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JACK OF ALL TRADES CURBS RELAXED IN UP GLOBAL STING Actor Lauren Gottlieb says she is becoming a The UP government extended relaxation in Criminal gangs divulged plans for moving drug shipments better director and producer while Covid restrictions in all 75 districts and carrying out killings on a messaging app secretly run by the FBI creating digital content LEISURE | P2 of the state TWO STATES | P7 INTERNATIONAL | P10

VOLUME 11, ISSUE 69 | www.orissapost.com BHUBANESWAR | WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9 | 2021 12 PAGES | `5.00 State to boost paediatric care ONE ATTENDANT MAY BE ALLOWED TO STAY IN THE HOSPITAL CONSIDERING REQUIREMENTS

POST NEWS NETWORK BRACING FOR THIRD WAVE

Bhubaneswar, June 8: The state government has decided to strengthen its medical infrastructure to tackle the beds to be created for paediatric patients possible third wave of Covid-19 that State likely to start in Covid hospitals, medical colleges may hit the children hard. Accepting the recommendations of the Technical Committee headed unlock process by Director, Medical Education & general beds, 408 ICU beds to be Training (DMET), CBK Mohanty, the ensured in Covid hospitals Health and Family Welfare depart- beds including NICU, PICU & POST NEWS NETWORK ing weeks. As some districts ment has asked all Collectors, mu- 357 HDU to be created in 7 still report high TPR, he nicipal commissioners and heads of medical colleges Bhubaneswar, June 8: asked the officials to focus healthcare institutions to start prepar- With the decline in daily on those areas. ing to strengthen childcare in the beds in DHH, SDH; 2-4 beds in CHCs Covid cases during the past Naveen instructed the con- hospitals in their respective areas. 10 to be reserved for such patients few days, Chief Minister cerned officials to expand The government has decided to beds in all Covid Care Naveen Patnaik Tuesday the Covid-19 vaccination pro- create a designated wing for paediatric 15% Centres to be earmarked indicated that the state will gramme from 1.5 lakh doses cases in the existing Covid hospitals REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO for pediatric patients begin the unlock process in per day to 3 lakh doses per for better and safe management of phases. day. At the same time, he ex- cases as strict isolation of Covid-19 pos- leges at Burla, Cuttack, Balasore, pected cases and transfer the symp- In the areas where the caseload is the committee headed by head of the Chairing the weekly pressed concern over the itive paediatric cases may not be pos- Koraput, Berhampur, Baripada and tomatic patients to the appropriate expected to be high, the government paediatric department of SCB Medical Covid review meeting, rising incidents of black fun- sible in general wards, as it may lead Bolangir. Covid hospitals. About two to four will set up standalone paediatric College and Hospital, the government Naveen said that the gov- gus infections in the state to transmission of infection to non- Similarly, 15 per cent of the total beds will be reserved in the commu- Covid Care facilities. has initiated the process for pro- ernment is considering re- and suggested them to stock Covid children. beds in Covid hospitals would be re- nity health centres for such patients, To start with, the facilities created curement of required list of equipment laxing the restrictions in required drugs. The supply As per the plan, 357 beds will be cre- served for the paediatric patients. the government said. If a child found will be managed by the available man- consumables & medicines through districts where test posi- of oxygen in the state was sat- ated in seven state-run medical colleges As many as 10,736 general beds and Covid positive, he/she will be trans- power, while trained manpower will Odisha State Medical Corporation tivity rate has declined con- isfactory and availability of and hospitals for the treatment of 4,072 ICU like beds are there in the ferred to appropriate Covid hospital. be deployed in later stage. Ltd (OSMCL) siderably. cylinders has improved, he coronavirus-infected children. In all, existing Covid hospitals across the The superintendents of govern- Online capacity building training The Health department has also Lockdown restrictions said. 155 isolation beds, 44 HDU (High state. Hereafter, 1,455 general beds ment medical colleges and chief dis- will be provided after identifying planned to set up a dedicated Covid are in force in the state since Chief Secretary Suresh Dependency Unit), 94 Paediatric and 408 ICU beds will be dedicated trict medical officers (CDMOs) have trained doctors and paramedics from Block in the Sishu Bhawan, Cuttack. May 5 following the out- Chandra Mohapatra said Intensive Care Unit (PICU)/ Special to the children. been asked to keep sufficient stocks the peripheral hospitals and they will One attendant may be allowed to break of the second wave that it is a matter of relief Newborn Care Units (SNCU) and 64 All the district and sub-divisional hos- of the required medicines, consum- be deputed to the nearest medical col- stay in the hospital considering re- of Covid-19. The ongoing that there was no increase Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) pitals have been directed to reserve ables and medical oxygen for the treat- lege in a phased manner. quirements. Breast-feeding corners will restrictions are to continue in Covid infections in the cy- will be created in the medical col- at least 10 beds for isolation of the sus- ment of children. As per the suggestions made by be opened in all the dedicated Covid in the state till June 17. clone Yaas-affected areas. The Chief Minister ex- As the TPR has come down, pressed relief as the test pressure on ICU and oxy- positivity rate (TPR) is de- gen-coupled beds has re- clining in the state and duced. Mohapatra hoped Govt sets vax prices hoped that the rate will come that the infection rate will Doses on basis of population for private hosps down further in the com- drop to 5 per cent soon.

AGENCIES PRESS TRUST OF INDIA FREE VAX, FOOD RAINY DAYS AHEAD New Delhi, June 8: A day after Prime New Delhi, June 8: The government Minister Narendra Modi tweaked his TO COST `1.45L CR Tuesday set the maximum price pri- government’s Covid-19 vaccination NEW DELHI: India will need to spend an vate hospitals can charge for the three policy and announced that states will additional `1.45 lakh crore ($11 billion) Covid-19 vaccines currently avail- receive free doses for inoculation of to provide free vaccine and food to mil- able in the country – Covishield `780 all above 18, revised guidelines for lions of people devastated by a deadly per dose, Covaxin `1,410 and Sputnik the same were released Tuesday. wave of coronavirus infections, V `1,145. As per the revised guidelines, the Bloomberg News said Tuesday. The In a letter to all states and Union Centre will buy 75 per cent of doses government of the world’s second Territories, the Health Ministry sug- from vaccine makers, including 25 most populous nation will earmark an gested that appropriate strict action per cent of the state quota, and give additional between `1.1 lakh crore and be taken against private vaccination it for free to state governments and `1.3 lakh crore to provide food until centres for overcharging. Union Territories. As the Prime November to the poor and other eligi- The maximum price of Covishield Minister said in his Monday address, ble groups, it said, citing people famil- for private Covid-19 Vaccination no state government will have to iar with the matter. The government Centres (CVCs) has been fixed at `780 IRREGULAR by MANJUL spend on vaccine procurement. may not have to tap the bond market per dose, while that of Covaxin is However, the Centre has made it clear NEW GUIDELINES for the funds, the sources said, citing a `1,410 per dose and Sputnik V `1,145 ` that the allocation of doses will depend dividend of 99,122 crore it received per dose, it said. The Health Ministry n from the central bank and inflows on factors including the population of Domestic vaccine has asked states to ensure that the expected from asset sales. states and vaccine wastage. “Vaccine manufacturers will be given prices declared by various private doses provided free of cost by the the option to provide vaccines “They should also put in the public CVCs do not exceed the ceiling. Government of India will be allocated directly to private hospitals domain the information about the The Serum Institute of India sells to states/UTs based on criteria such as above availability at district and its Covishield to private hospitals at population, disease burden and the n Private hospitals will be vaccination center level, and widely `600 per dose (excluding GST). Bharat progress of vaccination. Wastage of allowed to levy a maximum of disseminate it among the local pop- Biotech has set the cost of its Covaxin vaccine will affect the allocation nega- `150 as service charge ulation, maximizing the visibility at `1,200 a dose for private establish- tively,” a notification read. and convenience of citizens,” the ments. Both vaccines are supplied to Workers put sandbags on the bank of the River Brahmaputra Domestic vaccine manufacturers n States/UTs will be notified in guidelines read. the Central government at a cost of `150 to control soil erosion ahead of the monsoon season in Guwahati, will be given the option to provide advance of how many doses The guidelines state that the vacci- a dose. Sputnik-V is supplied to private Tuesday PTI PHOTO ` vaccines directly to private hospi- will be supplied to them nation will be prioritised and will be ad- hospitals at 948 per dose. tals. And private hospitals will be al- ministered to healthcare workers first “The private hospitals may charge ` ` Yes, there has lowed to levy a maximum of 150 as be supplied to them. The government followed by frontline workers, citizens up to a maximum of 150 per dose as been a death... service charge. has said that the states should sim- more than 45 years of age, citizens service charges. State governments Man slaps French Prez Internet! Also, states/UTs will be notified ilarly allocate doses well in advance whose second dose is due, and then to may monitor the price being so in advance of how many doses will for districts and vaccination centers. those above 18 years of age. charged,” the ministry said. Macron in the face

REUTERS MARKET WATCH Swaths of internet go down after cloud outage Paris, June 8: French INDEX VARIATION President Emmanuel MULTIPLE WEBSITES WENT OFFLINE BRIEFLY TUESDAY AFTER AN OUTAGE AT THE CLOUD SERVICE COMPANY FASTLY Macron was slapped in the SENSEX 52275.57 52.94 face Tuesday by a man in a ASSOCIATED PRESS Fastly said it had identified a serv- crowd of onlookers while

BOURSES NIFTY 15740.10 11.60 ice configuration that triggered dis- on a walkabout in south- London, June 8: Multiple websites ruptions, meaning the outage ap- ern France, video of the in- `0.05 DOLLAR 73.26 went offline briefly across the globe peared to be caused internally. cident showed. life is returning to normal EURO 88.89 `0.17 Tuesday after an outage at the cloud Still, all major futures markets in Macron’s security en- after the Covid-19 epidemic. CURRENCY service company Fastly, revealing the US dipped sharply minutes after tourage quickly intervened In video circulating on GOLD `49,150 `7 how critical a handful of companies the outage hit almost exactly a month to pull the man to the ground social media, Macron, running the internet’s plumbing have after a cyberattack that caused the and move Macron away dressed in shirt sleeves, SILVER `71,595 `222

BULLION become. operator of the largest fuel pipeline from him. Two people were could be seen walking to- Dozens of sites including the New in the US to halt its operations. arrested in connection with wards a crowd of well-wish- York Times, CNN, some Amazon sites, Internet traffic measurement by the incident, broadcasters ers who were behind a metal Twitch, Reddit, the Guardian, and Kentik show that Fastly began to re- BFM TV and RMC radio re- barrier. WEATHER the UK government’s home page, cover from the outage roughly an ported. French Prime Two of Macron's secu- could not be reached. hour after it struck at mid-morning Minister Jean Castex said rity detail tackled the man y BHUB CTK In Asia, cities like Hong Kong and European time – and before most the incident was an affront in the green T-shirt, while

Singapore were also affected, with Americans were awake. to democracy. another ushered Macron

k y m MAX 36.7° 37.0° c users unable to access the CNN web- San Francisco-based Fastly ac- said: “The issue has been identified “Looks like it is slowly coming The incident took place away. But Macron remained

TEMP MIN 25.6° 27.5° site. In China, where most foreign knowledged a problem just before 6 and a fix has been applied. Customers back,” said Doug Madory, an internet while Macron was on a visit in the vicinity of the crowd Forecast media websites are blocked, there a.m. Eastern. It said in repeated up- may experience increased origin load infrastructure expert at Kentik. He said to the Drome region in for a few more seconds, and Humidity 88% 83% Partly was little discussion on the outage dates on its website that it was “con- as global services return.” A num- “it is serious because Fastly is one of south-eastern France, where appeared to be talking to Rainfall Trace 4mm cloudy sky on social media platforms such as tinuing to investigate the issue.” ber of sites that were hit early ap- the world’s biggest CDNs and this he met restaurateurs and someone on the other side Weibo. About an hour later, the company peared to be coming back online. was a global outage.” students to talk about how of the barriers. P2 VIN DIESEL-STARRER F9 TO BE PROUD OF EVERYTHING WEDNESDAY | JUNE 9 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR SCREENED AT CANNES IN JULY I HAVE EARNED: MIRREN The upcoming Vin Diesel-starrer F9, English actress Helen Mirren says she takes pride latest release in the Fast & Furious and pleasure in knowing she has earned everything franchise, is the Hollywood ‘blockbuster’ she has in her life. “I come from not a working-class that Cannes Film Festival authorities situation, but certainly a financially impoverished

y promised to screen at the gala, to be one. The one thing my parents taught me ‘you must

k y m leisure held from July 6 to 17 this year. become financially independent’,” she said. c FORTUNE FORECAST Lauren donning When Sunny ARIES Now at last you have forgot her lines realised that you have been preoccupied with Mumbai: When it comes to pack- mouthing her lines, only to forget work at the cost of your family life. ing an action punch and mouthing them midway. Making up to them now is going to take multiple hats her lines all at once, Sunny Leone “Aata majhi sa- a lot more effort. Ganesha says be ready to open your purse strings for Mumbai: Dancer and actress Lauren Gottlieb has Jackson, Tanishq Joshi and was literally left dangling mid- takli…” Sunny wrote either eating out, going out for a movie been keeping her fans entertained with her social Yai Ariza. way at a shoot. as caption with the or shopping at the best places. media content. She finds creating digital content Lauren said, “Being In an Instagram video clip tags #SunnyLeone, explorative, fun and challenging. able to collaborate with that she posted Tuesday, Sunny #bts and #OnSets, “Digital creation is super fun, explorative and established as well as is seen strapped to cable and at- though she did not TAURUS challenging because you end up wearing lots of hats. new artistes in tempting a stunt that requires share what proj- This day has been ear- Coming up with concepts, casting, producing, cho- Bollywood and her to fall vertically on a co- ect she was shoot- marked for beautification, a reography, set and costume design, editing -- the list Hollywood has been actor lying on the ground. The ing for. makeover, says Ganesha. can be endless,” said the ABCD 2 actress. creatively fulfilling.” cable-aided drop just stops IANS You are likely to remain preoccupied with “These are all parts of the filmmaking process IANS short of Sunny crashing ways to enhance your looks and appear- that I love. Through creating digital content, I am into the man, at which ance. A new, stylish hair do, face packs and massages, trendy outfits and acces- becoming a better director, producer, and chore- point Sunny is sories could be in store. You will, subcon- ographer,” added the actress. supposed to sciously, be doing all that you can do, to Among Lauren’s several collaborations, say her lines. get noticed by others. the leading ones include the Madhuri In the Dixit-Nene tribute with choreogra- clip, she is pher Joya Nandy Kazi, her Kamariya seen sus- GEMINI Lachke Re reel with digital creator pended in the Ruhee Dosani, and those with air rather in- You will feel lonely and King Bach, Matt Steffanina, decisively, unwanted today. You will feel the need for someone Phillip Chbeeb, Montana when the di- who can calm your troubled mind. Tucker, Crissa rector Meditation and yoga will help you calm prompts her yourself. It is a good day to receive love to say her di- from that someone special, says Ganesha. alogue. She starts off CANCER You will succeed in a new venture and will brim with radiance and energy. Ganesha says this is the best time for get-together and kindle contact with NROs demand Padma Shri TRAILER OF ANTHOLOGY friends and relatives. RAY UNVEILED LEO for late actor Atal Bihari Mumbai: The trailer of the up- Talking about his seg- You will look to give your house a new appearance by Several members of Western Odisha Community of the UAE paid rich coming OTT anthology Ray, fea- ment Abhishek said: “I’m decorating it or undertaking tributes to the ‘Sala Budha’ actor in Dubai turing four stories by the late maes- drawn to stories that twist some renovation projects. You will make tro Satyajit Ray, with whimsy and humour. the best out of waste and produce some dropped Tuesday. The an- Hardly anyone truly marvellous pieces of art for improv- POST NEWS NETWORK thology is slated to release crafts those bet- ing the ambience of your nest. You will be able to save up on some money. June 25. ter than Satyajit Laudable, says Ganesha. BHUBANESWAR: Members The stories are titled Ray and a of the Western Odisha Hungama Hai Kyon chance to tell this Community of the United Barpa, Forget Me Not, story is a great op- VIRGO Arab Emirates (UAE) paid Bahrupiya and portunity for me rich tributes to eminent Odia Spotlight. Two of the and can’t wait for You will excel remarkably in actor and playwright Atal stories are directed people to watch whatever work you prefer to engage yourself in today. Bihari Panda in Dubai at a by Srijit Mukherji, it!” Ganesha says your aspiration to start a busi- condolence meet held re- with Abhishek Srijit said, ness endeavour in a foreign country will cently in Dubai. Chaubey and Vasan “Satyajit Ray bear fruit. To considerably enhance your Atal Babu, at the age of Members of Western Odisha Community at the meeting Bala calling the shots has been a big self-image, it is necessary to make required 88, spellbound the audience the occasion while added. A resolution was passed on one each. The inspiration in my improvements in your personal appearance. with his energy and enthu- Priyadarshee Panigrahi, a in the meeting to launch a ensemble cast in- life. After faith- siasm when he had been on senior member of the com- campaign to petition the gov- cludes Manoj fully bring- a trip to the UAE during munity, made an appeal to the ernment on the issue. Pritish Bajpayee, Gajraj ing two LIBRA Nuakhai Bhetghat celebra- Government of India seek- R Dash, another active mem- Rao, Shweta stories of Ganesha says that on the tion in 2017, recalled senior ing prestigious Padma Shri ber of the community sec- Basu Prasad, Ray to life work front you may be in member Rajesh Tripathy. award for the Sala Budha onded the proposal. Ali Fazal, in Feluda the midst of meetings or negotiations, which will work out favor- His dance with the kids actor. Atal Bihari has per- The members felt that such Anindita Bose, Pherot, it is ably for you. This will help ease your ten- to the tune of a song from formed in nearly 100 plays commemorations on foreign Kay Kay Menon, an honour sion and you will feel mentally free. Today Sala Budha was one of the and worked in more than 60 soil are important to pro- Bidita Bag, Dibyendu and fulfill- you will feel more vibrant and active too enduring memories of that dramas as playwright, both mote, preserve and appreci- Bhattacharya, Chandan ing to reinter- and hence will be able to get more done. event, said another member. in Odia and Koshali languages. ate Odisha’s cultural her- Roy Sanyal, Harshvarrdhan pret two more Video clippings from his This would be a befitting trib- itage and honour the eminent Kapoor, Radhika Madan and stories of Ray in a decidedly Dubai visit were played out on ute to his legacy, Panigrahi personalities. Akansha Ranjan Kapoor. darker space.” IANS SCORPIO According to Ganesha, your new business venture is likely to keep you on toes SUDOKU today. You may even neglect your person- To solve the Sudoku puzzle, fill in the boxes in such a al life to meet expectations at work. A PEANUTS post manner that every row, column and 3x3 box contains feeling of disappointment may surround CROSSWORD the digits 1 to 9, without repeating any. you as things do not go according to plan- ning and your efforts may go in vain. No pains, no gains reminds Ganesha.

SAGITTARIUS Good Samaritans around you may give unsolicited, but valuable advise. Take it as a hint, and consider it for your better- ment. Take your decision after following the advise, and this may definitely yield benefits, says Ganesha.

CAPRICORN You want to enhance your knowledge by exploring for- CALVIN AND HOBBES eign shores, but luck hasn't favoured you yet. Ganesha predicts today to be a favourable day for you to try again for higher studies. If associated with the Stock Market or speculation, you are like- ly to make profits. You will come across many opportunities, but you need to iden- SOLUTIONS tify and explore them to the fullest.

AQUARIUS There are no short-cuts to success. You know this very well and work you socks off to get what you want. Colleagues, friends and family – all of them will acknowledge and appreciate your efforts and achievements. Though you will be apprehensive about it, you will have to take some risks to bring the desired BREVITY CROSSWORD change in your life, says Ganesha.

PISCES

Interactions with those of y

the opposite sex will mark

k y m your day. It is also a good c day to strike up friendship with those of the opposite sex. For those in love, today is a good day to spend time with your partner. For those looking for love, now is the best time to pop the question to that

special someone you've secretly admired SUDOKU for long, says Ganesha. CHECK FOR SOLUTIONS OF THE PUZZLES TOMORROW COVID-19 TRACKER P3 SUMMER TREAT WEDNESDAY | JUNE 9 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR INFECTED RECOVERED DEAD Jackfruits being World 17,45,42,663 15,78,73,581 37,56,237 unloaded from a truck at Chhatra Bazar in India 2,89,96,473 2,73,41,462 3,51,309 Cuttack ahead of Odisha 8,25,110 7,56,641 3,080

downtown Savitri festival, Tuesday

k y m c NANDINI: A ROLE MODEL th Nandini Satpathy, the only woman Chief Minister of Odisha, is lovingly remembered on her 90th birth anniversary. Born June 9, 1931, Nandini had cut her BIRTH ANNIVERSARY teeth in politics at a very young age. Nandini was one of the pioneering female politicians of Independent India. During her stint as the Chief Minister, she had taken remarkable steps in areas like women empowerment, rural economy, art & culture and education which stay etched in the memories of people till today. She made the best contribution to the economy of the state by bringing in Land Reforms Act that freed lands from the clutches of a few. Orissa POST tries to recapture a few moments of her illustrious life...

State to start antibody Youth attacked in Capital city dies at SCB POST NEWS NETWORK Kartik’s parents also tors shifted him to SCB Medical College and Hospital for advanced Bhubaneswar, June 8: A 20-year- sustained severe injuries treatment. The doctors at SCBMH cocktail treatment old youth, who was brutally as- while trying to save Tuesday morning declared Kartik saulted by miscreants Monday their son from the dead. POST NEWS NETWORK night, died while undergoing treat- His death news stoked anger ment at SCB Medical College and clutches of the attackers among the relatives and other slum Bhubaneswar, June 8: The state Hospital (SCBMCH) in Cuttack dwellers who gheraoed the government has decided to make Tuesday. Laxmisagar police station de- available a cocktail of antibody The incident took place at fled the spot leaving him alone as manding stringent action against drugs for treatment of Covid-19 Budhhanagar under Laxmisagar po- Chandra and his friends had come the culprits. patients. lice limits here. The deceased was File photo of Kartik Sahoo prepared with sharp weapons and Subsequently, police registered Following permission of Drugs identified as Kartik Sahoo, a resi- wooden stumps to attack Kartik. two cases (189/21 and 190/21) on Controller General of India (DCGI), dent of a slum in the same area. cost Kartik over the issue. The deceased reportedly sustained the basis of the complaints of both the government has decided to Sources said Kartik had a verbal They engaged in a heated argu- severe injuries in the murderous the parties. The cops swung into ac- make available the Pegylated duel with the prime accused, ment with Kartik and his friends attack. Kartik’s parents also sus- tion and arrested Reddy and four Interferon alpha-2b (PegIFN) & Chandra Reddy over a minor road that soon turned violent as both the tained severe injuries while try- of his friends and three members casirivimab and imdevimab (an- mishap Monday morning. Though groups started exchanging blows. ing to save their son from the from Kartik’s group. tibody cocktail) drugs for the use he drug is a cocktail of two Reddy left the place immediately for Members of both the groups were clutches of the attackers. All the accused were sent to ju- by the prescribing physicians Tantibodies, casirivimab and some reason, he came later along injured in the skirmish. Later, locals rushed Kartik to dicial custody after rejection of strictly complying with the indi- imdevimab, which is used for with some of his henchmen to ac- Meanwhile, the deceased’s friends the Capital hospital but the doc- their bail pleas by court. cation and requirement under EUA the treatment of mild to tients with mild to moderate Covid- (Emergency Use Authorization) moderate Covid-19 in adults and 19 symptoms. regulations. paediatric patients (12 or older) This comes a day after the Union Aid announced for Additional Chief Secretary, who are at high risk of Health Ministry dropped the use of developing severe disease Cong sit-ins at petrol pumps June 11 Health, PK Mohapatra has writ- Ivermectin, Doxycycline and roadside vendors ten to heads of all medical insti- he antibody cocktail shot Hydroxychloroquine from its Covid- tutions in this regard, Tuesday. Tinto the limelight after it was 19 treatment guidelines. POST NEWS NETWORK The party will hold sit-in BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister The drugs will be kept in stock used to treat former United The revised guidelines have also Naveen Patnaik Tuesday at Odisha State Medical Corporation States President Donald Trump dropped zinc and multivitamins Bhubaneswar, June 8: The protests for four hours in announced a package for roadside Ltd (OSMCL) and other selected last year that were earlier prescribed by doc- Congress party Tuesday threat- front of all petrol pumps vendors who suffered losses to distribution sites. The drugs will tors to treat asymptomatic or mildly ened to stage sit-ins outside petrol their livelihoods due to the he drugs will be kept in be issued against the requisition by symptomatic Covid-19 patients. pumps in Odisha to protest against in the state seeking a lockdown imposed in the state Tstock at Odisha State the prescribing physician through Medical Corporation Ltd and The new guidelines stressed on the frequent rise in petrol and rollback of petrol and amid the rising Covid-19 cases. superintendent and chief district other selected distribution sites the importance of abiding by Covid- diesel prices. Patnaik announced a financial medical officers (CDMOs), he said. 19 appropriate behaviour such as The party will hold sit-in protests diesel price hike package of `29.29 crore for 87,657 The drug is a cocktail of two an- mask, strict hand hygiene, and for four hours in front of all petrol vendors across 114 municipal areas tibodies, casirivimab and imde- The antibody cocktail shot into physical distancing. The ministry pumps in the state June 11 seek- has been raising the petrol and price hike has added to the woes in the state. The assistance will be vimab, which is used for the treat- the limelight after it was used to further advised people who expe- ing a rollback of petrol and diesel diesel prices consistently amid of the middle class and the poor. provided from the Chief Minister's ment of mild to moderate Covid-19 treat former United States President rience Covid symptoms to seek price hike. Odisha Pradesh the Covid-19 pandemic. “Keeping the sufferings of people Relief Fund, as per an official in adults and paediatric patients (12 Donald Trump last year. The ther- teleconsultations and to consume Congress Committee (OPCC) Patnaik claimed that petrol in mind, the Congress party has de- statement. Each registered vendor or older) who are at high risk of de- apy is said to reduce the chance of a healthy balanced diet with proper President Niranjan Patnaik said prices have crossed `100 per litre cided to hold a statewide protest on will get an amount of `3,000 as veloping severe disease. hospitalisation by 70 per cent in pa- hydration. the Modi government at the Centre in many parts of the state. This the issue June 11,” Patnaik said. assistance, sources said. SJTA seeks Covid warrior tag for its staff POLITICKLE by MANJUL SJTA chief Krishan Kumar urged the additional chief secretary to provide financial assistance to the family members of two Jagannath Temple Police personnel who succumbed to Covid-19

AGENCIES and accommodation of Rath Yard servitors, he said in the letter. Puri, June 8: The Shree Jagannath “In this context, I request that all Temple Administration (SJTA) such officials of Shree Jagannath has urged the state government to Temple Administration, Puri may declare its employees as Covid-19 be declared as COVID warriors for warriors for they are exposed to risk extension of benefits as decided while performing their duties in- by the state government from time side and outside the shrine. to time,” the 12th century shrine’s In a letter to Health and Family chief administrator urged. Welfare department additional chief Kumar also mentioned the names secretary PK Mohapatra, SJTA of two personnel of Jagannath chief administrator Krishan Kumar Temple Police (JTP)—Pruthimanyu said that the temple employees ‘de- Dash, 58, and Pramod Kumar Dash,

serve’ the Covid-19 warrior status. Carpenters shaping logs for chariot construction in Puri, Tuesday OP PHOTO 59,—who succumbed to Covid-19 in

k y m c “I am to bring to your kind no- April and requested the additional tice that the employees of SJTA, institutional isolation facility at Besides, they are continuously chief secretary for financial as- Puri are involved in discharging var- Nilachal Bhakta Nivas and as- exposed to members of public while sistance to their family members ious duties during this COVID pan- sisting the medical teams in vac- assisting performance of the rituals as per the same norms as being demic. This includes taking care of cination of sevayats and employ- inside and outside the temple and provided to other officials in sim- the COVID positive persons in the ees (sic),” Kumar said. looking after the boarding, lodging ilar circumstances. P4 WEDNESDAY | JUNE 9 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR downtown

State pitches for disaster-resilient infra FESTIVE SHOPPING AMID LOCKDOWN

k y m c POST NEWS NETWORK

Bhubaneswar, June 8: The state ASSESSING government once again placed its YAAS FURY demand before the Central team for building disaster-resilient infra- he Central team headed by structure in coastal area to deal Tjoint secretary of Ministry of with cyclones and high tides. Home Affairs Sunil Kumar The state has raised this issue Barnwal held a meeting with during the meeting with the Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Central team that was in Odisha to Mahapatra, SRC PK Jena and assess the damage caused by other senior officers here Tuesday Cyclone Yaas. The Central team headed by he state has only two major joint secretary of Ministry of Home Trequirements. One is Affairs Sunil Kumar Barnwal held disaster resilient power a meeting with Chief Secretary infrastructure and second is Suresh Chandra Mahapatra, Special construction of high- Relief Commissioner (SRC) PK The Central team assesses damage at a farmland in cyclone-affected Bahanaga embankment in coastal area to Jena and other senior officers here block of Balasore district OP PHOTO deal with high tide surges Tuesday. “Our Chief Minister has already Centre is also preparing guide- ernment is preparing a memo- he state govt is preparing a stated that we don’t need fund for lines for use of disaster mitiga- randum, which will be submitted TDPR in this regard while the the restoration work. We can meet tion fund for this purpose. to the Centre in next three to Centre is also preparing the requirement from funds avail- After the Centre issues the guide- four days. guidelines for use of disaster able with us. The state has only lines, the state will submit its DPR The Central team visited cy- mitigation fund for this purpose The areas adjoining Unit-I market in Bhubaneswar witness an usual vehicular traffic ahead of ‘Savitri’ even as a two major requirements. One is to the Centre and try to create dis- clone-affected Balasore, Bhadrak, lockdown is in place, Tuesday OP PHOTO disaster resilient power infra- aster resilient power network and Kendrapara and Mayurbhanj dis- caused to government infrastruc- structure and second is construc- embankments in the coastal areas tricts during Monday and Tuesday. ture and `90 crore is damage to tion of high-embankment in coastal during next few years, he said, Notably, the tropical storm Yaas private properties. After under- area to deal with high tide surges,” adding, “This will minimise the hit north Odisha coast May 26 taking an aerial survey of the cy- Mohapatra said after the meeting. loss, if any cyclone hits Odisha morning. clone-hit areas of the state, Prime STF’s narcotics control unit He said the state government is in future.” The state government has pegged Minister Narendra Modi had an- preparing a detail project report As for damage is concerned, the the post-cyclone damage at `610 nounced `500-crore financial as- (DPR) in this regard while the Chief Secretary said, the state gov- crore. Of this, `520 crore is damage sistance for Odisha. to deal with drug menace Allow malls to reopen, Record 45 nCoV deaths in 24 hrs Meet on UG, PG POST NEWS NETWORK The quantity of drug seizure in new posts including a 2020 was around 17 times more SCAI urges Naveen superintendent of police POST NEWS NETWORK at 373, Bhadrak at 370 and Cuttack Cuttack/Bhubaneswar, June 8: 27 than the amount seized in 2019. exams June 12 (SP) and three DSPs have been POST NEWS NETWORK at 349. Drug peddlers, better take note! sanctioned for the STF Of the total 35.600 kg of brown Bhubaneswar, June 8: Odisha As many as 12 districts reported The Special Task Force (STF) of sugar that was seized last year, the Bhubaneswar, June 8: The Tuesday registered 5,896 new less than 100 cases, each, the low- POST NEWS NETWORK the state Crime Branch (CB) will STF seized over 32 kg alone whereas Shopping Centres Association of Covid-19 cases, pushing the caseload est being 22 in Deogarh. soon have a dedicated narcotics he STF, that started the remaining substances were India (SCAI) has urged Chief to 8,25,110, while 45 fatalities, the Districts bordering Chhattisgarh, Bhubaneswar, June 8: The Higher control unit to deal with the drug Tfunctioning under the CB in seized by the police in different Minister Naveen Patnaik to allow highest so far in a single day, raised which had emerged as the hotspot Education department will hold a menace. February 2012, aims at districts. functioning of malls as per regu- the toll to 3,080, a health department during the initial phase of the pan- meeting of the vice-chancellors of Addressing media at the state po- investigating cases relating to The agency also seized around lar operational hours, an official official said. demic, has witnessed a considerable state-run universities June 12 to dis- lice headquarters in Cuttack, di- organised crimes like extortion, 66 quintal of ganja during the pe- said Tuesday. The case fatality ratio (CFR) decline in caseload - some of them cuss the modalities for the con- rector general of police (DGP) kidnapping, drug trafficking and riod. Over 100 drug dealers and The outfit highlighted that stands at 0.37 per cent, which being Bargarh (99), Sambalpur duct of undergraduate (UG) and Abhay said that the state police, es- left-wing extremism peddlers were arrested by the STF the Covid-induced lockdowns is one of the lowest in the country, (92), Bolangir and Sonepur (77 postgraduate (PG) exams. pecially the STF, has been playing in the last one year. and shutdowns have dealt a blow he said. each), Boudh (73), Kandhamal (65), The VCs will have their opinions a crucial role in combating the STF. The fight against drug mafia A nationwide survey ‘Magnitude to the shopping centres and Of the 5,896 new cases, 3,332 Jharsuguda (54). in the meeting, Higher Education drug menace in the coastal state. will be intensified in days to come,” of Substance Use in India’ by the malls. And if the situation con- were recorded in quarantine Khurda district accounted for Minister Arun Kumar Sahoo said The state police had sent a set of pro- the police top brass said, thank- National Drug Dependence tinues, it could lead to large centres, and the rest were detected six fresh fatalities, followed by Tuesday. posals to the state government for ing Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Treatment Centre and All India scale job losses. during contact tracing, the official Cuttack and Kahalandi at five ca- This will be followed by another strengthening the STF. and the state government for cre- Institute of Medical Sciences-New “The organised retail sector has said. sualties each, and Angul, meeting with the principals of de- “The government has approved ation of the posts and establish- Delhi in 2019 had revealed that suffered heavily due to the pan- The state currently has 65,336 Dhenkanal, and Sundargarh at gree colleges to seek their opin- our proposals. Accordingly, a ded- ment of a new unit. Odisha was among the top 10 states demic and it needs support from the active cases, he said. four each. ions in this regard, the minister icated narcotics control unit will The STF, that started function- in the country with a maximum government. With strict Covid pro- Khurda district, of which the As many as 7,47,805 people, in- added. come up under the STF. This apart, ing under the CB in February number of people requiring help tocols, trained workforce and re- state capital Bhubaneswar is a cluding 8,429 Monday, have recu- The department will take nec- 27 new posts including a superin- 2012, aims at investigating cases for opioids-related issues. The sur- sources to restrict crowding on the part, reported the maximum num- perated from the disease. essary steps after reviewing the tendent of police (SP) and three relating to organised crimes like vey found around three lakh peo- premises, malls are probably the ber of new cases at 853, followed by The state’s positivity has touched opinions of the vice-chancellors deputy superintendents of police extortion, kidnapping and drug ple in Odisha were addicted to only space that can ensure a safe Jajpur at 413, Angul at 385, Balasore 6.3 per cent, the official said. and principals, Sahoo said. (DSPs) have been sanctioned for the trafficking. some form of the opioids. and hygienic environment to the consumers,” said SCAI chairman Mukesh Kumar. Vig dir airlifted to Malls were also ensuring inoc- ulation of all retailers and staffers Min launches STEM to hone skills of schoolchildren before resuming operations. “We Kolkata for ECMO have also recommended that mall POST NEWS NETWORK pacity of girls in digital fluency, The programme will help thinking, problem-solving ,deci- from ‘Yellow’ to ‘Green’. There has AGENCIES infrastructure be used to vacci- career choice, STEM mindset ,life sion making, creativity, innova- been notable improvement in the nate the neighbourhood. Taking Bhubaneswar, June 8: School skills among others. in building capacity of tiveness to name a few. It will also domain of infrastructure, gover- Cuttack, June 8: The state advantage of it, many states have and Mass Education Minister Samir The inauguration ceremony fol- girls in digital fluency, encourage more girls to opt for nance and equity. This could only Vigilance, Debasis Panigrahi, has already set up vaccination centres Ranjan Dash launched the state-led lowed by four days of training on STEM pathways as they move to- be possible under the visionary been airlifted to Kolkata for bet- in the mall. We urge the government model of the IBM – STEM (Science, virtual facilitation and 21st cen- career choice, STEM wards continuing their education leadership and guidance of Chief ter treatment Tuesday. to allow malls to restart operations Technology, Engineering and Math) tury skills will be attended by 516 mindset, life skills and taking up a career. It will give Minister, Odisha. By the end of this A green corridor was created as the financial burden faced by for girls Tuesday. teachers, 258 headmasters and DEOs them the digital fluency needed training, the teachers will be able to from Ashwini Hospital to Biju them has been multiplying with The programme was launched from 30 districts. The training will among others for a clearer career choice in future. understand about online and re- Patnaik International Airport in the each passing day,” Kumar pointed at 258 schools across 30 districts of help teachers gain skills for virtual Dash expressed his happiness mote learning platforms/apps and Capital city to shift Panigrahi with out. the state in presence of S&ME facilitation and understanding 21st- plans for engaging students through over performance of state in edu- processes, understand basic eti- the help of an ambulance. He was It added that the SOP formu- principal secretary Satyabrata century teaching skills. virtual mode on the curriculum cation as the PGI (Performance quettes and norms of online teach- then carried in air ambulance to lated and submitted by SCAI to Sahu, OSEPA state project director As the schools continue to re- of self, gender, career and compu- Grading Index) score of Odisha ing, develop knowledge and skills to Kolkata. Panigrahi was on ventilator the authorities emphasises hy- Bhupendra Singh Poonia, and other main closed due to Covid-19, the tational thinking. These will help has increased from 749 in 2018-19 curate and develop content for fa- support at Ashwini Hospital here giene and safety of consumers. dignitaries to help in building ca- teachers will also be developing learners build skills of critical to 838 in 2019-20 raising the status cilitating virtual sessions. after being infected with Covid-19.

NOBLE GESTURE CLASS XII EVALUATION Experts bat for instant, online tests

POST NEWS NETWORK this critical situation. The gov- ernment should arrange tablets Bhubaneswar, June 8: Several or laptops for students for the on- educationists have suggested al- line examinations, he added. ternative methods for evaluation “There shall be multiple objective of Plus II students whose exams questions (1-2 marks) with three have been cancelled in the wake of papers in three hours. HSC mark and Covid-19 pandemic. subject-wise attendance of students Educationists GC Nanda, RN may be taken into account during Panda, Pritish Acharya, Satyakam the evaluation. We should conduct Mishra, Basudev Chhatoi, Bijay internal examinations regularly to Kumar Sahoo, Golak Nayak and avoid such situation in future,” Pabitra Mahal sent their sugges- “The instant exam can give proper consider the marks in the instant Nanda suggested. Raghunath Panda tions to Chief Minister Naveen justice to the students. The exam- exam for admitting students in de- said the state government can go Patnaik, sources said. ination can be held in one sitting gree courses. Otherwise, each col- for examinations based on MCQs The state government had ear- with MCQ and OMR mode,” he lege would have to conduct en- when there is improvement in the lier decided to cancel this year’s added. The evaluation could be trance test for admitting students. pandemic situation. The govern- Plus II exams, conducted by the made quickly. All care may be taken Such multiple entrance tests would ment should not go for physical Council of Higher Secondary to prevent copying in the exam. make the examinees more vul- or online examination now. Education (CHSE), in view of the pan- Questions based on understand- nerable to the virus infection, However, Basudev Chhatoi said demic. It has formed a 14-member ex- ing and application skills should be Acharya added. HSC mark is the only option for the pert committee to suggest alterna- the focus area in the instant exam. “Making Class X marks as the government under the prevailing sit- tive evaluation criteria for Plus II The National Testing Agency (NTS) basis for evaluating Class XII stu- uation. The highest marks of indi- students. Pritish Acharya suggested may be contacted for the required dents does not seem to be objec- vidual subjects in HSC exams or that an instant examination in con- number of multiple choice questions tive,” he said. In his suggestion, the average marks of two-three pa- densed form seems to be the only (MCQs), Acharya said. Gouranga Charan Nanda said on- pers can be taken into consideration

Biju Yuva Janata Dal members distribute dry ration among artistes on YMCA premises at Unit-VIII in Bhubaneswar, Tuesday option before the state government. According to him, colleges can line examination is also possible in for assessing the Plus II students.

k y m c P5 WEDNESDAY | JUNE 9 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR state

Leopard hide seized SALVAGING ACT

NGT lashes out at panel examining POST NEWS NETWORK

k y m Langaleswar, June 8: Forest of- c ficials seized a leopard hide during patrolling from the Madhupura illegal sand mining in Subarnarekha coast canal road under Baliapal police limits in Balasore district, Tuesday. THE PANEL COMPRISED BALASORE DM, SPCB, CPCB AND SEIAA The accused however, managed to escape by jumping into the coast POST NEWS NETWORK canal and swimming to other part of the water body. Forest officials Bhubaneswar, June 8: The seized a bag containing the hide and National Green Tribunal (NGT) launched an investigation. has now lashed out at Balasore The incident occurred when a Collector and others who were part team of forest officials of of a special committee formed by Langaleswar forest department the tribunal to examine the alle- were patrolling on the canal road. gations of illegal sand mining Reports said that a person along the Subarnarekha river for who was roaming there suspi- their alleged lax attitude in com- ciously dropped a bag and plying with its earlier order. jumped into the canal after notic- The tribunal bench compris- ing a woman forest official Sujata ing Justice B Amit Sthalekar and Ojha in uniform. Saibal Dasgupta as expert member Ojha tried her best to nab the in their court order hinted that accused but he managed to slip there had been some deliberate and escaped. The hide will be concealment of facts. It also sent to Chandipur forest range granted the committee one last The tribunal also displeasure against the panel over office for further investigation, opportunity and threatened the the non determination of the mon- forester Prakash Chandra Farmers harvesting leftover paddy crops from their farmlands after cyclonic storm Yaas wreaked havoc in the area panel with criminal action if the expressed its displeasure etary value of the damage caused Mohanty said. and damaged the crops in Mahakalapara block of Kendrapara district OP PHOTO earlier order of the tribunal were over the non to the environment due to the al- not complied with. leged illegal sand mining. It also at- The case was related to allega- determination of the tacked the panel for not collecting tions of illegal sand mining at monetary value of the the royalty despite a report of the Jaleshwar area in the district along tehsildar on the matter. NIT Rourkela ranks 26 among varsities the Subarnarekha river. The NGT damage caused to the The NGT in its written order in its earlier order January 21 had environment due to the has also warned the panel of crim- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA It has also topped the list in the velopment of scientific thinking, directed for formation of a four- inal action in case of defiance and teaching and research category Biswas said, “I am glad to see that member committee comprising alleged illegal sand mining gave the panel one more chance Rourkela, June 8: National among the NITs. our efforts on various innovative members from the Central Pollution to work on their report. Institute of Technology (NIT), Speaking about the achievement, researches are internationally Control Board (CPCB), State order said. “We, therefore, grant the Rourkela has been ranked 26th in Prof Animesh Biswas, director of acclaimed.” Pollution Control Board (SPCB) “We find that the District committee one more opportunity the overall category among Indian the educational institute said, “NIT “We already have 11 different and State Environment Impact Magistrate was a member of the to submit a fresh comprehensive universities by the Times Higher Rourkela has a strong platform for centres of research for carrying out Assessment Authority (SEIAA) core committee which was required report to avoid any criminal Education Asia University collaborative research and knowl- multidisciplinary research activ- and the District Magistrate of to submit its report, but it is to the action being initiated by the Rankings 2021. edge sharing among the different ity. Presently in collaboration with Balasore. discredit of the then District tribunal. This fresh comprehen- In the general engineering (over- research groups scattered over ISRO, NIT Rourkela is setting up “We have seen the report of Magistrate that a report should sive report shall be filed positively all category), NIT Rourkela has several major departments facili- Space Technology Incubation the joint committee starting from have been submitted expressing by the next date of listing,” the been ranked 12th position in the tating faster developments and Centre (S-TIC) in its campus, which page 224 of the paper book. We find his inability to determine the NGT order said. country, a statement issued by the tions, knowledge transfers, and in- nurturing new ideas.” will augment research in the area the report to be very sketchy and amount of illegal sand excavated The NGT earlier in another case institute said Tuesday. ternational outlook. This ranking is the outcome of of space science technology. The devoid of facts at a number of causing loss to the state revenue and had also warned the Khurda The Times Higher Education According to the rankings, NIT the hard work of the whole NIT Times Higher Education World places…We are of the view that rampant damage to the environ- Collector of criminal proceedings Asia University Rankings 2021 Rourkela is number 1 in the over- Rourkela fraternity, he said. University Rankings in 2021 there is some deliberate con- ment,” the order said. for his alleged non-compliance of judge universities across all core all category among all the NITs in Highlighting that research is an included 551 universities from cealment of facts…” the NGT The tribunal also expressed its tribunal orders. areas of teaching, research, cita- the country, the statement said. important component for the de- 30 territories. Auto-rickshaw driver praised for Youth kills self by Now, a ‘selfie corner’ to woo jumping in front of train returning bag of gold ornaments POST NEWS NETWORK

POST NEWS NETWORK jewellery in a bag. After reaching people for Covid vaccination Saintala, June 8: A youth com- her home, she paid the fare and mitted suicide by jumping before Sambalpur, June 8: Mohammed got off the vehicle but left her POST NEWS NETWORK At the same time, people in 45-plus a train at Kandhakela gaon railway Azim, an auto-rickshaw driver of bag behind in Azims's auto. age group in both rural and urban gate under Saintala police limits in Khetrajpur area in Sambalpur Later, Azim noticed the bag in Chhatrapur, June 8: Ever seen areas are also getting inoculated. It Bolangir district, Tuesday. city, is receiving praise from all the back seat of his auto. or heard of ‘selfie corner’ at a vac- is for this age category that a cen- The deceased was identified as quarters for returning a bag con- Realising that the lady who had cination centre? Well if you haven’t, tre has been set up in the Hinjli Himanshu Rana, 19, son of taining gold ornaments worth boarded the rickshaw must have get ready to hear about one in the municipality office campus. Sitakanta Rana of Remenda around Rs6lakh to a passenger left it behind, he thought of re- age of innovations. A ‘selfie cor- What sets this centre apart from Mahulapada in Budhabahal pan- Tuesday. turning the bag to its rightful ner’ has been set up at the vacci- others is that the administration has chayat. Preliminary inquiries sug- The passenger had forgotten owner but he didn't know the nation centre in Hinjli municipal- erected a platform here, naming it gested it to be a case of suicide. this bag in Azim’s auto. proper address of the said ity campus in Ganjam district. ‘selfie corner’. It was introduced Family members said that he left According to a source, Azim passenger. People are enthusiastically flocking only to attract people. And the re- home Tuesday morning but never picked up a couple who was later Chandrakanti however man- to the corner to click a picture after sponse has been quite good. Virtually returned. They learnt about his sui- identified as Yuvraj Behera and aged to trace Azim at Khetrajpur vaccination. none are leaving the centre without cide this morning. Chandrakanti Behera from area and the latter returned the The Ganjam district adminis- a visit to the ‘selfie corner’. ASIs Niren Pani and Kamal Khetrajpur Railway Station yes- bag to the woman after proper tration is laying special emphasis Notably, Ganjam district is in Lochan Sahu of government terday. verification. on vaccination as it is the only way green zone with 755 current active Railway Police Station in Bolangir They travelled in Azim’s auto- Meanwhile, the auto-rickshaw to fight Covid-19. Monday and it was inaugurated by cases. The district Tuesday reported said, the body has been sent for rickshaw to their home from the driver has garnered a lot of The vaccination drive for the 18- District Collector Vijay Amruta 35 fresh cases, taking the tally to post-mortem and the actual railway station yesterday. The appreciation for his exemplary 44 years age group was launched in Kulange and Chhatrapur MLA 32,371. So far 31,316 patients have re- reason behind the mishap is yet to woman was carrying the gold honesty. Berhampur and Chhatrapur towns Subash Chandra Behera. covered from the disease. be ascertained. Hooch-making unit busted, 1 held Man found hanging from tree POST NEWS NETWORK Monday. Family members searched POST NEWS NETWORK panies were fixed to the bottles spurious liquor. for him in all possible locations, filled with spurious liquor and According to the officials, the ac- Khaira, June 8: Mystery shrouded but in vain. Baripada, June 8: Excise de- then sold to the unsuspecting buy- cused will be produced in the court the death of a man whose body was The matter came to fore after partment officials Tuesday busted ers. During lockdown, the sales had later in the day. found hanging from a tree at Raigadia some locals spotted Das hanging a spurious foreign liquor manu- multiplied substantially. Notably, a fake foreign liquor bot- village under Khaira police limits from a tree and informed the local facturing unit in Bangra area under Acting on a tip off, a team of tling plant was busted in Khunta of Balasore district Tuesday. police. Police rushed to the spot, Khunta police limits in Mayurbhanj Excise department officials con- area June 2 night. On being tipped The deceased was identified as recovered the body and sent it for district. A person identified as ducted raids in the locality and off, Baripada town police had con- Biswanath Das of Dapa under Tihidi post-mortem. Santosh Kumar Mahanta was ar- seized spurious foreign liquor ducted a raid on a building in police limits of Bhadrak district. Police and locals suspect that he rested during the raid. worth lakhs of rupees from the Khunta area and seized a huge Sources said that Das after his might have committed suicide out The unit was illegally brand- spot. They also seized empty bot- cache of spurious products. Two marriage was staying at his in- of frustration while the exact rea- ing and supplying foreign liquor tles, fake stickers of reputed brands persons were arrested in this con- law’s place at Raigadia village. He son behind taking the extreme step bottles. Stickers of reputed com- and materials used for making nection. however, had gone missing since is yet to be ascertained. Mangroves saved Bhitarkanika island from Yaas fury

POST NEWS NETWORK The district has so far faced six ural calamities like floods, cyclonic cyclonic storms, including the storms, storm surges and tsunamis Kendrapara, June 8: While the se- Super Cyclone-1999, while floods as they act as a protective wall vere cyclonic storm Yaas caused have become a regular feature against the onslaught of nature, much destruction in this district as every year. they said. it blew away thatched houses, up- However, the presence of man- When contacted, Susant Nanda, rooted trees, utility poles, tele- groves helped protect Bhitarkanika director of the Odisha Forest, phone towers and destroyed paddy during such calamities where the Environment and Climate Change crops, it has failed to cause any total loss is much less compared to department, said that the state gov- visible destruction in the losses suffered in other parts ernment has decided to plant ca- Kalibhanjadiha island inside the of the district. suarinas and cashew trees over Bhitarkanika National Park due to During the Super Cyclone-1999, 3,500 hectares near the coastline. The the presence of mangrove forests, tidal waves crossed the coast like state already has mangrove forests a report said. tsunamis. The calamity then on 220 sq km of area. The speed of the cyclonic storm snatched away 10,000 lives across The fear and impact of natural was more than 145 km per hour. Its the state, while 397 persons died in calamities like floods, cyclonic impact was so severe that high the district. storms and tsunamis could be re- tidal waves crossed the shore in Yaas also left a trail of destruc- duced to a great extent if man- coastal Rangani, Talachua and This has once again proved that Consequently, the government has tion in the state and affected over grove forests were created on an ad- Satabhaya villages. mangroves can save the coastal re- decided to create a green belt on 150 villages in Balasore, Bhadrak ditional 400 hectares, he added. The cyclonic storm uprooted gions from the impact of such 3,500 hectare on the coastline to and Kendrapara districts. The total Bikash Chandra Dash, Divisional over 100 trees and partially dam- calamities. Kalibhanjadiha island protect the area from coastal ero- losses in Bhitarkanika were esti- Forest Officer, said that checking aged more than six houses meant has set an example and shown the sion as well as contain the loss of mated at Rs 48.37 lakh while the coastal erosion has become our for tourists in the natural tourist way regarding how to protect the lives and properties during floods, Kalibhanjadiha island within it priority for which stress is being

site Havelikhati island. However, coastline. cyclonic storms and tsunamis. faced negligible destruction. laid on removing the prawn gheries

k y m c it caused very negligible destruc- The utility of mangroves in pro- Environmentalists Hemant Mangroves cover over 70 per as they are harming the environ- tion in Kalibhanjadiaha island tecting the coastline from the im- Kumar Rout, Srikant Nayak, cent of the 8.5 sq km of the island ment. The space created by re- close to the coastline in pact of the cyclonic storms and Dolagobind Jena and Alok Parida but not a single tree was uprooted moving the gheries could be utilised Bhitarkanika owing to presence of tsunami has been realised well by said that Kendrapara is prone to nat- during the cyclone Yaas, they said. for creating mangrove forests. The mangrove forests in 8.5 sq km of the state government, local resi- ural calamities like floods, cyclonic Mangroves are the only means department is already growing area in the island. dents and environmentalists. storms, storm surges and tsunamis. to save the coastal region from nat- new mangrove saplings. P6 WEDNESDAY | JUNE 9 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR power post

FOCUS CYBERSECURITY The happiness you give makes

you happier than the happiness

k y m you receive. c THE MOTHER WAR ON RANSOMWARE

ansomware is a type of off the table,” but she did not elab- malicious software cyber orate. Her comments followed a ran- criminals use to block you somware attack by a Russian gang Reverse Vaccination Rfrom accessing your own that caused outages at Brazil’s data. The digital extortionists en- JBS SA, the second-largest pro- ndia, like the rest of the world, is in the grip of a once in a century pan- crypt the files on your system and ducer of beef, pork and chicken in demic snuffing out tens of thousands of lives, inflicting excruciating add extensions to the attacked the United States. Ipain and trauma on millions and ruining countless families. It has been data and hold it ‘hostage’ until Gen. Paul Nakasone, who leads passing through a colossal tragedy with the Centre and the states miserably the demanded ransom is paid. US Cyber Command and the failing to provide adequate vaccines, oxygen and immunity-inducing drugs Ransomware is often spread National Security Agency, said at to the people, while in some states, bodies of coronavirus victims have been through phishing emails that con- a recent symposium that he be- dumped into the rivers for lack of facilities and manpower at crematoriums. tain malicious attachments or lieves the US will be “bringing In such a situation it does not behove the ruling party’s national president through drive-by downloading. the weight of our nation,” in- to try to score political brownie points when the Centre is more responsible These are the different types of cluding the Defense Department, for the scandalously inept handling of the pandemic than the states. ransomware: i) CryptoWall - is re- “to take down this (ransomware) From the beginning, the Centre took the matter casually while exhorting sponsible for a high percentage infrastructure outside the United people to use horrible and unscientific methods, including clapping and of ransomware attacks. Typically, States.” banging thalis, to ward off the lethal virus. Then it tried to claim all the cred- CryptoWall attacks its target Sen. Angus King, an inde- its for vaccination by monopolising procurement and distribution of vac- through phishing emails; ii) Locky pendent from Maine who is a leg- cines to the states. Even the executive director of the Serum Institute of India - as the name implies, it locks you islative leader on cybersecurity (SII) producing 90 per cent of the vaccines – Covishield - in the country out of files and replaces the files issues, said the debate in the rued that the Centre had announced the first vaccination programme for in- with the extension .lockey; iii) Congress over how aggressive the oculating people of the age group of 45 years and above when the arithmetic Bighneswar Swain Crysis - takes data attacks to a The intensifying mayhem caused by US needs to be against ransomware of available doses was still being worked out and there was massive short- new level – actually kidnapping ransomware gangs raises an obvious question: gangs, as well as state adversaries, age. This was followed by complaints by Opposition-ruled states that the Centre RANSOMWARE your data and moving it to a new will be “front and center of the next was making partisan distribution of the vaccines favouring BJP-ruled virtual location; iv) Samsam - at- Why has the United States, believed to have the month or two.” “To be honest, it’s states. There was no transparency in the vaccination policy. This made the GANGS CAN tacks unpatched WildFly appli- world’s greatest cyber capabilities, looked so complicated because you’re talk- states raise a chorus of demand for decentralising procurement of vac- MOVE AROUND, cation servers in the internet-fac- ing about using government agen- cines. The BJP-led NDA government generally never relents in the face of ing portion of their network. Once powerless to protect its citizens from these cies, government capabilities to Opposition criticism of its functioning and policies, the most glaring case DO NOT inside the network, the ran- kinds of criminals operating with near impunity go after private citizens in another being the controversial farm laws which are yet to be rolled back despite the somware looks for other systems country,” he said. farmers’ continuing agitation. But, surprisingly it caved in and allowed the NEED MUCH to attack; v) Cerber- attacks the out of Russia and allied countries? The US is widely believed to states and private hospitals to buy 50 per cent of vaccines from the produc- INFRASTRUCTURE database server processes to gain have the best offensive cyber ca- ers retaining 50 per cent for itself. access instead of going straight pabilities in the world, though de- Soon, the reasons for the Centre’s uncharacteristic capitulation to TO OPERATE after the files; vi) Maze- is a vari- that harbor ransomware gangs. The FBI’s list of most-wanted tails about such highly classified Opposition attack became clear. The states, to their utter dismay and con- AND CAN ant of ransomware representing Pugnacious ransomware re- cyber deserters has grown at a activities are scant. Documents sternation, found they could not get supplies from the local producers and the trend in what is called ‘leak- quires the nonlethal equivalent rapid clip and now has more than leaked by former NSA contractor their efforts to float global tenders for buying the doses from the international SHIELD THEIR ware.’ of the “global war on terrorism” 100 entries, many of whom are Edward Snowden show the US market met with a roadblock. The foreign vaccine producers flatly said they Foreign cybercriminals with launched after the September 11 not exactly hiding. Evgeniy conducted 231 offensive cyber op- would negotiate only with the Centre and won’t be able to make the vaccines IDENTITIES scant dread of upshots have paral- attacks, said John Riggi, a former Bogachev, indicted nearly a decade erations in 2011. More than a available to the Centre any time soon for their prior commitment and deals ysed US schools and hospitals, FBI agent and senior adviser for ago for what prosecutors say was decade ago a virus called Stuxnet with other countries. leaked highly sensitive police files, cybersecurity and risk for the a wave of cyber bank thefts, lives attacked control units for cen- The Supreme Court, luckily for the common citizen, did not remain a pas- triggered fuel shortages and, most America Hospital Association. Its in a Russian resort town and “is trifuges in an underground site in sive spectator and in a suo motu hearing tore into the Centre’s vaccination recently, threatened global food members have been hard hit by ran- known to enjoy boating” on the Iran, causing the sensitive devices policy riddled with holes. After asking tough questions for many discrepancies supply chains. somware gangs during the coro- Black Sea, according to the FBI’s to spin out of control and destroy in its policy, the apex court directed the Union government to submit a re- The intensifying mayhem navirus pandemic. “It should in- wanted listing. themselves. The cyberattack was port within two weeks on details of procurement, availability, rationale of caused by ransomware gangs clude a combination of diplomatic, Ransomware gangs can move attributed to America and Israel. distribution and pricing of the vaccines in the open market. In the first place, raises an obvious question: Why financial, law enforcement, intel- around, do not need much infra- Biden promised that his ad- the Centre turned on its head the country’s time tested policy of free uni- has the United States, believed to ligence operations, of course, and structure to operate and can shield ministration was committed to versal vaccination being followed since Independence. It forced people in the have the world’s greatest cyber military operations,” Riggi said. their identities. They also oper- bringing foreign cybercriminals age group of 18 to 44 to pay for the jabs and then let the market forces determine capabilities, looked so powerless A public-private task force in- ate in a decentralised network. to justice. Yet even as he was speak- the prices that ranged from `900 to `1500 per shot on an average. The SC termed to protect its citizens from these cluding Microsoft and Amazon For occurrence, DarkSide, the ing from the White House, a dif- such a policy ‘arbitrary and irrational.’ kinds of criminals operating with made similar suggestions in an group responsible for the Colonial ferent Russian-linked ransomware Caught in this vicious circle, the states approached the Centre to take back near impunity out of Russia and 81-page report that called for in- Pipeline attack that led to fuel gang was leaking thousands of the responsibility of procurement and distribution of vaccines and arrange allied countries? Until recently, it telligence agencies and the shortages in the South, rents out highly sensitive internal files — in- for free inoculation for all age groups. More than the pressure by the states, just hasn’t been a high priority Pentagon’s US Cyber Command to its ransomware software to part- cluding deeply personal back- it is the prospect of facing the apex court in the next few days that forced the for the US government. work with other agencies to “pri- ners to carry out attacks. Katie ground checks — belonging to the Centre to yield to this demand. The whole country and the rest of the world President Joe Biden anticipates oritise ransomware disruption Nickels, director of intelligence at police department in the nation’s have seen how the Centre abdicated its responsibility first of saving the peo- confronting Russia’s leader, operations.” the cybersecurity firm Red Canary, capital. Experts believe it’s the ple from the deadly pandemic and then change stand as an afterthought. Vladimir Putin, about Moscow’s “Take their infrastructure away, said identifying and disrupting worst ransomware attack against Going by the Central statistics, a total of over 23 crore doses have been ad- concealing of ransomware crim- go after their wallets, their ability ransomware criminals takes time a US-based law enforcement agency. ministered so far. But the number is too small considering the need for vac- inals when the two men meet in to cash out,” said Philip Reiner, a and serious effort. cinating at least 70 per cent of a population of 135 crore to achieve herd im- Europe later this month. The Biden lead author of the report. He The White House has been vague The writer is Head, munity. The toll taken by the second wave has been stupendous and the administration has also promised worked at the National Security about whether it plans to use of- North America, BIPM third wave is threatening to wreak further havoc when even babies in the to boost defenses against attacks, Council during the Obama presi- fensive cyber measures against Practice- A leading IT cradle won’t be spared. Over 2 billion vaccines, enough to cover the entire improve efforts to prosecute those dency and is now CEO at The ransomware gangs. Press secretary Company, and Trustee, Shree adult population, it is said, may be available by the end of 2021. But, for this responsible and build diplomatic Institute for Security and Jen Psaki said last Wednesday Jagannath Chetna & a massive ramping up of production capacities is needed. The Union gov- alliances to pressure countries Technology. that “we’re not going to take options Chintana World Wide. ernment does not seem to have any such plans as of now. It needs to make genuine efforts to achieve the target at the correct time. This is no time for self-congratulation and blatant propaganda but for atonement for the wrongs done to the people. This is time for tangible action to protect citizens from IN JEST THIS the catastrophe now onwards.

WISDOM CORNER

Immorality: the morality of those who are having a better time. Don’t minimise the talent of memorising HL MENCKEN riyanka Shukla, an IAS offi- Parashar wrote: “Her talent needs wards rote learning,” a man named but it’s often the easiest way. It’s Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand. cer from Chhattisgarh, re- to be honed properly. Kudos to the Jitendra Sahu tweeted. “It would how many of us learned the al- MOTHER TERESA Pcently shared a video of a parents.” have been better if parents start in- phabet, numbers and multiplica- smart 2-year-old named Praneena, I’m not sure what he means by culcating logical thinking in their tion tables, not to mention nu- If the path be beautiful, let us not ask where it leads. ANATOLE FRANCE who is the daughter of Shukla’s “honed properly,” but maybe he children specially of this age which merous other facts that we would colleague Pradeep Tandan. In the believes that with the right train- will help them in future.” be tested on. video, Praneena is asked to name ing, she’ll be able to name not just His criticism would be valid if If you were lucky enough to go the capital cities of a few dozen the capital cities of 205 countries, Praneena’s parents were actually to a well-funded school, your biol- WORDSWORTH countries and does so correctly. but also their currencies, chief ex- forcing their daughter to memo- ogy teacher might have used a This is amazing to me because ports, and gross domestic product rise capital cities. But here’s how replica of a human skeleton to Nihilartikel when I was 2 years old, I didn’t (GDP). By age 5, she’ll be able to her father, Pradeep Tandan, re- help you learn the names of all Melvin Durai even know that the world was di- make recommendations to help sponded to Sahu’s tweet: “These the bones. You’d have touched them f you have a copy of the New Oxford American Dictionary, please disregard vided into countries. them diversify their economies. are her extra learnings with her in- all and seen exactly how they fit to- Ithe entry for esquivalience, which is supposedly the wilful avoidance of NEITHER THE “At the age of just 2 years, she Parashar added that he was “very terest in a playful way. She plucks gether. But you’d still have to do one’s official responsibilities or the shirking of duties. It has been discovered has memorised the names of the happy that these videos were not best coriander leaves everyday quite a bit of memorising. to be a fake entry. Compilers of reference works sometimes include them to INTERNET, NOR capitals of 205 countries,” Shukla there during my time of growing morning from our kitchen garden. Memorising is a talent in itself. reveal copyright infringements by competitors. Map makers might include a TWITTER, EXISTED tweeted. “Pradeep says that up.” Take your time to meet her, you Not every kid can do it as well as fictitious location, for example, or the compilers of wine encyclopaedias add Praneena’s memory has been I’m happy about that, too. Neither will be very much pleased by her Praneena. And no one in the world entries for non-existent beverages (such as that for Via Gra in one of Robert DURING MY extraordinary from the very the internet, nor Twitter, existed logical thinking.” can memorise digits of pi as well Parker’s recent wine guides). The 1980 edition of the New Grove Dictionary beginning.” during my childhood, which meant If she enjoys memorising capi- as Suresh Kumar Sharma, who set of Music had a spoof entry for the composer Esrum-Hellerup. Since nobody CHILDHOOD, From the very beginning? Even that my mother could not brag tal cities, what’s the harm? Thanks a world record in 2015 by reciting consulting such works would ever have cause to look them up, they do no WHICH MEANT as a baby, she apparently surprised about my memory: “Here’s a video to her, many people on Twitter 70,030 digits. That’s unfathomable harm (unless you’re one of that vanishingly rare breed that reads such everyone with her memory. Perhaps of my brilliant son. He has mem- learned the capitals of countries to me. I can barely remember the works cover to cover and commits the whole to memory). Since we have no THAT MY MOTHER she remembered to scream in ex- orised the names of all 50 of his they had never heard of, such as digits in my wife’s phone number. English word for deliberately invalid entries, some academics have used the COULD NOT citement every time Chhota Bheem cousins.” Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Praneena’s talent for memori- German Nihilartikel. This is formed from the Latin nihil, nothing, plus appeared on TV. While Parashar complimented Kyrgyzstan. sation will serve her well in life, es- German Artikel, so “nothing article”. In the past, we weren’t sure whether BRAG ABOUT As you can imagine, many Praneena’s parents, a few Twitter I understand Sahu’s concern pecially if she combines it with this was a real German word or one that had been invented as a joke by MY MEMORY Twitter users were impressed with users were not so positive. “I never about rote learning. Memorising logical thinking. She’ll not only some English writer. However, half a dozen appearances in German sources Praneena’s memory. Calling her a understood this fascination of par- facts is not always the most ef- pluck the best coriander leaves, since 2000, more than in English, suggest that it is a real, albeit rare, native “wonder kid,” a man named Vinit ents to force a child of this age to- fective or enjoyable way to learn, she’ll also pluck the best jobs. German word. The first so far found is this: Dass jedes Lexikon im Fachjargon „Nihilartikel” genannte Stichwörter enthält. [That every dictionary contains terms which are called “Nihilartikel” in technical jargon.] -- Der Orthodidakt by Katharina Hein, in the Berliner Morgenpost, 16 Jul. Gods dressed as humans Cricket world shocked 2000. This is another example: Der Artikel „Apopudobalia” is schon jetzt berühmt: er suggestiert, es habe in der Antike eine Vorfall des Fußballs Sir, Recently, several instances of doctors and healthcare workers being assaulted were re- Sir, English bowler Ollie Robinson has been gegeben. Er gehört in die Tradition der sog. Nemo- oder Nihilartikel: dabei ported across the nation. It’s a shame that during such a critical phase, people are not recog- suspended indefinitely by the England werden erfundene Artiken oder Fußnoten in ernste Werke eingeschleust. etters nising the Gods dressed as humans: the healthcare workers. On one hand, doctors and and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) due to [The article on “apopudobalia” is already famous: it suggests that a healthcare workers are trekking mountains and crossing rivers to reach rural areas to help the pending investigation on Robinson for precursor of football existed in antiquity. It belongs in the tradition of the the vulnerable. And on the dismal side, some morally bankrupt persons are paying them back the sexist and racist tweets he made back so-called Nemo- or Nihilartikel, in which invented articles or footnotes were TOL THE EDITOR for their selfless services by assaulting them. In the last 10 days, at least 4-5 cases, if not more, in 2012 and 2013. The 27-year-old fast smuggled into serious works.] -- Das Studium der Kunstgeschichte, by Rente Readers of Orissa POST pertaining to violence against healthcare workers were reported. Recently, a video went bowler had a memorable debut against Prochno, 2003. Nemo is another Latin word, meaning “nobody”, so are most welcome to contribute letters viral on social media platforms where a junior doctor at a Covid care centre in Assam, Dr New Zealand in the ongoing series, pick- Nemoartikel is presumably a false article about a person. The word has (200 words), articles and Seuj Kumar Senapati, was mercilessly beaten up with utensils and crockery by a mob of 12- ing up 7 wickets. Although Robinson has columns (between 750-1250 made only very rare appearances in non-specialist English-language works. words). Contributors are 15, who were the outraged relatives of a deceased COVID patient. The mob, not only assaulted already apologised for the reckless mis- This is one of them: There is considerable distrust among the community requested to send their the doctor, but also rendered heavy damage to the centre. At least 28 people have been arrested takes he made in his teenage, the ECB chose that the PostZon database is “clean” — that is, contains no intentionally contact numbers and full by the police so far, including the main accused. NHRC has been strictly scrutinising the mat- to take the harsh decision to suspend him

wrong entries that Royal Mail could use to identify unlicensed use. Such an postal address/email ID. They may also ter and has sought an action taken report from the DG of Police, Assam within four weeks. and this news has taken the cricketing

k y m send in their valuable comments, opinion c intentional mistake — known as a Mountweazel or Nihilartikel — effectively and suggestions, preferably by email, For these strings of cases occurring lately, I firmly support that doctors have every right to world by a storm. Media and various per- poisons the database to unlicensed users, because its presence proves that to: [email protected] protest, which they did, but to no avail. As per IMA, 748 doctors across India succumbed to sonalities are criticising this decision to the data was copied rather than created from scratch.-- Guardian, 24 Sep. COVID in the first wave last year, whereas in this short period of second wave, the death toll be an over the top one and it could possibly 2009. The other term in this quotation, Mountweazel, derives from the fake of doctors is 642. It’s high time everyone understands the worth of healthcare workers. We destroy the career of a young aspiring entry for Lillian Virginia Mountweazel that was inserted by its editors into B-15, Rasulgarh Industrial Estate, must praise them for facing the storm in order to keep us safe. cricketer. the 1975 edition of the New Columbia Encyclopedia. Bhubaneswar-751010 N Soumik, BHUBANESWAR Shrey Siddharth, CUTTACK P7 UTTAR PRADESH MAHARASHTRA

WEDNESDAY | JUNE 9 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR

k y m c Door-to-door vax impossible: Centre to UP relaxes Covid lockdown HC PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

AGENCIES by bringing the vaccination serv- Lucknow, June 8: The Uttar ices closer to such communities Pradesh government Tuesday ex- Mumbai, June 8: The Centre told while maintaining all necessary tended relaxation in Covid re- the Bombay High Court Tuesday precautions and safety measures. strictions to all 75 districts of the that a door-to-door Covid-19 The affidavit said the Union state, with the active cases com- vaccination programme for Ministry of Health and Family ing down the 600-mark in each of senior citizens, specially-abled, Welfare formulated standard op- these districts. bed-ridden and wheelchair-bound erating procedures (SOPs) related The night curfew from 7 pm to people is currently not possible, to the 'Near to Home Vaccination 7 am and weekend curfew (for the but it has decided to start Centres' May 27. entire day) will, however, continue "near-to-door" inoculation centres. These vaccination sessions can throughout the state, an official The Union government in its be conducted in non- health fa- spokesman said. affidavit filed in the HC said the cilities and will be linked to an By Monday, the relaxation was National Expert Group on existing Covid-19 vaccination cen- extended to 72 districts barring Vaccine Administration (NEG- tre, it said. The HC noted that Meerut, Lucknow and Gorakhpur. VAC) has considered the issue of while it appreciates the efforts In a high-level meeting convened PTI file photo door-to-door vaccination and taken by the committee and the through virtual medium Tuesday, opined that "near-to-door" vac- Union government, the concerns Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath While there would densely-populated areas will func- cination would be an appropri- raised by the panel on why door- reviewed the Covid-19 situation tion in open places. ate solution, and not door-to- to-door vaccines cannot be started and decided to give the relaxations be full attendance At railway stations, airports door vaccination. The court noted do not seem to be very serious. in the Covid curfew. for frontline workers, and bus stands, all Covid protocols that almost 25 crore people have "The concerns raised by the ex- The spokesman said in view of have to be followed. Screening of been vaccinated in India. Thackeray leads delegation to PM for Maha issues pert committee on why door-to- the decreasing infection rate, a for the rest of the passengers and antigen tests have "Which other country has been Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray Tuesday led a door vaccination cannot be started standard of 600 active cases was set government employees, to be conducted. The roadways able to do so with so much popu- delegation to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi to discuss are not very serious. These can for having coronavirus curfew ef- buses have been allowed to oper- lation. The government can do around a dozen pending issues of the state, officials said here. At the be overcome if the government fective in the districts. there would be 50 per ate within the state. Schools, col- this (door-to-door vaccination) meeting, in which Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and PWD Minister wishes to," it said. The court noted In an order issued in this re- cent attendance on leges and educational institutes too. You (government) need to Ashok Chavan were also present, Thackeray took up issues of Maratha that the risks the committee men- gard by Additional Chief Secretary, will remain closed while teach- find your own way," Chief Justice quotas, the GST dues to the state, Mumbai Metro carshed, damage due tioned for door-to-door vaccina- Home, Awanish Kumar Awasthi rotation ers and other staff have been al- Dipankar Datta said. A division to the recent Cyclone Tauktae, crop insurance scheme for farmers, etc. tion will be there at the inoculation said the curfew will be relaxed as lowed to come to school for ad- bench of Chief Justice Datta and centres as well. per the conditions mentioned in the campaigns will be carried out. ministrative work. Justice G S Kulkarni last month lawyers Dhruti Kapadia and Kunal meeting, unanimously agreed that The Centre's affidavit claimed government order issued May 30 Shopkeepers and their em- Not more than five devotees directed the NEGVAC to consider Tiwari raising concerns over how the Covid-19 vaccine cannot be that till May, 25,309 cases of ad- by Chief Secretary R K Tiwari. ployees will have to wear masks, will be allowed inside a religious if door-to-door vaccination pro- several people would not be able to given at home due to issues and verse reaction after vaccination According to the order issued maintain two-yard distance with place at a time. Coaching cen- grammes can be started for sen- travel to the vaccination centres. risks cited by the expert commit- were reported out of which 1,186 by Tiwari, shops and markets out- each other and customers, and tres, cinema halls, gymnasiums, ior citizens, specially-abled peo- The Centre in its affidavit filed tee," it said. were serious. "475 deaths were re- side containment zones would be al- ensure the arrangement of hand swimming pools, clubs and shop- ple and those who are Tuesday said the issue was dis- However, the NEGVAC agreed ported following Covid-19 vacci- lowed to open for five days (Monday sanitisers. ping malls will remain closed, it wheelchair-bound or bed-ridden. cussed by the NEGVAC in its meet- that since the elderly and specially- nation till May 28, 2021," it said. to Friday). Instructions were is- According to the order, in- said. A maximum of 20 people The order was passed in a pub- ing May 25. "All the members/ex- abled people have limited mobility, The court will continue hearing sued that over the weekend, clean- dustrial units will stay open will be allowed at a funeral pro- lic interest litigation filed by two perts, who participated in the there is a need to increase access the matter Wednesday. liness, sanitisation and fogging while vegetable markets in the cession, it added. COVID-19 CRISIS LIVING THE NEW ‘NORMAL’ After Mulayam’s jab, 1,504 kids in Marathwada vax politics begins lost one or both parents INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE that SP president Akhilesh Yadav had commented that the vaccine was PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Harsha Deshmukh, divisional Lucknow, June 8: When Samajwadi a 'BJP vaccine' and he would not get deputy Commissioner of Woman Party patriarch Mulayam Singh himself vaccinated. Aurangabad, June 8: At least and Child Development depart- Yadav took the Covid vaccine in a “How can I trust the vaccine 1,504 children have lost one or ment. hospital in Gurugram Monday, lit- which will be used for vaccination both their parents to Covid-19 so At least 27 children have lost tle did he foresee that it would un- by the BJP? We cannot get inocu- far in Marathwada region of both parents in the pandemic, she leash vaccine politics in Uttar lated by the BJP's vaccine,” Akhilesh Maharashtra, an official said said, urging citizens to call 1098 Pradesh. had said at a press conference in Tuesday. helpline number to intimate the au- Mulayam Singh Yadav got him- Lucknow, some months ago. The state government had or- thorities about such cases. self vaccinated against Covid in The BJP had described Akhilesh’s dered a survey to trace children or- As many as 339 children have Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. statement as an attempt to spread phaned in the pandemic. The sur- lost one or both their parents to the As soon as a photograph of the SP confusion among the people about vey was undertaken through Asha disease in Aurangabad district, founder taking the jab went viral the efficacy of the vaccine. Maurya on the social media the ruling BJP asked him to apologize now that got busy. his father had got himself vacci- Party state president, Swatantra nated. Mulayam Singh Yadav's Dev Singh, tweeted the photograph younger daughter-in-law Aparna expressing hope that taking inspi- Yadav, had also got herself vacci- ration from the SP founder, the nated. Majority of the SP leaders party's national president and cadres have not taken the vaccine and would also get themselves vacci- those who have, have done it se- nated. Deputy Chief Minister cretly. People holding umbrella cross the road during rain at CST in Mumbai PTI PHOTO Keshav Maurya said, “It is now up Akhilesh had later clarified that to the people to decide whether he had full faith in the country's doc- Mulayam had provided BJP pub- tors and scientists and that he was licity or put an end to the confusion in no confusion about their abil- Monsoon may arrive in Mumbai today spread by his son.” It may be recalled ity to make the vaccine.

Representative image PRESS TRUST OF INDIA progress seemed to be slow. The Maharashtra capital workers, local governing bodies, which is the highest in the region, Mumbai, June 8: The southwest Tuesday received showers rang- health department and other gov- the official said. monsoon is likely to set in over ing between 20 mm to 40 mm in ernment agencies, which had the "At least 1,358 children will Mumbai Wednesday, a senior offi- Colaba, Mahalaxmi and parts of data of Covid-19 cases, the offi- need care and protection in the cial of the India Meteorological Dadar area, while some weather sta- cial said. future. We will include these chil- Department (IMD) said here. tions in north Mumbai including "As on June 7, 1,504 children dren in different government Rains lashed the city Tuesday Chincholi, Borivali and Dahisar up to the age of 18 have lost one or schemes. Some of them might morning but the Met department received around 60 mm of rain- both their parents to the disease have to be housed in our facilities termed them as pre-monsoon show- fall in the first half of the day. in Marathwada. Of these, 181 chil- and some families may get aid ers. "There are indications of south- The IMD said in an afternoon dren have lost their mothers, while to raise such children," the offi- west monsoon's arrival in Mumbai forecast that thunderstorms ac- 1,296 have lost their fathers," said cial said. Wednesday," said Shubhangi Bhute, companied with lightening or director of the Regional The IMD Saturday had confirmed gusty winds and very heavy rain Meteorological Centre here, in the the arrival of the southwest mon- were very likely at isolated places evening. "The current favourable soon in Maharashtra as it reached in Mumbai, Raigad, Thane, conditions have brought showers Harnai in coastal Ratnagiri dis- Palghar, Pune, Nashik and some ‘Asthi Visarjan’ through in various parts of Mumbai today," trict. But, despite favourable con- parts of Marathwada in central speed post now she said in a video message. ditions, the monsoon's further Maharashtra. INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE Ayodhya to get Ram Dwars, Ramayana gardens Varanasi, June 8: The postal de- partment and a socio-religious plat- INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE ing Ayodhya a world-class city. form, Om Divya Darshan, have The target is to develop interna- come together to offer services for Ayodhya, June 8: Grand entry tional tourism in Ayodhya. 'asthi visarjan' (immersion of ashes) gates called 'Ram Dwars', flanked Meanwhile, the stone work at in Ganga and 'shraddh' rituals in by gardens, will come up at all the the Ram temple in Ayodhya is ex- Varanasi, Prayagraj, Haridwar entry points in Ayodhya soon. pected to start in December after and Gaya. The gardens flanking the 'Ram the laying of compressed concrete This service is especially for Dwars' will be called 'Ramayan base for the temple's foundation those who could not perform the Vatika'. which is likely to be completed by post-death rituals including Asthi Vice chairman of Ayodhya October. Visarjan and 'shraddh' of their on the portal. The ashes can be Development Authority, Vishal According to Anil Mishra, loved ones who died during the placed in a packet and sent by speed Singh, said, "There are six entry trustee of Ram temple trust, "Work pandemic. post to Varanasi, Prayagraj, pints in Ayodhya. Grand gates or on the base plinth of the temple Those who avail the new facility Haridwar and Gaya. Ram Dwars will be constructed at will start as part of the second will also be able to view the rituals The 'asthi' packet should be all entry points to give a grand re- phase of construction in December live. Postmaster general of Varanasi neatly packed and 'Om Divya ligious look to Ayodhya town. for which pink stones from region, Krishna Kumar Yadav, said: Darshan' inscribed in bold along Gardens based on Ramayana sto- Mirzapur would be used. "Many lost their dear ones to Covid, with details. The speed post ries will also be developed." Development work is on in but could not perform their last charges will be borne by the sender. The initiative is a part of a plan Ayodhya and this includes widen-

rites. Now, ashes can be sent through He said after the booking, the to transform the holy city from a ing of roads, river front, restora-

k y m c speed post to these holy cities by in- sender should update details, in- small town to a new city, equipped tion of river banks, bus stand and timating the postal department." cluding speed post barcode num- with modern facilities that are be- parking facilities. He said that people will need to ber on the portal of Om Divya fitting a seat of culture. The state government also register themselves on the portal Darshan. Once the packet is re- Principal Secretary Housing opment work in Ayodhya on the target of Chief Minister Yogi partments are involved in exe- plans to connect villages in neigh- of Om Divya Darshan for 'asthi ceived at post office, it will be de- and Urban Development Deepak Monday, told reporters that an ex- Adityanath's vision document on cuting the vision on ground for in- bouring districts such as Basti and visarjan' or 'shraddh' ceremony livered to the portal's address. Kumar, who reviewed the devel- ercise on war-footing is on to meet Ayodhya on time. Various de- creasing infrastructure and mak- Gonda. The government is only INTERNET HAILS COVID WARRIORS P8 concerned about the WEDNESDAY | JUNE 9 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR headline and not the deadline. To CROSSING A LADAKH RIVER complete vaccination by December, At great personal risk, doctors, nurses, and 80 lakh vaccinations per day is allied service workers at hospitals and clinics required but the question is from have put up a brave fight against the pandemic. where the vaccines will come in A recent example -- caught on camera -- was y order to do that that of one such team being carried across a

JAIRAM RAMESH | CONGRESS LEADER

k y m national Ladakh river in the loader of an earth mover c

of the day uote Cumulative vax coverage reaches 23.88Cr The economy Daily count dips PRESS TRUST OF INDIA have received the first and second of J&K, it goes dose respectively. without saying, New Delhi, June 8: The cumula- Besides, 7,25,46,765 and 1,15,34,478 is at the brink of collapse. There is no tive number of Covid-19 vaccine beneficiaries aged over 45 to 60 sector of its economy doses administered in the coun- years old have been administered -- be it tourism, 1st time below 1L try has reached 23.88 crore, the the first and second dose respec- horticulture, transport, or trade -- Union health ministry said Tuesday. tively while, 6,12,75,505 and that hasn’t suffered losses in the It said 13,32,471 beneficiaries in 1,94,36,078 beneficiaries aged above past two years the age group of 18-44 years re- 60 years have taken the first and sec- ceived their first dose and 76,723 ben- ond dose. OMAR ABDULLAH | VICE PRESIDENT, NC eficiaries of the same age group re- The ministry said 22,67,842 ben- ceived their second dose of Covid-19 eficiaries were vaccinated for the A coordinated vaccine during the day. first dose and 2,90,810 beneficiar- effort with the Cumulatively, 3,17,37,869 people ies received the second dose of vac- support of in the same age group across states cine, according to the provisional various sectors is and union territories have received report till 7 PM. needed to make this their first dose and 3,16,134 their sec- The vaccination exercise as a a reality. Our aim is ond dose since the start of Phase- tool to protect the most vulnerable to avoid giving any 3 of the vaccination drive. age group 18-44 years for the first who have taken the second dose. As population groups in the country kind of burden to students and Bihar, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, dose of Covid-19 vaccine, the min- many as 1,63,80,521 frontline work- from Covid-19 continues to be reg- ensure them hassle-free environs for Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, istry said. ers have received the first dose and ularly reviewed and monitored at their online studies Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil This total of 23,88,40,635 bene- 87,26,071 such workers have taken the highest level, the ministry un- PINARAYI VIJAYAN | CM, KERALA Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West ficiaries include 99,95,552 healthcare the second dose. derlined. As on the 144th day of Bengal have administered more workers who have taken the first Also 3,17,37,869 and 3,16,134 in- the vaccination drive, 25,58,652 than 10 lakh beneficiaries of the dose and 68,91,662 such workers dividuals in the 18-44 age group doses were given. We can’t keep Goa’s tourism industry shut INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE forever, as it is an In the past 24-hour, 2,123 COASTAL CONSERVATION important backbone New Delhi, June 8: India Tuesday more people succumbed of our state’s logged 86,498 new Covid infections to the pandemic economy. Once in 24 hours, less than one lakh tourism resumes in Goa fully, the cases for the first time in past 66 state will take up an intensive media days, the Union Health and Family India registered record fatalities due campaign, inviting domestic tourists Welfare Ministry said. to Covid-19 May 21 with 4,529 deaths here It is also the lowest number of -- the highest from Covid infection MANOHAR AJGAONKAR | cases since April 2 when the coun- in any country in a day since the TOURISM MINISTER, GOA try logged 89,129 new cases. coronavirus outbreak was reported In the past 24-hour, 2,123 more peo- in China’s Wuhan in December ple succumbed to the pandemic. 2019. It surpassed 4,468 deaths in the SHORT TAKES Monday, India had reported US January 12, 2021, and 4,211 in 1,00,636 cases, lowest spike since Brazil April 6, 2021. April 6. India’s overall tally of According to the Health Ministry, BJP MLA Udasi Covid-19 cases now stands at a total of 1,82,282 people have been 2,89,96,554 with 13,03,702 active discharged in the last 24 hours, passes away cases and 3,51,309 deaths so far. taking the total discharge to Bengaluru: Bharatiya Janata Over the last few days, India’s 2,73,41,462 till date. Party’s senior Karnataka fresh Covid cases have seen down- The Health Ministry said that legislator and former minister ward trend, maintaining over one a total of 23,61,98,726 people have CM Udasi passed away at a lakh infections every 24 hours, been vaccinated so far in the private hospital here due to while the deaths have also remained country, including 33,64,476 who age-related issues, a party below the 3,000 mark. After bat- were administered vaccines in the official said Tuesday. He was tling a brutal second wave for last 24 hours. 85. “Udasi died around 2.50 weeks, fresh Covid cases came According to the Indian pm at Narayana Health down below the three lakh-mark for Council of Medical Research, hospital where he was under the first time May 17 after touch- 36,82,07,596 samples have been treatment for age-related ing record high of 4,14,188 May 7. tested up to June 7 for Covid-19. symptoms over the last 15 In the last three weeks, India Of these 18,73,485 samples were Activists of The Emerging Coast (TEC) stage a protest at Poonthura coast, demanding sustainable measures for conservation of coasts as part of the World days,” his secretary Govinda Oceans Day observance, in Thiruvananthapuram, Tuesday PTI PHOTO Raju told IANS. He is survived has recorded over 90,000 deaths. tested Monday. by wife Neelambika, son and sitting MP Shivakumar Chanabasappa and daughter Bihar town rocked Jayashree. PILOTS’ BODY MOVES HC, No evidence on 3rd wave by explosion inside SEEKS AID FOR COVID DEATH desolate madrassa Cong gets new PRESS TRUST OF INDIA chief in Kerala affecting kids: AIIMS chief PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Mumbai, June 8: An association Thiruvananthapuram: The Patna, June 8: A desolate seminary of Indian pilots has approached Congress appointed party MP INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE attached to a Mosque in south the Bombay High Court seeking K Sudhakaran as the president Bihar district of Banka was shat- schemes for adequate compensation of its Kerala unit Tuesday. The New Delhi, June 8: There is no tered by a huge explosion Tuesday, for pilots who died of Covid-19 or party also appointed three data, either from India or globally, though there were no casualties, po- got infected by it, priority in vac- working presidents -- K to show that children will be seri- lice said. cination against the disease and in- Suresh, P T Thomas and T The PIL said pilots have Siddique -- in the revamped ously infected in any subsequent According to Banka surance coverage for those work- Kerala Pradesh Congress Covid-19 waves, AIIMS, Delhi, Superintendent of Police Arvind ing during the pandemic. operated flights during Committee (KPCC). “The Director Dr Randeep Guleria said Kumar Gupta, the blast took place The petition, filed by the Congress president has Tuesday. around 8 am at the complex situ- ‘Federation of Indian Pilots’ June the pandemic with appointed K Sudhakaran, MP, Addressing a media briefing ated in Nautolia locality, pulling 7, said pilots are providing essen- substantial risk to as the president of the Kerala here, he said that “it is a piece of down a major portion of the sem- tial services, and sought a direction Pradesh Congress Committee misinformation that subsequent inary. “The compound’s front por- to the Union government to provide their personal and with immediate effect,” a waves of the Covid-19 pandemic (swine) flu are examples”. “The ants). Since new mutations become tion comprises a Madrassa. It was an ex-gratia amount of Rs 10 crore family safety statement issued by the are going to cause severe illness in second wave of 1918 Spanish Flu more infectious, there is a higher locked from outside. There is a to the families of pilots who died party said. children”. Noting that 60 per cent was the biggest, after which there chance for the virus to spread.” pathway inside which leads to the due to Covid-19. to 70 per cent of the children who was a smaller third wave,” said Guleria said that one of the rea- mosque, the gates of which were As per the public interest litiga- and many have lost their lives. got infected and got admitted in Guleria. “And as we know, SARS- sons behind a wave can be human found open. tion (PIL), since February 2021, 13 Several pilots also face the risk of per- BJP replaces all hospitals during the second wave Cov-2 is a respiratory virus.” behaviour and cautioned that The explosion has caused ex- pilots have succumbed to Covid-19. manent or temporary disability due in India, had either comorbidities Multiple waves occur when there “whenever cases increase, there tensive damage to the seminary The petition said since March to the after-effects of Covid-19, like 3 mayors in Delhi or low immunity, the All India is a susceptible population and is a fear in people and human be- building,” Gupta told PTI-Bhasha 2020, all airlines and pilots are dili- mucormycosis,” it said. “Despite New Delhi: In a surprise move Institute of Medical Sciences when a large part of the population haviour changes. People strictly over phone from Banka. gently working to operate the ‘Vande this, several pilots have been sub- ahead of next year’s civic polls (AIIMS) Director said that healthy acquires immunity against the in- follow Covid appropriate behav- He said “not a single man, in- Bharat’ and other flights for evac- jected to massive pay cuts since the in the national capital, the BJP children recovered with mild illness fection, “the virus becomes en- iours and non-pharmaceutical in- cluding the Imam of the mosque” uating Indian citizens stranded in beginning of 2020,” it said. Tuesday replaced all the three without need for hospitalisation. demic and infection becomes sea- terventions help breaks the chain could be traced when a police party other countries and also for the As per the PIL, the petitioner and mayors in the three party Explaining why pandemics re- sonal like that of H1N1 that of transmission. But when un- reached the spot. air transportation of medical sup- the Indian Pilots Guild had made a ruled municipal corporations. turn again, the AIIMS Director commonly spreads during mon- locking resumes, people tend to “We are trying to get details plies during the second wave of representation to the Centre, seek- Civic polls in Delhi will be held said “waves normally occur in pan- soon or winters”, he said. think that not much infection will from residents of the neighbour- the pandemic this year. ing that they be declared as frontline in April next year. The BJP also demics caused due to respiratory “Waves can occur due to change happen and tend to not follow Covid hood. A team of forensic experts has “In such times, several pilots have workers and given priority in vac- replaced leaders in key viruses; the 1918 Spanish Flu, H1N1 in the virus (such as new vari- appropriate behavior”. been called to inspect the site. been infected by the coronavirus cination against Covid-19. positions in the three Municipal Corporations in Delhi. Tuesday is the last day of filing of nomination for June 18 Mayor polls in the North, South and East Delhi Climate crisis will have catastrophic impact: Study Municipal Corporations. THE STUDY FOUND plified by cyclones Tauktae and and infrastructure investment; India’s prosperity and competi- Yaas during the second wave of and the way different hazards tiveness in the long term.” THAT INDIA’S GDP the Covid-19 pandemic. A new re- intersect. “Lower-carbon options are more B’deshi gang with WOULD BE AROUND view by the global think tank, ODI, Amir Bazaz, Senior Lead- efficient and less polluting, pro- fake money busted The costs of climate change in Practice at the Indian Institute for ducing immediate benefits such 25 PER CENT HIGHER India, released Tuesday, laid out Human Settlements, said: “As we as cleaner air, greater energy se- New Delhi: The Border how rising temperatures will jeop- are seeing now with Cyclones curity and rapid job creation.” Security Force (BSF) has TODAY, WERE IT NOT ardise India’s economic develop- Tauktae and Yaas, low-income and Much depends on India’s policy, unearthed a gang operating FOR THE CURRENT ment through different channels, other marginalised groups are investment and diplomatic choices from both sides of India- including falling agriculture pro- most vulnerable to the impacts of over the next decade. Bangladesh border by nabbing COSTS OF GLOBAL ductivity, impact to public health, climate change. They often live in As the only country in the G20 two of their members while WARMING. LOOKING reduced labour productivity and sea dense settlements that lack basic that currently has a ‘two degrees smuggling Fake Indian level rise. services and infrastructure that Celsius compatible’ Nationally Currency Notes (FICN) into FORWARD, THE The study is a first-ever literature could reduce risk.” Determined Contribution (NDC), Indian territory. The racket review on the economic costs of “Many households also live on India is already doing its fair share was busted after the troops of NUMBERS ARE EVEN climate inaction in India. At one de- hazardous sites such as steep slopes for climate mitigation. 67 Battalion of BSF Guwahati MORE GRIM gree Celsius of global warming, is already feeling the costs of cli- Celsius, the human and economic and floodplains. It is therefore cru- However, pursuing a more car- y Frontier apprehended the the country is already experienc- smugglers with FICN having mate change, with many cities re- toll will rise even higher.” cial to bring climate and develop- bon-efficient and resilient path-

INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE ing damages. Flooding in India porting temperatures above 48 de- The total cost of heat waves, ment goals together.” way would enable India to climate-

k y m face value of Rs 2 lakh. The c smugglers were held in a over the last decade caused $3 bil- grees in 2020 and a billion people flooding, water scarcity, cyclones, Rathin Roy, Managing Director proof its development gains. special operation conducted New Delhi, June 8: The climate lion in economic damage -- ac- facing severe water scarcity for at sea-level rise and other climate- (Research and Policy) at ODI, said Given India’s low per capita by the BSF troops along the emergency will have a catastrophic counting for 10 per cent of global least a month of the year.” related hazards will be deter- “Pursuing a cleaner, more resource- emissions and lower-middle in- border Monday, the BSF said human and economic impact in economic losses from flooding. “If action is not taken to cut mined by the direction and level efficient path to development could come country status, it may in a statement, adding the two India. Different threats will inter- Angela Picciariello, Senior emissions enough to limit the global of economic development; the stimulate a faster, fairer economic need international support to smugglers are Indians. act to devastating effect, as exem- Research Officer at ODI, said, “India temperature rise to 1.5 degrees choices made in spatial planning recovery for India and help secure make it happen. They made two ASSAM TO HOLD X, XII BOARD P9 cardinal mistakes and WEDNESDAY | JUNE 9 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR made effort to correct EXAMS WITH REDUCED SUBJECTS those mistakes, but as usual Unlike many other states in the country, bluff and bluster, the Prime the Assam government Tuesday Minister blames the Opposition announced that it would hold the for the mistakes he committed secondary (Class X) and higher secondary y P CHIDAMBARAM | (Class XII) board examinations with

CONGRESS LEADER

k y m national reduced number of subjects in August c

of the day uote HEAT WAVE ‘LICENSE TO LOOT’

During my Withraw 25% vaccine 3,648 km ‘padayatra’ I saw the circumstances these reservation for private vendors battle with on a daily basis, I’m grateful for this opportunity to sector: Left to Centre change that with this scheme

YS JAGAN MOHAN REDDY | PRESS TRUST OF INDIA CM, ANDHRA PRADESH New Delhi, June 8: Left parties The wood demanded Tuesday that the gov- cutter Hamza ernment withdraw the 25 per cent who had felled reservation of vaccines for the pri- the trees, has spoken about the high vate sector, alleging that it was a “li- connections the cense” to loot. people who took Prime Minister Narendra Modi away the trees have, and the poor announced Monday that the Centre hapless tribals in the area were will provide free coronavirus vac- cheated cines to the states for the inocula- tion of all above the age of 18 years much as 25 per cent of vaccine PT THOMAS | CONGRESS LEGISLATOR from June 21. He also said private production is still reserved for the hospitals can continue to procure private sector. This is nothing but Five to six per 25 per cent of the vaccines, but a license for loot by private man- cent their service charge would be ufacturers to make super profits. unemployment ` rate overall can be capped at 150 per dose over the “Further, at a time of an acute there and that too fixed price of the vaccine. vaccine shortage, the continua- includes factors The Communist Party of India tion of such a policy will dilute impacted by Covid (Marxist), in a statement, said peo- and weaken the need for universal situation. But figures which are given ple will reject the “condemnable” vaccination, essential to prevent a like 30 per cent, 35 per cent, 40 per effort by the prime minister to third wave of the Coronavirus. cent... which means more than one- level false charges against the state Only the rich can afford the exor- third are unemployed, are not correct governments and shift the re- bitant pricing of vaccines for the

MANOHAR LAL KHATTAR | CM, HARYANA sponsibility to them. private hospitals permitted by the “However, the failed vaccine pol- government,” the CPI(M) said, de- icy has not been fully reversed. manding the withdrawal of the 25 The government has chosen to con- per cent reservation for the pri- SHORT TAKES A crow drinks water from a tap to quench its thirst on a hot day, during Covid-induced lockdown in Coimbatore, Tuesday PTI PHOTO tinue the dual pricing policy. As vate sector. HC cancels MP’s caste certificate Adhikari in Delhi to save skin: TMC Nagpur: In a huge jolt, the Check illegal adoption PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Bombay High Court, Nagpur ing the allegations levelled by the Echoing him, TMC MP Kakoli Bench Tuesday struck down the saffron camp against the ruling Ghosh Dastidar said BJP leaders caste certificate issued to Kolkata, June 8: The TMC Tuesday party. Adhikari, a former minister such as Adhikari are yet to come Amravati Lok Sabha MP and ex- made light of the meeting between in the last Mamata Banerjee-led to terms with their party’s drubbing filmstar Navneet Kaur Rana on Leader of Opposition in Bengal government, had joined the BJP just in the hustings. “We don’t attach the grounds that it was of Covid orphans: SC Suvendu Adhikari and Union Home before the 2021 assembly elections. much importance to these meetings. obtained fraudulently using Minister Amit Shah, and said that The state unit of the BJP had been People of this state happen to stand fabricated documents. A the BJP MLA rushed to Delhi to claiming that its workers, across the firmly behind the TMC. They will division bench comprising “save his skin” from CBI prosecu- state, were being attacked and forced not take it lying down if there is any Justice RD Dhanuka and Justice tion in the Narada out of their homes attempt to disturb the govern- VG Bisht ordered her to sting tapes case. NARADA CASE by “goons bearing ment,” Ghosh Dastidar added. surrender it within 6 weeks and TMC state gen- allegiance to the Adhikari had defeated Banerjee imposed a fine of `200,000 to be eral secretary and party spokesman TMC”, post the declaration of as- in a closely fought battle in paid to the Maharashtra Legal Kunal Ghosh, while talking to re- sembly poll results in the state. Services Authority within a Nandigram during the assembly fortnight. porters, said Adhikari’s meeting “Adhikari is staging a drama polls held in March- April this year. with Shah over the post-poll situ- before public; he will have to par- Shah’s office tweeted his picture ation in Bengal was nothing short rot what his party is saying. He with the BJP MLA earlier in the day, of a “drama”, and people would met Shah as he wanted to save his and said “Shri @SuvenduWB ji Unlock process to continue to support Chief Minister skin from prosecution in the Narada called on Union Home Minister begin from June 14 Mamata Banerjee, notwithstand- sting case,” Ghosh claimed. Shri @AmitShah ji.” Patna: Bihar will start the process of partially easing its lockdown measures from June 14 onwards, allowing markets Swedish defence majors urged to remain open till 5 pm. The POST NEWS NETWORK uals who are inviting interested per- decision was taken after a ORDER HIGHLIGHTS sons to adopt the affected children. drop in Covid cases across the New Delhi, June 8: Taking cog- “It has been brought to the no- state. Relaxation has been States/UTs to take action against nisance on the issue of illegal adop- NGOs indulged in illegal adoption tice of the NCPCR that illegal adop- to manufacture arms in India given to the retail, private and government sectors. The tion raised by National Commission tions contrary to the provisions of for Protection of Child Rights States to continue identification of the Juvenile Justices Act, 2015 are PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Indian defence industry has been government and private orphans or who have lost one parent offices will be allowed to open (NCPCR), the Supreme Court has also resorted to, which should be galvanised through progressive with 50 per cent occupancy till directed the state governments States to make provisions for prevented,” the ASG submitted in New Delhi, June 8: Defence policy and procedural reforms 4 pm on every working day. and Union territories to take strin- continuation of education of the court. Minister Rajnath Singh Tuesday in- which have catapulted the indus- gent action against the NGOs or in- affected children Significantly, the apex court di- vited leading Swedish defence ma- try to serve not only Indian re- dividuals who are indulged in the rected all the state governments jors to set up manufacturing bases quirements but also meet global practices of illegal adoption of or- Financial assistance to be provided to continue identifying the chil- in India as he showcased the coun- demand,” Singh said at the virtual CBI books FCI phan children. to affected children dren who have become orphans try as an attractive destination for conference. official in DA case A two-judge bench of the apex contrary to law as no adoption of or lost one parent after March 2020. investment to produce military He said that the foreign OEMs court comprising Justice L a child can be permitted without The apex court held that it is con- equipment and platforms. (Original Equipment New Delhi: The Central Bureau Nageswara Rao and Justice the involvement of Central cerned with the implementation of In an address at a conference Manufacturers) can set up manu- of Investigation (CBI) Tuesday Aniruddha Bose asked the state Adoption Resource Authority schemes launched for the affected on India-Sweden defence industry facturing facilities individually or said that it has registered a governments to prevent any NGO (CARA),” the bench said. children. The bench emphasised cooperation, he said the govern- in partnership with Indian com- case of disproportionate assets from collecting funds in the names During the hearing, ASG KM upon the continuous monitoring of ment has rolled out a series of re- panies through joint ventures or against Kishor Meena, Assistant Grade-I officer of FCI posted at of the affected children by dis- Nataraj, appearing for NCPCR, ex- the implementation of the schemes forms to help the defence industries route in the defence manufactur- technology agreement to capitalise Divisional Office in Madhya closing their identity and inviting pressed his anguish about certain in favour of the affected children. serve not only Indian requirements ing sector. on the ‘Make in India’ initiative. Pradesh’s Bhopal and carried interested persons to adopt them. NGOs collecting funds in the names “Financial assistance to which but also meet global demands. He said the technology-centric “Swedish firms such as SAAB al- out searches at 13 locations. A “No adoption of affected chil- of the affected children. The ASG the disconsolate child is entitled to The defence minister also men- FDI policy will enable Indian in- ready have a major presence in India CBI official said that the agency dren should be permitted contrary submitted that the identity of the af- under the prevailing schemes by the tioned allowing up to 74 per cent for- dustries to collaborate with Swedish and I am confident that other Swedish registered a case against to the provisions of the Juvenile fected children is being disclosed in Central and the state governments eign direct investment (FDI) industries in the field of niche and firms will find India as a major in- Meena on the allegations of Justices Act 2015. Invitation to per- public announcements by certain should be provided without any through automatic route and up to proven military technologies. vestment destination for defence illicit enrichment to the tune of sons for adoption of orphans is unscrupulous agencies and individ- delay,” the court ruled. 100 per cent through government “Over the past few years, the manufacturing,” he said. `2.93 crore during December 2, 2016 to May 29, 2021. PLASTIC HACKATHON 2021 25 zoo animals adopted in a day Lucknow: As many as 25 animals ‘Taking all steps to eliminate single-use plastic by 2022’ in the Lucknow zoo were adopted by people from different walks of life Tuesday. PRESS TRUST OF INDIA single-use plastic from the country. participate with full enthusiasm,” (Deutsche Gesellschaft für The initiative was taken by the “Prime Minister Modi pledged Javadekar said. Internationale Zusammenarbeit), a Additional Deputy New Delhi, June 8: India is tak- to make the country free of sin- Before the minister’s message, German organisation working jointly Commissioner of Police (ADCP) ing all steps to ensure that the gle use plastic. We took several a virtual event was organised by with partners in India for sustainable Chiranjeev Nath Sinha, who is country becomes free of single- steps in that direction. The import FICCI where Environment economic, ecological, and social de- also the brand ambassador of use plastic by 2022 as envisioned by of plastic waste has been banned. Secretary R P Gupta said the cam- velopment. the zoo. Sinha had won the PETA Prime Minister Narendra Modi, The states have been directed to en- paign is an effort to raise the ca- Gupta said intensive efforts have award for feeding stray animals Union Environment Minister sure no use of SUP. Several states pacity of various stakeholders been put in by the ministry to raise during lockdown and named the Prakash Javadekar said Tuesday have already stopped using SUP,” with respect to plastic pollution. awareness and sensitise citizens on first brand ambassador of the while launching ‘Plastic Hackathon he said. “It will be a two-month long cam- the environmental impact of SUP. Lucknow zoo. 2021’ campaign. “We have notified plastic waste paign with a series of events on re- “The government is providing Kick-starting the two-month management rules under which ducing plastic waste generation, support to states for developing long awareness campaign on sin- plastic below 40 microns thickness recognising the need of effective adequate waste management in- Fire breaks out at gle-use plastics (SUPs), Javadekar, cannot be used. We have also di- plastic waste management, increasing frastructure for solid and plastic in an audio message, said the rected states to take action against the minister added. collection and what new products the awareness of suitable alterna- waste management through flag- y Vaishno Devi shrine Environment Ministry has taken companies producing plastic carry Announcing the campaign, he can be made out of it. Suitable al- tives, sustainable consumption and ship Swachh Bharat Mission

several steps towards eliminating bags under 40-micron thickness,” said it will help finding suitable ternative to SUP will also be dis- production and extended producer re- scheme,” he said.

k y m Jammu: A fire broke out at the c Mata Vaishno Devi shrine alternatives to SUP and identify cussed in this hackathon. Essay sponsibility (EPR),” Gupta said. Considering the adverse impacts complex in Katra Tuesday in The government is providing support to states for new ways of plastic waste man- competitions will be organised for The campaign is being organised of littered plastic waste on both which one building of the developing adequate waste management agement. school kids. Till the time online by the Federation of Indian Chambers terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, complex was completely infrastructure for solid and plastic waste management “We are organising a Plastic classes are going on for schools of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the prime minister gave a clarion gutted, though no casualty through flagship Swachh Bharat Mission scheme Hackathon 2021. It will deliberate and colleges, such activities will be United Nations Environment call in 2019 to phase out single-use occurred during the blaze. R P GUPTA | ENVIRONMENT SECRETARY on plastic waste management, its enjoyed by students and they can Programme (UNEP) and GIZ plastics by 2022. A strong NATO AFGHAN HIT BY BLACKOUT P10 is good for WEDNESDAY | JUNE 9 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR Europe, but it's also Several Afghanistan provinces good for the US, no other were hit by a blackout as a major power has so power pylon was destroyed in many friends and allies an explosion, Breshna as the US has in NATO Sherkat, the national power JENS STOLTENBERG | company, confirmed Tuesday

US SECRETARY GENERAL

k y m international c of the day uote Oz state finds source China’s wandering elephants becoming int’l stars of Covid-19 variant We are ASSOCIATED PRESS caught at night trotting down urban adults, three juveniles and three INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE ravaging the streets by security cameras, filmed calves, according to official re- very Beijing, June 8: Already famous constantly from the air by more Melbourne, June 8: Health au- ecosystems that ports. underpin our at home, China's wandering ele- than a dozen drones and followed What exactly motivated them thorities in the Australian state of societies. We still phants are now becoming inter- by those seeking to minimize dam- to make the epic journey remains Victoria, which is battling to con- have time to reverse national stars. Major global media age and keep both pachyderms a mystery, although they appear tain the highly contagious B.1.6172 the damage we have done are chronicling the herd's more and people out of harm's way. to be especially attracted to corn, or the Delta Covid-19 variant, have than yearlong, 500-kilometer (300- They've raided farms for food tropical fruit and other crops found a genomic link to one of the ANTONIO GUTERRES | UN SECRETARY GENERAL mile) trek from their home in a and water, visited a car dealership that are tasty, plentiful and easy positive cases. wildlife reserve in mountainous and even showed up at a retire- to obtain in the lush tropical re- The health authorities, who have southwest Yunnan province to the ment home, where they poked their gion that is home to about 300 of been investigating the Delta cases outskirts of the provincial capi- trunks into some of the rooms, the animals. Others have specu- in Victoria since last week, have yet When tal of Kunming. prompting one elderly man to hide lated their leader may be simply to find a link with any other cases President Biden Twitter and YouTube are full of under his bed. While no animals lost. across Australia, reports Xinhua returns to clips of their various antics, par- or people have been hurt, reports Asian elephants are loyal to their news agency. Washington next ticularly those of two calves who put damage to crops at more than home ranges unless there have Victoria's Acting Premier James week, we believe that slipped into an irrigation ditch $1 million. Sixteen animals were been disturbances, loss of resources Merlino said Tuesday that a match we will be in a and had to be helped out by older help and care for and protect each on China's Weibo microblogging originally in the group, but the or development, in which case they had been made with a returned materially stronger members of the group. other,” read one comment on service with photos of the group government says two returned may move out, according to Nilanga traveller who had entered hotel position to manage the major “We should be more like the YouTube signed sleeping attracting 25,000 posts and home and a baby was born dur- Jayasinghe, manager for Asian quarantine in the state capital of threats and challenges this country elephant and be more family ori- MrDeterministicchaos. The ele- 200 million views Monday night. Melbourne May 8. faces ing the walk. The herd is now com- species conservation at the World ented, take family vacations and phants have been trending for days The 15-member herd has been posed of six female and three male Wildlife Fund. "While we have a genomic link, JAKE SULLIVAN | BIDEN'S NATIONAL SECURITY we do not currently have an epi- ADVISOR demiological link," Merlino said. "There's currently no definitive understanding of where a trans- WHO warns against mission event may have occurred." Nigeria’s FBI-run messaging app Investigations are continuing decision to suspend as to whether there was any con- Twitter is in the tact between the returned trav- interest of national overpriced Covid vax eller and those other Delta cases. security and peace As of Tuesday, the state recorded tricks organised crime So far, eight Covid-19 vaccines were approved by two locally-acquired Covid cases of GEOFFREY ONYEAMA | from 22,814 test results in the past NIGERIAN MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS than 300 gangs operating in more the WHO for emergency use 24 hours, both of which were linked than 100 countries. Intelligence to existing outbreaks, according gathered and analyzed “enabled INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE to Merlino. Overall there are now us to prevent murders. It led to the 92 active cases in the state, with 83 SHORT TAKES seizure of drugs that led to the Geneva, June 8: The World Health are locally acquired. seizure of weapons. And it helped Organization (WHO) warned Merlino said the tracking down UK lockdown end prevent a number of crimes,” against the danger of buying over- and isolating of cases meant that Calvin Shivers, assistant di- priced Covid-19 vaccines from in- the lockdown was likely to be lifted may be delayed rector of the FBI's Criminal termediaries, reminding countries Thursday. London: The UK government is Investigative Division, told a to buy jabs certified by the WHO "We remain on track to later in said to be weighing up a delay news conference in The Hague, and make sure to identify the ori- this week announce further easing of around a fortnight beyond Netherlands. The operation — gin of the product. of restrictions in regional Victoria the June 21 timeline set for the A large amount of cash is displayed during a police raid as part of Operation Trojan led by the FBI with the involve- "We have received concerns re- and careful easing of restrictions final stage of a roadmap to ment of the US Drug Enforcement garding other vaccines with in- in Melbourne," he said. end all legal lockdown AGENCIES methamphetamines — were seized Administration, the European termediates selling it (one vaccine) restrictions, amid a continuing along with 250 firearms, 55 luxury Union police agency Europol and at a much higher price than what facturer to make sure that the in- rise in the cases of the Delta The Hague, June 8: Criminal cars and more than USD 148 mil- law enforcement agencies in sev- has been actually sold by the man- termediate is legal". "There is a UNSC recommends variant of Covid in parts of the gangs divulged plans for moving lion in cash and cryptocurrencies. eral countries — dealt “an un- ufacturers," said Mariangela Batista lot of substandard and falsified country. The delay being drug shipments and carrying out The seeds of the sting were sown precedented blow to criminal net- Galvao Simao, WHO Assistant Covid products being commer- Guterres for 2nd considered is to enable all killings on a messaging app se- when law enforcement agencies works, and this is worldwide,” said Director-General for Access to cialised out there, so you need to over-50s to be fully vaccinated cretly run by the FBI, law en- earlier took down two encrypted Dutch National Police Chief Medicines and Health Products, know the provenance," she added. term as UN chief with both doses of a vaccine, forcement agencies said Tuesday, platforms, EncroChat and Sky Constable Jannine van den Berg. during a press conference here on Simao also said that it was im- found to be most effective as they unveiled a global sting op- ECC, that had been used by crim- Australian Federal Police Monday. The issue of the role of in- portant to vaccinate people with PRESS TRUST OF INDIA against the highly transmissible eration they said dealt an “un- inal gangs to organize drug traf- Commander Jennifer Hearst called termediates for buying vaccines products "certified" by the WHO. variant of concern (VOC) first precedented blow” to organised United Nations, June 8: The UN identified in India, and also to ficking and underworld hits. it “a watershed moment in global was raised recently as a middleman, "The advice of the WHO is that leave sufficient time for the crime in countries around the With the gangs in the market law enforcement history.” located in the United Arab Emirates, the countries use vaccines that Security Council Tuesday recom- jabs to take effect. world. for a new means of communication, The ANOM app became popular was caught selling Sputnik vac- have received emergency listing," mended Secretary General Antonio The operation known as Trojan the FBI stepped in with a covertly in criminal circles as users told cines to Ghana and Pakistan at she said, referring to the Emergency Guterres for a second five-year Shield led to police raids in 16 na- developed app called ANOM that one another it was a safe platform. double the original price, reports Use Listing used by the global term as chief of the world organ- tions. More than 800 suspects were was installed on modified mobile All the time, police were looking Xinhua news agency. health body to approve new vac- isation beginning January 1, 2022. IS militants abduct arrested and more than 32 tons of phones. Over the past 18 months, over the shoulders of criminals Simao said that countries should cines. So far, eight Covid-19 vac- The 15-nation Council held a five people in Sinai drugs — including cocaine, the FBI provided phones via un- as they discussed hits, drug ship- either buy directly from the man- cines were approved by the WHO closed meeting where it unani- cannabis, amphetamines and suspecting middlemen to more ments and other crimes. ufacturer or "contact the manu- for emergency use. mously adopted a resolution rec- El-Arish (Egypt): At least five ommending Guterres' name to the Egyptians were abducted by 193-member General Assembly for Islamic State militants a second term as Secretary General. Tuesday in the restive FOR A CAUSE "India welcomes the adoption northern part of the Sinai Israeli Parl to vote on of @UN #SecurityCouncil reso- Peninsula, security officials lution recommending a second said. The five were driving to term to #UnitedNations Secretary- their workplace in the small new govt on Sunday General @antonioguterres," India's town of Bir al-Abed when the militants from the Islamic Permanent Representative to the State group stopped their ASSOCIATED PRESS for allying with leftists and a UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti vehicle and took them to an small Arab party that he had tweeted. Last month, India had unknown place. The five Jerusalem, June 8: Israel's par- also courted. Naftali Bennett, an conveyed its support to Guterres for include three engineers, a liament speaker has scheduled a ultranationalist former his candidature as chief of the labourer and their driver, said vote for Sunday on a new govern- Netanyahu ally, would serve as world body for a second term be- the officials. They all work at ment that would end Prime Minister Prime Minister for two years, ginning January 2022. the el-Salam canal project Benjamin Netanyahu's 12-year rule, followed by the centrist Yair External Affairs Minister S that moves the Nile Delta the longest in the country's history. Lapid, the driving force behind Jaishankar had met Guterres at the drainage water to be reused in Parliament speaker Yariv Levin, the coalition, who thanked the United Nations headquarters and agriculture in the peninsula. a Netanyahu ally, announced the speaker for scheduling the vote. expressed New Delhi's support to timing of the vote Tuesday, a day “The unity government is on the him for his second term as the after acknowledging that a coalition way and ready to work on behalf of world's top diplomat. Pak train mishap had been formed. all the people of Israel,” Lapid said. "India values UNSG's leadership The fragile coalition consists Israel held four elections in less than of the UN, especially in these chal- toll rises to 65 of eight parties spanning Israel's two years, the most recent in March. lenging times. Conveyed our sup- Karachi: The death toll in political spectrum, with only a nar- Each time, voters were deeply port for his candidature for a sec- Monday's train collision in row majority in the 120-member polarised over whether Netanyahu ond term,” Jaishankar said in a Pakistan's Sindh province rose Knesset, or parliament. But it ap- should remain in office while fac- tweet after the meeting. Later a to 65 Tuesday, according to an pears to have held together despite ing allegations of corruption, for press release issued by the official, even as the a furious campaign by Netanyahu's which he is now on trial. An emer- Permanent Mission of the India to Opposition parties demanded supporters that has included death gency government formed last the UN also stated that Jaishankar an immediate probe into the threats and protests outside law- year to address the coronavirus "conveyed that India values reasons for one of the makers' homes. pandemic was mired in political Secretary General's leadership of country's worst train Netanyahu has accused his erst- infighting and collapsed in the United Nations, especially in accidents. At least 65 people while right-wing allies of betrayal December. An activist pauses during a march and rally to demand the end of solitary confinement in New York PTI PHOTO these challenging times. were killed and over 100 others injured in the twin accidents between Reti and Daharki railway stations where eight carriages of Millat Express derailed just before ‘A lot of anxiety’ for Dems as Biden agenda stalls Sir Syed Express rammed into them near Dharki, a city ASSOCIATED PRESS kind of president does he want to as crucial to protecting democracy been generating goodwill by con- located in the Ghotki district be?” and a direct response to restric- sidering bipartisan bills in the of upper Sindh early Monday Washington, June 8: Hopes for a The summer work period is tra- tive new voting laws being passed evenly split Senate, they face mount- morning. big infrastructure investment are ditionally among the busiest for in Republican-led states egged on ing pressure from voters who put teetering. An ambitious elections Congress, but especially sharp- by Donald Trump, the former pres- them in office to fight harder for leg- and voting bill is all but dead. ened this year as Democrats strain ident. islation that Republicans are de- Legislation on police brutality, gun to deliver on Biden's agenda. Senate “Do I feel discouraged? Yes,” termined to block with the fili- Van falls into control and immigration has stalled Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., buster. Democrats hold the edge river; 17 killed out. warned colleagues that June will chairwoman of the Congressional in the Senate because Vice President Nearly six months of Democratic “test our resolve.” Infrastructure Progressive Caucus, warning of a Kamala Harris can break a voting Islamabad: All 17 people on a control in Washington, the party's talks are dragging, though Biden failure to deliver on the promises. tie. van, including 16 members of progressive wing is growing in- is expected to talk again Tuesday “We will lose voters for a genera- Fed up by the delays, some sen- a family, were killed when creasingly restless as campaign with Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, tion.” ators are ready to change the rules their vehicle plunged into the promises go undone — blocked not the lead Republican negotiator. Schumer, in setting the agenda, to eliminate the filibuster, which Indus River in Pakistan's only by Republican obstruction, But the limits of bipartisanship is challenging senators to prepare they blame for the inaction. The mountainous Khyber- but also by Democrats' own in- Pakhtunkhwa province, in the 50-50 Senate are increas- to make tough choices. But he is also long-running Senate filibuster rules

ability to unite fully around pri- ingly clear. facing a test of his own ability to require 60 votes to advance most leg-

k y m according to a media report c Tuesday. The vehicle was orities. The party suffered a debilitating lead the big-tent party through a islation, meaning as many as 10 heading from Chilas to The time ahead is pivotal for blow over the weekend when Sen. volatile period of shifting priorities Republicans would need to cross Rawalpindi when it fell into President Joe Biden and his allies Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., announced and tactics in the aftermath of the party lines to help Democrats the Indus River in the Paniba in Congress to seize what some shape the country. been a co-chair of Bernie Sanders' his opposition to the voting bill, Trump era and the Capitol insur- achieve their priorities. Some sen- area of Kohistan district view as a transformative moment “There's a lot of anxiety,” said presidential bid. “It's a question titled S.1 because it is a top party rection. ators propose reducing the voting Monday, Dawn News reported. to rebuild the economy and re- Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Ca., who had really for President Biden: What priority. Many Democrats view it While Democratic senators have threshold to 51. While there are APPLE PREVIEWS NEW SOFTWARE P11 welcome signs of WEDNESDAY | JUNE 9 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR global recovery, the Apple kicked off its second annual all-virtual pandemic continues to inflict developer conference with a keynote that poverty and inequality on outlined new updates to its software for people in developing iPhones and other devices. The presentation countries around the world highlighted more privacy options for paid iCloud accounts and a “Find My” service DAVID MALPASS |

WORLD BANK GROUP PRESIDENT that helps find errant AirPods

k y m business c of the day uote Don’t let taxpayers down: FM 2 PSBs ready for privatisation may Even though SBI union, others urge RBI to conditions will to Infosys on ITR portal glitches come out with VRS remain unpredictable and PRESS TRUST OF INDIA we will be living with the effects of COVID- New Delhi, June 8: Two state- scrap digital payments plan owned banks being picked up for 19 for some time, we remain confident of the medium to privatisation by the government long-term growth prospects of the The letter urged the central bank are likely to come out with an at- FMCG sector to scrap the "whole process of NUE tractive voluntary retirement licensing" and focus on strength- scheme (VRS) to get rid of the SANJIV MEHTA | HUL CMD ening the domestic payments group, extra flab, sources said. NPCI, which operates as a non- Finance Minister Nirmala profit. Sitharaman while unveiling Modern, cost efficient The RBI did not immediately Budget 2021-22 on February 1 had storage respond to a request for comment announced that the government infrastructure at on the letter, which has previously proposed to take up the privati- grass roots level and not been reported. sation of two public sector banks at block level is great While state-backed NPCI forms INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE generation income tax filing system (PSBs) and one general insur- way to increase the backbone of the country's dig- to reduce processing time for returns ance company. farmers income ital payments system, India is an New Delhi, June 8: Finance from 63 days to one day and expe- An attractive VRS will make increasingly attractive digital pay- Minister Nirmala Sitharaman dite refunds. The software major had them lean and fit for takeover by PIYUSH GOYAL | UNION FOOD MINISTER ments market for everyone from Monday called out Infosys and its also developed the government's the private sector entities that REUTERS Payments Council of India (NPCI). Amazon to Google. An Assocham- Co-Founder Nandan Nilekani for the GST Network (GSTN) portal, used are keen to enter the banking At this time The NUE will be allowed to op- PWC India study in 2019 said dig- problems faced by taxpayers while for GST payment and return fil- space, the sources said. when India is Mumbai, June 8: A union repre- erate new payment systems in- ital payments in India could rise to using the newly launched ITR e-fil- ing, which also had faced initial VRS is not forced exit but op- fighting the senting India's largest state-run cluding digital and ATM transac- $135 billion (roughly `9,84,250 crores) ing portal. Citing complaints on over glitches on the website. tion for those who would like to second wave of bank and a global alliance have tions. Amazon, Google, Facebook, in 2023 from $65 billion (roughly her Twitter timeline the Minister said In a late evening reply to take early retirement with good COVID we aim to asked the central bank to bar large and others have applied for such li- `4,73,900 crores) in 2019. ease of compliance for the taxpayer Sitharaman’s tweet, Nilekani said financial package, the sources support the medical companies from setting up pay- cences in partnership with Indian In the letter, groups including should be or higher priority. some technical issues were ob- said adding that it has been done fraternity with our ment networks, saying in a letter companies such as Reliance and the SBI union, which represents “The much awaited e-filing por- served on day one, and Infosys is in the past before the consolida- new offering of Skyline ambulances. seen by Reuters Tuesday that pri- ICICI Bank. 100,000 of its nearly 250,000 em- tal 2.0 was launched last night working to resolve them. tion of some of the PSBs. The ambulance is a consequence of vatisation could compromise data Involvement of big multi-na- ployees, and UNI Global Union, 20:45hrs. I see in my TL grievances “The new e-filing portal will The NITI Aayog, which has rigorous research and collaboration safety. tional companies raises fears of that represents about 20 million and glitches,” she said in a tweet. ease the filing process and enhance been entrusted with the job of with industry leaders and are ideal In a bid to reduce concentration abuse of user data and India's dig- workers globally, specifically raised “Hope @Infosys & end user experience. @nsithara- identifying suitable candidates for intensive medical care risks in the payments sector, RBI ital payment networks should con- concerns about the NUE applica- @NandanNilekani will not let down man ji, we have observed some for the privatisation, has recom- VINOD AGGARWAL | last year invited companies to forge tinue to operate on a non-profit tion by a consortium led by our taxpayers in the quality of technical issues on day one, and are mended names to a high-level VECV MANAGING DIRECTOR & CEO so-called New Umbrella Entities basis, the All India State Bank of Amazon. It highlighted the US service being provided. Ease in working to resolve them. @Infosys panel headed by Cabinet Secretary (NUEs) to create a payments net- India (SBI) Staff Federation and the company was facing several in- compliance for the taxpayer should regrets these initial glitches and ex- Rajiv Gauba. work that would rival the coun- UNI Global Union, a vocal critic of vestigations into its business prac- be our priority.” pects the system to stabilise during Central Bank of India, Indian SHORT TAKES try's flagship processor, the National tech giants, wrote in the letter. tices in India and abroad. Infosys has developed the next- the week,” Nilekani tweeted. Overseas Bank, Bank of Maharashtra and Bank of India are some of the names that may Favipiravir effective: be considered for privatisation Glenmark cites study by the Core Group of Secretaries Pradhan inaugurates ‘Burden of taxes impeding on Disinvestment. New Delhi: Drug firm Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Tuesday said interim data from its post marketing 11 CNG stations in state Franklin Templeton surveillance study on anti- household consumption’ viral drug favipiravir in India disagrees with Sebi supports its safety and PRESS TRUST OF INDIA direct taxes, on households has effectiveness in real world order; to move SAT settings with no new safety worsened lately,” it said, adding concerns for COVID-19 Mumbai, June 8: The burden of that the excise hike has led to re- patients. The study taxation, particularly indirect tail prices of petrol and diesel commenced in July 2020, taxes, on households has wors- hitting record levels and impact- aimed to evaluate safety and ened lately and is preventing them ing household budgets both di- efficacy of favipiravir in mild from spending more on con- rectly and indirectly. to moderate COVID-19 sumption, a domestic rating Indirect taxes are not progressive patients. As on date, a total of agency said Tuesday. by nature and lead to a dispropor- 1,083 patients have been Unlike the corporates who are tionately higher welfare loss to enrolled in the prospective, enjoying a rationalisation in in- holds has risen to 75 per cent from households that are at the lower end open label, multicenter, single come tax, no such move has been 60 per cent in FY10, it said, ex- of the pyramid, it said, stressing that arm study, Glenmark said in a introduced for the households plaining that this was largely due unlike the corporates who benefitted AGENCIES regulatory filing. Interim data who continue paying elevated to the combination of a higher through tax rationalization, no presented by the company to taxes, it said. excise duty on fuel and a reduction such measure has been given to New Delhi, June 8: Franklin the regulator reveals no new Burden on households tax could in corporate tax. the end-consumers. Templeton Asset Management safety signals or concerns delay consumption recovery, India It said corporation tax has been Consumption had been going (India) Tuesday said it strongly with the use of favipiravir and POST NEWS NETWORK to CNG/LNG for ensuring lesser Ratings and Research warned, rationalised to augment job cre- down before the COVID hit us as disagrees with the findings of Sebi's already-known side effects emissions and cleaner environ- stating that the increase in indi- ation and attracting direct for- order in the case of winding of six which were found to be mild well, it said, adding that the job in nature, the filing said. Bhubaneswar, June 8: Minister ment. “In that direction, Mobile rect taxes through the excise duty eign investments, and also backed or salary losses, coupled with debt schemes in 2020 and has de- for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Refueling Unit (MRU) will help hike in fuels just before the pan- the move calling it a legitimate increased expenditure for COVID cided to challenge the direction in Steel Dharmendra Pradhan achieve supply of CNG in areas demic and the second wave of in- change because it made our ex- illness came as a double Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT). Tuesday dedicated to the nation not yet connected through pipelines fections have had an impact. The ports uncompetitive. “The bur- whammy for households dur- Sebi, Monday, barred Franklin Whatfix raises GAIL group’s 201 CNG stations or at places where there is scarcity share of total tax burden on house- den of taxes, particularly of in- ing the pandemic. Templeton Asset Management $90mn in funding across the country including 11 of land parcels to set up conven- (India) from launching any new CNG stations for Odisha. tional CNG stations. It can store up debt scheme for two years and im- New Delhi: Whatfix, a digital Pradhan inaugurated four CNG to 1,500 kg CNG and can fill 150 to posed a penalty of `5 crore for vi- adoption solutions provider, stations in Cuttack and seven in 200 vehicles per day.” He stressed CCI nod for acquisition of 3 power utilities by TPCL olating regulatory norms in the Tuesday said it has raised USD Khurda. Earlier, the state had 11 upon the need to expedite com- case of winding up of six debt ` 90 million (about 656 crore) CNG stations. missioning of more MRUs in the POST NEWS NETWORK Section 31(1) of the Competition Act, districts of Odisha namely Rourkela, schemes in 2020. in funding led by SoftBank Pradhan said the CGD sector country to increase mobility of 2002, Tuesday. Burla (Sambalpur), Bhawanipatna Also, it has been asked to refund Vision Fund 2. The series D has emerged as a major sector fuel availability through their de- Bhubaneswar, June 8: The According to the report, pro- (Kalahandi), Bolangir, and Bargarh. investment management and ad- funding also saw participation for natural gas consumption. ployment at various locations like Competition Commission of India posed combinations relate to ac- SOUTHCO Utility is engaged in visory fees of over `512 crore (in- from Eight Roads Ventures, “The demand is only going to in- housing societies, offices. (CCI) approved acquisition of 51% quisition of 51% of equity share cap- the business of distribution and cluding interest) collected with re- Sequoia Capital India, Dragoneer Investment Group, crease as more GAs becomes op- Pradhan said the push on of the equity share capital in each ital in each utility by the TPCL retail supply of power in six south- spect to the six debt schemes. F-Prime Capital and Cisco erational. With the inauguration CNG/LNG infrastructure will en- of the three electricity supply com- from Grid Corporation of Odisha ern districts of Odisha namely, cer- This amount will be used to Investments, a statement of 201 CNG stations today the hance investment in OEM sector, panies of Odisha—Western Limited (GRIDCO) pursuant to tain areas in Ganjam district, repay unitholders, as per Sebi order. said. Whatfix has now raised country will have about 3100 sta- CGD equipment manufacture, Electricity Supply Company of separate competitive bidding Berhampur, Aska, Bhanjanagar, A Franklin Templeton spokesper- USD 139.8 million till date, and tions. The CGD entities to keep transport sector and will lead to cre- Odisha (WESCO Utility), Southern processes initiated by the Odisha Jeypore and Rayagada. son said, "We strongly disagree its valuation has increased working hard to reach 10,000 CNG ation of employment. Increasing Electricity Supply Company of Electricity Regulatory Commission CESCO Utility is engaged in the with the findings in the Sebi order three times in the past 15 stations and 5 crore PNG con- usage of LNG in steel, transport and Odisha Limited (SOUTHCO Utility) (OERC) under Section 20 of the business of distribution and re- and intend to file an appeal with the months, it added. "The nections in coming 7-8 years,” mining sector, inland waterways, and Central Electricity Supply Electricity Act, 2003. tail supply of power in four central Securities Appellate Tribunal". company plans to use the the minister said. will also lead to reduction in de- Company of Odisha Limited WESCO Utility, is engaged in the districts of Odisha namely He, further, said Franklin funding to continue growing He said that there is a need for pendence on crude oil and increase (CESCO Utility) by the Tata Power business of distribution and retail Bhubaneswar (1 and 2), Cuttack, Templeton places great emphasis its stronghold in the US conversion of diesel/petrol vehicles self-reliance in energy sector. Company Limited (TPCL), under supply of power in five western Paradip and Dhenkanal. on compliance. market while accelerating global expansion into new markets such as Asia Pacific and Europe," it said. Whatfix will also invest the funds in product innovation focusing Biden admin’s ‘strike force’ to go after China on trade on artificial intelligence (AI), enterprise solutions, and providing personalised REUTERS President Joe Biden ordered the industrial policies have contributed have raised fears of inflation, the experiences, it added. review of critical supply chains to vulnerable U.S. supply chains," administration is starting a task Washington, June 8: The United in February, requiring executive the official said. "I think you are force focused on "homebuilding States will target China with a new agencies to report back within 100 going to see this strike force fo- and construction, semiconductors, "strike force" to combat unfair trade days on risks to U.S. access to crit- cusing in feeding into some of our transportation, and agriculture CCI nod for Byju’s practices, the Biden administra- ical goods like those used in phar- China policy developments." and food." buyout of Aakash tion said Tuesday, as it rolled out find- maceuticals as well as rare earth The United States was not look- Semiconductors are a central ings of a review of U.S. access to crit- minerals, for which the United ing to "wage trade wars with our al- focus in sprawling legislation cur- New Delhi: The Competition ical products, from semiconductors States is dependent on overseas lies and partners," the official added, rently before Congress, which Commission has approved to electric-vehicle batteries. sources. noting the strike force would be fo- would pump billions of dollars ed-tech startup Byju's The "supply chain trade strike Though not explicitly directed at cused on "very targeted products." into creating domestic production proposed acquisition of force," led by the U.S. trade repre- China, the review is part of a But the senior officials offered lit- capacity for the chips used in every- Aakash Educational Services sentative, will look for specific vi- broader Biden administration strat- tle in the way of new measures to thing from consumer electronics to Ltd (AESL). The deal, olations that have contributed to a egy to shore up U.S. competitiveness immediately ease chip supply short- military equipment. estimated to be worth "hollowing out" of supply chains in the face of economic challenges ages, noting in a fact sheet that the Biden has said China will not sur- around USD 1 billion, which will bolster Byju's presence that could be addressed with trade posed by the world's second largest Commerce Department would work pass the United States as a global in the test preparation remedies, including toward China, economy. House at 1 p.m. (1700 GMT). in domestic manufacturing capa- to "facilitate information flow" be- leader on his watch, and confronting segment in the country, was senior administration officials told "Semiconductors are the build- The United States faced serious bilities and policies to address tween chip makers and end users Beijing is one of the few bipartisan announced in April this year. reporters. ing blocks that underpin so much challenges getting medical equip- them. A senior official said the and increase transparency, a step issues in an otherwise deeply di- Tuesday, Competition Officials also said the Department of our economy, and are essential ment during the COVID-19 epi- United States had faced unfair Reuters previously reported. vided Congress.

of Commerce was considering ini- to our national security, our eco- demic and now faces severe bot- trade practices from "a number of In medicine, the administration

k y m Commission of India (CCI) But some lawmakers have ex- c said it has approved the tiating a Section 232 investigation nomic competitiveness, and our tlenecks in a number of areas, foreign governments" across all will use the Defense Production pressed concerns that a package of proposed combination into the national security impact daily lives," U.S. Commerce including computer chips, stalling four of the supply chains covered Act to accelerate efforts to manu- China-related bills includes huge relating to Think & Learn Pvt of neodymium magnet imports Secretary Gina Raimondo said in production of goods such as cars. in the initial review, including gov- facture 50 to 100 critical drugs do- taxpayer-funded outlays for com- Ltd (Byju's) acquisition of used in motors and other industrial a statement. Other top U.S. eco- U.S. agencies are required to ernment subsidies and forced in- mestically rather than relying on panies without safeguards to pre- certain stake of AESL and applications, which the United nomic officials are scheduled to issue more complete reports a year tellectual property transfers. imports. And to address supply vent them from sending related thereafter their merger. States largely sources from China. address reporters at the White after Biden's order, identifying gaps "Obviously, a number of Chinese bottlenecks from lumber to steel that production or research to China. P12 WEDNESDAY | JUNE 9 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR sports

y ‘We’ll talk about my SWIATEK SETS UP SAKKARI DATE

k k y y m m c INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE ready. I am going to be patient and c hopefully it is going to get results,” Paris, June 8: After her fourth- added Swiatek. round victory extended her win- “It is never easy to play with goals in 10 yrs’ time’ ning streak to 10 matches in one of the nicest girls on tour. French Open as well as this sea- Tactically, I am going to for sure be son, eighth seed Iga Swiatek is prepared. Right now I am not think- gearing up to face giant-killer ing about it, because still I have Maria Sakkari with ‘patience’ as doubles (Tuesday). So I just want a weapon. to focus on getting my body back Eighth seed Swiatek beat Marta to being fresh,” said Swiatek Kostyuk in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, to further. enter quarterfinals of French Open The Polish Swiatek struggled late Monday night. The 20-year- against her unfancied opponent old Swiatek proved to be the su- in a night session match before perior player although her 18-year- sealing the tie. She said that play- old opponent stretched her. ing a night game brings its own chal- Swiatek won 74 per cent first IGA lenges as she struggled to get into serve points as against 57 percent SWIATEK rhythm. by her opponent. She also con- “I like (being tested) because it verted four out of the 12 break- keeps me constantly on my toes. It points she got. Kostyuk could con- just keeps you focused all the time, vert only two out of seven because you don’t have that flow, so... break-points. you have to work all the time,” Sakkari, who became the first Swiatek said. Greek woman to enter quarterfinals, “With that flow, you sometimes had scalped World No.5 Sofia Kenin can seem surprised that, ‘Hey, some- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA have done a lot better. “We will every training session, he is by far 6-1, 6-3 Monday. Republic’s Barbora Krejcikova. said after the match. thing is not good,’ and then you talk about it but I am happy that we the best,” Stimac said after the match. Swiatek’s match Wednesday will “I have not played her, so it is hard “Hopefully, it is going to be good. are going to panic. But right now Doha, June 8: Sunil Chhetri has got three points,” Chhetri said. “He is in such good shape and is be preceded by the third women’s to say. I played many practices with She is the kind of player who likes I am getting tested, as you said. never liked counting his goals and When queries veered towards working with such professional- singles quarter-finals between her, and she is really cool girl. Our to play defence as well, as my op- Still I am moving forward, so that he prefers to keep it that way even his goals again, Chhetri brushed ism. He is working as if he is 25, American Coco Gauff and Czech teams, we like each other,” Swiatek ponent today. I am just going to be is even better for me,” she added. after surpassing the great Lionel them aside as a thing of past for him playing as if he is 25, and scoring Messi as the second highest scorer now. “You know what. All of this goals like he is 25,” Stimac added. in international football. is past. We play Afghanistan, and “Many people were asking last The 36-year-old Chhetri achieved we have to be at our best. It will be year or so, ‘when is Sunil going to Bhagat’s ‘focus on his 74th strike with his brace against a new day, a new canvas. And it is retire?’ (If Chhetri retires) what are Odisha rope in Lalruatthara against Bangladesh in the joint up to us to paint it the manner we we going to do then? By far, in Paralympics gold’ preliminary qualifying round match want to,” he asserted. every training, he is our best player,” for 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 The India captain is just a goal Stimac said. PRESS TRUST OF INDIA POST NEWS NETWORK Player of the Season in his maiden AFC Asian Cup here on Monday away from entering world foot- Centre back Sandesh Jhingan felt appearance in the League. night. Messi has 73 so far. ball’s all-time top-10. He is behind that Chhetri’s name will be re- New Delhi, June 8: Three Indian para Bhubaneswar, June 8: Odisha A very promising defender from The skipper said he will get down Hungary’s Sandor Kocsis, Japan’s membered even after 100 years. shuttlers, including World No.1 FC have signed 26-year-old Indian his teenage, Lalruatthara, has rep- to counting his goals probably 10 Kunishige Kamamoto, and “Some 100 or 200 years down the Pramod Bhagat, Tuesday qualified for defender Lalruatthara ahead of resented India at the senior and years down the line. “I do not count Kuwait’s Bashar Abdullah, who all line, people will still talk about the Paralympics, scheduled to be the eighth season of the Indian U-23 levels as well. the number of goals. 10 years later, have 75 goals. Sunil Chhetri. As long as there is held from August 25 to September 5. Super League (ISL). He has penned Expressing his delight, we will sit together, have a chat and “Congratulations to Indian football, people will re- Besides Bhagat, Tarun Tarun a two-year deal with the Lalruatthara stated, “I am very then count,” the 36-year-old said. @chetrisunil11 for overtaking Messi member his name. It's for everyone and Krishna Nagar too received in- Bhubaneswar-based side with an happy and grateful to wear the The seasoned striker, who helped to become 2nd highest active in- to see what he does on the field. vitations to participate in the option to extend for a third. Odisha FC jersey in the upcom- India register their first win in six ternational Goal-scorer! I enjoyed Hence, I would rather like to men- Paralympics. Bhagat, who had The announcement was made by ing season. I look forward to rep- years in World Cup qualifiers, now his brilliant 2 goals against tion that off the field he is the per- claimed two gold medals and a bronze social worker Abhimanyu Das on resenting the club by giving my stands only behind Portugal’s Bangladesh which secured a win fect example for all to follow.” at the recently-concluded Dubai Para Odisha FC’s social media handles best. I am thrilled to play under a Cristiano Ronaldo (103) in the ac- for India and put him on to 74 in- Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Tournament, was on cloud nine after as a part of the club’s initiative to new system, coach, staff and am ex- tive international goal-scorers’ list. ternational goals,” tweeted sports Sandhu expressed,” I will keep on receiving the invitation from BWF. honour the services of the frontline cited to learn new things to im- Instead of his goals, Chhetri fo- minister Kiren Rijiju Tuesday. mentioning that there’s one guy “I am very excited to be invited, warriors of the state during this prove my game. cussed on the many lessons his Indian football team head coach floating in between Cristiano Ronaldo every athlete dreams of partici- tough pandemic situation. “I am looking forward to playing team will take home from Monday’s Igor Stimac says his 36-year-old and Lionel Messi – and that’s my pating in the Olympics and it is Lalruatthara started his pro- with some familiar faces and as a game. “We were guilty of missing goal-machine Sunil Chhetri plays teammate, my captain Sunil Chhetri. the same for me. I am very focused fessional career with Aizawl FC team, to take Odisha FC to new a lot of chances. We could have and scores like a 25-year-old. It shows his commitment and how and winning a gold at the in 2015 and was a part of their I- heights. I thank everyone at the done better. It has been a topsy- “Many people keep on asking as consistent he has been scoring goals Paralympics is my dream and I League title-winning side. He then club for the trust and for giving turvy qualifying campaign. Looking to when Sunil is going to retire. He – one after the other. It’s simply re- have been training very hard to signed for the Kerala Blasters in 2017 me this opportunity,” he further back, we understand that we could works so hard on the pitch, and in markable,” he added. achieve this,” said the Odisha star. and was awarded the ISL Emerging added.

It has taken more than a year for the world to find any semblance of normalcy in the midst of the COVID-19 carnage. The pandemic brought the entire world to a grinding halt last year, which forced all major sporting events to either be cancelled or postponed by a few months or even by one whole year, as is the case with UEFA Euro 2020. In a couple of days’ time, the long-awaited, month-long 24-team extravaganza will finally get underway. Orissa POST takes a look at the groups…

GROUP D: England, Croatia, Czech Republic, Scotland GROUP D FIXTURES Date Match Time (IST)

ENGLAND (ENG) June 13 ENG v CRO 06:30 pm

FIFA ranking: 4 Euro appearances: 9 times Best results: Semifinals (1996) June 14 CZE v SCO 06:30 pm erennial underachievers’ is a tag that has hauntingly followed England whenever they have entered a major tourna- ‘Pment. That is for good reason, though, as the Three Lions have often flattered to deceive despite boasting some of the June 18 CRO v CZE 09:30 pm best players in the game in their teams over the years. The 2018 FIFA World Cup, though, indicated a possible upswing for England, who went right till the semifinals. However, the resolve that they showed throughout the tournament suggests June 19 SCO v ENG 12:30 am that things are moving in the right direction. The UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifiers, meanwhile, was a breeze, with England winning seven of their eight games. What was especially pleasing was the fact that they only conceded a mere six goals while June 23 CRO v SCO 12:30 am scoring a whopping 37 times. Finding a balance will be the key for Southgate. He is blessed with the most talented crop of young attacking players, yet concerns at the back surrounding the fitness of Harry Maguire have exposed June 23 ENG v CZE 12:30 am the lack of depth in key defensive areas. They will miss the services of Liverpool star Trent Alexander- Arnold, who was ruled out of the competition following an injury. KEY PLAYER Harry Kane Telecast: SONY TEN Network Coach: Gareth Southgate CROATIA (CRO) CZECH REPUBLIC (CZE) SCOTLAND (SCO) FIFA ranking: 14 FIFA ranking: 40 FIFA ranking: 44 Euro appearances: 5 Euro appearances: 6 times Euro appearances: 2 times Best results: Quarterfinals (1996, 2008) Best results: Runners-up (1996) Best results: Group Stage (1992, 1996)

he 2018 World Cup runners-up saw off Wales, Slovakia zech Republic already had to sweat a lot in order to book their EFA Euro 2020 is only going to be the third ever instance that Tand Hungary to top the most competitive group in C place at the Euro, with Kosovo, who finished third in their U Scotland will be taking part in the quadrennial continental qualifying. Their 17 points was the lowest of the 10 group group, coming extremely closer to usurping them to the second tournament, with their previous two campaigns ending at the very winners. Of greater concern is that they have been poor automatic qualification spot. Czech Republic come into the Euros first hurdle. The qualifying campaign did not really go smoothly travellers, winning just one away game and were the only on the back of four points from three matches in their 2022 World either, as they finished third in Group I behind Belgium and Russia team to drop points against Azerbaijan. What also poses a Cup qualifying group. This may not be as talented as the golden to miss out on automatic qualification. Clarke’s men won two concern for Dalic is the fact that the squad he now has in generation of around 20 years ago, but they will be dangerous penalty shoot-outs in Euro 2020 qualifying: the play-off semi-final front of him is ageing, with the key players no spring opponents in Group D. Tomas Soucek and Patrik Schick will hold against Israel, and the play-off final against Serbia, scoring all 10 chickens anymore. Croatia have also slipped up early on in the key for them. Shortlisted for Premier League player of the spot-kicks. Having finally made it to UEFA Euro 2020 via the scenic the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, so season, look no further than Soucek for the route, Scotland are definitely going to be the odds do seem to be stacked Czech’s chief threat. Not only has he the dark horses in Group D, wherein against them heading into UEFA demonstrated for West Ham his they ought to put up some spirited Euro 2020. Croatia, though, still ability to provide a solid defensive performances. The eyes will be on have the inspirational Luka Modric presence at the back during two of the best left-backs in the leading by example, while out in corners and free-kicks, Soucek has Premier League – Liverpool’s

front, there have been some been a revelation in attack, his Andrew Robertson and Arsenal’s y positive but key changes. Defence, goals helping the Hammers seal Kieran Tierney, box-to-box Aston

however, might pose a bit of a European qualification. Schick, on the Villa midfielder John McGinn, who

k k y y m m c concern for the Balkan side, which other hand, will need to be more clinical scored seven in eight qualifying c then brings Scotland and Czech in front of opposition goal to find appearances, and Manchester KEY PLAYER KEY PLAYER KEY PLAYER Republic into the picture. their side in the knockouts. United midfielder Scott McTominay. Luka Modric Tomas Soucek Andrew Robertson Coach: Zlatko Dalic Coach: Jaroslav Silhavy Coach: Steve Clarke

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