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STRAIGHT TALK KEJRIWAL WOOS JATS IN UP J&J’S 1-DOSE VAX APPROVED Actor Khatija Iqbal feels that actors often get In view of the upcoming Assembly polls in UP, The US is getting a third vaccine, as the FDA cleared stereotyped because filmmakers don’t AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal is a Johnson & Johnson shot that works with just one dose explore their talent LEISURE | P2 wooing 'Jat' community TWO STATES | P7 INTERNATIONAL | P10

VOLUME 10, ISSUE 328 | www.orissapost.com BHUBANESWAR | MONDAY, MARCH 1 | 2021 12 PAGES | `4.00 IRREGULAR by MANJUL Major fire breaks out at

18 dead on bloodiest day Can’t you think of 20 fresh promises? Satkosia Eco Retreat Fest These ones we’ve already made in other POST NEWS NETWORK states and were never fulfilled! of Myanmar protests

Cuttack, Feb 28: Three cot- REUTERS and the condemnation of tages set up at the Satkosia Eco Western countries. SHORT TAKES Retreat festival near Baliput Naypyitaw, Feb 28: Police were out in force in Cuttack district were com- Myanmar police fired on early and opened fire in dif- pletely gutted after a major fire protesters Sunday in the ferent parts of the biggest 1.08L voters may broke out at the site in the in bloodiest day of weeks of city of Yangon after stun the wee hours of Sunday. demonstrations against a grenades, tear gas and shots not vote in Assam The visitors to the festival, military coup and at least 18 in the air failed to break up who had put up in these cot- people were killed and sev- crowds. Soldiers also rein- Guwahati: Assam has 1.08 lakh D tages, had a narrow escape. eral wounded, political and forced police. or doubtful voters who will not While the exact cause of the media said. Several wounded people exercise their franchise in the blaze is yet to be ascertained, Myanmar has been in were hauled away by fellow forthcoming Assembly polls to it is suspected that the fire chaos since the army seized protesters, leaving bloody be held in three phases – March 27, April 1 and April 6, Chief was triggered by an electric power and detained elected smears on pavements, media Electoral Officer Nitin Khade short circuit. government leader Aung images showed. One man said. The figure of D-voters has There was no injury or loss San Suu Kyi and much of died after being brought to decreased in comparison to the of life in the fire incident, the her party leadership a hospital with a bullet in the number of 1.13 lakh provided in tourism department said in its February 1, alleging fraud chest, said a doctor who the state Assembly last year. Twitter post, adding that safety in a November election her asked not to be identified. Doubtful voters are those of tourists was paramount party won in a landslide. A woman died of a sus- persons who are identified and steps will be taken to en- The coup, which brought pected heart attack after po- during electoral roll revision as sure that no recurrence of a halt to tentative steps to- lice swooped to break up a D-voters, cases of which are such an incident happens in wards democracy after Yangon teachers’ protest pending with the Foreigners future. Transport Commis- nearly 50 years of military with stun grenades, her Tribunals or declared as sioner Sanjeeb Panda and his rule, has drawn hundreds of daughter and a colleague foreigners by the Tribunal. wife Santosh Bala, who is the our tent at Satkosia Eco n quiry into the matter is being thousands onto the streets said. Home Department Special Retreat at about 5 am on At least three cottages set up at Satkosia Eco Retreat festival conducted. near Baliput in Cuttack district were completely gutted Secretary, were staying in one 28.2.2021 due to electrical short It is worth mentioning here Flights from City to of the tents at the Eco-Retreat circuit. Three tents were burnt n The visitors to the festival, who had put up in temporary that the Odisha Tourism site when the fire started. and there was no injury to cottages, had a narrow escape Department introduced the Prayagraj, Patna They escaped the fire mishap anyone,” Panda wrote. Eco Retreat Festival at Baliput n The Odisha Tourism Department introduced the Eco Retreat by a whisker. Later, Panda On being informed, fire December 9 last year in order Bhubaneswar: Come March, Festival at Baliput December 9 last year in order to revive the took to his Twitter handle to services personnel and po- COVID-19 hit tourism sector to revive the COVID-19 hit denizens of Bhubaneswar can inform that the fire broke out lice rushed to the spot and tourism sector. The three- travel by air to Prayagraj in Uttar at 5 am. doused the flame. However, month-long festival was in- Pradesh. Budget carrier IndiGo airlines is likely to commence a “By the grace of God, me the three cottages were com- Mishra visited the spot and Tourism Department con- augurated by Union Tourism flight service from Prayagraj to and Santosh escaped without pleted gutted by the time. took stock of the situation. firmed that there was no in- Minister Prahlad Singh Patel Bhubaneswar from March 28. any injury as fire broke out in BJD Badamba MLA Debi Meanwhile, the Odisha jury or loss of life and an in- via video conferencing. According to an IndiGo release, the airline is also planning to launch an exclusive flight service between Bhubaneswar and Patna Chandapalli under the Regional Connectivity GO FOR GOAL COVID-19 threatens a Scheme (RCS) from May 1. villagers want Sabya-Archita to tie comeback across India to merge with the knot today PNN & AGENCIES demic. The surge in cases is mostly due to a drop of guard against the Chhattisgarh Bhubaneswar: Actor New Delhi/ Bhubaneswar, Feb virus (non-appropriate COVID be- Sabyasachi Mishra and Archita 28: In December-January, it ap- haviour).” Locals have urged Sahu will tie the knot in Rajasthan, Monday. Both the peared coronavirus was tapering He stressed that decline in cases Sareipalli MLA in actors shared the news on their away in India. The three major during winter season in northern Chhattisgarh for merger respective social media aspects of the pandemic – the e- India, not sufficient to conclude platforms. They wrote “With curve of cases, deaths and hospi- that virus was less active during their panchayat with the the blessings of Lord talisations – which have been fluc- winters, and indicated that cases neighbouring state Jagannatha & our families it tuating, suddenly plummeted might increase in summers, as it gives us immense happiness in drastically. Many believed this happened last year. Ganguly added sharing that our wedding is may be the end of the pandemic. that Maharashtra and Kerala have POST NEWS NETWORK happening tomorrow...” The But February brought out some never experienced long winters, two actors had worked harsh reality and dashed hopes unlike northern India, yet cases Padmapur, Feb 28: People of together in multiple hit movies that the pandemic was retreating. have begun to increase this month. Chardapalli panchayat under including ‘Pagala Karichi Paunji Scientists believe this is an im- “In Maharashtra, they started train Paikalmal block of Bargarh district Tora’ and ‘Mu Eka Tumara’. portant phase in the pandemic, as travel and cases increased”, he are leaning towards Chhattisgarh, apprehensions are ripe that cases said. alleging administrative apathy may begin to rise again. In the Except Maharashtra and Kerala, and step-motherly attitude of the WEATHER backdrop of emerging mutations, after a couple of months of lull, Odisha government. BHUB CTK Prof. NK Ganguly, former Director cases have also begun to rise in Upset over lack of development, General, Indian Council of Medical Karnataka, Telangana, Madhya people of Chardapalli urged MAX 40° 39.2° Research (ICMR), said, “As muta- Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Sareipalli MLA Kismat Lal Nanda tions interact with the natural en- Gujarat and Punjab. The surge in of Chhattisgarh to merge their pan- TEMP MIN 23.2° 20.2° Forecast vironment, they are likely to in- cases has come, after it fell below chayat with the neighbouring state. Humidity 57% 44% crease transmissibility and also 10,000 daily in early February, from A delegation of local people in- Dry weath- Rainfall Nil Nil er likely Odisha Police players invade the Sports Hostel goal in the inaugural match of the Indian Women's League (IWL) increase virulence. Mutations and a peak of over 90,000 cases in cluding Shankar Sahu, Arakshit played at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, Sunday OP PHOTO the new strains are endemic not pan- September last year. Pradhan, Dasrath Nayak, Rakhyapal Sahu, Seshadev Nayak, Janata Pradhan, Prafulla Pradhan went to Sareipalli Saturday evening and met the MLA in this PSLV-C51 lifted off with e-Gita, PM’s picture, 19 satellites regard. According to the locals, they had staged protests and road block- ISRO PSLV-C51 LAUNCH IS CARRYING BRAZIL’S 637-KG AMAZONIA-1, AN OPTICAL EARTH OBSERVATION SATELLITE, AS ITS PRIMARY PASSENGER ades several times, demanding a bridge across Anga river, a road be- n This is the first dedicated PSLV PRESS TRUST OF INDIA mote sensing data to users for mon- n Sunday's launch was initiative and Space privatisation. aging satellite GISAT-1 next. This tween Chardapalli and Luharakote itoring deforestation in the Amazon commercial mission for NSIL, originally scheduled to An e-copy of the Bhagavad Gita, launch, using a GSLV-F10 rocket, was on Chhattisgarh-Odisha border which is undertaking it under a Chennai, Feb 28: The Indian Space region and analysis of diversified carry 20 satellites saved on an SD-card, is also part of originally planned for March 5 last and a road at Debadarha. “Despite commercial arrangement with Research Organisation’s (ISRO) agriculture across the Brazilian besides Amazonia-1. Two the package, Space Kidz has said. SKI year, but was postponed a day before repeated agitations, the state gov- Seattle-based firm Spaceflight of them were cancelled PSLV-C51 blasted off the agency’s territory. said besides the picture of Modi, it blast-off. The 2,268 kg GISAT-1 is ernment has not paid heed to the in the past week or so launchpad at the Satish Dhawan The 18 'co-passengers’ include issues,” they lamented. n The 18 'co-passengers’ include due to technical reasons was also sending 25,000 names on- the first state-of-the-art agile earth Space Centre, SHAR, Sriharkota, four of IN- SPACe and 14 of ISRO's four of IN- SPACe and 14 of board the SD-SAT. observation satellite which will be Following the meeting with the Sunday, a little before 10.30 am, car- commercial arm, NewSpace India ISRO's commercial arm, This is the first dedicated PSLV placed in a Geosynchronous Chardapalli people, the Sareipalli rying 19 payloads and ringing in (NSIL). NewSpace India (NSIL) commercial mission for NSIL, which Transfer Orbit by GSLV-F10, ac- MLA immediately had apprised the its schedule for 2021 in all glory. The IN-SPACe satellites include is undertaking it under a com- cording to ISRO officials. Collector of the neighbouring dis- y The 53rd Polar Satellite Launch three UNITYsats from a consor- mercial arrangement with Seattle- Earlier, at the end of the 25.5 trict in Chhattishgarh about the

Vehicle (PSLV) launch happened tium of Indian academic institutes based firm Spaceflight. hour countdown, the four-stage 44.4 development.

k y m c at 10.24 exactly as planned, carry- and one Satish Dhawan unit from Sunday's launch was originally metre tall PSLV, a workhorse launch The MLA has also assured the ing Brazil’s 637-kg Amazonia-1, an Space Kidz India, which will study scheduled to carry 20 satellites be- vehicle of ISRO in its 53rd mission, people of Chardapalli that as the optical earth observation satellite, space radiation, among other things. sides Amazonia-1. Two of them soared into clear a sky at the sched- issues raised by the people are an as its primary passenger. This satel- It also includes an engraved pic- were cancelled in the past week or uled time of 10.24 am from the first inter-state problem, steps will be lite would further strengthen the ex- ture of Prime Minister Narendra so due to technical reasons. launch pad here, over 100 kms from taken to sort them out with help isting structure by providing re- Modi symbolising his Atmanirbhar The ISRO is lining up its geo-im- Chennai. of the Chhattishgarh government. P2 KIM, KANYE'S DIVORCE ‘IT IS IMPORTANT NOT TO BE MONDAY | MARCH 1 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR PAPERS REVEAL DETAILS INTIMIDATED IN HOLLYWOOD’ Socialite Kim Kardashian and rapper Kanye West’s Actress Zendaya feels it is important not to be divorce papers cited “Irreconcilable differences” intimidated in Hollywood. “I think it’s important not to as the reason to end the marriage. It also revealed be intimidated. We’re sometimes made out to be

that Kim has filed for the physical custody of their difficult or hard to work with, but we are just doing what y

leisure four children. everyone else is doing,” she said.

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FORTUNE FORECAST No filter in Rakhi’s Khatija speaks on heart or mouth Mumbai: Rakhi Sawant has never ARIES minced words, in life real or reel. As the recently-concluded Bigg You feel lost and thor- Boss 14 proved again, she ut- oughly depressed today. actors’ exploitation This will make you turn ters whatever comes to her mind towards spirituality, says Ganesha. You without trepidation. will devote more time to meditation and Mumbai: Actress Khatija Iqbal, who will soon be seen “I am very upfront. will pray a lot. Despite the adverse cir- in the third season of web series Inside Edge feels that Whatever comes to my mind cumstances, Ganesha says you will actors often get stereotyped because makers don’t ex- or my heart I just say it. make a good deal of material headway. plore an actor’s talent, resulting in stereotyping of There is no filter in my artists. heart or my mouth,” Rakhi The actress feels strongly about issues of ex- said. TAURUS ploitation, stereotypes and growth of artists. Rakhi, who gained popu- Big B undergoes She says, “I feel it (stereotyping) comes from lack larity courtesy her dance Luck is a four-leaf clover of knowledge and the ability to actually invest numbers such as Pardesiya, in your pocket. You might time into exploring actors and their potentials. Jhagde and Dekhta hai tu kya, get the long desired suc- cataract surgery cess in education related matters today — Give them a chance to at least test for different reached the top five in the a favourable result of a competitive exam- Mumbai: Although there has been no official parts and see the newness they are bringing to grand finale of Bigg Boss 14 ination, maybe. You will proudly smile at confirmation, unconfirmed reports have stated that the table. Only when someone gets a platform, after entering the show mid- your power of resilience and sense of pro- iconic actor Amitabh Bachchan has undergone he/she can showcase what season as a challenger. She portion, says Ganesha. cataract surgery. The reports add that the star more he/she can offer.” was brought in to create some will be back home in 24 hours. The other thing that fireworks in an otherwise boring “It was nothing, just a cataract surgery. Amitabh the Ragini MMS Web season, and she did live up to her GEMINI Bachchan will be home in the next 24 hours,” a series actress points tag of being a drama queen. source close to the actor revealed, according to the out is how actors, es- Finally, she chose to walk out You are on your way to entertainment portal Bollywood Hungama. pecially newcomers of the show in the finale by ac- falling in love. Your par- The veteran actor wrote about going in for sur- and extras are being cepting a briefcase containing ents or children are likely to fetch you substantial gains, financially gery on his blog on Saturday night. treated by some pro- Rs 14 lakh. or otherwise. You may want to make a “Medical condition .. surgery .. can’t write,” duction houses. Rakhi's mother Jaya is cur- few changes at work, probably a new wrote the 78-year-old actor. “ Supporting ac- rently undergoing cancer treat- business strategy. However, he did not elaborate on the medical con- tors are being called ment in a city hospital. IANS dition or talk about the procedure which he was on sets and to sit to undergo. Worried fans took to social media to for hours and CANCER wish the actor a quick recovery. hours just for a sug- Financially, you may be Last year, Big B had been admitted to hospital gestive few seconds in a bit of a bother after contracting Covid-19, along with son Abhishek, take. I have seen City celebs honoured with today. Payment of bills, daughter-in-law Aishwarya, and grand-daughter how tired they get, taxes and loans may Aaradhya. The actor's office is yet to officially all sleep deprived keep you busy for most part of the day. confirm details. but focused on ‘Charan Sparsh’ awards You may even contemplate borrowing Big B recently hosted season 12 of the quiz money to meet the demands. However, their dreams,’ you are likely to receive one of your show Kaun Banega Crorepati. IANS adds Khatija. IANS pending payments, which will be enough to get you out of the fix.

LEO ‘Streaming platforms Today, Ganesha advises you to keep the Bhagavad Gita's verses in mind, and persist in are next big thing’ fulfilling your duties without bothering about the fruits of your labour. Put in some extra effort to finish off whatever you undertake today. Mumbai: Actress Nauheed Cyrusi, who has been a part of the films such as Qurbaan and Shirin VIRGO Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi as Matters of religion and well as TV show Hip Hip Hurray, Veteran actress Isha Bebarta being felicitated on the occassion spirituality rise to the fore today. Throw has made her debut on the web yourself into a single- with the series Dev DD 2. minded pursuit to be successful in your The Piya Basanti Re actress essays BHUBANESWAR: Kanyaa Anmol Raghunath Mahapatra and art di- chosen field, and make the most of your the role of a reporter on the show. Hai (KAH), a leading social or- rector Sangram Maharana. skills and natural talent, says Ganesha. This is her first project since the lock- ganisation known for its work on This sort of felicitation will cer- down and Nauheed says that she is very ex- protecting girl children, Sunday tainly inspire the awardees to set cited about it. “This is my OTT platform felicitated four eminent personal- bigger goals in their respective LIBRA debut. I was also shooting after a really long ities of the city with ‘Charan Sparsh’ fields, said sculptor Mahapatra. The clock ticks on, but time. It felt so good to get back to work and get award 2021. The award is given KAH’s national convener Saroj chances are it can hard- in front of the camera. Especially knowing every year to a few celebrities from Dash said that the main objective ly beat you in the race, that OTT platforms are going to be the next big various spheres of the society. behind the award show is to cele- thanks to your prompt thing in the entertainment industry,” she says. The personalities who received brate the life, work and legacy of and sincere efforts. Today, you shall be a The second season of Dev DD also stars the award this year included veteran living legends of Odisha who have paragon of excellence. However, Ganesha Asheema Vardaan, Sanjay Suri and Aman Uppal actress Isha Bebarta, poet Manorama inspired generations through their waves the red flag of caution: it always pays to be safe rather than sorry. and airs on ALTBalaji and ZEE5 platforms. IANS Biswal Mahapatra, sculptor achievements.

SCORPIO It is likely that you shall SUDOKU learn an important lesson post To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, in life today. Remember PEANUTS CROSSWORD column and box must contain the numbers that spite and envy beget enemies. Ganesha advises you to display 0 to 9 and the letters A to E. some errors so as to make you seem more human and approachable.

SAGITTARIUS Today, arranging meet- ings with customers and suppliers will eat into most of your time. Your patience will enable you to listen to sug- gestions and opinions offered by people. The result of all this, however, is slated to be most favourable and productive.

CAPRICORN CALVIN AND HOBBES You have always been generous by nature, but your benevolent attitude will do you no good, warns Ganesha. People will try, almost blatantly, to take advantage of you, and for once, you will feel that being crafty SOLUTIONS and unrelenting would have helped kept those blood-sucking leeches at bay.

AQUARIUS Today, you work hard and party harder! The morn- ing sees you sweating it out at work, as you do your best to implement your plans. In the evening, you will don your best BREVITY CROSSWORD attire and get ready to have a gala time with your beloved.

PISCES y For you, today may all be

work and no play, says

k y m c Ganesha. This, however, will not stop you from put- ting in extra efforts to finish your pending projects and to meet your deadlines. But then who else but a Pisces is known to handle the

pain nonchalantly without bemoaning the CHECK FOR SOLUTIONS OF THE PUZZLES TOMORROW SUDOKU lack of pleasure? COVID-19 TRACKER P3 ART EXPO MONDAY | MARCH 1 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR INFECTED RECOVERED DEAD Women visit an art World 11,44,97,002 9,00,26,088 25,39,514 exhibition at CDA Sector-2 Sati Nagar India 1,10,63,140 1,07,48,907 1,56,863 in Cuttack, Sunday

downtown Odisha 3,37,191 3,34,571 1,916

k y m c Staff crunch, poor infra ail food safety exercise ‘Foresight of our CM, STATE DOESN’T HAVE A SINGLE FULL TIME DESIGNATED OFFICER, SHOWS DATA

MANISH KUMAR, OP FOOD TESTING helped the state a lot’ Bhubaneswar, Feb 28: Staff crunch in the state Food Safety department IN ODISHA YEAR SAMPLES SAMPLES FOUND I tried to do my best to lessen the pain and exacerbated with lack of necessary ANALYSED ADULTERATED/MISBRANDED infrastructure seems to be taking sufferings of the people associated with us in a big toll on public health in the 2016-17 508 75 state as many unregulated erring different businesses during the pandemic food outlets go undetected. 2017-18 229 54 Data collected by this corre- 2018-19 327 91 fter the spread of Covid-19 fully. Businesses faced huge losses could spondent revealed that there has 2019-20 702 73 in China, our business as- due to the displacement of man- not bid been a massive shortage of staff Asociates warned about this power and logistics. Personal mo- a decent in the department, carved out of for food testing and now four more taking a pandemic form. I cau- bility remained a major concern farewell to the the state public health department government food testing centres tioned all the prawn farmers as- during the lockdown. Restoration deceased. Hope none see it again eight years ago. It was to monitor will come up in the state soon,” Dr sociated with us well in time of supply chain took longer time in their lifetime. the issues of food safety. Pradip Mohapatra, Director, Food about the disruption the pan- than expected. Certain losses This pandemic has left behind Notwithstanding the central Food The Police Sunday destroyed huge quantities of adulterated ghee and sauce Safety department told demic would cause to farming were inevitable but some are ir- a few questions like overcrowding seized from a manufacturing unit at Choudwar September 14, last year Safety and Standards Act of 2006 Orissa POST. and alerted them about the dan- reparable. and high pollution level in big which talked about creation of sev- Experts on food toxicology, how- gers it could bring to their lives. The situation is gradually nor- cities, lack of employment op- eral posts to regulate the food safety STAFF CRUNCH IN FOOD SAFETY DEPT ever, claimed that most of the state Taking all precautions and main- malising now though the injury portunities in rural areas and issues, the state government is yet governments hardly give adequate taining safety protocols, I con- caused by the pandemic has bare minimum health infra- to come onboard for the same. POSTS IDEAL CURRENT POSITION importance to food safety. Amit tinued managing the affairs of left a deep scar behind. structure across the coun- Government data claimed that the Designated 37 Khurana, Programme Director (Food our business. Courage overtook Loss of several lives, try. As we move forward, state does not have a single full-time Officers No full-time designated officers Safety and Toxins) at the Centre for fear as several lives and liveli- hundreds of jobs and we need to address these designated officer who could be en- Science and Environment (CSE), hoods had to be protected. I tried sight of migrant work- issues. I am sure we can Food Safety 105 Only 30 posts filled trusted with the task of monitoring Officers New Delhi told to do my best to lessen the pain and ers, moving from one and together we will. the food safety works as per the act. Orissa POST that not only enforce- sufferings of the people involved place to another, bare- Tara Ranjan Deputy Director 1 Vacant The act empowers the designated ments are often less in adulteration and associated with us in differ- footed, still remains a Patnaik is the officers to issue or cancel licences Analytical 5 All 5 posts vacant cases, the infrastructure in food test- ent businesses during the nightmare. Death Chairman of Falcon Chemist of food business operators, pro- ing labs in states also lag behind. pandemic. caused by the Marine Senior Lab hibit sale of adulterated food items, 2 1 post vacant “There are several new types of adul- Thanks to the foresight of Chief virus Exports Assistant recommend food safety commis- teration where pesticides, antibi- Minister of Odisha, the state was was so Ltd. sioner to launch prosecutions in Junior Lab 3 All posts vacant otics and high-end adulterants are ahead of the country in clamping cruel cases where imprisonment of the Assistant added in food and beverages which lockdown. The state also tackled that erring persons are needed. Such can’t be traced with conventional the issue arising out of the pan- we posts are now handled as ad- the capacity in the future. ation and items like virus, heavy food testing equipment. They keep demic successfully. This was only ditional charges by of- Moreover, the state metals and others. The Food Safety penetrating into the food items which possible with the dynamic man- ficials of the health FOOD SAFETY also has a lone gov- department, however, said that the people keep on consuming without agement of our Chief Minister department. ernment food test- exercise to fill up the posts would detection,” he said. Naveen Patnaik along with his Districts like Koraput PART-2 ing lab in soon be taken up. “We’re taking “There are provisions of recall- team. Though relaxation was do not have full-time Food Bhubaneswar and steps to fill up the vacancies. Now, ing erring brands. But hardly any given to our industry for opera- Safety Officers (FSO) who play lone food analyst. Several of we’re planning to have 105 FSOs state has dared to recall a brand or tion during the lockdown, yet key role in ground works of in- the food testing equipment are also and also steps are taken to have set deterrence by strong legal actions these instructions could not per- spection and raids. The state now has said to be outdated which fail to de- full-time designated officers. We’ve which created less deterrence for the colate down to the grass-root level 30 FSOs while it has plans to expand tect several types of new adulter- also collaborated with a private lab food adulterators,” he added. IIT-Bhub congratulates ISRO POLITICKLE by MANJUL CPI(M) protests fuel scientists on PSLV-C51 launch The IIT celebrated National Science Day and 11th price hike in Capital

Research Scholars’ Day of the institute, Sunday POST NEWS NETWORK sential commodities have gone up. The living conditions of people POST NEWS NETWORK Prof. Ashok Kumar Mahapatra, Bhubaneswar, Feb 28: Members have been affected by the fuel price Former Director, AIIMS of the Communist Party of India hike. We organised the protest seek- Bhubaneswar, Feb 28: The Indian Bhubaneswar and Current Vice (Marxist) Sunday held a demon- ing complete repeal of the hike in Institute of Technology, Chancellor, SOA University, stration in the state capital here oil prices,” said state CPM Bhubaneswar observed the National Bhubaneswar. The event was to protest against the fuel unit secretary Suresh Science Day here, Sunday. The IIT presided over by the Director Prof. price hike. The Panigrahi. also celebrated the day as the R.V. Raja Kumar. The agitators ac- skyrocketing He also added, Research Scholars’ Day of the in- Prof. R.V. Rajakumar, Director, IIT- cused the Union prices of diesel, petrol “While the stitute. It was the 11th Research Bhubaneswar, emphasised on the government of and cooking gas have price of Scholars’ Day of the institute. contribution of science and tech- adding to the affected several sectors of the crude oil is It may be mentioned here that the nology in bettering human life. On woes of the economy. As a result, prices for steadily de- National Science Day is observed this occasion, he complimented the middle class by all essential commodities have clining in to honour the invention of the ISRO scientists for the commercial hiking the gone up. The living conditions the interna- Raman Effect by the Indian physi- launch of satellites through PSLV prices of petrol, of people have been affected tional mar- cist and Nobel Laureate Sir CV C-51 paving the doors in to the new diesel and cook- by the fuel price hike ket, there is no Raman. era of use of Indian space science ing gas frequently. SURESH PANIGRAHI | STATE CPM reason for the On the eve of the Research for other nations. He said that the The Left party ac- UNIT SECY rise in fuel price Scholars’ Day, the institute con- poster presentation by the research tivists raised slogans in the country. ducts a poster presentation com- scholars of IIT Bhubaneswar pro- against the Union govern- The Narendra Modi petition among the research schol- vides a sample overview of the ment and blamed Petroleum Minister government at the Centre is im- ars and awards prizes to best posters. breadth of the research being con- Dharmendra Pradhan for passing posing taxes on the oil products. This year, the competition was con- ducted at the institute. He men- the buck to the common people. The government’s oil policy is ducted Saturday with the inaugu- tioned about IIT, Bhubaneswar “The skyrocketing prices of against the interests of the people.” ration by Prof. R.V. Rajakumar, being honoured with the ‘University diesel, petrol and cooking gas have The agitators blamed the gov- Director. The Chief Guest of the of Year Award’ at FICCI in its 13th affected several sectors of the econ- ernment for complex taxation National Science Day event was year of its existence. omy. As a result, prices for all es- process and withdrawal of subsidies. Women attempts suicide in City PS Expos, webinars mark National Science Day celebrations POST NEWS NETWORK POST NEWS NETWORK Bhubaneswar, Feb 28: The Regional The NSD 2021 aims at Bhubaneswar, Feb 28: In a shock- Science Centre (RSC) here in asso- motivating the students to ing incident, a woman Sunday at- ciation with the Odisha Chapter of gain hands-on experience in tempted suicide inside Balipatna National Academy of Sciences the field of science. And police station premises here over hosted a series of webinars and ex- RSC, Bhubaneswar is the news regarding the marriage hibitions to celebrate the National hosting a series of activities of her alleged boyfriend. The vic- Science Day (NSD), Sunday. to serve the purpose tim lady was undergoing treat- RSC project coordinator Somen ment at the Capital Hospital. Ghosh said that the theme for this SOMEN GHOSH | RSC PROJECT COORDINATOR According to sources, the lady year’s NSD was ‘Future of STI: along with her parents came to the Impacts on Education, Skills, and police station to lodge a complaint Work’. “The NSD 2021 aims at mo- against her boyfriend, Gopala tivating the students to gain hands- Behera Sunday morning. While on experience in the field of sci- eral aware about the job of Survey her parents were seeking the help ence. And RSC, Bhubaneswar is of India and help make them re- of police, she suddenly went out- hosting a series of activities to alise the importance of Geo-Spatial side and started drinking poison serve the purpose,” Ghosh added. Data Centre. from a bottle kept in her bag. An exhibition on ‘Simple Camera’, According to Kumar, Survey of She was immediately rushed which was inaugurated by former India dedicates itself to the ad- to the nearest Primary Health head of department of Physics, vancement of theory, practice, col- Centre where the doctors later Regional Institute of Education lection and applications of geospa- referred her to Capital Hospital. (NCERT) on RSC premises, was tial data, and promotes an active She had been admitted to the one of the major attractions of the exchange of information, ideas, Intensive Care Unit of the day. The expo witnessed many ex- and technological innovations hospital. periments, especially on optics. amongst the data producers and Notably, police had earlier ar- Over 100 students and teachers users who will get access to such data rested Behera over the allega- from across the country took part of highest possible resolution at tions of sexual abuse in con- in the webinars on different topics an affordable cost in the near real- nection with a complaint lodged related to science. time environment.

by the lady last year. Both the A session on ‘Biotechnology: Notably, NSD is celebrated

k y m Snapshots from the exhibition OP PHOTOS c families have been at logger- Building India as an innovation February 28 every year to honour heads over the issue since long. nation’ was presented by Nivedita engineering, digital map making, attended the exhibition. the discovery of the ‘Raman effect’ The lady has been under severe Jena, Chief Operating Officer Bio- to mark the NSD 2021 at Survey spatial data in different fields of satellite image processing, appli- G Varuna Kumar, director of by noted physicist Sir CV Raman mental pressure over the news re- incubator, Institute of Life Sciences. Bhawan here, Sunday. development. “The exhibition fo- cation of global positioning sys- Odisha Geo-Spatial Data Centre, back in 1928. For this discovery, Sir garding the marriage of Behera The Odisha Geo-Spatial Data The expo is an effort to incul- cussed on the latest technology tem and geographic information said that the exhibition aimed at CV Raman was awarded the Nobel to another girl. Centre also hosted an exhibition cate map awareness and usage of geo being adopted in the field of survey system,” said a senior official who making students and public in gen- Prize in Physics in 1930. P4 MONDAY | MARCH 1 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR downtown

Malkangiri’s counter to Andhra’s encroachment bid BJD to celebrate Biju

k y m c The dist edu dept admits 14 children of Chitrakonda Swabhiman Anchal of Malkangiri district to Badapada residential school Patnaik’s 105th birth

POST NEWS NETWORK THE VILLAGERS state recently conducted pan- HAD INFORMED chayat elections in the area when anniv across state Chitrakonda, Feb 28: In an at- THE ADMIN THAT its officials and candidates pleaded tempt to deflect the attention of THEIR CHILDREN with the voters to participate in fare of the people. neighbouring Andhra Pradesh WERE FORCED TO the election by making attractive “Like every year, on March 5 from grabbing land belonging to STUDY IN TELUGU promises to get their votes. this year, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Odisha, the district education de- SCHOOLS AS On being informed, the district will celebrate the 105th birth an- partment admitted 14 children of THERE WERE NO officials accompanied by the BEO niversary of the proverbial man EDUCATIONAL Chitrakonda Swabhiman Anchal visited the village and held dis- Biju Babu in a grand ceremony INSTITUTIONS IN of Malkangiri district at Badapada with the people of Odisha across THE VILLAGE cussions with the villagers about residential school, Saturday. their various problems. The vil- the state. A meeting of Biju Janata The children including six girls THE VISITING lagers talked about their prob- Dal (BJD) workers will be held to are natives of Jumadanga village OFFICIALS TOOK lems while stating their children discuss the success of the Biju under Dhuliputa panchayat of THE MATTER are being forced to study in the Janata Dal for more than two Swabhiman Anchal. Andhra SERIOUSLY AND Telugu school as there are no ed- decades,” the letter from the party Pradesh is reportedly trying to ADMITTED THE ucational institutions in the read. wrest the villages in the CHILDREN IN THE village. The party asked them to include Swabhiman Anchal of the state. RESIDENTIAL The visiting officials took the all party workers, members, mem- The development comes after SCHOOL matter seriously and admitted bers, youth, students, women and the block education officer (BEO) the children in the residential other major party organisations. Gayatri Devi visited the village and the village Saturday and admitted medium school. They can now own territory. So it is luring the school. ABEO Anjan Choudhury, FILE PHOTO “Biju Babu is the great hero of interacted with the villagers re- 14 children including eight boys study in their own mother tongue villagers with various develop- CRCC Pitambar Khara, former Odisha development. Today, the garding their problems. The BEO and six girls in the Badapada res- in the residential school where ment plans and offerings. The vil- CRCC Nitai Ray accompanied the POST NEWS NETWORK ongoing development journey of during the visit assured the vil- idential school. The children dur- they have been admitted, the BEO lage is on the fringes of Malkangiri BEO during their visit to the vil- Odisha continues on its path, over- lagers that arrangements will be ing their admission were given said while speaking to media district and Andhra Pradesh. lage. Villagers Nagesh Khil, Bhubaneswar, Feb 28: The Biju coming all obstacles,” the done for the education of the books, copies, uniform and shoes persons. Andhra Pradesh is also going Sitaram Hantal, Ram Hantal par- Janata Dal (BJD) Sunday an- party said. children. free of cost. Reports said that the Andhra ahead in implementing the de- ticipated in the meeting with the nounced that it would celebrate The party also planned that on Accordingly, the BEO accom- As a result, the children will Pradesh government is trying to velopment plans in the area despite officials on behalf of the the 105th birth anniversary of for- the occasion of International panied by the officials arrived at not have to go anymore to Telugu claim Jumadanga village as its being illegal. The neighbouring residents. mer Chief Minister Biju Patnaik Women’s Day March 8, the Biju across the state. Janata Dal Women’s unit will or- The party has written to the ganise a women’s rally at the con- local functionaries, legislatures stituency-level to discuss Biju Skill development on agri Forestry students’ demo enters 7th day and party workers to observe the Babu’s contribution to women’s birth anniversary and devote the empowerment and women em- day in organising ceremonies and powerment by the Biju Janata machinery and apiculture The students Sunday sold puffed rice and mixture as part of their stir also to contribute towards the wel- Dal-led government.

POST NEWS NETWORK the efforts made by KVK-Khurda tinue our agitation till the ful- in helping the farmers for adopting fillment of our demands,” said a Bhubaneswar, Feb 28: The Krishi advanced agricultural technolo- Forestry student. The agitating MASS WEDDING Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Khurda, gies for their socio-economic de- students had earlier swept a road, Saturday inaugurated two skill de- velopment. polished shows and begged on velopment training programmes of Being the course director of the the street to seek the state gov- five days each on ‘Agricultural programmes, KVK-Khurda chief ernment’s attention to their de- Farm Machinery Operation’ and SS Giri highlighted the objectives mand. ‘Rural Income Generation Through and scope of the capacity build- The agitating students had also Honey Bee Cultivation’. ing training programmes in em- met Forest and Environment KVK scientist S Singh coordi- powering rural women and youths Minister Bikarm Keshari Arukha nated the farm machinery opera- for strengthening livelihood and to put forth their demand. The tion training for the skill develop- self-employment. minister reportedly assured the ment of the tribal youths while He mentioned that the expertise students of taking up the issue scientist Sukanti Behera coordi- of ICAR-CIFA scientists, state agri- with departmental officials. nated the honey bee rearing train- culture university, line-depart- However, the students decided to ing for empowerment of rural ments of the state government, POST NEWS NETWORK Forestry as minimum qualifica- continue with their agitation until women in Khurda district. progressive farmers and entre- tion for recruitment to key posts their demand is met. While inaugurating the pro- preneurs will be drawn for pro- Bhubaneswar, Feb 28: The stu- like forest range officer, assistant Several leaders including grammes, ICAR-Central Institute viding training and exposure vis- dents of College of Forestry at conservator of forests, assistant Odisha Pradesh Congress of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) its to the participants. OUAT here Sunday sold puffed manager of Odisha Forest Committee (OPCC) president Director SK Swain appreciated the A total of 20 rural women and rice and mixture on the university Development Corporation (OFDC) Niranjan Patnaik extended his initiatives and assured the partic- tribal youths participated in these road as part of their agitation and junior manager of OFDC. support to the agitating students ipants of all technical support from two five-day duration residential urging the state government to “Our agitation reached its sev- and asked Chief Minister Naveen A mass wedding ceremony being organised by social outfit Prayas at the KVK and ICAR-CIFA. He praised training programmes. make 4-year BSc degree in enth day Sunday. We will con- Patnaik to accept their demand. Ram Mandir in Bhubaneswar, Sunday OP PHOTOS Classes must be over before noon: Cong We are committed Vax registration for elderly from today to development of POST NEWS NETWORK the media about the preparedness number,” he said. POST NEWS NETWORK The classes must everyday and end by 11 or 11:30am. and also talked about the process He also said that they would also start from 6 or The mercury level is rising day- Puri, says Pradhan Bhubaneswar, Feb 28: The Health of registration. be asked about their age, gender, Bhubaneswar, Feb 28: The 6:30am everyday by-day. If any kid falls ill due to department is all set to roll out the “We’ll start the registration and medical condition and others while Congress party Sunday opposed and end by 11 or 11:30am. sunstroke, then the School and third phase of vaccination meant vaccination drive for the senior registration. Post entry, they will get the state government’s plan to con- The mercury level is rising Mass Education (S&ME) minister The minister was greeted for senior citizens as the registra- citizens from Monday. The persons an acknowledgment. “After that they tinue classes at schools post noon day-by-day. If any kid falls ill should be held liable for the same,” with black flags by Youth tion for the segment is set to open will need to do the self registra- can choose where they want to get vac- in the wake of rising mercury due to sunstroke, then the Saluja said. from Monday. tion on the COWIN website/appli- cinated. An appointment letter will level. School and Mass Education The State School and Mass Congress activists over Health and Family Welfare di- cation. They’ll need to feed in an be issued to them which can be used Congress leader Santosh Singh minister should be held liable Education department had ear- the skyrocketing rector Bijoy Panigrahi Sunday told OTP after they give their mobile at the vaccination centre,” he said. Saluja Sunday said that the classes for the same lier planned to hold classroom should start by 6:30 am in the morn- teaching for Class IX and XI stu- fuel prices ing and end before the noon. SANTOSH SINGH SALUJA | CONG LEADER dents from 7am to 9am instead of Man arrested for He expressed concern that the their earlier timing of 8.30am to POST NEWS NETWORK school kids may suffer illness due 10am. At the same time for the Man impregnates to the scorching sun and demanded “The state government has an- students of Class X and XII, the de- Bhubaneswar, Feb 28: Union sending obscene the withdrawal of the state gov- nounced rescheduling the classes partment had planned to conduct Petroleum and Natural Gas video to woman ernment’s plan to continue classes but that is not good enough. The classes from 9am to 1pm instead of Minister Dharmendra Pradhan minor, terminates till 1 pm. classes must start from 6 or 6:30am 11am to 4pm. Sunday said that the Union gov- ernment under the leadership of POST NEWS NETWORK Prime Minister Modi is commit- ted towards the development of pregnancy, arrested Berhampur, Feb 28: Police ar- RESPECT FOR MADHU BABU Puri. rested a youth leader of a politi- He said that the PM has allocated cal party on charge of sending an Rs 175 crore for several develop- POST NEWS NETWORK friend’s mother Sujata Pradhan obscene video to a woman through mental projects in Puri. The min- assured the minor that she would a fake Facebook ID in Silk City, ister inaugurated several devel- Kuchinda, Feb 28: Police Saturday do something to get Vijay and the Sunday. opmental projects worth Rs 1.5 arrested a man from Kuchinda victim married. The accused was identified as crore undertaken under the area of Sambalpur district for im- After Vijay’s arrest, it came to fore Sibaram Jena, 29, of Ankarada Corporate Social Responsibility pregnating a minor girl and sub- that the woman had taken Rs 10,000 village under Digapahandi police (CSR) funds of GAIL Gas Limited sequently forcing her to undergo from the accused to help him out limits in Ganjam district, Cyber and Moel Limited. abortion. Two others who assisted of the situation. The victim, how- police station IIC Kalpana Kaunri him have also been arrested. ever, sensed the plot and managed said. A mobile phone was seized According to police, Vijay Prasad, to escape from her friend’s house. from his possession. He was pro- a native of SRIT Colony in She confided about the develop- duced in court which remanded Sambalpur, lived in a rented house ments to a woman who owns a tai- him to judicial custody. at Padripada of Ward No-7 under loring shop. During verification of his mo- Kuchinda NAC. During his stay, With the help of a social organ- bile phone, the accused was found he developed proximity with a isation, a report against Vijay was to have sent several obscene videos minor girl there. Promising mar- filed at Kuchinda police station. to over 50 women, the IIC said. The minister also said that the riage, he allegedly established phys- On basis of the report, the police Police said Jena had opened petroleum ministry is planning ical relationship with her. registered a case (No-44/21) under a fake Facebook ID through to invest Rs 27 crore (CSR funds) Later, after realising that she Sections 376 (2M), 376 (3), 313 and which he sent an obscene video for the development of the city. was pregnant, the minor asked 506 of IPC and arrested Sujata, to a woman in Messenger page, The minister Sunday inaugurated Vijay to marry her. In order to get Vijay Prasad and Rajin Pradhan. pleading for physical rela- a Kalyan Mandap and commu- rid of her, Vijay devised a plan and After getting their medical tests tionship. Despite opposition nity centre at Jhadeswari Club in took her to Hirakud on a trip. There done at Kuchinda government hos- from the woman, the youth still the city. he secretly laced her food with pital, they were produced in a local kept on sending obscene videos Meanwhile, the minister was pregnancy-terminating medicines court and remanded to judicial to her. Finally, the woman fi- shown black flags by the youth and forced her to eat it. Upon return, custody as their bail pleas nally lodged a complaint Congress leaders on his way to he dropped her at Kuchinda. were rejected. against Jena at the Cyber po- Puri. The youth Congress lead- Instead of going to her own The victim has been sent to lice station. Police registered Dignitaries including Orissa High Court Justice Sanju Panda and Cuttack District Judge Raj Kumar Sahu unveil the ers were protesting against the house, the victim went to her Sambalpur for a medical test, it a case and arrested Jena after

statue of Utkal Gourab Madhusudan Das on the premises of criminal courts bar association in the Silver City, Sunday skyrocketing fuel prices. friend’s house fearing abuse. Her was learnt. an investigation.

k y m c P5 MONDAY | MARCH 1 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR state

BOOSTING KEONJHAR DISTRICT’S ECONOMY

k y m Covid surge forces VSSUT shutdown Chief Secretary stresses on c DISTRICT ADMIN HAS DECLARED 11 HOSTELS AS CONTAINMENT ZONES

POST NEWS NETWORK MATTER OF CONCERN promotion of ecotourism Sambalpur, Feb 28: With 29 students POST NEWS NETWORK testing positive for COVID-19, eople have been prohibited from either entering or going out of the Sambalpur district administration P Keonjhar, Feb 28: Odisha Chief university campus. Police, health officials Secretary Suresh Chandra Sunday shut down Veer Surendra and staff of the Sambalpur Municipal Sai University of Technology Corporation have set up a camp near the Mahapatra reviewed Sunday the (VSSUT) in Burla until further or- Pulah hostel of the university ongoing development works in ders. Keonjhar during a visit to the dis- In view of the increase in the nly essential services will be allowed trict. He emphasised on promotion COVID-19 infection cases, the dis- Oin the containment zones. It will also of ecotourism to boost the econ- trict administration declared 11 be strictly ensured that there is no omy of the district. hostels on the varsity premises as movement of local denizens and vehicles Sources said, the Chief Secretary containment zones Sunday. within the restricted areas directed officials concerned to de- Collector-in-charge Sukant Kumar velop nature as well as ecotourism zero’ progress of irrigation projects, Tripathy issued a notification in Sambalpur district administration will conduct contact tracing, surveillance and other clinical in Keonjhar district with active Mahapatra also road works and national highway this regard. People have been pro- interventions as required. The local administration will arrange to provide medical services and participation of local youths. Locals instructed the officials works in the district as well. He hibited from either entering or supply of essential goods such as milk, medicines, vegetable as well as grocery should be directly involved in the ordered Keonjhar district admin- going out of the campus. development process, maintenance to identify suitable sites istration to chalk out plans for Police, health officials and staff According to the source, only es- administration will arrange to pro- going outside and coming inside, and upkeep of nature and eco- for jungle safari and mega lift-irrigation projects to har- of the Sambalpur Municipal sential services will be allowed in vide medical services and supply of with intimation to the control room. tourism sites in the district, ness the existing irrigation poten- Corporation have set up a camp the containment zones. It will also essential goods such as milk, med- Vice Chancellor BB Pati said Mahapatra said. boating facilities tial available in the district. near the Pulah hostel. be strictly ensured that there is no icines, vegetable as well as grocery. that all possible measures have Mahapatra also instructed the The Chief Secretary also fixed In addition to VSSUT, several movement of local denizens and Burla police station inspector-in- been put in place to combat Covid officials to identify suitable sites for community will develop a sense of deadlines for completion of projects other areas with positive cases were vehicles within the restricted areas. charge has been asked to ensure spread. There are nearly 1,500 stu- jungle safari and boating facilities belongingness with the forest and including ongoing construction of also declared as containment and Sambalpur district administra- there is no unnecessary movement dents lodge in VSSUT premises as well. “Such activities while cre- ecosystem once they get earnings a medical college in Keonjhar. Later buffer zones to tackle any probable tion will conduct contact tracing, sur- of vehicles and persons inside the which are being sensitised amid ating new employment opportu- from those sites,” the Chief in the day, he had a meeting with spread of the deadly virus, an official veillance and other clinical inter- containment zones. The IIC has been prevention and security meas- nities will directly boost economic Secretary stated. the district collector Ashish Thakare source informed. ventions as required. The local empowered to issue passes to persons ures, he added. activities in the district. The local Mahapatra reviewed the ‘ground and other concerned officials. Barusingh cries FOLK CHARM 3 held for duping youth POST NEWS NETWORK YOUTH ASKED THE Angul, Feb 28: Three persons in- TRIO TO RETURN for development cluding a woman were Saturday THE MONEY HE POST NEWS NETWORK landslides make life more diffi- arrested for duping a youth on the cult. pretext of giving him a job in an in- HAD GIVEN Gumma, Feb 28: Over 70 years Finding healthcare in the hill- dustrial company. The accused have have passed since independence, but top terrain is a dream. In emergency been identified as Ranjan Kumar bank account. However, he did not people of Barusigh, a village on a cases, pregnant women and pa- Tripathy, his wife Mitali from get the appointment letter as prom- hilltop under Gumma block of tients are carried on cots for five Rajkishorepada and Ranjan Kumar ised. Few days later, the trio again Gajapati district, are living in mis- km downhill till Gaiba village. Sahu from Rengali area in Angul dis- contacted him and asked him to ery as they are deprived of basic fa- From there, the patients are ei- trict. The victim is a resident of deposit the last installment of Rs cilities and benefits of welfare ther taken in bus or hired vehi- Paralakhemundi in Gajapati district. 15,000 to get the job. schemes over years, a report said. cles to Paralakhemundi hospital. According to the police, the vic- As he was already frustrated, According to local residents, the It was learnt that the DRDA had tim came to know from an adver- the youth asked the trio to return village derives its name from its ge- made an attempt to lay a road in tisement that an industrial company him the money he had given. The ographical location – in tribal di- 2018-19 to the village. An amount was looking for suitable candidates accused trio then asked him to de- alect, Baru means hill and Sing of Rs 6,00,000 was sanctioned from for some of its vacant posts. He posit another Rs 2,000 to get back means house. So Barusingh means the Odisha State Disaster had applied for the job. The trio his money. By this time the youth hilltop house. Over generations, Mitigation Fund for the road. After then contacted him, asking him to was at the end of his tether. He people of tribal communities be- the cyclonic storm ‘Titli’, the con- deposit Rs 52,000 towards regis- lodged a report at the police station longing to 35 families have been liv- dition of the road turned worse. tration fees. against the trio. Registering a case, ing here. “The villagers has repeatedly Taking the bait, the youth de- the police launched a probe and “There is neither road con- been urging the administration to Artistes of Sambalpur Kala Kendra doing a rehearsal at GM Ground before leaving for a cultural programme to be held posited the asked amount in a given arrested the accused. outside the state OP PHOTO TALE OF A HILLTOP VILLAGE Drunken warder PLAN FOR CAGE FISH FARMING assaults jailor, 2 others, arrested Hirakud fishermen POST NEWS NETWORK fear loss of income Sambalpur, Feb 28: In a bizarre POST NEWS NETWORK incident late Saturday night, the jailor and two subordinate staff of Sambalpur, Feb 28: The govern- Sambalpur Circle Jail were al- ment’s plan to promote cage fish farm- legedly attacked by a warder under ing in Hirakud reservoir is may dis- influence of alcohol. The accused astrously affect livelihood of thousands official was identified as Ashok of fishermen in three western Odisha Thati. districts. Fishermen alleged that the According to sources, the ac- cage fish farming is being planned in cused warder wanted to join his the reservoir and this will be handed duty at night in an inebriated con- over to a private company. dition. Jailor Alok Kar did not Addressing a presser, Gopinath “After leaving their home and nectivity nor electricity. It seems repair the road, but to no avail. allow the official to join his night Majhi of Hirakud Budi Anchal hearth, scores of families found fish- we are leading a life in the dark. After sunset, wild animals finds way duty shift. This led to an alterca- Sangram Samiti, said that the gov- ing a livelihood in the Hirakud reser- Drinking water is an issue here. into houses. So people remain in- tion and Thati assaulted the jailor ernment is planning to introduce voir. But now, the government is doing If one wants to drink water doors after sunset,” lamented vil- and two other employees inside the cage fish farming in reservoir which something that will take away their then the person has to go down- lagers like Biswanth Raita, Ijikel prison premises injuring them. will be later handed over to the pri- livelihood. Sales and purchase of fish hill to get water from a well,” vil- Raita, Disa Raita and Premananda Some other staff of the jail vate companies. in the local market will fall into a lagers said. Raita. Five years ago, utility poles caught hold of the drunken warder “If this plan is put into use, then stalemate,” rued Majhi. People usually depend on a hill were pitched in the village to sup- and immediately alerted Dhanupali 8,810 fishermen of Bargarh, Many youths engaged in the fish- stream. “In summer, finding water ply electricity. But the work has not police about the incident. Jharsuguda and Sambalpur districts ing sector will be rendered jobless. is a difficult proposition as the progressed beyond that. On being informed, Dhanupali will lose their age-old livelihood,” Earlier, 126 species of fishes used stream dries up. To get five litres Sushant Kumar Acharya, an of- police rushed to the spot and took lamented Majhi. to be found in the reservoir, but over of water, one has to wait for hours ficial of the energy department, said the warder into custody. Police He pointed out that thousands of years, their number has come down to collect it,” they pointed out. that the contractor had under- have registered a case against him people were displaced when the dam to 15 due to pollution in the water, he In monsoon, life becomes more taken the electrification work in in this connection and launched project was executed, but till date said. People had lost their land for difficult when foot tracks in the 2015, but since then he has a probe. The warder has been de- many displaced families have not the dam and now they are going to lose hill become slippery. At times, disappeared. tained for interrogation. been given compensation. their livelihood, he alleged. Curtains down on Niyamraja fest

POST NEWS NETWORK to a multinational company. They have resisted such Bhawanipatna, Feb 28: The takeovers alleging that the state three-day annual Niyamraja government was trying to snatch Parva aka Niyamraja festi- away their livelihood. val of Dongria and Jharnia The tribals have also been Kondh tribes came to an end protesting the high-handed- Sunday on the Niyamgiri hills ness and harassment by the which is on the fringes of police and CRPF jawans on the Kalahandi and Rayagada dis- pretext combing operation tricts. against the Maoists. Reports said that Dongria The tribals conduct ani- and Jharnia Kondhs, two of The festival known as the siding deity which they be- mal sacrifice in this festival the primitive tribes living in festival of unity has come to lieve to be sustaining them before Niyamraja, their pre- Kalahandi and Rayagada dis- become an expression of self- since ages. It is a form of na- siding deity as they believe this tricts, celebrate this festival for assertion of the Dongria ture worship which hardly helps them get rid of all dis- three days on the Niyamgiri Kondhs that the hills are theirs has any parallel anywhere. eases and pain and in ensur- hill under Lanjigarh block in and no can claim their rights The Dongria and Jharnia ing a good harvest. Kalahandi district. The festi- on them. The festival is now tribals earn their living by This belief has taken the val started February 26 and an informal platform for 'jal, cultivating hilly crops like pi- form of annual Niyamraja concluded Sunday. jangal, zameen' (water, forest, geon peas (Kandul), millet festival where Dongrias and

The three-day festival wit- land) movement and to save (raggi), horsegram, maize, Jharnias Kondh tribals at-

k y m c nessed the participation of the Niyamgiri hill from the oranges, banana, pineapples tired in their traditional dress over 8,000 tribals living in 200 evil eye of multinational com- on the hill. and weapons dance to the villages of Kalahandi and panies, drawing participants However, they were up in beating of drums and cym- Rayagada districts, president, from various states in India. arms against the attempts by the bals and sacrifice hens, pi- Lodo Sikka of ‘Niyamgiri The tribals worship the state government tried to hand geons, goats, pigs and buf- Surakshya Samiti’ said. Niyamgiri hill as their pre- over the hill at throwaway prices faloes before their deity. P6 MONDAY | MARCH 1 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR power post

FOCUS TAXATION The supreme end is the freedom

of the spirit.

k y m SRI AUROBINDO GST NOT EL DORADO c

he GST or ‘one nation with GSTR 1 and 2 forms for de- one tax’ is not the kind claring summary tax liabilities. of El Dorado the coun- Non-filing attracts oppressive Wipe Out Blemish T try had promised to it- penalty. In reality, it is not one self. The players are all unhappy tax. There are three variants – he vitriolic criticism by some social media users, directed against ad- – the States, traders, manufac- CGST (Central tax), SGST (State ditional sessions judge of a Delhi court Dharmender Rana, has sur- turers, CAs and possibly even the tax) and IGST (inter-state trans- T prised many. Judge Rana made certain pronouncements on the Disha Centre as it is burdened with all action tax). There are instances Ravi toolkit case wherein he upheld the values of freedom of speech and problems along with the collec- where for failure of filing return granted her bail. The strong negative reaction against the judgement reveals tion and sharing of revenue and of less than Rs 500 transaction the vicious form of intolerance that is getting free play when anything con- too much non-cash digitisation. in a month one had to pay over Rs sidered unfavorable to the central government takes place. Union Law In the trader circle it has earned 50,000 as penalty. Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad was rather too economical with his words the nickname of BST – burden- If a truck reaches late by a day, when he, instead of condemning outright the sinister move to cow down some tax. it can be penalised up to 108 per cent even the judiciary, merely said February 27 a “disturbing trend” of ac- No wonder the Confederation of as under e-way bill rules. The bare tivists criticizing judges for unfavourable verdicts had started. All India Traders (CAIT) the um- minimum e-way penalty is Rs It is well known that criticism of judgements in good faith is not only per- brella body of over 8 crore traders 10,000, often the freight charged for missible but also healthy for democracy. But under no circumstances individual belonging to more than 40,000 short distances. If there is a mis- judges should be made targets of criticism. This is an axiom followed tra- Shivaji Sarkar trade associations across the coun- take, a penalty of 200 per cent of ditionally in all free societies. Quite correctly legal experts have demanded try, led the country February 26 to the tax amount is levied to be paid stringent punitive action be taken against the culprits who have criticised a ‘Bharat Vyapar Bandh’ to protest from the electronic cash ledger judge Rana. against what they sum up as the and if one does not have it the The judge, in his order, made a series of laudable observations to buttress “draconian, arbitrary and criti- goods can be seized. An appeal is his ruling exonerating Disha of the draconian charge of sedition. One of IN THE TRADER cal” amendments made recently possible after paying 25 per cent of these was: “The offence of sedition cannot be invoked to minister to the wounded CIRCLE THE GST in GST rules. The All India the penalty but the goods will re- vanity of the governments.” These were actually not his words. He was quot- Transporters Welfare Association There is a bigger problem with opaque GST. It is main confiscated till the resolution ing the ruling of a British judge in favour of an Indian citizen against the HAS EARNED (AIWA) also joined the strike on of the case. colonial government of pre-independence India. issues of “un-practicable” e-way stated to be skewed against the unorganised The arbitrariness is smothering Everyone knows that the social media activists, who tried to vilify the judge, THE NICKNAME bill and unviable pricing policy sector, and is thus annihilating jobs businesses, CAIT and AIWA al- were not ignorant of the context nor of the author of the words. They were OF BST – of diesel, because of high taxes on lege. Overall despite some mod- doing their paid job of brow beating anyone and anything that seems un- fuel. eration, the rates are high and comfortable to the powers that be. BURDENSOME The States are in a quandary. 2020 average monthly collections bought their acquiescence. It causing inflation. Assocham has The reason for the intolerance of these apparent pro-government ac- TAX They agreed to the ‘one nation are around Rs 1 lakh crore and in is just not during COVID-19 that suggested 25 per cent rate cut for tivists is not difficult to gauge. For some time the government has been get- one tax’ subsuming their sover- January 2021 Rs 1.20 lakh crore col- payments to States are delayed. all slabs. ting judgements from most of the courts - be it the apex or subordinate courts eignty to the GST Council as also lections surpassed the January Since August-September 2019, There are many infirmities in – which have not only been extremely favourable to it, but also greatly did the Centre in 2017. The tax 2020 collections of Rs 1.19 lakh records show that compensa- tax proposals. The variants of helpful in legally sanctifying its political-social agendas. This has set such collection now has become com- crore. tion to States has never been IGST, CGST and SGST are con- a trend that many politicians in power have boasted in public domain that plex. The Centre collects GST to dis- Between July 2017 and February released on time. sidered new acronyms of central the judiciary is favourable. Those boasts seem to hold water as many judge- tribute to States. But there are a 2021, the Centre has accumulated There is a bigger problem with excise, VAT, CST and service tax. ments do, indeed, seem very lopsided and grossly crossing the barriers to host of VAT and other taxes that Rs 5.43 lakh crore in GST, which opaque GST. It is stated to be As such there is nothing new ex- help the government. This triumphalism was witnessed when these lead- States and the Centre also levy on should have been paid to States. Of skewed against the unorganised cept the collection by the Centre. ers predicted, well before the verdict could be pronounced, that the Ayodhya fuel and liquor. It does not pre- this amount, two-third has been sector, and is thus annihilating The bandh is a mere attention Ram Janmabhoomi case would go in favour of the advocates of the construction vent States from collecting other paid as of February 2021, says jobs. It has always been an open se- seeking measure but the country of Ram temple at the disputed site. kinds of charges either. State spe- Finance Ministry data. States have cret that small, unorganised man- has to discuss how there could be Viewed in this backdrop, judge Dharmender Rana seems to have not cific taxes thus still continue. The been collectively given Rs 3.37 lakh ufacturers and service providers a tax system that would not be op- only showed extraordinary uprightness, but also exemplary courage larger share of taxes, that were ear- crore while an amount of Rs 2.06 in India, survive because they pressive and add to growth. in upholding the rule of law without fear or favour. This happened at lier the domain of States, how- lakh crore is still pending for April don’t pay their full share of taxes. Multiple taxes and, cess on goods, a time when the citizens of the country are getting disillusioned with ever, is collected by Centre. The to November 2020. It means that So it is becoming an all-problem fuel, liquor, and tolls on city entries the judiciary. One of the most disturbing development was when the Centre owes Rs 2.06 lakh crore to post-lockdown States have not tax. The tax return filing is be- and highways are stymieing last Chief Justice of India, Ranjan Gogoi, was nominated as a Rajya States, which is one-third of the been paid their share. The Centre coming a complicated and op- growth and initiatives apart from Sabha member by the ruling BJP soon after he retired after passing sev- total GST collected across the insists that they survive on bor- pressive issue as rules of the creating an extortive system. eral controversial judgements that visibly assisted one particular po- country since July 2017, the Union rowings. game are changed without any Prime Minister Narendra Modi litical idea. Finance Ministry data reveal. The The interest burden would discussion – since 2017 the rules should look into the complex tax- Judge Rana’s ruling might have helped restore the people’s faith in the pending dues are in addition to be borne by States. Most State changed 950 times and compli- ation. With digitisation, cash trans- judiciary somewhat when he ordered the release of Disha Ravi on bail Rs 84,000 crore, which was recently governments were aware of the ance is in oppressive mode. The actions are equally needed for fast with the stinging observation that the Delhi police investigation was “scanty released by the Centre as com- anti-federal nature of the law, GST return (GSTR 3B) is a growth and ease of business. and sketchy.” At the same time he defended the right of citizens to disagree pensation under a special bor- but the carrot of a guaranteed monthly self-declaration to be with the government and underlined that any claim, even if false, exaggerated rowing window. Since October 14 per cent revenue growth filed by a registered dealer along INFA or even with the mischievous intent, “cannot be stigmatised being seditious unless they have a tendency to foment violence.” His memorable words were “citizens are conscience keepers of govern- ment in any democratic nation and they cannot be put behind bars because they choose to disagree with the State policies.” SPECTRUM ECONOMY The Delhi Police had sought to link the violence in Delhi on 26 January 2021 Republic Day during the tractor rally to the toolkit case implicating Disha Ravi. The judge said there was no evidence to back the charge that there was any link between the two or that Disha had subscribed to any se- cessionist idea. He also found there was nothing wrong for Disha sending The case for bank privatisation the Google document to Greta Thunberg. Freedom of speech and expres- sion includes the right to seek a global audience and there are no geo- he Finance Minister has ment will be able to earn monies provide loans to priority sectors. ing. The problem of ‘bad’ lending, graphical barriers on communication. announced in the Budget from privatisation of PSBs instead This objective has largely been ful- therefore, has no relation with the Obviously, supporters of the government found these pearls of wisdom T that two Public Sector of having to invest more monies to filled. PSBs are today providing lender being a PSB or a private from the judge to be unpalatable. For them, those words exposed the gov- Banks (PSBs) will be privatised. keep them afloat. services in interior areas. bank. The solution of this prob- ernment’s sinister attempts to go for witch-hunting against those who lent The government policy in the last The first criticism of this step is However, another problem has lem, again, is for RBI to vigilantly support to the farmers’ agitation. The Delhi police, which is under the three decades of economic reforms that the money earned from pri- arisen. PSBs are incurring losses track lending portfolios of private Union government, proceeded in the Disha Ravi case with a convicting mind was to sell a part of the shares in vatisation will be used to support due to inefficiency and corruption. banks. The RBI has indeed behaved without a shred of evidence as the government seemed desperate to silence PSUs including PSBs to the public increasing consumption expendi- And, the government is investing in this manner in the Yes Bank attempts to get international support to the farmers’ cause. However, while retaining the controlling tures of the government such as pay- to keep them afloat. The people are and other cases in recent past. This whether by intent of the government or accident, this Disha Ravi matter share in its own hands. This is ing higher salaries and dearness al- being taxed to raise money for proactive approach of RBI must did succeed in diverting the nation’s attention away from the farmers’ known as “disinvestment.” The lowance to its employees. This this investment. be strengthened. struggle to some extent. Bharat Jhunjhunwala secretaries of respective ministries, criticism is only partially correct. Truly speaking, it was not nec- Knowledgeable sources indicate The government could now wipe out this blemish by acting not only and more often than not, IAS offi- The government is expected to ob- essary to nationalise banks in order two small PSBs could be priva- against the malevolent social media users but also if it would punish the cers continued to head the man- tain revenue of Rs 20,000 crore to provide banking services to rural tised initially, so to say, to test the involved Delhi Police officials for their dereliction of duty. It ought to act agement of these PSUs. In con- from disinvestment in 2020-21. The areas. The RBI had adequate pow- waters. The Finance Minister with the same alacrity it had demonstrated in arresting Disha or the man- PRIVATISATION trast, the controlling shares of a PSU target for 2021-22 is Rs 175,000 crore. ers to direct private banks to open should move fast and take steps to ner in which it has issued a huge list of fresh new regulations to rein in so- are sold to a private buyer in “pri- In tandem, the capital expendi- branches in backward areas. The privatise major PSBs. The stock cial media, news websites and other internet based platforms that are re- OF PSBs IS vatization.” The management is tures of the government are tar- government made a mistake in market conditions are favourable fusing to toe the official line. IMPORTANT transferred to the hands of the geted to be increased from Rs 430,000 1971. Private banks were nation- at present. Let us not forget that the buyer and government interfer- crore in 2020-21 to Rs 554,000 crore alised instead of setting right this efforts of the government to pri- BECAUSE THE ence in the affairs of the priva- in 2021-22. The targeted increase in failure of RBI to give suitable di- vatise Air India were put on the GOVERNMENT HAS tised company ends. receipts from privatisation is only rections to them. In the process backburner, in part, because of WISDOM CORNER Privatisation of PSBs is impor- marginally higher than the tar- now these nationalised banks are adverse stock market conditions. BEEN INVESTING tant because the government has geted increase in capital expendi- incurring losses. We have fallen The Finance Minister must use The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing. HUGE AMOUNTS IN been investing huge amounts in tures. Indeed, it would have been from the frying pan into the fire. The the present buoyancy in the stock WALT DISNEY them over the last decade to keep better if the increase in capital ex- need today is that RBI should man- market to privatise larger PSBs. Love and work are the cornerstones of our humanness. THEM TO KEEP these banks from collapsing. This penditures was more. Yet, we should date private banks to provide serv- That will provide much-needed is called “capitalisation” of banks, appreciate the government’s ef- ices in rural areas along with pri- revenues to meet contingencies SIGMUND FREUD THESE BANKS that is, augmenting capital to com- forts in this direction. vatising PSBs. arising out of the pandemic. The High expectations are the key to everything. SAM WALTON FROM COLLAPSING pensate for the losses incurred by The second criticism of pri- The third criticism of privati- additional receipts from privati- them. One aspect of this invest- vatisation is that the government sation is that private banks indulge sation should be used to make pub- ment is to bring the capital of PSBs is stepping back from its re- in giving loans to sister concerns lic investments in new areas such in line with international norms. sponsibilities of “welfare state.” of their owners. This is correct. as genetics, big data and space re- WORDSWORTH The other aspect is this investment The banks were nationalised in However, the same problem exists search. This will lay the foundations covers up the losses incurred by 1971 with the idea that private in PSBs. They provide loans to of our technological prowess in PSBs. More capital is required be- banks were not serving rural doubtful entities at the asking of sec- coming decades. Mastigophorous cause they have incurred losses areas and poorer sections of so- retaries and ministers coupled and their existing capital has been ciety. They were nationalised so with corruption by bank officials. The writer is a former astigophoros is classical Greek, derived from mastix, a whip, and - wiped off. The present policy marks that they could be directed to The large NPAs of PSBs have arisen Professor of Economics Mphoros, bearing or carrying. A mastigophore was an attendant or a departure because the govern- open branches in rural areas and in large measures due to such lend- at IIM Bangalore. officer carrying a whip. This rare word has celebrated its 200th birthday, having been used in English in a letter from the writer and minister Samuel Parr to his close friend Charles Burney on 12 December 1812. The letter is effusive and academically humorous in the Minimum power bill Crucial polls ahead way of one scholar of the time to another, peppered with classical allusions in Latin and Greek. It may have been some mental association Sir, Jharkhand’s minimum monthly Sir, The upcoming elections in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Pondicherry as- with Parr, who had been a schoolmaster, and Burney, who then still electric bill is Rs 42. The BJP’s state sume profound significance in Indian politics because they are happening against the back- was, but the word was used subsequently as a jocular way to refer to a etters level functionaries recently visited drop of a tempestuous political environment. The future course of national and regional par- pedagogue who was over-fond of corporal punishment. Sydney Smith the Odisha-Jharkhand border adja- ties is dependent on the results of these polls. Three national-level changes will have an impact wrote in 1826 of a boy who was trying to look up words in his dictionary cent to Sukruli in Mayurbhanj dis- on these polls. First, the pandemic, which has impacted the lives and livelihoods of millions. while his “mastigophorous superior” frowned over him; another writer TOL THE EDITOR trict led by Samir Mohanty and Second, the government’s economic reforms. The farm laws and the protests against them have in 1832 described how the boys of Winchester College rebelled against Readers of Orissa POST found a village whose one half is in political ramifications. Issues related to immigrants, CAA, NRC and the issue of Tamil rights their “mastigophorous tyrant”; the reviewer of Sir Walter Scott’s are most welcome to contribute letters Odisha while the other half is in in Sri Lanka will have an impact on the polls in Assam, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. These biography of John Dryden in 1842 noted that Dryden was educated at (200 words), articles and Jharkhand. Households in the por- elections will determine the political future of several parties. As for the BJP, it is keen to re- columns (between 750-1250 Westminster School under “the celebrated Dr Busby,” who had words). Contributors are tion that comes in Jharkhand pay a tain power in Assam, come to power in West Bengal, become a part of the ruling coalition in “mastigophorous propensities” and “who revelled in groans, and tears, requested to send their minimum electricity bill of Rs 42 Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry and strengthen its presence in Kerala. For the Congress, a win and learning.” Mastigophorous, a bit of obscure academic drollery, is contact numbers and full per month while those living in the in Assam and the DMK-led government’s return to power, settling of old scores in Pondicherry

now as dead as dead can be, but the Greek word and its Latin successor postal address/email ID. They may also part that comes under Odisha pay and expansion of its presence in Bengal will enhance its status. The most important state for

k y m send in their valuable comments, opinion c remain in the vocabularies of zoologists. The Mastigophora are single- and suggestions, preferably by email, around 24 times higher than that the party is Kerala where it is facing a do or die situation. For parties such as TMC, DMK, AIADMK, celled organisms that propel themselves with whip-like flagella to: [email protected] amount. It is amazing that the BJP and the Left the upcoming elections are crucial for political existence. The outcome of these (another Latin word, singular flagellum, a whip or scourge). The related is keeping silence instead of making elections will have an impact on the federal structure as well. If BJP wins in Bengal and be- adjective is mastigophoran. it a major issue. comes a part of the government in TN, it will strengthen the Centre. On the other hand, the

B-15, Rasulgarh Industrial Estate, Janakiballav Dash, win of TMC and DMK will strengthen the voice of states. Bhubaneswar-751010 BARIPADA Venu GS, KOLLAM GUJARAT UTTAR PRADESH P7

MONDAY | MARCH 1 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR

k y m Protest against ‘unsustainable’ farming in western UP Eye on 2022 Assembly polls, c

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Kejriwal woos Jats in UP Muzaffarnagar, Feb 28: The old CANE CONCERN saying that agriculture is the best he entire western Uttar occupation and working for others TPradesh has been witnessing the worst no longer holds true, says a number of Mahapanchayts Raj Kumar, a farmer from western organised either by khaps or Uttar Pradesh, where farmers' ag- farmer leaders or political itation seems to be driven more by parties against the farm laws Our farmers "stagnant" sugarcane prices and he sugarcane crop, the can be the stray cattle menace, than by Tmainstay of the farmers in anything but the three contentious agri laws. the region, is cultivated on more traitors. But Kumar, a Rawa Rajput from than 80 per cent of the arable the BJP has Satheri village in this district, says land in the districts of western called them sugarcane prices have not been Uttar Pradesh terrorists and raised for the past several seasons, Khalistanis whereas companies have reduced s per the data provided by the size of Urea and DAP bags, AAll India Sugar Traders ARVIND KEJRIWAL I making manure costlier and agri- Association (AISTA), the Fair and DELHI CM culture "unsustainable". Remunerative Price (FRP) of ` Muzaffarnagar, a western Uttar Sugarcane was at 255 per quintal for 2017-18 season and Pradesh district, is not very far INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE rants". Amid slogans of 'Jai Jawan, increased to `285 per quintal in from Delhi which has seen its three 2020-21 season Jai Kisan' and 'Kisan Eklta border points turn into tent cities New Delhi, Feb 28: In view of the Jindabad', Kejriwal said that the as farmers protesting against the he Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh protesting farmers have faced atroc- three new Central agricultural laws, menace of stray cattle have bro- about farm laws which is based on laws became more pronounced after Tgovernment’s State Advisory slated for next year, AAP national ities which were not meted out which open up the sector for private ken our back,” Lal said, standing by the information shared by farmer people in the region saw Bhartiya Price (SAP) is fixed at `315 per convenor Arvind Kejriwal Sunday even during the British rule. He players, have been camping there Kumar. “All this has forced us to leaders. The opposition to these Kisan Union Leader (BKU) Rakesh quintal for the last four seasons tried to woo the 'Jat' community in also accused the BJP of making for close to three months now. raise their voices for farmers' issues.” laws becomes louder and more vis- Tikait crying on TV channels. Tikait, from 2017-18 the western part of the state while false cases against protesters. But on the question of farm laws, Sohan, a Kashyap (Jhimir) by ible as one moves towards the Jats- himself a Jat, hails from Sisoli vil- griculture experts say a farmer addressing a Kisan Mahapanchayat “Our farmers can be anything but Kumar says he doesn't know much caste from Ganshampura village dominated areas in the western lage in Muzaffarnagar district. Acultivates on an average 900 in Meerut. traitors. But the BJP has called about them but he has been sup- who owns less than one acre land Uttar Pradesh. In the Shoram vil- The protest will continue till the quintal of sugarcane in one The AAP's Mahapanchayat came them terrorists and Khalistanis,” porting the protesting farmers as and uses his crop mostly in his jag- lage, which is seen as the head- government takes back farm laws, hectare of land in one season months after the party had an- Kejriwal said. Through his speech, agriculture has become "unsus- gery workshop, says until and un- quarters of Khaps (caste councils) says Vipin Balyan, a 35-year-old which is of about nine months nounced to contest the UP Assembly he also tried to woo the villagers in tainable". less sugarcane prices are increased of Jat community, a mere mention farmer from the Shoram village. polls next year. Kejriwal's address the western part of UP reiterat- Echoing similar sentiments, the prices of jaggery would also of farm laws evokes strong response. he farmer spends on an focused mainly on the ongoing farm- ing his own line - 'at present, one "The proponents of these black ` Roshan Lal, a Saini by caste and a remain stagnant. “These laws are not only against laws will pay heavily in coming Taverage around more than 2 ers' protest against the three Central son of a farmer is at the border lakh per hectare including all its small-scale farmer, said more than Sohan said he has heard about the farmers but against the coun- elections." farm laws. The AAP convenor re- and another at Delhi's border'. expenses during a season on iterated his party's slogan calling the the three farm laws, it is delay in pay- farm laws but doesn't know much try...Those who are guarding the Both Bhupender and Vipin also sugarcane crop He also accused BJP of orches- ment for sugarcane and the rising about them. He also flagged the borders are our sons and behind expressed concern about the "stag- three farm laws as "death warrants" trating Republic Day violence at diesel prices, along with the prob- issue of stray cattle. their back you are trying to snatch nant" sugarcane prices, delay in for the protesting farmers. the Red Fort and extended his sup- lem of stray cattle that have made All three -- Ram Kumar, Roshan the rights of their brothers who payments to sugarcane farmers whom the PTI spoke to in the region In a gesture of his party's support, port to the protesters, claiming that their lives miserable. and Sohan -- underlined the im- are into farming,” said Bhupender and the havoc caused by stray cat- said they are receiving annual `6,000 the Delhi Chief Minister had torn AAP has provided civic and WiFi fa- “More than farm laws, no hike in portance of sugarcane prices and Choudhary, a villager. tle, saying that all these are dam- government assistance under the the farm laws' documents in the cilities at the protest sites in Singhu, cane prices, delay of over a year timely payments to farmers and Choudhary, a middle-aged farmer, aging farmers economically. PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme Assembly in December last year, Tikri and Ghazipur borders, where in payments of sugarcane and the expressed limited reservations said the sentiment against the farm However, most of the farmers started by the Centre. terming the laws as "death war- farmers have been protesting. Bhim Army inches closer Over 60% voter turnout in Guj local bodies polls APART FROM TRADITIONAL RIVALS BJP AND CONGRESS, AAP AND AIMIM WERE ALSO IN THE FRAY THIS TIME to SP-RLD alliance in UP PRESS TRUST OF INDIA vote at his native Kadi munici- pality of Mehsana district along Political analysts feel that the SP-RLD-Bhim Army combine could bring Muslims, Jats Ahmedabad, Feb 28: Over 60 with his family members. and Dalits on a single platform and this could upset the BJP’s apple cart in region per cent voter turnout was Union Minister of State for recorded in the elections to Panchayati Raj and Agriculture Gujarat's 81 municipalities, 31 Parshottam Rupala and BJP's INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE district panchayats and 231 taluka Rajya Sabha MP Jugalji Thakor panchayats that were held in a were among the leaders who cast Lucknow, Feb 28: The ongoing largely peaceful manner Sunday, their votes in the early hours. farmers’ agitation and the chang- barring an incident of booth cap- Congress leader Hardik Patel ing political scenario in western turing and reports of clash as also voted at a booth at Viramgam Uttar Pradesh are now throwing well as snags in EVMs at some in Ahmedabad district. up new political combinations, places, officials said. As per the SEC, there are a total ahead of the 2022 Assembly election. As per the provisional figures, of 8,474 seats across 81 munici- The Samajwadi Party and the voter turnout of 54.95 per cent palities, 31 district panchayats Rashtriya Lok Dal alliance in the across 81 municipalities, 62.41 and 231 taluka panchayats in region is likely to be joined by the per cent in 31 district panchayats, ers managed to escape, and at- However, the situation was soon Gujarat, out of which candidates emerging Bhim Army’s political and 63.42 per cent in 231 taluka tempts were on to nab them. brought under control, police on 237 seats remain unopposed, wing - Azad Samaj Party. According panchayat, was recorded, the State In another incident, some per- said. Clashes were also reported and no form was filled for two to highly placed sources, channels Election Commission (SEC) said. sons were injured after two groups between members of two political seats in taluka panchayat. Thus, of communication have been opened The average voting percentage supporting rival candidates partiesat Singvad and Jhalod elections were held on a total 8,235 between Samajwadi Party chief across all these local bodies to- clashed and hurled stones at each talukas of Dahod district. seats, it said. Akhilesh Yadav and Bhim Army gether was around 60.26 per cent, other near a polling booth in There were also a few instances For 8,235 seats, the BJP had chief Chandra Shekhar. it said. There was an attempt to Viramgam taluka of Ahmedabad of villagers boycotting voting. fielded 8,161 candidates, Congress “The two leaders have spoken tions. A senior Bhim Army func- will build up our organisation till the capture a booth at Ghodiya village district. In some villages in the tribal- 7,778, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to each other thrice and if all goes tionary, meanwhile, said that in booth level in the panchayat elections in Jhalod taluka of Dahod dis- Police said they brought the dominated districts of 2,090, among others, said the SEC. well, western UP may see a SP- the present situation in western and then decide our future course trict after three persons forced situation under control and Panchmahal and Chhota Udepur, Apart from the traditional ri- RLD-Bhim Army combine in the UP, the SP-RLD-Bhim Army al- of action,” he said. Political ana- their way inside and damaged rounded up a few people in this people decided to stay away from vals- BJP and Congress-, AAP 2022 Assembly elections,” said a liance could prove to be a winning lysts feel that the SP-RLD-Bhim two EVMs kept there. Polling was connection. the electoral process to mark their and Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM source. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elec- combination. “The best thing is Army combine could bring Muslims, stopped after the incident that Further investigation is un- protest against "lack of develop- were also in the fray for local tions, SP-RLD alliance was joined that Bhim Army and RLD are not Jats and Dalits on a single platform took place around 2 pm, police derway, an official said, adding ment" in their region.A techni- body polls in Gujarat this time. by Bahujan Samaj Party in Uttar in the race for the chief minister's and this could upset the BJP’s apple said. The election staff collected that polling was not affected due cal snag was reported in an EVM By-elections were also held for Pradesh. Chandra Shekhar, when post. Alliances break only when cart in region. For the Samajwadi the damaged EVMs and said they to the incident. at a polling booth in Bhavnagar. two seats in taluka panchayats asked, evaded all questions about there are more than one claimants Party, this could be the much-needed would try to retrieve the stored A minor clash also broke out Voting began at 7 am and ended and 24 seats in municipalities. the possible alliance but said that for the top post,” he said. shot in the arm. Akhilesh has also data, and a decision on whether near a booth in Vyara munici- at 6 pm. Several ministers in the Votes for the polls will be counted all parties must come together to de- Chandra Shekhar told reporters been looking for a formidable ally to conduct re-election will be pality of Tapi district in south BJP government, including March 2. In the February 21 elec- feat the BJP which has caused ir- that his first priority was to con- for the Assembly polls after the BSP taken by the Election Commission. Gujarat, with groups represent- Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel tions, the BJP won with a major- reparable damage to the state and test the upcoming panchayat elec- walked out on him last year and Police said that one of the three ing a BJP and an independent and MPs voted across different ity across all the six municipal cor- its people, particularly weaker sec- tions under his own banner. “We Bhim Army fits the bill. persons was held while two oth- candidate coming face to face. booths in Gujarat. Patel cast his porations. COVID-19 CASES Can battered Cong in Guj repeat 2015 show?

INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE I have not been rest 4 seats. The Congress had se- RESURGE IN GUJ consulted for a cured 34 seats in the previous elec- Gandhinagar, Feb 28: From the single seat tions in 2015. In Rajkot, after BJP, results of the recently-held six mu- selection for any it is AAP which has secured the sec- AGENCIES Surat, 63 in Vadodara, and 52 in nicipal corporation elections in of the local body elections in ond highest vote share. Rajkot, while Anand reported 13 Gujarat, it seems the Congress will Gujarat. I have not even been It appears that the Congress Gandhinagar, Feb 28: Gujarat is cases, Kutch and Gandhinagar 11 struggle to even come close to re- assigned tasks by the party wants to keep itself aloof from the once again seeing a rise in the each, Kheda 10, Mehsana and peating its feat of winning up- regarding any of the young Patidar brigade by not giv- number of coronavirus cases. The Jamnagar eight each, the official coming local body elections across preparations for the elections. ing much weightage to them in the state reported 407 COVID-19 cases said. In the neighbouring Union the state against the mighty BJP, Right now, whatever rallies I state politics. The party did well in Sunday, taking the tally to 2,69,889, territory of Daman, Diu and Dadra which it managed to do in 2015. am carrying out everyday for the previous local body elections in while 301 people recovered and one and Nagar Haveli, the caseload Even before the poll campaigning the party’s good performance 2015, primarily riding the wave of patient died during the day, an of- and recoveries remained unchanged began for the six municipal cor- the OBC reservation status de- in these elections are entirely ficial said. on Sunday at 3,378 and 3,372 re- porations, the Congress lost more mands in the Patidar community. The state has so far seen 4,410 spectively, while the number of ac- than 200 seats in elections to vari- on my own Working president of the Gujarat deaths, while the recovery count is tive cases was four. ous local bodies. Some seats were HARDIK PATEL I GUJARAT CONGRESS LEADER Congress Committee Hardik Patel 2,63,116, which is 97.49 per cent of Gujarat's COVID-19 figures are lost because the nominations were told IANS Saturday that despite him the caseload, leaving the state with as follows: Positive cases 2,69,889, rejected, more were lost because being in a significant position in 2,363 active cases, of which 32 are new cases 407, death toll 4,410, dis- the candidates themselves with- its 2015 tally of 389 seats out of had won 36 seats in 2015, could not of the SMC wards. the party, he was never consulted for on ventilator support, he added. charged 2,63,116, active cases 2,363, drew their papers at the eleventh total 572 to as many as 483 out of 576 even open its account and was left Surat, the Diamond City, has a siz- any of the seat selection and dis- Of the new cases, Ahmedabad ac- people tested so far - figures not hour. this time, the Congress plummeted once again resorting to the blame able population of the Patidar com- tribution for the local body elec- counted for 108, followed by 74 in released. While at some places candidates from 174 seats in 2015 to 55 in 2021. game. munity in certain pockets. It was tions. with the party's mandate couldn't The worst case was that of the Although, the success of AAP particularly in one such pocket, “I have not been consulted for a file papers for they had been re- Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) in Surat is being clearly credited to where the imbroglio between the single seat selection for any of the placed at the last moment. In some elections, where the party failed to the support its candidates received Congress and the PAAS transpired. local body elections in Gujarat. I such cases, those disgruntled can- secure a single seat. While, by win- from the Patel Anamat Andolan Similarly, in the Municipal have not even been assigned tasks

didates raised monetary allega- ning 93 seats in the 120-member Samiti (PAAS), an agitation body Corporation elections in Rajkot, by the party regarding any of the

k y m c tions. SMC, the ruling BJP retained power, once led by Hardik Patel, demanding the hometown of Gujarat Chief preparations for the elections. Right The results of the municipal cor- it was Delhi Chief Minister Arvind reservation for the Patel community. Minister Vijay Rupani, BJP gained now, whatever rallies I am carrying porations came as a big blow to Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party The PAAS members just prior to the all of the 18 wards, except one. BJP out everyday for the party’s good per- the party, as it not only lost in all (AAP), that made inroads in Gujarat elections, had severed their ties captured 68 seats out of the total 72 formance in these elections are en- the elections, but fared patheti- politics by winning 27 seats of the with the Congress, disagreeing seats of the RMC. While, the tirely on my own,” Hardik Patel cally. While the BJP improved upon SMC. Whereas, the Congress, which over the seat sharing quota in one Congress had to be content with the told the IANS. I want the Congress to P8 unite and fight divisive SRINAGAR-LEH ROAD REOPENED MONDAY | MARCH 1 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR forces in the country. People are looking forward to the After remaining closed for nearly two Congress sorting things out in the months due to snow, the strategically country. It is a part of this nation important Srinagar-Leh highway was and has been a 150-year-old party opened Sunday y FAROOQ ABDULLAH | NATIONAL CONFERENCE (NC)

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of the day uote New Parl likely 6 states continue to TikTok star suicide: to use Tripura’s I will request the PM and bamboo products Shah to direct Maha minister resigns authorities there to cooperate with lead Covid-19 spike INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE Mumbai police INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE when they visit The Centre has also deputed high-level multi-disciplinary teams to Kerala, Maharashtra, Agartala, Feb 28: After Rashtrapati Dadra for investigation in Delkar's Mumbai, Feb 28: Amid mount- Bhavan and Prime Minister's Office death case Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and ing pressure and fierce attacks (PMO), Tripura's eco-friendly bam- from the opposition Bharatiya boo products or bamboo artifacts UDDHAV THACKERAY | MAHARASHTRA CHIEF Jammu and Kashmir to ascertain the reasons for the surge and coordinate with the state Janata Party, Shive Sena leader are now expected to be used in the MINISTER health departments in COVID-19 control and containment measures and Maharashtra Forest Minister construction of the new Parliament Sanjay Rathod - whose name building which is underway in the I am afraid to PRESS TRUST OF INDIA ritories exhibiting a surge in cases, respect of potential super spread- cropped up in the death of TikTok national capital. say this. God's including Telangana, Maharashtra, ing events, the ministry said. star Pooja Chavan - resigned Sunday. Union Minister for Road own country New Delhi, Feb 28: India's total Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Need for effective testing, A prominent leader of the Transport, Highways and MSMEs (Kerala) is now number of active COVID-19 cases Gujarat, Punjab, Jammu and comprehensive tracking, prompt Banjara community, Rathod (49), ac- Rathod met Uddhav Nitin Gadkari while talking to gradually becoming has reached 1,64,511, which com- isolation of positive cases and companied by his wife Shital, met Thackeray and tendered the Lok Sabha Member from fundamentalists' prises 1.48 per cent of the coun- quick quarantine of close con- Thackeray at the latter's official Tripura Rebati Tripura said that own country try's total infections, the Union tacts were also strongly em- residence and discussed the issue his resignation on the the bamboo products from the Health Ministry said o Sunday phasised. for around 30 minutes before hand- state are likely to be used in the new NIRMALA SITHARAMAN | UNION FINANCE eve of the Budget session MINISTER highlighting six states that have REGISTRATION FOR NEXT ing his resignation to the CM. Parliament House. "I have given shown a surge in new cases in a PHASE OF VACCINATION WILL The Chief Minister also refused of the Maha legislature Gadkari ji some value added bam- span of 24 hours. OPEN TODAY: The next phase to consider pleas from the 'ma- starting Monday boo products like bottle, basket, mo- The farmers at It said 86.37 per cent of the new of the COVID-19 vaccination hants' of the Banjara community bile stand. Then I have proposed the Singhu cases are from Maharashtra, drive for people above 60 years even as the probe report into the so- to him to utilise Tripura bamboo border in Delhi Kerala, Punjab, Karnataka, Tamil and those aged 45 and above with cial media star's death is awaited. up after the death of Chavan (22) in a larger way as the bamboo are fighting against Nadu and Gujarat. A total of 16,752 comorbidities will begin from Toughening BJP's stance, Leader in Pune February 7. products are very eco-friendly, the (Narendra) Modi new COVID-19 cases were regis- March 1 and registration on the of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis "The opposition is playing dirty heat resistant and sustainable that government's anti- tered in a span of 24 hours. Co-WIN2.0 portal will open at 9 am threatened to withdraw the BJP politics on this matter... The truth would serve many purposes and people policies. If Maharashtra continues to report the Monday. legislators from the joint select will emerge in the probe. They won't cause any harm unlike those farmers who provide us with food highest daily new cases at 8,623, Citizens will be able to register committee of the Shakti Bill, which threatened not to allow the products made of plastic and iron can put up such a gallant fight, we followed by Kerala with 3,792 cases and book an appointment for vac- is being brought on the lines of Legislature Session and disrupt materials," Tripura said. too can do it in West Bengal while Punjab reported 593 fresh cination, anytime and anywhere, the Disha Act proposing crucial the proceedings," Rathod said after Tripura, who represent Tripura SITARAM YECHURY | CPI(M) GENERAL COVID-19 cases. Kashmir and West Bengal. The using the Co-WIN 2.0 portal or changes to the existing laws on vi- quitting. Chavan hailed from the East parliamentary constituency, SECRETARY Eight states are displaying an cabinet secretary reiterated that through other IT applications such olence against women and chil- Banjara community and was a na- said that already the bamboo tiles upward trajectory in the daily new states need to maintain a contin- as Arogya Setu. Registration will dren. "Sanjay Rathod resigned... tive of Parli-Vaijanath in Beed dis- (Bamboowood) made from Tripura cases, the ministry said. ued rigorous vigil in terms of con- open at 9 am March 1 at However, it does not imply that he trict. Her family wrote to the CM bamboo are being used in a large SHORT TAKES "The Centre has been engaging taining the spread and not squan- www.Cowin.Gov.In, the ministry is innocent," said Pravin Darekar, decrying the moves to politicise scale manner across the country with states and union territories ex- der away the gains of the collective said. All citizens that are aged, or the Leader of Opposition in the her death, and killing her multiple and appreciated by all for its pos- hibiting higher active number of hardwork of last year. will attain the age of 60 or more as Maharashtra Council. times after she died. itive utility and effectiveness. LJP post-poll cases and those reporting a spike They were advised not to lower January 1, 2022 are eligible to reg- Both the leaders have demanded Chavan died after falling from the in the daily new COVID-19 cases," their guard, enforce COVID-19 ap- ister, in addition to all such citi- that an FIR should be lodged against balcony of an apartment in Pune's meeting held the ministry stated. propriate behaviour and deal firmly zens that are aged, or will attain the Rathod in the Chavan case, though Hadapsar area. The police have Woman stabbed Patna: After its dismal The cabinet secretary chaired a with violations. It was strongly un- age of 45 to 59 years as on January the ex-minister has consistently registered an accidental death re- performance in the Bihar high-level review meeting on derlined that they need to follow ef- 1, 2022, and have any of the speci- denied all the allegations levelled port (ADR) and are probing the to death during Assembly polls, the first Saturday with states and union ter- fective surveillance strategies in fied 20 comorbidities. against him. Rathod's name cropped matter. major meeting of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) was robbery bid held at the party's head WHITE BLANKET office in Patna Sunday. The PRESS TRUST OF INDIA meeting was headed by LJP Azad praises Modi chief Chirag Paswan. The New Delhi, Feb 28: A 25-year- party invited all important PRESS TRUST OF INDIA son who will replace the Congress old woman was stabbed to death leaders to analyse the defeat leader will find it tough to match while resisting a chain-snatching in the recent Assembly polls. Jammu, Feb 28: Senior Congress bid in northwest Delhi's Adarsh Besides, leaders are also his contribution.Azad's remarks accessing the situation after leader Ghulam Nabi Azad Sunday come a day after he and other 'G- Nagar area, police said on Sunday. several members left the praised Prime Minister Narendra 23' dissident leaders, who have been A senior police officer said the party and joined JD-U. Ex-LJP Modi, saying he speaks frankly pressing for a leadership change and woman, Simran Kaur, was re- MLC Nutan Singh recently about his past as a tea-seller and does organisational overhaul in the turning home from the market joined the BJP. LJP contested not try to hide his background Congress, gathered on one stage along with her two-year-old daugh- 143 seats in Bihar and from the world. at an event here and said the party ter and mother when the incident managed to win just one Addressing a function by Gujjar is weakening. occurred around 9:30 pm Saturday. seat. Moreover, the only MLA Desh Charitable Trust here, the In a brief interaction with media Police said they have arrested Raj Kumar Singh and MP former Jammu and Kashmir chief persons, Azad did not agree with the two men in connection with the Chandan Singh met with minister said a person should be suggestion that the presence of sen- incident. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar proud of his roots. “I admire sev- ior party leaders at a function here The accused have been identi- February 15. eral things about a number of lead- on Saturday was a show of strength fied as Fardeen (19) and Aqibul ers... I am from a village and I am to convey a message to the party high (22), both residents of Jahangir proud of it. A big leader, our prime command. The leaders, including Puri, they said, adding that Aqibul Pondy Assembly minister, says he is from a village, Anand Sharma, Kapil Sibal, Manish allegedly stabbed the woman dur- he used to sell tea. Tewari and Raj Babbar, were part ing the snatching bid. Speaker quits "We may have political differ- of the group which had triggered The incident occurred hardly 20 Pondicherry: Pondicherry ences, but at least he doesn't hide a storm in the party last year with Locals climb up a snow covered mountain after fresh snowfall at the ski resort of Gulmarg, Kashmir PTI PHOTO metres from the her house and Assembly Speaker V P his reality," the opposition leader their letter to Congress chief Sonia there is a police post around 100 Sivakolundhu quit Sunday said. Modi had recently profusely Gandhi, expressing unhappiness metres from the spot. citing health reasons even praised Azad, who was the Leader over its functioning and demand- The accused stabbed the vic- as his brother joined the of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, ing a full-time party president. Farmers announce series of Mahapanchayats tim and fled, police said, adding that BJP just over a month ahead during the Congress MP's farewell “I have returned after a gap of of the elections in the union in the Upper House. one-and-a-half years. Before the INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE March 6. After this, Tikait will territory. In the resignation An emotional prime minister outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic (in be attending a programme at letter to Lt Governor had recalled how Azad had reached March last year), there was a budget New Delhi, Feb 28: Farmers Ghazipur March 7 and the reach Tamilisai Soundararajan, a out to him in 2006 after tourists and winter session. There was a long protesting against the three Central Sheopur in Madhya Pradesh copy of which was made from Gujarat were killed in a ter- demand that a function be organ- farm laws have announced a se- March 8. available to mediapersons rorist attack and had said the per- ised,” he said. ries of Mahapanchayats in March On March 10, a Mahapanchayat here, Sivakolundhu, a as the stalemate between the farm- will organised in Ballia in UP Congress leader, said he ers and the government continues while in Jodhpur March 12, in quit as Speaker only on over the withdrawal of the laws. Rewa (MP) March 14 and three health grounds. The Bharatiya Kisan Union Mahapanchayats in Karnataka she was taken to a hospital where (BKU) has released the list of March 20, 21 and 22. The farmers she was declared brought dead. Mahapanchayats to be held from have announced the series of A CCTV footage of the incident Two crushed February 28 to March 22 in vari- Mahapanchayats with an aim to went viral on social media. to death ous parts of the country. BKU intensify their agitation against In the video, the two women leader Rakesh Tikait will be at- the contentious farm laws. The can be seen walking when a man Jammu: An over-speeding tending all the ‘Mahapanchayats’ 11 rounds of talks between the chases them and tries to snatch the bus turned turtle here starting from February 28 at Uttarakhand March 1, in farmers and the government have victim's chain from behind. Simran Sunday crushing to death Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh. Jhunjhunu district in Rajasthan been inconclusive as the farmers chases the man following which he two people who were on a In March, Mahapanchayats will March 2, in Nagaur March 3, in are adamant on their demand of falls on the road. Thereafter, he two-wheeler, police said. be organised in Rudrapur in Etawah March 5 and in Telangana withdrawal of the laws. stands up, stabs her and flees from The bus, coming from the spot. Narwal towards Sidhra, overturned at a curve and hit the two-wheeler, killing two of its riders, they said. One person travelling in the bus was also injured in the Now, Customs finds hair smuggling scandal in Bengal accident, while the driver escaped unhurt. Police have registered a case and ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS, HAIR EXPORT MARKET IN INDIA IS WORTH RS 70 MILLION APPROXIMATELY AT THE MOMENT further investigation is on, the officials said. INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE (GST), Directorate of Revenue 100 per kilogram. Meanwhile, a sen- temples where pilgrims tonsure Intelligence (DRI) and Airport ior Custom official related to the de- their hair as part of a religious vow New Delhi, Feb 28: Even as the Authorities across India. velopment said that there were two- and non-Remy hair - household Central Bureau of Investigation In a note to multiple agencies, fold objectives of undervaluation of waste collected by gypsy groups or NCB seizes drugs (CBI) and the Enforcement the Customs department explained raw human hair. nomads from villages, who sell it to Mumbai: The Narcotics Directorate (ED) are tightening the the modus operandi of "the export He said one objective was for dealers in hair, who in turn sell it to Control Bureau (NCB) noose around the coal mafias and of raw hair variety by undervalu- under-reporting foreign exchange hair export firms. The latter process conducted searches at three the cattle smugglers in West Bengal, ing the price by exporters. to escape Foreign Exchange it, make it reusable and export it to places in south Mumbai and the Central Customs department According to senior Customs of- Management Act (FEMA) compli- the West, where it is used to make recovered drugs worth Rs 16 has found another smuggling racket ficials, the department worked on ance and income tax generation in wigs and hairpieces. Several lakhs lakh, an official said Sunday. of undervaluing the value of the ex- the leads it received and during India while another was to smug- of people work in the collection, Three persons were arrested port of the raw human hair from its investigation it was found that gle Indian-origin human hair to stocking, and processing of hair. in this connection, he said. India to other countries and then few exporters "decreased" the value Representative image China. He explained that land routes The official said that price of "The searches were "smuggling" it to China via land of export consignments of raw were identified to escape close to 28 Remy and non-Remy hair depends y conducted in Colaba, route, officials said. human hair to Myanmar, and Telangana. said that multiple teams of Customs per cent Chinese import duty on mainly on the length and strength Nagpada and Dongri during

After identifying the new modus Bangladesh and Vietnam as com- The officials of the Custom de- department were formed and dur- raw human hair. of the hair. The official said that

k y m the intervening night of c operandi of the undervaluation of Saturday and Sunday. The pared to their actual value. partment further said the exporters ing surprise survey in several dis- The official said that there are human hair export from India is a agency recovered around 162 the raw human hair variety, which The Customs department said sent the consignments of raw human tricts of West Bengal it was found two types of hair collected in India business worth crores and India is grams of mephedrone (MD), is also called goli or thutti or choti that the modus-operandi of de- hair variety to three countries by the same raw human hair was being -- Remy hair (the highest grade of a key player in the global beauty in- a psychotropic substance, the Customs department has alerted flating procurement of export qual- undervaluing the value more than sold between Rs 3,000 per kg to Rs human hair, a preferred choice for dustry. Even China mixes Indian and small quantity of the officials of the multiple agencies ity raw human hair was adopted by hundred times of its original price. 6,000 per kg while the export bills hairpieces and wigs because it cre- hair to increase the quality of hair charas," the official said. including Goods and Services Tax traders primarily in West Bengal The official related to the inquiry were undervalued as less than Rs ates a natural look) collected from it sells after processing. ‘BEWARE OF ONLINE PITFALLS’ P9 We have not MONDAY | MARCH 1 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR entered politics for power The cyber wing of Mumbai police but to take India to the Sunday issued a social media pinnacle of glory. After advisory asking people not to coming to power, our target share personal information with is to change fortune of India strangers online and to ensure the y national JP NADDA | internet activities of their children

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of the day uote Sent back Britishers, can Rahul, you ‘Bengal needs to be rescued from TMC’ were on PRESS TRUST OF INDIA tions and airports built by the ear- vacation when defeat Modi too: Rahul lier Congress governments. "Both the Modi government created Kolkata, Feb 28: The opposition the BJP and TMC are trying to di- this department in 'grand alliance' will win the vide the people. The country has to Rahul Gandhi said that he will send the 2019. People of upcoming assembly elections in be saved from one and Bengal has Pondicherry should decide whether West Bengal, senior Congress to be rescued from the other," he said, Prime Minister to "political oblivion" by they want to bring to power a party leaders asserted Sunday while addressing the rally. following the path of love and non-violence whose leader has no knowledge addressing a mega rally in Kolkata, "We had fought earlier against the that the department of fisheries maintaining that the country needs Whites and now we have to fight exist at the Centre to be saved from the BJP and the against the thieves," he said, re- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

AMIT SHAH | UNION HOME MINISTER state rescued from the ruling membering Bengal's contribution Trinamool Congress. to the freedom struggle. Tirunelveli (TN), Feb 28: Congress Addressing lakhs of supporters Noting that Modi had earlier leader Rahul Gandhi Sunday de- It is my dream at the Brigade parade grounds, given the slogan that the "country scribed Prime Minister Narendra to see India state Congress president Adhir will not be sold", Baghel questioned Modi a "formidable enemy" who and Pakistan Chowdhury said the gathering "But in the future, there will not is to ensure the victory of secu- why are railway stations and air- 'crushed' his opponents and vowed become true good friends and that we proved that the Bengal elections be any BJP or TMC. Only the grand larism and democracy and to defeat ports being privatised. to send him to political oblivion can visit each will not be a two- cornered contest. alliance will remain," he claimed. communal and repressive politics "Now it has become the 'West by following the path of love and other’s countries. "The grand alliance of the Left- Those trying to propagate the idea in Bengal. Alleging that both the India Company', handing over every- non-violence. You can continue to watch Pakistani Congress and other secular forces that TMC and BJP are the only BJP and the TMC are trying to di- thing to two entities," he said, with- During an interaction titled dramas, we can continue to watch will defeat both the TMC and the ones contesting the polls in West vide the people, Chhattisgarh Chief out naming anyone. 'Educators Meet' at the St Xavier Bollywood movies and enjoy cricket BJP," Chowdhury, the leader of the Bengal have been proved wrong by Minister Bhupesh Baghel said that the "On Netaji's 125th birth an- College here, Gandhi, touring south- matches Congress in the Lok Sabha, said. He the huge gathering, he said. country has to be saved from one, niversary on January 23, we have ern Tamil Nadu for the second day said that the BJP and the TMC "Morning is the harbinger of the and Bengal has to be rescued from the named the police training acad- as part of his second leg of cam- MALALA YOUSAFZAI | NOBEL LAUREATE want that other than the two, there day, and this meeting proves that the other. Baghel claimed that the emy in Chhattisgarh after Subhas paign for the April 6 assembly polls, should not exist any other political TMC and BJP will be defeated in the Narendra Modi government is sell- Chandra Bose, while Narendra also said he counted on the peo- We have to make sure force in Bengal and that no other coming elections," Chowdhury said. ing off public sector enterprises Modi has got a stadium named after ple's support to defeat the BJP. that the party should come between them. He said that the goal of the alliance and infrastructure like railway sta- himself," the Chief Minister said. When a participant wanted to science that we do know if Gandhi felt it was possible Modi back to Nagpur (RSS head- of course, the to nudge the Modi government to quarters in Maharashtra)," he said. fundamental implement his 'good ideas' rather Apparently, he meant that Modi science is School students than waiting to assume power would go into political oblivion important, translational science is MCD bypolls amid COVID which seemed 'Utopian', he said it after defeat by the Congress with important (but) it has to be discover 18 could be done with the 'powerful' and people's support. solution-based science. It has to be 'valuable' support of the people. Gandhi said this would be people centric new asteroids PRESS TRUST OF INDIA It was important to dream big, achieved without any hatred, anger HARSH VARDHAN | though some of it may not come or violence towards PM Modi or his SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MINISTER PRESS TRUST OF INDIA New Delhi, Feb 28: A turnout of true, he said in an obvious reference party even if they may 'abuse' or un- about 42 per cent was recorded in to snatching the reins of power leash 'violence' against them. New Delhi, Feb 28: The the first eight hours of voting for from the BJP at the Centre. Congress is an ally of the DMK International Astronomical Union the bypolls to five municipal wards Continuing, he said, "yes we in Tamil Nadu and BJP is a part- SHORT TAKES (IAU), an organisation which as- in Delhi Sunday, the first electoral are fighting a formidable enemy ner of the ruling AIADMK. signs official names and designa- exercise being conducted in the (Modi). We are fighting an enemy The Congress leader, replying tions to celestial bodies, has re- national capital amid the coron- that is dominating the money in this to another participant, alleged the Two Naxals held cently confirmed the discovery of avirus pandemic. country. We are fighting an enemy BJP-led Centre claimed to "repre- while planting IEDs 18 new asteroids by Indian stu- The results of these bye-elec- that is crushing its opponents. But sent Hinduism" in several ideas dents as part of a global science tions are likely to have an impact we have done this before. We have they espoused, but in reality it had Bijapur: Two Naxals were programme. on the big-ticket 2022 Delhi civic defeated a much bigger enemy nothing to do with that faith. arrested when they were The International Asteroid polls. Polling began at 7:30 AM amid (British) than this new enemy that Hindusim does not preach in- planting improvised Discovery Project was conducted tight security arrangements, and it polling locations are in "critical" cat- Corporation (NDMC) and three has come." sulting, killing or beating up peo- explosive devices (IEDs) to by STEM and Space, an organi- is scheduled to end at 5:30 PM. egory. A total of 16 polling loca- wards under the East Delhi Recalling the country's inde- ple, Gandhi asserted, alleging "but target security forces in sation working towards the learn- By 3:30 PM, the overall turnout tions out of the total 44 have been Municipal Corporation (EDMC). pendence movement, he said the they do it." Bijapur in Chhattisgarh, while ing of astronomy and space science across the five wards was 42.91 per kept in this category, as per offi- The main contenders are the rul- Britishers were much more pow- The essence of all religions was one ultra surrendered cent, with Kalyanpuri ward record- cial data. ing Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the erful than Modi would ever be. love but the Central government's elsewhere in the district, ing the maximum 50.56 per cent, as According to the State Election BJP and the Congress. All of them "Who is Narendra Modi in com- 'whole game' is to 'steal' money of police said Sunday. A The International per the data shared by a senior of- Commission, around 2.42 lakh have expressed confidence that parison to the British empire? no- ordinary people, including farmers patrolling team of the District Asteroid Discovery Reserve Guard nabbed ficial of the State Election people are eligible to cast their they will emerge victorious in body. People of this country sent the through initiatives like farm laws, Bhadru Punem (40) and Project was conducted Commission in Delhi. In Kalyanpui votes in two wards under the the bypolls, being held under British empire back and in the and give it away to the biggest busi- Sannu Punem (35) when they ward in east Delhi, two of the seven North Delhi Municipal strict COVID protocols. same way we will send Narendra nesses in the country, he alleged. were planting explosives on a by STEM and Space, an dirt track in the forest near organisation working Pusnar village under towards the learning ARMY CANCELS Gangaloor police station MATTER OF FAITH limits on Saturday, an official of astronomy and RECRUITMENT EXAM said. Two cooker bombs, gelatin sticks, wire, space science in India medicines, Maoist AFTER PAPER LEAKE pamphlets, banners etc were in India, along with the recovered from them, he International Astronomical Search PRESS TRUST OF INDIA added. On Sunday, ultra Collaboration (IASC) as part of a Rama Potam (30) NASA citizen science project. New Delhi, Feb 28: The Army has surrendered before police Over the last two years, 150 stu- cancelled an examination for pan- and CRPF officials, he said. dents from all around India par- India recruitment of general duty ticipated in this two month long personnel after paper was found campaign to find asteroids, mak- to have been leaked, officials Teenager commits ing this the largest asteroid dis- said Sunday. covery project in India, Mila Mitra, They said at least three per- suicide Co-founder and Academic Head of sons have been arrested in Pune Bhadohi: A 16-year-old boy STEM and Space, told PTI. so far in this connection. allegedly hanged himself to In the project, the students from "The Indian Army has zero tol- death at his house in India, and across the globe analysed erance towards corrupt prac- Bhadohi's Gopiganj area after the high quality astronomical data tices in the recruitment process being scolded by his father, provided by IASC -- an online sci- for selection of suitable candi- police said Sunday. In a entific program for kids to dis- dates," an official said. repeat tragedy for the family, cover Asteroids and Near Earth Based on a proactive joint op- the boy took the extreme Objects (NEO). eration with local police at Pune, step barely six months after NEOs are rocky objects in an a case of possible leakage of his brother had committed orbit between Mars and Jupiter, question paper for the Common suicide, Gopiganj police which pose a challenge to Earth as Entrance Examination for station's SHO Guru Gyan Patel said. The SHO said the they may get perturbed out of Recruitment of Soldiers boy had left his studies after their orbit and pose a threat of (General Duty) was reported class 6 due to which his impact. According to Mitra and last night, the official added. parents remained upset and her team, NASA has initiated pro- While further investigation usually scolded him. grams like IASC to track such as- is still underway, it was decided teroids regularly, also open to cit- to cancel the examination to izen scientists and students to ensure continuous transparency Cop found dead enable the discovery and track- in the recruitment process, he ing of more asteroids. Hindu devotees offering prayer after take holy dip in the Sangam, in Prayagraj UNI PHOTO added. Sambhal (UP): A 26-year-old police constable was found dead under mysterious circumstances in the unruffled with them. He is on his own to pursue a case against global climate three farm laws for days together during Jawaharlal Nehru had not imagined that barracks of Naraura Bairaj trip. Rahul Gandhi has created a team of activist Greta Thunberg. Delhi Police and the Budget session. It was expected that it would become a tool in the hands of flyover police post under his own confidantes which include AICC Intelligence agencies are of the view that the tallest leader in the Upper House who the rich to cook golden goose. It was to Gunnaur police station in general secretary KC Venugopal who is Greta was not actively behind the making has been Agriculture Minister for ten long help employees in the public and private Sambhal. He had been Kuru emerging as a point's person for him. the controversial ‘Toolkit’. Police are of the years during the UPA regime, will put the sector with employers contributing their married two months ago. The Venugopal is like what late Ahmed Patel view that Greta tweeted the toolkit at the record straight. If a leader of stature like 12% share in their EPF accounts. There deceased, Shailendra Yadav, Kolumn was for Sonia Gandhi. Randeep prodding of Disha Ravi and the role of Pawar had spoken in the House, farmers was no limit of the amount for employees 26, was deputed at Sambhal Surjewala, Praveen Chakraborty, Gaurav Nikita Jacob & Shantanu Muluk is being and the government would have listened to to deposit in their accounts. The interest Police Lines and was on duty Gogoi, Ravneet Singh Bittoo are probed. But after the Delhi Judge gave a him carefully. He is the only one who could income is tax-free and there is no limit. at Naraura police picket considered very close to him. Mukul tongue lashing to the Police in the Disha have told the farmers to end the agitation For 70 years, the rich private and PSU under Gunnaur police station Wasnik is in poor light after he signed the Ravi case, the Union Home Ministry and as the government had stayed the three sector employees and bureaucrats raked limits on Saturday when he letter. It now transpires that Ghulam Nabi Delhi Police are running for cover. Home farm laws for 18 months. But he maintained in mullahs. There are instances where was found lying unconscious Azad in consultation with Anand Sharma Minister Amit Shah who stoutly defended a mysterious silence in Rajya Sabha and employees deposited their full salary into in the barracks. Dissidents gearing and Bhupinder Singh Hooda are working the action of the Delhi Police in arresting fielded his bête noire Praful Patel instead. the EPF accounts. But they did not realize out G-23 strategy. Hooda and Sharma Disha Ravi and others, may have to look the Though former Prime Minister HD Deve that PM Modi has the uncanny knack of up to take on Rahul were spotted recently at IIC and other way now. The police brass admits Gowda spoke in Rajya Sabha, he has lost his tracking those making a killing. confabulated for one there. Later, they that no direct or indirect link has been rhythm and touch. The Opposition benches Interestingly, top bureaucrats who are ahul Gandhi is neither Congress 4-yr-old raped drove down to Azad's residence. Azad is found between Greta and pro-Khalistani had no leader of stature who could have big beneficiaries of this scheme never president nor Parliamentary Party R now a rising star in the company of the organizations as per documents scanned so made the difference. Former PM Dr pointed it out to successive Finance Chandigarh: A four-year-old leader. But he continues to call the shots BJP leaders and made Guest of Honour at far. It was due to this very reason that the Manmohan Singh was present. But he Ministers about rich employees raking girl was allegedly raped by a in the party, Parliament and makes no the Minority Ministry function. Police had not named Greta in the FIR and chose to remain silent as usual. Pawar mullah. There are 5 crore EPF account 36-year-old man in Haryana's bones about it. The way Ghulam Nabi y Something serious is cooking and all eyes case was registered against ‘unknown could have made the difference. But he holders. The EPF has a corpus of `7 lakh Sonipat district, police said Azad was shown the door, has left the

Sunday. The accused living are set on the Parliament session which persons.’ looked the other way. Why?? No answers crore as February 1, 2021. The scheme

k y m Group of 23 Dissident leaders in any c will begin after the recess March 8. are coming from the NCP. was for employees earning `15,000 or near the victim's house doubt that they too will be meted out the Pawar’s silence in RS more a month. The Union Budget has falling in an area under the same treatment sooner. Though Priyanka Case against Greta falls flat Cooking golden goose capped interest free income at `2.50 lakh Rai police station allegedly Gandhi held a series of meetings with he entire political class is baffled about per year now, down from `50 lakh earlier. lured her to his place and Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma to fter the initial heat, the government Tthe silence of NCP supremo Sharad hen the Employees Provident Fund Another loot and scoot stopped! raped her on Friday night, sort out the issues, Rahul seems to be Aseems to have backed off. It is unlikely Pawar when the Rajya Sabha discussed W(EPF) scheme was launched, Pt. said police. You (Americans) RUSSIA LAUNCHES 1ST ARCTIC P10 are going to need MONDAY | MARCH 1 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR Mexican and Central MONITORING SATELLITE American workers to Russia successfully launched its produce, to grow. It is first Arctic monitoring satellite better that we start putting ‘Arktika-M’ Sunday, the Russian order on migratory flows state space corporation ANDRÉS MANUEL LÓPEZ OBRADOR | Roscosmos said

international PRESIDENT OF MEXICO

k y m c of the day uote US FDA okays J&J’s 1-dose vax Don’t bully Riyadh, Our incredible vaccination programme is ONE DOSE WAS FOUND TO BE 85% PROTECTIVE AGAINST THE MOST SEVERE COVID-19 Saudi columnists accelerating and well over one in ILLNESS IN A MASSIVE STUDY SPANNING THREE CONTINENTS three people across the UK have now AGENCIES “This is exciting news for all Americans, and an encouraging tell Biden admin received their first jab Washington, Feb 28: The US is development in our efforts to bring REUTERS NADHIM ZAHAWI | UK VACCINE DEPLOYMENT getting a third vaccine to prevent an end to the crisis,” President Joe MINISTER Covid-19, as the Food and Drug Biden said in a statement. “But I Dubai, Feb 28: Saudi Arabia’s Administration Saturday cleared a want to be clear this fight is far sovereignty is a red line, Saudi We firmly Johnson & Johnson shot that works from over,” he added, encouraging columnists said Sunday, ramping believe that with just one dose instead of two. people to stick with masks and up rhetoric in defense of Crown only a two- Health experts are anxiously other public health measures. Prince Mohammed bin Salman state solution will awaiting a one-and-done option to A US advisory committee will after a US intelligence report im- deliver enduring help speed vaccinations, as they meet to recommend how to prioritise plicated him in the killing of jour- peace that the race against a virus that already has use of the single-dose vaccine. And nalist Jamal Khashoggi. people of Israel and killed more than 510,000 people in one big challenge is what the public Prince Mohammed, de facto ruler ince the US report was Palestine desire and deserve. This the US and is mutating in increas- wants to know: Which kind is better? of the US-allied Gulf powerhouse, Sreleased, many Saudis have should be achieved through direct ingly worrisome ways. “In this environment, whatever has denied any involvement in the flooded Twitter with the hashtag negotiations between both sides on The FDA said J&J’s vaccine of- you can get — get,” said Dr Arnold 2018 murder of Khashoggi at the “We are all Mohammed bin final status issues fers strong protection against what Monto of the University of Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Salman” K NAGARAJ NAIDU | INDIA'S DEPUTY matters most serious illness, hos- tion for emergency use of its vac- doses globally by the end of the Michigan, who chaired an FDA ad- The US administration Friday im- he US administration Friday PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO THE UN pitalisations and death. One dose cine in Europe and from the World year. The island nation of Bahrain visory panel that unanimously posed sanctions on some of those Timposed sanctions on some was 85% protective against the Health Organisation. The company became the first to clear its use voted Friday that the vaccine’s ben- involved, but spared the prince. of those involved, but spared the most severe Covid-19 illness, in a aims to produce about 1 billion Thursday. efits outweigh its risks. Washington released an intelli- prince We will not massive study that spanned three gence report saying the crown accept hatred continents — protection that re- prince had approved an operation ashington released an in New York mained strong even in countries to capture or kill Khashoggi. Wintelligence report saying City. Stop Asian such as South Africa, where the CHINA ROLLS OUT OWN 1-DOSE JAB “America does not have the right the crown prince had approved hate. This is the variants of most concern are spread- to bully a strategic regional ally an operation to capture or kill message we have to Khashoggi ing. PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Covid-19 candidate vaccine that to 20 times if the second dose is and it is not in its interest to let do- get out, not just in “This is really good news,” Dr entered clinical trials, it said. taken half a year after the first one, mestic differences harm its re- New York City but all over this country Francis Collins, director of the Beijing, Feb 28: China has given It is the only single-dose Covid- the report said. gional interests and those of its its defence including during the National Institutes of Health, told conditional approval for a single 19 vaccine that has been given With this, China’s medical prod- partners,” Khaled al-Malik wrote first Gulf War and after 2019 at- BILL DE BLASIO | MAYOR OF NEW YORK CITY The Associated Press Saturday. dose Covid-19 vaccine, touted to conditional approval to be rolled ucts regulator has approved five in local Al Jazirah newspaper. tacks on its massive oil infra- “The most important thing we can be a rival to Johnson & Johnson’s out in China; the report quoted last coronavirus vaccines which in- President Joe Biden’s decision to structure, could look to China and do right now is to get as many shots one-jab shot cleared by the US Friday’s story by the state broad- clude Sinovac, Sinopharm, publish the report withheld by his Russia for weapons. SHORT TAKES in as many arms as we can.” drug regulator Sunday. caster China Central Television CanSinoBio and another by Republican predecessor Donald “But the kingdom prefers J&J initially is providing a few China’s first Ad5-nCoV Covid- (CCTV). People can get desirable Wuhan Institute of Biological Trump, who enjoyed strong ties America due to their historic and million doses and shipments to 19 vaccine was rolled out Friday, protective effect after 14 days of Products. with Prince Mohammed, brings strategic ties and common goals,” Pak arrests 17 states could begin as early as the state-run Global Times re- inoculation. Though China has been sup- with it a refocusing of Washington’s he said, referring to Iran. Monday. By the end of March, J&J ported Sunday. The protective effect can last at plying its vaccines to different stance on dealing with the kingdom, Biden, who has ordered a re- Indian fishermen has said it expects to deliver 20 mil- Phase-I clinical trials of the least six months after a single- countries, none of them have on its human rights record, and view of Saudi arms sales, said his Karachi: Pakistan has lion doses to the US, and 100 million vaccine started March 16, last dose inoculation and it can in- been approved by the World Health on its lucrative arms purchases. administration would make an an- arrested 17 Indian fishermen by summer. year, making it the world’s first crease immune response by 10 Organisation (WHO). Malik said Saudi Arabia, which nouncement on Saudi Arabia and confiscated their three J&J also is seeking authorisa- has relied on the United States for Monday. boats for allegedly straying into the country’s territorial waters near Sir Creek. The Europe-bound migrants fishermen, arrested Friday, Pakistan may resume import MASKED MONK were produced before a judicial magistrate Saturday die at sea off Libya: UN and handed over to the police, said a spokesperson of cotton from India: Report AGENCIES for the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency. The official Coordination Committee of the Cairo, Feb 28: At least 15 Africans said the Indian fishermen Cabinet, the sources told the daily. drowned when their boat capsized were warned that they were Sunday off Libya, a UN spokes- in Pakistan’s territorial The sources said that in-house waters and should turn deliberations have already begun woman said, the second shipwreck away but did not heed but the final decision would be involving migrants seeking the warning. taken only after seeking the ap- a better life in Europe in just over proval of the prime minister. a week. “I cannot say yes or no at this Safa Msehli, a spokesman for the stage and would be in a better po- International Organisation for 10 killed in sition to respond Monday,” Dawood Migration, said the dead were on Mexico shooting told the daily, responding to a ques- a rubber boat carrying at least tion on whether Pakistan was con- 110 migrants, who embarked from Mexico City: Ten men were sidering allowing cotton import the Libyan coastal town of Zawiya killed and a woman and two from India. Friday. boys were wounded in a The trade ties between both the The boat started to sink early shooting attack on a home in countries can help minimise cost Sunday and the Libyan coast guard western Mexico Saturday. of production in Pakistan and en- managed to rescue at least 95 mi- Prosecutors in the state of sure sustained food supplies, the grants, including six women and Jalisco said the bullet-ridden bodies of the 10 men were PRESS TRUST OF INDIA daily said. India and Pakistan is- two children, she said. found by police on the sued a joint statement Thursday to Msehli said many of the sur- sidewalk in front of the home. Islamabad, Feb 28: Pakistan may strictly observe all agreements on vivors suffered from burns from The prosecutors’ office said allow cotton import from India ceasefire along the LoC and other Buddhist monks wearing face masks pray during a ceremony to commemorate Makha Bucha Day at the Wat Phra engine fuel, and hypothermia, the attack was carried out by through land route as prospects of sectors after the hotline discus- Dhammakaya temple in Pathum Thani province, Thailand REUTERS with some taken to hospital. unidentified assailants gradual restoration of bilateral sions by their Director Generals of travelling in an SUV. The state trade ties have brightened after Military Operations. is home to the Jalisco the new ceasefire agreement along The two countries signed a cease- New Generation Cartel, the Line of Control, according to fire agreement in 2003, but it has one of Mexico’s most violent a media report Sunday. hardly been followed in letter and Hong Kong detains 47 pro-democracy activists and powerful. Citing sources in the Ministry of spirit over the past several years. Commerce, The Express Tribune Relations between the two neigh- ASSOCIATED PRESS the semi-autonomous Chinese ter- a police operation for their roles reported that Adviser to the Prime bours have nose-dived after a series ritory’s legislature last year. in the primaries. The arrests were Virginia to Minister on Commerce Abdul of terror attacks in India perpetrated Hong Kong, Feb 28: Hong Kong po- The defendants include 39 men seen as the biggest move against Razak Dawood may take a deci- by terror groups based in Pakistan. lice Sunday detained 47 pro-democ- and eight women aged between 23 Hong Kong’s democracy movement legalise cannabis sion on whether to import cotton Bilateral ties deteriorated fur- racy activists on charges of con- and 64, police said. since Beijing imposed the national Richmond: Virginia and yarn from India next week. ther after India revoked the special spiracy to commit subversion under The pro-democracy camp had security law last June to quell dis- lawmakers gave final They said that the issue of cot- status of Jammu and Kashmir in the city’s national security law. held the primaries to determine sent following months of anti-gov- approval Saturday to a bill ton shortfall has already been 2019. The move angered Pakistan, The former lawmakers and the best candidates to field to win ernment protests in 2019. that will legalise marijuana brought to the notice of Prime which downgraded diplomatic ties democracy advocates had been pre- a majority in the legislature and had Authorities said that the activists’ for adult recreational use, but Minister Imran Khan, who also and expelled the Indian High viously arrested in a sweeping po- plans to vote down major bills that participation was part of a plan to not until 2024, when retail holds the portfolio of the com- Commissioner in Islamabad. lice operation in January but were They allegedly violated the new would eventually force Hong Kong paralyse the city’s legislature and sales of the drug would also merce minister. Once a principled Pakistan also snapped all air and released. They have been detained national security law that was im- leader Carrie Lam to resign. subvert state power. Among those begin. With a compromise bill decision is taken, a formal order will land links with India and suspended again and will appear in court posed by Beijing for participating In January, 55 activists and for- arrested Sunday was former law- clearing the House and be presented before the Economic trade and railway services. Monday, police said in a statement. in unofficial election primaries for mer lawmakers were arrested in maker Eddie Chu. Senate, Virginia becomes the first Southern state to vote to legalise marijuana, joining 15 other states and the District of Columbia. The legislation now goes to Democratic Gov POPE’S TRIP TO IRAQ ‘NOT A GOOD IDEA’: EXPERTS Ralph Northam, who supports legalisation. ASSOCIATED PRESS trip to Iraq amid a global pandemic said Middle Easterners are known “critical but can be managed,” one is not advisable, health experts say. for their hospitality, and cautioned government official told The Vatican City, Feb 28: Infectious dis- Their concerns were reinforced that the enthusiasm among Iraqis Associated Press, speaking on con- Thailand starts ease experts are expressing con- with the news Sunday that the of welcoming a peace-maker like dition of anonymity. vax roll-out cern about Pope Francis’ upcoming Vatican ambassador to Iraq, the Francis to a neglected, war-torn And the Vatican has taken its trip to Iraq, given a sharp rise in coro- main point person for the trip who part of the world might lead to in- own precautions, with the 84-year- Bangkok: Thailand Sunday navirus infections there, a fragile would have escorted Francis to all advertent violations of virus con- old pope, his 20-member Vatican started its Covid-19 health care system and the un- his appointments, tested positive trol measures. entourage and the 70-plus journal- vaccination roll-out, with the avoidable likelihood that Iraqis will for Covid-19 and was self-isolating. “This could potentially lead to ists on the papal plane all vacci- first shot, using China’s crowd to see him. In an email to The Associated unsafe or superspreading risks,” nated. Sinovac vaccine, going to No one wants to tell Francis to call Press, the embassy said Archbishop she said. But the Iraqis gathering in the Deputy Prime Minister and it off, and the Iraqi government has Mitja Leskovar’s symptoms were Dr Bharat Pankhania, an infec- north, center and south of the coun- Public Health Minister Anutin every interest in showing off its mild and that he was continuing tious disease control expert at the try to attend Francis’ indoor and out- Charnvirakul. Thai Prime relative stability by welcoming the to prepare for Francis’ visit. University of Exeter, College of door Masses, hear his speeches and Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha first pope to the birthplace of Beyond his case, experts note Medicine, concurred. participate in his prayer meetings presided over the event at the Abraham. The March 5-8 trip is ex- that wars, economic crises and an “It’s a perfect storm for gener- are not vaccinated. country’s infectious disease pected to provide a sorely-needed institute, where other exodus of Iraqi professionals have rologist and founding director of year on the region’s uneven re- ating lots of cases which you won’t And that, scientists say, is the

spiritual boost to Iraq’s beleaguered devastated the country’s hospital sys- the Center for Science Health sponse to Covid-19, noting that Iraq, be able to deal with,” he said. problem.

k y m officials, including c deputy public health Christians while furthering the tem, while studies show most of Education in the Middle East and Syria and Yemen were poorly placed Organizers promise to enforce “We are in the middle of a global minister, agriculture Vatican’s bridge-building efforts Iraq’s new Covid-19 infections are North Africa at Harvard Medical to cope, given they are still struggling mask mandates, social distancing pandemic. And it is important to get minister, culture minister and with the Muslim world. the highly-contagious variant first School’s Dana-Farber Cancer with extremist insurgencies and and crowd limits, as well as the pos- the correct messages out,” deputy education minister, But from a purely epidemiolog- identified in Britain. Institute. have 40 million people who need sibility of increased testing sites, two Pankhania said. “The correct mes- were also vaccinated with the ical standpoint, as well as the pub- “I just don’t think it’s a good The Iranian-born Madani co-au- humanitarian aid. Iraqi government officials said. sages are: the less interaction with Sinovac vaccine. lic health message it sends, a papal idea,” said Dr Navid Madani, vi- thored an article in The Lancet last In a telephone interview, Madani The health care protocols are fellow human beings, the better.” Petroleum FPIS INVEST OVER `25K cr P11 products MONDAY | MARCH 1 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR should be brought As the Indian equities continued to scale under the ambit of new highs post the Union Budget for GST. However, the FY22, the net foreign portfolio decision rests with investments (FPI) into the Indian the GST Council equities in February was `25,787 crore. KV SUBRAMANIAN | The total net FPIs in 2020 now stand at business CHIEF ECONOMIC ADVISOR `

45,260 crore, as per NSDL data

k y m c of the INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE Oracle of Omaha. day uote Talking of Berkshire Hathaway, he MCL produces Buffett warns New Delhi, Feb 28: Ace investor Warren noted that the largest in value is its prop- Buffett is of the view that fixed-income erty or casualty insurance operation, 12.79 MT coal in Our study investors might face a bleak future. In his which for 53 years has been the core of says there is letter to the shareholders of Berkshire Berkshire. big potential first month of Q4 fixed-income Hathaway, Buffet said: "Fixed-income in- "Our family of insurers is unique in that exists for us in premium segment. vestors worldwide -- whether pension the insurance field. So, too, is its manager, It also says that we funds, insurance companies or retirees Ajit Jain, who joined Berkshire in 1986. can have fair -- face a bleak future." Overall, the insurance fleet operates with investors He also said that bonds are not the far more capital than is deployed by any business volume which could make our exclusive BigWing network to place to be these days. of its competitors worldwide." be viable and sustainable "Can you believe that the income re- That financial strength, coupled with cently available from a 10-year US the huge flow of cash Berkshire annually POST NEWS NETWORK YS GULERIA | of bleak future Treasury bond -- the yield was 0.93 per cent receives from its non-insurance busi- DIRECTOR (SALES & MARKETING), HMSI at yearend -- had fallen 94 per cent from nesses, allows its insurance companies Bhubaneswar, Feb 28: One of The Berkshire Hathaway CEO noted that the 15.8 per cent yield available in to safely follow an equity-heavy investment the leading coal producing com- IIFCL has been some insurers, and other bond investors, may September 1981? In certain large and im- as other bond investors, "may try to strategy not feasible for the overwhelming panies Mahanadi Coalfields (MCL) playing its role portant countries, such as Germany and juice the pathetic returns now avail- majority of insurers, said the Chairman manufactured about 12.79 million as a policy try to juice the pathetic returns now Japan, investors earn a negative return able by shifting their purchases to ob- of Berkshire Hathaway. tonnes (MT) of coal in the first institution and available by shifting their purchases to on trillions of dollars of sovereign debt," ligations backed by shaky borrowers". "Those competitors, for both regulatory month of Q4, FY’21. financial institution he wrote. Risky loans, however, are not the answer and credit-rating reasons, must focus on The company has targeted to of the Government obligations backed by shaky borrowers He noted that some insurers, as well to inadequate interest rates, added the bonds," Buffett told the shareholders. produce 15.98 MT of coal during of India for the same month. According to the financing infrastructure report, the company produced development. The Budget has laid 0.048 MT from underground and down a solid foundation for taking 14.05 MT from open cast mining. the infrastructure to the next scale Centre extends due The subsidiary of Coal India PR JAISHANKAR | MD, IIFCL CAIT to launch nationwide Limited ended its third quarter with total coal production of about 37.98 MT during current finan- One of the date for filing FY’20 cial year. MCL fell short to achieve major its target for third quarter. The challenges company had set target to post being faced by the protest against GST, e-Comm about 47.42 MT of coal produc- real estate sector is GST annual returns tion during Q3 of current fiscal. the completion of PRESS TRUST OF INDIA According to a media report, stalled projects, A video conference was MCL has set a target to achieve 173 which are majorly trapped due to held Sunday in which the prevailing liquidity crunch. As New Delhi, Feb 28: The govern- MT of coal during current fiscal the country faces an overall more than 275 prominent ment Sunday extended the deadline in Odisha. According to sources, economic slowdown, revival of the leaders from all the states for filing GST annual returns for the company expected to extract sector would play an integral role in 2019-20 fiscal by a month till March around 5 lakh tonne of coal per day kick-starting the economy and UTs of the country 31. This is the second extension and 15 MT coal in a month. given by the government. The dead- Also a media report claimed GETAMBER ANAND | participated and decided line was earlier extended from that the coal producer has also CMD, ATS INFRASTRUCTURE LTD In view of the difficulties unanimously to launch a December 31, 2020, to February 28. set a target to produce 263 MT of nationwide campaign on “In view of the difficulties ex- expressed by the coal by 2023-24. now the traders are either forced to the Chairperson of the GST Council, pressed by the taxpayers in meet- taxpayers in meeting this SHORT TAKES these two issues resolve these issues or shut their she should initiate dialogues with ing this time limit, Government business. the traders' organisation immedi- has decided to further extend the time limit, the govt has Women’s Fest No change in AGENCIES According to Secretary General ately about the current distorted na- due date for furnishing of GSTR- decided to further extend of CAIT, Praveen Khandelwal a ture of GST. Further, it has also 9 and GSTR-9C for the financial fuel prices New Delhi, Feb 28: Days after a video conference was held Sunday urged the Union Commerce year 2019-20 to March 31, 2021 with the due date for celebrated at traders’ strike under its aegis, the in which more than 275 prominent Minister, Piyush Goyal to issue fur- the approval of Election New Delhi: Fuel prices, which furnishing of GSTR-9 and Confederation of All India Traders leaders from all the states and union ther amend and clarify the FDI pol- Commission of India,” the Finance have been soaring to GSTR-9C for FY 2019-20 Max Store in City unprecedented levels in the (CAIT) Sunday said that it will territories of the country partici- icy and also finalise and release e- Ministry said in a statement. country of late, remained launch a national movement against pated and decided unanimously to commerce policy since the FDI GSTR 9 is an annual return to be to March 31, 2021 POST NEWS NETWORK unchanged Sunday. In the the 'arbitrariness' of GST provi- launch a national wide campaign policy is being grossly violated by filed yearly by taxpayers registered national capital, petrol was sions and alleged malpractices of on these two issues. foreign e-commerce companies. under the Goods and Services Tax uisite filings”. Bhubaneswar, Feb 28: To celebrate priced at `91.17 per litre, e-commerce giants. "It is not the Centre but the states "Since elections will be held in five (GST). It consists of details re- EY Tax Partner Abhishek Jain upcoming Women’s day Max store same as Saturday. Similarly, In a statement, the traders' body that are more responsible for di- states in the next few months and garding the outward and inward said most industry players were at Esplanade One Mall organised in Mumbai, Chennai and said that in the next phase of the luting the spirit of GST, to their as a vote bank in all the states, the supplies made or received under dif- struggling to meet this statutory #YOUARESOBEAUTIFUL through Kolkata, the fuel was sold for campaign against GST provisions own likings and now they can't es- trading community holds a huge ma- ferent tax heads. deadline and had represented to doodle art on ceramic plate work- `97.57, `93.11 and `91.35 a and e-commerce majors, states cape from their responsibilities," it jority in strength and numbers and GSTR-9C is a statement of rec- the government for an extension. shop, Sunday, here. litre respectively. Oil would be the key focus of the protest- said. CAIT alleged that the state can be a deciding factor for the vic- onciliation between GSTR-9 and Furnishing of the annual re- More than 50 contestants par- marketing companies ing traders. The campaign will governments have left no stone un- tory and defeat of any political the audited annual financial state- turn is mandatory only for tax- ticipated in the workshop under pressed the pause button begin March 5 and will continue till turned to distort the GST because party. Hence the decision of CAIT ment. On the extension, AMRG & payers with aggregate annual the supervision of Dibyush Jena, after raising the pump price April 5. It said that at present, of their own interests which has led to launch a nationwide campaign Associates Senior Partner Rajat turnover above `2 crore while rec- an art expert. Interacting with of petrol and diesel by 24 traders across the country are badly to the sufferings of traders. amid elections and the anger of Mohan said, “Even though it is a onciliation statement is to be fur- Orissa POST, Max store’s Odisha paise and 15 paise per litre plagued by the provisions of GST In this context, CAIT has urged traders can affect the prospects of relatively small extension of 31 nished only by the registered per- head, Biswaranjan said, “Across Saturday. and the constant arbitrariness of for- the Union Finance Minister every political party," said the CAIT days but is sufficient for the tax sons having aggregate turnover INDIA, Max store is celebrating this eign companies in e-commerce and Nirmala Sitharaman that since is statement. professionals to complete the req- above `5 crore. Women’s fest and salutes the spirit of womanhood. They are always Zipaworld forays at par with men and this work- into ocean freight BIZ BUZZ shop celebrates beauty.” New Delhi: Logistics startup PPT EXECUTES 27 MOUs, Zipaworld announced its ZHL appoints new MD-CEO foray in the ocean freight booking segment and Bhubaneswar: Ziqitza Healthcare Limited (ZHL) expects at least three-fold announced the appointment of Amitabh Jaipuria, as the ` growth in its turnover in FY22 new MD & CEO of Ziqitza Healthcare Limited, a leading WORTH 27,450 CRORE integrated emergency medical service provider in India. on the back of the expansion POST NEWS NETWORK worth `3,878.81 crore under the cat- in its business. Ambrish Amitabh has rich experience of over 30 years in leading Corporates in India such as Reliance Jio, Monsanto, egory of Projects for development Kumar, Founder of Zipaworld Bhubaneswar, Feb 28: Paradip of World Class Port, 2 in Coastal and Group CEO of AAA 2 PepsiCo, GE, Quess, First Meridian and VIP Industries, amongst others. His significant past roles include MD at Monsanto; President - Mobility at Reliance Port, the second largest major port Shipping Hinterland connectivity Innovate Private Ltd, said in terms of cargo handling has ex- and Multimodal Logistics Park Dibyush Jena said, “The inner that the company also plans Jio; President, Staffing at First Meridian; President and CEO – Global Business ecuted 27 numbers of MoUs with worth `355 crore, 2 in Port infra- beauty of woman power is being to come up with an intercity Services at Quess and Executive Director at Pepsico. "The pandemic has courier service in 2021, which brought this sector into sharp focus and over the past few months ZHL’s 10,000 various stakeholders to further en- structures focusing on Liquid Cargo celebrated through this workshop. ` would give further boost to strong workforce has rendered selfless service to all,” said Japuria. hance the economic growth of worth 5,382.64 crore, 4 in Port Led More than 400 participants have ` its revenues. Odisha and the country as a whole Industrialization worth 16,218 registered online and they will under the Maritime India Summit press the details about the upcom- crore and 4 under the category of upload their art work and the top Haier expands its android TV series (MIS) 2021. ing sessions and process of regis- Promoting Cargo and Passenger 3 amongst them will be felicitated.” The MoUs were signed on be- tration to participate in the Summit. Movement and Seaplane Tourism Actress Devika Arundhati, Bhubaneswar: Haier, the global leader in Home Coal import drops half of Paradip Port Trust (PPT) by There will be a Special Session worth `1,616 crore. Jasmine Rath and Odia singer Appliances & Consumer Electronics announced 12 % in Apr-Jan the expansion of its Google-certified Android LED respective HoDs and senior offi- on Investment Opportunities in The Union Ministry of Ports, Antara chakraborty were the TV series. The new additions to the K-series flaunt cials and other officials representing Odisha March 3, 2021, which will be Shipping & Waterways will con- celebrity guests and encouraged the New Delhi: India's coal a stunning 4K picture quality on screen sizes – organisations in the presence of presided over by Commerce & duct the MIS from March 2 - 4, participants. Kalpana Rout, a par- import registered a drop of 108cm (43), 127cm(50), 146cm(58), 165cm(65), and PPT Chairman Vinit Kumar and Transport Minister of Odisha 2021. The summit intends to be a ticipant at the workshop said, “It 11.59% to 180.84 million 190cm(75) respectively. The all-screen bezel-less display gives the series a deputy chairman AK Bose. Padmanabha Behera. Other sen- powerful platform for interna- is a rare opportunity to showcase tonnes (MT) in the first 10 slim and stylish design that enables lifelike crystal clear visuals. Inspired Addressing the Press Meet over ior state officials of the state gov- tional collaboration with partner what inner beauty is all about be- months of the ongoing fiscal. by Haier’s advancing technology, the 4K HDR television series comes with video conferencing, Chairman, ernment and heads of leading in- countries for mutual exchange of yond one’s physical appearance. For The company had imported the latest Android 9.0 version certification with AI and can act as an IoT PPT appealed everyone to make dustries will also join via virtual knowledge and opportunities and me beauty is a balanced brain that 204.55 MT of coal in April- hub for all smart devices, allowing the users to navigate and control their January period of the the Mega International Event a mode. also leading towards the observes magic in every creation connected devices seamlessly. previous fiscal year, grand success. He shared with the Out of the 27 MoUs, 15 MoUs are ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. that is attached to woman hood.” according to provisional data compiled by mjunction services. Mjunction -- a joint venture of Tata Steel and SAIL -- is a B2B e-commerce ‘Insurance most preferred financial product to protect family’ company and also publishes research reports on coal and PRESS TRUST OF INDIA The survey conducted on 1,369 re- fixed deposits, and 30 per cent in- steel verticals. spondents across nine centres re- LIFE INSURANCE TURNED OUT TO vested in mutual funds, while 24 New Delhi, Feb 28: Insurance has vealed that during the pandemic, 51 LIFE POST-COVID BE THE MOST PREFERRED per cent invested in stocks, 17 per FINANCIAL TOOL DRIVEN BY THE become the most-preferred financial per cent of the respondents invested cent invested in gold/digital gold. NEED TO SECURE FAMILY'S FUTURE product to protect the family against in life insurance, while 48 per cent Birla to ramp FINANCIALLY "Life insurance has clearly health emergencies post the Covid- invested in health-related insur- emerged as the preferred financial up capacity 19 pandemic with more people in- ance solutions, which is higher MOST CONSUMERS WOULD LIKE TO asset as per our Covid sentiment clined to invest in insurance prod- than other financial asset classes. New Delhi: With a shift in the BUY LIFE INSURANCE IN THE NEXT study. There is a distinct shift to- global supply chain amid the ucts in the next six months, More than half of the respon- SIX MONTHS AS PART OF THEIR wards considering life insurance as pandemic and companies according to a survey from Tata dents said their views towards life INVESTMENT PLANS the primary source of future fi- looking beyond China for AIA Life Insurance. insurance have changed positively nancial protection, followed by sourcing, auto component According to a consumer confi- due to the pandemic and 49 per cent health and wellness solutions. firm Birla Precision dence survey on the impact of Covid- want to invest in buying a life cover male respondents, 55 per cent said "The survey findings have helped Technologies Ltd is ramping 19 commissioned by research agency in the next six months and 40 per they are concerned about the men- capture and unravel the transition up its capacity to tap Nielsen, life insurance turned out cent intends to invest in health in- tal health due to the increased work- in customer usage and attitude to- emerging opportunities in to be the most preferred financial surance. load during the pandemic. wards life insurance," said Venky

India, according to a top tool driven by the need to secure fam- The survey said 30 per cent of ical emergencies and expenses has about themselves/family and their "41 per cent people are buying Iyer, CDO and Head marketing,

k y m c company official. To start with, ily's future financially and the con- the people invested in life insur- become the topmost priority, with top concern is the economic slow- financial products online more Tata AIA Life Insurance. the company plans to invest cern around medical emergencies. ance for the first time during the pan- as many as 62 per cent mentioning down. "Of the respondents con- often than before Covid-19 pan- The survey reveals that with up to `30 crore in the next one The survey also found that most demic, while 26 per cent invested in about it and a majority of 84 per cent cerned about self and family, 50 demic," the survey said. changing money needs and prior- year to ramp up its drill consumers would like to buy life in- health-related insurance solutions saying they are still concerned per cent are worried about mental Among the other asset classes, ities, consumers' monthly alloca- manufacturing capacity under surance in the next six months as for the first time. about self and family due to coro- health due to increased workload due one-third of the respondents said tion towards insurance, savings its cutting tools division. part of their investment plans. Financial security against med- navirus. 61 per cent were worried to Covid-19 pandemic. Among fe- they invested in bank or company and investment, has increased. P12 MONDAY | MARCH 1 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR sports

GOOD PERFORMANCES IN JUST-CONCLUDED 3RD TEST AGAINST ENGLAND IN AHMEDABAD

y Odisha to host

k k y y m m c Ashwin, Rohit move 2021 IWL event c up in ICC rankings

AGENCIES him four places to third po- the way the rankings are calculated but sition. During the course what it means is that instead Dubai, Feb 28: Opener Rohit Sharma of the match, Ashwin also of rankings being up- touched his career-best eighth position became the fourth Indian dated at the end of a in the ‘ICC Test Batsmen’s Rankings’ with bowlers to capture 400 or series (in ODIs and a six-place jump Sunday. This im- more Test wickets. T20Is) or a Test match, provement came after his impressive England spinner Jack they may be updated while show in India’s 10-wicket win over Leach has entered the top a series or match is ongo- England in the low-scoring third Test in 30 for the ing without performances Ahmedabad. The match ended within first time, in those matches being con- AIFF president Praful Patel with the IWL trophy and captains of the two days with Rohit top-scoring in moving up sidered,” ICC said in a participating teams in the inaugural year of IWL in 2017 (FILE PHOTO) the first innings with 66 and three places release Sunday. remaining unbeaten on to 28th after PNN & AGENCIES The IWL has 25 in the second. He tak- provided the had also scored a New Delhi, Feb 28: Odisha will host platform for a lot of swashbuckling cen- the 2020-2021 Indian Women’s League budding footballers tury in the second (IWL), the All India Football to showcase their talent and Test at Chennai Federation (AIFF) said Sunday. The make a career out of the game which helped dates for the tournament are yet to India restore ing four Lyon roars be finalised and will be announced PRAFUL PATEL parity in the wickets. Captain soon, the football body added. four-game Joe Root’s maiden in support AIFF president Praful Patel utilise the event to scout and un- series. five-wicket haul thanked the Odisha government earth new talent for the women’s Melbourne: Star Australia Rohit’s cur- has lifted him 16 spinner Nathan Lyon is baffled by for agreeing to play host to the national team. rent rating places to 72nd all the hullabaloo over the Motera event. “The government of Odisha Odisha Sports Minister Tushar points aggregate among bowlers pitch. He said Sunday ‘everyone has been a great supporter of Indian Kanti Behera said, “Holistic de- is 742. It is 20 points while he is now seems to start crying’ when the football. We are very thankful to Shri velopment of sports in India, and more than his best joint-13th ball starts spinning but no one Naveen Patnaik ji, Mr Vishal Kumar Indian football in particular is of 722 in October among all- speaks out when teams are Dev, Mr Vineel Krishna and the Odisha sports’ vision. Odisha has 2019 when he was rounders. bundled out for low scores on entire sports department of Odisha been synonymous with women’s ranked 10th. Meanwhile, the seaming tracks. The Motera track for extending all the support and football in India for long. I am an Player of the match ICC said that came in for criticism after help to organise the IWL,” Patel ardent supporter of women em- Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin player rankings England were bowled out for 112 said in a statement, Sunday powerment, and the hosting of the England series have also made solid gains after playing will move to a and 81 in the third Test against “Over the years, the tournament IWL in Odisha allows us the op- a crucial role in India’s win on a spin- weekly updating India. “We play on seaming has provided the platform for a lot portunity to contribute to the de- Rohit Sharma friendly track. system from March wickets around the world and get of budding women footballers to velopment of women’s football in (batting) Left-arm spinner Patel's 11-wicket 2021 for both men bowled out for 47, 60. Nobody show-case their talent. It has pro- India along with the AIFF.” 6, 12, 161, 26, 66, 25* match haul has helped him gain 30 slots and women. ever says a thing (about the vided them the option of taking Odisha Principal Secretary, to reach 38th position while off-spin- “The change pitch). But as soon as it starts up football as a career,” Patel added. Sports and Youth Services Ravi Ashwin ner Ashwin’s seven wickets have lifted will not impact spinning, everyone in the The AIFF further stated that it Department, Vishal Kumar Dev world seems to start crying (Bowling) ‘stays committed to the develop- said: “Hosting the 2020-21 edition about it,” Lyon was quoted as 3/146, 6/61, 5/43, saying by ‘The West ment of women’s football in India’. of the Indian Women’s League will 3/53, 3/26, 4/48 Australian’. “I don’t get it. I’m India is scheduled to host the be another feather in the cap of all for spinning pitches, it was AFC Women’s Asian Cup in 2022 Odisha sports. I am sure the IWL entertaining,” he added. which will be followed by the FIFA will lead to tremendous excite- U-17 Women’s World Cup, the same ment amongst the football year. The AIFF thus, is hoping to aficionados of Odisha.

SHORT TAKES 27TH CONSECUTIVE VICTORY IN ALL COMPETITIONS Para-archers shine Barcelona keep New Delhi: Indian para-archer Rakesh Kumar stood on top of the podium in the Compound title hopes alive City’s winning run continues event while the pair of Harvinder Singh and Pooja AGENCIES City are enjoying the longest grabbed gold in the recurve INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE winning streak by an English top- mixed team event at the Fazza Manchester, Feb 28: Manchester flight team and are unbeaten in world ranking tournament in Madrid, Feb 28: FC Barcelona City moved 13 points clear at the top 27 games across all competitions, Dubai. Rakesh defeated kept their La Liga title hopes alive of the English Premier League one match shy of their longest run compatriot Shyam Sunder 143- and probably ended Sevilla’s with table Saturday after a 2-1 win over without defeat under Guardiola 135 in the final after his 143- a 2-0 win Saturday in the Sanchez West Ham – their 20th straight win in 2017. 138 semifinal win over Pizjuan Stadium. Ousmane Dembele in all competitions. Pep Guardiola’s “It was really difficult. After 10- Turkey’s Agyan. Harvinder and and Lionel Messi gave Barca a win side are closing in on their third 15 minutes today we realised we are Pooja got the better of the in the ground where they lost 0-2 in Premier League title in four seasons not going to paint anything beau- No.1 ranked team from Turkey the Copa del Rey 17 days ago and just thanks to priceless contributions tiful,” the Spaniard said after the to finish with the yellow metal. four days before the teams meet from their in-form centre-backs. match. “In the second half we were This is the first event Indian again at the Camp Nou. The hosts took the lead in the 30th much better. When you play a lot archers attended since the Barca boss Ronaldo Koeman minute with central defender Ruben of games, in the league and then the COVID-19 lockdown in March. sprang a surprise in his line-up Lionel Messi of Barcelona in action Dias heading in a Kevin de Bruyne Champions League, this is normal. with Sergino Dest and Jordi Alba against Sevilla, Saturday cross for his first goal for the club, “We were lucky to get all three playing as wing-backs in front of but the Hammers drew level points. The mathematics do matter Impressive return three central defenders. uation easily. through Michail Antonio two min- at the end of the season,” he added. The first half saw both teams Sevilla were dominating the clos- utes before the interval. City se- City survived a stern test from Krefield (Germany): Young play a tactical game with Sevilla will- cured their 14th consecutive league MOMENT TO CHERISH: Goalscorer John Stones (2nd left) celebrates with Riyad Vivek Sagar Prasad scored a ing stage, but Messi put the issue the Hammers and ominously for the brace as the Indian men’s ing to sit deep. However, Messi beyond doubt five minutes from win, however, when Dias’ fellow Mahrez after scoring the second goal for Manchester City against West Ham rest of the league as Sergio Aguero hockey team outclassed found Dembele with a brilliant time after linking with Moriba. defender John Stones slotted home returned to the starting line-up for Germany 6-1 in its Europe tour through ball and the latter threaded Although Bono saved Messi’s after being picked out by a Riyad Issa Diop failed to connect well games with Manchester United be- the first time in four months. Once opener to make an impressive the ball past Bono in Sevilla goal. first shot, the Argentine was able Mahrez pull back. with a header from a Jesse Lingard hind them on 49 points from 25 he gets his sharpness back, City’s return to international circuit Sevilla had their first look at the to follow up and sidefoot the ball into Fourth-placed West Ham, who cross from close. matches. Leicester are level on record goalscorer will provide a following coronavirus-forced Barcelona goal in the 52nd minute, the net. Messi showed a lot of op- performed well throughout, had a The win moves City, unbeaten in points with United but third on boost to their bid to win an un- break. Vivek (27th, 28th but Ter Stegen easily handled the sit- portunism to score. late chance to grab a point, but 27 matches, on to 62 points from 26 goal difference. precedented quadruple. minutes), Nilakanta Sharma (13th), Lalit Kumar Upadhyay (41st), Akashdeep Singh (42nd) Vinesh bags gold and Harmanpreet Singh (47th) Mumbai seal spot VIJAY HAZARE TROPHY MATCH were the goal scorers for India. Sports Hostel win The goal for Germany was in AFC tournament with superb show scored by Constantin Staib in PRESS TRUST OF INDIA the 14th minute. However, PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Odisha go down by India made their mark with Kiev (Ukraine), Feb 28: Star Vivek scoring two back to back Bambolim, Feb 28: Mumbai City Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat goals in the 2nd quarter. That FC (MCFC) beat ATK Mohun Bagan pinned 2017 World Champion V more or less sealed up the (ATKMB) 2-0 in the final league Kaladzinskay to grab a gold medal game for the visitors. six wickets to UP encounter of the Indian Super Sunday at the ‘Outstanding League here Sunday to book a place POST NEWS NETWORK wickets in his seven-over spell. Ukrainian Wrestlers and Coaches in the coveted AFC Champions The UP batsmen were always in Memorial’ tournament here. She Eves lose again League next season. Bhubaneswar, Feb 28: Odisha’s control during the chase which returned to the mat in style after Dusseldorf: The Indian Sergio Lobera’s side comfort- woes in the Vijay Hazare Trophy was led by Upendra Yadav (32 n o). a long coronavirus-forced break. women’s hockey team lost 0-1 ably won after first-half goals from continued as they lost to Uttar Brief scores: Odisha 148 all out in Up against the World No. 7 to Germany in their second Mourtada Fall (seventh minute) Pradesh by six wickets in an Elite 40.1 overs (Subhranshu Senapati 49 Belarusian, it was not an easy tour game, putting a much- and Bartholomew Ogbeche (39th). Group ‘C’ game played Sunday at n o, Rakesh Patnaik 46, Shivam bout for the World No. 3 Indian improved show from their 0-5 The ball is about enter the Odisha Police goal during their game against Sports Earlier in the day, FC Goa sealed Bangalore. After being put in, Sharma 6/22) lost to UP 150 for four as the two grapplers kept testing thrashing in the opening Hostel at the Kalinga Stadium, Sunday OP PHOTO their spot in the semifinals with a Odisha were bowled out for 148 in 21.4 overs (Upendra Yadav 32 n o, each other with consistent attacks match. Amelie Wortmann (24th 0-0 draw against Hyderabad FC. runs in 40.3 overs. In reply, Uttar Rajesh Mohanty 2/37) by six wickets. in the sea-saw battle in which minute) scored the only goal of POST NEWS NETWORK Sports Hostel players were very The Gaurs thus became the last Pradesh easily knocked off runs and Vinesh prevailed. the game as the Germans held dominant all through the game. team to seal their playoff spot. scored 150 for four in just 21.4 overs. New MoU signed Vinesh opened up a 4-0 lead in on to their slender advantage Bhubaneswar, Feb 28: Minati They rarely allowed opposition Despite losing the top spot to This was Odisha’s fourth loss in five The Utkal Karate School (UKS) the 53kg final with a throw which to take a 2-0 lead in the four- Nayak and Malati Munda both got footballers to enter their half. Mumbai in the points table, ATKMB games and they are now placed in the city here has got accredi- she initiated with a left-leg attack match series. Midfielder hat-tricks as Sports Hostel demol- Sports Hostel could have easily will still harbour hopes of salvaging fifth in the six-team group. tation from ‘Khelo India’ to pro- but Kaladzinskay made it 4-4 with Wortmann put her side in the ished Odisha Police 6-1 in the in- scored more than 10 goals if they their season with a second suc- Left-arm orthodox spinner mote the discipline of weightlift- her brilliant move. Vinesh took lead six minutes before the augural football match of the Odisha had utilised all the chances that cessive ISL title. Shivam Sharma (6/22) turned out ing. A MoU to this effect was the break leading 6-4, adding to end of the second quarter. Women’s League (OWL) here came their way. Tikina Samal under Being the team with the most to be the star performer for the signed recently by the Sports her score with a takedown, 10 sec- The Indians responded Sunday at the Kalinga Stadium. the Odisha Police bar also effected goals from set-pieces this season, winners. Only Subhranshu Senapati Authority of India and UKS to onds before the break.

y quickly, earning a penalty corner just three minutes Sonali Oram got a consolation goal a few stunning saves to prevent MCFC drew the first blood in a (49 n o, 68b, 5x4), Rakesh Patnaik promote the sport of weightlifting The Belarusian put pressure

for the losers. the margin from becoming more similar fashion, scoring with their (46, 63b, 5x4, 1x6) and skipper under the ‘Khelo India’ scheme. on the Indian with another four-

k k y y m m c after going behind, but were c unable to breach past the In a one-sided encounter, Minati embarrassing. first shot on target. Ahmed Jahouh’s Shantanu Mishra (24) managed to Under this agreement, many tal- point throw but with 25 seconds to German backline. Late into got her goals in the 23rd, 58th and R Vineel Krishna IAS (Special free-kick fell to an unmarked Fall, get double-digit scores. The others ented young weightlifters will get go, Vinesh’s move fetched her four the game, the Indian eves 77th minutes of the game while Secretary, CMO & Director of Sports whose angular header gave Mumbai just came and went. It should be the chance to utilities available at more points for a 10-8 lead. She earned two more penalty Malati scored in the 12th, 29th and & Youth Service, Govt of Odisha) the lead. The second goal for MCFC stated here that India bowler UKS to pursue their dreams of got into a position from where she corners, but failed to 68th minutes. The goal for Odisha was present in the opening cere- was also from a set-piece with Bhuvneshwar Kumar who is on a becoming a reputed weightlifter pinned Kaladzinskay to ensure utilise those. AGENCIES Police came in the 53rd minute. mony as the chief guest. Ogbeche scoring from the rebound. comeback trail, failed to get any in the future. herself a gold medal.

1 Printed and published by Tathagata Satpathy on behalf of Navajat Printers and Media Pvt. Ltd. and printed at Navajat Printers, B-15 Industrial Estate, Rasulgarh, Bhubaneswar -751010, Odisha;Phone:7894447142(Marketing). Editor: Tathagata Satpathy, RNI No. ORIENG/2011/37159