8`ge e` deRj `_ 2X_ZaReY dRjd µ_`¶ e` c`]]SRT\ - Daily Pioneer

$: 8`ge e` deRj `_ 2X_ZaReY dRjd µ_`¶ e` c`]]SRT\ - Daily Pioneer$
�� !�� !��" � �� #��$

�� !�� %&�� '�� $

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

��

�� #��$��0/�#0.+�

Amid pan-India protestsagainst the ‘Agnipath’

recruitment scheme for thearmed forces, the Governmenton Sunday ruled out rolling itback.

The Government said therecruitment process of jawanscalled ‘Agniveers’ will com-mence next week and assertedthat the various concessionsannounced for demobilisedsoldiers were planned inadvance and not taken due tothe ongoing protests.

Defence Minister RajnathSingh on Sunday met the threeServices chiefs regarding theimplementation of the schemethat has been termed “trans-formative.”

It was his second meetingwith the chiefs of the Army,Navy, and Indian Air Force(IAF) for the second straightday on the issue.

Meanwhile, explaining theGovernment’s position on the‘Agnipath’ , Lieutenant-General Anil Puri, AdditionalSecretary, Department ofMilitary Affairs (DMA), urgedthe aspirants to start prepar-ing for the recruitmentprocess for all the three ser-vices, including the Army,IAF, and the Navy.

��

��"��"�� 12.13,3

Apolice Constable, SaigalHussein, deputed by the

Trinamool Congress adminis-tration as the personal securi-ty guard of TMC strongmanand Birbhum district partychief Anubrata Mondal, mayhave built up property wortharound �80-100 crore, CentralBureau of Investigation (CBI)sources said.

His fortunes include bothmovable and immovable prop-erties. He is currently in thecustody of the CBI on chargesof cattle smuggling.

Hussein, considered apowerful man in the inner

coterie of Mandal, who, too, isfacing similar charges, haspalatial houses at Domkal inMurshidabad, luxury apart-ments near Shantiniketan andin Kolkata New Town, all in thenames of his daughters, wife,and even domestic help,sources say, adding the BengalPolice Constable also has twopetrol pumps.

The price of Hussein’svacant land at Domkal, amunicipal town inMurshidabad district, is valuedat �7 crore, sources said, adding“the CBI is also trying to ascer-tain his actual and benami

properties which may worth�100 crore.”

According to sources, sev-eral kgs of gold worth morethan �10 crore was recentlyseized from one of Hussein’shouses. The CBI is investigat-ing the sources of these prop-erties. Hussein was arrestedby the CBI following his callrecords that linked him toEnamul Haq, the primeaccused. Subsequent ques-tionings have also revealedthe names of few TMC lead-e r s , i n c l u d i n g M L AShaukat Molla, who waslast week grilled for sever-al hours by CBI.

“If one Constable has thatmuch money then think whatthe TMC leaders including thetop leadership might haveamassed in the past onedecade of their rule … this ill-gotten money is the source ofsuch rampant electoral vio-lence in Bengal,” said a seniorBJP leader.

��

�� #��$��0/�#0.+�

The Union Home Ministryon Sunday granted emer-

gency e-visas to 111 Hindusand Sikhs from Afghanistan,hours after Saturday’s terrorattack at a gurdwara in Kabul.

Many Hindus, who areAfghan citizens, had applied forvisas in September 2021, butthe applications were clearedonly after the Islamic State inKhorasan Province (ISKP), aterrorist group, attacked thegurdwara on Saturday, killingtwo people, including a SikhGranthi, a member represent-ing the community said.

According to HomeMinistry sources, over 100 e-visas have been granted by theMinistry of Home Affairs(MHA) after the terror attackon the Karte Parwan Gurdwarain Kabul on Saturday.

According to the Ministry,some people who were grant-ed e-visas are safely staying inother countries like the UnitedKingdom and Canada cur-rently, though they holdAfghan passports. Only 159minorities remain in

Afghanistan, who are citizensof that country, after theTaliban took control in August2021, including three memberswho do not have any passports.

According to Puneet SinghChandhoke, president, IndiaWorld Forum who has beencoordinating with the IndianGovernment to evacuate Sikhsfrom Afghanistan, the appli-cants had applied for a visa asearly as September 12, 2021,but it was being blocked due topending security clearance.

“Though the visas hadbeen pending for months theywere cleared within hours ofthe attack at the gurdwara onSaturday. The person who died(Satwinder Singh) was alsoamong those who intended totravel to India,” Chandhokesaid. Last year, 163 members ofthe minority community cameto India after they were grant-

ed an “e-Emergency X-Miscellaneous visa.”

India had suspended allkinds of visas after the Talibantook over governance inAfghanistan in August 2021.On August 17, the facility ofspecial emergency visas wasannounced for stranded citi-zens but most visas were onlygranted to people from theHindu and Sikh communities.

Meanwhile, many are liv-ing in London and Canada.More than 80 members of thecommunities who fled toDubai and Russia after theTaliban takeover have alsobeen waiting for visas to becleared. At least 11 people whocame to India last year butreturned to Afghanistan citingpersonal reasons are alsoamong the list of people await-ing evacuation fromAfghanistan.

��

�� !��"#��

��

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

��$�� !�� %��&�%��%�!%��$��

� �� (+3�#�"34+

Agang war never ends, itseems. Days after Sandeep

Singh alias Kekda was arrestedfor allegedly carrying out recceahead of Punjabi singer SidhuMoose Wala’s killing, he wasthrashed inside Muktsar jailallegedly by the Bambiha gang- rivals of the LawrenceBishnoi gang which is accusedof killing the globally-renowned Punjabi rapper.

Kekda, who has now beenshifted to Goindwal Sahib jail,was reportedly attacked byBambiha gang members inMuktsar jail about four daysago. Timely intervention by thepolice saved his life. Kekdawas sent to Muktsar jail afterhis police remand was over.

While the Bambiha gangon Sunday took the respon-sibility of beating; the jailadminis t rat ion c la imedsome issue between the twoparties which got resolvedimmediately.

�� !� ��"��

�� #��$��0/�#0.+�

ADelhi-bound SpiceJetplane, carrying 185 pas-

sengers and six crew members,had a providential escape andmade an emergency landing inPatna on Sunday afternoon,minutes after its take-off, as itscabin crew witnessed sparkscoming from an engine and theairport got calls from localswho had reportedly seen firefrom one of its engines.

In a second incident,SpiceJet Q400 aircraft SG-2962 (Delhi-Jabalpur) devel-oped a pressurisation snagon Sunday morning and hadto return to the origin soonafter take-off. This is the thirdtime in over a month that aSpiceJet aircraft turned backwithin minutes of take-off.

According to officials, a

SpiceJet flight from Patna toDelhi suffered a bird hit dur-ing takeoff. The pilot incommand (PIC) of flight SG723, switched off the affectedengine and returned safely toPatna with everyone onboardunharmed in this emergencylanding. The fire in the planewas noticed when the aircraftwas between Khagaul andPhulwari Sharif, which istwo nautical miles from thePatna airport.

#� ��" �� $� ��"��

�� "-/3+3,�

The flood situation in theNortheast looks grim with

Assam and Meghalaya emerg-ing as the worst-hit. At least 42people have died and nearly 40lakh have been affected inboth the States so far. The floodsituation in Assam deteriorat-ed on Sunday with eight morepeople losing their lives andover 37 lakh people sufferingacross 30 districts, an officialsaid.

Many new localities havecome under the impact of thedeluge in several districts of theState and overnight incessantrain inundated more areas inGuwahati, officials said.

Given the grim situation,the Indian Institute ofTechnology, Guwahati will helpthe Assam Government in sur-veying the flood affected areasby using drones developed byits startup to aid the relief and

rescue work. According to IITofficials, the State Governmenthas reached out to the instituteto seek its expertise in survey-ing the flood affected areasusing drones to assess the con-dition in the villages whereroad connectivity has beendisrupted due to heavy flow ofwater.

According to the latestupdates by the Assam StateDisaster ManagementAuthority (ASDMA), the Statewas witnessing floods andlandslides for the last six days,leaving behind a huge trail ofdestruction everywhere.

In the last 24 hours, 32 dis-tricts, comprising 118 revenuecircles and 4,291 villages, havereported flooding, it said.Around 37 lakh people havebeen impacted, and 1.56 lakhof them have taken shelter in514 relief camps across theState. Relief materials werealso distributed among peoplewho are affected by the floodsand have not taken shelter inrelief camps, the ASDMA said.

According to the dailyflood report of the ASDMA,eight people lost their lives invarious places due to the flood-waters. The death toll in this

year’s flood and landslidesacross the State has gone up to62, it said. At least 302 relief dis-tribution centres or pointsopened temporarily, it said.

The National DisasterResponse Force (NDRF) hasbeen helping the districtadministrations evacuate peo-ple from the flood-hit areas.

The State Disaster

Response Force (SDRF), fireand emergency services per-sonnel, policemen andASDMA volunteers have alsobeen deployed for rescueoperations. “So far, 20,983people have been evacuatedby the various agencies,” thebulletin said. Incessant rainsince Saturday n ig htwreaked havoc in Guwahati,

leading to knee-deep waterlogging in many areas acrossthe city, while water hastouched the chest level atsome places.

Guwahat i Munic ipa lCorporation CommissionerD e vashish Shar ma to ldreporters that sluice gateson the Bharalu river havebeen shut.

��%��%��'�"(��)��

�%��*��%��%��%��

�'��/0 ��1��/��

%�� !��0��

�� #��$��0/�#0.+�

The three services on Sundayannounced the recruitment

schedule of ‘Agniveers’ andsaid all selections of aspirantswill now be done through the‘Agnipath’ policy that was rolledout last Tuesday.

More than 46,000 soldierswill be selected this year for a

four-year stint in the Army,Navy and the Indian Air Force(IAF).

Explaining the future pathof the scheme, Lieutenant-General Anil Puri, AdditionalSecretary of the Department ofMilitary Affairs, said here: “Inthe next four-five years, ourintake (of soldiers) will be50,000-60,000 and will furtherincrease to 90,000-100,000 sub-

sequently. We have startedsmall at 46,000 to analysethe scheme... and to build upour infrastructural capacity.”Lieutenant-General C BansiPonnappa , Adjut ant-General, said the rallies forArmy recruitment will startin the first half of Augustand t he f i rs t lot of‘Agniveers’ will come in byDecember first week.

��

�� 0/�#0.+�

The Centre on Sundaybanned 35 WhatsApp

groups for allegedly spread-ing fake news about theAgnipath military recruit-ment scheme. The movecame amid violent protestsagainst the scheme in dif-ferent parts of the countrysince it was announced a fewdays ago.

The central agenciesare engaged in tracking thoseengaged in spreading fakenews with the help ofWhatsApp. At least 10 peo-ple have already been arrest-ed in this connection. ThePress Information Bureauhas also opened a fact checkline to verify informationregarding the scheme.

However, informationabout these groups or if anyaction has been initiatedagainst their administratorswas not immediately known.

�� ! �""��# �� !� ��"+�!��! �� (��

��0��234�� $��

5,��#�� !$�6�� #�� $�6�� 6

.��(�� $%�&'( �))*� 789:3� �� 0*� ��3��

��; ��#0.+��.-(1�2/ <+2�3.��<+-<3�0�/34

43�(+��43��-4 (+3�#�"34+�#0+43#-� +=#043<3#�>�)3=/3#3

�)+�,��)��-�'./0��

��1�� 2��"��1��3��'��4

�%&'(�)*��#�3��42,0(,0#�;34�04��,040�,�3,�/,2��00,?��

��%+,-�.

/0�,��2>��"�,2/34#��/34��3(0?�4-��3��3(0�3"0�(=

%/0&0%&�1,+0�(+��0�0��3�2-��2��,3�/3�

��

��

PNS JAMSHEDPUR

PANKAJ KUMAR DHANBAD

PNS JAMSHEDPUR

PNS JAMSHEDPUR

jharkhand 02RANCHI | MONDAY | JUNE 20, 2022

M FAIYAZ AHMAD DALTONGANJ

PANKAJ KUMAR DHANBAD

SURESH NIKHAR BERMO

The writer is a seniorteacher at Delhi Public School,Ranchi. The views expressed in

the article are her own.

Preventive measures againstfloods as Monsoon rains hit

CLASSICS - GEMS or JUNK?

SHAILESH SHARMA HAZARIBAG

H'bagh admn todistribute KCCamong farmers

AVINASH ANJAN HAZARIBAG

Pakistan Zindabadslogans raised atAirport on Owasi’s

arrivalROSHAN KUMAR RANCHI

PNS RANCHI

PNS RANCHI

PNS RANCHI

jharkhand 03RANCHI | MONDAY | JUNE 20, 2022

PNS RANCHIHC recommends dismissal of judicial officer

PNS RANCHI

PNS RANCHI

NEWS IN PIX

A special event based on Father's Day 'My Daddy My Hero' was organized at Aqua World today as partof the 'Summer Carnival' series. Narendra Mishra won the title of Best Father, Ram Sahai stood secondand Raju Thapa stood third.

Under the joint banner of Patrakar Kala Manch and Citizen Foundation, play Andher Nagri Chaupat Raja,written by Bhartendu Harishchandra, was staged at the Mayuri Auditorium of CMPDI on Sunday evening.Journalist and photo journalist such as ASRP Mukesh, Amit Das, Vinay Murmu, Sandeep Nag, PintuDubey, Jaishankar and others are part of Manch.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen party Chief Asaduddin Owaisi addressesan election campaign in support of his party candidate Deo Kumar Dhan atMandar constituency on Sunday. PNS

City SP Anshuman Kumar with police personnel investigate inSukhdeo Nagar area in Ranchi on Saturday. PNS

IMA chief lauds Jharkhand module of cervical cancer eradication

State health minister Banna Gupta and IMA national president Dr. Sahajanand Prasad Singh, Dr. BhartiKashyap, National Co-Chair, Women's Doctors Wing, Indian Medical Association inaugurates cervical can-cer screening camp at Jamshedpur

�� !�"#�$�% !�&'�(�)*+�)*))

�� #��$��0/�#0.+��

Stepping up its attack on theCentre, the Congress on

Sunday held a satyagraha herein support of those protestingagainst the Government’sAgnipath scheme with partyleader Priyanka Gandhi urgingyouth to recognise “fakenationalists” and ensure that anew Government is formed inthe country which shows ”realpatriotism”.

She alleged the new mili-tary recruitment scheme wouldbe destructive for the youth and

the Army. Several top partyleaders, including PriyankaGandhi, AICC general secre-tary organisation K CVenugopal, party’s leader inLok Sabha Adir RanjanChowdhury, Harish Rawat,Communications departmenthead Jairam Ramesh, SalmanKhurshid, Sachin Pilot,Deepender Hooda and AjayMaken, participated in the’Satyagraha’ held at JantarMantar.

While Congress chiefSonia Gandhi is being treatedat a hospital for a lower respi-ratory tract infection and post-

Covid symptoms, formerCongress president RahulGandhi was not present at thesatyagraha. Congress leadersand supporters criticised theBJP-led Central Governmentand said the Agnipath schemeis not beneficial for the coun-try’s youth and will also jeop-ardises national security.

“There is no bigger patri-ot than you. I want to tell you,open your eyes and recognisethe fake nationalists and fakepatriots. The entire countryand the Congress are with youin your struggle,” Priyanka saidin her remarks aimed at the

youths protesting the Agnipathscheme. In her address, theCongress general secretary alsorecited a few lines fromHarivansh Rai Bachchan’sHindi poem ’Agnipath’ to urgethe youths to persevere andkeep struggling peacefully. ”

The name of the poem hasbeen given to such a schemethat will destroy the youth. Thisscheme will destroy the Army.Recognise this Government’sintentions, she said.

“In a democratic way andby walking on the path oftruth and non-violence, bringdown this Government.

“Your objective should be(to ensure) that such a gov-ernment is formed in the coun-try which shows real patriotismand takes forward the poor andthe youth of the country,”Priyanka said. She alsoappealed to those protesting tonot resort to violence. “I wantthe youth to know that weunderstand your pain.

“This is your country andthis country’s property is yours.So, it is your responsibility toprotect it. I appeal to you tohold peaceful protests but notstop. It is your duty to protectthe country’s democracy.

“Every leader of theCongress will support you infulfilling this duty,” she said.The Congress leader allegedthat the government is workingfor big industrialists.

“I appeal to you to under-stand the situations aroundyou (and) what the governmentis doing. This government isnot working for the poor andits people but for big industri-alists,” Priyanka said.

Addressing the gathering,Sachin Pilot said if theGovernment wanted to savemoney then it should not have

gone ahead with the CentralVista project and bought twoplanes, that would have savedthousands of crores.

“But they played with thedreams of the youth by bring-ing Agnipath scheme. It shouldbe taken back. Youths shouldalso not resort to violence butprotest peacefully. Our party iswith them,” he said. In his

remarks, Hooda said that an’Agniveer’ in the fourth yearwill become insecure abouthis future. What will happen tothe security of a country whosesoldier is insecure about hisfuture, he asked. Slamming theBJP over its defence of theAgnipath, he said foreign mod-els of the US and Israel won’twork in India. Former

Uttarakhand Chief MinisterHarish Rawat said joiningArmy was a tradition in hisstate and was not seen just asa means to earn a living.“Every regiment has a historyof valor and you want todestroy that history. We con-demn this decision which hasbeen taken without considera-tion,” he said.

�� 0/�#0.+�

Underlining that all reli-gions are equal before the

Constitution, Lok SabhaSpeaker Om Birla Sunday saidMPs should avoid makingprovocative statements aboutany religion and maintain thedignity and decorum of par-liament at all times.

Birla, who completes threeyears in office on Sunday,thanked leaders of all politicalparties for contributing towardsmaking his journey so far suc-cessful, and said it was a bigachievement that the House'saverage productivity duringthe period has been above 100per cent.

The House has functionedfor nearly 1,000 hours acrosseight sessions so far in the 17thLok Sabha, he said.

Terming discussions anddebates "ornament of a democ-racy," Birla told PTI in aninterview that parliamentariansshould avoid unnecessaryaggression and shouting whilespeaking in parliament.

"Discussion, debate arecrucial parts of a parliamentarydemocracy. Sarcasm, takingdigs at each other are alsoacceptable during debates. Butunnecessary aggression, shout-ing and interrupting each othershould be avoided by MPs inparliament," Birla said.

He further said parliamentshould not be used as a plat-form to make baseless allega-tions and counter-allegationsby political leaders.

On the question of heateddebates among politicians thesedays on religions, Birla sug-gested members of parliamentsshould refrain from makingprovocative statements againstany religion as all religions areequal before the Constitution.

"While speaking on reli-gious issues MPs should keepin mind that their statementsdo not hurt the feelings andsentiments of any other reli-gion. We all should diligentlyfollow this practice and con-vention. Our Constitution giveseveryone the right to practicetheir own religion," Birla said.

Asserting that parliamentfunctions according to theConstitution, Birla said,"Provocative remarks againstany religion should not bemade in parliament. Its digni-ty and decorum should bemaintained all the time."

Asked about Facebookwhistle-blower Sophie Zhangexpressing her desire to deposebefore the ParliamentaryStanding Committee on ITbut not being asked by theauthorities here to appear, Birlasaid there are rules and regu-lations in place to call someoneto depose before a parliamen-tary panel. "It is not appropri-ate that someone says 'I havenot been called by the com-mittee'.

There are systems and pro-cedures to call someone beforethe parliamentary panel. Andthe final decision lies with theLok Sabha speaker," Birla said.

Talking about the new par-liament building being builtunder the central vista project,Birla said he is confident thatthe Winter Session this yearwould be held in the newstructure.

"The work on new buildingis going on in full swing. It willshow the glimpses of bothmodern India and our rich his-tory. It will display culture of allstates of India," Birla said.Birla, a second-term MP of BJPfrom Rajasthan, was unani-mously elected as Lok SabhaSpeaker on June 19, 2019.

�� 0/�#0.+�

New Chief Justices wereappointed to six High

Courts on Sunday including tothe Delhi HC. The Departmentof Justice in the Union LawMinistry tweeted about theseappointments.

While five HC judges wereelevated as chief justices, thechief justice of the TelanganaHigh Court, Justice SatishChandra Sharma, was trans-ferred to Delhi High Court inthe same capacity. JusticeVipin Sanghi from Delhi HighCourt was appointed as thechief justice of the UttarakhandHigh Court. Similarly, JusticeAmjad A Sayed of the Bombay

High Court was made chief jus-tice of the Himachal PradeshHigh Court. Justice S S Shindeof the Bombay High Court wasappointed as the chief justice ofthe Rajasthan High Court.Justice Rashmin M Chhayafrom the Gujarat High Courtwas elevated as the chief justiceof the Gauhati High Court.

Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, whois currently a judge inTelangana High Court, waselevated as chief justice there.His parent high court isGauhati. The Delhi High Courthad been without a regularchief justice after Justice D NPatel retired and Justice Sanghihad been the acting CJ sinceMarch 13.

$ %�� " �� &�"��"

*�5��6 �� $��

�� "��/� ��'��"� (�� "�")# ��"�� *�� " �" �� +��"�, *�� +��"��"

�� 0/�#0.+�

Amid burgeoning protestsagainst the Agnipath mil-

itary recruitment scheme, theBJP on Sunday accused theOpposition parties of doingpolitics on issues of nationalsecurity and armed forces justto destabilise the Government.

Terming the Congress''satyagraha' in support ofAgnipath protests "pure poli-tics", he claimed it was "forcing"officials of the three services ofthe military to appeal to peo-ple not to get involved inarson.

Congress MPs and leaderssat on a 'satyagraha' at theJantar Mantar in Delhi onSunday in solidarity with theyouths protesting the Centre'snewly announced Agnipathscheme for recruitment in thearmed forces. At the protest,

Congress general secretaryPriyanka Gandhi Vadra urgedthe youth to recognise "fakenationalists" and ensure that anew government is formed inthe country which shows "realpatriotism".

She alleged the new mili-tary recruitment scheme wouldbe destructive for the youthand the Army. Referring to herspeech, Patra said, "PriyankaGandhi Vadra has stated thatthey aim to topple the govern-ment. So, it is quite clear they

are not concerned about thearmed forces and the youth ofthis country. It is sad." "Thereshould be no politics on sub-jects of national importance.

But politics is happeningon such a subject and officersof the armed forces are havingto come forward and explain(the Agnipath scheme) tothem," he said. "Where has theopposition gone astray? Whatdoes the opposition want afterall?" the BJP spokespersonposed. mAsserting theAgnipath recruitment schemeis a much-needed reform,Patra said it aims to give theIndian armed forces a youth-ful profile.

This issue dates back to1989. It was then contemplat-ed to reduce average age of thearmed forces, he claimed. Theaverage age of the Indian Armynow is 32. The Agnipath

scheme will bring it down to26. All committees after theKargil war have suggested sucha reform in the armed forces,Patra said.

Applauding three forcesfor explaining whole schemeand its benefits, he said took aswipe at the opposition, sayingthese were same parties thathad questioned the surgicalstrike, the air strike and theRafale jet deal.

"They did politics on sur-gical strike, air strike andRafale jet deal. They only suf-fered after that as people of thiscountry have full faith inarmed forces and PrimeMinister Narendra Modi," hesaid. On issues of safety andsecurity of the country "we allshould stand tall, united asIndians, not as individualsfrom these political parties",Patra said.

*�� 0��+ ��6��

�� 0/�#0.+�

If you have recovered fromCovid-19 but are still facing

health issues such as fatigue,respiratory problems, and for-getfulness, then you are notalone. Nearly four crore peoplehave experienced these symp-toms of long Covid since 2020in India alone, according to aglobal study.

A paper — ‘A global sys-tematic analysis of the occur-rence, severity, and recoverypattern of long COVID in2020 and 2021’ published by agroup of researchers from var-ious universities across theglobe, and from Global Burdenof Disease Study (GBD), a col-laboration of over 3,600researchers from 145 countrieshighlights the need to ensure

rehabilitation of those facinglong Covid-19. The researchersput various long-term effects ofCovid-19 into three categories— fatigue, cognitive problemsand ongoing respiratory issues.They found that 144.7 millionpeople experienced one ormore of these three symptomsthree months after infection, in2020 and 2021.

Most cases arose frommilder infections. Twelvemonths after infection, recov-ery was not seen in 15.1% ofthe cases. They found that themost common long Covidsymptom was respiratory trou-ble (89.3%), followed by post-acute fatigue syndrome (78.9%)and cognitive syndrome(55.2%). They also found thatglobally, more women (63.2%)than men were affected by

long Covid. The paper, whichwas published on medRxiv (afree online archive and distri-bution server for complete butunpublished manuscripts inmedical, clinical and relatedhealth sciences), said a sub-stantial number of people withlong Covid need rehabilitativecare and support to transitionback into workplace or educa-tion when symptoms start towane.

Those with milder acuteCovid-19 cases had a quickerestimated recovery 3.99months than those admitted foracute infection 8.84 months. At12 months, 15.1 per cent con-tinued to experience longCovid symptoms. The risk oflong Covid was found to begreater among females between20 and 29 years and in those

with more severe initial infec-tion. Further, the researchersalso found that long Covid alsoaffected “a lower but substan-tial number of children”, whilesevere acute infection has beenvery uncommon at youngerages.

The researchers said thesedifferences suggest that under-lying mechanism of long Covidmay differ from that of sever-ity of acute infection.“Theoccurrence of debilitatingongoing symptoms of Covid-19is common.

Knowing how many peo-ple are affected, and for howlong, is important to plan forrehabilitative services and sup-port to return to social activi-ties, places of learning, andworkplace when symptomsstart to wane,” they added.

�� #��$��0/�#0.+��

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadavon Sunday questioned the

silence of Prime MinisterNarendra Modi over theAgnipath scheme and demand-ed its immediate withdrawal.The RJD leader also asked 20questions from theGovernment on the scheme.

Addressing a Press confer-ence at his sister Misa Bharati’sresidence in Delhi, Tejashwisaid there were many doubtsabout the scheme in the mindsof the youth and demandedthat it be withdrawn.

The RJD leader alsoannounced through socialmedia that the MLAs of'Mahagathbandhan' in BiharAssembly will march from theVidhan Sabha to the RajBhavan in Patna on Wednesdaydemanding jobs for the youthand the roll back of theAgneepath scheme'.

Yadav also appealed to theyouth to protest peacefullyagainst the scheme and shunviolence.

Tejashwi asked whetherthis was a MGNREGA-likeinitiative for the educated youthor there was a "hidden agenda"of the RSS in it. “Why is PrimeMinister Narendra Modi silenton the whole issue”, he asked.He said the government talkedabout 'one rank, one pension',but has come up with a schemeof "no rank, no pension".

The former deputy chiefminister of Bihar posed 20questions to the government,asserting that there were manydoubts in the minds of thepeople which should be clearedby the government.

Yadav asked why Agnipath

was not for officers to berecruited in the military."Protests are taking place inmany parts of the country andthere is anger among those whowant to become soldiers," hesaid.

Tejashwi refuted the BJP'scharge that the RJD was behindarson and violence in Biharand said the Centre is respon-sible for it. “ It’s their habit toblame the opposition for theirfailure,” he said..

The RJD leader said thatthe onus of all the protests tak-ing place in Bihar, and acrossthe country, is on the Modigovernment and its inability toexplain all controversialschemes to the people of thecountry— be it any schemesrelated to farmers, students,youths and others.

While urging the Centre tostop playing with the future ofIndia, the Leader of Oppositionin the Bihar Assembly alsoexhorted the youths of hisstate and other parts of thecountry to ensure that theirprotests don't turn violentunder any circumstances.

Tejashwi Yadav's 20 ques-tions to the Centre:

�Will the Agniveers getthe same 90 holidays as thenormal soldiers get in a year?

�If the Agnipath scheme isin accordance with the law, whyare only soldiers and not offi-cers being recruited on con-tract?

�The Centre should clar-ify whether this scheme is akinto an MNREGA for the edu-cated youth or a hidden agen-da of RSS.

�The Centre should clar-ify whether the paymentreceived by the Agniveer dur-ing his tenure and after thecompletion of 4 years will betaxed?

�If the government con-siders Agniveers as soldiers,will they get gratuity? Has thetenure been reduced to 4 yearsto save gratuity?

�Will the government giveAgniveers facilities like can-teens and the medical treat-ment to which ex-servicemenare entitled?

�Did the government take

feedback from defence expertsand experienced army person-nel before framing this scheme?Was their suggestion imple-mented?

�Is this not the first gov-ernment scheme where there isa 75% guarantee of unemploy-ment after 4 years?

�Under this scheme, ayouth aged 18 will get a job andretire at the age of 22. Will thisnot impact his higher educa-tion?

�Can a law and order sit-uation arise in the country asa significant number of 22-year-olds having receivedweapon training retire?

�Why did a governmentthat talked about One Rank,One Pension have now resort-ed to No Rank, No Pension?

�The government is say-ing that it will recruit only a fewthousand for a period of 4years. Isn't this a betrayal of theyouths?

�What will the youths doif the Indian Railways andArmy start giving contractualemployment?

�If BJP likes contractual

employment so much, will allits Ministers, MPs, MLAs andoffice-bearers get their childrento resign from governmentjobs?

�Should the Centre inter-fere in a matter concerning theArmed Forces?

�Why doesn't the gov-ernment properly address thecomplex issue of unemploy-ment? Should the governmentnot think about the issue ofunemployment sensitively?

�The BJP governmentshould answer- aren't 70% ofthe youths not worried aboutjobs now?

�Isn't the governmentresponsible for the violence andunrest arising out of unem-ployment?

�10 lakhs posts are lyingvacant in government depart-ments. Are the youths and theopposition responsible forkeeping these posts vacant for8 years?

�Did the BJP governmentnot promise the youths 2 crorejobs, 80 crore jobs till 2022,Rs.15 lakh in bank account andgood days?

/�� 3��?�,�'��

@� ��*�� ( ��?��

�� #��$�� 0/�#0.+�

Social stigma and ignorancearound the Sickle Cell

Disease (SCD) continue toremain a public health chal-lenge in India which has thesecond-highest burden ofgenetic blood disorder afterNigeria. Moreover, even as var-ious states have undertakenscreening programmes, stillthere is no central database forsickle cell carriers and dis-eased. Tribal populations are

the worst hit with this debili-tating and painful disease withchildren being at the receivingend: Before reaching the age oftwo, 20% of tribal children withsickle cell disease die, and 30%of children die before reachingadulthood.

As per doctors, there maybe 18 million Sickle Cell Traits(SCT) and 1.4 million SCDpatients among the tribal pop-ulation. “There is a need tohave a comprehensive caremodel for SCD,” said Dr. RahulBhargava, Principal Director,Hematologist Department,Fortis Hospital in Gurugram,Haryana.

In this regard, the UnionTribal Ministry has been tak-ing steps to take action on theprevention and elimination ofsickle cell disease in a mission

mode. Anil Kumar Jha,Secretary of Tribal Affairsstressed on the need for data-based management and elim-ination plans for the disease.

He also informed that theMinistry would support the ini-tiative of IGIB on research onCRISPER -technology involv-ing gene-editing after consul-tation with the Department ofScience and Technology,ICMR, and Union HealthMinistry.

According to officials, theMinistry of Tribal Affairs is alsoworking on a road map for themanagement, control and erad-ication of Sickle Cell disease.The action plan will be imple-mented in coordination withthe Ministry of Health andFamily Welfare, StateGovernments, Organizations

working on SCD and Non-Governmental Organizations(NGO), he said.

Characterized by repeatedepisodes of debilitating pain,SCD can lead to serious healthcomplications including pneu-monia, bloodstream infections,stroke, and acute & chronicpain.

The disease is said to havea higher prevalence inChhattisgarh, Bihar, UttarPradesh, Maharashtra, MadhyaPradesh, Jharkhand, andRajasthan which is referred toas the sickle cell belt.

This condition is mostcommon in tribal communitiesin India but is gradually find-ing its way throughout becauseof migration into the cities, saidDr Tulika Seth, Professor ofHematology at All India

Institute of Medical Sciences(AIIMS), Delhi.

She also felt that due tosocial stigma, people are reluc-tant to undergo pre-maritalcounseling so that it is under-stood and timely diagnosis isundertaken for appropriatemanagement conditions.Hydroxyurea is an effectivedrug that reduces important

component care. Other ther-apies include prescriptionantibiotics to combat infectionsand vitamin supplements tohelp generate red blood cells."Initiatives such as intensiveprenatal and newborn screen-ing must be mandatory alongwith providing Pneumococcalvaccination to adult patientsunder doctor's guidance.

� ��$�+��%��7�%�� '��8 �� + ��9��1�� !��'��

,�!1�!'� ,�.��*!((,

��,��!��2:; ��0��

�� -�� !�"#�$�% !�&'�(�)*+�)*))

� �� )3��-

Ahead of the beginning ofthe Amarnath yatra from

June 30, the security forces havefurther intensified their anti-terrorist operations acrossKashmir valley to flush out for-eign and local terrorists fromtheir safe hideouts.

On Sunday, a joint team ofsecurity forces gunned downfour more terrorists includinga Pakistani in two separateencounters in North and SouthKashmir districts of Kupwaraand Kulgam respectively.

So far around 115 terroristshave been eliminated in sus-tained anti-terrorist operationssince January 1, 2022.

To ensure peaceful conductof the yatra additional compa-nies of the para military forceshave been rushed to theKashmir valley to plug thegaps in the three tier securityring in and around base camps,shelter points, community cen-tres, yatra trek etc.

Tensions prevailed as theregion also witnessed a spike in

targeted killings of minoritypopulation and off duty secu-rity personnel. Despite this thetraffic footfall this seasontouched new records.

Around two dozen inci-dents of targeted killings havebeen reported across differentdistricts of Kashmir in which23 personnel includingKashmiri pandit migrantemployee,a bank manager fromRajasthan, non-local labourers,a scheduled caste lady teacherfrom Jammu, a famous TVfrom artist from Budgam andpolicemen were killed in coldblood by 'hybrid' terrorists.

According to Vijay Kumar,Inspector General of Police(Kashmir),“A Pakistani terror-ist affiliated with Lashkar-e-Toiba has been killed. Two tothree terrorists along witharrested terrorist are trapped inan ongoing encounter inKupwara border district ofNorth Kashmir.”

The identity of the secondslain terrorist was yet to beascertained. According to apolice spokesman, the opera-

tion was launched in the areaon the basis of inputs shared byan arrested terrorist ShowketAhmed Sheikh in Lolab area ofKupwara. “During search ofhideouts, hiding terrorists firedupon joint search parties. Inresponse the security forcesalso retaliated. Initially, one ter-rorist got killed. The arrestedterrorist also got trapped. In aseparate tweet, Kashmir Zonepolice said, "Another terroristwas eliminated while heavy

firing was going on in thearea". In a separate encounterin DH Pora area of Kulgam,two terrorists one each belong-ing to Lashkar-e-Toiba andJaish-e- Mohammad terroristoutfit were gunned down onSunday. Police has identifiedboth the slain terrorists asHaris Sharief of Srinagar (LeT) & Zakir Padder of Kulgam(JeM). They were both cate-gorised as 'C' category terror-ists, police spokesman added.

2��

�� 12.13,3

The Calcutta High Court hasheld that there is no ille-

gality in the West BengalDuare Ration scheme, underwhich the Mamata BanerjeeGovernment delivers food-grains through the public dis-tribution system at thedoorsteps of beneficiaries.

Passing judgement on aplea challenging the state gov-ernment's Duare Rationscheme, Justice Krishna Raonoted that on an earlier occa-sion, too, fair price shop deal-ers had filed petitions on sim-ilar issue, but the high court,even then, did not interferewith the Duare Ration Scheme.

Justice Rao, in the judge-ment passed on June 16,observed that as per provisionsof the National Food SecurityAct (NFSA), 2013, it is theobligation of the state govern-ment to ensure actual delivery orsupply of the foodgrains to theentitled persons at prices spec-ified. The court held that thestate government's decision todeliver foodgrains at thedoorsteps of the beneficiaries

"cannot be said to be in violationof any provision of the NFSA".

A writ application filedbefore the court prayed that anotification by the state gov-ernment on September 13,2021 which amended a clauseof the West Bengal PublicDistribution System(Maintenance and Control)Order, 2013, be declared as"unconstitutional and ultravires (beyond powers) to

Essential Commodities Act,1955 and National FoodSecurity Act, 2013.

The petitioners' counselsubmitted that the central gov-ernment has authority for reg-ulating and prohibiting theproduction, supply and distri-bution of essential commodi-ties.

He said that the centralgovernment by way of notifi-cation delegates the power to

the state but in this case, it hasnot delegated any power to theState of West Bengal.

Advocate General S NMookherjee, appearing for thestate government, prayed thatthe Duare Ration Scheme is anadministrative order underthe purview of the NFSA,2013 which makes the stategovernment responsible foractual delivery of grains to thebeneficiaries.

-��.��$��(�#�/��,��0��!�1��

�� 12.13,3

West Bengal Chief MinisterMamata Banerjee is

unlikely to participate in theOpposition meeting convenedby NCP chief Sharad Pawar onJune 21 on the upcomingPresidential poll due to priorengagements, a TMC func-tionary said on Sunday.

A senior TMC leader willbe present at the proposedmeeting, he said.

"Mamata Banerjee will notbe able to attend the meeting asshe has some prior engage-ments. She has also conveyedit to Sharad Pawar ji. But aleader from our party will bepresent there," a senior TMCfunctionary said.

During the first such meet-ing called by Banerjee in Delhion June 15 to formulate a

strategy for the upcomingPresidential poll, it has beendecided that a common candi-date, who will "uphold thedemocratic ethos of the coun-try", will be chosen as theopposition nominee.

As many as 17 partiesattended the meeting.

Leaders of the Congress,Samajwadi Party, NCP, DMK,

RJD and the Left parties attend-ed the over two-hour-longmeeting called by theTrinamool Congress supremo,while the AAP, SAD, AIMIM,Telangana Rashtra Samithi andOdisha's ruling BJD skipped it.

Leaders of Shiv Sena, CPI,CPI(M), CPI(ML), NationalConference, PDP, JD(S), RSP,IUML, RLD and the JMMwere among those present.

The Presidential election isconducted indirectly throughan electoral college consistingof members of Parliament andthe legislative assemblies ofstates and Union territories.

In an electoral college ofaround 10.86 lakh votes, theBJP-led alliance is estimated tohave more than 48 per cent ofthe votes and is hopeful thatnon-aligned regional partieswill support it.

�� 6 ��$�� *�� 0�� "��

12(+�

Ace astrologers in Kerala,Tamil Nadu and

Karnataka are busy as electionto the highest office in thecountry is round the corner.Interestingly, even personswho pontificate scientific tem-perament and exhort peoplenot to be carried away by theprophecies or predictions byastrologers are queuing upbefore the latter to know whatthe stars foretell about thepossibilities of them making itto the Rashtrapathi Bhavan.

“A gentleman from TamilNadu calls me up on alternatenights to find out the chancesof him being fielded as a can-didate and the prospectus ofhim winning the election.Though I told him not to becarried away by what thepolitical leaders tell, he is allset to taste defeat in the even-

tuality of a contest,” a leadingastrologer in Kerala told ThePioneer. He insisted that thename of the client should bekept as a secret.

The astrologer was reluc-tant to talk about the personwho would be sworn in as thenext president. “The names ofthe candidates are yet to beannounced. Once the name isannounced, we have to studydetails like the date, time andplace of birth of the candi-date. Then only we can saywith certainty whether theperson would make it in therace,” said the astrologer.

A Guruvayur basedastrologer said that thoughpoliticians and intellectualscriticize the science of astrol-ogy, they are particular to con-sult the astrologer before anymajor decisions are taken.“They launch satellites andtest launch vehicles afterlearning the position of plan-

ets and they give us theirhoroscopes. I do not mindthem speaking about scientif-ic temperament becauseastrology itself is a branch ofscience,” said the Guruvayurbased astrologer.

Sanskrit scholar andHarijan leader Acharya M KKunhol had requested PrimeMinister Narendra Modi toconstitute a panel ofastrologers to understand thereasons behind the series ofagitations unleashed by vari-ous forces in the country.“There were instances of polit-ical leadership in the countryseeking divine interventionto know in advance what thestars foretell about the coun-try. N Sankaran Nair, formerchief of Research and AnalysisWing, has written in his mem-oirs about how the services ofastrologers were utilized bythe country to know the futureof the then President

Nkrumah of Ghana. Afterreading the birth chart ofNkrumah, Indian astrologerswere unanimous in their opin-ion that Nkrumah would bedeposed and die as an exile inforeign land,” the Acharyatold The Pioneer. Withinmonths of this forecastNkrumah was deposed as

president in a coup and he ranaway to Guinea fromwhere hewas taken to Rumania wherehe lasted.

He said many heads ofStates regularly consult Indianastrologers and we shouldconsider it as a recognition forthe Indian system of knowl-edge and tradition.

�� )�2�%��

�� -�<3�

Maharashtra Chief Ministerand Shiv Sena president

Uddhav Thackeray on Sundaysaid the State LegislativeCouncil elections to be held onMonday will show that therewill be no split in his party-ledMaha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)and ruled out chances of cross-voting.

"We have kept all ourMLAs together for tomorrow'sLegislative Council polls. Thisis called democracy in today'stime," Thackeray said address-ing the Sena Shiv MLAs andsenior party leaders on theoccasion of the Sena's 56thfoundation day.

The party has to work hard

to get more MLAs elected infuture, said Thackeray, whoseparty shares power with theNCP and Congress in the state.

Thackeray also said he isnot worried about Monday'sMLC elections.

"The defeat in the RajyaSabha polls (held on June 10 forsix seats in Maharashtra) wasunfortunate. The Shiv Senavotes were

not split in the RS polls. Wehave an idea of what wentwrong. Hence, there is noquestion of cross-voting tomor-row," he said.

The Shiv Sena doesn't havetraitors in its midst, he assert-ed.

Tomorrow's election willshow that there is no split

among us," he said.Thackeray expressed con-

fidence that both the Shiv Senacandidates - Sachin Ahir andAmshya Padvi - in the MLCpolls will emerge as new lead-ers.

The CM also said he had

spoken to sitting Sena MLCsand senior leaders SubhashDesai and Diwakar Raote, whoreadily agreed to step aside.

Thackeray said he has notre-nominated Desai and Raotefor another term in theLegislative Council.

�� !�"!#� ��#$��%� ��&��!��'(�$)%*

�� "-/3+3,�

The land for the proposednew airport in Assam's

Silchar which has sparked offa political slugfest, was soughtway back in 2019 by AirportsAuthority of India (AAI), doc-uments reveal.

The Centre's statementmade earlier this month that noproposal has yet been receivedfor a greenfield airport inAssam's Cachar district, despitelarge-scale land acquisition bythe state government for a sec-ond airport in the Barak valley,has sparked off a political con-troversy.

However, documentsreveal that the AAI had soughtland for the construction of theproposed facility, and evenconducted a pre-feasibilitystudy in 2020 for the same.

Analysis of a set of docu-ments, such as minutes of

meetings, survey reports, andletters exchanged between theAssam government and AAI --all of which is available withPTI -- clearly show that thestate is acquiring 2,500 bighas(826.45 acres) of land in Cachardistrict on the request of thecentral PSU.

In reply to a query byTMC Rajya Sabha MPSushmita Dev whether sanc-tion had been granted for theairport, Civil Aviation MinisterJyotiraditya Scindia said in aletter dated June 8, "no proposalas per GFA Policy, 2008 to con-struct a Greenfield airport inCachar District of Assam hasbeen received.

"However, if any such pro-posal from any AirportDeveloper or the StateGovernment is received, thesame would be considered asper the Greenfield airportsPolicy, 2008."

�� +�� " "�� ! ��. �� /�01 �� +=#043<3#

Chief of AIMIM (All-IndiaM a j l i s - E - I t t e h a d u l

Muslimeen) Asaduddin Owaisihas demanded that suspendedBJP spokesperson NupurSharma be arrested for her con-troversial remarks on ProphetMohammad, and said shewould be projected as a "bigleader" and it is also possibleshe may also be made theDelhi Chief Ministerial candi-date in the coming months.

"BJP is protecting NupurSharma. We are demanding theBJP and the Prime Minister(Narendra Modi), but he does-n't speak. We tell the PrimeMinister to arrest her. Wedemand action against her andher arrest as per law," theHyderabad MP said, address-ing a public meeting organisedby United Action Forum hereon Saturday.

He further said, "I knowthat after six-seven months

Nupur Sharma will be project-ed as a very big leader. It is alsopossible that she will be madethe Delhi Chief Minister can-didate. This is the reality of ourcountry. The more you abuseMuslims, higher the post youget."

Owaisi said a complaintwas given and an FIR was reg-istered in Hyderabad againstNupur Sharma.

"We would like to tell our(Hyderabad) PoliceCommissioner and the ChiefMinister of this State(Telangana) to send police toDelhi and bring "Mohtarma".Do something. What will hap-pen only with an FIR? At leastsay that you will be going (toDelhi). You should bring her(Nupur Sharma)," Owaisidemanded.

Owaisi said if someonesays anything against PrimeMinister Modi, (Uttar PradeshChief Minister) YogiAdityanath, (West Bengal Chief

Minister) Mamata Banerjee, itis immediate jail (one is arrest-ed).

On the protests by young-sters against the Centre's'Agnipath' scheme in severalparts of the country, Owaisisaid youngsters were protestingagainst the alleged wrong deci-sion of Modi.

"I want to ask the PrimeMinister and the Uttar PradeshChief Minister...They (young-sters) came on the streets dueto Modi's wrong decision. Howmany (protesters') homes willyou demolish with bulldozers?We don't want you to demol-ish anyone's home," Owaisisaid.

Attacking the BJP-ledCentral government over the'Agnipath' scheme, Owaisi onSunday tweeted: " Modi gov-ernment is playing withNation's security, deceivedlakhs of youth who wanted tojoin the Honourable professionto serve the country."

*��$�!��9��0�� -��0��

�� 3+�0#3<3#

At least 15 former Ministers inGujarat, who were part of the

erstwhile Vijay Rupani cabinet,are living in posh Governmentbungalows in Gandhinagar bypaying a nominal rent since lastOctober under a special provi-sion that allowed their stay till theend of the last academic session,but shockingly, none of them hadchildren going to schools or col-leges, the opposition Congressalleged on Sunday.

The ruling BJP rubbishedthe Congress' claim saying thesebungalows were allotted as perthe state government's norms.The Congress said these formerministers are just MLAs now andin normal circumstances, theyshould have been allotted MLAquarters and not posh bungalowsat a discounted rate. "These (for-mer) ministers were allottedbungalows at the 'economy rate'of Rs 4,200 per month whereasthe prevailing market rent is Rs

42,000. They were allotted thesebungalows last October for theduration of the academic sessionis over. A special provision wasinvoked to allow their children tocontinue their studies," Congressspokesperson Manish Doshialleged in a press conference.

Shockingly, none of theseformer ministers has childrenstudying in schools or colleges,he claimed.

"Even if we assume thattheir children are going toschools/colleges but the last aca-demic session is over now.Despite this, they continue tooccupy these bungalows," Doshialleged. Rubbishing Doshi'sclaims, former education minis-ter Bhupendrasinh Chudasama,who was also allotted one ofthese "A" class bungalowsthrough an order dated October1, 2021, said the allotment wasdone as per the existing rules andregulations. "I am not the onlyone who was allotted a bungalow.Many other former ministers

were also allotted bungalows.The rent is fixed as per the rulesand regulations covering ex-ministers. This is a rubbish claimwhich doesn't deserve a reply,"Chudasama told PTI.

In a surprise move, the thenChief Minister Vijay Rupaniresigned last September aftercompleting five years at thehelm. The BJP leadershipreplaced Rupani with BhupendraPatel and dropped all the minis-ters serving in the cabinet. Themove to change the guard inGujarat was believed to be aimedat blunting anti-incumbencyahead of the assembly elections,due in December this year."Former ministers, including thethen deputy chief minister NitinPatel, Pradipsinh Jadeja whoheld the Home portfolio, SaurabhPatel who was the minister forenergy among others were allot-ted these bungalows along withGanpatsinh Vasava, JayeshRadadiya, Ishwar Parmar andParshottam Solanki,” said Doshi.

+�,'-��)%��)%��#.�*)( %��#* /#%*��0��)%�()��$)�%��&�%�!1�2

�� 7��$�� <�� =

��

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

�� #�� "�� + �� "�� ,��

% �� -�� "�� .��"�"�� /�� 0��1$" �� "�� %)�2��%)�3��

�� "�� !�� $�� "��!�� #�� $�� )�� %)��%)�/�� 4��" �� %)�2��%)�3�� &��&'�(��5� �� #��//�� "�� "�� ,�� 6

*��#�� 7�� )��8��9��:�� ;<*��,�� "�� $�� -�� =�> ��

�� ?�� @�� <�� =��"�� )�� A�)��B�� @�" �� )�� "��505�� C�� ,��, �� "� � �� )�� <)��"�� )�� "��

�� =�&� ��/�� ,�� "� � �� " �� )��9 �� )��7�� "�� "� �� "�� "�� )�� "�� "��

)�� )�� *��"� � �� "��

�� <�� "�� "�� "� �� "�� =�� "�� + �� D �( ��)��"� �� "�� " ��*�� :��*�� #�� 8 �� "�� ?��:��@��8 �� " �� E�� 7�� *��)��"�� F��@�� -�� E7@�"� �� )��@��7 ��@�� 9��*� �� '��*��@��"�� E�� E7�� F �� *��@�� " �� "��E�� F�� @�� $�� + �� + �� "�� , �� E7�� 1��" ��E��"" �� "� �� @��F ��" �� )�� @�� *�� "��

3�� "��4

�� Sir — The combined Opposition gotanother setback as Farooq Abdullahwithdrew his name from the presidentialelection race (June 19). Just as SharadPawar was least interested in the race ashe did not want to become a losing can-didate in the presidential race, FarooqAbdullah wants to be active in politics toserve Jammu and Kashmir as, accordingto him, it is passing through a critical junc-ture and requires his efforts to navigateuncertain times and he does not desire tobe confined to Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Now the joint Opposition led byMamata Banerjee has to search for astatesman who is inactive in active poli-tics as a candidate just to oppose the NDA.But instead of thinking of making a con-test, why don’t the Opposition parties dis-cuss with the NDA for a consensus can-didate for unanimous election in the larg-er interests of the country? As thePresident of the country has to followand exactly implement what theGovernment says, according to theConstitution, nobody in active politicswould be interested as holding the postmeans the end of active politics.Whatever be the reason, a unanimouschoice would bring a healthy atmospherein our democratic setup.

JP Reddy | Telangana

��Sir — Land degradation is increasing dayby day and has emerged as a major glob-al issue. The current scale of degradationthreatens half of our global GDP. Landdegradation, which means desertification,has an impact on soil health and food pro-duction. India has about 160 millionhectares of arable land of which 40 percent soil is labelled as distressed soil. It isa wakeup call as soil is the basis of ourlivelihood. Soil adapts to climate changeby decreasing greenhouse gas emissions,storing carbondioxide and heat, trappingpollutants, give water infiltration, storerainwater, provide home to various

microorganisms and provide variousminerals and products.

If such behaviour towards soil contin-ues, we will not have enough food in thecoming years. Most of the farmers start-ed using chemicals and fertilisers insteadof organic manure to increase the produc-tion and to save it from pests, and it con-tributed in degrading soil quality. On theother hand, continuous deforestationleads to soil erosion. It takes around 1,000years to form one cm of topsoil and fewsecond of rainfall to lose it. Trees have soil-holding capacity and cutting them is dan-gerous for the environment.

Swati Pandey | Ujjain

�� Sir — The Indian cricket team preparingfor the T-20 World Cup is fighting hardto establish itself on a firm footing withvarious permutations and combinations.The two successive wins saw Team Indiaestablishing its home supremacy after twodefeats. But the news around the cricket-

ing media is that the team is in a must-win situation. The two defeats early in thefive-match series upset the plans and fromthere, we heard about do-or-die situations.Even after the recent wins, the position isthe same with news going round for amust-win position.

We call ourselves number one in homeconditions but let it slip away in no time.We go on changing captains from Rahulto Pant and to Hardik Pandya but the orig-inal captain is Rohit Sharma. We could notsettle with a sound opening pair to lastlonger and the middle order is shaky allthe time and depends on Dinesh Karthikto do the cameo scoring above 150. Thebowling department looks wafer-thinand we solely depend on Chahal for oursuccess. Leg spinners go for easy runs atthe international level and that was ourweakness at the ICC tournaments.

CK Subramaniam | Navi Mumbai

/ � / ' + � � 0 5 6 � / � 7 7 0 % &

00034�)�"�)�% !3��1��!$�6�� A 5,��#�� A �� $�6�� 6

�� !�"#�$�% !�&'�(�)*+�)*))

�$

�� 0��$�� 6��++��)+%5�%6��789��& %9�

&��"�� !�*�� #�

�.��5

�� - ��0��5��+��

��22�'� 23 22%� �4.23'

��3��3��!!��%��#��!� �

3�� B�� !��B(��

>�� 3�� B�� 1��1�� (��-�� C�(-D�� !��' �� B� �� B�� $�� !� ��$�� B�� $

(�� *�� +�� E677�� *�� $

,�� $��<��!�� !�� +��;�� B�� B� �� 3�� <�� #�� B�� F�3�� !�� B�� ' �� $�0 �� $�4�� B�� $

$�:�;��68��-��<��=��

��SOUNDBITE��!�� !��1� �� "� �� 1��$

��9��6�)+��G��

;�� B ��' �� $

��6�)��)�-�6+GH��)��

,��3�� $

�%68��))��-��G1��1��

��C�� D$�<��!�� B�� $

��))�5��;��G>��3��

3��C4�� 1�� D�� $��$

� +%�G��1��

The ensuing humanitari-an disaster in Ukraine hasinadvertently worsened theChinese position of intimida-tion on Taiwan as invariableparallels are drawn immediate-ly. Tellingly, China undertooka ‘stress test’ or dry run to studypossible implications of a glob-al reaction following a poten-tial invasion of Taiwan. . Whilesabre-rattling on Taiwan con-tinues with the unofficialmouthpiece of the CCP, GlobalTimes, alluding to the ‘strongestwarning to the US’ by Chinesedefence chief Wei Fenghe —the fine print also bore theinevitable sobering realisa-tion, ‘Although the Chinesemainland will continue tomake the greatest efforts toseek peaceful reunification forthe sake of the people on bothsides of the Taiwan Straits…’.The Chinese more than any-one else would have calculat-ed the debilitating impact ofsimilar bravado on Taiwan,even if it cannot publiclyrenege its staged intransigenceon the ‘One-China Principle’as that too could fatally weak-en the CCP’s image.

Beleaguered UkrainianPresident VolodymyrZelenskyy added to theUkraine-Taiwan hyphenationat the 19th Asia Shangri-LaDialogue by calling for inter-

national support for Taiwanagainst China, which embar-rassingly made the Chinesedelegation leave the hall.Zelenskyy’s personal experi-ence suggested that the ‘worldmust use preemptive mea-sures’ before attacks on Taiwan,which willy-nilly justified theenhanced US support ofTaiwan, which has led to muchtension in recent times. Whilethe US was made to lick itswounds humiliatingly inAfghanistan and trudge anequally difficult path inUkraine — it has chancedupon the serendipitous oppor-tunity by adding to China’sown woes and discomfiture onTaiwan by upping the ante of‘Taiwan Independence’. Chinais now forced to play a difficultdual game of flexing its vocalmuscles for internal consump-tion, whilst not committingitself to a Ukraine-like swamp.

Culturally and psycholog-ically, the bog-down of Russianinvasion despite its supposed-ly better trained soldiers, tac-tics and weaponry gives signif-icant pointers to the ChinesePLA who suffered significantreverses in its last war, Vietnamin 1979, or even during therecent border standoff withIndia where it got a bloodynose. Topographically also,the densely populated and

urbanised Taiwan would be anurban battlefield, the Achillesheel of the Russian invasion inUkraine. Even the hawkishdomination of wolf-warriorpack amongst the Chinesediplomatic cadre and theovertly personalised cult of XiJinping (akin to Putinism)would require a relook infavour of more nuanced, mod-erate and deliberated form ofdiplomacy and leadership. Thetouchy issue of Xi’s dictatori-al moorings were triggered byZelenskyy’s indirect referenc-ing of political leaders whowere ‘not content with the pre-sent level of their ambition’.

China risks further dis-crediting and disempoweringthe small minority ofTaiwanese who do genuinelyseek reunification, as recenttensions have strengthenedTaiwan President Tsai Ing’santi-China stand. Tibet earli-er, Hong Kong later and nowwith Taiwan on the boil, theChinese leadership simply can-not continue with its expan-sionist agenda beyond words.Ukraine has shown the costsand the Chinese would surelyknow better, by now.

(The writer, a military vet-eran, is a former Lt Governorof Andaman & Nicobar Islandsand Puducherry. The viewsexpressed are personal.)

,�(��4�� *�� I��

,+0+-�3��,34�3�

#��3�,04��-143��0�+3�

��3#>04,0�,.=/24�0�0#�,+0

(+��0�0��2��,�2�2;��,��#3,�2�

2��,3�/3�$,0..��".=��(+��3

-�#04,221�3�#4=�4-��,2

�,-#=��2��<.0��.�(3,�2��2;�3".2<3.�403(,�2�

;2..2/��"�3�2,0�,�3.

��>3��2��2;,3�/3�

-6�� .5*%

��%��

The single-party regime ofthe Chinese CommunistParty (CCP) has defiedthe hypothesis of

American political scientistBarbara Geddes, who suggeststhat personalist regimes survivefor about 15 years and single-party regimes, for about 25 years.CCP has reigned supreme(minor blip of 1989 DemocracyMovement) and remained effec-tively unchallenged sinceOctober 1, 1949 (almost 73years). Besides the infamousiron hand and other illiberalnorms, pandering to majoritar-ian Han supremacism with 91per cent populace (brazenlyattacking minorities like Uyghuretc), controlling the elites (JackMa saga), the governance ofCCP remains most effective withthe unique art of staying aheadof the events, by learning fromglobal events and others’ mis-takes. Chinese professionally dis-sect and imagine the impact ofglobal turbulence towards theirbearings and posturing.

Chinese famously under-took a decade-long study of theSoviet Union implosion andrecalibrated their own curricu-lum and governance impera-tives to avoid the same. They didthe same towards Gulf Wars,Arab Spring, the War on Terrorand would surely be doing thesame on Ukraine for directlessons towards their expansion-ist agenda, especially in Taiwan.Ukraine would be an excellentcase study for understandingthe global appetite, toleranceand consequences of a belliger-ent action. So far, the reputation-sensitive China has offered aqualified defence of a clearly vil-ified Russia, driven by its ownbeef with the US, yet pretendinga plausible pretense of moralityand reason by not offering a carteblanche to Vladimir Putin’s posi-tion. But the Taiwanese who mayhave had good reasons to fear anopenly called invasion (under thegarb of ‘reunification’ of One-China Principle) in the early daysof the Ukraine War may just bebreathing easier with the immi-nent cost of invasion, reputationand other consequences besettingRussia and, consequentially,potentially for China in Taiwan.

The President of India is thehead of state of the Republic ofIndia. He is the formal head of theexecutive, legislature, and judicia-ry and is also the commander-in-chief of the Indian Armed Forces.Article 53 of the Constitution ofIndia states that the President canexercise his or her powers eitherdirectly or by a subordinateauthority to him as per the pro-visions of the Constitution. Thus,the President possesses enor-mous powers.

The powers and functionsthat have been vested in thePresident of India may be classi-fied under the Executive powers,Legislative powers, Military pow-ers, Diplomatic powers, judicialpowers, financial powers, andEmergency powers.

The executive power includesthe power to appoint and removethe high constitutional authorityof the country. Under this power,he appoints the Prime Ministerand other members of theCouncil of Ministers and distrib-utes portfolios among them. Healso enjoys the power to removethe Prime Minister and otherministers and all of those whomhe gives appointments. In theConstitution of India, there areno special provisions specified tochoose a Prime Minister. It ispurely President’s discretion. ThePresident is the head of the State,whereas the Prime Minister is thehead of the Government only.Parliament cannot function with-out involving him.

The President shall, beforeentering upon his office, makeand subscribe in the presence ofthe Chief Justice of India, an oathor affirmation saying that he orshe will faithfully execute the

office of President (or dischargethe function of the President) ofIndia and will to the best of hisor her ability preserve, protectand defend the Constitution andthe law and that he or she willdevote himself or herself to theservice and well-being of thepeople of India.

The Head of the State has theabsolute right and absolute dis-cretion to choose the Head of theGovernment and examples ofthis are plenty in Britain. InIndia, an occasion for the realexercise of the power to appointa Prime Minister arose for thef irst t ime when Sar vepall iRadhakrishnan was President.According to Michel Brecher, inhis book Succession in India, thePresident exercised his discretionand appointed GL Nanda as PMeven before the Congress Partycould indicate its choice follow-ing Jawaharlal Nehru’s death.

Radhakrishnan again fol-lowed the same procedure andappointed GL Nanda when LalBahadur Shastri died.

After Indira Gandhi's assassi-nation President Zail Singh, evenbefore Rajiv Gandhi was electedas Congress Party Parliamentaryleader, appointed him as the PM.After the 1989 general elections,President Venkatraman, whileinviting VP Singh after Congressrefused to form a government,and then after VP Singh’s resig-nation in inviting first RajivGandhi and thenChandrashekhar, exercised hisdiscretionary powers.

If in the above cases it was adiscretionary role played byPresident, in 1979 it was the otherway round. President N SanjivaReddy’s decision to invite YB

Chavan after Morarji’s resignationand later denying Morarji yetanother chance for Charan Singhafter checking the lists of support-ing MPs of both of them could betermed as President playing a dis-cretionary role.

Charan Singh, however, wasasked to seek a vote of confidenceof the House which happened forthe first time in India. Within 25days, Charan Singh resignedwithout facing Lok Sabha andrecommended its dissolution. Hewas allowed to continue as care-taker PM and elections wereheld. Though the Presidentbecame a target of attack fromseveral corners. nothing could bedone against him.

The President, in asking CharanSingh to continue as PM, roseabove the Constitutional obligationthat there shall be a council of min-isters to aid and advise him in theexercise of his functions. Thus, itcould be seen that during SanjivaReddy’s time the President exercisedenormous power in appointingPM, dissolving Lok Sabha, and set-ting guidelines for the functioningof Charan Singh's government.

This is sufficient to show thatthe Prime Minister and his councilof ministers hold office at the plea-sure of the President. The Presidentmay also exercise his discretionarypower, which is inherent in theConstitution, in dismissing a PMeven if he or she enjoys a majorityin Lok Sabha, though there is noprecedent and in the future alsohighly unlikely as it appears now.

If the President does not exer-cise his discretion when the situ-ation demands, then it is a failureon his or her part to preserve, pro-tect and defend the Constitutionand the law.

.��!�� )��!%��

��"�� #�� $�� #�� #� �"�� $��&>��?"@�� $��

��A��1�� #��A��#��#��

�� #��2&>A��A��

��2��#��

� �� "�� F� � � �� " �"� ��

�� ""�� =��7 ��G�� 7� �� "� � ��"��%��

G�� ,��#H��"��@�)��/�� /2�� D�� :��G�� :��%��"��/��2�D�� "�� >�� @�7�� ,��

&� �� " �� "��/��2�� $"�� D�� 7 �� "�� ""�� ,�� "� � ��

<1�� "�� "�� F�� ""�� 8 � $"�� D� �� @��

��"�� =� $"� ��7 ��

��7 �� &�� " �� " �"� �� !�� 7� �� " � ��"�� "� ��

7 �� 8 �� ""�� "��<�� "�� "�� #�� D�� ? �� @�� "��%�� ""�� =�7 ��

7� �� "�� )�� "�� )�� "��

7 ��""�� $"�� ""�� "�� <�� "�� "" ��""�� 8� � �� 7 ��@�� ""�� "�� =�D��

)��7 �� "��"��7� �� "�� "�� "�� "�� <D �� "�� "�� "� �� " �" �� =�7 ��8 �� ;�<�� @��I=

��

�� !�"#�$�% !�&'�(�)*+�)*))

�600034�)�"�)�% !3��1 ��!$�6�� A 5,��#�� A �� $�6�� 6

FIRSTCOLUMN#+%��76(�6%87'�0#'5%��&�'&5+'/+'&'8+

POINTCOUNTERPOINT

7��8�� 6��'�3

�� 7 ��G�� "��

,+0�40��#0�,

�3=�0H04(��0+��

#��(40,�2�34=�2/04�

/+�(+��+040�,�

��,+0(2��,�,-,�2��#��"3��0>0��;

+0�24��+00�)2=��3

�3)24�,=��.21��3<+3�

,+2-"+,+040��2�40(0#0�,�

The author is ChiefPublic Relations Officer,

Telangana

How would we know ifthe United States isdeliberately starving

Ukraine of weapons in order toforce it into a compromise peacesettlement that leaves someUkrainian territory—maybeeven a lot—in Russian hands?

You can imagine the WhiteHouse having such a strategy,though it would never admit it.After all, if Ukraine managed todrive the Russian army out of thewhole country, Moscow mightpanic and escalate to nuclearweapons. President Joe Biden’sprime duty is to keep the UnitedStates safe, not to put theUkrainian border back where itused to be.

For Ukraine, the war is lit-erally existential. Russian leaderVladimir Putin wants not onlyto conquer Ukraine but to eraseits very identity, so President

Volodymyr Zelensky would riskanything, including nuclear war,to prevent it.

For Russia it’s not existentialat all, but Putin appears to haveconvinced himself that it is.Maybe he’s bluffing, but wouldyou bet the world on it?

For President Biden andthe United States, however, theONLY existential threat isnuclear war. If he didn’t at leastconsider how he could put theUkrainian government on ashort leash, he would be remissin his constitutional duty.

The obvious way to limitZelensky’s freedom of action isby controlling the scale andspeed with which ‘advanced’weapons are delivered toUkraine. (Not VERY advanced:there’s nothing less than 15years old.) And there are someindications that Biden is doing

exactly that.Since the Russian Army

gave up trying to seize Kyiv andother northern Ukrainian citiesten weeks ago and concentrat-ed its forces in the east (theDonbas), it has reverted to thestyle of warfare it does best: mas-sive artillery bombardments fol-lowed by infantry assaults. It’scrude, bloody, and expensive,but it often works in the end.

It has become an artillerywar, and although the Russianshave a lot more artillery, the

Ukrainians used GPS, drones,and the like to level the playingfield. It started to resemble aminiature version of the FirstWorld War, with the Russianarmy taking big casualties forsmall advances—but it keptgrinding inexorably forward.

Both sides were mostlyusing old Soviet weapons, but ina war of attrition the Russianshad more of everything: soldiers,guns, shells, the lot. Ukrainianlosses went up to between oneand two hundred killed a day,and they began running short ofboth guns and shells. Theirpleas for more and betterweapons mounted—and theygot a curious response.

The US sent just eighteen155mm howitzers to Ukraine inApril, but stripped them of theadvanced computer systems thatimprove the weapons’ efficien-

cy and accuracy. It then spentthree weeks training crews forthese guns abroad before theywere deployed to the front.Only then did it send somemore howitzers (also withoutcomputers). There are now 109of those howitzers in Ukraine,but many thousands ofUkrainian soldiers have doubt-less been killed or wounded inthe meantime who might havebeen spared if the guns hadarrived more promptly. It’s stillfar from enough—and now thesame scenario is replaying withrocket artillery.

Multiple Launch RocketSystems (MLRS) have twice therange of howitzers (80-90 km),and the Russians have beenusing them to pummel theUkrainian lines mercilessly.Ukraine’s rocket launchers wereold, few, and not very accurate,

so for many weeks it has beenbegging for comparable NATOweapons. The United States hasnow sent Ukraine four—countthem, four—HIMARS rocketlaunchers. It could send addi-tional HIMARS after the three-man crews of these four launch-ers have finished their threeweeks of training abroad and“demonstrate that they can usethem effectively,” said U.S.Undersecretary of Defense forPolicy Colin Kahl.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian pres-idential adviser MikhayloPodolyak says his country needs300 MLRS launch systems anda thousand 155mm guns toachieve “heavy weapons parity.”with the Russians. We will seeformations of pigs flying over-head before that happens. It’sstriking that the UnitedKingdom announced that it is

sending similar rocket launchersat the same time, but there wasno nonsense about three weeksof training outside Ukraine. TheUkrainian Army has one of thebest artillery schools in Europe,so the UK is just sending alonginstruction manuals.

There is reason to suspect,therefore, that the very slowdrip-feed of American weaponsto Ukraine is deliberate, and isintended to keep the Ukrainiangovernment from winning toosoon or too big. Better that bothsides exhaust themselves andarrive at some sort of compro-mise peace deal.

Of course, the Ukrainiansmight actually lose as a result ofthis policy, in which case Bidenwould have to choose whetherto save them by direct militaryintervention or not. Ladies andgentlemen, place your bets.

��

4��%��4��

The author’s new book isThe Shortest History

of War

�8��47�'

��6�� .�%3'� With the lone exception whenVV Giri contested as anindependent candidate forthe post of President, at the

behest of the then Prime Minister IndiraGandhi, and defeated the officialCongress candidate Neelam SanjivaReddy, the election to this highest officein India has never been so exciting as itis this time around.

A majority of Congress members hadthen voted for Reddy, the defeated can-didate. Giri edged through with a minor-ity of Congress votes and backing froma curious combination of oppositiongroups which included the Left. Theappeal of Sanjiva Reddy’s supporters tothe right-wing parties to cast their sec-ond preference votes to Reddy did notmatter much.

Why Indira Gandhi was so deter-mined at that time to have her nomineeas President was clear. She knew that theso-called syndicate (a group in Congressopposed to Mrs Gandhi) had plans tounseat her through their choice ofPresident because the Constitution ofIndia vests enormous powers in thePresident if there is a strong person inthe seat.

Similarly, with popular sentimentbeginning to turn against the BJP andPrime Minister Narendra Modi, thechoice of President, who plays a key rolein government formation, has becomeall-important. A section of BJP stalwartswho are opposed to Modi may like theirchoice of Presidential nominee as it hap-pened during Indira Gandhi’s time.

According to the Constitution, theonly really elected office is that of thePresident, and the rest of all are nomi-nated or rather appointed in the way itis specified in the provisions. ThePresident is elected by all the electedpeoples’ representatives of Lok Sabhaand State Legislatures as well as the RajyaSabha. Thus, certainly, the President ismore representative in character. Theoffice of the Vice-President is also elect-ed one.

The Prime Minister is appointed bythe President of India, but he or sheshould enjoy the support of the major-ity of Lok Sabha members. This, how-ever, is to be decided by the President incase of disputes. The Prime Minister isjust the leader of the majority party inthe Lok Sabha! Convention is that thePresident satisfies himself with themajority of his party in Lok Sabha beforeinviting him to take oath as PrimeMinister.

Article 74 of the Constitution ofIndia speaks about "Council of Ministersto aid and advise President." It reads as:There shall be a Council of Ministerswith the Prime Minister at the head toaid and advise the President who shall,in the exercise of his “functions”, act asper such advice.

�� )�� %��%��%��#��

�� !�"#�$�% !�&'�(�)*+�)*)) �� 8

�� 1=�>�C-143��0D

Four months of brutal fightingin Ukraine appear to bestraining the morale of

troops on both sides, promptingdesertions and rebellion againstofficers' orders, British defenseofficials said Sunday. NATO'schief warned the war could dragon for "years."

"Combat units from both sidesare committed to intense combatin the Donbas and are likely expe-riencing variable morale," Britain'sdefense ministry said in its dailyassessment of the war.

"Ukrainian forces have likelysuffered desertions in recentweeks," the assessment said, butadded that "Russian morale high-ly likely remains especially trou-bled."

It said "cases of whole Russianunits refusing orders and armedstand-offs between officers andtheir troops continue to occur."

Separately, the UkrainianMain Intelligence Directoratereleased what it said were inter-cepted phone calls in whichRussian soldiers complained aboutfrontline conditions, poor equip-ment, and overall lack of person-nel, according to a report by theInstitute for the Study of War.

In an interview published onSunday in the German weekly Bildam Sonntag, NATO SecretaryGeneral Jens Stoltenberg said that"nobody knows" how long the war

could last. "We need to be pre-pared for it to last for years," hesaid.

He also urged allies "not toweaken support for Ukraine, evenif the costs are high, not only interms of military aid, but alsobecause of the increase in energyand food goods prices."

In recent days, Gazprom, theRussian gas company, has reducedsupplies to two major Europeanclients - Germany and Italy. InItaly's case, energy officials areexpected to huddle this weekabout the situation. The head ofItalian energy giant ENI said onSaturday that with additional gas

purchased from other sources,Italy should make it through thecoming winter, but he warnedItalians that "restrictions" affectinggas use might be necessary.

Germany will limit the use ofgas for electricity production amidconcerns about possible shortagescaused by a reduction in suppliesfrom Russia, the country's econ-omy minister said on Sunday.Germany has been trying to fill itsgas storage facilities to capacityahead of the cold winter months.

Economy Minister RobertHabeck said that Germany will tryto compensate for the move byincreasing the burning of coal, a

more polluting fossil fuel. "That'sbitter, but it's simply necessary inthis situation to lower gas usage,"he said.

Stoltenberg stressed, though,that "the costs of food and fuel arenothing compared with thosepaid daily by the Ukrainians onthe front line."

Stoltenberg added: What'smore, if Russian PresidentVladimir Putin should reach hisobjectives in Ukraine, like when heannexed Crimea in 2014, "wewould have to pay an even greaterprice."

Britain's defense ministry saidthat both Russia and Ukraine

have continued to conduct heavyartillery bombardments on axes tothe north, east and south of theSieverodonetsk pocket, but withlittle change in the front line.

Luhansk governor SerhiyHaidai said via Telegram onSunday: "It is a very difficult sit-uation in Sievierodonetsk, wherethe enemy in the middle of the cityis conducting round-the-clockaerial reconnaissance with drones,adjusting fire, quickly adjusting toour changes."

Russia's defense ministryclaimed on Sunday that Russianand separatist forces have takencontrol of Metolkine, a settle-ment just to the east ofSievierodonetsk.

On Saturday, UkrainianPresident Volodymyr Zelenskyymade a trip south from Kyiv tovisit troops and hospital workersin the Mykolaiv and Odesa regionsalong the Black Sea. He handedout awards to dozens of people atevery stop, shaking their handsand thanking them again andagain for their service.

Some time after Zelenskyy leftMykolaiv, "the enemy carried outfire damage against units of theDefense Forces with cannon androcket artillery in the areas of thesettlements of Pravdyne, Posad-Pokrovskoe and Blahodatne,"according to the Ukrainian armybriefing on Sunday.

In other attacks in the south,Ukraine's southern military oper-

ational command said on Sundaythat two people were killed inshelling of the Galitsyn commu-nity in the Mykolaiv region andthat shelling of the Bashtansky dis-trict is continuing.

Russia's defense ministry saidseaborne missiles destroyed aplant in Mykolaiv city whereWestern-supplied howitzers andarmored vehicles were stored.

British Prime Minister BorisJohnson has expressed concerns"that a bit of Ukraine fatigue isstarting to set in around theworld" and has urged support forUkrainian efforts to try to roll backthe Russian invasion.

"It would be a catastrophe ifPutin won. He'd love nothingmore than to say, Let's freeze thisconflict, let's have a cease-fire,'"Johnson said on Saturday, a dayafter a surprise visit to Kyiv, wherehe met with Zelenskyy and offeredoffer continued aid and militarytraining.Western-supplied heavyweapons are reaching front lines.But Ukraine's leaders have insist-ed for weeks that they need morearms and they need them sooner.

On Sunday Pope Francis,despite having lamented armsbuild-ups, added his own admo-nition to those who might losefocus on Ukraine, which he hassaid deserves to defend itself.

"And let's not forget the mar-tyred Ukrainian people in thismoment," Francis told the publicin St. Peter's Square.

�� 1=�>�

Ukraine has secured the release of five civil-ians, of which four were captured by

Russian forces in the Kiev region.In a statement on Saturday, the Chief

Intelligence Directorate under the DefenceMinistry, said: "Today, the CoordinationHeadquarters for the Treatment of Prisonersof War conducted another five-for-fiveexchange. Five citizens of Ukraine returnedhome.

"All those released were civilians who hadbeen illegally detained by the Russian occu-pying forces. Four of the civilians were takenprisoner by the occupiers during the fightingin Kiev Oblast, three of them during the occu-pation of Hostomel."

The body of one deceased Ukrainiansecurity personnel was also returned,Ukrayinska Pravda quoted the statement assaying.

On Friday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyhad announced that the Ukrainian paramedicYulia Paievska, who was captured by theRussians in Mariupol in March, had beenreleased from captivity.

Some of the bodies of security personnelof Mariupol from Azovstal have also beenreturned to Ukraine

�� -��,0#��3,�2��

Tensions between Russia andthe West are aggravating talks

about the future of one of theUnited Nations' biggest and mostperilous peacekeeping opera-tions, the force sent to help Maliresist a decade-long Islamicextremist insurgency.

The U.N.'s mission in theWest African nation is up forrenewal this month, at a volatiletime when extremist attacks areintensifying. Three U.N.Peacekeepers have been killed thismonth alone. Mali's economy ischoking on sanctions imposed byneighbouring countries after itsmilitary rulers postponed apromised election. France and theEuropean Union are ending theirown military operations in Maliamid souring relations with thegoverning junta.

U.N. Security Council mem-bers widely agree the peacekeep-ing mission, known as MINUS-MA, needs to continue. But acouncil debate this week waslaced with friction over France'sfuture role in Mali and the pres-ence of Russian military con-tractors.

"The situation has becomevery complex for negotiations,"said Rama Yade, senior director

of the Africa Center at theAtlantic Council, a Washington-based think tank.

"The international contexthas a role, and Mali is part of theRussian game on the internationalstage," she said.

The peacekeeping missionbegan in 2013, after France led amilitary intervention to oustextremist rebels who had takenover cities and major towns innorthern Mali the year before.MINUSMA now counts roughly12,000 troops, plus about 2,000police and other officers. Morethan 270 peacekeepers havedied.

France is leading negotiationson extending the mission's man-date and is proposing to contin-ue providing French aerial sup-port. The U.N.'s top official forMali, El-Ghassim Wane, said theforce particularly needs the capa-bilities of attack helicopters.

But Mali strongly objects toa continued French air presence.

"We would call, therefore,for respect for our country's sov-ereignty," Foreign MinisterAbdoulaye Diop told the councilMonday.

Mali asked France, its one-time colonial ruler, for militaryhelp in 2013. The French militarywas credited with helping to bootthe insurgents out of Timbuktu

and other northern centers, butthey regrouped elsewhere, beganattacking the Malian army and itsallies and pushed farther south.The government now controlsonly 10% of the north and 21%of the central region, according toa U.N. Report this month.

Patience with the French mil-itary presence is waning, though,especially as extremist violencemounts. There have been a seriesof anti-French demonstrations inthe capital, which some observerssuggest have been promoted by

the government and a Russianmercenary outfit, the WagnerGroup.

Mali has grown closer toRussia in recent years as Moscowhas looked to build alliances andgain sway in Africa - and bothcountries are at odds with theWest.

High-ranking Malian andRussian officials have been hitwith European Union sanctions,sparked by Russia's actions inUkraine since 2014 and by Mali'sfailure to hold elections that had

been pledged for this pastFebruary.

Against that backdrop,Security Council memberssquared off over the WagnerGroup's presence in Mali. TheKremlin denies any connection tothe company. But Western ana-lysts say it's a tool of RussianPresident Vladimir Putin's cam-paign to gain influence in Africa.

The Wagner Group has com-mitted serious human rights andinternational humanitarian lawviolations, according to allega-tions by the E.U. And humanrights organizations. In Mali,Human Rights Watch has accusedRussian fighters and Mali's armyof killing hundreds of mostlycivilian men in the town ofMoura; Mali said those killedwere "terrorists." The U.N.Peacekeeping force is investigat-ing, as is the Malian government.

The recent U.N. Report onMali remarked on "a significantsurge" in reports of abuses com-mitted by extremists and Malianforces, sometimes accompaniedby "foreign security personnel."

It didn't name names, butBritish deputy U.N. AmbassadorJames Kariuki said council mem-bers "are under no illusions - thisis the Russian-backed WagnerGroup."

Mali says otherwise. Whileofficials have said Russian soldiersare training the Malian militaryas part of a longstanding securi-ty partnership between the twogovernments, Diop insisted to theSecurity Council that "we don'tknow anything about Wagner."

However, Russian ForeignMinister Sergey Lavrov said in aTV interview in May that theWagner Group was in Mali "on acommercial basis."

Russian deputy U.N.Ambassador Anna Evstigneevatold the Security Council thatAfrican countries have everyright to engage soldiers-for-hire.And she suggested they haveevery reason to, saying Mali'ssecurity "continues to unravel"despite European militaryendeavors.

She blasted Western uneaseabout Russia's tightening ties toMali as "neocolonialist approach-es and double standards."

Secretary-General AntonioGuterres plans a six-monthreview to consider ways to retoolMINUSMA.

To Sadya Touré, a writer andthe founder of a women's organ-isation called Mali Musso, told thecouncil her country "should notbe a battlefield between majorpowers."

�� 2�(2/

Western astronautics are"heading for war",

Russian Space Agency(Roscosmos) said andclaimed that the alleged col-lection of data for Ukraine byprivate Western companiesproves this.

In an interview withRussia 24, RoscosmosDirector Dmitry Rogozinclaimed that privateAmerican companies such asLockheed Martin, Boeing,SpaceX, and others are nowtasked with "one specificgoal, to ensure the collectionof information in real time,both visual, through infraredradar devices, and throughconventional surveillance",RT reported.

This data is collectedfor the Ukrainian forces touse "for ballistic missile guid-ance or multiple launchrocket system operation", hewas quoted as saying.

This also applies to satel-

lite communication compa-nies such as Starlink, theRoscosmos director added.

Asked if Russian satel-lites were able to monitorUkrainian territory, Rogozinsaid, "of course".

Earlier this month, heclaimed that privateAmerican space companiesare "at best, trusted contrac-tors of the Pentagon, atworst, agents of the Pentagonor the CIA under the guiseof 'private independent com-panies'".

Rogozin's remarks camesoon after the head of USCyber Command, GeneralPaul Nakasone, admitted forthe first time thatWashington was supportingUkraine by conductingoffensive hacking operations,RT reported.

"We've conducted aseries of operations acrossthe full spectrum; offensive,defensive, (and) informa-tion operations," he told SkyNews.

�� 2�(2/

Russian gas giant Gazpromhas announced that it will

stop gas delivery via bothstrings of the Turkish Streampipeline from June 21 to June 28due to scheduled annual main-tenance. The suspension wasagreed in advance by all inter-ested parties, Xinhua newsagency reported, citing a state-ment by Gazprom.

The Turkish Streampipeline via the Black seabedconsists of two strings, with onesupplying gas to Turkish con-sumers and the other deliveringenergy to countries in southernand southeastern Europe.Thepipeline began operation inJan2020 with a total capacity of31.5 bn cubic meters annually.Earlier this week, Gazpromsaid it would significantlyreduce gas delivery to Europevia the Nord Stream 1 pipelineto no more than 67 mn cubicmeters per day, citing the fail-ure of Siemens, the manufac-turer of the gas turbine engines.

�� (2.2�<2

Sri Lanka has reached out to several companiessuggested by Russia's embassy in Colombo to

buy crude oil, Energy Minister KanchanaWijesekera said on Sunday, in an attempt by thedebt-ridden island nation to get oil on credit tokeep its only oil refinery running.

Wijesekera told the media that the Russianambassador in Colombo "asked me to send thereplies of the company, and he will also intervenein the process".

The minister said he had replies from theRussian companies suggested by the ambassador,Sri Lanka's Economy Next news portal reported.

"Also we have sent the message to the SriLankan Ambassador in Russia, Janitha Liyanage,"the minister said, adding that the process was tak-ing time.

Sri Lanka has already bought one shipmentof Siberian crude from Dubai-based CoralEnergy in the international market, officials havesaid.

However, the Russian state companies arereportedly giving crude at lower prices to coun-tries that can afford to pay.

Sri Lanka's sole refinery is now running withthe last Siberian crude shipment.

Sri Lanka is currently facing its worst eco-nomic crisis since independence from Britain in1948.

Due to monetary instability triggered by cen-tral bank money printing, Sri Lanka has forexshortages, making it difficult to find dollars atfixed prices for large import bills.

The economic crisis has prompted an acuteshortage of essential items like food, medicine,cooking gas and other fuel, toilet paper, and evenmatches, with Sri Lankans being forced to waitin lines lasting hours outside stores to buy fueland cooking gas.

Lanka is trying to get crude on credit as it haddone during previous currency crises when thecentral bank printed money and triggered forexshortages.

Sri Lanka's oil bill has risen to USD 550 mil-lion a month by June 2022 and the energy min-istry has been talking to the central bank to getdollars.

The central bank has run out of reserves aftertwo years of money printing but the agency is yetto shift to a free float which will balance outflowsto inflows.

Sri Lanka owes oil firms USD 730 million foroil imported on credit, and they are unwilling tosupply fuel without upfront payments or deposits,Wijesekera said.

"For crude oil also we have contacted sever-al countries," Wijeskera said, adding that he haddiscussions with embassies of several othercountries.

"Even though we have requested firms, dueto the financial situation and the ratings of thebanks in the country most companies do not agreeto get into loan schemes to get oil," he said.

India has helped Sri Lanka with thousands oftonnes of diesel and petrol, apart from food andmedical supplies, to help ease the acute fuel short-age in the debt-ridden island nation.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister RanilWickremesinghe said on Wednesday no countryexcept India is providing money to the crisis-hitisland nation for fuel.

With the Sapugaskanda refinery beingreopened, the available crude stock is being usedin the minimum amount to continue the opera-tions of the refinery.

�� 1�0>

Atop Ukrainian official con-firmed that 39 civilian ships

sailing under the flags of 14countries are currently blocked inthe ports of Odesa as a result ofthe ongoing war.

The news was confirmed byMaksym Marchenko, head ofthe Odesa Oblast MilitaryAdministration, during a meetingwith President VolodymyrZelensky in the southern port cityon Saturday, reports UkrayinskaPravda.

During the meeting, dis-cussions also took place on waysto organise a corridor for theexport of agrarian and industri-al products from the ports.

Marchenko also informedthe President on the conse-quences of missile strikes by theRussian forces on the city.

According to reports, 55people were killed in Odesa dueto Russian shelling which alsodestroyed and damaged a num-ber of infrastructure facilities.

Despite the grim develop-ments, Marchenko expressed

confidence in "solving the diffi-cult issues with the help of thehead of the country" and in "de-blockading our ports and ensur-ing they can resume their oper-ations".

This was Zelensky's first tripto Ukraine's war-torn southernfrontline, as his forces mount aslow-moving advance in theregion, reports the BBC.

During a separate meetingwith troops stationed in Odesa,he said: "It is important that youare alive. As long as you live thereis a strong Ukrainian wall that

protects our country. I want tothank you from the people ofUkraine, from our state for thegreat work you are doing, for yourimpeccable service."

The President also visitedMykolaiv, about 132 km fromOdesa, where he handed outmedals to soldiers and urgedthem to "take care of Ukraine, theonly thing we have. And take careof yourself, only you can do it".

The city has long been a keytarget for Russian forces and hasbeen subject to heavy rocket andartillery bombardments.

�� -��,0#��3,�2��

UN Secretary-General AntonioGuterres has warned against the

stigma and discrimination fanned bythe Internet and social media.

"The internet and social mediahave turbocharged hate speech,enabling it to spread like wildfireacross borders," the UN chief said inhis message for the International Dayfor Countering Hate Speech, whichwas marked the first time since theGeneral Assembly adopted a relat-ed resolution last year.

"The spread of hate speechagainst minorities during the Covid-19 pandemic provides further evi-dence that many societies are high-ly vulnerable to the stigma, dis-crimination and conspiracies it pro-motes," the Secretary-General noted.

Guterres underlined that "hatespeech incites violence, underminesdiversity and social cohesion, andthreatens the common values andprinciples that bind us together".

"It promotes racism, xenopho-bia and misogyny; it dehumanizes

individuals and communities; and ithas a serious impact on our effortsto promote peace and security,human rights, and sustainable devel-opment," he said.

"Words can be weaponiSed andcause physical harm and the escala-tion from hate speech to violence hasplayed a significant role in the mosthorrific and tragic crimes of themodern age, from the antisemitismdriving the Holocaust, to the 1994genocide against the Tutsi inRwanda.

"In response to this growingthreat, three years ago, I launched theUnited Nations Strategy and Plan ofAction on Hate Speech. This pro-vides a framework for our supportto member states to counter thisscourge while respecting freedom ofexpression and opinion, in collabo-ration with civil society, the media,technology companies and socialmedia platforms," said the UN chief.

He warned that hate speech isa danger to everyone and fighting itis a job for everyone.

"This first International Day toCounter Hate Speech is a call toaction. Let us recommit to doingeverything in our power to preventand end hate speech by promotingrespect for diversity and inclusivity,"he added.

In July 2021, the UN GeneralAssembly highlighted global con-cerns over "the exponential spreadand proliferation of hate speech"around the world and adopted a res-olution on "promoting inter-religiousand intercultural dialogue and tol-erance in countering hate speech".

0��".�� !��4-�� %��%��

�#$ !! ��0�!%��*�)%�$�4)��!)1)%�$)�%9�$)*1��&# � 4�/"�)%$ !% $9��)��1 4)�

4�� ,� !��

4�� 6,��

:;��)��&!�1��<��#%$!) ��/�� 4�)%��4 ��

MORALE IS CONCERN AS NATO CHIEF WARNS WAR COULD LAST 'YEARS'

� ��.��!��4�� ?��

"$�� 0,��7��

�� !�"#�$�% !�&'�(�)*+�)*)) �� 1

�� 13<-.

The Jalalabad Airport inAfghanistan's Nangarhar

province has resumed civilianflights after two decades ofserving as a base for the USmilitary and other foreigntroops.

According to the Taliban-led government's Ministry ofTransportation and CivilAviation (MoTCA), there willbe three to four flights eachweek, reports TOLO News.

"The resumption of civil-ian flights from Nangarhar air-port is a good step. It is a majorresource for the easternprovinces of Laghman,Nuristan, Kunar andNangarhar itself," said ImamMohammad Warimach,Deputy Minister ofTransportation and CivilAviation.

MoTCA said it will attemptto provide further facilities atthe airport.

"With the Islamic Emirate'scoming to power, we reacti-vated this airport and provid-ed it with all the necessary

equipment. The staff of theMoTCA have occupied theirposts," said ImamuddinWarimach, a Ministryspokesman.

Meanwhile, businesspeo-ple have ca l led for theresumption of internationalf l ights f rom Nangarharprovince, saying that theinternational flights can helpthe country's economy.

"I call on the IslamicEmirate's officials to facilitateinternational flights fromthis airport and air-corri-

dor, thus we can export ourgoods from Afghanistan,"TOLO News quoted ZalmayAzimi, a businessman, assaying.

Earlier, the JalalabadAirport was heavily used bythe US Armed Forces andcivilian contractors. Theyoperated out of ForwardOperating Base Fenty.

Members of theInternat ional S ecur ityAssistance Force (ISAF) andResolute Support Mission(RSM) also used the airport.

� ��%��!��#�� &��

�� .3�3<3#

Pakistan's Foreign MinisterBilawal Bhutto Zardari said

on Sunday that his country wascommitted to follow interna-tional standards related to thecounter-terrorism financingand anti-money laundering.

The Paris-based globalmoney-laundering and terror-financing watchdog said onFriday that Pakistan will con-tinue to be on the "Grey List"of countries under increasedmonitoring of the FinancialAction Task Force (FATF).

It said Pakistan may beremoved from the list after anon-site visit to verify the imple-mentation of its reforms oncountering terror-financingmechanisms.

"Let me reiterate theGovernment of Pakistan's high-level commitment to continuealigning our AML/CFT regimewith global standards," Bilawalsaid in a statement.

He said that Pakistan iscommitted to continuing thispositive trajectory of reforming

the financial sector as part of itslarger strategic objective ofstrengthening its economy.

The foreign minister alsoexpressed hope that this "goodnews" from FATF will restoreconfidence in Pakistan's econ-omy and act as a catalyst forsustained growth and devel-opment.

"I welcome FATF's unani-mous acknowledgement ofcompletion by Pakistan of its

2018 and 2021 Action Plans,"he said, commending the hardwork and efforts of Pakistan'sFATF team.

"This was the result ofconcerted national efforts andcomplete harmony of interestsby all stakeholders," he said.

Bilawal said Pakistanlooked forward to the on-sitevisit and a successful and earlyculmination of the processleading to Pakistan's exit from

the grey list.Pakistan has been on the

grey list of the FATF since June2018 for failing to check moneylaundering, leading to terrorfinancing, and was given aplan of action to complete thetask by October 2019.

With Pakistan's continua-tion on the grey list, it hadincreasingly become difficultfor Islamabad to get financialaid from the IMF, the WorldBank, the Asian DevelopmentBank (ADB) and the EuropeanUnion, thus further enhancingproblems for the country.

The FATF is an inter-gov-ernmental body established in1989 to combat money laun-dering, terrorist financing andother related threats to theintegrity of the internationalfinancial system.

The FATF currently has 39members including tworegional organisations -- theEuropean Commission andGulf Cooperation Council.India is a member of the FATFconsultations and its AsiaPacific Group. PTI

�/�� "�� 9 ��#�5#�� :

�� 3��

Two people were killed and10 others had to be rescued

when their boats collided atnight near Key Biscayne inSouth Florida, the US CoastGuard and local authoritiessay.The Coast Guard said a per-son involved in the collisionnotified the agency of the crasharound 10:30 pm (local time)Friday night.

Two bodies were recoveredin the ensuing rescue opera-tion, one by the Coast GuardStation Miami Beach andanother by Miami-Dade FireRescue, officials said. TheCoast Guard said in a state-ment that one of its air crewsin an MH-65 Dolphin heli-copter played a key role in theemergency response.

A rescue swimmer alsowas sent to assist two critical-ly injured people, one of whomwas transferred to JacksonMemorial Medical Center forcare. Nine other survivors weresent to another hospital fortreatment, authorities said.

<��;� ��%��7& ��

�� "3�240

Singapore's Deputy PrimeMinister Heng Swee Keat

said on Sunday that he has test-ed positive for Covid-19 inGermany and cannot continuewith his work trip acrossEurope as he is in isolation.

Heng, 61, wrote in aFacebook post that he testedpositive for the coronavirus onSaturday, despite donning amask and avoiding crowdsthroughout his European trip.

"Tested positive forCOVID-19 in Berlin yesterday,despite keeping our masks onand avoiding crowds through-out the trip. I woke up with asore throat. My symptoms areso far not serious, thankfullybecause I am vaccinated andboosted," he said.

"Unfortunately, I willnot be able to continue with mywork trip as I am currently inisolation. My apologies toeveryone involved in the rest ofthe trip, especially to the organ-isers of the inaugural PointZero Forum," he said.

�)%*��! �#$"��6 %*��$�� ()4�)%�- !�)%

�� 1343(+�

Pakistan in a goodwill ges-ture on Sunday released 20

Indian fishermen who havebeen languishing in a jail herefor the last five years forallegedly fishing illegally inthe country's waters.

The twenty fishermen werelodged at Malir district jail inthe Landhi area of Karachi.They were sent to Lahore ontheir way to the Wagah borderwhere they will be handedover to the Indian authorities.

Jail superintendentMuhammad Irshad said thefishermen were released onthe order of the federal gov-ernment.

“They were in jail for thelast five years. Today, they werehanded over to the Edhi trustwhich will be responsible fortaking them to Lahore underpolice escort,” he said.

Irshad said the fishermenwere arrested by the MaritimeSecurity Force in June 2018 andthen jailed for fishing illegallyin Pakistan's territorial waters.

Faisal Edhi, who heads thewelfare foundation, said allexpenses and travelling of the

Indian fishermen were beingtaken care of by them. Edhitrust is a non-profit social wel-fare organisation.Pakistan andIndia regularly arrest rival fish-ermen for violating the mar-itime boundary which is poor-ly marked at some points.

�� 34��

French voters are going to thepolls in the final round of

key parliamentary electionsthat will demonstrate howmuch legroom PresidentEmmanuel Macron's party willbe given to implement hisambitious domestic agenda.

In last week's first vote, theleft, under firebrand Jean-LucMelenchon, made a surpris-ingly strong showing, sendingjitters through Macron's allies.

They fear that a strongshowing from Melenchon'scoalition on Sunday could turnMacron into a shackled secondterm leader, one who spendshis time bargaining with politi-cians and with major limitsplaced on his ability to rule.

Elections are being heldnationwide to select the 577members of the NationalAssembly, the most powerfulbranch of France's Parliament.

Though Macron's centristalliance is projected to win the

most seats, observers predictthat it could fall short of main-taining his majority - the gold-en number of 289 seats. In thiscase, a new coalition com-posed of the hard left, theSocialists and the Greens maybe forged, one which couldmake Macron's politicalmaneuvering harder since thelower house of parliament iskey to voting in laws.

Macron made a powerful-ly choreographed plea to vot-ers earlier this week from thetarmac ahead of a trip toRomania and Ukraine, warningthat an inconclusive election, orhung parliament, would put thenation in danger.

"In these troubled times,the choice you'll make thisSunday is more crucial thanever," he said Tuesday, with thepresidential plane waitingstarkly in the backgroundahead of a visit to Frenchtroops stationed near Ukraine."Nothing would be worse thanadding French disorder to the

world's disorder," he said.Following Macron's reelec-

tion in May, his centrist coali-tion has been aiming for a par-liamentary majority that wouldenable the president to imple-ment his campaign promises,which include tax cuts and rais-ing France's retirement agefrom 62 to 65. There's still hopefor his camp: Polling agenciesestimated that Macron's cen-

trists could ultimately win from255 to over 300 seats, while theleftist coalition led byMélenchon could win morethan 200 seats.

Yet many acknowledge aless than desirable outcome forMacron's party thus far.

"The disappointment wasclear on the night of the firstround for the presidential partyleaders. Clearly, they want to

have a new momentum now onthe way to the second round,"said Martin Quencez, politicalanalyst at The GermanMarshall Fund of the UnitedStates.

If Macron fails to get amajority, it will not simplyaffect France's domestic poli-tics, it could have ramificationsacross Europe. Analysts predictthat the French leader willhave to spend the rest of histerm focusing more on hisdomestic agenda rather thanhis foreign policy. It couldspell the end of PresidentMacron the continental states-man. If he loses his majority,"he would need to be moreinvolved in domestic politics inthe next five years than he waspreviously, so we could expecthim to have less political cap-ital to invest at the Europeanlevel or international level...This may have an impact forEuropean politics as a whole inEuropean affairs," Quencezsaid.

�� ,0.�3>�>

Israeli forces shot and killed aPalestinian man on Sunday,

the Palestinian Health Ministrysaid, after the Israeli militarysaid he tried to illegally crossthe separation barrier thatdivides Israel and the occupiedWest Bank.

In a statement, the militarysaid soldiers saw the man "sab-otaging" the barrier outsidethe West Bank city of Qalqilyaand "attempting to illegallycross into Israeli territory."Forces opened fire to get himto stop and shot him, the state-ment said.

The Palestinian HealthMinistry said forces killed theman, identified as NabilAhmed Salim Ghanem fromthe West Bank city of Nablus,near the barrier. The officialPalestinian news agency Wafasaid he was 53 years old. Noother details were immediate-ly available.

Thousands of Palestinianscross into Israel from the WestBank illegally through holes inthe barrier, much of which is atowering wall but is also madeup of fences prone to beingdamaged.

Many work as day laborersand earn salaries much higherthan those in the West Bank.

While incidents likeSunday's are relatively rare,Israeli forces killed a Palestinianman last month under similarcircumstances.

Israelis have been keenlyfocused on the illegal entry ofPalestinians over recent monthsfollowing a spate of attacks byPalestinians who snuck intoIsrael before carrying outkilling sprees.

Authorities, who have longturned a blind eye, havepledged to seal the breachedparts and replace the fenceswith concrete walls.

Tens of thousands ofPalestinians also cross legallyinto Israel using hard to obtainpermits.

�� !��

=>� %4)�%�&)�� !1 %�.�)� 4�)%��)�$�%�&�!�?�"!��! � �� 4

�� 3��.3

Sara Duterte, the daughter ofthe outgoing populist pres-

ident of the Philippines, tookher oath on Sunday as vicepresident following a landslideelectoral victory she clincheddespite her father's humanrights record that saw thou-sands of drug suspects gunneddown.

The inaugurationin their southern hometown ofDavao, where she's the outgo-ing mayor, comes two weeksbefore she assumes office onJune 30 as specified in thePhilippine Constitution.President-elect FerdinandMarcos Jr., Duterte's runningmate, will take his oath inManila on June 30.

"I'm not the best orthe most intelligent person inthe Philippines and the worldbut nobody can beat thetoughness of my heart as aFilipino," Duterte, who wore agreen traditional gown, said ina speech after she took her oathbefore a Supreme Court asso-ciate justice, her hand restingon a Bible held by her mother.

"The voice of 32.2million Filipinos was loud andclear - with the message toserve our motherland," Dutertesaid, referring to the votes shegot, to an applause from thou-sands of supporters.

Fondly called bysupporters as "Inday Sara," themother of three called fornational unity and devotion toGod and asked Filipinos toemulate the patriotism of thecountry's national hero JoseRizal.

She cited long-standing social ills facingFilipino children, includingpoverty, broken families, illegaldrugs, bullying and online mis-information and asked parentsto ingrain in them the values ofintegrity, discipline, respect forothers and compassion.

President RodrigoDuterte, 77, led the VIPs in theheavily guarded ceremony at apublic square near city hall inthe port city of Davao, wherehe had also served as a long-time mayor starting in the late1980s.

His family, hailingfrom modest middle-class

background, built a formidablepolitical dynasty in the restivesouthern region long troubledby communist and Musliminsurgencies and violent polit-ical rivalries.

Duterte's presiden-cy has been marked by a bru-tal anti-drugs campaign thathas left thousands of mostlypetty suspects shot dead bypolice or vigilantes. The drugkillings are being investigatedby the International CriminalCourt as a possible crimeagainst humanity.

The electoral tri-umph of Sara Duterte andMarcos Jr. Has alarmed left-wing and human rights groupsbecause of their failure toacknowledge the massivehuman rights atrocities thattook place under their fathers,including late dictatorFerdinand Marcos.

Marcos Jr. And SaraDuterte campaigned on a vagueplatform of national unity,without clearly addressingactivists' calls for them to takesteps to prosecute the elderDuterte when he retires frompolitics.

�� <34(0.2�3

Firefighters in Spain onSunday struggled to contain

wildfires in several parts of thecountry, which is suffering aheat wave unusual for thistime of the year.

The worst damage hasbeen in the northwest provinceof Zamora where over 25,000hectares (61,000 acres) havebeen consumed, regionalauthorities said.

The blaze that started inZamora's Sierra de la Culebrahas forced the evacuation of atleast 10 villages, although thedrop in temperatures overnighthas helped efforts somewhat.More than 500 firefighters aresupported by water-dumpingplanes and helicopters in thesparsely populated area.

Authorities have been onalert for an outbreak of intensewildfires, with Spain swelteringunder record temperatures atmany points in the country forJune. Experts link the abnor-mally hot period for Europe toclimate change. Thermometershave risen above 40 degreesCelsius (104 degreesFahrenheit) in many Spanishcities throughout the week —temperatures usually expected

in August. A lack of rainfall this year

combined with gusting windshave produced the conditionsfor the fires.

The spreading fire causedthe high-speed train servicefrom Madrid to Spain's north-west to be cut on Saturday. Itwas re-established on Sundaymorning.

Military firefighting unitshave been deployed in Zamora,Navarra and Lleida.

There have been no reportsof lives lost, but the flamesreached the outskirts of somevillages both in Zamora and incentral Navarra. Videos shot bypassengers in cars showed

flames licking the sides ofroads. In other villages, resi-dents looked on in despair asblack plumes rose from near-by hills.

In central Navarra, author-ities have evacuated some 15small villages as a precaution,as the high temperatures arenot expected to drop untilWednesday.

They also asked farmers tostop using heavy machinerythat could unintentionallyspark a fire. Wildfires are alsoactive in three parts of north-east Catalonia: in Lleida, inTarragona and in a nature parkin Garaf, just south ofBarcelona.

�� #�3�3�2.��C-�D

Indiana Secretary of StateHolli Sullivan failed to get the

Republican Party's nomina-tion to run in the fall election,losing to a challenger Saturdaywho has called for more votingrestrictions and embraced for-mer President Donald Trump'slie that the 2020 election wasstolen.

GOP delegates nominatedDiego Morales, who worked inthe governor's office whenMike Pence led the state. Heovercame criticism about twiceleaving jobs in the secretary ofstate office after being writtenup for poor work performance.

Morales defeated Sullivanand another candidate, get-

ting a majority of ballots dur-ing a second round of voting.

The secretary of state over-sees statewide policies for elec-tions, which are run by coun-ty officials.

Morales has called for cut-ting the state's 28-day early vot-ing period in half, requiring

new voters to prove their U.S.Citizenship when registeringand creating an "election taskforce" to investigate "shenani-gans."

Sullivan, a former statelawmaker from Evansville,was appointed secretary ofstate in March 2021 by Gov.Eric Holcomb after ConnieLawson resigned after nineyears to focus on her healthand family.

In November, Moraleswill face Destiny Scott Wells,an Indianapolis attorney andArmy Reserve intelligenceofficer who ran unopposedfor the Democratic nomina-tion. Libertarian candidateJeff Maurer will also be on theballot.

Ex-Pence aide gets GOP nod to run for Secy of State�� 34��

As Europe is facing anunusually early and intense

heatwave coming from NorthAfrica, governments of manycountries have issued warningsand instructions to the publicon how to "survive" it.

In France, monthly heatrecords were recorded in sev-eral cities, Xinhua news agencyquoted local media as saying.

According to French dailyLe Figaro, an absolute recordfor the seaside city of Biarritzwas recorded at 42.4 degreesCelsius, with an average of 35degree in other regions inFrance.

A total of 14 Frenchdepartments were under a

heatwave red alert on Friday.About three-quarters of

the French population areaffected by the orange and redheatwave alert.

On Saturday evening, thesituation remained extreme,unprecedented, with excep-tionally high temperatures

never before observed so earlyin the season, Le Figaro report-ed.

The French governmenthas also set up a "heat" line tohelp people in need in case ofemergency.

Across the EnglishChannel, Britain's Met Office

has issued a level-three warn-ing, the second highest, for theheatwave in London, southeastand east England, as the tem-perature rose to 33 degreesCelsius, the highest since sum-mer 2020.

The UK Health SecurityAgency has issued a level-threeheat-health alert acrossLondon, the southeast and eastEngland, which requires socialand healthcare services to tar-get specific actions at high-riskgroups.

Stephen Dixon, a MetOffice spokesperson, told themedia that temperatures inthe early 30s were "notunprecedented but it is unusu-al to see temperatures thishigh this early in the year".

5��%�� !�"6��#�

&��

'��9��$�� /��

9�� " �� +�� " ��"" � � ��!

�� !�"#�$�% !�&'�(�)*+�)*)) ��! 0�

New Delhi: India has com-pletely protected the interests offarmers and fishermen in therecently concluded ministerialconference of the World TradeOrganisation (WTO) inGeneva, commerce and indus-try minister Piyush Goyal saidon Sunday.

Goyal, who led the Indiandelegation for the WTO talks,also said that the decisionstaken in the conference willfurther strengthen the role ofthe multi-lateral body in pro-moting global trade and Indiachampioned the cause of thedeveloping and under-devel-oped countries.

Members of the Geneva-based WTO on June 17 secureda ‘Geneva Package’whichincluded agreements on curb-ing harmful fishing subsidiesand temporary patent waiverfor production of Covid-19vaccines.

The four-day talks of the164-member body, which start-ed on June 12, ended on June17 after hectic negotiations.

“In the WTO ministerialconference, we fully protectedthe interests of farmers,MSMEs, and fishermen. Therewill be no burden on them. Weprotected their interests,” the

minister said here at an eventwhere Prime MinisterNarendra Modi dedicated tothe nation the main tunnel andfive underpasses of PragatiMaidan Integrated TransitCorridor Project.

The Integrated TransitCorridor project is an integralpart of Pragati MaidanRedevelopment Project.

“Checks are being placedon illegal fishing in the highseas and our fishermen willhave full freedom in our EEZ(Exclusive Economic Zones).Similarly, we have ensured theMSP (Minimum SupportPrice) stays and our farmersinterests have been protected,”he said.

Developed countriesengaged in distant water fish-ing would not be able to pro-

vide subsidies for illegal, unre-ported and unregulated fishingactivities, he added.

Further, the MSP opera-tions for farmers are also pro-tected and “farmers will nothave any problem,” he said.

The WTO formulatesrules for global exports andimports and adjudicates dis-putes between two or morethan two nations. As per itsrules, all decisions are taken byconsensus and a single mem-ber nation can veto a decision.

Talking about the PragatiMaidan Integrated TransitCorridor Project, Goyal said itwould help in decongestingtraffic at Bhairon Marg herenear India Gate.

He said the tunnel is partof the redevelopment plan ofITPO site at Pragati Maidanand this state-of-the-art con-vention and exhibition centrewill be ready in time for India’spresidency of the G20 Summitin December next year .

Lamenting the Delhi gov-ernment’s callous attitudetowards the Pragati Maidancorridor, Goyal said unfortu-nately the state governmentignored repeated reminders tofulfill its share of just 20 percent cost of the project. PTI

New Delhi: Finance MinisterNirmala Sitharaman is sched-uled to meet the heads of pub-lic sector banks (PSBs) onMonday to review the perfor-mance of the lenders and theprogress made by them onvarious schemes launched bythe government for the revivalof the economy.

Banks would be urged tosanction loans for productivesectors to accelerate the revivalof the economy facing head-winds including from theRussia-Ukraine war, sourcessaid.

Last week during theIconic Week celebration of thefinance ministry, banks con-ducted outreach programsacross the country where eli-gible borrowers have sanc-tioned loans on the spot.

The Finance Ministerwould take stock of creditgrowth, asset quality, and busi-ness growth plan of banks,sources said, adding non-per-forming assets (NPAs) of Rs100 crore and the recovery sta-tus would also be discussed.

They said there would be acomprehensive review of var-ious segments and progress ingovernment schemes includingthe Kisan Credit Card, and

Emergency Credit LineGuarantee Scheme (ECLGS).

In the Budget, ECLGS wasextended by a year till March2023. Further, the guaranteecover for the scheme wasexpanded by �50,000 crore to�5 lakh crore.

The coverage, scope, andextent of benefits under ECLGS3.0 for hospitality, travel,tourism, and civil aviation sec-tors were expanded.

Also, the credit limit foreligible borrowers wasincreased to 50 per cent of theirfund-based credit outstandingfrom 40 per cent earlier. Theenhanced limit is subject to amaximum of �200 crore perborrower.

Besides, sources said, thereview of capital requirementsof banks and the financialinclusion drive would bereviewed during the meeting.

It is to be noted that themeeting is being held againstthe backdrop when all PSBsposted a profit in the secondfinancial year in a row.

They have more than dou-bled their net profit to �66,539crore in FY’22. The collectiveprofit of 12 state-owned bankstogether was Rs 31,820 crore inFY21. PTI

3��!�� )�$��#��%� �!��

New Delhi: The Governmenton Sunday said that coal stockat various coal mines is morethan 52 million tonnes (MT),which is sufficient for about 24days’of fuel required for powerplants in the country.

The statement came weeksafter shortage of fuel crippledpower generation at variouspower plants in the country.

“As on 16th June 22, coalstock at different domestic coalmines is more than 52 MT,which is sufficient for about 24days requirement of powerplants,” the coal ministry saidin a statement.

In addition to it, about 4.5MT coal stock is available atvarious goods shed sidings,private washeries and portsand is awaiting to be trans-ported to the power plants.

With increased produc-tion, the rake supply fromCoal India Ltd (CIL) to power

sector has also been at all-timehigh. The rake loading topower sector increased from215.8 rakes per day in 2020-21to 271.9 rakes per day in 2021-22, registering a growth of 26per cent.

In the current year also (tillJune 16, 2022), the rake supplyfrom CIL to power sector hasincreased by 25 per cent as

compared to the same periodof last year. At the same time,coal stocks at pit head powerplants are much higher thandistant plants.

The Domestic Coal Based(DCB) power plants have gen-erated a record high power of3.3 BU per day in June 2022(till 16th).

“The coal stock at the

DCB power plants during thisperiod, however, have notdepleted, rather the same hasincreased from 21.85 MT (ason 01.06.22) to 22.64 MT (ason June 16),” the statement said.

This reflects the robustcoal production and sufficientsupply to keep up with theincreasing demand. The coalstock is sufficient for more than10 days’requirement.

During the monsoons,despite having high coal stockat mine ends, the coal compa-nies face problems in trans-porting coal to the sidings dueto flooding of mines and thewet coal jamming the coalhandling plants conveyor sys-tems, it added.

Even by the end of secondquarter, coal stocks remainhigh at CIL mines when stocksare low at thermal plant end.There domestic coal produc-tion is not an issue. PTI

N e w D e l h i : T h eEmployees’State InsuranceCorporation (ESIC) on Sundaydecided its health insurancescheme ESI will be imple-mented throughout the coun-try by the end of 2022.

Presently, theEmployees’State Insurance (ESI)Scheme is fully implemented in443 districts and partially imple-mented in 153 districts. A totalof 148 districts are not coveredunder the ESI Scheme.

The ESIC, under thechairmanship of Minister ofLabour and EmploymentBhupender Yadav, in its 188thmeeting held on Sunday hastaken significant decisions toaugment the medical care andservice delivery mechanismacross the country, a labourministry statement said.

It has been decided thatthe ESI Scheme will be imple-mented in the entire country bythe end of 2022, it added. PTI

New Delhi: The ReserveBank’s ‘Payments Vision 2025’document, which seeks a three-fold jump in the number of dig-ital payments, is progressiveand aims to establish India asa powerhouse of paymentsglobally, opined industry play-ers.

The RBI on Friday cameout with its ‘Payments Vision2025’document which also talksabout ring-fencing of domesticpayment systems, includingthe need to mandate domesticprocessing of payment trans-actions, in view of the emerg-ing geopolitical risks.

The core theme of thevision documents is ‘E-Payments for Everyone,Everywhere, Everytime’(4Es),with an overall objective toprovide every user with safe,secure, fast, convenient, acces-sible, and affordable e-pay-ment options.

Commenting on the doc-ument, Rajesh Mirjankar, MDand CEO, Kiya.Ai, said thePayments Vision 2025 is pro-gressive and has an outlook toestablish India as a power-house of payments globally.

“One of the most impor-tant forward-looking initia-tives is the global outreach ofUPI, RTGS, NEFT and RuPaycards with internationalisa-tion, where bilateral treatieswith nations especially cover-

ing the USD, GBP and Eurowill hugely benefit Indian res-idents and their counterpartiesoverseas with online realisationat lesser costs,” said Mirjankar.

Dilip Modi, founder ofSpice Money, said while thepandemic raged across thecountry, India was on a path torealising its payments vision,and digital payments grew phe-nomenally in volume and pop-ularity, with a constant thrustfrom the government and therise of rural fintechs.

It is heartening to note thatthe RBI takes measures that willfurther enhance safety andsecurity for rural citizens,where digital and financial lit-eracy continues to be corechallenges, he said.

V Swaminathan, ExecutiveChairman, Andromeda Loansand Apnapaisa, said the RBIcame out with its PaymentsVision 2025 document to checkthe flow of cash in distributionand enhance the overall digitaltransactions in the country.

“Overall, the RBI seems tobe pushing digital transactionsand reducing the time taken invarious settlements. With theUPI on its side, the momentumis on the rise and the nationlooks forward to having mul-tiple options to transact irre-spective of the quantum of theamount to be transacted,” hesaid. PTI

New Delhi: Investment inSovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs)went up sharply during Covidimpacted years as investorslooked for safer options amidvolatility in equity marketswith 2020-21 and 2021-22accounting for nearly 75 percent of total sales of the bondssince the inception of thescheme in November 2015.

The next tranche of SGBsis scheduled to open for sub-scription for five days begin-ning Monday. The issue pricehas been fixed at �5,091 pergram of gold. It will be the firstissuance of the current fiscal.

The government in con-sultation with the Reserve Bankof India has offered a discountof �50 per gram less than thenominal value to thoseinvestors applying online andthe payment against the appli-cation is made through digitalmode.

A total of �38,693 crore

(90 tonnes of gold) has beenraised through the schemesince its inception in November2015, as per a RBI data.

During 2021-22 and 2020-21, the two Covid-impactedfinancial years, investorsbought the bonds for an aggre-gate amount of �29,040 crore orabout 75 per cent of the totalsales of the SGBs since itslaunch.

The Reserve Bank issued10 tranches of SGBs during2021-22 for an aggregateamount of �12,991 crore (27tonnes).

During 2020-21, the cen-tral bank issued 12 tranches ofSGBs for an aggregate amountof �16,049 crores (32.35tonnes).

A total of �9,652.78 crore(30.98 tonnes) were raised atthe end of the fiscal 2019-20through the scheme in 37tranches since its inception inNovember 2015. PTI

� ��+ ��5 ��>�� /��?��>��+5��

New Delhi: A combination ofnormal rainfalls aiding bumperagriculture output and theReserve Bank of India (RBI)further hiking interest rates tocut easy money in the systemhold key to bringing downmulti-year high inflation trig-gered by surging food and fuelprices, economists said.

Although theGovernment has room to fur-ther reduce excise duty onpetroleum products to containinflation from the fiscal side,emphasis will be on monetarypolicy to control price pres-sures, they added.

While retail inflation rose7.04 per cent in May year-on-year, slightly down from 95-month high of 7.79 per cent inApril, wholesale or WPI infla-tion rose to a record high of15.88 per cent in May. Three-fourth of the price rise is com-ing from food items and a nor-mal monsoon will help cool itdown as it will boost produc-tion and replenish stockpiles.

The RBI has already raisedinterest rates by 90 basis pointsafter inflation remained aboveits 2-6 per cent target band fora fifth straight month and isexpected to hike interest ratesby another 80 bps, they said.

For the common man, the

price hike is drilling a hole inpocket.

Edible oil prices, whichhad been a major factor con-tributing to the inflation, havestarted to ease a bit with lead-ing players announcing somereduction.

“Petrol and diesel havebecome expensive but, in com-parison, cab fares have notbeen raised that much. We haveto pay cab companies also. Weare left with quite a little,”Sukhwinder Singh, a 47-year-old cab driver said.

A 40-year old vegetable sell-er said managing two meals aday has become difficult as peo-

ple opt for home deliveries ratherthan buying from vegetable ven-dors. “Medicines are becomingexpensive. We cannot evenafford to fall sick these days.”

Economic affairs secretaryAjay Seth on June 16 saidinflation in India is mainlybecause of high energy andfood prices and hoped that itwould moderate in the comingmonths. “We are all aware thatsummer months are difficultmonths in terms of vegetablesand other items,” he said. “Highcrude prices are certainly achallenge and whatever mea-sures are needed and feasibleare being taken.” PTI

New Delhi: The Governmenthas directed the power gener-ation companies (GENCOS) tobuy rakes for captive usage, amove which will ensuresmooth supplies of coal duringthe monsoon season.

Each year during the mon-soon season, the production ofdomestic coal also falls, PowerMinister R K Singh told PTI.

When asked if the gov-ernment is making rakearrangements anticipating pro-duction and supply issues dur-ing the approaching rainy sea-son, he replied in the affirma-tive.

“That (rakes) is anotherproblem,” Singh said adding theCoal Ministry has been sayingthat there are locations wherethere is dry fuel but trans-portation is not happening to

the extent of availability.He cited the shortage of

rakes besides congestion onsome routes as the main rea-sons for this problem.

There are actions whichthe Railways need to take toreduce the congestion on thoselines so that more coal can beevacuated from these places. Insome areas, the Coal Ministrywill have to up the productionwhere enough rakes are avail-able, the Minister said.

Without sharing anydetails, he further said “theIndian Railways is buying morerakes. I have also asked theGENCOS to invest in rakes. “You can own rakes andyou save on transport cost andthat pays for itself in about 9-10 years and the rake itself runsfor about 25-30 years. PTI

" �� "0�(2�� !��

�,5��%�� @:@3�� 0�� 0��

New Delhi: Recording overtwo-fold jump in its net profitin fiscal year ended March2022, Canara Bank aims toimprove its bottom line furtherwith balanced focus onadvances to retail, big andsmall businesses, coupled withgreater focus on digitisation.

During 2021-22, the state-owned lender recorded a robustgrowth of 122 per cent in its netprofit at �5,678 crore, withoperating profit rising by over17 per cent to �23,089 crore.

It had earned a net profitof �2,558 crore in the precedingfiscal year ended March 2021.

The challenges emanatingfrom the global macro scenarioreflected on the domesticeconomy, leading to a slowingdown of the growth momen-tum of the Indian economy.However, there are positivesignals for aggregate demandwith consumer and businessconfidence picking up, CanaraBank managing director L VPrabhakar said. PTI

(�� <��!��

New Delhi: A year after theGovernment headhunter failedto find any suitable candidatefor the top job at ONGC, theOil Ministry has proposed rais-ing of eligibility age as well asa shorter tenure for the newchairman and managing direc-tor of India's top oil and gasproducer. The Ministry hasproposed that any candidate tobe eligible for considerationshould not be more than 60years of age on the date ofoccurrence of vacancy, accord-ing to the Ministry's officememorandum sent to theDepartment of Personnel and

Training (DoPT) on June 17.The vacancy arose

after Shashi Shanker superan-nuated on March 31, 2021.Presently, the minimum ageprescribed for being eligible forthe top job is 45 years. Besides,internal candidates need tohave two years of residual ser-vice as on the date of vacancyand three years for externalcandidates. What the Ministryhas proposed now is that anyeligible candidate who is notmore than 60 years of age at thetime of occurrence of vacancy,which was April 1, 2021, shouldbe considered eligible. PTI

�)��)%��!�� )*� !��* ��)1)$9��!$ !�$ %#! �&�!��)!1�%� New Delhi: Aggressive rate

hike by the US Federal Reserve,coupled with elevated inflationand high valuation of equitiescontinued to keep foreigninvestors at bay from the Indianstock market as they pulled out�31,430 crore in this month sofar. With this, net outflow byForeign Portfolio Investors(FPIs) from equities reached�1.98 lakh crore so far in 2022,data with depositories showed.

Going forward, FPI flowsto remain volatile in the emerg-ing markets on account of ris-ing geopolitical risk, rising infla-tion, tightening of monetarypolicy by central banks, amongothers, Shrikant Chouhan, Head- Equity Research (Retail),

Kotak Securities, said.According to the data, for-

eign investors withdrew a netamount of �31,430 crore fromequities in the month of June(till 17th).The massive selling byFPIs continued in June too asthey have been incessantly with-drawing money from Indianequities since October 2021.Shrikant attributed latest sellingto rising inflation, tight mone-tary policy by global centralbanks and elevated crude oilprices. Global investors arereacting to increased risks of aglobal recession as the USFederal Reserve was forced toraise interest rates by 75 basispoints. due to persistently ele-vated inflation. PTI

;��;��J��I�� K7�@K&� ��)��

New Delhi: Selling diesel at Rs20-25 a litre below cost andpetrol at Rs 14-18 per litrebelow cost, as a result of a pricefreeze despite soaring cruderates is unsustainable, an indus-try body representing privatefuel retailers like Jio-bp andNayara Energy has told the OilMinistry and has sought itsintervention to create a viableinvestment environment.

On June 10, the Federationof Indian Petroleum Industry(FIPI), which besides privatefuel retailers also counts state-owned firms such as IOC,BPCL and HPCL as its mem-

bers, wrote to the PetroleumMinistry saying losses on petroland diesel will limit furtherinvestments in retailing busi-ness. International crude oiland product prices have risensharply to a decade high butstate-owned fuel retailers, whocontrol 90 per cent of the mar-ket, have frozen petrol anddiesel prices at rates equivalentto two-third of the cost.

This has left private fuelretailers like Jio-bp, Rosneft-backed Nayara Energy andShell to either raise prices andlose customers, or to curtailsales to cut losses. PTI

5��#��5��!��

New Delhi: The equity markets focus is expected to shift to glob-al trends in the absence of any major domestic event scheduledthis week, while investors are likely to continue to keep a tab onforeign fund movement and crude oil prices, analysts said.

Progress of monsoon would also be monitored, they added.“Relentless selling by FIIs is a key concern for the Indian mar-kets. Rupee movement and development of monsoon will be otherimportant factors for the market,” said Santosh Meena, Head ofResearch, Swastika Investmart Ltd. “In absence of any majordomestic event, global cues will continue to dictate the trend.Participants will also be eyeing Covid cases trend and progressof monsoon,” Ajit Mishra, VP - Research, Religare Broking Ltd,said.

Past week, the Sensex plunged 2,943.02 points or 5.42 percent, while the Nifty declined 908.30 points or 5.61 per cent. Weakglobal cues, a sharp rate hike in the USA and aggressive sellingby FIIs (Foreign Institutional Investors) were the key reasons forlast week’s turmoil, Meena added. PTI

New Delhi: As many as 428infrastructure projects, eachentailing an investment of �150crore or more, have been hit bycost overruns of more than�4.98 lakh crore, as per areport.

According to the Ministryof Statistics and ProgrammeImplementation, which moni-tors infrastructure projects of�150 crore and above, out of1,559 projects, 428 projectsreported cost overruns and asmany as 647 projects weredelayed.

“Total original cost ofimplementation of the 1559projects was �21,73,907.11crore and their anticipatedcompletion cost is likely to be�26,72,201.26 crore, whichreflects overall cost overruns of�4,98,294.15 crore (22.92% oforiginal cost),” the ministry’slatest report for April 2022 said. PTI

New Delhi: The market valu-ation of the top-10 most valuedfirms plunged by a whopping�3.91 lakh crore last week, intandem with a steep sell-off inequities, with TCS and andReliance Industries taking thebiggest hit.

Past week, the BSE Sensexplunged 2,943.02 points or5.42 per cent, while the NSENifty declined 908.30 points or5.61 per cent.Markets havebeen extremely bearish of lateamid rate hikes by global cen-tral banks, unrelenting foreignfund outflows and jump incrude oil prices.

The market valuation of the10 most valued domestic firmseroded by �3,91,620.01 crorelast week.From the top-10 firms,Tata Consultancy Services(TCS) was the top loser, as itsmarket valuation tumbled�1,01,026.4 crore to stand at�11,30,372.45 crore. PTI

@%L�� '�� @$EL��!��

�� " , 2+0� ��" �"��:;10 �� <��+= 2��# '.��"� ��"

� ��)%*�4) � ��$��=>'=?@�$!��9�� $!��$��<'�A@�$!��($�! $�)� !��$��($

"�� !��!?�3��

� �� $�� 3@ �?�� 0 ��@)��A��

�! �� $�� 0�� 0��

0� ��"�� 5%��

"+��" 00�� !�"#�$�% !�&'�(�)*+�)*))

��■ )3134,3

World badminton numberone Viktor Axelsen tri-

umphed in straight sets overunderdog Zhao Jun Peng ofChina on Sunday, clinching theIndonesia Open championshipfor the second consecutiveyear.

The Danish ace took thefirst set at Jakarta's IstoraSenayan arena on the back ofsuperb defense against his left-handed opponent's heavy pres-sure.

Zhao's aggressive approachwould ultimately cost him,leading to several errors in thesecond and final set as Axelsentook home the title with scoresof 21-9 and 21-10.

The Olympic championcame into the match havingwon the Indonesia Masters

2022 just last week.The back-to-back tourna-

ments were highly anticipatedby badminton fans after almostthree years without live audi-ences in the Indonesian capitaldue to the coronavirus pan-demic.

"Today, I just tried to come

in there and use my experience.I tried to control the drifts thebest way I could. I tried to playat a high pace and it really paidoff," he told journalists after thematch.

The women's singles finals,meanwhile, ended with sec-ond-ranked Tai Tzu Ying ofTaiwan securing victory overChina's unseeded Wang Zhi Yi21-23, 21-6, 21-15.

"Wang played with verygood ball control. I put the bur-den on myself because of myown mistakes," Tai said via aninterpreter after the match.

But after dropping the firstset, Tai quickly bounced backin the second and dominatedthe rest of the way.

"I'm very happy that a lotof people cheered me on, as itbecame my motivation duringthe match today," she said.

��■ 42,,04#3�

Avaliant Indian women'shockey team squandered

a one-goal lead to lose 2-3 toOlympic silver medallistArgentina in the second matchof the double-leg FIH ProLeague tie here on Sunday.

Argentina won the FIHPro League crown, finishingwith 42 points from 16 games,10 clear of second placedNetherlands, who still havetwo games remaining. TheIndians continued to occupythe third position in the stand-ings in their debut seasonwith 24 points from 12 games.

In the first match onSaturday, the Indians haddished out a spirited perfor-mance to stun Argentina 2-1in the shoot-out after a 3-3stalemate in regulation time.

Their confidence on ahigh after the terrific win a daybefore, India continued in thesame vein and put pressure onthe Argentine defence earlyon.

Not just in attack, theIndians produced a brilliant

show in the backline too, atleast in the opening two quar-ters with the Savita Punia-leddefence thwarting a number ofArgentina attacks.

It was India who broke thestalemate in the 23rd minute,scoring through a counter-

attack with Salima Tete show-ing her rapid speed by cuttingthrough the Argentine defencebefore taking a shot thatdeflected in off oppositiongoalkeeper Belen Succi's stick.

After the change of ends,Argentina came out attackingand controlled the game for amajor part of the third quar-ter.

The Indians struggled tomatch the pace of theArgentina players and playwas mostly centred inside theIndian half.

In the 37th minute, Savitaonce again came to her side'srescue by denying Jankunasfrom close range.

But Argentina were not tobe denied a minute later whenDelfine Thome did enough toloop the ball over a stretchedSavita after she was set up by

Sofia Toccalino's brilliant runfrom the right flank.

India soon secured apenalty corner but Udita wast-ed the chance.

Argentina then scoredtwice in a span of three min-utes from two penalty cornersto take a 3-1 lead.

But India were no moodto give up without a fight asthree minutes later, DeepGrace Ekka scored from apenalty corner with a fierceslap shot to reduce the marginto 2-3.

The Indians played theirhearts out till the final hooterand in the 55th minute,Vandana Katariya came closeto restoring parity from acounter-attack but her reversehit was saved by Succi.

The Indians will next playUSA on June 21 and 22.

�� ■ �0/�#0.+�

Prime Minister NarendraModi on Sunday flagged

off the first-ever torch relayfor the Chess Olympiadahead of the 44th edition ofthe event, which is to be heldin Mahabalipuram from July28 to August 10.

The international chessbody, FIDE, for the very firsttime has instituted the torchrelay, which is part of theOlympic tradition but wasnever done in the ChessOlympiad.

FIDE President ArkadyDvorkovich handed over thetorch to the prime ministerwho gave it to the legendaryViswanathan Anand.

The torch will be taken to75 cities in a span of 40 daysbefore arriving inMahabalipuram nearChennai. At every location,chess grandmasters of thestate will receive the torch.

Leh, Srinagar, Jaipur,Surat, Mumbai, Bhopal,Patna, Kolkata, Gangtok,Hyderabad, Bengaluru,Thrissur, Port Blair andKanyakumari are among the75 cities.

In nearly 100 years of thehistory of the ChessOlympiad, it's the first timethat India will be hosting theprestigious event. With 188countries registered for theupcoming Olympiad, thecountry is set to witness ahuge congregation of nationsfor a sporting event for thefirst time on Indian soil.

Speaking on the occa-sion, PM Modi, who made aceremonial move on the chessboard against womanGrandmaster Kneru Humpy,said: "The first-ever torchrelay of the Chess Olympiadis starting from India, it is alsothe first time India is hostingthe big event.

"We are proud that thesport rose from its birth placeand has made its presence feltall over the world. We aredelighted to see chess returnto its birth place and celebrateits success in the form ofChess Olympiad.

"FIDE has decided thatthe torch relay will start fromIndia. It is not just India'shonour but honour for chess."

Modi said chess is notjust a game but has nowbecome an educational tool.

"In India wrestling,

kabaddi, malkhamb wereplayed to remain fit and foranalytical skills, our forefa-thers invented chess. Chesstravelled to whole world andbecame popular. Today chesshas become an educationaltool, chess players are becom-ing problem solvers," he said.

Modi said yoga and med-itation are vital to success inchess.

Sports Minister AnuragThakur, who also attendedthe grand event, thanked thePM for supporting sports.

"It is a big opportunity forIndia that the land wherechess originated, it will behosted in this country. Ithank the PM for his endeav-our and support."

"Whenever torch relayhappens it will start fromIndia. In 1956, India partici-pated for first time in ChessOlympiad and then tookyears to win a medal, but afterthat, never looked back," hesaid.

"Today there is immenseawareness about sports inthe country, thanks to ourPM. He is not just a sportsenthusiast, sports lover, he isan avid sports fan too whocares about our sportsper-sons."

World chess body presi-dent Dvorkovich said he isgrateful to the Indian govern-ment for hosting the presti-gious event.

"I am delighted to startthe new tradition torch relayin India. Olympic flame is asymbol of Olympic move-ment and friendship, samewill be the torch relay. Infuture we plan to expand thetorch relay to the entire worldbut it will always start fromIndia.

"FIDE is grateful toGovernment of India for tak-ing this initiative which willmake this game popular.Hope chess can become apart of educational pro-gramme in all schools acrossIndia and the world," he said.

"India, today, is the fastestgrowing chess country in theworld. It's a dream to host theOlympiad in India."

The ceremony startedwith the traditional dances ofIndia depicting the 64squares.

The programme alsoshowcased the history of theancient game, its origin andevolution.

��■ .�>04�22.

Liverpool signed Scotland under-21 defend-er Calvin Ramsay from Aberdeen on

Sunday as a backup to right back TrentAlexander-Arnold.

The 18-year-old Ramsay, who hasn'tplayed for Scotland's senior team, has joinedfor a reported fee of 4.2 million pounds ($5.15million).

He only made his senior debut forAberdeen in March last year and played 39games for the team in Scotland's top division,making nine assists and scoring one goal.

Joe Gomez has been the backup to TrentAlexander-Arnold over the last couple of yearseven though he is naturally a center back.Gomez has been linked with a move away fromAnfield.

"It was a dream come true to play forAberdeen, and now to be at one of the biggest,if not the biggest club in the world, it's a mas-sive achievement and I'm looking forward to

trying to show the fans what I've got," Ramsaysaid.

"Hopefully I can come in preseason, showeveryone at the club, the staff, players what I'vegot and then we'll see what happens fromthere."

�� ■ �0/�#0.+�

Allaying fears of any injuryduring the KuortaneGames in Finland where

he claimed his first win of theyear, Olympic champion javelinthrower Neeraj Chopra said heis looking forward to starting hisDiamond League season inStockholm on June 30.

The 24-year-old Chopraslipped after his third attempt inKuortane on Saturday. The con-ditions were treacherous for ajavelin throw competition witha wet and slippery run-up dueto rains. He lost his balance afterreleasing the spear in his thirdattempt and had a nasty fall withhis left shoulder hitting the turf.

Chopra won the competi-tion with his opening throw —his lone legal attempt — of86.69m. He took only threeattempts, just like second andthird-place finishers — Trinidadand Tobago's 2012 Olympicschampion Keshorn Walcott(86.64m) and reigning worldchampion Anderson Peters(84.75m) of Grenada.

"Tough conditions with theweather, but happy to get myfirst win of the season here atKuortane," Chopra wrote in anInstagram post.

"I am feeling good and

looking forward to starting myDiamond League season at@bauhausgalan (StockholmDiamond League) on the 30th."

His throw was not as big asthe 89.30m effort while finish-ing second in the Paavo NurmiGames in Turku, Finland, in astar-studded field on Tuesdaybut the win will surely boost hisconfidence ahead of the

Stockholm Diamond League.Athletics Federation of India

(AFI) also said that "all is well"with Chopra.

"News from Kuortane: Allwell with @Neeraj_chopra1 afterthat bad slip on his third attempt.Nothing to worry. Well done#NeerajChopra, congrats for onemore top class performance," theAFI tweeted.

��■ �34��

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce hammered homeher status as world championship favourite

on Saturday by equalling her world best timethis year to win the 100m at the Paris DiamondLeague meeting.

The veteran Jamaican sprinter triumphedin 10.67sec, shrugging off the crushing 30-degree heat at the city's Charlety stadium.

A two-time Olympic champion over 100m,the 35-year-old Fraser-Pryce equalled the2022 best time she set in Nairobi in May.

The nine-time world champion's win illus-trated her threat to reigning Olympic champi-on Elaine Thompson-Herah at next month'sworld championships in Eugene, Oregon.

Both will meet next week at the Jamaicantrials.

"I feel very good, technically it was verygood. The goal is always to be on top techni-

cally, then the lap times follow," said Fraser-Pryce.

"Physically I was good too. Running 10.6,only a few sprinters can achieve that," sheadded.

Fraser-Pryce has already qualified for the100m in Eugene as she is the defending cham-pion.

��■ .2�#2�

Italy's Matteo Berrettini servednotice of his intention to

mount another strong chal-lenge at Wimbledon after join-ing an elite group of players byretaining his ATP Queen's Clubtitle on Sunday.

Berrettini defeated Serbia'sFilip Krajinovic 7-5, 6-4 in thefinal of the Wimbledon warm-up event.

He will now be aiming to goone better at Wimbledon, theonly one of tennis's four majorsstill played on grass, after losingto Novak Djokovic in last year'sfinal.

Berrettini's victory meanthe joined John McEnroe, JimmyConnors, Boris Becker, IvanLendl, Lleyton Hewitt, AndyRoddick and Andy Murray asthe only players in the Open erato win back-to-back Queen'stitles.

The world number 10 hasbeen in superb grass-court formthis season following a returnfrom hand surgery.

Berrettini, 26, has now wontwo tournaments in a row, after

beating Murray in Stuttgart lastweekend, and Sunday's successwas a further boost to his con-fidence just eight days before thestart of Wimbledon.

Krajinovic, who prior to thisweek had never won a match ongrass, was the first player in

Sunday's final to lose serve."There are too many emo-

tions," Berrettini said soon afterhis latest victory. "The last thingI expected after a surgery wastwo titles in a row and to defendmy title here. I just cannotbelieve it.”

��■ <�4��"+3�

Brazil's Beatriz Haddad Maia won her secondtitle in seven days after Zhang Shuai retired

in the final of the WTA Birmingham Classic onSunday.

Haddad Mai was 5-4 up in the first when herChinese opponent indicated she could no longerplay on.

Both players had come through tough semi-finals earlier on Sunday after rain had washed outSaturday's play at the Edgbaston Priory Club inBirmingham, central England.

Haddad Maia has now won her last 10 grass-court matches, having lifted the trophy at theNottingham Open on June 12.

The 26-year-old has yet to get beyond thethird round at Wimbledon, but her recent formwill leave Haddad Maia hopeful of an improvedshowing when the last of tennis's four majorsplayed on grass starts in eight days' time.

��A�"��A��Top seed Ons Jabeur won the final of the

WTA tournament in Berlin on Sunday afterOlympic champion Belinda Bencic was forced toretire after twisting her left ankle.

Bencic slipped at the end of the first set anddespite receiving treatment, she eventually retired

with Jabeur leading 6-3, 2-1.Jabeur had raced into a 3-0 lead after just nine

minutes before going on to win the third WTAtitle of her career after wins on grass last year inBirmingham and on clay in Madrid last month.

"From what I know of Belinda, she would havetaken me to three sets today," said Jabeur, whowished her opponent a speedy recovery withWimbledon due to start in a week's time.

"The most important thing for me is that sheis okay."

��■ �0/�#0.+�

Hosts India scooped up eight medals atthe Asian Track Cycling

Championships, including 1 Gold, 3 Silverand 4 $ronze, on the second day of the com-petition here on Sunday.

The Indian athletes, so far, have won 18medals in the 41st Senior, 28th Junior AsianTrack, and 10th Para Track CyclingChampionships.

The second day of the event also wit-nessed 12 final rounds, including four inpara cycling events.

The Indians bagged 1 Gold, 1 Silver and1 Bronze in the Para Cycling events while2 Silver and 3 Bronze medals were won bythe senior and junior athletes respectively.

Track cyclist Mayuri Lute won theBronze medal in the 500m time trial event.

This was Mayuri's second Bronze medalin as many days and her first individualmedal in the senior category event. Sheclocked 36.481 seconds in time trial with aspeed of 49.340 km/h to earn the honours.

India opened with Pooja Danole'sBronze medal in the individual pursuitwomen's junior category.

Pooja clocked 2:31.277 seconds to claim

the third position and went on to create anew national record, breaking her own pre-vious record of 2:37.410 seconds.

In the men's junior category, NirajKumar lost an opportunity to win Gold andsettled for Silver after he lost to Kazakhstan'sMaxim Traskin in the 2000km race event.

In the senior men's individual pursuitcategory, Vishwajit Singh bagged Bronze byclocking 9 minutes in the 4 kilometre raceevent.

/�� "��"")��$��"��;��%��

�� !�"��#��

��#�3�(2�,��-0�;��04-��<3"�L��0#3.�

, �� +�� "��3��")��!��!%��#��!�#��)��

��!��&"7��

8��5��

��■ +3..0�/0�,;3.0�

World number oneDaniil Medvedev lost

his second straight ATPgrass-court final when hewas brushed aside byPoland's Hubert Hurkacz inHalle on Sunday.

Medvedev had fewanswers as he crashed todefeat inside 64 minutes asHurkacz offered no respite ina 6-1, 6-4 victory.

This was a second con-secutive heavy defeat in afinal for the Russian who alsolost in straight sets to Timvan Rijthoven last Sunday at's-Hertogenbosch in theNetherlands.

Hurkacz earned the fifthtitle of his career, but his firston grass having also reachedthe semi-finals ofWimbledon last year.

On his way to the final inHalle, the 25-year-old saw offAustralian firebrand NickKyrgios in three sets beforeoutclassing Medvedev.

3�� <��:��%��> ��" �"�"��

�>��

"+��" 0/�� !�"#�$�% !�&'�(�)*+�)*))

��■ <0�"3.-4-

The BCCI has decided to give theIreland-bound Indian T20squad, led by Hardik Pandya, a

three-day break before it leaves for thetwo-match series in Malahide.

While Rahul Dravid, ShreyasIyer and Rishabh Pant will be takingan early morning flight on Monday forLondon, the BCCI wants its T20 spe-cialists to take a short break.

"All the players selected for theIreland T20s are going home for athree-day break. Although there is nobio-bubble they didn't have familieswith them for the series and some areplaying non-stop since IPL.

"It's only fair that they spend sometime at home," a BCCI source said.

It is understood that all the mem-bers of the Ireland-bound squad willassemble in Mumbai on June 23 alongwith NCA head VVS Laxman.

"Laxman and the players will bein Mumbai by 23rd and they will leavethe next day for Dublin. Since they arealready coming from a series, youdon't need time to get into the groove.Also it's a two-match series, so youwon't be needing a lot of time to accli-matise," he explained.

The T20I party, after playing thetwo games in Malahide on June 26and 28, will move to the UK for T20practice matches, which will coincidewith the Test team's 'fifth' game fromlast year in Edgbaston from July 1-5.

However, it is understood that notall the players in the current T20I set-up will be retained for the Englandtour, as many regulars will be makinga comeback in the team.

"By the time the England white-ball series starts, you will see all thestars playing till the T20 World Cup.There will be no break from thereonsave smaller series like Zimbabwe.

"Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, JaspritBumrah, Ravindra Jadeja will all beback in the mix. Only person missingout for the time being is KL Rahul. Soa few of the current top-order play-ers, fringe pacers or an odd spinnermight miss out," he stated.

��■ <0�"3.-4-

Six captains leading Indianteams across formats in a

span of eight months isn'tsomething that head coachRahul Dravid had plannedbut he isn't complaining as itprovides an opportunity tocreate more leaders within thegroup.

Since Dravid took over inNovember after the T20 WorldCup, India have had ViratKohli, Rohit Sharma, ShikharDhawan, KL Rahul, RishabhPant, Hardik Pandya (set tolead in Ireland) as national cap-tains due to the COVID-19related bubble breaks, simulta-neous series held in countries,and injury-induced breaks.

"It's been challenging aswell, we have got six captainsin the last eight months, whichactually wasn't the plan whenI started, but it's the nature ofthe number of games we areplaying," Dravid told StarSports.

The 'Wall' accepted thatthat the times are such that onehas to accept the situation.

"It's the nature of COVID,

so I have had to work withquite a few people. It has beengreat fun. A lot of other guyshave got an opportunity tolead, we have got opportunitiesto create more leaders in thegroup," he looked at the posi-tive side of the things.

The endeavour has been toget better in every aspectalthough losing the Test andODI series in South Africa wasdisappointing. "We have con-stantly strived to get better, wehave tried a lot of different peo-ple. In the last eight months,touring South Africa was a bitof a disappointment in terms

of Test cricket," he said.Dravid is happy with the

bowling talent that hasemerged thanks to the IPL.

"Our white ball crickethas been good though, showsthe character of the team. It wasincredible to see the fast bowl-ing talent we have (during theIPL), especially with few of thebowlers clocking such speed.

"A lot of youngsters got anopportunity to showcase theirskills, and a lot of them camegood, those are really goodsigns for Indian cricket, excit-ing times ahead," he soundedconfident.

��■ (2.2�<2

Sri Lanka clinched an wick-et-wicket win in the third

ODI against Australia onSunday. The hosts now leadthe five-match series by 2-1.Aaron Finch and Travis Headscored fifties each as Australiamanaged 291/6 in 50 overs.However, their knocks went invain, with Lankan openerPathum Nissanka (137) dish-ing out a scintillating ton. Sri

Lanka (292/4) won by sixwickets.

Australia got off to a shakystart as they lost two wicketsin 11 overs. The visitorsfetched partnerships at fre-quent intervals to keep them-selves afloat on what was aspinner-friendly wicket onoffer. Later, Sri Lankan open-ers laid a decent exhibition. Acentury-plus stand betweenNissanka and Mendis provedoverpowering for the Aussies

as they faced a second succes-sive defeat in the series.

Earlier, Australia won thetoss and chose to bat first.

Travis Head smashed 70as Australia braved a spinonslaught by Sri Lanka toreach 291-6.

Australian opener DavidWarner went for nine in thethird over, top-edging aDushmantha Chameerabouncer to MaheeshTheekshana at fine leg.

Back from injury, MitchellMarsh struggled to get goingand departed for 10 off 23deliveries, caught at cover byKusal Mendis after a slowerdelivery by Dunith Wellalage.

Marnus Labuschagnecame in at number four aheadof Head and he and AaronFinch added 69 beforeLabuschagne was stumped byNiroshan Dickwella off JeffreyVandersay for 29.

Two overs later, Vandersaybagged Finch too, with theAustralian captain edging thespinner to a divingDhananjaya de Silva at sliphaving made 62 off 85.

Head and Carey added 72runs before de Silva trappedCarey leg-before on the frontpad trying to sweep, havingmade a quick-fire 49 off 52deliveries.

Glenn Maxwell did somedamage, smashing 33 off 18before giving Vandersay histhird wicket, miscueing thespinner into the hands ofWellalage scurrying back frommidwicket.

But Head stayed firm,reaching his half-century andsmashing Wellalage for threesixes in the penultimate overand ending 70 not out off 65deliveries, with CameronGreen unbeaten on 15.

Vandersay ended with fig-ures of 3 for 49.

��■ (2.2�<2

The Harmanpreet Kaur-ledIndian women's cricket

team arrived here on Sunday forits limited-over tour of SriLanka, beginning on June 23.

Without senior players likeMithali Raj, who hasannounced her retirement, andveteran pacer Jhulan Goswami,a young Indian team will playthree ODIs and as many T20Internationals at Pallekele andDambulla respectively.

The Sri Lanka Cricket(SLC) welcomed the visitingteam, coached by RameshPowar, on its arrival and alsoposted pictures and visuals onits social media handles.

Prior to its departure, theIndian team underwent a campat the National CricketAcademy in Bengaluru andalso interacted with NCA headVVS Laxman.

According to Harmanpreet,the tour was a great opportuni-ty to build the team.

"We are working hard onour team, we have great com-binations. And for us, it is agood tour to start, becausefirst-time we are going to playwithout our seniors and a greatopportunity for all of us to builda team," Harmanpreet had saidon Saturday.

The tour commences withthe first T20I at Dambulla onJune 23.

��■ 3�,�"-3

John Campbell smashed thewinning six as West Indies

needed only seven more oversto beat Bangladesh by sevenwickets in the first Test onSunday.

West Indies finished on 88-3 after resuming the fourth dayon 49-3 in its second inningsand needing 35 more runs toclinch the series opener.

Campbell accelerated hisscoring rate on Sunday and fin-ished the match with a six overlong off against NajmulHossain Shanto. He hit ninefours and one six in his 58 notout. Jermaine Blackwood at theother end was undefeated on 26after the pair came to theirteam's rescue with a fourth-wicket partnership of 79.

Out-of-form Bangladeshhad given the hosts a scare onSaturday, at one stage reducingthe West Indies to 9-3 at SirVivian Richards Stadium.

West Indies scored 265 inits first innings. Bangladesh had103 and 245.

Bangladesh medium-pacerKhaled Ahmed, who took threewickets in 11 balls on daythree, was unable to breakthrough again. He finishedwith 3-27 from eight overs.

�� 3��,0.>00�

England was set a target of236 off 41 overs to win

the second ODI against theNetherlands on Sunday andclinch the series with a matchto spare.

Scott Edwards, filling inas captain in the absence ofPieter Seelaar, top-scored forthe Dutch in their total of235-7 at Amstelveen out-

side Amsterdam after theywon the toss and opted to batfirst.

They did the opposite inthe first ODI on Friday andsaw England smash a world-record 498-4 to set up a vic-tory by 232 runs.

The second ODI wasreduced to 41 overs per sidebecause of overnight rainthat led to a delayed start dueto a wet outfield.

��■ �0/�#0.+�

Acountry where sport is still not con-sidered a viable career option, inci-

dents of sexual harassment of femaleathletes by their coaches could discour-age parents from sending their daugh-ters to stadiums, fears India's sports fra-ternity.

Such issues must be handled wise-ly by the authorities, is the commonrefrain from current and former sportspersons.

A female cyclist recently shared herharrowing experience in Slovenia,where the contingent's chief coachmade attempts to sexually harass her.

The cyclist was flown back to thecountry by the Sports Authority of India(SAI), on her request, and the coach wassacked and is facing an investigation.

Many Indian athletes are stillunaware of the incident but expressedangst when they were told about it.

The country's top archer DeepikaKumari urged the authorities to ensurefemale athletes' safety and exhorted hercolleagues to bring to light such inci-dents without fear.

"This is utterly shocking. Youshould remove these persons. We havea free culture in sport where both boysand girls practice together, stay underone roof as they feel it is very safe," theworld number 3 and three-timeOlympian said.

"Parents these days are reluctant tosend their girl child to sport. If such

things keep coming up, then they willstop sending them. So it's for theauthorities to remove the culprits faraway from the sport. Safety is of utmostimportance."

"As for athletes, they should alwaysspeak out with confidence. Maybe theyfear for their career and reputation, andsuppress the matter in some cases. Butthis way you are giving more freedomto these coaches."

The SAI has already made itmandatory for National SportsFederations (NSFs) to keep womencoaches in the contingents if the femaleathletes are competing, both at homeand abroad.

Shooter Manu Bhaker said beforethe instruction was issued, the practicewas being followed in her sport.

"We always have a female coach ora manager accompanying us on tours.So I think every other discipline can alsofollow a similar practice to ensure theathletes are well taken care of," she said.

"Else these incidents can have a neg-ative impact and affect the performanceof athletes. I am sure they (coaches) arealso briefed about this crucial aspect."

Former India captain and BCCIApex Council member ShanthaRangaswamy advocated the need tohave more women involved in runningof the sport.

"In Karnataka cricket, we havefemale support staff for all the agegroups. If we get more females into thegame, not only it makes the environ-

ment safer it also helps them blossomin their coaching careers.

"At the national level, I hope in thenext five years we have an all-womensupport staff in the Indian team. Thehead coach can be male but the rest ofthe support staff should definitely befemale. If they can excel at the domes-tic level they can excel at the India leveltoo," she said.

There are a few athletes who are stillunaware that such an incident has hap-pened.

"No, I have not heard about thisincident. We are focussed on our train-ing. And such things have not happenedin wrestling," said Sarita Mor, theworld championships bronze medallist.

Three-time Olympian LaishramBombayla Devi says the process toappoint coaches should be made betterso that such elements do not enter thesystem.

"We never faced such an issue inarchery. It's hard to believe and feels bad.The solution to this problem is to screenthe coaches properly before theirappointments. The committee shoulddo a proper background check beforeappointing someone.

"Most of the NIS coaches come outafter participating in just one state meetor so. It has become very simple tobecome a coach, especially at the juniorlevel. To keep a qualified coach is veryimportant so the onus is on the author-ities to be strict while appointingthem," she said.

Sardar Singh, former India hockeyskipper and now a coach with thenational men's team, said such incidents"bring a bad name to Indian sports".

"The step taken by SAI to make itmandatory for a woman coach toaccompany women athletes on toursand national camps is a welcome move.

"This should have been imple-mented earlier. The women athletes,particularly who are in individualsports, will feel safe now and share theirproblems with the lady coach."

"If you talk about hockey, the play-ers always travel or camp in a big con-tingent. We always used to have awoman support staff with our women'steam. Now the coach is also a woman(Janneke Schopman)."

Ravi Shankar, who was India coachat London 2012 Olympics and is thecurrent chief archery coach at SAI cen-tre in Kolkata, said the latest incidentis "a big blot to our coaching fraterni-ty".

"You also start feeling 'guilty' forbeing a coach. A coach is like a fatherfigure to the ward. I've been coachingfor 32 years now. I was with the men'steam earlier and now looking after thewomen's team in different age groups.Deepika was also under me and touredwith me for about 16 years.

"Till now she calls me 'Papa', thatshould be the relation, the mentalitybetween a ward and the coach, thenonly you can become a successfulcoach. Trust and belief play a big role."

�� <0�"3.-4-

India and South Africa shared honoursin the five-match T20I series after the

last game here on Sunday was called offdue to rain with only 3.3 overs of play pos-sible. India and South Africa were on levelterms at 2-2 after four matches.

After being put into bat, a steadydownpour delayed the game by 50 min-utes. It started raining just when the game

was about to start.The curtailed match did start at

7:50PM but was called off after only 16minutes of play in which India managed28 runs for the loss of two wickets.

Lungi Ngidi got both the wickets ofIshan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad witha couple of slower deliveries.

Kishan hit two sixes off KehsavMaharaj's opening over but was undoneby a loopy slower delivery from Ngidi as

he committed to the shot early and playedall over it.

Gaikwad also failed to pick up a slow-er delivery and was holed out at mid-onbefore the heavens opened up again tostop the series decider.

The Karnataka State CricketAssociation (KSCA) later informed thatthey will refund 50 per cent of the tick-et money to the spectators following thewash out.

��'-�� B��:'��-��5��7��

��>�� 9��0�� 6'��

&��@:��

��■ 12.13,3

Discarded Team India wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha,

who also had a fallout with CricketAssociation of Bengal, is in talkswith Tripura for a potential play-er-cum-mentor role, an officialsaid.

"He wants a role of being theplayer-cum-mentor for Tripura. Hehas been in talks with some ApexCouncil members in Tripura butnothing has been finalised yet," anofficial said.

"He has to first get a clearance(no-objection-certificate) from theCAB and then the BCCI and thenit will be taken forward," he added.The 37-year-old had pulled out ofthe Bengal set-up after being rejected in the Indian Test teamfor Sri Lanka.

After that, CAB joint-secretary Debabrata Das made someunsavoury remarks about Saha's decision in the media, ques-tioning his commitment, something that annoyed the seasonedwicketkeeper-batter.

Having made a mark in the IPL, Saha was named inBengal's Ranji Trophy quarterfinal match squad againstJharkhand, but without his consent.

The veteran wicketkeeper took strong exception to it andreportedly sought an apology from Das. Later, he made it clearhe's not going to play for Bengal again.

Having made his debut for Bengal in 2007, Saha has played122 first-class matches.

��$$��%&��'��(�%�)��*�+,*,��%�-�.��+��

�� 9��B� ��/0��

� ��.��!��3�� 8��!��

.��$�� 8��"��%

'��=>1��""�2)�� =��%-0

�� $�� >��6��

8`ge e` deRj `_ 2X_ZaReY dRjd µ_`¶ e` c`]]SRT\ - Daily Pioneer

Documents

Transcript of 8`ge e` deRj `_ 2X_ZaReY dRjd µ_`¶ e` c`]]SRT\ - Daily Pioneer