- condemn IT raids in the state. nation. ``It was the BJP, not the incum- CGBSE secretary Professor V. K bent government which initiated Goel while giving details said that a 38- probe into the Nagrik Aapurti page answer booklet will be provided Nigam (NAN) scam in for higher secondary school subjects of Chhattisgarh,’’ he said in a clear rebut mathematics and physics students while to Congress charges. for remaining subjects it will be 30 ``The Baghel government after pages. coming to power constituted a Additional to these answer books, Special Investigation Team (SIT) no other supplementary papers will not STAFF REPORTER n of the function. ister to bring her back safely. which has now took over the case be provided to the students. BILASPUR Parivesh Tiwari, Station Home Minister and the truth will come to fore soon,’’ He urged the students that keeping House Officer Civil Lines, told Tamradhwaj Sahu has assured he said. in view of specific number of pages, girl law student who was The Pioneer over phone that the family of all possible help. ``The raids were ‘normal routine they should answer the questions Achosen for gold medal at parents of the student, In a tweet the Home process’ in which locations of some accordingly so that they do not feel the convocation ceremony of Rameshwari Rao Maratha had Minister said “Chhattisgarh officials were raided. It is really shortage of pages. The rough work Guru Ghasidas Central lodged a complaint with police is always there to protect perplexing how come the should be done on the last page of University scheduled on police on Sunday. They our people. As soon as I got government becomes destabilised answer booklet. Later, they have to draw Monday, went missing which alleged that their daughter had information about the missing, when a few officials are raided”, the a cross line to cancel the page. created widespread anger in probably been abducted. I spoke to Bilaspur SP and BJP leader wondered. made during the raid,’’. said the state government by their He urged that students can take up public in state’s second most Meanwhile, brother of the ordered him to take necessary Raman further stated “Just wait Commenting on the allegation non-cooperating behaviour to the IT easy questions first and then tougher populous town. girl student also tweeted on steps to bring Chhattisgarh’s for a couple of days, IT officials will of attack on federal structure of the officials are themselves violating the questions if they want to score higher President Ram Nath the issue and sought help from daughter Rameshwari back provide all details and recovery government, the BJP leader further federal structure. marks. Kovind will be the chief guest chief minister and home min- home safely”. ‘Reading Campaign’ Mainpat hosts state-level bicycle race STAFF REPORTER n MAINPAT urguja district administra- soon in all the schools Stion organised a 30 km long state-level bicycle race STAFF REPORTER n Club will be activated for it. competition on Sunday as a RAIPUR All the teachers will be pro- part of Mainpat Mahotsav. vided ‘The Teacher App’ The event was held for the hhattisgarh government through which they will have is planning to launch first time with theme of envi- C to complete the reading based ronment conservation and ‘Reading Campaign’ soon in course work. all the schools from primary need to maintain fitness. Each teacher of state will District Panchayat deputy to higher secondary. be linked with telegram As part of it, a state-level chairman Rakesh Gupta, orientation workshop was through which different Deputy Superintendent of held for District Mission videos and study materials Police Chanchal Tiwari coordinators, assistant project will be shared, for which flagged off the race which officers, district programmers these will be uploaded on the began from Ghadi Chowk. It cash prize of `5000 as winner, Fourth place was won by ner, Ashok Xalxo runner up at Samagra Shiksha state website. concluded at Navapara Kala. Anusuiya Kanwar of Katghora Reena Patel of Katghora from Ambikapur, Rahul project office on Sunday. In each Primary School, Around 110 men and 14 area of Korba district stood (`1500) and fifth place Achala Kumar Singh of Pratappur To ensure better the available books will be female participated in the second and was given `3000 Tanwar winning `1000 as was third, Mithilesh of monitoring and implementa- classified in two categories. competition. and Durgeshwari also from cash prize. Ambikapur was fourth and tion, district and block-level identified. primary school, 5 educated Details of each book will be Elizabeth of Bagicha area Katghora bagged `2000 cash In male category, Pratappur’s Chola Ram nodal officers will be Additional to it in each women will be selected. Yuva uploaded on the website. of Jashpur district won the prize as she came third. Indelram Rajwade was win- Rajwade was fifth.     

 Q  %   8       3)         #4              $H-: 1  Jaipur: Twenty- ers taking %  $.#    #.9 your newly allotted homes”. one farmers, the Indore: Working president of State Housing Minister including five Samadhi. he Army has set up smart the Vishwa Hindu Parishad's s he released the names of Jitendra Awhad and Tourism women, buried We will Tclassrooms in a higher sec- Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, Ram Aerstwhile mill workers who Minister Aditya Thackeray themselves neck- continue ondary school in Bagga village Vilas Vedanti, on Sunday said have been allotted 3,894 flats were prominent among those deep in the to protest of Jammu & Kashmir's Reasi he felt that the basic structure constructed on closed mill present on the occasion. ground in till farm- under its Operation Goodwill of the Ram temple in Ayodhya lands, Maharashtra Chief The flats have been allotted Rajasthan's ers get initiative, a defence spokesper- would be ready before the Minister Uddhav Thackeray to 720 ex-workers of Bombay Nindar village on their son said on Sunday. 2024 general elections. on Sunday made a fervent Dyeing Mill, 2630 ex-workers Sunday to protest against the rights,” Nagendra Singh The school was identified He was speaking to appeal to them not to sell their of Bombay Dyeing Printing alleged land acquisition by the Shekhawata, a leader of the for renovation and technology- reporters here.”After the for- flats allocated to them and Mills and 544 ex-workers of Jaipur Development Authority Nindar Bachao Yuva Kisan aided learning as part of the mation of the (Ram temple) move out of Mumbai. Shrinivas Mills. The one-room- (JDA) for a housing project. Sangarsh Samiti, said. Army's effort to revive educa- trust by the Centre, the process Interacting with the flat hall-kitchen flats admeasure The farmers have been The farmers had also held tion standard in the far-flung of building the grand temple allottees chosen through com- 225 square feet with modern demanding that their lands be a protest in October 2017 areas, he said. has begun. I feel that the basic puterised draws at the state-run amenities. acquired as per the amended against the acquisition of more The spokesperson said the structure of the temple will be said. ated with the Ram temple Maharashtra Housing & Area Sunday’s was fourth draw Land Acquisition Act and com- than 1,300 bighas of land by the initiative include complete ren- built before the 2024 elec- Vedanti reiterated that as movement have not found a Development Authority through which flats were allot- pensation awarded according- JDA, with some of them even ovation of two classrooms into tions,” he said. per the wishes of the saints and place in the trust, he said that (MHADA) at Bandra in north- ted. Earlier on June 28, 2013, ly. going on a hunger strike. smart classrooms, improve- “Sixty-seven acres of land seers, the temple should be those against whom cases are west Mumbai, Uddhav said: the first lots were drawn They had first held the The JDA has taken pos- ment of aesthetic layout of the at the birth place of Lord Ram 1,111-feet high. being heard in courts and who “Instead of delivering a speech, through which 6,925 people 'Zameen Samadhi Satyagrah' in session of 600 bighas of land so school, procurement of books, campus will prove to be inad- “The Ram temple in had fought elections on party I would like to converse with were allotted flats. In the sec- January but called off the far and deposited Rs 60 crore stationery and a equate as it would be the Ayodhya should be so high that lines have been kept out you as a family head. My ond drawn held on June 9, protest after four days as the in a local court as compensa- printer. biggest temple in the world and it is visible in Islamabad, of it. request to you is: please do not 2016, 2634 people were allotted state government assured them tion. The villagers have refused The inauguration event of an international tourist place as Colombo and Kathmandu. In “I had myself fought Lok sell the flats allotted to you flats. In the third draw, anoth- that it would address their to accept the amount, claiming the renovated school on well,” he added. consonance with our wish, Sabha elections twice,” he through lots today and go out er 2634 people were allotted concerns within 50 days. that it is not commensurate Sunday was attended by Army “It is possible that the gov- Home Minister Amit Shah added.”The trust set up by the Mumbai. I have come here to flats. “So far MHADA has “Twenty-one farmers, with the prevailing market officials, the principal, teachers ernment-formed trust will have announced that the Ram tem- government is good. The peo- express my gratitude to you. allotted 11,976 flats. Of the total including five women, have rates. Around 10,000 houses and students, the spokesperson to acquire more land from ple will be sky-high,” he ple who represent it want to get You call me to your rightfully allottees, 8,490 are ex-mill taken Zameen Samadhi on will be built under the housing said adding a total of 268 stu- around for building the grand added. the temple built as per our allotted homes for a tea, I will workers,” a senior state gov- Sunday. The protest will esca- scheme which was announced dents and locals attended the temple,” the former BJP MP Asked why leaders associ- wish,” he added. PTI come. Please live happily at ernment official said. late on Monday with 51 farm- in January 2011. PTI event. )  & H ,           ! 1  !    4 #     )   2 . %   Kohima: Along with the rest   of the country, Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW) on Sunday organ-   ised a “Night-Walk campaign” to popularise and promote women safety. %  #.9 Thousands of women from different walks of life and tribes 26-year-old man was arrested participated in the night-walk Aon Sunday from suburban that started from TCP Gate Vikhroli in Mumbai for allegedly sex- junction. ually harassing a 20-year-old college The march culminated at student and her friend, police Old MLA Hostel junction.The said.According to a police official, the participants comprising accused Sachin Bhoye and his friends Rajamahendravaram(AP) she was playing behind Tezpur (Assam): Seven boys, them High School Leaving women, children and young have been harassing the complainant, : A 35-year-old Physically her house. who had appeared for their Certificate (HSLC) examinees, ladies from different Naga who is pursuing B.Com challenged man allegedly On hearing the girl's class 10 board examinations, were on the run, but were tribes and non-Naga inhabi- course at a night college, and her sexually assaulted a three- cries, her mother along were apprehended on Sunday nabbed by a police team. tants of the state capital held (9 :";<-+< -=M : important for wholesome friends. year-old girl, his neigh- with the neighbours for allegedly raping and killing The accused after the placards during the march. (3<+#+& <+*)#<";#"-*9(& <+ growth of societies across the The latest incident occurred on bour, while she was playing rushed to the spot and a 12-year-old girl in Assam's examination had called the Some placards read - “keep +@   < < N$M93&3" world, she said. February 27, when Bhoye rode his near her house at rescued the girl. Biswanath district, police said. victim to a house on the pre- your sisters/girl child/mothers < +: ;& 9#&+(9 '+@ &N The situation here is unlike motorcycle close to the woman and Pitapuram in East However, the accused The girl was hanged from text of organising a party and safe everywhere”, “mutual '-M+@ &#+'C& : '+# $#&C+ other parts of the country but her friend near the college, he said. Godavari district, police escaped, they added. a tree after the crime. raped her, the officer said. respect emits women safety” :<#; " ++N Naga women are in solidarity “As the women asked him to said on Sunday. The girl was immedi- The incident happened It is suspected that the girl and “safety isn't expensive, it's with the rest of the womenfolk behave, Bhoye threatened and abused The accused Kurada ately shifted to a private on Friday in Chakla village was raped on Friday night and priceless”. public places, the Chairperson who have been facing unwant- them,” the official added. Nageswara Rao is abscond- hospital. under the jurisdiction of then hanged from a tree in a The main objective of the of NSCW, Khrienuo Tache, ed situations, Tache said, while A case has been registered under ing, they said adding the A complaint was Gohpur police station, they forest near the house, the walk was to emphasize on safe said, while addressing the cam- replying to a query from media section 354 (Assault or criminal force incident occurred on lodged with the police on said. senior police officer said. environment for women at paigners. persons on whether the com- to woman with intent to outrage her Friday. Saturday night following A senior police officer The body was found on public places sans time and to The safety of women 24x7 mission feels Naga girls and modesty) of the Indian Penal Code The accused sexually which a case was registered told PTI that the culprits, all of Saturday. PTI normalise women's visibility in in public spaces is essential and women are not safe. PTI (IPC). assaulted the girl when under POCSO Act. PTI

raised the ‘goli maaro’ slogan or else the people of Bengal will under- 633 555 stand that her anti-CAA and anti- From Page 1 (extortion), Aar noy (no more) communal campaign is nothing “I want to ask Mamata Didi — appeasement, Aar noy (no more) but a sham. why are you hurting the interests infiltration, Aar noy (no more) vio- Though TMC MP and 4 of our refugees? You only care lence... this is the slogan that will Mamata Banerjee’s nephew about infiltrators. Refugees are change the Government of Abhishek Banerjee immediately being misled and scared... Hindus Bengal,” he said. tweeted, saying Bengal is better off 4 who fled our neighbouring coun- Launched along the lines of without bigotry and hatred that BJP Mumbai: Of the 125 people quarantined in tries who were raped and threat- Trinamool Congress’ Didi ke bolo is trying to spread, CPI(M) central Maharashtra so far for possible exposure to novel coro- ened and killed... should they not (tell it all to Didi) the BJP’s scheme committee member and Left navirus, 121 have tested negative and test reports of get citizenship?” he asked. will come with specific phone Legislature Party Leader Sujan four are awaited, the state health department said on Saying that the no one could numbers. Saying that the people of Chakrabarty said, “Mamata Sunday. stop the BJP from coming to the State had given chances to Banerjee had earlier said that she It said that so far as many as 61,939 travellers have power in Bengal in 2021, Shah said CPI(M), TMC, Shah asked for “one will not allow Shah to land in been screened for the infection at the Mumbai inter- Mamata used to say that the BJP chance for the BJP so that we can Kolkata. But we saw her gossiping national airport. will not get single seat and it will craft a golden Bengal for you.” with him at Bhubaneshwar. Now Passengers arriving from 12 Covid-19 affected even lose its deposit. But we got 18 The State was “lagging behind his men are raising communal slo- countries/regions- China, Hong Kong, Thailand, out of 42 seats. Now I want to in terms of development under gans in Kolkata and still the police Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Nepal, Indonesia, declare that the BJP will come to Mamata Banerjee’s leadership and are keeping silent. As the Chief Vietnam, Italy, Iran and Malaysia- are being screened power in 2021 by getting absolute ‘Sonar Bangla’ cannot be formed Minister and Home Minister we at the Mumbai airport. majority, he said. under her watch,” said Shah. expect her As many as 125 travellers who had arrived from He said from today our work- Meanwhile, Left and the to get these people arrested.” Covid- 19-affected areas were quarantined in hospi- ers will take part in Aar noy Congress leaders attacked the Chief Congress MLA Manoj tals across the state, but 121 of them tested negative Annyay drive which will be a Minister for allowing Shah to land Chakrabarty asked the for the virus as per the National Institute of Virology door-to-door outreach campaign in Kolkata saying “Mamata Government to “immediately iden- (NIV) reports, it said in a statement. to tell the people about our strong Banerjee has allowed a person tify these people from the video Those who are suspected to have contracted the resolve that Bengal’s days of woes whose hands are soaked in blood footages and arrest them or else deadly infection are sent to isolation facilities for are coming to an end… to land in Kolkata … and now we this communal germ will spread in treatment. However, no case of coronavirus infection           ) O,  P     *  )O  !  P        “Aar noy (no more) tolabaji want her to arrest these people who Bengal and burn it.” has come to light in the state so far, it added. PTI 0  / '       %$

From Page 1 “We have done the preliminary design. We have also been in dis-  cussion with the Air Force and the Navy. The 10-12 tonnes category 34555 will have two basic structures on similar platforms. The naval ver- From Page 1 emptying streets of tourists “Additional cases in the From Page 1 sion will have different dimension compared to the one for the Army and the Air Force,” Madhavan From Page 1 A PTI report from and workers, shaking United States are likely, but Congress’ senior revealed on the proposed project. “Though there is Islamabad said that Pakistan economies and rewriting the healthy individuals should be spokesperson and Rajya Sabha “Like the LCH (Light Combat police presence, ten- will close its border with realities of daily life. able to fully recover,” President MP Abhishek Singhvi also said Helicopter) we developed from the sion is lingering. Afghanistan for seven days Panic-buying of daily Donald Trump said at a the Congress will take up in Dhruv platform, a similar variant of 10- We celebrated Eid, from Monday to prevent the necessities emerged in Japan, Saturday briefing, where offi- Parliament in the strongest 12 tonnes category can be produced to Holi, Diwali togeth- spread of novel coronavirus, tourist sites across Asia, Europe cials announced heightened possible terms the “wanton make it an Apache equivalent,” said er. I have never faced the Interior Ministry said on and the Mideast were deserted, warnings about travel to certain destruction of democratic val- Madhavan. such a situation in Sunday, as the authorities and Governments closed regions of Italy and South ues” in this country with the The proposed helicopter will boast my life. ramped up efforts to stop the schools and banned big gath- Korea as well as a ban on trav- “active approbation” and, fre- of twin engines and will feature blade There is grief, new cases of infection. erings. Amusement parks have el to Iran. quently, the selective folding option for ship deck operations. mistrust, disbelief. The announcement came a been shuttered and concerts China on Sunday reported “Nelsonian blind eye” of the The planned roles for the helicopter Those who indulged day after two more people test- cancelled. a slight uptick in new cases over government. will be to support aerial assault, air in violence did not ed positive for the coronavirus In Paris, the Louvre the past 24 hours to 573, the “The manner and form of transport, combat logistics and combat belong to the in Pakistan, taking the total Museum closed its doors and first time in five days that protest inside or out of search and rescue. The chopper will area, they came from number of infections in the priests stopped placing sacra- number has exceeded 500. Parliament is a matter of coor- also have a superior weapons package outside,” said country to four. The border at mental bread in worshippers’ They remain almost entirely dinated strategy and not an as per the requirement of the stake- Mohammad Yunus, Chaman in Balochistan will mouths. confined to the hardest-hit issue to be publicly aired. But holders. 45.Yunus, who remain closed for seven days While the new coronavirus province of Hubei and its cap- the country is assured that we Once realised, the helicopter will owns a garment from March 2 “in order to pre- has extended its reach across ital, Wuhan. will discharge our responsibil- have a huge potential for export, store in Shiv vent the spread of coronavirus the world, geographic clusters South Korea reported 210 ities vigorously and without Madhavan said. The Russian-origin Mi- Vihar,on both sides of the border in of infections were emerging, additional cases and two more fear, despite extreme and ille- 17 helicopters are mainstay of the said he was saved by the best interest of the people with Iran, Italy and South deaths from the virus, raising gal intrusion and harassment,” IAF’s helicopter fleet and these are his Hindu neigh- of the brotherly countries,” Korea seeing rising cases. The its totals to 3,736 cases and 20 he said. planned to be phased out by 2032. bours during the vio- said a statement issued by the United States, meanwhile, fatalities. South Korea has con- The Budget Session of The HAL’s product range includes lence and they tore Ministry of Interior. recorded its first death, a man firmed the second largest num- Parliament commenced on a number of helicopter like the LCH the shop name- A report by news agency in his 50s in Washington who ber of virus infections outside January 31 and continued till (Light Combat Helicopter) and multi- board outside to save AP datelined Tokyo said infec- had underlying health condi- mainland China, with most of February 11. After a break, it role ALH (Advanced Light Helicopter) the business tions and deaths continued to tions but who hadn’t travelled the cases reported in the south- will again commence on March and Chetak choppers. from rioters. rise across the globe on Sunday, to any affected areas. eastern city of Daegu 2 and continue till April 3.      

   !R#$%#!&%'#$ Beijing: China’s coronavirus the virus. death toll climbed to 2,870 with The commission added " O 4    P 35 new deaths, while the con- that 851 people were still sus- 1 33 firmed cases increased to pected of being infected with   9:;  79,824 even as the infections the virus. 48 outside the worst-hit Hubei The commission said 89 Seoul: South Korean hit both consumption and province dropped with only 51,856 close contacts were still Johannesburg: South Africa to return home. President Moon Jae-in said on exports. “The Govt is now three positive cases reported in under medical observation. Islamabad: Pakistan will close coronavirus on both sides of the will evacuate 151 citizens from “We were asked by the pres- Sunday the Government was waging all-out responses after a single day, continuing the By the end of Saturday, 95 its border with Afghanistan border in the best interest of the the coronavirus-hit Chinese city ident to start the process imme- waging “all-out responses” to raising the crisis alert to the trend of slowdown in the rest confirmed cases including two for seven days from Monday to people of the brotherly coun- of Wuhan within days, the diately — (so) within seven to 10 contain the novel coronavirus highest level,” Moon said at an of the country, health officials deaths had been reported in prevent the spread of novel tries”, said a statement issued by health minister said Sunday, as days (the evacuation team) must as the country added 586 Independence Movement Day said on Sunday. Hong Kong, 10 confirmed coronavirus, the Interior the Ministry of Interior. the death toll and number of have completed the task,” Health more cases, taking the total to ceremony, scaled down due to The National Health cases in Macao and 39 in Ministry said on Sunday, as the “During the period, neces- infected worldwide mounted. Minister Zweli Mkhize said. 3,736. the outbreak. Commission (NHC) said it Taiwan, including one death. authorities ramped up efforts to sary measures will be taken to The virus has spread to The minister told a news South Korea has the “We will be able to over- received reports of 573 new Meanwhile, an official stop the new cases of infection. safeguard the health of the more than 60 countries around conference at the country’s largest national total in the come the COVID-19 out- confirmed cases of novel coro- report on Coronavirus Disease The announcement came a people of both countries,” it the globe — killing nearly 3,000 main OR Tambo International world outside China, after it break and revive our shrunk- navirus infection and 35 deaths 2019 (COVID-19) released day after two more people test- said. people and sickening 87,000 — airport that there were 201 saw a rapid surge in the num- en economy,” he added. on Saturday from the Chinese jointly by the World Health ed positive for the novel coro- The authorities have shut prompting the World Health South Africans in Wuhan — ber of coronavirus cases in Samsung Electronics sus- mainland. Organisation (WHO) and navirus in Pakistan, taking the schools in the southern Organization to raise its risk the epicentre of the virus, and recent days. Scores of events pended operations at its Among the deaths, 34 were China’s National Health total number of infections in the province of Sindh, including in assessment to its highest level. that “151 have indicated they have been cancelled or post- domestic smartphone plant in in Hubei and one in Henan Commission identified the country to four. Karachi where the first case was The decision to airlift the want to be repatriated”. poned over the contagion, Gumi — 200 kilometres (210 Province. infection as a zoonotic virus, The border at Chaman in reported, and the southwestern trapped South Africans came The group will be kept in while the country’s central miles) southeast of Seoul — COVID-19, which at one meaning an infectious disease Balochistan will remain closed province of Baluchistan, which after President Cyril Ramaphosa quarantine for 21 days at a site bank has warned of a minus on Saturday for the second time started spreading rapidly caused by bacteria, viruses, or for seven days from March 2 “in borders Iran, The Express on Thursday directed the repa- authorities have refused to growth in the first quarter for time in a week, after a third all over China, showed a parasites that spread from ani- order to prevent the spread of Tribune reported. PTI triation of those who have asked disclose. AFP the world’s 12th-largest econ- employee tested positive for declining trend with three new mals to humans. PTI omy, noting the epidemic will the virus. AFP confirmed cases reported out- side Hubei on Saturday. Of the 573 confirmed 738 cases, 570 were reported from /     )   7 Hubei and its capital Wuhan, Tehran: Iran’s health ministry shrines to to the public have ber of infections may also be which remained a battle raised on Sunday the nation- not been uniformly followed. much higher. Jahanpour said in Sydney: A 78-year-old man The couple were among ground for the virus ever since London: British health returned from abroad.” wide death toll from the new The shrine in Mashhad is his daily briefing that the num- evacuated from the coron- about 160 Australians evacu- it originated from there in authorities on Sunday Whitty said medical work- coronavirus to 54 as the num- among those that have ber of cases is “still inclining” avirus-stricken Diamond ated from the Diamond December last year. announced 12 more con- ers were still investigating the ber of infected cases jumped remained open. across Iran. Also on Sunday, Princess cruise liner in Japan Princess last month and they Meanwhile, 132 new sus- firmed cases of the new coro- cause of that one infection. overnight to 978 people. The new figures repre- Iran’s state broadcaster said all died at a Perth hospital on tested positive for the coron- pected cases were reported, it navirus, bringing the country’s Three of the new COVID- The ministry’s spokesman sent 11 more deaths than flights to the city of Rasht, the Sunday, becoming Australia’s avirus during their flight said, adding that the number of overall tally to 35. 19 patients were contacts of an Kianoush Jahanpour said new reported on Saturday and a capital of nothern Gilan first fatality from the disease, home. severe cases decreased to 7,365. The government’s chief existing patient. cases were confirmed in a whopping 385 new cases of province, had been suspended. officials said. They were immediately Among the 79,824 con- medical officer, Prof. Chris Of the remaining eight number of cities, including infections. The new numbers, It gave no reasons why. His 79-year-old wife was transferred to isolation units firmed cases, 2,870 people have Whitty, said one of the new new cases, six infected people Mashhad, which is home to however, bring down the per- The area of Gilan has some of also infected with the disease in the Perth hospital on died, 35,329 patients are still patients “had no relevant trav- had recently traveled from Italy Iran’s most important Shiite centage of deaths to infec- Iran’s highest number of infec- during the cruise and remains February 21 while the rest of being treated while 41,625 have el and it is not yet clear and two had arrived from Iran, shrine that attracts pilgrims tions from 20 per cent to tions after the capital, Tehran, in a Perth hospital, a spokes- the evacuees were quaran- been discharged after recovery. whether they contracted it both countries hard hit by the from across the region. around 5.5 per cent. Still, that and the holy city of Qom, the woman for the Western tined in a former miners’ However, some recovered directly or indirectly from an coronavirus that emerged late Calls by Iran’s civilian gov- is much higher than other epicenter of the virus out- Australian state health camp near the northern city patients are showing relapse of individual who had recently last year in central China. AP ernment to clerics to close such countries, suggesting the num- break in the country. AP department told AFP. of Darwin. AFP   #       Kuala Lumpur: Mahathir 112 votes needed for a simple and warned that UMNO lead- Mohamad called Sunday for an majority. Mahathir said Sunday ers including ex-Prime Minister urgent sitting of Malaysia’s that the palace had refused to Najib Razak, who is facing trial Parliament to contest the hear him out. on corruption charges, may get :;56< appointment of a former ally as He called for an urgent sit- off the hook. UMNO is the Virginia Beach (US): Bernie “The senator’s multi-gen- be paying off at a time when prime minister under a Malay- ting of the lower house of biggest party in Muhyiddin’s Sanders’ presidential campaign erational, multiracial working some rivals in a Democratic majority coalition that could fur- Parliament to test Muhyiddin’s new coalition. “The court may said Sunday that it raised more class coalition keeps fuelling his field that remains crowded may ther split the nation following claim of majority support. The find it embarrassing to take than USD 46.5 million in campaign for transformational struggle to raise money after the collapse of Mahathir’s mul- house is due to resume March 9, action against the government,” February, a show of financial change a few bucks at a time,” disappointing finishes in early tiracial reformist alliance. but Mahathir said it could be Mahathir said. strength after the Vermont sen- Sanders’ campaign manager states. Most other White House Muhyiddin Yassin, a sea- delayed. “People on our side may “We have seen this happen ator finished a distant second Faiz Shakir said in a state- hopefuls haven’t yet released soned politician who once be offered to be ministers. They before during Najib’s time when behind Joe Biden in South ment. He said that, of the more updated fundraising totals, but famously quipped that he is may be offered other things,” he he was able to manipulate the Carolina’s primary. than 2 million donations Massachusetts Sen. Malay first and Malaysian sec- said. “We feel we have 114, but court, change the charges and to Sanders’ team also received this month, more than Elizabeth Warren ond, was sworn in as the new after the actions taken by these a certain extent, influence the announced that it was making 1.4 million were from voters in announced Sunday that she leader at the palace Sunday               P    very rich and very powerful decision of the court. I believe if television ad buys in nine more Super Tuesday states. collected USD 29 million in after getting the support of sev-       <  " =     people, we may not have the the new government is installed states: Idaho, Michigan, The eye-popping haul fol- February — potentially soften- eral opposition parties. 114,” he said. now with Najib in it, this is what Mississippi, Missouri and lows an already impressive ing the blow of her fifth-place Among the supporters was on Monday, triggering its col- support of lawmakers and “So the test of the pudding is going to happen.” Washington, which vote on January that raised more than finish in South Carolina. the corruption-tainted United lapse. Mahathir resigned as named him the new leader. is in the eating; hold the Attorney General Tommy March 10, and Arizona, Florida, 25 million. Sanders’ campaign Both she and Sanders con- Malays National Organization, prime minister in protest of the But Mahathir’s camp has Parliament sitting now.” Thomas, who oversaw a slew Illinois and Ohio, which vote a immediately said it would use tinue to demonstrate the for- which was ousted by Mahathir’s plan that would bring UMNO contested that assertion, saying Already, two of the law- of graft charges against Najib, week later. The campaign said the January funds to purchase midable power of attracting Alliance of Hope in a historic back to power. After a week of the 94-year-old two-time prime makers among the 114 have his wife, Rosmah Mansor, and it is “currently on the air in 12 USD 5.5 million in television small, online donations nation- vote in 2018. political turmoil, the king said minister has the backing of 114 denied supporting Mahathir. several UMNO leaders after out of the 14 states” that are vot- and digital advertising in 10 wide and then can’t ask again Muhyiddin, 72, pulled his Saturday that he believed lawmakers to return as premier Mahathir said he felt his appointment by Mahathir, ing on Super Tuesday, in two Super Tuesday states. without the intervention of an Bersatu party out of the alliance Muhyiddin had the majority for a third time, surpassing the betrayed by Muhyiddin’s move has quit. AP days. That investment could still outside political group. AP 7>3 =8 4 = 4 Kabul: Afghanistan’s president terrorism performance, not to ence in the Afghan capital of 8 Beirut: Turkish forces of Idlib, where Turkey sup- on Sunday said he will not free progress in intra-Afghan talks. Kabul on Sunday that this was- Kastanies (Greece): The United said Sunday that by the previ- downed two Syrian war planes ports some rebel groups. (& thousands of Taliban prisoners Washington’s Peace Envoy, n’t a promise the United States Nations migration organization ous evening, its staff working over northwest Syria Sunday, Turkey’s defence ministry ahead of all-Afghan power- Zalmay Khalilzad, who served could make. He said the release said Sunday that at least 13,000 along the land border “had a war monitor said, after also reported the downings ! sharing talks set for next week, as America’s first ambassador to of any prisoners was a decision people were massed on Turkey’s observed at least 13,000 people Ankara announced a cross- Sunday, but did not confirm publicly disagreeing with a Afghanistan after the 2001 U.S. for his government to take and land border with Greece, after gathered at the formal border border military operation who was responsible. !&R timetable for a speedy prison- Invasion, spent the past 17 that he wasn’t ready to release Turkey officially declared its crossing points at Pazarkule there. “Two SU-24 regime planes er release laid out just a day ear- months running on-again, off- prisoners before the start of western borders were open to and Ipsala and multiple infor- The Syrian Observatory that were attacking our aircraft +- lier in a US-Taliban peace again talks with the Taliban to negotiations. migrants and refugees hoping to mal border crossings, in groups for Human Rights, a Britain- have been downed,” it said. Damascus: The Syrian military agreement. hammer out the agreement. “The request has been head into the European Union. of between several dozen and based monitor, said the two Youssef Hammoud, a Sunday threatened to down President Ashraf Ghani’s The US-Taliban deal signed made by the United States for Turkish President Recep more than 3,000.” Sukhoi jets fell in regime- spokesman for the National any aircraft over northwest comments pointed to the first on Saturday in the Middle the release of prisoners and it Tayyip Erdogan’s decision to Greek authorities fired tear held territory, likely after Syrian Army — a pro-Turkish Syria after Turkish drone hitch in implementing the frag- Eastern State of Qatar envisions can be part of the negotiations open his country’s borders with gas and stun grenades through being targeted by Turkish F- group — said two Sukhoi 24 strikes killed dozens of pro- ile deal, which is aimed at end- the release of up to 5,000 but it cannot be a precondition,” Europe made good on a long- Saturday to prevent repeated 16 planes. planes were brought down, regime forces in the embattled ing America’s longest war after Taliban prisoners by the Afghan Ghani said. standing threat to let refugees attempts by a crowd of more Syrian state news agency also without saying who was region. “Syrian military high more than 18 years and getting government ahead of talks The US-Taliban deal is seen into the continent. His than 4,000 people massed at the SANA said Turkish forces responsible. command announces the clo- rival Afghan factions to agree between Afghan factions meant as a historic opportunity to announcement marked a dra- border crossing in Kastanies to “targeted” two of its planes The downings come after sure of the airspace for planes on their country’s future. to begin March 10 in the extricate the United States from matic departure from the cur- cross, and fought a cat-and- over northwest Syria. Turkey announced a military and any drone above north- Still, the US has said a Norwegian capital of Oslo. The Afghanistan, a nation con- rent policy and an apparent mouse game with groups cut- Since December, Russia- operation in northwest Syria western Syria and especially planned US troop withdrawal Taliban would release up to vulsed by conflict since the attempt to pressure Europe. ting holes in a border fence backed regime forces have after regime air strikes on above the Idlib region,” state over the next 14 months is 1,000 prisoners. Soviet invasion in December The UN’s International along the border to crawl led a military offensive against Thursday killed over 30 news agency SANA reported a linked to the Taliban’s counter- Ghani told a news confer- 1979. AP Organization for Migration through. AP the last major rebel stronghold Turkish soldiers. AFP military source as saying. AFP 18= Kabul: As US troops prepare to believes “the arrival of the while they now allow girls to as the second sex and sup- as she recounted life as a young leave Afghanistan, opening the Taliban will affect women’s right attend primary school in some pressed” if the militants gain mother, alone at home with her door for a potential Taliban to work, freedom and inde- areas, occasional reports of flog- ground. But in Kandahar, the children when the Sunni-fun- comeback, women across the pendence”. “There has been no gings and even the public ston- birthplace of the Taliban, damentalist Taliban arrived in war-torn country are nervous change in their mentality,” the ing of women persist, fuelling schoolgirl Parwana Hussaini her village. about losing their hard-won 30-year-old told AFP. Passionate fears they will turn back the struck a rare optimistic note. “I still vividly remember the freedoms in the pursuit of about her career, Rezai said she clock if they return to power. “I am not worried. Who are day... They massacred all the peace. was pessimistic about her Many ordinary Afghans are the Taliban? They are our broth- men, and then came to my The militants were in power prospects if the insurgents struggling to balance their desire ers,” the 17-year-old told AFP. house,” the 40-year-old said, too for around five years until the return to government, even in for peace with their dread of the “We are all Afghans and frightened to give her full name. US invasion of 2001. They ruled a truncated capacity. insurgents. want peace.” The militants threatened Afghanistan with an iron fist “Looking at their history, I “Every family here is griev- Furthermore, she added: to behead her then three- that turned women into virtu- feel less hopeful... I believe the ing because they have lost their “The young generation has year-old daughter, she told al prisoners under a strict inter- situation will get harder for children, sons, husbands, broth- changed, and will not allow the AFP from her home in central pretation of sharia law. working women like me,” she ers in the war,” government offi- Taliban to enforce their old Bamiyan province. The fami- The Taliban’s fall trans- said. In the run-up to the US cial Torpekay Shinwari told ideology upon us.” ly survived and fled to formed women’s lives, much deal, the militants made a vague AFP in eastern Nangarhar For those who bore the Pakistan, but her husband was more so in urban areas like Under the Taliban, women if peace comes and the Taliban home, I will not be able to sup- commitment to respect women’s province, which witnessed fierce brunt of the insurgents’ merci- disabled and traumatised by Kabul than in conservative rural were barred from seeking edu- stop killing our people.” “But if port my family,” she said. rights in line with “Islamic val- battles between the Taliban and less rule, however, there is little the brutal beatings he suffered. Afghanistan. cation or work -- rights that the Taliban come back to “There are thousands of ues”, prompting warnings from the Islamic State group’s doubt that a Taliban comeback “To this day, when the word But across the country, Afghan female professionals power... With their old mental- women like me in Afghanistan, activists that the pledge was Afghanistan affiliate. will bring anything other than ‘Taliban’ comes up, he starts women remain wary of the are fiercely protective of today. ity, it is a matter of concern for we are all worried.” mere lip service and open to The 46-year-old said she a repeat of “dark and painful crying,” she said. “Everybody insurgents, desperate to see an In the western city of Herat, me,” the divorced mother of Akrimi’s anxieties are broad interpretation. was praying for peace, but was memories”. Factory worker wants peace, but not if the end to the violence, but fearful saleswoman Setara Akrimi, 32, three added. echoed by Kabul-based veteri- The Taliban control large increasingly concerned that Uzra, from the mainly Shiite Taliban returns. I don’t want of paying a heavy price. told AFP: “I will be very happy “If they tell me to sit at narian Tahera Rezai, who swathes of Afghanistan and “women would be looked upon Hazara ethnic minority, sobbed this so-called peace.” AFP          !( I&  K'     I&I ../+01.--02 - ? 444  # #  ,  "#      4     ! ,4<9L  %   (  2O     1      3 S #            &          (     !          )        #    S                "               &          " #            "       "      !"#       "     #   &     "     he outbreak of Coronavirus that S "  #  ## "(% # has stymied economic activity  # "#   #  #    1#  across China and the rest of the world, including neighbouring      "        ( Southeast Asia, has gradually !   #     #    beenT brought under control, at least in   1"#   S ##  1 #  Wuhan, its epicentre. The viral outbreak, now termed as “COVID-19” by the World              1   Health Organisation (WHO), has dis-                rupted manufacturing supply chains across         S" "    #  the world, crippled tourism and trade industries and sharply reduced consump- #    .  ) 45 %    tion of oil, gas and coal as economic activ-               '  ity has come to a shuddering halt. Weirdly    1 "# #        enough, this may not be a bad thing indeed. However, there are a couple of threads that       "6      have emerged due to the spread of this 3 % / $         1 virus. It relates to the way China has tack-   S #      #  led COVID-19 back home. This will be worth exploring.   1      7        Its initial response was actually praise-        "  #     worthy. Once the Chinese Central leader- #    #6   "  O  "   ship was made aware of the ramifications and the impact of this virus on its popu-      #   * 9  -  !    lation, it acted speedily and in a way that .          , #  only a nation-State with such a centralised     #   * # 1 command structure can do. Information            !  spread was controlled, medical workers and the armed forces mobilised in a way that        "      "   frankly only China, which counts among   * #     "      #" the world’s largest nations, can do. Back in tain the outbreak? Is China hid- malafide intentions. Well, dur- Government that almost         "       " #   India, if we were to face such a situation, ing something? The Chinese ing the Cold War, the nobody, with the exception of one can only imagine television anchors authorities claim not to be Americans and the Soviets lied Pakistan Prime Minister Imran            "    going hammer and tongs against the pan- hiding anything but then, why with malafide intentions. But Khan, trusts China. One sus-           #    elists. Political parties, too, would not desist is everyone talking about the that’s another story for anoth- pects that in private, even he is                from giving a communal angle to the viral COVID-19 outbreak? People in 9' 8. .#95 er day. Politicians and bureau- skeptical of the Chinese stance. outbreak. The speed at which it construct- India and across the world crats lie more often than not to What does this say about                 &  ed hospitals and quarantine centres in the believe that China is hiding '4 66 748 cover up their incompetence Chinese President Xi Jinping      "    #     #    city of Wuhan and central Hubei province something. Is it true? '76 ,7966 and ineptitude. and China, a country that #            is noteworthy. Videos, purportedly The problem with lies, as aspires to stand next to the US That said, the second issue is one that emerging from China, showed 54<616' almost everyone knows, is that as a superpower? Forget other     #   "#         the Chinese leadership ought to be con- how authorities over there are #6+3 the web just gets bigger and Governments, citizens in other         1 #   #  cerned about. Almost no nation on the forcibly detaining people and bigger. But when matters of countries have lost faith in  "        & 0      planet trusted the statements/information putting them into detention 6' 9' public health and safety are China, a trend that seems to be coming out from China about the epidem- camps. The Chinese authorities ...41 involved, at least a degree of accelerating over the past few           "      ic. Nor did anyone believe the statistics put were ham-fisted in the way truth will be of help even if years. The Communist Party of ## 6    out by it. Such fuss about a viral fever that they dealt with Li Wenliang, the 4 . #+9, being economical with the China (CPC) ought to intro- '        #        has a low fatality rate. According to offi- doctor who first warned about truth is essential to maintain spect why this is the case and cial data, Coronavirus infected less than a the possibility of an outbreak 16+.'94 public order. It was, therefore, how the COVID-19 outbreak 1          ! # #  hundred thousand people in the four and ultimately died of the new 4 69<6 almost amusing to see how the has made matters worse on the             :-!3;" weeks it was around. Xinhua, the official coronavirus. Some bloggers, 6<6 . .,,6 Chinese Government sudden- trust front.   "  ""# #  "   press agency of the People’s Republic of too, have been documenting ly sent its Ambassadors on a There are lessons for other China, put these statistics on Twitter. But life in the worst-hit provinces. '4 9 41.'94 public relations offensive even Governments as well, including            &  it likely failed to see the irony of using a Supposed presentations by as access to information was India, because “trust” is impor-  # "          social network banned in China. More peo- Chinese conglomerates have 8. 16'19,'6 restricted not only for foreign tant. Whether one likes the    #          ple have died from the common flu in the been leaked into the wild, 4' 4+3 41 correspondents but also for its Press or not, engagement with  #  0 #     " "      US in the past year than have officially died which claim that the real num- own journalists. both the local and global media from the COVID-19 virus in China and the ber of deaths is many multiples 41695 Of course, coming back to is vital. We have moved ahead      & $       rest of the world. of the official numbers, which ,411646' the first point, the Chinese from an age of information to     "           Going by the average toll of 400 at the last count stood at #' .+4 41 Government must be applaud- that of affirmation. It is impor-     "#   #   #  deaths per day, in the past month alone, around 2,500 and the number ed for its initial response to the tant that this changes soon. more people must have died on Indian of confirmed cases may possi- 9' 48 outbreak, once they realised the Otherwise, we run the risk of         #      roads. As far as official statistics released bly be in millions. seriousness of it all, even if few a complete and total break- . 9   .#,     # by China, the infection and fatality rates are Here is the thing: All $4#1.+9' Governments across the world down in “trust” with gover- +     #   '     " lower than previous major outbreaks, Governments lie — whether it have the necessary information nance across the world, this even other flu outbreaks in the past that is the Chinese or the about it, officially at least. But contagion having being started    *      have emerged such as SARS. Americans and even our own. even with a new public rela- by a real-life one. So why this panic and a near war-like Lies are propagated to cover up tions outreach, it should be (The writer is Managing emergency in cities across China to con- incompetence than to hide apparent to the Chinese Editor, The Pioneer) 1!3      =8 8    8  &   9!   '(    .!   '   (  ( ! 5@  (      ! !  9  5  &        &    2(   %     ( & !  9 :   %      O! &               &    ( &! & !     !     S   &   ( 9   &        .!   '    O     &         9   (  &   &  !  &                  (')< +++:( +: <+(' ;&(<  %< +#- '&   :3&#<9'       K.   K1   K '& K7         !  "#         $     "             !     % # "          &       due processes of screening, iso-    lation, tracing and followed up      "   rigorously. Thus, we could pre-     #    Sir — In times when the BJP, one  !    % L,   M vent the spread of the virus. All

   #         ' of the ruling alliance partners in E ( )AF '  5     affected nations must follow the Bihar, is treading cautiously and '&!    &&     , & guidelines of the World Health               keeping an eye over the fast- . . E,..F          Organisation to prevent further   # #       changing political developments !     !          spread of the virus and also limit  ()  "   *     "# # in the State, Bihar Chief Minister     % && !    &(    the death toll. Nitish Kumar’s meeting with !  (      &( &  Sweta Sankrityan   ! $       Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)    (  &    Noida      +   "     S leader Tejashwi Yadav on the         !  5       , - "     sidelines of the ongoing Budget   &   &   &      Session twice within a week   ! (    !    9             must have triggered jitters in the !   2      &  *  #      party. '     & !     Sir — Even if for a minute we - .           # But then, in its singular pur-   & !     &!  !   believe that there is merit in the    #   *     /  suit of electoral Ashwamedha !   & !     !!   &&O Government’s argument that Yagna (horse sacrifice), the BJP    &  ( !     (  % ! &  %  (   Justice S Muralidhar’s transfer  "    #      may not be inclined to introspect.     %  !            !    %       was routine and that the   #           In its journey thus far, it has rid- (      &    7%  ( !  &      President’s approval was sought   #   # *    den roughshod over institutions     ( &           !     %      &  ! a month back, one fails to and ignored the innate inclusive        %   &(     &( 4      & %   understand why did it have to  "  #             ethos of a nation with hoary tra- & (  LM &      !      (     issue a late-night notification, 0   #    #     #  # ditions. It has never known to be  %    (   !   ( !   &( especially when the judge was in  #   any different. '   (  !  % !O & %;3 '(' the midst of a hearing? There After cutting a very sorry  %    &&%  !    appeared to be no urgency. The   #        figure in Maharashtra, where its timing of the Government’s &         0  &   # oldest ally snapped ties with it, decision has raised apprehen- #  #     * #    the BJP was decimated yet again ent as chalk and cheese, could      countries such as South Korea, sions of bias, amounting to in Delhi, thanks to its overbear- merge in the west, can the east Italy and Iran among others due “obstruction of justice.”     1   "#     ing attitude and pure disdain for be an exception? More so when to the lax screening and isolation Anurag Sangar   #           opponents and allies alike. Now, the BJP worships rigidity in the Sir — This refers to the editori- methods followed by these Via email !#      $   2&   it faces a similar situation in way it does politics? al, “Markets get the flu” nations. India, where three cases Bihar. If the Shiv Sena and the R Narayanan (February 29). The Coronavirus were reported from Kerala, could    )) # .       Congress, two parties as differ- Navi Mumbai spread rapidly outside China, in sail the tide because we followed " && <+&(:#('

'%#"( !%) & =A      1        " 84B4           <  1   1   )   "       %         # " #     "      '  S     0    "            "  "         /      "           <      1                    * !     #     # % # "   S  ublic spending on healthcare in the country &          9  is among the lowest in the world at just a lit-          "    Ptle over one per cent of the Gross Domestic /   "   

     Product (GDP). Hence, the healthcare system is   29  *  #      beset with various problems that include shortage          !    of workforce, infrastructure and dismal quality and       "       availability of services.  #       &    #  Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a set of measures to stimulate and boost #  6    6  '    the healthcare sector as an industry in the Union    " # "  "    " Budget, 2020-21 and allocated 69,000 crore for it,           which also includes 6,400 crore for the Ayushman       1   Bharat-Prime Minister Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-               PMJAY). In the last Budget, the appropriation was            62,659 crore. Though there has been an increase P    Q            in the allotment, the fact remains that it is quite insignificant when adjusted to inflation. Moreover,  :          # #    ; &          69,000 crore amounts to barely one per cent of the '7616 9 . 916         GDP — a far cry from the National Health 66 41 '76 Policy’s much-talked about target of increasing the    #   "  " "    54<616' health budget to 2.5 per cent of the GDP by 2025. '4 '16 4   "    *   "  There is quite a slack in the pace of increase in              1H 9 .9, the budgetary allocations for healthcare and will 69,.+           result in India finding it difficult to achieve some    *        of its objectives, like reducing infant mortality. India ,96,6 . "     ranks 12 out of the 52 lower-middle income coun- 69,.+  #         tries with a high infant mortality rate. Even though 166.1,7%     #       P  Q there has been a gradual increase in allocation, the 879,7 89++ dismal percentage of the GDP spent on healthcare .<6 '76 8.3 ance scheme’s budgetary allocation for this ence park in the country with Special healthcare that translates into wellness of !  "       P S Q - "#  P Q P SQ"1   is a concern, and will remain so for a long time, 41 5148'7 year is the same as last year, i.e. 6,400 Economic Zone approval. However, dur- citizens. The Finance Minister proposed unless the Government makes some drastic changes crore. So are the allocations for the ing the last eight years no progress has a viability gap funding window for setting "         # . 14516 in the future. 4 99564# scheme this year sufficient to make AB- been made to start research units like in up hospitals which is a good move.           However, Mission Indradhanush, covering 12 PMJAY a success? There is a possibility the Biopolis in Singapore. But, this is not The Budget also declared that the  #             '6,74+453 new diseases including five new vaccines, is defi- 9 .9'94% that the payments would be delayed, lead- due to the lack of talent in the country. generic medicine retail outlets Jan  nitely a boon as it will provide the people of the ing to insurance companies not being a Many attempts are being hindered by the Aushadhi stores would be available '  #    "#       country the much-needed relief and care. 6,9.+ part of it actively. Currently, over 20,000 attitude of financial institutions such as through expansion to every district.  O  " "1      " Setting up of hospitals on the Public Private 14<994 hospitals are empanelled in this scheme. public sector banks and so on. Hence, Apart from medicines, these stores in par-     # ' "   Partnership (PPP) model, along with medical col- 74#+ 6 Many hospitals, especially in smaller loans for these intuitions should be at par ticular would also stock up on more sur-      #  #       # leges to address the shortage of doctors and open- .6 #61 '76 towns, are yet to be covered. The plan to with NABARD rates or the Government gical necessities. Currently the Jan       #    "    ing up DNB and FNB certificate courses is a step N.-6 9 99.O set up 150,000 health and wellness cen- should give grants rather than taking the Aushadhi stores sell 154 surgical instru-      #    0   in the right direction. Large hospitals running 99'9.'9<6 41 tres by 2022 and fund them through the entrepreneurs to Debts Recovery ments, which will now be expanded to Residency programmes will also provide a train- budgetary allocation for AB-PMJAY Tribunals, the National Company Law about 300. This will result in a positive     .# .,'#195% ing platform for medical professionals. 879,7 89++ seems to be insufficient in regards to Tribunal and so on. Also, medical research outcome for both SME pharma manufac- /  6   0  1 9   # However, private hospitals which venture into achieving this initiative. In order to should be identified separately rather than turers and small domestic medical devices '"  #   "          9 '#1 PPP projects should be assured of all help by the ,4'19#'6 '4 address the shortage of hospital beds and clubbing it with commercial ventures. makers. While a lot of schemes and poli- #  S        #  Government and reimbursement for patients treat- enhance healthcare accessibility through While healthcare services are on the cies have been initiated, there are no clear     9  ' /    #  ed in them must be done within a month of the 99. 6,495 PPP, innovative business models will be negative list of the Goods and Services Tax roadmaps to see these through till the end.

#    % 0         /        treatment/completion. This is because long delays . 14'1#61 crucial. Also, cognizance about preven- (GST) for provision of services, the basic Proper channels and information centres /              #  in reimbursement will affect the volume of work 9 69,.+ tive healthcare and the habit of routine input costs of creating such services have should be set up, where potential bene-  #  :1     #  ;  done by hospitals and will not encourage private '6,74+453 screening and monitoring could really had an upward tax implication with GST ficiaries can seek details and make % # "     "# #    hospitals to come forward and join this genuine . 94<.'94 reduce the liability from the entire ecosys- and hence increased the overall consumer informed decisions. A system or a special       #  "   attempt to help the needy. .,14 '76 tem. cost of such services, with the inability of task force should be set-up to monitor With 2020 being celebrated as the International 5+46 Even in the present economic sce- healthcare services to offset such costs each scheme. A robust feedback mecha-             Year of the Nurse and the Midwife by the World nario, India imports over 70 per cent of through input credit. Clarification in this nism from the masses about the same  6    "  #      Health Organisation (WHO), the Finance Minister’s its medical devices, with a fourth of them regard would have ideally balanced the would also help in their realisation and  1     announcement of bridge courses for nurses and coming from the USA. While the inten- cost outcome and kept rising costs in improvement. &  P  Q  #  other healthcare professionals to match internation- tion to impose a five per cent health cess check. With a huge focus on the Internet- There is a dire need for the    (!"      ' al standards, by allotting 3,000 crore for skill devel- was to strategically redistribute such of-Things, Machine Learning, Artificial Government to stress on R&D in basic         !  "#   opment, is a good incentive. earnings to set up tier-II and tier-III Intelligence and analytics, it is believed medical sciences and medical research,  ( "      Skill development of Physician Assistants and healthcare facilities, it does not resolve to that the Budget will provide a boost to the which will pave the way for growth and #  1          #   paramedical personnel through courses should also boost the local medical devices industry. country’s digital economy. However a dig- progress of indigenous technology. In #  0#  "    /   be done and these courses must be recognised by A legitimate certification authority for ital incentivisation plan is completely addition, special provisions should be  "    "     # "  regulatory bodies and other associations such as such devices would aid in use and adop- missing. While 2019 saw various frame- made under the ‘Make in India’ initiative the Indian Medical Association, the Medical tion of equipment and devices made in works initiated such as the National for manufacturing, which will in turn  #    # Council of India and so on. This is prevalent the India. Sadly, start-ups in medical devices, Digital Health Blueprint, guidance and contribute to India becoming a frontrun-   /            world over but is still not implemented in the coun- indigenous research and innovative prod- adoption remains unaddressed and the ner in medical technology and innovation      try and recognition of these courses will enhance ucts such as bioprosthetic valves and ven- fact remains that budgetary guidance for across the globe. -          the services provided by the healthcare sector tricular assist devices are not being furtherance and utilisation can go a long (The writer is a Padma Sri awardee   "  "   0     immensely. Last year, the AB-PMJAY was able to encouraged and the attitude of the regu- way. and cardiothoracic surgeon credited with    '   #  cover over 6.9 million treatments. However, the latory bodies in this country has to be This being said, the fact remains that India’s first bypass. He is Chairman and :          ; world’s largest Government-funded health insur- reviewed. We have just one medical sci- the Government has a holistic vision of CEO of Frontier Lifeline Hospital) 72                      %&(               

“ignore” certain forms of predatory Consistent with the Vishaka judg- plexity of the interaction between an need to be treated for their deviant with legal remedies. Clinicians have behaviour of men, like passing lewd ment, the Act provides a civil rem- aggrieved woman and the perpetra- behaviour. described case histories, symptom comments, wolf-whistling, staring edy to women and is in addition to tor needs to be understood and the Sexual harassment not only profiles, stress factors and attempts and so on. other laws that are currently in force personality profile of the aggressor results in strained interpersonal rela- at intervention. Theoreticians work- Sexual harassment infringes to pursue a criminal case. requires to be examined in depth to tions and an hostile working environ- ing in the fields of women’s develop- upon the fundamental right of a Consequently, any woman who wish- evolve effective measures to prevent ment, it adversely affects the produc- ment, cognitive functioning and . 7#.9'.19. woman to gender equality under es to report sexual harassment at the the occurrence and reduce the preva- tivity of the organisation, leading to gender-based trauma have generat- ,.'.'1476 Article 14 and her right to life with workplace has the right to take lence of sexual harassment at the financial losses. But more than any- ed a parallel body of relevant infor- dignity under Article 21 of the recourse to both civil and criminal workplace. thing else, it affects the mindset of the mation, applying their theories to the '   ! ' +, '! Constitution, which includes the proceedings. Psychological studies show that victims, causing a wide range of men- field of harassment.       right to a safe working environment. While there is no denying the sexual predators lack a social con- tal health issues. And as physical Sexual harassment presents sig- (    % ( he horrific mass molestation of Before the Vishaka Guidelines importance of legal protection science; they are callous about their health and emotional well-being are nificant challenges to a victim’s inter- students at Gargi College — came into existence in 1997, sexual against sexual harassment, its pub- social commitments and have a ten- inter-related, victims often suffer loss nal and external stability. Primarily    (   Twhere over 30 men forcibly harassment at the workplace was lic health aspects and their therapeu- dency to exaggerate the situation. of appetite, headaches, weight fluc- recognised as a legal or organisation-   &  entered the women’s college — is dealt with under Indian Penal Code tic interventions are no less impor- They justify their misdeeds and tuations and sleep disturbance. The al management issue, it belongs to a 9(    5O symptomatic of an atmosphere Section 354, (assault or criminal force tant. They need to be examined and legitimise their aggression, particu- commonly-reported negative effects clinical continuum with other gen-    && % which is permissive of sexual intim- to woman with intent to outrage her addressed to restore the physical and larly against women when it is relat- included fear, concerns for safety, and der-based abuses. If untreated, it can idation. No doubt, sexual harassment modesty) and Section 509, punish- mental health of the victim and go ed to the endorsement of sexually- post traumatic stress disorder. cause psychiatric illness and long-  2   !   is a universal phenomenon, though ing the guilty for using a “word, ges- into the reasons for the deviant coercive behaviour. No other form of discrimination term negative changes in the victim’s  &  it may differ in its manifestation, ture or act intended to insult the behaviour of the perpetrators. Even Studies also show that the psy- has such a wide impact on the phys- internal perception of self, others,   4&&   depending upon how a society takes modesty of a woman.” However, the though, environment is significant- chopathic traits of exploitation of ical and mental health of the victims. and the world and severely hinder     & it. Sexual harassment of women in interpretation of the provisions on ly responsible, what is of pressing others and lack of empathy, are Sexual harassment has emerged as a her potential. Appropriate clinical  &((  educational institutions is one of the “outraging a woman’s modesty” was concern is the reason why some peo- both commonly associated with major public health problem with interventions for both, the victims most common and largely underre- left to the police officer. ple and not others, go on to exploit rapists, stalkers and molesters. When long-term physical and mental health and the perpetrators, can provide an  .   ported forms of gender-based vio- On the basis of the Vishaka that permissive atmosphere and sexual harassment escalates, it poses consequences for the victims. opportunity to assess the seriousness !   &   ! lence, often inflicted by male col- Guidelines, the Sexual Harassment of commit sexual crimes. a potential risk of a more serious sex- However, the impact is not restrict- of the crisis and make the workplace  (  &  leagues, teachers or perpetrators Women at the Workplace By nature, some people are more ual crime like rape. This link high- ed to their health and seeps into the free from sexual harassment.    ( ! (  from outside. In a significant num- (Prevention, Prohibition and hostile, authoritarian and sexist, lights the fact that sexual harassers victim’s social and professional life. (The writer is Professor of ( ber of cases, women adopt a culture Redressal) Act, 2013 was enacted to which might make them more prone are potential rapists and to prevent This aspect often gets ignored and Psychiatry at Hamdard Institute of of silence as they have learnt to ensure safe working spaces for them. to becoming an aggressor. The com- rapes, those indulging in harassment victims mostly remain preoccupied Medical Sciences and Research) E   F     )

- .  /& ) #  .  !3 !    0  0 . $ #14-     Shirdi: Amidst protests against the new CAA protests. country. It is not about any political Kolkata: The ruling Trinamool Bengaluru: The area outside the Sir Citizenship law, Maharashtra BJP chief “I appeal to our opponents party. It is all the agenda of the Congress in West Bengal on Puttana Chetty Town Hall, the venue of Chandrakant Patil on Sunday accused Congress and NCP that elections and Leftists,” he said. Sunday slammed Union Home many pro and anti-CAA protests over the the “Leftists, urban and rural Naxals” running a Government are different “For years, despite using guns, they Minister Amit Shah for attack- last few months, will be out of bounds to of trying to destabilise the country and things. Sometimes you win, sometimes did not get success through rural ing the State Government over any stir as the city civic body has banned mislead people over different we. But they should take note of the Naxals. The government completely law and order situation, saying any such activity, citing dip in bookings and issues. incidents that are destabilising the drove them away. In five years, the instead of preaching he should traffic congestion. The former Maharashtra Minister country,” he added. Naxals were finished. Now 'silent apologise for failing to save The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara also said that as the Government has Patil said members of the Muslim Naxalism' has started and misleading innocent lives during the Delhi Palike council passed a resolution to this crushed the Naxals in the last five years, community should tell in a debate what people is part of it,” he alleged. violence. effect at its meeting on Saturday, sources “silent Naxalism” has started and mis- their problems are (concerning the When asked whether the use of Senior TMC leader said. Opposition parties protested against leading people was part of it. CAA). abusive language allegedly by BJP Abhishek Banerjee also said the resolution, noting that the subject was He said the Congress, NCP and the “It is being fed in your mind that leader Narayan Rane and his politician West Bengal is better off with- torched houses, shops, vehicles, Janata Party (BJP) will form the not even part of the agenda. Muslim community should realise you have a problem. Anywhere it is sons against Chief Minister Uddhav out bigotry and hatred that, he a petrol pump, and pelted local next government in the State Defending the move, Mayor Gautham that the Leftists were trying to disturb being said that (PM Narendra) Modiji Thackeray and Shiv Sena leader Sanjay alleged, the BJP “is trying to people and police personnel with two-third majority after Kumar said that protests in front of Sir the country's peace and push their own is going to build a jail in Delhi and Raut suits the party's culture, Patil said spread”. with stones earlier this week, the 2021 Assembly polls and Puttana Chetty Town Hall had led to a dip agenda. Muslims from across the country will he hasn't noticed anything like “Rather than coming and the worst riots in Delhi in over expressed anguish over the in bookings by event organizers, affecting Patil was addressing a press con- be put there. Is it possible? So how does this. preaching #Bengal @AmitShah three decades. “worsening” law and order sit- BBMP's revenue and was also causing traf- ference during his visit to the Saibaba this get into the minds of Muslims?” he “The BJP believes in culture, but it you should have explained and Delhi Police is under the uation in Bengal. fic congestion in the area. Samadhi in Shirdi town in added. does not mean that we are cowards. apologised for failing to save Union Ministry of Home. With an eye on 2021 BBMP has also communicated its deci- Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. “In this, Muslims are harming Everyone has a different personality. If more than 50 innocent lives in “Mr Shah, Bengal is better Assembly polls in the state, sion to the city police chief and have said “Muslims in the country, Congress themselves...Disturbing the long-estab- anyone says anything wrong, then the #DelhiViolence right under off without bigotry and hatred Shah also launched the BJP's that protesters can state demonstrations at and NCP are not able to understand lished brotherhood. This disturbance party will act against it. I have not your nose,” Abhishek, nephew that BJP is trying to spread,” 'Aar Noi Annay' (no more the Freedom Park and Mourya Circle. that Leftists, Maoists, urban Naxals and will make life difficult. They don't noticed anything like it,” he said. of Chief Minister Mamata Abhishek said in the injustice) campaign and The Opposition has termed the reso- rural Naxals, who are on the rise, want realise that they are being trapped. “If Shiv Sena does whatever it Banerjee, said in a tweet. tweet. accused the TMC Government lution as 'undemocratic' and done to to destabilise the country. Urban Naxals “Congress, NCP don't realise that wants, and if Raut writes whatever he At least 42 people were Shah, who was in the city of not allowing “central welfare restrict anti-CAA protests and threatened are trying to mislead the people on var- they are opposing the CAA in favour wants in the editorial of 'Saamana' killed and over 200 injured as to address a rally, exuded con- policies to be implemented in to stage protestsin front of Town Hall itself ious issues,” he said in response to a of Muslims, but the Leftists are bene- (Sena mouthpiece)...Does it suit their frenzied groups of people fidence that the Bharatiya the state”. PTI to revoke it. PTI query on the forces behind the anti- fiting from it. They want to disturb the culture?” he asked. PTI =>8

 %% ,76.9 Muslims in Tamil Nadu. “This is the first Muslim community, the Sangh Parivar time we are seeing a demarcation between organizations are in the process of setting he Citizenship Amendment Act the two communities. The anger against up small kirana shops in areas where the T(CAA), the root cause of the Delhi the CAA has led to communal polariza- Hindus do not have any provision stores riots, is having a major impact in Tamil tion,” said Srenivasan. or super markets. “In course of time, we Nadu. A shocking development of the Act Coimbatore, Tirupur, Erode, will have our own super market chains is not the resentment against the Tirunelveli, Ramanathapuram, districts too,” said Arjun Sampath, president, Government of India but the communal with considerable Muslim population Hindu People Party. polarisation that has set in the State, known substantiate fear expressed by Srenivasan. Sampath said this is a reaction to the for communal harmony and revolution- The social gatherings which used to fea- “blockade” enforced by the Muslim com- ary social justice. ture both communities have become a munity on the Hindus. The rallies and demonstrations staged thing of the past. The ‘we’ and ‘they’ divide Though the Centre claims that Delhi against the CAA by members of the is clearly visible. T Palanivelu, a business- riots have subsided and the region is limp- Muslim community are being sponsored man based in Chennai who has commer- ing back to normalcy, situation in Tamil by extremist Islamic organisations like the cial interests in these districts says that Nadu is in the reverse process. “Till now Socialist Democratic Party of India (SDPI), members of the Muslim community are the agitations remained peaceful. But Popular Front of India (PFI) and Tamil showing apprehension in dealing with what next is a major question,” said Nadu Thowheed Jamaat (TNTJ). “There Hindus. “I blame the political parties for Malan, political commentator. are 23 Islamic organizations in Tamil Nadu the same. This is not the way to fight any Indications are that the agitations which finance and lead the rallies staged kind of draconian laws,” said Palanivelu. against CAA would continue in Tamil in regular intervals. What is causing con- Krishna Pillai a farmer from Nadu in days to come. Thamimun Ansari, cern is the kind of slogans raised during Tirunelveli says the division is complete in Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi, an these gatherings. We can understand the his district as well as in Kanyakumari. “We extremist Islamic organization in the fore- kind of sloganeering against the CAA and have decided to boycott shops owned by front of the agitation declared at the Government of India. But most of the Muslim community. The Islamic hardlin- Coimbatore that the agitation would con- slogans are provocative and inflammato- ers are encouraging their community tinue till the Centre repeals the CAA. ry. They are all against one particular com- members not to have any kind of dealings “If the Centre and the Tamil Nadu munity,” said an intelligence official. with Hindus. What else do you expect Government continue to ignore us, we will Kolakala Srenivasan, author and from us?” asked Pillai. launch a jail bharo agitation across the columnist, said a line of divide is clearly Even as Hindus have launched an un- State,” said Gulam Dasthakir leader, Tamil &0             )( ,      %$ visible in the relations between Hindus and declared social and business boycott of the Nadu Thowheed Jamath. ,""-1$Q    &0.O>    )   P     !        &     4(    ,..  1  7 D .2 Guwahati: The BJP on Sunday assert- December 10. We all know that a mis- Mangaluru: The country is fac- The attempt to target a amount to a civil death, she ed that the agitation against the information campaign was going on Mumbai: Maharashtra deputy Chief the NPR exercise be done strictly accord- ing a huge challenge with the community to reap political claimed. Citizenship (Amendment) Act had claiming that over one crore Minister And senior NCP leader Ajit ing to the 2010 format. negative politics being played gains has been happening in While one cannot oppose started in Assam with Opposition Bangladeshis would come and attack Pawar on Sunday said the new citizenship Notably, NCP chief Sharad Pawar had out by the ruling BJP at the the country for long, she the census process which is parties “emotionally influencing” the culture, language and identity of law, the proposed NRC and the NPR will said in last December that like eight other Centre and the Citizenship alleged. required to count the total people claiming that Bangladeshis the Assamese people,” the BJP leader not take away anybody's citizenship and states, Maharashtra should also refuse Amendment Act (CAA) is a The people have now population, the new columns would enter the State in droves and said. flagged “misinformation” on the implementation of the new citizenship ploy to implement their agen- descended on the streets as the for parents' addresses are meant harm their culture following the pas- Dass said he asked the booth issue. law, which he feared would hurt the reli- da of divide and rule, noted BJP's hidden agenda has been to create a divide by portraying sage of the CAA. presidents how many Bangladeshis Addressing the convention of the gious and social harmony of human rights activist Teesta exposed. refugees as 'infiltrators' which However, people have now real- have come and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) here, India. Setalvad said on Sunday. This is a welcome trend, is objectionable. ized that nothing of that sort is going they replied that none has reached he also ruled out any need to bring a res- NCP leader and state minister Nawab Delivering a speech on the she said adding the protests Setalvad said the entire to happen and the agitation has there. olution against the Citizenship Malik had last month said the NRC will topic 'Understanding our times: should be held in a systematic NRC exercise, if taken up, weakened, Assam BJP president “They confessed that people were Amendment Act (CAA) and the National not be implemented in Maharashtra. People's struggle and State way to fetch desired results. would cost the country dear as Ranjeet Kumar Dass told reporters made emotional, but now they have Population Register (NPR) in the state The Congress, another constituent in response,' organised by the She accused the govern- it would have to spend at least here. understood the situation. There is no Legislative Assembly. the Shiv Sena-led government, had Citizens Forum for Mangaluru ment of using brute force to Rs 55,000 crore for the process. “An attempt was made to influ- impact of anti-CAA campaign and “The CAA, NRC and NPR will not demanded that a resolution against the Development and 'We the crush peaceful anti-CAA The government was ence people emotionally and they got the agitaion has been weakened,” he take away anyone's citizenship,” he said. NPR and the CAA be brought in the People,' she said there was an demonstrations at many places, spending the money while fail- affected. A large number of people has added. “It is unnecessary to pass a resolution Assembly. urgent need to break away which was a “clear violation” of ing to address the unemploy- asked me why we were trying to bring Opposition parties and various against the CAA and the NPR in the After meeting Prime Minister from the vicious politics of the human rights. ment issue in the country. in Bangladeshis. Our people are very organisations started agitation against Maharashtra Assembly,” the deputy CM Narendra Modi in Delhi last month, Chief ruling party. A large section of people People should continuous- emotional,” he said. the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill said. Minister Uddhav Thackeray had said that Setalvad said it was wrong would be denied the right to ly put pressure on elected rep- Dass said he along with other top from Decenber 10, a day after it was He said some people were spreading no one needs to fear about the CAA. He to assume that the CAA would vote if citizenship was given resentatives and the state gov- leaders of the party toured 12 con- passed in the Lok Sabha. The Bill “false information” about the CAA, NRC had also said that the NPR was not going affect only Muslims. based on documents under ernments through their stituencies of Upper Assam and met seeks to grant Indian citizenship to and NPR by referring to a resolution to throw anyone out of the The amended law would the proposed NRC as hap- protests against the CAA. A over 2,400 booth committee presi- minority community people of passed in Bihar, and called for more country. adversely affect the interests of pened in Assam. decisive movement of the dents and elected Bangladesh, Pakistan and awareness on this issue. Earlier, Thackeray had said that his dalits, advivasis, tribes, migrant They also would not get masses against the Centres representatives. Afghanistan who fled religious per- The Bihar Legislative Assembly last government will not allow the proposed labourers and other sections of benefits under government move to divide and rule is the “We asked them about their sen- secution and entered India before month unanimously resolved that there NRC to be implemented as it would society. welfare schemes which would need of the hour, she said. PTI timent on the situation since December 31, 2014. PTI was no need of NRC in the state and that impact people of all religions. PTI ' * ++,# O ,.  P0 *  ,#  2 + # ' ..3 ' +       $.# tion among the work force. In the last one gal immigrants living on every JMC, Mayor also claimed Not only this, JMC con- year,Union Home inch of the country's soil and we have not engaged any D  n smart city Jammu con- tractors have also deployed a Minister Amit Shah will deport them as per the Rohingya as daily wager to Itractors engaged by the BJP- fleet of transport vehicles on has repeatedly international law,” Amit Shah carry out works. We check ruled, Jammu Municipal ground zero to ferry these made these state- said. credentials of workers and even Srinagar: Two Lashkar-e- Corporation (JMC) are turning workers at work in time. Before ments at election Referring to the statements NGO's engaged by JMC keep Toiba (LeT) militants were out to be one of the biggest “job heading to work, these work- rallies and also clar- of Union leaders, Rinku Gill record of their arrested in Srinagar and arms providers” (on temporary ers mark their attendance in the ified stand of the maintained on one hand the workforce.According to a and ammunition seized from basis) for Rohingyas, illegal office of local JMC Union Government government says, these Home department report their possession, police said on immigrants from Myanmar. supervisor. on the floor of the Rohingyas pose a security tabled in the state assembly on Sunday. According to Rinku Gill, Ironically, local State BJP house inside threat and on the other hand February 2, 2018, “a total They have been identified President of the Safai leaders and even the top brass Parliament. they have been roped in by the number of 6523 Rohingyas as Vakeel Ahmed Bhat alias Abu Karamchari Union, Jammu of the ruling party in centre Responding to the JMC ignoring local work force”. were found camping across 39 Zarrar and Omar Ismail Das, Municipal Corporation, “an never shy away from making question in the He demanded local workers different locations spread both residents of Bijbehara, estimated number of around loud statements claiming they Rajya Sabha on July should be engaged first and across five districts of Jammu area of South Kashmir's 200 Rohingyas have been remain committed to identify 17, 2019, Amit provided with the opportuni- and Kashmir”. Anantnag district. On a credi- engaged by the contractors to and deport Rohingyas to their Shah said that it ty to earn their livelihood than According to the Home ble input, security forces inter- clean big and small drains country as per the international was the NRC based these illegal immigrants. department report, “6461 cepted a car on Barzulla- across the municipal limits of law. on which the When contacted, Mayor Rohingyas were staying in Chanapora road on Saturday, a Jammu city”. Most recently, Union Bharatiya Janata of Jammu Municipal Jammu division and 62 in police spokesman said. In return for their day-long Minister Dr Jitendra Singh has Party (BJP) came to Corporation Chander Mohan Kashmir division. He said while checking the labour, these illegal immigrants said that Rohingyas living in power after the Gupta said, “after the passage However, local activists vehicle, officers recovered arms are paid 400 per head to run Jammu & Kashmir will be 2019 Lok Sabha of Citizenship Amendment Bill and politicians, spearheading and ammunition from the two their kitchen fires. deported since they do not elections. in the Parliament, the entire a campaign in support of their persons. According to police In contrast to this, local benefit under the Citizenship Speaking at the inaugural Territory. “It is a very good question. country is witnessing chaos. deportation often contest these records, the two are active mil- sanitation workers/sweepers Amendment Act enacted by ceremony of a three-day work- “Its immediate implication The NRC is part of the Assam The way union government figures claiming large number itants affiliated with proscribed engaged by the contractors of the Centre in November last shop on General Financial would be in relation to Accord and was also in (BJP's) remain committed to deport of these illegal immigrants are outfit LeT, the spokesman said, Jammu Municipal Corporation year. He also added that the rules in Jammu on January 3, Rohingyas here. We have a election manifesto based on Rohingyas and all other illegal scattered and even their bio adding, both have been arrest- are paid a paltry sum of 225 Rohingyas will not be able to Singh said there were “no ifs sizeable population of which the Government has immigrants, we are also going metrics have not been collect- ed and shifted to police station per head. The glaring dispari- secure citizenship by “any and buts” over CAA’s imple- Rohingyas here. They have to come to power. The to deport them from ed by the security where they remain in ty is already causing lot of fric- means”. mentation in the Union go,” Singh said. Government will identify ille- Jammu”. personnel custody. PTI     4

(!!#!!&5 Patna: Bihar Chief Minister welfare of all, including minori- over the citizenship law, Kumar Nitish Kumar on Sunday ties, and slammed the opposi- said, "I was a member of   : (    asserted that the ruling NDA is tion Congress-RJD combine, Parliament then. And, what I and will remain united in the which keeps attacking him am saying can be verified from State, dispelling "confusions" over his alliance with the BJP, the records of the proceedings &(% &&  !  that had arisen in the wake of by recalling the Bhagalpur riots of the time. Leaders like Pranab his recent meeting with RJD's of 1989 that had claimed over Mukherjee, Manmohan Singh    &D   , Tejashwi Yadav followed by 1,000 lives. and Lalu Prasad all were in some opposition Grand "It is well known who was favour of such a legislation back Patna: Bihar Chief Minister ited the Himalayan Alliance leaders beckoning him in power when the riots took then." Nitish Kumar on Sunday said kingdom. to cross over. place and how justice eluded He also spoke of the "Jal migration of people from one "Those who are interested Addressing a 'karyakarta the victims for 15 years there- Jeevan Hariyali" campaign State to another should not be in knowing the facts can come sammelan' of the Janata Dal after. We brought the guilty to which aims at combating cli- seen as a problem as he assert- to us. We will provide them (United), of which he is the book and justice was ensured mate change through environ- ed that the "nation is one" and with exact figures of the num- national president, Kumar to the victims. I am more con- ment preservation and people are free to move from ber of vacancies filled by the exhorted party workers to cerned about working for the expressed delight over the one place to another. state public service commis- strive towards ensuring the minorities than getting their enthusiastic public participa- The Janata Dal (United) sion and other bodies entrust- NDA's win in "more than 200 votes," said Kumar as he high- tion in the human chain that chief's reaction came after ed with recruitment of man- seats" when elections to the lighted the various schemes was formed in its support in election strategist and former power. They will be also given 243-member Bihar Assembly being run by his Government     0   4   O# #   ?)  =    ' !      January. party national vice-president an exact idea of how much are held this year. for minority communities.   %$ Kumar also asserted that Prashant Kishor and CPI's things have changed since the Disapproving of political The chief minister, who prohibition, brought in force Kanhaiya Kumar flagged the preceding regimes," Kumar "controversies" around the spoke for close to an hour and rate in Bihar, when taken into elections due by November, NPR and the NRC debate, and four years ago, has had many issue of migration of youths said. Citizenship (Amendment) Act a half, also dwelt at length on account in proportion to the urged his party's workers to the matter has been settled with positive social and economic from Bihar to other states and He, however, also said "ek (CAA), which his party had his Government's accomplish- population, was among the draw inspiration from the a unanimous resolution passed efforts and reiterated his com- unemployment recently. gandi cheez shuru ho gayi hai supported in Parliament, ments with regard to improv- lowest in the country. NDA's stupendous perfor- by the assembly". mitment to securing special Recounting a conversa- migration ke naam se (a bad Kumar called for "patience" as ing law and order, and bring- Sore over widespread crit- mance in the Lok Sabha polls "Now there should be category status for Bihar which, tion that he had with thing has started by way of this the matter was sub judice. ing in all round development. icism of the poor health and last year when the BJP, the dhairya (patience) as the CAA he holds, is necessary for accel- Raghunandan Lal Bhatia, who discourse over migration)." Anxieties in some sections Kumar asked party work- education scenario in the state, JD(U) and the LJP had togeth- is before the court. Stirring a erated development of a state served as the governor of "The nation is one and of society, particularly among ers to apprise the common peo- Kumar highlighted his gov- er won 39 out of the 40 seats in controversy is not proper," said that has been historically back- Bihar in 2008-09, Kumar said, belongs to all. People from all the minorities, have been ple about the same and debunk ernment's success in reducing Bihar. Indirectly referring to his the JD(U) chief in a veiled ward. "He asked me why was it that parts of the country are and addressed with a resolution the opposition's propaganda. school dropout rates and men- one-to-one meeting with admonition to the opposition. The Chief Minister paid Punjab had started getting so must be free to travel to any passed by the Bihar assembly On allegations of deterio- tioned the adulation from Tejashwi Yadav inside his He also pointed out that tributes to Valmiki Nagar MP fewer migrant workers from other part. Has Bihar not ben- against the National Register of ration in law and order levelled Microsoft founder Bill Gates chamber at the Bihar Assembly the law providing for citizen- Baidya Nath Prasad Mahto, Bihar. Similar was the obser- efitted from the services of Citizens (NRC) and insertion by opposition parties and the who, during his visit to Patna complex, which had prompted ship to refugees fleeing adjoin- who died in Delhi earlier this vation of the then Punjab nurses from Kerala since long of contentious clauses in concern expressed of late by last year, had praised the state's Grand Alliance leaders like ing countries out of religious week. Condoling his death deputy chief minister Sukhbir back? Are people from other National Population Register ally Chirag Paswan, who heads efforts towards "fighting pover- former chief minister Jitan persecution was conceptualised before he commenced his Singh Badal." parts of the country not con- (NPR) forms, he said. the Lok Janshakti Party, the ty and disease". Ram Manjhi to "welcome" him when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was speech, Kumar winded up his He said, a fall in the num- tributing to the states growth The JD(U) chief also reit- chief minister quoted National The chief minister, who to the opposition formation, the prime minister. address by making the crowds ber of migrant workers from by making use of their talents erated his commitment Crime Records Bureau statis- will aim at a fourth consecutive Kumar said, "There is no scope Flaying the RJD-Congress observe silence in the memory Bihar was also the common here?" the Chief Minister towards ensuring justice and tics to suggest that the crime term in power in the assembly for confusions. We met over the combine for their agitations of the departed leader. PTI refrain in Bhutan when he vis- asked. PTI (P) 6 #        #.9 In a public notice issued in the Jalna (Maha): Maharashtra Legislative he should understand the pains of the peo- newspaper by publisher of Assembly Speaker Nana Patole on Sunday ple. ashmi Thackeray, wife of Chief “Saamana” Madhukar Bhagwat said he would support the demand of OBC The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly RMinister Uddhav Thackeray, under the Regulations of Newspapers leaders to boycott the exercise to conduct on January 8 unanimously passed a reso- replaced him as the editor of the Shiv on Sunday, Rashmi Thackeray was the General Census 2021 if a caste-based lution urging the Centre for a caste-based Sena’s official mouth-piece named as the Editor of the Sena’s offi- enumeration is not allowed. Census to find out the population of OBCs “Saamana”, a Marathi daily newspa- cial mouth-piece. Speaking at an event here, the Speaker across the country. per, on Sunday. “Saamana” began its publication said leaders cutting across the party lines The resolution was moved suo moto The change in guard in on January 23, 1988, with late had demanded that a delegation be sent to ("on its own") by the Speaker. Referring “Saamana” set-up was expected as Thackeray as its founding editor. meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and to that resolution, Patole said the state gov- Uddhav had quit as the editor of the 'Dopahar Ka Saamana', a Hindi Union Home Minister Amit Shah for ernment can examine if a separate Census party’s official mouth-piece after afternoon edition of “Saamana” was allowing the caste-based Census to find the exercise can be undertaken in Maharashtra taking over as the Chief Minister of launched by the Shiv Sena on population of people from Other Backward like the demands made in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra three months ago. February 23, 1993. Classes (OBCs). Bihar. Uddhav Thackeray had taken In her capacity as the editor of "OBC leaders have decided that if the Patole also said a "right" decision over as the Editor of “Saamana” after “Saamana”, Rashmi Thackeray will caste Census is not conducted they would would be taken on the Citizen Amendment the death of Shiv Sena chief and his also be the Editor of 'Dopahar Ka boycott the General Census (exercise) and Act (CAA) in the state legislature which is father Bal Thackeray on November Saamana'. I would support them. currently in session. 18, 2012. After having been its edi- Rashmi’s position of the editor of "If a government does not follow the Patole, a former BJP MP, had quit the tor for eight years, Uddhav resigned “Saamana” is more of a titular nature norms of the Constitution, then an indi- saffron party following differences with the as the editor of Saamana , before tak- as the Thackeray family’s close vidual has the freedom to boycott (any Prime Minister on agrarian issues, and ing the oath as the Chief Minister on confidante Sanjay Raut and Rajya exercise mandated by the government). We rejoined the Congress in December November 28, 2019. So much so that Sabha Member will continue to be its will follow the mantra of Mahatma 2017. Uddhav’s name had disappeared executive editor and will pen edito- Gandhi," he said. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) gov- from the print line of the rials and write weekly columns in the Patole said since the prime minister ernment in the state comprises the Shiv   @@: #      "    ' (    %$ newspaper. Marathi newspaper. belongs to a backward community (OBC) Sena, the NCP and the Congress. PTI @13D18 >    #.9 Pawar also accused Prime society in an effort to derive Taking objection to lan- country. A party (BJP) that won 64@148 Minister Narendra Modi and political mileage in the Delhi guage used by Modi in his pub- more 300 seats in the Lok olding the BJP cent per former BJP president Amit Assembly polls. lic speeches, Pawar said: “Modi Sabha polls is not in power in %  65.+#1# al secretary recently, triggering said, adding that we are watch- Hcent responsible for the Shah of fomenting communal The speeches made by said that there was no need to many states. The people are speculations. ing his conduct some of which riots in Delhi, NCP chief tension during the Assembly Modi, Shah, Union Ministers investigate as to who were the regretting as to why they re- mid speculation that a Speaking to reporters in amounts to indiscipline, we are Sharad Pawar on Sunday polls in the national Capital and party leaders in their elec- opponents of the BJP and its elected BJP — a party that does Asenior party MLA may Hassan, the JD(S) supremo yet to issue him any charged that having realised in through their vitriolic speech- tion rally appeared to be break- Government at the Centre. not have the country's interest soon jump ship to the BJP, JDS said, "I will not fear such things. notice. the run-up to the recent es. ing social and communal amity This, he said, was because one in the mind—to power at the patriarch and former Prime I have spirit to build this party. G T Devegowda had sev- Assembly polls it was not “One could realise from the in the society,” the NCP chief could recognise the people by Centre”. Minister HD Deve Gowda on I may be 87-years-old, but my eral times in the recent past receiving public support and speeches of Narendra Modi, he said. the headgears they were wear- Pawar said that the NCP Sunday said he was not both- spirit won't go down.." he openly expressed his differ- would not come to power, the was triggering controversies Underscoring the dire need ing. It is a matter of serious would play prominent part in ered by such developments as added. ences with leadership, and had ruling party at the Centre tried on religious issues. It was wor- to unseating the BJP from concern that the Prime fighting the forces which were they would have no impact. According to sources, praised BJP leaders. to derive political mileage by risome that Modi — as the power at the Centre, Pawar Minister of the country was dividing the country on reli- "If someone goes or come JD(S) leadership is even con- He had also allegedly voted creating a communal divide in Prime Minister of India —was said: “There is serious concern making such statements which gious and casteist lines. “We again, I will not get disturbed sidering issuing notice to G T in favour of BJP during the the national Capital. resorting to this of election- in all sections of the society drive a wedge in the society. have shove aside forces that by it, if someone goes.. Nothing Devegowda for his recent recent legislative council Launching an all-out attack eering. Instead of making effec- across the country about what The `Goli Maro..’ statement by whip up communal passion will happen. actions and it is likely to be fol- bypolls, despite JD(S) legisla- against the BJP at party work- tive use of power in hand at the happened in the national cap- a union minister was aimed at and engineer riots in their dia- GT Devegowda had in the lowed by expulsion. ture party in its meeting decid- ers at Somaya grounds at hand for the benefit of people, ital. Apart from creating an atmosphere of ter- bolic design to win elections,” past gone to BJP and come JD(S) state President H K ing not to take part in Chunnabatti north-central the BJP leaders used ‘Goli preventing recurrence of the ror in the society”. he said. back, he had even become Kumaraswamy on Saturday voting. Mumbai, Pawar said: “The BJP maro” language in their speech- situation witnessed in Delhi in Slamming the Modi gov- Dismissing speculation Minister here. Now he may said, he will warn G T Responding to a question, is 100 per cent responsible for es”. any other parts of the country, ernment for the prevailing eco- about the possibility of collapse again go back (to BJP). Why Devegowda. without naming GT the recent riots in Delhi. The “Having all lost all elections there is a need to keep all such nomic crisis in the country, of MVA government in should I bother?" Gowda asked "If he (GTD) wants to Devegowda, BJP leader and Narendra Modi government in the recent times, the BJP forces which are threatening Pawar said: “Our industry in Maharashtra, Pawar said: “The in response to a question. remain loyal to the party, he Deputy Chief Minister CN has miserably failed in pre- realised that the mood that was unity and integrity of the coun- dire straits. There is phenom- MVA government is commit- Senior JD(S) legislator G can stayhis certain statements Ashwathnarayan on Sunday venting in riots in Delhi and in in its favour during the Lok try. It time for us to think about enal rise in unemployment in ted to resolving the issues of the T Devegowda, who has been have embarrassed the party. said if someone wants to join the the process failed to maintain Sabha polls was suddenly going alternatives (to the current the country. The government at people. This Government will maintaining distance from Let him take a clear stand, party believing in its ideology law and order fin the national against it. No wonder the BJP Government at the the Centre does not seem to complete its full five-year JD(S) for some time now has let him not stay here and speak and principles, we are ready to Capital”. was creating a divide in the Centre)”. bother about the future of the term”. reportedly met the BJP nation- in favour of someone else," he welcome happily. 5 66E  *     ,#)   Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief were unable to return to India on the video that they were unable to      Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday account of the COVIT19 spread. move out of their rooms due to the appealed to the External Affairs "...I request you to direct the restrictions imposed by the Iran gov- Nashik:A man who was quarantined in Nashik Minister to take necessary steps (Indian) Embassy officials (in Iran) ernment due to the coronavirus in Maharashtra for possible exposure to novel and arrange for safe return of hun- to take necessary steps and arrange scare. coronavirus after his return from Italy, has test- dreds of fishermen, including for the safe return of these persons," "Like us many people are from ed negative, officials said on Sunday. Keralites, trapped in Iran following Vijayan wrote. India are stranded here. We are short The man, who hails from Chandrapur dis- coronavirus scare. Earlier, the Fisheries Minister J of food. We tried to contact our trict, had returned to the country on February In a letter to External Affairs Mercykutty Amma had said the state sponsor. But he asked us to contact 26 from Italy, where he had gone for studies, an Minister S Jaishankar, he said the government will take all necessary the government authorities," the official said. state government has received steps to bring fishermen from the man said. "He came directly to his sister's place in information that more than hundred state stranded in Iran. The fishermen were in Iran, Nashik. As he suffered from cough, cold and people, including around 60 from She said the state government working for a fishing company for fatigue, the health officials of the Nashik Kerala, were trapped in Azalur in will collect details of Keralites last many months. Municipal Corporation (NMC) conducted a Iran. trapped in Iran and coordinate with Most of the Keralites are from medical check-up on him and got him admitted "When contacted by state gov- the Indian embassy there through Pozhiyur and Vizhinjam areas in to the civil hospital here," district civil surgeon ernment officials, it has been stated NoRKA (Department of Non- Thiruvananthapuram.The Tamil Dr Suresh Jagdale said. by the persons trapped in Azalur that Resident Keralite Affairs). Nadu government had on Friday "He was quarantined as a precautionary mea- more than hundred persons are A video of the Kerala fishermen taken up with the Centre the issue sure as he showed symptoms of coronavirus. His there out of which around 60 are seeking help was forwarded to the of over 300 stranded fishermen samples were sent to Pune for testing," he reported to be from Kerala," Vijayan families of the fishermen and media from the state in Iran and sought added. A Maharashtra health department offi- said in the letter. houses in the state. steps for their immediate e cial later confirmed that he was found negative He said it was learnt that they One of them is heard saying in vacuation. PTI for the infection. PTI /         &   #  )   ' !     %$     . ,6

&    )) '     6-1!  GG   4&  1  C  % )     #  )/./   "# 1  $     %  68 6+79 % #+- +#)' -&( ": treasuries are integrated with )> . + &  ( <'9 '&) ';# + the Centre to ensure money is 5: 5! ,& )>)>   inance Minister Nirmala @(<:<(; ++#'):9 '&+$ sent as and when required. 78!9    FSitharaman on Sunday &<;#')$9('#&(<#')$ Speaking at the function, %  68 6+79 crore for CGST and 43,901 month, more stability is expect- asked civil accounts officers to Expenditure Secretary T V P( 5! ,  ;;(3'&#')'-   ( crore for the SGST," the state- ed in future," he said. focus on bringing in more effi- < ;(';#"#&#(' Somanathan said integration of he government on Sunday ment added. EY Tax Partner Abhishek cient and adaptive technologies PFMS with railways, defence ) >>  $ Tsaid it has collected 1.05 The GST revenues during Jain said one possible signifi- to further smoothen the work- "Today all over the world and postal service needs to be ,      lakh crore as GST revenue in the month of February from cant reason linked to reason- ing of the Public Financial DBT (direct benefit transfer) taken forward and the officers 1: & 9 February, up 8 per cent over the domestic transactions has able collections is the differen- Management System (PFMS). and GST (Goods and Services should expeditiously imple-     same month last year. shown a growth of 12 per cent tial liabilities discharged by Speaking at a function here Tax) are being talked about as ment further ongoing initia-  . $ The collection from Goods over the same month last year. businesses in reference to the to mark the 44th Civil one of the silent revolution that tives so that it realises its full    8% and Services Tax (GST) in "Taking into account the observations in GST Annual Accounts Day, she said there is democracy can show off to the potential.   & February was, however, lower GST collected from import of returns and audit for FY 2017- so much more to be accom- world," the minister added. "I would like to draw your 1    1: & &        7:( + than the 1.10 lakh crore col- goods, the total revenue during 18, which was due in January plished and officers need to be She said the officers have attention to huge volumes of 5   . 2%   &  &     lected in January 2020. February, 2020 has increased by 2020. responsive to the changes. shown that public finance is not data PFMS have within it  &          && !  >> "The gross GST revenue 8 per cent in comparison to the PwC India Partner & The minister further said opaque, but efficient and which can be effectively use to ! '    !   !      &    collected in the month of revenue during February, Leader Indirect Tax Pratik Jain the officers are not only com- responsive to the public. improve the quality of expen-          !     && !   February, 2020 is 1,05,366 2019," the statement said. said while the GST collection petent accounts persons, but "This is biggest revolution. diture," he said.   (      .&&   !! !   . crore of which CGST is 20,569 During this month, the again looks impressive consid- also competent technology pro- The 1 lakh crore you have He added greater attention !!     !  !       crore, SGST is 27,348 crore, GST on import of goods has ering the overall economic sce- fessionals. saved through DBT, these are is required to ensure timely    !   !  9  (     IGST is 48,503 crore and shown a negative growth of (- nario, one will have to see how "Even as we are talking of not just symbolic. The 1 lakh payments.   )> + 5: 5! ,& )>)>   ! ))% )* Cess is 8,947 crore," the ) 2 per cent as compared to much of it is due to restriction technology, that itself is a chal- crore being saved for the pub- Expenditure payments and ( )>)>  )L ( )>)> H >   )>)>  P( Finance Ministry said in a February 2019, it added. and blockage of input credits lenge. Everyday it changes, lic (is) by efficient use of tech- tax refunds should be paid 5! ,  '            statement. The total number of Meanwhile, Deloitte India which has been happening in newer versions come in, rapid nology without making anyone promptly without any kind of  )>> '    5! ,     !  ( 5! GSTR 3B returns filed for the Partner M S Mani said with the the last three months or so. changes are happening and feel sorry," she said. unnecessary delay, he said. ,         && (  !  !!( monthly collections now sta- "The issue of blockage of Through efficient use of "I am aware that in most of   ( '   !      ! month of January up to therefore to keep on top of it is (       (          February 29 stood at 83 lakh — bilising at over Rs 1 trillion per input credit from the backend a big exercise. You have to con- technology, this service has these systems, there are multi- same as last month. month, the GST authorities (on account of alleged differ- stantly keep changing the mile- proven that corruption and ple agencies involved and you The government has set- would now go all out to ence between credit claimed post, bring in more and more wrongdoing can be removed are often at the tail end and the tled 22,586 crore to CGST and enhance the March collections and that disclosed by vendors) efficiency and adaptive tech- from the system, she added. delay can be for various reasons 16,553 crore to SGST from so that the deficit is reduced to is becoming a concern for the nology," Sitharaman said. PFMS is designed to help beyond your control, but there IGST as regular settlement. the extent possible. industry and the GST Council She also said that they the Government agencies for is one element of the system 6 "The total revenue earned "These numbers indicate should look into this. have "revolutionised" technol- processing payments, track- which is in your control and by Central Government and that the GST collections are Otherwise, we may see lower ogy-driven PFMS and it has ing, monitoring, accounting what I would like you to do is the State Governments after becoming stable, with new collections later, when the cred- empowered India to be and reconciliation. to make sure that, that element 4 regular settlement in the month changes like e-invoicing and it is actually utilized," Jain accountable, responsive and It tracks funds disburse- of system is never a source of of February, 2020 is 43,155 new returns slated for next added. transparent. ment and ensures that state delay or complaint," he added. 2

6! =66F6664 1<!6/=   #.9 avirus caused a massive stock market crash. Dalal Street mir- ! he gloom in the Indian rored global stocks and head- &!& Tequity markets might be ed for its worst week since the short-lived as a number of 2008 financial crisis. 090! %  68 6+79  ;(9:'# +$ India Director - Sales Rakesh <5(1 global and domestic stimulus The benchmark Sensex lost %  68 6+79 Sidana said in a statement. inducing factors are expected to 1,448 points in a broad based ata Motors, Mahindra and (  <$+#-&  The unforeseen coron- %  68 6+79 Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Tata give a boost to investors' sen- sell-off which saw none except he government has decid- TMahindra (M&M) and MG ;('&#'3 &(9('#&(< avirus outbreak has severely Teleservices to provide sub- timents. Supporting such a FMCG major ITC withstanding Ted to pump 200 crore Motor India on Sunday said affected the company's he "test checks" as promised stantiating documents to sup- move is a technical fact that the carnage. The 'Fear Index' or into IFCI, the country's oldest they are facing challenges in & +#&3&#(';"(+ "$ European and Chinese supply Tby the Government on port their claims on AGR arith- FIIs have net shorted 156,261 volatility index jumped by 30 term lending institution, terms of component supply +: ;#""& chains, disrupting its produc- AGR-hit telecom companies' metic. futures contracts on the Nifty. per cent to settle at 22.87 as through the preferential allot- from coronavirus hit-China. tion and impacting sales in dues assessment could start this Once substantiating docu- A similar movement was fresh cases of coronavirus infec- ment route next M&M has reported a 42 (: <&#('+(@& #< February, he added. week for large telcos, according ments are filed by the compa- seen in September 2019 when tion surged outside China. fiscal to shore up its capital and per cent decline in total sales at 9I(<+3::"# <+$#' The disruption in sales to a senior DoT official. nies, the telecom department a slump was followed by a Domestic investors were also enhance operations, sources 32,476 units in February. will continue through March, The government also wants will initiate random 'test checks' spurt, however, with a lag of cautious ahead of the 3Q said. "...Because of the unfore- (<- <&(@; ' Sidana said. Vodafone Idea to expedite its on the AGR calculation in a some 20-30 days. FY2019-20 GDP data release on Government of India hold- seeable challenges on the parts- - <+ +#&3&#(' "We are working towards self-assessment, and Telecom time-bound manner. If the overall pattern that day. The growth rate ing in the non-banking finance supply from China, our BS VI stabilising the situation and are Secretary Anshu Prakash is The 'test check' will be repeats itself, then an up move remained subdued. company, which stood at 56.42 ramp-up has been affected," &&9;<(:3:#' hopeful that reasonable nor- believed to have communicat- done for any one year (of tel- is imminent. Nifty Metal index plum- per cent at the end of Veejay Ram Nakra, Chief of malcy will be restored by the ed DoT's views in this regard cos' dues) to examine the devi- "We witnessed short meted 7 per cent, the most December 2019, would Sales and Marketing, & @3&3< end of March," he added. to VIL, CEO and MD Ravinder ation between telecom com- rollovers from the February among the 11 Nifty sectoral increase after the capital infu- Automotive Division, M&M However, major automo- Takkar during a recent meeting panies' assessment and the series and further shorting was indices. It was followed by IT, sion. Ltd said in a statement. and a recent fire incident at one bile manufacturers Maruti on Friday evening. government's own calculation seen on the first trading session media and PSU Bank index. "The (200 crore) provi- This has resulted in high of its strategic vendors affect- Suzuki, Hyundai and Toyota A DoT official said that of AGR liabilities. of the March series. FIIs aggres- The pivotal banking and finan- sion is for equity support to de-growth in billing volume for ed the vehicle production and Kirloskar Motor do not see any "test checks" of AGR calcula- In all, 15 entities owe the sively shorted index futures in cial service sectors index closed Industrial Finance Corporation February and dealer inventory wholesale volumes. immediate impact on their tion for a sample year would government 1.47 lakh crore in the last couple of weeks and as over 3 per cent lower. of India (IFCI) keeping in view is now under 10 days, he said. MG Motor India too production schedules due to commence shortly and it could unpaid statutory dues — a result, their 'Long Short Ratio' The Wall Street's bench- the business programme and "Going into March, we reported lower retail sales of disruption in supply of com- be as early as this week at least 92,642 crore in unpaid licence in index futures reached to mark index Dow Jones capital requirement," as per anticipate the challenge on 1,376 units in February, hit by ponents from plants located in for large telecom companies. fee and another 55,054 crore below 13 per cent, which is Industrial Average closed the Budget documents pre- parts-supply to continue for component supply constraints China. On Saturday, telecom in outstanding spectrum usage lowest since April 2018," said (down 4 per cent) with record sented in Parliament last another few weeks, before we from China and other loca- The companies, however, operator Bharti Airtel said it charges. Jay Purohit, technical and losses on Thursday. China's month. get back to normalcy," he tions. said they continue to monitor has made payment of Rs 8,004 Of the estimated dues that derivatives analyst at Motilal Shanghai SE Composite Index For the current fiscal as added. "The MG ZS EV has the situation closely, especial- crore towards adjusted gross include interest and penalty for Oswal Financial Services. was trading 3.71 per cent lower well, the government has ear- Mayank Pareek, President, received a stupendous response ly the operations of their major revenue (AGR) dues to the gov- late payments, Airtel and "Technically, strong sup- while Japan's Topix tumbled 3.6 marked 200 crore capital infu- Passenger Vehicles Business in its debut month, with over suppliers, in order to face any ernment, an amount over and Vodafone Idea account for port for Nifty is placed in the per cent. Hong Kong's Hang sion for IFCI, as per the Unit, Tata Motors Ltd said the 150 units delivered to our cus- adverse situation that may crop above 10,000 crore it has about 60 per cent. zone of 11,000-11,100 points. Seng plummeted over 3 per Revised Estimate. outbreak of Covid-19 in China tomers already," MG Motor up in the future. already paid. These dues arose after the The overall data clearly indi- cent. Besides, the futures mar- The amount of 8,004 Supreme Court, in October last cates that the market is hover- kets pointed at no near-term crore includes 3,004 crore year, upheld the government's ing in oversold territory and a relief for investors. FTSE 100 9! towards full and final settle- position on including revenue bounce towards 11,450-11,500 Index Futures pointed at a ment on AGR dues based on from non-core businesses in levels cannot be ruled out in rough start. The index was @8  self assessment, and a deposit calculating the annual AGR of coming weeks. However, sus- down 3.44 per cent, NASDAQ of buffer 5,000 crore to cover telecom companies, a share of tenance at higher level would 100 Future also traded lower by ;# DoT's reconciliation differ- which is paid as licence and be a challenge for the Bulls," 1.29 per cent. G5DH@ ences. spectrum fee to the exche- Purohit added. The coronavirus outbreak 1 "Based on the aforesaid quer. According to Edelweiss is likely to be declared a pan- %  #.9 Advances growth to agri- per cent. In the fortnight ended payment we have now com- The Supreme last month Professional Investor Research's demic and focus is now shift- culture and allied activities February 14, 2020, bank cred- Pune: Telcos are citing free plied with AGR judgement rejected a plea by mobile car- Chief Market Strategist Sahil ing from China to South Korea, ank credit growth declined contracted to 6.5 per cent from it grew by 6.3 per cent to voice calls to duck action on and the directions in the order riers such as Bharti Airtel and Kapoor, reversal signs such as Iran, Italy and Japan where Bto 8.5 per cent in January 7.6 per cent rise last year. 100.41 lakh crore, from poor quality of service, but that of the Supreme Court dated Vodafone Idea for extension in the US Fed's signals of an cases are escalating fast. Even from 13.5 per cent in the year- Credit growth to industry 94.403 lakh crore in the year- will not pass regulatory muster, October 24, 2019," Airtel said the payment schedule and upcoming rate cut along with Germany, Brazil and several ago period led by a sharp slow- decelerated to 2.5 per cent ago fortnight. Deposits grew by Trai Chairman R S Sharma said in a regulatory filing. asked companies to deposit the EU's expected fiscal sup- other nations have joined the down in loans to the services from 5.2 per cent. Within 9.2 per cent to 132.35 lakh on Sunday, assuring users that According to the their past dues for spectrum porting measures might give list, Moody's said on Friday. sector, according to RBI data. industry, loan growth to paper crore in the fortnight compared the issue of call drops remains Department of Telecom (DoT) and licences. the much needed boost to the The World Health Growth in advances to the and paper products, rubber to 121.19 lakh crore, the RBI on its agenda. estimates, however, Airtel owes Since then, telecom firms global and Indian markets. Organization (WHO) has said services sector decelerated to plastic and their products and data showed. The Telecom Regulatory nearly 35,000 crore. and the telecom ministry had On last Friday, fears of that the coronavirus outbreak 8.9 per cent from 23.9 per cent construction accelerated. In February, the Reserve Authority of India (Trai) head DoT is also asking three been doing separate maths on widespread disruption to eco- has reached a "decisive point" in January 2019. “However, credit growth to Bank Governor Shaktikanta said the watchdog's earlier pro- telecom companies Bharti the actual dues. nomic activities due to coron- and has "pandemic potential". Bank loan growth to non- textile, food processing, chem- Das had said that slowing cred- vision for a penalty on telcom banking financial companies ical & chemical products, basic it growth is the biggest chal- firms for call drops was suc- (NBFCs) slowed to 32.2 per metal & metal products, all lenge the banking industry is cessfully challenged in the ! cent in the reporting month engineering and infrastructure facing. Supreme Court, but the regu- from a growth of 48.3 per cent decelerated,” RBI said. "The most critical chal- lator will continue to work for =&&# a year-ago. During the month, According to the latest lenge today for banks, not just improving the quality of service. personal loans segment grew quarterly statistics on deposits in India but also elsewhere, is "Most of the telcos are A !! by 16.9 per cent. and credit of banks, bank loan slowing credit off-take. It affects offering voice free, their argu- Within personal loans, growth decelerated to 7.4 per the profitability of banks," Das ment is that if something is free, %  #.9 5>2 credit to housing segment grew cent in the October-December, said a media event. how much can you (Trai) pun- %  6<616'' by 17.5 per cent from 18.4 per 2019 from 12.9 per cent the Rating agency Crisil, in a ish me because I am not getting ompanies are increasingly cent, while education loan year-ago quarter. During the recent note, said credit growth anything for that, which may Centrusting recruitment s Vistara took delivery of showed a negative growth of quarter, loans by public sector is likely to be around 6 per cent not be correct because they are tasks in the hands of profes- Aits first wide-body 3.1 per cent as against a nega- banks grew by 3.7 per cent in this fiscal but is expected to essentially cross-subsidising," sional organisations for quali- Dreamliner 787-9 aircraft at the tive growth of 2.3 per cent in while credit from private sec- accelerate to 8-9 per cent in Sharma said at the Asia ty talent acquisition even as Boeing facility here to start long January 2019, RBI data showed. tor banks saw a growth of 13.1 FY21. Economic Dialogue here. PTI social media platforms and haul operations, the airline's job sites are still one of the key CEO Leslie Thng said the hiring channels, says a study. recent coronavirus outbreak According to a study by would have a short term impact &        #  &$     CIEL HR Services, that focused on the aviation industry and on the latest trends in Indian that airlines need to remain %  68 6+79 ed by Prime Minister Narendra ty of depositors' money being processes. talent market, companies are flexible and nimble while deal- Modi last month gave approval paramount. Besides, the number of now resorting to recruiting Mishra of CIEL HR Services retained them at the junior ing with the situation. n a bid to address weakness- to amend Banking Regulation To further bolster the con- banks in loan consortium was companies for quality talent said. level were salaries and career The recent novel coron- Ies in cooperative banking Act. fidence of customers, the capped, reducing borrowers' acquisition across junior, mid The study that covered development, while at the mid- avirus outbreak has killed near- sector, the Parliament is likely The Bill in this regard is Government has increased ability to play one lender off and senior-level positions. over 200 senior to mid level level the trend was dominated ly 3,000 people across the world, to clear a Bill to amend likely to be passed during the deposit insurance cover by against another. Titled, 'CIELWorks 2020: executives across sectors from by designation, job security, with 2,870 deaths in China alone. Banking Regulation Act to second leg of Budget session five-fold to 5 lakh to ensure This was accompanied by Latest Trends in Indian Talent December 2019 till January salary and development oppor- On February 26, Vistara bring multi-state cooperative starting Monday. The session security of public money in data driven risk scoring and Market 2020' the study noted 2020, noted that though job tunities. announced 20 flights between banks under effective regula- ends on April 3. banks. scrutiny, comprehensive dili- that social media platforms opportunities were robust but At the senior-level, the key Delhi and Bangkok, 26 between tion of RBI during the Budget Having undertaken a slew In the last couple of years, gence across data sources and and job sites were still relevant securing quality talent factors that drove employee Mumbai and Singapore and eight Session. of measures, including clean up the Department of Financial strengthened credit assessment. at hiring candidates, however, remained a challenge during hiring and retention were cen- between Delhi and Singapore The proposed legislation of public sector banks (PSBs), Services has taken several steps To ensure financial health an increasing number of com- 2019. tered on the role within the were cancelled for March in will help prevent a repeat of private sector banks, financial to promote responsive and of public sector banks (PSBs), panies now prefer to go It further noted that entry- organisation, the variable pay, response to weak demand due to Punjab and Maharashtra institution like IL&FS, non- responsible banking. recapitalization of 4 lakh crore through employment agencies. level roles were filled in less the study noted. the virus outbreak. Cooperative Bank-like crisis, bank financial corporations As part of clean banking was undertaken in the last five "The main reason behind than 30 days, mid-level in less Other major factors that Standing in the airline's sources said. (NBFCs), housing finance cor- initiative, project cash flows years. companies shifting gradually to than 60 days and senior-level influence senior-level hiring first Dreamliner 787-9 aircraft, There are 1,540 coopera- porations (HFCs), auditors, were ring-fenced, enforcement Provision coverage ratio recruiting companies is because jobs roles saw positions fill in include financial health of the which was officially acquired tive banks with a depositor base rating agencies, this is the last of terms of loan agreements reached a record high of 77 per these firms are cutting down more slowly at around 180 company, work culture, on Friday, Thng told of 8.60 crore having total sav- step in making the entire finan- and prior validation of back- cent. NPA and slippages are their work and time by screen- days. employer brand and long term reporters,”The coronavirus ings of about 5 lakh crore. cial ecosystem almost impos- ward and forward linkages declining with improved asset ing and selecting relevant and The key factors that vision of the organisation, it does indeed have a short-term The Union Cabinet head- sible to be gamed, with securi- were made integral to lending quality. quality talent," Aditya Narayan attracted candidates and noted. impact.”     #  66

A   >  HORNETS HALT REDS RUN % 84+<6 aul Jimenez boosted Wolves' Rbid to qualify for the Champions League as his late winner capped the % +44 save early in the second half, visitors' dramatic fightback in their but just as Liverpool were 3-2 victory at Tottenham on Sunday. iverpool manager Jurgen beginning to build up a head of Nuno Espirito Santo's side Klopp warned his side the steam, they were stung by two trailed twice in north London, but LPremier League title is not quick strikes by Sarr. hit back from 2-1 down thanks to won yet after a 44-game run with- second half goals from Diogo Jota out defeat in the league came to a C  %  C and Jimenez. crashing end as Watford beat the Firstly, the Senegalese beat Wolves moved two points above European champions 3-0 on Robertson to Abdoulaye Tottenham into sixth place in the Saturday. Doucoure’s low cross to stab Premier League. Klopp's men still enjoy a 22- home at the near post. As it stands, finishing fifth could point lead at the top of the table, Six minutes later, Sarr had lead to a Champions League place, but their sluggish return from a too much pace for a flat-foot- owing to second placed Manchester two-week winter break earlier this ed Liverpool defence as he City's European ban, against which month was finally punished. raced onto Deeney's through they are appealing. the offside Gylfi Sigurdsson, lying in Ismaila Sarr’s quickfire double ball and showed fantastic com- Sitting level on points with fifth the path of De Gea, deemed to have and Troy Deeney’s strike 18 min- posure to lift the ball over the placed Manchester United and just obstructed the view of the keeper. utes from time ended Liverpool's advancing Alisson Becker. three behind fourth placed Chelsea, Veteran Italian manager hopes of romping to a first league Sarr also had a big part to Wolves are firmly in the hunt for an Ancelotti was as unhappy as the title in 30 years with an unbeaten play in Watford’s third as he unexpected berth in Europe's elite home crowd on Merseyside, with the season. pounced on a short passback club competition Toffees boss sent off after approach- “What the boys did so far is and had the vision to pick out They fell behind to Steven ing referee Chris Kavanagh on the exceptional but it is not over,” said Deeney, who lofted the ball Bergwijn's first half opener, but field. Klopp. nonchalantly over Alisson to Matt Doherty equalised and even The draw saw fifth-placed “We did not expect the num- make it 3-0. Serge Aurier restoring Tottenham's United miss the chance to cut the ber of games we won. It was never “It’s not acceptable we lose lead couldn't knock Wolves out of gap to Chelsea in fourth to a single easy and it will never be easy, so 3-0 here,” said Liverpool their stride. point in the Premier League table as now let’s carry on.” defender Virgil van Dijk. “We It was a bitter blow for injury- Everton stayed in 11th position. After single-goal victories over want to strike back straight hit Tottenham, who suffered three struggling Norwich and West Ham away.” consecutive defeats in all competi- It took Everton just three min- either side of a Champions League Watford had thrown away a tions for the first time this season. utes to break the deadlock with a defeat at Atletico Madrid, lead in three of their last four bizarre goal that delighted the Liverpool were comprehensively Premier League games to fall      Goodison Park faithful. beaten at Vicarage Road. back into the bottom three. There seemed little danger as De A 55-point gap separated the But they never looked in Everton manager Carlo Gea dwelt on a clearance. sides before kick-off, but the out- any danger of doing so again as Ancelotti was sent off after But his eventual kick downfield of-sorts visitors failed to muster they moved back out of the rel- approaching the referee as yet more was blocked by the charging Calvert- even a single effort on goal in the egation zone on goal difference. VAR controversy contributed to a Lewin, with the rebound flying into first 45 minutes. “It’s such an important win fiery finish in a 1-1 draw with the unguarded United net. “You break records because for us. But it is one win,” said Manchester United. De Gea did make amends in you are 100 percent focused on Watford boss Nigel Pearson. Goalkeeping errors by both part by denying Calvert-Lewin a sec- each step you have to do,” added “It’s in our own hands, and United's David De Gea and ond goal by tipping a shot wide Klopp. "For that you have to per- we have to deliver that perfor- Everton's Jordan Pickford were cen- while, at the other end of the pitch, form. Tonight we were not good mance week in, week out." tral to the outcome at Goodison Nemanja Matic hit the crossbar as enough.” Sarr should even have had Park. United sought an equaliser. Watford’s bright start threat- a famous hat-trick with his But Everton thought they had Another goalkeeping error ened to be blown off course when final touch as he curled wide won the game in stoppage time helped United draw level in the 31st Gerard Deulofeu had to when one-on-one with Alisson. when a shot from Dominic Calvert- minute when England number one stretchered off with a nasty look- However, that was the only Lewin, who had opened the scoring, Pickford, with national manager ing knee injury that seems certain gloss missing from a glorious deflected off United's Harry Maguire Gareth Southgate watching from the to end his season. night for Watford as Liverpool and into the net. stands, failed to cover Bruno Andy Robertson’s driven effort remain four wins away from the The goal, however, was ruled out Fernandes' speculative, if well- finally forced Ben Foster into a title. by the video assistant referee with struck, effort from long range. !       , Bengaluru eke out narrow win % .19 The hosts were already without Marco Verratti due to suspension %  65.+#1# ylian Mbappe scored twice and and injured skipper Thiago Silva, and Kgrabbed an assist as runaway lost Angel Di Maria to a thigh prob- efending champions Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain lem early in the first half. DBengaluru FC registered a coasted to a 4-0 win over Dijon on Tuchel said he was confident Di narrow 1-0 win over ATK in the Saturday despite the absence of the Maria would make a swift recovery, first leg of their Hero Indian suspended Neymar. adding the decision to take him off Super League semi-final clash at Pablo Sarabia struck the opener was one of precaution. the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here inside three minutes at the Parc des By that point PSG were already on Sunday. Princes, as PSG played without leading through Sarabia’s ninth goal Deshorn Brown's opportunis- Neymar who was serving a one- of 2020— and PSG’s second quick- tic strike (31st minute) proved to match ban after his red card in last est of the campaign — after he redi- be the difference in what was a week's win over Bordeaux. rected a mishit shot from closely-fought first leg battle. Dijon, who beat PSG 2-1 at Marquinhos. ATK’s dangerous duo, Roy home in November, are hovering just Dijon goalkeeper Alex Krishna and David Williams, above the relegation play-off place but Runarsson produced a number of combined well to put the ball into held out for 70 minutes before PSG saves to keep the visitors in touch, the net in the 17th minute. added a second through Mbappe. but he was eventually beaten again Krishna found his teammate with The France international then set when Mbappe rounded the Iceland a well-timed lob in behind the up Mauro Icardi for a third goal just international following a slick ball Blues defence. Williams handled moments after the Argentine came on through from Julian Draxler. the ball as he brought it down and as a replacement for Edinson Cavani. Mbappe turned provider when struck it brilliantly past Gurpreet Mbappe bagged his second and he helped the ball across for Icardi Singh Sandhu, but the goal was half ended up at the feet of Juanan for a tug on Krishna. The Fijian PSG’s fourth in stoppage time as Wednesday for a French Cup semi- said Tuchel. to apply a sharp finish on 74 minutes. eventually disallowed due to the whose shot from inside the box striker was brought down outside Thomas Tuchel’s side preserved their final and play Strasbourg next week- “They’re having a very consistent He then increased his league-best handball. was hit straight at Arindam the box by the full-back and the 13-point lead over Marseille at the top end, with the return leg against season with lots of wins and strong goals tally to 18 in stoppage time The hosts continued to put Bhattacharya. The ATK custodi- latter's last-man challenge was of the table. Borussia Dortmund in the performances. We can’t lose confi- after a scramble in the area. pressure on the ATK defence an messed up the save and spilt punished by the referee. “It was a good match. We were Champions League on March 11. dence in this team. The players Marseille strengthened their grip and their effort bore fruit a the ball into the path of Deshorn ATK, however, were unable to able to score quickly which settled us “The group absolutely wants to have shown this week they want to on second place on Friday as Dario minute after the half an hour Brown, who broke the deadlock. force an equaliser and now have down,” said PSG Marquinhos. show against Dortmund that it’s play that game, and they did again Benedetto scored a hat-trick in a 3- mark. Bengaluru suffered a late blow to come from behind in the PSG travel to Lyon on capable of taking this step forward," today.” 2 win at lowly Nimes. Gurpreet’s punt from his own when Nishu Kumar was sent off reverse leg in Kolkata next Sunday   #     Nadal cruises past Fritz to win Acapulco title     )  % +4 .56+6 third Mexico Open Nadal ceded the served for the set, win- title to go with victories world number one ning four straight orld No. 2 Rafael in 2013 and 2005. ranking to Novak points. M # 8 3   WNadal captured Nadal wasted no time Djokovic after the On set point he   + , #  his first title of 2020, figuring out Fritz's Australian Open, hammered a serve 9 83# +  , # easily defeating game in the first career where the Serb won a which Fritz barely got  2 +,#,:  unseeded Taylor Fritz meeting between the record eighth title. back. That set up an  2 ;+ , in straight sets, 6-3, 6- two. Nadal could have overhead smash for ,, 2 +9  , #: 2, in the final of the The 19-time regained the top spot Nadal which he put  #    03#  # . ATP Mexico Open on Grand Slam winner with a win in Acapulco, away nicely.    2,,<#, # Saturday. made eight unforced but he also needed Nadal broke Fritz 2, #. The 33-year-old errors and needed just Djokovic to fail to twice in the second  #)      Nadal, playing in his one ace but it came in reach the final in this set, including the fifth * ++,# .  = first tournament since the final game of the week's Dubai event. game to go up 3-2. He BC      P. + losing in the quarter- second set to get to Nadal won the broke Fritz again to 9 2 .:N finals at the Australian championship point. final eight points to take a 5-4 lead and % #.9 Open last month, did- Nadal closed it out take the first set. He then served out the Saturday. n't drop a set all week with a blistering serve seized control by match. ovak Djokovic set his sights on anoth- “It was a long journey here and improved to 19-2 that handcuffed Fritz breaking Fritz's serve Nadal has now Ner marathon run of invincibility after and I put everything on tennis,” all-time at this event. and gave Nadal his in the ninth game to won a title 17 consec- capturing his 79th career title on Saturday. Sabalenka told He nabbed his 85th career title. go up 5-4. He then utive years. The world number one claimed the www.wtatennis.com as she Dubai Championships for the fifth time, % 47. described the influence of her defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-4 in the father. final. ryna Sabalenka won her “I was actually only playing A        *  . Djokovic is now on an 18-0 winning run Asixth career title on Saturday tennis and focusing on tennis this season, and 21-0 overall since late 2019, when she swept past former and nothing else. And I think I as he ended an eight-match win streak for two-time Wimbledon champion gave everything for tennis. And %  68 6+79 have proven that we can produce expressing that the camp will be a his Greek opponent, champion last weekend Petra Kvitova 6-3, 6-3 in the I just lost my dad in the pre-sea- good results against the best in the good foundation ahead of the 2020 in Marseille. Qatar Open final and dedicated son and he was my biggest moti- ndian men’s hockey team coach world. It’s a step forward in build- Tokyo Games. Djokovic claimed his third trophy of victory to her father who died last vation, and I’m doing it for IGraham Reid on Sunday said ing self-belief,” he said. “The four-week camp will bring 2020 after helping Serbia to the ATP Cup and year. him.” they need to be “consistent across “Also it shows that the things we focus back on our skill — tackling, winning an eighth Australian Open. The Belarusian ninth seed’s Sabalenka fired seven aces matches and in all quarters” if they have been focusing on is working. goal shooting, trapping. We also It is the seventh time that the 32-year- win over the eighth-seeded and 21 winners past Kvitova who are to stake a claim for a podium at But we still need to be more consis- need to work on our attacking abil- old Djokovic has won more than 20 match- Czech, who was Qatar champi- was playing in her 37th WTA the Tokyo Olympics. tent not only across matches but also ities, especially to move the ball es on the trot. on in 2018, will see her rise to 11 final. Reid was happy with his team’s across all quarters,” expressed Reid. from attacking 25 into the circle. His record is 43 set in 2010 and 2011 in the world rankings on “Aryna played an amazing performance in the recently-con- Hockey India on Sunday named “After this camp, we will go to with a run of 28 his next best, achieved on Monday. match,” said Kvitova. cluded FIH Pro League matches a 32-member core probable group Germany and England to play two occasions in 2013-14 and 2015. The 21-year-old said the “She didn’t give me anything against the Netherlands, world for the men’s national camp which which we help us further assess “This has been one of the best starts of memory of her father Sergey, for free, I had a chance once in champions Belgium and Australia. begins at the Sports Authority of improvements required as we work all seasons I’ve had. I feel great on the court,” who died in November, was the second set to break her "One of the takeaways from the India in Bengaluru on Monday. towards 2020 Olympic Games,” said Djokovic. very much in her mind on serve, but I just couldn't make it.” FIH Hockey Pro League was that we The coach minced no words in stated Reid.a     #  6

Ind need to get balance right, caution %#%") 5%#%&%"&%'5 is required more in NZ: Chappell England’s seaming surfaces, is     M  383 3,=, P  ; a place where caution is * . +  ,:, , required more often than in   O #  +,2  , Australia, where most pitch- ; 2  2,#   ;#: es are extremely true,” (  # 2   %  ., #= 9 # *  + Chappell wrote in )  3/44% & 3 , P  8;3 ESPNcricinfo. -1/-.2/1-71+2/?  8;, # 2  ,# P + , “Whatever the cause, at %  ,719',7#1,7 2,* #.,  *,   ;, the Basin Reserve it was an 38 #,= # P  ?N abysmal effort from ndia’s top-order frittered away a <' ! the No. 1-ranked Test team, golden chance with another shod- M* 3#=2, # * + , who failed to reach 200 in Idy batting show as New Zealand 9  2,. ,03#   , either innings,” he added. regained complete control of the 3 , 3+2,##3, 2 .= “Placing a batting order is second Test after ;,,2 .@3 ,  # ;3 not playing a game of "pin the and ’s hostile fast- 2 #,* 3  * #=  tail on the donkey”. It’s impor- bowling spell had given the visitors  # 8, #,,2 .. ;, tant to get the balance right a slender first-innings lead here on 9,, #=N and to place players in posi- Sunday. <  tions where they are comfort- Shami (4/81 in 23.1 overs) and able and hence more likely to Bumrah (3/62 in 22 overs) were bril- Vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane, succeed.” liant in their execution, dismissing who was hit on the helmet, paid the While he defended the New Zealand for 235 in 73.1 overs as price for an ugly shot, while Umesh obdurate Cheteshwar Pujara, they showed why they are one of Yadav expectedly didn’t survive a %  68 6+79 who had the lowest strike deadliest fast bowling pair in Test rampaging Boult after he was inex- rate in Wellington, Chappell match . plicably sent in as nightwatchman ustralian great Ian said he should be careful However, India’s top-order failed when nearly half an hour was left. AChappell on Sunday reck- about not going into a shell. miserably once again as New Zealand A target of 250 in the fourth oned Indian batsmen need to “It’s hard to be critical of bounced back, reducing India to 90 innings could well be a challenge for strike a balance between cau- a No. 3 who was heavily for six in their second innings at the Black Caps as there is still some- tion and aggression, his views involved in India beating stumps on day two as a third day fin- thing in the track for the speed mer- coming in the wake of their Australia in 2018-19 with ish is on the cards. chants despite batsmen getting a struggles in the Test series in some lengthy stays at the India is now effectively 97 runs value for their shots. New Zealand’s testing condi- crease anchoring the innings. ahead with only four in hand India would have ideally hoped tions. “Pujara normally bats and it will take a herculean effort to that skipper Kohli would end his Chappell’s opinion was in behind (Rohit) Sharma and avert another series whitewash after dreadful tour of New Zealand with contrast to the view shared by and ahead of the ODIs. one big knock but it was not to be as Virat Kohli after the drubbing Kohli. That’s an adequate Trent Boult (3/12 in 9 overs) got Colin de Grandhomme trapped him in the first Test. The India cap- amount of strokeplay sur- Mayank Agarwal (3) and Cheteshwar leg before with an off-cutter. tain had said, in part, “I don’t rounding Pujara, and as a Pujara (24) with conventional No wonder Trent Boult was think being cautious or wary judicious shot maker he’s ideal inswingers that tails into right-han- happy having kept Kohli quiet. will help because you might at No. 3 for balance. ders. In the morning, the first two ses- stop playing your shots.” “Mind you, Pujara needs Prithvi Shaw (14) was out in sions belonged to Shami and Bumrah, Known for his sharp to be careful he doesn’t slip familiar fashion, fending a short ball who were nothing short of brilliant cricketing mind, Chappell’s into net-practice mode and from Tim Southee, while skipper with their precision length, sideways line of thinking is a bit differ- forget that the object in a Virat Kohli's (14) indecisive footwork movement and an occasional heavy ent from that of Kohli. match is to score runs regu- brought his downfall once again. (   '  '  )       %  &    ball that was slipped in between. “New Zealand, much like larly.  '    = D@B Klaasen century sets up Proteas win '>    %3@A( % ..1+ % .++6-6+6 % 363 maiden international centu- usal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva Ary by Heinrich Klaasen set aura Wolvaardt Ksmashed half-centuries as Sri Lanka up a 74-run win for South Africa Lsmacked a crucial 53 as posted 307 in the third one-day interna- in the first one-day internation- South Africa whipped tional against West Indies on Sunday. al against Australia at Boland Pakistan to make only their Mendis top-scored with 55 while De Park. second women’s Twenty20 Silva hit 51 after Sri Lanka— enjoying an Klaasen hit 123 in a World Cup semi-finals unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match South African total of 291 for Sunday, where they were series — elected to bat first in Kandy. seven. Australia were on target joined by former champi- Paceman Alzarri Joseph claimed four midway through their reply but ons England who swept wickets as Sri Lanka were bowled out in lost their last seven wickets for 43 past the West Indies. 50 overs. runs to be bowled out for 217 on Proteas captain Dane Avishka Fernando and skipper Saturday. van Niekerk won the toss Dimuth Karunaratne gave the hosts a and Marnus and opted to bat on a slow brisk start with a 60-run opening stand Labuschagne put on 84 for track at Sydney before the West Indies struck. Australia’s third after the Showgrounds, with her Joseph got Fernando caught behind early loss of opening batsman team making a competitive for 28, and spinner Roston Chase caught Aaron Finch and David Warner, 136 for six, boosted by and bowled Karunaratne for 44. both dismissed by Lungi Ngidi, Wolvaardt’s late fireworks. Kusal Perera, who made 44, and who finished with three for 30. In reply Pakistan, Mendis then rebuilt the innings during Smith (76) and Labuschagne missing captain Bismah their 89-run stand to take the attack to the (41) hit only three boundaries By contrast Klaasen and ed three catches in the outfield Maroof who was ruled out Baig struck again with Omaima Sohail lasted opposition. between them as scoring proved David Miller (64) put on 149 for by a player who keeps wicket in of the tournament on van Niekerk gone for three just three balls before being The in-form Mendis, who hit a cen- difficult on a slow pitch and a big South Africa’s fifth wicket and domestic cricket. Two of Saturday with a broken to leave South Africa at 17 run out in a comical mix- tury in his team’s thrashing of West outfield. were not parted until Miller was Verreynne’s catches were spectac- thumb, could only manage for two. up with stand-in skipper Indies on Wednesday, completed his When they tried to acceler- out in the 49th over. ular, one to dismiss Warner 119 for five. Mignon du Preez (17) , then the dan- 17th ODI fifty before falling to Joseph. ate Labuschagne was caught at Klaasen said he felt “pure when he dived forward from England, 2009 champi- and Marizanne Kapp (31) gerous Nida Dar departed Fast bowler bowled long-on off left-arm spinner emotion” when he reached his point and late in the innings ons and runners up at the steaded the ship, then for three. former captain Angelo Mathews for 12, Keshav Maharaj. century after a difficult recent when he ran in from long-on and last tournament, secured Wolvaardt played what A desperately unlucky but the rest of the batsmen kept up the Mitchell Marsh helped period when he lost his place in dived to take a steepling catch their place with a comfort- proved to be a critical Khan was batting beauti- charge. Smith add 41 for the fourth wick- the team and had to fight his way from Pat Cummins. able 46-run win over the knock. She carved out a fully in her 100th T20 De Silva, who completed his fifty in et but Marsh was bowled by back. He gave credit to Miller and was phleg- West Indies, courtesy of high-quality 53 from 36 when she was run out for just 45 balls with a boundary off Jason Ngidi and three balls later Smith new cap Kyle Verreynne, who matic after a topsy-turvy few fine bowling and a battling African innings. balls, including fours off 31. Holder, and Thisara Perera put on 64 runs was trapped leg before wicket by made 48 and helped Klaasen add weeks when South Africa have 57 from Natalie Sciver. But pace spearhead the final three deliveries. Needing 58 off the last for the sixth wicket. Anrich Nortje. 78 for the fourth wicket after had good wins interspersed by The dangerous Lizelle bowled a beau- Pakistan made a brisk five overs, Aliya Riaz (39 Joseph broke the stand with the It was always going to be dif- South Africa had been 48 for heavy defeats. “It’s a matter of Lee, who smashed a centu- tiful outswinger and she start, whacking a quick 18 not out) and Iram Javed wicket of De Silva and sent T. Perera back ficult for new batsmen to get three after winning the toss. being consistent in what we do ry against Thailand, imme- got an edge to Sidra Nawaz before Shabnim Ismail (17 not out) did their best to the pavilion for 38, but the damage had established and the innings sub- Verreynne, 22, made an and then we will be alright going diately went on the attack behind the stumps in a big removed Muneeba Ali in a but were denied by tight already been done. sided. impressive debut which includ- forward,” he said. as she opened the South breakthrough for Pakistan. rare T20 wicket-maiden. bowling. &?  E .=?!<!&     % 3+76' E.5+.67F %  -4+-.'. JG    helped Saurashtra post 304 After lunch, Gujarat G G 1 and then the home team bowlers wrapped up the tail as shan Porel complemented bowlers wreaked havoc on Saurashtra lost three wickets for century from Liton Das and a clinical bowl- IAnustup Majumdar’s    Gujarat's batting line-up to seven runs. Aing effort helped Bangladesh thrash unbeaten century with a five-    reduce them to 119 for six. Pacer Arzan Nagaswalla Zimbabwe by 169 runs in the first ODI wicket haul to put Bengal in Resuming on overnight (5/81) grabbed a five-for, while between the two sides on Sunday. Liton’s 126 command against a star-stud- %% 217 for five, through Sheldon took three wickets off 105 balls helped Bangladesh set up a total ded Karnataka in their Ranji   C Jackson and Chirag Jani (29), and Roosh Kalaria bagged of 321/6. In response, Zimbabwe folded for 152 Trophy semifinal here on Saurashtra negated the early two. in 39.1 overs in Sylhet. Sunday. %  1 challenge posed by the oppo- However, Saurashtra pac- The visitors lost their first wicket in the sec- After Majumdar’s 149 not      sition bowlers. ers reduced Gujarat to one for ond over with Mohammad Saifuddin bowling out propelled Bengal to 312 Jackson got a reprieve on 2 after Unadkat sent Priyank over Zimbabwe opener Tinashe after being down at 67 G   82 when skipper Parthiv Panchal (0) in the first over and Kamumhunkamwe. They lost a total of four +6&   for 6 at one stage, the   1   Patel dropped a catch off in the second over Chetan wickets within the first 15 overs after which )  7/84% & 21-year-old Porel pacer Arzan Nagwaswalla. Sakariya cleaned up Samit Wesley Madhevere and Sikandar Raza held the snared 5 for 39 as the GG  He made the most of this by Gohel (1). hosts off for nearly 10 overs. Their fifth wick- -1/-.2/1-@1+2/? three-pronged Bengal notching up his 19th first- Then, Dhruv Raval (35) et stand of 35 was the highest for Zimbabwe and pace attack dismissed %   class hundred and third this and (13) tried was broken when Raza got a top edge to a short the batting-heavy Karnataka %   season. to steady the ship, but the lat- delivery from Mustafizuir Rahman that flew for a paltry 122 in 36.2 overs, Jackson and Jani were ter was dismissed when he straight into the hands of Bangladesh captain their lowest total this season. looking good before Gujarat offered a sitter to Jackson off Mashrafe Mortaza. India opener Rahul, who tumbled on day two as Bengal bounced back with medi- Prerak Mankad, as the visitors Zimbabwe’s last four wickets added 48 runs was adjudged man-of-the- were 72 for 4 at stumps with um-pacer Roosh Kalaria slipped to 37 for three. which helped them reach series in their 5-0 T20I white- Sudip Chatterjee (40 not out) sending both the batsmen Raval, too, was unable to 150. wash of New Zealand recent- giving Majumdar (1 not out) back to the pavilion. convert his start as he became Earlier, ly, looked out of sorts and company, extending the hosts’ He first trapped Jani in Unadkat's second victim with opener Liton led scored a forgettable 67-ball 26 overall lead to a sizeable 262- front of the wicket and then Gujarat in deep trouble at 58 the way with his (2x4s). run. got Jackson to edge to Parthiv for four. second ODI ton Spinner Krishnappa as Saurashtra slipped to 266 Dharmendrasinh Jadeja as the Gowtham (31) top-scored    % for seven. then struck twice and got the Bangladesh top for Karnataka in a quick 56- RAJKOT: Sheldon Jackson Jackson and Jani added prize wicket of Parthiv (27) as order got the hosts run (46 balls) eighth-wicket struck a gritty hundred before 103 run wicket for the sixth Gujarat had lost half the side off to a flier. stand with Abhimanyu the bowlers shone as wicket. for 95. It soon became 97 for However, the Mithun (24) to help Saurashtra gained the upper Prerak Mankad (15) and six when Jadeja sent back humidity even- Karnataka avoid the follow- hand on the second day of Dharmendrasinh Jadeja (15) for a zero. tually got to him on but only to concede a mas- their Ranji Trophy semifinal ensured the hosts didn't lose (27 not out) and he had to sive 190-run first innings against Gujarat here on any further wicket till lunch. and Axar Patel (7 not out) eventually retire lead. Sunday. Saurashtra took lunch at 290 for made sure that there were no hurt at 126 in the A total of 15 wickets Jackson's knock of 103 seven. further losses before stump. 37th over.