do or die for trs cabinet nod men in mlc poll for pli sops

c m y k c m y k

Vol. 84 No. 55 Established 1938 | 20 PAGES | `6.00deccanchronicle.com, facebook.com/deccannews, twitter.com/deccanchronicle

THE LARGEST CIRCULATED ENGLISH DAILY IN SOUTH INDIAHYDERABAD I THURSDAY I 25 FEBRUARY 2021

Max: 34OCMin: 17.1OC RH: 28%Rainfall: Nil

Forecast: Cloudy sky.Mist or haze likely.

Max/Min temp. 34/18 ºC

WEATHER

ASTROGUIDESarvari; Uttarayana

Tithi: Magha Shuddha Trayodasi till5.12 pm

Star: Pushyami till 1.11 pmVarjyam: 1.37 am to 3.11 am

(Friday)Durmuhurtam: 10.32 am to 11.19

am; 3.11 pm to 3.58 pmRahukalam: 1.30 pm to 3 pm

HIJRI CALENDARRajab 12,1442 AH

PRAYERSFajar: 5.37 am

Zohar: 12.39 pmAsar: 4.43 pm

Maghrib: 6.27 pmIsha: 7.35 pm

SUNRISE TOMORROW 6.36 AMSUNSET TODAY 6.21 PM

MOONSET 5.03 AMMOONRISE 4.32 PM

COUNTER POINT

DC CORRESPONDENTNEW DELHI, FEB. 24

The Centre on Wednesdayapproved a ProductionLinked Incentive (PLI)scheme for pharmaceuti-cals, a move which willbring investments of`15,000 crore into the sec-tor. It will benefit domes-tic manufacturers, spurjob opportunities andmake a wider range ofaffordable medicinesavailable for consumers.

The PLI scheme forpharma is likely to pro-mote the production ofhigh-value products inthe country and increasethe value addition inexports.

In another decision, theUnion Cabinet alsoapproved the PLI schemefor bringing investmentsin the manufacture ofmobile phone (handsetsand components).

The target IT hardwaresegments under the pro-

posed scheme include lap-tops, tablets, All-in-OnePersonal Computers(PCs) and servers.

The scheme proposesproduction linked incen-tive to boost domesticmanufacturing andattract large investmentsin the value chain of theseproducts.

The total cost of the PLIscheme for IT hardware isabout `7,350 crore overfour years. It intends toprovide incentivesbetween four to one percent on net incrementalsales of goods manufac-tured in India.

Cabinet nodfor PLI sopsPharma firms, production oflaptops, tablets, PCs get boost

Spectators arrive at the Narendra Modi Stadium on the first day of the 3rd cricket testmatch between India and England, in Ahmedabad on Wednesday. The stadium atMotera, which is billed as the world’s largest, can seat 1,10,000 people. — PTI

DC CORRESPONDENTNEW DELHI, FEB. 24

The renaming of therevamped Sardar PatelStadium, popular as theMotera Stadium, in Ahme-dabad to Narendra Modistadium turned into apolitical slugfest, with the

Opposition, especially theCongress, accusing theBJP of “insulting” SardarVallabhbhai Patel. Thelatter rebutted sayingCongress president SoniaGandhi and others nevervisited Patel’s statue —Statue of Unity — in Kev-adia and are talking about

insulting Patel. The BJPalso listed names of insti-tutions and tournamentsnamed after the Nehru-Gandhi family to hit back.President Ram NathKovind inaugurated thestadium on Wednesday.

■ More reports on 0

Narendra Modi stadiumin Gujarat faces Oppn ire

DC CORRESPONDENTHYDERABAD, FEB. 24

The upcoming LegislativeCouncil elections for thetwo graduate constituen-cies will be an acid-test forministers and TRS MLAsengaged as election in-charges in their respec-tive districts. The partyleadership has made itclear that ministers whofail to ensure victory forparty candidates will betaken to task.

Chief Minister K.Chandrashekar Rao hasput the responsibility forensuring the party's victo-ry on in-charge ministersand MLAs of the respec-tive districts. TRS work-ing president K.T. RamaRao's comments at the‘poll strategy meeting’ atTelangana Bhavan onWednesday have quicklybecome a hot topic of dis-cussion in TRS circles.

Rama Rao met seniorleaders to devise the pollstrategy for the Hyde-rabad-Ranga Reddy-Mah-bhubnagar MLC election.The meeting was attendedby ministers, MLAs andMLCs under GHMC lim-its. Ministers Talasani

Srinivas Yadav, Ch. MallaReddy and Sabitha IndraReddy were present on thedais with Rama Rao.

He told ministersSabitha and Talasani thatthe party fared badly intheir constituencies in therecent GHMC polls andthis should not be repeat-ed in MLC polls. Theseelections will impact theparty’s future and no com-placency will be tolerated,he said. Many saw this asa hint that the TRS highcommand will even thinkof removing non-perform-ers from the Cabinet andreward performers withberths. A Cabinet reshuf-fle is expected any timeafter the party’s plenaryon April 27. The TRS hasappointed the three minis-ters as party in-chargesfor the Hyderabad-RR-Mahbubnagar MLC elec-tion and ministers Erra-belli Dayakar Rao, Sat-yavathi Rathod, PuvvadaAjay Kumar, G. JagadishReddy, V Srinivas Goudand S Niranjan Reddy forthe Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda constituency.

■ Page 2: TRS can’t affordto lose seats it holds

Do or die for TRSmen in MLC poll


Chief Minister K. Chand-rasekhar Rao will visitYadadri on February 28to inspect the ongoingrenovation works on thetemple premises.

According to sources in

Chief Minister’s Office,the CM is expected to fixthe “muhurat” for inau-guration of the renovatedtemple complex subse-quent to his visit.

Yadadri temple hasbeen a “dream project”for Rao ever since heassumed office in June

2014. He has visited thetemple 14 times in thelast six years. He wantsto give the 1,000-year-oldtemple a makeover on thelines of Tirumala. TheCM is planning to meetChinna Jeeyar Swamy tofinalise the inaugurationdate.

CM to fix Yadadri muhurat

SC REJECTS ONEMORE CHANCE TOUPSC ASPIRANTSPARMOD KUMAR | DCNEW DELHI, FEB. 24

The Supreme Court onWednesday rejected aplea by some aspirantswho have alreadyavailed all the attemptsto appear for civil ser-vices exams conductedby Union Public servicecommission (UPSC)seeking an extra chanceon grounds that theirpreparations in October2020 were hit by Covid.

Turning down the pleafor an extra chance, abench comprising Just-ice A.M. Khanwilkar,Justice Indu Malhotraand Justice AjayRastogi, in its judgmentsaid, “If an additionalattempt remains restri-cted to the lastattemptees for the rea-son that they had suf-fered during the pan-demic, all attempteesirrespective of thenature of attempt (i.e.1st, 2nd etc.) whoappeared in Exami-nation 2020 must havefaced the same conse-quences as being facedby the writ petitionersand each one of themhave suffered in oneway or the other duringthe pandemic. At thesame time, this reason-ing will equally apply tothose who have crossedthe upper age barrier.”

Justice Rastogi speak-ing for the bench said,“…, if this Court showsindulgence to few whohad participated in theExamination 2020, itwill set down a prece-dent and also have cas-cading effect on examsin other streams, forwhich we are dissuadedto exercise plenary pow-ers under Article 142 ofthe Constitution.”

● ● THE TOTAL cost thePLI scheme for IT hard-ware is about `7,350 croreover four years. It intendsto provide incentivesbetween four to one percent on net incrementalsales of goods manufac-tured in India.

CITY pg 2DECCAN CHRONICLE | HYDERABAD | THURSDAY | 25 FEBRUARY 2021


Speaking to media inHyderabad for the firsttime since he assumedoffice on Wednesday here,His Excellency Muha-mmad Suleman Kakar, theConsulate General of theIslamic Republic ofAfghanistan said, “I can’twait for the day whenTollywood as well asBollywood movies will beshot again in Afghanistan.Who can forget AmitabhBachchan’s role in KhudaGawah shot in the pictur-esque mountains of ourcountry in the late 80s andreleased in 1992?”

Explaining the work ofthe consulate inHyderabad, he said, “itwas opened in January2020 for primarily provid-ing consular services inthe states of Telangana,Andhra Pradesh,Karnataka, Tamil Naduand Kerala. But we arelooking at a greater role ofacting as a bridge betweenour two countries, andboosting trade and show-casing our country to thepeople of Telangana.”

Giving details of theopportunities for entre-preneurs in his country,Consul General Kakar,speaking in chaste Hindi,said, “our country isknown for mineral wealth.Mining is a great opportu-nity. Besides that, we haveinfrastructure and energy

as big areas for peoplefrom here to considerinvesting.”

“As a nation with richnatural resources andexotic agriculture, wealready have in India agreat partner and historicfriend. Over 80 per cent ofour fruits and nearly 60per cent of our dry fruitsare exported to India.Now, we hope investorsfrom Telangana to comeand explore the greatopportunities in infra-structure, energy, tour-ism, communication, edu-cation, transport andhealth”, he said.

He thanked India and

Prime Minister NarendraModi for sending 5,00,000Covid-19 vaccines andsaid, “bilateral relationsbetween our two countrieshave remained strong andfriendly over decades. Wehad been historical neigh-bours as well. We highlyvalue our relations andremain committed to fur-ther expanding politicaland economic tiesbetween two brotherlycountries”.

“India has been verysupportive in giving high-er education opportuni-ties for our youth. Thereare over 200 Afghan stu-dents studying in

Osmania Universityalone, and over 800 stu-dents all over Telangana.The numbers will riseonce the Covid restric-tions are over,” he said.

“As part of our futureplants, we are planning toorganise an Afghan foodfestival to promote Indo-Afghan food and cultureexchange. We are alsolooking at taking a busi-ness delegation from here to Kabul soon,” headded.

Vice Consul GeneralSayed Mohammad Ibrahi-mkhil and CD Foundationdirector Charu Das werealso present.

Afghan envoy awaitsTollywood film shoots Consulate General plans to conduct food festival in Hyd

VUJJINI VAMSHIDHARA | DCHYDERABAD, FEB. 24

The Telangana HighCourt on Wednesdayissued an order restrain-ing third parties, includ-ing the general public,from accessing the roadlaid recently by theGHMC in the land of theUniversity of Hyderabad.

A division bench com-prising Chief JusticeHima Kohli and Justice B.Vijaysen Reddy said thatthe road will be accessibleonly to the students andstaff of the University ofHyderabad.

If any third parties orthe public at large wouldbe allowed to access theroad, which passesthrough the University,then it may compromisethe safety and security ofthose who reside in theUniversity Campus, theBench opined. The HCmade it clear that theseorders will continue tillfurther orders.

The Bench was dealingwith an appeal filed by theUniversity of Hyderabad,aggrievied with the orderof a Single Judge, whohad allowed the passage ofgeneral public through aroad laid by the GHMCrecently, while issuing sta-tus quo orders either tonot extend the road, fur-

ther and stopping theUniversity to close theroad.

The Sankranti vacationcourt had issued a statusquo in the petition filed bythe University ofHyderabad (UoH), whichhad challenged the layingof an approach roadthrough its campus in thestretch from the IndianSchool of Business (ISB)road to the governmentemployees' colonies atGachibowli.

The university's con-tention was that withoutacquiring the land andwithout Union cabinetapproval, Telangana gov-ernment and GHMC hadlaid the road of 20 feetswithin two days, onrequest of the Gover-nment Employees Hou-sing Board Association.

This was contrary to thelaw.

While hearing theappeal of University, theDivision Bench onWednesday pulled up theGHMC on how it could itlay a coal tar road in an

arbitrary manner, whereit has no rights over thesaid land.

What is the hurry andscurry in laying the roadby violating Article 300-A,the Bench questioned theGHMC.

“When the Universitywas established in 1975, A2,324 acres of land wasallotted to it. The stategovernments had takenmore than 700 acres fromthe University to give toother parties. So far, noalternative lands weregiven. Right now, in thename of a master plan,the government is tryingto take possession ofanother 18.30 acres to lay a100 feet road. If you wantthat land, then you shouldfollow the due procedureby acquiring the land. It isvery high handedness inlaying the road unilateral-ly”, Justice VijaysenReddy observed.

Chief Justice Kohli toldthe Advocate General toshow minutes of the meet-ing held on January 6,2021, where the revenueofficials had asked theUniversity registrar andother authorities to comefor a discussion on thehandover of land to laythe road.

This meeting wasarranged in the premisesof Cyberabad police com-missionerate.

HC restrains 3rd partiesfrom UoH campus road

From Page 1

The task is even tougherfor the Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda in-charges as the seat isheld by the TRS and theparty cannot afford tolose this. Party highcommand is keen onTRS winning the Hyde-rabad-RR-Mahbubnagarseat, held by the BJP, atany cost to avenge theparty's recent electoralsetbacks at the hands ofthe BJP in the DubbakAssembly bypoll and theGHMC elections.

Chandrashekar Raoand Rama Rao are giv-ing utmost importanceto MLC polls for firsttime in the backdrop ofthe BJP's growing mightin Telangana state. Theyreckon that the results ofthese elections willimpact the upcomingN a g a r j u n a s a g a rAssembly bypoll and theWarangal andKhammam municipalcorporation polls as alsothe elections to a fewmunicipalities in April.

All the nine ministersand MLAs in the respec-tive districts remainfocused on MLC pollssince October last andhave been undertakingextensive campaigningalong with the contest-ing candidates to ensurethe party’s victory.

Muhammed Suleman Kakar, Consulate General of Afghanistan, addresses the mediaalong with Sayed Mohammed Ibrahimkhil, Vice Consul General and CD Foundationdirector Charu Das at Banjara Hills on Wednesday. — R.PAVAN

TRS CAN’TAFFORD TO LOSESEATS IT HOLDS

SANJAY SAMUEL PAUL I DCHYDERABAD, FEB. 24

A 17-year-old girl, worriedover how other girls likeher would cope with thedemands during the peakof the Covid-19 pandemic,not only managed to help100 other girls continuewith their studies but alsogenerated online contentthat others want to use, inthe state as well as in inthe rest of the country.

According to SmritiMarar, the strong urge todo something for otherstudents was a result ofthe time she spent at theNaandi Foundation twoyears ago where shelearnt about variousresources and progammesavailable for students inclass ten. “I wanted to dosomething so girls in class10 can go on and completetheir 12th grade,” she said.

Out of this desire to helpcame Project WE, an NGOSmriti founded. The goalis to help other girls of my

age grow as independent,self-sufficient women. Shestarted classes online cre-ating content designed toprovide life skills, makingthe best of opportunitiesand for making smartplans that would helpother girls achieve theirdreams, of continuingwith their education aswell as learning and devel-oping skills that wouldassist them in otherspheres of their lives.

“I first started tutoring athome 22 girls from a juniorcollege in Madhurangar.They are now in degreecolleges,” Smriti said.

But with many of these

students coming from eco-nomically challenged fam-ilies, staying connectedonline was a challenge, aswas the case with 85 otherjunior college studentsthat Smriti’s Project WEbegan working with sub-sequently. The only way tohelp them continue withtheir academic lessonsonline, as well as offeringsfrom Project WE was toequip them with smart-phones. Smriti said she,through her NGO,launched a fund-raisingdrive and managed to gen-erate `10 lakh in dona-tions during the pandemiclockdowns.

“We bought smart-phones gave them to thestudents and also paid fordata packages and the con-nections,” she said.

On the content ProjectWE created, Smriti saidthe animated programmeswere created for easylearning. Even as theweekly schedule of follow-ing the videos and learn-ing from them was drawn

up, one on one interactionwas constant to under-stand the student’s abili-ties. The curriculum, shesaid, consists of self-devel-opment, self-care, techno-logical literacy, and finan-cial literacy.

That the online lessonsthat Project WE createdwere interesting and use-ful for students wasproven not just with thegirls who were part of theprogramme benefittingfrom them but when alarger non-governmentalorganisation displayedinterest to take thesevideo lessons nationwide.Also willing to use themas part of its own onlineeducation plans is theBoard of IntermediateEducation in the state.

Fifteen of the junior col-lege students from the sec-ond batch that Project WEhas been mentoring andassisting, have been sele-cted to join Mahindra Pr-ide School run in collabo-ration with NaandiFoundation.

17-yr-old helps girls live dreamsSmriti’s NGO helps with content, mobilesRIGHT | OPPORTUNITY

● ● A DIVISION benchcomprising Chief JusticeHima Kohli and Justice B.Vijaysen Reddy said thatthe road will be accessi-ble only to the studentsand staff of the Universityof Hyderabad.

Smriti Marar


SHORT TAKES

MANUU SIGNSMoU FOR 3 YEARS

WITH DAHUU

TOP COP ADVISESRIDER, PILLION TO

WEAR HELMETSDC CORRESPONDENTHYDERABAD, FEB. 24

Hyderabad police commission-er Anjani Kumar onWednesday instructed policepersonnel, both rider and pil-lion, to wear helmets.

The instructions came in thewake of criticism on socialmedia platforms when somepolice personnel were foundnot wearing helmets while rid-ing two-wheelers.

“Complaints are receivedfrom citizens that the trafficpolice are booking casesagainst them for not wearinghelmets whereas they areignoring the personnel fromthe department driving gov-ernment vehicles without hel-mets,” the circular said.


Maulana Azad National UrduUniversity (Manuu) onWednesday entered into athree-year memorandum ofunderstanding (MoU) with DrAbdul Haq Urdu University(Dahuu) to promote collabora-tive relationships for researchand general cooperation invarious academic areas.

The MoU was signed by Prof.Siddiqui Mohammed Mah-mood, Manuu registrar, andhis Dahuu counterpart Prof.B. Srinivasulu in the presenceof Prof. S.M. Rahmatullah,Manuu Vice-Chancellor, andProf. Muzaffar Shahmeeri,Dahuu Vice-Chancellor. Both sides agreed to promotecooperation in various disciplines using availablefacilities, resources andexpertise.

They will work mutually inhumanities, culture, Arabicand Urdu languages and litera-ture, management, Islamicstudies, education and tech-nology, apart from organisingseminars, conferences as wellas exchange programmes ofstudents and faculty.

In pandemic year, morestudents in high school

Student who falsely claimedkidnap, rape dies by suicide

Second most pollutedcity in winter was Hyd

4 more succumbto virus in state

BENGAL DEMANDSCOVID -VE REPORTFOR TS FLYERS DC CORRESPONDENTHYDERABAD, FEB. 24

West Bengal on Wedn-esday announced thatanyone from Telanganavisiting the state begin-ning February 27 willhave to carry with them aCovid-19 negative testreport for entry if theyare flying in.

The restriction will ap-ply, in addition, to thosegoing from Maharashtra,Kerala and Karnataka.The requirement for a ne-gative RT-PCR test reportfor travellers was annou-nced in a letter on Wedne-sday from H.K. Dwivedi,additional chief secre-tary, home and hillsaffairs, West Bengal gov-ernment, that wasaddressed to the civil avi-ation ministry.

While the letter saidthat the new restriction ofa negative test report obt-ained within 72 hours pr-ior to boarding of a flight,will come into force fromnoon on February 27, itdid not say if this requi-rement will be extendedto travellers from thesestates arriving into WestBengal by other modes oftransport.

BALU PULIPAKA | DCHYDERABAD, FEB. 24

Four more people havelost their lives to Covid-19in Telangana state sinceSunday (February 21), thelast day for which thestate health departmentreleased its bulletin onstatus of Covid-19 cases.

As on Sunday, the statehad registered 1,625deaths from the disease.On Wednesday, the Unionministry of health, in itsdaily nationwide Covid-19cases status report postedon its website, saidTelangana state reported1,629 deaths from Covid-19. As per the ministry’sdata, two persons lost th-eir lives to the disease inthe state on Monday, whiletwo more died on Tuesday.

As per the state healthdepartment, as onFebruary 21, Telanganarecorded 2,97,712 cases ofCovid-19. On Wednesday,as on 8 am, according tothe Government of Indiaw e b s i t ehttps://www.mygov.in/corona-data/covid19-state-wise-status/, Telangana’stotal cases stood at2,98,057, indicating that in

the two days since Febru-ary 21, that is on February22 and 23, the state record-ed an additional 345 newCovid-19 cases.

These cases representthe highest in terms ofnew Covid-19 cases duringthe 14 days precedingFebruary 22.

Between February 20and 21, the state reported277 cases. On February 18and 19, the cases were 322,on February 16 and 17 –311, on February 14 and 15– 228, on February 12 and13 – 297, and on February10 and 11, the number offresh Covid-19 cases were289.

It may be recalled thaton Tuesday, the healthdepartment said that itwill stop releasing dailyCovid-19 bulletins, so thatit can use the manpowerand time devoted to pre-paring the bulletin andcompiling Covid-19 casedata every day, towards itsvaccination efforts.

However, Telangana, asdo other states, isrequired to upload dailycase details with theUnion ministry of healthfor the Centre to monitorthe caseload status.


Hyderabad, along withKollam in Kerala, wasfound to be suffering fromthe second worst level ofair pollution in SouthIndia during the winter.The Centre for Scienceand Environment (CSE),New Delhi, said that afteran extensive analysis ofreal time data from citiesacross the country, itfound, with respect tosouth India thatVisakhapatnam inAndhra Pradesh had thehighest levels of winterair pollution in 2020-21 .

The CSE noted that thewinter coincided with theunlocking of the economyafter the hard lockdownbecause of the Covid-19pandemic

Visakhapatnam, the CSEsaid, recorded a seasonal

average of 75 ug/m3 ofPM2.5 particulate matter,followed by Hyderabadand Kollam.

During 2020-21, thoughthe the average level ofPM2.5 levels during thesummer and monsoonmonths was considerablylower than the previousyear due to the summerlockdown, the winterPM2.5 concentration rosecompared to 2019 winterin many cities.

“This bouncing back ofpollution post-lockdownunmasks the high impactsof local and regional pol-lution. This demandsquicker regional reformsto curb pollution fromvehicles, industry, powerplants and waste burningto curb the winter pollu-tion and also sustainannual improvement at aregional scale with spe-ed,” according Anumita

Roychowdhury, CSE’s executive director incharge of research andadvocacy.

South India, the CSEsaid, saw five cities withan increasing winter airpollution trend with morethan 8 per cent. Tirupatiin Andhra Pradesh saw ajump of 52 per cent in theseasonal average, followedby Visakhapatnam thatregistered 34 per centincrease from last winter.Other cities that show sig-nificant increase wereR a j a m a h e n d r ava r a m ,Amaravati, andChikkaballapur.

Among the cities thatshowed less than 8 percent rise compared to 2019winter were Bengaluru,Thiruvananthapuram,and Hyderabad, whileMysuru, Kozhikode,Chennai, and Kochishowed a decline.


A 19-year-old BPharma stu-dent who allegedly misledthe Rachakonda police byclaiming that she had beenkidnapped and gang-raped,died by suicide at her homein Ghatkesar onWednesday.

On February 10, she hadaccused an autorickshawdriver of kidnap and rape.Police after investigations,which took three days andinto which 152 personnelwere drafted, revealed thatshe wanted to leave homedue to family problems andhad cooked up the storyand had framed the driverdue to previous enmity.

She had been admitted tohospital for mandatorychecks. Following her dis-charge from hospital onFebruary 13, theRachakonda police saidthat she would be bookedfor providing false evi-dence.

Meanwhile, the girlslipped into depressionand was hospitalised atGandhi Hospital onTuesday. She was dis-charged and taken home byher parents on Tuesdayevening where she attempt-ed suicide. “She was ru-shed to hospital by her par-ents, where the duty doc-tors declared her broughtdead,” said the police.

The Ghatkesar policesaid that they have bookeda case of suspicious deathand shifted the body for thepost-mortem examination(PME). “Based on the PMEreport and other evidence,the case will be furtherinvestigated andfinalised,” the police said.

Experts doubt government’s figures on enrolmentHARLEEN MINOCHA I DCHYDERABAD, FEB. 24

As the pandemic has dis-rupted education for lakhsof children, the dropoutrates among students insenior secondary and highschools are likely toincrease.

Data available with thegovernment on enrolmentin high schools for the aca-demic year 2020-21 paintsa different picture,though. As many as 10.92lakh students wereenrolled in high school forthe current academic year.The number for the aca-demic year 2018-19 provid-ed by the Unified DistrictInformation System forEducation (UDISE) was10.91 lakh.

Those like teachers’ bod-ies and child rights agen-cies argue that this mightnot necessarily be theright projection. Generalsecretary of theTelangana RecognisedSchools Management

Association (TRSMA)Madhusudhan said thedata is mostly virtual andthat the situation on theground can be assessedcorrectly only through aphysical survey.

“This data might reflectthe natural progression ofstudents from one class toanother. In reality, espe-cially after the lockdown,most students have notreturned to school, andmay never ever due to var-ious reasons,” he said.

The issue of fake enroll-ments is also very real inseveral states, includingTelangana. “Even thoughthe name of a particular

student may be in schoolrecords, he or she wouldnever have attendedschool at all. Officialrecords carry more thanthe real number of stu-dents in many schools.This issue has come tolight especially after themandatory linking ofAadhaar cards to schoolrecords,” he said.

The names of severalstudents who have optedout of schools might nothave been deleted from theofficial records, he added.

Another possible reasonfor this increase in enroll-ments on paper, as high-lighted by VarshaBhargavi, a child rightsactivist with the ChildRights Protection Forum(CRPF) in the state, is thatof the Mid-Day Meal pro-gramme. It is likely thatthe increase shown inenrollment is only to facil-itate feeding of more chil-dren under the scheme.

“People have sufferedmajor financial crises dur-

ing Covid times.Enrollment in govern-ment schools ensures freemeals for children. Even ifthese children neverattend school, they areassured of free food andhence parents enrol theirkids,” she said.

She also said the gapbetween education for girland boy child has grownmanifold since the lock-down. The CRPF had in areport published inSeptember 2020 andauthored by Bhargavi, hadstated that the securitypersonnel saw that moregirls have started doinghousehold work and help-ing parents, instead ofattending classes, result-ing in an increase indropout rates among girlstudents.

“To really assess the sit-uation of enrollments ver-sus dropouts in the state,decadal data with respectto girls and boys should beanalysed,” this report hasproposed.

Mock drill

The elite OCTOPUS security force along with Hyderabad police conduct a mock security drill at Sangeet Crossroadsin Hyderabad on Wednesday. — S. SURENDER REDDY

Psychologist suspects lackof attention for the victim

Student was counselled butdidn’t get psychologist helpDC CORRESPONDENTHYDERABAD, FEB. 24

The BPharma student,who allegedly died by sui-cide on Wednesday hadbeen suffering from mentalhealth issues, said SakhiCentre administratorRama Devi and supportagency head P. Padmavathiat the Kasturba GandhiNational Memorial Trust,the NGO running theSakhi Centre in MedchalMalkajgiri.

Counselling for the vic-tim started after heralleged kidnap case came

to light and her statementwas recorded. Authoritiesher telling them that shehad not been feeling wellfor a long time and that shefelt a constant need foraffection and attentionfrom her near and dearones. She had also toldthem during her counsel-ling session that she fearedlosing people close to her.

Following this, RamaDevi and NGO representa-tives suggested that thevictim’s family seek profes-sional psychological helpfor the student. They alsoput them in contact with a

psychologist near the cen-tre. They further suggestedthat the girl continue herstay at the centre itself.

Her parents, fearingundue focus and scrutinyby public in the case,insisted on taking herhome for the time beingand said they would seekhelp later.

Sakhi One Stop Centres(OSCs) exist in all districtsof the state to supportwomen affected by vio-lence and trauma in pri-vate or public spaces, with-in the family, communityor at the workplace.

NAVEEN KUMAR I DCHYDERABAD, FEB. 24

The need for attention andaffection had been so muchthat the girl cooked up anelaborate and detailedstory, say psychologists;ruing that Indian parentswithin the present genera-tion seldom have time fortheir children’s needs andconcerns. Depression isone of the most commonmental disorders. It occursacross all age groups, but istwice as common amongfemales compared to males,mental health physiciansopine. They say depressionis treatable, provided thetreatment starts as early aspossible.

Dr Purnima Nagaraja, a

mental health professional,said: “We have ultranuclear families thesedays, with only one childand parents; without anyextended relatives.Involvement of parents in achild’s life is very less insuch cases.”

Everyone is busy withtheir social and work life,leaving very less time tobond with their children.“Further, a lot of Indianparenting is authoritative.Parents are more intoremote-control parenting,giving commands to thechild. This puts childrenunder a lot of pressure,”she said.

The doctor explained:“Indian parents think thatif they praise or compli-

ment their child, they willgo out of hand. This is verywrong as constructive criti-cism should be encouragedat home. What the 19-yearold cooked up was consid-erable over-dramatisation.It shows need for recogni-tion and limelight shecraved.”

However, Dr Nagarajasaid, the girl did not see theconsequences. “The wholething backfired as the par-ents might have faced a lotof social pressure, with thecase going viral within afew days. They might havebeen hard on her at homeand warned her evenharshly. We know how big adeal reputation for Indianfamilies is,” Dr Nagarajaadded.

Junior schools see low turnoutDC CORRESPONDENTHYDERABAD, FEB. 24

The reluctance of parents tosend their kids to schoolafter the government’s deci-sion to reopen Classes 6-8 onWednesday reflected in theturnout percentage. Nomore than nine per centcumulative attendanceacross all schools was

recorded on the first day ofreopening, according to gov-ernment data.

The total attendance forclasses 6-8 in 18,030 schoolswas recorded at 1,17,304 outof 13,11,772 students. In 7,795government and local bodyschools, 42,660 studentsattended offline classes onthe first day, translating tonine per cent attendance.In

9,529 private schools, 71,453students out of 7,07,064 atte-nded, translating to 10 percent attendance. In Modeland KGBV schools, 1,238 and1,953 students respectivelyattended school.

Parent bodies had earlierquestioned the government'sU-turn on the decision toreopen junior school. Whileeducation minister Sabitha

Indra Reddy had said that itwas unlikely that juniorclasses will be called back toschool, Chief Minister K.Chandrashekar Rao instr-ucted the department other-wise on Tuesday. Parentsalso raised concerns overthe rising Covid-19 cases inMaharashtra and otherstates, and the alert on thenew virus strain in India.

● ● THE GIRL slipped intodepression and was hospitalised at GandhiHospital on Tuesday. Shewas taken home where sheattempted suicide.

● ● GENERAL SECRETARYof the TelanganaRecognised SchoolsManagement AssociationMadhusudhan said thedata is mostly virtual andthat the situation on theground can be assessedcorrectly only through aphysical survey.

● ● THEY WILL work mutual-ly in humanities, culture,Arabic and Urdu languagesand literature, management,Islamic studies, educationand technology.

Career Chronicle


VUJJINI VAMSHIDHARA | DCHYDERABAD, FEB. 24

The city civil court ofHyderabad has restrainedthe management commit-tee of the Nizam Club frominducting new long tempo-rary members (LTT) aspermanent members ofthe club, without gettingprior approval, eitherthrough an annual generalbody meeting (AGM) or anextraordinary generalbody (EGM) meeting.

The XXVI additionalchief judge of the citycivil court issued theseorders while dealing witha petition filed by K.M.Ashfaq Ahmed, a memberof the Club's management

committee, who wants topreclude himself in anydecision that violates thebye-laws of the Club.

A bye-law in the memo-randum of registration ofthe Nizam Club says thatno LTT member is allowedto be inducted as a perma-nent member, without theprior approval of the AGMor EGM.

But, violating this bye-law, some members of themanagement committeehave taken a decision tointroduce around 150 LTTmembers as permanentmembers, and 30 amongthem were asked to payfees precribed for perma-nent members.

It was learnt, the peti-tioner alleged, that these

persons were being askedmore than 15 times theamount of the actual feesto get the permanent mem-bership. Moreover, thepresent management com-mittee's tenure was com-pleted in September 2020.But, due to COVID-19restrictions, elections havenot been held.

Given that he could beheld answerable to these

violations, being a mem-ber of the managementcommittee, Mr. Ashfaqapproached the Court andsought its interference.

His counsel submittedthat if the committeewants induct LTTs as per-manent members, then letit follow due process ofbye-laws and other estab-lished rules.

Agreeing with the con-

tentions, the Courtstopped the Nizam Clubfrom taking any furtheraction in this issue. Thesecretary of Nizam Clubwas asked to submit anaffidavit. The case wasposted for a next hearingto March 3.

The Nizam Club hasabout 6,000 members andis considered one of thecity’s most prestigiousclubs.

As per club rules, LTTmembers should not havepermanent residence inthe city. However, it islearnt that in many cases,even government employ-ees were allotted member-ship, under LTTM, whileshowing Hyderabad astheir temporary address.

Court curbs on Nizam Club membershipClub restrained from inducting LTTs as permanent membersLEGAL | NOTES

DC CORRESPONDENT HYDERABAD, FEB. 24

Telangana Congresschief N. Uttam KumarReddy said onWednesday that theCongress campaign forthe MLC elections forthe two graduate con-stituencies was receiv-ing tremendousresponse.

Addressing two differ-ent election meetings,the Nalgonda MP UttamKumar Reddy said thatCongress candidatesRamulu Naik and G.Chinna Reddy have beenenjoying the backing oforganisational strengthin all six districts.Besides PCC and DCCoffice bearers, he said,leaders of all frontal,departments and vari-ous cells were activelyworking for the victoryof Congress.

He claimed that nei-ther the TRS nor theBJP have so much reachor strength to faceCongress, although bothwere trying to lure vot-ers with money andother sops.

Alleging that the TRSgovernment had disap-pointed all sections ofsociety, Mr Reddy said

that employees, teach-ers, jobless youth andstudents were repeated-ly cheated by ChiefMinister K.Chandrashekar Rao.“KCR, who is lavishlyliving in an `1,000 croreworth palatial bunga-low, Pragathi Bhavan,has turned so insensi-tive that he never held ameeting to review prob-lems being faced bycommon people.Employees have beenwaiting endlessly forthe new Pay RevisionCommission. Teachershave completely lost rel-evance. Lakhs of stu-dents are facing difficul-ties due to lack of fundsand facilities. Joblessyouth are frustratedwithout opportunities.But the Chief Ministerhas no time for any of

them.”He blamed the BJP

government at theCentre and the TRS inTelangana as equallyresponsible for bringingthe situation to level.Under these circum-stances, he said, peopleare looking towards theCongress for a solution.

Mr Reddy ridiculedthe ongoing member-ship drive of the TRSparty. He said instead ofenrolling people on anideological basis, TRSleaders were offeringmembership by sellinginsurance policies andmedi-claims. He saidevery political partytakes care of its members.

But TRS leaders areoffering incentives andcash to achieve member-ship targets.

He also ridiculed BJP’s‘Operation Aakarshan’,an attempt to lureCongress leaders intoits fold. “Telangana BJPleaders are searchingfor some disgruntledelements within theCongress. Earlier, theTRS had served as atrash can for Congressparty, where non-impor-tant and irrelevant lead-ers got dumped. SinceTRS trash can is almostfull, BJP is proving to bea fresh dustbin,” hesaid.

He further said thatdefection of a few lead-ers to the TRS or BJPwould never impactCongress. “We are acadre-based party.Leaders come and go.But cadre remains firmat ground level andnever switches loyaltiesfor money. EachCongress worker iscapable. Congress has acapacity to produceleaders while TRS andBJP could only surviveby behaving like vul-tures,” he said.

Mr Reddy exhortedCongress cadre to workhard to ensure the victo-ry of Ramulu Naik andChinna Reddy in theMLC elections.

Uttam: TRS, BJP haveno reach to face Cong.


Telangana BJP is to go full-throttle with its electioncampaign for theNagarjunasagar byelec-tions, Warangal andKhammam municipalityand the LegislativeCouncil graduate con-stituencies from Thursday.

The party’s state office-bearers met here onWednesday in the presenceof in-charge Tarun Chughand state president BandiSanjay Kumar.

The state chief said that40,000 activists have beentrained for campaigning inMLC elections with eachcandidate covering 25votes in the two segments.The activists will also col-lect details and contactnumbers of the unem-ployed youth.

Chugh stated that severalUnion ministers andnational leaders are likelyto come for electioneering.

The meeting discussedthe Gurrampodu land iss-ue and about leaders whohad joined the BJP fromother parties. Chugh war-ned leaders against ind-ulging in group politics.

The party will conductdistrict and mandal leveloffice-bearers meetingfrom 26 to March 3 andorganise training pro-grammes in all districtsbefore March 15. The partywill send 20 partyobservers to Tamil Naduduring the Assembly elec-tions.

Shasakta mandal,Sakriya booth samiti, andPhase Pramukh appoint-ments would be donebefore December 25, it wasresolved.

The April 6 party estab-lishment day would bemarked by massive pro-grammes, including high-lighting about the schemesand their implementationby the Centre.

BJP TO STEP UPITS CAMPAIGNFROM TODAY

Sack Kamalakar for attempt tograb prime Wakf land: Cong.DC CORRESPONDENTHYDERABAD, FEB. 24

Reacting to an exclusivenews break by DeccanChronicle, the Congressparty on Wednesdaydemanded the removal ofwelfare minister GangulaKamalakar from the statecabinet for his attempt toencroach upon 15 acres ofprime Wakf Board propertyin the outskirts ofKarimnagar city.

“Minister Kamalakar istrying to encroach uponprime Wakf propertythrough fraudulent means.When he failed to register 15acres of land on his name,he went to court against hisown government. Therefore,he should be immediatelysacked from the cabinet. There are twomoral reasons that mandatehis being fired - one, for hisattempt to grab Wakf prop-erty and, second, for oppos-

ing a law formed by his owngovernment,” TelanganaPradesh CongressCommittee minoritiesdepartment chairman ShaikAbdulllah Sohail said .

Sohail pointed out that 55acres of lands in SurveyNos. 122, 126, 129, 154 and 177in Qazipur of Karimnagardistrict are Wakf lands andtheir records are availablein the Wakf Gazette issuedon 11th January, 1990.Minister Kamalakar hasbeen trying to grab this prime land since 2008.He even tried to registerthese lands on his name in2015.

The minister, along withother individuals,approached the districtauthorities for issue of theOwnership Right Certificate(ORD) by treating the aboveland as 'Inam Land' whichwas rejected by the RevenueDivisional Officer, MrSohail said.

However, he secured theORC through the JointCollector. “It is highlyregrettable that the WakfBoard did not challenge thejoint collector's order in thecourt,” he said.

The local authorities haveexempted 15 acres of landfrom registration as per GO15 issued by the TelanganaGovernment under the newRevenue Act. “MinisterKamalakar has challengedthe new Revenue Act, passedby his own government,describing it as ‘illegal andarbitrary’”.

“The minister has madeChief Secretary SomeshKumar, district collector ofKarimnagar, State WakfBoard and other revenueofficials as respondents. Hewill certainly misuse hisposition as a minister toinfluence the case.Therefore, he should beimmediately dismissed fromthe cabinet,” he demanded.

KTR says Oppn hasno right to seek voteDC CORRESPONDENTHYDERABAD, FEB 24

TRS working presi-dent and municipaladministration andurban development K.T. Rama Rao said onWednesday that oppo-sition parties had “noright to seek votes forthe graduate MLCelections”.

Mr Rama Rao wasspeaking at a meetingwith the Hyderabad,Ranga Reddy andMahabubnagar gradu-ate MLC constituencyleaders at TelanganaBhavan in Hyderabad.

Later, speaking to themedia, Mr Rao said,“how many fund didBJP MLC Rama-chandra Rao, seekingreelections now, bro-ught from the uniongovernment. Ramac-handra Rao is a lawyer.The Union govern-ment has failed to fulfilpromises of the bifur-cation of the state.Telangana should vote

for the cancellation ofprojects to come fromthe center.”

The TRS party work-ing president said thatthe oppositionacknowledges VaniDevi's personality.“TRS is the numberone party in theGHMC, hence we gotour mayor and deputymayor. I do not thinkthe TRS party lost.Next Saturday, therewill be a general bodymeeting in every con-stituency of the Hy-derabad, Rangareddyand Mahabubnagarconstituency. The TRSwill go on an electioncampaign after theGeneral Body meet-ing,” he said.

Mr Rao said the BJPhad failed in its prom-

ise that every singleperson in the countrywill be given `15 lakhfrom black moneybrought back fromabroad

Reminding that P. V.Narasimha Rao is theonly person from theTelugu states to haveserved as prime minis-ter, Mr Rama Rao said,“his daughter is in thefray”.

He said she is an edu-cator by nature andhas all qualificationsto be a graduate MLC.Other candidates can-not match her, he said.

Mr Rama Rao said,"the Congress ruledfor 10 years from 2004to 2014. During theCongress rule, only24,000 candidates werereplaced in public sec-tor. In erstwhileAndhra Pradesh, only10,000 were allotted toTelangana in a decade.Now 1,32,799 jobs pub-lic sector have beenjobs given by the TRSgovernment".

Says TRS govt has disappointed all sections of society

N. Uttam Kumar Reddy

● ● ADDRESSING TWOdifferent election meet-ings, the Nalgonda MPUttam Kumar Reddysaid that Congress can-didates Ramulu Naikand G. Chinna Reddyhave been enjoying thebacking of organization-al strength in all six dis-tricts.

● ● RAMA RAO saidthat the Union gov-ernment has failed tofulfil promises of thebifurcation of thestate.

● ● THE XXVI additionalchief judge of the citycivil court issued theseorders while dealing witha petition filed by K.M.Ashfaq Ahmed, a memberof the Club's managementcommittee, who wants to

preclude himself in anydecision that violates thebye-laws of the Club.

● ● THE NIZAM Club hasabout 6,000 members andis considered one of thecity’s most prestigiousclubs.

1st DEATH ANNIVERSARY“I will dwell in the house of theLord forever.” Psalm 23:6

Mrs. LEELA SIMONW/o Mr. F.J. Simon

DOB: 06-06-1938 DOD: 25-02-2020Inserted by: Family MembersPh: 7093018670, 9866395383

(S/2021/D01274)

14th DEATH ANNIVERSARY “The memory of the just isblessed.” Prov 10:7

Mr. KATTA VIJAYA RAOD.O.D: 25-02-2007

Inserted by:Daughters, Sons-in-law,

Son, Daughter-in-law& Grand Children.

(S/2021/D01271)

OBITUARY

ADI NARESH KUMARDOB: 5-04-1958

Passed away: 24-02-2021Today Cremation at 12 noon fromour residence.

Cremation at AmberpetInserted by: Adi Family Members.

BIRTHDAY REMEMBRANCE

EDRIC ANTHONY HUTTONDOB: 25-02-1997 DOD: 10-08-2020

Happy Birthday in Heaven SonWe’ll make a wish upon a star to carryour Love to where u are. Jesus has u inHis arms and we have u in our Hearts.Love you and miss you dearly.

From: MOM, DAD, NASH, CASSIE &ALL THE FAMILY MEMBERS

(S/2021/D01277)

REMEMBRANCE

Dr. M.V.A. LAKSHMIDOD: 25-02-2018

Friendship transcends death. Yourmemories have created a lastingimpression on those left behind...miss you dear friend”.

ANNIE MATHEWS(M) 9848092435

1st DEATH ANNIVERSARY“Precious” in the sight of the Lordis the death of his Saints.”

Psalm 116:15

MARIA DEVA RAYANDOB: 19-01-1943 DOD: 25-02-2020Your life and deeds continue to inspireand guide us. You shall live forever inour thoughts and in our hearts.Inserted by: WIFE, CHILDREN AND

GRAND CHILDREN

5th DEATH ANNIVERSARYI have fought a good fight, I havefinished the race, I have kept myfaith. 2 Tim 4:7

PATHIVARA PRASAD RAODOB: 04-04-1955 DOD: 25-02-2016Deep in our hearts you will alwaysremains. Loved and missed everyday

Inserted by Daughters:Pathi Nancy Lavanya &

Pathi Anita JoyceGrand Children: Nathan Jason, Angela

Ph: 7331130822, 8790111982

FIRST DEATH ANNIVERESARYThe memory of the righteous is blessed.

Proverbs 10:7

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Mr. CHILKURI CHRISTOPHER PAULS/o Late Chilkuri Nathaniel Noah

Retired Production Manager (VST Industries)DOB: 07-10-1945 DOD: 25-02-2020

WE MISS YOU PAPAVikas, Lisi, Noah, Reya, Varsha,

Comfort, Shauna, Lisa, Vidhu Priya andFamily Members

TRS working president and minister K.T. Rama Rao addresses a pressmeet at Telangana Bhavan on Wednesday. — S. SURENDER REDDY


The state Wakf Board isgeotagging its propertiesto prevent encroachmentsand is digitising data onproperties to ensure trans-parency and safety ofrecords, said boardChairman MohammedSaleem on completion offour years of his secondterm.

Saleem said the boardhas introduced onlineservices for obtaining mar-riage, divorce and religioncertificate. It is also imple-menting the ‘Quami WaqfBoard Taraqqiati Scheme’launched by the minorityaffairs ministry.

He said the board isintroducing a ‘revenuemanagement system’ forthe collection of rents,timely initiation ofdemand notices and moni-toring rent collectors.

WAKF GEOTAGSFOR LANDS TOSTOP GRABBING

Hyderabad: The 54th deathanniversary of Mir Osman Ali

Khan, the last Nizam of Hyde-rabad, was observed on Wed-

nesday in a simple manner.Members of the family and

various social organisationspaid floral tributes at his ma-

usoleum at Masjid Jodhi, KingKothi. A prayer congregation

for the absolution of the dep-arted soul was held. Membersof the family, historians, social

activists and students ofOsmania University, which he

founded, paid tributes.

Tributes paid toMir Osman Ali

IN BRIEF

CM consoles familyof Srinivas Goud

Mahbubnagar: Chief MinisterK. Chandrashekar Rao

attended the tenth day cere-mony of V. Narayan Goud,

father of excise minister V. Srinivas Goud on Wedn-

esday and offered floral trib-utes. He spent some timewith the family members

and consoled them. Agric-ulture minister S. Niranjan

Reddy, Chief SecretarySomesh Kumar and people’srepresentatives attended in

large numbers. The visitassumed significance against

the backdrop of theLegislative Council election.

Four held for attempt to murder

Hyderabad: A four-membergang was arrested by the

Narayanguda police onWednesday for attempting

to murder a lawyer, SidharthSingh Chowdary, following

an alleged financial disputeover the sale of a piece ofland. Officials seized onecountry made pistol, two

daggers, seven live ammuni-tion rounds and other mate-rials from Ghanshyam Balaji

Singh, Mohd Wali, MohdWaseem Ansari and Shaik

Suleman. Police alleged thatSingh was Chowdhary’s

client.

FOUR ARRESTED FOR POSING AS

COPS, CHEATINGDC CORRESPONDENTHYDERABAD, FEB. 24

Cyberabad police arrested agang of four persons whoposed as police and govern-ment officials to cheat a manof `11 crore. The police offi-cials seized gold and silverornaments worth `50 lakh,seven mobile phones, five carsand `2 lakh from theaccused.Police identified themain accused as Vijay KumarReddy, who posed as a provi-sionally selected IPS officer.He died by suicide at his par-ent's residence on February 5,when their scam was gettingexposed.

The other accused wereSmriti Simha who posed aschairperson of theInternational Human RightsCommission for entire southIndia, Raghava Reddy, whoposed as Central Zone DCP,apart from Ranadhir Reddy,Ramakrishna Reddy, AbhilashReddy and A. Pravalika. Thelast two are absconding.

The arrests were made fol-lowing a complaint from P.Veera Reddy, a resident ofBachupally. Vijay KumarReddy and Smriti Simha pre-tented to be rich couple andused concocted stories to cheatthe complainant of `11 crore,Cyberabad police commission-er V.C. Sajjanar said.

According to police VijayReddy was a computer programme installer, andSmriti Simha was separatedfrom her husband and run-ning a supermarket in theBorabanda.

NATION pg 5DECCAN CHRONICLE | HYDERABAD | THURSDAY | 25 FEBRUARY 2021

YUSUF JAMEEL | DC SRINAGAR, FEB. 24

Security across Jammuand Kashmir has beenstepped up exceptionallywith local cops and mem-bers of Central armedpolice forces conductingsurprise cordon-and-search and frisking opera-tions in cities and townsparticularly summer capi-tal Srinagar at intervals.The Army is also launch-ing sensitisation and areadomination operations inselect Valley areas quietly.

The scenes witnessedparticularly in somecrowded areas of theValley’s main town includ-ing at and around historicLal Chowk over the pastfew days are reminiscentof the early 1990s when theKashmiri separatist cam-paign was at its peak. Theadequately equipped uni-formed men, abruptly andunexpectedly, arrive in anarea, choose a location, setup makeshift checkpointsand roadblocks and con-duct random searcheswhich include frisking ofpedestrians after makingthem wait in lines. Theyalso stop vehicles and thensubject passengers to bodysearch and check their

belongings thoroughly.The authorities said that

such random operationshave been necessitated bythe recent spurt in mili-tant attacks and in view ofthe reports that the sepa-ratists are planning moreviolence in coming weeks.

Last week, two police-men were targeted by apheran-clad shooter with

an AK assault rifle con-cealed under the tradition-al Kashmiri outfit inSrinagar’s Barzulla arearesulting in their instantdeath. Against the back-drop of this incident andthe demand of banningpheran raised by someJammu-based BharatiyaJanata Party leaders andlikeminded outfits, the

security forces deployedalong the streets and otherpublic places in the Valleyhave in several instancesforced people to take offthe outfit. There have alsobeen reports of visitorsbeing allowed to enter cer-tain government officesand other sensitive prem-ises only after removal ofpheran by them. This has

evoked sharp criticism bypolitical activities andnetizens. Counter-militan-cy strategists and policingexperts also disagree withsuch actions and call fortactical changes towardsdealing with the emergingsituation by the securityforces effectively. FormerDirector General ofPolice, Shesh Paul Vaid,said, “In 1990s also severalincidents took placewherein militants usedweapons hidden beneaththeir pheran to targetsecurity forces yet the gar-ment was not banned. Idon’t think banning a par-ticular dress is a solu-tion.”

He added, “Pheran andKangri (traditional fire-pot) are part and parcel ofthe Kashmiri culture andlifestyle rather centuries’old wisdom to beat the bit-ing cold in winters. Assaid, banning pheran isnot the way out. The solu-tion is, be alert, stop theperson you suspect, sub-ject him to frisking and ifyou find him hiding anillegal weapon beneath hisgarment take action as perlaw. That is what we woulddo during the heyday ofmilitancy to minimisesuch gory acts”.

Scenes in Kashmir reminiscent of early ’90s Securitymen abruptly and unexpectedly set up makeshift checkpoints and conduct random searches

RAJIB CHOWDHURI | DC KOLKATA, FEB. 24

West Bengal ChiefMinister MamataBanerjee on Wednesdaybranded Prime MinisterNarendra Modi as the“biggest rioter” of theworld who is waiting toface even a “worse fate”than that of former USpresident Donald Trump.The Trinamul Congresssupremo cast aspersionson Mr Modi at her partyrally on Dunlop Groundat Chinsurah in Hooghlyto counter his attack onher at a BJP rally on thesame venue only twodays ago.

“Mr Modi is the biggestrioter, liar, cheat and themost vindictive. There isno parallel of him in thewhole world. You sawwhat happened to MrTrump. But Mr Modiwent to ensure his victo-ry. How could he dare todo that when he himselfdoes not have any capa-bility? His fate will beeven worse than Trump.Violence never gifts any-thing good,” she said.

Without taking thenames of Mr Modi andhis deputy Amit Shah,Ms Banerjee also tauntedthem in Bengali. Shemocked that only twoleaders Kimb-hootki-makar (grotesque) andHodolkootkoot (pot bel-lied man) have been call-ing all the shots in thecountry.

“There are only twoleaders in the country.One of them isHodolkootkoot. I do notwhat it is called inEnglish or Hindi becauseit is a typical Bengali

classical word. Anotherleader is Kimbhoot-kimakar,” she claimed.

A wise BJP IT cell in-charge Amit Malviyalater attributed her jibeto the PM and the unionhome minister respec-tively. “Sensing aninevitable saffron surgeacross West Bengal, Pishiis clearly jittery andresorting to name call-ing, something culturallyevolved people of WB hadnever witnessed in publicdiscourse,” he tweeted.

A day after the CentralBureau of Investigationgrilled her MP nephewAbhishek Banerjee's wifeRujira Banerjee Narulaat her home for her sus-pected link to overseasfinancial transactions inthe high profile coalsmuggling case, MsBanerjee also asked thePM, "How can you, afterentering my house, call aBachcha Meye of 22-23years who is also GhorerBou a coal thief whenyou are roaming withcoal thieves in your lap?Don't you feel ashamed ofyourself to call ourdaughters and sisters athome coal thieves? Youhave dirt all over you.”

Film producer RajChakraborty, actressShayoni Ghosh, actorKanchan Chakrabortyand cricketer ManojTiwari joined the TMC infront of Ms Banerjee atthe rally. Later the CMurged the PM to help hergovernment to purchasethe vaccines from desig-nated points on top prior-ity basis and offer themto the common people aspart of a rapid drive inthe poll-bound state.

Didi: Modi is the‘biggest rioter’

DC CORRESPONDENTPUDUCHERRY, FEB. 24

With the Union Cabinetapproving of the propos-al to impose President’sRule in Puducherry, daysafter a Congress-led gov-ernment in the union ter-ritory lost power duringa vote of confidence,polls seem imminent.

Announcing theCabinet decision in NewDelhi, Union MinisterPrakash Javadekar hadtold reporters that thedecision was taken as noparty was coming for-ward to stake a claim toform the government inthe UT.

He also noted that themodel code of conductwas expected to comeinto effect soon after theElection Commissionannounces the dates forelections in the UT, alongwith the four states ofTamil Nadu, Kerala,Assam and West Bengal.

The Lt Governor incharge of Puducherry,T a m i l i s a iSoundararajan, had nochoice but to recommendPresident’s Rule as theopposition group led byN. Rangasamy of the NRCongress with sevenMLAs and having thesupport of four AIADMKMLAs besides the three(nominated) BJP MLAswho too have a vote wasnot keen on taking thereins of a governmentthat might be in place forjust about two months aspolls are likely to be heldin mid April itself.

With the PrimeMinister visitingPuducherry on Thursday,it would have beenembarrassing not to haveresolved the situationarising after chief minis-ter V. Narayanasamy putin his papers on Mondayon walking out of theAssembly before thetrust vote was taken.

President’s Ruleimposed inPuducherry

DC CORRESPONDENTSRINAGAR, FEB. 24

Two militants believed tobe associated with a pro-scribed outfit — possiblyJaish-e-Muhammad —were killed in a fierce gun-fight raging in woods ofsouthern Anantnag dis-trict since Wednesdaymorning. However, theauthorities said that theidentities of the slain menare being ascertained. Theinternet services inAnantnag have been sus-pended “as a precaution-ary measure,” they said.

The Army said that theoperation to flush out mil-itants from Shalgul forestarea of Srigufwara belt ofAnantnag was launchedfollowing an input fromthe J&K police. The policesources said that its coun-terinsurgency SpecialOperations Group alongwith the Army’s 3Rashtriya Rifles moved inthe woods on learning

about the presence of fourmilitants including anIED ‘expert’.

Initial reports quotingunnamed local police offi-cials had said that all thefour militants have beenkilled but later the policeofficially clarified thatonly two of them havebeen “neutralised” andthat the operation was stillunderway. Local sourcessaid that the Army alsoused a helicopter anddrones for the surveil-lance of the area duringthe operation.

A statement issued bythe police here said when,during the jointlylaunched cordon-and-search operation, the pres-ence of militants wasestablished they weregiven an opportunity tosurrender.

“However, they firedindiscriminately upon thejoint search party whichwas retaliated leading toan encounter.”

2 militants killedin Anantnag

Security personnel check identity card of a youth during a search operation atKawdara in downtown of Srinagar on Wednesday. — PTI

SHORT TAKESTWO JAWANS

KILLED, 1 HURT IN NAXAL ATTACKSRABINDRA NATHCHOUDHURY | DC BHOPAL, FEB. 24

In three separate incidents on Wednesday, Maoists killedtwo jawans and injured ano-ther in Chhattisgarh’s sou-th Bastar district ofNarayanpur.

According to Bastar rangeinspector general of police P. Sunderraj, a jawan of dis-trict reserve group (DRG),identified as Kaner Usendi,was killed in an encounterwith Maoists in the forestedvillage of Kukur underSonepur police station ataround 10 am.

In another incident, a jawanof Indo-Tibetan Border Police(ITBP), L. Balchandra, was killed in a pipe bombexplosion, triggered byMaoists, near a bridge aroundone km from Sonepur ataround 11 am.

Similarly, a jawan ofChhattisgarh Armed Force(CAF), identified asBankeswar Paikra, wasinjured when he stepped on anIED, planted by Maoists atKarel Ghati under Kukrajharpolice station.

He was airlifted to Raipur fortreatment. His condition wasstated to be stable.

NATION pg 6DECCAN CHRONICLE | HYDERABAD | THURSDAY | 25 FEBRUARY 2021

Phase-2 Covidjabs to beginfrom March 1President, Prime Minister, CabinetCMs are expected to be vaccinated VINEETA PANDEY | DCNEW DELHI, FEB. 24

After the vaccinationof healthcare andfrontline workers inthe first phase, it isnow time for the gen-eral public to get theCovid-19 jab. FromMarch 1, people overthe age of 60 yearsand those over 45years having comor-bidities will be able toget vaccinated at10,000 governmentfacilities and over20,000 private hospi-tals, the governmentsaid on Wednesdaywhile announcing itsplan to roll out thesecond phase ofimmunisation agai-nst the Coronavirus.The President, PrimeMinister, severalCabinet minister andstate Chief Ministersare expected to takethe jab from March 1.

The number of ben-eficiaries in this cate-gory is expected to beover 10 crore. Thevaccine shots will begiven free of cost ingovernment hospitalsbut they will becharged for in privatehospitals. Annou-ncing the decisiontaken by the Unioncabinet onWednesday, Unionminister for informa-tion and broadcast-ing, PrakashJavadekar, said thatvaccine rates in theprivate sector are stillbeing worked out bythe health ministry inconsultation with theprivate hospitals andmanufacturers andwill be announced ina couple of days.

“The second phaseof the world’s largestvaccination drive willbegin from Monday

in which anybodyabove 60 years and 45years plus with co-morbidities will begiven vaccines in10,000 governmentand over 20,000 pri-vate hospitals.Whoever goes to thegovernment centrewill be administereda vaccine free of cost.The Indian govern-ment will pay forthem. Those whowant to get vaccina-tion from private hos-pitals will have topay,” Javadekar said.The minister, howev-er, did not elaborate ifpeople will have achoice of vaccines.Union minister RaviShankar Prasad saidmost of the ministersare thinking of pay-ing for the vaccines.

Meanwhile, withCovid-19 cases surg-ing in several states,the Centre onWednesday deputedhigh-level, multi-dis-ciplinary teams toMaharashtra, Kerala,Chhattisgarh, Madh-ya Pradesh, Gujarat,Punjab, Karnataka,Tamil Nadu, WestBengal and the UnionTerritory of Jammu& Kashmir for sup-porting them in pub-lic health measuresfor targeted Covidresponse and man-agement, and effec-tively tackling thepandemic.

These teams willwork closely withstate and UT adminis-trations to ascertainreasons for the recentsurge in the numberof Covid-19 cases.They will also coordi-nate with health auth-orities of the statesand UT for requisiteCovid-19 control mea-sures to break the ch-ain of transmission.

States and UTs havebeen advised to regu-larly review the emer-ging situation withthe concerned distr-ict officials to ensurethat gains made so farin Covid managementare not lost, Unionhealth ministry offi-cials said.

Union health secre-tary has also writtento Maharashtra, Kerala, Chhattisgarh,Madhya Pradesh,Gujarat, Punjab andJammu and Kashmirwhich have been wit-nessing a rise in dailyCovid cases, alongwith decreasing pro-portion of RT-PCRtests. The health sec-retary has urgedstates/UT to focus onundertaking aggres-sive measures tobreak the chain oftransmission and toensure that RT-PCRtesting is amplified toflush out undetectedcases.

“These states/UTshave been advised toincrease testing in afocussed manner inthe affected districtswith the appropriatesplit of RT-PCR andRapid Antigen Testsand to also ensurethat all symptomaticnegatives of antigentests are compulsori-ly tested via RT-PCRtests. The positive pe-rsons must be promp-tly isolated/hospitali-sed, all their close co-ntacts be traced andalso tested withoutdelay,” officials said.

The letter also men-tioned that any laxityin implementing stri-ngent measures tocurb the spread, espe-cially in view of newstrains of virus obse-rved in certain coun-tries, could compo-und the situation.

SHAHAB ANSARI | DCMUMBAI, FEB. 24

Maharashtra forestminister Sanjay Rat-hod might find him-self in trouble as hisparty Shiv Sena hasmade it clear thatChief Minister Udd-hav Thackeray willnot spare anyoneand law will take itscourse in connec-tion the gathering ofhuge crowd outsidea temple in Washimdistrict in violationof Covid norms.

Shiv Sena leaderSanjay Raut said,“The Chief Ministeris very strict when itcomes to laws andrules. He will not sp-are even if it meanssomebody is ours.The governmentwill not spare. The

law will definitelytake its course ifanyone has commit-ted a mistake.”

On Tuesday, thou-sands of supportersof Shiv Sena leaderSanjay Rathod gath-ered near PohradeviTemple in Washimdistrict when minis-ter visited the shri-ne. It was his firstpublic appearanceafter his name waslinked to the deathof a 22-year old Poo-ja Chavan in Pune.He, however, haddenied the allega-tions against him.

Thackeray on Sun-day announced thatin view of the risingCovid cases, reli-gious, social andpolitical gatheringswill be prohibited inthe state fromMonday.

SENA MIN MAY FACE ACTIONFOR DEFYING COVID NORMS

NAYEAR AZAD | DC PATNA, FEB. 24

A sub-inspector was killedand a police guard wasinjured in an encounterwith liquor smugglers inBihar’s Sitamarhi districton Wednesday.

The incident occurredwhen a police team led bySub Inspector Dinesh Ramreached village Kunwariunder Majorganj police sta-tion to arrest Mukul,Ranjan and their associatesin connection with an extor-tion case.

Sources said that as soonas the police team startedcordoning off the area,criminals opened fire inwhich the Sub Inspectorwas killed and a policeguard sustained injuries.

According to the police,Mukul, Ranjan and othershave also been involved inliquor smuggling fromNepal and other neighbour-ing states.

Later, Mukul was arrestedwhile he was fleeing toNepal after the firing inci-dent and one of the smug-glers was killed by thepolice.

“Manhunt has beenlaunched and raids arebeing conducted to nab allthose who have beeninvolved in the incident”,ADG (law and order) AmitKumar told reporters inPatna. The incident has trig-gered sharp reactions fromacross the political spec-trum in Bihar. While theruling JD(U) termed theincident as “an act of frus-tration” by the liquor mafia,opposition blamed the stategovernment for its failure tocheck liquor smugglingfrom outside the state.

“The incident shows thatthere is no fear of law inBihar. The state governmentshould order a high-levelprobe and act against allthose who are behind theentire liquor trade racquetin the state. There are manybig people who have closelinks with liquor mafias”,RJD leader Subodh Rai toldreporters.

POLICE OFFICERKILLED BY LIQUORSMUGGLERS

WORLD pg 7DECCAN CHRONICLE | HYDERABAD |

THURSDAY | 25 FEBRUARY 2021

CINE

AM

6-YEAR-OLDDIES IN GREEKCAMP FIREAthens, Feb. 24: A 6-year-old boy from Irandied of burns sufferedduring an overnight fireat a migrant campnorthwest of Athens,Greek authorities saidWednesday.

The blaze broke outlate Tuesday at a short-term residence facilitynear the town of Thebes,about 90 kilometres (55miles) from the Greekcapital. Nobody else wasreported injured. Thefire service said in astatement that firefight-ers sent to the incidentwere initially preventedby camp residents fromentering, and had to callpolice support to get inand extinguish theblaze. By then, the boyhad already beenbrought unconsciousout of the buildingwhere the fire broke out.

SEDITION: THAICOURT OUSTS 3CABINET MINSBangkok, Feb. 24:Three Cabinet ministersin Thailand were forcedto leave their postsWednesday after a courtfound them guilty ofsedition for taking partin sometimes-violentprotests in 2013-2014against the governmentthen in power.

The Criminal Court inBangkok found DigitalEconomy MinisterBuddhipongse Punn-akanta, EducationMinister NatapholTeepsuwan and DeputyTransport Minister Tha-worn Senneam guiltyalong with about twodozen other defendantsin a case that waslaunched in 2018.

The verdicts can beappealed to a highercourt but under the lawthe Cabinet ministersmust relinquish theirjobs immediately.

THREE KILLED IN CLASHES IN IRANTehran, Feb. 24: Threepeople were killed overtwo days in clashes inthe southeasternIranian town of Saravannear the border withPakistan, the semioffi-cial ILNA news agencyreported.

An angry mob stormedthe district governor'soffice Tuesday, a dayafter shootings of fuelsmugglers at the borderleft at least two peopledead. Tuesday's ILNAreport quoted MalakFazeli, Saravan's repre-sentative in parliament,as saying: “As far as Iknow, three people losttheir lives while beingtransferred to the hospi-tal.” It was unclearwhether all three peoplewere killed in the bordershootings or if one ofthe fatalities was aresult of the chaos at thedistrict governor'soffice.

JIHADISTREBELS KILL 10IN NIGERIAMaiduguri (Nigeria),Feb. 24: At least 10 peo-ple were killed andabout 60 others injuredin an attack by suspect-ed jihadist rebels on thenorthern Nigerian cityof Maiduguri, officialssaid Wednesday. Thegovernor of Borno state,Babagana Zulum con-firmed the attack andvisited hospitals wherethe casualties werebeing treated. “This is anew form of attack,totally different from theusual suicide bombing,”said Zulum. “It is worri-some and there is anurgent need to strategizeto forestall furtheroccurrence.” The attackstarted at about 5:45 pm.Tuesday when deafeningsounds of explosionsand the cracking of sho-otings by assault riflescould be heard acrossthe city, said residents ofMaiduguri, the provin-cial capital of Nigeria'snortheastern Bornostate with a populationof about 800,000.

pg 8WORLDDECCAN CHRONICLE | HYDERABAD | THURSDAY | 25 FEBRUARY 2021

Colombo/Islamabad,Feb. 24: PakistanPrime Minister ImranKhan on Wednesdaycalled on Sri LankanPresident GotabayaRajapaksa during wh-ich they discussedareas of common inter-est like tourism andagriculture and ways tostrengthen political andtrade ties for theirmutual benefit.

Khan, who is here ona two-day visit, calledon Rajapaksa at theP r e s i d e n t i a lSecretariat here andheld a one-on-one meet-ing with him.

“Had an excellentmeeting with Presidentof Sri Lanka@GotabayaR. We dis-cussed our commonpassion for poverty alle-viation esp in our ruralareas. We alsoexchanged views onhow to give farmersmore for their produceand get cheaper foodand fruits to the popula-tion by using technolo-gy to eliminate middle-men,” Khan tweeted.“We also discussedother dimensions ofour extensive ties tostrengthen political &trade ties for our mutu-al benefit,” he wrote.

President Rajapaksa onhis Twitter handle saidhe had a “productive”discussion with Khan.

“The discussions weremainly focused on com-mon interests such astrade, tourism & adop-tion of technology inagriculture which both

countries could posi-tively leverage on,” hewrote.

The Lankan Presidentand the Prime Ministerof Pakistan had a longdiscussion on bilateralrelations. Khan said thetalks were highly pro-ductive. — PTI

Imran, Gotabayadiscuss trade ties

Port lease reportfalse, says ChinaBeijing, Feb. 24:China on Wednesdaysaid a report quotingSri Lankan Foreign Mi-nister Dinesh Gunawa-rdena that the contro-versial deal to take overthe Hambantota port ona 99-year lease has aprovision for its exten-sion for the same num-ber of years “runscounter to the facts”.Gunawardena has reve-aled that the previousMaithripala Sirisenagovernment had award-ed the Hambantota portto China not only for a99-year lease but alsoprovided a provisionfor extension for anoth-

er 99-years.There is a provision

for a further 99-yearextension of the lease,he was quoted by theSri Lankan newspaperCeylon Today onFebruary 20 as saying.

As we are implement-ing our policies givingmuch attention to allcountries, the previousgovernment made amistake on theHambantota port dealwhen they cancelledthe lease and gave it ona longer period of 99years plus another 99years once the firstterm ends, Guna-wardena said. — PTI

Productive talks with Khan: Rajapaksa

New York, Feb. 24:Former US First LadyHillary Rodham Clint-on and her long-timefriend Louise Pennywill come out with anovel State of Terrorwhich will be publis-hed on October 12 byPan Macmillan India.

The story follows anovice Secretary ofState who has joinedthe administration ofher rival, a presidentinaugurated after fouryears of Americanleadership that shrankfrom the world stage. Aseries of terroristattacks throws the gl-obal order into disar-ray, and the Secretaryis tasked with assem-bling a team to unravelthe deadly conspiracy, ascheme carefullydesigned to take adva-ntage of an Americangovernment dangerou-sly out of touch and outof power in the placeswhere it counts themost.

This high-stakes thr-iller of internationalintrigue features behi-nd-the-scenes global dr-ama informed bydetails only an insidercould know, the pub-lishers said. "When itwas suggested myfriend Hillary and Iwrite a political thrillertogether, I could not sayyes fast enough," saysPenny.

"What an incredibleexperience, to get ins-ide the State Depar-tment. Inside the WhiteHouse. Inside the mindof the Secretary ofState as high stakecrises explode. Beforewe started, we talkedabout her time asSecretary of State.What was her worstnightmare? 'State ofTerror' is the answer,"she says. Clinton adds,"Writing a thriller withLouise is a dream cometrue. I've relished everyone of her books andtheir characters, aswell as her friendship.Now we're joining ourexperiences to explorethe complex world ofhigh stakes diplomacyand treachery. All is notas it first appears."

Jeremy Trevathan,Pan Macmillan pub-lisher, says the "scope,ingenuity and ambi-tion reflect the strengthof the creative ch-emistry" that existsbetween Hillary Clint-on and Louise Penny."It's a unique pairing ofglobal real life experi-ence at the highestlevel and brilliantlyhoned narrative craft.The characters, theirnuanced backstoriesand the tense, all-too-believable plot leap offthe page." — PTI

HILLARY TOPEN ‘STATE OFTERROR’THRILLER

UK judge to ruleon Nirav todayLondon, Feb. 24:Wanted diamond mer-chant Nirav Modi, whoremains behind bars in aLondon prison as he con-tests his extradition toIndia on charges offraud and money laun-dering in the estimatedUSD 2-billion PunjabNational Bank (PNB)scam case, will find outthe UK court's ruling inthe nearly two-year-long

legal battle on Thursday.The 49-year-old is

expected to appear viavideolink from Wands-worth Prison in south-west London at Westm-inster Magistrates'Court, where DistrictJudge Samuel Goozee isset to hand down hisjudgment on whetherthe jeweller has a case toanswer before the Indiancourts. — PTI

pg 9HYDERABAD | THURSDAY | 25 FEBRUARY 2021

RIVER DAVISFEB. 24

Suzuki Motor Corpora-tion's 91-year-old chair-man Osamu Suzuki isstepping down after lead-ing an automaker forlonger than anyone else inthe industry.

Suzuki, who served asthe Japanese carmaker'schief executive for 22years and then as chair-man for another twodecades, will step downfrom his current role fol-lowing a shareholdersmeeting in June, the com-pany said in a statementon Wednesday. He willremain as a senior adviser.

With almost half a centu-ry at the helm, Suzuki iswidely credited with turn-ing the carmaker intowhat it is today: one of thelargest small-vehicle man-ufacturers in the world.Instead of taking Japan'sbiggest auto giants likeToyota Motor Corp headon, Suzuki worked to growthe company by findingnew markets around theworld for its compact auto-mobiles, building a domi-nant share in India duringhis first of two terms as

president from 1978 to2000.

The nonagenarian alsosteered Suzuki into allian-ces with two of the world'sbiggest automakers, Volks-wagen AG and GeneralMotors Co, though thoseultimately failed.

His departure comes oneweek after Honda MotorCo's chief executiveTakahiro Hachigo said hewould resign effectiveJune, underscoring thechurn the Japanese autoindustry is currentlyundergoing. Japanese car-makers are beginning torecover from a tough pan-demic-marred year, buteven as demand revives,they're struggling to meetsales targets amid a globalchip shortage.

— Bloomberg

SANGEETHA GCHENNAI, FEB. 24

Economic convergence,driven mainly by Chinaand India, has causedglobal labour incomeinequality to decline overthe past 13 years, finds theInternational LabourOrganisation.

According to the ILO,the global labour incomedistribution is lopsided. Aworker in the top decileearns $7,475 per monthand one in the bottomdecile, just $22. The high-est-earning 10 per cent ofworkers worldwidereceived almost half, or48.9 per cent, of total pay,the next decile received20.1 per cent while theremaining 80 per centworkers received just 31per cent.

Although global payinequality levels are veryhigh, it is important tonote that they havedecreased between 2004and 2017. However, ifIndia and China areexcluded, a much slowerreduction in labourincome inequality overthat period has beenobserved. Interestingly,these findings do notreflect a decrease in

inequality within India orChina-indeed, the datasuggest that neither coun-try registered such adecline during 2004-17.Instead, the two countrieshave enjoyed very highgrowth rates, which,together with their ini-tially low level of averagelabour income, have con-tributed "mechanically"via economic conver-gence to a global decreasein inequality.

The report also findsthat despite the economicprogress made in pastdecades, the number ofpeople not in employ-ment, education or train-ing and workers in pover-ty are likely to increase inAsia-Pac, including India,due to the recent decelera-

tion of GDP.The share of youth who

are not in employment,education or training inthe region reached 24.3per cent in 2019 comparedwith 23.9 per cent in 2018.The high rate is driven bySouth Asia, where oppor-tunities for young womento go to university orwork is limited. In SouthAsia nearly 161 millionyouth, including 81 mil-lion young women, havethis status.

Further, the labour pro-ductivity growth rate,measured as output perworker, dropped from 4.3per cent in 2018 to 3.9 percent in 2019. This dropwas driven mainly bycountries in South-EastAsia, the Pacific and

South Asia, includingIndia and some of theAsean countries whereGDP growth decelerated.Poor job quality and highrates of informalityremain a challenge to betackled by governmentsand employers' and work-ers' organisations. Asmany as 79.1 millionworkers in Asia and thePacific, or 4.2 per cent,remained in extremepoverty in 2019, and 277million workers or 14.6per cent were still livingin moderate poverty.While working povertycontinues to decline,those who have escapedpoverty remain highlyvulnerable to adverse eco-nomic shocks and there-fore face a significant riskof becoming poor again.

The report also foundthat the Periodic LabourForce Survey (PLFS) ofIndia is not in line withinternational best prac-tice. The main differencebetween the ILO modelledestimates of November2019 and those ofNovember 2018 is the revi-sion of historical unem-ployment rates for India.There are considerablemethodological differ-ences here, it said.

91-year-old Suzukichairman to bow out

Mumbai, Feb. 24:Private equity playerEverstone Capital hassold Modern Foods,which it had taken overin early 2016 fromHindustan Unilever, toItalian baking majorGrupo Bimbo for anundisclosed sum.

Everstone in a state-ment on Wednesdaysaid that Modern FoodEnterprises, which washeld by its bread andbakery platformEverfoods Asia, wassold to Ready RotiIndia, the domestic sub-sidiary of the Italianmajor.

Grupo Bimbo is thelargest baking compa-ny in the world, operat-ing in 33 countries,including in India, andhas a diversified portfo-lio of over 13,000 prod-

ucts and more than 100brands.

Everfoods acquiredModern Foods fromHindustan Unilever inApril 2016 and success-fully relaunched theiconic bread brand inJune 2017 nationwide.

HUL had boughtModern Foods from thegovernment in 2000 aspart of the divestmentprocess and later decid-ed to exit as part of itsstrategy to leave non-core sectors.

Modern Food Indus-tries was set up by thegovernment 1965 asModern Bakeries inMadras and wasrenamed as ModernFood in 1982. When soldoff to HUL it had 13bread manufacturingunits apart from fruitjuice concentratesunder brand nameRasika in New Delhiand aerated soft drinksDouble Seven.

HUL took over 74 percent of its equity inJanuary 2000 for Rs 10.5crore. —PTI

India, China reduced global income inequality: ILO ITALIAN GROUPTO ACQUIRE

MODERN FOODS

New Delhi, Feb. 24:British FMCG major RBPlc on Wednesday saidthe large contributionfrom markets like India,where consumption of itshygiene products such astoilet cleaner Harpicsoared in the Covid-impacted 2020, helped itto grow 11.8 per cent to13.99 billion pounds inthe year.

The company witnesseda volume growth of 9.6per cent in 2020, led bythe strong performanceof its disinfectant brandsdriving market penetra-tion and share, said RB,which owns brands likeDettol, Lysol, Durex,Strepsils and Vanish.

"All geographic regionshave grown, with thelargest contributors togrowth including the US,India and China," said RB(Reckitt Benckiser) in an

earning statement.Its leading disinfectant

brands have seen excep-tionally strong levels ofpenetration and brandsas Dettol and Lysol areused in over 300 millionhouseholds globally.

"In India alone, Harpic isnow used in over 100 mil-lion homes, up by nearly30 million compared to2019, as a result of pur-pose-led marketing cam-paigns centred aroundbehaviour change," thecompany said.

Lysol is now estimatedto be present in over half

of all US homes, while inCanada, its penetration isup over 1200 basis pointsover the past year.

"Mortein and Harpicalso delivered growth inall their major geogra-phies, with Harpic partic-ularly strong in India," itsaid.

In 2020, RB's net rev-enue for the hygiene seg-ment was up 19.5 per centat 5.81 billion pounds.

Its popular brands asDettol and sexual well-being brand Durexhelped RB to get its netrevenue from the healthsegment to go up by 12.1per cent to 4.89 billionBritish pounds in 2020 ona like for like basis.

"Consumer demand fordisinfectants drovestrong demand for Dettolthroughout 2020, with thebrand growing over 50per cent,” it said. — PTI

Harpic drives RB’s India salesSANGEETHA GCHENNAI, FEB. 24

Post-Covid, non-residentIndians prefer to buy lux-ury homes rather thanaffordable or mid-seg-ment homes.

As per Anarock’s latestconsumer survey, at least73 per cent NRIs now pre-fer properties pricedbetween Rs 90 lakh and Rs2.5 crore. In the pre-Covidsurvey of H2 2019, just 41per cent of NRIs had pre-ferred properties withinthis price bracket. Theyhad preferred affordableand mid-segment homesthen.

“The pandemic hasincreased NRIs' emotion-al association of long-term security with physi-cal assets as 63 per cent ofthe polled NRIs state thisas their reason for buyinghomes,” said PrashantThakur of AnarockProperty Consultants.

Bourses trade till 5 pm; indices soar

Glitch gives stocksan extended runRAVI RANJAN PRASADMUMBAI, FEB. 24

The National StockExchange on Wednesdayfaced a major technicalglitch, leading to a halt intrading for more thanthree hours from 11.40 am,as the bourse had facedconnectivity issues withits server.

Surging volumes both incash and futures &options segments beforethe monthly derivativesexpiry on Thursday mightalso have contributed tothe technical glitch, saidmarket experts.

On Tuesday, the tradedvalue of NSE’s cash seg-ment was Rs 75,979 croreagainst rival BSE’s Rs4,520 crore.

As traders had severalopen positions a daybefore the monthly equityderivatives expiry, thehalting of trading led to apanic situation among themarket participants asthere was no communica-tion either from the NSEor the market regulator asto when trading would beresumed while the BSEwas functioning normally.

Around 1 pm the NSEspokesperson stated thatthe exchange’s multipletelecom links with twoservice providers werehaving issues with theirlinks, due to which therewas an impact on NSE sys-tems and that they wereworking on restoring thesystems.

Finally, the markethours had to be extendedtill 5 pm to close the openpositions in the market.

The NSE finally

reopened for trade at 3.30pm after ironing out theglitches and trade contin-ued till 5 pm uninterrupt-ed.

The extended tradinghours resulted in sharpgains for the marketahead of the futures &options contracts expiry.

The Nifty-50 closed 274points, or 1.86 per cent,higher at 14,982 while theSensex gained 1,030 pointsto close at 50,781.

“Due to technical glitch,the option buyers (espe-cially ‘put’ option buyers)had to pay the pricebecause we witnessed pre-miums falling drasticallydue to the loss of time. Forcall buyers (as well as putwriters), it may not haveimpacted much becauseonce the market resumedtrading for a short period,market had a sharpupsurge which could havedefinitely benefitted them.But for other counter

party, prices just dimin-ished rapidly,” saidSameet Chavan, technicaland derivatives analyst,Angel Broking.

Marketmen questionedthe bourse’s decision tohalt trade, as only indexfeeds were not updating.

“The biggest question inthis whole issue is whywas the entire marketshut just because indexfeeds were not refreshing?Feeds for underlying con-tracts were fine and sowas order matching, sowhy shut down the entiremarket?” asked JimeetModi, CEO & founder,Samco Ventures.

“A similar issue in indexfeeds had happened a fewmonths ago, but tradingwas not completely halted.Instead, trading went onwith the glitch in indexprices that day. Sebi andNSE need to quickly lookat alternatives here,”Modi said.

N e wDelhi, Feb.24: The fin-ance min-istry onWednesdayallowed allprivate sec-tor banks toparticipatein government-relatedbusiness like collectionof taxes pension pay-ments and small savingsschemes.

Currently, only a fewlarge private sectorbanks are allowed to con-duct government-relatedbusiness.

"Embargo lifted ongrant of Govt businessto private banks. Allbanks can now partici-pate. Private banks cannow be equal partners indevelopment of theIndian economy, further-ing Govt's social sectorinitiatives, and enhanc-ing customer conven-ience," finance ninisterNirmala Sitharamansaid in a tweet.

An official statementsaid, "with the lifting ofthe embargo, there isnow no bar on RBI forauthorisation of privatesector banks (in additionto public sector banks)for government busi-ness, including govern-ment agency business.The government hasconveyed its decision toRBI."

The government hasalready announced itsintent to privatise twopublic sector lenders,other than IDBI Bank, inthe Budget 2021-22.

—PTI

All pvt bankscan now offer

pension,other govt biz

Osamu Suzuki

NirmalaSitharamanMumbai, Feb. 24: Regu-

lator Sebi on Wednesdayasked the National StockExchange to explain whytrading on the bourse didnot migrate to a disasterrecovery site after facingconnectivity issues.

It also advised the NSEto carry out a detailedroot cause analysis of the"trading halt" witnessedat the exchange.

The NSE should"explain the reasons for

trading not migrating tothe disaster recoverysite" and asked it to sub-mit a report at the earli-est, according to an offi-cial statement.

A disaster recovery sys-tem helps as a plan-B intimes of distress toensure that activity is notaffected. The bourse saidit depends on two telecomservice providers for con-nectivity, and both failedsimultaneously. —PTI

New Delhi, Feb. 24:India's foodgrain produc-tion is estimated to rise 2per cent in 2020-21 cropyear to an all-time high of303.34 million tonnes onbetter output of rice,wheat, pulses and coarsecereals amid good mon-soon rains last year, theagriculture ministry said.

Crop year runs fromJuly-June.

In the 2019-20 crop year,the country's foograin out-put (comprising wheat,rice, pulses and coarsecereals) stood at a record297.5 million tonnes (mt).

Releasing the secondadvance estimates for 2020-21 crop year, the ministrysaid foodgrain productionis projected at a record303.34 mt.

Agriculture ministerNarendra Singh Tomar

attributed the rise in pro-duction to efforts of thefarmers, scientists and thecentral government.

As per the data, rice pro-duction is pegged at record120.32 mt against 118.87 mtin the previous year.

Wheat production is esti-mated to rise to a record109.24 mt in 2020-21 from107.86 mt while output ofcoarse cereals is likely toincrease to 49.36 mt from47.75 mt. Pulses output isseen at 24.42 mt, up from23.03 mt in 2019-20.

In the non-foodgrain cat-egory, production ofoilseeds is estimated at37.31 mt against 33.22 mt.Sugarcane production ispegged at 397.66 mt against370.50 mt. Cotton output ispegged at 36.54 millionbales (170 kg each) versus36.07 million bales. — PTI

SEBI SEEKS NSE’S EXPLANATION FOR NOTMIGRATING TO DISASTER RECOVERY SITE

Foodgrain output tohit record 303.34 mt

NRIs NOW PREFERLUXURY HOMES

quickBITES

INDICATORS %Sensex 50781.69 2.07Nifty 50 14982.00 1.86S&P 500* 3,901.34 0.51Dollar (`) 72.33 0.16Pound Sterling (`) 102.44 0.33Euro (`) 87.98 0.03Gold (10gm)* (`) 46,307▼148 0.31Brent crude ($/bbl)* 67.17 2.75IN 10-Yr bond yield 6.147 0.00US 10-Yr T-bill yield* 1.425 0.061

* As of 8:30 PM IST

Common infrafor govt, corpbonds mulledUnification of government bondand corporate bond marketswill enable the trading of suchsecurities on the same plat-form, thereby utilising commoninfrastructure for trading, clear-ing, settlement and holding ofsecurities, said Sebi chairmanAjay Tyagi. "Unification of gov-ernment bond and corporatebond markets is an idea whosetime has come," Tyagi said. Thiswould lead to seamless trans-mission of pricing info, he said.

Bidders of PSBsshould have deeppockets: RBI

The potential owners of priva-tised public sector banks mustbe financially strong to ensurethat the lenders have robustrisk buffers, the RBI governorsaid. While the government hasthe final say in deciding thebuyers, from the regulator’sperspective, the bidders shouldmeet RBI’s fit and proper crite-ria and have enough financialstrength to capitalise the bankssignificantly, governor Shakti-kanta Das said in an interview.

Bosch to invest`800 cr to upgradeB’luru campusBosch Group, a German tech-nology and services major, isinvesting Rs 800 crore toupgrade its existing campus inBengaluru to a fully artificialintelligence of things (AIoT)-enabled 'smart campus.' The75-acre campus is likely tohouse the second-highest num-ber of Bosch employees in theworld, said SoumitraBhattacharya, MD of Bosch Ltdand regional president ofBosch Group in India.

Maruti drives innew Swift from`5.73 L onwardsMaruti Suzuki launched anupdated version of its premiumhatchback Swift priced betweenRs 5.73 lakh and Rs 8.41 lakh,ex-showroom Delhi. It comeswith manual and automaticautomatic gear shift (AGS)transmissions. The manual trimsare priced between Rs 5.73 lakhand Rs 7.91 lakh, while the AGSvariants cost Rs 6.86 lakh to Rs8.41 lakh. The 1.2 litre petrolmodel with manual transmissionhas fuel efficiency of 23.2 km.

◗ Global labour incomedistribution is lopsided.A worker in the topdecile earns $7,475 permonth and one in thebottom decile, just $22◗ The highest-earning10% of workers world-wide received 48.9% of

total pay while 80%workers got just 31%◗ Neither India norChina registered a dipin inequality, rathertheir growth along withinitial low income‘mechanically’ reducedglobal inequality

DIFFERENT STROKES

New Delhi, Feb. 24:ReNew Power has agreedto merge with blank-cheque company RMGAcquisition CorporationII, giving India's biggestrenewable power produc-er an enterprise value of$8 billion and a listing onthe Nasdaq.

The biggest deal in thefast-growing clean ener-gy sector is expected toclose in the second quar-ter, a company statementsaid on Wednesday.

The deal will befinanced with cash pro-ceeds of $1.2 billion,including $855 million ininvestments from serialblank-check dealmakerChamath Palihapitiya,funds managed byBlackRock and SylebraCapital.

A blank-cheque compa-ny is a developmentalstage firm that does nothave established busi-ness plan.

"The transaction wouldfurther bolster ReNew'sleading position in solarand wind energy genera-tion for the Indian mar-ket, by funding medium-term growth opportuni-ties, as well as payingdown debt," it said.

This is the first majoroverseas listing of anIndian company via theSpac (special purposeacquisition company)route, which is a big hitcurrently on Wall Street.

A Spac is a shell orblank-cheque companyand its sole aim is toraise capital via an ini-tial public offering toacquire a private busi-ness at a later date andthen take it public with-out going through thetraditional route of IPOs.

In this transaction,RMG AcquisitionCorporation II is theblank-cheque company. Itraised $345 million in itsDecember 2020 IPO.Founded in 2011, ReNewPower counts GoldmanSachs and CanadaPension Plan InvestmentBoard (CPPIB) among itsprominent investors. Itowns and operates 5 GWof solar and wind energyprojects.

The merger comes at atime when India is tar-geting 450 GW renewableenergy capacity by 2030.

"The Indian renewableenergy sector has grownrapidly over the lastdecade," said SumantSinha, founder chairmanand CEO of ReNew."During this time, ReNewhas been a driving forcein making sure that thesources of this growthare sustainable, and alsoeconomically competi-tive."

"Over the next decade,ReNew plans to maintainits track record of mar-ket share growth. Overtime, we will expand ourcapabilities even further,with utility-scale batterystorage, and customer-focused intelligent ener-

gy solutions," he said.RMG II CEO Bob

Mancini said the firmwas looking to partnerwith a company drivingchange on a global scale,with a proven trackrecord, and best-in-classmanagement. "We foundthat company in ReNew,"he said.

The pro forma consoli-dated and fully dilutedmarket capitalization ofthe combined companywould be $4.4 billion.

"Proceeds (from thedeal) will be used to sup-port ReNew's growthstrategy, including thebuildout of its contract-ed, utility-scale renew-able power generationcapacity, as well as toreduce debt," the state-ment said.

ReNew's management,and its current group ofstockholders, includingGoldman Sachs, CPPIB,Abu Dhabi InvestmentAuthority, and Jera Co,among others, whotogether own 100 per centof ReNew today, will berolling a majority oftheir equity into the newcompany, and are expect-ed to represent 70 percent of the effective com-pany ownership. —PTI

ReNew Power gets $8 bnvaluation in merger deal

Printed & Published by K. Sudhakar on behalf of Deccan

Chronicle Holdings Limited, Printed atDeccan Chronicle Press at Deccan

Chronicle Holdings Ltd. #563/9/D&9/E,Behind Andhra Bank Pet Basheerbagh,

Kompally, Ranga Reddy Dist. Editor:T.Venkatram Reddy, RNI Reg

No.APENG/2008/24282. © All rightsreserved. Reproduction in whole or in

part without written permission of TheEditor, Financial Chronicle ® is

prohibited.

GAMES pg 10DECCAN CHRONICLE | HYDERABAD | THURSDAY | 25 FEBRUARY 2021

SHORT TAKES

NNeeww DDeellhhii:: Reigning worldchampion P. V. Sindhu has got

an easy passage to the quarter-finals but her compatriot Saina

Nehwal was not as fortunate,drawing a tougher first-round

opponent in the prestigious AllEngland Championships, to be

played from March 17-21.The 2021 All England Open willbe the second tournament thisyear to offer ranking points to

qualify for the Tokyo Olympics,after the Swiss Open.

Sindhu will kick off her cam-paign in the women’s singles

with a clash against Malaysia’sSoniia Cheah. Provided she

wins here initial rounds, Sindhucould face Japan’s Akane

Yamaguchi in the quarterfinalsand arch-rival Carolina Marin in

the semifinals.Saina has drawn the in-formMia Blichfeldt of Denmark in

her first round women’s singlesmatch. Parupalli Kashyap has

also got a tough draw as helocks horn with world No. 1

Japanese Kento Momota in hisopener. — PTI

HHyyddeerraabbaadd:: The TelanganaState Chess Association is con-

ducting the 30th TelanganaState Ranking Chess Tournment

on Sunday at the Yoga Hall inLal Bahadur Stadium,

Hyderabad.Competitions will be held in

Under 7, 9, 13 and 15 sectionsfor boys and girls with a timecontrol of 30 minutes +5 sec-

onds increment from move onefor each player.

The tournament will be heldunder the Swiss format and

played over five rounds in eachage group.

Interested players should reg-ister their names before 6 pmon Saturday on www.chesste-

langana.com or via phone num-bers 7337578899, 7337399299.

Saina, Kashyapget tough draw

State rankingchess on Sunday

BBuucchhaarreesstt:: Olivier Giroud’smagnificent bicycle kick broke

Atletico Madrid’s resistance andearned Chelsea a crucial awaygoal on Tuesday, a 1-0 victorygiving Thomas Tuchel’s side a

slender advantage in theChampions League last 16.

Giroud’s acrobatic strike wasinitially ruled out for offside but

stood after VAR showed MarioHermoso had got the final

touch, delivering a huge blowto Atletico’s hopes of reaching

the quarterfinals.In Rome, holders Bayern

Munich brushed off their recentpoor domestic form with an

emphatic 4-1 win at Lazio.Robert Lewandowski gave

Bayern an early lead before 17-year-old Jamal Musiala scored

his first Champions League goalon only his fourth appearance

in Europe. — AFP

NNeeww DDeellhhii:: Jyoti Gulia (51kg)upstaged two-time world

champion Nazym Kyzaiby ofKazakhstan to enter the quar-

terfinals along with two othersbut three Indians bowed out

after second-round losses in the72nd Strandja Memorial Boxing

Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria.Gulia, a 2017 world youth

champion, prevailed 3-2 overKyzaibay, a gold-winner from

the 2014 and 2016 senior worldchampionships. The Haryana-boxer is also a 2019 national

champion. She will take onRomania’s Perijoc Lacramioara

in her quarterfinal bout onThursday. Another Indian to

enter the quarterfinals on thesecond day was Bhagyabati

Kachari, who outclassedRussian opponent Anna

Galimova 5-0 in the 75kg cate-gory. — PTI

Jyoti stuns worldchamp, in Last 8

Giroud givesChelsea the edge

● Ishant Sharma becamethe 11th Indian and 70thplayer overall to com-plete a century of Test matches after appearingin the Ahmedabad Teston Wednesday

● The pacer, who madehis debut againstBangladesh at Dhaka in2007, has taken 13 yearsand 275 days to reachthis milestone. He is onlythe second Indian after Kapil Dev (131 Tests)to play 100 Tests.● Axar Patel recorded hisbest bowling perform-ance in an innings by tak-ing 6/38. His previousbest was 5/60 on debutin the previous Test.

● England slumped totheir second lowest totalin India by making 112 in48.4 overs. It wasEngland’s fourth lowesttotal against India. Theirlowest total against Indiais 101 in 45.1 overs at TheOval in 1971 while 102 in26.2 overs at Mumbai in1981-82 is the lowest onIndian soil.

● The Ahmedabad Test isthe second day/nightTest on Indian soil. Thefirst one was played between India andBangladesh at Kolkata inin November 2019.

— S. PERVEZ QAISER

NUMBERS GAMEAhmedabad, Feb. 24:Axar Patel’s devastatingsix-wicket haul bundledEngland out for 112before Rohit Sharma’slanguid elegance shonethrough in an unbeatenhalf century that handedIndia the edge on theopening day of the day-night third Test here onWednesday.

The combination ofleft-armer Patel and off-spinner RavichandranAshwin exploited theturning Motera pitch atthe newly-inauguratedNarendra Modi stadiumto the full and England’sfirst innings folded injust 48.4 overs after thevisitors opted to bat.

Patel (21.4-6-38-6)grabbed his second five-for in his second Testwhile Ashwin (16-6-26-3)took three.

At stumps, India were99 for 3 from 33 overswith Rohit batting on 57off 82 balls. AjinkyaRahane (1) was givinghim company followingskipper Virat Kohli’sdimissal in the secondlast over of the day.

Kohli was dismissedfor 27 off 58 balls by left-arm spinner Jack Leach(10-1-27-2).

India trailed by just 13runs with seven firstinnings wickets in hand.

Before this, it was anightmare that unfoldedfor England with the 47-run stand for the thirdwicket being their best.

They lost their last sixwickets in the secondsession. The last sevenwickets yielded 38 runs.

This was after IshantSharma, only the secondIndian fast bowler afterKapil Dev to play in 100Tests, fittingly tookIndia’s first wicket in thethird over to open thefloodgates for the hosts.

In reply to a below parscore, India negotiatedthe opening spells ofEngland seamers JamesAnderson and StuartBroad. But Jofra Archer(5-2-24-1) gave Englandthe breakthrough in the15th over with Gill, try-ing a pull shot from theoff stump, top-edged forZak Crawley. — PTI

Washington, Feb. 24: Theamazing golf career ofTiger Woods, from two-year-old prodigy to his epiccomeback 2019 Mastersvictory, was in jeopardyTuesday after injuries suf-fered in a serious solo carcrash.

The 45-year-oldAmerican, among theworld’s most famous ath-letes for the past quarter-century, underwent sur-gery for multiple leginjuries following the earlymorning wreck near LosAngeles.

It could mean the end of agroundbreaking careerthat has seen Woods win 15major titles, three shy ofthe all-time record set byJack Nicklaus, and 82 USPGA crowns, level withSam Snead for the all-timemark.

Woods has faced plenty ofprior troubles off thecourse, including multipleback and knee surgeries,

the 2009 revelation of mul-tiple affairs that led to anemotional public apologyand divorce from wife ElinNordegren plus a 2017reckless driving incident.

Woods was recoveringfrom 2017 back surgerywhen he was arrested fordriving under the influ-ence of alcohol or drugs,his mug shot drawingworldwide attention. Hesaid he had not realisedhow prescription drugs hewas taking might interactand later pleaded guilty toreckless driving. — AFP

Tiger in hospitalafter major crash


Akash and Mayank Guptasnared five wickets eachwhile Takshith Rao, RohitReddy and C. P. Venkateshscored centuries to leadthe performers in theHyderabad CricketAssociation’s A-1 Divisionthree-day league matchesplayed on Wednesday.

Akash of AOC took 5 for36 against Continentalwhile Mayank ofEvergreen got 5 for 72 ver-sus Combined Districts.

Takshith Rao (133) ofSecunderabad Nawabs,Rohit XI’s Rohit Reddy(111 n.o) and Khalsa’s C. P.Venkatesh (101) were thecenturions. Consistentscorer Sarthak Bharadwajof Khalsa was unfortu-nate to miss the three-fig-ure mark as he fell for 96.

Mohammed Arfaz andShreyas Reddy were thebest in A-2 Division two-day games. Arfaz took 7for 27 to bowl MedakDistrict to a big win overGalaxy while Shreyas (7for 43) starred inEklavya’s massive winover Azad CC.

Postal’s Jyothi SaiKrishna (126 n.o), SachietBinjrajka (101) of

Kosaraju, Telangana’s K.Vinay Kumar (5/42), ShivaSrikanth Naidu (5/50) ofDeccan Blues,Saleemnagar’s Vasiuddin(5/61), Naveeth (107) ofAggarwal Senior and K.Sree Girish (112) of YadavDairy also did well.BBrriieeff ssccoorreess::

AA--11 DDIIVVIISSIIOONN ((TTHHRREEEE--DDAAYY))DDaayy 22■ AOC 247 in 64.1 overs & 64 in24.5 overs (T. Aaron Paul 3/12)vs Continental 200 in 78 overs(S. Vaishnav Reddy 39, T. AaronPaul 63, Syed Ali Hyder 30,AAkkaasshh 55//3366 —— 1166--77--3366--55.■ Evergreen 430/8 in 90 overs &112/3 in 22 overs (Ishaan Sharma36, Vikram Naik 41 batting) vsCombined Districts 288 in 67.3overs (B. Vikram 40, G. Ganesh71, A. Santosh 64, M. Pradeep 58n.o, MMaayyaannkk GGuuppttaa 55//7722 —— 1166..33--22--7722--55, Rahul Buddi 3/82).■ Sportive 241 in 85.5 overs &93/0 in 15 overs (BenjaminThomas 39 batting) vsSecunderabad Nawabs 296 in73.1 overs (TTaakksshhiitthh RRaaoo 113333 ——111166bb,, 44xx1177,, 66xx44, Jaidev Goud 61,

T. Harish Singh 53, BejaminThomas 3/46).■ Jai Bhagwathi 191 in 65 overs &41/3 in 11 overs vs Rohit XI 484/7in 90 overs (Shahnawaz Khan 88,Vinay Aliga 94, Jayasurya 33,Nitin Aliga 90, RRoohhiitt RReeddddyy 111111nn..oo —— 117799bb,, 1100xx44, M. Rithwik3/85).■ Mahmood 175 in 56.1 overs &128/8 decl. in 26.2 overs(Abhilash Kulkarni 47, PrithviReddy 3/9, Osama bin Waseem3/31) lost to Khalsa 304 in 68.1overs (CC.. PP.. VVeennkkaatteesshh 110011 ——111177bb,, 1155xx44,, 11xx66, SSaarrtthhaakkBBhhaarraaddwwaajj 9966,, Aryan Krishna 44,Md Shabaaz 3/65, Santosh S3/90). PPooiinnttss;; Khalsa 8,Mahmood 0.■ BDL 329/9 (all out) in 87.5 &211/8 in 40 overs (B. Revanth 43,Mahendra Yadav 30, KKSNHarish 53, Pranav Varma 34 n.o)vs Income Tax 188 in 37.5 overs(P. Akshath Reddy 43, VamshiVardhan Reddy 86, C. Durgesh4/79) & 26/1 in 6 overs.■ Balaaji CC 377/7 in 90 overs &85/2 in 19 overs (HK Simha 31batting, Vamshi Ragava 46) vsSri Chakra 224 in 86.5 overs (T.Rohan 35, M. Mukesh 35, K. VikasRao 50, V. Rohith 61, Atchyuth

3/34, B. Rajashekar 3/35).

AA--22 DDIIVVIISSIIOONN ((TTWWOO--DDAAYY))

■ Medak District 364/8 in 82overs bt Galaxy 86 in 20.2 overs(Ram Keshwar 44, MMdd AArrffaazz 77//2277—— 1100..22--33--2277--77, Md Yasir 3/47).PPooiinnttss:: Medak 5, Galaxy 0.■ Eklavya 506/9 in 90 overs) btAzad CC 93 in 29.2 overs (M.Swamy 30, SShhrreeyyaass RReeddddyy 77//4433—— 1133..22--55--4433--77)).. PPooiinnttss:: Eklavya 5,Azaad 0.■ Visaka CC 222 in 80.1 overslost to Postal CC 225/1 in 28.1overs (JJyyootthhii SSaaii KKrriisshhnnaa 112266 nn..oo—— 9955bb,, 2200xx44,, Md Shakeer 80).PPooiinnttss:: Postal 5, Visaka 0.■ Telangana 353 in 82.2 overs btKosaraju 268 in 60.1 overs (VarunKumar 58, SSaacchhiieett BBiinnjjrraajjkkaa 110011 ——112277bb,, 2200xx44,, KK.. VViinnaayy KKuummaarr 55//4422—— 1166..11--66--4422--55)).. PPooiinnttss:: Telangana5, Kosaraju 0.■ Deccan Blues 376 in 89.1 oversbt Hyderabad Titans 215 in 59.4overs (Jainath Mansingh 87,Ruthish Reddy 32, SShhiivvaa SSrriikkaanntthhNNaaiidduu 55//5500 —— 1155..44--33--5500--55))..PPooiinnttss:: Deccan Blues 5, Titans 0.■ Saleemnagar 277 in 65.2 oversbt Aggarwal Senior 214 in 56 overs(NNaavveeeetthh 110077 —— 111100bb,, 1166xx44,, 11xx66,,Ram Prasad 49 n.o, MMdd VVaassiiuuddddiinn

55//6611 —— 1188--11--6611--55). PPooiinnttss::Saleemnagar 5, Agarwal 0.■ Green Turf 474/6 in 90 oversbt Yadav Dairy 403/9 in 90 overs(KK.. SSrreeee GGiirriisshh 111122 —— 116600bb,, 1177xx44,,Y. Chary 74, N. Surendra 69).PPooiinnttss:: Green Turf 5, Yadav Dairy0.■ Hyderabad Wanderers 268 in67.4 bt Balaji Colts 194 in 68overs (Aditya Malhotra 36,Dhanajay 31, Kaleem Khan 3/15).PPooiinnttss:: Wanderers 5, Colts 0.■ Oxford Blues 280 in 73.3 btYoung Citizen 163 in 48.3 overs(Likith 61, Jai Mohan 35, S.Vignesh 3/35). PPooiinnttss:: OxfordBlues 5, Young Citizen 0.■ PJLCC 263 in 79 overs lost toNizam College 266/8 in 65.4overs (Jai Ganesh 39, RoshanReddy 60, Rahul Mushini 3/48).PPooiinnttss:: Nizam College 5, PJLCC 0.■ Mahbubnagar District 276 in77.1 overs bt Vijay CC 266 in 84overs (Ardrit Reddy 31,Devender 74, Shyam Reddy 40,Shadab 3/29). PPooiinnttss::Mahbubnagar 5, Vijay 0.■ Hyderabad Patriots 400/9decl in 81.1 overs bt YoungMasters 180 in 51.5 overs (AaronGeroge 51, D. Rohith 45, S.Bhoopal 3/25, A. Balaraj 5/35).PPooiinnttss:: Patriots 5, Masters 0.■ Tirumala 202 in 67.2 overs lostto Sunshine 203/3 in 44.5 overs(Mir Syed Ali 100 n.o — 109b,14x4, Mir Wasim Ali 56 n.o).PPooiinnttss:: Sunshine 5, Tirumala 0.■ Superstars CC 237 in 66.3overs (Prakash 44, Vasudev 32,Akshay Varma 73, Mani Kumar4/47) vs Time CC 81/1 in 25 overs(Vivek 39 batting, Visvesh 34batting).

Akash, Mayank, Takshith, Rohit, Venkatesh top

A vehicle rests on its side after a rollover accident involv-ing golfer Tiger Woods in Rancho Palos Verdes, a suburbof Los Angeles. Woods suffered leg injuries. — AP

Ahmedabad, Feb. 24:Indian skipper Virat Kohliis worried that the lights atthe Narendra ModiStadium here could poten-tially impact visibility andsaid the players will needto adapt quickly.

The refurbished stadium,the largest cricketingarena in the world, doesn’thave the traditional flood-light towers but a ring ofLED lights around theperimeter of its roof. It issimilar to the ‘ring of fire’at the Dubai InternationalStadium, which often posesa challenge to the fielding

side. “It is such an excitingatmosphere here at thelargest cricket stadium.I’m a bit more worriedabout the lights than thecolour of the seats,” Kohlisaid at the toss ahead ofthe day/night Test.

“When it gets lost with

the lights at the back, it’shard to spot the ball. We’veplayed at a similar stadiumat Dubai. It’s about angles,body positions. You need toadapt quickly,” he added.

During last year’s IndianPremeir League in theUAE, several regulationcatches were dropped byfielders in Dubai due to theblinding lights, as com-pared to the stadiums AbuDhabi and Sharjah.

Kohli also reiterated thathe doesn’t think the orangeseats at the stands wouldpose a visibility challengefor the players. — PTI

Kohli worried about lights

AXAR’S SIXER!Patel takes 6/38 as India bowl England out for 112

Live on TVCCRRIICCKKEETT

IInnddiiaa vvss EEnnggllaanndd:: Third Test, Day 2from 2.30 pm on Star Sports 1, HD

SSoouutthh AAffrriiccaa TT2200 CChhaalllleennggee::Warriors vs Knights from 5.55 pm

on Star Sports Select 2, HD

FFOOOOTTBBAALLLLEEuurrooppaa LLeeaagguuee:: Arsenal vs Benfica

from 11.25 pm on Sony Ten 2;Napoli vs Granada from 11.25 pm on

Sony Six; AC Milan vs CrvenaZvezda from 1.30 am (Friday) onSony Ten 1; Manchester United vs

Real Sociedad from 1.30 am(Friday) on Sony Ten 2

Tiger WWoods

Indian bowler Axar Patel celebrates dismissing an England batsman on the openingday of the third Test in Ahmedabad on Wednesday. — BCCI

Nizamuddin plays a shot during the second round of the Telangana State RankingBilliards Championship in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

EEnnggllaanndd ((11sstt iinnnniinnggss)):: Crawleylbw b Patel 53, Sibley c Sharma bI Sharma 0, Bairstow lbw b Patel0, Root lbw b Ashwin 17, Stokeslbw b Patel 6, Pope b Ashwin 1,Foakes b Patel 12, Archer b Patel11, Leach c Pujara b Ashwin 3,Broad c Bumrah b Patel 3,Anderson (not out) 0. Extras (b-1, lb-2, nb-3) 6. TToottaall ((iinn 4488..44oovveerrss)) 111122..FFooWW:: 1-2, 2-27, 3-74, 4-80, 5-81,6-81, 7-93, 8-98, 9-105.BBoowwlliinngg:: Ishant 5-1-26-1, Bumrah6-3-19-0, Axar 21.4-6-38-6,Ashwin 16-6-26-3.IInnddiiaa:: Rohit Sharma batting 57,Shubman Gill c Crawley b Archer11, Pujara lbw b Leach 0, Kohli bLeach 27, Rahane (batting) 1.EExxttrraass ((bb 22,, ww 11)) 33.. TToottaall ((ffoorrtthhrreeee wwiicckkeettss iinn 3333 oovveerrss)) 9999..FFooWW:: 1-33, 2-34, 3-98.BBoowwlliinngg:: Anderson 9-6-11-0,Broad 6-1-16-0, Archer 5-2-24-1,Leach 10-1-27-2, Stokes 3-0-19-0.

SCORECARD

Arfaz, Shreyas take seven each; Krishna, Sachiet, Vinay, Shiva, Vasiuddin, Naveeth, Girish do well

Mayank Venkatesh Sachiet Shiva Shreyas Sree GGirish

Income Tax cagers bestHyderabad, Feb. 24: Income Tax defeated Customs andGST 68-54 in the finals to win the basketball tournamentconducted by the Devastanam Committee of Uttanoor,Gadwal district, famously known for its bull races.

In a fiercely competitive game both teams kept the spec-tators entertained with their outstanding performances.The Taxmen were dominant on court from the start.Ganesh Patil’s three pointers and Basha’s post move-ments gave them an upperhand.

Merugu Vijay and Chandrahas did well for the Customsand GST side.

Earlier in the semifinals, Income Tax beat SouthCentral Railway with a difference of 10 points whileCustoms and GST defeated YMCA Secunderabad by justone point.

Surat, Feb. 24: Barodacontinued their winningstreak in the Vijay HazareTrophy after beatingHyderabad by 110 runs intheir Elite Group ‘A’ matchhere on Wednesday, cour-tesy Kedar Devdhar’s hun-dred and impressive showby the bowlers.

This is Baroda’s thirdwin on the trot after theyhad defeated Goa andTripura.

Put into bat at theLalbhai ContractorStadium, Baroda rode onDevdhar’s stroke-filled 131to post a competitive 316/7on the board, and then bun-dled out the opposition for206, with Babashafi Pathan(3/37) doing the bulk of thedamage.

Devdhar was back amongthe runs as he tore apartthe Hyderabad attack withhis 139-ball innings, ham-mering 14 boundaries andtwo maximums. He andSmit Patel (35) added 79runs for the first wicket.But Patel perished afterbeing caught by B. Sandeepoff right-arm mediumpacer Ajay Dev Goud(2/68).

Hyderabad could not cap-italise on a 75-run strong

start given by openersTanmay Agarwal (34) andTilak Varma (47) and suf-fered a middle-order col-lapse. Both the openersperished in quick succes-sion as Hyderabad slippedto 83/2.

Baroda rattledHyderabad by strikingtwice, first Ninad Rathwaran out Himalay Agarwal(17) and Babashafi Pathanthen sent back MickilJaiswal (5). B. Sandeep (18)and T. Ravi Teja (19)weren’t able to converttheir starts as Hyderabadfound themselves reelingat 143/6. Hyderabad wereeventually bundled out for202.

BBRRIIEEFF SSCCOORREESS■ Baroda 316/7 in 50 overs(Kedar Devdhar 131, KrunalPandya 55, Ajay Dev Goud2/68, C. V. Milind 2/74) btHyderabad 206 in 42.2 overs(Tilak Varma 47, TanmayAgarwal 34, Babashafi Pathan3/37, Lukman Meriwala 2/39).■ Andhra 175 in 48.1 overs(Nitish Kumar Reddy 30,Siddarth Kaul 4/27, BarinderSran 3/29) lost to Punjab 176for 3 in 36 overs (MandeepSingh 64 n.o, AbhishekSharma 32, PrabhsimranSingh 32).

Baroda hand a bigloss to Hyderabad

Members of the Income Tax team pose with the trophy.

Hyderabad, Feb. 24:Vibhas emerged championin the junior billiards cate-gory of the TelanganaState Ranking Snooker &Billiards Championshipbeing played at theTelangana Cue SportsAssociation premises atKhajaguda in Hyderabadon Wednesday.

Vibhas dominated thefinal, beating Srikanth 271-114 in 60 minutes. Earlierin the semifinals playedover 30 minutes, Vibhasbeat Saurav 128-54 whileSrikanth defeated Viyan85-67.

Himanshu made a strongstart in senior billiards,sinking Simhachalam 3-0— 151-110, 152-146, 151-112— in the second round.

TTHHEE SSCCOORREESS■ JJuunniioorr bbiilllliiaarrddss ffiinnaallss:: Vibhas btSrikanth (60 min) 271-114. SSeemmiiffiinnaallss::Vibhas bt Saurav (30 min) 128-54;Srikanth bt Viyan (30 min) 85-67.■ SSeenniioorr bbiilllliiaarrddss sseeccoonndd rroouunndd::Himanshu bt Simhachalam 3-0 (151-110, 152-146, 151-112). FFiirrsstt rroouunndd::Simhachalam bt Abhishikth 3-0(100-43, 100-39, 101-96); Vibhas btVishwanath Reddy 3-0 (100-70, 101-89, 100-71); M. N. Ranjit bt Chetan 3-0 (101-62, 100-81, 100-97);Nizamuddin bt Dhruv Singh 3-0(100-37, 100-74, 100-47).

Vibhas billiards champion

Regd. No. HQ/SD/509/2021-23Printed and Published by

K. Sudhakar on behalf of DeccanChronicle Holdings Limited. Printedat Deccan Chronicle Press situatedat Plot No. 9 Alwal Village, VallabhNagar Taluk, Medchal Malkajgiri

Dist. Telangana and Published at 36,S.D. Road, Secunderabad-3.RNI Registration No. 3081/1957.

Editor: Kaushik Mitter

It is such an excitingatmosphere here at thelargest cricket stadium.I’m a bit more worriedabout the lights than thecolour of the seats.

— VIRAT KOHLIon Motera Stadium

do or die for trs cabinet nod men in mlc poll for pli sops

Documents