HYDERABAD, FRIDAY JANUARY 8, 2021; PAGES 12 `3

www.dailypioneer.com

RNI No. TELENG/2018/76469

Established 1864Published From

HYDERABAD DELHI LUCKNOWBHOPAL RAIPUR CHANDIGARH

BHUBANESWAR RANCHIDEHRADUN VIJAYAWADA

*LATE CITY VOL. 3 ISSUE 80*Air Surcharge Extra if Applicable

@TheDailyPioneer facebook.com/dailypioneerFollow us on:

MONEY 8PRIVATE SECTOR WILLING TO SUPPORT

GOVT IN ADMINISTERING COVID VAX

ANALYSIS 7A DOUBTFUL

FUTURE

SPORTS 12WILL FINDS AWAY FOR OZ

}IT'S OFFICIAL: MARUTHI GETSGOPIPage 11

{

HYDERABADWEATHER

Current Weather ConditionsUpdated January 7, 2021 5:00 PM

ALMANAC

TODAY

Month & Paksham:

Margashirsha & Krishna Paksha

Panchangam

Tithi : Dashami: 09:39 pm

Nakshatram: Swati: 02:12 pmTime to Avoid: (Bad time to start

any important work)

Rahukalam: 11:00 am – 12:22 pm

Yamagandam: 3:08 pm – 04:31 pm

Varjyam: 07:25 pm – 08:54 pm

Gulika: 08:14 am - 09:37 am

Good Time: (to start any important work)

Amritakalam: 04:21 am – 05:50 am

Abhijit Muhurtham: 12:00 pm – 12:44 pm

FFoorreeccaasstt:: SunnyTemp: 28/18Humidity: 68%Sunrise: 06:48 amSunset: 05:57 pm

‘BEAUTIFUL SIGHT’: CHINA GOESONLINE TO MOCK US CAPITOL CHAOS

IVANKA CALLS RIOTERS ‘AMERICANPATRIOTS’, THEN DELETES TWEET

MUMBAI HOMES MAY BECOMECHEAPER AS LEVIES ARE SLASHED

ELON MUSK IS CLOSE TO TOPPLINGJEFF BEZOS AS WORLD'S RICHEST

China's internet erupted in mirth at America'stroubled democracy after supporters of

President Donald Trump broke into the USCapitol, with Beijing criticising the "sharpcontrast" between Washington's response tothe chaos and the 2019 Hong Kong anti-government protests. On Thursday morning,state media tabloid Global Times tweeted side-by-side photo comparisons of Hong Kongprotesters occupying the city's LegislativeCouncil Complex in July 2019 withWednesday's Washington riots. The latter sawhardcore Trump fans invade the US Capitol to protest the election defeat,taking selfies, scuffling with security and ransacking parts of the building.

Ivanka Trump deleted a tweet calling themob that stormed the US Capitol on

Wednesday "American Patriots", the USmedia reported, even as screenshotscirculating online provoked a hugebacklash. Four people died in clashesafter a large group of supporters ofPresident Donald Trump entered theCapitol in extraordinary events inWashington on Wednesday evening, whenthe Congress was meeting to certifyPresident-elect Joe Biden's election win.Ivanka Trump posted the controversial tweet as she retweetedher father's post urging his supporters to "stay peaceful".

Homes prices may fall in Mumbai, India'scostliest housing market, after the local

administration slashed levies by as much as 50%until December 2021. Maharashtra state cutvarious levies on construction projects on therecommendation of a government-appointedcommittee headed by Deepak Parekh, chairman ofHousing Development Finance Corp. The move willlikely bring down development costs for mostbuilders and result in lower home prices for buyersin addition to boosting stocks of realty developers.This will "help development at lesser input costand, over a period of time, there is a possibility of lower price for newinventories that shall come into the market," Niranjan Hiranandani said.

Elon Musk, the entrepreneur behind Tesla Inc.and SpaceX, kicked off the new year by

homing in on a characteristically audacious title:the richest person on the planet. A 2.8% rally inthe electric carmaker's share price Wednesdayboosted Musk to within $3 billion of Amazon.comInc. founder Jeff Bezos, who occupies the topspot on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, aranking of the world's 500 wealthiest people. TheSouth Africa-born engineer's net worth was$181.1 billion on Wednesday, just shy of Bezos,who has held the top spot since October 2017. AsCEO of Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, Musk is also a rivalto Bezos, owner of Blue Origin LLC, in the private space race.

69% peoplewant reduction inexcise duty onpetrol and diesel

TN GovernorBanwarilalPurohit welcomesJaishankar's...

58

Are All IndiaServices relevantin modern India?

2

Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao at the swearing-in ceremony ofJustice Hima Kohli as Chief Justice of High Court of Telangana

Justice Hima Kohlitakes oath as new CJPNS n HYDERABAD

Hima Kohli was on Thursdaysworn in as the new ChiefJustice of the Telangana HighCourt here.

Kohli, who was a judge ofDelhi High Court, was admin-istered the oath of office byGovernor TamilisaiSoundararajan at an event

held at Raj Bhavan here.Chief Minister

K Chandrasekhar Rao, UnionMoS (Home) G Kishan Reddy,several Telangana ministersand other dignitaries werepresent on the occasion.

Kohli succeeded Justice R SChauhan, who has been trans-ferred as Chief Justice of theUttarakhand High Court.

KCR indisposed,advised ‘rest’Undergoes CT scan, tests after complaintof burning sensation in lung region

PNS n HYDERABAD

As hinted in these columnsrecently, Telangana RashtraSamiti president and ChiefMinister K ChandrasekharRao has not been keepingwell and, going by the anxietythat is writ large on the facesof the party circles, there ismore to it than meets the eyein KCR's visit to YashodaHospital on Thursday forundergoing tests.

For the record, KCR went toYashoda Hospital with a com-plaint of 'burning sensation' inhis lung region and saw hispersonal physician Dr MVRao, pulmonologist DrNavneeth Sagar and cardiolo-gist Dr Pramod there. To the

great relief of KCR and thosein his entourage, doctors ruledout Covid-19.

Briefing media persons atthe hospital, Dr MV Rao men-tioned that initially doctorspreferred to go for both CTscan and MRI.

K VENKATESHWARLUn HYDERABAD

Telangana Congress Affairsin-charge Manickam Tagorehas said that the party highcommand, in deference to thewishes expressed by formerCong CLP leader K JanaReddy, would name the newTPCC chief only after theNagarjuna Sagar by-poll. Tillthen, outgoing TPCC chief NUttam Kumar Reddy wouldhelm the party unit.

The TPCC working presi-

dents-A Revanth Reddy,Ponnam Prabhakar and MohdAzaruddin would also contin-

ue in their positions till the by-poll, Tagore told media per-sons. He maintained that the

party high command had post-poned the announcement atthe behest of Jana Reddy.

Responding to question,Tagore that the party was con-ducting deliberations in ademocratic manner; hence thedelay. The party would be inposition to announce a full-fledged '2023 election team'after the by-election. "Ourparty chief Sonia Gandhi is nota dummy like BJP chief JPNadda," he observed.

New PCC only after Sagar by-poll:Tagore

Trump exposed... Biden win confirmedUS Congress confirmed Biden’s win hours after

harrowing Capitol Hill assault that killed 4PNS n WASHINGTON

A Joint Session of the USCongress on Thursday for-mally certified the ElectoralCollege victory of Joe Biden asthe next US President andKamala Harris as the VicePresident in the November 3election.

The formal certification bythe Joint Session came in thewee hours of Thursday. TheJoint Session resumed itsmeeting late Wednesday nightafter it was disrupted by hun-dreds of supporters of incum-bent President Donald Trumpwho violently stormed theCapitol Hill.

Commenting on the certifi-

cation, Trump said the decision"represents the end of thegreatest first term in presiden-tial history."

He, however, said there willbe an "orderly" transfer ofpower to Biden on January 20.

"Even though I totally dis-agree with the outcome of theelection, and the facts bear meout, nevertheless there will bean orderly transition onJanuary 20th," Trump said in astatement.

"It's only the beginning ofour fight to Make AmericaGreat Again," Trump said whilerepeating false claims about theelection fraud.

Biden, 78, and Harris, 56, arescheduled to be sworn in as the

President and Vice President ofthe country on January 20. Theinauguration is going to be alow-key affair given theCOVID-19 pandemic.

The counting of ElectoralCollege votes and its subse-quent certification came afteran ugly episode of violenceinside the US Capitol, resultingin four deaths, wherein CapitolHill was brought under a lock-down, with lawmakers beingtaken to safe places, shots werefired inside the Congress andtear gas was used. Former USPresident, Barack Obama,described it as a moment ofgreat dishonor and shame forthe United States.

Chaos, violence,mockery as pro-Trump

mob occupies CongressPage: 2

IIT-JEE Advancedto be held on July 3PNS n NEW DELHI

IIT JEE-Advanced test wouldbe held on July 3. This time thetest would be conducted byIIT-Kharagpur, according toUnion Education MinisterRamesh Pokhriyal.

Disclosing this at a virtualmeeting held here onWednesday evening, Pokhriyalsaid that there is ample timefor the students to prepare forthe examination. He wished

the students and their parentsthe best.

It may be recalled that theCentre had already announcedIIT-JEE Main test dates andthe CBSE 10th and 12th finalexamination dates.

In view of the Covid-19 pan-demic in the country and hon-ouring demands from parentsand students, the governmenthas relaxed this year also therule of students securing qual-ifying marks of 75 per cent.

ED conducts raids inHyd in e-tendering casePNS n NEW DELHI

The ED has conducted search-es at multiple locations inBhopal, Hyderabad andBengaluru as part of its moneylaundering probe in the overRs 3,000-crore alleged e-ten-der rigging racket of MadhyaPradesh, official sources saidon Thursday.

They said the agencylaunched the searches to collectevidence early this week at

locations of various suspectsinvolved in the case, and theaction is being conductedunder the Prevention of MoneyLaundering Act (PMLA).

At least 15-16 locations inBhopal, Hyderabad, andBengaluru have been searched,including that of the formerchief secretary of MadhyaPradesh. Searches were under-way at some places onThursday, the sources said.

Coronavirus candamage brainwithout infecting itPNS n LONDON

The new coronavirus does notneed to directly invade braintissue to damage it, a new studysuggests. Researchers exam-ined the brains of 19 patientswho died from COVID-19,focusing on tissues fromregions thought to be highlysusceptible to the virus: theolfactory bulb, which controlsthe sense of smell, and thebrainstem, which controlsbreathing and heart rate. In 14patients, one or both of theseregions contained damagedblood vessels - some clotted,and some leaking.

The areas with leakage weresurrounded by inflammationfrom the body's immuneresponse, they found. But theresearchers saw no signs of thevirus itself, they report inThe New England Journal ofMedicine. "We were com-pletely surprised," said coau-thor Dr. Avindra Nath of theNational Institute ofNeurological Disorders andStroke in a statement. Thedamage his team saw is usu-ally associated with strokesand neuroinflammatory dis-eases, he said.

Centre rewards TS for reforms,allows Rs 2,508 cr addl borrowingsPNS n NEW DELHI

After Andhra Pradesh andMadhya Pradesh, Telanganahas become the third state tocomplete urban local bodiesreforms stipulated by theUnion finance ministry.

With the completion of thereforms, the ministry hasallowed the state to make addi-tional borrowing of Rs 2,508crore. The permission formobilising additional financial

resources of Rs 2,508 cr throughOpen Market Borrowings wasissued by Department ofExpenditure under Ministry ofFinance on Thursday.

On completion of the urbanlocal body reforms, the threestates have been granted addi-tional borrowing permission ofRs 7,406 crore, the ministrysaid in a statement.

Reforms in the urban localbodies and the urban utilitiesreforms are aimed at financialstrengthening of ULBs in a stateand to enable them to providebetter public health and sanita-tion services.

Varavara tostay in hospitalfor a week: HC PNS n MUMBAI

Jailed Telugu poet and activistVaravara Rao will continue tostay at a private hospital heretill January 13, the BombayHigh Court said on Thursday.

Rao, 80, an accused in theElgar Parishad-Maoist linkscase, was admitted to NanavatiHospital in the city owing tohis health issues in Novemberfollowing the court's orders.

A division bench of JusticeSS Shinde and MS Karnik onThursday extended Rao's stayat the private hospital afteradjourning the hearing on hisbail plea to January 13. TheMaharashtra government sub-mitted a fresh medical reportwhich said his health was"much better" and he "hasrecovered and is able to walk".

The TPCC workingpresidents- RevanthReddy, PonnamPrabhakar and MohdAzaruddin would alsocontinue in theirpositions till the by-poll, Tagore said

Briefing mediapersons at thehospital, Dr MVRao mentionedthat initiallydoctors preferredto go for both CTscan and MRI

Govt mulling Sectt complex spread over 11 floors

RAJESH JAIN NIDARKAR n HYDERABAD

Although the Union Ministryof Environment has given thegreen light for the Telanganagovernment's September 2020proposal to build a new seven-story Secretariat complex,Chief Minister KChandraskehar Rao, who has

been personally overseeing itsdesign aspects to ensure thatthe structure would bestreflect Telangana's culture andtraditions, is keen on pushinga revised proposal for a 11-story complex with enhancedsecurity detail and qualityparameters at much highercosts.

Sources shared with The

Pioneer that the KCR govern-ment has already sent therevised proposal relating to the

new building plan for theSecretariat's to the centralgovernment. Central to the

revised proposal is theincrease in the integratedbuilding area from 6 lakhsquare feet to 7.50 lakh squarefeet and the creation of anentirely bullet-proof office forthe Chief Minister. This meansthat the related costs, as perpresent estimates, would cor-respondingly increase by Rs219 crore per floor per lakhsquare feet. The governmentintends to make furtherchanges to the existing masterplan.

PADI THARALA KOSAM

Earlier proposal for 7-story complex,

approved by Centre, put on hold

22

22

2

22

Printed and published by B Krishna Prasad for and on behalf of CMYK Printech Ltd., Phone: 040-23322341, Hyderabad Office: F-502, Diamond Block, Lumbini Rockdale, Somajiguda, Hyderabad - 500 082. Telangana. Printed at Sree Seshasai Enterprises, Plot No.19, IDA Balanagar , Hyderbad-500037, Medchal -Malkajgiri District, Telangana. Chief Editor: Chandan Mitra. Resident Editor: B Krishna Prasad, AIR SURCHARGE of Rs 2.00.

Although every possible care and caution has been taken to avoid errors or omissions, this publication is being sold on the condition and understanding that information given in this publication is merely for reference and must not be taken as having authority of or binding in any way on the writers, editors, publishers, and printers and sellers who do not owe any responsibility for any

damage or loss to any person, a purchaser of this publication or not for the result of any action taken on the basis of this work. All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of competent court and forums in Delhi/New Delhi only. Readers are advised and requested to verify and seek appropriate advice to satisfy themselves about the veracity of any kind of advertisement before

responding to any contents published in this newspaper. The printer, publisher, editor and any employee of the Pioneer Group's will not be held responsible for any kind of claim made by the advertisers of the products & services and shall not be made responsible for any kind of loss, consequences and further product-related damages on such advertisements.

EGG RATES

` 51, 850 (10 gm)

` 520

GOLD

` 75, 100 (1kg)` 600

HYDERABAD 495

VIJAYAWADA 516

VISAKHAPATNAM 505

RREETTAAIILL PPRRIICCEE `̀44.. 9955

SILVER

HYDERABADBULLION RATES

`̀//110000

CHICKEN RATES

Dressed/With Skin `158

Without Skin `180

Broiler at Farm `109

`̀//KKGG

(IN HYDERABAD)

HYDERABAD | FRIDAY | JANUARY 8, 2021 hyderabad 02

Broadly speaking, publicadministration consistsof a set of policymakers

assisted by a team to imple-ment their policies.

In some countries, bureau-cracy is selected by policy-makers from academia, tradeand industries or any otherfield. This system is popular-ly known as the 'spoils system'.Such a hire-and-fire policykeeps incumbents on theirtoes. This type of bureaucra-cy remains by and large, ide-ologically committed to theadministration of the day.

Contrary to this, India hasa system of permanentbureaucracy to assist policy-makers as per theConstitution and within theoverarching framework ofActs, Rules, and Notificationsetc. In our system, policymak-ers have limited choices interms of availability of AISand other officers in theirstates.

More or less, a similar sit-uation prevails at the Centre.

Policymakers can only reshuf-fle the team and are often con-strained. Job security alsoadds to complacency in thepermanent bureaucracy,including AIS officers. Toenhance the talent pool, theGovernment of India recent-ly introduced a system of lat-eral entry at the level of jointsecretaries.

The conduct of bureaucra-cy is governed by a set ofStandard OperatingProcedures. Conflict betweenpolicymakers and imple-menters starts when any sideeither flouts, expects the otherside not to follow, or intendsto transgress SOPs. So, thereare safeguards at various lev-els.

In a democracy, a politicalexecutive is the head of gov-ernment and is also the finalauthority to take decisions.The role of permanentbureaucracy is to analyse thepolicy issue under consider-ation, list out pros and cons ofthe decision and possible

options to facilitate the polit-ical executive in taking aninformed decision. However,most of the time, the bureau-cracy lacks the courage toexpress free and frank opin-ions. Political executivesshould be given freedom toexpress themselves and shouldhave the moral conviction totake any decision. However,this cannot address the situ-ation when political execu-tives and permanent bureau-cracy collude for mutual ben-efits.

The bureaucracy consists

broadly of two categoriesnamely; specialists and gener-alists; in the Indian context,the latter means IndianAdministrative Service (IAS).Instead of calling it a gener-alist service, the more aptdescription of IAS would be aservice of multi-specialists.

Higher civil services inIndia consist of three AllIndia Services (AIS) -Administrative, Police andForests; and a host of centralservices (Foreign, Revenue,Audit and Accounts,Economic, Statistics,

Information and the like).Members of all major servicesare selected by the UnionPublic Service Commission.The difference between AISand Central Services interalia is that while AIS areselected by the CentralGovernment; they work withthe respective state cadres towhich they are allotted. Apartfrom serving their allottedstates, AIS officers also sec-

onded to the Central govern-ment on deputation.

Members of variousCentral Services work for theGovernment of India. Only afew get the opportunity towork with the state govern-ments under special circum-stances. Most of the states alsorecruit their bureaucratsthrough the State PublicService Commissions andother agencies.

Two of the three All IndiaServices, namely police andforests; and all central ser-vices, are considered as spe-cialist services and through-out their career, they work intheir particular departments.The only other exposure theyget is when they are on dep-utation to any other depart-ment. All AIS officers work invarious state governmentsand man important positionsin Central government ondeputation.

Constitutional safeguardshave been provided to AISofficers to insulate them from

any vendetta to the extent thatdisciplinary action against anAIS officer can be taken by theCentral government only inconsultation with the respec-tive state governments.Despite such protection, per-formance varies from oneextent of the spectrum to theother.

Among AIS, the uniquefeature of IAS is that its mem-bers are exposed to workingas the lowest village levelfunctionary, serving urbanand rural local bodies, andfinally navigate their waythrough various state gov-ernment departments, centralMinistries and agencies. As asecond class judicial magis-trate during training, IASOfficers trainees get a fair ideaof functioning of judiciaryand police. No other serviceperhaps, anywhere in theworld, is privileged to havethis multi-dimensional expo-sure.

In fact, it would be an ideaworth trying to allow the

officers of other services ofcertain seniority to beabsorbed in IAS as is done atthe State level. Such a step willenhance the available talentpool. Alongside, it would beworthwhile to have regularreviews every 10 years of ser-vice to remove deadwood.

Officers with substanceshould work fearlessly andneed to be heard. Sometimes,some parochial state govern-ments consider AIS officers asan agent of the central gov-ernment and discriminateagainst them. Many officersalso get entangled in politicalcross-fire. Still, it is tribute toAIS that they serve such adiverse nation as ours in var-ious capacities. Many of themare posted thousands of kilo-metres from their nativeplaces.

To sum up, AIS officers arerelevant in the system. Byinducting officers from otherservices and pruning the non-performers, the efficiency ofthe system can be enhanced.

DR SHAILENDRA JOSHI,IAS (RETD)

The conduct of bureaucracy isgoverned by a set of StandardOperating Procedures. Conflict betweenpolicymakers and implementers startswhen any side either flouts, expectsthe other side not to follow, or intendsto transgress SOPs. So, there aresafeguards at various levels

Are All India Services relevant in modern India?

MEIL’s oncology block atNIMS to open tomorrow PNS n HYDERABAD

The ground and first floor ofthe newly established oncolo-gy block of Nizam's Institute ofMedical Sciences (NIMS), thatwill house exclusive day-careand outpatient centres andother vital facilities for the hos-pital faculty, will be inaugurat-ed by Health Minister, EatalaRajender on Saturday.

Redeveloped from scratchwith a cost of Rs 10 crore byMegha Engineering Infrastru-ctures Ltd (MEIL), the oncol-ogy block is spread over 20,000sft and is equipped with all themodern amenities.

The sophisticated wing has50-beds including five ICUbeds along with four wards

with a break-up of 12 beds formale, 10 for women, 11 bedsfor paediatric and 12 forleukaemia patients. It is alsoequipped with oxygen, venti-lator and lift for emergency ser-vices.

The first phase of the cancerblock spread over 18,000 sftwas inaugurated in 2018. In

fact, the MEIL had taken-upthe task of complete mainte-nance of the second floor andlater decided to further devel-op the ground floor and firstfloor of the building with mod-ern amenities. The novel initia-tive to completely redevelopthe cancer block has been ledby MEIL Chairman, PP Reddy

and its MD, P V KrishnaReddy. The MEIL has alsoequipped the building with abed lift that can carry 20patients at a time, CCTV cam-eras, LED lights, electricalroom and centralised air-con-ditioning. The ICU unit hasoxygen and vacuum pressurefacility apart from access forevery two beds in the wards.

Rooms for doctors, faculty,processing and staff are builtmaking it a full-fledged unit todeal with any emergenciesrelated to cancer patients. Whi-le the cellar will have a day-carefacility, the first floor will havehigh-end outpatient facilityalong with seminar rooms andother much needed facilitiesfor the faculty at the medicaloncology wing of the hospital.

Three city traders held fora fraudulent claim of GSTPNS n HYDERABAD

The officers of the Anti-Evasion team of RangareddyCommissionerate booked acase of fake invoices and fraud-ulent claim of GST refundsagainst Mukesh Kumar Goel,Sanjay Joshi and RahulAggarwal, who created non-existent firms, issued invoiceswithout supplying goods orservices facilitated fraudulentavailment of Input Tax Creditand claimed refunds onaccount of the inverted taxstructure.

They have floated manyfirms either directly by them orwith the help of their knownpersons and such firms haveclaimed Input Tax Credit basedon fake/bogus invoices.

Furthermore, an investiga-

tion conducted so far revealedthat the following firms name-ly Pritam FootwearCorporation, Rajesh Footwearand Yogesh Footwear haveissued fake GST Invoices/ e-Way bills and facilitated in thepassing of ineligible ITC to thetune of Rs.32.54 crore andfraudulently claimed refund tothe tune of Rs. 19.1 crore.

Investigations carried out sofar have revealed that they hada well thought out conspira-cy aimed at duping the exche-quer by way of creation of acomplex web of interconnect-ed firms/companies engagedin the fraudulent issuance oftax invoices without supply ofgoods or services to enable therecipient companies to availand utilise fake input taxcredit leading to loss of gov-ernment revenue. MukeshKumar Goel, Sanjay Joshi andRahul Aggarwal have accept-ed their involvement in theirstatements and were arrestedand produced before the EOCon Thursday seeking forremand up to January 21.Furthermore, investigationand recovery proceedings areunderway.

Govt mulling Sectt complex spread...Continued from Page 1

On the advice of certainarchitects, it is proposed tobuild a complex of struc-tures spread over 11 floors.In this context, tenders pro-posals and estimates are beingreviewed. KCR has shared histhoughts on the matter withsome senior ministers. He hasdrawn up an action plan toovercome possible legal chal-lenges to the massive struc-tures that are to come upalong the Hussain Sagar lake.The Government has soughtenvironmental clearance afterproviding guarantees that theoverall structure would be ofappropriate standards in linewith ecological norms.

The state government'sexisting proposal (sent tothe Centre in September andrecently approved by theMinistry of Environment) islikely to be put on hold.Several aspects from it have,however, been incorporatedin the new proposal .Architects recommended astructure comprising 11floors to take care of futureneeds of the state.

The state government hassanctioned Rs 400 crore forthe new Secretariat. A copy ofthe relevant orders, a copy ofthe State High Court judg-ment clearing the overallplan, a report on the HMDAMaster Plan and other detailshave been sent to the Centre.

As of now, the statecabinet has broadly clearedproposals relating to theoverall structure of the newSecretariat complex. Someof the tender processes havebeen completed. Workswould be taken up byShapoorji & Pallonji group,the lowest bidder.

Meanwhile, the UnionMinistry of Finance hasexpressed its views regardingescalation of costs in thecomponents of the existingplan and additional costsinvolved in the modifiedplan. For, the Chief Minister'soffice will be entirely bullet-proof. The main structurewill have bays, water foun-tains and ornamental carv-

ings. On each floor, there willbe a conference hall, a dininghall, and state-of-the-artchambers for ministers.

The government hasdecided to give primacy toquality aspects and securitydetail in the construction ofthe integrated secretariat.KCR, apart from conductingreview meetings, has beenreviewing samples anddesigns from time to time.The overall costs, estimatedat Rs 400 crore at the time ofdrafting the proposal a yearago, have since gone up to Rs750 crore.

Officials say the Secretariatcomplex, if built as per thenew plan, would serve 10generations.

Trumpexposed...Biden winconfirmedContinued from Page 1

Biden, a Democrat, describedthe riots in the US Capitol asan "unprecedented assault"on American democracy, andhas his task cut out to spendthe next four years on hisadministration to heal andunite a deeply polarised coun-try after the fiercely-foughtelection.

Trump, a Republican whohas been making unsubstan-tiated allegations of voterfraud, has lost several dozencourt cases. On the eve of themeeting of the Joint Session ofthe Congress, Trump pres-surised his Vice PresidentMike Pence to overturn theresults, which he refused.

Trump fired back by accus-ing that Pence lacked courage.Addressing thousands of hissupporters in the WhiteHouse he urged his followersto march to the US Capitol.Hundreds of his supportersturned violent. As theyreached the Capitol, they tooklaw into their hands, breachedthe security and disruptedthe constitutional process.

ED conducts raids in Hyd in e-tendering caseContinued from Page 1

The Enforcement Directorate(ED) had filed a criminal caselast year to probe the instancewhere it was alleged that the e-tender portal of the state gov-ernment was hacked to manip-ulate tenders and grab con-tracts, and it was allegedlydone when the BJP was inpower.

A case was first filed by theEconomic Offences Wing(EOW) of the Madhya PradeshPolice when the previousCongress government underchief minister Kamal Nathwas in power in the state. TheED studied this FIR to file thecase under the PMLA.

The EOW has filed casesagainst directors and market-ing representatives of sevencompanies, unknown officialsof five state governmentdepartments and certain politi-cians. They were chargedunder IPC section 420 (cheat-ing), the Information

Technology Act, and thePrevention of Corruption Act.

The seven constructioncompanies involved in thealleged racket were identifiedas GVPR Limited and MsMax Maintaina (both based inHyderabad), The Hume PipeLimited and JMC Limited(both based in Mumbai),Sorathia Velji Limited and MsMadhav Infra Projects (bothbased in Vadodara) and RamKumar Narwani Limited(based in Bhopal), the EOW

had said in a statement.Some officials of Bhopal-

based OSMO IT Solution,which issued 'signature certifi-cate' for e-tenders, too werecharged.

Government departments,including Jal Nigam, LokNirman Vibhag (Public WorksDepartment and its ProjectImplementation unit), MPRoad DevelopmentCorporation and WaterResources Development, hadfloated nine tenders whichwere allegedly tampered with.

Some officials of two soft-ware firms which developedthe e-tendering portal of theMP Electronic DevelopmentCorporation are also under thescanner for leaking informa-tion which allowed hacking ofthe portal, EOW officials hadsaid. The companies allegedlyhacked the MP e-tenderingportal to quote lowest rates andbag projects worth Rs 3,000crore between January andMarch, 2018.

New PCC onlyafter Sagar...Continued from Page 1

It may be mentioned here thatJana Reddy has requested theparty high command to post-pone the announcementregarding the new TPCC Chieftill Nagarjuna Sagar by-poll.

He reasoned that any suchannouncement ahead of theby-poll would spoil the win-ning chances of the Congressparty, considering that keyleaders like N Uttam KumarReddy and KomatireddyVenkat Reddy are fromNalgonda district. Shouldpremature announcementregarding TPCC chief resultin differences among partyleaders, there would be neg-ative impact on the by-poll.

The party high commandbought the idea of Jana Re-ddy, who is going to contestthe Sagar by-poll. It has alsogiven a breather to the party,which has been overwhelmedby the number of leaders inthe race for the TPCC chiefpost, with some leadersdeclaring openly that theywould quit if the wrong per-son is picked for the key post.

KCR indisposed,advised ‘rest’Continued from Page 1

However, upon considerationof the readout of CT scan, theychose to dispense with MRI.Without going into prognosis,Dr Rao tersely said KCR"needs rest". This recommen-dation of an open-ended 'rest',without specifying whether itwould be for a few days orweeks, and without pinpoint-ing to stabilise which condi-tion, has given room for undueconcerns among party andother circles.

KCR's daughter and MLCKalvakuntla Kavitha, his sonand IT & MAUD Minister KTRama Rao as well as kin andMP J Santhosh were amongthose who accompanied KCRto the hospital. But they toowere mum about the details ofhis health condition known tothem.

It may be mentioned herethat post his three-day Delhitrip in the second week ofDecember KCR has remainedlargely confined to his farm-

house. The few meetings thathe addressed occasionally atPragati Bhavan -- his officialresidence -- were meant toshare his views or take a callon Pay Revision Commissionand recruitment to fill 50Kvacancies in governmentdepartments, among othermatters. The final proposalsrelating to these matters, afterbeing vetted by speciallyformed official panels, areawaiting approval by KCR. Itis likely that the approvals maybe delayed in view of the restthat the Chief Minister hasbeen advised to take.

All this has once again giventraction to the talk of KTRama Rao's long-awaitedcoronation as Chief Minister.Party circles now feel thatKTR's Pattabhishekam couldhappen as early as in January.For, with the talk of KCR's pro-posed federal front receding tothe background and his illnesscoming to the fore, KTR'searly anointment as CM isnow a foregone conclusion.

Varavara tostay in hospitalfor a week: HCContinued from Page 1

On December 21, the stategovernment and the NationalInvestigation Agency (NIA),the prosecuting agency, hadrequested the HC to transferRao from Nanavati Hospitalto the Taloja prison hospitalor state-run JJ Hospital inMumbai. The bench, howev-er, had said it would need tosee his latest medical reports.

Rao has been in and out ofhospital since he was arrest-ed in June 2018 and lodged inTaloja prison in neighbouringNavi Mumbai.

On July 16, 2020, he test-ed positive for coronavirus,after which he was shifted toNanavati Hospital and dis-charged on July 30 afterrecovery. In December hewas admitted to NanavatiHospital again when hislawyers moved the court cit-ing his deteriorating health.

Besides his bail plea onmedical grounds, the benchis also hearing a writ petitionfiled by Rao's wife Hemlatha,alleging violation of his fun-damental rights due to con-tinued incarceration with-out adequate medical care.

Rao and several other Left-leaning activists and writerswere arrested for alleged linkswith Maoists following theDecember 2017 ElgarParishad conclave in Pune.

The EOW has filedcases against directorsand marketingrepresentatives ofseven companies,unknown officials offive state govtdepartments andcertain politicians

Centre rewards TS for reforms...Continued from Page 1

Also, economically-rejuvenat-ed ULBs will be able to creategood civic infrastructure, itsaid. The reforms stipulatedinclude the state concernednotifying floor rates of proper-ty tax in ULBs which are inconsonance with the prevailingcircle rates, and floor rates ofuser charges in respect of theprovision of water-supply,

drainage and sewerage thatreflect current costs or pastinflation.

In view of the resourcerequirement to meet the chal-lenges posed by the Covid-19pandemic, the Union govern-ment on May 17, 2020enhanced the borrowing limitof states by 2 per cent of theirGSDP. Half of this special dis-pensation was linked to under-taking citizen centric reforms

by the states, the statementsaid, adding that the states getpermission to raise additionalfunds equivalent to 0.25 per-cent of GSDP on completion ofreforms in each sector. Thefour citizen centric areas iden-tified for reforms were imple-mentation of One Nation OneRation Card System, ease ofdoing business reform,ULB/utility reforms and powersector reforms, it said.

PNS n HYDERABAD

Shivsena Reddy has beenelected the Telangana YouthCongress president, accord-ing to the party high com-mand. Three candidates--Shivsena Reddy, Rajiv Reddyand Sai Naik--vied for thepost. However, ShivsenaReddy bagged more votesthan the other two. TheYouth Congress nationalbody already conductedinterviews of the three con-tested candidates several daysago. However, the NationalYouth Congress announcedthe results on Thursday.

Shivsena Reddyis TS youthCongress chief

HYDERABAD | FRIDAY | JANUARY 8, 2021hyderabad 03

To encourage continuation of riskcover in the current circumstancesof coronavirus pandemic and high

risk, LIC brings an opportunity for itspolicyholders to revive their lapsedpolicies. It has decided to launch aspecial revival campaign from January7 to March 6 for its customers torevive their individual lapsed LICpolicies. It has also authorised its 1,526 satellite offices to revivepolicies where special medical tests are not required.Under thisspecial revival campaign, policies of specific eligible plans can berevived within 5 years from date of the first unpaid premium subjectto terms and conditions. Certain concession in health requirementsis also being offered subject to eligibility. Most policies can berevived only on the basis of a Declaration of Good Health and aCovid questionnaire to be submitted by the proposer/life assured.

Environmental lovers, along with Green India Challenge, plantedfive thousand saplings at Malkapoor Industrial Park onWednesday. The programme was attended by Parliament

Member and Green India Challenger founder J. Santhosh Kumarand Bollywood Hero Ajay Devagan. During the launch of theprogramme, around hundred industrialists, no artists and 3oo localgreen lovers participated and hailed the importance of improvinggreen cover. Speaking after the programme, actor Ajay Devganexpressed serious concern on increase of pollution and stressed theimportance of protecting the environment. "I am very grateful to seeSanthosh Kumar, who started the Green India Challenge programmeand taking it very seriously for the well-being of society," he said.

As part of beautification works and to improvegreen cover, the Hyderabad Metropolitan

Development Authority and the HyderabadGrowth Corridor Limited set up 'Kakatiya KalaThoranam' at Narasingi point on Outer Ring

Road. It helps break the monotony apart frombeautifying with added green zones. Soothing

sculptures are being put up at variouslocations on ORR and elsewhere. Earlier

greenary and maintenance, including densetree plantations, lighting and landscaping was

taken up by HGCL at 152 KM point nearNarsingi inter-change.

BREAKING THEMONOTONY

PNS n HYDERABAD

The festival of Sankranti is cel-ebrated different ways in vari-ous parts of undivided AndhraPradesh by holding bull races,rangoli competitions, cock-fights and so on. But, inHyderabad, kite flying emergedas a traditional popular sportsince several centuries and isregarded as a sign of commu-nal harmony in the city, espe-cially in the Old City ofHyderabad.

The month of January sig-nifies commencement of thekite flying in the city.

Dating back to the QutbShahi period, the kite festivalwas grandeur in the city. Eventhe rulers used to participateenthusiastically in the festival.During the Muhammad QuliQutb Shah regime, the kite fes-tival was held in Golconda fortin the month of Basanth. Inthose days, kites were made

with paper and manza wasmade using herbs. Historiansdocumented kite flying com-petitions. During the regime of

Asaf Jahi rulers, the kite flyingfestival was held in opengrounds in the Old City.During the regime of Mir

Mahboob Ali Khan, the festi-val received more recognition.Even prizes were distributed tothose who won the competi-

tions. The sporting event washeld even during the seventhNizam regime too. The festivalwas continued till the prince-ly state of Hyderabad wasmerged with the Indian Unionin 1945.

Meanwhile, shops sellingkites in Dhoolpet, Mallepalli,Nampalli, Gulzar House, CharKaman and Dabirpura in theOld City are abuzz with cus-tomers. Currently, all kites arebeing made using plastic sheet.

Earlier, the kites made ofpaper were so light they usedto fly very quickly. Earlier, notmany colours were used tomake the kites. Now, the kitesare being manufactured in dif-ferent designs and colours fea-turing photos too.

Now-a-days, residents cansee images of political leadersand film actors on kites.Besides slogans like 'GoCorona Go' are being printedon the kites.

The manza twain manufac-tured in Dhoolpet has goodcraze among the youth. It isalso exported to other states aswell as it plays a crucial role inthe festival. The manza twainis made in the Old City ofHyderabad.

The total kite trade turnoverin the current season is put atRs 100 crore. The Dhoolpettraders say that they sell manzaworth Rs 25 crore during theseason. Manza twain is sold ina measure of 45 meters. Thereare several varieties of thetwain available in the marketlike Motia, Gandhak, Gajar,Feroza, Teela, Hara, YerraGulabi, Kala and Andeka andso on.

The demand for Panda andC-28 varieties of the twain ismore. The demand for indige-nously produced manza twainhas increased following a banon the plastic manza importedfrom China.

Kites have adorned Hyderabad skies for centuries

PNS n HYDERABAD

Telangana reported 379 newCovid cases and three deathsduring the last 24 hours, healthofficials said on Thursday.

The fresh cases pushed thestate's tally to 2,88,789 whilethe death toll rose to 1,559.

According to director ofpublic health and family wel-fare, the fatality rate remained0.53 per cent against thenational average of 1.4 percent.

While 44.96 per cent of thedeaths occurred due to Covid,55.04 per cent had co-mor-bidities.

A total of 305 people recov-ered from the virus, during thelast 24 hours, taking the cumu-lative number of recoveries to2,82,177. The recovery ratestands at 97.73 per cent againstthan the national average of96.4 per cent. The number ofactive cases in the state was5,053 including 2,776 who arein home or institutional isola-tion.

For the sixth consecutiveday, Greater Hyderabadrecorded less than 100 newCovid cases. The state capitallogged 71 new cases during thelast 24 hours.

Medchal Malkajgiri districtrecorded the second highest

number at 37 followed byRangareddy (36), Karimnagar(19) and Warangal Urban (14).

A total of 41,246 Covid testswere conducted across thestate during the last 24 hours.While government-run labo-ratories conducted 36,723 tests,the remaining 4,523 sampleswere tested in private labs.

There are 19 government-run laboratories, 56 private lab-oratories and 1076 RapidAntigen test centres in thestate.

Samples tested per millionpopulation ratio rose further to1,91,983. The data shows that63.9 per cent of those tested

positive so far were agedbetween 21-50 years. As manyas 22.91 per cent were agedabove 51 years. The positivecases include 13.18 per centwho were below 20 years.

Of the total cases, 60.44 percent were male and 39.37 percent female.

Bed status in 62 govern-ment-run hospitals treatingCovid-19 in the state showsthat out of total 8,575 besds,7,807 remained vacant.

Similarly, in 219 private hos-pitals treating Covid, 1,509beds were occupied.

Out of 7,769 beds, 6,260were vacant.

PNS n HYDERABAD

Lack of critical infrastructureat Telangana government hos-pitals, is staring in the face ofHealth department officials.There is a definite need formore resources at Gandhi andOsmania General Hospital.

Diagnostic equipment inGandhi, OGH and other gov-ernment hospitals at districtheadquarters require minorrepairs and some of the dam-aged equipment needs replace-ment.

Gandhi Hospital has twoCT scan machines, but one ofthem is out of order forcing thepatients to send to OsmaniaGeneral Hospital for getting theCT scan done. The MRImachine is also out of order.Thousands of patients, visitingthe hospital daily, will be ben-efited by procurement of thetwo machines spending Rs 20crore.

The Osmania GeneralHospital has two CT Scanmachines, but one of them isout of order as was the casewith Gandhi Hospital.Moreover, the multi-channelmonitors in the hospital's ICUare also out of order. The hos-pital is required to spend as lit-tle as Rs 10,000 to get the CTscan machine repaired andspend up to Rs 1 lakh to repairthe multi-channel monitors. Ifthe hospital wants to acquirenew ones, it is required tospend at the most Rs 2 crore.

In many district hospitals,CT scan, ultrasound equip-ment, 2D-echo and other med-

ical equipment are not avail-able. As a result, the poorpatients are required to gettheir diagnostic tests done inprivate laboratories. Theseequipment can be obtained byspending at least Rs 3 crore foreach hospitals.

There are 46 PHCs andCHCs in the state one year ago.

To provide basic amenities inthese hospitals, the governmentis required to spend Rs 2.30crore to enable them to providefull-scale services to patients.

The government hospitals,including CHCs and PHCs,have not been dispensing med-icines sufficient to last for onlyone week as against three

months earlier. The patientsare required to buy them afterone week.

In fact, 20 per cent of themedical equipment in manygovernment hospitals havebeen gathering dust. If they arebrought back to the order byundertaking repairs, manypatients will stand benefited.

Therefore, the government isrequired to appoint techni-cians at a low cost.

The hospitals are required toappoint the patient-careproviders to inform thepatients about where diagnos-tic tests are done and to showthe patients the offices of var-ious doctors.

Govt hospitals lack critical equipmentClosure of departments in NIMS forcepatients to approach private hospitalsPNS n HYDERABAD

The failure of the govern-ment to appoint senior med-ical officials in various gov-ernment departments inNizam's Institute of MedicalSciences (NIMS) in place ofthose who laid down theiroffices upon attaining the ageof superannuation and not fill-ing vacancies caused by thosedeserting the organisation forvarious reasons has led toclosure of several medicaldepartments.

As a result, patients visitingthe NIMS have come down.The patients used to nevermind minor deficiencies inservices, if any. But, due to theclosure of some of somedepartments, the patients areapproaching private hospi-tals, due to which the revenueof the NIMS has been affect-ed. Some of the employees of

the NIMS have been express-ing concern over the sorrystate of affairs. They appeal totop authorities of the NIMS totake some remedial measuresto ensure the survival of othermedical departments.

The dermatology depart-ment used to receive a largenumber of patients earlier.But now, the number ofpatients have come down, assome of the seniors haveretired from service, whilesome others left NIMS to joinother hospitals. The onlywoman specialist doctor hasretired recently. Another spe-cialist was appointed in herplace, but the doctor quit thepost. This has been causing aloss of revenue to the tune ofRs 25 lakh per day.

The otorhinolaryngologydepartment, which deals withthe ear, nose, and throat dis-eases treated patients in the

initial days of NIMS, but aftera few months it faced a clo-sure. The department of den-tistry in NIMS was closed.Therefore, patients areapproaching Osmania GeneralHospital and private hospitals.Earlier, the NIMS used toextend costly treatment togovernment employees underthe employees health insur-ance scheme. The loss to theNIMS runs into several croresby virtue of the closure of thedepartment as the valuablemedical equipment has beengathering dust.

When his clarification hasbeen sought, NIMS directorProf Manohar said that a noti-fication will be issued soon torecruit a dermatologist torevive the services in the rel-evant department. He saidthat he would discuss withother doctors to revive thedepartment of dentistry.

PNS n HYDERABAD

A minor fire broke out in theUrology Operation Theatre ofGandhi Hospital late night onWednesday. No casualtieswere reported, but equip-ment was damaged.

According to Fire andRescue Services officials, ashort circuit is suspected tohave led to the fire that brokeout in the operation theatreon the third floor.

People on the hospitalpremises informed the man-agement who called the firecontrol room.

One fire engine was imme-diately sent to the spot and thesituation was brought undercontrol within minutes.

Officials said nobody wasinjured and no casualtieswere reported. An estimate ofthe damaged material is yet tobe done.

Fire breaks out in Gandhi Hospitaloperation theatre

PNS n MEDCHAL

The SOT of LB Nagar Policeraided a gambling den at afarmhouse at Kongara Kalanvillage under Adibatla PoliceStation limits and arrested 11persons on Thursday.

The accused identified asVanam Govardhan Reddyhas been running a gamblingden at his farmhouse by org-anising three card game ille-gally.

On receiving information,the LB Nagar SOT with thehelp of Adibatla Police raid-ed the farmhouse at eveninghours and apprehended theaccused persons involved inthe betting games and seizednine mobile, 4 four-wheelervehicles and Rs 1,87,000 netcash. The officials arrested 11persons and sent them tojudicial custody.

SOT sleuths bustgambling den; 11held; Rs 1L seized

Telangana logs 379 freshCovid cases, three deaths

CITY LIGHTS

ANUSHA PUPPALAn HYDERABAD

A Rapid Action Force (RAF)team is constituted to monitorthe birds on daily basis underthe supervision of DeputyDirector of Nehru ZoologicalPark in view of the outbreak ofAvian Influenza in the country.

RAF team is taking preven-tive measures including disin-fection of all aviary areas, reg-ular monitoring of birds by vet-erinarians, biologist and ani-mal keepers. The zoo author-ities are monitoring migratorybirds visiting wetlands insidezoo and have also sprinkledlime and bleaching powder allover the zoo premises.

The officials have alsostopped raw chicken for all thecarnivores and replaced it withminced meat and white washhas been done to all nighthouses.

Phenyl solution was kept atmain entrance, service gateand all entrance doors. The zooauthorities have also arrangedreflecting ribbons in andaround the aviary area to avoidperching of free ranging birdsnear aviaries and have provid-ed anti-biotic powder and B-Complex syrup in feed/fish for7 days for birds.

LIC launches special revival campaign for policyholders

RAF team to monitor birds at Hyd ZooAVIAN INFLUENZA Six held for

murder of a fruit vendor in HyderabadPNS n HYDERABAD

The KPHB police solved themurder case of Shakib Ali, afruit vendor who was killedearlier this week, and arrest-ed six persons here onThursday.

According to the police,the prime suspect identi-fied as Mohammed Nazim,along with his associates,picked up an argument withShakib Ali over a purchase.

Mohammed Nazim endedup assaulting Shakib Ali atTulasi Nagar on Friday.Shakib Ali died while beingtreated in hospital on Sundaynight.

The suspects were pro-duced before court andremanded in judicial cus-tody.

Environmentalists plants 5K saplings at Malkapoor park

HYDERABAD | FRIDAY | JANUARY 8, 2021 hyderabad 04

CAPSULE

PNS n PATANCHERU

A youth riding a two-wheelerwas run over a car here onThursday. According toPatancheru SI Ramu Naidu,Srikanth Goud, 23, of Kalher,Sangareddy districtheadquarters, was on his wayto Sangareddy fromPatancheru on his two-wheeler when he the carcoming from Sangareddy hithis bike on the outskirts ofRudraram as a result he diedon the spot. The SI said acase was registered on thedrive based on a complaint ofthe deceased's elder brotherRavinder Goud.

INSPECTOR, SI SUSPENDEDPNS n HYDERABAD

Commissioner of PoliceRachakonda MaheshBhagwat suspendedInspector Venkanna and SINarsaiah of Choutuppal onThursday for theirinvolvement in the settlementof a civil dispute atThallasingaram village inChoutuppal mandalirrespective of a court orderto maintain the status quo.Charge memo was issued toACP Sattaiah of Choutuppalfor supervision lapses.

PNS n HYDERABAD

Minister for Environment,Forest, Law and EndowmentA Indrakaran Reddy releasedthe environmental tablecalendar prepared by theEnvironment ProtectionTraining and ResearchInstitute (EPTRI), Hyderabad,at Ministers Chambers,Aranya Bhavan, here onThursday. The ministeremphasised that each oneshould plant, nurture asapling to combat climatechange and also practiceyoga for one’s well-being.Furthermore, he called uponeveryone to follow safetyprecautions and stay healthy.Adhar Sinha, Special ChiefSecretary, Government ofTelangana and DirectorGeneral, EPTRI, explained thetheme for the calendar ‘GreenSpace Yoga for Wellness’.The calendar highlightspractising yoga in greenspace and the environmentalimportant days celebratedevery month.

YOUTH RUN OVER BY CAR PNS n HYDERABAD

The verbal duel between BJPMLA from Goshamahal TRaja Singh and police ensuedagain on Thursday. RajaSingh once again threw agauntlet at Cyberabad PoliceCommissionerSajjanar say-ing that hewill enterthe scene incase thepolice failed tostop the illegal transportationof cows within five days.

Raja Singh released a videoof illegal transportation ofcows from BahadurpuraPolice Station. He asked thepolice to set up check posts atleast now. “I have respect forthe Police Commissioner. Idon’t want to use the word‘inefficiency’. The police haveto set up check posts at leastnow. The police have to ini-tiate action against illegaltransporters of cows insteadof making comments againstpolitical leaders”, he said.

PNS n HYDERABAD

The Warangal TRS leadersignored the challenge of StateBJP unit chief Bandi Sanjay’sstatement on funds allocationfor the development ofWarangal city.

It may be recalled that BandiSanjay threw a challenge atTRS leaders saying that theyhave come to Bhadrakali tem-ple to take an oath on Rs 196crore Smart City funds issue.However, the BJP leadersreached Bhadrakali temple onThursday evening with allproofs but the TRS leaders didnot turn up.

The TRS and BJP leadershave been throwing challengesat each other alleging that theState government diverted Rs196 crore Smart City fundsreleased by the Centre. BandiSanjay said that the TRS lead-ers have to take oath atBhadrakali temple and makean open statement on diversionof the Central funds beforeGoddess. The BJP also gave a48-hours deadline for the TRSleaders. However, the TRSleaders didn’t turn up.Moreover, the TRS leadersthrew a counter at BandiSanjay saying not to malignGoddess Bhadrakali for polit-ical gains. The TRS leaders

asked Bandi Sanjay to take anoath on his mother if he hadguts.

On the other hand, BandiSanjay on Thursday alleged theTRS and MIM are trying todivide the Hindu society. ChiefMinister K Chandrasekhar Raohas no belief in ministers andMLAs. He alleged that theKCR has forgotten the welfareof people. Therefore, peoplehave to teach a lesson to theparty, he exhorted. He madeit clear that the BJP does notneed to enter an alliance withthe TRS.

TRS, BJP leaders’ face-offPNS n HYDERABAD

Congress Legislative Partyleader Mallu BhattiVikramarka pointed out thatChief Minister KChandrasekhar Rao took a U-turn after his Delhi tour. Healleged that KCR adopted theescapist route after Delhi tourforgetting the fact that PrimeMinister Narendra Modi’sfarm laws would harm to soci-ety. He pointed out that thetotal economy would go intothe hands of corporate compa-nies.

Addressing the media onthe Assembly premises here onThursday, Bhatti said that hewill stage a dharna at IndiraPark on January 9 extendingsupport to the farmers’ Delhidharna. He said that the entireCLP would participate in thedharna.

He alleged that the ChiefMinister had been stating thatthe government will not pro-cure the farmers' produce inthe future because he had col-luded with the rice millers. Itis not proper to KCR to see theprocurement of agricultureproduce as a business, he

lamented. He said that thegovernment is not a corporatecompany and KCR is not a

CEO to it. He demanded thatthe government procure everycrop cultivated by farmers.

Bhatti finds fault with KCRfor taking a U-turn on farms laws

Congress Legislative Party leaderMallu Bhatti Vikramarka said that hewill stage a dharna at Indira Park onJanuary 9 extending support to thefarmers’ Delhi dharna

Raja Singhthrowsgauntletat Sajjanar

DRIVE FOR

FOREST

RESTORATION

State Principal Chief ConservatorForest (CAMPA) PCCF IFS OfficerLokesh Jaiswal and Warangal CCFMJ Akbar inspect plantation beingdeveloped with CAMPA funds inLingala forest range. FO Pradeep

Kumar Shetty, Thadwai FDONikhita, Mahadevpur FDO Vajra

Reddy, Lingala Range Officer Satishand staff were present

PNS n JAGITYAL

After the formation of Telanganaas a separate State, the lost gloryof temples is being revived underthe leadership of Chief MinisterK ChandrasekharRao, saidMinister for Social WelfareKoppula Ishwar.

Under the auspices of MudirajSangh in Thimmapur village,Dharmapuri mandal of Jagityaldistrict, Minister for WelfareKoppula Ishwar laid the founda-tion for the construction of SriPeddamma temple. In additionto development and welfare, the

Chief Minister has also set up aplatform for the restoration oftemples. He also said that SriYadagiri Lakshmi NarasimhaSwamy temple was being devel-oped as Yadadri with a budget ofRs 1,000 crore.

The minister explained thatthe Chief Minister is striving tokeep culture, traditions anddevotion intact by developing thetemples across the State. DCMSchairman Ella Srikanth Reddy,ZPTCs Battini Aruna, BadineniRajender, MPTCs, MPP ChittiBabu and others were present onthe occasion.

‘Govt restores pastglory of temples’

Minister for Social Welfare Koppula Ishwar lays the stone for the construction ofSri Peddamma temple at Thimmapur village in Jagityla district on Thursday

PNS n HYDERABAD

Former minister MohammedAli Shabbir pointed out thatthe Congress has ensured polit-ical empowerment of sociallyand economically backwardMuslims in both the TeluguStates of Telangana andAndhra Pradesh.

Shabbir Ali, in a video mes-sage released on social media,informed that as many as 43Muslim corporators were elect-ed in the recently held electionsfor the Greater HyderabadMunicipal Corporation(GHMC). He said the numberwould have been just 13 if theprevious Congress governmentwould not have classifiedsocially and economicallybackward Muslims underBackward Classes category(BC-E). He said a total of 30Muslims were elected fromthe seats reserved for BackwardClasses.

He informed that the previ-ous Congress government,headed by YS RajasekharaReddy, had implemented afour per cent quota for

Muslims in jobs and educationafter it came to power in 2004.He said Muslims, falling underthe BC-E category, were madeeligible to contest from seatsreserved for BCs in local bod-ies (urban and local) and alsogram panchayats. This wasimplemented for the first timein GHMC elections in 2009. Asa result, of 45 Muslim corpo-rators belonging to all parties,a total of 18 were elected from

BC reserved seats while 27were elected from Generalseats. Similarly, he said of 46Muslim corporators electedduring the GHMC electionsheld in 2016, a total of 29 wereelected from BC reserved seatsand 17 were from Generalseats. This time, too, he said, of43 Muslim corporators, a totalof 30 Muslims were electedfrom BC reserved seats.

Unfortunately, Shabbir Ali

said that Congress did notbenefit from its policy of giv-ing a quota for Muslims. "Of 30Muslim corporators electedfrom BC seats, 27 belong to theMIM and three are from theTRS. The Congress govt neverimplemented policies for polit-ical gains. It only aimed atsocio-economic and politicalempowerment of backward,the poor and suppressed sec-tions of society," he said.

n Former ministerMohammed Ali Shabbirinformed that the previousCongress government,headed by YS RajasekharaReddy, had implemented afour per cent quota forMuslims in jobs andeducation after it came topower in 2004

n He said Muslims, fallingunder BC-E category, weremade eligible to contestfrom seats reserved forBCs in local bodies (urbanand local) and also grampanchayats

‘Cong strived for Muslims’ political empowerment’

PNS n HYDERABAD

The BJP leaders tookGovernment Whip BalkaSuman to task for issuing aveiled threat to BJP State unitchief Bandi Sanjay for ques-tioning the TRS governmentfor its failure in striving for thewelfare of the people and all-round development of theState.

SC Morcha chiefKoppu Basha lam-basted the Government Whip stat-ing that the BJP lead-ers are not in a posi-tion to learn etiquettefrom him. He said thatBalka Suman has to ques-tion Chief Minister KChandrasekhar Rao as to whyKCR had failed to make Dalitas the Chief Minister.

It may be recalled that BalkaSuman on Wednesday calledupon the TRS activists to attackBandi Sanjay like Shiv Sena

activists. He termed KCR as BalThackeray and warned BandiSanjay saying that the TRS iswaiting for an appropriate timeto see the end of Bandi Sanjay.He exhorted the TRS workersto attack Bandi Sanjay whenev-er the latter criticises KCR.

“Balka Suman has to intro-spect whether Dalits have free-

dom in the TRS.Some TRS MLAs

were involvedin lande n c r o a c h -ments andcorruption,”he alleged.

Addressingthe media here on

Thursday, KoppuBasha alleged that the TRS wasfilled with turncoats, andnobody knows when theywould defect to other parties.Hence, such leaders have nostature to criticise TelanganaBJP chief Bandi Sanjay, hesaid.

Speaking to the media atNirmal, Adilabad MP SoyamBapurao has found fault withthe TRS MLAs for criticisingBandi Sanjay. Bapurao saidthat the Adilabad-Armoor rail-way line works have beenstalled as the State govern-ment had failed to contribute itsshare of 40 per cent of funds.

PNS nWARANGAL RURAL

District Collector M Harithasaid the authorities should beready for the Covid vaccine dryrun. A review meeting with theDistrict Task Force Committeeofficials and a video conferencewith Zonal Task ForceCommittees were convened atthe Collector’s office here onThursday.

Speaking on the occasion, theCollector said that in the nearfuture, vaccination centres, facil-ities, staff and vehicles should be

kept ready as a standby and train-ing should be provided to thestaff concerned about vaccina-tion.

He said steps would be takento provide training depending onthe severity of the virus-like themock poll, which would be con-ducted before the elections, dryrun also should be conducted byappointing officers to supervisethe maintenance of the dry runin clusters and primary healthcentres, and take steps to admin-ister Covid vaccination as per thedirective of the State government.

He said the details of Covidvictims should be registeredthrough the CoWIN (COVIDVaccine Intelligence Network)

portal and awareness would becreated in that direction. Adummy portal has been set upfor the drive, which will record

where and where the vaccinationwill take place, their details, whowill be vaccinated and so on.

The vaccine would be admin-istered in 17 Primary HealthCentres, three CommunityHealth Centres, a total of 280centres, and steps are beingtaken to have 1 + 4 staff in 20centres to provide the vaccine. Inthe first instalment, steps will betaken to provide the vaccine to3,864 public and private medicalhealth care personnel, healthworkers, Asha, Anganwadi,ANM, staff nurses.

PNS n HYDERABAD

Minister for Legislative AffairsV Prashanth Reddy hasthrown a gauntlet atTelangana BJP chief BandiSanjay Kumar stating thatthe former would quit as theminister if shown procure-ments centres in the BJPruled States. Whether BandiSanjay will tender resignationto his position in case hefailed to show the procure-ment centres in BJP ruled

States, the minister ques-tioned? He said that the BJP’sstrength is small before theTRS. BJP MPs Bandi Sanjayand Dharmapuri Arvind arecriticising KCR’s welfareschemes whereas the BJPnational leaders are shower-ing praises on the same.Prashanth Reddy warned BJPleaders saying that they willwelcome constructive criti-cism, however, will teach abefitting lesson in case theymade meaningless remarks.

Officials told to be ready for Covid vaccine dry runMinister for Legislative Affairs dares Bandi Sanjay, D Arvind

Balka Suman faces wrath ofBJP for warning Bandi Sanjay

n It may be recalled thatBalka Suman onWednesday called uponthe TRS activists to attackBandi Sanjay like Shiv Senaactivists

n He termed KCR as BalThackeray and warnedBandi Sanjay saying thatthe TRS is waiting for anappropriate time to seethe end of Bandi Sanjay.He exhorted the TRSworkers to attack BandiSanjay whenever the lattercriticises KCR

Congress Legislative Party leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka addresses a pressconference in Hyderabad (file photo)

Former minister Mohammed Ali Shabbir speaks at a media conference inHyderabad (file photo)

PNS n HYDERABAD

Telangana BJP affairs in-chargeTarun Chug alleged that ChiefMinister K ChandrasekharRao has a tacitunderstanding withAIMIM chief AsaduddinOwaisi.Participating in theBJP activists’ meeting atDitchpally on Thursday, Chugsaid that the war must be heldwith the ballot and not withbullets. He warned that theNizam heirs’ atrocities won’t run

further in Telangana. He calledupon the party activists not tostop their fight till the Chief

Minister position isachieved.Bandi Sanjayalleged that the TRS andMIM are trying to divideHindus. The Chief Minister

is trying to give animpression that the BJP and

TRS are one. However, thepeople won’t believe in suchdramas of TRS leaders. Healleged that KCR forgot thewelfare of the people in the State.

Fight with ballot not bullets, says Tarun Chug

PNS n HYDERABAD

RTC employee and TMUfounder E AshwathamaReddy, who played anactive role during theTelangana movement,has been sacked, accord-ing to RTC sources. TheTSRTC managementreportedly issued a noticedismissing him.Disciplinary action wastaken against him fornegligence and miscon-duct. It is alleged that hetook unauthorised leavefrom January 25, 2020 toAugust 25.The decisionwas taken by the author-ities concerned afterreceiving a report fromthe bus depot managerwhere he was workingstating that he should besacked for violating theRTC rules.

It is learnt that theRTC management hadrejected AshwathamaReddy’s request to granthim leave as he wasunable to attend dutiesdue to illness. The RTCmanagement has clarifiedthat the request was con-trary to the facts andthat he was being firedfor acting irresponsibly induty.

TMU founder AshwathamaReddy sacked

ENVIRONMENTALCALENDARRELEASED

HYDERABAD | FRIDAY | JANUARY 8, 2021 nation 05

Acase has been registeredagainst a governmentschool teacher at Mangaon

in Raigad district ofMaharashtra for allegedlyraping a minor girl student,police said on Thursday. Theaccused, Madan Wankhede,was booked under relevantsections of the IPC and theProtection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, they said."The accused raped the minor victim, who studied in his school, onmultiple occasions since 2016. He used to threaten the girl that ifshe told about it to anyone, he would fail her in the exam and thather mother, who works in the same school, would also lose her job,"an official of Mangaon police station said. However, the girl usteredcourage and finally told her ordeal to her mother recently, followingwhich a complaint was lodged. Investigation into the case is on.

INDIA CORNER

Maha: Govt school teacherbooked for raping minor student

Asuspended policeconstable lodged in prisonin connection with a

spurious liquor casedied of a heart attack inBherugarh Jail in MadhyaPradesh's Ujjain district, aprison official said onThursday. Sudesh Khode (42),who had been in prison sinceNovember 25, 2020, suffered a heart attack around 2.40 am onWednesday night, Bherugarh jail superintendent Alka Sonkar said. All efforts to revive him proved futile, the official said, adding that anautopsy was conducted in the presence of a judicial magistrate, whorecorded statements of co-accused in the case. At least 14 persons,mostly poor, died after consuming spurious liquor in Ujjain inOctober, last year, following which a number of officials includingthe then superintendent of police and an excise officer weretransferred after a high-level probe into the incident.

Cop suspended in spurious liquorcase dies of heart attack in jail

PDP president MehboobaMufti on Thursday saidwhile New Delhi was

"preaching" other countries totreat minorities in a dignifiedway, the plight of minorities inIndia was getting worse. Muftiwas referring to External AffairsMinister S Jaishankar'sstatement during his visit to SriLanka. It is in Sri Lanka's own interest that the expectations of theTamil people, for equality, justice, peace and dignity, within a unitedSri Lanka are fulfilled, Jaishankar said in Colombo. The former chiefminister of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state said in a tweet,"Preaching to other countries about treating minorities in a dignifiedway even though the plight of minorities in India is getting worse."The Peoples Democratic Party president said social cohesion wasessential for progress of any country, including India. "The onlyMuslim majority state here has been dismembered & isempowered.Social cohesion is essential for progress of any country, includingIndia," she added.

Plight of minorities in Indiagetting worse: Mufti

BSF Inspector General N SJamwal on Thursday called onJammu and Kashmir Lieutenant

Governor Manoj Sinha and briefedhim about the security situation alongthe International Border, officials said.The officer also apprised the LtGovernor about the threats prevailingon the border with Pakistan, thecounter measures being taken by the Border Security Force (BSF) tomeet the challenges and the border protection grid, they said. Severalissues related to border areas, including development of Suchetgarhand Chamliyal as tourist destinations jointly by the BSF and the Jammuand Kashmir tourism department, were also discussed, the officialssaid. Jamwal also strongly batted for road connectivity to BSF postsand areas along the International Border (IB) for the benefit of people,they said. The Jammu and Kashmir government's assistance was alsosought to clear wild growth in areas along the fences of the border toencourage farming, the officials said.

J&K Lt Guv Manoj on securitysituation along briefed border

‘Govt wants to privatise farm sector’

PNS n NEW DELHI

The Supreme Court Thursdayexpressed concern over largegatherings of farmers protest-ing against the new farm lawsat Delhi borders and asked theCentre whether they were“protected” against the spreadof COVID-19.

The top court was hearing aplea seeking various reliefsincluding CBI probe into thematter related to assembly ofpeople at Anand Vihar BusTerminal and the TablighiJamaat congregation atNizammudin Markaz in thenational capital after thenationwide lockdown wasannounced last year to containthe pandemic.

“The same problem is goingto arise in farmers' agitation. Ido not know if farmers are pro-tected from COVID. So, thesame problem is going to arise.It is not that everything is over,”said Chief Justice S A Bobde,heading a bench, also compris-

ing Justices A S Bopanna andV Ramasubramanian.

The top court asked SolicitorGeneral Tushar Mehta, appear-ing for the Centre, whetherprotesting farmers are pro-tected from COVID-19.

Mehta replied, “Certainlynot”.

Mehta said that he will file areport within two weeks onwhat has been done and whatneeds to be done.

The plea, filed by lawyer

Supriya Pandita, alleged thatDelhi police had failed to con-trol the congregation of peopleand the Nizamuddin Markazchief Maulana Saad was stillevading arrest.

Advocate Om PrakashParihar, appearing for the peti-tioner, said that no statementhas been made by the Centreabout the whereabouts ofMaulana Saad.

The bench told Parihar,“Why are you interested in one

person? We are on the issue ofCOVID. Why do you wantcontroversy? We are interestedthat COVID guidelines shouldbe there”.

The top court issued formalnotice in the matter after whichMehta said that he will file areport in the matter.

The Centre had on June 5last year told the top court thatprobe into assembly of peopleat Anand Vihar Bus Terminalin east Delhi during nationwidelockdown and the TablighiJamaat event is being con-ducted on a day-to-day basis byDelhi Police and there was noneed for CBI investigation.

The Ministry of HomeAffairs (MHA) had given thedetails of the steps taken by theDelhi Police which is makingall efforts to complete theinvestigation within the timeframe to submit the chargesheet in the trial court.

It had told the top court thatdue to fake media reports andcirculation of certain misinfor-

mation in the areas of Delhi,thousands of migrants gatheredat Anand Vihar Bus terminaland Ghazipur border areashere on March 28, last year.

On the steps taken by Delhipolice, the MHA in its affidavithad said that probe in Markazmatter is being conducted ona day-to- day basis, in accor-dance with the mandate of lawand all efforts are being madeto finalize investigation andsubmit a report under section173 CrPC (charge sheet) beforethe trial court in a time boundmanner.

The MHA had said thatMaulana Saad and others hadallowed a huge gathering toassemble inside a closedpremise, over a protractedperiod of time, without anysemblance of social distancesor provision of masks and san-itizers and have caused a situ-ation where a highly infectiousdisease such as Covid-19 mayspread and threaten the lives ofinmates.

SC concerned over gathering of ryots amid Covid

PNS n AURANGABAD

Imtiaz Jaleel on Thursday saidthey have no problem if theairport here in Maharashtra isrenamed after ChhatrapatiSambhaji Maharaj, but thecity's name should not bechanged.

Jaleel's comments came aday after Chief MinisterUddhav Thackeray urged theCentre to issue a notificationat the earliest for renaming theAurangabad Airport afterChhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.

The Maharashtra cabinet inMarch 2020 decided to renamethe Aurangabad Airport, situ-ated in Chikhalthana area here,after Sambhaji Maharaj.

The Shiv Sena, which sharespower with the NCP and theCongress in Maharashtra, hasbeen demanding for the pastcouple of decades that

Aurangabad be renamed asSambhajinagar.

However, the Congress hassaid it is against any suchmove.

Asked about the All IndiaMajlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen's(AIMIM) stand over the issue,Jaleel told PTI that, "We haveno issue with renaming of theAurangabad airport after

Chhatrapati Sambhaji. But, wedefinitely have a problem withrenaming of the city."

"Considering the work ofChhatrapati Sambhaji, whynot we rename our new indus-trial city after him. We alsohave a world class SamruddhiExpressway (between Mumbaiand Nagpur) which can berenamed after him," the LokSabha member said.

Earlier, on Tuesday, BJPRajya Sabha member DrBhagwat Karad also urgedCivil Aviation MinisterHardeep Singh Puri to renamethe airport here afterChhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj,saying the latter is the symbolof Maharashtra's self-respect.

Karad also demanded finan-cial aid for development ofareas surrounding some ofthe heritage sites inAurangabad.

PNS n KOLKATA

A senior doctor of theEmployees' State InsuranceScheme under the stateLabour depart-ment died dueto COVID-19on Thursday,a Health dep-artment officialsaid.

Dr Rajib Gon Choudhury,Deputy Director (Planning)of the ESI was diagnosed withthe contagion recently andwas undergoing treatment ata private hospital here. Hesuccumbed to the infectionthis afternoon, the officialsaid. Gon Choudhury's deathtook the total number ofdoctors and health workersdying due to COVID-19 inthe state to over 50, the offi-cial added.

PNS n NEW DELHI

A former corporal of theIndian Air Force was arrestedfor allegedly cheating severalpeople on the pretext of get-ting them jobs in the force andthe Railways, police said onThursday.

The accused, ChakrvirChaudhari (35), a resident ofAgra, had earlier been dis-missed from service by theIAF, they said. He was on therun ever since a case was reg-istered against him in 2015,following which a non-bailablewarrant was issued, and pro-ceedings to declare him a"proclaimed offender" wereinitiated last year, a seniorpolice officer said. Chaudhariand his associate Than Singhhave duped at least 18 peopleof approximately Rs 2.7 croresthrough the fake recruitment

racket. Singh was arrested inNovember 2019, and he is cur-rently on interim bail due toCOVID-19, the officer added.

The case was registeredbased on a complaint by anofficial of the air force policeheadquarter in Race Course.

"During investigation, itemerged that the accusedalong with his associates wereinducing innocent studentsby promising that they will getthem selected in the air forceand the Railways. They hadalso issued forged call lettersand joining letters to the stu-dents," O P Mishra said."Several teams were constitut-ed to trace and apprehend theaccused persons. ChakravirChaudhari was nabbed onTuesday late night from hisnative village Rithaura in Agradistrict of Uttar Pradesh," hesaid.

Ex-corporal of IAFheld for job racket

PNS n ERODE (TN)

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister KPalaniswami on Thursdaysaid a common effluent treat-mentplant would be establi-shed over 26 acres of land forthe benefit of the people.

On the second day of hiselection campaign in the dis-trict known for textile dyingunits, the Chief Ministernoted that the units violatednorms and polluted waterbodies by discharging efflu-ents without treating them.

In a bid to address the pol-lution-related problems thestate government proposed toestablish a CETP in the dis-trict with Centre's financialassistance, and 26 acres ofland has been acquiredalready for the purpose, hesaid.

ESI DeputyDirector diesof Covid

PNS n JAMMU

The Jammu and Kashmiradministration on Thursdayannounced a new industrialdevelopmental scheme (IDS)with a total outlay of Rs 28,400crore to encourage new invest-ment and to take industrialdevelopment to the block level.

"In a major decision of far-reaching consequence,Government of India hasapproved a new IndustrialDevelopmental Scheme forJammu and Kashmir,"Lieutenant Governor ManojSinha announced at a pressconference here. "The schemewill go a long way in usheringan era of socio-economicdevelopment of the region andfor catering to the aspirationsof people," he said. Sinha saidthat this scheme is from theperiod of date of notification

up to the year 2037 with a totaloutlay of Rs 28,400 crore.

He said that it is for the firsttime any industrial incentivescheme is taking developmentto the block level and addedthat it will promote far-flungareas of Jammu and Kashmir.

"The scheme will encouragenew investment, substantialexpansion and also nurture theexisting industries in theUnion territory. It will also pro-vide employment to 4.5 lakh

people besides leading to equi-table, balanced and sustainablesocio-economic developmentof the region," the LG said. Hesaid that manufacturing andservice sector units in theunion territory will benefitand noted that the schemevisualises a larger role ofJammu and Kashmir in theIndian economy.

"The scheme will optimiseutilisation of the local strengthsof Jammu and Kashmir," headded. While giving details ofthe scheme, Sinha said it willgive a major push to the econ-omy of the region and providehuge opportunities of employ-ment to the people of Jammuand Kashmir.

"The main purpose of thescheme is to generate employ-ment beyond government jobsin both manufacturing andservice sectors," he added.

LG announces new industrialdevelopment scheme for J-K

PNS n NEW DELHI

Fifty-seven police officialshave been transferred out ofMuzaffarnagar district as partof a reshuffle in UttarPradesh, officials said.

According to DIGSaharanpur range UpendraKumar Agrawal, 57 policeinspectors and sub-inspectorswere shifted to Saharanpurand Shamli districts fromMuzaffarnagar as directedby the UP police departmenton Thursday.

The police officials whowere shifted included SubeSingh, SHO of Bhopa policestation; Dharmendra Singh,Charthawal Station HouseOfficer; Dharmendra Singh,Titawi Station House OfficerRajendra Vashisht, andRatenpuri SHO RajendraGiri.

57 SIs, inspectors,transferred out ofMuzaffarnagar dist

PNS n MUMBAI

Calling Rahul Gandhi a war-rior for standing up against theModi government, the ShivSena on Thursday said "rulersin Delhi" are afraid of theCongress leader.

An editorial in Sena mouth-piece Saamana also said itwas a good thing that RahulGandhi is becoming theCongress president.

"The rulers in Delhi fearRahul Gandhi. Had it notbeen so, campaigns to discred-it the Gandhi family would nothave been carried out," the edi-torial said.

"A dictator is afraid even ifone man is against him, and ifthis lone warrior is honest, thefear increases by a hundredtimes. The Delhi rulers' fear ofRahul Gandhi is in this cate-gory," editorial said.

It is a good thing that RahulGandhi is becoming theCongress president again, theSena mouthpiece said. "Onemust accept that BJP has noalternative to Narendra Modiand Congress has no alterna-tive to Rahul Gandhi, theSena said.

"Despite propagating thatRahul Gandhi is a weak leader,he is still standing and attack-ing the government at everyopportunity he gets," it said.

Common effluenttreatment plant tobe set up inErode: TN CM

‘Rulers in New Delhi areafraid of Rahul Gandhi’

"The scheme will go along way in ushering anera of socio-economicdevelopment of theregion and for cateringto the aspirations ofpeople," he said.

PNS n BHOPAL

Madhya Pradesh Congresspresident Kamal Nath onThursday alleged that theCentre wants to privatise thefarm sector with its three newagri-marketing laws, which arebeing opposed by thousands ofcultivators.

Talking to reporters herewhile announcing the launchof his party's protest against thegovernment and an awakening

drive for farmers which willcontinue till January 23, Nath

claimed the "RSS and theBharatiya Jana Sangh werevotaries of privatisation sincethe beginning".

"They (the two organisa-tions) also opposed the nation-alisation of banks carried outby former prime ministerIndira Gandhi," the formerstate chief minister claimed.

"The (present) governmentwants to privatise the farm sec-tor with the three agri-market-ing laws," he alleged.

The farmers of MadhyaPradesh are simple and thethree new laws are againsttheir interests, he claimed.

Thousands of have beencamping at several Delhi bor-der points for over 40 days,demanding repeal of the new

farm laws and a legal guaran-tee on minimum support price(MSP) for their crops, besidesother issues.

"Our protest (against thegovernment) for the farmers'cause at various levels includ-ing blocks and districts acrossthe state - will continue tillJanuary 23," Nath said.

On January 15, a two-hour-long "chakka jam" (road block-ades) will be held from noon

across the state, he said.The Congress would also

hold a massive "kisan maha-panchyat" (farmers' meet) onJanuary 20 in the state'sMorena district, he said.

On January 23, farmerswould gherao the Raj Bhawan

(governor's house) here overthe demand for a repeal of the

three new agri laws, theCongress veteran said.

The Congress will launch a

farmers' awakening pro-gramme from Chhindwara inMadhya Pradesh on January16, the leader of opposition inthe state Assembly said.

Nath said he will address hisparty's first awareness meetingfor farmers on January 16.

The party would hold suchmeetings at different places, headded.

Enacted in September, thethree farm laws have been

projected by the Centre asmajor reforms in the agricul-ture sector that will remove themiddlemen and allow farmersto sell their produce anywherein the country.

However, the protestingfarmers have expressed appre-hension that the new lawswould pave the way for elimi-nating the safety cushion of theMSP and do away with the"mandi" (wholesale market)system, leaving them at themercy of big corporates.

Enacted inSeptember, thethree farm lawshave beenprojected by theCentre as majorreforms in theagriculture sectorthat will removemiddlemen andallow farmers tosell their produceanywhere in thecountry

Rename airport but not city:AIMIM MP Imtiaz Jaleel

PNS n CHENNAI

Governor Banwarilal Purohiton Thursday welcomedExternal Affairs Minister SJaishankar's statement in SriLanka, which he said signifiedthe Centre's concern towardsTamils and would be wel-comed by the people of TamilNadu.

Jaishankar unequivocallystated the Indian position onthe 13th Amendment to theisland nation, Purohit said ina statement.

Quoting Jaishankar from apress conference he addressedwith his Srilankan counterpartDinesh Gunawardena inColombo on Wednesday, theGovernor emphasised, "this isan important statement, signi-fying the concern of the IndianGovernment towards theirTamil sisters and brothers inSri Lanka."

"His words are sure to bewelcomed by the people ofTamil Nadu." Jaishankar'sstatement "is in the spirit ofPrime Minister NarendraModiji's own untiring effortsfor the welfare of the Tamilpopulation in Sri Lanka," the

Governor said.On January 6, Jaishankar

underlined India's backing forLanka's reconciliation processand an "inclusive political out-look" that encourages ethnicharmony.

The Foreign Minister hadsaid: "As we promote peaceand well-being in the region,India has been strongly com-mitted to the unity, stabilityand territorial integrity of SriLanka.

Our support for the rec-onciliation process in SriLanka is longstanding, asindeed for an inclusive politi-

cal outlook that encouragesethnic harmony."

"It is in Sri Lanka's owninterest that the expectations ofthe Tamil people for equality,justice, peace and dignity with-in a united Sri Lanka are ful-filled. That applies equally tothe commitments made bythe Sri Lankan government onmeaningful devolution, includ-ing the 13th Amendment tothe Constitution," Jaishankaradded.

The progress and prosperi-ty of Sri Lanka would surely beadvanced as a consequence, heasserted.

TN Governor Banwarilal Purohitwelcomes Jaishankar's comments

Never before have globaleducation systemsundergone such stress-ful times as were

unleashed on these — and theentire humanity, in fact — by theCOVID-19 pandemic. The chil-dren suffered unprecedentedrestrictions owing to lockdownand home confinement for extend-ed durations; away from theirclassrooms, friends, classmatesand teachers. There is considerableevidence of emotional, mentaland neurological impact on chil-dren, among others. Learning hasalso suffered much.

Mobiles, online learning andcontact with friends for the luckyfew did bring some solace but theseexperiences had their own limita-tions and inadequacies. Sufferingwas common to all, and caring wasexperienced from all sides. In thesetough times, positive vibes and ten-der, humane aspects were promi-nently evident all around. That was,and remains, the biggest ray ofhope. The pandemic is not yet overbut confidence has been regained:Vaccines are available; and humaningenuity shall overcome all adver-sity, no matter how major a deter-rent and of what magnitude theodds are. In the spirit of “We shallovercome”, things shall be put backon rails and start moving aheadmaybe with even greater vigour,confidence and assurance. Theworld’s population in the aftermathof the Coronavirus affliction wouldrequire new knowledge and newskill sets and, hence, all countriesshall strive to transform their edu-cation systems in the face of theemerging post-COVID world.

The world will no longer bethe same to which all of us havebeen accustomed for generations.This is the time for individuals,families, communities, countriesand international organisations toenvision the measure and magni-tude of the transition, be part ofit and ensure that the rhythm ofcivilisational advancement is sus-tained. Just when the number ofCorona positive cases had startedin