14
A s part of their strategy to keep the heat on the Government over the farm sector Bills, Opposition parties on Wednesday requested President Ram Nath Kovind not to give his assent to the contentious legislations and conveyed to him that their passage in the Rajya Sabha was “unconstitutional”. The Opposition leaders represented by Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad met the President to submit a memo- randum on behalf of MPs who boycotted the last three days of the Monsoon Session. The Government should have consulted all parties, farmer leaders before bringing the farm Bills, Azad said after meeting the President. The Bills are now pending for the President’s approval. It was earlier decided that leaders of five Opposition par- ties — Congress, TMC, Samajwadi Party, TRS and DMK — will meet the President to raise the issue but due to Covid-19 safety proto- cols the parties decided to sub- mit the memorandum through Azad. “The Constitution was undermined ...We have given a representation to the President that the farm Bills have been passed unconstitutionally and he should return these Bills,” Azad said briefing the media. Continued on Page 4 W ithout the participation of Opposition members, the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed three crucial labour sector Bills which will influence lives and livelihood of millions of “blue collar “workers. The new legislations will, among other things, allow a corporate to hire and fire “blue collared” workers at will. The protesting MPs had written to Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu that the con- tentious Bills should not be passed “unilaterally. It will be a blot on democracy.” The labour Bills form part of the labour reforms move. The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, the Industrial Relations Code 2020 and the Code on Social Security, 2020 were earlier passed by the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. These Bills will now be sent for President Ram Nath Kovind’s assent and then they will become law. Introducing the Bills in the Upper House, Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar said they will provide a “safe envi- ronment” for workers. “Social security benefits have also been added. This will be in sync with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resolve for a universal social security,” he added. “The Congress and like- minded parties held a march from the Gandhi statue to the Ambedkar statue on the Parliament premises protesting the “anti-farmers, anti-workers Bills that have been rubber- stamped in Parliament in the most undemocratic manner by the Modi Government,” tweeted Jairam Ramesh. Continued on Page 4 W idening the scope of its ongoing investigations into the Sushant Singh Rajput death-related drug case, the Narcotic Control Bureau (NCB) on Wednesday sum- moned Bollywood actresses Deepika Padukone, Sara Ali Khan, Shraddha Kapoor and Rakul Preeet Singh and fashion designer Simone Khambatta. On a day when its officials questioned the late actor’s tal- ent manager Jaya Saha for the third consecutive day and also Udta Punjab and Ghajini pro- ducer Madhu Mantena Varma, the NCB issued summons to five Bollywood personalities in connection with the probe in the Sushant death-related drug probe and the larger Bollywood-drug mafia nexus. NCBs Deputy Director (Operations) KPS Malhotra confirmed that his organisation had sent out summons to Deepika, Sara, Shraddha and Rakul. Official sources said that the NCB had also called Simone, Deepika’s manager Karishma Prakash and Sushant’s former Manager and Shruti Modi for questioning. In what is being seen as an apparent deviation from the very objective behind the Sushant’s death-related drug case, the NCB appeared to be going whole hog against the Bollywood-drug mafia nexus. As per the information that trickled out of its office, the NCB has summoned Simone, Rakul, Shruti Modi on September 24, while Deepika and her manager Karishma had been called for questioning on September 25. Sara and Shradhha have been sum- moned for questioning on September 26. Deepika’s questioning by the NCB, which has aroused considerable interest among the people across the country, should be seen in the context of the information that sur- faced during the questioning of actress-accused Rhea Chakraborty in the drug case. Karishma works with Jaya Saha, with whom Rhea Chakraborty had chatted about CBD oil, as a manager in Kwan talent management agency. During the questioning, the NCB had reportedly quizzed Jaya if she had any knowledge about Karishma procuring drugs for Deepika Padukone. The NCB had retrieved Deepika’s WhatsApp chats with Karishma in which the two were seen discussing drugs. Earlier, Jaya’s chats with Rhea Chakraborty about CBD oil were also retrieved by NCB. After being summoned for questioning, Karishma did not turn up at the NCB office on Tuesday for questioning, saying that she needed some more time, while her talent manage- ment agency’s CEO Dhruv Chitgopekar offered to coop- erate with the agency in the investigations. According to sources, the NCB investigations have thrown up a WhatsApp chat of 2017 between D (Deepika Padukone) and K (Karishma). In the chat, Deepika reported- ly asks Karishna: “You have Maal?, Karishma responds say- ing: “Yes, but at home. I am at Bandra. Later Krishma tells Deepika that one Amit is bring- ing it to a high-end restaurant “koko” at Lower Parel. Deepika seeks to confirm if it is hash not weed. Continued on Page 4 A s expected for the last sev- eral weeks, Bihar Director General of Police (DGP) Gupteshwar Pandey has final- ly taken voluntary retirement from service and is all set to plunge into politics. There are speculation that Pandey will join the Janata Dal(U) and contest either the Assembly elections or Lok Sabha bypoll from Valmikinagar in north Bihar. Pandey’s request seeking voluntary retirement was approved by Governor Phagu Chauhan, a notification issued by the State Home Department said. Speaking to mediapersons on Wednesday, Pandey said, “I have not joined any political party as of now. If I do, I will tell you about it. As far as social work is concerned, I can do it without entering politics as well.” He added, “I have worked for 34 years with honesty and without bias, and now people are questioning me. I want to tell them that I was devoted to my duty.” The Shiv Sena has slammed Pandey for “running a political agenda” over the Sushant Singh Rajput case. Continued on Page 4 T he Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday clari- fied that it has not given any direction to the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to issue a notice to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar over his poll affidavits. The EC’s statement came a day after Pawar said the Income Tax department has served him a notice in connection with his poll affidavits submit- ted to the poll panel. “... It is stated that Election Commission of India has not issued any such direction to CBDT to issue notice to Pawar,” the EC said in its statement. While expressing solidari- ty with eight Rajya Sabha mem- bers suspended over chaos during a vote on controversial farm Bills, Pawar, 79, accused the Centre of pursuing an agenda against political oppo- nents as he referred to tax notices. Continued on Page 4 T he Centre informed the Supreme Court on Wednesday that it has prima facie found violation of the pro- gramme code by Sudarshan TV’s Bindas Bol show and has issued a notice to the channel. The SC said the steps taken by the Government in pur- suance to the show cause notice against the channel will be subject to the orders of the court. Since the notice has been issued on Wednesday, the hearing is deferred to October 5, the court said. Continued on Page 4 T he Supreme Court on Wednesday directed a Delhi Legislative Assembly panel not to take coercive action against Facebook India VP and MD Ajit Mohan till October 15 in connection with a summon asking him to depose before it with regard to North-East Delhi riots. Delhi Assembly’s peace and harmony committee had issued a notice to Facebook India vice president and man- aging director in connection with complaints accusing the social media giant of deliber- ately not taking action to curb hateful content on its plat- form. New Delhi: Minister of State for Railways and Karnataka BJP MP Suresh Angadi passed away on Wednesday, days after he tested positive for Covid-19. The 65-year-old passed away around 8 pm at the AIIMS trauma centre which has been converted into a ded- icated Covid-19 facility, sources at the hospital said. A fourth-term MP from Belagavi, Angadi is the first Union Minister to have died of coronavirus. At least six MLAs and three MPs have earlier suc- cumbed to it. Angadi had on September 11 himself announced on microblogging site Twitter that he had contracted the disease. The MP from Belagavi had requested all those who came in close contact with him over the last few days to monitor their health and get tested in case of any symptoms. Continued on Page 4 T he much-awaited report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India into the 60,000 crore Rafale fight- er jet deal has said the French manufacturer Dassault and MBDA are yet to honour their commitment about offset clause to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The offset clause stipulates the foreign vendor has to plough back 30 per cent of the contract price into the Indian defence and aerospace indus- try. In the Rafale deal, the limit was raised to 50 per cent to enable the Indian industry to tie up with world class foreign companies and gain first world technology. The Government watch- dog said on Wednesday it stud- ied 17 deals inked in the last one decade to analyse the effi- cacy of the offsets clause intro- duced in 2005. It said the Defence Ministry has to over- haul the policy as the offset pol- icy has not yielded the desired results. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has repeatedly alleged that the Government favoured a private Indian company for granting the offsets in the Rafale deal. The main Opposition party also claimed that company was given the offsets contract worth over 30,000 crore. The CAG report said in many cases it was found that the foreign vendors made var- ious offset commitments to qualify for the main supply contract but later were not earnest about fulfilling these commitments. “For instance in the offset contract relating to 36 Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA), the vendors M/s Dassault Aviation and M/s MBDA initially proposed (September 2015) to discharge 30 per cent of their offset obligation by offering high technology to the DRDO. The DRDO wanted to obtain tech- nical assistance for the indige- nous development of engine (Kaveri) for the light combat aircraft. Till date the vendor has not confirmed the transfer of this technology,” the CAG then noted. Giving background of the offset policy adopted in 2005, the CAG said it was applicable for all capital purchases above 300 crore. The foreign ven- dor was required to invest at least 30 per cent of the value of the purchase, in India. This investment could be made avenues like foreign direct investment, offering of free transfer of technology to Indian firms, purchase of eligible products manufactured by Indian firms (exports). For the discharge of these offsets the foreign vendor had to select an Indian firm as a partner (Indian Offsets Partner or IOPs). From 2005 till March 2018, 46 offset contracts had been signed with foreign vendors, valuing 66,427 crore. Under these contracts, by December 2018, 19,223 crore worth of offsets should have been dis- charged by the vendors. However, the offsets claimed to have been dis- charged by them was only 11,396 crore, which was only 59 per cent of the commitment. Further, only 48 per cent (5,457 crore) of these offset claims submitted by the ven- dors were accepted by the ministry. Continued on Page 4 Lucknow (PNS): Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday came in for an effusive praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for mea- sures taken by the UP government to deal with the pandemic and to handle the migrants cri- sis in the state. The PM, during a meeting with the chief ministers through video-conferencing, acknowl- edged the efforts Yogi and his team for taking proactive steps to reduce casualties in the state due to Covid. He singled out Uttar Pradesh for praise for doing the maximum tests and having tested 90 lakh persons so far. Reviewing the Covid situation in the country, the PM was in a direct conversation with the chief ministers. He said the high number of tests by UP did man- age to keep the Covid deaths in control. As another feather to UP’s cap, the PM also com- plimented Yogi for adept handling of migrant crisis. See Page 3 C laiming that the Uttar Pradesh government was pro-farmer, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that his regime was committed to protecting the farm sector and would not initiate any step detrimental to the farmers community. During his interaction with a delegation of farmer leaders led by Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) chief Rakesh Tikait in Lucknow on Wednesday, Yogi allayed their fears, saying that the system of Minimum Support Price (MSP) would not cease to exist. “With the introduction of reforms in the farm sector, farm- ers now stand to benefit. They can either sell their produce on MSP or at higher prices in the market, whichever suits them,” he said. The chief minister also announced that the new cane crushing season would com- mence from October 15 in west- ern UP and from October 25 in the rest of the state. He directed officials to ensure that all farm- ers’ dues were cleared by sugar mills by then. Yogi said that over 3,000 paddy purchase centres had been set up across the state though there were just 825 blocks. “If farmers want more purchase centres these could be opened,” he said. When the delegation raised the issue of more facilities in mandis, the chief minister said that his government was open to suggestions and ready to do whatever was required for ben- efiting the farmers. The meeting, which lasted for around 45 minutes at the chief minister’s official residence, also discussed in detail the farmers’ problems. Notwithstanding the chief minister’s assurances, sev- eral farmers’ outfits have resolved to join the nation-wide protest on September 25. After coming out of the meeting, BKU chief Rakesh Tikait told media persons that his organisation would be a part of the protest. Claiming that the meeting with the chief minister was on different issues, Tikait said that his outfit supported the pan-India farmers’ agitation over the new farm bills passed in both Houses of Parliament.

# &ˆ˘...2020/09/24  · Bollywood-drug mafia nexus. As per the information that trickled out of its office, the NCB has summoned Simone, Rakul, Shruti Modi on September 24, while

  • Upload
    others

  • View
    1

  • Download
    0

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

Page 1: # &ˆ˘...2020/09/24  · Bollywood-drug mafia nexus. As per the information that trickled out of its office, the NCB has summoned Simone, Rakul, Shruti Modi on September 24, while

�������������������� ��������������������������� ������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ��������� ���������������������������������������������������������������!�����"#

� ��������� ����������� ��������������������������� $������������"�� ������������������������ ���������������������������"������������"����%&%'������������������(�����)�$����������������������!�����"#

������������������������������ ������������ � ����*���+������������,�*������� ������"������������������������� ����������������������-../�����0�����������������(�������������������������1����������������������������������%�����1����������������2��������������#

��������� ����� �������� �� ������������� �����������������������&������������3� �������4�� ����"� ��������������������%����������������������������� ������������������������������������� ����"���������������!�����"#����������������������*��"��������15�������������������� ���������������������-.6-����-.6�#

!���� 75!�%580�

As part of their strategy tokeep the heat on the

Government over the farmsector Bills, Opposition partieson Wednesday requestedPresident Ram Nath Kovindnot to give his assent to thecontentious legislations andconveyed to him that theirpassage in the Rajya Sabha was“unconstitutional”.

The Opposition leadersrepresented by Congress leaderGhulam Nabi Azad met thePresident to submit a memo-randum on behalf of MPs whoboycotted the last three days ofthe Monsoon Session.

The Government shouldhave consulted all parties,farmer leaders before bringingthe farm Bills, Azad said aftermeeting the President. TheBills are now pending for thePresident’s approval.

It was earlier decided thatleaders of five Opposition par-ties — Congress, TMC,Samajwadi Party, TRS andDMK — will meet thePresident to raise the issue butdue to Covid-19 safety proto-cols the parties decided to sub-mit the memorandum throughAzad.

“The Constitution wasundermined ...We have given arepresentation to the Presidentthat the farm Bills have beenpassed unconstitutionally andhe should return these Bills,”Azad said briefing the media.

Continued on Page 4

������������������� �������

!���� 75!�%580�

Without the participationof Opposition members,

the Rajya Sabha on Wednesdaypassed three crucial laboursector Bills which will influencelives and livelihood of millionsof “blue collar “workers.

The new legislations will,among other things, allow acorporate to hire and fire “bluecollared” workers at will.

The protesting MPs hadwritten to Chairman MVenkaiah Naidu that the con-tentious Bills should not bepassed “unilaterally. It will be a

blot on democracy.” The labourBills form part of the labourreforms move.

The Occupational Safety,Health and WorkingConditions Code, 2020, theIndustrial Relations Code 2020and the Code on SocialSecurity, 2020 were earlierpassed by the Lok Sabha onTuesday. These Bills will nowbe sent for President RamNath Kovind’s assent and thenthey will become law.

Introducing the Bills inthe Upper House, LabourMinister Santosh Gangwar saidthey will provide a “safe envi-

ronment” for workers. “Socialsecurity benefits have also beenadded. This will be in sync withPrime Minister NarendraModi’s resolve for a universalsocial security,” he added.

“The Congress and like-minded parties held a marchfrom the Gandhi statue to theAmbedkar statue on theParliament premises protestingthe “anti-farmers, anti-workersBills that have been rubber-stamped in Parliament in themost undemocratic mannerby the Modi Government,”tweeted Jairam Ramesh.

Continued on Page 4

���������������� �������������������������������������

��� ����������� (4(�$�

Widening the scope of itsongoing investigations

into the Sushant Singh Rajputdeath-related drug case, theNarcotic Control Bureau(NCB) on Wednesday sum-moned Bollywood actressesDeepika Padukone, Sara AliKhan, Shraddha Kapoor andRakul Preeet Singh and fashiondesigner Simone Khambatta.

On a day when its officialsquestioned the late actor’s tal-ent manager Jaya Saha for thethird consecutive day and alsoUdta Punjab and Ghajini pro-ducer Madhu Mantena Varma,the NCB issued summons tofive Bollywood personalities inconnection with the probe inthe Sushant death-related drugprobe and the largerBollywood-drug mafia nexus.

NCBs Deputy Director(Operations) KPS Malhotraconfirmed that his organisationhad sent out summons toDeepika, Sara, Shraddha andRakul. Official sources saidthat the NCB had also calledSimone, Deepika’s managerKarishma Prakash andSushant’s former Manager andShruti Modi for questioning.

In what is being seen as anapparent deviation from thevery objective behind theSushant’s death-related drugcase, the NCB appeared to begoing whole hog against theBollywood-drug mafia nexus.

As per the informationthat trickled out of its office, theNCB has summoned Simone,

Rakul, Shruti Modi onSeptember 24, while Deepikaand her manager Karishmahad been called for questioningon September 25. Sara andShradhha have been sum-moned for questioning onSeptember 26.

Deepika’s questioning bythe NCB, which has arousedconsiderable interest amongthe people across the country,should be seen in the contextof the information that sur-faced during the questioning ofactress-accused RheaChakraborty in the drug case.

Karishma works with JayaSaha, with whom RheaChakraborty had chatted aboutCBD oil, as a manager in Kwantalent management agency.During the questioning, theNCB had reportedly quizzedJaya if she had any knowledgeabout Karishma procuringdrugs for Deepika Padukone.

The NCB had retrievedDeepika’s WhatsApp chats withKarishma in which the two

were seen discussing drugs.Earlier, Jaya’s chats with RheaChakraborty about CBD oilwere also retrieved by NCB.

After being summoned forquestioning, Karishma did notturn up at the NCB office onTuesday for questioning, sayingthat she needed some moretime, while her talent manage-ment agency’s CEO DhruvChitgopekar offered to coop-erate with the agency in theinvestigations.

According to sources, theNCB investigations havethrown up a WhatsApp chat of2017 between D (DeepikaPadukone) and K (Karishma).In the chat, Deepika reported-ly asks Karishna: “You haveMaal?, Karishma responds say-ing: “Yes, but at home. I am atBandra. Later Krishma tellsDeepika that one Amit is bring-ing it to a high-end restaurant“koko” at Lower Parel. Deepikaseeks to confirm if it is hash notweed.

Continued on Page 4

����������� ������������������������

!���� 75!�%580�

As expected for the last sev-eral weeks, Bihar Director

General of Police (DGP)Gupteshwar Pandey has final-ly taken voluntary retirementfrom service and is all set toplunge into politics.

There are speculation thatPandey will join the JanataDal(U) and contest either theAssembly elections or LokSabha bypoll fromValmikinagar in north Bihar.

Pandey’s request seekingvoluntary retirement wasapproved by Governor PhaguChauhan, a notification issuedby the State Home Department

said.Speaking to mediapersons

on Wednesday, Pandey said, “Ihave not joined any politicalparty as of now. If I do, I willtell you about it. As far as socialwork is concerned, I can do itwithout entering politics aswell.”

He added, “I have workedfor 34 years with honesty andwithout bias, and now peopleare questioning me. I want totell them that I was devoted tomy duty.”

The Shiv Sena hasslammed Pandey for “runninga political agenda” over theSushant Singh Rajput case.

Continued on Page 4

���������������������������������������������

!���� 75!�%580�

The Election Commission(EC) on Wednesday clari-

fied that it has not given anydirection to the Central Boardof Direct Taxes (CBDT) toissue a notice to the NationalistCongress Party (NCP) chiefSharad Pawar over his pollaffidavits.

The EC’s statement came aday after Pawar said the IncomeTax department has servedhim a notice in connectionwith his poll affidavits submit-ted to the poll panel.

“... It is stated that ElectionCommission of India has notissued any such direction toCBDT to issue notice to Pawar,”the EC said in its statement.

While expressing solidari-ty with eight Rajya Sabha mem-bers suspended over chaosduring a vote on controversialfarm Bills, Pawar, 79, accusedthe Centre of pursuing anagenda against political oppo-nents as he referred to taxnotices.

Continued on Page 4

������������������� ���������������������

!���� 75!�%580�

The Centre informed theSupreme Court on

Wednesday that it has primafacie found violation of the pro-gramme code by SudarshanTV’s Bindas Bol show and hasissued a notice to the channel.

The SC said the steps takenby the Government in pur-suance to the show cause noticeagainst the channel will besubject to the orders of thecourt. Since the notice hasbeen issued on Wednesday,the hearing is deferred toOctober 5, the court said.

Continued on Page 4

���������� ������� ������ ���� ������������������

!���� 75!�%580�

The Supreme Court onWednesday directed a

Delhi Legislative Assemblypanel not to take coerciveaction against Facebook IndiaVP and MD Ajit Mohan tillOctober 15 in connection witha summon asking him todepose before it with regard toNorth-East Delhi riots.

Delhi Assembly’s peaceand harmony committee hadissued a notice to FacebookIndia vice president and man-aging director in connectionwith complaints accusing thesocial media giant of deliber-ately not taking action to curbhateful content on its plat-form.

���������� ���!���"��#�$�����%��&'(������ )�

New Delhi: Minister of Statefor Railways and Karnataka BJPMP Suresh Angadi passed awayon Wednesday, days after hetested positive for Covid-19.

The 65-year-old passedaway around 8 pm at theAIIMS trauma centre whichhas been converted into a ded-icated Covid-19 facility, sourcesat the hospital said.

A fourth-term MP fromBelagavi, Angadi is the firstUnion Minister to have died ofcoronavirus. At least six MLAsand three MPs have earlier suc-cumbed to it.

Angadi had on September11 himself announced onmicroblogging site Twitter thathe had contracted the disease.

The MP from Belagavi hadrequested all those who camein close contact with him overthe last few days to monitortheir health and get tested incase of any symptoms.

Continued on Page 4

�������� ����������!���"�"�����#�$�%�"

$����������������&�'� ��!(�"���"���������������������"�����""���������&�"����#������&������� ���������"������&�'���)�%��"��%����������������#��������#��&�����������'� ����������*�"���"��� �+,

��� ���� ����������� ������ ����������

!���� 75!�%580�

The much-awaited report ofthe Comptroller and

Auditor General of India intothe �60,000 crore Rafale fight-er jet deal has said the Frenchmanufacturer Dassault andMBDA are yet to honour theircommitment about offsetclause to the Defence Researchand Development Organisation(DRDO).

The offset clause stipulatesthe foreign vendor has toplough back 30 per cent of thecontract price into the Indiandefence and aerospace indus-try. In the Rafale deal, thelimit was raised to 50 per centto enable the Indian industry totie up with world class foreigncompanies and gain first worldtechnology.

The Government watch-dog said on Wednesday it stud-ied 17 deals inked in the lastone decade to analyse the effi-cacy of the offsets clause intro-duced in 2005. It said theDefence Ministry has to over-haul the policy as the offset pol-icy has not yielded the desiredresults.

Congress leader Rahul

Gandhi has repeatedly allegedthat the Government favoureda private Indian company forgranting the offsets in theRafale deal. The mainOpposition party also claimedthat company was given theoffsets contract worth over�30,000 crore.

The CAG report said inmany cases it was found thatthe foreign vendors made var-ious offset commitments to

qualify for the main supplycontract but later were notearnest about fulfilling thesecommitments.

“For instance in the offsetcontract relating to 36 MediumMulti Role Combat Aircraft(MMRCA), the vendors M/sDassault Aviation and M/sMBDA initially proposed(September 2015) to discharge30 per cent of their offsetobligation by offering high

technology to the DRDO. TheDRDO wanted to obtain tech-nical assistance for the indige-nous development of engine(Kaveri) for the light combataircraft. Till date the vendor hasnot confirmed the transfer ofthis technology,” the CAG thennoted.

Giving background of theoffset policy adopted in 2005,the CAG said it was applicablefor all capital purchases above

�300 crore. The foreign ven-dor was required to invest atleast 30 per cent of the value ofthe purchase, in India. Thisinvestment could be madeavenues like foreign directinvestment, offering of freetransfer of technology to Indianfirms, purchase of eligibleproducts manufactured byIndian firms (exports). For thedischarge of these offsets theforeign vendor had to select anIndian firm as a partner(Indian Offsets Partner orIOPs).

From 2005 till March 2018,46 offset contracts had beensigned with foreign vendors,valuing �66,427 crore. Underthese contracts, by December2018, �19,223 crore worth ofoffsets should have been dis-charged by the vendors.

However, the offsetsclaimed to have been dis-charged by them was only�11,396 crore, which was only59 per cent of the commitment.Further, only 48 per cent(�5,457 crore) of these offsetclaims submitted by the ven-dors were accepted by the ministry.

Continued on Page 4

���� ����������� �����!����������"�������

���������#��&�����������%�

� ����������������������������������� ������������������� ��.��������������������������������������������������������������������"#��������&�������������������*��������9.�����������������������������������"����������*����*�����������������������������������*��������������"#

� �����$:��������%�������(�����"������ ���������������������"�����������������"��

����"�����������������������#� �������8������������ ����������*���������������*�����������������������"���������������&������������;����������"��������������������$������$��������#�3���������������*���������������������$�����-.6<��������������������������*������������������#��$����������������"����(���-6�;������������ �������������������"�����&���������������������������������!�����"

������ ��������������������������������� ���� ��(������� 6-�=-�<<.�� ���=.<�����������>����99=$�����1���� ��=��9�. 9�9.��������������9�<.���<�����7�� 9�9<�>>> >�.6. 9�.-�<=.2��� 9�=.�/=<������������/�-���������������=��<�>6.4����1���� ���>��/� 9�->>���������������.-��/>%����� -�9��</> "#$%&�������������-�-.�/��!�������� -��=��<� =�9==�������������-�.9�.-/'��� 6�>-�9=/ </>����������������6�9<�-�9������ 6�<<�.<. 6�.�-�������������6�=��6�9������ 6�<��.�� /<=����������������6�9/�9=�$� 6��6��>� 9/�����������������6�->�6�.2��� 6�=/�6�= 9>� 6�.=��</:�;��� 6�-<�9=6 ����/�������������6�.<�/.6&;��� 6�-.�<�> 6��/-�������������6�..���90�"� 6�6��/9����� 6�-���������������>���=<(��"�1���� 6�6.�<66���� -�.�9�������������/��.�.

������ "&#$'#()&��������($#*'( ���� ���+*#+"#,"&���������(#*&#,)$�

��*���&+������������

?���%��"1������ ������ #���@���"�������!������ ����

������ ��� ��������

������#���@���"�������@

8������" �-�.�69���//0� -9>A$������������5B������$��������

1��������������%580���84�27'! �0'1$8���04�$75�!$&

&$7�0��&$�14& �0$7%�:$&0�%50&$%47 0C%5&$�$%�3�D$C!$%$

�/123��/��4�)%*+���������� ��������������������������� ��

�����#���� ���5���!����� ,+#�,$,$6�!�����)+��'

�%����%��,!'&&��'(5

'1����

-%�.��&&��&4(1��$C��2$($8$�

���E:&'��8C��7�'(15�57�)

������������ ��������������������� ��� �

)�%���&/2F�1��$�5�&���7��18��8$�0

�� ������� ��� �� ���� ����Lucknow (PNS): Chief Minister Yogi Adityanathon Wednesday came in for an effusive praisefrom Prime Minister Narendra Modi for mea-sures taken by the UP government to deal withthe pandemic and to handle the migrants cri-sis in the state.

The PM, during a meeting with the chiefministers through video-conferencing, acknowl-edged the efforts Yogi and his team for takingproactive steps to reduce casualties in the state

due to Covid. He singled out Uttar Pradesh forpraise for doing the maximum tests and havingtested 90 lakh persons so far. Reviewing theCovid situation in the country, the PM was ina direct conversation with the chief ministers.He said the high number of tests by UP did man-age to keep the Covid deaths in control. Asanother feather to UP’s cap, the PM also com-plimented Yogi for adept handling of migrantcrisis. See Page 3

-�����������#��&����#�����%����� � �����!���� 84�27'!

Claiming that the UttarPradesh government was

pro-farmer, Chief Minister YogiAdityanath said that his regimewas committed to protectingthe farm sector and would notinitiate any step detrimental tothe farmers community.

During his interaction witha delegation of farmer leaders ledby Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU)chief Rakesh Tikait in Lucknowon Wednesday, Yogi allayed theirfears, saying that the system ofMinimum Support Price (MSP)would not cease to exist.

“With the introduction ofreforms in the farm sector, farm-ers now stand to benefit. Theycan either sell their produce onMSP or at higher prices in themarket, whichever suits them,” hesaid. The chief minister alsoannounced that the new canecrushing season would com-mence from October 15 in west-ern UP and from October 25 inthe rest of the state. He directedofficials to ensure that all farm-ers’ dues were cleared by sugarmills by then. Yogi said that over

3,000 paddy purchase centres hadbeen set up across the statethough there were just 825blocks. “If farmers want morepurchase centres these could beopened,” he said.

When the delegation raisedthe issue of more facilities inmandis, the chief minister saidthat his government was open tosuggestions and ready to dowhatever was required for ben-efiting the farmers.

The meeting, which lastedfor around 45 minutes at the chiefminister’s official residence, alsodiscussed in detail the farmers’problems. Notwithstanding thechief minister’s assurances, sev-eral farmers’ outfits have resolvedto join the nation-wide protest onSeptember 25.

After coming out of themeeting, BKU chief RakeshTikait told media persons that hisorganisation would be a part ofthe protest. Claiming that themeeting with the chief ministerwas on different issues, Tikait saidthat his outfit supported thepan-India farmers’ agitation overthe new farm bills passed in bothHouses of Parliament.

Page 2: # &ˆ˘...2020/09/24  · Bollywood-drug mafia nexus. As per the information that trickled out of its office, the NCB has summoned Simone, Rakul, Shruti Modi on September 24, while

!���� 84�27'!

With increase in positivity amongthe elderly, the Uttar Pradesh

government has cautioned the seniorcitizens, urging them to take precau-tions against coronavirus infection.

Speaking to media persons inLucknow on Wednesday, AdditionalChief Secretary (Health) Amit MohanPrasad said that the threat of the novelcoronavirus infection to senior citi-zens still persisted as their positivityrate had spiked to 9.11 per cent.

“In the past five months, Covidpositivity rate among the elderly wasbetween 6 per cent and 8 per centwhich has suddenly surged to over 9per cent in September. This is a mat-ter of concern for us,” Prasad said andasked senior citizens to be more cau-tious.

Talking about Covid positivityacross the state, the additional chief

secretary said that 68.46 per cent weremales and the rest (31.54 per cent)were females. He said among the pos-itive cases, 13.45 per cent were in theage group up to 20 years, 48.16 percent in the 21-40 years bracket and28.88 per cent were in the age groupof 41-60 years.

Meanwhile, the number of recov-ered COVID-19 patients in UP con-tinued to increase and in the last fivedays, it was more than the fresh casesreported across the state.

As per reports, 5,234 fresh caseswere reported on Wednesday while6,506 people were discharged. Therecovery rate of patients was increas-ing with each passing day and now ithad reached 81.88 per cent.

Prasad said that a record 1.65 lakhsamples were tested on Wednesday,taking the total tests across the stateto nearly 90 lakh.

“There are 31,791 asymptomatic

patients in home isolation, 3,517 inprivate hospitals, 196 in semi-paidhotels and the rest in government-runCovid hospitals,” he said.

Prasad said that over 3.75 surveil-lance teams covered 1.17 lakh areas,visited 2.46 crore houses and checkedthe health of over 12.26 crore peopleacross the state.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister YogiAdityanath directed the Healthdepartment officials to go for manda-tory RT-PCR test of high-risk groupduring contact tracing and askedthem to repeat the RT-PCR test forpeople testing negative in the rapidantigen test if they had symptoms.

During his routine Team 11 meet-ing in Lucknow on Wednesday, Yogialso told the surveillance teams tocheck oxygen level of people and if itwas under 93 per cent, the person con-cerned be medically checked proper-ly.

���� ������ !" #�$�%�&'( #�)*�)+,)%-.�-/-/

������������ ������������������������������� �������������������� ��! ����������""����������!�#��$���������%&''()*(����������+��+�����������,�������&--./���0������� .���1������������%�2�����3����������$�������2�����3���������������$101��')*(456�������%+� �"�����32�.783 )-(())!93'- 55:'�. ���;�����3<)5-'=' '):*:�' '*)*:�-'>) ()���"��;�����3<)5*'='-) ))(�'-) *(������;�����3<)5 '=' * '> �' * '>5�?� ��;�����31��(�7�����@� �7�%��7�������A������1�%?� ��&**)))'������3)**& )**) 55���//��������;�����3!&-*�������(�1;0?.�@��/7���1��&')*-)*�B��������3)*')& :6>:))C :6>>))

���������� �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������� ��������������� �� ���������������������������������������������������������� ������������ ����� ��������������� ��������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������ ���������� ���������������������������� �������������������� ���� ��������������������������!������� �����������������������������"��������������������������� ���� ����#����$����%�������������������������� ��������������� �����������������������&����������������������������������� ��������������� ��������������������!�����������������������������

NOTICE

I solemnly announce that myson's name wrongly mentionedas SAMEER with date of birth01/09/2000 in my army recordsis false. Actual name of my sonSAMEER VERMA with actualdate of birth 04/03/2002 is trueand acceptable for correction.Ramkishor S/o Jawahar Lal,R/o Pahad pur Vatigawan P/oSalhe pur Tehsil-Bindki Distt.Fatehpur.

!������������5Executive director of

Punjab National Bank Agyey

Kumar Azad visited Lucknowon Wednesday to take stock ofthe performance of the zone.He called on Chief MinisterYogi Adityanath and had abrief discussion over the role ofthe bank in overall develop-ment of the state. Azad told theCM that PNB has alwaysplayed a vital role in implemen-tation of various governmentschemes, thus catalysing theprocess of development. Later,Azad inaugurated PNB’s newly-established Large CorporateBranch at Ashok Marg and alsoreviewed the performance ofbank’s Ashok Marg branch andMid Corporate Centre.

Thereafter, a business reviewmeeting was held under thechairmanship of the executive

director. Azad stressed on theimportance of digitisation inthe present banking scenario.

������ Uttar Pradesh has nine

agro-climatic zones and thestate is rich in agriculture pro-duce, but the challenge is toorganised the unorganisedthings in order to get the max-imum benefits of policies. Forthis purpose, the state govern-ment has come upwith the FPO policy wherebydeveloping one FPO per blockper year is the target to resultin development of morethan 800 FPOs per year, which

would cover and cater not onlyto agriculture produce but alsohorticulture, dairy and animalhusbandry produces. This wasstated by Alok Sinha, agricul-ture production commissioner,UP, at a webinar organised byUP Chapter of PHD Chamberof Commerce and Industry(PHDCCI) on ‘Promotingentrepreneurship and invest-ment in food processing indus-try’ on Wednesday. Sinha saidthat about 70 per cent of thetotal population of the state,around 15.5 crore people livesin villages and the total contri-bution of economy from therural area is around 27 per cent.He said that in order to doublethe income of farmers, it is per-tinent to have value addition intheir agricultureproduce which would comefrom boosting the food pro-cessing sector. He said thatmaking policies was easy butimplementing them to itsfullest was the need of the hour.

��� ���������!����A webinar on cleanliness

awareness campaign wasorganised by RDSO on

Wednesday under SwachhataPakhwara. Additional DG,RDSO, Ramesh Pinjani chairedthe webinar. ACMO SangeetaSagar gave the message of pro-tection from coronavirus infec-tion by following guidelinesand ensuring cleanliness. ED,Works, Praveen Khorana gavea presentation on makingRDSO complex free from envi-ronmental hazards and initia-tives taken in this direction.Pinjani explained the goodeffects of cleanliness in routinework and also stressed on theneed to follow Covid guide-lines.

������ ������A wonderful blend of sci-

ence and music was witnessedon the third day of the 5-day‘Macfair International’, organ-ised by CMS, Mahanagar. Thestudents showcased talents inmusic, singing and artistic pre-sentations. As many as 40teams from various schools ofNepal and India are participat-ing in the event to showcasetheir talents and also spread themessage of world unity andworld peace.

!���� 84�27'!

The trailer of a biopic onSamajwadi Party founder

Mulayam Singh Yadav titled‘Main Mulayam Singh Yadav’was released in Lucknow onWednesday.

The film has been directedby Suvendu Raj Ghosh andproduced by Meena SethiMondal, under the banner ofMS Films. This film is set to bereleased on October 2. Thescheduled release on August 14was delayed due to COVID-19pandemic. The film showcas-es the political acumen ofMulayam Singh Yadav, fondlyknown as Netaji, and will tracethe leader’s childhood till histhird term as chief minister of

Uttar Pradesh. Actor AmythSethi plays the role of MulayamSingh Yadav, Govind Namdeofeatures as Chaudhary CharanSingh, Mukesh Tiwari asNathuram, Prakash Belawadi asDr Ram Manohar Lohia,Supriya Karnik as IndiraGandhi, Ronojay Bishnu asAjit Singh, Kiran Jhangiani asSanjay Gandhi, Sayyaji Shindeas Advocate Lakhan Singh,Rajkumar Kanojia as DarshanSingh, Gargi Patel as a politi-cian, Sana Amin Sheikh asMalti, Mimoh Chakraborty asShivpal Singh Yadav, PrernaSethi Mandal as Sarla ShivpalYadav, Gopal Singh as RamGopal Yadav and ZarinaWahab as Mrs Ram GopalYadav.

Lucknow (PNS): BahujanSamaj Party chief Mayawati hitout at the ruling BharatiyaJanata Party and the oppositionparties for the ruckus duringthe ongoing monsoon sessionof Parliament and said thattheir conduct had harmed theaugust House’s dignity andalso the Constitution.

In a tweet in Hindi,Mayawati posted: “AlthoughParliament is called the templeof democracy, its dignity hasbeen shred many times. Evenduring the ongoing monsoonsession, the functioning of thegovernment and the behaviour

of the opposition in the Housewere embarrassing forParliament’s dignity, IndianConstitution and democracy.Very sad!”

The BSP chief ’s reactioncame in the wake of eightRajya Sabha members from theopposition being suspendedfor creating ruckus whileopposing farm bills on Monday.

The government hadbrought a motion for theirsuspension and it was passedby the House by voice vote.

The opposition partieshave been alleging that the gov-ernment did not follow prop-

er procedures during passage ofthe bills and did not allow divi-sion of votes as it lacked num-bers.

The suspended MPs sat onan overnight dharna in theParliament complex and it wasended after deciding to boycottLok Sabha proceedings in sol-idarity.

On Tuesday, the Uniongovernment passed seven billsin the Upper House and theopposition MPs said that theywould jointly boycott the ses-sion if their demands on thenew agricultural bills were notmet by the government.

Lucknow (PNS): Deputy ChiefMinister Keshav Prasad Mauryaon Wednesday visited Rampurdistrict along with Bulandshahrand carrying forward the devel-opment agenda of his govern-ment, laid foundation stones anddedicated to people 76 projectsworth over Rs 231 crore.

Maurya also directed offi-cials to finish the Lalpur bridge(on Kosi river) that has beenlying incomplete for a longtime, and open it for the peopleby the month end. He said thata permanent bridge would comeup by September next year. Healso sanctioned Rs 44 crore forthe project.

Hailing the contributions ofPrime Minister Narendra Modiand Chief Minister Yogi

Adityanath in the developmentof the country and also UttarPradesh, Maurya said that themanner in which the BharatiyaJanata Party government tackledthe coronavirus pandemic, fullycomplying with the protocol andalso ensuring development wasnot affected, was appreciatedworld-wide.

When asked about the BJP’scandidate from Swar TandaAssembly seat in the bypolls,Maurya said that a decision inthis regard would be taken bythe party president but claimedthat the ‘lotus” would onceagain bloom in all the eight con-stituencies going to bypolls.

Maurya said the govern-ment had cleared the construc-tion of bridge on Kali river near

Lucknow (PNS): The UttarPradesh government has given per-mission to Bharat BiotechInternational Limited for the thirdphase clinical trial of COVID-19 vac-cine COVAXIN in Lucknow andGorakhpur. Additional ChiefSecretary (Health) Amit MohanPrasad in his order on Wednesday saidthat Sanjay Gandhi Post-GraduateInstitute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI)Director Dr RK Dhiman would be thenodal official for Lucknow and BRDMedical College Principal Dr GaneshKumar would be the nodal officer forGorakhpur.

The approval letter sent to BharatBiotech Director Dr V Krishna Mohan

says: “Refer to your letter datedSeptember 19, 2020 addressed to theundersigned requesting for permis-sion to seek approval and facilitationto initiate COVAXIN TM Phase 3Efficacy and Safety clinical trial inUttar Pradesh. “I am pleased toinform you that after due considera-tion, it has been decided to allowBharat Biotech to conduct phase 3 trialin Lucknow and Gorakhpur respec-tively.” Prasad said all requiredapprovals would have to be obtainedby the company and all safety andother protocols would have to be fol-lowed as per the guidelines of theGovernment of India for conductingclinical trials.

Lucknow (PNS): Creatinga ruckus after getting inebriat-ed at a party organised by a col-league and sullying the imageof UP Police proved costly foreight cops in Bahraich as theywere suspended by the districtpolice chief.

A probe was also orderedinto the matter to initiatedepartmental proceedingsagainst the errant cops.

As per reports, constableMahip Shukla posted at Risiapolice station threw a party onSunday night. At the party, hiscolleagues in uniform con-sumed alcohol and engaged infisticuffs. The incident was notreported to the senior officers.However, the entire sequence ofevents surfaced on the socialmedia bringing disrepute to thepolice force. As soon as theincident came to his knowl-edge, Superintendent of Policeof Bahraich, Vipin Misra, sus-pended all the eight policemen.

The suspended copsincluded party organiser MahipShukla, constables RajeshYadav, Amit Yadav, Ajay Yadav,Pankaj Yadav, Vinod Yadav,Pawan Yadav and Afzal Khan.

The district police chiefalso initiated a probe and askedASP (City) Kunwar GyananjaySingh to submit a report in thiscontext.

!���� 84�27'!

With the by-elections toeight Assembly seats

nearing, the ruling and opposi-tion parties have thrashed outtheir respective poll strategies.

While the ruling BharatiyaJanata Party is now focusing ondoor-to-door campaign to makepeople aware of the govern-ment’s schemes, the oppositionparties have decided to exposethe regime on unemployment,farm bills and law and order sit-uation. Bypolls are scheduled forSuar and Malhani Assemblyseats held by the SamajwadiParty and Bulandshahr,Naugawan Sadat, Tundla,Ghatampur, Bangarmau andDeoria seats that were bagged bythe BJP. The bypolls are expect-ed to be held along with theBihar Assembly elections inNovember. “We are now goingto the voters and educatingthem about the achievements ofPrime Minister Narendra Modiand Chief Minister YogiAdityanath. My party will winall these eight seats,” state BJPvice-president Vijay BahadurPathak said in Lucknow onWednesday.

BJP State chief SwatantraDev Singh had recently visitedAgra to take stock of Tundla andDeoria seats. Similarly, BJP stategeneral secretary Sunil Bansalhad visited Naugawan, whileDeputy Chief Minister DineshSharma checked the Bangarmauseat in Unnao.

During his visit toGhatampur, Deputy Chief

Minister Keshav Prasad Mauryadedicated and laid the founda-tion stones of 71 projects fordevelopment of Akbarpur,Misrikh and Kanpur Lok Sabhaconstituencies.

At a recent meeting withparty leaders in Lucknow, ChiefMinister Yogi Adityanath hadgiven clear instructions thatpeople should be made aware ofthe welfare schemes.

On their parts, SamajwadiParty, Bahujan Samaj Party andCongress plan to take on theruling dispensation overCOVID-19 mismanagement,spike in unemployment, deteri-orating law and order and therecently cleared farm bills andother issues.

“The BJP stands exposedbefore the people as they knowthat the BJP government hasfailed on serious issues likeemployment, farmers and on allfronts. The support receivedfrom the public on observingUnemployment Day is a clearcut indicator of this,” Congressleader Virendra Madan said.

SP MLC and spokespersonSunil Sajan said, “The state-wideprotests by SP workers havestarted and will eventuallythrow the BJP out of power. Thepeople are now aware of thereality and will not be fooledagain.” The current strength ofthe 403-member Assembly is395 (with eight vacancies) outof which the BJP has 306 andally Apna Dal (Sonelal) hasnine members. The govern-ment has the support of threeIndependent MLAs.

!���� 84�27'!

The Union government has set theball rolling for privatisation of

state-owned power distribution com-panies by finalising Standard BiddingDocument (SBD) and uploading it onits website.

This will be a guiding documentfor states looking to offer discoms toprivate companies. All stakeholderscould send their comments tothe Union Power Ministry by October5.

This is for the first time that theCentre has drafted guiding SBD fordiscom privatisation. It is in line with

the Centre’s efforts to improve oper-ations and finances of discoms in var-ious states.

In 2019, the Union PowerMinistry had suggested several privatefranchise models to the states forpower distribution.

The SBD contains the format forrequest for proposal, share holdingagreement, share acquisition agree-ment, policy directions and bulksupply agreement.

The discoms in states, particular-ly in UP, have been financially belea-guered for the last 20 years.

Three reforms schemes initiatedby the Centre in the past, Financial

Restructuring Plan (FRP) during theUnited Progressive Alliance regimeand UDAY (Ujjawala DiscomAssurance Yojna) I and II by theBharatiya Janata Party regimefailed to revive the power discoms,forcing the Centre to look for privati-sation. There is a federal structure inthe Indian power sector, where powerdistribution is a state subject and theCentre has a guiding role. However,power generation and transmissioncome under the Central government.

In May, under the Atmanirbharpackage, the Union government hadannounced that power distribution inall Union Territories would be priva-

tised. Currently power distributionhas been privatised in a few cities —Delhi, Mumbai, Agra andAhmedabad.

Meanwhile, All India PowerEngineers Federation (AIPEF) threat-ened to proceed on indefinite strikeagainst the Union governmentmove.

AIPEF chief Shailendra Dubeysaid, “In fact, we are preparing for anindefinite strike. The Union govern-ment wants to privatise the power dis-coms in the country and even healthydistribution companies making prof-it have been proposed to be privatised.This is unacceptable. The Centre

wants to impose its will on all statesand arm-twist state governments tofall in line.”

Dubey added, “The condition ofimplementing reforms in the powersector has been imposed by theCentre for availing benefits of Rs 20lakh crore relief package announcedby the prime minister in May.”

The AIPEF chief further said thatpower was a state subject and theCentre could not impose its views onstates. He said that the UP govern-ment was working on privatisation ofPurvanchal Power DistributionCompany and power employeeswould fight against the move.

��*���*���������0����#������� �������������� �#�������������!��$%�&'�������

'� "��� ����������������� �� ����������

("�����D1�����������1����� �

��������"���������� ���������*��������������1�

Dhamuda area and for the con-venience of the people, it hadalready laid the Bulandshahr-Anuppur Marg at a cost of Rs172 crore.

The deputy chief ministersaid to motivate meritoriousstudents, players, martyrs andother personalities, the BJP gov-ernment was constructing mon-uments, roads and other struc-tures in their names.

2� �0����0���������*��������3������������E(���(��"�)�������

��������������� ��"��� �!���"(������

��"�&������� ��"�����"�#��&�����&�������.��&���#����� ����������������� ������#� ������������������#�&��������-���!"������������/���� ����*�"���"��� �������

���4����!)

Page 3: # &ˆ˘...2020/09/24  · Bollywood-drug mafia nexus. As per the information that trickled out of its office, the NCB has summoned Simone, Rakul, Shruti Modi on September 24, while

���� ������ !" #�$�%�&'( #�)*�)+,)% -.�-/-/

!���� 84�27'!

Ajoint team of cr imebranch and Vibhut i

Khand police nabbed fivepersons who had allegedlyheld a Barabanki nativehostage on Tuesday nightand demanded ransom. Twoof the aides of the accusedmanaged to evade arrest.Those arrested were identi-fied as Devendra Singh,Vishnu Kumar Mishra ,Ghanshyam Singh (all ofBarabanki), Suryabhan Singhof Gomti Nagar Extensionand Arun Kumar of GomtiNagar. The police recoveredtwo luxury cars and a loadedpistol.

As per reports, DineshKumar Dwivedi (40) ofBarabanki, who currentlystays in Vibhuti Khand policestation area, went missing onSeptember 21 evening afterhe left his home for somework. After a while, his elderbrother Manoj KumarDwivedi got a call from akidnapper who demanded aransom of Rs 7 lakh forDinesh’s safe release.

A police team worked

on the case and Manoj wasasked to keep the callerengaged. Manoj was asked toreach near the bridge atHahnemann crossing. Thepolice made a plan and copsin civvies laid a trap in thearea.

“One of the kidnappersgot down from a car andasked Manoj if he was thevictim’s brother. He askedManoj if he had brought thecash, and pointed towardsDinesh who was in anothercar. The police worked tacti-cally and rescued Dineshwhile five of the kidnapperswere rounded up,” a policespokesman said.

Meanwhi le , theSarojininagar police claimedto have arrested an activemember of the gang of seri-a l k i l lers (brother tr ioSaleem, Rustam and Sohrab)on the charges of drug ped-dling. The police recovered487 grams of charas from theaccused who was identifiedas Anurag Nigam aka Vikkyof Kaiserbagh. The policesaid Anurag was nabbed fol-lowing a t ip-of f by aninformer.

!���� 84�27'!

Amurder accused was found hangingfrom a tree in a graveyard in

Bakshi-Ka-Talab police station area onWednesday. As per reports, Ashok ofShivpuri village in BKT was accused ofkilling Sonu, a teenager, who was stay-ing at his sister Poonam’s house in thevillage. He was named in the murdercase by Poonam.

Police teams were searching forAshok but could not trace him. Thepolice were said to have recovered ablood-stained sharp-edged weaponfrom the house of the accused. Whilethe police were looking for Ashok, someresidents found him hanging from a treein the graveyard.

As the news spread, villagers start-ed flocking to the scene. On beinginformed, a police team also reachedthere. Though the police claimed thatAshok committed suicide, they failed toexplain the reason. The body was sent

for autopsy.Senior police officials were not

available for comments and it gaveenough fodder to the villagers to makespeculations. While some of the villagerssaid Ashok feared police action due towhich he ended his life, others heldpolice responsible for the incident.They said the police failed to find Ashokwho was hiding in the village.

On Tuesday, Ashok was accused ofmurdering Sonu (18). The profuselybleeding victim was rushed to a hospi-tal where he was declared brought dead.

Sonu was staying at the house of hissister Poonam in Shivpuri locality of thearea and did shuttering work. OnTuesday afternoon, he was resting in ahut. Ashok reached there with a sharp-edged weapon and attacked Sonu. Kidsplaying near the scene reached Poonam’shouse and informed her about the inci-dent. Poonam reached the scene and shesaw Ashok fleeing the scene while car-rying the blood-stained weapon.

!���� 84�27'!

Son of Dheerendra KumarUpadhyay, joint secretary,

Home department, was dupedof Rs 35,900 by unidentifiedmiscreants. A case was lodgedin this connection at VibhutiKhand police station.

In his complaint,Upadhyay said his son AvanishKumar Upadhyay got a mes-sage regarding deduction of theabove-mentioned amountfrom his bank account aroundnoon on September 19.

“Avanish has an account inUnion Bank of India’s VibhutiKhand branch. He had hisATM card with him when hegot the message for the trans-action which he never made,”Dheerendra stated in the FIR.

He said when they com-plained to the bank, they weretold that the withdrawal wasmade from an ATM inMumbai.

In another incident,thieves decamped with cashand valuables from the houseof a KGMU’s Dental depart-

ment employee in PGI policestation area. Reports saidShailendra Kumar ofVrindavan Colony and hisfamily had gone out of townfor some work on September18 and returned home onSeptember 21.

“We returned around11:30 pm and found the lockat the gate broken,” he said. Hetold the police that the thievesmade off with Rs 62,000 incash, ornaments worth lakhs ofrupees and other valuablesfrom the house.

!���� 84�27'!

Lucknow University and KingGeorge’s Medical University

signed a memorandum ofunderstanding (MoU) onWednesday. It was the first-of-its-kind academic exchange,research collaboration of alliedinterest area partnershipbetween the two institutions.

The MoU is for mutual col-

laboration to explore the possi-bility of cooperation, conver-gence and synergy to have a bio-logical intervention in the fieldof medical sciences and pre-vention of pandemic.

“The role of each party hasbeen defined in the MoU. LUand KGMU will encourage col-laboration in research projectsin the area of mutual interestand activity. They will provide

facilities to faculty members toexplore and prepare joint pro-posals on thrust areas for fund-ing. Technical activities andgrant-sharing between LU andKGMU shall be mutual. TheMoU stands out as an exampleof coordination and cooperationbetween the two institutes in anarena of high technology forpublic services,” LU spokesper-son Durgesh Srivastava said.

!���� 84�27'!

The Health department isfocusing on qualitative

treatment for Covid patients inthe district. CMO Dr RajendraPrasad Singh said with allarrangements already in place,assessment of Covid hospitalsis being done for the purpose.

“We are trying to ensurethere is quality in servicesbeing meted out for patientsand for that we are assessing thepresence of holding area andother important facilitiesrequired for following Covid-19 protocols,” the CMO said.He added that there was a slightdecrease in the positivity ratein the district.

On Wednesday, DistrictMagistrate Abhishek Prakashvisited Ram Manohar LohiaMedical Institute of MedicalSciences on Wednesday andhad a meeting with seniordoctors. Spokesperson DrShrikesh Singh said the DMheld discussions on how theycan strengthen the routineworks if they start the OPD ser-vices and what line of actionshould be taken if services areexpanded.

“We will be increasing ourICU beds from 150 to 200 atthe Covid facility. The numberof ICU beds will be increasedfrom 60 to 90. For that we areprocuring all the necessaryitems required,” he said.

He pointed out that dis-cussions were also started ongovernment plans to start theOPD safely. “The DM alsoheld discussions on require-ment of a superspeciality Covidfacility and the line of action.Superspeciality Covid caremeans that if a Covid patientinfected with cardiac problem

lands up in the hospital, whatcan be done for treatment andrecovery,” he added.

Meanwhile, SGPGI direc-tor Dr RK Dhiman said thetreatment load has put tremen-dous strain on healthcareresources, particularly themanagement of patients admit-ted in Level-3 facilities.

“The demand of specialisthealthcare workers is alsoincreasing to manage criticalaspects of Covid-19 treatment.It is important to manage crit-ically-ill patients and toimprove survival. Accordingly,it is imperative to undertake atargeted capacity-building pro-gram to train and to refreshhealthcare workers in theirskills for management of crit-ically-ill patients with respect tooxygen therapy, ABG analysis,ventilator operations,

SGPGIMS COVID-19Management Protocol etc,” hesaid. He said two such pro-grammes have been organisedby the department ofAnaesthesiology under head ofthe department Dr AnilAgarwal in the last one weekand 30 faculty members acrossdifferent specialties have beentrained. “In future, the depart-ment of Anaesthesiology isplanning to organise similarprogrammes on a regular basisfor both faculty members, res-ident doctors and nursing staff,”he added.

Meanwhile, Dr Zia Hashimfrom SGPGI said through dis-cussions with colleagues andexperts from the hospital andalso across the globe, they havebeen taking leads and trying togive new forms of treatment toCovid patients admitted to

SGPGI. “We have recentlygiven a pulse steroid treat-ment to a patient which hasshown great results. In thistreatment, high amounts ofsteroids are given in a shortperiod of time. We give this tocritical care patients for 2-3days and it gives good results,”he said. He cited the case of a43-year-old woman who was ina poor condition and was notresponding to treatment. Shewas given the pulse steroid andshe immediately responded.He said they got this lead froma treatment which they used foran auto-immune lung disease.

Meanwhile, DG, MedicalHealth, DS Negi said they havecalculated the demand andsupply of oxygen required forcritical care patients in UPand it was found to be suffi-cient. He further pointed out

that the Central governmentwas already working on fixingthe rates of oxygen. He saidthey were increasing the num-ber of ICU beds, as per need.“We have already created Level-2 facilities across the state andnow we are creating ICU bedfacility, as per the require-ment,” he added.

Meanwhile, Birbal SahniInstitute of Palaeosciences(BSIP) has emerged as the

number one lab in the countrywith no pendency of coron-avirus samples. Head of BSIP’sCovid lab Niraj Rai said theycompared the cumulative datafor two months which wasmade available by the Centralgovernment and found thatthey had no pendency. He saidthat the average sampling timeof BSIP was 16 hours and thatthey were testing 1,000 samplesper day.

!���� 84�27'!

Three inmates of a juvenileshelter home in Para police

station area fled on Tuesdayevening. Superintendent of thejuvenile home lodged a case onWednesday morning. Theinmates belong to Nagaland,Punjab and Alambagh areasrespectively.

As per reports, the inmatesescaped from the juvenile

home around 6 pm on Tuesdayafter which officials were sentto different railway and bus sta-tions to trace them.

However, the juvenilehome officials could not track the missing inmatesdespite searching for hours.The superintendent stated inthe FIR that the officials weresearching for the missinginmates and police help wasrequired.

5���6��������� ����7 �����*�����1��

���! ������������������%����������&���������/�������"�����,���������#������������ �������

Lucknow (PNS): Renownedvirologist Dr TN Dhole dieddue to Covid-19 at SGPGITuesday night. It came as a sadnews for the medical fraterni-ty as he was the one who hadlaid the foundation of SGPGI’sMicrobiology department andtook it to great heights.

Dr Dhole, who retiredfrom SGPGI a few years back,had tested positive for Covid-19 on September 4 and washospitalised since then. DrTanmay from SGPGI said thebest possible treatment wasgiven to him but he could notrecover. Dr Dhole died ofacute respiratory distress. Healso suffered from cytokinestorm, septic shock and waskept on ventilator support.Medicines were being given tohim to increase his bloodpressure because it had low-ered following septic shock.

Dr Dhole was sufferingfrom uncontrolled diabeteswhen he was hospitalised. DrTanmay said that for 14 days,

they had been continuouslytrying to save his life but hedied around midnight.

According to head ofMicrobiology department DrUjjawala Ghosal, Dr Dholehad joined SGPGI on April13, 1988. “He set the founda-tion of the Microbiologydepartment of SGPGI andretired on November 30 lastyear. He was a renownedvirologist because there werevery few people working invirology at that time and heplayed an important role inpolio eradication. He used toget samples from other statesalso because SGPGI was theregional centre for the collec-tion of samples in polio erad-ication,” she said.

Head of KGMU’sMicrobiology department DrAmita Jain said it was a sadnews for the fraternity as hehad mentored many micro-biologists. She said he wasavailable whenever his advicewas required.

���������*����� �� �� 1"�����*��

!���� 84�27'!

As many as 825 personstested positive for coron-

avirus in Lucknow onWednesday while 956 patientswere discharged, taking thetotal number of recoveries to38,728. The death toll climbedto 630 even as the total num-ber of active cases in the citystands at 9,610.

A senior official at theCMO office said those whotested positive for coronavirusincluded 67 from Gomtinagar,48 from Indiranagar, 42 fromChinhat, 38 each from RaeBareli road & Chowk, 35 fromAliganj, 34 from Alambagh, 31each from Ashiyana &Talkatora, 29 from Jankipuram,26 from Thakurganj, 24 fromCantt, 23 from Para, 22 fromSarojininagar, 21 each fromMahanagar & Madiaon, 18from Hazratganj, 17 fromVrindavan Yojana, 16 fromGomtinagar Extension, 15 eachfrom Vikasnagar, VibhutiKhand & Faizabad road, 14each from Telibagh &Gudamba, 12 each fromHasanganj & Mohanlalganj,10 each from Naka,Krishnanagar & Bazaarkhala,and 10 from Sushant Golf City.

On Wednesday, 14 deathswere recorded in the state cap-ital and 10 of the deceasedbelonged to Lucknow whilefour others from Hardoi, Basti,Sitapur, Shahjahanpur.

Meanwhile, 5,234 more

tested Covid positive across thestate, included 274 in Kanpur,286 in Varanasi, 292 inPrayagraj, 179 in Gorakhpurand 137 in Moradabad, takingthe UP tally to 3,69,686.Besides, there were 87 deathsin the state, including 12 inKanpur, six in Gorakhpur, fivein Prayagraj, three each inVaranasi, Jhansi &Muzaffarnagar, two each inAgra, Ayodhya, LakhimpurKheri, Etawah, Ghazipur,Bahraich, Rae Bareli, Hapur,Ambedkarnagar & Lalitpur,and one each in Meerut,Moradabad, Saharanpur,Barabanki, Ballia, Rampur,Kushinagar, Gonda, Sitapur,Pilibhit, Basti, Unnao,Chandauli, Sultanpur, Bijnore,Sonbhadra, Sant Kabirnagar,Kannauj, Mau, Sambhal,Jalaun, Banda, Bhadohi &Chitrakoot, taking the deathtoll to 5,299. As many as 6,506patients recovered, taking thetotal number of recoveries inthe state to 3,02,689 even asthere are 61,698 active casesacross UP.

)*+�� �������� �!�������������,+-�� ��� �

����������������� !����"##�$%�&����' �!��(�)���

. �#����8��*���0(�9�28�� ��2�8

0����&�����1�����%����%�����%����"����/���� ����������*�"���"��2�3��"����� �"�����������#��&�"���#����%�����"� �������������#�����#�����������&����2�3�������"�������"������ ���������#�#��&�������������/���� ����������&����2�+�������"4����&�"�������%����"�#��&�3�(������1����$��� ������"� ����������"��#����� ������ ������"���������#������������56���$7

��� ����� � � ��!�� � "�����# �� ������ #$�!�� ������� ����� �#��� ����� ������ ���#�� �� %&"'�

:� ���������)�����������"��"��������

+������� ���� �������.�� �� �

�6������1������������1�3 *������6�1���

!���� 84�27'!

Chief Minister YogiAdityanath on Wednesday

came in for an effusive praisefrom Prime Minister NarendraModi for measures taken bythe UP government to dealwith the pandemic and to han-dle the migrants crisis in thestate.

The PM, during a meetingwith the chief ministersthrough video-conferencing,acknowledged the efforts Yogiand his team for taking proac-tive steps to reduce casualtiesin the state due to Covid.

He singled out UttarPradesh for praise for doing themaximum tests and havingtested 90 lakh persons so far.

Reviewing the Covid situationin the country, the PM was ina direct conversation with thechief ministers. He said thehigh number of tests by UP didmanage to keep the Coviddeaths in control. As anotherfeather to UP’s cap, the PM alsocomplimented Yogi for adepthandling of migrant crisis. Hesaid that in a big state like UttarPradesh with a huge popula-tion, the number of migrantswas also on very high.

“Despite this, the migrantswere taken care of in terms offood, housing and employ-ment,”' he pointed out.

In his address, the UP CMapprised the PM of the Covidsituation in the state. He saidthat out of about 1.50 lakh tests

per day, about 50,000 are doneby RT-PCR method with apositivity rate of 4 per centwhile the overall recovery rateis as high as 82 per cent.

He also informed the PMthat at present, there are 121government labs testing sam-ples, out of which in 44 thefacility of RT-PCR testing isavailable. For prompt results, atotal of 115 TruNAT machinesare installed in district hospi-tals and medical colleges, hesaid.

Yogi said his government,under the guidance of theprime minister, fought valiant-ly with an enemy like coron-avirus, laying emphasis oneffective surveillance throughabout 70,000 monitoring com-

mittees, prompt contact trac-ing, setting up of over 64,000Covid desks and widespreadmass awareness campaignsthrough various modes.

He said the better man-agement of health services anddeployment of medical staff ledto recovery of about three lakhpatients out of a total of 3.69lakh. He said that IntegratedCommand and ControlCentres have been set up in allthe districts from where thecommunication between thehealth staff and home-isolatedpatients, admission of seriouspatients to hospitals and follow-up of contact tracing is man-aged. “Such a strong mecha-nism of surveillance has beenestablished from September 1

to September 15 and as manyas 1.36 lakh symptomaticpatients were identified after asurvey of about 2.99 crorehouses,” the CM pointed out.

Yogi said the governmentsuccessfully controlled Covidsituation in Noida andGhaziabad. He said that thedeath rate across the state hascome down to 1.3 per cent.

Besides Covid, the stategovernment has taken extracare to prevent various vector-borne diseases in the state.The two phases ofCommunicable DiseaseControl Drive have alreadytaken place in the months ofMarch and July while the thirdphase will take place nextmonth.

�$�'�*��'�����$!'�#$���##��&'(�� $('��%!%&

Page 4: # &ˆ˘...2020/09/24  · Bollywood-drug mafia nexus. As per the information that trickled out of its office, the NCB has summoned Simone, Rakul, Shruti Modi on September 24, while

�(���� !"#�$�%�&'( #�)*�)+,)%-.�-/-/

From Page 1The rest were largely

rejected as they were not com-pliant to the contractual con-ditions and the DefenceProcurement Procedure.

The remaining offsetcommitments of about�55,000 crore (�66,427 crore- �11,396 crore) would be dueto be completed by 2024 i.e.within next six years.

The rate at which the for-eign vendors have been ful-filling their offset commit-ments was about Rs 1,300crore per year. Given this sit-uation, fulfilling the commit-ment of Rs 55,000 crore by thevendors in the next six yearsremains a major challenge.

The CAG test checkedclaims valuing Rs 2,710.98crore submitted by vendors

relating to 17 contracts indetail. It was found that onlyclaims valuing Rs 409.83crore were passed by theMinistry (i.e. only 15 percent) and the remainingclaims were rejected due tovarious deficiencies.

Despite the fact that thevendors failed to keep uptheir offset commitments,there was no effective meansof penalising them. Non ful-fillment of offset obligationsby the vendor especially whenthe contract period of themain procurement is over, isa direct benefit to the vendor,the CAG observed. The auditalso found that there was nota single case where the foreignvendor had transferred hightechnology to the Indianindustry.

���������������From Page 1

“The party which makes hima candidate will not be trusted bythe people. The agenda behindhis ‘rajkiya taandav’ overMaharashtra is clear now. He wasrunning a political agenda withhis statements over Mumbai caseand he is going to receive hisreward,” Raut told ANI.

Congress spokespersonRagini Nayak tweeted thatPandey’s purported politicalambitions were similar to that offormer Chief Justice of IndiaRanjan Gogoi who was nomi-nated to the Rajya Sabha soonafter his retirement. Pandey hasrecently been in the headlines forhis stout defence of the NitishKumar administration when itwas under attack from the ShivSena-led Government inMaharashtra over Bihar Police’sprobe into the death of Rajput.

With the intention of con-testing the Lok Sabha polls,Pandey opted for voluntary retire-ment in 2009 also. However, hedidn’t get the BJP ticket at theeleventh hour from Buxar. Later,Pandey requested the BiharGovernment to allow him towithdraw his resignation.

������������������ �������

���������#��&�����������%�From Page 1

The memorandum hasalso informed the Presidentquestioning the conduct ofRajya Sabha DeputyChairman Harivansh accusinghim of favouring theGovernment and allowing thepassage of the controversialBills without following thedue process. Harivansh, on hispart, has already written to thePresident about the “unruly”behaviour of eightParliamentarians in the UpperHouse.

The Farmer’s ProduceTrade and Commerce(Promotion and Facilitation)Bill, 2020, the Farmers(Empowerment andProtection) Agreement ofPrice Assurance and FarmServices Bill, 2020 and theEssential Commodities(Amendment) Bill, 2020, havebeen passed by both Housesand await presidential assent.

The Opposition haslaunched a staunch protestagainst passage of two agri-

cultural Bills - the Farmers(Empowerment andProtection) Agreement onPrice Assurance and FarmServices Bill, 2020 and theFarming Produce Trade andCommerce (Promotion andFacilitation) Bill, 2020 - byvoice vote in Parliament onSunday.

“There was no division ofvotes and no voice voting. TheConstitution was underminedin the temple of democracy.We have given a representa-tion to the President that thefarm Bills have been passedunconstitutionally and heshould return these Bills,” saidAzad briefing the media afterhe met the President.

Opposition leaders hadboycotted Parliament inprotest over the three Billsrelated to the agriculture sec-tor and the suspension ofeight MPs over chaos and“unruly behaviour” in theRajya Sabha on Sunday whentwo of the three Bills werepassed.

����������������!���"��"�����#�$�%�"From Page 1

“Shri Suresh Angadi wasan exceptional Karyakarta,who worked hard to make theParty strong in Karnataka.He was a dedicated MP andeffective Minister, admiredacross the spectrum. Hisdemise is saddening. Mythoughts are with his familyand friends in this sad hour.Om Shanti,” Prime MinisterNarendra Modi said onTwitter.

"Extremely saddened bythe passing away of CentralMinister Shri Suresh AngadiJi. He was a remarkable leaderwho dedicated all his life fororganisation and went on toserve society with utmost dili-gence and compassion. Mythoughts and Prayers are withhis family and followers," BJPpresident J P Nadda tweeted.

Railway Minister PiyushGoyal said on the micro-blog-ging website, "Deeply

anguished at the unfortunatedemise of Suresh Angadi ji. Hewas like my brother. Words fallshort to describe his commit-ment & dedication towardsthe people. My thoughts andprayers are with his family andfriends in this hour of need.Om Shanti".

Former Prime Ministerand JDS chief HD DeveGowda expressed his sadnessover the demise and tweetedthat Angadi was like a“younger brother”.

“I am shocked and deeplysaddened by the demise ofUnion Minister of State forRailways and four-term MPfrom Belagavi Shri. SureshAngadi. He was like a youngerbrother to me. I feel terriblelosing him. This is an unbear-able loss to our nation. Mayhis soul rest in peace. MayGod give his family and well-wishers the strength to bearthis pain,” he tweeted. PTI

���������� ������� ������ ���� ������ ������������

����������///From Page 1

Meanwhile, Deepika, who is currently shooting forShakun Batra’s upcoming film in Goa, is expected to leave Goafor Mumbai on Thursday morning.

In a related development, the Bombay High Court post-poned by a day the hearing on the bail pleas of RheaChakraborty and her brother Showik, owing to heavy rains inthe metropolis.

Rhea, whose bail plea is coming up for hearing before theBombay High Court on Wednesday, has contended that shewas innocent and falsely implicated in the Sushant death-relat-ed drug case.

&������� �"��������������'���(1)������������From Page 1

The Government claimsthat Bills will bring in reformsto ensure easier compliancewith labour standards world-wide. This, in turn, will helpbring in foreign investment.Sixteen States have alreadyincreased the threshold forclosure, lay off and retrench-ment in firms with up to 300workers without Governmentpermission, the Minister said.

The Opposition andlabour unions fear the Billsmake it easier to lay off work-ers and put restrictions on theirright to protest. The IndustrialRelations Code Bill allowscompanies with up to 300workers to lay off people with-out the State Government’sapproval. So far, only compa-nies employing up to 100 peo-

ple were allowed to do this.Under the same law, no

industrial worker is allowed togo on strike without a 60-daynotice. So far such rules wereapplicable on only thoseinvolved in public utility ser-vices like water, electricity,natural gas, telephone andother essential services.Workers in essential servicesare required to give a six-weeknotice before any strike.

The Code on SocialSecurity Bill extends socialsecurity funds only to workersfor app-based firms. But labourunions claim more is neededas these workers continue toremain in a legal grey zone.They are often treated as inde-pendent partners who are notcovered under most labourregulations. The Bill on health

and occupational safety helpsonly those working in facto-ries, mines and docks and arenot universal in nature, con-tend the labour unions, whichhave joined hands with thefarmers in their protest againstthe farm sector Bills that werepassed on Sunday.

Gangwar also said therewould a social security fund tocover around 40 crore unor-ganised sector workers. Over29 labour laws have beenmerged into four codes andone (Code on Wages Bill,2019) of them has alreadybeen passed, according to theMinister.

Meanwhile, the RajyaSabha on Wednesday returnedthe Appropriation (No 3) Bill,2020 and the Appropriation(No 4) Bill, 2020, authorising

payment of certain sums fromthe Consolidated Fund of Indiafor the current financial year.The Bills, which were passedby the Lok Sabha onSeptember 19, were cleared inthe Upper House with a voicevote and without any discus-sion. Finance Minister NirmalaSitharaman moved the Bills forconsideration and passing.

The House also passed aBill for inclusion of Kashmiri,Dogri and Hindi in the list ofofficial languages in the UnionTerritory of Jammu &Kashmir, in addition to theexisting Urdu and English.The Jammu and KashmirOfficial Languages Bill, 2020was passed by Rajya Sabhathrough voice vote. The LokSabha had cleared the legisla-tion on Tuesday.

From Page 1A bench of Justices DY

Chandrachud, Indu Malhotraand KM Joseph was informed bySolicitor General Tushar Mehtathat Sudarshan TV has to givereply to the show cause notice bySeptember 28, failing which anex parte decision will be taken.

“During the course of thehearing today, Tushar Mehta,Solicitor General of India stated

that the Central Governmenthas, in exercise of the power con-ferred upon it by sub-section (3)of Section 20 of the CableTelevision Networks(Regulation) Act 1995, issued anotice to show cause datedSeptember 23, to ‘SudarshanNews’,” the bench said in its order.

It said that since the noticeis stated to be ‘returnable’ onSeptember 28, Mehta has

requested the Court to defer thehearing in the present case so asto enable the central governmentto take a considered view of thematter. It added: “The noticeshall be dealt with in accordancewith law and the CentralGovernment shall submit areport to this Court indicatingthe outcome of the notice. “Sincethe notice has been issued dur-ing the pendency of these pro-

ceedings, further steps in pur-suance of the notice to showcause shall be subject to the resultof the present proceedings and tosuch orders as may be passed bythis Court.” The top court alsosaid that its interim order ofSeptember 15, 2020 (injunctingthe telecast of remaining episodesof the programme) shall contin-ue to remain in operation pend-ing further orders.

�������������������� ����������������������

From Page 1“I got notice from the Income Tax Department in refer-

ence to the affidavit I submitted in 2020 and 2014 and 2009-10. They are asking for some information and clarification andsimilarly they have asked this to Supriya (Sule) also for the lastthree elections,” he said.

+����� ���"������������������89��� ����������� (4(�$�

The death roll in Monday’scollapse of a three-storey

building at Narpoli in thepowerloom town of Bhiwandiin the adjoining Thane districtmounted to 40 on Wednesday,as more number bodies fromunder the debris on the thirdconsecutive day.

A 43-year-old three-storeyJilani building -- situated inthe Patel Compound atNarpoli near Dhamankar

Naka at Bhiwandi -- hadcrashed like a proverbial packof cards at 3.45 am, when theresidents were sleeping at theirhomes in the early hours ofMonday.

The collapsed buildinghad in all 40 flats. There were150 residents in the buildingwhen it collapsed.

The rescue and reliefoperations, which have beengoing on for the past threedays, have been hampered byheavy intermittent rains.

Page 5: # &ˆ˘...2020/09/24  · Bollywood-drug mafia nexus. As per the information that trickled out of its office, the NCB has summoned Simone, Rakul, Shruti Modi on September 24, while

����� �)���� !" #�$�%�&'( #�)*�)+,)% -.�-/-/

!���� �������� ��������3$&$7$���

Agirl from parliamentaryconstituency of Prime

Minister Narendra Modi hasbrought laurels for the city asshe has become the firstwoman fighter pilot of theRafale, a French twin-engine,canard delta wing, multirolefighter aircraft designed andbuilt by Dassault Aviation andrecently included in IndianAir Force. Local girl ShivangiSingh, who was commissionedinto the Indian Air Force (IAF)in the year 2017 as part of thesecond batch of female fighterpilots, is the first woman fight-er pilot of the Rafale squardron‘Golden Arrows’. As soon as thenews came here about herinclusion into the GoldenArrows squadron, there wasrare happiness in her family liv-ing in Phulvaria area here.

Her brother Mayank Singhsaid that since her childhood,Shivangi was willing to joinIndian Air Force since she hasseen a plane at a museum inDelhi, along with her Nana(maternal grandfather) whowas an officer of Indian Army.

After getting here schoolingupto intermediate from St.Joseph School (Shivpur) here,she did her BSc from SunbeamCollege for Women and joinedthe 7 UP Air Force NCC inBHU as a cadet. ‘The NCCtraining has made her moredetermined to join the AirForce,’ said her brother.

Her father KumareshwarSingh, who is a businessmanand other family memberswere very happy after gettingthe news that Shivangi will fly

Rafale, the world’s mostadvanced aircraft which is innews these days during India-China LAC tension. After qual-ifying command aptitude testin Mysore in July 2016, she gotAir Force training inHyderabad and according tonews she would join furtheradvanced training at Ambalasoon. She is a good athlete andguitar is her hobby.

According to the reports,after the training, Shivangi willbe converting from the IAF’s

oldest jet, the MiG-21, to thenewest Rafale.

She has been selected tojoin the freshly-inducted Rafalefighter fleet as one of its crewflying the multi-role air dom-inance aircraft.

She has reportedly flownalongside Wing CommanderAbhinandan Varthaman, theIAF pilot who was held captivein Pakistan after shooting downa Pakistan Air Force (PAF)fighter on February 27 lastyear.

!���� �������� ��������3$&$7$���

Dr Akash Dutt Dubey, analumni of Indian Institute

of Technology (IIT), BanarasHindu University (BHU) andAssistant Professor in JaipuriaInstitute of Management, Jaipurhas viewed, ‘The COVID-19era has not only witnessed anincrease in racism in real world,but also in virtual world’.

Dr Dubey has conductedresearch on the rise of cyberracism in the era of COVID-19and the prestigious internation-al journals, Journal of InternetMedical Research, PublicHealth and Surveillance hasdecided to publish it.

One of the tweets byAmerican President DonaldTrump where he used the wordChinese Virus instead ofCoronavirus is one of the mainfactors which attributed to theincrease in cyber racism, heasserts and adds, following thistrend, Twitter has seen varioushash-tags related to racism.Some of the most prominenthash-tags were #ChinaVirus,# K u n g F l u ,#ChinaLiedPeopleDied and#WuhanVirus, etc, he furtherasserts. Till now, Dr Dubey haspublished three research arti-cles related to various issuesencountered during COVID-19.

DISCUSSED: A meeting

of agricultural scientists andexperts related to the BiotechFarmers’ Project sponsored bythe Department ofBiotechnology, Government ofIndia, was held at the GuestHouse of Indian Institute ofVegetable Research (IIVR),Sundarpur here on Wednesday.The meeting was chaired byeminent scientist, president ofFoundation for Advancementof Agriculture and RuralDevelopment (FAARD) andformer Vice-Chancellor ofBanaras Hindu University(BHU) Prof Panjab Singh.

In the meeting it wasinformed that Biotech FarmersProject is being run in four dis-tricts of Purvanchal (easternUP) including Varanasi,Chandauli, Sonbhadra andGhazipur. Through this project,a total of more than 7,000farmers in the four districts arebeing benefitted.

!���� �������� ��������3$&$7$���

One of the tallest temples ofthe country Vishwanath

Mandir situated on BanarasHindu University (BHU) cam-pus has been reopened afterabout six months closure dueto worldwide COVID-19 pan-demic. The temple is one of themain attractions of the city forits grandeur and beauty as it istaller than Kutub Minar. Afterthe reopening of the temple,many students, teachers andothers were seen offeringprayer there.

As per the temple man-agement, the temple after get-ting permission from the dis-trict administration has decid-ed to keep open for eighthours daily and the devoteescan offer prayer there dailyfrom 7 am to 11 am and from3 pm to 7 pm. Like manyother famous Shiv temples,

Vishwanath temple, which ispopularly known as Birla tem-ple, also remained closed dur-ing the recent auspiciousmonth of Shravan when thetemple sees generally heavy

rush, especially on all theMondays.

Though several places ofworship including one of theDwadas Jyotilingas KashiVishwanath temple were

reopened on June 10 last,immediately after the gov-ernment and district admin-istration allowed them for thesame, many leading templesremained closed as the man-agement of the same could notseek permissions as they feltit difficult to follow theCOVID-19 guidelines.Famous Kaal Bhairav templetook almost 141 days to bereopened whileSankatmochan temple 183days. According to the univer-sity release, during the open-ing hours temple manage-ment will follow all theCOVID-19 guidelines and nodevotee would be allowed toenter there without wearing amask. Besides, physical dis-tance would also be main-tained. Though it is also aLord Shiva temple but it hasbeautiful idols of several otherdeities.

!���� �������� ��������$88$0$�$%

Bharat Pumps &Compressors Limited

(BPCL), Naini, Prayagraj hasachieved a major milestonewith the despatch of first con-signment of two PlungerPumps to ONGC, Mehsana inrecord time.

The pumps to be installedat ONGC Mehsana Asset atNorth Santhal, Gujarat, wasflagged off on Wednesday byRatan Prakash, Chief GeneralManager in the presence ofsenior officials and workmen ofBPCL.

BPCL had bagged theorder for supply of four PlungerPumps, which was earlierplaced on a private sectorpump manufacturer, inDecember 2019. The order,valued at � 291 lakh wasplaced on BPCL at a higherprice than the price of cancelledorder, which is a testimony ofquality of BPCL product. Theorder was received from M/s

Toshiba Water Solutions,(Indian subsidiary of Toshiba,Japan) who is a Lump SumpTurnkey (LSTK) contractor ofONGC.

Despite the COVID-19impact, the first two pumpshave been supplied in a recordtime to enable the customermaximise its production.Balance two Pumps are also

scheduled for despatch withina months time.

BPCL, a miniratna PSU ofthe Government of India, is inthe business of manufacturingof sophisticated pumps & com-pressors for core sector indus-tries like Oil & Gas , Petro-chemicals and power sector(including nuclear power) formore than 40 years.

It’s main customers areONGC, IOCL, HPCL, BharatPetroleum, OIL, GAIL , BORL,NPCIL, etc.

The successful execution ofthe order has opened new vis-tas of orders from private sec-tor LSTK (Lump SumpTurnkey) contractors.

During the flag-off, CGMextended thanks to all the offi-cers and workmen for ensuringtimely supply of the pumpsdespite COVID-19 pandemic.CMD – BPCL Sunil Parwanialso conveyed his apprecia-tion for the efforts of all engi-neers and workmen and askedthem to maintain same spiritand zeal which will surely takeBPCL to new heights.

It may be mentioned herethat the name of BPCL had fig-ured in the list of PSU whichare to be closed and its prop-erty be used for other purpos-es. This supply of the order mayimpel the Government to thinktwice before closing down theBPCL.

!���� �������� ��������3$&$7$���

Taking a serious note ofkilling of an elderly person

over land dispute, the DistrictMagistrate Kaushal Raj Sharmahas directed for issuingchargesheet against the lekhpaland kanungo. Meanwhile, theSenior Superintendent of PoliceAmit Pathak has suspendedthree cops including SHO ofCholapur police station.

It may be pointed out, theviolent clash had on Tuesdaytaken place between twogroups in Hazipur village underthe Cholapur police station tograb barren land of GramSabha. In the bloody clash, anold aged villager RamdularYadav sustained serious injuriesand died when he tried pacify-ing both sides. Taking thebloody clash and killing of anelderly person seriously, theDM directed the concernedauthority to issue chargesheetagainst the concerned lekhpaland kanungo for not sortingout the land dispute on time.

Meanwhile, the SSP tookstrict stand and suspended theSHO of Cholapur police stationKuldeep Dubey, incharge ofShahara police outpostDurgesh Yadav and head con-

stable Mohammad Handed forshowing laxity in handling thesituation timely.

The DM expressed dis-pleasure over the laxity shownby lekhpal on preparing rosterdespite the directive issuedearlier and directed them tofurnish list of five land mafiasby evening on Thursday byidentifying them. He alsosought the list relayed to landdisputes as village wise from allthree Tehsil. The DM wasreviewing the action taken byanti-land mafia cell andprogress in revenue realisationat his camp office in lateevening on Tuesday last.

The DM directed for evict-ing the land of Gram Sabha andenemy properties by September30 which were grabbed byland mafias. He asked for issu-ing warning against the officersof Zila Panchayat for not ensur-ing the implementation of gov-ernment order regarding theanti-land mafia. He also askedfor furnishing detail by evict-ing the grabbed land byThursday evening.

The ADM-F&R put thedetails of revenue realisation ofall departments. The DMdirected for increasing rev-enue realisation.

!���� �������� ��������3$&$7$���

The district has crossed the12K-mark as it saw a big

spike here on Wednesday. Asmany as 221 new Covid-19patients have been detected,increasing the total number ofcases to 12,199. Besides, thedistrict also saw four moredeaths, increasing the toll to198. During the day, the follow-up negative reports included215 patients and out of them,213 recovered from home iso-lation, increasing the numberto 7,744 and just two patientshave been discharged from thehospitals and the number of

cured patients from the hospi-tals reached 2,614. The totalnumber of cured patients isnow 10,358, leaving 1,643active patients. The recoveryrate has improved slightly to84.90 per cent but mortalityrate has increased to 1.62 percent.

Chief Medical Officer(CMO) Dr VB Singh hasinformed that in the first reportof the day by 11 am, 154 posi-tive patients were detected outof 2,951 reports received. Tillthen, the total test reportsreceived were 1,77,656 and theresults of 4,400 are awaited. Outof them, 1,65,524 were negative

while 12,132 positive. The totalnumber of samples collectedwas 1,92,320. Earlier, a femaleaged 73 and two males aged 80and 25 from Karamjeetpur,Chhitupur and Koniya respec-tively succumbed to COVID-19 at SSH BHU. Besides, withthe addition of 23 new redzones, the total number ofhotspots has increased to 1,934including 396 red zones. Threegreen zones have been convert-ed into red zones again. Thereare 1,538 green zones.

Earlier, this belt ofPurvanchal (eastern UP) com-prising 10 districts of threedivisions saw 577 new cases a

day ago and with this, thetotal number of patients hasincreased to 41,328. Out ofthese, maximum number ofcases (23,289) was in Varanasidivision followed by Azamgarh(11,656) and Vindhyachal(6,378). The best mortality ratewas of Vindyachal (1.14% )while the same was 1.26% inAzamgarh and 1.31% inVaranasi while the best recov-ery rate (87.75%) was inAzamgarh followed byVaranasi (87.37%) andVindhyachal (79.66%). Theoverall recovery rate in theregion was 86.28% while mor-tality rate 1.32%.

::&������%$���&+��������� ����

$������� ��������0�������

:� ������&��"��&�������%�������������#�&�������.�����������*�"���"����������������������������������������������������������������������������

%��0������� .�� �� �� ������1�

.��� ��������&�������������#�������������;�&�����������������36����.����������*�"���"�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

�2 ������*����� ���6�� �6���� ������#6���(�#�� � �

�$%'�23,�����0�� �� ��� �������.4 �" (

!����������� ���

!���� �������� ��������$88$0$�$%

Eight policemen, including asub inspector, posted at

Sangipur police station ofPratapgarh district were sent toReserve Police Lines onTuesday.

Inspector General of Police(Prayagraj range) KP Singhinformed the newspersons ateam of eight policemen led bya sub-inspector and officiatingstation officer of Sangipurpolice station had conducted araid in a house at BabutaraMajra village of SangraSundarpur in Lalganj policestation area on late Saturdaynight in search of an accused.A 65 year old man of the fam-ily died an hour after the raid.

A probe has been orderedinto the incident and thepolicemen sent to ReservePolice Lines so that the inquiryis not affected, he added. Thefamily members of thedeceased Maqbool (65) gave acomplaint to senior police offi-cials on Sunday alleging thatMaqbool died due to policehigh-handedness.

Pratapgarh police, how-ever, said the old man himself

ran from the house on seeingthem and he was not taken incustody. The family hadrefused to perform the last ritesof the old man demandingaction against policemen, butlater relented on coming toknow that eight policemenposted at Sangipur police sta-tion have been sent to PoliceLines.

Heavy police bandobastwas made at Babutara Majravillage on Monday in view oflast rites of the deceased man.

HC ADJOURNS HEAR-ING : The Allahabad HighCourt had adjourned hearingin a letter turned PIL on theissue of a missing BanarasHindu University student tillOctober 12.

The bench comprisingJustice Pritinker Diwaker andJustice SC Sharma passed theorder in a letter turned PublicInterest Litigation filed bySaurabh Tiwari, a lawyer andBHU alumnus, about thealleged disappearance of thestudent.

SSP Varanasi who was ear-lier summoned by courtinformed that a special teamhad been constituted to trace

the missing student. ‘Thepolice are sincerely makingefforts to get the whereaboutsof the missing person. Suitabledepartmental action has alsobeen taken against erring offi-cers.’, said Amit Pathak, SSPVaranasi.

The officer then asked forsome time so that furtherefforts can be made for search-ing the missing person. Onwhich court adjourned hearingin the case.

It is to recall that SaurabhTiwari in his letter addressedto Chief Justice had alleged thatShiv Kumar Trivedi, a BScsecond year student of BHU,was picked up by the policefrom the university’s amphithe-atre ground on February 12 onthe basis of a fellow student’scall to the UP police integrat-ed emergency response service112. During the call, the fellowstudent reported that Trivediwas either unconscious or pre-sent at the ground in an unusu-al way, the PIL said.

On an earlier date of hear-ing, the additional govern-ment Advocate filed an affi-davit and stated that the stu-dent, who was at a police sta-

tion, ran away the next day(February 13). No details inrelation to him were availablesince then. However, later, anapparently mentally challengedperson was brought by thepolice. The police suspectedthat he may be Trivedi.Therefore, DNA and biomet-ric tests were proposed to beconducted to determine hisidentity,

The court on which sum-moned SSP Varanasi whileobserving, ‘We fail to under-stand why the police authori-ties, instead of placing onrecord all the details relating tothe facts that happened on andafter February 12 and, morespecifically, after the boy ranaway from the police station,which facts must have beenrecorded in the generaldiary, have filed a vague affi-davit.’

The court had exemptedthe presence of SSP Varanasion the next date of hearing.However, it directed the offi-cer to ensure that some respon-sible officer on his behalf mustremain present in the court toapprise with the latest progressin the investigation.

!���� �������� ��������$88$0$�$%

In a consolatory develop-ment, the recovery rate relat-

ed to COVID-19 casesincreased to 78 per cent in thePrayagraj district. The pastone month has been both chal-lenging and worrisome for theHealth department and districtadministration as COVID-19cases surged by 10,000 with thecase count in Prayagraj speed-ing towards the 17,000-mark.

On August 20, there were6,416 coronavirus cases but asteep rise in infection saw thecaseload soar to 16,687 onSeptember 20. As per Healthdepartment data, there were3,432 active cases in Prayagrajon Tuesday.

This month, 6,687 caseshave been detected till

September 20, accounting for43 per cent cases in the district.While 13,020 patients haverecovered, 235 have succumbedto the disease so far.

The city reported its firstCOVID-19 case on April 5 andcrossed the 10,000-mark onSeptember 1. Health officialssaid COVID-19 cases increasedin Sangam city from Juneonwards. Only 87 cases andthree deaths were recorded inthe city till May 31, but withina month, cases rose to 286 andcasualties to eight. The Healthdepartment’s statistics showthat 2,142 cases were reportedin July and 7,540 in August.

By August 31, the contin-uous rise in cases took the tallyto 9,668. From September 1 toSeptember 20, cases rose by7,687 with 63 per cent patients

being from urban and semiurban areas.

A senior health officialsaid the recovery rate inPrayagraj district is around 78per cent.

While 4,026 patients werecured and discharged fromhospitals, 8,994 patients com-pleted their home isolation tillTuesday.

The number of cases hasincreased significantly in thelast three months, but therecovery rate has also gone upsince August last week. Recordsshow that the recovery rate washigher among patients in homeisolation than those admitted tohospitals. Till September 20,around 9,000 COVID-19patients completed home iso-lation. The state governmenthad allowed home isolation for

asymptomatic COVID-19patients on July 24.

Health officials said assoon as we receive a report ofsomeone testing positive, thepatient is allotted a zone and azonal surveillance officer andhealth team tracks the locationand decides if home isolationcan be permitted or admissionin hospital is required.

Asymptomatic patients canopt for home isolation if theyhave requisite facilities at homeand can avoid contact withother family members. Patientsopting for home isolation musthave a home quarantine kitcomprising a pulse oximeter,digital thermometer, masks,sterile gloves, sodiumhypochlorite andAshwagandha, Giloy and vita-min C tablets.

#56�.�� �� �������� ������(����7�!���� �������� ��������$88$0$�$%

As many as 304 more peoplewere confirmed to have

been inflicted with Covid infec-tion, while those recoveringfrom Corona outnumberedthose infected. A total of 347people beat Corona onTuesday. While 39 people weredischarged from various Covidhospitals after being freed frominfection, home isolation of 308people was completed. Thenumber of active cases hasreached 3386.

According to CMO Dr GSBajpai, CO Meja was amongthose found to be Corona pos-itive on Tuesday. Two bankmanagers have also been infect-ed. Apart from these, the Covidtest report of the Manager ofIndian Overseas Bank TagoreTown and Manager of HDFCPhulpur branch has come pos-itive. Corona positive has alsobeen found with two advocatesfrom the High Court andhealth worker (GNM) of BeliHospital, senior accountant ofAG office, an inter college

teacher at Karchhana, staff ofCHC Mauaima, ADO Soraonand an accountant from CDAPension.

According to the CMO,among the 304 new infected,the ADO of Koraon, primaryschool Kaundhayara and aninter college teacher, medicalofficer of Kotwa Bani Hospitalare also included.

Currently, the highest

number of Covid infected 148patients are admitted to SRNHospital. There are 12 patientsin Covid Care CentreKalindipuram, 19 in UnaniMedical College, 47 patients areadmitted in Railway Hospital.In the same sequence, 54patients are being treated afterbeing admitted in Beli Hospital,33 in United Medicity and 30in Sainath AMA Covid

Hospital.Private Medicines United

Medicity and Sainath VatsalyaAMA Hospital have beenauthorised along with govern-ment hospitals for corona treat-ment. According to CMO DrGS Bajpai, a fee has been fixedfor those private hospitalswhere Covid cases are beingtreated. According to the guideline, a fee of � 8,000 to � 10,000for isolation beds from patientswith multiple facilities package,ICU without serious ventilatorsfor �13,000 to �15,000 and forsevere patients with ventilatorsfor �15,000 to �18,000 weredetermined.

According to the earlierorder of the government,patients will be charged a dailytreatment fee. He has warnedthat an FIR will be lodgedagainst private Covid Hospitaloperators for charging morethan the prescribed rate.Surprise inspection of thesehospitals will continue.Feedback from patientswill also be taken, added DrBajpai.

� ��� �(���� ���� �� �����8)����

, �������������*���������.����

���. �����6������� � ���� 1����%���

Page 6: # &ˆ˘...2020/09/24  · Bollywood-drug mafia nexus. As per the information that trickled out of its office, the NCB has summoned Simone, Rakul, Shruti Modi on September 24, while

����� �"���� !"#�$�%�&'( #�)*�)+,)%-.�-/-/

�0;122$12D��2$�0�2� '���(�)*

Swachhta Pakhwada is beingobserved from September 16 to

30 on the entire Indian Railways.Several programmes are beingorganised in Varanasi divisionunder the direction of DRM VijayKumar Panjiar. In this sequence‘Clean premises day’ (workplaceand duty site) was observed onTuesday. Intensive cleaning wasdone at Varanasi Division’s accountsoffice and RDI premises, includingdivision’s Varanasi City, Ghazipur City, PrayagrajRambagh, Azamgarh, Mau, Deoria Sadar,Kaptanganj, Audihar, Bhatni, Chhapra Jn, ChhapraKachhri and Siwan stations’ booking offices, sta-tion superintendent office, enquiry counters, RDIand various offices besides saplings were plantedfor beautification and cleanliness purposes andwaste was disposed of.

Earlier under the ongoing ‘Swachhata Hi SevaPakhwada’, various programmes were organisedas the day was observed as ‘Clean Train Day’ atDLW and different parts of Varanasi Division ofNER. In DLW extensive cleaning of machines,plants and locomotives of various workshops wascarried out by workers and quality and mainte-nance of production and proper storage wereinspected by the respective heads of departments.

Besides, extensive cleanlinesswas done on the entire campus,including the Covid ward at theCentral Hospital. The team ofsafety section spread wideawareness and publicity regard-ing ‘cleanliness and garbagedisposal’ through do’s anddon’ts-related banners, posters,pamphlets, SMS, WhatsAppetc, said CPRO VaibhavSohane. In Varanasi Division ofNER, cleanliness drive waslaunched at various stations

and inside trains and onboard inspection of trainswas done by the nominated officers. Extensivecleanliness was done in various mail/express trainspassing through terminating and originating sta-tions like Manduadih, Prayagraj Rambag,Gorakhpur, Bhatni, Ghazipur City, Mau,Chhapra Kachhari, Siwan, Thawe, Indara,Kaptanganj and Varanasi City. The conditionof cleaning of trains, availability of cleaningequipment, number of cleaning personnel, dis-posal of garbage, availability of dustbins, clean-ing of toilet and washbasins, pest control in ACcoaches etc. were inspected by the nominatedofficers. Besides, an appeal was made to pas-sengers to maintain cleanliness and hygienicconditions and their feedback was sought, saidPRO Ashok Kumar.

�;$$2��;1?21+� $+��,-#.�

Under the SwachhtaPakhwada being observed

on the entire Indian Railwaysfrom September 16 to 30 at theNorth Easer Railway (NER)headquarters and in Izzatnagar,Lucknow and Varanasi divi-sions under the supervision ofdesignated officials railwaypersonnel conducted severalprogrammes for cleanliness atat various places besides atmany railway stations, railpremises, railway colonies, hos-pitals etc People were given themessage of cleanliness, advisednot to use plastic and madeaware of cleanliness. Underthe Swachh Bharat Mission, onTuesday at Lucknow, Gonda,Gorakhpur, Badshahnagar,Khalilabad, Basti andMankapur stations, senior offi-cials got cleanliness donebetween the home signals onboth sides of the stations. OnTuesday at Izzatnagar, BareillyCity, Pilibhit, Kathgodam,Lalkuan, Kashipur, Tanakpur,Rudrapur City, Ramnagar,

Kasganj, Farrukhabad,Haldwani, Badaun, HathrasCity, Kannauj stations etc andcolonies officials of differentdepartments got cleanlinessdone. In the same sequence inVaranasi division under the slo-gan of ‘clean premises, cleanworkplace’ cleanliness wasdone on railway premises andworkplaces on Tuesday. Suchcleanliness programmes will berun continuously till September30, said CPRO Pankaj KumarSingh.

ACTION TAKEN:Railway Protection Force(RPF), NER, took effectiveaction in connection withunlawful possession of railwayproperty, theft of railway prop-erty, ticket touts, unclaimed/lostchildren, theft of passengers’belongings, recovery ofunclaimed goods, safety of pas-sengers and illegal goods inAugust this year, CPRO PKSingh said. The RPF detected 13cases under the Railway Property(Unlawful Possession) Act inAugust in which with the arrestof 25 persons stolen railway

property worth �1,19,471 wasrecovered.Under the various sec-tions of the Railway Act as manyas 241 cases were registered dur-ing the period, 215 personswere arrested and �2,06,080was recovered as fine fromthem. Out of them four personswere sent to jail. At variousreservation centres of NER inAugust after arresting 12 toutsinvolved in illegal business oftickets legal action was takenagainst them at the respectiveRPF posts. RPF and GRPPrayagraj Rambag while con-ducting checking in train No01061 caught two persons werecaught along with 105 gm ofdiazepam powder. Takingaction against them underNDPS Act, a case was registeredagainst them. The RPF duringAugust recovered a total ofthree unclaimed/lost minorchildren and they were hand-ed over to the Childline of therespective cities. RPF. Besidesone case of assault came tolight. The accused was arrest-ed and handed over to the GRPconcerned for necessary action.

�;$$2��;1?21+�/*�0�#.�

Divisional CommissionerVindhyachal Preeti

Shukla has directed the offi-cials concerned to make peo-ple aware about traffic rulesand enforce them effectively inthe larger interest of the soci-ety. While chairing the meeting of DivisionalRoad Safety Committee in her office on Tuesday,the DC directed the officials to conduct trafficawareness drive even among school students.She directed the officials concerned to displaythe signboards having details of fines relatedto violation of traffic rules at public placesalong with the awareness slogans. The DC wasapprised by RTO Dr RK Vishwakarma aboutthe steps which had already been taken on thedirective of the departmental authoritiesconcerned. The RTO said that the charactercertificate and driving licences of drivers ofschool buses had been verified and necessarydirections had been issued to schools to fol-low traffic rules. He said that two days in aweek had been fixed for launching a drive to

enforce the laws related toseat belt and helmetunder the joint opera-tion of Police andTransport departments.The meeting concludedwith a warning by the DCthat no laxity regardingtraffic awareness pro-

grammes would be tolerated. The meetingwas also attended by IG range PiyushSrivastava, AD Health apart from officials ofTransport department.

HONOURED: District Magistrate SushilKumar Patel honoured Suhani, a student of classIV, who during the lockdown on the appeal ofthe PM had donated her savings of �4,000 toPM CARES Fund. She had made the contribu-tion through the DM. She had saved the moneyfor her bicycle. Giving respect to her spirit DMSK Patel decided to honour Suhani. During a briefprogramme organised at collectorate the DM hon-oured Suhani, daughter of Sachindra Nath, a res-ident of Ghantaghar Road, by presenting her abicycle and a tablet and wished her a brightfuture. Suhani later thanked the DM.

$<�$��������"�%��������;�� ������#��&�����=>�1�� '���(�)*

The CEPC is organising itssecond virtual exhibition

from September 29 to October1 – buyer seller meet with spe-cial focus on Oceania Market. Ademo meeting through videoconferencing was held for par-ticipating members recently. CEPCChairman Siddh Nath Singh,members, COA, CEPC, UmeshKumar Gupta and Bodh RajMalhotra, Executive DirectorSanjay Kumar, Sooraj Dhawanof M/s Falcon Exhibitions PvtLtd and participating membersattended the demo meeting.CEPC Chairman Siddh NathSingh in his address said nowconcept of virtual exhibitionwas not new to the membersand they were aware about it. Hesaid their first virtual exhibitionwas a grand success, membersgot a good business and a num-ber of inquiries. Although some

members were opposing thevirtual exhibition and had somedoubts. However, the success ofthe first virtual exhibitioncleared all their doubts andmisconceptions, he added. Hesaid that he had not receivedeven a single complaint from anyof the participating members,including technical support. Itshows that now technical teamas well as CEPC officials wereperforming their duties effi-ciently. Siddh Nath Singh saidthat Council would come upwith more country/ region-spe-cific virtual exhibitions in thecoming days. CEPC ExecutiveDirector Sanjay Kumar made apresentation on Australia andOceania Market. He said thatpresently market share inAustralia was four per cent andthere was vast potential forgrowth. GDP per capita inAustralia was dollar 57071 whichwas almost near to USA. Kumar

said that he had discussions withIndian Mission in Australia andit was informed that the govern-ment there was discardingChinese products. “Hence ouropportunities had increasedmanifold and we need to explorethe market,” he said. UmeshKumar Gupta appreciated theefforts of officials and shared hispersonal experience of the firstvirtual exhibition which wasexcellent and he wished that theywould be able to achieve goodbusiness during the upcomingexhibition. Sooraj Dhawan ofM/s Falcon Exhibitions Pvt Ltdclarified the doubts and queriesof members. Member COA,CEPC, Bodh Raj Malhotra, pro-posed the formal vote of thanksto members and requested themto be in contact with SoorajDhawan’s team for technicalsupport. Malhotra conveyed hisbest wishes to all participants fortheir successful participation.

����������������������������������������.

+ "�� �*��%'������),�$-���(���

�;$$2��;1?21+� 1���.(

On the directive of SPYashveer Singh and ASP Dr

Awadhesh Singh the surveillanceteam recovered 22 lost mobilephones. CO, Orai, SantoshKumar, handed over the mobilephones to Sunil Lohiya, DevduttPanchal, Abhishek Yadav,Mukesh Pal, Pawan Kumar,Doli Gupta, Ankit Prajapati,Neetu, Shivram, Shyamsharan,Ramlala, Vijay Kumar, Yogesh Kumar, Rajiv Kumar,

Sanjay Kumar, Rai Kumar,Bhupendra, Dr Shashank Verma,HariKrishna, Vakil Ahmed, SaurabhKumar and Ajay Kumar at PoliceLines, Orai, on Wednesday. COsaid that the mobile phoneswhose total worth was around �3lakh had been handed over to theirowners. The team which recoveredthe lost mobile phones comprisedS-I Ajay Kumar Singh, incharge,Surveillance, and constablesGaurav Bajpai, Jagdish Chandra,

Karamveer Singh and Rohit Rawat.

E( ���������*�������������������)�

���"$�&�%$-'"��*�$ ������$(����

!���� �������� ��������2$714&

District Magistrate AlokTiwari on Wednesday

directed doctors to prepare adetailed report in case of aCOVID-19 death, mentioningevery detail of the patient, andupload it on the Nagar NigamControl Room by 7:30 pm.

He also asked the staticmagistrates stationed in thehospitals to monitor thesenior doctors in the ICUand isolation wards as per thenew roster enforced fromWednesday and send theirreports.

The district magistratesaid it was the duty of thesenior doctors on duty toensure that the moment apatient reached the Level-3hospital, the time of his/herarrival, condition, healthdetails like oxygen level, bloodpressure, temperature, lungcondition and other detailswere noted down.

He said it was also theduty of the senior doctors to

apprise the relatives of apatient of even the minutestdetails. He said they shouldhave an easy and open dia-logue with the patients. Hecautioned the doctors thatthere should be no complaintregarding dialogue with thepatients’ relatives.

He said if a patient died.the doctors would have toinform the relatives at the verypoint of time. He said delay inthis regard would not be tol-erated.

Tiwari said the static mag-istrates had been stationed tokeep a strict vigil on the hos-pital and they would beanswerable in case of derelic-tion of duty. He said it wastheir duty to ensure that all theCCTV cameras of the ICUand the isolation wards werefunctioning and they werenot, to bring the issue to thenotice of the authority con-cerned.

The district magistratelater inspected the KanshiramHospital where he directed the

chief medical superintendentto hold dialogue with the kinof the patients from time totime and apprise them of thecondition of the patient,including the treatment beinggiven to him/her.

He said it was also theduty of the chief medicalsuperintendent to inform thekin about the death of apatient.

He said the absence ofdialogue was leading toaggression and violence inthe hospital and this had to beattended to by the doctors inthe right earnest.

Tiwari directed the staticmagistrate to monitor theentry and exit time of the doc-tors. He said it was theirresponsibility to ensure thatunless the reliever doctorsarrived, the person on dutydid not leave the hospital.

He then interacted withthe kin of the patient who haddied on Tuesday.

The district magistratealso praised the hospital staff

for stabilising the condition ofa very critical patient due towhich he completely recov-ered within a few days.

The district magistratewas accompanied by addi-tional city magistrate-II andthe chief medical officer.

,&+�� �������!������Kanpur Nagar reported

274 more coronavirus positivecases on Wednesday evening.

According to a report 274more people testing positivebetween Tuesday evening andWednesday evening, the tallyof the confirmed coronaviruscases in the city had surged to23545.

With 429 COVID-19patients being discharged in thelast 24 hours, 18671 infectedpeople had been cured in thecity.

Twelve COVID-19 deathswere reported till Wednesdayevening, taking the death toll to616. At present 4258 activecases were undergoing treat-ment in the city.

!���� �������� ��������2$714&

District Magistrate AlokTiwari has appealed to the

residents of Kanpur Nagar tokeep themselves safe fromdengue which has raised itshead dangerously in the city.

Tiwari directed the KanpurNagar Nigam to spray anti-lar-vae to check the breeding of themosquitoes. The Aedes mos-quitoes which spread denguebreed in clean water and as permedical reports, they strikemainly during daytime.

Tiwari said people wereadvised to keep their sur-roundings clean and ensurethere was no stagnant wateraround.

It may be mentioned herethat the district administrationhas pulled up its socks after thenumber of dengue death start-ed increasing in the city.Although the district adminis-tration has admitted only fourdengue deaths, the fact is thattill date there have been overtwo dozen deaths due todengue in Kanpur Nagar andaround it. The recent was thedeath of an 11-year-old girlwho died of dengue as herblood platelets decreased dan-gerously. The anti-dengue andanti-malaria drive is mainly onpaper and nothing concrete hasbeen done in this direction.Despite several deaths till date,the KNN has not even startedthe fogging drive. This was thefirst time that the district mag-istrate addressed a meetingand made an appeal to the peo-ple.

!���� �������� ��������2$714&

In the tug of war between thedistrict administration and

the medical officials, the formerhas increased the offensive bydeploying six additional mag-istrates to maintain a strict vigilon doctors on duty, especiallyin the LLR Hospital. Theadministration has alsoannounced a new roster for thesenior doctors.

Additional ChiefSecretary (Medical Education)Rajneesh Dube issued direc-tive through video confer-encing that all the senior doc-tors would take rounds of theICU after every two hours andthis would be monitored bythe magistrates. He said the

old roster of the Level-3 Covidfacility at LLR Hospital hadbeen scrapped and replacedwith a new one, specially forsenior doctors of medicine,anaesthesia, paediatrics andrespirator medicine depart-ments.

Dube said while thesedoctors were placed on duty,they would remain in quar-antine and would not go backhome. He said in case of anymismanagement, both thedoctors and the magistrateswould be held responsible.

The additional chief sec-retary expressed concern atthe LLR Hospital senior doc-tors washing their hands offthe responsibility of theCOVID-19 deaths by claiming

that the patients arrived late. He said something had to

be done to bring down thedeath rate of LLR Hospitalthat was shooting up everyday.

Dube said the absence ofdoctors from the ICU of LLRHospital had been brought tothe notice of Chief MinisterYogi Adityanath. He saidinstead of getting embroiled ina blame game, it was essentialthat doctors perform theirduties honestly and with fulltransparency.

The additional chief sec-retary directed the senior doc-tors of LLR Hospital to dotheir assigned duty for eighthours. He said it was not thatthey should just take a casualround of the ICU and isola-

tion ward. Dube said it was manda-

tory that the senior doctorsand senior residents carry outstrict and active monitoring ofpatients in the ICU and iso-lation ward as well. He saidthe death of eight patients inquick succession at LLRHospital pointed to gross neg-ligence and all loopholes hadto be plugged to bring downthe death rate. Prominentamong those with whomDube interacted throughvideo conferencing wereGSVM Medical CollegePrincipal Prof RB Kamal, LLRHospital Chief MedicalSuperintendent Dr Richa Giri,Chief Medical Officer AKMishra and Dr Manish Singh.

Besides, DivisionalCommissioner Raj Shekhar,District Magistrate AlokTiwari, CDO Mahesh Kumarand a few other officials alsointeracted during the videoconference. Although themeeting was held in camera,insiders report that there wasa verbal duel between thedistrict officials and the med-ical officials. The medicalofficials have expressed strongresentment over the allegedhigh-handedness of the dis-trict administration. Thesenior doctors were tight-lipped but the senior residentssaid there was massive resent-ment and if it was not defusedit could prove to be a big prob-lem in the time to come.

��)����� �����������������)�����

���������������������$�����!���+� �����������"�������������������������"��������//��3�����������*�"���"����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

�2����1��������#�� �����*���6���������9��� ��

� �������� ��� �������� ��

9 �.������ �� ����� ���!�0���������� �� ������ ��������������!�� ..�

K A N P U R ( P N S ) :Although the district adminis-tration has allowed the reopen-ing of places of worship on cer-tain terms, these conditionshave put the religious heads onthe horns of dilemma. The rea-son is that the pattern of wor-ship is different in differentreligions. The district admin-istration has imposed a strictlimit of 100 people during onesession of religious ceremony.It has also imposed a strict banon sprinkling holy water ortouching of the statues/idolsinside the premises. The reli-gious heads say that making itmandatory for people to wearmasks, their thermal screening,restriction on touching stat-ues/idols, giving affidavit, sani-tisation are all possible but onefails to understand what thedistrict administration meansby the terms ‘premises’ and ‘fivepeople’. They say it has also notbeen clarified 100 people canenter in what size of premisesin one session and how the restof the people can be accom-modated if they arrive for cer-emony at a particular time. Areligious head asked if at onetime if 200 devotees arrived fora religious ceremony and if 100were allowed entry what wouldthe remaining 100 do? He saidwould they have to wait for fullone-and-half hours or twohours or they would have toreturn home and come later.He pointed out that there wasjust one service on one partic-ular day. He said there weremany issues but they were nottaken into consideration andthis would pose a big problemfor the religious heads when theplaces of worship reopened aseven a minor violation couldput them in great trouble.

9���$��6���� ���*����������������;��������6���!���� �������� ��������2$714&

Kanpur DevelopmentAuthority Vice Chairman

Rakesh Kumar Singh heardthe grievances of people at theJanata Darshan programmeorganised on Tuesday also.

Taking up the 60 applica-tions put up before him, hedirected the officers concernedfor their speedy disposal. Mostof applications related to prop-erty, illegal possession, free-hold, registry, mutation, refundetc.

The KDA VC directed theofficials for timely disposal ofthese applications and fixed thetime limit for each grievance,keeping in view the natureand importance of the issue.

On some of the applica-tions, he fixed three days’ timeand for some others, the timelimit of seven and 15 days fortheir settlement and submittingreport to him.

He asked the officials toensure quick and timely dis-

posal of all applicationsreceived in Janata Darshan andwarned that laxity would attractstrict penal action.

KDA Secretary SP Singh,Additional Secretary GudakeshSharma, Chief Engineer BasantLal, OSD Alok Kumar Verma,Bhairpal Singh, executive engi-neers Atul Mishra, Ashu Mittal,Manoj Upadhyaya, RRP Singh,Mukesh Agarwal, Law Officer

Shashi Bhushan Rai and otherofficers/employees were pre-sent.

�� ���� ����5�� !�������5������

A teenaged girl was sexu-ally exploited by her cousinwho promised to marry her, inBarra police area. When the girlconceived, he refused to marry

her. On the complaint of the

girl’s parent the police regis-tered a case against the youth.

The uncle and aunt of a 17-year-old girl of Varun Vihar,Barra, live in Lucknow. Theirson often visited Barra to meether and the girl would also visitLucknow at his place. The girlalleged that during their visit,her cousin established physicalrelations with her several times.Some time back, when heruncle and aunt arrived atKanpur, they took her toLucknow with them with theassurance of performing hermarriage. During her stay inLucknow, the cousin continuedto sexually exploit her. After sheconceived, she was sent back toher Barra house.

The victim said when sheinformed her uncle, aunt andlover that she was pregnant, herefused to marry her.

Barra SHO Harmit Singhsaid the youth had beenbooked under POCSO Act.

)�!�.$�������)�&���������������������%�������#�����������:�������������������&&�2�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������2�

Page 7: # &ˆ˘...2020/09/24  · Bollywood-drug mafia nexus. As per the information that trickled out of its office, the NCB has summoned Simone, Rakul, Shruti Modi on September 24, while

#���# �7���� !"#�$�%�&'( #�)*�)+,)%-.�-/-/

!���� 75!�%580�

Even as the Opposition con-tinued to boycott

Parliament, Rajya SabhaChairman M Venkaiah Naiduon Wednesday said he wasduty bound to take disciplinaryaction against the eight MPsalthough their suspension wasan “unpleasant” thing to do.Justifying his action, he alsosaid the opposition has theright to protest but the questionis how it should be done.

Addressing the housebefore adjourning the housesine die, Naidu also appreciat-ed the role of Parliament staffand said holding a sessionduring this pandemic requiredsome innovative thinking andelaborate planning, well inadvance.

Secretary-General, RajyaSabha and his team in theSecretariat as also theParliament Security Serviceand other agencies includingthe Central Public WorksDepartment (CPWD) whoworked behind the scenes, “didnot fail me in this regard. Iwould like to put on record myappreciation for the effortsmade by them.” The Memberspresent in the House lauded thecontribution by thumping thedesk.

As regards the events in thelast three days, Naidu said hewas duty bound to uphold thedignity of the rules, standardsand values of the Upper House.He also said the Rules do pro-vide for such suspension whenit becomes inevitable.

In his concluding remarksbefore the Rajya Sabha wasadjourned eight days ahead ofthe schedule, the Chairmansaid the floor of the augustHouse was the most effectiveplatform for contestation ofideas.

However, if boycott is donefor a longer period, it amountsto leaving the very platformthat enables members to effec-tively convey their ideas,besides contesting those ofothers.

Referring to the letter hehad received from Leader ofOpposition Ghulam NabiAzad and others urging theHouse not to pass the threelabour codes, the Chairman

said there have been a numberof precedents when the busi-ness was taken up as perschedule and bills wereapproved in the wake of boy-cott or walkout by some mem-bers.

In this context, he cited thepassage of the Finance Bill andAppropriation Bill in 2013.

Naidu said had the lettersuggested the postponement ofbill by stating that they wouldattend the House, he wouldhave discussed the issue withthe government. He said there

was no such assurance. On theother hand some of the mem-bers justified what they haddone. Therefore, he decided togo ahead with the bills, he said.

The Chairman said forthe first time in this history ofthis House, a notice of motionwas given for the removal ofthe Deputy Chairman and itwas rejected. He pointed outthat the mandatory 14 daysadvance notice was not given.

Referring to the develop-ments surrounding thisunprecedented move, he said

they have been deeply painfulfor all those who hold thestature and the dignity of thisHouse dear to their hearts. Heappealed to the members toensure that such unseemlybehaviour was not repeated.

Though it was not thefirst time that some memberswere suspended and Billspassed when some sections ofthe House boycotted the pro-ceedings, Naidu said “I find itextremely unpalatable. Thiskind of a situation needs to beavoided by all means.”

����� ���"��������"����������������������������� "�����?�'��"�

���!����! �����75!�%580�

Cutting short its scheduled18 sittings amidst rising

Covid-19 scare, the Lok Sabhawas adjourned sine die onWednesday after passing theMajor Ports Bill, 2020, and 24others previously, includingthe contentious farmers bills.Speaker Om Birla describedthe session as “historic” andcongratulated members forattending the Parliament in“difficult situation” and fullyobserving the “health protocol”.

Prime Minister NarendraModi walked into the house asthe house was in the process ofpassing the Major Ports bill ,2020. The opposition had boy-cotted the session.

On the concluding dayduring the zero hour majorityof the issues were raised by theBJP members though a fewTDP and YSR Congress Partymembers and AIADMK alsospoke on the subjects relatingto their States andConstituencies.

BJP MP Uday PratapSingh(BJP) said the Modi-Government which broughtmilestone legislations onTriple-talaq, article 370, farm-ers bills and ‘resolved’ Ramtemple issue, should bring alaw for the control of popula-tion which, he said is the oneof the main causes of unem-ployment, exploitation andcorruption. He said law tocontrol population was theneed of the time.

Many of the issues raisedwere relating to Bihar as MPRajiv Pratap Rudy said thedevelopment work undertak-

en by the State Governmentwould ensure its victory in theOctober-November poll. Oneof the members from Mizoramsought speeding up of theshifting of Assam Rifles head-quarters outside Aizawl whichhe said would solve the prob-lem conflict between AssamRifles and civilians.

Expressing happiness overthe high 167 per cent produc-tivity in the monsoon session,the Speaker said during zerohour 370 issues were raisedand in particular mentionedSeptember 20 when, he said,the house sat for late nightwith 88 MPs raising theirissues. He said 855 paperswere also laid by the ministersduring the session.

Birla also mentioned thelong and comprehensive dis-cussion undertaken by thehouse on the Covid19 situa-tion.

Before passing the MajorPort bill, 2020, Union Minister

for Shipping (Ind) MansukhMandaviya said the last portact was 1963,when the portsused to run in service model.“ Now in 2020 we need tobring technology to the ports.The PPE model can bringtechnology”, he said.

He stated that in the lastfive years things in ports hasimproved and Calcutta portwhich was running losses isnow earning profit and work-ers receiving regular salariesand pension.

BJD MP AnubhavMohanty while supporting thebill requested the governmentto rename Paradip port afterformer Odisha Chief MinisterBiju Patnaik.

YSRCP MP sought thegovernment that States shouldalso be taken into considera-tion in the development ofports as he said “port boardcannot decide alone on thedevelopment of the port”, hesaid.

.���/$�� ����' ��'���%'�� $('������� !���� 75!�%580�

The Supreme CourtWednesday directed a

Delhi Legislative Assemblypanel not to take coerciveaction against Facebook IndiaVP and MD Ajit Mohan tillOctober 15 in connection witha summon asking him todepose before it with regard tonorth east Delhi riots.

Delhi Assembly’’s peaceand harmony committee hadissued a notice to FacebookIndia vice president and man-aging director in connectionwith complaints accusing thesocial media giant of deliber-ately not taking action to curbhateful content on its platform.

A bench of Justices SanjayKishan Kaul, Aniruddha Boseand Krishna Murari issuednotices to the secretary of theLegislative Assembly, the min-istries of Law and Justice,Home Affairs, Electronics andIT, Lok Sabha and RajyaSabha, represented by theSecretary General, and DelhiPolice, asking them to respondto the plea.

The apex court’’s ordercame on the plea filed byMohan, Facebook IndiaOnline Services Pvt. Ltd andFacebook, Inc, which con-tended that the committeelacks the power to summon orhold petitioners in breach of itsprivileges for failing to appearand it was exceeding its con-stitutional limits.

They challenged theSeptember 10 and 18 noticesissued by the committee thatsought Mohan’’s presencebefore the panel which isprobing the Delhi riots inFebruary and FB’’s role inspread of alleged hate speech-es.

Senior advocate HarishSalve, appearing for Mohan,submitted that committee cannot decide the breach ofprivilege of the house andadministrative control oversocial media is with theCentral Government.

“Privilege is something tobe decided by the Assembly. Acommittee cannot decidewhether action on privilegecan be taken or not,” Salve saidadding that the DelhiGovernment could not putMohan “in the pain of pun-ishment” by asking him toappear before the Committee.

'��������%����������������0��� ���.����������@A��%���!���& ����������&&���?��$�

!���� 75!�%580�

The Supreme Court onWednesday asked the

Centre to clarify by Friday themodalities of refund of airtickets to be made to the pas-sengers and travel agents inview of cancellation of flightsduring the COVID-19induced lockdown period.

The top court asked theCentre to file a fresh affidavitby September 25, with regardto issues relating to modalitiesof ticket refunds on whichSolicitor General TusharMehta conceded that theinstant affidavit is poorlydrafted.

A bench of Justices AshokBhushan, R Subhash Reddyand M R Shah said that it isonly concerned with refundand non-refund of money fortickets booked during thelockdown period.

It was hearing a plea whichhas raised the issue of airtickets refund owing to can-cellation of flights due toCOVID-19 induced lockdownwhich had commenced fromMarch 25.

Senior advocate SanjayHegde, appearing for NGO‘Pravasi Legal Cell’, said that ifone books tickets in airlineslike Air India, Indigo etc andfly out of India then the affi-davit filed by Director GeneralCivil Aviation (DGCA) isapplicable.

He said that the DGCAshould also cover people forrefund, who have bookedflights on these carriers tocome back to India like in theGulf Countries and thereforethe issue needs to be sorted.

Solicitor General TusharMehta, appearing for Ministryof Civil Aviation and DGCA,said that the Government hastaken a decision of refundkeeping in mind the welfare ofall and an appropriate solutionhas been worked out.

�$�����$�������������#�����&�"���������#��#��"��������������

�*+ �*�,���

!���� 75!�%580�

Contrary to the expecta-tions, while coronavirus-

induced lockdown did not helpimprove Ganga’s water quality,experts have asserted sayingthat, in fact, it deteriorated.Release of sewage and no freshwater discharge from theupstream is said to be the rea-son for the deterioration.

In fact, Ganga is not alone.The water quality of Beas,Chambal, Sutlej andSwarnarekha also did not com-ply with the primary waterquality criteria for outdoorbathing during the lockdownperiod since March, this year,as per a new report by theCentral Pollution ControlBoard.

In contrast, seven out of 19major rivers in India recordedan improvement in water qual-ity in April during the nation-wide lockdown period, said thereport released on Wednesday.

The report titled,“Assessment of Impact ofLockdown on Water Quality ofMajor Rivers”, attributed theworsening report card of theGanges to the discharge ofuntreated or partially treatedsewage, negligible or dry sea-sonal flow that increases con-centration of pollution and nofresh water discharges from theupstream.

The river’s water qualityhad worsened in many stretch-es, the analysis suggested not-

ing that the Ganges’ compli-ance with primary water qual-ity reduced from 64.6 per centto 46.2 per cent during thelockdown period.

The report said that sevenout of 19 major rivers in Indiarecorded an improvement inwater quality in April duringthe nationwide lockdown peri-od, which was enforced for 68days from March 25 in a bid tocontain the viral outbreak.

The seven rivers thatshowed an improvement inwater quality include Brahmani.The primary water quality cri-teria such as taking outdoor

baths in Brahmani improvedfrom 85 % during the pre-lock-down period to 100% when therestrictions were in place.

The correspondingimprovement for the other sixrivers are: Brahmaputra (87.5per cent to 100 per cent);Cauvery (90.5 per cent to 96.97per cent); Godavari (65.8 percent to 78.4 per cent); Krishna(84.6 per cent to 94.4 per cent);Tapi (77.8 per cent to 87.5 percent) and Yamuna (42.8 percent to 66.67 per cent).

The report attributed theworsening report card of theGanges to the discharge ofuntreated or partially treatedsewage; negligible or dry sea-sonal flow that increases con-centration of pollution and nofresh water discharges fromthe upstream.

Baitarani, Mahanadi,Narmada and Pennar riverswere 100 per cent compliant asfar as taking outdoor bathswere concerned.

�� !�,��0�&����'� ,&�'%*�$(����' !�"$�1�$0 2��3*��&

��� ����������!$��� ���

-���#�#� ��������� � ��� .�#���� ��� ��������� �

$#������� ������� � �������

��-���

!���� 75!�%580�

The Government hasempowered the National

Investigation Agency (NIA) toprobe offences under theNarcotic Drugs andPsychotropic Substances Act inorder to make it independentin terms of investigation ofdrug trade and linkages withterror funding.

The Revenue Departmentof Union Finance Ministry hasissued a Gazette notification inthis regard.

Section 53 of NDPS Actallows the Centre to entrust anyofficer with “the powers of apolice station for the investiga-tion of the offences under thisAct.’’

The NIA was established asa federal anti-terror probeagency a year after the 26/11Mumbai serial terror attacks toinvestigate terror crimes withinter-State or international ram-ifications. Through an amend-ment in the NIA Act last year,the agency was also empoweredwith the jurisdiction to probecases related to human traffick-ing, counterfeit currency notesand cyber terrorism but nar-cotics cases were still out of itspurview.

However, the latest Gazettenotification signed by the Under

Secretary in the RevenueDepartment of the FinanceMinistry Biswajit Sarkar enlargesthe authority of the NIA to probedrugs-related crimes.

Officials did not rule out thepossibility of the NIA steppinginto investigating the largerissues of drug-related crimes inBollywood with suspected linksto syndicates in foreign shores.The linkages of Bollywood per-sonalities with drug consump-tion and involvement with drugsyndicates has come to the forefollowing the probe by theNarcotics Control Bureau(NCB) into the drug peddlingnetwork in connection with themysterious death of film starSushant Singh Rajput.

The EnforcementDirectorate that is probing themoney laundering aspect in acase related to Rajput’s death firstflagged the drug connection inBollywood. The CBI is sepa-rately probing the criminalaspect of the death of Rajput.

The empowerment of theNIA with probes into NDPScases will also help the agency insystematically busting the link-ages between terror modulesand narco-terrorism especiallythose related to syndicates inJammu and Kashmir andPunjab as also the Northeast andin Naxal-hit areas, officialsadded.

��%���&�� ����',!������ ���##�������"�������������!��

!���� 75!�%580�

Even as its Covid-19 COV-AXIN enters Phase II

human clinical trials in India,Hyderabad-based vaccinemanufacturer Bharat Biotechon Wednesday announced ink-ing a pact with WashingtonUniversity School of Medicinein St. Louis for a novel chimp-adenovirus, single doseintranasal vaccine for the coro-navirus.

Bharat Biotech owns therights to distribute the vaccinein all markets except USA,Japan and Europe.

While the Phase I trialswill take place in Saint LouisUniversity’s Vaccine andTreatment Evaluation Unit,Bharat Biotech, upon obtain-ing the required regulatoryapproval, will pursue furtherstages of clinical trials inIndia and undertake largescale manufacture of the vac-cine at its GMP facility locat-ed in Genome Val ley,

Hyderabad.“We are proud to collab-

orate on this innovative vac-cine. We envision that wewill scale this vaccine to 1 bil-lion doses, translating to 1 bil-lion individuals vaccinatedreceiving a single-dose regi-men. An intranasal vaccinewill not only be simple toadminister but reduce theuse of medical consumablessuch as needles, syringes, etc.,significantly impacting theoverall cost of a vaccinationdrive,” said Dr. Krishna Ella,Chairman and ManagingDirector of Bharat Biotech.

�������������������"��� ����*����������6��%��������������#���"������

�0$&$����'�5�0'!7���05�&�:0���'�%���&��4�5��053$���75��7�$88

($&25���5F�51�4�$��D$1$7�$7%

54&'15

!���� 75!�%580�

Flight Lieutenant ShivangiSingh will be the first

woman fighter pilot to fly thesophisticated Rafale fighter jetsrecently inducted into the IAFat its Ambala airbase.

Varanasi-born Singh wascommissioned into the IAF in2017 as part of the secondbatch of women fighter pilots.At present, she is flying Mig-21jets and her conversion trainingto fly the Rafales has com-menced, sources said here onWednesday.

After rigorous training, shewill join the ‘Golden Arrows’squadron of the Rafales atAmbala some months later.

Prior to this assignment,she was flying MIG-21s some-where in the Rajasthan sector.Her course-mate FlightLieutenant Pratibha is all set tofly another frontline jet SU-30shortly, sources added. It will beanother first one for womenfighter pilots. At present, thereare ten women fighter pilots inthe IAF.

!�� 6�.�)�� 6�������1���� 6������������0��������

������� �"������������ ����4�����"���������#�������%������������& ������*�"���"�� !�

�������"��"����!��������:!��.�'��������������� ���� !���� 75!�%580�

Saudi Arabia on Wednesday sus-pended all flights travel to and

from India in the wake of theincreasing number of Covid-19 cases.

In a circular issued, SaudiArabia’s General Authority of CivilAviation (GACA) said it was “sus-

pending travel to and from the fol-lowing countries (India, Brazil andArgentina) including any personwho has been in any of the men-tioned countries above in the last 14days prior to their arrival to theKingdom”.

India and Brazil are among theworst affected countries due to coro-

navirus pandemic. India stood at sec-ond place, followed by Brazil in thecase of coronavirus cases.

However, passengers who haveofficial Government invitationshave been excluded from this sus-pension. The GACA circular —titled “Suspension of travel tocountries where the Covid-19 virus

has outbreak” was marked to allthe airlines and chartered flightcompanies operating at the SaudiArabia’s airports. In March thisyear, Saudi Arabia had suspendedall flights from and to India due to spread in coronaviruscases.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE

host a significant Indian migrantpopulation. Five days back, AirIndia Express had said the DubaiCivil Aviation Authority (DCAA)suspended its flights for 24 hoursfor bringing two passengers withCovid-positive certificates onAugust 28 and September 4.

Hong Kong also banned Air

India flights from Sunday tillOctober 3 after a few passengers onits flight on Friday tested positivefor Covid-19 post arrival

According to rules of the UAEGovernment, every passenger trav-elling from India is required tobring an original Covid-negativecertificate.

Page 8: # &ˆ˘...2020/09/24  · Bollywood-drug mafia nexus. As per the information that trickled out of its office, the NCB has summoned Simone, Rakul, Shruti Modi on September 24, while

The police ought to be thenatural, visible and trust-ed representative of theGovernment to immedi-ately address any con-

cern or perceived danger by the cit-izenry. Personnel are expected to beaccessible, unbiased and positivelyinterventionist to address any cri-sis. Maintenance of “law and order”is their foremost function. In awounded and increasingly polarisedsociety like India, where the soci-etal faultlines and suspicions rundeep, it is only the supposedly-apo-litical and “independent” institu-tions like the police that can theo-retically rein in violent tempers, pas-sion and hatred unleashed by thosewho have vested interest in keepingthe societal pot boiling. From con-trolling secessionist movements,insurgencies, civic/communal riots,vandalism, traffic, mob control,theft, crime etc — the laundry listof policing duties is unforgivinglylong. Many individuals from thepolicing forces across the countryhave distinguished themselves withsupreme courage, conduct and dig-nity to uphold the lofty motto ofSatyameva Jayate (Truth aloneTriumphs). However, collectivelythe institutional image of the policein the public consciousness is farfrom the desired levels of probity,independence and empathic moor-ings.

Over the last few decades, thespectre of communal riots in 1984,2002 or even the latest communalriots in February in Delhi, haveraised serious questions about theinstitution’s conduct. Almost always,the standard concerns of partisanpreferences, apathetic behaviour,dilly-dallying and capitulation havedominated the post-mortem ofeach of these strifes with all rulingnational and State parties guilty ofcomplicity in the same, wheneverin power. The convenience, lure andutility of a beholden police forcemake for incalculable comfort forthose in power, who ensure that theplethora of police reform commit-tee reports over the years continuesgathering dust. Various reformcommittees, led by Prakash Singh,Soli Sorabjee, VA Malimath, KPadmanabhaiah and JF Ribeiro,have attempted to professionaliseand rescue the institution from theclutches of vested interests, but bar-ring minor changes triggered by theSupreme Court’s intervention, theessential narrative and outcomeremain the same.

The recent 17,000-pagechargesheet by the Delhi Police,that has named 15 people underthe sections of the UnlawfulActivities (Prevention) Act, of theIndian Penal Code and ArmsAct, has re-ignited the debate ofinstitutional credibility. Thefather of the “All-IndiaAdministrative Services” (ofwhich the Indian Police Serviceis an integral part), Sardar Patel,famously said, “…these peopleare the instrument. Removethem and I see nothing, but apicture of chaos all over thecountry.” While the policinginstitution was certainly notremoved, it did not live up to theexpectations as the larger pictureof civic chaos, corruption anddeteriorating law and order isattributable, to an extent, on itsconduct.

Already the harsher insur-gencies have been essentiallyoutsourced by the State Police tothe Indian Army or to theCentral Armed Police Forces.The frequency at which theArmy is requisitioned to conductflag-marches, control civic disor-der or handle natural disastersdoes not show the State Policeforces in a glowing light.

The significance of Delhi inthe national imagination, owingto its status as the capital of thenation, makes Delhi Police thecynosure of administrative effi-cacy. From the offices of theCentral Government, SupremeCourt, foreign embassies, mul-tilateral organisations to thesprawling metropolis of 17 mil-lion residents — the responsibil-

ity and privilege of maintainingShanti Sewa Nyaya (Peace,Service, Justice) is on the largestmetropolitan police service in theworld. Despite over 80,000 per-sonnel, Delhi Police is clearlyoverstretched with over 25 percent of its staff committed to VIPduties and securing large-scaleevents that are typical to any cap-ital city — leaving too few, tohandle the restive city effective-ly. It has the unwanted distinc-tion of having the maximumnumber of complaints regis-tered against its own personnel.Frequent accusations of inaction,corruption and even collusionfurther mar the perception. Theinstitutional rifts within wereapparent from a very publicand embarrassing siege of itsheadquarters by thousands ofpolice personnel revolting andcomplaining against their ownsenior officers last year. Theoddity of Delhi Police comingunder the jurisdiction of theMinistry of Home Affairs, asopposed to the elected DelhiGovernment, has been a con-stant bone of contention forsuccessive regimes. The impliedconcern is the plausible politicalinfluence exerted on the DelhiPolice by the CentralGovernment. While there aregood functional reasons for this,as is done in major metropolitanpolice forces of global capitals,the concerns of undue politicalinfluence are increasingly hard toignore.

Irrespective of theGovernments in power, the nar-rative has been disconcerting.

The Delhi High Court had notedabout the 1984 riots, “Thoughwe boast of being the world’slargest democracy and Delhibeing its national Capital, thesheer mention of the incidents of1984 anti-Sikh riots in generaland the role played by DelhiPolice and state machinery inparticular makes our heads hangin shame in the eyes of the worldpolity.” It is that lingering senti-ment of kowtowing to the pow-ers-that-be that has again sulliedthe optics accompanying thechargesheet pertaining to theDelhi riots. Indeed, the perpetra-tors and instigators of such vio-lence are rarely one-sided, but theposited optics of a virtual cleanchit to one side of the protestersraises extremely dangerous andpolitical portents for the policinginstitution, as also for the nation.Importantly, the Commissionerof Delhi Police has clarified thatthey, “had questioned personswithout regard to their religionand party affiliation.” Yet somehard data continues fanningconcerns. Delhi Police’s recentcampaign of Dil ki Police (Policewith Heart) — with a heartreplacing the ‘o’ in Police — hasto go beyond slick slogans anddenials as the chargesheet couldhave reflected a more nuanceddiversity of purported arsonists.Now, eyes are on Delhi Police touphold Shanti Sewa Nyaya,“without regard to religion andparty affiliation” as was con-firmed by its Commissioner.

(The writer, a military vet-eran, is a former Lt Governor ofAndaman & Nicobar Islands)

2�����������������������$������������ �������� �������� ����������� ���� �������������������������������������������

�����������������������������������������!������ 3������� ��� �����!������� �����������*���������"�������������������������������!������������������������������������������������������������������"��������������!���������������������������� ������������������������������ ������������������������������������"�������2���������$��������������������� ����������� ���������!

�����������������������������������������"�������������������������������������������������������������������������������!���� ��������������������������4����������������������� ������������������!��� �"�������������������������������������������5 ������� ��������!������������������������ ������������������

3��������������������������������� ������������ ����������������-�������������������������������������������������� ����� �������������������������"�����������������������������������!���������6�����$����������������������2������*��������������������������������������7���$�������%�#�����-����� 6�������"������� ��������� ��������������������������������� �����������������*�������������������������������������$����������������������������������������������������������� �"������������.����,�����������.����)�����*���������������������� ����������������*���������������������������������������������������"������������������������2���������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������!�����2��������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������*������������������� ��� ���������������

*������������������ �������� ������������ �����������%���������������������������������������������-�/���������8*������

������ ������������� ������ ���������������������!������������������������������ ������9)�����������������+������������������������� ���������#���������������5������������������������$�������%���������������������������� ���������������������������������� �)����� �������������������������!���������������������:"�#��������������� ����������������������5������������

�����������������;�������������� ���������� ��� �������������������������������� �������������������51#������������������� �������)��������������� �������������������������5����� ����������������������������������������������5�������#�������������������������������!������������ ���5���������������������+������������ ���� ������-���������������������������������� ����������������������!����������������������������������������� �)�+�������������������������� ���������� ��������������������������������� ���������������� ��������������������������������������������������������������������� ��%�������������������������������������������!51#����������������� ��������������������������������������������"�������������������������������������������������� ��������+����������

3��� ���� ���.���-������������ ���������������������������������������������������������������������"�$����������������������������)������������������������������������������ �)���������������������������� �����������+�������������������������������������������+������ ���������������� �����"����5������������������������������������������������������� ������������������� �������������������������������������������%�������(���� �������$��������������!������ ������������������!������������ �����������������������������������������������������<==�����������������������������������������"�$������������������������������������� ����������� ������������������������������>==��������������������5������ ��������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������������������������� %������������ �������������������������������������"���� �)���������������2�����6�����������?���������@�������5����A=A=�������������� ����������������������������������������*�������������������������������������������"���������������������������������!���������$������������������ ($+��������������������������������������������� ���������������������� ���������������� ���������������� ��5��������������������������������������������������������������!���������� ����������������������8���������������9(���� �������������������������� ����������������������������� ��������������������������������������#/6��;)2������������������ ���������26������������ ���������8����!��������9($+�:+������$���������������($+��������%����������������������������������������������:5������������������������������������������������������������ ������� ���!������������)5*�������������������� ������������5��������������������������������������������������������������������������������"������������ �����������������������������������������!�������������!�����*������������������������������������������5�����+������������� ������������������������������� ��������������������#�����/����6�������?�#/6�@�������������������������������������������������B���������������������������������������������������������������� �����������������������������������������8������9�����������!������"���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������*����������� ��������������������������������"�������������������������!�������������� ������������������������������?/)#@������$��������������������������������������� �������������� ����������������������������������������������������5��������������5��������������/)#���������������������!���� 8������9���8���������9"� ������������������������������������� ���������������������5����������������������������������������������������������������������������� �"�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������B������-�����#�����������%������ �����������������������"�������%���� �����������������������������������

%������ ��� 1

�������������

Sir — Japan welcomed its newlyelected Prime Minister YoshihideSuga, replacing Shinzo Abe, whostepped down due to ill healthafter nearly eight years in office.India and Japan have had strongrelations with the latter funding80 per cent of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train projectthrough a soft loan of � 79,000crore at an interest rate of 0.1 percent, with a tenure stretchingover 50 years and a moratoriumperiod of 15 years. Now the onusof continuing the relation lies onSuga. Only time will tell if he willbe successful in continuing Abe’slegacy.

Rahul ChouhanUjjain

��������������Sir — Eighteen Opposition par-ties wrote to the President urg-ing him not to sign the farm Billspassed in the Parliament. In theletter, the parties brought to hisattention how the process was an“absolute and total murder ofdemocracy, ironically in themost hallowed temple of democ-racy, Parliament.” After the dis-appointing show of arrogance by

the Government, the Presidentshould return the Bills anduphold the sanctity of the con-stitution.

Bhagwan ThadaniMumbai

�����������������Sir — India and China haveagreed to stop sending moretroops to their respective sides of

Line of Actual Control (LAC) ineastern Ladakh. The major deci-sion taken during the sixthround of talks between the twocountries came as a whiff of freshair. However, various mediahouses have reported that Chinahas doubled its total number ofair bases near LAC, upgrading itsmilitary infrastructure. It is timefor China to realise that escalat-ing tension at the LAC would be

counter-productive. Can it let theUS get more support from theregion?

KV SeetharamaiahHassan

�����������������Sir — As per the data compiledby the Ministry of Labour andEmployment, more than onecrore migrant labourers returned

to their home States on foot dur-ing March and June. This alsoincludes those who travelledduring the lockdown. As per pro-visional available information,81,385 accidents occurred on theroads (including national high-ways) during the said period with29,415 fatalities. Now that theGovernment has the data on thenumber of deaths, it shouldensure compensation for thefamilies of the deceased. It can-not say there is no data.

Najibullah Mumbai

��������������������Sir — As Indian garmentexports face stiff competitionfrom neighbouring countries,encouraging the handloom sec-tor can help revive the industry.Showcasing products withunique designs and skills canattract considerable attention ofthe international buyers. TheGovernment should make itcompulsory for every licensedtextile mill to set up a handloomunit in its compound.

Madhu AgrawalChandni Chowk

� � � � � � - � � 5 � � � ) ) � % �

0004��'")*'$ ���4�$%������ #���@���"���������G ?���%��"1��������G ������#���@���"�������@

� #�#���� !"#�$�%�&'( #�)*�)+,)%-.�-/-/

�8

;�����. ���������� ������������������������������������������������B������"��������

������������������������������������������������������������

!�� ��*�0�� �"��������������������������� ������������������������������������������� ����� �"#�'���������"�������������������*����������'���������*������*������ ��������������������������#

����4��-78�9�:�29�;H8����4���""

���������������������������������������

$����� ����� � �����������"� ��������� ��� ������������������2������ D�������������������� ����������� �� ���� ������ �������� ��� ���

������������������'����������������������69������*���������1 ���� ������������������� ��:�������������������������������������������� ����#�������������������������4�������������������D������2��������8� �����������������������:��������������������������������������#�

1 ���)����� �������������:�������������*����� ���������� ����������#� ������ ��� ������� ���� �����1 ����5�����������������I�15�J#����������������������������������F��;���������������������������������;�����������)�����������������������������&��������� ��I�&�J#���������B���������������� ����������&��� ������ ��������1 ������������2����#���������1 ���������������������������������������������������2���������*��������������������������*��������47���������1 ���*����������� ����:������������#�

���������������������������������� �������������������������:����������������������� ��������������"���;�������"�����#�1 ���)������ ������������:���������������������������������*�����������������������������������������*����������������7����*������� � �������������������"#�

��<0���������

���"�������##��" ������?��11�;/1-:�-<��;=>?2��.7-?�

!���"��#�*����6�

9� ���(����� �1�� ��!������ ��0�����.��"� �"��0����������� ����.���������� ���������������� �!��

9� �� �������(�.�7������� ���. �����.���(�����������" ��"7 �� ������.������0��

���5�6����*/.0

$8('���$8!$C���05���$7%$&%�'7�5&7��'�

1$&���$71&5�5&57�5��

$1$�05����50$3�'4&��

%�88C�%$88C�7:$7%��$1��48$��'70$35�%'(�7$�5%

�05�1'���('&�5(�'��5$�0'���05�5���&��5�!��0�$88�&48�7:

7$��'7$8�$7%��$�5�1$&��5�

:4�8�C�'��'(18����C��7

�05��$(5�!057535&��7

1'!5&�

!������������������������� �������*���������������������������������������������� ���"������������#

�����7;�12;9���<�;2�H$�������:������

!��*��������������� ������*��*�������������� �����*�*������������������������*��*�������������*����������������������������"�������������������#

���!;�/�4�<1�H%�����������

$��������������;���� �����������"��*���*������������� �����"��������������������������������#

0//�2<�!;�/�4�<1H3�������1�����

� 1 � / 2 3 * � �

� � � � � + � � 1 �� 0 � � 2 * � 1 +

Page 9: # &ˆ˘...2020/09/24  · Bollywood-drug mafia nexus. As per the information that trickled out of its office, the NCB has summoned Simone, Rakul, Shruti Modi on September 24, while

����<������!!�������� � ��=

���!���������������������������������!���������������@�������������� ��� ���

��!������������! ����.A�� ����! ������� ���!���55�!�� ����

���� ��� ���5�! ������������ �5���@B�� �� ������� �� �������������������� ��������� ������ ����!�����5�������!�����.A��������!� ������� �! ������������������������ ��� ���

5����1�/��+5����

The 12-hour military commander-levelmeeting, the first after the five-point con-sensus at Moscow, has once again ended

with all indicators pointing towards a stalemate.India, on its part, is buoyed with the brilliant pre-emptive tactical actions on August 29-30, lead-ing to gaining control of dominating tactical fea-tures on our side of the Line of Actual Control(LAC) on the southern bank of Pangong Tso. Thiswas followed by readjustments of defences on thenorthern bank, gaining domination over theFingers area where the Chinese have transgressedand are unwilling to restore status quo antebel-lum.

The manoeuvres of the Indian Army haveempowered the Indian negotiators to hold par-leys from a position of strength. However,China, through its mouthpiece, Global Times, andother State-owned and controlled media, remainsin constant denial mode, blaming India insteadfor the current military stand-off. Despite theChinese claims, Xi Jinping, the Chinese Presidentand strongman, is acknowledged globally as theaggressor in pursuance of his cherished dreamof becoming the strongest and the most power-ful world leader.

The Indian stand so far has been determined,consistent and firm. India has outrightly reject-ed the Chinese suggestion of “meeting halfway.”India rightly insists on its demand of “first-in,first-out,” considering the fact that it was thePeople’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops who vio-lated the established agreements and protocolsand made multi-pronged transgressions into ourterritory in eastern Ladakh in early May. The PLAis also guilty of not adhering to the decisionsarrived at during the first Corps Commandersmeeting on June 5 for de-escalation and dis-engagement, leading to the ugly clashes atGalwan.

The Galwan clashes, resulting in fatalities onboth sides, made India and the world realise thatit was a well-planned cartographic aggression bythe Chinese with the express consent of theCentral Military Commission (CMC) led by Xi.The obstinate attitude displayed by the Chinesethereafter proves beyond doubt that the finaldecision will also be taken by none other thanXi whose “China dream” and personal ambitionare stake.

Xi is a career politician, privileged to havebeen born with a “Red spoon” in his mouth. Hisfather, Xi Zhongxun, was “Red royalty”, a heroof the Communist revolution who later fell outwith Mao Zedong, according to AnanthKrishnan, an acknowledged China-watcher.After the purging of his father, Xi was shifted torural China from the privileged living in CentralBeijing, the area earmarked for the then Chineseelite. Xi struggled thereafter to enter the youthwing of the Communist Party and the final accep-tance into the party is well-documented and anexample of focussed determination, perseveranceand hardship. Despite being born into the “Redroyalty,” he was not parachuted to the top andhad to struggle his way through at every stage.His initial background and subsequent struggleto rise to power had made him ambitious andadamant.

Xi took over the reins of the party when itwas in a disarray. He, therefore, began to con-

solidate his power and graduallybecame all-powerful through com-plete centralisation of authority. Hebrought to an end the “collective lead-ership” system in the Communist Partyof China (CPC). He not only managedto gain hold of all the top three postsin China but also had a resolutionpassed for abolishing the President’sterm limit, enabling him to rule indef-initely. This act of his has not gonedown well with the young and aspiringleaders within the CPC who see a darkfuture for them with bleak chances ofrising to the top. Like all authoritarianleaders, Xi, too, has a fair number of dis-sidents and domestic opponents.

During his consolidation of poweramong other things, he has relied a lotupon emphasis on ideology and nation-alism. Xi believes that the communistideology must prevail upon every-thing else among the Chinese populace.The “3 W” strategy enunciated for thePLA is aimed at promoting and ensur-ing compliance of the ideology.

The PLA, as is well-known, is nota national army but the army of theCPC. Moreover, Xi’s reliance on theindoctrinated cadre of the UnitedFront Work Department over careerdiplomats, while appointing ambas-sadors to South Asian and other targetcountries, indicates his preference forideology over diplomacy to carry for-ward his pet Belt and Road Initiative(BRI) project. Xi has also given a newimage of aggressiveness and assertive-ness to the Chinese diplomacy through“wolf warrior” diplomats. He wants tobe recognised as the most powerfulChinese leader by challenging thesupremacy of the American President.

To fulfil his ambition and imbibenationalism, Xi has announced his

roadmap in what is referred to as the“China Dream.”

“President Xi’s dream is of astronger nation with a strong military,”according to Liu Mingfu, a retiredChinese colonel and author. The under-lying idea behind the “China Dream”is to restore the ex-Middle Kingdom’sglory and regain the Chinese suprema-cy through expansionism. It is alsoaimed at minimising internal dissensionthrough national unity. Xi’s ambition isto make China not only stronger butassertive as well. This is a very criticalyear for Xi in his roadmap for realis-ing the “China Dream” by 2049, thecentenary year of the People’s Republicof China. There are two intermediarygoalposts in 2021 and 2025. This yearis the launchpad for 2021, the 100thanniversary of the CPC. Xi hadpromised the nation that by 2020 hewould ensure poverty relief by bring-ing all Chinese above the poverty lineand strengthen national defence and theChinese armed forces.

However, the Chinese economyhad begun to show a downward trendin 2019 itself when China’s growthdropped to its slowest pace in nearlythree decades. With the outbreak of theCovid-19 pandemic, Xi was certain thathe would not be able to meet hispromised economic targets in 2020.Despite the bold face being put up byChina, it is certain that its economy isundergoing a crisis. The banking sys-tem is the worst-hit, with growingunemployment and disrupted globalsupply chains adding to the pressure.

The centralisation works well aslong as the going is good. But in timesof crisis, many dissenting voices areraised. Xi is now facing a similar situ-ation at home. As is evident, nothing

moves in China without his approval orconsent. Xi has obviously failed to meethis promised economic targets toremove poverty and is facing a hugechallenge to his authority. Any pullbackat this time by the PLA troops will beviewed as a defeat for China, thus negat-ing his second goalpost as well of astronger military.

Can Xi at this juncture afford totake this risk and relent? That is whythe Chinese media is talking of a “longhaul” through the winters. Xi’s calcu-lation is based on the premise that aprolonged deployment would affect theIndian economy more than the Chineseone. He is mistaken. India stands unit-edly to safeguard its territorial integri-ty and would not yield till Chinavacates from the transgressed areas. Onthe other hand, he is faced with grow-ing dissension at home.

Despite the propaganda unleashedby the State-controlled media of theinvincibility of the PLA forces, Xi isuncertain of an assured victory. Evena stalemate would be viewed as anIndian victory and a Chinese failure.There is no dearth of dissenters at homewaiting for his failure and ensure thathe doesn’t get a second chance. Xi isfaced with a dilemma of relent orretreat. Knowing the ambitious personaof Xi, he is unlikely to yield ground tohis dissenters so easily. Rather thanbeing forced to resign, he would pre-fer to relent at an opportune time andorder the PLA to vacate. How and whenis a matter of negotiations and timing.Meanwhile, India should not ditherunder any circumstances.

(The author is a Jammu-based vet-eran, political commentator and secu-rity and strategic analyst. The viewsexpressed are personal.)

9� ���� � ��� �� �������!�� �����. �� ����.������ ���������!������������ �� �������������(/��(����"����"(��� ��>��0���" �� 0 �������� ! ����� ���������� �����������!��������� ��.����(

�94 * + � � � 1 � � /

��0' 70' �'&��&'$ �#$���""

�������6��,1��

���������B�������������������������������������H���������������*���������������H�*������ ������� � ��� �������������� ����� ��"

��.�.����

%5�1��5��051&'1$:$7%$

4785$�05%��C��05��$�5��'7�&'885%

(5%�$�'���05�73�7����8��C�'�

�05�18$��'&�5���F����47�5&�$�7�'�

$7�$��4&5%3���'&C#�5357�$

��$85($�5�!'48%�5�3�5!5%�$��$7�7%�$7�3���'&C$7%�$��0�75�5

�$�84&5#��05&5���7'�%5$&�0�'�%���57�5&��$�

0'(5�!$���7:��'&0����$�84&5�$7%57�4&5��0$��05%'5�7)��:5��$

�5�'7%��0$7�5#�F�����$�5%�!��0�$

%�85(($�'�&5857��'&&5�&5$�#

27'!�7:��05$(����'4�

15&�'7$�'��F���05���478�258C��'C�58%�:&'47%�

�'�0���%���57�5&��

�'�5$��8C

"��������������������������������������������������2���������������������������������������!��������������������"�����!�����������������

�������������������������������������������������!�������������� ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������!C��������������������������� �����������������������������������������������������������������������������!�����������2�������� ��������������������������������������2���������������������������2����6���!6����</�-�� ��������������������������������������������������������������������##;?��������������� ������@�����������������*����������������������������������������D������������������������D���������������������������������������������������� ������������5����������,������������������������������������������������������������ �����������������������������������C��!������������������C�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������!����������������������������������������������������!����������������������������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������� �� ���� �� ���������� �������� ��� �������� ����������������� ������������������������������������������!��������������������"��������������������!��� !���������������� �������������������������� �������!�����������������������������������������������������!��������������

-�������������������6������������������ ���������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������� �������������*������������������������������!������������������� �*������������������������������������������������������������������5���������� �����!������������������������������������������������

)����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������2������������������������������������� �������������������6������������������� ������������������� ����������������������������������������������2������������������!���������� �)������;������������)�� ����������������!�������������;7���������� ��������&7������"��������!� ��������������������������������C��������������� ������������������������������6�������������������������������������������������������*�������!������������ �������2������"� ���������������������2���2!>E=� ��������!�����������������������������!������� ����������������"��������������������������!��������������� ���������������������#�������������!��������������������������������������������������������������$��������$�������/�C������������������!�����$������������������������2������/�C����%��������!������������������������������������/���������

"��������������������������������������!���������������������;7F������!���������������������������������� ������-������.������� ���/*"��������������������������������)���������������������������������C��?,����@�������?�#��@�"� ������������������A==G����������C��!���������������#��,��������������������C��������������������������#������!�����������������"���� �������������������������������������� ����������������������������%���������������������������������������+����������)���������������� �� �������� ������� "��� ����� �� )������� ���������������������*���������� ����*��������������������!��������������������������������������������������������������2����������������������������� �6���!6������#���������������5������.���������������������������!���������������������������������������� ��������������������������� ��������������������������������������C����������"����������������������������������� ���������!�������������� ���������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������&7�������������������������������������������3�������������������� �����������������������������������������������������������"��������� ���������������������������������������������������������������������������

?�������������� ���������������������������������@

The Coronavirus pandemic hasprompted billions to seek shel-ter in their homes as countries

across the world have gone into lock-downs at different times and in manyphases. Although doing so has checkedthe spread of the virus to a certainextent, it has not slowed the progres-sion of other diseases. Therefore, theneed to find innovative ways to stemand treat such diseases grows daily andfor many countries, telemedicine hasprovided a cheap and practical way tomeet this need.

It is a quintessential example of theFourth Industrial Revolution in actionand is an area in which India hasalready demonstrated its ability to lead.

Few interventions are as conducive topiloting ambitious telemedicine inIndia than tobacco cessation andthere are three reasons for this.

First, as the Foundation for aSmoke-Free World’s India Reportshows, tobacco use is widely prevalentin the country and its results are dev-astating. There are nearly 270 millionadult users of tobacco in India. Expertsestimate that tobacco use is responsi-ble for nearly 10 per cent of all deathsin the country and the resulting eco-nomic burden amounts to more thanone per cent of the Gross DomesticProduct (GDP). This figure riseswhen we consider the economic tollof tobacco-related disability and otherindirect costs. Ultimately, the burdenof tobacco use constrains healthcare,particularly for the poor.

Second, many of those mostaffected by tobacco use live in placeswith few specialists to provide cessa-tion services. The shortage of health-care providers is acute in these regionswhere brick-and-mortar clinics are fewand far in between. India already suf-fers from a shortage of healthcareproviders, with only one doctor for

every 1,400 people and only one hos-pital bed for every 2,000 people (wellbelow the World Health Organisation’srecommended norms).

Third, unlike many other medicalconditions, treating tobacco addictionand diagnosing its sequelae, such asoral cancers, can often be doneremotely. Tobacco cessation is predi-cated on counselling for behaviour,which can be effectively delivered viatelemedicine platforms. India hasmore cases of oral cancer than any-where else in the world due to the pop-ularity of smokeless tobacco productsin the country.

The scale of tobacco use and itsresulting harms, its disproportionate tollon those in rural areas and the abilityto effectively treat it and diagnose manyof its sequelae make it a natural con-tender for telemedicine. However,some structural changes are required tosuccessfully integrate telemedicine inthe healthcare sector’s arsenal.Specifically, the three “Ds” — doctors,diagnostics and data — requireredoubled focus in this context. TheMinistry of Health and Family Welfare’srecently-notified Telemedicine Practice

Guidelines provide a scope for regis-tered medical professionals (RMPs) tofamiliarise themselves with telemedi-cine. The guidelines include instruc-tions for RMPs to maintain digitalrecords of patients, including evaluationand management reports.

Doctors may still require guidanceto select appropriate software andtechnology that can help streamlinethese tasks. Though specialised digitalapplications to facilitate cessation areavailable, doctor awareness is the keyto unfetter their use-case. Additionally,issues of medical ethics and liabilitiesneed to be addressed, to build patienttrust.

The second critical area is invest-ments in diagnostics. Recent experi-ments with tele-diagnostic services inMaharashtra have enabled the use ofphotos to detect early cases of oral can-cer and identify at-risk patients. Thisensures that RMPs can make clinicalevaluations to identify early onset of dis-eases to reduce the time between diag-nosis and treatment.

The country requires similar inter-ventions that leverage the combinationof widespread smartphone access andstate-of-the art diagnostics. But scalerequires private sector investments,based on a profitable business model.

Diagnostics capabilities can likely bebolstered through hub-and-spoketelemedicine models to ensure access tolarger markets at reduced rates of ser-vice distribution. Moreover, the use ofArtificial Intelligence (AI) and MachineLearning (ML) to augment diagnosticcapabilities of physicians can also reducehealthcare costs. Studies estimated thatthe use of this model to treat strokepatients can reduce costs by 10 per cent.

India’s fragmented healthcareecosystem has multiple public, private,and individual healthcare providers.

Therefore, it is often a challenge forhealthcare professionals to maintainrobust medical records. Even when theydo, such records are not easily portable,and patients rarely get timely access.Digitisation of health records can helpdoctors administer appropriate treat-ment and create a knowledge bank thatwill help officials understand trends inpublic health, such as the burden oftobacco use.

It is important that such solutionsare designed as open data ecosystems,subject to user audits and not as vulner-able single points of failure. Studies indi-cate that high, out-of-pocket expendi-ture on healthcare pushes around 32-39million citizens below the poverty lineevery year.

Telemedicine services offer anopportunity to leapfrog traditional con-straints to quality healthcare. The three“Ds” offer the means to unlock suchpotential and reduce the healthcare bur-den that is a consequence of widespreadtobacco use.

(Shah is research manager at theFoundation for a Smoke-Free World andSharan is, partner, Koan Advisory Group.The views expressed are personal.)

9. ����!������"������ �0���� � . ��� ���� !�"#�$��%&!'�"!(�)#��)��(�%���*��%'!#%��+�%�,#))��#((�)%����#�(�(�#+��*��+��%*�*!-.!�#!���� !��'#��)#�)!'*��)#���/%!��,!�(��!�'!"�%!�$

���������0�0

�����0�+�/

���� !"#�$�%�&'( #�)*�)+,)%-.�-/-/

0004��'")*'$ ���4�$%

4 1 + � * . / � � �

����42������������ �������"��������%�*����������#����������������������������������������"#����������������������������������*������������������������B��������������������������������������������"���� ��������������������#����������������������42)����������������� ����1���� �3�������*�������������������-..�������"��"�����7� �����#

I����� ���� ��������J

$��&�����($%5��7%'!7�7:���&55��

�#� ����

Page 10: # &ˆ˘...2020/09/24  · Bollywood-drug mafia nexus. As per the information that trickled out of its office, the NCB has summoned Simone, Rakul, Shruti Modi on September 24, while

�#�� 10���� !"#�$�%�&'( #�)*�)+,)%-.�-/-/

Script Open High Low LTPRELIANCE 2275 2276.5 2206.15 2229.55BHARTIARTL 470 470 423.95 433.9IDEA 10.2 10.2 8.81 9.22DRREDDY 5250 5280 5063.45 5100.4VOLTAS 660.8 676.6 653.5 666.3TCS 2510 2517 2410 2467.15CIPLA 785 785 762.05 766.9MFSL 594 604.65 582.2 588.7INFY 1016.35 1037.1 1001.55 1019.65INDUSINDBK 545 553.6 519.25 527.65BAJFINANCE 3339.5 3343.9 3201.1 3242.85DIVISLAB 3265 3288 3125.5 3139.05TATAMOTORS 135.95 136.8 128 131.35HDFCBANK 1040 1055 1034.65 1047.55HCLTECH 831.3 844.5 810.15 814.35SBIN 188.8 188.8 181 183.8BANDHANBNK 270.6 273 261.1 268ZEEL 200 203.1 177.3 191.75AXISBANK 420 422.95 406.15 419.8ICICIBANK 356.65 357.2 342.45 351.7HINDUNILVR 2032 2060 2026.7 2052.85TATASTEEL 376 377.55 356.7 361.25IBULHSGFIN 158.6 160 150 151.5MINDTREE 1320 1342.05 1248.25 1297.85MARUTI 6700 6700 6384.9 6503.5GAIL 84.25 86.35 82.85 85.7JINDALSTEL 171 181.25 160 175.9WIPRO 315 321.7 311.2 314.5LAURUSLABS 1449.4 1494.4 1351 1366.3LT 869.8 873.85 855 860.75IDFCFIRSTB 28.9 29.25 27.8 28.45ITC 175 177.5 171.75 172.55DEEPAKNI 859.9 873.9 831 843.8IOC 76.9 77 75.35 76SUNPHARMA* 520 521.55 498.15 502.75DLF 152.45 154.25 142.55 150.45ASHOKLEY 76.5 76.6 71.9 73.6M&MFIN 119 121.15 112.8 119.9ASIANPAINT 1949 1989 1928.65 1946.5HDFC 1688 1696 1650.6 1667.1TATAPOWER 52 55.35 51.3 53.55RBLBANK 168.45 171.2 161.6 166.65KOTAKBANK 1275 1287.1 1265.6 1274.85PIDILITIND 1426.2 1455.35 1414.7 1419.35TITAN 1106.1 1122 1103.35 1117.25ESCORTS 1229.95 1245 1190 1213.75GLENMARK 458 473.55 458 470.7UPL 533 533.7 520 532.5HEROMOTOCO 2997 3041 2925.3 2958.35NTPC 87.25 88.15 84.3 85.1LUPIN 1069.9 1069.9 1002 1016ADANIENT 283 296.3 278.75 283.3SIEMENS 1221.8 1249.55 1221.05 1231.8INFRATEL 180.4 182.35 162.6 167.05INDIGO 1238 1298.75 1238 1282.6PNB 30.35 30.45 28.9 29.35BOSCHLTD 13140 13140 12264.35 12750.9IEX 195 197 184.95 190.05BANKINDIA 41.35 41.85 39.7 40.4TECHM 807.2 811.6 783.45 792.8FEDERALBNK 49.45 49.85 47.5 48.45GRANULES 360.85 369 353.5 363.45JSWSTEEL 273 273 263.8 268.05HINDPETRO 181.8 183.1 174.1 177.65BANKBARODA 42.4 42.75 40.85 41.55SAIL 35.8 36.2 33.55 34.8M&M 620 620.6 603.5 612.8BHEL 33 33.3 30.85 31.5MUTHOOTFIN 1023 1057.4 1009 1046.45PEL 1250 1265 1206.15 1237.1SWSOLAR 222.9 235.9 222.9 235.9NESTLEIND 15275 15400 15130 15362.95COALINDIA 120 122.4 118.85 121.25SRTRANSFIN 649 650 607.55 613.55IRCTC 1374.95 1377 1353.1 1372.55ONGC 70.3 70.3 67.4 67.65AUROPHARMA 810 812.55 771.8 780.9CANBK 89.55 91.7 86.3 88.15PAGEIND 18494.45 19490 18456.1 19340.4PVR 1130.1 1142.55 1092.9 1116.95BAJAJFINSV 5743.9 5756.9 5556 5654.45APOLLOHOSP 1791.7 1835 1762.4 1818.95STAR 662.5 683.9 642 658.2BATAINDIA 1313.25 1369.95 1313.25 1340.55CADILAHC 393.25 395.95 379.05 383.9BPCL 397 397 381.2 387.6TATACHEM 283.95 300 276.4 292.5EICHERMOT 2075 2125.15 2049.3 2076.2DIXON 8698 9001 8698 8779.85HINDALCO 165.8 167.35 162.35 165.45AMBUJACEM 206.8 211.05 204.85 209.25TATAELXSI 1257.9 1260.9 1187 1204.75HDFCAMC 2183.8 2251.15 2133.25 2145.25CONCOR 371.5 378.9 371.5 377MOTHERSUMI 113.25 115.45 108.6 109.15VEDL 127 130.5 127 130BIOCON 430 430 418.4 423.75ASTRAZEN 4447.2 4459.1 4253.7 4317.6BAJAJ-AUTO 2980 3045.5 2955.9 2983.85NATIONALUM 32 32.5 31.4 31.85IGL 407 416.5 403.15 407.45BEL 92.5 95.55 92.4 93.8PERSISTENT 1195 1242 1145 1222.5ADANIGREEN 617.5 630.6 588.35 588.35JUBILANT 787.05 789.75 718.05 726DMART 2056.5 2098.7 2047.1 2053.4L&TFH 60.95 60.95 58.3 59.55SUNTV 479.95 488.25 455.75 460.05

MGL 864 864 834.35 843.1COFORGE 2199.9 2240.55 2150 2224.05APOLLOTYRE 125.5 126 119.4 121.35LICHSGFIN 288.5 292.05 273.3 278.1BRITANNIA 3610 3654.1 3563.2 3624.45TATACONSUM 506 510.5 490.3 494.15BALKRISIND 1296 1358.35 1296 1348.55MCX 1644 1664.2 1570 1593.95FSL 73.6 78.35 72.5 74.8LTI 2619.35 2684.5 2401.15 2449.45INDIAMART 4852.05 4984.15 4693 4898.8EXIDEIND 158 159.2 155.7 157.45NAUKRI 3437.9 3480.9 3330 3383.1TIINDIA 575.15 598.8 546.7 560.85ADANIPORTS 340 340 320.55 324.4FRETAIL 94.4 94.4 86.4 86.65SBICARD 824 826.5 813 820.8ULTRACEMCO 3895.5 3917.3 3838.1 3867.15JUBLFOOD 2324.85 2347.9 2292.7 2316.4

GSPL 200 201.35 193.5 198.3BHARATFORG 455 455.95 443.5 446.6PETRONET 222 222.15 212.25 215.4MANAPPURAM 147.1 150.15 143.85 146.2NMDC 82 82 79.3 80.2SYNGENE 564 569 550 560.2KPITTECH 111.7 115.7 110 113JBCHEPHARM 1001.2 1029.9 907.75 921.25ACC 1363 1368.85 1326.6 1354.6TORNTPHARM 2728 2773.9 2646.8 2659.7RAMCOCEM 709.3 726.95 702 722.65SHREECEM 18900 19068 18550.05 18968.05GRASIM 732.5 732.5 704.9 719.15DABUR 499 499 484.5 486.05NOCIL 133.1 135.3 130 134BSOFT 197.9 199.6 191.65 193.8HAVELLS 660 686.15 660 674.2PFC 88.35 88.35 85.15 86.2NATCOPHARM 886.25 887.9 842.6 850.8ATUL 6200 6362.35 5946.1 5975.2RECLTD 102.2 102.85 98.8 100TVSMOTOR 460 460 434.2 442.15GHCL 160 165.6 158.6 160.55SUMICHEM 298 309 296 304.75PFIZER 4799.05 4945.35 4799.05 4913.25BAJAJCON 177 186 177 182.5FINEORG 2730 2740 2565 2597CHOLAFIN 233.5 236.45 226.55 229.8ICICIPRULI 412.95 412.95 400.8 408.5BLISSGVS 152.6 153.55 150.25 152.05MAHINDCIE 135 145 133.35 139.15IPCALAB 2120 2145.95 2045 2135.75POWERGRID 168.5 168.8 163 163.9MRF 57966.25 58176.25 56900 57218.35AMBER 1975.05 2039.05 1940.1 1992.05ADANIGAS 192 194.4 181.7 186.25COLPAL 1345 1358.95 1341 1354.4CENTURYTEX 342.85 347.7 327.45 332.55SBILIFE 826 840.55 826 834FCONSUMER 8.8 8.9 8.29 8.32STRTECH 147.05 150.4 142.75 145.05PNBHOUSING 317 332 310.15 323.8SUDARSCHEM 473 477.4 452 461.05WABCOINDIA 5564.3 5999 5449 5760.9MPHASIS 1386.9 1418 1370.55 1383.6ALKYLAMINE 3150 3215 2977 3044.75SPARC 175.35 176.25 166.35 169.4AARTIIND 1057 1058.85 1010 1029.35ENGINERSIN 66.5 66.5 64.4 65.5GODREJCP 681 688.7 668.8 679.05NBCC 24 24.45 23.25 23.9RELAXO 648.5 658 625.6 648.6BERGEPAINT 563 573.85 562 570.85NAVINFLUOR 2019.8 2051.7 1950 2032.55BEML 609.95 617.6 584.2 602.85MEGH 76 80.2 76 79.15APLLTD 934.95 934.95 895.7 915.65SRF 4172 4174.75 4048.8 4115.9SUZLON 3.01 3.07 2.94 2.96ABFRL 131 133.45 127 131.8IDFC 31.3 32.2 31.05 31.65HINDZINC 210 222.75 207.8 212.65HEXAWARE 463 468.95 463 468.15IBREALEST 52.65 53 50.2 52.4FORTIS 132.8 137.45 132.35 134.9ABCAPITAL 63.5 65.45 62.05 63.15HDFCLIFE 602 602 576.15 580CANFINHOME 416.95 422.15 411.75 415.75JUSTDIAL 366.2 367 354.25 360.8SPANDANA 533 565 511.55 516.75NCC 30.85 31.6 30.15 30.75PRESTIGE 239.55 250 236 246.15RAIN 96.05 102.5 96.05 101.5

RAYMOND 265 268.85 256.15 264.6UBL 965.5 976.45 953.85 962.95CGCL 233.2 233.75 217.75 225.65ADVENZYMES 231 239 222.9 227.35ESSELPRO 252.05 253.9 237 238.65ADANIPOWER 36.6 37.35 36.35 36.65BDL 292 298.05 287.5 294.2FDC 346.95 348.65 331.3 342.4TRENT 635.5 650.25 602 624.6LINDEINDIA 732.3 756.45 703.95 741.25DELTACORP* 104 106.4 100.55 104.1HAL 777.4 787 759.05 770.05VIPIND 301.7 306.1 286.1 291GODREJPROP 845 879.45 845 863.2TATAMTRDVR 59.7 60.8 59.1 60.4EDELWEISS 61.35 63.1 58.15 58.95ALKEM 2810 2830 2725 2742.7WABAG 189.55 192.65 182.3 185.65MARICO 346.1 349.9 337.35 339.8REPCOHOME 163 165.1 160.4 164.85AJANTPHARM 1578 1591.8 1533.95 1564.1MIDHANI 196.95 199.05 191.2 195.3AMARAJABAT 715.15 734 714.45 726.1DISHTV 13.15 13.55 12.64 12.64BOMDYEING 63.85 64.3 60.75 62.95INDHOTEL 95 95 90.2 91.95PIIND 1910 1926.6 1863.5 1895.3HEG 719.45 731 701.5 715.4SWANENERGY 115.45 116.45 113.5 114.35SONATSOFTW 338 343.1 325.65 330.8KAJARIACER 507.75 529 507.75 519.3ABB 895.2 900.2 881.2 885.2LALPATHLAB 1825 1843.55 1768 1815WHIRLPOOL 2143 2153.55 2012.4 2047.85AUBANK 669.5 676.6 647.15 654.35GNFC 213.95 215.8 206.05 210.25ICICIGI 1271.75 1285 1248.1 1257.1ITI 121.05 125.25 118.1 122.55INDIACEM 119.95 119.95 114.25 117.95UNIONBANK 25.5 25.9 25 25.2AVANTI 487.05 507.5 486 489.75SOBHA 237 241.75 230.3 234.55POLYCAB 830 841 814.9 825.8RITES 242.75 245.4 239 244.65EQUITAS 49.7 51 49.05 50.2IDBI 35.95 35.95 34 34.45RADICO 411 426.85 405.2 414.85SOUTHBANK 6.75 6.79 6.64 6.68EIHOTEL 80 80.6 76 79.05ZENSARTECH 189.35 210 188.05 201.4COROMANDEL 820 820 782 788.8DCAL 159.35 160.4 148.1 149.6PHILIPCARB 128.6 128.6 119.5 121.05OFSS 3075 3145.05 3011.05 3047.75VINATIORGA 1279.95 1279.95 1180 1213.65HONAUT 32899.9 33473.85 32000 32301.55THYROCARE 790 810.35 784 785.6DHANUKA 776 803 743 765.5GMRINFRA 22.2 22.2 21.15 21.45RALLIS 288 289.3 278.85 285.55SUNTECK 265.9 273 256.55 258.9JAMNAAUTO 45.75 47.65 45 47WELCORP 102 106.8 99.25 102.7PCJEWELLER 14.1 14.45 13.75 13.95JAICORPLTD 85.6 85.6 80.35 81.95NAM-INDIA 265.85 270 260.8 263.35LTTS 1675 1685.75 1613.05 1620.45CASTROLIND 112.25 113.95 110.65 111.45SCHNEIDER 79 81.6 78.55 80.05UJJIVAN 214.8 216.2 202.1 205.6SHK 80 81.55 76.4 80.7BAYERCROP 5997.05 6138.9 5880.1 5997PTC 48 48.5 47.2 47.9PGHL 5011 5099 4888.05 4960.05WOCKPHARMA 283 284.45 272.3 277.95DEEPAKFERT 150.75 154.4 146.6 149.1RVNL 20 20 19.05 19.3ZYDUSWELL 1810 1824.85 1701 1718.6DCBBANK 81.6 85 81.6 83.4HFCL 15.4 15.45 14.35 14.95CYIENT 402 403.75 382.25 387.8METROPOLIS 1800 1800 1700.05 1726.05ABBOTINDIA 16300 16300 15746.85 15993.05JKTYRE 57.75 59.3 56.5 59BLUEDART 2737.85 2840.45 2680.6 2789.2IRB 109 114.8 108 109.5GUJGAS 310 312.8 297.05 299CHAMBLFERT 146.95 149.5 146.95 148.25CEATLTD 906 915.75 895 905.85ISEC 465 470 435 462.9SCI 52.7 54.55 52.4 53.4GODFRYPHLP 913.45 924 899.15 912.95INOXLEISUR 271 286 263 265.7GRAPHITE 170 172.65 165.5 168ADANITRANS 250.6 251.65 240 241.9BALRAMCHIN 152 153.5 144.4 146.25QUESS 390.05 404.1 383.6 396.45JINDALSAW 62.55 64.8 62.3 64.25WELSPUNIND 56.05 59.2 56.05 58.85AFFLE 2964.8 2984.1 2900 2953SANOFI 8426.65 8494 8411 8477.95ALLCARGO 115 123 115 119.4SPICEJET 48.25 49.6 47.95 48.4CUB 137.9 139.05 132.25 135.15GLAXO 1636.95 1638.45 1580 1590.3CAPPL 564.5 570 537.25 556.4ASTRAL 1070 1107.15 1070 1098.75GESHIP 245.05 252.4 241.6 248.65INDOCO 258 271 250 255.6

IIFL 82.5 82.5 78.05 78.9MOTILALOFS* 630 630 618.75 625.1INFIBEAM 77 77.95 73.65 74.35CUMMINSIND 456 460.9 451.2 453.3BIRLACORPN 666.9 679 631.3 636.35RAJESHEXPO 484.4 496 468.3 477.3TAKE 44.8 44.95 40.85 42.2GMM 4245.3 4245.3 4245.3 4245.3VARROC 299.25 303.5 285 293.4OMAXE 67.45 68.95 66.15 66.5TRIDENT 6.42 6.5 6.4 6.43HAWKINCOOK 5397.85 5397.85 5120 5163BBTC 1321 1348.2 1292 1336.5APLAPOLLO 2570 2669.2 2508 2567.3TORNTPOWER 326 329.9 319.6 321.5INTELLECT 212 215.7 201.5 203.3OIL 88.9 89.8 87.6 88.15CESC 651.95 657 628 647.65CENTRALBK 17.2 17.4 15.5 16.55BALMLAWRIE 105.8 105.8 98.45 100.4HSCL 52 52 49.7 50.35BAJAJHLDNG 2451.35 2535.8 2400 2497.9TATACOFFEE 104 104.85 99.95 101.55LAXMIMACH 3505 3535 3441.15 3511.65JSWENERGY 56.65 57.95 56.65 57.25UFLEX 308.5 318.5 304.6 310.85TATACOMM 825 829.7 785.5 806.45BAJAJELEC 466 470 456.5 463.9PHOENIXLTD 607 607 566.9 568.45IFBIND 585.85 585.85 556.75 573.6AEGISLOG 225.5 240.2 220 224.9PARAGMILK 96.9 97.4 94.35 95.9NLCINDIA 49.8 51.2 49.4 50.5JYOTHYLAB 144.55 146.95 140.9 143.1TTKPRESTIG 6143.65 6199 5722.85 6174.4VBL 694 695.5 675 677.63MINDIA 18500 18702.65 18019.7 18593.1EIDPARRY 289.9 292.1 281.6 287.5NHPC 20.3 20.4 20.05 20.05FORCEMOT 1080 1094.15 1038.55 1053.4RATNAMANI 1197.7 1197.7 1150.65 1177.95INDIANB 57 57.85 56 57.3IRCON 81.65 82.6 80.05 80.35VENKYS 1374.95 1374.95 1304 1325.35TV18BRDCST 30.05 30.35 28.7 29.35COCHINSHIP 329 329 307.2 311.95UJJIVANSFB 32.05 33.15 31.5 32.15HEIDELBERG 180.6 181.55 175 179.3KEC 321 321 304.2 305.95REDINGTON 110.4 116.4 108.5 114.95LEMONTREE 26.5 27.3 26.05 26.5GARFIBRES 1830.2 1887 1782 1867.45MINDAIND 302.2 333.85 302.2 326.15KTKBANK 41.45 41.45 40.3 40.7VMART 2036.5 2091.65 2036.5 2083.8JKCEMENT 1530 1530 1483.3 1500.1

ECLERX 712 723.8 690 693.75POWERINDIA 935 963.45 933 952.6CROMPTON 271.15 273 264.2 271.8SIS 380.8 383.75 367 374.95OBEROIRLTY 415.25 426.8 410.35 412.35ARVINDFASN 128.95 130.7 120 125.15HUDCO 32.5 32.5 30.5 31.65JMFINANCIL 78.65 81.55 75.15 75.9MRPL 28.7 28.7 27.25 27.45RCF 44 44.3 43.1 43.55DBL 355 357 341.6 347.85GODREJIND 420 420 392.5 402.6GPPL 89 89.85 85.2 86.6JKLAKSHMI 255 256.35 249.75 251.3ASHOKA 68 68 64.25 65.05NILKAMAL 1311 1333.6 1307.1 1309.2TATAINVEST 853.3 874.35 838.3 846.5TEAMLEASE 2198.95 2249 2119 2147.65KALPATPOWR* 240.15 241.25 237 239.65GSFC 57.35 58.35 55.2 56.4KRBL 257.1 259.65 249 253.7GODREJAGRO 509 509 495.85 502.15VAIBHAVGBL 1840 1879.65 1820 1844.7CHENNPETRO 70.6 72 68.5 69.45GUJALKALI 335.2 336.15 326.45 334.9ENDURANCE 1109.95 1109.95 1050 1061.15IIFLWAM 930 983.85 922.55 974.6

BASF 1470 1476.35 1414 1437.25IOB 9.65 9.65 9.11 9.28J&KBANK 15.7 15.85 15.2 15.35MOIL 141 141 138.35 140.15DCMSHRIRAM 364.7 368.75 355.65 366.65SOMANYCERA 186.65 192.7 176.95 178.8EMAMILTD 373.35 373.8 359.7 366.9PGHH 10000 10011 9850 9982.1FINOLEXIND 525.4 525.4 505 510.45CREDITACC 709.7 711 686.7 699.65JSLHISAR 83.4 83.4 79.85 81.4TIMKEN 1084.6 1096.55 1072.85 1093.4AIAENG 1808 1811.05 1770.45 1777.25CARERATING 379.85 379.85 360 366.85THERMAX 774.95 774.95 723.45 738.2BLUESTARCO 657.4 658.5 630.7 644.4GILLETTE 5375 5485.2 5310 5404.5PNCINFRA 166 167 156.55 160.15TCIEXP 786.6 797.05 753.05 766.1MINDACORP 73.3 73.5 69.4 70.25KNRCON 249.95 252.5 243.7 251.3LAOPALA 216.95 219.2 208 209.55MMTC 17.2 17.35 16.65 16.9SCHAEFFLER 3812.5 3845 3642 3661.05SKFINDIA 1497.35 1497.35 1446.2 1473.15ITDC 234.4 243.4 231.3 235.65JKPAPER* 92.6 92.8 90.1 90.55VSTIND 3502.65 3587.85 3421.35 3519.4LUXIND 1351 1397.35 1317.85 1371.3DALBHARAT* 766.75 772.8 735 749.8ORIENTELEC 191 192.1 187.3 189.6TNPL 104.2 107.9 101.2 101.8SYMPHONY 885 885 854 858.7CENTURYPLY 167.2 173.1 164.65 165.8TATAMETALI 505 512.65 493.75 496.3KEI 350.25 364.1 349.5 353.95SFL 1448.55 1457.4 1387 1395.05IFCI 6.05 6.14 5.81 5.92GEPIL 452 457.95 430 432.35HIMATSEIDE 83.2 84 82.05 82.75AAVAS 1367 1368.05 1345 1359.3NBVENTURES 57.45 57.95 55.2 55.6SUPRAJIT 173.9 177.05 167.9 168.9VGUARD 169.25 169.7 165.25 167.95ASTERDM 141.2 141.2 131.35 136.25TASTYBIT 10577.9 10577.9 9961.55 10014.8SJVN 22.55 22.55 22.1 22.2CARBORUNIV 260.85 260.9 250.1 251.85MAHABANK 11.4 11.61 10.92 11.13MAHLOG 334.4 335.05 315.85 319VRLLOG 165.6 165.6 157 161.55KANSAINER 485 487.05 476 477.7NESCO 566.9 566.9 547.6 555.9GALAXYSURF 1849.2 1849.95 1780.05 1791.35MHRIL 167.5 171 163.25 165.85WESTLIFE 366 372.85 361.8 368.9MAHLIFE 230.5 234 220 225.05TVTODAY 205 206.15 195 197.55SHRIRAMCIT 912.7 925.15 874.45 915.85SUPREMEIND 1370.05 1420 1370.05 1416.35CCL 259.95 261 247.4 251.85TIMETECHNO 37.2 37.85 36 36.2ERIS 527.3 535 521.75 527.55GET&D 87.6 93.15 85.75 85.8GRSE 172.3 175.5 170 172.7HATHWAY 29.2 31.35 29.2 30.05GICRE 128.8 128.8 120.75 122.05UCOBANK 12.5 12.6 12.2 12.23KPRMILL 615.6 623.2 582.6 601.2GREAVESCOT 76 76 71.65 72.6HERITGFOOD 354.5 354.5 330 333.2NIACL 106.5 107.25 103.4 103.6BRIGADE 155.15 170.8 155.15 166.5TCNSBRANDS 394.75 394.8 387.85 388.6JAGRAN 36.7 37.4 36.5 36.55FINCABLES 279.35 279.7 270.2 272.25PRSMJOHNSN 57.3 57.7 56 56.3MAHSCOOTER 2888 2931.55 2841 2861.85SUNDRMFAST 413.95 417 400 405.6NH 338 338 322 327.85TVSSRICHAK 1400 1414.9 1362.05 1370.1HINDCOPPER 34.6 34.75 33.45 33.9CSBBANK 222 225.25 214 219.95SHOPERSTOP 165.45 168.55 164 168.3FLUOROCHEM 502 524.9 502 509.45ESABINDIA 1325.15 1371.15 1325.15 1350ORIENTREF 197.75 198.9 191 192.1GMDCLTD 42.6 42.8 41.9 42.05SHANKARA 339.7 343.2 334.1 337.25MAHSEAMLES 218.5 221.65 217.25 218.7DBCORP 77.95 78.05 75.65 76.4VTL 733 772.15 733 741.3AKZOINDIA 2082.5 2106.95 2063.05 2084.75ORIENTCEM 59 61.35 57.55 58.4CRISIL 1780.9 1780.9 1740.3 1754.25CERA 2332.45 2332.5 2275 2278.6GRINDWELL 543.9 546.2 522.55 534.2NAVNETEDUL 80 80.55 78.35 78.45MASFIN 827.5 827.5 798 813.2CHOLAHLDNG 398 398 374.85 389.9GDL 88.95 89.5 85.1 87.85STARCEMENT 86.5 86.5 83.55 84.95KSB 495.7 496 474.5 478.15GULFOILLUB 642 648.6 633.1 636.85JSL 41.35 42.85 40.85 41.3SOLARINDS 1021.35 1063.95 1021.35 1037.85JTEKTINDIA 76.7 76.7 74.15 75.3JCHAC 2141.25 2183 2141.25 2174.5INDOSTAR 288.55 290 279.45 281.6

����� ��

SCRIP OPEN HIgh LOW LTP CHANGENIFTY 50 11,258.75 11,259.55 11,024.40 11,131.85 -21.8AXISBANK 418.1 422.9 406.1 422 10COALINDIA 119.75 122.5 118.95 122.4 2.85GAIL 85.2 86.35 82.75 85.6 1.45HDFCBANK 1,046.00 1,055.00 1,034.35 1,048.95 13.55HINDUNILVR 2,035.00 2,060.00 2,025.85 2,052.50 25.7INFY 1,020.15 1,037.00 1,008.10 1,019.85 12.35NESTLEIND 15,200.05 15,398.95 15,130.00 15,380.00 180.75BRITANNIA 3,618.90 3,652.90 3,562.80 3,630.00 42TITAN 1,107.50 1,121.95 1,103.00 1,114.30 9.85RELIANCE 2,260.00 2,276.75 2,205.30 2,228.00 16.85MARUTI 6,462.00 6,549.95 6,380.00 6,489.00 48.45HINDALCO 165.5 167.45 162.3 164.6 1.15WIPRO 315 321.8 311.15 314.4 2.15KOTAKBANK 1,280.05 1,287.45 1,265.15 1,278.50 7.95ASIANPAINT 1,940.00 1,990.00 1,928.30 1,949.00 11.5EICHERMOT 2,084.95 2,126.85 2,050.00 2,076.55 12.2LT 866.2 873.7 854.55 861.2 4.7UPL 530 534.9 519.85 531.9 2.75HDFCLIFE 581.25 586.1 575.6 580.35 0.95BAJAJ-AUTO 2,993.00 3,047.60 2,955.00 2,985.00 -0.85IOC 76.5 77.2 75.35 76.1 -0.05ICICIBANK 356.6 357.1 342.45 353.5 -0.9SHREECEM 18,985.50 19,115.30 18,536.80 18,931.00 -51.45ULTRACEMCO 3,900.00 3,918.25 3,837.05 3,872.00 -11.15HDFC 1,694.00 1,696.65 1,650.40 1,667.00 -7.85ITC 174.95 177.55 171.7 173.1 -1.1BPCL 396.9 397.2 381.25 389.3 -2.85HCLTECH 832 844.8 810.15 815 -6BAJAJFINSV 5,715.00 5,757.00 5,555.00 5,640.00 -42.3M&M 622.05 623.35 603.25 611.05 -4.75TECHM 812.45 812.45 783.1 792.55 -7.9SBIN 188.15 188.95 181 184.15 -2.05TATAMOTORS 135.5 136.7 127.9 131.4 -1.7SUNPHARMA 520.5 521 498.25 502.2 -6.65GRASIM 729.35 732.75 705 719 -10.1CIPLA 783.95 784 761.8 765.9 -11.75DRREDDY 5,256.00 5,280.00 5,059.40 5,080.00 -87.95JSWSTEEL 274.9 274.9 263.65 267.1 -4.8HEROMOTOCO 3,000.50 3,043.00 2,924.95 2,947.00 -53.15BAJFINANCE 3,330.00 3,344.00 3,200.20 3,237.95 -65.05ADANIPORTS 332.55 335.35 320.15 324.75 -7.55ONGC 69.7 70.15 67.4 67.9 -1.6TCS 2,510.00 2,519.85 2,409.00 2,461.05 -61.9POWERGRID 169.9 169.9 162.8 164.3 -4.5NTPC 87.65 88.15 84.2 85.15 -2.55INDUSINDBK 551 553.85 519.1 527.95 -16.05ZEEL 200.1 203.05 177.4 190.7 -6.4TATASTEEL 377 378 356.45 361.15 -13BHARTIARTL 467 467 423.9 432.5 -38.45INFRATEL 180.75 183 162.5 165.5 -14.9

SE 500B

����������

SCRIP OPEN HIgh LOW LTP CHANGENIFTY NEXT 50 26,538.85 26,651.75 26,051.50 26,290.00 -67.5PAGEIND 18,550.00 19,500.00 18,425.05 19,449.00 1,071.75MUTHOOTFIN 1,027.00 1,057.40 1,008.25 1,054.95 40.2BAJAJHLDNG 2,498.40 2,538.00 2,401.00 2,489.00 84.75INDIGO 1,235.80 1,298.45 1,235.80 1,272.35 37.75BOSCHLTD 12,450.00 12,800.00 12,250.10 12,725.00 329.4HINDZINC 209.8 222.9 207.9 212.85 4.65BERGEPAINT 562 573.5 560.05 572 11.35AMBUJACEM 206.4 211.4 204.55 210.7 3.9CONCOR 375 379.4 371.95 377.2 6.5ICICIPRULI 406.75 410.4 400.65 409.95 6.7HAVELLS 667.1 686.65 663.7 674 8.75COLPAL 1,353.00 1,360.00 1,340.00 1,358.65 17SIEMENS 1,220.35 1,249.50 1,220.00 1,229.90 13.25NAUKRI 3,350.00 3,479.95 3,323.00 3,386.00 36.65SBICARD 819 826.7 811.15 821.4 8.4DLF 150 154.3 142.5 150.45 1.5ICICIGI 1,263.50 1,287.00 1,248.20 1,264.85 10.1PGHH 10,000.00 10,100.00 9,840.10 10,015.75 72.1BIOCON 424.6 429 418.2 424.7 2.65SBILIFE 833.35 841.5 827.15 837 5.15ABBOTINDIA 16,181.00 16,290.00 15,755.00 16,000.00 56.9BANDHANBNK 271.5 272.85 261 268.4 0.95DMART 2,066.95 2,100.00 2,047.00 2,055.00 5.7UBL 965.95 976.75 953.3 965.9 1.7NHPC 20.15 20.4 20 20.1 0HDFCAMC 2,170.00 2,250.95 2,132.15 2,149.35 -3.5ACC 1,360.00 1,369.15 1,326.40 1,356.80 -3.85PIDILITIND 1,433.90 1,457.00 1,414.10 1,423.00 -4.35OFSS 3,060.00 3,147.95 3,010.00 3,044.00 -10.4PEL 1,252.00 1,266.25 1,205.00 1,238.00 -7.85MCDOWELL-N 516.6 520.8 507.2 511 -4.4IGL 411.25 416.8 402.85 407.15 -3.6GODREJCP 682.7 689.1 668.35 676.9 -6.3GICRE 124 125.7 120.5 122 -1.15PFC 88 88.35 85.1 86.45 -0.9HINDPETRO 182.9 183.1 174 178.5 -1.9NMDC 81.8 82.2 79.3 80.15 -0.95DABUR 495.05 495.95 484.35 486 -6.1ADANITRANS 248.1 251.9 239.9 242.4 -4.3BANKBARODA 42.7 42.8 40.85 41.5 -0.8PNB 30.5 30.5 28.9 29.45 -0.6DIVISLAB 3,253.75 3,290.40 3,129.00 3,165.00 -71.6PETRONET 222 222 212.15 215.1 -4.95CADILAHC 395 396 379.3 383.85 -9.25AUROPHARMA 810 813.65 771.3 779.75 -19.35MARICO 347.15 349.95 337 337.75 -8.4LUPIN 1,053.70 1,053.70 1,002.00 1,013.45 -26.3TORNTPHARM 2,760.00 2,775.00 2,646.15 2,653.00 -73.65MOTHERSUMI 114.05 115.5 108.55 109 -3.35SRTRANSFIN 645.2 650.5 606.95 613.3 -27.35

!���� 75!�%580�

The Government has pro-posed to formulate a

National Retail Trade Policyand stakeholder consultationsare being held for the same,Parliament was informed onWednesday.

In a written reply in theRajya Sabha, Commerce andIndustry Minister Piyush Goyalsaid that the government hasset up a National Traders’Welfare Board with the objec-tives of welfare of traders and

their employees, simplificationof the Acts and rules applica-ble to traders, reduction ofcompliance burden andimprovement in access tofunds.

“Yes. The governmentproposes to formulate NationalRetail Trade Policy,” he said inreply to a question.

Replying to a separatequestion, he said the govern-ment is in the process offinalising a National LogisticsPolicy which will help bringdown logistics cost signifi-

cantly.He also said 24 sub-sectors

(such as agro-food processing,steel, agro chemicals, electron-ics products, furniture, leather,auto parts and textiles) in man-ufacturing have been identifiedin consultation with industrybased on export potential,import substitution andemployment generation capac-ity, where attention would begiven to make India a self-reliant country and a globalsupplier.

In another reply, the min-

ister informed the UpperHouse that Make in India isnow focusing on 27 sectorsunder Make in India 2.0.

“DPIIT (Department forPromotion of Industry andInternal Trade) is coordinatingaction plans for 15 manufac-turing sectors, such as aero-space and defence, food pro-cessing, capital goods, leather,pharmaceutical and medicaldevices, etc, while theDepartment of Commerce iscoordinating for 12 servicesectors,” he added.

������ 75!�%580�

The GST Council is likely toapprove a two-year exten-

sion of compensation cess levyon goods and services to allowCentre to pay entire shortfall inGST tax collection by statesexpected till June 2022.

Sources in the Governmentsaid that with 21 states express-ing their preference for theBorrowing Option-1 proposedby the Centre to meet the GSTcompensation needs of statesthis year, the next course of

action would extend the peri-od of cess levy beyond five yearGST transition period thatends in June 2022.

As the Council is likely toadopt the compensation for-mula suggested by t he Centrein the difficult year of Covid-19 pandemic, sources said itmay also decide how longcompensation cess levy shouldbe extended to clear all dues tostates.

“A two-year extension ofcess is the most likely outcomeof the Council cil meetingscheduled on October 5.However, the council maydecide to adopt compensationformula for FY21 in the nextmeeting and defer decision oncess extension till a moreappropriate study of the issueis done,” sources quoted earli-

er said.Under the existing GST

Act compensation for shortfallin GST collection over anagreed formula is payable bythe centre for the first five yearsof the operations of new taxsystem from July 2017 to June2022. This is paid through col-lection made on account of cesslevy on certain goods and ser-vices.

The term of the cess is co-terminus with compensationliability with the Centre. So, theCouncil should withdraw cessalso after completion of fiveyears. But with Covid present-ing different challenge beforethe governments and h as leadto states bleeding over GST col-lections, the compensationneeds of the Centre has grownmanifold.

As cess could not cover thishigh level of compensationneeds this year and may be nextyear, there is talk of extendingthe levy of cess beyond June2022.

As per the Centre’s projec-tion, the total amount expect-ed to be collected fromCompensation cess would be tothe tune of Rs 65,000 crore infy21 while total compensationpayable to all states and unionterritories may be to the tuneof Rs 3,00,000 crore. So thereis a total shortfall of Rs 2,35,000crore expected this year.

The Centre wants thisshortfall be met through extraborrowings under special dis-pensation by the states whiletheir dues get settled after June2022 by extending the com-pensation cess levy.

!���� (4(�$�

Benchmark indices paredintra-day gains to end with

losses for the fifth straight ses-sion on Wednesday as senti-ment remained risk-aversedespite supportive cues fromglobal markets.

Telecom and financecounters witnessed robust sell-ing, while gains in index heavy-weights RIL and HDFC Bankrestricted the losses for thebenchmarks.

After opening on a posi-tive note, the 30-share BSESensex suddenly

came under selling pres-sure in afternoon trade, beforefinally closing 65.66 points or0.17 per cent lower at37,668.42. Similarly, the NSENifty shed 21.80 points or 0.20per cent to close at 11,131.85.

Bharti Airtel was the toplaggard in the Sensex pack,tanking 7.89 per cent, a dayafter Reliance Jio unveiledaggressively priced post-paidplans bundling data and sub-scription to streaming ser-vices.

Tata Steel, IndusInd Bank,NTPC, PowerGrid, ONGC,

TCS and Bajaj Finance wereamong the other losers, tum-bling as much as 3.46 percent.

On the other hand, AxisBank, HUL, Infosys, HDFCBank, Nestle India and Titanled the winners’ chart withgains of up to 1.82 per cent.

Reliance Industries closed0.83 per cent higher after thecompany said global invest-ment firm KKR will invest Rs5,550 crore in its subsidiaryReliance Retail Ventures Ltd(RRVL) for 1.28 per cent equi-ty stake.

Global equities foundfirmer ground following arebound on Wall Street, which

was once again led by technol-ogy stocks.

“Indian benchmarkindices traded in a tight rangebefore finally ending the daywith a negative bias. The uncer-tainty and lack of direction wasclear in the market trend,which was actually supportedby gains in RIL and HDFCBank. Banking index ended theday slightly positive.

Meanwhile, gold pricedeclined on Wednesday by�614 to �50,750 per 10 gramsin the national capital amidlower price for the yellowmetal in the internationalmarket, according to HDFCSecurities

�5���853C�8�258C�'��'35&�0'&��$88��7��$F�'885���'7

?���������� �����!��.��� �� ������� �����(4�?�(��

���1�&���3&� ��"$�' !��&���1�#$��8&����)3����� ����� ������� : ��

:� ��*��������������� ���������������������� ������

:�0�����<����������)���1����������#��0

������ 75!�%580�

The Government has sweet-ened the deal to privatise

state-owned power distribu-tions operations in UnionTerritories as 100 per cent equi-ty holding will be sold only infinancially viable utilities whileit will retain 26 per cent stake inweaker discoms expected tohave continued need for sub-

sidised retail tariffs.Also, the power purchase

agreement (PPAs) of only betterperforming discoms havingretail tariffs that cover the costof power purchase will beassigned to the purchaser.Discoms making losses on saleon power will continue to besupported by the state-ownedentity for a specified periodeven after equity transfer to a

private entity.“The draft standard bidding

document finalised for privati-sation of discoms in UTs has laidemphasis on giving a commer-cially attractive deal to investors.This is expected to attract bet-ter valuations for discoms,” saida government official askingnot to be named.

The provisions in the draftbidding document means that

privatisation of discoms in say,the UT of Jammu and Kashmir,will continue to have a role ofstate agencies to meet the sub-sidy needs of the consumers.There is a gap of Rs 2.12 per unitin the average cost of supply andthe average cost of realisation inJ&K while the aggregate trans-mission and commercial(AT&C) losses in the state arestaggering 47.85 per cent.

Page 11: # &ˆ˘...2020/09/24  · Bollywood-drug mafia nexus. As per the information that trickled out of its office, the NCB has summoned Simone, Rakul, Shruti Modi on September 24, while

-� � 11���� !"#�$�%�&'( #�)*�)+,)%-.�-/-/

Kathmandu: A civil societygroup in Nepal has launchedprotests against China forallegedly constructing build-ings on the country’s territoryin Humla district, according tomedia reports on Wednesday.

The activists chanted slo-gans such as “Return Nepal’sland” and “stop Chinese expan-sionism,” it said.

According to mediareports here, China has alleged-ly constructed 11 buildings onthe Nepalese territory in theHumla district bordering Tibet.The disputed area lies inLampcha village of NamkhaRural Municipality in Humladistrict.

Beijing has maintained thatthe constructions were carriedout on the Chinese side of theborder.

The reports also said thatPillar Number 11 that defined

the Nepal-China boundary wasmissing from the area.

“There was just a hut in thearea in 2005,” Dattaraj Hamal,assistant chief district officer ofHumla who visited the disput-ed area recently, was quoted assaying by The Kathmandu Post.

“I talked to the peoplethere and reported to the chiefdistrict officer,” Hamal said. “ein turn reported to the HomeMinistry. He now has gone tothe area as per the HomeMinistry’s instructions.”

Chakka Bahadur Lama, aMember of Parliament fromHumla, said that as long asboth sides do not ascertain thelocation of the missing pillar,the dispute will continue. OnTuesday, a Nepalese delegationled by Chief District Officer ofHumla had reached the area totalk to Chinese officials, MyRepublica reported. PTI

Beijing: China on Tuesdaylashed out at the passage of a billby the US House ofRepresentatives that threatenssanctions over the alleged use offorced labor in China’s Xinjiangregion, calling the accusation alie.

Foreign ministryspokesman Wang Wenbin saidthe bill “maliciously slanderedthe human rights situation inXinjiang” and sought to curbdevelopment and progress inthe region while stirring up eth-nic divisions and interfering inChina’s internal affairs.

“The so-called problem offorced labor is totally a lie fab-ricated by some organizationsand personnel in the UnitedStates and the West,” Wang toldreporters at a daily briefing.

The House voted 406-3 todeclare that any goods producedin Xinjiang are presumptivelymade with the forced labor ofdetained Uighurs and otherethnic minorities, and thereforebanned from being imported tothe U.S.

If enacted into law, it couldforce companies to avoid aregion that products 80% of thecotton in China, one of theworld’s top producers of thefiber, as well as tomatoes andmanufactured goods.

Members of Congress saythe measure is needed to pressChina to stop a campaign thathas resulted in the detention ofmore than 1 million Uighursand other predominantlyMuslim ethnic groups underbrutal conditions. AP

Washington: US PresidentDonald Trump has termedSenator Kamala Harris as“grossly incompetent,” sayinghe was surprised when hisDemocratic rival Joe Bidenpicked her as his running matein the November 3 presidentialelection.

Ms Harris, 55, is the first-ever Black, African-Americanand Indian-American womanto be the vice-presidential can-didate of a major politicalparty.

“I was surprised to learnwhen Joe Biden selected(Kamala) Harris as his runningmate. Believe it or not, it’s trueshe is rated the most liberalperson in Congress. I thinkshe’s grossly incompetent I’ll be

honest with you,” DonaldTrump said during a rally inPennsylvania.

Donald Trump, aRepublican, said during theDemocratic primaries no onetreated Joe Biden as badly asMs Harris.

“Also, Harris was droppedout of the Democratic Party’spresidential race as her popu-larity ratings dipped low,” hesaid.

Former vice presidentBiden has defended Ms Harris,saying she is smart, tested andprepared. “She (Kamala Harris)is smart. She is tested. She isprepared,” Mr Biden said dur-ing a virtual fundraiser eventwith Ms Harris.

“The way she talks about

her mom, her immigrant storythat started Indian. It’s one ofthe things that really stood outto me. We both talked aboutour moms. My mom was allabout sacrifice and communi-ty and how much they sacri-ficed for both of us, my momand hers. And I know thepride you feel in her nomina-tion,” Mr Biden said.

Ms Harris, who is busycampaigning in various parts ofAmerica, on Tuesday distrib-uted yard signs to supporterswho drive by parade-style andspoke at a voter mobilisationevent in Detroit.

She also launchedMichigan’s “Shop Talk” pro-gramme at HeadlinersBarbershop in Detroit.“Everything’s at stake,” MsHarris told a woman as shemade a brief stop at a woman-owned cold pressed juice com-pany in Michigan.

�� 1���0�9�1�����=����0�����1�����

Washington: HouseDemocrats are proposing asweeping bill to curb presi-dential abuses, a pitch to vot-ers weeks ahead of ElectionDay as they try to defeatPresident Donald Trump, cap-ture the Senate fromRepublicans and keep theirHouse majority.

The legislation, a wide-ranging package of new andrevised bills, will beannounced Wednesday morn-ing by the heads of sevenHouse committees.

It would, among othermeasures, limit the president’spardon power, strengthenlaws to ban presidents fromreceiving gifts or paymentsfrom foreign governments,better protect independentagency watchdogs andwhistleblowers from firing orretribution and require betterreporting by campaigns of

foreign election interference.Each of the bill’s provisions isa response to actions byTrump or his administrationthat Democrats saw as abus-es of presidential power.

It builds on an electionsand ethics reform packagefrom House Speaker NancyPelosi that the House passedsoon after Democratsassumed the majority in 2019.

“Since taking office,President Trump has placedhis own personal and politi-cal interests above the nation-al interest by protecting andenriching himself, targetinghis political opponents, seek-ing foreign interference inour elections, eroding trans-parency, seeking to endaccountability, and otherwiseabusing the power of hisoffice,” the committee chair-men and chairwomen said ina joint statement. AP

� .������������� �0 ����"��������"�� �� ������"� �

'������������������������������$����������"��������&���?��������� Washington: A number of

Taliban prisoners who werereleased by the Afghan gov-ernment as a condition forpeace talks have taken up armsagain, top official AbdullahAbdullah said Tuesday.

Abdullah, who chairsAfghanistan’s High Council forNational Reconciliation and isoverseeing the government’speace efforts, said discussionswith the Taliban in Qatar so farhave been positive.

However, he said some —though not the majority — ofthe 5,000 Taliban prisonersreleased by the government asa condition for talks hadresumed the fight againstKabul.

“I do know that some havereturned to the battlefield,which is a violation of theagreement that they had made,”Abdullah said during an onlineconference with the USCouncil on Foreign Relations.

Abdullah said talks

between the two sides hadbegun in Doha on a positivenote, as the delegations buildsome familiarity with eachother.

Yet the level of violenceinside Afghanistan has notfallen, and he called on theUnited States, which launchedthe peace process with its owndeal with the Taliban, andPakistan, which maintains tiesto the insurgents, to pressurethem to agree to a ceasefire.

“Unfortunately, so far, thelevel of violence is very highand to a level that is not accept-able for the people,” Abdullahsaid.

“I repeat my call to theTaliban themselves and also toall partners who have anyleverage over the Taliban topress on that point.”

Abdullah said he plannedto visit Pakistan in the comingdays for the first time since2008. AFP

��&��#���"�+��� ��������������������"��� �����#���"�������!#������##�����

Beijing: The US is guilty of“obstructing” the global fightagainst emissions, China saidWednesday, as Beijing seizedthe climate agenda by vowingto go carbon neutral by 2060 —a target welcomed by environ-mentalists despite its patchydetail.

The goals, which include apledge to reach peak emissionsin 2030, are still the most con-crete yet announced by China,which is the world’s biggest pol-luter and accounts for a quar-ter of the planet’s greenhousegas blamed for rising temper-

atures.They also open a new

divergence in relations with theUS, which are already pinchedby squabbles over trade, tech,defence and human rights.

Speaking to the UNGeneral Assembly, ChinesePresident Xi Jinping onTuesday renewed his supportfor the Paris climate accord andcalled for a green focus as theworld recovers from the Covid-19 crisis.

Under President DonaldTrump, the United States — theworld’s second-largest polluter

— pulled out of the agreement,blaming China for the stalledmomentum on tackling glob-al emissions.

“This clearly... seriouslyobstructs the progress of reduc-ing global emissions and pro-moting green, low-carbondevelopment,” China’s foreignministry spokesman WangWenbin said in a statement onWednesday.

“What qualifications doessuch a country have to criticiseChina,” he asked, citingAmerica’s hunger for plasticsand its export of waste. AFP

6��� ������������� ���#�������������&������������&����������?�$����

��������������������������������##������������������� ��"������"�����������<�##���+� ������*�"���"��� !�

Paris: The Eiffel Tower wasevacuated for several hours onWednesday after police receiveda call suggesting a bomb hadbeen placed there.

The Paris monument hadbeen searched and no explosivesfound, a police spokeswomansaid. It reopened at about 2.25p.m (1225 GMT). Several hun-dred people, including tourists,restaurant staff and workmenwere led away from the tower inthe late morning. AFP

�����������������������������"�1"������

�6����"���8)5� ��"���(���������������"� �����>��3���

Paris: France’s defence minis-ter has admitted to misleadingthe nation about virus protec-tions for air force personnelwho evacuated French citizensfrom the hard-hit Chinese cityof Wuhan and have been sus-pected of links to France’s firstconfirmed COVID-19 cluster.

The revelation on Tuesdayby Defence Minister FlorenceParly to a Senate investigatingcommittee is a further blow tothe credibility of FrenchPresident Emmanuel Macron’sgovernment as it battlesrebounding infections.

Health Minister OlivierVeran is expected to announcenew restrictions on gatheringsWednesday as the numbers ofvirus cases and hospitalisa-tions mount.

As China locked down thecity of Wuhan in January, the

French government startedrepatriation flights for Frenchcitizens there. One such flightreturned to France fromWuhan on January 31, operat-ed by 18 military personnelbased in Creil, in the Oiseregion north of Paris, thedefense minister said.

In February, regionalhealth authorities announced avirus cluster in the Oise region,and the first cases in Francewith no clear link to cases inChina or Italy. Within weeks,France’s coronavirus case counthad skyrocketed and the nationwas in a lockdown.

With over 31,400 con-firmed virus-related deaths,France has the third-highestdeath toll in Europe afterBritain and Italy. France isnow reporting about 10,000new infections a day. AP

United Nations: Saudi Arabia’sKing Salman used his speechbefore the UN GeneralAssembly on Wednesday tostress his country’s Islamicroots and slam rival, Iran.

Reading from a piece ofpaper and seated at a deskunder a large portrait of hisfather, King Abdulaziz, themonarch reiterated the sacredrole of Islam in Saudi Arabia,which Muslims believe wasrevealed to the ProphetMuhammad more than 1,400years ago in the mountainouscaves of Mecca.

He touted the kingdom’srole as president of the G-20this year, and the billions ofdollars in humanitarian aidSaudi Arabia gave to countriesaround the world in pastdecades.

He refrained from criticiz-ing the recent deals struck bythe United Arab Emirates andBahrain to establish ties withIsrael, but stressed the kingdomremains committed to the ArabPeace Initiative that offers Israelfull ties with Arab states inexchange for concessions thatlead to a Palestinian state. He

also said Saudi Arabia wel-comes US efforts at resolvingthe crisis.

He said the Middle Easthas been suffering from majorpolitical and security chal-lenges, blaming Iran for muchof the region’s instability. Heaccused the Iran-backedHezbollah group in Lebanon ofsowing the political disarraythat has been ultimately blamedfor the devastating explosion atBeirut’s port last month.

He said Saudi Arabia hastried to extend its hand over theyears to Iran, “but to no avail.”

He blamed Iran for target-ing Saudi oil facilities last year,saying: “It demonstrated thatthis regime has total disregardfor the stability of the globaleconomy or stability of oilsupplies to international mar-kets.”

The 84-year-old monarch’sprerecorded remarks makehim only the second Saudiking to deliver a speech to theworld assembly. The only otherSaudi monarch to do so was hislate brother, King Saud, in1957 at the UN headquartersin New York. AP

@���� A��� ! �� �� !�.�� ����������������A�������! �(

���A��B������.�'����������� ��

1�������������������������� �����1����������"�0KL�(�"��7*MIslamabad (PTI): PakistanMuslim League-Nawaz vicepresident Maryam Nawaz onWednesday said politicaldecisions should be made inParliament and not at thearmy headquarters.

The 46-year-old daughterof former premier NawazSharif was responding to aquestion from a reporterabout Army Chief GenQamar Bajwa and head of theISI Lt Gen Faiz Hameed’smeeting with key oppositionfigures at the army’s GeneralHeadquarters (GHQ) inRawalpindi last week.

Maryam, who was at theIslamabad High Court for ahearing of an appeal againsther convict ion in the

Avenfield property reference,was talking to media at thecourt premises.

Replying to a question onthe last week’s meeting, shesaid, “I heard about the meet-ing. From what I understandit was called to discuss Gilgit-Baltistan which is a politicalissue...These decisions shouldbe made in parliament, not inGHQ.”

Maryam said she was notaware whether her father wasaware of the meeting.

“I don’t know whether hewas aware or learnt of itlater... But the political lead-ership should not be callednor should it go to discusssuch issues. Whoever wishesto discuss these issues should

come to the parliament, shesaid.

The meeting was report-edly held on September 16before the Al l-PartyConference of opposition onSunday.

The meeting was attend-ed by about 15 opposition fig-ures , including Sharif ’syounger brother ShehbazSharif and Pakistan PeoplesParty Chairman BilawalBhutto-Zardari.

Railways Minister SheikhRashid told the media thatthe purpose of the meeting was to discuss theconst itut ional status of Gilgit-Baltistan, but otherpolitical issues were also dis-cussed.

����� ����?���������� ����� �������� ��������1��0Kyiv (AP): PresidentAlexander Lukashenko ofBelarus was sworn inWednesday to his sixth term inoffice at an inaugural ceremo-ny that was not announced inadvance amid weeks of hugeprotests of the authoritarianleader’s reelection, which theopposition says was rigged.

Several European coun-tries used the occasion to reit-erate that they don’t recognizethe results of the election andrefused to regard Lukashenkoas the legitimate president.

The ceremony was held infront of several hundred dig-nitaries at the ornate Palace ofIndependence in the capital ofMinsk, the state news agencyBelta said. Police and othersecurity forces blocked off partsof the city and public trans-portation was suspended.

Lukashenko, 66, took theoath of office in Belarusianwith his right hand on the con-stitution, and the head of theCentral Election Commissionhanded him the official ID cardof the president of Belarus.

The day of assuming thepost of the president is the day

of our victory, convincing andfateful, he said. We were notjust electing the president of thecountry we were defendingour values, our peaceful life,sovereignty and independence.The absence of public involve-ment in the inauguration onlyproved that Lukashenko lackeda valid mandate to continueleading the country, accordingto his political opponents andEuropean officials.

Even after this ceremonytoday, Mr. Lukashenko cannotclaim democratic legitimiza-tion, which would be the con-dition to recognize him as thelegitimate president of Belarus,said Steffen Seibert, spokesmanfor German Chancellor AngelaMerkel.

He added that the secrecysurrounding the swearing-inwas very telling.

Lukashenko has runBelarus, a former Soviet nationof 9.5 million, with an iron fistfor 26 years. Official results ofthe country’s Aug. 9 presiden-tial election had him winning80% of the vote. His strongestopponent, SviatlanaTsikhanouskaya, got 10%.

?6�������������!���C���D!��������� !��.�New York (PTI): The G-4nations of India, Germany,Brazil and Japan on Wednesdaycalled for a “decisive push” forthe long-delayed reforms of theUN Security Council.

“Participated in G4 ForeignMinisters Meeting that called fora decisive push for UNSCreforms during UN75.Unanimous call for text basednegotiations in a fixed timeframe. ReformedMultilateralism guides India’sapproach to the United Nations,External Affairs Minister SJaishankar tweeted.

The meeting of G4 ForeignMinisters is held on the sidelinesfor the annual UN GeneralAssembly. With the high-levelsession being held virtually thisyear due to the coronaviruspandemic, all meetings on the

sidelines of the GeneralAssembly are also being held ona virtual platform.

In the 75th year of theUnited Nations, India will beginits two-year term as electednon-permanent member of thepowerful Security Council fromJanuary 1 next year.

Effective response to inter-national terrorism, reformingmultilateral systems, compre-hensive approach to peace andsecurity, technology with ahuman touch and inclusive solu-tions to foster development areIndia’s priorities for its UNSCtenure. In a video address to theHigh-Level meeting of theGeneral Assembly to com-memorate the 75th anniversaryof the United Nations onMonday, Prime MinisterNarendra Modi said that the

world body faces a “crisis of con-fidence” without comprehensivereforms. He asserted that today’sinterconnected world needs areformed multilateralism thatgives voice to all stakeholders,addresses contemporary chal-lenges and focuses on humanwelfare.

India has been spearheadingdecades-long efforts to reformthe Security Council, saying astructure set up in 1945 does notreflect contemporary realities ofthe 21st century and is ill-equipped to handle currentchallenges.

There is widespread sup-port, including by four of the fivepermanent members of theSecurity Council — US, UK,France and Russia — for a per-manent seat for India at theCouncil.

������ ����6������ ���1����%$��������1��Geneva (AP) The UN labouragency warned on Wednesdaythat the coronavirus pan-demic has led to a massivedrop in income for workersaround the world and of ris-ing inequality between richcountries that have injectedgovernment cash into theireconomies and poorer coun-tries that can’t.

In a report about theeffects of the pandemic on theworld of work, theInternational LaborOrganisation estimated thatglobal labour income plungedby USD 3.5 trillion in the firstnine months of 2020, a near-11 per cent drop from a yearago though that excludesincome support provided bysome governments. Lower-

income countries and those inthe Americas were particu-larly hit.

The ILO said the fiscalstimulus packages have beenconcentrated in richer coun-tries, and that developingcountries have “limited capac-ity to finance such measures.”

It added that developingcountries would need nearlyUSD 1 trillion in stimulus justto maintain the pre-pandem-ic gap with richer countries.

ILO Director-GeneralGuy Ryder called signs ofsuch a fiscal stimulus gap an“extremely worrying observa-tion” and "the polar oppositeof the better world that wewant to build back once thepandemic eases.

He warned of higher

unemployment, poverty andinequality, as well as increased“social frustration and politi-cal anger” after the outbreakand suggested wealthiernations and internationalinstitutions could help easethe impact for developingcountries by acting now.

Ryder said a “relativelysmall effort by rich nationscould make an extraordinarydifference in countries that areleast able to mobilizeresources.” He lamented as“distressing” how a new callfor global unity in the face ofthe pandemic by UNSecretary-General AntonioGuterres was met by a relativelack of it among countries atthe United Nations GeneralAssembly on Tuesday.

�����������*�����������*���� ������������������������������-/Beijing (PTI): China on Wednesday lifted its ban on valid visasimposed earlier this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic andsaid that foreign nationals holding Chinese residence permits inthree categories are allowed to enter the country from September28 without obtaining new visas.

On March 28, China temporarily banned the entry of for-eign nationals with valid visas which, according to officials here,was aimed at restricting border entry to curb the surge of import-ed COVID-19 infections.

Effective from September 28, all foreign nationals holdingvalid Chinese residence permits for work, personal matters andreunion are allowed to enter China and there is no need to applyfor new visas, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

If the three categories of residence permits held by foreignnationals expired after March 28, they may apply for new visasby presenting their expired residence permits and documents toChinese embassies or consulates on the condition that the pur-pose of the holders’ visit to the country remains unchanged, thestatement said.

Hundreds of Indian students and professionals working inChina could not return to the country following the visa ban aswell as cancellation of flights.

Page 12: # &ˆ˘...2020/09/24  · Bollywood-drug mafia nexus. As per the information that trickled out of its office, the NCB has summoned Simone, Rakul, Shruti Modi on September 24, while

���� !"#�$�%�&'( #�)*�)+,)%-.�-/-/

���������� ��������� �*������*������������������������ ����� ������������������������������#

����������������������������������������"�%D����M*���#

+(������*����������������� ������������������������"���������������������� ����������������"#�!�������������������������������������"�%D����M*������������������� ��*�#���*������ ������"���������������������"�N� �����������������#��������������������������� ��"���������������������������"�����B������������� ���$;"�D*��I��������J�,������#

$�����@�������� "���������������� ��*���������������������������������������������������������*���������������*"#

���������������� ������������� ���������������������������������������������������������������#

��� �����+�O ���������������*������������ �������

����������*���I�����J�$�������&�"#�I!��� ������J

������� �����������*�*���������"���������������������5�����*������&���*���%�����5������������#�����O �

���������� ��*������"����������������������������"�#������O�*������"��������������������2���������������������������#,

;* ��� ������#-�<�������#��� �$ �� = �������& $�#��$�� � -�<

��>$���� $� � !� �#��#� � ������ �#�$�$� � -� ���� �-� � ���� ��������#� � � ��<�$� < $� !���= 3$��$� � ��� �<�-#& ��!����� ������$ � ����� � ���� � * ��� ���� �������� �#� � ��-# ����& ��<� $� �#����# ��� �#� �� ����=?@� ��� 4

�$���< # ����#������ �# ,������

�������� '2

;* � ���� � -�<�� ���� ���$#���?'����������������������8������%"������� ����� ������������������������"*�� ���������������������"�������#

0������+��*��������� �������B������������������������������������"#��������"�������#'������������������"��������������������������������������������������"������������*�������"� ����������������������#�������� ������������"��*������"����������#��������"������*������������������������������������������������������������������������������#,

&� ���������������������������� ����8�����������������������������������������������������������*���������*�������������������<.�...�������#

Actor AyushmannKhurrana’s contribution as

an actor to bring about socialchange through his films hasbeen hailed by the Time mag-azine. He is among five Indianswho have made the list of 100Most Influential People in2020, along with PrimeMinister Narendra Modi,Google CEO Sundar Pichai,London-based Indian origindoctor Ravindra Gupta whoworked to find a cure forAIDS and Bilkis Dadi, who wasat the forefront of ShaheenBagh protests in Delhi againstthe Citizenship AmendmentAct (CAA).

The National Award-win-ning actor has been listed inthe Artists category, whichalso includes Oscar-winningKorean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho, Fleabag creator and starPhoebe Waller-Bridge andHollywood star Michael BJordan, besides pop musicsuperstars Selena Gomez, JBalvin and Jennifer Hudson.

“I am truly humbled withthe recognition that Time hasbestowed on me. As an artiste,I have only looked to con-tribute towards bringing a pos-itive change in society throughcinema and this moment is ahuge validation of my beliefsystem and my journey,”

Ayushmann said.“I have always believed

that cinema has the power tobring about change by trigger-ing the right conversationsamong people and society.Hopefully, through my contentchoices, I have been able tocontribute towards my countryand countrymen,” he added.

The presidential memoirs of the 44th presi-dent of the United States, Barack Obama, will

be published in two volumes. The first volume,titled A Promised Land, published PenguinRandom House, will be issued in 25 languages.A publication date for the second and conclud-ing volume of the memoirs will be announcedat a later date.

Obama tells the story of his improbableodyssey. From a young man searching for hisidentity to a leader of the free world, hedescribes details of both his political educationand the landmark moments of the first term ofhis historic presidency — a time of dramatictransformation and turmoil.

Providing a stirring, deeply personal accountof history in the making, Obama takes readerson a compelling journey from his earliest polit-ical aspirations to the pivotal Iowa caucus vic-tory that demonstrated the power of grassrootsactivism to the watershed night of November 4,2008. He was elected as the 44th president of theUnited States then, becoming the first African-American to hold the nation’s highest office.

Reflecting on the presidency, he offers aunique and thoughtful exploration of both theawesome reach and the limits of presidential

power as well as singular insights into thedynamics of the US partisan politics and inter-national diplomacy. Obama brings readersinside the Oval Office and the White HouseSituation Room, to Moscow, Cairo, Beijing andpoints beyond. We are privy to his thoughts ashe assembles his cabinet, wrestles with a glob-al financial crisis, takes the measure of VladimirPutin, overcomes seemingly insurmountableodds to secure passage of the Affordable CareAct, clashes with generals about the US strate-gy in Afghanistan, tackles Wall Street reform,responds to the devastating Deepwater Horizonblowout and authorises Operation Neptune’sSpear, which leads to the death of Osama binLaden.

The memoir is intimate and introspective.It’s the story of one man’s bet with history, thefaith of a community organiser tested on theworld stage. Obama is candid about the balanc-ing act of running for office as a Black American,bearing the expectations of a generation buoyedby messages of “hope and change” and meetingthe moral challenges of high-stakes decision-making. He is frank about the forces thatopposed him at home and abroad, open abouthow living in the White House affected his wifeand daughters, and unafraid to reveal self-doubtand disappointment. Yet he never wavers fromhis belief that inside the great, ongoing Americanexperiment, progress is always possible.

Said former President Obama, “There’s nofeeling like finishing a book and I am proud ofthis one. I’ve spent the last few years reflectingon my presidency and in A Promised Land, I’vetried to provide an honest accounting of my pres-idential campaign and my time in office, the keyevents and people who shaped it, my take onwhat I got right and the mistakes I made, thepolitical, economic and cultural forces that myteam and I had to confront then. In the book,I’ve also tried to give readers a sense of the per-sonal journey that Michelle and I went throughduring those years, with all the incredible highsand lows. And finally, at a time when Americais going through such enormous upheaval, thebook offers some of my broader thoughts onhow we can heal the divisions in our countrygoing forward and make our democracy workfor everybody — a task that won’t depend on anysingle president but on all of us as engaged cit-izens. Along with being a fun and informativeread, I hope more than anything that the bookinspires young people across the globe to takeup the baton, lift up their voices and play theirpart in remaking the world for the better.”

(A Promised Land will be published onNovember 17.)

In the new normal, a second homewill be an extension of our prima-ry lifestyle for encompassing our

personal and professional lives.Vacations will now be about a saferhome away from home. And Indiansare betting big on price real estatesabroad, taking advantage of a depressedmarket. India Sotheby’s InternationalRealty hosted a panel discussion onChanging Lifestyles In The New Normalby established thought leaders andindustry experts. The panelists wereEdward Gibbs, Chairman, Head ofDepartment, Middle East & India,Sotheby’s Auction (London); NatalieMik, Global Vice President AffiliateServices, EMEIA Sotheby’sInternational Realty Affiliates LLC;Nicholas Spencer, BusinessDevelopment Manager, MEA & India,Berkeley Group and Akash Puri,Director International, India Sotheby’sInternational Realty. The webinaraimed at discussing ways of enhancinglifestyles through art and secondhomes in the UK and other keyEuropean destinations.

Akash explained some of the typ-ical reasons why Indian clients areinvesting in a second home overseas.He said, “London has always been apreferred destination for Indians. It isthe cultural and educational capital ofthe world so there’s a lot of aspirationalvalue. For London, there is a demandand supply shortfall of 40 per cent atthis particular moment. This probablywill grow with the delays in construc-tion that may have been caused becauseof the pandemic. Nowadays, buying aproperty overseas is not a wishfulthinking anymore but is prudent finan-cial advice for anyone who wants todiversify and enhance their wealthportfolio. We look at diversification

through real

estate. There’s a great rental deal thatone gets, which is higher than the infla-tion rates, very different from whathappens here. The third level of incomeis the long-term currency play. So ifyou look at capital appreciation of yourproperty, the rental deal and the cur-rency play, you are looking at a dou-ble digit return on an annual basis. Ifyou ask why the United Kingdom? Theanswer is because it is number one inthe global real estate transparencyindex.”

Natalie gave an overview of EMEIAregion i.e. 35 regions for Sotheby’sRealty operations. She shared, “First ofall, I would say that our offices allacross EMEIA have been incredibly fastin adjusting and innovating in timeslike these. Well, the first three monthswere quite challenging. However, nowwe are seeing phenomenal growthacross different regions. This recoveryis based on pent up demand. Peoplewere hesitant earlier but are nowgoing ahead with their real estate pur-chases. The market in France, UK, Italyand Germany has seen good growthrates. We are also seeing strongdemand from smaller countries, espe-cially the ones offering Citizens ByInvestment Programmes such asPortugal, Malta and Andorra.”

She explained the buying behav-iour of international clients duringCOVID-19 in EMEIA region. “Wehave definitely seen the change in thebehaviour. Most of our clients don’town just one property. They own anentire portfolio of properties. Thefirst change in the buyer behaviour thatwe have seen is a shift for countrysideproperties. Second big trend is a greatdeal of keeping out and sitting at home,working from home to upsize their pri-mary residence based on their need tocombine office and home space. Thethird trend, which wasn’t expected but

we are seeing and is drastic — anunusual amount of significant sales.There are opportunistic buyers who areseeing this time as an opportunity toget a deal. There is a demand for coun-try homes and bigger homes to upsizeprimary residences.”

Nicholas agreed with Natalie andtold us about the changes and buyingpreferences of Indians due toCoronavirus. He said, “People arefocussing more on lifestyle and afford-ability. They are leaning towards openspaces. We have seen a slight regressionin interest in central London stock anda much higher level of pickup in outerLondon stock. There has been almost50 per cent increase in four-bedroomhouses outside central London. Peopledon’t want to be confined to smallspaces. They prefer functional spaces.A lot of people tag London with lux-ury but the important thing to under-stand is that we are a place-maker andnot just a luxury home provider. Sothat’s where the trends are leaning atthe moment.”

“The secondary homes are gradu-ally becoming the primary ones,” saidAkash.

Edward believes that challeng-ing and dangerous times provide

opportunities to all companies to growand move ahead. So has the tradition-al style of auction adapted to theCOVID era? He said, “This is amoment of great evolutionary change.When the meteor strikes, you eitherevolve or die. I think we have success-fully evolved to the changing andchallenging circumstances. Our tradi-tional format is live sales but remoteworking and lockdown restrictionsmade it less of an option. Now we havesuccessfully adapted to an online for-mat and this has worked exceptional-ly well. It has been a seamless transi-tion, beyond all expectations. Althoughlive sales attract more bidders, the dig-ital format is also creating huge oppor-tunities. We are looking at up to 90 percent of auctions going online. Some ofthe changes are new auction formats,jewellery and single-lot auctions. Wenow have a ‘buy now’ tab on our web-site, which was launched in early June.We have Sotheby’s gallery network,which features 24 galleries. Private salesare much more transparent and acces-sible now. So there have been manynew innovations and exciting develop-ments.”

Well, the future is the pre-sent.

�)���%� �' ��'%�,��"'�&

!��!0<��3��<�!*!-�0����3��<9� �0 "����������������� ���������������������������� ��"(����� "(A��'�� ���������� ���(������ ��0�(���!� ���������! ��(� ������������������ �������. ������ ��B�������� ��� (�E��� ��� ��������/��(��F��1' �1�� �

;/- ����� �����#��#�

��-�� ������������#� ����#�=���� ������� ��

!���� # ��#� $�����#�= ��� �-��� ������#�

��� ��� !$� ��� #-��#� ����� -�������� ��� �������$�������= ���

���<�� �# 4��#��&�,& *�� � �#�

.����#� ��� ���#�� ��-�� �����?

0����� �# ��� ��<�#�������"�����������������������������"�����������������������*������$&$�2�'�$($���������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������"H��������������������������������������

Page 13: # &ˆ˘...2020/09/24  · Bollywood-drug mafia nexus. As per the information that trickled out of its office, the NCB has summoned Simone, Rakul, Shruti Modi on September 24, while

���� !"#�$�%�&'( #�)*�)+,)%-.�-/-/�������� 0���1 '3

+���������������������� �������������"����%�������������������$��������1��/���&���%��*����5$/*7���&���������������& ���92+���� �����$�����������&&�� ��������$/*��������=9���"���"�"�������"��2�����������"�"�������������������"��%�� ������"�������%��������������#�$/*����!����A��!����B���"�"������

�������$<<C�D���$��C+�������� �����������##����������##��%���� ��"����#�!����A���"�!����B���"������������� ����������%���������������"�&�����������������������������&��������#���$�.,�4@>2

+�������"� ������ ������ ����������������#��� �������������"��� ������ ���������� ����� �����"���"���������������2�+��� ����������#�� ��"�����������#��&� ������� ����� ����������!������=9@E2�+��� ��� ����� ��������� ���� ������50� �����=9@>7������"����)���&���������������������"�������� ��#�����&�"�����������2�,�� ���������������������������������;�&�����,�"����"���&��� ����)���&��2�!������������������!����)�&�����"�������1����)�&�������� �������������#�����������������������4���4"������#������ ����&�������������� ����������� ���"2�+��� �������%���� ����� ������������"��4 ���#��&����������������������!&�(�����"�0������2

$���#�����������#�������'������)�&�������������"����� ����������#���� �����#���������������������1�������+���"��2�+�������������������$�����������/�"2�5���$/7��������"���� ������������������������$�����������5���$7�#��������;���������#���������1���2�+������������ �����������&��������#�@����&������ ����=8���������2����1��������������������*���C���$�� ��������������������������������� �����������##�����2

+���,�"���������/�������������������"�+��������$������5,�/�+$7����������&���� �"����"�������������&�����#�<&�� ��&�����#��������� ������� ����������C���������:���������"�<&�� ��&������������"���#���������"���������� ���������F,�������������������������������2�$���#��������������������&�����������������<� ����"������� �"��������:�����������������"�����������,�/�+$�� �����������2�.�������)���������������������������#�!���,�"���#�"���������#����#G�!���'���������������"�����'�������!������������#��������#G���"����6�������1� ���.���������"�����#�!���,�"��0���"�������#��������#��*�&���� �������������������������%�������%���2�+������������������"������"����� ��������#������ ��"��#�����+���",�"������������������$�&���������=9=9�����"����"�������4,�"������%����������"�����������#��&2

* / � 0 1 + �

GAIL (India) Limited under-took a number of digital ini-

tiatives to raise awareness aboutincreasing air pollution and mea-sures to fight the pandemic, whichhas now reached 20 millionIndians in a short span.

It has been actively workingtowards educating the Indianmasses about air pollution. Underthese digital initiatives events,short films, contests, raahgiri,pledges, etc. were undertakenregarding problems caused due toair pollution to create awarenessand change mindsets and thatwould lead to a greener and clean-er tomorrow.

They worked with hashtagslike — #StayPositive,#SocialDistancing, #StayHome#StaySafe, #RukJanaNahin,#EnvironmentFriendlyLifestyleHabits, #GreenDriveWithNaturalGas,etc.

To contribute to the nation-wide fight against COVID-19,GAIL employees working fromhome produced a song to createawareness on staying positive,social distancing, staying at homeand staying safe. GAIL and itsemployees produced anothermusic video titled, Ruk Jana Nahinfor motivating themselves to kick-start their projects and also toacknowledge the efforts of thefrontline warriors of COVID-19.

#WakeUpAndSmellTheChange online initiative aimed to spreadthe idea of appreciating and pre-serving the positive environmen-tal changes occurred due to thelockdown. Through this initiative,the netizens were asked to take apledge and sustain this change infuture as well as with befittinglifestyle habits. Its#GreenDriveWithNaturalGasonline initiative aimed to spreadawareness about the use of natur-al gas as a fuel.

Kalinga Institute of IndustrialTechnology (KIIT) Deemed

to be University has been hon-oured with the Utkrisht SansthanVishwakarma Award 2020 for itsexcellent performance in specif-ic domains leading to significantcontribution towards nationalgrowth and development.

All India Council forTechnical Education (AICTE),Ministry of Human ResourceDevelopment, Government ofIndia has given this award toKIIT-DU for post COVID-19 re-development and rehabilitationplan. The award was presentedin 13 different categories, whileKIIT is the only institution inIndia to get the award in the cat-egory.

The AICTE had held a com-petition “AICTE-VishwakarmaAwards-2020” for the studentsand AICTE-approved institutesto encourage and motivateyoung students and institutionsto raise their performance intheir specific domains. AICTE

recognised and honoured theinnovative work of the KIIT-DUfor its social work during theCOVID-19 pandemic. Theawards were declared in thepresence of Dr RameshPokhriyal Nishank, Union

Minister of Education; ProfessorAnil D Sahasrabudhe,Chairman, AICTE; Dr MPPoonia, Vice Chairman;Professor Rajive Kumar, MemberSecretary and other eminenteducationists and dignitaries.

RITES Ltd, TransportI n f r a s t r u c t u r e

Consultancy and Engineeringcompany, has been awardeda contract for RailwayElectrification works on com-petition basis amounting to`475 crore.

An agreement will besigned between RITES andthe concerned Railway inthis regard in due course.This turn key contractmajorly covers sections ofMavli-Bari Sadri for 82RKM; Udaipur-Himmatnagar for 210 RKM;Bhatinda-Firozpur for 81RKM; and Gulbarga-Bidarfor 110 RKM of NWR, NRand SCR, respectively.

Rajeev Mehrotra,Chairman and ManagingDirector, RITES Limited,said, “These important addi-tions to our order book willbe executed on priority asthese are a part of the keyplan of railways for completeelectrification.”

Afirst of its kind web-interactionwas organised by Western

Railway Sports Association (WRSA)to motivate the sportspersons ofWestern Railway. Tanuja Kansal,president of Western RailwayWomen Welfare Organisation(WRWWO) and Alok Kansal, gen-eral manager of Western Railway,attended as the chief guests. Theyinteracted with sportspersons,coaches, captains and sports admin-istrators of Western Railway SportsAssociation through the Webinar.

Five Arjuna awardees, 60 coach-es, and 22 elite sportspersons tookpart in this interactive session. Theweb interaction was anchored by RajKumar Lal, president of WRSAand Sandeep Rajvanshy, generalsecretary of WRSA.

The webinar was organised aspart of the ‘Fit India Freedom Run’.Principal HODs, divisional railway

managers and other officers ofWestern Railway also joined. Ashort film about various infrastruc-ture and allied facilities was show-cased during the session, followed bya brief presentation on variousactivities of WRSA and profiles of37 sports teams of Western Railwaygiving details of team members, cap-tains and coaches.

Names like Gurbux SinghGrewal (Olympian bronze medalist,hockey), Balbir Singh Grewal (AsianGames hold medalist, hockey),Diana Edulji (Padamshree andArjuna Award, cricket), Eliza Nelson(Padamshree Award, hockey), SelmaD’silva (Padamshree Award, hock-ey) and Subhash Agarwal (runner-up in World Billiards

Championship) were talkedabout with great pride.

Kansal commended thesports personalities who havewon laurels for the country, aswell as for Railways. She fur-ther said that this was madepossible only because of thetalent developed by each indi-vidual, through their hardwork and determination,which has made them cham-pions today. She also gavecredit to the parents of thesesportspersons, who encour-aged them to pursue theirdreams and provided all thenecessary support. She addedthat now it was the turn of rail-ways to support them to reach

the pinnacle of their career insports. She said that this couldbe fulfilled by achieving targetsset by their coaches. She fur-ther encouraged women topursue sports at a profession-al level. She emphasised onhow a sportswoman playsdual role — that of a caringmother at home and anachiever in sports.

She said she is proud ofthe fact that many sports-women of WR have wonawards and medals. She wasdelighted that four of WR’swomen hockey players arepresently undergoing trainingat Bengaluru for the TokyoOlympic Games. She wished

them the very best for theGames.

As a gesture of apprecia-tion, an award of �25,000 wasannounced for the welfare ofWR’s sportswomen, whichwill be used to set up lockersets for them. Many of WR’ssportswomen from varioussporting events have theirpractice sessions in WR’sMahalaxmi sportsground. Thelocker sets will be placed in thechanging room at the pavilionat Mahalaxmi, which will ben-efit and be of great help to thesportswomen.

Kansal concluded,“Continuous effort is the keyto unlocking one’s potential,and success comes to thosewho refuse to give up. We haveto believe in ourselves and fol-low the road to our dreams.”

SHARP Business Systems (India)Pvt. Ltd announced the launch of

PN-CD701, the world’s first Windowscollaboration display, which offersbest-in-class environment for businessmeetings with better space utilisationand more productive collaborationwith minimal setup.

The display has been speciallydesigned keeping in mind the officeand remote working requirement ofcorporates. The next-generationinteractive display enables betterspace utilisation and more produc-tive collaboration in meetings, boardrooms and training rooms whichwould totally revolutionise the wayofficial conferences are conductedwhether working from home oroffice space. The display comes withcertification from Microsoft andSkype for businesses.

Announcing the launch, ShinjiMinatogawa, managing director, said,“SHARP has been known for its ded-ication to constantly developinginnovative technologies to supportthe evolving needs of its customers.Our products not only offerimproved technology and the latestfeatures but also improve their qual-ity of life. We have yet again deliveredon this promise and offered our cus-tomers with the seamless all-in-one

solution that allows them to workcomfortably and efficiently fromanywhere in the world.”

Besides the launch, SHARP hasalso rolled out a special, integratedpackage of workplace solutions keep-ing in mind the requirement ofworking professionals operating

remotely in the times of COVID-19.The package includes the Windowscollaboration display along with amulti-functional printer — aCommercial Air Purifier and aDynabook laptop. The package canbenefit all work groups includingstartups but is in particular designed

for SMEs, BFSI, large institutions andmultinational corporates to makeworking from home easier, saferand more efficient.

The collaboration displayembraces a 4K Ultra HD 70-classinteractive display, 12+12W built-inspeakers, a high-quality camera andan IoT sensor hub that works seam-lessly with the best Microsoft 365 col-laboration tools. The device comeswith a built-in microphone and awireless casting that works withWindows and Android devices. Itprovides clear, visual information toenable more efficient workstation util-isation and creates a comfortablemeeting and training environment formore productive collaboration andlearning, while also improving over-all facilities management. Besides, the10-point Projected Capacitive[PCAP] touch technology and DirectOptical Bonding provides a moreaccurate touch precision and natur-al Pen-on-Paper experience.

The launch took place virtuallywith a footfall of over 500 corporatecostumers across the industry. The 4KUltra HD Windows CollaborationDisplay is available for purchase allover India directly from the compa-ny or through authorised SHARPdealers and is priced at �11,29,000.

�It has been more than amonth that you tookcharge of the MunicipalCorporation of Ghaziabad.What have been yourobservations about the cityso far?

Well, I will not call themflaws, rather areas, whichneed improvement, wherework needs to be done.Over the course of time, Ihave seen that scope of workin many fields.

�Where did you see it themost?

The biggest problem inGhaziabad is garbage dis-posal, for which we haveprepared a complete actionplan for permanent solution.A plan is being prepared toset up 10 garbage factories infive of the municipal corpo-ration’s zone cities — KaviNagar, Vijay Nagar, MohanNagar and Vasundharaareas. Here, five factories

will be set up in the firstphase in six months. Thesewill be operated on PPPmodel. The MunicipalCorporation will providethe waste to the respectivefirm that runs these facto-ries. This firm will segregatewet and dry waste and makeorganic fertiliser and otherproducts from it and sell itin the market. The factorieswill operate from the pro-ceeds from it. TheMunicipal Corporation willneither take nor provideanything for this. The spe-cial thing is that 12,000

garbage pickers will also getRanj Gar in these factories.Here, these units will have astate-of-the-art machine forgarbage disposal. This entireproject will be operated at acorporate level. In January2021, the first factory will becommissioned and handedover to the city.

�Do you have any plans tomake the city beautiful?

Of course, the targethas been set to make the cityclean and green in missionallocation. Vending zoneswill also be set up. Digitalhoardings will not beinstalled in the city anymore.The variance of stray ani-mals will be stopped as wellas action is being taken toget rid of the problem ofmonkeys and stray dogs inresident areas.

�What is the action plan toprotect the property of the

Municipal Corporationfrom the land mafia?

After taking charge, Ihave inspected many placesand made an action plan tosave the assets of the corpo-ration. With the removal ofland from the possession ofland mafia, the number ofproperties of the corpora-tion which has been givenon rent or lease is 1,200.Allottees who have sub-letthese assets will be cancelledand all properties will be re-auctioned.

Also, the tax base willbe increased so that theincome of the municipalcorporation can increase.The assets will be mailed tobring it into the tax net. Asfar as redeeming the landfrom land mafia is con-cerned, strict action will betaken against such people sothat no one can muster thecourage to commit such acrime again.

To meet the expected growth ofpassenger footfall, AAI’sDehradun Airport is getting

upgraded at the project cost of �353crore. The first phase of developmentwork includes construction ofDomestic Terminal Building alongwith Utility Block, Car park, SewageTreatment Plant, RainwaterHarvesting structures and other ancil-lary structures.

With an area of 42,776 sqm, theNew Terminal Building will able towelcome 1,800 passengers duringthe peak hours, thereby expanding thecapacity of the airport eight timesthan before. The building will have aconcourse, check-in area, securityhold and arrival lounge at groundfloor, security hold at first floor andother services and various offices atmezzanine floor. Equipped with 36check-in counters and four aero-bridges, the new terminal will have allthe modern facilities like self check-in kiosks and inline baggage screen-ing facility. Ample retail space spreadin an area of 6,465 sqm is alsoplanned, to help accelerate the gen-

eration of revenue and employmentfor local youth.

The design height of the buildingis optimally done to reduce the cost

of construction and operation. Thebuilding has been designed to providepassengers and visitors a sense ofplace highlighting the culture and her-

itage of Uttarakhand. Arched façadeis inspired by the work featured atForest Research Institute, Dehradunand the feature columns are inspired

by the form of Brahmakamal, the stateflower of Uttarakhand.

The new building will also haveeco-friendly sustainable features likedouble-curved roof to aid in rainwa-ter harvesting, sewage treatmentplant, solar power system, energy effi-cient fixtures and provision of max-imum natural light through sky-lights.

The second phase of the develop-ment work will include shifting ofoperations from existing terminalbuilding to the new one and construc-tion of balance portion of terminalbuilding along with integration of allthe services and completion of bal-ance works.

Almost 80 per cent of the devel-opment work has been completed andthe project is likely to be completedby October 21.

��� ������'A��� �����

�������� ������!����.�� �� �������� ����� ������ �� �

������(� �����. �������" !�� �

���.,���%*�'! �������%�����

���$9�1�1'?1E��0$&1�������������*����(�������������������=2�4����0%�!����*�������������%���"

���&�� ���'"0�)�$�!� '����0�-' ���

?�EE�E�������>E��E�����������$�&&����������!3<'��!��,'�3�+!'*!������(�� �"�����������$�����������������!�3�) ',�*!' � ��������&�1��������� ������"����"�#��������������"�%����&���

�,+<����� ������8HA����������� ���������#��������

B''9������ ��0�������������������%��0����.���0���

Page 14: # &ˆ˘...2020/09/24  · Bollywood-drug mafia nexus. As per the information that trickled out of its office, the NCB has summoned Simone, Rakul, Shruti Modi on September 24, while

!�� � 75!�%580�

Mahendra Singh Dhoni didnot lead from the front by

dropping himself down thebatting order during a mam-moth chase, opined formerIndia batsman GautamGambhir, tearing into CSK cap-tain’s decision to bat at numberseven against Rajasthan Royals.

The former India openerreckons that if any other captainhad done this, he would havedrawn a lot of flak but since itis Dhoni, people are not eventalking about it.

“I was a bit surprised to behonest. MS Dhoni batting at No7? And sending (Ruturaj)Gaikwad, Sam Curran beforehim. Makes no sense to me. Infact you should be leadingfrom the front,” Gambhir toldESPNcricinfo’s T20 Time Out.

“This is not what you callleading from the front. Battingat No 7 when you’re chasing217. The game was over. Faf wasprobably the lone warrior,” hesaid.

“See, if someone else wouldhave done this, some other(batsman) captain had batted atNo 7, he would have got a lotof flak. It is MS Dhoni —probably that’s why people don’ttalk about it.”

The 38-year-old Gambhir,who played 58 Tests and 147ODIs between 2003 and 2016,also questioned CSK’s intent towin the game.

“There is nothing wrong ifyou end up getting out early, atleast start leading from thefront, trying to inspire the teamas well. What you did in the lastover (hitting 3 sixes in last over),probably if you’d done thatcoming in at No 4 or 5, along-side Faf, you could have madea game out of it,” said Gambhir.

“Probably there was nosuch intent to make a game outof it. I thought after the (first)six overs, they had literally

given up on the game. Andprobably MS was trying to getback into that match rhythm ofbatting till the end and get someruns under his belt so he canactually play these kind ofinnings in the coming games.

“You’ve got to be in the pre-sent, try and win each gamepossible. I thought there was nointent to win the game and theywere never there in the chase.”

On Dhoni hitting threesixes in the f inal over,Gambhir said, “Yes, you cantalk about MS Dhoni’s last overbut it was of no use to be hon-est. It was just all personalruns.”

Gambhir said it was“absolute miscalculation” onthe part of CSK to delayDhoni’s arrival at the crease.

“When you don’t haveSuresh Raina, you’re makingpeople believe that SamCurran is better than you.You’re making people believe

that Ruturaj Gaikwad,Curran, Kedar Jadhav,Faf du Plessis, M Vijay,all these guys, are bet-ter than you.

“Probably not the rightcaptaincy as well. This isnot how you ask someonelike MS to lead the side.”

4�� �$ � ����� '�� �$#�

��� �$���# ( -��<���

���� !"#�$�%�&'( #�)*�)+,)%-.�-/-/

36

0�1������21��������1�%�$ �&�1���&���!�%�

�����$ �� ������'&��$%����'$��")�!$$���'3��4���������*$�'&'(��' &� &�� ��%)��$"�0���&$�!'(���'%�%$����&�'1�49$�&� �&�")�'&�0$�1���0�""

��"' !��'��"'1��5$""���:����-�� ���%���'(��*"�)���#$����4�&�0���� #$�&� �&��&��&����$�"� ;&�%�1��'&�����&$*���$ �"�����$ �4����&�!'(��� �$**$�&� '&)�&$�$&����

�;(���$%��' �0'&���$%��$ #'�� ���&��$�!��!$$�*��#$�%� ����&�'��)���:�-�&�"�$�%�)-��*�&&' !�"������*$ �'-'"'&)�$ �%)��"#�&�� �$%��$&����)����

<$���5�'"'**��'���$%�$ �0�$�����!$&��$�%����&�"� &4����� �*"�)��� �%-���$#�$"��4������(����� ��$0�������#�"������ �-���&�&��&$*�$#�&���$�����=' ��'!�����>

�12��

.'(��#�$%�?2@A*%����5�������BB @

��-�!���%��-�..������2%���)��)����������*�� ���������18�������"���*��������*�*�����"���;�������������������������������*�������"��������������������������������������*������$���������������� ��� ���������&����������$��������#�������������B�������"�����������������������*��������������*�������������������������������������������*�������� ���������������������������*���#P������*�*������"��������������������������#�������������������������������;��I��2 �&&J����������������I%���J��������*��������*������B�������,��������#�+������ �������������������������*�������������������"���� ������� �������������*�� �������*�� ���*����������*������������*�������*����������� �������#,

2%���)����%$������!�%2�)����)�����������$���������������������(����������� ��"������ ����������&��O�����������2����F��1��;���������"���������������������������������O�%�������������� ���'��������(� ��0������#�+�����(���������������"���� �������������������������*��"�������*������ ����"����������������������������������������� ��������������*������ �����������������*����,�0����������� ������������"���&��O��*�����������#�+���������������������������������������������������������� ����������������"����������������������*������������������������������������#�+0�������"�������*��������������������������������������������������*���*��*���������������������������,��������#

5%.�������.���)�2���5�..�2��)5$������������������0"�����������������(�������(���*����!�����"����������������������������������18�*������� �����;��"����������������������O������������&��#�!���������������D���0������������������(��O������������������B���������;����������������Q��������������4$5#�+(�������(�����������������������������;��"#�!��*�����������"����� ��"#�D���0������*�������������������� ������������,�����������������������������*�����������#

���%���@@�)�>�)�5�������)9�����.�)5$�������������B��*��������������������18�-.-.�������*������2����&;����&�"��*������������ ���������������*������������;������ ���������#����*�������������������B����������������18��������*�����������������2�������&�"����������������������-.6/#�'������"����;���������������B�������*����������B�����������*����"���� �������I=J��D����$������I=J�������!����I=J�������1����I<J�����������I-J����(��%�����I�J

��..�!%��.��%����%!�99����������������:�������+��������,��������������������������������2�� ��2������&�����������������������������7�*�R��������� �������������"��#�:�����-6�����"������������-/�����������22&����*�������������9.�����#�+�O ��������������������������������������������6/������#�������������:����������������������"��O����������������������"�������������� �:������������������ ����#������� ��O�������������������������,���"������*������ ���������� ��� ����*��������#�+������:�������*�*��������������&�����I4����J����:���:��������22&��������������������������������������������#�0����������������22&�,��������#

��& ���,�"�����*��"�������4����"���)������������"������� �������������������������� �����%��������&���������������������#����&������������������������#���"�������������@A9�����&��#����& ���,�"������������,�"�������&����/������ �,C+ �����

!�� � %4�$�

Kings XI Punjab will look toput behind the controver-sial ‘short run’ decision in

their IPL opener and start afreshwhen they take on Virat Kohli’sbuoyant Royal ChallengersBangalore here on Thursday.

In their opening game againstDelhi Capitals, the square-legumpire erroneously called KXIP’sChris Jordan for a ‘short run’ in thethird ball of the 19th over, effec-tively costing his team the close-ly fought game.

KXIP went on to lodge anappeal to the match referee overthe incident but on Thursday, KLRahul and Co would like forgetthe unsavoury incident and focuson the task ahead.

In contrast, RCB opened theircampaign on a winning notedefeating Sunrisers Hyderabadby 10 runs, raising hopes thatthings might finally fall into place

for them this season.Devdutt Padikkal started

his IPL career on a classy notehitting a sublime half-centuryand will once again be in focus,while AB de Villers will alsolook to continue in the samevein following a crucial half-century.

Both Kohli and AaronFinch looked good on Mondaynight and would be itching tospend more time in the middle.

Yuzvendra Chahal, asalways, will be the key man inthe RCB bowling attack. ButUmesh Yadav continues to leakruns and going by his showingin the first game, he could bereplaced by Mohammad Siraj.It remains to be seen if the teamcan fit in England all-rounderMoeen Ali in the middle-order.With Josh Phillippe being cho-sen as the specialist wicketkeep-er batsman to start with, Ali canonly replace Dale Steyn in the

eleven.For KXIP, Mayank

Agarwal looked in imperioustouch but was gutted to not beable to get his team over the linewith just one run required towin.

Rahul, Glenn Maxwell andNicholas Pooran will be expect-ed to step up as they possess theability to take away the gamefrom any opposition.

Big hitters Chris Gayle,who was left out of the openerfor better balance in the eleven,could be back and batting all-rounder Jimmy Neesham couldalso be given a chance.

KXIP’s bowling is spear-headed by Mohammed Shami,who proved his high worth inthe team’s opener.

Young leg-spinner RaviBishnoi will go into the gamemore confident, havingimpressed against DelhiCapitals.

!���� �0$&D$0

The extended two-week quar-antine of Chennai Super

Kings hampered his prepara-tions as he did not get enoughtime for batting practice, saidcaptain Mahendra Singh Dhoniafter his side lost to RajasthanRoyals by 16 runs in their sec-ond IPL game.

Dhoni came in to bat at No7, sending the likes of SamCurran and Kedar Jadhav aheadof him in a mammoth 217-runchase on Tuesday.

Asked why he came so lowin the order, the CSK captainsaid, “I haven’t batted for a longtime. 14-day quarantine doesn’thelp.”

“Also, we wanted to try dif-ferent things, give opportunitiesto Sam (Curran). We have theopportunity to try differentthings. If they don’t work, youcan always go back to yourstrengths,” the CSK skippersaid.

Dhoni’s reference was toCSK’s extra one-week quaran-tine after 13 people in their con-tingent tested positive for Covid-19, resulting in missing out onimportant training sessions. Hewas not out on 29 off 17 ballswith three sixes in the last over.

Although he didn’t nameMurali Vijay but the veteranopener’s run-a-ball 21 was oneof the reasons for CSK fallingshort besides an off-day from hisspin duo of Ravindra Jadejaand Piyush Chawla.

“With 217 on the board, weneeded a very good start whichwas not the case. Steve (Smith)and (Sanju) Samson batted verywell. We need to give credit totheir bowlers. Once you’ve seenthe first innings, you knew thelengths to bowl,” Dhoni said.

“Their spinners did well tobowl away from the batsman.Our spinners made the error tobowl too full. If we would’vemaybe restricted them to 200, itwould’ve been a good game.”

!���� �0$&D$0�

Convinced that possessing an array ofshots is a must to go with power-hit-

ting, wicket-keeper batsman SanjuSamson says he worked on these aspectsduring the coronavirus enforced break.

The work done by Samson was thereto be seen when he pulverised theChennai Super Kings on Tuesday night,setting up a Rajasthan Royal’s win withhis blistering 32-ball 74-run knock,studded with nine sixes and a boundary.

That he is an impact player is aknown fact but his clean and elegant hit-ting earned praise from one and all.

“I think range-hitting is what thegame demands in this generation. I hadtime to work out in these 5 months, andI think I’ve increased that ability,” Samsonsaid at the post-match presentation.

“I’ve been working hard on my fit-ness, diet and training, and on mystrength, because my game relies a lot onpower hitting,” he added.

Samson, who was adjudged Man-of-the-Match, said his plan is to go and hitall the deliveries in his arc.

“My game plan is stand and deliver.If it’s in the arc I go for it, and it’s veryimportant to keep the intent to hit the ballif it’s there to be hit.

!���� 75!�%580�

The women’s FIFA Under-17World Cup, which has been

rescheduled to February-March,is likely to be postponed yetagain in view of the Covid-19pandemic.

Originally scheduled to beheld in five venues of India fromNovember 2 to 21, the women’sage group showpiece waspushed to February 17-March 7next year due to the pandemic,which has played havoc withsporting calendars worldwide.

With the health crisis stillshowing no signs of abating andwith the qualifying tournamentsyet to be held in Africa, Northand Central America and SouthAmerica, there is a high possi-bility of the tournament gettingpostponed yet again.

“There is a high possibilitythat the women’s FIFA U-17World Cup will be postponedagain. The new time framewhen the tournament will beheld is yet not known. But mostprobably it is getting postponed,”a source privy to the develop-ment told PTI.

All India FootballFederation (AIFF) general sec-retary Kushal Das, however,

told PTI that there is “no officialupdate” on the matter yet.

But when asked specifical-ly whether there is a possibilityof the postponement of thetournament in view of the pre-vailing situation, he said, “It canbe (postponed).”

With less than five monthsleft for the tournament, theconfederations of Africa (CAF),North and Central America(CONCACAF) and SouthAmerica (CONMEBOL) are yetto hold their qualifiers.

Europe (UEFA) cancelled itsqualifying tournament lastmonth and nominated Spain,England and Germany — itshighest-ranked teams. The con-federation of Oceania (OFA) didthe same and nominated NewZealand as its representative inthe U-17 World Cup.

Only Asia (AFC) conduct-ed the qualifiers as scheduled.Japan and North Korea qualifiedafter becoming the championsand runners-up respectively inthe 2019 AFC U-16 Women'sChampionship.

The AIFF had planned tostart the national camp earlynext month but it may not hap-pen if the tournament is post-poned.

Ottawa: Last year’s US Openchampion Bianca Andreescusaid on Tuesday she will sit outthe remainder of the season tofocus on her “health and train-ing” after a year beset by injury.

Andreescu, who beat SerenaWilliams at Flushing Meadows12 months ago, has not playeda match since hurting her kneelast October at the WTA Finalsin Shenzhen.

“I have come to the difficultdecision to skip the clay courtswing this year and will be tak-ing the remainder of the seasonoff to focus on my health andtraining,” Andreescu wrote onTwitter.

“As hard as it was to cometo this conclusion, I have somuch to look forward to in 2021,including the Olympics; I want

to use this time to focus on mygame so I can come backstronger and better than

ever.”Andreescu joins

defending RolandGarros champion

Ashleigh Bartyand newly-crowned

US Open winner NaomiOsaka on the absenteelist for the September

27-October 11 GrandSlam in Paris.

!�� � $�4�%0$��

Skipper Rohit Sharma'seffortless batting formed

the cornerstone of MumbaiIndians' resounding 49-runwin over Kolkata KnightRiders in an Indian PremierLeague match here onWednesday.

On a big Sheikh ZayedStadium, Rohit pummelledthe KKR bowlers into submis-sion for a 54-ball 80 andpowered Mumbai to animposing 195/5.

The night belonged toRohit, the great white-ballexponent, whose knock waslaced with six sixes.

Then the Jasprit Bumrah-led Mumbai attack did mostthings right to restrict KKR to146 for nine and end theirwinless streak in the UAE.

KKR were never oncourse for a comfortable chaseas they lost openersShubhman Gill (7) and SunilNarine (9) cheaply to be in aspot of bother at 25 for two.

One-down skipperDinesh Karthik (30 off 23)and Nitish Rana (24 off 18)tried to up the ante but theywere still playing the catch-upgame with 125 runs neededfrom the last 10 overs.

Kolkata were dealt a dou-ble blow in quick successionfirst Karthik was trapped byRahul Chahar (2/26) in frontof the wicket and then HardikPandya grabbed a runningcatch on the fence to sendback Rana.

Bumrah (2/32) in the 16thover sealed the game for

Mumbai as he removed AndreRussell (11), who was bowled,and then forced Eoin Morgan(20) to edge to the wicket-keeper.

Pat Cummins (33 off 12)launched into Bumrah withfour sixes in a very expensive18th over, but it was too latefor Kolkata, who failed toput up a contest. Bumrahwent for 27 runs.

Kieron Pollard (1/21),Trent Boult (2/30), JamesPattison (2/25 ) played theirroles to perfection.

Earlier, put into bat, afterShivam Mavi (2/32) removedopener Quinton De Kock (1)cheaply, Rohit (80 off 54 balls;3 fours, 6 sixes) andSuryakumar Yadav (47 off28; 6 fours, 1 six) added 90runs for the second wicket topull the team out of trouble.

Rohit, who began with amaximum, displayed his lan-guid grace and elegance as hetook the Kolkata attack to thecleansers.

Surya effortlessly smashed

four boundaries off SandeepWarrier (0/34), including acover-drive and a flick, in thethird over.

Rohit got going aftersmashing pacer Pat Cummins(0/49) for two maximumsboth being his trademarkpull-short. With the two look-ing good and hitting sixes andfours at will, Mumbai raced to94/1 after 10 overs.

Kolkata, however, cutshort Surya's stay when hewas run out.

Rohit continued his bru-tal onslaught against china-man Kuldeep Yadav (0-39),smashing him for two maxi-mums.

Saurabh Tiwary (21),Hardik Pandya (18) playedperfect second fiddle to Rohit,who literally bulldozed theopposition bowlers.

Kolkata tried to pullthings back by removingRohit, Hardik in quick suc-cession even as Mumbaiadded 48 runs in the last fiveovers.

��;��*�� ��������������*����������

?E9��E9��$&����O�����M �������*���(�������������� �����"

���� � 75!�%580�

The absence of veteran pacerLasith Malinga is an oppor-

tunity for others to step up,according to Mumbai Indianscaptain Rohit Sharma. The 37-year-old Malinga has been ruledout for the season and in hisabsence, MI relied upon JamesPattinson and Jasprit Bumrah todeliver in the death overs in theIPL season opener againstChennai Super Kings.

It didn’t quite work out forthem and they ended up losingthe match by five wickets. “Whathappened in the past is in thepast,” said Rohit after the toss onWednesday. “There are someareas where we need to rectify.Hopefully we don’t make thosemistakes.”

“Malinga is like Pollard, hasbeen a massive player for us. Itwas unfortunate that he could-n’t make it due to personal rea-sons. That gives an opportuni-ty to others. We need to enjoyour cricket as a squad.”

KKR captain Karthik choseto field first, despite teams bat-ting first winning three of thefour games that have beenplayed in the season thus far.“We will bowl first. IANS

New Delhi: At the 2010 IPL player auc-tion, Mumbai Indians, Chennai SuperKings, Royal Challengers Bangalore andKolkata Knight Riders were locked in afierce bidding war for West Indies allrounder Kieron Adrian Pollard. Eventually,Mumbai Indians grabbed him for a whop-ping $2.2 million. Since then, theTrinidadian has been a MI loyalist, and onWednesday, he played his 150th IPL matchfor the four-time IPL champions.

“Having someone like Pollard in thesquad is always nice. He is a massive play-

er for us, hopefully he’ll come out and enjoyhis game, like he always goes,” MI captainRohit Sharma said of the towering WestIndian at the start of Wednesday’s match.

A master of hitting humongous sixes,33-year-old Pollard has played 11 consec-utive seasons for MI since 2010, hasscored 2,773 runs at an amazing strike rateof 146.64 — hitting 177 sixes and 182boundaries, before the start of Wednesday’sgame against KKR.

The only other player that instantlycomes to mind for his loyalty to a single

franchise is Virat Kohli, who has played forRCB in all 13 seasons that IPL has been inexistence for.

Pollard didn’t have an extraordinaryfirst season with MI in 2010 — 273 runsin 14 matches without a half-century and15 wickets — but the franchise owners keptfaith in him as he was more than handywith the ball too. He has bagged 56 wick-ets at an economy rate of 8.83, before theKKR game on Wednesday.

A brilliant fielder in the deep, Pollardhas taken 82 catches so far. IANS

� ��� � ��� ')��� ���� �� $�!��

����������� ��������������������#���������

@84"��������������"�"��������? �� �' !��"$$1�&$�$*� ����$� &

!����O����$�4�6<�!���������� ��"�������������������

���������.��� ����!�*5*5��� ������������ ������� ���������� ������������������������� �

0�#�"��������������������� ����#������������#�#������������������1������ ,�/+=92��&

�����0������ ���. ��. ���!���!��.4 @� .��Sharjah: It will take some timeto see MS Dhoni — the finish-er, that everyone is waiting for,says Chennai Super Kings headcoach Stephen Fleming as hisside fell short in its run chaseagainst Rajasthan Royals despitehaving the former India captainat the crease.

“We have this questionevery year. He was in in the 14thover, which is pretty muchoptimal time, and sort of battedaccordingly. He is coming backfrom not playing a huge amountof cricket,” Fleming said at thepost-match press conference.

“So, the expectations to seehim at his best is gonna takesome time. But you see himtowards the end, he was verygood. Faf du Plessis carried the

form, so we weren’t too far away.It wasn’t the batting that was theworry to be honest.”

Fleming said his spinnerswere slow in adjusting thelength of their deliveries (theybowled overpitched). SanjuSamson (74) was on fire againsttheir spinners.

“Their (RR) hitting wasvery good in the 8 overs theyfaced. It was a good surface (tobat) and we were slow onadjusting. We did not adjustquickly. There was intent toadjust but execution was poor.

“So it was dangerous timeand we had to just hang in thereand try. We came close topulling back to a manageablescore but that last over took usout of reach.” PTI

���1����&����������������������$�) ,�/+=92��&