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VOLUME 10, ISSUE 322 | www.orissapost.com BHUBANESWAR | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23 | 2021 12 PAGES | `4.00

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k y m c REDKNAPP REGRETS NOT SNYDER’S ARMY OF THE DEAD TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 23 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR TRYING TO SAVE MARRIAGE TO RELEASE ON NETFLIX IN MAY Singer Louise Redknapp feels she should have Filmmaker Zack Snyder’s zombie heist movie worked harder to save her 21-year marriage with her Army of the Dead is set for a May 21 premiere on ex-husband, former Liverpool and England football streaming platform Netflix.The director shared star Jamie Redknapp. “I should have paused for a the news on Twitter along with the film’s official

y leisure minute. I wish I’d tried (to save the marriage?),” poster. “Survivors take all. #ArmyOfTheDead on

k y m Louise said in an interview with You Magazine. @Netflix May 21,” Snyder tweeted. c

FORTUNE FORECAST Taapsee, Pratik team up for Woh Ladki Hai Kahaan MULTILINGUAL THEATRE FEST

Mumbai: Actress Taapsee FILM ANNOUNCEMENT... and Shabaash Mithu. Pannu is all set to team up #TaapseePannu and Pratik on the other hand Odia social drama with Scam 1992 fame actor #PratikGandhi [won acco- has started shooting for his ARIES Pratik Gandhi in a new film lades for his act in upcoming romantic comedy titled Woh Ladki Hai Kahaan. #Scam1992] to star in film Atithi Bhooto Bhava in Interactive sessions with This is the first collabora- #WohLadkiHaiKahaan?... Mathura. people who think like Eka Jidkhor Jhia you are on the cards. At tion between the two actors. Starts 2021-end... Directed The film also features last you may have an intimate talk with The film will be directed by by Arshad Syed... Produced Jackie Shroff in a pivotal your beloved and you will get a chance Arshad Syed and backed by by Siddharth Roy Kapur.” role, and actress Sharmin to confide your commitment to the rela- Siddharth Roy Kapur. Meanwhile, Taapsee Segal in the female lead. enthrals audience tionship, says Ganesha. You may even Confirming the news, Pannu has her kitty full with Helmed by Hardik Gajjar, express your long-term dreams. trade analyst Taran Adarsh upcoming projects like the film is slated to release tweeted Monday: “TAAPSEE Rashmi Rocket, Looop Lapeta, later this year. IANS - PRATIK GANDHI: NEW Haseen Dillruba, Dobaaraa TAURUS

This is one of those days when not goes well, warns Ganesha. No mat- ter how hard you try you may not be able When Mahie Gill to keep problems and difficulties at bay. Rubina not to take You may not be pleased or comfortable doing what has been assigned, or ‘got emotional’ required, and could simply sit sullenly, doing nothing. Mumbai: Reuniting with Abhay Deol on screen 12 years her relationship after Dev.D was an emotional moment for her, reveals Mahie Gill. The actress shares screen space with Deol GEMINI in the upcoming war-drama web series 1962: The War Your mind will be uneasy In The Hills. and anxious due to some The Socha Na Tha actor plays an Indian Army of- for granted reason today. You will be ficer Major Suraj Singh, Mahie plays his wife Shagun. unable to express your anxieties. You will “I have always wanted to work with him but un- Mumbai: Bigg Boss 14 winner Rubina be able to secure the love of your partner by sharing your feelings. You need to let go fortunately there was nothing coming our way. Abhay Dilaik had openly spoken about going of the past and strive to keep on moving Deol is my first hero and he is an ex- for a divorce with husband and for- forward with confidence, says Ganesha. tremely talented actor. I really mer contestant Abhinav Shukla in got very emotional after I the show. However, she now tells that learned that Abhay is playing their stint on the show mended the re- CANCER the character of Major Suraj lationship and that she will not take their Today is a day for taking Singh. At the same time I bond for granted anymore. things slowly, especially was very excited also,” “It will be ever evolving and not for a sin- Artistes of Satabdira Kalakar perform on the second day of on the business front. Mahie said. gle day will I take my relationship for 23rd Kalinga Natya Mahatsov OP PHOTO This applies the most to “Working with him granted again. That’s a promise I have the stockbrokers and also others who again was a wonderful made,” Rubina said. POST NEWS NETWORK invest in stocks or shares on the side. of his family on the right Stars are not so bright today and haste experience and we have She had a clash with contestant Rakhi track. Going against her will only worsen the matters. a good understanding. Sawant on the show, after the latter claimed Bhubaneswar: Odia so- principles, she even seeks He is not only a good ‘crazy love’ for Abhinav. cial drama Eka Jidkhor help from her uncle. At actor but also helpful Will she fix her relationship with Jhia was staged at Rabindra the beginning, she gets sup- LEO towards co-actors and Rakhi? “Yes, like I said (I will move ahead) Mandap Monday, on the port from her in-laws. But makes them feel with a clean slate. All relationships from second day of five-day the- ultimately, she is deserted You will seek the opin- ion of others in a lot of comfortable,” she here will evolve and I am going to carry atre festival Kalinga Natya by everyone. matters today. You need added. IANS forward the ones that are good. The bad Mahotsav, organised by the Santosh Mohanty, to patiently listen to relationships, I have ended there prominent drama troupe Srikanta Mishra, Alok others and keep your lips sealed during (in Bigg Boss 14). The new of the state Satabdira Agnibesh, Apurba Sahoo, the course of conversations today. Your story and new beginning Kalakar. Bighnaraj Jena, Subham self-confidence may take a beating today, hence do not take any important will happen from here,” While the play was Sahoo, Minarani Sahoo, decisions. she said. IANS adapted by Ramakanta Monideepa Mallick, and Banerjee from a famous Satyaprakash enacted the work of leading Indian play- play on the stage. VIRGO wright Vijay Tendulkar, All the actors looked sin- Professionalism will troupe’s secretary Dhira cere and the play managed be overshadowed by Mallik directed it for the to hold the interest of the personal preoccupa- troupe. audience till end. tions. Drill your way The play is about the tri- The guests who graced out of problems today by meeting them als and tribulations of the occasion included head-on. Don't get stuck up on the emo- Mangala, a cultured but Priyadarshi Mishra, tional front, especially in the evening, cautions Ganesha. stubborn girl. She is also Chairman Odisha State ambitious and promising. Housing board, journalist However, influenced by Pradosh Patnaik and uncle, a follower of Jagatsinghpur Collector LIBRA Gandhian principle, she Sangram Keshari Ganesha says that any decides to lead a life based Mohapatra. pending legal issues will on truth, justice and hard Sappho Chirangada, a be sorted out today either in court or work. Incidentally, she ends play by Dumdum through an out of court settlement. Your up marrying a person with Sabdomugdho Natyakendra workload will get eased today and you will a criminal background. of West Bengal will be be able to find your way out from certain Now, her motto in life is to staged on the third day of problematic situations. bring her husband and rest the festival.

SCORPIO You can be fondly called SUDOKU as 'the perfectionist' PEANUTS post To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, today. Right from being CROSSWORD column and box must contain the numbers punctual to following a 0 to 9 and the letters A to E. systematic method for your work, you do it all. All in all, you set an ideal example for the people around you, says Ganesha.

SAGITTARIUS Ganesha predicts a day full of romantic develop- ments today. Mushy talks and whispering sweet nothings in your beloved's ears may give you little joys of life. However, brace yourselves as there are times when relationships do not workout, and you may experience this soon. CALVIN AND HOBBES CAPRICORN It has become difficult for you to bear the heavy weight of responsibilities on your shoulders. But, be prepared for some more; the weight is about to get heavier as more respon- SOLUTIONS sibilities are going to be added.

AQUARIUS Academically, you have performed exceptionally well, and Ganesha con- gratulates you for that. You will inspire and motivate a num- ber of people, and may create a fan following, too. This, however, doesn't BREVITY mean that you throw your weight CROSSWORD around. Keep a humane and humble approach towards others.

y PISCES

Your planetary configura-

k y m tion not being favorable, c you are advised not to start any new projects today. The benefits accrued by any project you take up today might not justify the risks associated with it. Businessmen need to be extra careful in all their dealings. CHECK FOR SOLUTIONS OF THE PUZZLES TOMORROW SUDOKU

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HONEST COMMITMENT COLLECTOR PULLED UP CONG GOVT IN PONDY FALLS Bigg Boss 14 winner Rubina Dilaik says she will Jajpur Collector draws flak from Lokayukta The Congress government in Pondicherry fell never take her relationship with husband following fraud allegation in demarcation Monday after CM V Narayanasamy resigned ahead of a confidence vote Abhinav Shukla for granted LEISURE | of black stone quarries STATE | P3 NATIONAL | P6

www.orissapost.com BHUBANESWAR | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23 | 2021 P1 State ups spend at `1.7L cr TOTAL DEBTS REVENUE RECEIPTS BORROWING & OTHER RECEIPTS MAJOR ALLOCATIONS `1,25,005cr `1,25,600cr `44,400 cr

POST NEWS NETWORK College into an AIIMS Plus institute by spending around `3500 crore over Agri and allied Piped drinking Bhubaneswar, Feb 22: With an aim three years. The government has activities water ` FINALLY, JUSTICE to realise the vision of ‘New Odisha - made a provision of 500 crore for the `17,468 cr `12,000 cr Empowered Odisha’, Finance Minister year 2021-22. Similarly, `542 crore Niranjan Pujari Monday presented was allotted under ABADHA scheme the annual state budget for 2021-22 for the development of Puri and `200 FOR ANJANA with an outlay of `1.70 lakh crore, a rise crore each for Ekamra Kshetra and of 13.33 per cent over previous fiscal. Samaleswari temple. `90 crore was While `85,000 crore has been allo- allocated for construction of world- cated as administrative expenditure, class hockey stadium at Rourkela Disaster Rural housing management scheme `75,000 crore is meant for programme while `1,353 crore was provided for ` expenditure, `3,050 crore for disaster re- Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana “We 3,050 cr `3,000 cr sponse fund and `6,950 crore towards propose to implement a new scheme transfers from the state, Pujari said Free Treatment for Trauma Fund while presenting the budget in the with an outlay of `40 crore for pro- Assembly. He has proposed to invest viding emergency healthcare and ` about 8,000 crore from off-budget re- trauma care facilities to the victims MGNREGA KALIA sources like Odisha Mineral Bearing of road accidents,” he said. Besides, `2,001 cr scheme Areas Development Corporation District `600 crore was allocated under `1,800 cr Mineral Foundation, PSUs, among oth- Niramaya for free medicine, `229 ers to supplement the outlay. POST NEWS NETWORK ates, Pradeep Sahoo alias Compared to last year, additional al- Padia and Dhirendra location of `19,345 crore was provided Bhubaneswar, Feb 22: The Mohanty alias Tunia, in- for administrative expenditure and Finance Minister Niranjan Pujari prime accused in one of the tercepted their vehicle. The 26.12% 1.79% ABADHA ` handing over a copy of the e-budget to CM. Fisheries & 1,000 crore for programme expendi- scheme most infamous rape incidents trio waylaid the car and ture. Disaster response fund and trans- Capital Disaster animal in India was finally arrested took it to an isolated place Receipts Response resources `542 cr fers from the state allocation dropped taxes—Rs 30,137 crore, and grants from 11.76% ` by the commissionerate po- near Baranga and gan- by `150 crore and `195 crore, respec- the Centre including GST compensa- Own Fund 4.09% 1,415 cr lice 22 years after the inci- graped Anjana before her ` tively. The capital outlay for 2021-22 is tion to the tune of 37,963 crore. Non-Tax Transfers AIBP projects `2,258 cr dent. The case related to the journalist friend. `25,788 crore --- 4.4% of GSDP. “The state economy is now showing gangrape of Anjana Mishra, One of the accused took from States ` Additionally, loans & advances, grants signs of recovery after pandemic in- Biju Krushak Vikas Yojana 400 cr the estranged wife of an Odia her to nearby Bhaluka jun- for the creation of capital assets and duced slowdown. Time has come to 17.73% Distribution of rice IFS officer that created a gle and raped her there once RUPEE RUPEE ` other expenditure for capital formation revert to our growth trajectory and Share in @ Re1 per kg 969 cr furor in the state that led to again. A case (3/1999) was together accounted for `8,379 crore, aspire for a transformative New Odisha Central COMES GOES Madhubabu Pension Yojana `1,509 cr the ouster of then Chief registered at the Mahila po- 50.00% which is 1.43% of GSDP, Pujari said. once again,” the minister said. taxes FROM TO Supplementary Nutrition Minister Janaki Ballabh lice station in Cuttack the The total investment for capital asset Presenting a separate farm budget Adminstrative Programme `1,113 cr Patnaik and the subsequent next day. Later, police ar- creation would be of the order of 5.83 with an outlay of `17,468 crore, Pujari expenditure downfall of the Congress rested Padia and Tunia Pradhan Mantri Fasal 22.33% party government in the state. per cent of GSDP, which will help boost said, “Odisha remains by and large Bima Yojana `500 cr while Biban managed to the economy, he said. The outlay is a rural and agrarian economy. The Grant from The commissionerate po- flee. The case was handed proposed to be financed mainly through agriculture and allied sector form the Centre 22.06% 44.12% Scholarships for ST and lice in a secret operation over to CBI. ` revenue receipts of `1,25,600 crore and the single largest employment sector Own programme SC students 903 cr named ‘Operation Silent The sessions court of gross borrowing & other receipts of engaging 50 per cent of the total Tax expenditure WODC `180 cr Viper’ nabbed the prime ac- Khurda sentenced Tunia `44,400 crore. However, the net bor- workforce. This contributes 21% to the MLALAD `441 cr cused, Bibekananda Biswal, and Padia to lifer 29 April, rowing would be `18,465 crore. Further, Gross State Value Added as per 2020- alias Biban, from 2002. Padia had recently the total revenue receipts for the year 21 advance estimates.” Organic farm- is proposed under the crore under Nidan for people, the government proposed to AambyValley at Lonavala on died in Jharpada jail while 2021-22 include state’s own tax revenue ing has been promoted in more than Paramparagat Krishi Vikash free diagnostics and `162 crore invest `12,000 crore in 2021-22 from Pune-Mumbai highway Tunia has been serving the of `37,500 crore, own non-tax revenue 20800 hectares. For accelerating the Yojana. The state government has under Odisha State Treatment Fund. budget and off-budget sources. `2,419 February 20. Speaking to jail term at Chaudwar jail. of `20,000 crore, state’s share in central growth in organic farming,`35 crore decided to convert SCB Medical To provide safe drinking water to crore will be spent under BASUDHA. media, Commissioner of A chance meeting of the Police, Sudhanshu Sarangi, commissioner with Tunia It is a pro-people, The Budget is not The allocation has DEBTS BALLOON SAVING TREES revealed that his absence was led to the arrest of Biban. pro-growth and meant to realize the been slightly an enigma for all during last Meanwhile, Anjana thanked transformative vision of Sustha increased, but, the he debt burden of the state govern- s part of a green initiative, the government 22 years. Many claimed Biban Commissioner Sarangi and budget in our journey Odisha Sukhi Odisha' state doesn’t have T ment by the end of financial year 2021- Apresented the annual budget 2021-22 on an dead while some suspected his team for the feat. towards “New Odisha (Healthy Odisha, money to meet it. 22 is estimated to reach `1,25,005 crore online mode. The state has done away with the that he left the country. Explaining her ordeal, she – Empowered Happy Odisha). It is Though special which is 21.3 per cent of the GSDP. The printing of budget documents by introducing On January 9, 1999, said, “I stood firm to get jus- Odisha”. This is a holistic and just a magic of statistics. The govt agriculture budget was presented, debt stock at the end of December, 2020 the e-budget. The budget was presented in a ` Anjana was returning to tice despite all threats to fiscally prudent budget of Rs 1.76 has failed to make any attractive nothing is there for the farmers was 1,02,593 crore which was 20.1 per complete electronic form through the National Bhubaneswar along with me over past decades.” She cent of GSDP. By end of 2020-21 fiscal, the e-Vidhan Application. “This initiative would cut lakh crore. Congratulations to scheme to bind the Odia youths and agriculture her journalist friend when requested the CBI to unearth everyone involved inside the state debt load is estimated to reach `1,06,540 printing of about 1.5 crore pages of paper and crore which is 20.9 per cent of GSDP. save about 2000 large trees,” Pujari said. three bike-borne people, the conspirators behind the NAVEEN PATNAIK | CHIEF MINISTER PK NAIK | LEADER OF OPPOSITION SANTOSH SINGH SALUJA | CONGRESS MLA Biban and his two associ- ghastly gangrape. More-P2

IRREGULAR by MANJUL VARAVARA RAO GETS SC grants 4 weeks to state to file counter POST NEWS NETWORK ings, the filing of counter affidavit ily members of Pari, she alleged. 6-MONTH INTERIM BAIL and rejoinder are completed in the The petitioner submitted that AGENCIES August 28, 2018, awaiting trial in the New Delhi, Feb 22: The Supreme registrar’s court. the preliminary investigation un- case. A bench of Justices SS Shinde Court Monday granted four weeks Earlier, a three-judge bench of dertaken by the police, the crime Mumbai, Feb 22: The Bombay and Manish Pitale ordered that time to the state government to file the apex court comprising Justices branch and the SIT illustrates that High Court Monday granted in- Rao be discharged from the hospital, a counter affidavit in a petition AM Khanwilkar, BR Gavai and all of them have made attempts to terim bail for six months to ail- depending on his current health filed by Saudamini Sahu, the mother Krishna Murari January 13 had sabotage the investigation process ing poet Varavara Rao on condition, and released on of the 5-year-old girl who was al- sought the response of the CBI and into the alleged incident and at- medical grounds. Rao, 82, bail immediately after his legedly kidnapped, raped and mur- the state government. tempted all kinds of subversion an accused in the Elgar discharge. dered in July last year, seeking a CBI Significantly, the mother of Pari tactics to influence the complainant Parishad-Maoist links The HC said if it did not inquiry into her daughter’s pleaded before the court to order and her relatives to discard the case being probed by the grant Rao medical bail, it death. an independent inquiry into aforesaid allegations as false and friv- Don’t mention lockdown, scar them National Investigation would be abdicating its duty The case was heard by PARI the alleged rape and murder Nayak for the alleged murder of olous. instead. Say if cases keep rising you Agency (NIA), is currently to protect the principles of Registrar Rajesh Kumar Goel of Pari in July last year at her daughter and contended that The petitioner also contended will address them twice a day! undergoing treatment in the human rights, and a citizen's fun- through video conferencing CASE Jadupur in Nayagarh dis- rampant organ smuggling is be- that the SIT has not investigated the Mumbai-based Nanavati Hospital damental rights to life and health. mode and posted for hearing trict. The petitioner also sought hind the murder. The petitioner role of local inspector in-charge where he had been admitted by The bench also imposed stringent April 5. Advocate Swastik Dalai, a direction to the CBI to investigate also contended that the state po- who was hand in glove with the ac- the Maharashtra government fol- conditions in Rao's bail, including who appeared for the petitioner in all cases related to missing chil- lice is treating the parents of Pari cused and was shielding the real cul- MARKET WATCH lowing the high court's intervention. a direction to him to stay within the the court, said the matter will be dren in the state. as criminals. The police are com- prit and the local MLA has also not Rao has been in custody since jurisdiction of the Mumbai NIA. heard by the judges after plead- Pari’s mother accused Babuli pletely insensitive towards the fam- been interrogated by the SIT. INDEX VARIATION

SENSEX 49744.32 1145.44

BOURSES IMA ‘shocked’ over Coronil, seeks reply from Harsh Vardhan NIFTY 14675.70 306.10

DOLLAR 72.78 `0.16 AGENCIES disapprove any drugs. WHO works seeking suo moto explanation for his by Vardhan. In a statement, Patanjali for building a better, healthier fu- blatant disrespect to the code of had said: "Coronil has received the EURO 87.91 `0.22

CURRENCY New Delhi, Feb 22: The IMA ture for people all over the world conduct of Medical Council of Certificate of Pharmaceutical GOLD `46,915 `718 Monday expressed shock over the (sic)." India,” the IMA said. Product (CoPP) from the Ayush "blatant lie of WHO certification" In a statement issued on Monday, "Indian Medical Association is section of Central Drugs Standard SILVER `70,192 `1180 for Patanjali's Coronil tablet, which the Indian Medical Association shocked to note the blatant lie of Control Organisation as per the BULLION the company claims is an evidence- (IMA) said, “Being Health Minister WHO certification...," it said. WHO certification scheme." based medicine to fight COVID-19, of the country, how justified is it to Haridwar-based Patanjali Ayurved However, WHO South-East Asia and demanded an explanation from release such falsely fabricated un- had also released what it claimed in a tweet said: "@WHO has not re-

WEATHER Union Health Minister Harsh scientific product to people of the was research work supporting viewed or certified the effective- y BHUB CTK Vardhan in whose presence the Yoga guru Ramdev's Patanjali director Acharya Balkrishna later whole country...Can you clarify the Coronil's efficacy in COVID-19 ness of any traditional medicine

medicine was launched. Ayurved had February 19 said that made a clarification about the cer- time frame, time line for the so- treatment. for the treatment #COVID19."

k y m c MAX 36.5° 35.2° This comes in the wake of global the Coronil tablet had received cer- tification through a tweet saying, "We called clinical trial of this said anti- The announcement regarding Patanjali had introduced ayurveda- health body, WHO, clarifying that tification from the Ayush Ministry want to clarify to avoid confusion corona product?" the Ayush certification for Coronil based Coronil on June 23 last year, TEMP MIN 16.2° 15.4° Forecast it has not reviewed or certified the as a medicine supporting COVID- that our WHO GMP compliant COPP "The country needs an explana- and release of a research paper when the pandemic was at its peak. Humidity 78% 55% Fog or Mist effectiveness of any traditional 19 treatment as per the World Health certificate to Coronil is issued by tion from the minister. The Indian calling it the "first evidence-based It had to face severe criticism as it in the medicine for the treatment of Organization's certification scheme. DCGI, Government of India. It is Medical Association will also write medicine for COVID-19 by Patanjali" lacked scientific evidence regard- Rainfall Nil Nil morning COVID-19. However, Patanjali's managing clear that WHO do not approve or to National Medical Commission for was done at an event here attended ing its efficacy. P2 TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 23 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR downtown Health minister

How Commissionerate Police pinned down the ‘silent viper’ warns of lockdown

k y m The team examined the old files and found that Biban was staying at Lonavala impersonating Jalandhar Swain with new Aadhaar card, voter ID card and bank account c POST NEWS NETWORK POST NEWS NETWORK claimed Biban dead while some new Aadhaar card, voter ID card and Mumbai February 18, 2021. others suspected that he had left bank account. Biban was working The Maharashtra police also cre- Bhubaneswar, Feb 22: Health Bhubaneswar, Feb 22: A chance the country, he said. as a plumber at Aamby Valley in ated a team under DCP (CID) Minister Naba Kishore Das visit to Choudwar central jail by “However, we opened the file Pune. The team found the perma- Praveen Kumar Patil that accom- Monday said that if the threat the twin city Police Commissioner once again three months back to find nent address of Biban in the doc- panied the CP team to Aambay perception from Covid-19 rises Sudhanshu Sarangi led to the ar- him from his hibernation. We named uments as Naranpur on Valley in Lonavala February 20. and citizens continue to ignore rest of prime accused Bibekananda the top secret mission as ‘Operation Bhubaneswar outskirts. Both the teams with the help of SP Covid-19 safety protocol, the state Biswal alias Biban in infamous Silent Viper’. We wanted to know He was also found to be in regu- (rural) Abhinav Desmukh and ASP government might impose lock- Anjana Mishra gangrape case. where the viper (Biban) is lying lar touch with his family members Navneet Kanwal carried out a raid down in the days to come. The idea to reopen the 1999 gan- silent. I was personally supervising and was sending money to his sons. at Aambey Valley Staff accommo- The health minister said, “We grape case struck to the operation while only four offi- He was also visiting his village dation and arrested Biban, who had fought a long war to prevent Commissioner’s mind during a cers including DCP Prateek Singh, Naranpur on several occasions. was trying to give police a slip. Covid-19. I want to urge the peo- conversation with another ac- Additional DCP Pramod Rath, Later, Sarangi contacted his batch Commissionerate police later in- ple to follow the safety protocols. cused Dhirendra Mohanty alias Inspector Special Branch, Ajay mate and friend Bipin Singh, the formed the CBI officials about the If people will not abide by the Tunia in the jail. Dash and IIC Barang police station Commissioner of Navi Mumbai, arrest of Biban. The commissioner rules, we will be forced to impose Speaking to media persons at were in the team which labored ex- Police commissioner Sudhanshu Sarangi addresses the media in Cuttack seeking his help in arresting Biban. requested the CBI authorities to lockdown. Instructions have been Cuttack DCP office, Sarangi re- tremely hard and achieved what Subsequently, a CP team headed pay the monetary reward announced given to officials to tighten the vealed that Biban’s absence was a the CBI failed to do,” said the police The team examined the old files been staying at Lonavala imper- by the IIC of Badambadi, Rashmi in this regard to the officers in- compliance and increase mystery for the last 22 years. Many commissioner. and came to know that Biban has sonating Jalandhar Swain with Ranjan Mohapatra, left for Navi volved in ‘Operation Silent Viper’. testing too.” `389Cr spent on Covid treatment Lift paddy from mandis, Oppn POST NEWS NETWORK ` Bhubaneswar, Feb 22: Health State got 48.49 crore tells govt; stages walkout Minister Naba Kishore Das Monday informed the Assembly that POST NEWS NETWORK sues in the process of paddy pro- inister and BJD members the state government has incurred as nCoV penalties: Min curement, senior BJD member ` Mattack Centre for not an expenditure of 389 crore for Bhubaneswar, Feb 22: Opposition releasing the food subsidy PK Deb said, as per norms, the providing treatment to Covid-19 he state government Monday also arrested 4,123 persons for flout- BJP and Congress members in the Centre should procure paddy from patients at 32 dedicated Covid told the Odisha Assembly ing the norms. Moreover, `2.21- Assembly Monday demanded lift- farmers and release the amount hospitals. Tthat it collected revenue of crore fine was also collected from ing of paddy lying in various mar- record 55.97 lakh tonne to them through concerned The minister also gave a breakup around `48.49 crore as fines from the unruly denizens. Ganjam was ket yards and mandis across the Apaddy has been procured agency. In Odisha, the state gov- of the funds provided to each of erring citizens who were caught followed by Jajpur which saw 712 state. They also staged walkout from 10.13 lakh farmers by ernment is procuring the paddy the dedicated Covid hospitals. Das ister, the state incurred an expen- flouting Covid-19 safety norms dur- cases and 1,414 arrests while it was while Food Supplies & Consumer Monday morning, says F&CW on behalf of FCI. made the statement in the House diture of `389,59,66,466 (Rs 389 crore) ing the pandemic. able to collect fines to the tune of `4.3 Welfare and Cooperation Minister Minister RP Swain However, the FCI is not releasing after the Leader of Opposition till date. The minister claimed In a written statement, the state crore Ranendra the food subsidy to the state gov- Narasingha Mishra raised the issue that the 32 designated Covid hos- Home Minister Dibya Shankar Other districts Pratap Swain the name of FAQ, the authorities ernment. As a result, the state is Monday. pitals treated a total of 47,055 per- Mishra told the House that the gov- which showed good was making a are cutting down 5 to 12 kg paddy forced to raise loan to make payment Mishra had asked about the sons between March 1, 2020 ernment took several stern steps to scrutiny included statement in in every quintal. to the farmers, Deb said. expenditure the govern- and Feb 11, 2021. punish defaulters. Bolangir which saw the House. Congress Legislator Party Leader Slamming the BJP for its alleged ment has incurred in No As per details, The minister said that between filing of 407 cases As per the Narasingha Mishra said it is the re- double standard on farmers’ issue, treatment, setting Covid hospital Salandi Hospital in March 1, 2020 and February 11, and 1,884 arrests. It announcement sponsibility of Food Corporation of the BJD leader said, “The entire up of Covid hos- had been established Bhadrak treated 2021, the government has filed 24,685 collected `52.69 lakh made by India (FCI) to procure paddy from country is boiling over implemen- pitals and procur- in the state in PPP mode, the maximum of cases against persons/institutions as fines. Speaker SN the farmers. However, it has shifted tation of three farm laws by the ing equipment. but 32 Covid facilities have 4,330 Covid pa- and arrested 20,693 persons. The Notably, the state Patro, a two- its responsibility to the state gov- Centre.” The government been established by the tients followed penalties collected from them dur- government had hour long de- ernment and allowed corruption, Minister Swain said a record however de- government with the by Hi Tech ing the period went up to amended epidemic bate was con- he said. 55.97 lakh tonne paddy has been clined to give in- support from private Medical College, `48,49,48,370. act rules and imposed ducted in the Stating that a registered farmer procured from 10.13 lakh farmers formation on the partners Bhubaneswar A close analysis of district-wise penalty for spitting House over the has the right to sell his/her paddy, by Monday morning. Paddy purchase of equip- (3258), Hi Tech fine collection and arrests made in public, not wearing matter related Mishra urged the minister to assure procurement will continue in the NABA KISHORE DAS I HEALTH ment saying the MINISTER Medical College, revealed that Ganjam administra- masks and not fol- to paddy pro- the House that the paddy of regis- state for another 35 days. “As on process of calculating Rourkela tion led the state with 17,055 cases lowing social dis- curement. tered farmers would be lifted. date, we have procured 21 per cent the same is underway. (3591 patients) registered against defaulters. It tancing during the pandemic. BJP MLA from Sambalpur The Congress MLA also de- more paddy as compared to last The Health minister also said and KIMS Campus, Jayanarayan Mishra said district- manded criminal action against year”, he added. that no Covid hospital was set up Baripada (2321). level procurement committees the persons found guilty in Swain said action has been taken in the state in PPP mode but agree- The documents as furnished by TOP 5 DISTS WITH MAX CASES should be activated and power given mismanagement in paddy pro- against those who were allegedly in- ments were made with private play- the government claimed that a DISTRICTS CASES FILED ARRESTS MADE PENALTY IMPOSED to the panel to take decision on curement. volved in irregularities. He said ers for the same. In a written reply paddy procurement. “The govern- “Both the state and the Central mechanism was approved by the em- Ganjam 17,055 4,123 `2.21 crore that the proposal of the Standing to the House, the minister said, powered group of ministers March ment should either abolish the governments are responsible if Committee for the installation of ` “No Covid hospital had been es- 26, 2020 for a tripartite agreement Jajpur 712 1,414 4.3 crore token system or the primary soci- farmers’ paddy is not being lifted CCTV is under the active consid- tablished in the state in PPP mode, between the state government, re- Mayurbhanj 421 3,764 `1.6 crore eties should be entrusted with the from the mandis. We are not happy eration of the government. Some but 32 Covid facilities have been puted hospital operators and cor- Bolangir 407 1,884 `5.2 crore job of issuing tokens,” Mishra said. with the minister’s reply in the people are trying to push paddy established by the government with porate partners to set up exclusive Angul 402 57 `36 lakh Alleging that the state govern- House,” said Congress MLA Tara from outside the state in the state the support from private partners.” Covid hospitals and MoUs were ment has failed to deliver its re- Prasad Bahinipati. procurement system, which will ` As per the list given by the min- signed accordingly. Puri 325 324 20 lakh sponsibility the BJP leader said in Admitting that there are some is- not be allowed, he added. OSCPCR holds Sishu GIVING WAY City school reopens 2 days Bagchi thrust on action Sampark Yatra after teacher tests +ve plan for edu institutions POST NEWS NETWORK POST NEWS NETWORK POST NEWS NETWORK Briefing media persons, he Bhubaneswar, Feb 22: The Odisha said that they are in touch with Bhubaneswar, Feb 22: Odisha State Commission for Protection of Bhubaneswar, Feb 22: Amid fear the school’s principal and district Skill Development Authority chair- Child Rights (OSCPCR), in collab- of Covid-19 resurgence, a school in education officer (DEO) and man and chief spokesperson, oration with Centre for Child and the Capital city reopened Monday that they are keeping a close Covid-19 Subroto Bagchi said an Women Development (CCWD) and only two days after a teacher tested watch on the at IRC Village in action plan is needed on how ed- ActionAid, Monday reached out to positive for the deadly virus. Nayapalli area. ucational institutions/organisa- several slums under BMC as part of Informing about the infected He also informed that the in- tions should combat crisis preva- the ‘Sishu Sampark Yatra’. teacher, Bhubaneswar Municipal fected teacher had come in con- lent in the current scenario. OSCPCR chairperson Corporation (BMC) commis- tact with many students during He emphasised upon 20 differ- Sandhyabati Pradhan said the sioner Prem Chand Chaudhary classroom teaching. If anyone de- ent strategies to manage crisis Covid-19 pandemic has thrown Monday said, “A teacher was velops any sign of Covid-19, they the three things required in the life out of gear. “But the impact has tested positive for Covid-19 in a will be subjected to tests. time of crisis – by creating caution, been disproportionately felt by school in Bhubaneswar following The BMC Commissioner also creating urgency and most of all children from vulnerable com- which we had closed the school said that five special squads have creating hope. munities. All aspects of their life— for two days after consultation been formed for enforcement of He was speaking at the first protection, nutrition and educa- with the school authorities,” Covid-19 guidelines in the chapter of SAI Thought Leadership tion— have taken a hit.” Radha Ballav Mutt in Puri being demolished to give way to the Srimandir Heritage Corridor, Monday OP PHOTO Chaudhary said. Capital city. organised by SAI International Education Group here, Monday. CLASSIFIED IIT-KGP researchers turn steel plant dumpsites into greenbelt AFFIDAVITAFFIDAVIT

By virtue of an affidavit PRESS TRUST OF INDIA of IIT-Kharagpur through a project “Researchers at IIT-Kharagpur plants belonging to the Fabaceae and sworn before the supported by Tata Steel BSL, ac- have devised a bioremediation Sesbania grandiflora family. The Executive Magistrate, New Delhi, Feb 22: Researchers at cording to the team that worked on method to reduce the concentration plants with long root systems could Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) the project. of these polluting slags to an in- utilize the steel slag with their roots Sambalpur, I Subarnalata Kharagpur have transformed the The researchers afforested over nocuous state. They have turned penetrating up to a depth of 2 m from Nayak, W/o. Pradeep dumpsites of Odisha’s steel plants 32,000 square feet in the region fol- this slag suitable for plant growth by the ground surface, thus reducing Kumar Nayak, R/o- into greenbelts using traditional lowing a rapid forest regeneration mixing it with topsoil, cow dung the effects of groundwater con- At/PO. Budharaja, Fatak, Indian organic components and technique by using a unique mix of and other organic enhancers. Plants tamination and surface runoff of Dist. Sambalpur declare Japanese afforestation techniques. the traditional resource of carefully chosen for the Miyawaki water in the monsoons,” said Pathak. that before marriage I was According to the team, a drive Panchagavya with the Miyawaki technique and 22 native species were The process turned an unsup- known as Subarnalata through the Dhenkanal region of plantation technique of ecologist grown on the mix with a 30-cm layer portive steel slag dump to a self-sus- Odisha will give one the chance to Akira Miyawaki from Japan. of topsoil over it after administering taining primary succession over it. Dandia. But after witness the vast stretches of green The dumping of blast furnace them with Panchagavya,” he added. “Vetiver grass was used as a marriage I have changed canopy and vegetation developed by slag by steel plants has been a peren- According to the team, periodic boundary for the plantation to my surname from Dandia them on what was once industrial nial challenge in India and even in administration of Panchagavya check migration of nutrients. This to Nayak and known as dumpsites. some of the developed countries REPRESENTATIONAL IMAGE checked the problem of nutrient grass, if grown over the slopes of Subarnalata Nayak. That The transformation to a greenbelt in the world, said IIT-Kharagpur scarcity while mulching helped re- the slag dumps, will further check Subarnalata Nayak and is not a natural reclamation but professor Khanindra Pathak. and also to groundwater and surface- growth and associated problems tention of water and nutrients. the fugitive emissions and thereby Subarnalata Dandia is the the ‘Midas touch’ of the Post Mining “These steel slag dumps con- water contamination through dif- lead to the ruination of vegetation “In a span of one year, we wit- reducing air pollution and ero- Mine Site Restoration group of the tribute to the generation of air- ferent pathways. The slag-covered same and one person. and health hazards for both hu- nessed the growth of a self-sus- sion of slag onto adjacent habita-

Department of Mining Engineering borne particles causing air pollution land is unsuitable for vegetation mans and animals,” he said. taining mini-forest, dominated by tions,” he added.

k y m c P3 TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 23 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR state

Lokayukta pulls up Jajpur Collector RAJINDER SINGH

k y m c POST NEWS NETWORK KALAMANDIR GARNERS n its bid to check black stone Jajpur, Feb 22: The district Collector Itheft, Dharmasala tehsil has here has drawn flak from the spent around `1,80,180 towards Lokayukta following allegation of installation of pillars in demarcated quarries and on its LOVE FROM ONE AND ALL financial fraud in demarcation of the black stone quarries under transportation Dharmasala tehsil in the district and human rights activist installing boundary pillars on the ASarbeshwar Behura, Kalamandir is a household brand in Odisha that has land, a report said. alleging severe irregularities in Justice Ajit Singh, Chairman the work, filed a case before the garnered love from all across the state. Since its first store in of the Lokayukta has expressed Lokayukta November 2, 2020 his displeasure in this regard in the 1977 till date, the brand has never failed to order sheet of case no-1249/2020. he Lokayukta admitted the provide best of quality products and services. Despite Justice Singh has mentioned in Tpetition for hearing and had increasing competition, the family fashion store is the order sheet that a previous directed Jajpur Collector, sub- order to the district Collector to file collector and Dharmasala committed to satisfying its customers. During an reply in the matter has not been tehsildar to file their reply interaction with Orissa POST, Managing Partner of complied with. admitted the petition for hearing when the state government will The district Collector has been and directed Jajpur Collector, Sub- take on the revenue loss arising trict Collectors which will be utilised Kalamandir, Rajinder Singh shared the company’s journey. given another chance to file his de- collector and Dharmasala tehsildar out of illegal mining of minor min- in checking illegal mining. The tailed reply in the matter. Any non- to file their reply. erals from Dankari hill in Jajpur dis- Steel and Mines department has compliance of the order will be The Dharmasala tehsildar in his trict, November 20, 2019. sanctioned `1.86 crore for installa- viewed seriously if the district reply filed February 10, 2020 said that The state Revenue minister tion of pillars in the quarries. Plans n How did Kalamandir become the September. However, with the ments of business to revive. I be- Collector fails to file his reply on the the proprietor of a private firm Sudam Marandi submitted a nine- are also afoot to open directorate of state’s most-loved fashion des- blessings of Lord Jagannath, lieve it will enhance the confi- matter by March 8, the date sched- Gayatri Marbles at Jaraka was as- point answer in reply to the motion minor minerals in the state, the tination? sales have substantially im- dence of the people and they will uled for next hearing. signed the task of installing pil- in the Assembly. The minister minister had said. However, none proved from the month of start spending more which will Moreover, the reply filed by the lars on the demarcated quarries replied that a task force has been of the steps has been implemented n With its humble beginning 40 October. Now our current sales lead to growth of businesses. Dharmasala tehsildar on the matter in 2018. The cost incurred towards formed at district, sub-division, in quarries in Jajpur district, a re- years back, it has now become figures are getting closer to appears mysterious and vague. All installation of pillars was to him in and tehsil levels to check illegal port said. the favorite fashion destina- the pre-Covid levels. this has been taken on record, Justice a cheque November 19, 2018. miners and transporters of minor Dharmasala tehsildar Prasant tion for most households. We Singh has mentioned in his order. However, the concerned revenue minerals. Penalty to the extent of Samantray said a reply has been filed have received maximum af- n What’s your opinion Reports said that in its bid to check inspector and revenue supervisor `5 lakh would be collected from before the Lokayukta while neces- fection, support, and trust of on the Budget? black stone theft, Dharmasala tehsil have stated in their probe reports them, it was said. Moreover, with sary steps will be taken on his fur- our customers spread all over has reportedly spend around `1, 80, that the pillars have been destroyed. the approval of Home Ministry a ther order. Odisha, particularly n Under difficult 180 towards installation of pillars The Lokayukta has termed the re- section of APR police force has Collector Chakraborti Singh Bhubaneswar. We garnered circumstances, in demarcated quarries and on its port as mysterious. been deployed in eight sensitive Rathore said he is unaware about their love because we believe in the Union transportation. A human rights ac- MLAs Bishnu Charan Sethi, tehsils and two sub-divisions of installation of pillars and has not providing our customers with Finance tivist Sarbeshwar Behura alleging Sukant Nayak, Mukesh Mahaling eight districts. received any notice from the the finest collections of gar- Minister pre- severe irregularities in the work and Mohan Charan Majhi had Moreover, a budget worth `5 crore Lokayukta. He refused to comment ments for gents, ladies and chil- sented a very filed a case before the Lokayukta brought an adjournment motion in 2018-19 and `4.63 crore in 2019-20 “without having any information dren beside an excellent range good, bold and November 2, 2020. The Lokayukta in the state Assembly questioning was approved and released to all dis- on the issue.” of sarees and lehngas. Another growth oriented reason for success is our rea- Budget. I believe sonable price policy. this Budget will eventually help FUEL ANGER n How was the business during most seg- Covid-19?

n We went through a very dif- ficult situation during the lockdown period. Showrooms were closed from March 15 to May end. After reopening, sales were down by 25- 30 per cent between June and

Agitating farmers in Padmapur FATHER-SON DUO shut down government offices HELD FOR JOB OP PHOTO Members of All India Democratic Women’s Association, led by their national secretary Tapasi Praharaj, stage a demonstration over rising fuel prices in Berhampur FRAUD IN ANGUL

POST NEWS NETWORK

Maiden test of VL- Angul, Feb 22: In a crackdown, po- After Kotia & Kashinagar, lice arrested a man named SRSAM successful Ghanashyam Mishra and his son of Similipada area in Angul district Monday for allegedly duping a local AP sets eyes on Gunupur youth on the pretext of giving him a job at a multinational company. According to sources, the ac- THE ANDHRA PRADESH ADMINISTRATION WAS FOUND CONSTRUCTING cused had duped Pranabandhu A ROAD AT ERIDI GHAT TO MUNIMKHOL Jena of Benagadia area in Angul POST NEWS NETWORK district of `4.50 lakh on promise armers say three months POST NEWS NETWORK of helping him to fetch a lucrative have passed since the Padmapur, Feb 22: Farmers here F job. The accused duo had accepted beginning of paddy procurement Gunupur, Feb 22: The govern- in Bargarh district Monday in- in Bargarh district the money around three years ago ment in Andhra Pradesh is trying tensified their agitation against and failed to keep their words. to seize one after another village in the paddy procurement centres ven as their paddy is lying Subsequently, the victim de- POST NEWS NETWORK the state after being able to con- which have affected the sale of Eunsold, the paddy manded his money back as he got duct panchayat elections in Kotia their produce. The agitation en- procurement centres have been frustrated over the approach of the Balasore, Feb 22: The Defence of Koraput district. tered its 12th day Monday. closed father and son duo. The accused had Research and Development The agitating farmers have pre- earlier paid back `80,000 to Organisation (DRDO) success- vented the Sub-Collector and tehsil- ers has also expired, causing a Pranabandhu in three installments. fully test fired the Vertically dar offices for carrying out their nor- great deal of mental pressure to However, the duo played mis- Launched-Short Range Surface mal functions. However Monday, them. Over 2,47,000 quintals of chief with Pranabandhu and did to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) from they locked all other government paddy are still lying unsold in dif- not pay the remaining amount the Launch Pad No-3 of Integrated offices in Padmapur. Among them ferent centres. And the farmers back to him. When the youth ap- Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, off were the block, treasury, horticul- are undergoing a lot of hardship proached them for refund of his the state coast Monday. ture and assistant registrar of co- while guarding them. money, they misbehaved with him. The test was carried at 1:28 pm. A team of senior officials led by sub-collector Sonal Jena operative societies’ office. Demanding reopening of the Pranabandhu lodged an FIR with The indigenously developed visit Eridi ghat, about three km from Kataguda in Marama According to the farmers, three centres, the agitating farmers staged local police leading to the arrest. VL-SRSAM is an advanced air de- panchayat of Gunpur, and take stock of the situation months have passed since the be- a road block at Kansingha Chowk “We have received complaint fense system. The canister-based ginning of paddy procurement in here. The road block was still con- from one person based on which weapon system can identify, track, Recently, the AP administration village under Marama panchayat of the jurisdiction of the area lying in Bargarh district. Even as their pad- tinuing at the time of filing this re- we have registered a case at Colliery engage and destroy its target with tried to grab a road in Badalukuti Gunpur block and took stock of a which state. Later, the forest officials dies are still lying unsold, the paddy port. Hundreds of framers have Police station and arrested the ac- high kill probability. It has a strike village under Bairagihalua pan- road construction work by the gov- visited the area Sunday and re- procurement centres have been joined in the agitation going on cused. We will move court seeking range of about 40 km. The defense chayat of Rayagada block but its ef- ernment of the neighbouring state. viewed the situation. closed. On the other hand, the pe- under the banner of Rajbodasambar their remand for further probe. experts are analysing the radar forts were frustrated after the ad- The Andhra Pradesh administration Friday, Andhra Pradesh was car- riod of the tokens given to the farm- Krushak Sangathan. ,” SP Jagmohan Meena said. footage to study. ministration intervened. was reportedly found constructing rying out concrete road laying work It is observed that the missile will Similar efforts by the neigh- a road at Eridi ghat to Munimkhol at Kashinagar in Gajapati. The il- give teeth to the Indian Army. bouring state have also been wit- in the state. legal road laying work was objected Prior to the test, as a part of nessed in this block where the for- BDO Shantiprabha Pradhan and by the district administration on the DEMOLITION DRIVE the safety measures, about 8,000 mer is trying to construct a road in tehsildar (in-charge) Ferdinand spot. The administration also seized people residing within 2.5 kilo- the area. The matter came to fore a Ekka accompanied the sub-collec- several bags of cement, construction metre radius of the Launch Pad team of senior officials led by sub- tor on the visit. materials and mixer machines being No- 3 were evacuated to tempo- collector Sonal Jena visited Eridi During the probe, the Revenue of- used at the site, an administrative rary shelter homes by 9am. ghat, about three km from Kataguda ficials were found unaware about official of the district informed. KARLAPAT LIVESTOCK INSPECTOR SUSPENDED POST NEWS NETWORK He (Pujari) hadn’t in order to set an example for oth- maintained records ers,” Khamari expressed. Bhawanipatna, Feb 22: The live- of vaccination of Notably, the Forest Department stock inspector of Karlapat Wildlife cattle properly as per took measures including disinfec- Sanctuary in Kalahandi was placed guidelines. He has been tion of water bodies, vaccination and under suspension Monday by the suspended from the sanitisation works in order to pre- Chief District Veterinary Officer vent any probable spread of the services in order to set an (CDVO) for dereliction of duty. deadly bacteria in the region.

According to sources, the offi- seven elephants in the sanctuary example for others A three-member Central team

k y m c cial Ganesh Pujari allegedly failed owing to hemorrhagic septicemia, PRATAP KESHARI KHAMARI | ADDITIONAL had visited the sanctuary to find out to discharge his duty during vac- Additional Director of state DIRECTOR, FARD DEPT the cause of jumbo deaths. The cination of cattle in nearby vil- Fisheries and Animal Resources team collected samples and sent lages of the sanctuary. The vacci- Development (FARD) department records of vaccination of cattle them to the Indian Veterinary nation drive was carried out Pratap Keshari Khamari informed. properly as per guidelines. He has Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly following consecutive deaths of “He (Pujari) had not maintained been suspended from the services for testing. A demolition drive underway in Bolangir, Monday OP PHOTO P4 TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 23 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR power post

FOCUS BANKING Each victory gained over oneself

means new strength to gain

k y m more victories. c SRI AUROBINDO PRIVATISATION NO SOLUTION

he country is in a porate sector (that takes and has quandary about the pri- to repay these loans) have come vatisation of public sec- under financial stress.” Political Fuel T tor banks. Amendments So, the prescription of pri- to the Banking Companies vatising PSBs needs a review and his government, claiming to be the strongest ever, now seems to be lurch- (Acquisition and Transfer of a new approach to curing the dis- ing from one crisis to another and it seeks remedies not by looking within Undertakings) 1970 and 1980 are on ease than shifting it from one clinic Titself but by blaming everyone else. The blame game happening now, the cards. The two laws led to bank to another. Poor regulatory frame- in the seventh straight year of being in government, does not seem to wash nationalisation in two phases. works and related problems are any more with citizens who were earlier vehement supporters of the ruling Finance Minister Nirmala some of the pitfalls. Additionally political party, the BJP. Sitharaman has announced pri- profit-centric and shareholder The government is still trying the same tactic of Congress-bashing when vatisation of PSBs as part of dis- wealth maximising monopolies the runaway fuel prices are soaring record high, burning holes in the pock- investment drive to garner `1.75 by banks will not to cater to the ets of the common man. These continuous increases have taken place in spite lakh crore, in reality not a very needy individuals. of the international prices of crude having been on the lower side. Now, how- large sum. That has raised an- The government would also be ever, the world seems to be steadily revving up, indicating a possible upward other question whether for such Banks in general have witnessed a decline in losing out on potential dividends spurt in global demand for petroleum. The pandemic had forced a dull sea- small gains, the nation should sell that give significant budgetary son for crude. Market for petroleum had drastically shrunk but things are the family silver. Or why should it profitability during the last about eight years. support. In 2014, `88,188 crore was changing and once this new situation entrenches itself strongly in the new go back to 1969 when these were That raises a question whether the PSBs paid by PSEs, including `43,996 normal scenario, the demand for energy could shoot up. Should that happen taken over? The banks were in should be singled out in a choppy market crore from PSBs. Since, however, then barrel prices would also go up. the hands of large houses. They the PSB dividend contribution Ironically, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman now expects the Shivaji Sarkar have been defying regulations and particularly when some private sector has been dwindling though RBI has state governments to bail her out by sharing with the Centre the burden of many unsavoury practices were in banks indulged in major malpractices paid about `2 lakh crore during the its failure to check fuel prices. It was she who has levied cess on fuel on the use, including taking out funds past two years. ostensible plea of improving agriculture infrastructure. The real purpose EVEN IN THEIR risking the banks and quietly re- A problem the government faces of the measure is to deny the states their share of tax on fuel and corner the funding causing immense interest The banks, they note had been cannot be a mantra. It seems the is of continuous recapitalisation money accruing from cess for defraying Central expenditure. DWINDLING and operation cost losses. This concealing facts particularly about problems lie in practices and those – pumping in funds as per Basel Many economists have written articles reminding the Centre of the rationale HEALTH, THE apart, the small lenders had little high value accounts, which in in the country need severe cor- norms. This is natural if the prof- behind the fuel cess. Since cess is not given back to the states, the Centre is space in the controlled practices. their opinion, had come under rections. itability of banks comes down. deducting a major amount under that head. In taxes, states get back 42 per PSBs HAVE Some banks were off and on in the NPA even before 2010-13. The study is almost in tune with But so it has happened to private cent as devolution and hence the Centre is acquiring a major portion as fuel ENORMOUS news of facing liquidation through- “Increasing NPAs suggest that the 2018 report of the banks as well. It means there is a cess instead of tax. out the 1960s. high number of credit defaults Parliamentary Standing basic flaw in the banking opera- When the NDA came to power in 2014 the total aggregate cess was eight WEALTH AND The takeover was then con- affect profitability, liquidity and sol- Committee on Finance where it ob- tions. The PSB losses mounted to per cent of gross tax collections and now it has increased to 14.5 per cent. That sidered a bold step as now the an- vency positions of (all) banks,” served that the capacity to lend `85,000 crore in FY2018 and came is why the CAG has questioned the central government on why they are in- BEFORE THESE nouncement of selling off is being they say. has been severely affected due to down to `50,000 crore in 2019. creasing cess and not tax. This, many observe, is an attack on the federal struc- ARE SOLD TO A projected as a bold decision. The They found Axis Bank prof- NPAs. It says, “A lot of the loans Suggesting a solution is not easy. ture of the country. Modi government is in a finan- itability since 2017 has continu- currently classified as NPAs orig- The deposits with PSBs are rising. The Union Finance Minister is smart to go on the defensive and admit that SELECT GROUP cial crisis and wants the nation to ously been falling due to rise in inated in mid-2000s, at a time when In FY2018, it rose to `128 lakh crore the common man would like only to see the Centre reduce the fuel prices and OF EAGER LARGE steer out of it. All of it though is NPAs till partly checked in 2019. the economy was booming and from `117 lakh crore. Savings bank won’t listen to any arguments of decrease of international crude production not the doing of this government. Similarly, ICICI Bank NPAs con- business outlook was very positive. deposits also rose by `4 lakh crore or the pricing matrix. The fact remains that people owning personal vehi- CORPORATE The bank crisis has built up with tinuously increased since 2015 Large corporations were granted between FY2018 and FY2019 from cles are already hit hard, while the continuing hike in the fuel prices will have the changes in Basel recapitali- and reached a peak of 8.85 per loans for projects based on ex- `35.9 lakh crore to `39.1 lakh crore. cascading effects on almost all items of daily consumption due to the rise in BUYERS, THE sation norms as well as the grow- cent in 2018. Though in 2019 it re- trapolation of their recent growth But liabilities are rising due to transportation costs. COUNTRY NEEDS ing NPAs. duced to 6.7 per cent the net profit and performance. With loans being defaults, increase in operational The Prime Minister’s attempt to deflect criticism by squarely blaming pre- As of March 31, 2010, gross PSB further came down due to higher available more easily than before, costs of larger low-quality ac- vious Congress-led governments’ huge oil import bills sounds as poor poli- TO WAIT AND NPAs were`8.06 lakh crore. A 2020 provisioning. corporations grew highly lever- counts like Jandhan, digital and tics and poorer economics. The Congress may not be wrong when the party’s RECONSIDER JC Review study by four acade- Banks in general have wit- aged, implying that most financ- other populist operations. interim president charged that the NDA has been in government for seven micians -- Sunita Sharma, Rajesh nessed a decline in profitability dur- ing was through external bor- The faults are for extra-banking long years which is time enough to fix the problems and formulate its own MASSIVE Kothari, DS Rathore and Jagdish ing the last about eight years. That rowings rather than internal causes. Privatisation is not likely fuel policies. It, of course, is time the government stops passing the buck to REVAMPING OF Prasad -- says that the private sec- raises a question whether the PSBs promoter equity. But as economic to solve these. Even in their dwin- its predecessors and especially the Nehruvian economic model. tor banks were not doing well post should be singled out in a choppy growth stagnated following the dling health, the PSBs have enor- The PM recently said the middle class is being burdened because India THE SYSTEM 2012 (as also were many PSBs) market particularly when some global financial crisis of 2008, the mous wealth and before these are follows a mechanism where it imports almost 85 per cent of its fuel needs. and the NPAs have been growing. private sector banks indulged in repayment capability of these cor- sold to a select group of eager He also shared a plan about reducing India’s import dependency. But, that They say that the economic per- major malpractices. Does it mean porations decreased. This con- large corporate buyers, the coun- is too futuristic. People are paying today and living now and so one hears the formance had not declined in 2012- that privatisation is not a panacea? tributed to what is now known as try needs to wait and reconsider desperate clamour for immediate course correction. The need of the hour 2019 but sharp rise in NPAs raise This is a critical question that the India’s Twin Balance Sheet prob- massive revamping of the system is not government publicity patting its own back, but solid, tangible actions questions on transparency in show- government and the society need lem, where both the banking sec- and through that how to strengthen and policy initiatives exclusively aimed at benefitting the common man. ing correct picture of their health. to have a review. Privatisation tor (that gives loans) and the cor- the economy. INFA

WISDOM CORNER SPECTRUM NATION The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. EDMUND BURKE

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. SAMUEL BECKETT

Knowing your own darkness is the best method for dealing with the Farmers’ protest holds key to India’s future darkness of other people. CARL JUNG

rom all accounts, the Prime in attempts to use administrative some time almost a one-man party, the sake of showmanship. Modi WORDSWORTH Minister and his team have guile and power to secure political or one-and-a-half man party (to shaped this idea of India even be- Fbeen unable thus far to meet process. As Yogendra Yadav put count both the Prime Minister fore 2014 when he said at a meet- the challenge posed by the clean and it: “The government is adopting and his Home minister) that has ing in Mumbai that India must Mansuetude clear opposition to the farm laws all the repressive measures, mischief no dissent in its ranks. They all have the bullet train not because from ordinary farmers and their and manipulation including ar- speak in one voice. people will travel in it but because he word — meaning gentleness or mildness — comes from Latin quickly emerging and evolving rests, detentions and registration The latest was over the weekend, we can show the world what a great Tmansuetus, tamed or made gentle. It contains manus, hand (from leadership. Unlike the establish- of cases against the protesters. which offered dramatic contrasts power we are. To boot, he added, which English got manicure, manufacture, command, manual and other ment, the farmers do not have ac- The Singhu border has been forti- at play in an India that is in- China does it, too. They show us words), and suetus, accustomed (which is from the verb suescere, the cess to unlimited resources, supe- fied and appears to be an interna- creasingly being divided at mul- their Shanghai and not the rest of source of a few words, of which the best known is desuetude). The idea Jagdish Rattanani rior organisation skills or tional border.” tiple levels. Barnala in Punjab China, don’t they? behind mansuetus is that if an animal has become accustomed to the communications reach of offi- Yet, the agitation has grown and witnessed the biggest rally yet A world view arising from these hand, it has been tamed. An example of the English word appears in The THE TRIUMPH OF cialdom. Yet, they have been able sustained over a long enough period against the farm laws with some ways of thinking was always going Letter of Marque by Patrick O’Brian, in which Dr Stephen Maturin is to present their case in a language of time to become the most potent dramatic pictures indicating the to be disastrous. We are seeing extolling the virtues of laudanum: “Presently, with the blessing, you will THE PROTESTERS and with stories that hit back hard and powerful challenge to the lead- size of the protest. In New Delhi, only bits and parts of this at work. see Padeen’s face return to its usual benevolent mansuetude; and a few IN SETTING THE at the makers of these laws, ridi- ership of Modi and his brute ma- a meeting of the newly-appointed When blind ideology of the ex- minutes later you will see him glide insensibly to the verge of an opiate culing in particular the Prime jority in Parliament. Protests have national office bearers of the BJP tremes, be it Left or Right, social- coma.” This is a more recent example: While her voice may have an air of AGENDA AND Minister and his party, but also now continued for over 100 days, thanked the Prime Minister for the ism or capitalism, license Raj or free mansuetude, she proved that she could easily cut above the din of the boys raising serious issues that have have led to the loss of several lives farm reforms and also for steer- markets, becomes an end in itself, in her band (Boston Globe, 24 Jun. 2004). The word is not entirely obsolete, PUSHING THEIR got many in India rethinking the from among the protesters and this ing the nation successfully in the disconnected from the needs and though it is rare to the point of being marked as archaic in most POINT AT LEAST IN merits of not only these laws but has only increased the resolve of the midst of a pandemic. The farmers mood of our times and the reality dictionaries and is definitely literary even when it does appear. To a lot else about the Modi style and farmers and got more people and cheered and agreed to intensify on the ground, policy gets reduced use it may be to gratify the ego of the writer rather than communicate THE IMMEDIATE manner of working. groups over to their side as newer their protests. The BJP behind to pushing propaganda. Views are with the reader. IS EVIDENT So much has been written about alliances are tested and built. closed doors apparently clapped turned to extreme. Positions get the so-called legendary communi- This celebrates the idea of ac- and patted itself. It was a picture rigid. Divisions are created. cation skills of the Prime Minister, tive resistance against an over- of the Orwellian classic ‘Animal Breakdowns will follow. Mari-fuel yet he pales in front of the roaring bearing authority, particularly in Farm’ at work. We don’t know where the farm- rhetoric and upbeat imagery emerg- these times when the brute ma- The power centres of New Delhi ers’ agitation will take us. The gov- o far as online records show, this word burst upon the world for the first ing from protest camps that are jority is prone to excesses and are today occupied by a new ernment is unlikely to give in. The Stime on 17 December 2008, in a press release announcing that European alive with ideas and imagination. does not hesitate to push any and Lutyens’ class that appears wedded farmers are standing their ground. Union funding of €6m (£5m or $8.5m) had been won for the BioMara Irrespective of the merits or de- every button to make its point and to the idea of breaking India and In this confrontation, a lot else that project. This is a cross-border project involving researchers from Scotland, merits of the case, or the eventual get its way. At another level, we can rebuilding it in a mould that is will have a longer-term impact on Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The aim is to find ways to outcome of the protests, the tri- despair at the ease with which steeped in a convoluted ideology, the future of India is at stake and convert seaweeds and marine algae into fuels. One hope is that it will help umph of the protesters in setting this force is being used and the a misunderstood sense of India’s will be decided. rural communities in these countries, who may be able to use fast-growing the agenda and pushing their point lack of any pushback from among past and its glory and a vision that seaweeds such as kelp to make a locally produced and cheap fuel that at least in the immediate is evi- our institutions or even within excels in bulk buying of preju- The writer is a journalist and won’t take up valuable agricultural land. Mari-fuel is an obvious parallel to dent. Police has been used to try and the BJP that is known to talk so dice. These shape today’s idea of a faculty member at Bhavan’s the better-known agri-fuel, for fuels derived from agricultural products. tame the protests and charges of much about inner party democracy. performance and governance, and SPJIMR. Views are personal. The development of mari-fuels could have a lasting impact on remote and sedition are being thrown around The BJP is now and has been for its one big idea is showmanship for ©THE BILLION PRESS rural communities by providing locally produced, relatively cheap, low impact fuel as well as serving the local public transport infrastructure (Daily Telegraph, 18 Dec. 2008). Motorists may soon be driving cars powered by kelp and algae after scientists in Scotland and Ireland won Battling depression Conserve nature European funding today for a new research project to create “mari-fuels” — the marine equivalent to plant-based biofuels (Guardian, 18 Dec. 2008). Sir, Discussion on some matters related to health is still considered a taboo in India. Sir, It is welcome to note that the Himachal Nevertheless when their ‘idols’ come out with their agonies of the past or present, people Pradesh government is involving school etters are inspired to follow suit. Having said that, it is not easy for celebrities themselves to shed students in planting saplings and ensur- their inhibitions to detail the sickening stint of theirs with health disorders like depression. ing their survival to build awareness. The LOL Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli is the latest addition to a reasonably long list of celebri- Forest Department has set up the ‘Vidyarthi TOL THE EDITOR ties who did not care about their ‘image’ to talk about mental health disorders. Kohli said Van Mitra Yojana’ under which eco clubs How you made money two apples. I Readers of Orissa POST he was battling depression in 2014 during the England tour and that was a transient phase have been set up in schools to identify open spent the are most welcome to contribute letters in his life. Approximately, five crore Indians suffer from depression, and thirty six percent or degraded forest areas for carrying out a young man asked an old rich man entire day polishing (200 words), articles and of the population has symptoms of depression at any point in time. When a famous personality plantation of indigenous species. The stu- columns (between 750-1250 Ahow he made his money. them and sold them at words). Contributors are like Kohli openly announces his past battle with depression, it is significant on many counts. dents and school administration play a vital The old guy said, “Well, son, it was 5:00 pm for 20 cents. I continued this requested to send their Since cricket connoisseurs adore cricketers and consider them as ‘gods’, it helps them to know role in identifying the site for the plantation 1932. The depth of the Great system for a month, by the end of contact numbers and full that mental problems are not confined to the common man alone. The Indian skipper has of saplings. The school administration pre-

Depression. I was down to my last which I’d accumulated a fortune of postal address/email ID. They may also said the inability to ‘talk’ to people around him compounded his problem. Therefore, the basic pares a micro plan for the plantation, and

k y m send in their valuable comments, opinion c nickel.” $1.37.” and suggestions, preferably by email, tenet of management of depression -- pulling the patients out of self-created shells -- should the Divisional Forest Officer gives approval “I invested that nickel in an apple. I “And that’s how you built an empire?” to: [email protected] dawn upon every stakeholder. Admittedly, Kohli was down in 2014. But following that lean to it. The students are not only responsible spent the entire day polishing the the boy asked. patch, he has proved why he is a batting maestro. Any disorder or disease is totally curable, for the plantation of saplings, but also main- apple and, at the end of the day, I sold “Heavens, no!” the man replied. “Then and both anxiety and depression are no exceptions. So, in more ways than one, Kohli has tain the area on a long-term basis. This is the apple for ten cents. The next my wife’s father died and left us two B-15, Rasulgarh Industrial Estate, sent a strong message to the society on issues that haunt the mind. a commendable move. morning, I invested those ten cents in million dollars.” Bhubaneswar-751010 Ganapathi Bhat, AKOLA Amit Singh Kushwaha, SATNA (MP) KERALA

MADHYA PRADESH P5

TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 23 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR

k y m Under fire from Oppn, Kerala Rahul takes dig at PM for ridiculing NREGA c PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Wayanad, Feb 22: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Monday said govt to scrap MoU with US firm Narendra Modi, who "ridiculed" MGNREGA when he took over as WHEN MODI BECAME PRIME PRESS TRUST OF INDIA ‘FISHING’ IN TROUBLED WATERS Prime Minister in 2014, was "forced MINISTER, IN THE to accept" the fact that the ambitious PARLIAMENT HOUSE, IN Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 22: KSINC recently inked a Rs 2,950 crore pact to rural job scheme brought in by FRONT OF ALL OF US, HE The Kerala government Monday build 400 deep sea fishing trawlers and new the previous UPA government RIDICULED MGNREGA. HE decided to cancel the controversial harbours and for the port development activities played the role of "saviour" of peo- SAID MGNREGA WAS AN MoU signed between US-based ple of the country during the INSULT TO THE INDIAN EMCC International and the Kerala Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala had COVID-19 pandemic. PEOPLE... AND HE WAS Shipping and Inland Navigation alleged that this particular MoU was part of a Inaugurating a Kudumbasree FORCED TO ACCEPT DURING Corporation, against which the `5,000 crore mammoth project promoting deep Sangamam at Poothadi Grama COVID-19 THAT ONLY Opposition has levelled serious sea fishing in the state waters Panchayat in his constituency MGNREGA PLAYED THE ROLE charges, drawing a strong reaction here, the Congress leader said the OF SAVIOUR OF OUR PEOPLE from EMCC. IT WAS DECIDED TO CANCEL THE MOU TO AVOID FURTHER CONTROVERSIES, WITH Congress works for the empow- THE OPPOSITION LEVELLING FRESH CHARGES AND BRINGING OUT WHAT THEY RAHUL GANDHI I Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan erment of the poor and alleged CONGRESS LEADER directed the officials concerned to TERM AS 'EVIDENCE' ALMOST EVERY DAY that the idea of the ruling BJP cancel the deal and probe the cir- not any monopoly who are com- of a Rs 5,000 crore mammoth proj- was to empower the most power- Congress leader Rahul Gandhi takes out a tractor rally from Muttil to Kalpetta cumstances under which such an ing to plunder the fish stock of the ect promoting deep sea fishing in ful. in Wayanad district in Kerala, Monday. PTI PHOTO ing our people by giving charity. MoU was signed, government state. Why did the Fisheries Minister the state waters. "When Modi became Prime Many claimed MGNREGA sources told PTI. not tell us prior if the project is It was against the proclaimed Minister, in the Parliament House, during COVID-19 that only MGN- brought in by the UPA govern- scheme was going to ruin the peo- The step was taken reportedly to against the state's Fisheries' Policy?” Fisheries' Policy of the state and in front of all of us, he ridiculed REGA played the role of saviour ment not as a "gift" but as "tools for ple but the same people are not avoid further controversies, with the he told a television channel. would adversely affect the inter- MGNREGA. He said MGNREGA of our people," Gandhi said. empowerment for making our peo- saying anything while the gov- opposition levelling fresh charges KSINC Managing Director N ests of lakhs of fishermen, he al- was an insult to the Indian people," He noted that the demand for ple stronger." ernment is "giving lakhs of crores and bringing out what they term as Prasanth and Shiju Varghese re- leged. Vijayan had Saturday dis- Gandhi alleged, as he began his MGNREGA, which provides so- He said when the MGNREGA of rupees to the big business" and 'evidence' almost every day. cently inked a Rs 2,950 crore pact missed the charge that the two-day visit to his constituency cial protection for the most vul- was brought in to provide at least "privatising huge public sector Meanwhile, EMCC International to build 400 deep sea fishing trawlers government entered into an agree- in poll- bound Kerala. nerable people living in rural India 100 days of guaranteed wage em- companies," Gandhi alleged. India Private Limited president and new harbours and for the port ment for the deep sea fishing con- He said the Prime Minister was by guaranteeing wage employ- ployment in a financial year to He also said implementation of Shiju Varghese came out against the development activities. tract with the US-based firm, say- forced to increase the work and ment opportunities, "skyrocketed" every rural household whose adult the MGNREGA scheme was the cancellation of the agreement. However, Opposition leader ing no foreign company would be money of the scheme during the during COVID. members volunteer to do unskilled major reason for the "tremendous “On what basis is the govern- Ramesh Chennithala had alleged allowed to engage in deep sea trawl- spread of coronavirus in the coun- The Wayanad MP said both manual work, lots of people ques- economic growth" during the UPA ment cancelling the MoU? We are that this particular MoU was part ing in the state's waters. try. "And he was forced to accept SHGs and the MGNREGA were tioned it asking why we are spoil- period. Thermal screening for people coming to MP from Maha Fuel price: PIL in MP High Court

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA disease is again showing an up- ward trend in Madhya Pradesh, es- claims discrepancy in ethanol tax Bhopal, Feb 22: With coronavirus pecially its industrial hub Indore, cases showing an upward trend in with health experts blaming people Maharashtra, people coming to for lowering their guard against OIL COMPANIES Madhya Pradesh from the neigh- the pandemic. bouring state will be subjected to Since the past one week, more BLEND 6 TO 7 PER thermal screening, government of- than 200 COVID-19 cases are being ficials said Monday. reported daily in MP, prompting CENT OF ETHANOL Chief Minister Shivraj Singh the state government to send some IN PETROL AND Chouhan issued directives in this samples of patients to labs in Delhi regard while reviewing the coron- and Pune to check whether a new DIESEL PER LITRE avirus situation in Madhya Pradesh variant of the virus has found its at a meeting in the state secretariat way into the state, a government of- UNDER THE NATIONAL here. ficial said. POLICY ON BIOFUELS “Start health examination of per- In September 2020, Madhya sons coming in Madhya Pradesh Pradesh witnessed a daily count through districts bordering of more than 2,000 cases for 10 con- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Maharashtra,” Chouhan told offi- secutive days, but the graph started cials at the meeting. going down by the year-end. Jabalpur, Feb 22: A Public Interest After the Chief Minister’s order, Earlier this month, the daily Litigation was filed in the Madhya Petroleum and Natural Gas and the petrol and diesel price remained the Home Department issued di- COVID-19 cases were below 200 in Pradesh High Court Monday seek- oil companies to seek information stable after rising for 12 consecutive rectives for authorities of districts After registering a drop cuss essential measures during the state, but crossed the mark ing reduction in fuel prices, with the on the policy under which con- days till Saturday. The increase in bordering Maharashtra. in COVID-19 cases for such religious fairs, the depart- February 14. Till Sunday evening, petitioner claiming that consumers sumers were taxed for ethanol the previous weeks has taken petrol Madhya Pradesh, too, is wit- ment said. the state had reported a total of have to pay high levies for mixing blended in fuel but only one firm re- to cross historic high levels of Rs nessing a steady rise in new COVID- some weeks, the viral The department asked the district 2,59,427 COVID-19 cases and 3,854 of ethanol in petrol and diesel. sponded, after which it was decided 100 a litre in several cities across the 19 cases in the last few days. disease is again authorities to take action against deaths due to the disease. Petitioner Manish Sharma, co- that a PIL be filed in HC. country. The petrol and diesel prices One of the directives asked dis- those not wearing face masks and Sunday, All India Institute of ordinator of NGO Nagrik Upbhokta Additive-mixed petrol is retail- have increased 24 times in 2021 trict collectors to ensure tempera- showing an upward violating social distancing norms. Medical Science (AIIMS), Bhopal, Margdarshak Manch, told PTI tax ing at over Rs 102 per litre in with the two auto fuels increasing ture-based screening of people com- trend in Madhya Pradesh, Earlier at the meeting, the CM Director Dr Sarman Singh told PTI on ethanol was 5 to 7 per cent but Bhopal while the cost of normal by Rs 6.87 and Rs 7.10 per litre re- ing from Maharashtra, where 6,971 said government staff should start that the cases were rising as MP the levy charged from consumers petrol and diesel is Rs 98 and Rs spectively so far this year. Oil com- new coronavirus cases were especially in its an immediate campaign to create shares borders with Maharashtra, is as high as 25 to 35 per cent per litre 89 respectively. panies executives said that petrol recorded Sunday, the highest single- industrial hub of Indore awareness about COVID-19 in rural which has been badly hit by the of petrol and diesel, which means Amid pressure to check the fuel and diesel prices may increase fur- day count in nearly four months. areas of districts bordering pandemic. Besides, people have be- the buyer ends up paying Rs 4 to Rs price rise, oil marketing compa- ther in coming days as retail prices Thermal screening involves Maharashtra, the officials said. come complacent against the pan- 5 extra as tax. nies on Monday decided to keep may have to be balanced in line checking the body temperature of prevailing coronavirus situation. Chouhan directed the officials demic, he said. Maharashtra has Oil companies blend 6 to7 per petrol and diesel prices unchanged with global developments to prevent a person to ascertain if he/she has It said a large number of devotees to ensure mask mandate is strictly been reporting a spike in new cent of ethanol in petrol and diesel Monday for the second consecu- OMCs from making losses on sale symptoms of viral infections. from Maharashtra visit fairs in the implemented in Indore and Bhopal, COVID-19 cases in the last one week. per litre under the National Policy tive day. Across the country as well of auto fuels. The Home Department asked central state organised on the oc- the districts affected the most by On Sunday, the state recorded more on Biofuels, he said, adding that districts bordering Maharashtra casion of Mahashivratri (which COVID-19 in Madhya Pradesh, than 6,000 for the third consecu- fuel pumps do not mention the to hold meeting of their crisis man- falls on March 11 this year). they said. tive day. The western state had ethanol details in the purchase bill. agement group Tuesday and take ap- Hence, the district-based crisis After registering a drop in COVID- recorded over 6,000 cases after a He said he had issued legal no- propriate decisions in view of the management groups should dis- 19 cases for some weeks, the viral gap of three months Friday. tices to the Union Minister of MP MINISTER SITS ON 50-FEET SWING TO GET MOBILE SIGNAL

Many villagers are coming to me with the problems that they face every day. But owing to a bad mobile network, I wasn't able to help them. So, to get a better mobile connectivity, I am sitting on a 50-feet high swing in order to speak to the officers and solve their problems BRAJENDRA SINGH YADAV I Screenshot of a viral video shows Minister Brajendra Singh Yadav (L) talking over mobile phone MINISTER atop the swing ride.

INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE whenever he wants to talk to offi- rowed from the fair. He climbs up cers and fellow ministers. on the swing at a height of 50 feet and Ashoknagar, Feb 22: Even as most Yadav is in Surel village of gets the mobile signal easily. His im- regions of the country have been Ashoknagar district these days, par- ages and videos have gone viral on connected with telecom networks, ticipating in a religious ceremony social media. there are still some areas where one and is committed to spend the next Yadav told journalists: "Many vil- doesn't get a mobile signal. few days here. lagers are coming to me with the

One such area is the Surel village People are sharing their prob- problems that they face every day.

k y m c in Madhya Pradesh's Ashoknagar dis- lems with him but the minister But owing to a bad mobile network, trict. isn't able to convey the same to the I wasn't able to help them. So, to get Madhya Pradesh's minister of state officers. a better mobile connectivity, I am for health and public health engi- Since there is a village fair going sitting on a 50-feet high swing in neering Brajendra Singh Yadav needs on, Yadav thought of putting up a order to speak to the officers and to climb up on a 50-feet hammock hammock on a 50-feet swing bor- solve their problems." Petrol is at FLU SCARE: 381 BIRDS P6 `100 a litre. TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 23 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR The Modi government FOUND DEAD IN MAHA is doing the great work Maharashtra reported deaths of 381 birds of emptying your Sunday amid the avian influenza scare. pockets and filling the Samples are being sent to National Institute pockets of its friends of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) y in Bhopal and Disease Investigation

national RAHUL GANDHI |

k y m CONGRESS LEADER Section, Pune, for bird flu testing c

of the day uote COAL THEFT CASE Modi opens coffers for You flatly say Cong govt in Pondicherry falls CBI EXAMINES revoke the PRESS TRUST OF INDIA laws...It Assam before polls doesn’t happen that ABHISHEK’S crowd gathers and Pondicherry, Feb 22: The Congress the laws government in Pondicherry fell SISTER-IN-LAW PRESS TRUST OF INDIA get revoked Monday after Chief Minister V Narayanasamy resigned ahead of PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Dhemaji, Feb 22: Opening the cof- NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR | the confidence vote sought by him fers of his government for election- UNION AGRICULTURE MINISTER in the Assembly after his govern- Kolkata, Feb 22: A team of CBI bound Assam, Prime Minister ment was reduced to a minority visited the residence of TMC MP Narendra Modi Monday slammed due to a spate of resignations of Abhishek Banerjee’s sister-in-law the successive Congress dispensa- Let the work related to party MLAs and a DMK legislator Menaka Gambhir in Kolkata tions that ruled the country since delimitation over the past few days. Monday to examine her in con- Independence for the “neglect” of the get completed, the Narayanasamy met Lt Governor nection with the coal pilferage state and the northeast for decades. Election Tamilisai Soundararajan and sub- case, officials said. On his third visit to Assam in a Commission will mitted the resignation of his Two women officers of the CBI month, Modi, who dedicated to the Modi attacks Mamata definitely conduct Cabinet, even as the ruling side’s are examining Gambhir at her nation three major projects in the elections in Jammu and Kashmir strength was reduced to 11 as against residence after a notice was served petroleum sector worth over ` 3,222 over ‘cut money’ the 14 of the Opposition. to her Sunday, they said. crore, enumerated steps taken by MANOJ SINHA | J&K LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR The Opposition, led by NR Gambhir is the sister of the state government led by Chuchura (WB): Launching a Congress chief and Leader of Abhishek’s wife Rujira Banerjee Sarbananda Sonowal and the cen- Chief Minister V Narayanasamy submitting his resignation to Lt Governor frontal attack on the Mamata Opposition N Rangasamy said it who told the CBI earlier in the tre over the past few years for its The BJP Tamilisai Soundararajan, Monday Banerjee government, Prime has no plans to stake claim to form day that she will be available balanced growth. government’s Minister Narendra Modi alleged the government as of now and that by the Chief Minister in the morn- for examination in connection He also inaugurated Dhemaji Monday it has perpetuated Budget hief Minister V presented in the UP discussions would be held. ing was defeated, even as it was with the case at her residence in Engineering College and laid the “syndicate raj” in all spheres of Soundararajan had earlier sum- CNarayanasamy resigned not taken up for either voice vote Harish Mukherjee Road between foundation stone for Sualkuchi life in West Bengal where no work Assembly today is ahead of the confidence vote extremely moned the one-day special session or division. 11 am to 3 pm on February 23, Engineering College with initial gets done without common Monday, mandating that its agenda sought by him in the Assembly “Our view that only the elected they added. project cost of `45 crore and `55 people having to pay “cut disappointing to the after his government was be confined only to the trust vote, members can vote in the House Abhishek, the Trinamool crore respectively in this town on money”. He accused the TMC state reduced to a minority after the Opposition petitioned her was not accepted by the Speaker. So Congress' Diamond Harbour MP, the northern bank of the government of pursuing MAYAWATI | last week saying the government had arayanasamy met Lt is the nephew of Chief Minister Brahmaputra. He had unleashed a "appeasement politics" to protect BAHUJAN SAMAJWADI PARTY CHIEF we walked out of the Assembly been reduced to a minority due to NGovernor Tamilisai and met the Lt Governor and gave Mamata Banerjee. major development offensive in its vote bank while neglecting its the resignations. Soundararajan and submitted resignation letter of my Cabinet," The CBI had registered an the run up to the state polls on cultural heritage and icons. “The A fresh bout of resignations the resignation of his Cabinet, Narayanasamy later told reporters. FIR in November last year February 7 when he laid the foun- state government’s cut money culture has vitiated the SHORT TAKES Sunday took the tally in the last even as the ruling side’s Narayanasamy said he was ac- against the alleged kingpin of dation of and dedicated to the na- atmosphere to such an extent few days to three and the cumula- strength was reduced to 11 as companied by his ministers, the pilferage racket Manjhi alias tion infrastructure projects in- against the 14 of the Opposition ` that you cannot even take a Dalit girl raped in tive since last month to six and fur- Congress and DMK MLAs besides Lala, Eastern Coalfield Ltd volving 9,310 crore. house on rent without paying ther reduced the strength of the the independent legislator who had General Managers Amit Kumar Again, February 18, he had gifted it....You cannot rent a house Uttar Pradesh Congress-DMK combine in the as- Namassivayam (now in BJP) and earlier supported the government. Dhar (of then Kunustoria area a bouquet of development projects without the syndicate’s sembly to 11 after Congress mem- Malladi Krishna Rao. On Monday, It was now up to the Lt Governor now Pandaveswar area) and worth about `10,000 crore to the permission,” he said. He Mahoba (UP): A 16-year-old ber K Lakshminarayanan and after mounting an attack on the to decide on their resignation, he Jayesh Chandra Rai (Kajor area), state. “Those who ruled for decades attacked the Banerjee Dalit girl was allegedly raped DMK's K Venkatesan quit on Sunday. Narendra Modi-led Centre and for- added. He, however, did not respond besides ECL Chief of Security since Independence believed Dispur government for not allowing by two men here, following Subsequently, the party position mer Lt Governor Kiran Bedi with to queries on his next course of ac- Tanmay Das, Area Security was too distant from Delhi. ‘Dilli ab central schemes like the PM Kisan which the accused were in the assembly was: Congress whom he had frequent run-ins on tion. Earlier, after moving the con- Inspector, Kunustoria Dhananjay door nahi aapke darwaaze par hai’ Samman Nidhi and Ayushman arrested, police said Monday. Bharat, depriving farmers and the The incident took place (nine, including Speaker), DMK administrative matters, fidence motion, Narayanasamy made Rai and SSI and security in- (Delhi is not far now, it stands at your poor of its benefits. Friday night when the minor two, All-India NR Congress seven, Narayanasamy led his colleagues a detailed speech blaming both the charge Kajor area Debashish doorstep," he told a massive gath- was standing outside her AIADMK four and BJP three (all out of the Assembly after a debate NDA government at the Centre and Mukherjee. ering. The previous governments house. Jai Hind (23) and nominated with voting rights) and over the rights of nominated mem- opposition parties including AINRC, It is alleged that accused Manjhi adopted “step-motherly” approach in the state’s north bank and said Ashish Sen (22) forcibly took one independent who has supported bers to vote during the floor test. AIADMK and BJP as "being re- Lala is involved in the illegal min- to the north bank region and neg- that Assam and the northeast will her to a secluded place and the government. There are seven va- Subsequently, Speaker VP sponsible for stalling implementation ing and theft of coal from leasehold lected connectivity, health, educa- become the new growth engine of allegedly raped her, SHO cancies. Those who had resigned in- Sivakolundhu announced that the of welfare schemes proposed by the mines of ECL in Kunustoria and tion and industry, he alleged. the country and now we see this be- Sunil Kumar Tiwari said. The cluded former ministers A motion for confidence vote moved elected government”. Kajora areas, sources said. “I had come earlier to Gogamuk lief bear fruit,” he said. girl later narrated her ordeal to her elder sister who filed a police complaint and on the basis of that, an FIR was SASIKALA FACTOR SHOWING SOLIDARITY registered on Sunday, the SHO said.

Chopper service AIADMK asks cadres to begins in Vrindavan Mathura: A private company take vow in ‘Amma’s name’ has started a chopper service for people to have a bird's- eye view of the Vrindavan WARY OF THE VK SASIKALA FACTOR, Kumbh fair and temples in surrounding areas, an official THE AIADMK MONDAY ASKED ITS of the company said Monday. The service was started CADRES TO TAKE A PLEDGE, IN THE Sunday, he added. “It would facilitate people visiting NAME OF J JAYALALITHAA ON THE Vrindavan Kumbh to watch majestic events like ‘Shahi FORMER CHIEF MINISTER’S BIRTH Snan’ besides camps of ANNIVERSARY, FEBRUARY 24 saints and ‘akharas' with their flags in the Kumbh,” Members of Indian Youth Congress hold placards during a protest against the arrest of climate activist Disha Ravi, in said the firm’s managing director Vishal Jain. PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Chief Minister and Panneerselvam, take a vow in her name to protect New Delhi, Monday PTI PHOTO coordinator and Deputy Chief people and guard the AIADMK till Chennai, Feb 22: Wary of the VK Minister, however, did not explicitly their last breath, they said. Sasikala factor, the AIADMK name anyone. Sasikala is late AIADMK supremo EC official to visit Monday asked its cadres to take a Their call to cadres assumes sig- Jayalalithaa's confidante and she re- K’TAKA CLOSES BORDERS WITH KERALA Bengal Friday pledge, in the name of J Jayalalithaa nificance against the background turned here recently after serving on the former Chief Minister’s of the recent return of expelled a four year prison sentence in PRESS TRUST OF INDIA certificates. The Dakshina Kannada Mudnuru in Puttur taluk and Kolkata: Deputy Election birth anniversary February 24 by leader VK Sasikala to Tamil Nadu Bengaluru following conviction in authorities sealed all borders from Jalsoor in Sullia, to verify and allow Commissioner Sudip Jain, lighting a lamp in their houses, to from Karnataka and her nephew an assets case. Kasaragod (Ker), Feb 22: With Monda, except four to cross over, people's entry into Karnataka. who is in charge of West guard the party. Amma Makkal Munnetra Loyalty is only towards late the Karnataka government rein- sources said. Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Bengal, will be visiting the While the “test” of Assembly Kazhagam leader T TV Jayalalithaa, the AIADMK and the stating stricter control of transit pas- Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the state Friday to oversee the polls is round the corner in about Dhinakaran’s stand to ‘retrieve’ Tamil Nadu people, Palaniswami sengers from Kerala in view of in- issue would be brought to the no- preparedness for the two months, enemies and betrayers the AIADMK. and Panneerselvam said. creasing COVID-19 positive cases, COVID PROTOCOL tice of the Centre. upcoming assembly have joined hands to defeat the Panneerselvam and Palaniswami ‘Amma's soul’ would protect the people bound to Mangalore and “Karnataka’s move closing the elections, officials said. AIADMK, top party leaders O asserted that the loyalty of AIADMK AIADMK and punish through the other parts of Dakshina Kannada According to Karnataka officials border roads and blocking vehi- During his visit, Jain is scheduled to hold meetings Panneerselvam and K Palaniswami workers cannot be 'purchased' path of righteousness those try- from here for various purposes, in- at the borders,those who wish to cles is against the Central govern- with district magistrates, said in a letter to cadres. through any manner be it allure- ing to work against the party in- cluding medical needs and stud- enter the state have to produce ment’s guidelines that no state police superintendents and Vowing to retain power for the sec- ment or by hurling accusations. terests they said, which is seen as ies, are in a fix again. COVID-19 negative certificate should impose any restriction on the other senior officials of the ond time in a row, they said such The cadres’ allegiance is only a reference to Sasikala and Long queues of vehicles could be through an RT-PCR test taken 72 inter-state travel,” he said. state, they said. Jain is 'anti-people' forces must be taught towards late matriarch Jayalalithaa, Dhinakaran camp. seen in the border areas since morn- hours prior to their cross over time. Speaking at the COVID-19 re- scheduled to come this a lesson again by vanquishing them the AIADMK and people, they added. The benign protection to them ing as Karnataka authorities sealed Health and police personnel are view meeting , he also said state DGP Friday to have a look at the through hardwork, unity and alle- By lighting a lamp at 6 pm on from Amma’s ‘atma’ is a matter of many roads, including national on duty at the four borders, Loknath Behera had already overall preparedness for the giance to the party. February 24, they should offer faith and it gave them the courage highways and restricted entry only viz.Talapady in Mangalore taluk, brought the matter to the notice of Assembly elections. He will Palaniswami, co-coordinator and prayers to Jayalalithaa’s ‘atma’ and to face challenges, they said. for those with COVID-19 negative Saradka in Bantwal, Nettanige- his counterpart in Karnataka. also take stock of the law and order situation in the state.

Blast possibly Death row convict Shabnam meets son, urges him to study accidental Earlier, a photograph of the boy holding a placard that said, “President uncle, please forgive my mother Shabnam,” had gone viral on the social media Kolkata: West Bengal minister Jakir Hossain, who INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE Rampur Jail Superintendent PD She gave birth in Moradabad jail jail, where his mother is lodged. was seriously injured in an Salonia said: “After the news ar- in December 2008. When he turned Usman, who has been taking care explosion last week in Rampur (UP), Feb 22: The 12-year- rived that preparations had begun six, the Child Welfare Committee of the boy, told reporters that Murshidabad district, might old son of Shabnam Ali, a death to hang Shabnam at Mathura jail, (CWC) in Amroha handed him over Shabnam told her son that she is not not be the target of the row convict lodged in Rampur jail, the mother and son desperately to his guardian, a resident of guilty of the crime she has been perpetrators and the bomb has met his mother. wanted to meet each other.” Bulandshahr district. convicted of. seemed to have gone off The boy, accompanied by his “The boy, who otherwise visits his Shabnam and Salim, meanwhile, “She wants a CBI inquiry be- accidentally, an officer of the guardian, Usman, met his mother mother in Rampur jail along with were convicted in 2010 and, then, sen- cause she insists that she has been state Criminal Investigation for about 45 minutes Sunday. He his guardian every three months, tenced to death. Shabnam chal- framed in the matter,” he said. Department (CID) said later told the media his mother has came to visit her here Sunday af- lenged the Amroha sessions court While she has not exhausted her Monday. The miscreants who urged him to focus on his studies. ternoon. The meeting continued verdict in the Allahabad High Court legal options, the Mathura jail is could have links to an “My mother asked me to focus on for around 45 minutes following and the Supreme Court, and also preparing to hang her. y international terror group my studies. I am requesting which he left.” sought mercy from the President Director General of Prisons

possibly brought the ‘President uncle’ again to forgive Shabnam, now 38, had been con- after all three did not accept her Anand Kumar said: “As and when

k y m c explosive kept in a bag from her,” he said. victed of killing seven of her fam- plea. She went back to the the apex the date is finalized and the death outside the state and were on Earlier, a photograph of the boy ily members – her mother, father, two court which again rejected her re- warrant issued, Shabnam will be their way to take it to Kolkata holding a placard that said, brothers, sister-in-law, cousin and view petition in January last year. taken to Mathura jail for hanging.” or somewhere else, the top “President uncle, please forgive my 10-month-old nephew – after her Over the past six years, every Shabnam will be the first woman CID official told PTI on mother Shabnam,” had gone viral family opposed her relationship The two of them slit their throats milk. Shabnam was pregnant at three months, the boy is taken to the in Independent India to be taken to condition of anonymity. on the social media. with Salim. after serving them sedative-laced the time. Amroha CWC and then the Rampur the gallows. The British had tried TRAIN SERVICES RESUME IN P7 to divide the TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 23 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR country by fanning separatist VALLEY AFTER 11 MONTHS sentiment among the Train services resumed in the Muslims community. I appeal Kashmir Valley Monday after to all to live with unity and remaining suspended for contribute to the around 11 months due to the y national development of the country COVID-19 pandemic

MOHAN BHAGAWAT RSS CHIEF

k y m | c

of the day uote Yogi's Budget focuses on religious development India’s COVID cases MK represents a bad, virulent INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE ideology THE BUDGET FOCUSES ON FUNDS resurge: Over 14K which is anti-Hindu. Lucknow, Feb 22: Religious de- FOR DEVELOPMENT OF RELIGIOUS Every Tamil is a CITIES INCLUDING AYODHYA, proud Hindu velopment is a major aspect of the budget tabled by the Yogi Adityanath CHITRAKOOT, VARANASI, TEJASVI SURYA | NAIMSHARAINYA AND cases in 24 hours government in its last Budget before VINDHYACHAL BJP YUVA MORCHA CHIEF Assembly elections. The recovery rate has remained to 97.22 per cent, The Budget focuses on funds for AYODHYA, ALONE, HAS BEEN development of religious cities in- while the fatality rate is 1.42 per cent Incidents like ALLOCATED `100 CR WHILE cluding Ayodhya, Chitrakoot, Muzaffarpur ANOTHER `300 CR WILL BE SPENT and Gopalganj Varanasi, Naimsharainya and ON ROAD CONNECTIVITY TO THE are happening in Vindhyachal. HOLY CITY other states too Tourist amenities in these places despite strict ban on of religious significance will be up- CHITRAKOOT DEVELOPMENT HAS ` liquor due to liquor graded in the coming year and BEEN ALLOTTED 20 CR IN THE Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Khanna presents the paperless state traders and mafias air and road connectivity will be BUDGET WHILE VINDHYACHAL AND upgraded. Talking to reporters, Budget 2021-22 in the UP Legislative Assembly in Lucknow, Monday PTI PHOTO NAIMSHARAINYA GET `30 CR NITISH KUMAR | BIHAR CHIEF MINISTER Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that the state government crore will be spent on road con- The state government proposes all, drinking water for all and would make efforts to take these nectivity to the holy city. to set up a tribal museum in roads for all. There are schemes We did not ` ask for it cities to a global level. The state government has al- Lucknow with 8 crore and a free- for farmers, youth, women and ` (new He said that memorial and li- lotted 140 crore for develop- dom fighters' museum in we are moving ahead with our ` Parliament braries would be set up to com- ment and renovation of the Shahjahanpur with 4 crore. promises,” he said. building). It is not a memorate the memory of freedom Suryakund temple. Chitrakoot The Chief Minister said that the The Chief Minister said that the necessity now in fighters like the government had development has been allotted Budget for 2021-22 was welfare-ori- target for excise revenue was `41,500 this pandemic done with the Chaura Chauri in- `20 crore in the Budget while ented and focused on all sections of crore and the government was con- period. If they had constructed a cident.The Budget earmarks `200 Vindhyachal and Naimsharainya society. fident of achieving this. hospital and cut our funds for five crore for development of tourism get `30 crore. “This will give new wings to de- He said that the state was at- years (for such purpose), I would in these sectors. Varanasi has been given `100 velopment and aspirations of tracting investments mainly due have gladly given it Ayodhya, alone, has been allo- crore for beautification and devel- the people. We are aiming at all- to ease of doing business and the ` ` SUPRIYA SULE | NCP LEADER cated 100 crore while another 300 opment of tourist amenities. round development, electricity for policies being formulated. ON POLL DUTY DADRA AND NAGAR SHORT TAKES HAVELI MP FOUND IED detected on DEAD IN HOTEL AGENCIES 12,000 while the deaths were be- Srinagar highway AGENCIES tween 78 and 120. Srinagar: A major tragedy New Delhi, Feb 22: Fresh COVID- On February 9, India had reported was averted Monday when Mumbai, Feb 22: Mohan Delkar, 19 cases continue to show an upward 9,110 new cases, the lowest this year the security forces detected seven-term Lok Sabha member trend over the past one week. India so far. Last year, the lowest 9,633 an improvised explosive from Dadra and Nagar Haveli, reported 14,199 new cases in the cases were recorded June 3. device (IED) near the railway was found dead in a Mumbai hotel last 24 hours on Monday with the As per the Ministry's data, there crossing in the Nowgam area Monday, police said. overall tally mounting to 1,10,05,850, are 1,50,055 active cases at present of Jammu and Kashmir's The body of Delkar (58), health officials said. after 9,695 patients were discharged Budgam district on the Independent MP from Dadra and The Ministry of Health and in a day. Till now, 1,06,99,410 persons Srinagar-Jammu national Nagar Haveli Union Territory, Family Welfare said that there have been discharged so far. highway. Police said a was found at the sea-facing hotel were 83 more deaths, taking the The recovery rate has remained patrolling party of the in south Mumbai’s Marine Drive overall toll to 1,56,385. to 97.22 per cent, while the fatality security forces detected the area, a police official said. Over past one month, the coun- rate is 1.42 per cent. IED on the national highway. The official said a suicide try has been recording less than The ministry also informed that “Movement of traffic has note in Gujarati was also found 15,000 new infections daily with 6,20,216 samples were tested Sunday. been halted in the area. Bomb along with the body. The cause the toll not crossing the 200-mark. The cumulative tests done by Indian disposal squad has been of death will be known after However, in the past few days deployed to defuse the IED,” Council of Medical Research (ICMR) police sources said. autopsy, he added. An acciden- the coronavirus cases in various so far stands at 21,15,51,746 tal death report is being regis- parts of the country suddenly Meanwhile, more than 1,11,16,854 tered based on preliminary in- showed a spike. On Saturday, 14,264 doses of corona vaccine have been formation, the official said. cases were reported, February 20, administered in the country since Five killed in Delkar was in May 2019 elected there were 13,993, February 19, the the drive began January 16 after ap- car-bus collision to the 17th Lok Sabha, his sev- count of new cases was 13,193, proval for ‘Covishield’ and ‘Covaxin’. enth term in the House. February 18 it was 12,881, February As per the Union Health Ahmednagar (Maharashtra): He was also a member of the 17, the number was 11,610, February Ministry, India has become the Five persons travelling in a Standing Committee on Personnel, 16 the number was 9,121. fastest nation in terms of the vac- car were killed in a head-on Public Grievances, Law and Justice Last week, the health ministry cine doses administered, even collision with a private travel and a member of the Consultative officials said that the average daily though many countries had bus near Devgad, early Paramilitary jawans patrol at Pathar Chapuri village ahead of the upcoming state Assembly polls in Birbhum district Committee, Ministry of Home new infections for the last 15 days launched their vaccination cam- Monday morning, police of West Bengal, Monday PTI PHOTO Affairs of the Lower House. were oscillating between 9,000 and paigns much earlier. officials said. According to an official of Nevasa police station, the accident occurred around 2 a.m. on Shivpal-Owaisi pact the Ahmednagar- FAROOQ ADVOCATES Disha sent to 1-day police custody Aurangabad Highway. “When on the cards in UP the car was approaching the Devgad Phata, it was hit by a DIALOGUE WITH PAK AGENCIES the "toolkit Google doc" and "key INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE private tourist bus coming conspirator" in its formulation from the opposite direction. PRESS TRUST OF INDIA friendship and prosper or continue New Delhi, Feb 22: Delhi Police has and dissemination. Lucknow, Feb 22: Even as All the five occupants of the the enmity”. He was responding got a day's custody of Disha Ravi in A day ahead of the hearing of the Samajwadi Party president car were severely injured Jammu, Feb 22: National to a question about the terrorist at- the 'toolkit' case for interrogation bail plea on Saturday, the Delhi Akhilesh Yadav dilly-dallies over and are believed to have Conference (NC) president Farooq tack on police in Bhagat locality of and confrontation with the co-ac- High Court had remanded Disha his pact with his estranged uncle succumbed on the spot," the Abdullah has advocated dialogue Srinagar February 19, which left two cused. Disha Ravi, an accused in the Ravi to three days' judicial custody Shivpal Yadav’s Pragatisheel official said. with Pakistan to end terrorism in policemen dead. 'toolkit' case registered by the Delhi after her five-day custodial inter- Samajwadi Party Lohia (PSPL), the Jammu and Kashmir, saying friend- “This is the reality of the day. I Police, was produced before a Delhi rogation ended. latter is wasting no time in mak- ship holds the key to development appeal to the government to adopt court upon the expiry of her ex- Delhi Police had said her custo- ing new friends in politics. Son held for in the region. the same approach as they had tended judicial custody Monday. dial interrogation was not required Shivpal Yadav had a long meet- “Terrorism is still prevalent (in with China over the standoff in A court in Delhi sent 22-year-old for the time being and the agency ing with All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul killing mother Jammu and Kashmir) contrary to Ladakh and started withdrawal of environmental activist Disha Ravi case earlier this month. Co-accused may seek her further interroga- Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Aligarh (UP): The 24-year-old their (BJPs) claim that we have its troops. The same is needed here to three days' judicial custody on Shantana Muluk and Nikita Jacob, tion once her co-accused – Shantanu Asaduddin Owaisi in Azamgarh son of a jeweller allegedly finished it. If we want to finish it, to pull out J&K from this (terror- Friday in the 'toolkit' case. Disha on the other hand, are out on an- Mukul and Nikita Jacob – join the Saturday. The occasion was a wed- murdered his mother and we have to talk with our neigh- ism),” he said. Ravi was arrested earlier this month ticipatory bail. interrogation. ding in the family of AIMIM Uttar looted valuables worth over bour,” Abdullah said. Talking to Abdullah said the world has from her residence in Bangalore by The Delhi Police Cyber Cell had Investigators also said Disha Pradesh chief Shaukat Ali and `1 crore from her house in the reporters during a visit to a mar- shrunk and the country like rest of the Delhi Police. arrested Disha Ravi from Ravi was evasive during her pre- both leaders were there to attend Saroj Nagar Colony of ket here, the former Chief Minister the world is fighting coronavirus. The Delhi court Saturday heard Bangalore claiming that she had vious interrogation and tried to the wedding. “Shivpal and Owaisi Aligarh. The accused, Yogesh, of the erstwhile state remembered “We have to solve this issue as Disha Ravi's bail plea and reserved sent the toolkit to teen climate ac- shift the blame on the co-accused. had a lengthy discussion, appar- and his three associates, former Prime Minister AB well.” Asked whether he is hopeful its order till Tuesday. The 22-year- tivist Greta Thunberg through Shantanu Mukul and Nikita Jacob ently on the political situation including two women, were Vajpayee’s words “you can change of success of the ongoing Indo- old environmental activist was ar- the Telegram app, and also "coaxed have been asked to appear before the and possible alliances. Shivpal, arrested Sunday and the your friends but not your neigh- China talks, the NC leader said rested from Bangalore by the Delhi her to act on it". Officials claimed investigating agency February 22, later, side-tracked queries on what stolen gold, diamond and bours” and said “either we grow “the issue is big.” Police in connection with the 'toolkit' that Disha Ravi was an editor of Delhi Police told the court. had transpired between them. silver jewellery were recovered from them. Jeweller Kuldeep Verma's son Yogesh, a commerce graduate, was living separately in a rented Cong adopting ‘Ch’garh model’ to regain power in Assam accommodation for the past six months after he tied a IN 2018, Tarun Gogoi’s demise affected the leader Rahul Gandhi when he kick different set of trainers until the elec- knot with a married woman, morale of the Assam Congress to a started Assam campaign with a tions are over. Sonam, against his parents’ CHHATTISGARH large extent as he was a father-fig- rally at Sivsagar February 14. “BJP has the concept of ‘Prishtha wishes. ure to all. When we came in early The Chhattisgarh CM is making Pramukh’ or ‘Panna Prabhari’ to CONGRESS HAD part of January, people were not frequent trips to the poll-bound manage voters in each polling booth. DEFIED ALL EXIT very enthused against BJP’s ag- northeastern state to take stock of However, we have seen their model gressive campaign,” he added. the party readiness for the elections. failing in Chhattisgarh as it is more 5 killed in Bihar POLLS AND After Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Explaining the strategy, the official of a psychological game plan. We are road mishap SHOCKED Bhupesh Baghel was appointed as said, the Chhattisgarh team is fo- working on pure science and math- the observer by the All India cusing on micro-level booth man- ematics,” he said without explain- Katihar (Bihar): Five people POLITICAL PUNDITS Congress Committee for its Assam agement, which helped them regain ing further. were killed and five were unit for the upcoming Assembly power from the BJP there in 2018. The official, however, clarified critically injured in a truck- WINNING 68 polls things started moving very “Around 15 specialised trainers have that the Chhattisgarh team under auto collision near Pothia fast in a positive direction. come and they have already con- Baghel will not have any say in se- police station in Katihar SEATS OUT OF 90 district of Bihar. All the “In the last 15-20 days, the entire ducted nearly 100 training sessions lection of candidates and it will be

deceased were identified as PRESS TRUST OF INDIA atmosphere has changed and it is since February 1, covering 100 con- fully decided by the Assam Congress y the members of a band. The led alliance. A senior official of the Congress now the rejuvenated Congress car- stituencies. Within next 2-3 days, as local politics are understood bet-

Guwahati, Feb 22: With Assam In 2018, Chhattisgarh Congress party, who came from outside Assam rying out an aggressive campaign we will cover all the 126 constituencies ter by the leaders from the state.

k y m incident happened on NH-31 c when a truck coming from gearing up for an intense battle of had defied all exit polls and shocked and has been camping here for al- against the BJP and its allies. Now, in Assam,” the official said. When contacted, Baghel’s polit- Bhagalpur lost control near votes in the upcoming Assembly political pundits winning 68 seats most one month, told PTI that a the party is very confident to give After the first level of training is ical adviser Vinod Verma said, “Our Khaira Mod and collided with elections, the Opposition Congress out of 90, thereby snatching power new energy level is seen in the party a tough fight to the ruling NDA,” said over, senior party functionaries teams are working closely with the an auto coming from the has adopted the “Chhattisgarh from BJP after 15 years. Congress workers after a team from the official, who did not wish to be will visit each constituency to assess Assam Congress. We want to create opposite direction, a police model of booth management” to currently has 70 MLAs there as it Chhattisgarh started working on identified. the ground situation, followed by sec- a system, which is election agnos- official said. reclaim power from the ruling BJP- won two by-elections. the ground. “Former Chief Minister Baghel was by the side of party ond and third level of trainings by tic and candidate agnostic.” I ask everyone BONE CANCER SURVIVOR P8 who has not TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 23 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR been vaccinated – go be ON SPACEX FLIGHT vaccinated. You will After beating bone cancer, Hayley have the Green Pass Arceneaux, a 29-year-old physician and you will also be assistant and a former patient is all set able to benefit from it to join entrepreneur Jared Isaacman in BENJAMIN NETANYAHU | SpaceX's first private spaceflight and international PRIME MINISTER, ISRAEL

become the youngest American in space

k y m c of the day uote Italian envoy killed ANTIQUE ABODE in attack in Congo The fact that COVID infections refugees and ASSOCIATED PRESS migrants continue to undertake fatal Kinshasa, Feb 22: The Italian am- journeys drop by 70pc post bassador to Congo, an Italian accentuates the carabineri police officer and their need for immediate and collective Congolese driver were killed regional response to search, rescue Monday in an attack on a UN and disembarkation Convoy in an area that is home to myriad rebel groups, the INDRIKA RATWATTE | UNHCR DIRECTOR FOR first Pfizer shot Foreign Ministry and local peo- ASIA AND THE PACIFIC ple said. The ambush occurred as the We are very Data analysed by PHE convoy was travelling from Goma, determined, showed the Pfizer Congo’s eastern regional capital, very provided high levels of to visit a World Food Program committed to rolling school feeding project in Rutshuru, out a free and protection against the UN Agency said in a state- universal infection and symptomatic ment. vaccination WFP said it was seeking in- program for the people of Hong disease from a single dose, formation from local authorities, Kong so that we could get ourselves as the ambush occurred on a road out of this epidemic as soon as and that hospitalisation that had previously been cleared possible and death from Covid-19 pitalisation and death”. for travel without security es- CARRIE LAM | CHIEF EXECUTIVE will be reduced by more “We should be very encouraged corts. OF HONG KONG by these initial findings,” she said. Luca Attanasio, Italy’s ambas- than 75% in elderly people PHE’s findings came from two sador to the country since 2017, separate analyses - one is an on- carabinieri officer Vittorio who have had a first dose PTI PHOTO I think we're in going study in healthcare work- Iacovacci and their driver were a key strategic ers, and the second is an assessment killed. Other members of the con- A truck pulls a Victorian home built in 1882 which was moved to a new location in San Francisco, Sunday location to be REUTERS of testing data in people aged 80 voy were injured, WFP said. able to deliver these and over. vaccines to the London, Feb 22: England’s coro- Evidence from the elderly group developing navirus vaccine campaign is sig- showed that one dose of the Pfizer countries that really nificantly reducing cases of Covid- shot is 57% effective against symp- can't get them 19, with a drop of around 70% in tomatic COVID-19 disease, PHE US Covid death toll nears milestone of 500,000 JULIAN SUTCH | COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT infections among healthcare work- said, and early data suggest the MANAGER, EMIRATES SKYCARGO ers who have had a first dose of the second dose improves protection A YEAR INTO THE PANDEMIC, THE RUNNING TOTAL OF LIVES LOST WAS ABOUT 498,000 - ROUGHLY Pfizer-BioNTech shot, British health to more than 85%. officials said Monday. “Hospitalisation and deaths THE POPULATION OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, AND JUST SHY OF THE SIZE OF ATLANTA SHORT Data analysed by Public Health rates are falling in all age groups, TAKES England (PHE) showed the Pfizer but the oldest age groups are see- ASSOCIATED PRESS dle lighting ceremony at the White provided high levels of protection ing the fastest decline since the House. Terrorists kill against infection and symptomatic peak in mid-January,” a PHE state- Washington, Feb 22: The US stood Biden will deliver remarks at disease from a single dose, and ment said. Sunday at the brink of a once-un- sunset to honor the dead, the White 4 Pak women that hospitalisation and death from The vaccine also provides pro- thinkable tally 500,000 people lost to House said. He’s expected to be Islamabad: Four women were Covid-19 will be reduced by more tection against the so-called British the coronavirus. joined by first lady Jill Biden and shot dead by terrorists in than 75% in elderly people who variant of the SARS-CoV-2 coron- A year into the pandemic, the Vice President Kamala Harris and Pakistan's North Waziristan have had a first dose. avirus, it added. running total of lives lost was about her husband, Doug Emhoff. district, police said Monday. “Overall, we’re seeing a really The PHE data come as prelim- 498,000 — roughly the population of The first known deaths from The North Waziristan police strong effect to reducing any in- inary study findings from Scotland Kansas City, Missouri, and just shy the virus in the U.S. happened in said in a statement that fection, asymptomatic and symp- on Monday also showed the vac- of the size of Atlanta. The figure early February 2020, both of them unidentified gunmen fired at tomatic,” PHE’s strategic response cination drive there is working, compiled by Johns Hopkins in Santa Clara County, California. a vehicle carrying the women director Susan Hopkins told a markedly reducing the risk of hos- University surpasses the number It took four months to reach the near Mir Ali, a major town in media briefing. pitalisation for COVID-19. of people who died in 2019 of chronic the nation’s top infectious disease sis was judged by public health ex- first 100,000 dead. The toll hit the district that borders PHE’s head of immunisation Scottish researchers said those lower respiratory diseases, stroke, expert, Dr Anthony Fauci, said on perts to be a singular failure. 200,000 deaths in September and Afghanistan, Xinhua Mary Ramsay described the data findings suggested that both the Alzheimer’s, flu and pneumonia CNN’s “State of the Union.” The nation could pass this next 300,000 in December. Then it took reported. A search and strike as “strong evidence that the Pfizer- Pfizer and the Oxford-AstraZeneca combined. The US virus death toll reached grim milestone Monday. President just over a month to go from 300,000 operation is being continued BioNTech vaccine is stopping peo- COVID-19 vaccines are highly ef- “It’s nothing like we have ever 400,000 Jan 19 in the waning hours Joe Biden will mark the US cross- to 400,000 and about two months to in the Mir Ali area to track ple from getting infected, while fective in preventing severe been through in the last 102 years, in office for President Donald ing 500,000 lives lost from Covid-19 climb from 400,000 to the brink of down the terrorists. Police since the 1918 influenza pandemic,” said the driver of the car was also protecting cases against hos- infections. Trump, whose handling of the cri- with a moment of silence and can- 500,000. injured and is undergoing a treatment. No group or individual has so far claimed FAA orders United to responsibility for the attack. CHINA CALLS FOR RESET India, Mauritius ink inspect Boeing 777s Afghan parl landmark agreement ASSOCIATED PRESS okays Budget IN SINO-US RELATIONS Washington, Feb 22: Federal avi- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Partnership Agreement (CECPA) ation regulators are ordering Kabul: The Afghan REUTERS said in prepared remarks trans- with Mauritius. This agreement is United Airlines to step up in- Parliament Monday approved lated into English. Port Louis, Feb 22: India Monday India’s first-such agreement with an spections of all Boeing 777s the current fiscal year's Beijing, Feb 22: Senior Chinese “We stand ready to have candid signed a landmark Comprehensive African country, Jaishankar said. equipped with the type of engine Budget with a majority of diplomat Wang Yi said Monday the communication with the U.S. side, Economic Cooperation and He said it will provide a timely that suffered a catastrophic failure votes after weeks of tensions United States and China could work and engage in dialogues aimed at Partnership Agreement (CECPA) boost for the revival of the post- over Denver Saturday. between the two state branches over the document. together on issues like climate solving problems.” Wang pointed to with Mauritius, the first if its kind COVID economies and also enable United said it is temporarily The fiscal year began change and the coronavirus pan- a recent call between Chinese with an African nation, making Indian investors to use Mauritius removing those aircraft from serv- December 21, 2020, even as demic if they repaired their dam- President Xi Jinping and U.S. the strategically-located country as a launch-pad for business ex- ice, as meanwhile Boeing recom- the Parliament rejected the aged bilateral relationship. President Joe Biden as a positive a launch-pad pansion into mended grounding aircraft with Budget draft twice, Tolo news Wang, a Chinese state councilor step. for business continental that model engine until the Federal reported. Lawmakers and the and foreign minister, said Beijing Washington and Beijing have expansion Africa help- Aviation. Finance Ministry officials stood ready to reopen constructive clashed on multiple fronts includ- into the huge ing the agreed on almost all the 19 dialogue with Washington after re- pong diplomacy” of 1972 when an ing trade, accusations of human African con- prospect of disputed points Monday. lations between the two countries exchange of table tennis players rights crimes against the Uighur tinent. Mauritius sank to their lowest in decades cleared the way for then US Muslim minorities in the Xinjiang Today is in- emerging as under former president Donald President Richard Nixon to visit region and Beijing’s territorial deed a special a ‘hub of 7 killed in Trump. China. claims in the resources-rich South day in our Africa’. Wang called on Washington to re- Wang urged Washington to re- China Sea. special rela- Prime Nigeria crash move tariffs on Chinese goods and spect China’s core interests, stop The Biden administration has, tionship, External Affairs Minister Minister Jugnauth also noted that the abandon what he said was an ir- “smearing” the ruling Communist however, signaled it will main- S Jaishankar said while jointly ad- CECPA is the first of its kind signed Lagos: Seven persons were killed after a military plane rational suppression of the Chinese Party, stop interfering in Beijing’s tain pressure on Beijing. Biden has dressing the media with Prime by India with an African country. The announcements come a crashed in Abuja, Nigeria's tech sector; steps he said would internal affairs and stop “conniv- voiced concern about Beijing’s Minister Pravind Jugnauth here This landmark agreement is far- day after United Airlines Flight 328 capital Sunday, an official create the “necessary conditions” ing” with separatist forces for “coercive and unfair” trade prac- after calling on the Indian-origin reaching and will unleash new and had to make an emergency land- said. Ibikunle Daramola, the for cooperation. Taiwan’s independence. tices and endorsed of a Trump leader. expanded opportunities in trade ing at Denver International Airport air force spokesperson, Before Wang spoke at a forum “Over the past few years, the administration determination India is privileged to have en- in goods and services, investment, after its right engine blew apart just confirmed the crash in a sponsored by the foreign ministry, United States basically cut off bi- that China has committed geno- tered into a Comprehensive economic cooperation and techni- after takeoff. Pieces of the casing statement in Abuja, saying officials played footage of the “ping- lateral dialogue at all levels,” Wang cide in Xinjiang. Economic Cooperation and cal assistance, he said. of the engine, a Pratt & Whitney that “a Nigerian Air Force PW4000, rained down on suburban (NAF) Beechcraft KingAir neighborhoods. B350i aircraft crashed while The plane with 231 passengers returning to the Abuja Airport and 10 crew members on board after reporting engine failure ‘Earth’s microbes could temporarily survive on Mars’ landed safely, and nobody aboard enroute Minna”, capital of the or on the ground was reported Niger state in the country's hurt, authorities said. central-north region. AGENCIES scientific balloon to fly our exper- out the mission,” explained Cortesao. The Federal Aviation imental equipment up to Earth’s “The box carried two sample lay- Administration FAA Berlin, Feb 22: Some microbes stratosphere,” said Marta Filipa ers, with the bottom layer shielded Administrator Steve Dickson said Philippines okays found on Earth may temporarily sur- Cortesao, joint first author of the from radiation,” she said. in a statement Sunday that based vive on the surface of Mars, ac- study from the German Aerospace This allowed the researchers to on an initial review of safety data, China’s Sinovac cording to a study that could be Center. separate the effects of radiation inspectors “concluded that the in- Manila: The Philippines has vital for the success of future mis- “Some microbes, in particular from the other tested conditions: des- spection interval should be stepped officially approved the sions to the Red Planet. spores from the black mold fungus, iccation, atmosphere, and temper- up for the hollow fan blades that emergency use of China's The researchers from NASA and were able to survive the trip, even ature fluctuation during the flight. are unique to this model of en- Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine, the German Aerospace Center tested the when exposed to very high UV ra- The top layer samples were ex- gine, used solely on Boeing 777 country's Food and Drug endurance of microorganisms to diation,” Cortesa said. posed to more than a thousand airplanes.” Administration (FDA) said Martian conditions by launching When searching for extra-ter- times more ultraviolet (UV) radia- Boeing said it supported deci- Monday. China's Sinovac them into stratosphere, the second restrial life, the scientists need to tion than levels that can cause sun- sions by the Japan Civil Aviation Biotech is the third vaccine major layer of Earth’s atmosphere be sure that anything that they dis- burn on our skin, they said. Bureau and FAA to suspend op- maker that was given the which closely represents key con- cover has not just travelled from “While not all the microbes sur- erations of all 777 aircraft powered green light by the FDA, ditions on Mars. the Earth. be invaluable for space exploration. ever in middle stratosphere the vived the trip, one previously de- by Pratt & Whitney 4000-112 en- Xinhua reported. The FDA The study, published in the jour- “With crewed long-term missions They could help us produce food conditions are remarkably similar. tected on the International Space gines. It said there were 69 of the also granted last month nal Frontiers in Microbiology, paves to Mars, we need to know how and material supplies independ- “We launched the microbes into Station, the black mold Aspergillus engines in service and another 59 emergency authorisation to

the way for understanding not only human-associated microorganisms ently from Earth, which will be the stratosphere inside the niger, could be revived after it re- in storage.

k y m the coronavirus vaccines c the threat of microbes to space mis- made by US pharmaceutical would survive on the Red Planet, as crucial when far away from home,” MARSBOx (Microbes in turned home,” Siems explained. “We are working with these firm Pfizer and its German sions, but also the opportunities for some may pose a health risk to as- Siems said. Atmosphere for Radiation, Survival “Microorganisms are closely- regulators as they take actions partner BioNTech, and those resource independence from Earth. tronauts,” said joint first author Many key characteristics of the and Biological Outcomes experi- connected to us; our body, our food, while these planes are on the by the University of “We successfully tested a new Katharina Siems, also based at the environment at the Martian sur- ment) payload, which was kept at our environment, so it is impossi- ground and further inspections Oxford/AstraZeneca. way of exposing bacteria and fungi German Aerospace Center. face cannot be found or easily repli- Martian pressure and filled with ar- ble to rule them out of space travel,” are conducted by Pratt & Whitney,” to Mars-like conditions by using a “In addition, some microbes could cated at the surface of Earth; how- tificial Martian atmosphere through- she said. it said in a statement issued Sunday. The worst is over LIFE SCIENCES TO BECOME P9 for the aviation TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 23 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR sector which has A $100 BILLION INDUSTRY successfully transformed Buoyed by the tremendous growth in its image as an elitist mode the life sciences industry in Telangana of transportation to that of amidst the pandemic over the last one a bare essential one year, the state government has set the PRADEEP SINGH KHAROLA | vision to growing the sector to $100

business CIVIL AVIATION SECRETARY

k y m billion dollars by 2030 c of the day uote VEDANTA NANDGHAR Big boost for MSMEs as govt allocates `465 cr BAGS CSR AWARD We are glad POST NEWS NETWORK budget has increased like never be- handicrafts, sericulture and tex- government had already announced that despite fore. There is a provision for census STATE BUDGET 2021 tile sectors. The associations had a special COVID package of around the global Bhubaneswar, Feb 22: The Odisha of MSMEs which is most essential ` pandemic and its urged state government to give spe- 289 crore to support the distressed government Monday announced to make the database of MSMEs cial incentive to Fani but no such sector. Over 1 lakh MSME units adverse impact, ` Udaan kept the the allocation of 465 crore, dur- present in Odisha. All major in- announcement was made during faced severe loss due to the pan- wheels of small ing the presentation of ‘State Budget- centives have been increased. The the budget session, which was dis- demic last year. The associations businesses across Bharat moving 2021-22’ for the promotion of state budget has been made for inclu- appointing for them. claimed that total units faced a loss by leveraging the power and scale MSME sector. The allocated amount sive growth of the MSME sector.” Also, the state announced `155 of over `1000 crore. POST NEWS NETWORK of e-commerce is a jump of 86 per cent in allocation About `125 crore has been allo- crore financial support to Idco for Reacting to the Odisha State Budget as compared to the previous year. cated to provide financial assis- the development of industrial in- 2021-22, President of the state con- Bhubaneswar, Feb 22: Vedanta KUMAR SAURABH | State MSMEs representing bod- tance to the MSME sector, `80 crore pared to 2020’s budget allocation. It frastructure. Swain said, “The al- federation of Credai SK Routray ex- Limited bagged the CSR Shining HEAD (LIFESTYLE BUSINESS), UDAAN ies like OSSIA, OYEA, UCCI, for promotion of the sector, and will boost the sector. Also, the state located amount is seriously used by pressed his happiness over an in- Star Award under the category of OASME breathed a sigh of relief for `27 crore for promotion of Khadi & government has decided to make Idco. There will be a big exposure crease of around 13 per cent in budget Child Development for NandGhar, state’s unexpected budget presen- village industries. census to find out total MSMEs in in infrastructure.” spending this time as compared to Vedanta Group’s flagship corporate We know that tation to support the sector. Smarajit Mohanty of OSSIA, the state, which is a welcome step.” The impact of the pandemic on the previous fiscal, amid the severe social responsibility project. The the new US ` administration Secretary-General of OASME said, “Allocation of 465 crore for Also, the state has announced the MSME sector was severe. impact of the Covid-19 pandemic recognition was given by Governor ` is reviewing and Satwik Swain said, “The MSME MSME is more than double as com- an outlay of 163 crore for handloom, Considering the crisis, the state and decline in the central transfer. of Maharashtra, Bhagat Singh assessing its foreign Koshyari in an award ceremony policy. We hope that held at the Raj Bhavan, Mumbai. the policymakers The award recognises Vedanta’s will keep pace with the times, see No further FB, Google efforts towards the holistic de- clearly the trend of the world, velopment and growth of chil- abandon biases, give up Growth momentum needs dren contributing towards build- unwarranted suspicions and ensure ing a stronger and healthier nation. a steady development of China-US amendments as final Vedanta Director Priya Agarwal relations said: “We are committed in a vi- WANG YI | FOREIGN MINISTER, CHINA sion of eradicating child malnu- to be strengthened: RBI Guv vote nears: Australia trition, providing education and healthcare, and empowering rural Despite the Growth, although at 4 per cent with a bias of +/- 2 per REUTERS women through skill development presence of uneven, is recovering cent on the either side. and NandGhar will be the change prevalent and gathering The other members of the com- Canberra, Feb 22: Australia will agent for the same. NandGhar challenges like local momentum, and the outlook mittee are Shashanka Bhide, Senior not alter legislation that would will continue to create a better to- political hindrances has improved significantly Advisor, National Council of Applied make Facebook and Alphabet Inc’s morrow for the children and their and natural Economic Research, Delhi; Ashima Google pay news outlets for content, mothers at the grassroots level.” calamities in the with the rollout of the vaccine programme in the Goyal, Professor, Indira Gandhi a senior lawmaker said Monday, The NandGhar journey began microfinance segment, the Institute of Development Research, as Canberra neared a final vote on in 2015 with a vision to transform country collections in ICRA-rated Mumbai; Jayanth R Varma, whether to pass the bill into law. Australia and the tech the lives of 8.5 crore children and microfinance pools saw a healthy SHAKTIKANTA DAS I GOVERNOR, RBI Professor, IIM-Ahmedabad; Mridul Australia and the tech giants 2 crore women across 13.7 lakh recovery after dipping to the lower K Saggar, Executive Director, RBI; have been in a stand-off over the leg- giants have been in a anganwadis. A dream project of single digits in April 2020 PRESS TRUST OF INDIA gramme in the country." and Michael Debabrata Patra, islation widely seen as setting a stand-off over the Vedanta Chairman, Anil Agarwal, ABHISHEK DAFRIA | VP AND HEAD "The growth momentum, how- Deputy Governor in charge of mon- global precedent. Other countries NandGhar is a network of model (STRUCTURED FINANCE RATINGS), ICRA Mumbai, Feb 22: The growth mo- ever, needs to strengthen further for etary policy. including Canada and Britain have legislation widely anganwadis where the thrust is on mentum needs to be strengthened a sustained revival of the economy Bhide, said the MPC is commit- already expressed interest in tak- inclusive development of chil- for a sustained revival of the econ- and for a quick return of the level ted to continuing with the accom- ing some sort of similar action. seen as setting dren, women and local com- SHORT TAKES omy and quick return to the pre- of output to the pre-COVID trajec- modative stance as long as neces- Facebook has protested the laws. a global precedent munities. COVID trajectory, opined RBI tory," he added. sary -- at least during the current Last week it blocked all news con- The NandGhars are set up in col- Governor Shaktikanta Das while Given the sharp moderation in financial year and into the next tent and several state government told Australian Broadcasting Corp laboration with the Union Ministry CCI approves pitching for a status quo on rates inflation along with a stable near- fiscal. and emergency department ac- Radio. The bill in its present form of Women & Child Development. stake purchase at the last meeting of the Monetary term outlook, he said, the monetary He said the stance is in conso- counts, in a jolt to the global news ensures “Australian-generated news Policy Committee (MPC). policy needs to continue with the nance to revive growth on a durable industry, which has already seen its content by Australian-generated New Delhi: The Competition All the six members of the MPC accommodative stance to ensure basis and mitigate the impact of business model upended by the ti- news organisations can and should Paradip port handles Commission of India (CCI) had voted for keeping the policy that the recovery gains greater COVID-19 on the economy, while tans of the technological revolution. be paid for and done so in a fair and Monday said it has approved repo rate unchanged at 4 per cent traction and becomes broad-based. ensuring that inflation remains Talks between Australia and legitimate way”. 100 MMT cargo again acquisition of shares of Tata at the three-day meeting which The RBI kept the policy rate un- within the target going forward. Facebook over the weekend yielded The laws would give the gov- Communications Ltd (TCL) by began on February 3, citing simi- changed for the third time in a row "The current macroeconomic no breakthrough. ernment the right to appoint an Panatone Finvest Ltd. The lar reasons. in its last monetary policy review configuration and its expected fu- As Australia’s senate began de- arbitrator to set content licencing proposed deal envisages Das, according to the minutes for 2020-21 February 5. ture evolution as outlined above bating the legislation, the coun- fees if private negotiations fail. acquisition of shareholding of the meeting released by RBI not exceeding 26.12 per cent The MPC, headed by the RBI implies there is space for the MPC try’s most senior lawmaker in the While both Google and Facebook by Panatone Finvest Ltd in Monday, had said: "Growth, al- Governor, also decided to continue to continue to support the revival upper house said there would be no have campaigned against the laws, Tata Communications Ltd though uneven, is recovering and with the accommodative stance as of the economy with inflation re- further amendments. Google last week inked deals with (erstwhile VSNL). Panatone gathering momentum, and the out- long as necessary. maining in the target band. Thus, “The bill as it stands ... meets the top Australian outlets, including a Finvest Ltd is a non-deposit look has improved significantly The RBI has been set a medium I vote to maintain the status quo in right balance,” Simon Birmingham, global deal with Rupert Murdoch’s taking core investment arm with the rollout of the vaccine pro- term target to keep retail inflation policy rate and stance," Goyal said. Australia’s Minister for Finance, News Corp. of Tata Sons. The POST NEWS NETWORK Government of India looks to divest its 26.12 per cent Bhubaneswar, Feb 22: Paradip equity stake in TCL. GERMAN BIZ OPTIMISM UP Port authorities Monday said SC bars Future Group’s RIL that the port handled 100 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo, Amazon summit to AMID PANDEMIC BURDENS fourth year in row. It once again repeated the feat by crossing the be held virtually AGENCIES 100 MMT mark in succession and deal on Amazon appeal achieved cargo throughput of Bangalore: Amazon India Monday announced that it Frankfurt, Feb 22: Optimism rose 100.30 MMT till February 21, 2021 will host the second edition among German businesses in AGENCIES in the current fiscal. of 'Amazon Smbhav' during February, according to a closely According to the officials, the April 15-18, 2021. A company watched survey - despite a worri- New Delhi, Feb 22: The Supreme above achievement of 100 MMT of statement said that the event some flattening out in the decline Court barred Monday a final rul- cargo again by PPT in the cur- will be held virtually. Smbhav of infections. ing by a tribunal reviewing rent fiscal is despite global COVID- 2021 will bring together The index of business sentiment Future Group’s $3.4 billion sale 19 crisis and 2 of its existing berths industry and thought leaders compiled by the Ifo institute showed of retail assets until the top court are not available for handling of for invigorating discussions that industry continues to hold up hears objections from aggrieved cargo these are under mechani- on way ahead towards better than public-facing services partner Amazon.com Inc, three sation process. creating an Aatmanirbhar during the pandemic, even as bat- based institute said, while “in the sources said. For the above feat, PPT Bharat by unlocking tered tourism businesses expressed tourism sector there is cautious op- Amazon appealed to the Supreme Chairman Vinit Kumar congrat- possibilities for businesses cautious optimism about the up- timism again regarding the va- Court this month against Future ulates the user industries, and entrepreneurs through coming vacation season. cation season.” Group’s sale to market leader Stevedores, Steamer Agents, Trade partnership with Amazon, it The survey index for Europe’s The outlook brightened despite Reliance Industries (RIL), accus- Unions to have their continued said. largest economy climbed to 92.4 caution from German Health ing its partner of violating con- faith on the ability of the Port to points after a reading of 90.3 points Minister Jens Spahn, who Friday tracts by agreeing to the sale. final order while the court hears continue, and Future will later seek serve them. in January, the institute said in a noted that infection numbers have The outcome of the tussle in- Amazon’s concerns. final approval from the tribunal, the Congratulating the employees MediBuddy raises news release Monday. stopped declining in recent days. volving two of the world’s rich- “This is a good thing for Amazon,” source added. and officers of the Port for their The results show brightening Elementary schools and kinder- est men, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos said one of the sources, who has di- Amazon declined to comment, continued commitment to serve the $20mn funding outlooks among thousands of gartens reopened in 10 of the 16 and Reliance‘s Mukesh Ambani, rect knowledge of events. while Future Group and Reliance trade, Chairman, PPT takes the New Delhi: Health-tech German businesses, particularly German federal regions Monday but could reshape India’s pandemic- Indian stock exchanges and the did not immediately respond to a pleasure of appreciating the sup- company MediBuddy Monday in manufacturing and industry, widespread restrictions on busi- hit shopping sector and decide if antitrust watchdog have already request for comment. port of Govt. authorities like said it raised $20 million where the index rose in all im- ness activity remain in force. Amazon can blunt Reliance‘s cleared the deal, which now awaits The sources sought anonymity Ministry of Ports, Shipping & (about `145 crore) earlier this portant sectors. Manufacturing businesses dominance of retail. clearance by the National Company as they were not authorised to Waterways (GoI), Govt. of Odisha, month from India Life Retailers were somewhat less such as the auto industry, a major Three people familiar with Law Tribunal (NCLT), in line with speak to media. In its Supreme Indian Railways, Customs, Sciences Fund III, LLC and pessimistic than the month be- employer, have been able to cope Monday’s proceedings said the regulatory procedures. Court appeal, Amazon will argue Immigration Department, Dock others. The company had fore, despite collapsing sales. For better with anti-pandemic meas- Supreme Court ordered that while A second source said Future had that an arbitration order in October Safety, MMD as well as all Service announced an initial funding hospitality businesses such as ho- ures than companies that de- the tribunal can continue to re- only asked the NCLT to let it to call that put the Future–Reliance deal Providers/Terminal Operators of $20 million in June last tels and restaurants, “the situa- pend on face to face contact with view the deal and oversee the ap- meetings to seek shareholder ap- on hold remains valid, Reuters for their sustained effort in achiev- year under the series B tion remains difficult,” the Munich- customers. proval process, it could not pass a provals of the deal. That process will has reported. ing the above feat. round, a statement said. "The additional infusion of $20 million led by India Life Sciences Fund III, LLC, with participation from other investors," it added. Ind-Ra revises outlook on banking sector to ‘stable’ AGENCIES times in the retail segment in the cremental proforma NPA and about vate banks, it said. second half of the fiscal 2020-21. SWINGING BACK 1.75 per cent of the total book could Through a bottom-up analysis OLX Autos get New Delhi, Feb 22: India Ratings According to the agency’s Director be restructured by end-FY21. This of stressed corporates using two new Global CEO and Research Monday revised its out- (financial institutions) Jindal Haria: For PSBs, the outlook has been is the incremental stress purely on filters- revenue above `100 crore look on the overall banking sector “The last nine months have pro- revised to stable from negative account of the COVID-19 pandemic and interest coverage below 1.5x, the New Delhi: Prosus-owned to stable for the fiscal 2021-2022 from vided banks the opportunity to beef With the last year's change in and does not include the slippages agency has assessed that stressed OLX Group Monday said it negative even as it sees higher stress up their provisions even more for accounting norms, large banks that banks would witness in the corporate assets as a percentage of has appointed former Star emerging in the retail loan segment legacy stressed assets, which were would be able to manage to normal course of business, it said. gross bank credit declined to 15.3 per Sports President and CEO going ahead. existing before the pandemic. We ex- raise additional tier-1 capital on Haria said a lot of the retail stress cent at end-1HFY21 from 15.7 per cent Gautam Thakar as Global For public sector banks (PSBs), pect that by the end of FY21, the pro- their own is coming from unsecured advances at end-FY20. "The key reasons for CEO of its pre-owned car the outlook has been revised to sta- visions will go up to almost 75-80 per and it would be more seen in private the reduction are low slippages The agency also revised its marketplace OLX Autos ble from negative and for private cent on those NPAs. This will give sector banks than public sector (standstill classification, morato- credit growth estimates to 6.9%

effective March 15 of this banks, the agency continues to have banks space to absorb COVID stress.” banks because of the former's higher rium etc), write-offs of 0.9 per cent,

k y m in FY21 from earlier 1.8%, and c year. Thakar will lead a stable outlook. With the last year's change in ac- exposure to unsecured loans. and no advances growth in the first worldwide organisation 8.9% in FY22 It estimates that overall stressed counting norms, which allows pub- The stock of stressed retail assets half of FY21," it said. with a workforce of more assets (gross non-performing as- lic sector banks (PSBs) to offset raise additional tier 1 capital on FY21 from earlier 1.8 per cent, and for PSBs could increase to 2.9 per The agency expects the deposit than 4,000 employees sets (GNPA) + restructured) could their profit and loss balance sheets their own. 8.9 per cent in FY22. cent in FY22 from 2.1 per cent in rates to rise as credit growth re- across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the US. increase 30 per cent for the banking with share premium account, large The agency also revised its credit It said that about 1.24 per cent of FY21, while it could increase from vives as well as capital market flows system, the increase is almost 1.7 banks would be able to manage to growth estimates to 6.9 per cent in the total bank book is under in- 1.2 per cent to 4.3 per cent for pri- are enhanced. BACK PAGE TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 23 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR sports

y Jimmy sure of no-grass wicket in Motera

k k y y m m c c PRESS TRUST OF INDIA prepared to bowl as best we can in with life inside the bio-bubble. injuries he had to endure in the last any given condition. If it swings, it’s “You have got to try and look at the two years when he missed matches in Ahmedabad, Feb 22: Veteran fast great and if it does not, we still bigger picture. The idea was if I the 2019 Ashes series and also could bowler James Anderson is pretty have a job to do,” Anderson said. missed that one, that would give me not play two Tests against South Africa. sure that the newly laid track at He felt that the pink SG Test ball the best chance of being fit and fir- “It’s the same for all bowlers, not the Motera Stadium will be devoid that he bowled with during the net ses- ing for the pink-ball Test,” Anderson just me. We’ve got 17 Test matches of any grass for the upcoming sions, swung more than its red coun- said during virtual press conference. this year and the best way of get- Day/Night Test against India even terpart. “Look this is the second pink Former players, especially Kevin ting your best players firing for as though there is a nice green cover Test in India and first in February so Pietersen, have criticised ECB’s many of those as possible is to take on it at the moment. we don’t know how it would behave.” thought process, saying the board little rests every now and then. PRESS TRUST OF INDIA The third Test under lights will start He urged critics of the much-de- must play its best players in a big “It’s not a case of shielding, it’s from Wednesday and for England’s bated rotation policy to look at the series like this against India. just a case of trying to make sure Ahmedabad, Feb 22: On the cusp premier fast bowler, he doesn’t expect ‘bigger picture’, considering the Anderson, 38, himself played the you’re not wearing someone out of becoming only the second Indian it to behave much differently from the massive amount of cricket to be series-opener where he took five until they completely break in half.” pacer after the legendary Kapil second Test track at the Chepauk played by the England team in the wickets in England’s victory but England have called back pacer Dev to play 100 Tests, Ishant Sharma which India won by 317 runs. coming days. was rested for the second where Wood but Anderson definitely would on Monday attributed his remark- “The pitch, it has got grass on it England did not play Jonny India emerged triumphant by a not mind bowling in tandem with able longevity in the game to un- but I am pretty sure it’s not going Bairstow and Mark Wood in the massive 317-run margin. Stuart Broad. “That has definitely derstanding what the ‘captain wants to be there when we turn up on the first two Tests but have brought “I am feeling good and fresh and crossed my mind. Ideally, we would from him’. match day,” Anderson said with a them back for the final two games ready to go again if called upon. It’s get into a position where there will Ishant made his Test debut as a wry smile during a virtual confer- as part of a rotation policy while frustrating to an extent but I can see be times – a crucial game poten- gangly 18-year-old in Bangladesh ence with British media Sunday. first-choice keeper Jos Buttler is the bigger picture with the amount tially – when they want the expe- when Rahul Dravid was the captain “So we have to wait and watch. back home after the opening Test. of cricket that we have got.” rience there of both of us and that and subsequently was led by Anil As seam bowlers, we have to be The idea is to help players cop up To make his point, Anderson cited might get called upon.” Kumble, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane during the last decade and half. So which captain understood him the best in all these years? “It Odisha suffer 8-wicket 10-man Hyderabad is difficult to say who understood me the most as all of them understood me really well. But more than the “May be it helped me in com- ing answer would floor anyone. defeat against Railways hold ATKMB in ISL captain understanding me, it was al- pleting 100 Tests. Having said that, “I played more outside India, so ways important as to how I under- I don’t think had I played three for- I got those wickets. If you don’t POST NEWS NETWORK top scorer for Odisha with a 42- stood the captain,” Ishant said dur- mats, I couldn’t have played 100 bowl in India, how would you get ball 48-run knock. AGENCIES ing a virtual press conference ahead Tests. May be it would have taken wickets? To be very honest, it was Bhubaneswar, Feb 22: Odisha Rajesh Dhuper (36, 46b), of the third Test against England, a bit longer. I am only 32 and not 42.” just overseas conditions.” suffered an eight-wicket loss in Shantanu Mishra (36, 63b) and Goa, Feb 22: Hyderabad FC (HFC) beginning here, Wednesday. So does crossing Kapil Dev’s 131 On who will be the leader of the their one-dayer of Vijay Hazare Gourav Choudhury (24, 27b) also were excellent against ATK Mohun “That’s very important. What Tests cross his mind? “(Crossing) pack once he leaves the scene, Ishant Trophy against Railways at the M played handy knocks to help Odisha Bagan (ATKMB), but they have to does the captain want from me 131 will take a long time. I only picked Jasprit Bumrah. “I think I Chinnaswamy Stadium in go past 200-run barrier. Pradeep blame themselves only as lack of con- specifically. If those things are clear, want to think about qualifying for don’t want to take one name. You Bangalore, Monday. They will next Poojar (3/54) was the pick of centration allowed the Kolkata side communication becomes easier,” the World Test Championship (WTC) are good and that’s why you play for face Karnataka at the Alur Cricket Railways bowlers and he was ably to find the equaliser in the added- said the man who has 302 wickets final. This is my World Cup where India. But I think, after me, it is Stadium in Bangalore, Wednesday. supported by Himanshu Sangwan on time to finish off the match 2-2 from 99 Tests so far. if I win, I can have the same feel- Jasprit Bumrah, who will play most Odisha were bowled out for 231 (2/34) and Amit Mishra (1/37). in their ISL encounter, Monday. Does he think that being dropped ing that others had while winning matches for India. in 49.3 overs after being invited to In reply, Shivam Chaudhary led But credit goes to HFC as they from white ball squads and also the ODI World Cup.” “I think he has to lead the way and bat first as Railways won the toss the run chase with an unbeaten 81 led at the half time by one goal, HFC players celebrate Aridane missing out on a couple of seasons Ask him about Jimmy Anderson also it will depend on how he speaks and opted to field. off 84 balls. He was ably supported courtesy Aridane Santana (eighth Santana’s (C) goal, Monday of IPL helped him reach the mile- playing at 38 and if he could con- to youngsters, take them under his Odisha players have got starts, by Pratham Singh (63, 86b), who minute), despite being reduced stone quicker than many others? tinue till that age, he laughs. “I will wings, grooms them.” but couldn’t convert those scores also scored a half century, and to 10 men inside opening three denied him a goalscoring opportunity. “I normally treat this as a bless- go one game at a time. You never For fast bowlers to blossom, one in to big ones, which resulted them Mrunal Devdhar (44, 48b). Shantanu minutes of the match. Manvir But to everyone’s surprise, it was ing in disguise. It’s not that I don’t know what comes next. Yes, I am needs to understand their skill sets to be bundled out for not-so-chal- (1/36) and Saurabh Kanojia (1/48) Singh restored parity for ATKMB the Nizams who took the lead. want to play white ball as that’s more professional about my re- and plan accordingly. “(Navdeep) lenging total. Ankit Yadav was the bagged a wicket each. in the 57th, but the Nizams re- Three minutes after the send- what is the job of a sportsman but covery now. Earlier, I would train Saini has pace, (Mohammed) Siraj stored their lead in the 75th ing off, an error from Pritam Kotal if he is not playing, what does he hard but didn’t focus on my re- has control. You have to under- through Roland Alberg. However, saw Santana open the scoring. do? At best he can train.” covery. As you grow older, you need stand people’s strength. Skill sets MSSM Open Tennis C’ship from March 3 Pritam Kotal found the last-gasp ATKMB have attacked and had For him, it was important that he to recover well to bowl long spells, equaliser to save the second-placed some half chances but HFC’s de- are different and if you tell Saini Bhubaneswar: The Major Sandeep Mahapatra Memorial Open Tennis forgets what’s not there and be grate- take care of your body.” to bowl one area and Siraj to hit 140k, Championship will be played March 3-7 at the Gurukul Tennis Resort in ATKMB the blushes. fense has been top class. The ful for what he has. “I didn’t want my He doesn’t have a roundabout way then you are not doing justice to Mendhasal. There are five event categories – men’s singles, men’s Only five minutes into the game Mariners have not looked very as- Test cricket to get affected because of speaking and when a veteran jour- their strengths,” he explained. doubles, women’s singles, boys’ U-16 & girls U-16. The total prize money it looked like it would be all ATKMB. tute at the back and have made a of my non-selection in ODIs. I should nalist asked him about a whopping As a parting shot, Ishant added: “As in the competition is `1,70,000. The men’s singles’ category carries a As HFC’s Chinglensana Singh saw few errors. HFC themselves had a be grateful that I am at least playing 76 wickets in his last 20 games at an long as I can maintain the intensity prize money of `30,000 to the winner and `15,000 for the runner-up. himself go off for an early shower after few opportunities to double the

one format,” he said. average of less than 20, his disarm- in my game, I will play for India.” he pulled down David Williams and lead but have not been able to do so.

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