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RNI No. TELENG/2018/76469 Established 1864 Published From VIJAYAWADA DELHI LUCKNOW BHOPAL RAIPUR CHANDIGARH BHUBANESWAR RANCHI DEHRADUN HYDERABAD *LATE CITY VOL. 3 ISSUE 52 VIJAYAWADA, FRIDAY JANUARY 1, 2021; PAGES 12 `3 *Air Surcharge Extra if Applicable www.dailypioneer.com People's farewell to retiring Judge Won’t spare anyone Unprecedented scenes of respect for Justice Rakesh Kumar on his retirement from service desecrating idols: CM PNS n VIJAYAWADA HAPPY 2021 PNS n VIJAYAWADA Jagan flags off Centre notifies Chief Minister YS The Pioneer wishes its Jaganmohan Reddy on disaster, readers, advertisers, In an unprecedented gesture, CJ Maheswari Thursday promised stringent suppliers and agents a hundreds of women and farm- action against those who des- emergency HAPPY NEW YEAR. As ers from the Amaravati capi- transfer, judges’ ecrate idols. our offices will remain tal region formed a human His remarks came amidst response vehicles closed today chain here to accord a touch- the sudden spurt in incidents (01-01-2021), there will be ing farewell to Justice Rakesh appointment of desecration of idols and PNS n VIJAYAWADA no issue of the paper Kumar of the Andhra Pradesh vandalism of temples in the tomorrow (02-01-2021) High Court who retired from Vijayawada: The Centre on state over the past few months. Chief Minister YS service on Thursday. Thursday notified the The acts of vandalism have Jaganmohan Reddy on Resident Editor In a reverential gesture, appointment of AP High come under sharp criticism Thursday virtually flagged they chanted 'long live, long Court Chief Justice, Justice from the opposition parties, off 14 disaster response and live' with folded hands as the Jitendra Kumar Maheshwari especially the BJP. emergency response vehicles judge began his return journey as the Chief Justice of the Addressing a meeting with from his camp office at home from the court campus. Sikkim High Court. By officials on Thursday, the Tadepalli. He was one of the judges another notification Sikkim Chief Minister said that des- The Chief Minister said who stayed the Jaganmohan High Court Chief Justice, ecration of idols will not be that the vehicles shall Reddy government's move to Justice Arup Kumar tolerated and stringent action strengthen the existing have three capitals for the Goswami was appointed will be taken. He termed that machinery of the Police state, an issue over which Chief Justice of the AP High the destruction of idols as Department further locals had staged protests Court. atrocious and prayed that God enhancing their effective- against shifting the capital Women and farmers from the Amaravati capital region rush towards the car of retiring judge Justice Rakesh Kumar, to thank The notifications came 15 will punish those who attack ness and also help deal from Amaravati. him for standing by them, as he leaves the AP High Court premises, on Thursday. days after the Supreme places of worship. with tricky situations and The Judge also had made Court Collegium, in its The Chief Minister direct- make the right decisions at several critical observations December 14 meeting, rec- ed the police to take strict the field level. against the administration and ommended transfer of action to prevent such inci- He stated that this force pulled up the state Director DGP, other top police brass HC punishes Justice Maheswari along dents from recurring. can be mobilised to take General of Police over 'failure' with four other Chief He also directed officials to part in relief operations of to ensure rule of law. Assembly Justices, including Justice ensure all eligible candidates any serious disaster, as As his official car reached asked to appear before HC Goswami. get house sites without fail, these vehicles have special Dry run for Covid-19 vac- the Seed Access Road, the Amaravati: The Andhra tion filed by S-I Rama Rao who secretary in Notably, a judge in the emphasising that his equipment to save people’s cination in all states, UTs women stopped him and pre- Pradesh High Court on approached the court stating state High Court, Justice Government wouldn’t trim lives. sented shawls, flowers and Thursday directed the state that the police department contempt Rakesh Kumar, who retired the number of beneficiaries to 2 on January 2 mementos. Director-General of Police ignored the court’s directive to on Thursday in a judge- save funds. He said that all the "You live in our hearts... You Gautam Sawang, Principal include his name in the panel Vijayawada: The Andhra ment on Wednesday said the eligible beneficiaries must get mistake, they should be imme- were our saviour by upholding Secretary (Home) Kumar of promotees. Earlier, a HC Pradesh High Court, transfer of Justice Maheswari covered in the government’s diately included in the welfare justice. May God give you a Viswajit and IG Mahesh Bench asked the police depart- delivering the verdict in a and Telangana High Court welfare schemes, leaving no activities. Any applications 5 long life," they said. Chandra Ladda to appear ment to include the S-I’s name contempt of court case Chief Justice will give undue one behind. seeking ration card, pension, The judge reciprocated the before it in person, in a con- in the panel. against Assembly secretary advantage to Chief Minister “The State government is and housing should not be left greetings and thanked them. tempt of court case. Balakrishnamach-aryulu, on YS Jaganmohan Reddy. working relentlessly for the pending state and must be Thursday asked the officer. The court issued the direc- 2 2 welfare of the poor and in case resolved at the earliest possi- 2 tions while disposing of a peti- 2 if anyone eligible is left out by ble,” Jagan said.

Crime against kids up by 20% in Vizianagaram, 4.5% against women

8 Former Chief Secretary Nilam Sawhney congratulates her successor Aditya Nath Das upon the latter taking charge, at a function arranged by staff of the General Administration Department, at Velagapudi Secretariat on Thursday. TODAY ALMANAC Aditya Nath Das assumes Month & Paksham: Margashirsha & Shukla Paksha Panchangam charge as Chief Secretary Tithi : Dwitiya: 09:32 am PNS n VIJAYAWADA had been handpicked by construction of Polavaram Nakshatram: Pushya: 08:15 pm Jagan’s father Dr YS project on time and we will Time to Avoid: (Bad time to start Aditya Nath Das, a 1987 batch Rajasekhar Reddy to oversee strive to meet this target. any important work) IAS officer, assumed charge as the crucial ‘Jala Yagnam’ pro- We will overcome all the Rahukalam: 10:57 am – 12:19 pm the Chief Secretary of Andhra gramme and he proved to be problems and take the state Yamagandam: 03:04 pm – 04:27 pm Pradesh amidst chants of Vedic the most successful irrigation forward. All our officials hymns on Thursday afternoon secretary in the history of will work to find solutions Varjyam: Nil, at a predetermined auspicious undivided Andhra Pradesh. for all the issues. I thank the Gulika: 08:12 am - 09:35 am muhurtham. More particularly, Das Chief Minister for giving Good Time: (to start any important work) His predecessor Nilam has sound and in depth me this opportunity to Amritakalam: 01:44 pm – 03:22 pm Sawhney has been appointed knowledge about the inter- serve the state as the CS,” principal adviser to the Chief state disputes of Krishna Das told reporters after Abhijit Muhurtham: 11:57 am – 12:41 pm Minister upon her retire- and Godavari waters. assuming charge. ment. “I’m happy to assume Aditya Nath Das was Before taking over as the charge as the CS and the born on June 30, 1961 in VIJAYAWADA CS, Das was the special chief opportunity given to me. Bihar. He joined civil ser- WEATHER secretary to the irrigation Government’s agenda is our vices in 1987 and started his Forecast: Sunny department handling the cru- agenda. I will ensure career as Assistant Collector Temp: 31/18 cial Polavaram project and smooth functioning of the in Vizianagaram district. Humidity: 61% other irrigation projects administration with better He studied at Banaras Sunrise: 06:46 am which are considered very coordination of all the Hindu University |(BHU) Sunset: 05:53 pm close to Chief Minister YS departments. and JNU and also worked as Current Weather Conditions Jaganmohan Reddy’s heart. The Chief Minister had a banker for a few months Updated December 31, 2020 5:00 PM Das, who hails from Bihar, set a target to complete the before joining civil services. VANTAGE POINT -NNARSIM Shiv Prakash to guide BJP’s AP, TS units PNS n NEW DELHI president. Joint organisational secre- The BJP made key organisa- tary Shiv Prakash will con- tional changes on Thursday, tinue in the same post but appointing joint general sec- with change in responsibili- retary (organisation) V ties. The BJP announced Satish to a newly-created these new appointments in a post of 'organiser' and statement. Saudan Singh, who also held the same post, to that of vice- 2 VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | JANUARY 1, 2021 vijayawada 02 Six arrested Amaravati farmers to join stir for child Amaravati IRR planned to marriage against farm laws in Delhi

PNS n HYDERABAD MARTI SUBRAHMANYAM benefit TDP backers: CID n AMARAVATI Six persons allegedly involved in forcibly marrying a minor Amaravati farmers, who have girl to a 57-year-old man Design approved at behest of Naidu who was also CRDA chairman been agitating for over an year were arrested by the against relocation of the state Falaknuma Police on SNV SUDHIR capital, plan to travel to Delhi Thursday. n VIJAYAWADA IRR was to and express solidarity with their The police rescued the vic- compatriots from Punjab and tim in the nick of time, with The preliminary investigation connect 27 Haryana who have been waging the elderly groom fleeing the by the CID into the alleged a stir against the Union govern- hotel in which he was staying. insider trading by the previous ment’s agricultural laws. The 16-year-old victim, a TDP government revealed that arterial roads Two buses carrying the farm- resident of Teegalkunta under the much-hyped Inner Ring Vijayawada: As per the final ers will reach Delhi where they the Falaknuma Police Station Road (IRR) design was alignment, the proposed IRR hope to highlight their own limits, has been living with finalised to benefit those who was to connect 27 arterial roads struggle against the State her aunt, Hoor Unnisa, after had close links with a select of the capital city. Government’s decentralisation her mother died a few years few. The IRR was to pass through decision and garner support for ago. Her father had remarried These select groups of people 41 villages of Krishna and their cause. and has been living in anoth- had worked in the proximity of Guntur, including a minor part Farmers, mainly from Punjab They have now drawn inspi- ject. The Jaganmohan Reddy er part of the city. former Chief Minister N of Kondapalli Reserve Forest. and Haryana, have been stag- ration from the Delhi protests government has been branding According to the police, Chandrababu Naidu and were IRR required 3,521.76 acres for ing protests on the outskirts of by farmers and hope that the farmers who pooled their lands earlier this month, Hoor believed to be privy to the exact Amaravati location official in Dec, its completion. Delhi demanding repeal of the ongoing protest would also as ‘paid artistes’, she pointed out. Unnisa conspired, along with details of the IRR along with CRDA had also made some Centre’s contentious agricul- draw attention to their struggle. The proposed trip to Delhi her husband Mir Farhathullah the coordinates of the amendments to the Zonal tural laws. Amaravati Mahila JAC con- has also found support of the and son Mir Rahmathullah, Amaravati capital city. land deals struck by Nov Development Plans of a few Barring the BJP and partners vener Sunkara Padma said that All-India Hindu Mahasabha to marry the girl off to some The IRR design was finalised Vijayawada: The CID found that per the official record, is the meeting of villages and tweaked the master of NDA, all other political out- going to Delhi would hopeful- AP president Velagapudi rich person. For this purpose, to aid a huge increase in real there was no official record of the the then Chief Minister N Chandrababu plan of Amaravati to fits are backing the farmers. ly bear fruit. Gopalakrishna Prasad. they had sought the help of estate value of the lands owned decision-making process of the state Naidu with the Advisory Committee accommodate the IRR, as a few During the winter session of Padma said that they had “In view of Covid and fewer two brokers, Mohammed by them, the CID is believed to between June and December 2014 as Members in his chambers on October areas were not a part of the the Lok Sabha, Amaravati farm- already met leaders of all polit- modes of commuting, protest- Abdul Rahman and Waseem have learnt. regards the exact location of the 25, 2014, about the dissolution of the master plan. ers and women had reached ical outfits in Delhi during the ers will reach Delhi in buses. Khan. They found a man More importantly, the CID Amaravati capital city, its extent and the existing VGTMUDA and creation of the The eight-lane IRR was to have Delhi and met national-level Lok Sabha session and hoped There are many who want to from Kerala who was willing found in the files that the IRR villages comprised therein and the CRDA. the right-of-way of 75 metres leaders to seek their support to that the country would notice join us, but we are taking a select to marry the girl, and accord- design was approved and Land Pooling Scheme and other The Advisory Committee that was set and its construction was to be their protests. the similarities between their few due to the biting cold in ingly the marriage was final- finalised at the intervention of infrastructural assets. Curiously, all the up by the TDP government to suggest taken up in two phases. While the Congress and Left protest and stir on the Delhi Delhi,” he said. ized, said Gajarao Bhupal, Naidu who was also the chair- land transactions that the CID has been the capital city was also called The first phase, of the length of expressed solidarity with the borders. “Amaravati farmers “Amaravati farmers have suf- DCP (South). On December man of CRDA. probing were done between June and Narayana Committee. The CID found 68.08 km, was to be between farmers, they remained a disap- got cheated at the hands of the fered financially, physically and 27, they took the girl to the CID is now looking if such November in 2014 and in the same that the passage of events as officially NH-65 at Kethanakonda on pointed lot since there was not Government after parting with mentally, but their resolve is office of Qazi, Mohammed decision making processes villages where the core capital city was recorded had indicated that neither the Hyderabad Highway and NH-16 much difference on the ground. their lands for Amaravati pro- firm,” Prasad said. Badiuddin Quadri, at were tailor-made to inflate to come up. The official records minutes of the Advisory Committee on by-pass -at Vedurupavuluru via Malakpet and solemnized the the real estate value of the disclosed that the only informa-tion let new capital city set up by the then TDP Chinakakani. The second phase, marriage, despite the girl lands held by these select few out into the public domain was in government, comprising P. Narayana, of 28.08 km, was to be laid resisting their attempts. The in and around the Amaravati regard to the meeting of the state the then Municipal Minister, Rajya between NH-16 by-pass at SCR to run spl police were alerted by the capital. Cabinet on September 1, 2014 to Sabha Member YS Choudary, Lok Vedurupavuluru and NH65 -at Jagan flags off disaster, step-brother of the girl, who After a Cabinet subcommit- locate the Capital City in and around Sabha Member Galla Jayadev and Kethanakonda on Hyderabad Highway via Kondapalli. trains between approached the Falaknuma tee submitted its report, the Vijayawada. A further development, as others. Police. The police formed Jaganmohan Reddy govern- access to the new capital at a Road and adjacent to the response to the writ filed by emergency response... special teams and arrested all ment had ordered a CID inves- length of 96.25-km by provid- boundary of the Land Pooling the accused to quash an FIR Vizag and the six persons, including tigation into the Amaravati ing a link between Amaravati, Scheme Zone. The investiga- registered related to Amaravati Continued from Page 1 ment for effective enforce- Quadri, though the groom land scam. Vijayawada and Guntur. tion further revealed that the land scam said that various ment of the Disha Act. Lingampalli fled the lodge in which he was The CID filed multiple A gazette was also issued design of the Inner Ring Road files pointed out that the The vehicles are equipped All the vehicles will be staying before the police could FIRs and started investigating notifying the IRR. was approved and finalised in approval and finalisation of the with various facilities like deployed from the control PNS n HYDERABAD get him. into the alleged murky land "It is to be noted that while such a fashion as to benefit the Inner Ring Road was at the radio equipment, public room immediately in case of The police initially regis- deals. a few of the accused have accused persons to cause a intervention of former chief address systems, network any incident, where each In order to clear extra rush, the tered a case under various According to the prelimi- purchased lands right within huge increase in real estate minister N Chandrababu video recording, and are vehicle can carry up to 10 South Central Railway will run sections of the Child Marriage nary investigation, the previ- the heart of the Amaravati cap- value of the lands owned by Naidu, acting in the capacity of designed to withstand severe crew members to the scene special trains between Act 2006, but later also added ous TDP government planned ital, a few of the accused have the accused," the CID recent- the Chairman of CRDA and P conditions including fire to and has a facility to live Visakhapatnam and Sections 120 B, 376 (2) (I) (N) and finalised IRR in purchased lands which are ly informed the High Court in Narayana, Minister for MA & come in handy during res- transmit the scene, that Lingampalli and will be fully and 420 of IPC and also Amaravati, ostensibly to pro- adjacent to the infrastructur- an affidavit. UD, as a member of the cue operations. allows to see and review reserved for passengers. Train Section 5 (N) of POCSO Act. vide quick and congestion-free al assets such as Inner Ring The affidavit filed in CRDA. The Chief Minister happenings at the scene No. 02831 Visakhapatnam - announced to hand over directly from the control Lingampalli festival special train another 36 Emergency room. A total of 92 staff will be operated from January Response Vehicles to the were also specially trained 9 to 31, which will depart Police Department, allocat- for these vehicles, which are Visakhapatnam at 6.20 am and Multi-purpose facility centres to KCR should merge ing two vehicles of each specially focused to save arrive Lingampalli at 7.40 pm police district, to a total of human lives. on the same day. In the return 18 police districts. DGP Gautam Sawang and direction, Train No. 02832 He said that the State other senior police officials Lingampalli - Visakhapatnam be built at Rs 10,235cr TRS with BJP, government is going to give were present at the launch festival special train will depart vehicles to the police depart- event. Lingampalli from January 10 PNS n VIJAYAWADA RBKs and they should be well publicised. Manufacturing says Congress Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan units of biopesticides and Reddy on Thursday said the biofertilisers should be state government will set up encouraged at village level. PNS n HYDERABAD enacting the dramas of rival- ACT Fibernet, Forum Sujana Mall fined multi-purpose facility centres, He said that "From Seed to ry to cheat people, KCR Rythu Bharosa Kendras, that Sale" should be the motto of Former Minister Mohammed should officially merge TRS ANUSHA PUPPALA a list of fines collected from change and make sure that would include agricultural RBKs and they should support Ali Shabbir on Thursday with the BJP," Shabbir Ali n HYDERABAD these establishments, after sev- their followers do not install marketing and food processing farmers in all activities rang- advised Chief Minister K said adding that TRS-BJP eral citizens raised questions on flexies for each and every func- centres with an estimated bud- ing form sowing seeds to sell- Chandrashekhar Rao to offi- merger would be best New The Enforcement, Vigilance whether penalties levied are tion"(sic). get of Rs 10,235 crore. ing the crop. cially merge Telangana Year's gift for people of and Disaster Management being collected. Vinay Vangla, a social During a review meeting on He said agriculture univer- Rashtra Samithi (TRS) with Telangana as they would (EVDM) wing of the Greater Most of these establishments activist, told The Pioneer, "We Dr YSR RBKs, Agricultural sities should prepare an action Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as realise that Modi-KCR were Hyderabad Municipal have erected unauthorised can witness the change, a lot of Marketing, Food Processing plan for the effective function- his government was imple- equal partners in deceiving Corporation (GHMC) has advertisements element above establishments started remov- and Amul project here, the ing of RBKs and also on the menting all the anti-people them. fined ACT Fibernet, Forum 15 feet in height from the ing/covering the Chief Minister said the con- provide quality inputs to farm- activities of RBKs to be cate- policies of Modi Government. Shabbir Ali, in a media state- Sujana Mall and others heavi- ground level. dangerous/inconvenient hoard- struction of multi-purpose ers on time. He said that gorised and a curriculum "Chief Minister first enact- ment on Thursday, said that ly for unauthorized advertise- According to the authorities, ings to the citizens. Good job facility centres should start in farmers should be informed should be prepared on market- ed the drama of opposing new TRS has been working as the B- ments in Hyderabad. erection of unauthorised adver- done by CEC team under the March 2021 and would be when seeds, fertilisers, pesti- ing, before harvest and after farm laws of BJP government Team of BJP since beginning. The EVDM collected Rs tisments, use of flashing lights leadership of EVDM Vishwajit completed within a year. cides, and the like will be harvest of the crop. and even supported the "KCR supported all the moves 17,44,000 from ACT Fibernet, or non-static illumination in the IPS in the illegal advertise- The facilities include ware- delivered as soon as they are Officials informed the Chief Bharat Bandh call given by of Prime Minister Narender Rs 16,50,000 from Forum advertisements, use of moving, ments area for the year 2020. houses, drying platform, col- ordered and it should be dis- Minister that an additional 125 farmers' Modi. He was the first CM to Sujana Mall, and Rs 7,50,000 rotating or variable message Request MAUD Minister to lection centres, cold rooms for played in RBKs as well. Urban RBKs would be set up organisation. He then took support demonitisation, GST from Sonovision this year. advertising devices etc is an increase the bandwidth to this storage, custom hiring centres, Jagan said quality aqua feed along with 10,641 RBKs and a U-turn and announced sup- and NITI Ayog. TRS MPs The wing collected Rs offence committed under sec- wing to assist public. If you primary processing centres, and aqua seed should be pro- the vehicles count in RBK port for the contentious agri- voted for BJP's candidates in the 5,00,000 fine from DSS Gold tion 420,421 of the GHMC Act. observe citizens are also assaying equipment, janata vided through RBKs. The labs hubs has been increased to 154 cultural laws. KCR also took elections for President of India, Pvt Limited and Rs 4,50,000 Srinivas, a resident said, "As involved in this program, bazaars, bulk milk cooling to be established at constituen- from existing 65. a U-turn on the implementa- Vice-President and Deputy fine from GVK One Mall, Rs said by EVDM there is change Citizens Administration Good units, cattle sheds and aqua cy level to determine the qual- They said 147 constituency tion of Ayushman Bharat Chairman of Rajya Sabha. CM 4,00,000 from Vijaya Diagnostic happening, but it is not enough; policies is always a deadly com- infra in select villages, pro- ity of feed and seeds should be level integrated labs will start Yojna in Telangana which he also supported BJP in Triple Centre, Rs 3,91,000 from OM a lot more needs to be done. I bination for success. Wish we curement centres and e-mar- linked with RBKs. functioning from March had opposed earlier on the Talaq Bill, Article 370 and Books Foundation, Rs 3,00,000 prefer more than fining having soon see Swachh Hyderabad keting. The products of organic 31and added that 13 district pretext that Aarogyasri was other issues. CM also support- from Paradise, Rs 3,00,000 and the things removed and educat- with no public places deface- The Chief Minister said and natural farming methods level integrated agri labs will more comprehensive and bet- ed the NRC and did not oppose Rs 3,00,000 Kalyan Jewellers. ing them will bring the real ments and increase in social that it was very important to should be brought under be set up by June 30. ter. Therefore, instead of CAA in a formal manner. On Thursday, the wing released change. First politicians need to responsibility in the Citizens".

VIJAYAWADA BULLION RATES Shiv Prakash to guide GOLD People's farewell to retiring Judge ` 50, 960 (10 gm) Continued from Page 1 made certain observations over ` 00 BJP’s AP, TS units the transfer of the AP High HC punishes DGP, other top Centre notifies SILVER Justice Rakesh Kumar, who Court Chief Justice, Justice JK ` 72, 400 (1kg) Continued from Page 1 the party's work in hails from Bihar, served as a Maheshwari. Assembly CJ Maheswari... ` 100 Rajasthan, Gujarat and judge of the AP High Court for "I am not raising any ques- police brass... Shiv Prakash, who was Maharashtra. Saudan Singh, 18 months and was a part of tion on the transfer of Hon'ble secretary in Continued from Page 1 earlier looking after the who was stationed in Raipur benches that delivered several Chief Justices... but, at the Continued from Page 1 CHICKEN party's work in Uttarakhand, and looking after the party's verdicts against state govern- same time, I am constrained to contempt The Law Ministry RATES `/KG Uttar Pradesh and West work in Madhya Pradesh, ments acts. observe that transfer of High The court heard the writ also notified the trans- Bengal, will now be posi- Chhattisgarh, Bihar and He has also pulled up the Court judges or its Chief Continued from Page 1 and issued notices to the top fer of Justice Satish Dressed/With Skin `158 tioned in Bhopal, and will Jharkhand, will now be post- state Director General of Police Justices may reflect some trans- police brass. Chandra Sharma, Without Skin `180 look after the BJP's work in ed in Chandigarh and will over 'failure' to ensure rule of parency and for betterment or The court also ordered While counsel for the DIG judge of the Madhya Broiler at Farm `109 Madhya Pradesh, take care of the party's work law. upliftment of the administra- that Balakrishnamacharyulu Mohana Rao appeared before Pradesh High Court, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, in the union territory, "The High Court, with a tion of justice," Justice Rakesh would have to undergo the court, the principal sec- as a judge of the Andhra Pradesh, Telangana Haryana, Punjab and view to protecting the rights of Kumar noted. imprisonment for one week retary home, DGP and the IG Karnataka High Court. EGG and West Bengal. Himachal Pradesh. citizens has passed a number of "After all, they are also hold- if he defaulted on payment of neither made a personal Another notification Satish will now take care All three leaders, Satish, orders setting aside incorrect or ing Constitutional post like the fine. appearance or through coun- said Justice Joymalya RATES `/100 of coordination with the Prakash and Singh, are full- unsustainable orders passed member of Hon'ble Supreme The HC observed that the sels. Angered at this, the Bagchi, judge of the VIJAYAWADA 521 party's parliamentary office, time RSS pracharaks and by the Government of Andhra Court Collegium," he had said Assembly secretary attracted High Court bench issued Calcutta High Court, HYDERABAD 485 the SC/ST morcha and its were loaned by the BJP's Pradesh," Justice Rakesh in an order by a division bench contempt of court by not notices asking these officials has been transferred special contact programme. ideological parent to the saf- Kumar noted in an order. which directed criminal pros- honouring the court verdict to appear before it. as a judge of the VISAKHAPATNAM 505 He was earlier looking after fron party. Just a day before his retire- ecution against an IAS officer on outsourced employees. Later, the court posted the Andhra Pradesh High RETAIL PRICE `5. 21 ment, Justice Rakesh Kumar for perjury. matter to January 25. Court. (IN HYDERABAD)

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Tie up leaders, `17,904 crore released to officials to trees TDP decries attacks on if they demand temples, targets political rivals bribes: MLA PNS n VIJAYAWADA strengthen Discoms: Balineni PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM Lokesh demands Former minister and senior PNS n VIJAYAWADA objective of the Government, YSRCP MLA (Palamaner) N TDP leader Ch Ayyana Patrudu arrest of Balineni said that all out efforts Venkate Gowda on Thursday on Thursday blamed the 'neg- Revealing that the State were being made rescue power asked beneficiaries of govern- ligent and indifferent' attitude of Proddatur MLA Government has released Rs utilities from the financial cri- ment schemes to tie up lead- the YSRCP Government for the 17,904 crore in 2019-20 to sis. ers or government officials to unchecked attacks on Hindu PNS n VIJAYAWADA clear subsidy arrears, Energy “As the Government had a tree if they demanded temples and idols all over the Minister Balineni Srinivas focused more on cost effective bribes to sanction their ben- State over the past 19 months. TDP national general secre- Reddy on Thursday said that power, the utilities successful- efits. Ayyana Patrudu also pointed tary and former Minister this was part of the measures ly procured low cost power in “You tie any person, be it out that BJP AP president Somu gangsters are rearing their ugly Nara Lokesh, along with the taken to improve the finances the open market. The leaders or government Veerraju was unusually silent heads ever since the YSRCP party senior leaders, on of Discoms. Government is determined to employees and inform the over the latest act of desecration. came to power,” he said. Thursday took part in the “Out of subsidy arrears of Rs make Andhra Pradesh the des- police or me,” said the pub- In a statement here, the TDP The former minister said funeral rites of slain leader 13,391 crore pending as on tination for cost effective lic representative. leader wondered why Veerraju that Sanchaita Gajapati Raju Nandam Subbaiah in March 31, 2019, the State gov- power. This would benefit His comment soon went was not opening his mouth on was brought to destroy Proddatur. Thousands of sup- ernment released Rs 8,655 every consumer in the State viral on social networking the desecration of the Srirama MANSAS in order to loot the porters and sympathisers also crore in 2019-20 and Rs 9,249 and boost industrial and eco- platforms. idol when he used to speak of huge property. “Sanchaita was bade adieu to Subbaiah. crore towards subsidy nomic development,” the “YSRCP government has Srirama as the sole property of like a ganja plant in the lush Lokesh said that TDP chief announced in 2019-20 and clear the bills that were pend- “The State will witness a Minister said. delivered its promises launch- the BJP. green Ashoka garden,” Ayyana N Chandrababu Naidu had other charges,” Balineni said. ing as on March 31, 2019. The rapid growth in various sectors, He said that the Government ing various schemes for the “Even Swamijis and Patrudu said. announced financial assis- He was addressing electric- total bills cleared by the including industrial and agri- was also giving top priority to benefit of people. We would Peethadhipatis are not breaking Terming it a Constitutional tance of Rs 20 lakh on behalf ity department employees after Discoms were Rs 34,384 crore cultural which will drive elec- the agriculture sector and not let any person ask for a their silence on the obligation for any Government of the party for Subbaiah unveiling the New Year calen- in 2019- 20, he said. tricity growth manifold in the implementing 9-hours free bribe for issuing benefits Ramatheertham incident. Such to respect all religions, he said family. All put together, the dar and diary of APTransco, The Minister said the state future. In view of this, the gov- power during day time to all under any scheme,” he said. atrocities only happen if a crim- that a strange situation was TDP and its Kadapa district APGenco, Discoms, APSECM, government wants to create a ernment has strongly deter- 18.5 lakh agriculture services. “Opposition parties have inal facing a large number of prevailing in Andhra Pradesh. leaders had extended Rs 34 APSEEDCO and APNRED- sustainable and financially mined to strengthen power The government also allocated been spreading false propa- cases is given power,” the TDP “The Jagan regime is following lakh to Aparajita, wife of the CAP at a programme organ- robust power sector in the utilities to address the future Rs 8,353.58 crore to the free ganda that money is being leader said. its own Constitution and attacks slain leader, and their children. ised by the APCPDCL at State and provide round-the- challenges,” the Minister said. power scheme and released Rs demanded from the benefi- “It’s deplorable that an inef- continue unabated on the Addressing a press con- Vidyut Soudha on Thursday. clock access to affordable and Stating that providing 1700 crore to improve power ciaries for schemes such as ficient and undeserving Chief Hindu temples and idols. The ference, Lokesh demanded Balineni added that the state quality electricity to all sectors round-the-clock access to supply infrastructure, including housing and land pattas in Minister does not dare to con- TDP would agitate and contin- immediate arrest of government also released Rs in the State for now and future affordable and quality electric- new substations and moderni- my constituency,” the MLA demn the incident for obvious ue its fight till justice is done,” Proddatur MLA 20,384 crore to Discoms to generations as well. ity to all sectors was the prime sation of lines, Balineni added. said. reasons. The criminals and he added. Rachamallu Siva Prasada Reddy, his brother-in-law Bangaru Reddy and also Municipal Commissioner N. Anuradha. Rooftop solar power plant at RINL The DSP, who was now investigating the case, must PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM ternity. speed up the investigation Kishore Chandra Das, and file the chargesheet at the RINL-Visakhapatnam Steel Plant Director (Personnel), RINL, earliest. The accused should chairman and managing direc- the guest of honour also appre- be produced in court, the tor PK Rath on Thursday inau- ciated the VSGH collective for TDP leader demanded. gurated a roof-top solar power their dedicated services. He Lokesh pleaded for quick plant at TTI building here. also lauded the cooperation and impartial action from the “RINL is always on the fore- and coordination rendered by police, failing which all the front in implementing environ- Town Administration Dept, TDP leaders and cadres ment friendly projects and this a part of Power purchase place at TTI Auditorium at HR Dept and Works Dept in would storm into Proddatur is one of those,” said Rath, con- agreement for a period of 25 RINL-VSP on Thursday. containing the Covid 19 in the to press for justice. gratulating the employees who years with RINL for setting up Addressing the gathering, premises of Vizag Steel and its “Action should be taken to strove hard to complete the 500kW Rooftop solar pro- chief guest PK Rath congratu- Township. include the names of the MLA, project on time and encour- jects. RINL’s Directors, EDs, lated all the staff of VSGH who He reminded that VSGH his brother-in-law and the aged them to maintain the Senior officers, provided their services with took many timely health initia- municipal commissioner in same pace with the upcoming Representatives of executive dedication and sincerity tives like making ready for the FIR before the 15-day projects. association and trade unions throughout the tense peak fever clinic, Covid ward, ven- deadline. The DSP had already Rooftop solar power plant and employees participated in period of Covid-19. He said tilators and quarantine centres taken the statement of Aparajita was designed, supplied and the function. that the way RINL fought etc. He thanked the Covid under Section 161 and assured commissioned by M/s The 29th formation day cel- against the Covid-19 gave con- volunteers who offered their to file it in the court for taking Cleanmax Enviro energy ebrations of Visakha Steel fidence and it was a morale services during the critical further action as per her state- solutions pvt ltd, Mumbai as General Hospital (VSGH) took boost for the entire RINL fra- period. ment,” Lokesh added. Tirumala Pedda Jeeyar prays Waltair Railway division transports BHEL bags Rs 3,200 cr projects in AP, TS PNS n NEW DELHI BHEL is also projects will be manufactured to Balaji on his Tirunakshatram first fly-ash rake at BHEL's manufacturing units State-run engineering firm executing another in Bhopal, Jhansi, Rudrapur PNS n VIJAYAWADA emonially brought from phy by Bhagavad BHEL on Thursday said it has and Bengaluru while supervi- Banyan tree near the old Ramanujacharya. All the from NTPC bagged orders worth Rs 3,200 order for 18 pump- sion of Erection and Pontiff of Tirumala Periya Annadanam building to Bedi daily Kaikaryas, utsavas, rit- PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM crore for hydro projects in motor sets of Commissioning (E&C) at site Koil Kelvi Appan Shatagopa Anjaneya temple and after uals and religious practices at Andhra Pradesh and will be done by BHEL's power Ramanuja Pedda Jeeyar darshan and Shatari was the Srivari temple are eing With focus on new areas of Telangana. Palamuru-Rangareddy sector — Southern Region Swami had the benign bless- taken to Srivari temple supervised by the Pedda Jiyar freight traffic, Waltair "BHEL has bagged signifi- LIS in Telangana division, Chennai. ings of Lord Venkateswara in amidst Mangala Vaidyam for Swami. Railway Division of East cant orders, valued at Rs 3,200 BHEL has been a significant Tirumala temple on the occa- Srivari Darshan. TTD Trust Board chair- Coast Railway transported crore, for Electro-Mechanical partner in the development of sion of his 71st It may be mentioned here man YV Subba Reddy, TTD the first fly-ash rake from (E&M) works for a Hydro Power Generation Corporation Rangareddy LIS (package 5&8) the hydro power sector of Tirunakshatram on that the Tirumala Pedda Jiyar EO KS Jawahar Reddy, addi- Simhadri Super Thermal Electric Project (HEP) in Limited (APGENCO), is locat- in Telangana. Andhra Pradesh and Thursday. Mutt was set up by exponent tional EO AV Dharma Reddy Power Plant (NTPC), Andhra Pradesh and E&M ed in the East Godavari district The above orders have been Telangana, with its sets The senior pontiff was cer- of Visishta Advaita philoso- and others were present. Visakhapatnam. (electrical and mechanical) of Andhra Pradesh. received by BHEL from the accounting for 72 per cent The rake is being loaded to works of pump-motor sets for Pump-motor sets order for EPC (engineering procure- and 44 per cent of the installed ACC limited private siding Lift Irrigation Schemes (LIS) in LIS projects in Telangana ment and construction) con- capacity respectively. served by Thondebhavi sta- Telangana," a BHEL statement include 15 sets (1,992 MW) for tractor for the projects Megha Moreover, BHEL sets tion, South Western Railway, said. Kaleshwaram LIS and 13 sets Engineering & Infrastructure account for 45 per cent of the which is about 944 km from The order for E&M works (1,885 MW) for Palamuru- Limited (MEIL). India's total installed hydro the Simhadri Super Thermal for 12x80 MW Polavaram Rangareddy LIS (package 1 & BHEL's scope of work in all power capacity and BHEL's Power Plant. hydro power project in Andhra 16). These LIS projects are the above projects includes portfolio of over 500 hydro- The fly ash generated at Pradesh envisages manufacture being developed by the design, engineering, manufac- electric sets, with a cumulative NTPC stations as a byprod- and supply of India's highest Irrigation & CAD Department, turing, supply and supervision capacity of more than 30,000 uct is dumped into the sea or unit-rating Kaplan hydro tur- government of Telangana. of erection, testing & commis- MW globally, is a testimony to other land filling locations. bines, the company said. BHEL is also executing sioning of the equipment and BHEL's market leadership in This causes environmental Polavaram project, being another order for 18 pump- associated auxiliaries. the hydro business segment, pollution and is also a safety developed by Andhra Pradesh motor sets of Palamuru- Major equipment for the the company added. hazard. The fly ash is ideal for use in the manufacture of cement, concrete, concrete products, cellular concrete Jobless, lockdown victims are products, bricks/blocks/ tiles etc. Mostly, the fly ash is transported by road which is Outgoing Chief Secretary Nilam Sawhney takes a picture for posterity with her successor Aditya Nath Das at a function leading to environmental pol- easy prey for cyber crooks arranged by staff of the General Administration Department of Andhra Pradesh, on Thursday lution. SUMIT ONKA n VISAKHAPATNAM

Cyber crooks are finding grad- Crime against kids up by 20% in uates in Vizag, left unemplo- yed due to the Covid-19 pan- demic, soft targets these days. Every month, at least 10 to Vizianagaram, 4.5% against women 15 youngsters from Vizag city are falling victim to online job PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM against children in this year,” frauds. The actual number of Figures speak n 10,361 FIRs registered in 2020 against 8,492 in 2019 she added. victims could be much higher Vizianagaram district saw a 4.5 The police officer said that as most of the youngsters hes- per cent increase in crime against n 2,774 cases were a total of 309 property offences itate to lodge complaints with women and 20 per cent increase related to Covid-19 were reported and property the police. in crime against children this lockdown violations worth Rs 1.34 crore was stolen The cyber crooks are com- year compared to 2019. n 155 cases cheating and in the district in 2020 while the ing up with new methods to The bodily offences economic offences cases number was 327 cases and the dupe the gullible, and often increased in the district while registered property lost was Rs 1.3 crore desperate unemployed young- property offences decreased n 97 cases of crime in 2019. The police managed to sters on the pretext of online slightly in 2020. against SCs/STs detect 53 per cent of the prop- jobs and also employment in Vizianagaram police chief B n Bodily offences increased erty offences and recovered 64 various private firms. Raja Kumari said that in the from 535 from 436 per cent of the stolen proper- Inspector of Cybercrimes rant youngsters shortlist and appointment letters make the either in metro cities or in tier- category of ‘crime against ty in this year. police station, Vizag, RVRK send the CVs to those firms. aspirants suspicious and they II cities via a job search site. A women’, a total of 505 cases In crime against children in 77 cases of crime against chil- Cyber crooks continued to Choudhary said that some The fake firms and consultan- withdraw from the job offer decent offer from a Delhi were reported in 2020 while the district, a total of 77 cases dren in the district in 2020, 63 dupe netizens with innovative fake firms and consultancies cies sent mails to gullible per- and demand for the refund. based firm tempted him. the number was 483 in 2019 in were reported in 2020 while it cases were registered under the methods in 2020 as there was register with job search sites to sons and later conducted When they don't get their However, by the time Kumar the district. was 64 in 2019. The police said Protection of Children from a marginal decrease in the identify their victims as the interviews over phone. The money back, they realise that realised that it was a scam, he This included four rapes, ten that rapes increased to 10 in Sexual Offences Act-2012. cybercrime. A total of 75 unemployed young graduates unemployed are offered place- they have been cheated. The had paid over Rs 1 lakh (for murders (women), two dowry 2020 from four in 2019 and also Similarly, in 2019, out of the 64 cybercrimes were reported in (BTech, MBA, MTech, BSc ments in various firms and Covid-19 pandemic is among registration fee, laptop, insur- murders, 31 statutory rapes, the incidents of kidnapping of cases of crime against children, 2020 while the number was 98 and other courses) register asked to give some amount — the major reasons for the rise ance and others). Kumar 231 cases of harassment, seven girls increased to 22 from 13. A 60 cases were registered under in 2019 in the district. Over 50 with them. from Rs 1lakh to Rs 3 lakh — in such crimes. approached cops of cyber- cases of abetment of suicide total of 25 statutory rapes were POCSO-Act. “We have opened per cent of the total cyber- “Based on the request of the for the appointment letters,” An MBA graduate from crime police station in Vizag and 214 cases of outrage of reported in the category. rowdy-sheets against 28 per- crime were related to financial firms, the job search sites, he said. Vizag city KS Kumar (name city seeking action against the modesty of women. Raja Kumari said that of the sons for committing crimes frauds. which receive CVs from aspi- The delay in getting the changed) was looking for a job cyber crooks. VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | JANUARY 1, 2021 nation 04 Covid: Low-risk Vitamin D can Lone BJP member in Ker Assembly supports resolution against farm laws strengthen immune response PNS n THIRUVANANTHAPURAM In an unprecedented move, PNS n NEW DELHI of the experts are based in BJP's lone member in the Ker Assembly passes unanimous developed countries where Kerala Assembly, O There is no clinical evidence Vitamin D daily supplementa- Rajagopal, on Thursday, sup- to prove low levels of Vitamin tion may be feasible, practical ported the resolution seeking resolution against central farm laws D lead to severe COVID-19 and affordable. scrapping of the three con- symptoms but there is a defi- “But that is not the case tentious farm laws against PNS n THIRUVANANTHAPURAM quarantine after recovering from nite connect between the with India. Vitamin D defi- which farmers have been agi- COVID-19, was not present in the “sunshine vitamin” and ciency is extremely common tating for over a month at the Expressing solidarity with the House. In his reply,senior immune responses to the dis- in India. Regular supplemen- Delhi border. agitating farmers in Delhi, the congress leader K C Joseph ease, say experts as the pan- tation is not part of standard Chief Minister Pinarayi Kerala Assembly on Thursday (Congress) attacked the Governor demic spreads across the recommendations, not even Vijayan had moved the reso- unanimously passed a resolution for not convening the house on world and concerns mount for pregnant women,” Bal, lution at a special session on demanding the immediate December 23. Joseph said over a new mutant strain. visiting professor at Pune's Thursday which was unani- withdrawalof the threecontentious though the Governor's act was a Stressing that Vitamin D is Indian Institute of Science mously passed by the House central laws, saying they were challenge to democracyas a inexpensive and has negligible Education and Research, told with the ruling LDF, "anti-farmer" and "pro-corporate" recommendation of a majority risk when compared to the mental bodies and NGOs,” this is so should compel PTI. Opposition Congress-led and would push the farming government had not been considerable risk of COVID- Haq told PTI. urgent gathering of more vit- “If individuals are heavily defi- UDF and the BJP supporting community into a deep crisis. In a accepted, "what surprised us was 19, global researchers on the According to the letter, amin D data. Even without cient, supplementation as recom- it. rare gesture, not only the the cold response of the disease have asked govern- which had 171 signatories by more data, the preponder- mended in the letter is likely to "The resolution was passed legislators of the ruling CPI(M)- government to the Governor's ments to make it part of their Wednesday, evidence suggests ance of evidence indicates take weeks or months to achieve unanimously. I have told my headed LDF and Congress-led action". Two ministers were then strategy against the novel the possibility that the that increased vitamin D desirable levels of Vitamin D in views... with regard to some UDF, but the lone BJP member in was clear that the major cause of sent with Christmas cake to the coronavirus. COVID-19 pandemic sustains would help reduce infections, the serum,” she said. matters (in the resolution) the 140-member state Assembly, the agitation was the possible Raj Bhavan and they pleaded Many factors such as age, itself in large part through hospitalizations, ICU admis- The scientist added that there was a difference of O Rajagopal, also supported the price drop for agriculture before the Governor to convene being male and comorbidities infection of those with low sions, & deaths,” it said. this cannot be considered an opinion, which I had point- resolution against the Centre, products due to these laws, he the session, he charged. are known to predispose indi- Vitamin D and deaths are As debate on the matter emergency measure, when the ed out in the House", saying "it is the democratic spirit." added. As agriculture is the state Joseph said the controversial viduals to higher risk from concentrated largely in those escalated, immunologist country lacks manpower and Rajagopal told mediapersons However, Rajagopal opposed subject and it is an issue which laws were passed by the Centre exposure to SARS-CoV-2, but with deficiency. Vineeta Bal added a note of facilities even for the vaccine after the session. some of the references in the directly affects the states, the 100 days ago and some state inadequate Vitamin D is by far “The mere possibility that scepticism, noting that most programme. "I fully support the resolu- resolution, which was presented Union Government should have governments,including the most easily and quickly In her view, Vitamin D sup- tion", he said. in a nearly two-hour-long special convened the meetings of the Punjab, had already passed a modifiable risk factor with plementation should be a When pointed out that the session convened in compliance inter-state committees and held resolution against it and abundant evidence to sup- long-term, non-emergency resolution was for scrapping with COVID-19 protocols. Moving detailed consultations, he said. broughtin a legislation. port a large beneficial effect, 199 UK returnees will be traced measure and something that the three central farm laws, the resolution, Chief Minister "So, the Kerala Assembly requests The state government should said Prof Afrozul Haq, former could be useful in the Rajagopal said he supported Pinarayi Vijayan alleged that the the Centre to accept the have brought in a legislation and dean of the School of by Thursday night: Health Minister COVID-19 scenario as well. it (resolution). central laws have been amended justifiabledemands raised by passed a resolution, he said Interdisciplinary Sciences and “Not just Vitamin D, other "I supported the resolution to help the corporates. The Centre farmers, who are the backbone of adding the three laws were Technology (SIST) at New PNS n BENGALURU vitamins and micronutrients and the central government had presented and passed the the country, and take immediate unconstitutional and against the Delhi's Jamia Hamdard such as zinc have also shown should withdraw the three three agriculture laws in steps to withdraw the three federal structure as states were University. Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar on Thursday exuded beneficial effects,” she farm laws," the senior BJP Parliament at a time when the controversial farm laws," the Chief not consulted. Raising objections, He is one of the 170 experts confidence that the 199 returnees from the United Kingdom who explained. According to Prof leader said, adding he agreed agriculture sector was facing a Minister added. The session was the BJP legislator, Rajagopal said who earlier this month wrote went untraceable will be tracked by the end of the day. Desperate to Srijit Mishra, another signato- with the general consensus in severe crisis, he said. "The three heldafter Governor Arif those who oppose the central an open letter on the matter. prevent the spread of the UK mutation of the coronavirus, the ry to the letter, the recommen- the House. That is the demo- contentious agri laws were Mohammed Khan had in an laws were the ones who oppose Calling for immediate wide- Karnataka government is tracking all those who returned from dation is Vitamin D intake for cratic spirit, he added. passed even without sending unprecedented action earlier farmers. "The Congress had spread increased Vitamin D Britain. So far, seven people were found infected by the new variant adults of up to 4,000 interna- Speaker P Sreeramakrsihanan them to the standing committee turned down the plea of the LDF mentioned this law in their intake, the letter posted on the of the virus. Speaking to reporters here, Sudhakar said 199 people tional Units (IU) or 100 said the resolution had been of Parliament. If this agitation government to convene a special election manifesto before. The website vitamindforall.org were untraceable of which 97 are foreign nationals, which is why the microgrammes (mcg) daily. passed by the House and no one continues, it will severely affect session on December 23 to new law is meant to double the states that “research shows government was unable to find their contact numbers. Now, the Those at an increased risk of had objected. Kerala, which is a consumer discuss the contentious laws income of farmers," he said low vitamin D levels almost Home Department is trying to find them out. "Of the 199 people, 24 deficiency due to excess When pointed that he was state," he said. Stating that the saying Chief Minister Vijayan had during the discussion. certainly promote COVID- were identified on Wednesday. Most probably, we will find out the weight, dark skin, or living in going against his party's reforms in the field of agriculture not addressed the question raised However, he did not object to it 19 infections, hospitalisations, rest of the people by the evening," the Minister said. Of the 1,614 care homes may need higher stand, Rajagopal said in a should be implemented as by him on the nature of when the Speaker P and deaths”. people who have arrived from the United Kingdom, 30 had tested intakes. democratic system, we need carefully envisioned, he said with emergency warranting the very Sreeramakrishnan put the “This campaign group of positive for COVID-19 using the RT-PCR method, he said. Besides “The current evidence sug- to go as per consensus. the implementation of the laws, brief session. Law Minister A K resolution for voice vote. Vitamin D and COVID-19 them, four of their contacts too were found infected with the virus. gests that 25-hydroxyvitamin While speaking during the the bargaining power of farmers Balan and Agricultural Minister V "The resolution was passed researchers, including myself, "As you all know that seven were found infected with the mutated D serum levels over 30 session, Rajagopal had said would be weakened, giving an S Sunil Kumar, had met Khan on unanimously. I have told my started the process to write version of COVID-19, which the Centre has already announced. After nanograms per millilitre the new laws will protect advantage to the corporate sector. Friday last after the state views... with regard to some this letter for the purpose to that no new cases have come to the light," he explained. The 30 UK (ng/ml), a test to measure farmers interests and middle- The laws did not have any government decided afresh to matters (in the resolution) there make all aware about the ben- returnees and four of their contacts have tested positive for Vitamin D level is a widely men will be avoided. provision to ensure legal convene a one day session on was a difference of opinion, which efits of Vitamin D supplemen- coronavirus, the minister said adding, the state government is endorsed minimum to reduce Those opposing the laws protection for farmers, Vijayan December 31 to discuss and pass I had pointed to in the House. I tation in COVID-19 infected treating 34 people in the hospital under strict medical supervision. COVID-19 risk,” Mishra, from were standing against farm- said adding that they do not have a resolution against the farm fully support the resolution," patients and sending this let- "All of them are stable. None of them have any serious ailment. We Mumbai's Indira Gandhi ers, he said adding the new the capacity to wage a legal battle laws. Leader of Opposition Rajagopal told mediapersons after ter to all health ministries, are also keeping a close watch on all the people who were in contact Institute of Development laws would double the with the corporates for this. It Ramesh Chennithala, who is in the session. healthcare workers, govern- with them," Sudhakar said. Research (IGIDR), said. income of farmers. SHORT TAKES Delhi: 38 UK returnees found positive for Over 36K ventilators delivered to Two killed as ambulance hits COVID; new strain detected in four patients bike on Shishganj-Chaneta road PNS n NEW DELHI govt hospitals amid Covid: Govt wo men were killed PNS n Twhen their motorcycle Four persons who recently came NEW DELHI exported to several countries, was hit by an ambulance to Delhi from the UK and tested the ministry said. on the Shishganj-Chaneta positive for COVID-19, have been The Health Ministry said on There are already nearly road in Uttar Pradesh's found infected with the new Thursday that it had ensured 1,700 indigenous manufactur- Bareilly district, police said strain of coronavirus, Health delivery of 36,433 ventilators to ers and suppliers registered on on Thursday. The deceased Minister Satyendar Jain said on government hospitals in the the government e-marketplace, were identified as Ram Thursday. Interacting with country and the average cost with dozens already certified Prakash (30) and his reporters, he said, a total of 38 now ranges between Rs 2-10 by the Bureau of Indian relative Indrapal (20), they people have been found positive lakh as the domestic industry Standards. Nearly 1.7 crore said. Ram Prakash died on since coming to Delhi from the took up manufacturing of the lakh PPE kits have been dis- the spot in the accident that occurred on Wednesday evening near UK recently, and kept in a equipment. tributed free of cost to the Bhitauli Nagla village, Circle Officer (CO) Mirganj Ramanand Rai separate institutional isolation The ministry underlined states, Union territories and said. After getting information about the incident, police reached unit in the LNJP Hospital that all public health facilities central institutions. the spot and took Indrapal to hospital, where he was declared dead, premises. "Four such patients in the country had only around in fact, no standard specifica- "The buffer stock of PPE kits the CO said. The official said efforts are on to trace the ambulance have been found infected with 16,000 ventilators from the tions for these products which available with the central and driver who fled the scene after the accident. The bodies were sent the new UK strain of COVID-19. And, so, it had been decided to transmissible UK strain. A formal Independence till pre-COVID are essential in the fight against state governments has grown for post-mortem, police said. The persons who came in their make LNJP Hospital and GTB order stated that not more than times. the pandemic." from about 2 lakh in March to contact have been also traced Hospital, partial COVID-19 five people will be allowed to But in less than 12 months, The central government more than 89 lakh at present. and tested, and its not in them. facilities now. All services, assemble at public places in 36,433 'Make in India' ventila- recognised the challenges The average price has come NY celebrations to remain So, only these four cases of new including the OPD will be soon Delhi during night curfew to tors have been supplied to all posed by the pandemic in the down substantially from near- strain in Delhi so far," he said. resumed gradually," Jain said. avoid large gatherings in view of the public health facilities, it very initial stages and success- ly Rs 600 to about Rs 200 per "Flights have been stopped and On the preparedness for the COVID-19. On COVID-biowaste said in a statement. fully ensured more than ade- kit in 9 months," the ministry low key affair in Kerala those who came before that are vaccination, he said, work is on generation, he said, it is the All export restrictions on quate availability and supplies said. he New Year celebrations in the being traced and tested to set up 1,000 vaccination responsibility of the civic bodies ventilators have now been of essential medical items There were only three sup- Tstate will be a low key affair as rigorously," he added. Delhi centres. Jain said the night and they are doing it. Amid removed and 'Make in India' across the country, according pliers of N-95 masks with a the state police have imposed strict recorded 677 COVID-19 cases curfew has been imposed as the mounting concerns over the new ventilators are being exported. to the ministry. production capacity of less guidelines regarding the same. The and 21 new fatalities on situation is under control right variant of the COVID-19, the The year witnessed tremen- In the case of personal pro- than 1 lakh masks per day. health department has already Wednesday, even as the now, but huge gatherings could Delhi government had earlier said dous achievements in the med- tective equipment (PPE), India Now over 3,000 manufacturers issued guidelines to organise positivity rate dropped to 0.8 per spell trouble again. The Delhi that people who had arrived here ical supplies sector in the has now become the world's and suppliers, including 1,509 celebrations adhering to strict cent, authorities said. government has imposed night recently from that country, are country, the ministry said. second-largest manufacturer BIS-certified ones, of N-95 Covid protocol. With the state "Positivity rate has dropped to curfew from 11 pm to 6 am on being traced and tested, while an "At the beginning of the from a miniscule domestic masks are already registered on showing a steady surge of Covid positive cases after the local body 0.8 per cent from 15.26 per cent December 31 and January 1 to institutional quarantine facility pandemic, India was almost production capacity in March. the government portal and elections, the government is not taking any risks. The state police on November 7. About 85 per avoid large gatherings during has been set up separately for totally dependent on import- There is a production capaci- the domestic production has issued orders to end all the celebrations by 10 p.m. and this cent beds are vacant, so the New Year celebrations due to positive cases at the LNJP ed ventilators, PPE kits and N- ty of more than 10 lakh PPE capacity has risen to more has not gone down well with the people of the state. On condition situation has improved a lot. COVID-19 and its highly Hospital. 95 masks," it said. "There were, coveralls per day and it is also than 8 lakh per day, it said. of anonymity, a senior health department official said. “There is an increase in the number of Covid cases in the state and local body polls have added to this. We need to conduct maximum number of tests and we know that several people are allowing themselves the luxury of not adhering to Covid protocol. This has to be objected BJP gains new grounds in ’20 but ryots protest poses challenge and opposed." On the strict orders of the state police, Mithun George, a student activist, said, "It is very unfortunate that the state However, challenges emerged wider unrest India have seen the seats it fought. The BJP's perfor- police has brought in such an order. People were planning for the PNS n NEW DELHI for the BJP as the year drew to BJP making hectic efforts to mance in Bihar despite apparent celebrations from last few months.” a close. reach out to the peasantry, while anti-incumbency factor at work Prime Minister Narendra Mass protests from a large the government works to defuse against Kumar was notable as it Modi's call to convert 'aapda' section of farmers, especially the crisis. was powered largely by the cen- (crisis) into 'avsar' (opportuni- from Punjab, against sweeping If the year started on a bad tral government's welfare mea- Bring back 39 Indian sailors ty) paid the BJP rich dividends reforms brought in the agricul- note for BJP president J P sures during the pandemic and in a year when the COVID-19 ture sector through three laws by Nadda, who took over from the Modi's appeal amid absence of stuck in China: Sena convulsed the society and the the Modi government have pre- formidable Amit Shah in any regional leader with a state- economy as a mix of the ruling sented it with one of the most January, after the party suffered wide draw. The prime minister's he Shiv Sena on Thursday dispensation's welfare measures, serious challenges since it first yet another rout in the Delhi call for converting the 'aapda' in Turged the Centre to bring organisational might and ideo- came to power in 2014. assembly polls in February in its the form of the COVID-19 cri- back the 39 Indian sailors logical drive saw the saffron Shiromani Akali Dal, one of first major elections under him, sis into 'avsar' was apparently stranded in Chinese waters. party gain new territories in the BJP's oldest and steadfast he is now likely to look back at embraced by voters who were Party spokesperson and Rajya 2020. allies, severed its ties with the Shiromani Akali Dal, one of the BJP's 2020 with more than a touch of impressed with his pro-poor Sabha member Priyanka Governments in most of the party, leaving the Modi cabinet oldest and steadfast allies, severed satisfaction. programmes and campaign for Chaturvedi raised the issue with world saw their approval ratings without any representation from The BJP for the first time 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. External Affairs Minister S dip as they struggled to contain a non-BJP party. its ties with the party, leaving the emerged as the driver of the The ground-breaking cere- Jaishankar in a letter. "The 39 the raging virus, which hit econ- The party's ties with the Modi cabinet without any National Democratic Alliance in mony of the Ram temple by the sailors have been left to their fate without much support from the omy hard everywhere, but JD(U) are also far from smooth Bihar as its superlative show of prime minister in August fol- central government and their families are struggling to get them Indian politics followed a differ- as the Bihar Chief Minister representation from a non-BJP party winning 74 of the 110 seats it lowed by enactment of so called back. The families of the sailors, many of whom are based in ent script, with the outgoing year Nitish Kumar's party is still contested in the 243-seat assem- 'love jihad' laws, whose consti- Maharashtra, have been running from pillar to post with no help in marking further shrinking of a smarting from its poor show in against it while lauding the BJP. ed but its durability through bly polls ensured that Kumar tutionality has been questioned sight," she said. Two cargo vessels- MV Anastasia and MV Jag rudderless Congress while the the state assembly polls owing to The larger political fallout of weeks of protests at Delhi bor- retained his chair despite his by critics, helped the party con- Anand- with 39 Indians on board have been on anchorage in ruling BJP soared riding on Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti the agitation, spearheaded by ders amid a harsh winter cou- party's dismal performance. The solidate its Hindutva core base Chinese waters as they were not allowed to unload their cargo Modi's enduring appeal. Party's decision to go all out farmer unions, remains untest- pled with its potential to trigger JD(U) won only 43 of the 115 further. though some other ships have managed to do so. VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | JANUARY 1, 2021 nation 05 Dry run for Covid-19 vaccination A year of political turbulence, natural calamity for Bengal in all states, UTs on January 2 PNS n NEW DELHI gising Bengali icons such as Nobel laureate Rabindranath Notwithstanding the surge in Tagore, Swami Vivekananda PNS n NEW DELHI COVID-19 cases and a super and Ishwar Chandra Poor air quality may affect recovered cyclone that left a trail of Vidyasagar. A dry run for COVID-19 vac- destruction in its wake, West The ruling party, for the first cination will be conducted by Covid-19 patients, say Experts Bengal's political cauldron was time since it came to power in all state and union territory on the boil through 2020, with 2011, witnessed a rebellion administrations on January 2 to Pune: Considering the drop in from the infection. the ruling TMC and BJP cross- this year as several MLAs and test the linkages between plan- temperature that deteriorates air "In some patients, we have ing swords at the drop of a hat, an MP, including party heavy- ning and implementation and quality, doctors in Pune city have seen the development of lung stoking tension and triggering weight and minister Suvendu to identify the challenges, the issued a word of caution for fibrosis, post their recovery clashes. Adhikari crossed over to the Centre said on Thursday. people suffering from lung from corona-virus. Hence, Flashpoints in West Bengal leaving Chief Minister Mamata BJP. The TMC, however, put The activity is proposed to ailments, especially those who people suffering from lung politics were one too many, as Banerjee fuming. up a brave face and said it was be conducted in all state capi- have recovered from COVID-19. disorders and those who have the state hogged national lime- Several BJP leaders sus- finally free of "traitors". tals in at least 3 session sites. According to medical experts, also recovered from COVID-19 light for all the wrong reasons tained injuries in the attack. The Left Front and the Some states will also include deterioration of air quality can should take extra precautions at and witnessed widespread Union Home Minister Amit Congress, which have been districts that are situated in dif- also cause complications in a time when pollutants in the political violence, as the parties Shah and the BJP went ham- victims of the TMC's defection ficult terrain/have poor logis- by the Health Ministry on and protocols are being prac- patients infected by coronavirus. air have increased," he said. geared geared up for a high- mer and tongs against the politics in the past, said the rul- tical support, while December 20. tised at the identified sites in an Increased level of pollutants in According to Dr Pandharkar, octane assembly election next state government over the ing party is getting a dose of its Maharashtra and Kerala are Regarding the dry run to be ideal environment along with the air can affect people suffering there is an increased risk to year. "worsening" law and order sit- own medicine. likely to schedule the dry run held, for each of the three ses- vaccination teams to be iden- from lung-related disorders such lungs and heart of people The BJP has claimed that uation, and the saffron party The year began with massive in major cities other than their sion sites, the Medical Officer tified and trained in all aspects. as chronic obstructive lung suffering from comorbidities. more than 130 of its cadres shifted a battery of its central protests sweeping the state capital, the Union Health In-charge will identify 25 test The dry run will also equip disease (COPD) and COVID-19, "If people with comorbidities were killed or found dead leaders to the eastern state with over the Citizenship Amend- Ministry said. beneficiaries (healthcare work- the state and UT administra- prolonging the process of contract coronavirus, it may under mysterious circum- an eye on the assembly polls. ment Act, and the issue is The objective of the dry run ers). tion in management of vaccine recovery, they said. cause inflammation, which will stances, since the 2019 Lok Shah announced an ambi- expected to haunt the saffron for COVID-19 vaccine intro- The states and UTs have supply, storage and logistics "A drop in air quality makes it make it easy for the infection to Sabha polls. tious target of winning more camp in 2021 assembly polls. duction is to assess opera- been asked to ensure that the including cold chain manage- more difficult for COPD patients invade the lungs. For patients The TMC government rou- than 200 of the state's 294 The BJP is apprehensive that tional feasibility in the use of data of these beneficiaries is ment, the ministry stated. to breathe. We advise COPD of asthma, lung fibrosis or tinely sparred with the BJP-led assembly seats, an assertion the delay in implementing the Co-WIN application in field uploaded in Co-WIN. These As the vaccine administra- patients and those who have heart disease, the risk of death Centre during the year, and the which drew a sharp retort CAA due to agitations by its environment, to test the link- beneficiaries will also be avail- tors will play an important role recently recovered from COVID- increases when they also slugfest spared practically no from the TMC's adviser and rivals may turn refugee voters, ages between planning and able at the session site for the in the vaccination process, 19 not step out in the polluted contract the infection," he said. one, including the saffron poll strategist Prashant Kishor, especially those from the implementation and to identi- dry run. The states and UTs training of trainers and those air," said Dr Vaibhav Pandharkar, Some recent studies have party's president J P Nadda, who said the BJP will struggle Matua community, against it. fy the challenges and guide way shall prepare the facilities and who shall administer the vac- a pulmonologist from Noble stated that certain air pollutants whose convoy came under to cross double digits. Meanwhile, North Bengal, forward prior to actual imple- users to be created on Co-WIN cine has been taken up across Hospital. are likely to enhance attack earlier in December Pushed to the wall by the where the BJP made deep roads, mentation. This is also expect- application including upload- various states. Coronavirus disease affects susceptibility to COVID-19 during his visit to Diamond aggressive Hindutva campaign bagging seven of the eight Lok ed to give confidence to pro- ing the data of Health Care Around 96,000 vaccinators respiratory organs and its effects death outcomes, the doctor Harbour in South 24 Parganas. by the BJP, Banerjee and her Sabha seats in 2019, witnessed gramme managers at various Worker (HCW) beneficiaries, have been trained for this pur- can be seen even after recovering said. The Home Ministry sum- TMC invoked 'Bengali pride' to a political churning as the GJM levels," the ministry said. the ministry stated. pose. A total of 2,360 partici- moned three IPS officers to consolidate its support base. faction led by fugitive Gurkha The central government has The states and UTs have pants have been trained in said. Ministry and shared with the serve at the Centre on deputa- The BJP, in its bid to blunt leader Bimal Gurung quit the also asked all states and UTs to been asked to ensure physical National Training of Trainers The mock drill will include states and UTs to guide them tion over alleged lapses which the TMC's election weapon of BJP-led NDA and joined hands ensure effective preparedness verification of all proposed and over 57,000 participants concurrent monitoring and in the dry run. led to the attack on Nadda, sub-nationalism, took to eulo- with the TMC. for the COVID-19 vaccine sites for adequacy of space, trained in district-level train- review at the block and district The first round of the dry roll-out. logistical arrangements, inter- ing in 719 districts. States are levels, and preparation of feed- run was conducted in Andhra Union Health Secretary net connectivity, electricity, augmenting the state helpline back. The State Task Force Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Rajesh Bhushan on Thursday safety, etc. and prepare at least 104 (which shall be used in shall review the feedback and Punjab on 28-29 December in Urge Sri Lanka INDIA CORNER chaired a high-level meeting to three model session sites in addition to 1075) for any vac- share with the Union Health two districts each where five review the preparedness at ses- each state (at state capital) for cine/software-related query. Ministry. session sites with 25 beneficia- to not scrap sion sites for COVID-19 vac- demonstration. An important focus of the States/UTs were also asked ries each were identified. cination with principal secre- They have been asked to dry run will be on manage- to address the communica- No major issues were Riots case: Delhi Court grants taries (Health) and other health ensure that the model sites ment of any possible adverse tion challenges by taking in observed in the operational Provincial administrators of all states and have separate entry and exit in events following immunisa- confidence all the stakeholders aspects during this dry run. All bail to man UTs through video-conferenc- a 'three-room set-up' with ade- tion (AEFI). In addition, and by augmenting the com- States expressed confidence in Councils: DMK ing. quate space outside for aware- adherence and management of munity engagement through the operational guidelines and Delhi court has granted The planning for the vaccine ness generation activities, dis- infection control practices at innovative strategies. IT platform for large scale PNS n CHENNAI bail to a man in a north introduction will be as per the play all IEC material at these the session site, to prevent dis- Detailed checklist has been programme implementation, Aeast Delhi riots case, Operational Guidelines issued sites and ensure that all SOPs ease transmission, the ministry prepared by the Union Health the ministry said. The DMK on Thursday saying the alleged eye witness urged Prime Minister and the beat Constable had Narendra Modi to prevail identified him almost after two upon Sri Lanka to give up months from the incident. its 'proposal' to abolish Additional Sessions Judge Cops on duty surpass sanctioned No clarity yet on the provincial councils as Amitabh Rawat granted the it went relief to Deepak Tomar on furnishing a bail bond of Rs 25,000 with against the island nation's one surety of like amount in the case related to alleged looting and 13th Amendment to vandalism of a shop during the riots in Jyoti Nagar area on February strength by 35 per cent: Data night curfew in Goa Constitution. 25. The court noted that the alleged CCTV footage of the accused The amendment was an was near the place of the incident of another FIR. “As per charge- PNS n NEW DELHI PNS n PANAJI Sawant said, "The state govern- outcome of the Indo- sheet, there is a statement of public witness Mohd Rafiq under ment has not taken any deci- Lanka Accord of 1987, section 161 (examination by police) CrPC which states that he was West Bengal, Punjab, Bihar Goa Health Minister Vishwajit sion about night curfew yet." DMK Parliamentary an eye witness to the incident of rioting, vandalization and burning and Jammu and Kashmir have Rane on Thursday said that a Earlier in the day, a senior Party leader T R Baalu of properties including that of Imran on February 25, 2020, and the maximum numbers of night curfew is likely to be Goa health department official said and added that the named persons including applicant/accused Deepak Tomar. people getting police protec- imposed in the state, even as said that in a letter sent to the proposal, if carried for- tion, even as the all-India fig- Chief Minister Pramod Sawant state government on Thursday, ward, would put a ques- ure reduced by nearly nine per said that no decision to that the Union Health Ministry tion mark on the accord cent in 2019, according to effect has been taken so far. In asked it impose COVID-19 with India. official data. a statement issued on restrictions. In the letter, Baalu, who is also the Chief Minister Yediyurappa rules Also, the number of police Thursday morning, Rane said Union Health Secretary Rajesh party treasurer asked personnel put on protection he has discussed with the chief Bhushan called for a strict vigil "why and how Indian out leadership change duty in 2018 and 2019 for min- minister the issue of imposing in Goa to curb all potential government could be a uling out leadership change, Karnataka isters, MPs, MLAs, judges, a night curfew in the state. 'super spreader' events and mere spectator" if the Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on bureaucrats, etc., outnumbered "I have spoken to the chief places where crowds may island nation abolished RThursday asserted he will remain in the their sanctioned strength for showed. In 2018, the sanc- duties took place in Delhi, minister on imposing night gather to celebrate the New the councils after assur- post for the remaining over two year period the job by around 35 per cent, tioned strength was 40,031, where the number of protectees curfew in Goa on the lines of Year, the official said. ing the Tamil people, and complete the term, and there was no showed the latest data released while 63,061 police personnel stood at 503 in 2018 and 501 in Delhi and Karnataka. The file The ministry also referred to devolution of more pow- confusion regarding this within the ruling BJP. by the Bureau of Police were deployed on protection 2019, the data showed. is already in the process," he its earlier communication, ers, even beyond what Suggesting that the last one year had been like Research & Development duty, it revealed. The number of police per- said in the statement. wherein it had said that states was contemplated under a "trial by fire" for his administration with (BPR&D). West Bengal had the maxi- sonnel sanctioned for the pro- Rane said the file was moved and Union Territories may the 13th amendment, he natural disasters and COVID pandemic, he said his government's The number of people get- mum of 3,142 people under tection duties in Delhi was after his department received impose restrictions, such as said. desire was to take Karnataka to the first place on the development ting police protection across police protection in 2019, fol- 7,144 in 2018 and 7,294 in a letter from the Union Health night curfew, at the local level The DMK leader map of the country, as he also referred to financial constraints faced India stood at 19,467 in 2019 lowed by Punjab (2,594), Bihar 2019 while the deployment Ministry, suggesting that in based on their assessment of the requested Modi to prevail by the state. "In the last one-and-half years of my administration and 21,300 in 2018 -- a reduc- (2,347) and Jammu and numbers stood at 7,144 and view of the New Year celebra- COVID-19 situation."However, upon Lanka to not go even for a day I did not bother about it, I was focused on my work tion of 1,833 (or 8.7 per cent), Kashmir (1,184), according to 8,182, respectively, it showed. tions, each state should ensure there shall be no restriction on ahead with the plan to and development. These things have in no way impacted," the BPR&D stated in its latest the data. In 2018, Bihar led the Maharashtra had 356 police that SOPs and strict protocols inter-state and intra-state move- abolish the councils. Yediyurappa said. data on police organisations tally with 4,677 people, followed protectees and a sanctioned are laid down after a review of ment of persons and goods. In Modi should make it updated till January 1, 2020. by West Bengal (2,769), Punjab strength of 3,946 personnel in the coronavirus situation at the view of the matter, you may clear to the neighbour The number of police per- (2,522) and Jammu and both the years. It had a cent per local level. He said the file promptly assess the local situa- that the UP: Infant killed as drunk father sonnel sanctioned for protec- Kashmir (1,493), it showed. cent deployment for the job in about imposing a night curfew tion and consider imposition of proposal, if implemented, tion duty in 2019 was 43,556, However, the maximum both the years, according to the was pending with the chief appropriate restrictions on 30th, would adversely affect hits him with stick whereas 66,043 personnel were sanctioned strength and deploy- BPR&D, a wing of the Union minister. However, talking to 31st December and 1st January, Indo-Lanka ties, Baalu deployed for the job, the data ment of police personnel in such Home Ministry. PTI later in the day, CM 2021," the letter said. said. two-month-old boy died after allegedly being beaten with a Astick by his drunk father in a village in Uttar Pradesh's Shamli district, police said on Thursday. Law Ministry provided courts with infra to go virtual The infant was hit as he lay on the lap of his mother Renu, who PNS n NEW DELHI law ministry. opposed and fought with her While India has 3,288 court While India has 3,288 court husband Devender due to his liquor addiction, police added. The As the Coronavirus pandemic complexes, which house thou- incident happened at Kaderghar village under Thana Bhawan police made courts adopt the new complexes, which house thousands sands of subordinate courts, station in Shamli district on Wednesday evening, SHO Prabhakar normal and go virtual in 2020, of subordinate courts, the funds the funds have been released Kantura said. According to the SHO, a case was lodged under Indian the Union law ministry pitched have been released for 2,506 court for 2,506 court complexes to Penal Code Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to in by providing the required set up video conference cabins. murder) against Devender, who is absconding. Renu lodged a infrastructure to ensure online complexes to set up video Bigger court complexes with complaint stating that she was beaten up by her husband with a hearings are held smoothly. conference cabins a large number of courtrooms stick for questioning his drinking habit. As part of its push to would get multiple cabins as improve India's ranking in the compared to smaller com- ease of doing business, the raised by stakeholders after The panel will have a full-time plexes. ministry also brought in an the enactment of the chairperson, four full-time The size of a court complex, Minor fatally shoots classmate ordinance to amend the arbi- Arbitration and Conciliation members (including a member including the number of tration law. (Amendment) Act, 2019 and to secretary), and law and legisla- courts it houses, depends upon after dispute over seats in school Issued in November, the ensure that all the stakeholder tive secretaries. the size or population of the ordinance ensures that all in the law came in way of India the court under Section 36 of parties get an opportunity to Seeking to boost the capabil- state. Class 10 student of stakeholder parties get an getting the benefit of having the law. But the court could seek an unconditional stay of ity of the lower judiciary to As courts continue to hear a school in opportunity to seek an uncon- foreign arbitrators. grant a stay on the award on enforcement of arbitral awards hear cases online, funds have cases online amid the COVID- ABulandshahr district ditional stay on enforcement of "But that was not the case conditions as it deemed fit. where the underlying arbitra- been released to set up "video 19 pandemic, the government of Uttar Pradesh arbitral awards where the arbi- and a wrong impression had As per the latest amendment tion agreement or contract or conference cabins" in 2,506 has also procured 1,500 addi- allegedly shot a tration agreement or contract got created. Still, to do away brought through the ordinance, making of the arbitral award court complexes across India. tional video conferencing classmate dead with his is "induced by fraud or corrup- with that impression, the con- if the award is being given on are induced by fraud or corrup- While funds to the tune of licences at an approximate uncle's licensed pistol tion". cerned schedule has been the basis of an agreement based tion". Rs 5.21 crore were released in cost of Rs 9 crore for provid- after a dispute over The ordinance which further dropped," a government func- on fraud or corruption, then In February, the Union September to set up video ing the facility for high courts seats, police said on amends the Arbitration and tionary explained. the court will not impose a Cabinet approved the constitu- conference cabins, another Rs and district courts. Thursday. The incident Conciliation Act, 1996 also Now, the qualifications condition to stay the award and tion of the 22nd Law 28.886 crore were given in From the day the nation- took place on does away with the 8th based on which arbitrators will grant an unconditional stay Commission which advises the October to buy additional wide lockdown was imposed Wednesday at the Surajbhan Saraswati Inter College of Shikarpur, Schedule of the Act which be accredited will be prescribed during the pendency of the government on complex legal video conference equipment, to check the spread of coron- they said, adding that the weapon used by 14-year-old Sunny contained the necessary qual- by regulations, which will be appeal if it has been chal- issues. The term of the previ- including hardware, cables and avirus till October 28, high belongs to his uncle, who is in the Army and is visiting home. The ifications for accreditation of framed by a proposed arbitra- lenged under Section 34 of the ous law panel had ended on monitors. courts and district courts teenager tried to flee after the fatal shooting, but the headmaster arbitrators. tion council. arbitration law. August 31, 2018. The funds were provided by across India have heard over had already closed the gate and informed the police, following This provision had faced Till recently, an arbitration The law ministry ordinance But the law ministry is yet to the e-committee of the 49.67 lakh cases virtually, which he was apprehended, Senior Superintendent of Police criticism from some quarters award was enforceable even if said the amendment was nec- notify the new panel, which Supreme Court and the according to data collated by Santosh Kumar Singh said. that the conditions prescribed an appeal was filed against it in essary "to address the concerns will have a term of three years. Department of Justice in the the law ministry. VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | JANUARY 1, 2021 op nion 06 www.dailypioneer.com facebook.com/dailypioneer | @TheDailyPioneer | instagram.com/dailypioneer/ PAPER WITH PASSION India in a churn The social commitment to rebuilding systems in stressed Clear & present danger times may deliver bigger gains than divisive politics he Government may have hit the pause button because of the pandemic, sweeping every other cri- China’s attempt to alter the status quo along the LAC should not be taken lightly Tsis under the carpet but it is likely to find its hands full with unresolved issues in 2021. And though he may as the PLA will have many options available once the snow starts melting have beaten many world leaders in actually winning the anything other than domestic war of perception — Modi’s political stock continues to politics. This has resulted in a be high despite what we may consider as flaws in COVID superficial understanding of the management, his economic packages or the migrant work- geopolitical complexities sur- rounding the issue of national ers’ pain — the Prime Minister has got to do a lot more security at the institutional level. than just rely on his party’s electoral victories. First and The Armed Forces have foremost, he will be tested on the successful rollout of DEEPAK SINHA borne the brunt of this igno- rance, being subjected to neglect the vaccination programme, a logistical challenge of s we see off a rather tur- by successive Governments over unimaginable proportions and attendant investments. With the shroud of COVID-19 likely to bulent and difficult year, the years. In all likelihood, it has cast dark shadows over the first half of the year and our public health infrastructure still in a it would be worthwhile been premised on the belief, to review how well the however misconceived, that a shambles in the countryside, the budgetary allocation for healthcare is likely to stretch the Amilitary faced up to the nation’s powerful military poses an exis- seams. Besides, a tanking economy has its own side-effects and though forecasts project security challenges and, more tential threat to the political a recovery by the year-end for India, pivoted around a strong base effect, the stressed bank- importantly, where it goes from dispensation in power. It must, here. As has been the case with therefore, be kept in check and ing sector and recessionary trends would but naturally contract the GDP growth in the first the vast majority of peoples and out of decision making. half when funding for vaccination would be the pressing concern. Besides, joblessness is countries around the world, the However, far more damaging has still a reality and a resultant weak demand arising out of low consumer spends means recov- COVID-19 impact has been quite been the political leadership’s ery will be a stutter. Resource mobilisation, too, will be an unprecedented challenge. Politically, disruptive and debilitating for our belief that the military’s utility has military as well. A situation no been severely constrained, if not the turbulence that has been simmering under the blanket shutdowns, which did encourage doubt further compounded by the rendered irrelevant, as chances of a Centrist and absolutist approach to problem-solving, is expected to surface with full force. unprovoked aggression by the a conventional conflict have In fact, the farmers, protesting against the new farm Acts in a depoliticised and pointed man- Chinese People’s Liberation Army greatly diminished with the (PLA) in Eastern Ladakh along advent of nuclear weapons in the ner, have shown that dissent can indeed win the day and bring even the toughest Government the Line of Actual Control (LAC), region. A belief which has been to its knees. Will this largely people-driven movement also make the Opposition further irrel- which undoubtedly caught the given considerable boost by the evant? Would a leaderless movement emerge as the alternative to the leader-driven politics military by surprise. Army leadership’s almost single- The year had started on an minded focus on counter-insur- of our times? Would this revive the dissent against the ruling BJP’s divisive politics, which excellent note with the gency operations; even to the has reared its ugly head again amid the legislation on love jihad — more an exercise in “oth- Government finally biting the extent of accepting a gradual erisation” of minorities than on conversion? If anything, it has reignited the latent anger that bullet and announcing the degradation of our convention- appointment of General Bipin al capabilities without protest. was visible in the protests against a religion-based citizenship law and the National Register Rawat as the first Chief of Defence As to the future, there is lit- for Citizens (NRC) and it remains to be seen whether the muffled voices take to the streets Staff, two decades after it was first tle scope for optimism as a few again with the Union Ministers spelling out their agenda in no uncertain terms. officially mooted following the to the Karakoram Pass, includ- on the other foot, as it provides our occupation of the Kailash months from now will herald the Kargil conflict. It went a step fur- ing the Shaksgam Valley that us a suitable launch pad for a Range was only in response to start of a new campaigning sea- The Modi Government must realise that it has a brute majority, it has achieved its ther by carving out a Department has been illegally ceded to riposte towards Moldo and the the PLA’s transgressions in the son along the LAC as the snow core agenda of the Ram temple and mainstreaming Jammu and Kashmir and it has the of Military Affairs, to be headed China by Pakistan. Our exist- Chinese depth areas, if the sit- vain hope that it would deter melts. Given our defensive mind- heft to get things done in Parliament. It doesn’t need to fan the flames but should go back by the CDS as its ex officio sec- ing posture threatens the secu- uation so warrants. further attempts at ingress or set, our choices will be wholly retary, to deal with issues pertain- rity of the China-Pakistan However, we should not be escalation. On that occasion, the limited to dancing to the PLA’s to its core development platforms to redeem itself as a stabiliser of hard times, not a ing exclusively to military matters. Economic Corridor (CPEC) misled by the selective rhetoric PLA probably miscalculated our tune. Their options are many; destabiliser. The BJP’s drumroll on its divisive policies is understandable, considering While a year is insufficient to passing through this region as which suggests that the Chinese willingness to stand up to their they could, for example, play a that the polarisation of votes continues to reap it rich electoral dividends. So the party is comment on the efficacy of these it is vulnerable to interdiction. are on the back foot, the PLA provocative behaviour and was waiting game and do nothing at changes, suffice it to say that Its importance to both China is demoraled and their leader- thus caught off guard by our all for now, having already forced deploying its proven formula with the Assembly polls scheduled in five States around the General Rawat has not distin- and Pakistan cannot be overes- ship floundering for a way out robust response. At that time, us to concede territory. On the middle of the year, by which time the vaccine politics and related controversies are expect- guished himself in his new role. timated given the massive of the impasse without loss of they just did not have the req- other hand, they could exert ed to take the centre stage. No matter how much of a prestige fight the States might be However, the unilateral and investments made, which could face. While our action does give uisite force levels in place to react pressure elsewhere along the partially successful attempt by be motivation enough for col- us a tactical advantage and has before the onset of winter. LAC to ensure that we respond for the BJP, it would be wise to respect the imperatives of a post-pandemic world and China to alter the status quo lusive or collaborative action by stabilised the situation, it has by In similar circumstances, a in much the same manner we appear as a transformative party, not a destructive one, under these circumstances. Of along the LAC thrust a wholly the two neighbours. no means robbed the PLA of more determined Government did this year. In fact, their biggest course, the only accelerator for Modi’s vaunted appeal is a slipshod Opposition. It can- unprepared military into the deep Despite the Army having the inherent advantages it would probably have respond- error would be to escalate the sit- not read into trends at the right time and, instead of making an issue, waits for the civil end, pushing all other concerns been caught napping in the ini- enjoys, given the superior eco- ed to such aggression by mirror- uation to teach us a lesson as out of the window. Till the com- tial stages, its speedy and robust nomic strength and its military ing the Chinese and resorted to then Modi would be forced to protesters to react. Little wonder then that the Opposition parties have been marginalised mencement of this imbroglio, the response — especially after the size. However, they may be in “salami slicing” actions along the respond in kind, to avoid his rep- from the discourse on the farmers or minorities. If the local body polls in States are any substantial tract of disputed ter- horrendous loss of lives at for an unpleasant surprise, LAC by occupying disputed utation being tarnished. indication, there is an undercurrent against the BJP from the high of 2019. It also proves ritory that we claim was regular- Galwan — was commendable. given the extended lines of areas along our claim line where However, if President ly patrolled by our security forces Subsequently, under the ambit communication and difficulties the PLA has no permanent Jinping does not cross that that the grassroots matrix of traditional parties is still intact. But somehow, the Opposition as per the mutually accepted pro- of “Operation Snow Leopard”, it of combat at such high alti- presence. This could have then Rubicon, the Modi Government is not being able to coalesce as a national alternative. And the main party that should tocols that have been in place for raised the stakes considerably by tudes, apart, of course, from the been used as a bargaining chip will continue to do what it does have been the initiator of such an effort, the Congress, is still sailing rudderless. Both the over two decades. Also, make no occupying dominating heights fact that they face an extreme- during negotiations to ensure an best, focus on increasing its mistake, despite all the talk of along the Kailash Range in the ly tough and battle-hardened equitable delineation of the LAC footprint by winning the forth- ruling party and the Opposition must realise that the pandemic has changed socio-polit- mutual withdrawal and easing of Chushul and Pangong Tso sub- opposition with ample experi- which, in time, would have coming Bengal elections. ical and economic anxieties. Respecting that will change India. tensions, there is little doubt that sectors which has negated some ence in mountain warfare. allowed the Prime Minister to Undoubtedly, it will resort to dis- the Chinese have no intention of of the PLA’s earlier advantages. On our part, we have to negotiate and resolve the border simulation regarding the LAC withdrawing from the occupied While these heights are well in accept that our Government issue to our advantage. situation, using every means at areas, especially in the Depsang depth within our territory and has always had a very defensive The Government’s unwill- its disposal to push the narrative and Galwan sub-sectors, without have never been claimed by the mindset when it comes to ingness to take the initiative is that our borders are quiet, safe A healing touch making us pay a heavy price. Chinese, they do dominate both China. In fact, the Modi partly explained by its fear of and inviolate. It will then be back The PLA now poses a clear banks of the Pangong Tso as Government has shown exces- Chinese reaction as well as dri- to business as usual and the CDS Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are trying to stitch together an and present danger to our posi- well as the important Chinese sive restraint at the present time, ven by the fact that it has no illu- could then return to the oner- tions at Daulat Beg Oldi. Its loss administrative base at Moldo. not only refusing to name China sion as to the poor state our mil- ous task of simplifying military inclusive Administration to represent the real face of the US in any future conflict would Most importantly, it allows us to but going so far as to try and itary is in; something that can- uniforms and badges of rank. adversely impact our ability to choke off the Spanggur Gap, the delink the Depsang intrusion not be rectified in short order by (The writer is a military vet- he Joe Biden Administration is trying to heal the continue holding on to the Saltoro area through which the PLA’s from the transgressions else- loosening the purse strings. eran, who is a consultant with the wounds inflicted by the Trump Administration Ridge, west of the Siachen Glacier. mechanised elements could oth- where in an attempt to justify the Unfortunately, misperceptions, Observer Research Foundation which had split America right down the middle That would be a serious strategic erwise have advanced towards ongoing negotiations, which lack of clarity and sheer disinter- and Senior Visiting Fellow with T setback as currently our occupa- our positions at Chushul, there- appear to be restricted to troop est in strategic affairs have been The Peninsula Foundation, on racial lines. The veteran politician, who is known tion of the Saltoro Ridge allows us by opening up an approach to withdrawals from the Chushul- the hallmark of our political lead- Chennai. The views expressed are to be sharp but down to earth, had promised to dominate the entire region up Leh. However, the shoe is now Pangong Tso sub-sector. Even ership, which finds little time for personal.) Americans a Cabinet that would be “the most diverse in history” while he was on the campaign trail. This is no surprise given that Biden’s running mate Kamala S O U N D BITE Harris is the first woman to be elected Vice-President I would remain the Chief The challenges that the world Not having any expectations (Jasprit) Bumrah is showing of the US. What makes this feat even more signifi- Minister for the next two faced this year testified to the from the New Year will be the signs of maturity. He is a think- years. There is no doubt importance of broad interna- best way to move into it and ing bowler and the way he has cant is that she is also the first Black and South Asian among the legislators or tional cooperation. Russia and live it accordingly!!! I want to done well in all formats is person to be elected to the key post and might be the public. There is doubt the US can contribute much to live life and characters to the remarkable. I thought he’d get on her way to becoming the President if Biden choos- only among the media. enhancing stability and security. best of my ability. hurt but his core is very strong. es not to run for another term at the White House. Karnataka Chief Minister Russian President Actor Former India bowler —BS Yediyurappa —Vladimir Putin —Manoj Bajpayee —Atul Wassan Now that the two of them have got down to the business of choosing their Cabinet, Biden is keeping his word to a highly polarised nation in the hope that he will be able to undo some of the damage to the social fabric of the country which is already reel- L E T T E R S T O TH E EDITOR ing under the impact of the Trump Administration and the Coronavirus outbreak. So far, the President-elect seems to be living up to the vow of an administration that Forward movement Battle-ready India would reflect the “real face of America”. A significant 54 per cent of the White House Sir — The talks between the Countdown to inoculation in India begins Sir — The Union Government’s appointees are people of colour and 61 per cent are women, while Asian-American Centre and farmers’ unions ow that the UK Government has given approval to two-day dry run for the Covid- and Pacific Islander appointees represent more than twice their share of the US’ pop- have borne some fruitful the Oxford vaccine, we can reasonably expect the 19 inoculation drive was aimed results with the Union NIndian Government to approve the Covishield — the at end-to-end testing of the vac- ulation and LGBTQ+ appointees have been given a 11 per cent representation. Some Government accepting two Indian version of the Oxford vaccine — soon. It would cination process and included of the trailblazing nominees to the Cabinet are Janet Yellen, who will be the first woman of the demands. The agree- be a New Year's gift to the nation. planning and preparations as per to be the Secretary of Treasury, while Neera Tanden will be the first woman of colour ments reached are on decrim- The Indian drugs regulator has hinted at imminent the operational guidelines. It inalising stubble burning and vaccine approval with his remark that India will proba- involved the creation of facilities and first South Asian to head the Office of Management and Budget. Then there is ensuring that the subsidies for bly enter the New Year with something in hand. Clearly, and users, session site creation Lloyd Austin, the first African American to be the Secretary of Defence, followed by electricity remain. inoculation against the virus in India is in the offing. The and mapping of sites, healthcare Alejandro Mayorkas, who will go down in US history as the first immigrant to lead The farmers in Punjab and Serum Institute of India has already manufactured 40- workers’ data upload, receipt of Haryana had been complaining 50 million doses of Covishield which would ensure the vaccines and vaccine allocation, the Department of Homeland Security. Xavier Becerra will be the first Latino to be of being unfairly targeted over supply for the start of the drive. involves public health and safety. session planning, deployment of the Secretary of Health and Human Services. stubble burning, for which The programme is a mammoth task that requires huge The Government must ensure that the programme vaccination teams and logistics To his credit, the President-elect also appointed the first all-women senior White House there are few alternatives. logistics support, effective coordination and public coop- encompasses all people and bears the entire cost, what- mobilisation at the session sites. The Electricity (Amendment) eration. A range of requirements, taking into account the ever it is. The success of the vaccination drive is crucial- The objective of the dry run communications team, which made headlines globally and sent out the message of gen- Bill that the Centre has in the ground realities, has to be factored in and taken care of. ly important for preventing COVID-19, to increase is also to undertake and confirm der parity. In 2020-2021, the US seems to have come a long way from the time when works is another bone of The process of vaccinating millions of people in a vast and immunity and regenerate the economy. The people must field implementation and guide in 1791 George Washington sanctified the idea of promoting divergent views in the US contention and the Centre disparate country like ours entails huge challenges in terms be made aware and given all the information they need the way forward prior to the aims to move the subsidy of cold storage facilities, transport and delivery arrange- for them to feel confident that the jab is safe and will pro- actual implementation. The Government, even though at that time, ironically, all his appointees were White men. offered by the States to farm- ments, deployment of adequate health professionals and tect them from the life-threatening disease. exercise was expected to provide Significantly, since 1933, only 11 US Presidents have named women to Cabinet-level ers into the Direct Benefit crowd management. The mass vaccination mission must G David Milton insights on any gaps or bottle- positions even though each successive President, save for the outgoing one, has tried Transfer (DBT) mode. be meticulously planned and diligently carried out as it Kanyakumari necks during the actual conduct to ensure greater representation of all sections. However, there is a growing demand However, the key issue of of vaccination. minimum support price and A new-look Britain Wednesday, a decisive but rushed when Parliament was gridlocked Now, the Government needs for an administration that reflects the true America and the Biden-Harris team seems guaranteed procurement of Sir — After the House of conclusion to a long Brexit story over Brexit. to prioritise its vaccination plan to be trying to achieve that. One of the reasons why it has taken the leader of the sup- agricultural produce remains. Commons overwhelmingly that has divided Britons and British Prime Minister Boris according to select population posed “free world” so long to include women and minorities in the decision-making Though the farmers have con- endorsed the 1,200-page agree- convulsed their politics for more Johnson will now surely enjoy his groups such as healthcare work- firmed that the agitation will ment, the House of Lords has also than four years now. India visit as the deal will lead to ers, frontline workers and senior process (even as a developing country like India had a woman Prime Minister way back continue, the agreements voted in favour of the British rat- Despite the lack of time for rearrangement of the UK’s for- citizens. in 1966, a woman President, Pratibha Patil, in 2007 and numerous women as Chief mark some forward motion in ification. The approval of a trade scrutiny, the ease with which the eign economic policy and inter- Bhagwan Thadani Ministers) is because in the US, there is a scarcity of women, especially those from the talks that have remained deal between the United pact sailed through the House of national relations, which offers a Mumbai deadlocked for weeks. Kingdom and the European Commons was in stark contrast happy opportunity to India too. minority base, in elective office. Now as Biden and Harris try to make history and undo CK Subramaniam Union was hurried through the to many knife-edge votes held Yash Pal Ralhan Send your feedback to: the wrongs of the past, one can only hope that the nation will heal itself. Mumbai British Parliament in just a day on before last year’s general elections Jalandhar [email protected] VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | JANUARY 1, 2021

www.dailypioneer.com analysis 07 FIRSTCOLUMN A booster dose POINTCOUNTERPOINT ‘`15 LAKH IN EVERY ACCOUNT AND TWO CRORE JOBS I KNOW MORE THAN RAHUL ABOUT FARMING. I AM for healthcare EVERY YEAR.’ FARMERS DON'T TRUST MODI DUE TO THE SON OF A FARMER AND WE CANNOT TAKE HIS LONG HISTORY OF ‘ASATYAGRAHA.' DECISIONS AGAINST FARMERS. The new decade may witness a more —CONGRESS LEADER —DEFENCE MINISTER advanced stage of digitisation of health sector infrastructure and services RAHUL GANDHI RAJNATH SINGH Take a bipartisan view GURPREET SANDHU he year 2020 was an extremely eventful one for the healthcare Both India and China must shed their nationalistic stand; else the border dispute would and pharma industry, and for humanity as well. The world faced remain unresolved. A lot of confusion was caused by politics after the Galwan incident Tthe deadliest pandemic in recent history which killed 18,00,114 people worldwide and, it seems, will continue to wreak havoc in 2021, too. As we enter the new year, it is time to look at some of the trends that could dominate in terms of health technologies, organisations, busi- nesses, regulatory authorities, products and services. One overarch- ing theme that flows right through this whole transformative process is technology in the form of Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learn- ing (ML), big data, robotics and cloud computing, among others. The new decade may be witness to a more advanced stage of digitisation of healthcare infrastructure and services. With the Government and private players, both ploughing in a substantial amount of money with the intention of wholesale overhauling of legacy Information Technology (IT) systems, hitherto chiefly used for recording payment SIMI MEHTA of bills, the next decade will be marked by a greater number of ser- vices related to healthcare being delivered through advanced IT-based systems. While digital therapeutics could increasingly underpin remote mid the COVID-19 pandemic and lock- diagnosis and treatment, digital solutions such as Electronic Health down in India, the month of June brought Records (EHRs) and Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) would become Aa rude shock for the country when Chinese and Indian soldiers confronted each more routine. Purely in terms of infrastructure, a combination of tra- other in the disputed area on the Galwan river ditional brick-and-mortar hospitals and a modular and scalable net- valley. There were casualties on both sides and work of healthcare givers and community healthcare hubs will come a violation of decades of mutual faith and under- into being. Traditional hospital buildings would more likely be fronted standing between the countries on the use of by unmanned reception facilities, face recognition systems and auto- firearms. mated disease screening kiosks. There could even be robotic and The Indian perspective: New Delhi main- autonomous healthcare assistants in hospitals, a phenomenon high- tains that the territorial dispute has been elevat- ly likely in developing countries which typically face a shortage of health- ed by China by claiming that it was related to care professionals. At the same time, remotely guided tele-ICUs and the latter’s sovereignty. Further, Beijing’s nega- Smart ICUs would become more common. Although foldable and tive comments on the abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution and terming of the portable hospital units have already been developed in our country, they creation of Ladakh as a Union Territory as “ille- would become more sophisticated and advanced in the coming decade. gal” have not gone down well with New Delhi. Rising on the back of connected devices — remote monitoring devices For India, these are all internal issues. It calls for and wearables, combined with applications and software — the resul- fairness in understanding of the situation as India tant Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) would increasingly become the did not react when China reorganised the change agent in the coming decade. With wireless technologies such Tibetan provinces in 1965. India is also con- as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth establishing a 24X7 connection between patients cerned about the repeated mention of Arunachal (using stationary medical devices, implanted and wearable external ones) Pradesh as southern Tibet since 2005. and practitioners and caregivers, virtual/remote care would visibly become China has also expressed its criticism over more commonplace. Some of these devices such as blood pressure India building a feeder line from Daulat Beg Oldi to Darbuk-Shyok in 2019. On the other hand, monitors, pulse oximeters and blood glucose monitors would also give China has continued to build such feeder lines FOR INDIA, It wishes to arrive at a mutual under- The way forward: According to the clarification of the LAC as a cru- a fillip to self-monitoring of health. Significantly, AI-based mental well- for the last 20 years. Hence, New Delhi does not IT IS IMPORTANT standing first and then build a mutu- the Indian perspective, it is important cial step in dispute resolution, yet, since ness medical-grade chatbots are already being used to help people understand the logic behind Chinese objections THAT THE al political consensus to demarcate the to respect the previous agreements of 2002, China has been unwilling to con- with psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and stress. They would to India’s construction activities. It realises that LEADERSHIP DOES LAC. Beijing fears that if it agrees to 1993, 1996, 2005 and 2013 and to tinue with exchange of maps with become more commonplace in the coming decade. China would not want the Indian Armed NOT the Indian line of thinking, then China ensure disengagement and tranquilli- India. New Delhi says that this has been Also, with increasing digitisation and application of advanced ana- Forces to reach the Line of Actual Control (LAC) GIVE IN TO THE would lose a large part of the territo- ty along the border by ensuring the deliberately discontinued by China to lytics across the value chain including research and development (R&D), swiftly. PRESSURES OF ry. retreat of 60,000 troops in violation of occupy more land under the garb of manufacturing, quality, supply chain and sales, the pharma industry However, Beijing wants smooth movement VERTICAL OR In China’s strategic calculations, the previous agreements. ambiguity. is set to wear a new look. With the need for instant delivery of phar- of Chinese patrol personnel belonging to the HORIZONTAL India’s position is that of a rising power There is a need to define and clar- A major concern in India is trying ma products regardless of the location and time, companies would People’s Liberation Army. If China continues guided by its increasing national mil- ify the LAC to avoid such incidents to understand why China has been so with such a stance, India believes that the bor- ESCALATION AND itary strength. Despite this, for Beijing, again. It is necessary to have new strident in occupying disputed territo- need to strengthen their supply chains and align with hospitals and care der negotiations would not be very fruitful. CONTINUES WITH India is not a competitor, especially Confidence Building Measures as was ry. India’s position that the Galwan centres evolving a new integrated model for ePharma. The coming Another area of contention is Chinese NEGOTIATIONS AT after the US has become a strategic decided in the Xiamen BRICS meeting incident was a premeditated action by decade would see a large-scale shift to digital marketing tools such investment in the China-Pakistan Economic THE HIGHEST challenger for China. Further, its aims of 2017. the Chinese troops is the reason as videos, mobile marketing, digital content, social media, high impact Corridor (CPEC) in the Gilgit-Baltistan area LEVEL. IT MUST to maintain peaceful ties with New However, the Chinese think that behind the comprehensive economic visuals and live sessions on social media for pharma products and which is a sovereign territory of India and the INSTITUTIONALISE Delhi because its BRI network has to under no circumstances should either consequences on bilateral relations, for services. The new decade would also witness a greater collaboration subject of a long-running conflict between THE CONFLICT pass through India on land and in the side fire in the sky or at each other. example, ban on some mobile applica- and partnership between drug companies and health technology firms. Pakistan and India. Beijing has retorted that RESOLUTION Indian Ocean. They must reduce frontline deploy- tions, restrictions on infrastructure This would be a natural development. Technologies such as AI, big these are commercial investments but India is MECHANISM IN In fact, during a webinar conduct- ment of troops unlike the current sit- investments and so on. data and ML would not only compress the time required between drug not convinced because China has deployed over ORDER TO SETTLE ed by the RAND Centre for Asia Pacific uation. There has to be an increased This demonstrates an opposing research and product development, including clinical trials, testing and 36,000 security personnel in this area. Policy, it was clear that the Chinese coordination of the soldiers at the fron- official position and this has been at the There is a feeling in New Delhi that China THE DISPUTE have refuted the prevailing narrative in tier to avoid confrontation by giving core of non-resolution of disputes. As so on, these would also be able to churn a staggering amount of data wants to teach a lesson to India because it has ONCE AND FOR the international western media that them authority to resolve tensions. And a reaction, India has increased its mil- previously unheard of for R&D while also streamlining processes and decided against joining the Belt and Road ALL, SO THAT China was making use of the pandem- finally, setting up a hotline between the itary capabilities to thwart Chinese reducing wastage. In the coming decade, drug R&D would also entail Initiative (BRI) and instead focussed on improv- GALWAN-LIKE ic to become more assertive and two countries is pertinent as China has incursions into its territory and must more of gene-based experimenting which would map how the genet- ing US-India ties, especially amid the 2+2 dia- INCIDENTS DO aggressive. such a communication channel with continue with its preparedness, espe- ic makeup of a person responds to a medicine. Related to the above, logue process, foundational defence agree- NOT RECUR A renewed vigour in the QUAD the US, Russia and other countries. cially with the change in guard of the genomics in combination with AI and big data would be increasingly ments, Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or ties arising out of concerns of aggres- Conclusion: India and China must Western Theatre Command (WTC) deployed for treatment of a patient accounting for the individual char- QUAD and other such arrangements. Also, sion by China has also been dismissed take a step forward and shed their and appointment of General Zhang acteristics of a person in terms of variability in genes, environment and because of the asymmetry in power relations, by Beijing, as each of the four countries, nationalistic stand; else the border dis- Xudong. lifestyle. By the next decade, these technologies would have to a great China is showing its military might to India. India, Australia, Japan and the US pute would remain unresolved. A lot For India, it is important that the extent found answers to several forms of cancer, neuro-degenerative The Chinese perspective: While the June would not compromise their bilateral of confusion was caused by politics leadership does not give in to the pres- diseases and so on. At the same time, as R&D in biotechnology and event was acknowledged as being unfortunate, relations with it. after the Galwan incident. Therefore, sures of vertical or horizontal escala- the official position of the Chinese leadership The warmth in Indo-US ties has it is important to understand the sit- tion and continues with negotiations biopharma including vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics get spurred was that the Indian side triggered the confronta- also been downplayed by China as uation with a bipartisan view. Perhaps, at the highest level. It must institution- by the unprecedented pandemics, AI and big data would also be used tion, which raised tensions. Unlike New Delhi, “superficial.” According to Chinese they can take lessons from their own alise the conflict resolution mechanism in epidemiological research and forecasting on a larger scale. Beijing did not announce the casualties on its analysts, China does not want US recent history, wherein they had in order to settle the dispute once and The coming decade will see the legalisation of medical marijua- side in the Galwan clash because of the under- involvement in the dispute. demonstrated their maturity to resolve for all, so that Galwan-like incidents do na by more countries in addition to the existing ones. Finally, taking standing that the situation would be blown out While there is no need for China border disputes in exchange of peace not recur. If China continues with its lessons from the outbreak of COVID-19, given the commonality of the of proportion through the media. to make use of its military strength to and tranquility. expansionist autocratic tendencies vis- challenge posed to humanity, the pharma regulatory authorities across The fundamental reason that the border con- prevail over India at any time through For instance, India peacefully à-vis India, New Delhi must go to the the world would increasingly evolve a more cooperative framework to tinues to be a disputed matter between India and border skirmishes, yet with all clarity resolved its border disputes with International Court of Justice for arbi- deal with any future pandemic. China is the asymmetry in the thinking that pre- it subscribes to the notion that the size Bangladesh. China settled border dis- tration of land under dispute. (The writer is president, Council for Healthcare and Pharma. The vails on both sides. While India seeks to verify of the territory is immaterial but what putes peacefully with Russia and (The writer is CEO and Editorial the LAC first and then engage in discussing ver- holds immense value in its strategic cal- Tajikistan, among other countries. Director, IMPRI. The views expressed are views expressed are personal.) itable solutions, China’s thinking is top-down. culations is honour, interest and fear. While both India and China recognise personal.) Govt, farmers must negotiate with an open mind This isn’t the first protest and it won’t be the last either. But it would define the way growers resolve their issues

ing them from the biting cold. From set by the Prime Minister. of farmers being small and marginal. “Things might not work out for the panacea but it certainly helps them debt as they take loans from banks or Singhu Border to Panipat, National The “godi media” is abuzz with Most farmers in such a scenario are as farmer even if middlemen are elimi- negotiate a better price. Punjab farm- a local moneylenders-cum-middle- Highway NH44 wears the look of a stories that the people protesting at the good as meagre wage earners. Parties nated. It would then be monopolised ers can afford smartphones as their men to purchase, seeds, fertilisers, pes- makeshift township. Community Singhu Border are anything but farm- may be winning elections but it does by corporates. The farmer would landholding size is more and yield per ticides and diesel. So when the harvest kitchens are busy dishing out food and ers. They maintain that the growers of not mean that farmers are happy. At have no negotiating status vis-à-vis the acre is above average. comes, they have no option but to sell beverages while medical camps are dis- the country are happy with the least 10,281 people involved in the corporates,” he adds. According to an estimate, the the whole crop immediately. They can- tributing medicines and giving first- Government. How else would you farm sector ended their lives in 2019, He fears that corporates might average Indian agricultural household not wait for prices to swing in their aid. And yes, pizza distribution is going explain the recent victories of the BJP accounting for 7.4 per cent of the total monopolise the distribution chain income is `77,124 in a year. Punjab favour. on at Singhu Border, much to the in Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and number of suicides in India, says the and reap more profits than all the mid- farmers earn `2,16,708 per annum and Sadly, real issues are swept under GYANESHWAR DAYAL amusement of the social and nation- Goa? Meanwhile, the two sides seem National Crime Records Bureau’s dlemen put together as they would that of Bihar `42,684 or roughly the carpet and farmers become a pawn al media. Milling about in the largely to be digging in their heels. The farm- Accidental Deaths and Suicides in have better resources to hold and `3,500 per month. So forget doubling, in the games political parties play. So rural crowd of growers and Nihangs ers are in for a long haul as the India report for 2019. People commit release the stock when the price suits even quadrupling their income would far the protest is free from any politi- he deadlock between the are people in western outfits as sup- Government wants this agitation to fiz- suicide out of utter helplessness and them. Prices for farmers are almost sta- not be enough. The farmers would still cal influence, consciously or otherwise. protesting farmers and the port pours in from people who do not zle out like others before it. To be hon- despair looms large over Indian agri- tic but inflation is rising and so is the be dangling below the poverty line. It is also non-violent even though TGovernment shows no sign of have any connection with agriculture. est, both sides are not helping their culture, big time. cost of agriculture inputs. The margins Indian agriculture sector needs farmers are dying of cold. In a protest ending even after six rounds of delib- A group of young girls from Ludhiana cause. The farmers asking for total If one looks at the price structure, are thin and if you are a small or mar- funds. It needs investments in cold of this size, things could change erations and concerted efforts to reach is lending support by performing repeal and not negotiating would not it becomes very clear where the prob- ginal farmer you don’t have a choice storage, an efficient transportation sys- instantly. It would, therefore, be in an amicable solution. Consequently, “sewa.” get what they want. The Government lem lies. Everything which comes from but to take a loan. According to the tem, irrigation facilities, research and everyone’s interest to resolve the the protracted protest against the The sit-in so far is peaceful even says the three laws will end the free run the farm sells at a good price to the end National Bank of Agriculture and facilities for scientific practices. Despite impasse soon. Both must talk with an farm laws will drag on. The sit-in of though more than 30 of them are said of middlemen and give growers the consumer. But the farmer gets just 10 Rural Development data, about 52 per big talk about the farmers’ income, the open mind, keeping the arrogance of growers from Punjab and Haryana at to have died during the protest so far. choice to sell their produce anywhere. to 40 per cent of the price that the con- cent of the agricultural households in actual investment in the sector is going power aside. History tells us that the Singhu Border was not by choice The farmers want nothing less than the In this situation, the Government must sumer pays. The reason being that the country were estimated to be down. So the powers that be provide farmers’ protests have always been since they were stopped from enter- repeal of the three farm laws and legal take the initiative to ease the situation, farm produce changes hands four to indebted. At the all-India level, about short-term succour that people can turning points in a nation’s life. This ing Delhi. But it would not be accu- status for the Minimum Support Price as discrediting the protesters doesn’t five times before it is purchased by the 60 per cent of the outstanding loans remember when they go to vote. The isn’t the first protest and it won’t be the rate to call it a sit-in dharna anymore. (MSP). The Government insists that help in mitigating it. end consumer for use. were taken from institutional sources UPA did it and the NDA is doing it last either. But this would define the It is more of a live-in one. The tractor it has no intention of withdrawing One thing is for sure, all is not well “It is pathetic that the producer which included Government (2.1 per now. way farmers resolve their issues. trolleys the farmers came in have MSP and the new laws would help with Indian agriculture. It provides a gets a pittance while the middlemen cent), co-operative society (14.8 per The biggest problem with Indian (The writer is a columnist and doc- become their home, with canopies of achieve the target of doubling the livelihood to 70 per cent of the coun- make money,” says Sahajdeep Singh, cent) and banks (42.9 per cent). agriculture is that by the time it is har- umentary film-maker. The views polythene sheets and blankets protect- income of farmers by 2022, the target try’s 1.3 billion people, with 82 per cent a young farmer from Rajasthan. True, the MSP may not be a vest season, farmers are neck-deep in expressed are personal.) VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | JANUARY 1, 2021 Money 08 Interest rate Govt’s outstanding debt on PPF, NSC Labour Ministry decides to unchanged notify 8.5% interest on EPF for Q4 PNS n NEW DELHI swells to Rs 107.04L cr PNS n NEW DELHI The Labour Ministry has PNS n NEW DELHI The 5.6 per cent The government on decided to notify 8.5 per cent Thursday kept the interest rate of interest on employees' Total liabilities of the govern- quarter-on-quarter rates on small savings provident fund (EPF) accounts ment increased by 5.6 per cent increase reflects schemes, including PPF and of over six crore subscribers of to Rs 107.04 lakh crore at NSC, unchanged for the retirement fund body EPFO end-September 2020, accord- pressure on January-March quarter amid for 2019-20 after receiving the ing to official data on public revenue collection moderating bank deposit finance ministry's concurrence debt. and rising rates. on that, a senior official said. At the end of the first quar- Public Provident Fund "The labour ministry has ter, the outstanding total debt expenditure due to (PPF) and National Savings decided to notify the 8.5 per of the government stood at Rs the COVID-19 Certificate (NSC) will contin- cent rate of interest for cred- 101.3 lakh crore. ue to carry an annual inter- iting the same into the account The 5.6 per cent quarter-on- crisis est rate of 7.1 per cent and 6.8 of over six crore subscribers of quarter increase reflects pres- per cent, respectively. the Employees' Provident Fund sure on revenue collection and Interest rates for small sav- Organisation (EPFO)," the rising expenditure due to the ernment securities hardened ings schemes are notified by official told PTI. interest rate on EPF for 2019- Government. COVID-19 crisis. due to apprehension about the the Finance Ministry on a The official said that the 20. "It (8.5 percent interest) Public debt accounted for Centre further raising the bor- quarterly basis. rate of interest on the EPF has Earlier in September this would comprise 8.15 per cent 91.1 per cent of total out- aggregating to Rs 4,20,000 cent at end-September 2020, rowing from revised target of "The rates of interest on been formally approved for year, the EPFO had decided to from debt income and balance standing liabilities at end- crore, which was slightly more lower than 40.4 per cent at end- Rs 12 lakh crore amid the various small savings notification by Labour split 8.5 per cent interest into 0.35 per cent (capital gain) September 2020, as per the lat- than the pre-announced calen- March 2020. strained fiscal position, MPC schemes for the fourth quar- Minister Santosh Gangwar on two installments of 8.15 per from the sale of ETFs est quarterly report on public dar because of exercising of "The share of insurance decision to keep policy rate ter of 2020-21 ending on Thursday after receiving the cent and 0.35 per cent in its (exchange traded funds) sub- debt management. greenshoe option, it said. companies and provident unchanged in its meeting held March 31 shall remain finance ministry's concur- trustees meet headed by ject to their redemption by The weighted average yield The central government funds at end-September 2020 on August 4, geo-political issue unchanged from those noti- rence. Gangwar. 31st December, 2020," it had on primary issuances of dated issued dated securities worth stood at 25.3 per cent and 4.8 with China and higher retail fied for the third quarter Now the interest rate would But later, the ministry said. It has planned to credit securities showed further mod- Rs 3,46,000 crore in the first per cent, respectively. The inflation data, it said. (October 1-December 31, be officially notified in the gov- decided to credit the entire 8.5 the remaining 0.35 per cent eration to 5.80 per cent in Q2 quarter as against Rs 2,21,000 share of mutual funds The yield on 10-year bench- 2020)", the Finance Ministry ernment gazette following per cent into subscribers' rate by December 31, after of FY21 from 5.85 per cent in crore in the same period a year increased from 2.0 per cent at mark security opened at 5.84 said in a notification. which the EPFO headquarter accounts in one go. proposed liquidation of ETFs. Q1 FY21, it said. ago. The ownership pattern of end-June 2020 to 2.4 per cent per cent at the beginning of the Accordingly, the interest would give directions for The labour ministry had The EPFO had earlier During Q2 FY21, 13 tranch- central government securities at end-September 2020," it quarter and closed at 6.02 per rate for the five-year Senior crediting the rate of return on then (in September) explained planned to liquidate some of es of auctions were held for shows that the share of com- said. cent at end of the quarter in Citizens Savings Scheme has EPF into the subscribers that "in view of exceptional its investment in ETFs to pro- issuance of dated securities mercial banks stood at 38.6 per During Q2, yields on gov- September. been retained at 7.4 per cent. accounts. circumstances arising out of vide 8.5 per cent interest for The interest on the senior cit- In March this year, the COVID-19, the agenda the last fiscal. However, it izens' scheme is paid quarter- EPFO's apex decision making regarding interest rate was could not do so because of the ly. Interest rate on savings body Central Board of reviewed by the CBT and it choppy market conditions JFL to acquire Rs 320-crore deposits has been retained at Trustees headed by Gangwar recommended the same rate of amid the lockdown, induced 10.76 pc stake FDI equity inflow up project to enable 4 per cent annually. had approved 8.5 per cent 8.50 per cent to the Central by COVID-19. in Barbeque- digital ecosystem Nation 21% to $35.3 bn MONEY MATTERS PNS n NEW DELHI and hardware, services, trad- for ports Over 4.73 cr ITRs PNS n NEW DELHI ing, chemicals and automo- PNS n NEW DELHI Foreign direct investment bile. Shahlon Silk declares dividend of Jubilant Foodworks Ltd (JFL), (FDI) equity inflows into The country attracts max- The government is imple- filed till Dec 30 Rs. 0.25 per equity share which operates fastfood India grew 21 per cent to imum funds from Singapore, menting a Rs 320-crore pro- chains Domino's Pizza and USD 35.33 billion during the US, Mauritius, the ject for five major ports in PNS n NEW DELHI hahlon Silk Industries Dunkin' Donuts in India, on April-October period of the Netherlands, the UK, France order to provide a digital port Ltd., a leading textile Thursday said it will invest Rs current financial year, and Japan. ecosystem, according to the Over 4.73 crore income tax Senterprise, Annual 92 crore into Barbeque- according to an official data. In the last one year, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping returns (ITRs) for fiscal 2019- General Meeting on Nation Hospitality Ltd In the year-ago period, government has eased FDI and Waterways. 20 have been filed till December 26, 2020. All the (BNHL) for a 10.76 per cent FDI equity inflows stood at policy in several sectors These ports are Mumbai, December 30, amid the gov- resolutions stated in the equity stake. USD 29.31 billion, as per including insurance inter- Chennai, Deendayal, Paradip ernment extending the dead- 12th Annual General Meeting "The company has entered the data of the Department mediaries and defence. and Kolkata (including line for filing ITR till January had been passed with into a share subscription for Promotion of Industry "26 FDI applications Haldia). 10 for individuals. requisite majority of agreement to acquire equity and Internal Trade (DPIIT). marked to DPIIT have been "An enterprise business Earlier, the deadline to file so far in the current year, while shareholders. The company shares and a restated share- During the first seven disposed of in 2020," it added. system (EBS) is being imple- ITRs was December 31, 2020 filing by businesses and trusts has declared dividend of Rs holders' agreement to regu- months of the current fiscal, The department also said mented at five major ports for individuals and January 31, have increased. 0.25 per equity share for the late the rights and obligations total FDI (including re- total 84 plots admeasuring with a project cost of about Rs 2021 for companies. This was Over 2.61 crore ITR-1 have financial year FY19-20. Shahlon Silk Industries Ltd., leading fashion of BNHL's key shareholders," invested earnings) increased nearly 554.73 acres have been 320 crore to provide a digital extended on Wednesday till been filed till December 30, to technical fabric player to domestic and leading fashion brands Jubilant Foodworks said in a 11 per cent to USD 46.82 allotted to companies with port ecosystem," Ministry of January 10 and February 15, 2020, lower than the 2.91 across the world, is based in Surat, the textile hub of India. With the regulatory filing. billion from USD 42.06 bil- investment to the tune of over Ports, Shipping and respectively. crore filed till August 30, 2019. unwavering vision to be a fully integrated textile enterprise, and the The company said it will lion in April-October 2019, it Rs 16,100 crore including Waterways has said in a doc- "More than 4.73 crore Over 1.05 crore ITR-4 have strong support from workforce of more than 1800 employees, the invest Rs 92 crore for acquir- said. investors like HYOSUNG ument.A total of 2,474 Income Tax Returns for AY been filed till December 30 as company has expanded from yarn marketing agency to texturizing, ing the 10.76 per cent stake in "FDI equity inflow (South Korea), NLMK processes were rationalised, 2020-21 have already been compared to 1.10 crore filed twisting, sizing, yarn dyeing, weaving, finish fabrics and industrial BNHL.BNHL operates increased by 21 per cent to (Russia), HAIER (China), harmonised, optimised and filed till 30th of December, till August 29, 2019. infrastructure fabric player in the country. Shahlon Silk Industries Barbeque Nation (BBQ), an USD 35.33 billion (April 2020 TATA Chemicals and AMUL standardised to arrive at a 2020," the I-T department Returns in ITR-1 Sahaj can Limited is engaged in manufacturing and exporting of supreme Indian cuisine casual dining to October 2020) from USD so far. Nine companies have final re-engineered process said in a tweet. be filed by individuals whose quality fabrics and synthetic textile yarn across the world. Brand, which introduced the 29.31 billion reported in the also started their commercial count of 162 processes, it said. Last year, the deadline for total income does not exceed Headquartered in Surat, SSIL has state of art facilities in and around concept of live grilling of same period of previous production, DPIIT said. In addition, a centralised individuals to file ITRs was Rs 50 lakh, while form ITR-4 Surat, the textile hub of India. The company has three manufacturing kebabs to the Indian market. financial year," the depart- It added that Project web-based port community August 31 and over 5.65 crore Sugam is meant for individu- units in Gujarat located at Kim, Karanj, and Kosamba. The company It owns and operates 138 ment said in a statement Development Cells (PDCs) system (PCS) has been oper- ITRs were filed. The number als, Hindu Undivided Families is leading player in fabric used in women's wear like sarees and Barbeque Nation restaurants while listing out its high- have now been established in ationalised across all major was over 5.12 crore till August (HUFs) and firms (other than garments, which are growing segments and have been growing at across 73 cities in India and lights during 2020. 29 ministries/departments of ports which enables seamless 30.An analysis of the data LLP) having a total income of double digits. Shahlon's garment manufacturers in Delhi, Mumbai seven international Barbeque Sectors which attracted the government, headed by data flow between various showed that filing of tax up to Rs 50 lakh and having and Bengaluru who export to top brands like M&S, Matalan, H&M, Nation restaurants (as of maximum foreign inflows respective Joint Secretary- stakeholders through com- returns by individuals for fis- presumptive income from Belk, and many more. November 30, 2019). It also included computer software level nodal officers. mon interface. cal 2019-20 has slowed down business and profession. has a presence in the Italian cuisine segment under the brand Toscano. Jubilant Foodworks Chair man Bank credit grows 6 pc, deposits Shyam S Bhartia and its Co- ‘Stable regulatory environment must for medical tech’ Chairman Hari S Bhartia by 11.3 pc during Dec 5-18 said the proposed invest- PNS n NEW DELHI prepared by Pricewater comprehensive account of how vanilla protectionism, but for providing better access to ank credit grew 6.05 per ment will create value for the houseCoopers (PwC) also the entire healthcare continu- smart globalisation, which will quality healthcare to Indian cent to Rs 105.49 lakh company's shareholders. Timely payment of dues by stresses on the need for hospi- um has been battling chal- help maintain the supply chain patients as hospitals have either Bcrore, while deposits rose BNHL had reported a total rev- government, transparency tals to drive patient and doctor lenges on multiple fronts and continuity with substantial postponed or shelved their 11.33 per cent to Rs 144.82 enue of Rs 742.5 crore in 2018- while taking price control mea- confidence besides collaborat- has shown grit in the face of room for localisation manoeu- capital expenditure plans due lakh crore during December 5- 19 on a consolidated basis. sures and a stable regulatory ing with medical technology adversity to remain devoted to vres, he added. to a sharp drop in revenues this 18, RBI data showed. In the environment are required to companies for clinical research. its cause. It is clear that urgent "Such an approach will help year. As per the whitepaper, fortnight ended December 20, revive the medical technology It further noted that med- measures are required to us expand the economy with- majority of hospital beds have 2019, bank credit stood at Rs sector in the country, as per a ical technology companies reverse the trend of falling out shrinking our indigeniza- been held up for COVID-19 99.47 lakh crore and deposits at whitepaper released by the should continue using digital revenues and profitability," tion drive and undermining treatment, creating a shortage Rs 130.09 lakh crore. In the Medical Technology means to enhance their out- MTaI Chairman Pavan our geo-commercial prepared- for other cases. Senior doctors, fortnight ended December 4 this year, bank credit grew 5.73 per cent Association of India (MTaI). reach, and conduct training Choudary said. The measures ness," Choudary said. who are part of the high-risk to Rs 105.04 lakh crore and deposits by 11.34 per cent to Rs 145.92 The whitepaper -- programs for junior doctors to should be evidence based and The PwC whitepaper noted population, still have low con- lakh crore. In October, non-food credit grew 5.6 per cent The MedTech Industry in India upgrade their skill. shorn of ideology and there- that the COVID-19 pandemic fidence to visit hospitals and compared to a growth of 8.3 per cent in the same month of the – COVID-19 and Beyond -- "The PwC report gives a fore, the solution is not plain has intensified the challenges perform surgeries safely. previous year.Growth in loans to agriculture and allied activities accelerated to 7.4 per cent in the month from 7.1 per cent last year.Credit to industry contracted 1.7 per cent in October 2020 as compared with 3.4 per cent growth in the year-ago period.Growth in loans to the services sector accelerated to 9.5 per cent in October 2020: An eventful year for growing agricultural sector 2020 from 6.5 per cent in the same month of the previous year.During the month, personal loans registered a growth of 9.3 per PNS n NEW DELHI lockdown restrictions for farm cent as compared with 17.2 per cent increase in October 2019. Union Agriculture Minister activities to ensure food secu- Indian agriculture sector rity. achieved record foodgrain pro- Narendra Singh Tomar, who is While many farmers, espe- duction and registered positive leading the negotiations with the cially those growing perishables Tax tribunal suo motu junks growth despite the coronavirus items, suffered in the initial pandemic but the massive unions, was hopeful of finding days of the lockdown and were farmers' protest at the borders solutions before the year end, forced to dump their crops, negative remarks on Mistry of the national capital against paddy and wheat growers were n an unprecedented move, the the new farm laws overshad- but it was not meant to be able to sell their crops. The gov- Mumbai bench of the income tax owed its remarkable perfor- ernment purchased a record 39 Iappellate tribunal (ITAT) has mance this year. million tonnes of wheat at the retracted the critical remarks it made Notwithstanding the cold the sector remained the only Just before the outbreak of MSP. on Cyrus Mistry in its recent order weather and pandemic con- bright spot in the Indian econ- the pandemic in the country, Thanks to good southwest that restored the tax-exempt status cerns, the protest by thou- omy, which was battered by the the Union government in the monsoon and relaxed lock- of the three key Tata Trusts. sands of farmers, mainly from pandemic. Budget in February enhanced down norms that ensured In a major moral victory for the past Punjab and Haryana, started in At a time when almost all the allocation for agriculture and timely supply of farm inputs, chairman of Tata Group who was late November and is continu- industries were severely allied sector by 30 per cent to farmers sowed kharif crops unceremoniously sacked on October 24, 2016, the tribunal issued a ing even as the government the government and the unions news laws enacted in impacted, the agriculture and Rs 1,42,761 crore for this fiscal. like paddy on time and harvest- corrigendum on Wednesday to its December 28 order saying "the and around 40 farmer unions on Wednesday, both sides September and legal guarantee allied sectors grew 3.4 per cent Besides, several new pro- ed the crop. Like wheat, the critical remarks were due to a typo." The corrigendum issued by have so far held as many as six reached at a consensus regard- for MSP (Minimum Support in both first and second quar- grammes were announced. government has already pro- president of the tribunal P P Bhatt and vice-president Pramod Kumar, rounds of formal discussions to ing concerns about the pro- Price) procurement system -- ters of this fiscal while the As the government was busy cured record 45 million tonnes clarifies that the first order made certain "inadvertent references to break the deadlock. posed electricity amendment remained inconclusive. Now, economy contracted 23.9 per preparing for roll out of the of paddy so far in this kharif Mistry because of a few typo errors." Further, it says in observations Union Agriculture Minister bill and the ordinance on air both sides hope for a resolution cent and 7.5 per cent, respec- Budget decisions, including marketing season. on Mistry one fact that was inadvertently missed out was that the Narendra Singh Tomar, who is pollution that penalises farm- in the new year and the next tively, during the same period. Kisan Rail and Kisan UDAN, The government, which information furnished by Mistry was in response to a notice from the leading the negotiations with ers for stubble burning. round of talks is scheduled to The country had record the nationwide lockdown was was sitting on huge buffer assessing officer. It further says, "The above corrections will have no the unions, was hopeful of The government has be held on January 4. foodgrain production of 296.65 imposed for little over two stocks of foodgrains because of impact on the outcome of the appeal and the outcome of the appeal finding solutions before the promised to decriminalise The country's agriculture million tonnes in 2019-20 crop months from late March to bumper production and pro- remains the same." The Mistry family has welcomed the suo motu year end, but it was not meant stubble burning by farmers sector, which contributes year (July-June) and the output curb spreading of coronavirus curement in the last several retraction saying, the immediate correction of wild allegations in the to be. and also assured continuation around 15 per cent of the GDP could cross 300 million tonnes infections. years, provided free ration to ITAT order is a vindication of truth and justice. "We note that the Later, Tomar said he expects of power subsidies. and employs more than half of in the current 2020-21 on good The lockdown was imposed whopping 80 crore poor from income tax appellate tribunal has issued a corrigendum on its own, the new year to herald new But the talks on the con- the population, saw good, bad monsoon, which has led to at a time when the rabi crops April till November, a major to correct the wild personal allegations made against Mistry that solutions to end the crisis. tentious issues and two main and ugly moments in equal higher sowing of kharif and like wheat were ready for har- relief for people severely formed part of its December 28 order, in a proceeding where Mistry In the last meeting between demands -- repealing of three measure this year. Nevertheless, rabi crops. vesting. The government eased impacted by the pandemic. was not even a party," the Mistry family said. 9

Vijayawada Friday January 1 2021 webbed Shahid Kapoor and Salman Khan signs the biggest deal amid COVID!

Vijay Sethupathi’s command a great return value in terms of digital and satellite viewing side by side music streaming on various platforms.” web series gets a title! Interestingly, the film was earlier supposed to be released theatrically by YRF globally on a commission hahid Kapoor basis, however, now it will be has signed his Zee Studios, who have been first web entrusted with the responsi- S series, to be bility. “It’s a blanket deal and directed by n October, Salman Sources say, “Salman has a beginning of partnership Raj Nidimoru Khan wrapped up sold the satellite, theatrical, for the two. Salman’s produc- and Krishna DK of i shooting for Radhe - digital and music rights of tion, Kaagaz featuring Pankaj Go Goa Gone fame. Your Most Wanted Radhe - Your Most Wanted Tripathi too is seeing a pre- The makers are yet to Bhai with a 15-day schedule Bhai to Zee Studios for Rs. miere on Zee’s streaming make a formal in Karjat and Mumbai. Since 230 crores which is the platform. He also has a announcement of the then, the actor with director biggest deal in Covid times. multi-film satellite deal with same. Prabhudheva and the pro- They have been discussing Zee Network and his last 3 The web series also duction team, have been the possibility of collabora- releases — Race 3, Bharat features Vijay working on the post-produc- tion all through the lock- and Dabangg 3 that saw the Sethupathi in an inte- tion of the film to get it ready down and the deal was finally world television premiere on gral role. An action for an Eid 2021 release. We cracked early in December. Zee Cinema,” the trade thriller, the project goes hear, the final edit of the film It’s a reasonable deal that has source added. Meanwhile, on floors next month! is about to be locked and not led to a table profit for Salman recently celebrated Until now, we knew that just that, Salman Khan has Salman and Zee too, doesn’t his 55th birthday and is cur- the series marks Shahid’s signed a massive deal for the have much risk involved rently enjoying the New Year debut in the online space film’s release. given that Salman’s films holidays at his Panvel Farm. and will be premiered on Amazon Prime as an origi- nal. But now, an insider has informed that the team The OTT project will be shot Shashank Khaitan’s Yoddha, has finalised a title for the across Mumbai and Goa start- opted out of the Dharma pro- Namit Das has some killer series as well. It is tentative- ing January and will be an eight ject and will now first flag off ly titled Gavar. The con- or ten part episodic series that the Raj and DK actioner. Like tracts have been signed and will be wrapped up around their trademark brand of cine- both Shahid and Vijay have March or April. Shahid, who ma, Gavar will also be a pop- moves in Aafat-E-Ishq on Zee5 blocked their dates for the was supposed to start this pro- corn action thriller series that web series. ject after finishing work on will be shot in two parts. EE5 Studios’ Aafat- E-Ishq went down as Namit Das’ first z big project post the lockdown! Mukesh Chabbra: Potential of online After dedicating his year to diverse roles, the powerhouse performer took his game up by many notches by signing platforms hasn't been explored the upcoming digital venture that shall see him in yet asting director overwhelming. I was really extent also, falling in love another distinct role. Mukesh Chabbra, worried and kept wondering with this online medium of Interestingly, the actor shared whose directorial before the release if people viewing content from the its first look and it is super c debut Dil Bechara would actually watch it if it comfort of our home or any- gripping to say the least. mysterious events and an whether this is love or friend- released on OTT was streamed online. But where and streaming it at The first look has the actor unexpected climax. ship. It’s an interesting look. this year, says the honestly speaking, I could any time we liked,” said the and actress Neha Sharma in a The ZEE5 Studios produc- He has something retro and potential of a digital plat- not be happier and blessed director. very retro getup and both are tion has a brilliant ensemble playful about him. I thank form is vast and it has not with the response I got on “The fact that these plat- in the middle of a dance gig. cast that also includes con- director Indrajeet Natto ji been explored enough yet. my directorial film,” said forms have so many options, Namit shared the first temporaries like Ila Arun, who had me in his mind for Dil Bechara features late Chhabra. we even went on to explore glimpse of the movie on his Deepak Dobriyal, Pravessh this part. It takes the makers actor Sushant Singh Rajput The film was eagerly shows and films that we social media and in the cap- Rana and Neha Sharma. to have complete faith in you alongside Sanjana Sanghi. awaited by Sushant’s fans wouldn’t usually watch. tion space he wrote, “Atmaram is one of the when they are casting or “Most of the films were after his mysterious death on Apart from that, it has “Atmaram has some killer strangest characters that I when they’re allotting parts released online, including June 14, and it released on opened numerous opportu- moves! Stay tuned have played in my career. I to actors. When people see a my directorial debut Dil July 24. nities for actors and film- #AafatEIshq is coming soon! don’t want to reveal much part like this they will also Bechara and a few shows and “The potential of an makers alike. menting with roles and content that he has been #ishqwillkill” about it but whatever has realise why the right casting films that I cast for as a cast- online platform is so vast Without the concept of a breaking the stereotype,” he watching online. His upcom- Namit informs that the ele- been disclosed so far includes is so important. It is one of ing director. The heartwarm- that we haven’t even box office hit, producers too added. ing projects as casting direc- ments that make Aafat-E-Ishq that he has killer moves. the most important factors of ing response I received even explored it enough yet. I feel are willing to take the risk of Chhabra says he has also tor in 2021 include biggies intriguing are that it is These moves are enough to filmmaking. My director though Dil Bechara was as an audience, it made us investing into seemingly new been able to identify and dis- such as 83, Brahmastra, and packed with a strong narra- get Neha interested in him really stood by me. A big released online, was just more accepting and to some content. Actors are experi- cover new talent through the Laal Singh Chaddha. tive, amusing characters, but now the question is salute to him,” says Namit. FUN

ARCHIE CALVIN AND HOBBES

GARFIELD REALITY CHECK SPEED BUMP CROSSWORD

NANCY

SUDOKU Yesterday’s solution

GINGER MEGGS

Rules l Each row and column can contain each number (1 to 9) exactly once. l The sum of all numbers in any row or column must equal 45. Follow us on @TheDailyPioneer facebook.com/ dailypioneer

Friday January 1, 2021 The countdown 2021

ith Wmany events in 2020 being begins! cancelled and The year 2020 has been full of surprises that no the entertainment industry asking their one, not a single soul, has ever asked for! First, the crew to work from bushfires raging across Australia killing billions of animals. Then, with war home, the winds of breathing over the shoulder between India and China and racial tensions over change felt like it’s going to police brutality reaching a boiling point to us still dealing with the worst be with us for a long time. s the clock is going to strike midnight on the eve of New ‘Build a life full of choices and pandemic in recent history is killing so many people every day. The Year’s today, wishes will begin pouring in! And while we saw not chances’, re-inventing himself only solace many of us had in the onset of the lockdown was Akids getting bored, parents busy with household chores, with this notion in the times of elders having no choice but stay at home, there was Gomathi the fact that we were co-isolating with our families. 2020 Priya, television actress from Hitler Gari Pellam, who was busy pandemic, Trinayani fame Chandu trying out the flip side of being an actress amid lockdown. Gowda navigated well enough through allowed us to introspect our relationships, values Learning how to cook efficiently, Gomathi became conscious the difficult times of 2020 and relaxing in and passion. As 2021 is here, we have nothing about eating right! Taking the hard way round, the pandemic the new norms of life that have taken awakened her spirits of valuing life even more and quit junk diet. to offer but a hope for a bright year. More Considering the virus to come as a boon for a reason, she at last place. “2020 was really tough on us given found ample time to spend with her family with the whole the pandemic situation but it taught me to ollywood memories, more adventure and television industry coming to a halt! “Given a choice, I wouldn't count on my blessings. I'm still want to change the occurrence of events in 2020. Instead, I was actress more travel stories! Here's looking out for a silver lining! T so busy chasing my dreams that it gave me a time to slow down Punarnavi Bhupalam and introspect about my health. What’s more needed to sustain Having everything shut, what some of our tinsel is looking forward to a than having the basic necessities of life? The idea of looking after one first-class thing low-key New Year’s eve! town stars expect of one another is all that mattered in 2020, to our social media this pandemic did fanatics, the novel coronavirus educated them that there is a life The 24-year-old beauty 2021: was to re-spark a beyond that as well. I'm looking forward to more successful hopes for self-care and projects and connecting well with my fan-base in 2021, hoping to joy amongst a more opportunities in the enjoy more in 2021,” adds the actress. Wondering what’s her New family bonding. Year resolution? They seem to be very different from others we coming year. Speaking about Spending time had a conversation with, which is, seeking to have a lavish lifestyle her experience with 2020, she with my and grinding hard for it. She is unbending about turning her says, “Until February or March, insights about it. family was everything was normal and then, 2020 certainly a happened! A lot of disturbing things took moment of shape all around the world. I realised that he year has been a mixed pot of emotions and respite for experiences. Some of us have realised the impor- being empathetic and taking care of myself is me amid Ttance of self-care, and that can be attributed to the very important. I learnt a lot of life skills such as huge amounts of time we’ve had to spend doing nothing. the busy cooking, baking, driving, and swimming and I Actress Salony Luthra, the beauty who was seen in schedules Bhanumathi & Ramakrishna, talks to us about what her even started reading more! I think the pandemic we have year’s been like. “I think the pandemic has taught us that changed our lives for both, good and bad. It’s life is really short and we should make as many small every day as been an eye-opener. If I could change something moments as we can, to count. I’d like everyone to focus an actor,” on that and not just on the hustle and grind,” she says. about the year, it'll be the violence that took shares he. “For 2021, I’d like to advise myself to be more disci- place. We need to understand that hate doesn’t plined and to take my health more seriously. I want to Apart from an take us anywhere.” On being asked about New eat right, stay fit. I’d like to spend as much time as I can, epidemic, not with the people I love because that’s what counts at the Year resolutions, the actress said “I don’t want to wanting to change end of the year.” While the world rings in the end of start my New Year with high expectations and goals this dismal year, Salony has a valid reason to cel- anything from the that I'll stop this or start that — I’ll rather take my time ebrate! “The universe has blessed me with the past year, Chandu is best gift ever with Bhanumathi & with things and remain consistent with them. I’m looking forward to his way Ramakrishna being listed as one of the top 10 hoping to gradually incorporate things that I’ve learnt movies of south India and my performance into Telugu cinema giving in 2020 into 2021.” That’s also the advice she gives being one of the top 15 performances of audiences the much-needed south India - it was amazing, so for New her future self - to remain consistent with her routine, entertainment they were Year’s I'll be taking it all in, chilling with workout and self-care. “For New Year's eve, I’ll spend family, have a few friends over for dinner,” forced to abstain from, it with my family and friends. It’ll be she adds. On the topic of any resolutions, during the lockdown. she wants to follow in 2021, she says, “I pretty mundane, I think,” The actor seems to gave up on the idea of resolutions because she laughs. I think we put too much stress on them, usher fast into 2021 they usually fall flat within a few weeks. with responsible and But this year, I would strongly want to safe partying norms. follow a resolution I made for myself to make every month special by somehow earning for the missed out days commemorating it.” Salony has two inter- Yon shooting, actor Ashwini from esting projects coming up in 2021 that Nagabhairavi made her way through 2021 and how! should be kept an eye out for! Wanting to help the deprived and needy further, the pandemic has sure brought her interest into assessing the way she was living her life all this while. Because at the end of the day what matters is where our happiness lies basically. Planning to party with a very closed knit of friends and family, the Nagabhairavi fame will be taking off more time from the shores and is willing to focus more onto cinematic aspects. Not more of a resolution taker person, he says he loves accepting challenges coming his way and will strive to fulfil them at any cost. “We have all been through this tough time together from our respective homes, spending quality time with family was relaxing. Pandemic made me realise how much I needed to be with my parents. I also learnt that helping one another is the key to a blissful life ahead. I also saw a lot of animals suffering due to this pandemic and we must all pledge to not let this happen again,” she concludes. sport 11 VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | JANUARY 1, 2021

Injured Umesh out of series; Warner will play in Sydney Shardul to replace him PTI n NEW DELHI Indies ended abruptly due to injury even before he could PTI n MELBOURNE acer Umesh Yadav was on bowl an over. He has been PThursday ruled out of the shaping up well and might struggling Australia are remainder of the series against replace Umesh in the playing prepared to risk playing ‘Pucovski has good track record Australia due to the calf injury XI.” The final call will be taken Aseasoned opener David he sustained during the by the head coach Ravi Shastri, Warner in the third Test against Melbourne match and the stand-in skipper Ajinkya India even if he is not 100% fit, Indian team management is Rahane and bowling coach assistant coach Andrew after returning from concussion’ likely to prefer Shardul Thakur Bharath Arun after reaching McDonald said on Thursday. over left-arm pace sensation T Sydney. Shardul has so far In the absence of Warner, PTI n MELBOURNE “We do know with the Natarajan for the third Test. played 62 first class games and who was recovering from a groin history that Will has had, and According to sources, has 206 wickets to show for his muscle tear, Australia’s batting ill Puckovski’s history of with my time with him at senior pacer Yadav, who missed efforts. Another aspect that failed miserably in the first two Wbouncing back strongly Victoria. He had a pretty good the third Test due to a calf India would like to address matches. from concussion-induced track record of performing muscle tear, is heading home ahead of the Third Test is a long “That’s a real, clear option. breaks gives Australia assistant when he has returned,” for rehabilitation. tail that has affected the team. He may not be 100 per cent fit — coach Andrew McDonald McDonald was quoted as say- The third Test begins in Shardul has six first class who is coming off an injury? You confidence that the young ing by Australian Associated Sydney from January 7. half centuries and during his never know until you get out opener will not have trouble in Press (AAP). “Umesh will have to go for stint with the national team in there,” McDonald said. scoring runs if drafted into “I think the selectors will an extensive rehab. He has left white ball games, he has proved “Look, if he’s 90-95% fit and playing XI. put a bit of trust put into the for India,” a BCCI source to be a decent batsman. the conversation is that he's fit Pucovski, who was player around whether he’s privy to develop- “Obviously the next few enough to be able to go out there primed to make debut in year-old's ninth concussion, mentally ready. And clearly it ments in training sessions will be impor- and perform his duties for the Adelaide, was ruled out of the not all from cricket. He has will be up to the coach once Australia told tant and that’s why the final call team, then I’m sure that’ll be a first two Tests after being hit now been included in the he lays eyes on him to see PTI on is likely to be taken in Sydney,” conversation the coach has with on the head in the first warm- squad for the remainder of the where he’s at in terms of being Thursday. “While the source said. the player. up game. That was the 22- series. skill ready. people are excited As far as Yadav “Most times Justin (Langer) about the brilliant is concerned, is pretty open with the players in back. have a little bit of depth out there.” Rajasthan Royals and there's progress shown he is expected terms of giving them accountabil- “I’m sure that he’s excited to One of the biggest setbacks nothing to suggest that there’s a by T to head off ity around that.” come back into the group as well. for the Aussies so far has been a link there. Natarajan, we to Warner has been named in There’s nothing worse than being rare slump in form for batting “I’m sure ideally you would mustn't forget National the squad along with Victorian injured when you are at the top mainstay Steve Smith, who has so prefer to be with your family he has played Cricket young gun Will Pucovski for the of your game as David has been far scored only 10 runs in four around Christmas time and only one first Academy in Bengaluru third Test as Australia look to over a period of time.” innings in the series. Justin addressed that. Some play- class match for extensive rehab pro- bounce back from the eight- Pucovski, too, is set for a “I wouldn’t be too quick to ers and staff members unfortu- for Tamil gramme. The 33-year- wicket loss in the Boxing Day potential debut after the young- be judging Steve Smith not look- nately are going to be disconnect- Nadu. And old had hobbled off the Test here. ster suffered a concussion in the ing good in the middle. He ed from family during Christmas Shardul has been a field after suffering the McDonald said Warner is first warm-up match against the looks pretty solid and hitting the time, less than ideal there’s no seasoned domestic injury during the optimistic about making a come- Indians earlier this month. ball well at the nets,” McDonald doubt. red ball pacer for third day of the back in Sydney. “He will be put through said. “Yeah, it’s a challenge to Mumbai,” the source Boxing “He’s (Warner) very opti- tests whatever it needs to be put Asked if life in a bio-bubble rebound. The world’s best play- added. Day mistic that he should be ready to through to make himself avail- was affecting Smith, he said: “No, ers usually rebound. He’s (Smith) “Shardul was real- Test. go, which is a great news for us. able for selection to potentially none whatsoever. Obviously we in a really good space to be hon- ly unfortunate that his We are really excited to have him Australia’s David Warner trains during practice session file photo open the batting. So it’s good to worked closely at UAE with the est, come Sydney Test.” Test debut against West Rahane, Ashwin climb in rankings India Eves Oz

PTI n DUBAI equalling fifth position. scores of 71 and 60 have helped Matthew Wade's scores of him advance 27 places to a tour postponed ndia captain Virat Kohli held 30 and 40 as opener helped him career-best 47th position. Ion to his second position reach 50th among batsmen Left-arm fast bowler PTI n MELBOURNE while stand-in skipper Ajinkya from 55th, while Cameron Shaheen Afridi has moved Rahane broke into the top 10 Green gained 36 slots to reach from 35th to 33rd after grab- he Indian women’s team’s wait to resume after gaining five places in the 115th position. bing four wickets in the first Tinternational cricket since the coronavirus- latest ICC men's Test batting New Zealand captain Kane innings. induced break continued with its scheduled ranking released on Thursday. Williamson, meanwhile, ended In Centurion, a knock of tour of Australia getting postponed to next sea- Rahane climbed to the the year at the top position after 199 by Faf du Plessis saw him son, Cricket Australia said on Thursday. sixth spot after scoring 112 and he dethroned Australia's Steve not only win the player of the The Indian team, which last played the T20 27 not out to inspire India's Smith, who slipped to the third match award but also gain 14 World Cup final in March, was scheduled to Rohit attends 1st eight-wicket series-levelling spot after managing scores of 0 places to reach 21st position, play three ODIs on January 22 in Canberra, win in the second Test against and 8 in the two innings at one behind team-mate Dean January 25 in Melbourne and January 28 in Australia in Melbourne. It is just MCG. Elgar, who too gained four Hobart. practice session one below his career-best rank- Williamson, who had spots after a knock of 95. However, the governing body added the ing of fifth attained in October briefly occupied the top spot Lungi Ngidi gained four tour will now be a part of the build-up to the PTI n MELBOURNE squad took a brief two- last year. towards the end of 2015, was places and is 56th among 2022 World Cup, which has been pushed to day break after India’s Off-spinner Ravichandran rewarded for his player of the bowlers. March-April due to the pandemic, and will oining the Indian team fine win in the second Ashwin, too, was rewarded for match effort in the first Test For Sri Lanka, Dinesh include three T20Is. Jafter completing his Test at MCG. his five-wicket haul at the MCG against Pakistan in Tauranga, Chandimal's knocks of 85 and “We are very hopeful of delivering an mandatory 14-day quar- The 33-year-old as he gained two places to the which New Zealand won by 25 have lifted him three places expanded schedule between the Australian and antine, star batsman Rohit Mumbaikar, who had seventh spot, while pacer Jasprit 101 runs. to 38th while Dhananjaya de Indian women’s teams for next season, which Sharma on Thursday missed the limited-overs Bumrah rose to the ninth posi- Williamson gained 13 rat- Silva (up nine places to 34th) would be an outstanding result for fans in both went through his first series as well as the first tion. ing points for his effort of 129 and Kusal Perera (up four countries,” CA interim chief executive officer practice session in two Tests against Ravindra Jadeja, who and 21 to go 11 points clear of places to 60th) have also made Nick Hockley said in a statement. Australia under the Australia due to a ham- scored a crucial 57 and cap- Kohli, who is on paternity notable gains among batsmen. “We had initially hoped to play India this watchful eyes of batting string injury that he sus- tured three wickets in the sec- leave, and 13 ahead of Smith. Left-arm fast bowler summer, however the impact of the global pan- coach Vikram Rathour. tained during the IPL, ond Test, remained at number Ross Taylor (up three Vishwa Fernando has gained demic made it necessary to postpone until next The prolific opener is was seen taking catching three but reduced the gap with places to 14th) is another New two slots to reach 45th position season.” expected to play the third practice in the pho- Jason Holder to seven points in Zealand batsman to move up, after his three-wicket haul. India had lost to Australia by 85 runs in Test in Sydney from tographs. the allrounder's ranking. while 26-year-old fast bowler In the ICC Test team rank- their last international outing at the Melbourne January 7. Three throwdown He, however, gained 11 Ajinkya Rahane waves to the crowd as he leaves the field AP Kyle Jamieson reached the top ings, New Zealand are in line to Cricket Ground. “The engine is just experts — Raghavindraa, and four positions to reach a 30 after just five Tests, follow- wrest the top spot from “It will be wonderful to once again host the getting started and here is Nuwan Seneviratne and career best-equalling 36th and batsmen and bowlers, respec- Cheteshwar Pujara's lack of ing his hauls of three for 35 and Australia, who remain fraction- Indian women's team, who were centre stage a quick glimpse of what Dayananda Garani — 14th positions in batting and tively. form saw him lose two spots to two for 35 in Tauranga. ally ahead since the Test team for that unforgettable ICC T20 World Cup final lies ahead. #TeamIndia were also there to assist bowling respectively. Gill scored 45 and 35 not slip to the 10th place. For Pakistan, Fawad Alam's rankings are updated only at the at the MCG in March, and to do so with an #AUSvIND,” BCCI tweet- Rohit. Prior to meeting MCG debutants Shubman out opening the innings, while Australia left-arm fast valiant second-innings century end of each series. expanded schedule from what was originally ed with two pictures of his teammates, Rohit had Gill and Mohammad Siraj Siraj finished with five wickets bowler Mitchell Starc's four has lifted him 80 places to Even a draw in the second planned,” Hockley said. the batsman. While he spent two weeks in quar- made notable entries in 76th in the match. wickets in the match helped 102nd position while wicket- Test against Pakistan could see Dates and venues of the postponed tour will trained, the rest of the antine in Sydney. and 77th positions in the list for India's batting mainstay him reach a career best- keeper Mohammad Rizwan's New Zealand take the top spot. be confirmed in due course, CA said.

AP n WELLINGTON Liverpool drop points at St Mary’s ast bowler Neil Wagner played Falmost all of New Zealand’s first Wagner to miss 2nd Test AP n NEWCASTLE cricket test against Pakistan with two broken toes but will not play the second Rizwan was full of admiration for oalkeeper Karl Darlow test and is facing a six-week recovery. Wagner's effort of continuing to bowl Gpulled off a string of saves to Wagner was struck by Pakistan in the first test despite his injury. help Newcastle hold Liverpool to paceman Shaheen Afridi while batting “I can’t explain Neil Wagner,” a 0-0 draw as the defending on the second day of the first test at Bay Rizwan said. champion’s vaunted attacking Oval in Mount Maunganui, sustaining "Eleven overs in a row on an trio came up empty. two fractures to toes on his right foot. injured toe, he’s a different guy. His Mohamed Salah missed two In spite of the injury, Wagner aggressions were beautiful. He’s a big good chances when he had just bowled 21 overs in Pakistan's first bowler.” Darlow to beat, and strike-part- innings and 28 in the second, leaving New Zealand captain Kane ner Roberto Firmino saw two the field for painkilling injections before Williamson, who was man of the match headers saved at St. James' Park returning to bowl again. in the first test, praised Wagner’s on Wednesday. In the second innings he bowled a courage and dedication. Three days after struggling marathon spell of 11 overs, securing two “People talk about the size of his West Bromwich Albion earned a vital wickets as New Zealand complet- heart but to have a couple of broken toes point at Anfield, Jurgen Klopp’s ed a win by 101 runs on Wednesday. … he was in a lot of pain,” Williamson team was frustrated once again, On Thursday, Wagner was ruled said. although Darlow needed some out of the second test at Christchurch “We were trying to use him when help in the form of a late goal-line beginning Sunday and likely will have the injection was taking effect. It was clearance from Fabian Schar to to rest for six week before is injury is full kind of unique for all of us, but in par- deny Sadio Mane and maintain mended. Pakistan captain Mohammad New Zealand's injured bowler Neil Wagner, left, is consoled by teammate Tom Latham AP ticular Neil.” the stalemate. Liverpool has now won only two of eight league away games this season but still tops the table, three points ahead of Manchester United. Hamilton knighted in year-end royal honours Liverpool could have taken Hamilton, who secured different drive than what I’ve because he lives in low-tax honours, veteran comic the lead 11 minutes before the AP n LONDON his seventh F1 title last month had in me in the past, to get Monaco. actress Sheila Hancock was break when Salah beat the offside to equal Michael to the end of those races first His tax affairs made news made a dame, the female trap to control the ball in front of ewis Hamilton is now a Schumacher’s record, has so that I could utilize that in 2017 when the Paradise equivalent of a knight, in the advancing Darlow, who got Jurgen Klopp, right speaks to Alisson after the end of the EPL football match AP L“Sir” as well as a seven- said his recent success platform” against racism. Papers leak showed he avoid- recognition of her six-decade his hand on the Egyptian's shot time Formula One champion. was partly inspired by Supporters have suggest- ed paying more than USD 4 career.Acclaimed makeup to steer it wide of the post. keeper Alisson Becker then had could tap into an empty net. Hamilton received a the Black Lives Matter ed Hamilton would have million in taxes on a private artist Pat McGrath, dubbed The goalkeeper then pro- to pull off a diving save of his own Darlow then clawed away knighthood Wednesday as movement. The 35- been knighted jet registered in the Isle of the “most influential makeup duced a fine reaction save in stop- 11 minutes from time when another Firmino header near part of Queen Elizabeth II’s year-old race car dri- sooner if not for Man, a tax haven. artist in the world” by Vogue, page time to repel Firmino’s Ciaran Clark met Matt Ritchie’s the end to preserve his clean New Year’s honours list, which ver took the knee on his tax status. Motorsport U.K. Chairm also received a damehood. header from point-blank range. free kick with a downward head- sheet. It was the only Premier also recognized British per- the grid and wore Hamilton’s an David Richards said There was a knighthood Salah had another chance to er. Liverpool nearly scored League game played Wednesday formers, politicians, public anti-racism slogans knighthood Hamilton’s tax status had been for cinematographer Roger break the deadlock in the 67th moments later when Darlow after Fulham recorded a number servants and people outside during the season. was awarded “totally misunderstood" and Deakins, a 15-time Academy when he was played in by pushed the ball away onto Mane’s of coronavirus cases and its the limelight who worked to Hamilton told the in the “over- that the racing champion was Award nominee who has won Firmino but directed his effort leg and Schar had to hack the ball match at Tottenham had to be defeat the coronavirus and its BBC last week seas” section of among the 5,000 highest tax- Oscars for "Blade Runner past the upright. Liverpool goal- off his line before the forward postponed. devastating impacts. that “it was a the honours list payers in the U.K. In other 2049" and “1917.” 12

Vijayawada Friday January 1, 2021 tollywood No 2021 Sam to begin 2021 resolutions with a bang In Goa with her husband right now, for Rashmika Samantha Akkineni has ashmika Mandanna, who is Doling out some advice to followers, green-lit two in Goa with her friends to she asked them to dream big and work ring in the New Year, partici- out including on holidays. new Telugu R pated in an insta video chat Rashmika, who was in the news with her followers, marking recently for landing her maiden Hindi the completion of four years venture Mission Majnu, starring projects. in the film industry as an actress. When Siddharth Malhotra, is also said to have a follower wanted to know what her signed Vikas Bahl’s slice of life comedy Of the two, 2021 resolution is, she laughed and said, Deadly, headlined by Amitabh “Like any of my resolutions in 2020 Bachchan. In Telugu, she is said to be worked. Well, I’m not keeping any reso- the frontrunner to be cast opposite Jr one is lutions.” NTR in his next with Trivikram. Gunasekhar's mythological romance Shakuntalam, which, according to a source, will be her most challenging role yet, reports NAGARAJ GOUD

er only Telugu consent to a couple of costume drama release last year, anticipated projects-with Shakuntalam, which is Jaanu, might have one of them being Thank the screen adaptation of been a bummer at You, headlined by her Kalidasa’s play H the ticket counters hubby. While we were Abhijñanasakuntala (The despite her role the first one to break the Sign of Shakuntala). A receiving tons of acco- news (Dec 22) that Avika whimsical tale of love lades; Samantha Gor was finalised as one from the Adi Parva of Akkineni is starting the leading lady, we now can the Mahabharata, the New Year afresh. confirm that Samantha project is a production According to a source, will be seen as the prin- venture of Gunasekhar’s the actress, who is cipal leading lady of the daughter Neelima, with right now in film. Sam and Chay’s is a music by Mani Sharma. Goa with her sought-after jodi, having “Sam is the perfect com- husband Naga delivered successful films bination of softness and Chaitanya like Ee Maya Chesave, quiet strength, required welcoming Manam and Majili in the to pull off the part. She 2021, has past. Plus, the actress enjoyed the narration of given shares a great working Gunasekhar and could her relationship with Vikram visualise the opulence Kumar, as she featured in that the latter was trying his films like Manam and to achieve. She told the 24. “So, besides her director to be meticulous impactful role in Thank with the pre-production You, husband and as she doesn’t want the Vikram factor meant that project to go beyond six she boards the project months on sets. The whose new schedule director agreed and the commences in prep is in full-swing. Hyderabad on January 4,’ Sam believes it’s a role of the source informs us a lifetime and she will exclusively. Sam has also start prepping for it after given her nod to be a her return from Goa,” part of Gunasekhar’s the source ends. Good that Rajini has not Aha entered politics: Mohan Babu enior actor Mohan Babu believes expressed happiness that Rajini has not that Tamil superstar Rajinikanth’s stepped on it. He also hoped that apologises decision of not taking plunge into Rajini’s fans would welcome the deci- S active politics on health grounds is a sion of Rajini. “Like Rajini, you are good good one. “While his decision might humans. So with a large heart I hope have hurt his fans, as his friend and you understand my friend’s decision,” he as someone who is well aware of his stated. for irking health status, I feel it is good that In a three page letter posted on his Rajinikanth didn’t enter politics. I’ve Twitter handle on Tuesday, Rajinikanth told him many times that politics announced his decision to back out of doesn’t suit him. We both are politics citing his health condition. He straightforward, don’t believe in even described it as a sign from God to Chiru fans harming others or buy seats with not pursue it further. He said it is not vaccine may not be effective and if his money. Politics is a space where you possible to bring out an uprising health gets affected his fellow political don’t know whom to trust and whom amongst the people campaigning via passengers might face various problems. s a part of promoting Allu Arjun’s not to. The people who label you as a social media after floating a party. “I “Hence with much regret I am saying interaction with Samantha for good guy will have a change of opinion have to address public meetings, meet that I am not in a position to start a her show Sam Jam, streamer after you enter politics,” Mohan Babu lakhs of people,” he said. political party and enter politics. Only I A Aha used the sobriquet ‘Mega said in a statement on Thursday. The actor noted that as he is taking know the pain when I announce this”’ Star’ for Allu Arjun. This did- He equated politics to mud and immunosuppressants, anti-coronavirus he sighed. n’t go well with the fans of megastar Chiranjeevi who were quick to express their displeasure on social media pages, saying that there is only one megastar and that is Chiru. Some were of the opinion Ayurveda and good luck kept me safe: Sirish that if someone was to take the title from Chiru, it should be his llu Sirish was part everyday with 100 odd people. come from them. Till a safe son Ram Charan. Some even of the mega gang I wear a mask, use sanitizers vaccine arrives, apart from had a field day on the social who attended the & take precautions. But it’s masks also use traditional media space, creating funny Christmas party practically impossible not to remedies to remain healthy. memes on the stylish star. A thrown by Ram come in contact with any Ayush Kwath, Mrityunjaya Team Aha was quick to Charan at his resi- Covid carrier. What kept me rasa, Chyawanprasha and oth- react and rectified the error dence in Hyderabad last week. safe I believe is Ayurveda and ers are not outdated stuff our by removing the mega star title After Charan and Varun Tej some good luck (sic),” he grandparents used but time- from the promo before it snow- tested positive for the novel wrote on Twitter. less gifts from santan dharma balled into a bigger issue. Dousing the fire com- coronavirus on Tuesday, Sirish In subsequent posts, he and Ayurveda to the world. Be pletely, aha posted a statement on Thursday, apol- too got himself tested not advised his followers to use safe, stay healthy. Love you all ogizing for the ‘unintended error’. “We have come once, but twice to be on the traditional remedies to stay (sic),” the young actor wrote. this far because you have loved us and we know safer side. Pointing out that healthy besides donning Sirish is presently shooting you won't stop just because of an unintended error he was negative on both the masks. “Man shared his space for Vijetha director Rakesh from our end! This is an apology for everyone instances, he credited with snakes, bats & rodents Sashi’s untitled film. Details who has been hurt. There is only one Megastar Ayurveda and good luck for till a hundred years ago. Our about the project are heavily and we all know it!” read the statement from keeping him safe. “I have ancestors have already discov- guarded at this juncture. streamer. attended a wedding, trav- ered cures to keep us protect- eled outdoor & shooting ed against diseases that can