VIJAYAWADA, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2022; PAGES 12 `3

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ALMANAC

Updated: March 31, 2022 5:00 PM

Forecast: Mostly sunny

Temp: 40oc

Humidity: 54%

Sunrise: 6:06 AM

Sunset: 6:23 PM

Month & Paksham:

Tithi: Amavasya: Mar 31 12:22 PM to

Apr 01 11:54 AM

Sukla Paksha Pratipada:Apr 01 11:54 AM

to Apr 02 11:58 AM

Nakshatram:

Uttara Bhadrapada: Mar 31 10:30 AM

to Apr 01 10:40 AM

Revati: Apr 01 10:40 AM

to Apr 02 11:21 AM

Rahukalam: 10:48 AM to 12:20 PM

Yamagandam: 3:23 PM to 4:54 PM

Varjyam: 11:00 PM to 12:39 AM

Gulika: 7:46 AM to 9:17 AM

Amritakalam: None

Abhijit Muhurtham: 11:55 AM

to 12:44 PM

TTOODDAAYY

VIJAYAWADA WEATHER

PNS n VIJAYAWADA

The Andhra Pradesh High Court,on Thursday, found eight IAS offi-cers guilty of contempt of court andsentenced them to two weeks injail.

The court was outraged at thenon-implementation of orders notto set up village secretariats inschools.

However, after the officerssought apology, the High Courtquashed its judgment and direct-ed the officials to perform commu-nity service at welfare hostels oncein every month for a year.

The eight IAS officers were: JShyamala Rao, Gopala KrishnaDwivedi, Vijaya Kumar, YSrilakshmi, Buditi Rajasekhar, MGirija Shankar, Vadarevu ChinnaVeerabhadra and MM Nayak. They

were ordered by the High Court tocarry out one-day service activitieseach month throughout the year.

The court asked them to do serv-ice programmes in welfare hostelsand to bear the cost of one day’s

meals for a year. The High Court also directed the

officers to bear the court costs forone day.

AP High Court punishes 8IAS officers for contempt

PNS n VIJAYAWADA

Chief Minister Y S Jagan MohanReddy has directed the officials thatthe land records should be preparedin such a way that they can’t bechanged or tampered with, andadded that physical records shouldbe prepared along with electronicrecords.

He held a review meeting on YSRJagananna Saswatha Bhu Hakku –Bhu Raksha scheme and inspectedthe drones designed for the com-prehensive land survey usingadvanced technology.

During the review meeting heldat the camp office here onThursday, the Chief Ministerdirected the officials to solve the

previous problems of web lands ina most transparent manner and toprepare SOPs on procedures to befollowed in this regard. He said thephysical records also should beupdated regularly. Besides, it should

be ensured that a survey was con-ducted immediately after an appli-cation for sub-division wasreceived.

The Chief Minister said the sys-tem should be corruption-free and

stringent action should be takenagainst the corrupt. He added thatthe registrations should be done atvillage/ward secretariats.

Make land records tamper proof : CM

How can you appoint‘criminals’ as TTD members

PNS n VIJAYAWADA

The Andhra Pradesh High Courthas expressed ire over appointingpeople with criminal history asTTD Board members.A petition was filed in the High

Court by BJP leader BhanuPrakash Reddy against suchappointments. The case was heardby the bench comprising HighCourt Chief Justice PrashanthKumar Mishra.

The court asked how peoplewith criminal history were beingappointed as TTD Board mem-bers and further commented thatthey were doing it for some ben-efit.

“We assume that there is primafacie evidence in the petitioner’scounsel’s arguments.

Not all members with criminalhistory can be removed; howev-er, some should be removed as

TTD Board members,” the courtsaid.

The court said it was being jus-tified as it was a policy matter.However, those with a criminalrecord should not be TTD Boardmembers.

The court adjourned the case toApril 19 and the case will befinalised on the same day.

Left party leaders stageState-wide protestsPNS n VIJAYAWADA

L ef t par ty l e aders s t agedprotests against the power tar-iff hike at various places acrossthe State on Thursday, anddemanded rollback of the hike.The leaders said that theincreased electricity chargeswould be a huge burden on thepoor and middle class people inthe State.

In a protest programme inKadapa, CPI State secretaryRamakrishna expressed ire overthe State government increasingcurrent charges and said thatTrue-up charges would be aburden on the people.

He alleged that the govern-ment was prepared to imposeanother Rs 4,000 crore burdenon the people.

The Central government hadalready put an additional bur-den through petrol and gasprices.

It was unjust to increase elec-tricity charges.

Left party leaders took outprotest rallies also. In Eluru,they took part in the protestagainst the increased currentcharges.

In Amb edkar centre inSrikakulam district, traffic cameto a grinding halt as the Leftparty workers staged a rastarook. They also protested atRTC complex in Vizianagaramdemanding rollback of hikedelectricity charges.

CPI leaders along with otherLeft party leaders organised aprotest in Visakhapatnam. Theytook out a rally in front of theAPCPDCL office in Vizag.

In Kurnool, too, the leaderstook out a massive rally. InGuntur, CPI leaders staged aprotest demanding that theState government roll back thepower tariff hike.

CPI organis e d anot herprotest at Addanki bus stand inOngole . In Tir upat i , the yprotes te d in f ront of t heAPSPDCL office.

Govt to exempt StateGST on materialsPNS n VIJAYAWADA

The State government has agreedto exempt State GST on construc-tion materials used in developing78 km of the eastern bypass toVijayawada. Union Minister NitinGadkari told the Lok Sabha onThursday that earlier, thefeasibility study was con-ducted for a 180-km roadwith 100m ROW as outerring road connectingVijayawada – Guntur –Tenali urban agglomera-tion subject to the conditionthat the Andhra Pradesh gov-ernment agreed to provide theentire land free of cost.

Subsequently, the State govern-ment requested for developingonly 78 km of the eastern bypassto Vijayawada and it was decidedthat the government may handover the entire land free from

encumbrance without any cost tothe ministry for taking up the proj-ect.

Subsequently, the government,during a meeting held on February17, 2022, agreed for exemption ofthe State GST on construction

materials such as cement,steel, bitumen etc., for

waiver of royalty onearth, sand andaggregates/stonesetc., for waiver ofapplicable local

taxes and to givepreferential mining

rights to the NationalHighways Authority of India

to make the project viable.“On receipt of the proposal on

these lines from the State govern-ment, the feasibility of the projectwill be determined and appropri-ate action will be taken,” the UnionMinister added.

BYPASS DEVELOPMENT

Top priority given to edu in Budget: Minister

Cabinet reshuffle on April 11m Muhurtham fixed by Swamy SwaroopanandendraSNCN ACHARYULUn HYDERABAD

Now it is final. Andhra PradeshChief Minister YS Jagan MohanReddy has decided to reshuffle hiscabinet on 11th April at 11.31 amas determined by SwamySwaroopanandendra Saraswathi ofVisakha Sri Sarada Peetham.

Jagan had initially decided toform the new cabinet in July, afterthe YSR Congress plenary session.He shared this at the recent YSRCongress Legislature Party meet-ing.

However, SwamySwaroopanandendra has advisedJagan to form the new cabinet on11th April at 11.31 am. He told theYSR Congress leadership that,according to CM YS Jagan's horo-scope, 11th April would be auspi-cious.

From the present team, MinistersCh Venugopala Krishna, SeediriAppala Raju and G Jayaram aremost likely to be taken in the newcabinet.

There are chances for present

ministers Adimulam Suresh andAmzath Basha also to continue in

the new cabinet. He advised Jagan against form-

ing the new cabinet in July. So, onthe advice of SwamySwaroopanandendra, Jagan hasadvanced the reshuffle of the cab-inet by two months.

According to sources, Jagan hastaken a decision not to take anyMLC into the cabinet.

He also decided to continue thepresent formula of cabinet appoint-ing five deputy Chief Ministers andcaste equations.

n Orders them to do social service for a year

Govt extendsstock limits onedible oilsPNS n NEW DELHI

The government on Thursdayextended stock limits on edible oilsand oilseeds till December thisyear in order to check the soaringprices of

the commodities due to the cur-rent global geopolitical situation.

The order in this regard willcome into effect from April 1, anofficial statement said.

In October 2021, the Ministryof Consumer Affairs had imposedstock limits till March 2022, andleft the decision to states to decidewhether the stock limits should bebased on the availability and con-sumption pattern.

According to the fresh order,the stock limit for edible oils willbe 30 quintals for retailers, 500quintals for wholesalers, 30 quin-tals for retail outlets of bulk con-sumers i.e. big chain retailers andshops and 1,000 quintals for itsdepots.

Govt raises gas price to record levelsPNS n NEW DELHI

The government on Thursdaymore than doubled the price ofnatural gas that is used to pro-duce electricity, make fertilisers,turned into CNG and piped tohousehold kitchens for cooking,on the back of a spike in globalenergy prices.

The price of gas produced

from old regulated fields, such asthe nation's largest gas field ofBassein of ONGC, will rise to arecord high of USD 6.10 per mil-l ion Brit ish thermal unit(mmBtu) from the current USD2.90 per mmBtu, according to theoil ministry's Petroleum Planningand Analysis Cell (PPAC).

Housing sales rise7% in Jan-MarPNS n NEW DELHI

Housing sales increased by 7 percent year-on-year to 70,623 unitsduring January-March acrosseight major cities on betterdemand driven by very low-interest rates on home loans,while prices appreciated by anaverage of 7 per cent, accordingto real estate consultancy firmPropTiger.

Sales stood at 66,176 units inthe January-March quarter oflast year.

While housing sales went up inMumbai-Metropolitan Region(MMR), Pune, Ahmedabad andBengaluru, the sales fell in Delhi-NCR, Chennai, Hyderabad andKolkata.

In its report 'Real InsightResidential - January-March2022', PropTiger.com said thenew supply increased 50 per centto 79,532 units during January-March 2022 compared to 53,037units in the year-ago period.

"India's housing sector is againemerging as a bright spot in thecountry's economy, helping itspring out of the pandemic-induced slowdown. With furthernormalisation of activity in themonths to follow, we expectgreater positive changes," saidDhruv Agarwala, Group CEO,PropTiger.com, Housing.com andMakaan.com.

As per the data, housing salesin Ahmedabad rose 18 per cent to5,549 units during January-March2022 from 4,687 units in the cor-responding period of the previousyear.

FINANCE MINISTRY INVITES BIDSFOR FSNL PRIVATISATION

The finance ministry on Thursday invited bids to sell the entiregovernment stake in Ferro Scrap Nigam Ltd (FSNL). The lastdate to submit an Expression of Interest (EoI) is May 5. "The

Government of India is proposing to disinvest Ferro Scrap NigamLimited (FSNL), a 100 per cent subsidiary of MSTC Ltd, throughstrategic sale along with transfer of management control," theDepartment of Investment and Public Asset Management(DIPAM) said. BDO India LLP is acting as the transaction advisorfor the proposed transaction. Incorporated in 1979, FSNL is asubsidiary of MSTC, which comes under the steel ministry.

37,000 ACCIDENTS INVOLVING TRUCKSOR LORRIES OCCURRED IN 2019

As many as 37,078 accidents involving trucks or lorriesoccurred in 2019, causing 13,532 deaths, Parliament wasinformed on Thursday. In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, the

Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said that asmany as 23,868 people were killed in road accidents in whichimpacting vehicles were trucks or lorries in 2018, while the totalnumber of accidents involving trucks or lorries stood at 57,441.Gadkari said the governmenthas taken various steps in the interestof drivers including truck drivers such as wayside amenities, foodcourt, truck parking bays etc. on National Highways.

ANIMALS GET AIR COOLERs, SPECIALDIET TO BEAT SUMMER HEAT

With Jharkhand experiencing sweltering heat, zooauthorities are making arrangements like providing air-coolers and special diet to ensure that inmates stay

healthy at Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park, popularly known asBirsa zoo here. Jharkhand witnessed a temperature of around40 degree Celsius and Ranchi recorded its maximum at 38degree Celsius in the past 24 hours. The authorities haveprovided air-coolers in enclosures for tigers and lions, whilefruits like water melon and cucumber are being served toherbivores.

WOMEN-LED MSMES IN INDIA RISE75% TO 8.59 LAKH UNITS: GOVT

The number of women-led micro, small and mediumenterprises in India has increased substantially by over75 per cent in FY22 to 8.59 lakh units, against 4.9 lakh

units in the previous fiscal, Parliament was informed onThursday. "While 4.9 lakh women led MSMEs registered onthe portal during the year 2020-21, about 8.59 lakh womenled MSMEs registered during the year 2021-22 (up to28.03.2022)," Minister of State for Micro Small and MediumEnterprises Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma said in a written replyto the Lok Sabha.

High Court expresses anger over the appointments

AP marching ongrowth path,taking a standfor State: JaganPNS n VIJAYAWADA

Marching ahead in welfare anddevelopment, the last month sawthe legislature asserting itsdomain and vociferously reject-ing interference of any of sort asthe three pillars of democracyshould work in tandem withintheir defined framework.

Chief Minister Y S JaganMohan Reddy addressed the leg-islature party meeting and gavethe road map for a mass contactprogramme ahead of the 2024elections and the Assemblypassed the Budget for 2022-23,which was termed as a people’sbudget by the Leader of theHouse.

The month also saw a cogentdiscussion on legislative compe-tence vis-à-vis the High Courtverdict on Amaravati. The ChiefMinister opined that the judici-ary crossed its limits and issuedimpossible timelines on develop-ment of infrastructure, the costfactor apart.

The Court asked how

people with criminal

history were being

appointed as TTD Board

members and further

commented that they were

doing it for some benefit.

District-wise likely ministers in new cabinetSrikakulam: S Appala Raju/Dharmana Prasada Rao/ KalavathiVijayanagaram: Rajanna DoraVisakhapatnam: Golla Babu Rao/ GAmarnath East Godavari: Venugopal/Dadisetti Raja/Jakjampudi RajaWest Godavari: Prasada Raju/ K AbbayyaChowdaryKrishna: Jogi Ramesh/ S Udaya Bhanu/Pardhasaradhi

Guntur: Ambati Rambabu/ UndavalliSridevi/ Merugu Nagarjuna/ VidadalaRajiniPrakasam: Adimulam Suresh)SudhakarBabuNellore: Kakani Govardhan ReddyChittor: RK RojaKadapa: Amzath BashaAnantapur: G Jayaram/ KV Ushasri CharanKurnool: Katasani Rambhoopal Reddy/Silpa Chakrapani Reddy.

Karnatakadevotees go on

rampage inSrisailam shrine

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(IN VIJAYAWADA)

PNS n VIJAYAWADA

Affirming that the power tar-iff was not increased in the pastthree years, GovernmentAdvisor Sajjala RamakrishnaReddy stated that the hike wasa result of the poor decisionstaken by the previous govern-ment, besides the increasingexpenditure.

Speaking to the media hereon Thursday, he said that thepower tariff had beenunchanged since the inceptionof the YSRCP government in2019 and condemned theOpposition’s ‘false propaganda’.He said that due to the deci-sions taken by N ChandrababuNaidu, they had to increaseelectricity charges slightly,without burdening the poor.He stated that the previous

government left a pile of debtswith erratic power purchases,whereas the current govern-ment had been paying off allthose debts.

Going into the details,Ramakrishna Reddy said that

during the TDP regime,Chandrababu Naidu had left adebt of about Rs 85,000 crore,including the pending true-upcharges, and even went aheadwith irregular PPAs makingthe State more debt-ridden.

He recalled that the powertariff was hiked thrice duringTDP rule, despite having sur-plus energy supplies. Refutingthe Opposition’s allegationthat over Rs 47,000 crore wasbeing burdened on the public,he asked the TDP leaders tospeak with legitimate proofand reminded them that thegovernment was accountablefor every rupee it spent.

He said that no governmentwanted to burden people,especially Chief Minister YSJagan Mohan Reddy, whoalways stood by the people.With unavoidable circum-stances to pay off the debts,the government had toincrease the power tariff nom-inally, he said and urged peo-ple to cooperate with the gov-ernment.

Power tariff not hiked inlast three years: Sajjala

PNS n VIJAYAWADA

Energy Secretary B Sreedharsaid that the power tariffsapproved by the AP EnergyRegulatory Commission(APERC) were relatively at areasonable level compared tomany neighbouring States.

Addressing a media confer-ence on Thursday, he said thatthe tariffs for the consumptionup to 75 units were still muchbelow 50 per cent of the aver-age cost of supply and the con-sumer number falling underthis range was about 50 percent of the total domestic con-sumers. He added that theCommission, while rationalis-ing tariff structure for domes-tic category by progressivelyincreasing tariff, based onhigher consumption, alsodecided to abolish the groupsamong domestic consumersand introduced a common

telescopic system which wassingle group to rectify theanomaly of a sudden jump inCC charges with the differenceof one unit in the existinggrouping system.

A new slab of 0-30 units hasbeen created for the poorest ofpoor consumers. Due to theintroduction of a single group,consumers falling in higherslabs will also get the benefit of

lower rates in the lower slabs.“In the telescopic billing

system, lower slab consump-tion of the consumer will bebilled at the correspondinglower slab tariff and not thatentire consumption will bebilled at a single slab, in whichit is falling. For example, if aconsumer has monthly con-sumption of 250 units, his first30 units of consumption will bebilled at Rs 1.90/Unit, next 45units consumption at Rs 3.0/Unit, next 50 units consump-tion at Rs 4.50/Unit, next 100units consumption at Rs6.0/Unit and the last 25 unitsconsumption at Rs 8.75/Unit.Thus the bill amount for theconsumer would be Rs1235.75,” Sreedhar explained.

He said that for a consumer,even with 300 units consump-tion, the average recoveredprice was Rs.5.6, which wasRs.1.4 less than the cost of sup-

ply. Cost of supply is recoveredat domestic consumption of475 units.

With the increase in thetariffs to the domestic con-sumers, the DISCOMs wouldget additional revenue of aboutRs.1,400 crore only. At thesame time, the State govern-ment was committed to extenda subsidy of Rs.11,123 crore tothe subsidised consumers, thesenior government official said.

While stating that the ther-mal power constitutes a majorportion in the power procure-ment quantum ofAPDISCOMs and in conso-nance with the variation in thefuel cost, the power purchasecost is in the increasing trend.He observed the fuel priceswere increasing drasticallyevery year.

According to him, the coalconsumption cost for APGEN-CO and APPDCL for the year

was Rs 6,816 crore (5,398.92Cr + 1,417.61 Cr). Theincrease in coal expenditure isRs. 697.67 crore per annum forAPGENCO at an averageincrease of 14.84 per cent. APDiscoms are procuring powerfrom Central GeneratingStations (CGS) and privategenerators in addition toAPGENCO. The impact forDiscoms will be almost alldouble. Therefore, APDiscoms have to incur aboutRs.1,400 crore per annumtowards additional fuel cost.

“Amidst imported coal sup-ply disruption looming largedue to the Russia- Ukraine warsituation in Asia and Europe,the domestic coal buyers arerushing to secure auctionedcoal at any cost. The interna-tional coal prices are also surg-ing and most of the buyers areseizing up the option ofimported coal,” he added.

‘Power tariff hike reasonable compared to other States’

ELS Vijayawada becomes first‘scrap-free’ depot in DivisionPNS n VIJAYAWADA

The Electric Loco Shed (ELS),Vijayawada, has earned therare distinction of becomingthe first scrap free depot in theVijayawada Division. ELS hasdisposed of 706 metric tonnes(MT) of scrap, both ferrousand non-ferrous, in the finan-cial year 2021-2022. It sur-passed the target prescribed bythe Railway Board by a recordmargin of 69 per cent.

During day-to-day mainte-nance works at the ElectricLoco Shed, different types ofscrap are generated. Railwayearns money by disposing offthis scrap. Railway Board hasfixed prescribed targets fordisposing the scrap at thedepots on a financial yearbasis. Accordingly, during the2021-2022 financial year, theRailway Board set the target forferrous scrap as 418 MT andnon-ferrous scrap, 34 MT. As

per the target given by theRailway Board, ELS ratio-nalised the target and preparedan action plan to achieve it.

ELS, Vijayawada has dis-posed off 706 MT (69 per centmore than the target) of fer-rous scrap and 50 MT (48 percent more than the target) ofnon-ferrous scrap in the FY,which is an all-time record inthe history of ELS, Vijayawada.

Shivendra Mohan,Divisional Railway Manager,

Vijayawada Division, appreci-ated the hard work of ELS staffand congratulated Ch DineshReddy, Sr.DEE, ELS,Vijayawada, and team for exe-cuting the action plan in per-fect manner to make the depotscrap free. He advised thebranch officers of variousdepots of the Division to chalkout a similar action plan andachieve the targets prescribedby the Railway Board in dis-posing of the scrap.

Kovvada nuclear powerplant to generate 2,000 jobsPNS n VIJAYAWADA

Union Minister of State inPMO Dr Jitendra Singh hassaid that employment potentialduring the construction of theproposed nuclear power plantat Kovvada in Srikakulam willfollow a bell curve with about8,000 persons at the peak.

In a written reply to BJP’sRajya Sabha member GVLNarasimha Rao on Thursday,the union minister said thatduring the construction ofKovvada nuclear plant, a largenumber of contractor man-power would be employed.

On becoming operational,each of the twin unit stationsis expected to generateemployment, both directly and

indirectly, for about 2,000 per-sons. In addition, largeemployment potential is gen-erated with the contractorsand vendors and from businessopportunities that emerge con-sequent to the increase in eco-nomic activity at the site, headded.

He also said that the union

government accorded ‘in-prin-ciple’ approval for locating sixreactors of 1,208 MW each atKovvada. The cost and invest-ment details would emergeon finalisation of the projectproposal, administrativeapproval and financial sanctionfor the Kovvada project by thegovernment, he added.

He also said that presently,there were 11 reactors in var-ious stages of constructionand commissioning. In addi-tion, the union governmenthas accorded administrativeapproval and financial sanctionfor 10 reactors to be set up infleet mode.

Currently, there are 22nuclear power plants in thecountry.

AP High Court punishes 8 IAS...Continued from Page 1

It can be recalled that theHigh Court took strongobjection to the construc-tion of village secretariatbuildings on school premis-es and other governmentoffice premises and orderedtheir immediate removal.

The High Court regis-tered a contempt of courtcase as those orders were notimplemented and beganhear ing the case onThursday.

The court, which heardarguments from both sidesafter the trial, sentenced thesenior IAS officers.

Cabinet reshuffleon April 11Continued from Page 1

The reason for continuation ofthe Ministers VenugopalaKrishna, G Jayaram andSeediri Appala Raju is that noother MLA is available fromtheir caste to replace them.

Appala Raju fromSrikakulam district belongs tothe fishermen community.Mummidivaram MLAPonnada Satish Kumar fromEast Godavari district is alsofrom the fishermen commu-nity.

But going by equationsJagan thought that it wouldnot be possible to take SatishKumar into the cabinet fromEast Godavari district.Minister G Jayaram belongs tothe Valmiki community andto replace him no MLA isavailable from that communi-ty.

Minister Amzath Basha isfrom Muslim minorities.From that community twomore MLAs are available inKurnool and Guntur district.

YS Jagan reportedly has

taken a decision to continueAmzath Basha in the newcabinet also. MinisterVenugopala Krishna is fromthe Setti Balija communityand no other MLA is availablefrom that caste.

Minister Adimulam Sureshis also likely to continue in thenew cabinet. If Jagan decidesto drop Adimulam Sureshalso, Santhanutalapadu MLASudhakar Babu is likely to getcabinet berth. From WestGodavari district, PrasadaRaju and Abbayya Chowdaryare most likely to get cabinetberths. MLAs KottuSatyanarayana and GrandhiSrinivas from this district areseriously lobbying for cabinetberths. It may be recalled thatGrandhi Srinivas was defeat-ed by Jana Sena chief PawanKalyan in the Assembly elec-tions from the Bhimavaramconstituency. After the forma-tion of the new cabinet BotsaSatya Narayana and PileruRama Chandra Reddy willplay a key role in the partyaffairs.

Make land records...Continued from Page 1

He instructed the officials to setup mobile tribunals to solve landissues and said it would helpresolve the issues locally. He saidthere should be no controversiesby the time clear title deeds weregiven to land owners.

He directed the officials toinvolve the Law Department inthe process and to prepare a roadmap in this regard. He said theState should be exemplary interms of land surveys andrecords.

The officials informed theChief Minister that 51 advanceddrones would be operational forconducting land surveys by April5 and that another 20 droneswere being procured to expeditethe process. They added that atotal of 154 drones would beused for the land survey.

They said the drone surveyhad been completed in 1,441 vil-

lages so far and that they wereplanning to cover more areas bymonsoon. Purification of landrecords was being done alongwith the comprehensive landsurvey. The officials said theywould give web land application,village land register applicationand village account register,along with title deed. Theywould update the land records asper village secretariats so that theissues raised due to web landcould be resolved.

The officials said they laidplans to complete a land surveyand issue clear titles in 5,200 vil-lages by the end of July 2023, asmany as 5,700 villages by the endof August 2023 and 6,460 villagesby the end of September 2023.The first phase of takingOrthorectified Radar Image(ORI) images in villages wouldbe completed by November,second phase by December andthe third phase by January 2023.

AP marching on...Continued from Page 1

Asserting that decentralisa-tion is the government’s poli-cy, he said that decision oncapitals was the right andresponsibility of the State gov-ernment and shall not go backon its decision.

The House rose in unison tostate that laws were to bemade by the legislature andnot elsewhere.

The annual Budget for theyear 2022-23 with a total out-lay of 2,56,256 crore alongwith an agriculture budget ofRs 43,052.78 crore was pre-sented in the State Assembly,which also passed 11 Billsduring the 12-day session.The Chief Ministerannounced the welfare calen-dar for the coming financialyear.

The Chief Minister, alongwith Union Minister for WaterResources GajendrasinghShekawat, toured Polavaram,visited R&R colonies inIndurkuru and Taduvai man-dals, interacted with the dis-placed families and alsoreviewed the project works.The Union Minister respond-ed positively to the requestsmade by the State and agreed

to review the project worksonce every fortnight for thenext three months and direct-ed the officials of the projectto take part in the reviewmeetings.

YSRCP celebrated its foun-dation day reiterating itsresolve to work for a welfareState as envisioned by Dr YSRajasekhara Reddy. Duringthe YSRC legislature partymeeting, the Chief Ministeremphasised on carrying out adoor-to-door campaign high-lighting the welfare schemes ofthe government and reachingout to people at the groundlevel.

On the investment front,Mulk Holdings delegationcalled on the Chief Ministerand expressed interest to set upa manufacturing hub at EMCKopparthi with an investmentof Rs 1,500 crore.

French-American econo-mist and Nobel laureate EstherDuflo met Chief MinisterJagan Mohan Reddy andhailed the welfare initiativesthat were being taken to erad-icate poverty in the State.

The Chief Minister flaggedoff the Disha Patrol Vehiclesand credited Rs 709 croreunder Vidya Deevena scheme.

Govt raises gas price to....Continued from Page 1

The new price, which is likelyto result in a hike in CNG andpiped cooking gas rates, will befor six months beginning April1. Petrol and diesel prices havebeen raised nine times in thelast 10 days, totalling Rs 6.4 perlitre while cooking gas LPGrates too have gone up by Rs50 per cylinder. The latest gasprice hike will further fuelinflation.

The rate applicable to newerand difficult fields such asones of Reliance IndustriesLtd in deepsea KG-D6 block,will get USD 9.92 per mmBtufor April-September as com-pared to current USD 6.13 permmBtu, the PPAC notificationsaid.

These are the highest pricesever paid to Indian gas produc-ers.

The government sets theprice of gas every six months-- on April 1 and October 1 -- each year based on ratesprevalent in gas surplusnations such as the US, Canadaand Russia.

The increase in gas price islikely to result in a 10-15 percent rise in CNG and pipedcooking gas rates in cities such

as Delhi and Mumbai, indus-try sources said.

Prashant Vasisht, VicePresident and Co-Head,Corporate Ratings, ICRA Ltd,said: "The domestic gas priceincrease was driven by the sig-nificant run up in the prices ofgas at global gas hubs. Theincrease in gas prices pro-vides relief to Indian upstreamproducers as at earlier prices,gas production was a loss-making proposition for mostfields for the Indian upstreamproducers."

CNG and piped cookinggas supplies in cities comefrom the gas produced byONGC.

The price hike will also leadto a rise in the cost of gener-ating electricity but consumersmay not feel any major pinchas the share of power producedfrom gas is very low.

Similarly, the cost of produc-ing fertiliser will also go up butas the government subsidisesthe crop nutrient, an increasein rates is unlikely.

This is the second straighthike in prices and betters USD5.05 paid to ONGC and OilIndia Ltd for old fields betweenNovember 2014 and March2015 and USD 9.32 to newer

fields in April-September 2019.The new rates reflect the

spike in prices at the globalbenchmarks - US-based HenryHub, Canada-based Albertagas, UK-based NBP and Russiagas as well as in rates of lique-fied natural gas (LNG) in 2021following a supply crunch withreturn of demand after devas-tation by pandemic.

Domestic rates are fixedbased on volume weightedaverage price in a year in theseglobal benchmarks with a lagof one quarter. So, the price forApril 1 to September 30 isbased on the average pricefrom January 2021 toDecember 2021. This is theperiod when global rates shotthrough the roofs.

For difficult fields like dis-coveries in deepwater, ultra-deepwater and high pressure-high temperature areas, aslightly modified formula isused by incorporating the priceof LNG, which too had shotthrough the roof in 2021.

Reliance-bp operated KGfields are classified as difficultfields. Such field operators areallowed to discover marketprice but this is subject to capfixed for the difficult fieldstwice every year.

Govt extends...Continued from Page 1

Processors of edible oils canstock up to 90 days of theirstorage/production capaci-ties.

For oilseeds, the stock limitwill be 100 quintals for retail-ers and 2,000 quintals forwholesalers. Processors ofoilseeds will be allowed tostock 90 days' production ofedible oils as per daily inputproduction capacity.

Exporters and importershave been kept outside thepurview of this order withsome caveats.

"The above measure isexpected to curtail any unfairpractices like hoarding, blackmarketing, etc. in the market,and would help in controllingthe prices of edible oils andalso ensuring that maximumbenefit of the duty reductionis passed on to the end con-sumers," the statement said.

Six states -- Uttar Pradesh,Karnataka, HimachalPradesh, Telangana,Rajasthan and Bihar -- whichhad issued their own controlorder in pursuance of the cen-tral government's order havealso been brought under thepurview of the latest order.

"The above decision wastaken after deliberations at thehighest level on the upwardprice trends of all edible oilsowing to the current geopo-litical situations across theglobe," the statement said.

The government said thepressure on sunflower oilsupplies from Ukraine hashad a rub off effect on theexport policy of Indonesia,affecting palm oil imports.

Housing sales...Continued from Page 1

Bengaluru saw a 3 per centincrease in sales of residen-tial properties to 7,671 unitsfrom 7,431 units in the year-ago period.

In Mumbai, housing salesincreased by 26 per cent to23,361 units from 18,574units. Sales in Pune went up19 per cent to 16,314 unitsfrom 13,725 units.

However, housing sales inChennai declined 26 percent to 3,299 units from4,468 units, while demandwas 19 per cent lower inDelhi-NCR at 5,013 units inJanuary-March 2022 asagainst 6,188 units a yearago.

Hyderabad saw a 15 percent decline in housing salesto 6,556 units against 7,721units in January-March2021.

CBI registered 715graft cases againstCentral govtstaffers in last 5 yrsPNS n NEW DELHI

The Central Bureau ofInvestigation (CBI) has registered715 cases of corruption againstthe central government employ-ees in five years from 2017 to2021, the Rajya Sabha wasinformed on Thursday. As manyas 1,281 employees of variousdepartments were booked by theCBI on bribery and corruptioncharges, Minister of State forPersonnel Jitendra Singh said ina written reply.

Action in individual caseswas taken by the cadre control-ling authorities concerned inaccordance with the respectivedisciplinary rules, he said.

Of the 715 cases involvingthe employees of 45 Centralgovernment departments, 111cases were registered last year,95 in 2020, 141 in 2019, 158 in2018 and 210 in 2017.

vijayawada 03VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | APRIL 1, 2022

SNV SUDHIR

n VIJAYAWADA

Even as Covid-19 pandemichas disturbed the overseas edu-cation ecosystem delaying thedreams of many youngsterswho wanted to secure a valu-able degree from their favouriteoverseas universities for at leasttwo years, data now suggeststhat there is a renewed enthu-siasm among them in the firstthree months of this year as theCovid cases started witnessinga dip world over.

And, four tier-II cities inAndhra Pradesh are seeing arise in the number of applica-tions from India to study

abroad.According to the data avail-

able in the Ministry of ExternalAffairs (MEA), the pandemicresulted in a 55 per cent dip in2020 in the number of studentswho went abroad compared to2019. Now, with a sense of nor-malcy returning with relax-ations in visa processes andmass vaccination, the over-seas education market is set torevive itself.

Prodigy Finance, a UK-based FinTech company thathelps global students pursuetheir dream degrees at theworld’s best schools by provid-ing collateral-free educationloans for overseas applications,

has observed a 98 per centgrowth in study-abroad loanapplications in the first threemonths of 2022 compared tothe same period last year. Ofthat, tier-II and tier-III cities

including Vijayawada,Visakhapatnam, Guntur,Warangal and Tirupati amongothers have contributed 176 percent of this growth.

According to the data, top

five popular business schoolsfor Indian applicants wereINSEAD, London BusinessSchool, IESE Business School,Wharton School and BoothSchool of Business. The top fivepopular engineering schoolsfor Indian applicants wereNortheastern University,Carnegie Mellon University,University of Texas atArlington, Arizona StateUniversity and University atBuffalo. The average loanamount for the study-abroadapplications was $42K.

And the most preferredstreams for studying abroad arebusiness, engineering, healthcare,law, public policy and science.

Around 67 per cent of theapplicants were males and theremaining 33 per cent females,the numbers growing at a rateof 58 per cent and 54 per cent,respectively.

“The Indian foreign educa-tion landscape has undergonea massive change in the postCovid-19 era. With the open-ing up of international travel,easing of various restrictionsand vaccinations, the globaleducation sector has started topick up. The number of appli-cations of Indian students foradmission to foreign universi-ties has gradually been on arise,” said Mayank Sharma,country head, Prodigy Finance.

Andhra cities lead the way for overseas edu post pandemic eraVijayawada, Vizag, Guntur, Warangal and Tirupati among top cities that witnessed significant growth in number of applicants

PNS n VIJAYAWADA

The Vijayawada police haverecovered a panchaloha idolstolen from a temple within 12hours of the theft. They alsoarrested one person.

Vijayawada City PoliceCommissioner Kanti RanaTata, addressing a press meetat the Nunna police station inVijayawada city on Thursday,said that a panchaloha idol wasstolen from RadhasriSanthoshi Matha temple atRadhanagar in Vijayawada onWednesday morning. He saidthat after receiving the com-plaint, a police team led byWest Zone DCP K Babu Raoplunged into action and start-ed an investigation.

Kanti Rana said that the

police had installed CCTVcameras in the city and thissurveillance system helpedpolice to crack the idol theft.He said that the police collect-ed CCTV footage and found

Machiraju Durgaprasad aliasBhupathi belonging toRadhanagar went into the tem-ple, which was under renova-tion, and stole the idol. He saidthat the accused was a tileworker, but addicted to vices.He planned to earn money inan easy way. He further saidthat accused Durgprasad hidthe stolen idol in an aban-doned building in front of hishouse. The police, with thehelp of CCTV footage andother evidence, arrestedDurgaprasad and recoveredthe stolen panchaloha idol.

CP Kanti Rana praised theefforts of the police for resolv-ing the theft case and recover-ing the idol within 12 hours.He presented rewards to thecops on the occasion.

Stolen panchaloha idolrecovered within 12 hours

PNS n VIJAYAWADA

TDP MLC Nara Lokesh held alantern demonstration here onThursday to highlight the plightof poor households in the Statefollowing power tariff hike.Lokesh arrived at the partyoffice holding the lantern,accompanied by party leadersand cadre. They raised slogansagainst the YSRCP governmentfor its ulterior policies to makethe poor poorer.

Addressing a press confer-ence on the occasion, Lokeshslammed the CM for puttingundue burden on the poorconsumers by hiking Rs 1.40 perunit in 76-125 units category.Also, the middle classes werealso punished by hiking Rs1.57 in 126-220 units category.“Poor and middle incomehouseholds are scared of turn-ing on bulbs and fans this sum-mer,” he said.

The TDP MLC blamed JaganReddy for throwing the powersector into a serious crisis bypurchasing in the open marketat Rs 9 to Rs 10 per unit. In hisswearing-in rhetoric, the CMvowed not to hike currentcharges and if possible he wouldreduce the rates. But in just threeyears, he increased the chargesfor over seven times andimposed a burden of Rs 12,000crore in the name of true-upcharges, dues and so on.

The TDP MLC demandedthat the slabs in current billsshould be taken back to whatthey were prior to 2019. It wasa mistake that the then TDPregime didn't effectively counter

the misinformation campaign ofJagan Reddy on current chargesat that time.

Meanwhile, TDP State pres-ident Atchannaidu deploredthat the latest increase in powertariff would put an additionalburden of Rs 4,400 crore on thepeople every year. This was inaddition to the Rs 11,600-croreburden already imposed by theJagan regime through power tar-iff hikes for five times in the past.

In a statement here, the TDPleader said the Chief Minister'sfailure was not only destroyingthe power sector, but alsobecoming a big burden on theconsumers. When he was theOpposition Leader during theTDP rule, Jagan Reddypromised that he would reducethe power tariff if elected topower. But now, he seemed hell-bent on punishing the peoplewith frequent hikes every nowand then.

Lokesh stages ‘lantern’ protestagainst power tariff hike

PNS n VIJAYAWADA

The State government was giv-ing top priority to educationand Chief Minister YS JaganMohan Reddy had allocated 16per cent of funds for the samein the recent AP State Budget,said Education MinisterAudimulapu Suresh. The min-ister said that Rs 16,000 crorefunds had been allocated by theState government for educationthat reflected the commitmentand dedication of the govern-ment towards the sector.

Minister Suresh inauguratedadditional classrooms in theMK Baig Municipal HighSchool, constructed with Rs 1.50crore funds of the 14th FinanceCommission grants, at AS Nagarin Vijayawada on Thursday.Vijayawada Central MLAMalladi Vishnu, City MayorRayana Bhagyalakshmi andMLC Md Ruhulla were present.

Speaking on the occasion,Minister Suresh said that thegovernment would providelaptops to the students fromthe next academic year and theprocess was under progress. Hesaid that many people werecalling him “Amma VodiMinister” and he was veryhappy for that as Amma Vodi

provided the best education tothe students.

He said that MK Baig HighSchool, started 50 years ago,was neglected in all spheres bythe previous governments.There were a large number ofdropouts mainly due to the

absence of basic amenitiesincluding toilets. He said thattheir government was renovat-ing all government schoolsunder Nadu-Nedu and now,pupils were making a beelineto MK Baig High School,which showed the dedication

of CM Jagan towards develop-ment of government schools.

The minister said that theYSRC government had allottedRs 1 lakh crore to the educa-tion sector in the past threeyears. He alleged that theOpposition parties, unable todigest the development of gov-ernment schools, were tryingto stop the English mediumwhich was very much helpfulto the students. He said that thegovernment was making allefforts to prepare the studentsto write Class 10 CBSE examsby 2024 through implementa-tion of CBSE syllabus in gov-ernment schools. He said thatthe government was startingtwo new junior colleges inevery mandal, of which onewould be exclusively for girls.

Top priority given toedu in Budget: Minister

Traffic diversions in city todayPNS n VIJAYAWADA

Traffic restrictions will beimplemented in different partsof the city on Friday due to theflagging off of the Talli BiddaExpress vehicles near the BenzCircle junction. Chief MinisterYS Jagan Mohan Reddy willflag off the vehicles at 10.30a.m.

No vehicle will be allowedon MG Road from 8 a.m. to 12noon. Vehicles will not beallowed on two flyover bridgesat Benz Circle junction from10.15 a.m. to 11 a.m.

APSRTC buses comingfrom Eluru to Pandit Nehrubus station will be divertedfrom Ramavarappadu junc-tion and will pass towards theEluru road and reach thepolice control room. RTCbuses passing from PNBStowards Eluru will be divertedfrom the police control roomtowards the Eluru road andwill reach Ramavarappaduring junction.

RTC buses coming fromMachilipatnam to PNBS willbe diverted at 100 feetTadigadapa road. The buseswill pass via Enikepadu-Ramavarappadu ring-Elururoad and will reach the policecontrol room. Buses travellingfrom PNBS towardsMachilipatnam will pass viapolice control room, Elururoad, Ramavappadu ring-Enikepadu and will reachTadigadapa junction.

RTC buses coming from

Avanigadda to Vijayawada willbe diverted at Pedapulipakaand will reach the Tadigadapa100 feet road. The buses willreach Enikepadu-Ramavarappadu- police con-trol room and will reach thebus station.

Heavy vehicles plying onChennai-Kolkata highway willbe diverted at Throvaguntanear Ongole. The vehicles willpass via Chirala-Bapatla-Repalle-Avanigadda-Pamarru-Gudivada-Hanuman Junctionand will reach the nationalhighway. Vehicles travellingfrom Kolkata-Chennai will bediverted at Hanuman Junctionand will pass via Gudivada-Pamarru-Avanigadda-Repalle-

Bapatla and Chirala. The vehi-cles will reach the nationalhighway near Throvagunta,Ongole, Prakasam district.

Vehicles passing from thepolice control room towardsthe Benz Circle junction will bediverted via CP Bungalow,Dornakal Road, Route No 5,Ramesh Hospital road andwill reach the Benz Circlejunction. Vehicles from thepolice control room towardsVaradhi will be diverted nearRaghavaiah Park and willreach Krishna Lanka. Vehiclesfrom Patamata towards thepolice control room will bediverted via NTR circle,Nirmala School junction andpoly clinic road.

Multiplefacilitiesinaugurated atNaval StationPNS n VIJAYAWADA

Eastern Naval CommandChief of Staff Vice AdmiralSanjay Vatsayan visited theNaval Stat ion,Bheemunipatnam, onThursday. He was receivedby Commander CmdeNaresh Warikoo.

During the visit, theChief of Staff laid themaiden wreath during asolemn ceremony at the'Shaurya Sthal' at INSKarna, paying tributes tothe brave heroes of theSpecial Forces of the Navywho made the supremesacrifice in the line ofduty.

The Chief of Staff inter-acted with station person-nel and also inauguratedvarious facilities and infra-structure at the station.

PNS n VIJAYAWADA

TTD Chairman YV SubbaReddy has said that the cred-it for fulfilling 30-year-longpending aspirations of TTDemployees for owning housesites in Tirupati goes to ChiefMinister YS Jagan MohanReddy. Accompanied bylocal MLA BhumanaKarunakar Reddy, he hand-ed over a cheque for Rs61.63 crore towards landcost to Chittoor DistrictCollector Hari Narayan atPadmavati Rest House onThursday evening.

Speaking on the occasion,the TTD Chairman said thatupon the request of MLA BKarunakar Reddy andMinister P RamachandraReddy, besides his personalrequest, the AP CM respond-ed favourably and directedthe officials to identify land forhouse sites free of cost andexpedite the matter.

The officials identified300.22 acres in survey no 42 of

Padiredu forest village suitablefor house sites for 5,518 TTDemployees, but anticipatingobjections, the TTD Boardwas advised to pass a resolutionto that effect. The TTD chair-man said the house sites weredecided way back in 2008October and in 2010 July, dips

were conducted on senioritybasis for allotment of housesites and apartments.

However, the issue wasraised in the Supreme Courtand to avoid legal hurdles, theTTD Board advised theemployees to set up a modelhouse building society, he said.

Since it was difficult for theemployees to pay up such ahuge amount, the TTD Boardmade the goodwill payment forthe sake of employees and theemployees were expected toreimburse the amount to theTTD as per rules and regula-tions.

House sites for TTD staff in 3 months

APIRIA felicitates Dr Vara Prasad for setting recordPNS n VIJAYAWADA

Dr Vara Prasad Vemuri, seniorconsultant radiologist andchairman of the College ofRadiology and Imaging, wasawarded and enrolled into theprestigious Indian Book ofRecords and the World Bookof Records for organisinguninterrupted teaching for365 days.

Andhra Pradesh StateChapter of the IndianRadiological and ImagingAssociation (APIRIA) and theVijayawada chapter organiseda programme and facilitatedDr Vara Prasad here onThursday.

On the occasion, Dr VaraPrasad said that there was avast gap between urban andrural as far as radiology andimaging was concerned andthat gap needed to beaddressed. He said that virtu-al interphase had bridged thegap for good. He said ICRIplayed a responsible role forenhancing the education andradiology knowledge stan-dards of all the radiology con-sultants and residents across

India.Dr B Suresh, secretary,

APIRIA, said that Dr VaraPrasad took charge as thepresident of ICRI in January2021. Ever since he tookcharge, he has formulatedplans to take the academicactivities to greater heights andmake ICRI one of the top aca-demic organisations of theworld.

He designed a special cur-riculum with all the topics inradiology and discussed thiswith various top teaching andresearch specialists in radiol-ogy and launched a never-before continuous onlineteaching activity with a sched-ule of three hours every day inthe evenings after the regularworking hours.

Dr Mohan Prasad GV, cen-tral council member, IndianRadiological and ImagingAssociation, said it was aproud moment for ICRI. Hesaid that on March 16, 2022,the authorities of the WorldBook of Records presented DrVara Prasad, on behalf ofICRI, the certificate of theWorld Record.

L&T Metro Railsees 2.5L dailypassengers per dayPNS n HYDERABAD

L&T Metro Rail is seeing 2.5lakh daily passengers perday and IT routes are slow-ly picking up, according toKVB Reddy, CEO and MDof L & T HMRL,(Hyderabad). He was speak-ing at the launch of Metrosuper saver holiday card onThursday.

From this Ugadi, Metro'ssuper saver holiday card willoffer unlimited travel across57 metros stations and threecorridors on 100 applicableholidays during the year.The card will be availablefrom 2nd April at one-timenon-refundable cost of Rs 50and with a top-up value of Rs59 only. The top-up valuewill be valid only on the dateof recharge of any applicableholiday and can be usedthroughout the day forunlimited travel across theMetro network during theoperational hour.

"As soon IT officesresume completely, we willcross four lakh travelers perday to five to six lakh trav-elers, which is our target also.

These offers are also beinglaunched after observingHyderabad commuters'response. Suvarna card gar-nered more response.

SNCN ACHARYULU

n HYDERABAD

Having realized his goal of ren-ovating the VaishnaviteLakshmi Narasimha Swamytemple at Yadadri on par withthe Lord Venkateswara templeon Tirumala in Tirupati, ChiefMinister K ChandrasekharRao has now shifted hisfocus to the Saivite templeat Vemulavada.

Apparently, KCR doesnot want to face criticismthat the state governmentis promoting Vaishnavismby developing the Yadadri tem-ple. So, to give an impressionthat the state government isopen to promoting Shaivism aswell, KCR has decided to devel-op Vemulavada temple, whichis close to Karimnagar.

The Yadadri temple has beendeveloped with an outlay of overRs 1,000 crore, transforming theancient cave shrine into a

sprawling pilgrimage cen-tre that was inaugurated by theChief Minister on 28th March.

KCR now wants to developthe Vemulavada temple on parwith Srisailam temple in theneighbouring Andhra Pradeshstate.

Tridandi Chinna JeeyarSwamy played a key role as anadvisor in developing the

Yadadri temple. But, in viewof recent, palpable differ-ences between KCR andChinna Jeeyar Swamy, thestate government did notinvite the latter for the inau-guration of the renovatedYadadri temple.

For giving facelift toVemulavada shrine, KCR hasdecided to take the help ofBharati Tirtha Swamy ofSringeri Sharada Peetam inKarnataka state. The state gov-ernment will follow the adviceof Bharati Tirtha Swamy indeveloping the Vemulavadatemple.

The Sringeri Sharadapeetham Bharati Tirtha Swamyis going to fill the void left by theexit of Chinna Jeeyar Swamy.Sources said that KCR waslikely to visit Sringeri SharadaPeetam after the Telugu NewYear Ugadi to discuss the devel-opment of Vemulavada withBharati Tirtha Swamy.

From Vaishnavism to Shaivism

04VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | APRIL 1, 2022

PNS n KURNOOL

A group of devotees fromKarnataka state went on ram-page setting kiosks on fire,damaging vehicles and furni-ture at famous hill shrineSrisailam in the district aftermidnight.

Police said that more than 50devotees from Karnataka wentto Srisailam temple on pilgrim-age. They picked up an argu-ment with a tea stall owner andit turned into an heated alter-cation between them. The teastall owner allegedly attackedone of the devotees with an axein which he suffered bleedinginjury.

Irate over this, the Kannada

devotees went on rampage set-ting a fire to some kiosks,smashed windscreens of cars,damaged bikes and shops. TheKannada pilgrims destroyedkiosks located in front of Patala

Ganga, Nandi Circle andadministration building. Theinjured devotee was admittedto a hospital in Sunnipendawhere he was recuperating.

The police led by DSP

Sruthi rushed there with addi-tional forces and brought thesituation under control.Jagadguru seer ChennaSiddarama PaditaradyaSwamy visited the injuredKannada devotees andinquired with the doctorsabout his condition. EOLavanna along with other offi-cials reviewed the situation.

Police said that as per thepreliminary reports the Rs 30lakh worth property was dam-aged in the rampage. Thepolice arrested 10 persons inthis connection so far.Thousands of devotees throngto the Srisailam Shiva templeon account of Telugu NewYear to be celebrated April 2.

Karnataka devotees go onrampage in Srisailam shrine

Officials directed to expediteJalajeevan Mission works

PNS n ONGOLE

Superintendent of police MalikGarg on Thursday inaugurat-ed the renovated Gudlurupolice station. Kandukur MLAMahidhar Reddy attended theprogramme as chief guest.

Speaking on the occasion,the SP said that the Gudlurupolice station was constructedin 1997 and it was noticed thatthe police station building hadbecome decrepit. The SPthrough the housing corpora-tion granted Rs 7 lakh andsome individuals donated for

the same. DSP K Srinivasuluand CI V Sri Ram had ensuredthat the renovation works werecarried out expeditiously.

The SP and MLA wentround the remodelled Gudlurupolice station premises andsaw the SI room, waiting hall,staff room, records room andhelp desk. They suggested tothe police personnel thatsaplings should be planted inthe premises in order to makethe environment pleasant. TheSP said that all the police sta-tions which are in bad condi-tion would be renovated in the

district.The SP said that the policing

had improved a lot during thelast 10 years. She said that thepolice services are always readyand justice would be meted outto all. She exhorted the policepersonnel to strive hard tomake Prakasam as a crime-freedistrict. He asked all women todownload Disha app. MLAMahidhar Reddy lauded thedistrict police for implement-ing friendly policing. DSB DSPB Mariya Das, CI V Sriram,excise SI K Mallikharjun andother officials were present.

SP inaugurates renovated Police Station

PNS n GUNTUR

Freedom fighter, CommunistParty of India leader MalluSwarajyam remembered andrich tributes were paid at a con-dolence meeting held here onThursday. The portrait ofMallau Swarajyam was gar-landed and tributes were paidon the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion,MLC Dokka Manikya VaraPrasad said that MalluSwarajya was born in a familyof landlords but worked for theuplift of underprivileged sec-tions. She had striven hard for

the eradication of gender dis-crimination and bondedlabour. She campaigned forwomen equality.

Madya Vimochana PracharaCommittee chairman

Vallamreddy Lakshman Reddyshared his experiences withMallu Swarajyam while work-ing against the liquor. He saidthat Swarajyam took an activepart in the campaign of scien-

tific ideology of Jana VignanaVedhi which was founded in1988.

MLC KS Lakshman Raorecalled that Mallu Swarajyamwas the first woman who helda gun and fought against thetyranny of Nizam andRajakars. Jana VignanaVedhika state secretary SalimMalik, YSR Intellectual Forumfounder G Santha Murthy,retired Principal DevarapalliPerireddy and History profes-sor Dr.Paleru Pothuraju andJana chaitanya Vedhika secre-tary Punna Reddy were amongthose who were present.

Rich tributes paid to Mallu Swarajyam SP directs policeofficials to curbganja transportPNS n ELURU

West Godavari districtSuperintendent of police KRahul Dev Sharma directedthe Special Enforcement Bureauofficials to take stringent stepsto curb the illegal transportationof ganja through the district.

The SP held a crime reviewmeeting with the officials hereon Thursday. Speaking on theoccasion, he said that the trans-portation of ganja goes throughWG district and it should becontained. He directed thepolice officials to conductchecking of vehicles often toprevent the ganja transportation

menace. The SEB officialsshould conduct surprisingchecks from time to time at vul-nerable places.

The police should conductraids on the places where illic-it liquor is brewed. Focusshould be laid on the sale ofbanned tobacco products likeGutka , Khaini and Panparag inthe district. The SP warned ofstringent action of dereliction ofduty of police persons. The cor-rupt officials would not bespared, he warned. SEB addi-tional SP M Sattibabu, Assistantcommissioner SrinivasChowdary and other officialswere present.

PNS n ELURU

The police seized 64 KGsganja while being transportedillegally in two cars atGammon India Bridge tollgate in Kovvur and arrestedfive persons.

Kovvuru DSP Srinadh saidthat on a tip off the police con-ducted checking of vehicles.They found 64 KGs of ganjapacked in 30 packets beingtransported in two cars. Theganja is worth about Rs 2 lakh.The police arrested five per-sons, seized two cars, fourmobile phones and Rs 1500cash from them.

The ganja was being trans-ported to Adilabadh inTelangana state viaRajahmundry and Kovvur.The SP recommended thenames of police personnel,who seized ganja, for rewards.

64 KGs ganjaseized, fivearrested

PNS n ELURU

R&B Principal Secretary MTKrishna Babu said that the8,300 KMs of damaged roadsare being repaired and recon-structed at a cost of Rs 2,500crore in the state.

Addressing a press confer-ence along with districtCollector PrasannaVenkateshhere on Thursday,he said that the state govern-ment had allocated Rs 2,500crore to carry out repairs andreconstruction to 8,300 KMsof roads in the state. He said

that 1160 road repairingworks had been taken up inthe state. Most of the road

repairing works were takenup during December, 2021.All the road repairing works

would be completed by June2022. He said that 20 roadsrepairing works were takenup in West Godavari districtfor which Rs 220 crore wasallocated.

Krishna Babu said thatthey inspected some of theroad works at Eluru,Jangareddygudem andBhimavaram on Thursday.Collector PrasannaVenkatesh said that contrac-tors were directed to com-plete the road repairingworks by the end of May,2020.

Repairing of damaged roads taken up at Rs 2,500 crore in AP: Krishna Babu

PNS n ELURU

Telugu Desam Party Eluru con-stituency convener BadetiChanti has alleged that theJagan government is imposingburdens on the people unable tolead the state. A dharna washeld at the camp office onThursday.

Badeti Chanti demanded thegovernment immediate with-drawal of the hiked tariff ofpower. Addressing the gather-ing on the occasion, BadetiChanti said that ChandrababuNaidu used to give RamazanTofa, Christmas gifts andSankranthi gifts to the people of

the state. The Jagan Reddyheaded government had givena hike of power tariff as Ugadigift to the people of the state, heridiculed.

The TDP leader accused thegovernment of drasticallyincreasing electricity chargesadding woes to the people whowere suffering with the steephike of petrol, diesel and gasprices. He called upon people toprotest against the hike of powertariff.

TDP leaders ChodeVenkataratnam, PujariNiranjan, Dasari Anjaneyulu,Vandanalu Srinu NerusuGangaraju, Tavva Aruna

Kumari, Pillarishetti SandhyaSuresh, Baurotu Balaji, MaramHanumantrao, PeddadaVenkataramana, MalleppuRamu, Jute Mill Srinu,Mellipaka Venkanna and oth-ers.

Meanwhile, another similarprotest, Congress activists led bycity Congress presidentRajanala Rama Mohan Raoorganised a dharna protestingagainst the hike of domestic gasat the Congress office here onThursday.

The Congress leaders gar-landed a gas cylinder to expresstheir protest against the hike ofdomestic gas price.

TDP stages dharna against power tariff hike

PNS n TIRUPATI

In a bizarre incident, a herdof elephants trampled afarmer to death atJogivaripalle on the night ofWednesday.

Officials said here onThursday that Yellappa, afarmer, was sleeping in hisfields. A herd of elephantstrampled him to death. Hewas admitted to a hospitalwhere he was pronounceddead.

The herd of elephants havebeen roaming at

Papavinasanam area and laterwent to Akashaganga area.The elephants tried to attacksome persons who were going

on motorcycles but theyescaped. The forest and TTDofficials are trying to drive theherd to the forest.

Tuskers trample farmer to death

PNS n BHIMAVARAM

SRKR Engineering CollegeFinal Year Students of MullangiBhuvaneswari of CSE, KayalaReshma of IT, DharmisettiVeerabhadra Rao of ECE wereselected in campus placementwith annual package of Rs 11.5lakhs per annum, CollegePrincipal Dr. M.Jagapati Rajusaid here on Thursday.

Principal Briefing the media,said that eminent softwarecompany IBM conducted

placements drive in the cam-pus on April 27 to 29 in theCollege campus. They select-ed three students.

Many SRKR students havegot lucrative placements atrenowned companies likeAmazon, Voltas and othercompanies. Placement CellDean Dr.K.R.Satyanarayansaid that some companies vis-ited the campus for the thirdtime and they had selectedSRKR students for placementsat high salaries.

College President SagiPrasad Raju, Secretary andCorrespondent Sagi VithalRanga Raju, CEO SRK NisantVarma, PrincipalDr.M.Jagapathi Raju, Director,former Indian AmbassadorK.Jeevasagar, English ProfessorDr.Bh.V.N.Lakshmi, IT headDr.Bh.V.Ramakrishnam Raju,CSE Head Dr.V.ChandraShakar and ECE HeadD r . N . U d a y a k u m a rCongratulated the studentsthose who got placements.

SRKR students get fabulousoffers in campus placements

JSP to hold protests atCollectorates againstpower tariff hikePNS n VIJAYAWADA

The Janasena party will organ-ise protest demonstrations infront of the Collector’s officein all the districts on April 1.

In a statement here onThursday, Janasena ChiefPawan Kalyan said that theJagan Reddy government hadput Rs 1400 crore burden onpeople in the form of powertariff hike. TheYCP govern-ment had givenpower tariffhike as a Ugadifestival gift tothe people ofthe state, heridiculed.

Jagan Reddyurged people togive him poweronce. The peo-ple trusted himand had givenhim power andhe was hikingpower tariff now, he pooh-poohed. He said that the gov-ernment had put Rs 3000crore burden on the people inthe form of True Up charges,he flayed. The governmentwas collecting garbage tax,hiked property tax andimposed high taxes on petrol,he criticised. In the name of

implementation of welfareschemes, Jagan Reddy headedgovernment is fleecing people,he charged.

Pawan Kalyan asked JaganReddy what happened to hisassurance of free power sup-ply up to 200 units. "When wewere in the combined APstate, the state was generatingsurplus power. Now we areexperiencing unscheduled

power cuts.Villages areexperiencingthree to sixtimes powercuts during aday. WhenJagan Reddywas inOpposition, heaccused theNaidu led TDPgovernment ofimposing taxess a y i n g“ B a d u d eB a d u d u ” .

What is he doing now”, PowerKalyan asked.

He called upon the Janasenacadres to organise protestdemonstrations in front ofthe Collector’s offices acrossthe state in protest against thesteep hike of power tariff. Heasked them to submit a mem-orandum to the Collectors.

PNS n ONGOLE

Panchayat and Rural develop-ment department Principal sec-retary Gopal Krishna Dwivedidirected the officials concernedto expedite the Jal JeevanMission works.

The Principal Secretary helda video conference on Thursdayin which district CollectorPravin Kumar, ZP CEO D JaliReddy and other officials werepresent. Speaking on the occa-sion, Dwivedi said that thefunds given by the Centreshould be utilized properly.

He said that steps should betaken for the development ofwater resources in a plannedmanner. He said that the JalaJeevan Mission is very usefulin mitigating drinking watershortage. He said there was noshortage of funds allocated and

directed the officials to sendbills for the work undertaken sofar. The target is to lay 200 bore-holes in each district under theJala Kala program. He said thestandards set by the Centreshould be met and the qualityof work should not be compro-mised.

PR & RD CommissionerKona Shashidhar said worksunder the sub-plan schemeshould be expedited. The con-struction works being carriedout with the NREGA fundsshould be completed expedi-tiously. He told them to uploadall the bills online by the end ofthe current financial year. Hemade several suggestions thatthe submission of bills shouldnot be delayed. Seshidarinstructed the officials to buildtoilets in the secretariats.

Kona Shesidar told the offi-

cials to give priority in provid-ing work to women workers inthe NREGA works. Allocationsshould be made based on theproductivity of the workers.With the new budget comingup from April, More number ofworks under the NREGAshould be taken up and setgoals for each week for thesame.

He suggested that sanitationin the villages should be furtherimproved. Measures should betaken to prevent drinking waterproblems in summer. If drink-ing water sources are not avail-able in the respective villages,advance plans should be madeto supply them by tankers, hetold them. DPO GV NarayanaReddy, RWS SE Mardhan AliDWAMA PD Sina Reddy andPR SAE Kodaiah were amongthose who were present.

NIT director CSPRao suspendedPNS n ELURU

National Institute ofTechnology (NIT),Tadepalligudem, DirectorDr.CSP Rao was suspendedon the charge of corruption.

The CBI officials recentlyconducted raids and regis-tered cases against him. TheCBI also conducted a raid onhis residence located inWarangal in Telangana state.The Union HumanResources Developmentdepartment officials onThursday issued orders sus-pending him. He was facingcharges of giving jobs violat-ing rules.

Cop arrestedfor chainsnatchingsPNS n ELURU

A police constable wasarrested for resorting to chainsnatchings in Kaikaluru.

Police said that the accusedSingidi Satyanarayana wasattached to Undi police sta-tion. He was committingchain snatchings.

He was caught red handedwhen he snatched a chainfrom a grocery shop ownerand fleeing.

The locals chased andoverpowered the constable.The police recovered Rs goldchain worth Rs 1.20 lakh, abike and a knife, pepperspray.

The police also heldBuddala Subhas who was anaccomplice of the accusedconstable.

nation 05VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | APRIL 1, 2022

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R 292 one-horned rhinos in Jaldapara National Park

Jaldapara National Park in West Bengal's Alipurduar district has registered a rise of 55one-horned rhinos in the last three years, taking the current headcount to 292, a seniorforest department official said on Thursday. The number of rhinos was 237 in 2019 and

the national park added 18-19 rhinos to its population every year, Chief Wildlife WardenDebal Roy told PTI quoting the recently released rhino census report of the department. The292 rhinos included 179 adults, 45 sub-adults and 68 calves, the report said.The enumerators found 101 males, 134females while they were not able to con-firm the gender of 57 other herbivores.In 2019, there was 130 adults, 57 sub-adults and 50 calves in the forest. Theenumeration drive took place after a gapof three years. The national park wasdivided into 55 blocks for the enumera-tion exercise which took place on fieldon March 25 and 26 and each teamconsisted of four to six members.

Odisha State transport authority'sroad-safety campaign via RRR

The Odisha state transport authority has jumped on the bandwagon of epic period actionmovie ‘RRR' to spread awareness about wearing helmets while riding a motorcycle. It post-ed on social media platforms a picture of an 'RRR' scene and superimposed helmets on the

characters of NTR Jr, who is riding a motorcycle with Ram Charan as pillion. "Responsible RoadRides #RRR can take you to your destination safely," the State Transport Authority (STA) said inthe caption on Wednesday, tweaking theoriginal full form of 'Roudram RanamRudhiram' for the acronym. "Always wear ahelmet whether you are a driver or pillionrider," the STA added. The post got 5,700likes and over 1,100 retweets on Twitter,including by the 'RRR' official account.TheTelugu film is a pre-Independence fictionalstory set in the 1920s, starring Ram Charanand Jr NTR as real-life Indian revolutionariesAlluri Sitarama Raju and Komaram Bheemrespectively. It also features Bollywood starsAlia Bhatt and Ajay Devgn in cameos.

15-year-old caretaker girl dies afterjumping from Mumbai high-rise

A15-year-old girl who was working as a caretaker with a family allegedly ended her life byjumping from the 15th floor of a high-rise in central Mumbai, police said. The incidenttook place in Agripada area on Wednesday morning and autopsy report was awaited, said

a police official. It appears from initial probe that the girl was under depression and jumpedfrom the dining hall window of the 15thfloor flat where she was working, he said.Police has examined the footage of CCTVcameras installed in the building as wellas those in the surrounding area and itdid not show anything suspicious, theofficial said. But the girl's motherrequested the police to conduct furtherprobe, he added. The local policereceived a call around 7.55 AM that a girlhad committed suicide by jumping offthe Classic Tower building, he said. Herbody was found in the open garden onthe third floor of the building.

Govt orders forensic probe in 4 fires in e-2 wheelersPNS n NEW DELHI

The government has takenvery seriously the four inci-dents of fire in two-wheelerelectric vehicles (EVs) in thepast one week and will takeappropriate action against themanufacturers after a forensicinvestigation, Road Transportand Highways Minister NitinGadkari told Lok Sabha onThursday.

He also said that as onMarch 25, as many as10,76,420 EVs were registeredin the country and 1,742 pub-lic charging stations (PCS)were operational.

"A total of four incidents offire in two-wheeler EVs havebeen reported in the past oneweek and this is a very seriousissue. We have ordered a foren-sic investigation into each ofthe individual events fromexperts of Centre for FireExplosive, DRDO and IISc,

Bengaluru," he said duringQuestion Hour.

The minister said India'sstandards for approval of EVand batteries are apt with theglobal standards and the gov-ernment will take appropriateaction after the exact technicalreason behind the accidents isknown.

"We are waiting for thereport from the expert com-mittee. After receiving thereport, we will find out exact-ly what is the reason behindthat. On the basis of that

report, we will take appropri-ate action against the manufac-turer," he said.

However, he said, he felt thatthe apparent reason for theseincidents was high tempera-ture.

"We are still waiting for thereport of the expert commit-tee. After we receive the reportof the expert committee, wewill take appropriate action.We will also take sufficientmeasures for the safety of thepeople," he said.

Replying another supple-mentary, Gadakari said thecentral government is fullycommitted to the Paris accordon environment and protec-tion of ecology and environ-ment.

He said the government hasproposes to provide 650 road-side amenities on nationalhighways out of which, workon 40 of them have alreadystarted.

NEET-PG: SC cancels AIQmop-up round counsellingPNS n NEW DELHI

The Supreme Court onThursday cancelled the AllIndia Quota mop-up roundcounselling for NEET-PG2021-22 admissions to resolvethe anomalies over 146 freshseats, which were not availablefor candidates who participat-ed in round one and two of theprocess.

A bench of Justices D YChandrachud, Surya Kant andBela M Trivedi directed hold-ing of a special round of coun-selling for 146 fresh seats andallowed the students, who havejoined the All India Quota(AIQ) or state quota in roundtwo to participate in it.

The bench directed theDirector General of HealthServices (DGHS) to inviteoptions from students within

24 hours andcomplete theprocess with-in 72 hoursafter the cut-off time forthe options.

The benchclarified thatall the direc-tions havebeen issued inexercise of itsjurisdictionunder Article 142 of theConstitution.

At the outset, additionalsolicitor general AishwaryaBhati, appearing for the Centre,said that DGHS has decided todrop the 146 fresh seats, whichwere added for the first time inthe mop-up round.

On the advisory of March16, Bhati said that it is in tune

with the earli-er verdict ofthe top courtbut the prob-lem was thatmany stateshad notinformed theCentre ontime aboutthe number ofstudents, whohad takena d m i s s i o n

under State quota.The suggestion of dropping

the seats, did not go well withthe court as the bench said, Youcan very well have an addition-al round for filling of 146 seatsand we will have 146 moredoctors. You don't have todrop the seats it is a criminalway to drop the seats .

The bench said that DGHS

may hold a fresh round ofcounselling for 146 seats afterasking for options from thestudents within 24 hour andcomplete the process withinone week.

We will uphold the adviso-ry of March 16 that studentswho had participated in roundtwo of the counselling for statequota will not participate in themop-up of the All India Quota, the bench said.

Advocate Shivendra Singh,appearing for some of the doc-tors, said that the March 16advisory is against the schemecontemplated in the earlierverdict of the top court and itis like changing the rules inbetween as students were givento believe that those who havetaken state quota will be eligi-ble to participate in the mop-up round of AIQ.

Will implement oldpension scheme: Cong PNS n SHIMLA

The Congress will implementthe old pension scheme andregularise outsourced employ-ees if it returns to power in theHimachal Pradesh Assemblyelections later this year, seniorparty leader Rajeev Shuklasaid on Thursday.

Congress WorkingCommittee member and theincharge of theH i m a c h a lPradesh affairsat the AICCRajeev Shuklaclaimed thatg o v e r n m e n temployees in thestate are fed upwith policies ofthe Jai RamThakur-led BJPgovernment.

The Congresshigh command has decided toimplement the old pensionscheme if it comes to power inthe Himachal PradeshAssembly elections, he added.

Further, outsourcedemployees will be regularised,he said.

Shukla, accompanied byLeader of Opposition in theHimachal Pradesh AssemblyMukesh Agnihotri and stateCongress president KuldeepSingh Rathour, said the oldpension scheme has alreadybeen implemented by theCongress-ruled Rajasthan andChhattisgarh.

Shukla also brushed asidethe Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)as a major challenger in theelections. The contest will bebetween the Congress and theBJP, he said, adding AAP willnot able to make any impact.

The Congress leader saidAAP performed well inPunjab, where it has been try-ing its luck there for the pastseveral years. AAP failed to

win even a sin-gle seat in UPa n dUttarakhand, headded.

Shukla saidthe Congresswill emerge vic-torious in theAssembly elec-tions.

Earlier in theday, theCongress held a

demonstration outside theShimla deputy commissioner'soffice against the hike in fuelprices.

The state governmentemployees under the banner ofNew Pension SchemeKaramchari Mahasangh(NPSKM) had held a protestoutside the Himachal PradeshAssembly during the Budgetsession on March 3, demand-ing the implementation of theold pension scheme.

The old pension scheme forgovernment employees wasdiscontinued in the countryfrom April 1, 2004.

‘Never wanted to live there permanently’DMK govt blames AIADMK regimefor SC striking down Vanniyar quotaPNS n CHENNAI

After consulting legal experts,the Tamil Nadu governmentwould take a decision on thenext course of action on inter-nal reservation for Vanniyars,state Water Resources MinisterDuraimurugan said here onThursday.

Without proper basic data, alaw to provide internal quota forVanniyars was brought out bythe previous AIADMK regimehastily for 'political reasons' inthe run-up to the Assemblyelection last year, the ministersaid.

Despite the government's all-out efforts, like appointment ofsenior advocates to handle the

matter, the law to provide sub-quota for Vanniyars was struckdown by the Supreme Court inview of the data factor,Duraimurugan said in a state-ment.

Against this background, theminister said the Tamil Nadu

government would take a deci-sion on the next course ofaction on internal reservationfor Vanniyars after consultinglegal experts.

Reacting to the judgment,PMK founder S Ramadoss saidthe verdict made it clear thatbased on clear data, a recom-mendation could be made bythe Tamil Nadu BackwardClasses Commission to provideinternal reservation forVanniyars.

Based on it, the governmentcould adopt a fresh Bill in theAssembly and provide reserva-tion, the PMK leader said in astatement and urged ChiefMinister M K Stalin to imme-diately take steps in this regard.

Leftorganisationstake out rally

PNS n LUCKNOW

Sulking socialist leader Shivpal SinghYadav's recent meeting with UttarPradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanathhas triggered speculation that he may quitthe SP-led alliance to join the BJP.

The speculation gained strength amidreports indicating the PragatisheelSamajwadi Party (Lohia) chief 's strainedrelationship with Samajwadi Party (SP)president and his nephew AkhileshYadav.

Shivpal Yadav had met Adityanath onWednesday.

However, Om Prakash Rajbhar, a keyleader of the Opposition alliance, soughtto downplay the issue.

There are "some issues" within theirfamily and he is making all efforts toensure that they remain together, Rajbharsaid.

Meanwhile, Pragatisheel SamajwadiParty (Lohia) spokesperson Deepak

Mishra told PTI that party workers onThursday discussed the changing polit-ical scene with their leader and toldShivpal Yadav that they will back what-ever decision he takes.

"Shivpal Yadav assured partymen thatthey will be taken into confidence beforetaking any decision, which will keep thelegacy of (Ram Manohar) Lohia and JaiPrakash Narain alive and work on resolv-ing problems of people," Mishra said.

"In politics, all doors and alternativesare kept open," Mishra said.

When questioned about his options,

Mishra said, "Shivpalji had got a propos-al from the BJP earlier too. Every polit-ical party or leader would like to havepopular leader like Shivpal Yadav withthem. But he did not go since he hasworked with Samajwadi Party workersand led them in all their struggles."

Shivpal Yadav has told workers toremain prepared for struggle and increasetheir public participation, and a bigdecision will be taken soon, Mishra said.

Reports suggested that the distancebetween Shivpal Yadav and AkhileshYadav has been widening ever since theveteran leader was not invited to a meet-ing of newly elected SP MLAs on March26.

Shivpal Yadav had contested the recentAssembly polls on the SP symbol.

He skipped the Opposition alliance'sMonday meeting and also "delayed"oath as a member of the Assembly, indi-cating that all is not well between bothleaders.

‘Houses for Maha legislators if people okay’PNS n MUMBAI

Maharashtra Deputy ChiefMinister Ajit Pawar on Thursdaysaid the state government maynot go ahead with its decision toprovide houses in Mumbai to300 legislators if people areagainst it.

He also said that it had beendecided to give the houses to theMLAs at a certain price and notfree of cost.

Speaking inthe LegislativeAssembly lastweek, HousingDevelopmentMinister JitendraAwhad hadannounced thatthe governmentwould makeavailable 300 flatsin suburbanGoregaon forMLAs from ruralareas. He said the legislators whodo not have a house in Mumbai,do not represent any constituen-cy in the city and who hail fromoutside the MumbaiMetropolitan Region will beeligible for this scheme.

Pawar said Awhad hadannounced constructing 300houses for legislators through theMaharahshtra Housing andArea Development Authority(MHADA), and added the law-makers will have to pay for thesame.

"People thought that the gov-

ernment would give the housesto legislators for free. In fact,there was no question of givingthe houses for free," Pawar toldreporters here.

He said there was a lot ofdebate about the announce-ment on social media and alsonews reports against the deci-sion.

He said that NCP chiefSharad Pawar and state

Congress presi-dent Nana Patolehave alreadyexplained thepositions of theirrespective partieson the issue.

The NCP chiefhad reportedlysaid the govern-ment should notconstruct hous-es for legislators,but create a sep-arate quota for

them in the houses built by theMHADA.

"But once a decision is madeand there is misunderstandingafterwards for no reason, thenthe (implementation of such a)decision is stopped. Maybe, I amnot saying with certainty, maybesuch an approach could be con-sidered," he said.

"But the houses will not begiven for free. It was decided togive the houses at a certain price.But if the people are so opposedto it, then it may not happen,"the deputy chief minister said.

File report on foot over bridges, escalartors

Speculation over Akhilesh-Shivpal rift,Rajbhar says efforts on to sort out issues

IF VOTED TO POWER IN HP

DELHI HIGH COURT ASKS TO GOVT

PNS n NEW DELHI

The Delhi High Court Thursdaydirected the Delhi government tofile a status report relating toaccessibility of foot over bridgesand other public utilities to personswith disabilities and senior citizens.

A bench of Acting Chief JusticeVipin Sanghi and Justice NavinChawla issued notice to theCentre, Delhi government, PublicWorks Department (PWD) andOffice of the Chief Commissioner

for Persons with Disabilities andasked them respond to the peti-tion while listing it for furtherhearing on September 6.

The court was hearing a peti-tion by a lawyer seeking directionsto the authorities to ensure con-venience of and full accessibilityto lifts, foot over bridges and otherpublic amenities and structures tospecially-abled and senior citizensof the country and ensure compli-ance with the provisions under theRights of Persons with Disabilities

Act, 2016 protecting the funda-mental right to equality, right offreedom to move freely and rightto life with dignity under theConstitution. The bench directedthe Delhi government and PWDto file status report indicating theposition on access to foot overbridges and other public utilitiesas to whether they are accessibleto persons with disabilities andsenior citizens and also on specif-ic instances pointed out by thepetitioner. It also directed the

Centre to file a report on compli-ance of earlier directions issued bythe high court in another petitionrelating to amenities for special-ly-abled persons.

Petitioner Pankaj Mehta sub-mitted that the state of publicamenities such as elevators andescalators for disabled people andsenior citizens of the country isin ruins and are non-functionalin the capital of the country'which is a metropolitan' anddeveloped' city.

PNS n KOLKATA

Memb ers of CPI(M)women's wing and 10 otherL ef t organisat ions onThursday took out separaterallies in various of city toprotest the alleged deteri-oration of the law andorder situation in WestBengal under the TMCrule.

Women agitators wereseen engaging in alterca-tions with the police asthey were stopped fromgoing past the barricade setup near administrativebuildings in south Kolkata.

"We protest the murderof student leader AnisKhan in Amta in the lastweek of February and themassacre of nine people,including women and chil-dren, at B ogtui inRampurhat. There had alsobeen incidents of gangrapein Basirhat and Malda.

EVICTION FROM JANPATH BUNGALOW

PNS n NEW DELHI

Lok Janshakti Party (RamVilas) leader Chirag Paswan onThursday expressed his disap-pointment with the manner inwhich his family has beenevicted from their Janpathbungalow by the government,noting that he has not beengiven any alternative officialresidence which he is entitledas a second-term member ofParliament.

He visited the residence,where eviction exercise by theurban development ministrybegan on Wednesday, and paidhis respects to the bust of hislate father Ram Vilas Paswan.

Speaking to reporters later,

Chirag Paswan asserted that herespected rules and lawfulprocess and never demandedthat his family should beallowed to stay in the housepermanently.

"We had to vacate this soon-er or later. I do, however,slightly object to the way it hasbeen done," he said.

The ministerial bungalowwas allotted in 1990 to hisfather, a stalwart Dalit leaderwho was a minister for muchof the period till his death in2020. Chirag Paswan said hisfamily had been staying thereafter being given extension.

"My family full respects thelawful process. One cannotforcibly keep a place if he is not

entitled to it. Surely, I am dis-appointed with the manner inwhich it (eviction) was done. Iam a second term MP, and I

should have been given analternative accommodation,"the Jamui MP said.

He said he has as of now nogovernment accommodationand has shifted to his grand-mother's house in the nation-al capital. Striking an emotion-al note, he said his father'smemories are attached with thebungalow and added that near-ly 100 people associated withthe LJP founder had been liv-ing there.

"I will try my best to helpthem," he said, while againunderlining his disappoint-ment with the "sudden" evic-tion process.

The government onWednesday started the process

of evicting the family of lateRam Vilas Paswan from the 12Janpath bungalow that wasallotted to him in 1990, withseveral trucks carrying furni-ture and other householdgoods seen driving out of theaccommodation.

The Directorate of Estates,which comes under the UnionHousing and Urban AffairsMinistry, sent a team of offi-cials to execute an evictionorder issued to the late minis-ter's son Chirag Paswan, offi-cials had said.

The 12 Janpath bungalow isearmarked for Union ministersand the occupants of the gov-ernment accommodation havebeen asked to vacate it.

I’ve been thinking of it(retiring) for along time. I wantto do things Ihaven’t done yet.

Singer-actor— Lucky Ali

through India. Nepal con-ducts its third-country tradethrough India. Meanwhile, ona few occasions, diplomatictensions interrupted the move-ment of people and goods atthe India-Nepal border.During the Madhesi Andolanin 2015, the border was partial-ly closed after protestersblocked the transit points withIndia. Thousands of trucksfrom India, laden with emer-gency supplies of petroleum,medicines and pulses, werestuck for months.

To ease the supply of suchproducts, India has executedseveral connectivity projectswith Nepal. In 2020, India suc-cessfully delivered the firstcross-border petroleumpipeline with Nepal, which isone of the firsts in South Asiaand stands as a role model forregional cooperation. InOctober 2021, the two coun-tries signed an MoU on rail-way connectivity to connectKathmandu with Raxaul. Itwill serve as a lifeline forNepal’s cross-border publicand container transportation.Despite Oli’s best efforts to tar-nish India’s image, the latterhas continued to extend ahelping hand to the Himalayannation.

On the energy front, Nepalhas rich hydropower potential.However, this sector has large-

ly been ignored due to anunstable political and eco-nomic environment. For overthree decades, India has beenpushing to tap its hydropow-er potential on a mutual basis.In 1996, the countries signedan ambitious and economical-ly viable PancheshwarMultipurpose Project aimed atproducing more than 5,000MW. However, the project isstagnating in political indul-gences. During Modi’s firstvisit to Nepal in 2014, the pro-ject was expected to receive abig push but India’s efforts fellprey to a lack of interest fromNepal. Even after 26 years, nojoint Detailed Project Report(DPR) has been prepared. ForNepal, Bhutan must serve asa fine example of benefittingfrom India’s technical exper-tise in power production andencashing the end product byexporting it to India. Withrenewed scope for coopera-tion in the hydropower sector,the joint DPR may get tabledduring the current visit.

Geo-Strategic Relevance:The previous CommunistGovernment in Nepal brazen-ly danced to China’s tunes.With Oli as the PrimeMinister, China received max-imum encouragement andbegan to openly intervene inNepal’s domestic and foreignaffairs. The Chinese

Communist Party delegationsto Nepal in the last threeyears have demonstrated theiroutreach. However, withDeuba at the helm, there is aclear sign of rapprochementtowards India. Also, with theentry of the US through MCCin Nepal, China is realising theloss of ground. The recent visitto Nepal by Chinese ForeignMinister Wang Yi in the back-drop of the parliamentary rat-ification of the MCC develop-ment grant worth $500 mil-lion by the US is clearly seenas competition to BRI and itsill-intended expansionistagenda in Nepal.

Therefore, India as an all-weather development part-ner of Nepal and the US as anemerging one present a strong challenge to Chinesemanoeuvrings.

Conclusion: PM Deuba’svisit to India is a welcome step.However, despite the ongoingbilateral cooperation, develop-ments on resolving theKalapani issue will be lookedat closely. Also, Deuba has ashort stint at hand, consider-ing the parliamentary electionsby the end of this year. Yet, anyprogress in bilateral ties will bea clincher in future course.

(The author is a ResearchAssociate with the VivekanandaInternational Foundation. Theviews expressed are personal.)

OPENING THE DOORS TO DEVELOPMENTSir — It was reported recently that UnionRoad Transport Minister Nitin Gadkarihad come to Parliament in a HydrogenMirage (meaning progress) car.Currently, fuel prices are at an all-timehigh. In such a scenario, some peoplehave started changing over to electricvehicles. Even cheaper, the newHydrogen Mirage car will be consideredpollution-free. This car is made byToyota, a Japanese company. The mainfeature of this car is that its fuel is madefrom water. And once the tank is full, itcan comfortably cover 646 km. Greenhydrogen fuel will be made from waterand organic waste.

It takes only three-four minutes torefuel. The main thing is that there is zeropollution and it costs only `2 per kilo-meter. Besides helping the environ-ment, the cost of transport and travel willalso remain under control. More impor-tantly, we can export this hydrogen fuel.Gadkari has said that India has a lot ofscope in this, too. It will create manyemployment opportunities. There is nodoubt that the hydrogen car will opennew doors of development in a situationwhere pollution levels will continue torise by the day.

Shantaram Wagh | Pune

BEWARE OF FOUL-MOUTHED POLITICIANSSir — Our politicians indulging in hatespeeches, especially during election ral-lies, seem to have become an acceptednorm over the years. Their speeches arepeppered with words that often targetcastes and religions (‘Spread of undigni-fied terms into politics’; March 31).These leaders spew hate and hope thattheir speeches would divide and polarisepeople, and fuel violence. Some of thewords they speak hurt as much as sticksand stones, and some others are seen assignalling by those seeking to manifesthate into real time. In fact, it is impor-tant to place such unparliamentarywords on record, since history bears wit-ness to such disparaging remarks.

Politicians trading barbs at election

time have evolved into a vicious striden-cy in public discourse that hinges onidentity politics. In fact, the very first ruleof the ECI’s Model Code of Conduct forpolitical parties reads, “No party or can-didate shall include in any activity whichmay aggravate existing differences or cre-ate mutual hatred or cause tensionbetween different castes and communi-ties, religious or linguistic.” But ‘identi-ty’ is the lowest hanging fruit for ourpoliticians and it essentially hoversaround religion, caste, birth and language.Communal rhetoric during electionsrevives the centuries-old schisms thatdemocracy has been unable to heal.

Ranganathan Sivakumar | Chennai

GUARD AGAINST EXAM PAPER LEAKSSir —The post-pandemic examinationperiod has started now, and the UP Boardexaminations are also part of the series.Despite the physical arrangements madeby the Government and proper precau-tions by the anti-cheating squad, thecheaters could repeat the instances of

paper leaks of Class 12th Board exam.Taking immediate action, the authoritiesimmediately booked 17 people, andexams were cancelled in 24 districts. Theleak of the English Board examination isregretful and puts the role of the author-ities under the cloud as a Governmentteacher was found guilty in this incident.

After two years of no Board exams,students returned to the Boards for thevery first time after the COVID-19 pan-demic. Online schools and online coach-ing of last year and physical Boards of thisyear, though difficult, were manageablefor the students at secondary schools toreturn to normal. This kind of paper leaksand exam cancellation hurts innocent stu-dents as they try honestly and hard towrite a good exam, but a section ofcheaters spoils all their hard work.Authorities must keep a constant vigil sothat such incidents are not repeated.

Kirti Wadhawan | Kanpur

P A P E R W I T H P A S S I O N

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06

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After hitting a rough patch during Oli’s tenure, there’s plausible hopethat Indo-Nepal relations will grow stronger for mutual development

ON THE ENERGYFRONT, NEPAL HAS

RICH HYDROPOWERPOTENTIAL. BUT

THIS SECTOR HASLARGELY BEEN

IGNORED DUE TOAN UNSTABLE

POLITICAL ANDECONOMIC

CLIMATE. FOR OVERTHREE DECADES,INDIA HAS BEEN

PUSHING TO TAPITS HYDROPOWER

POTENTIAL ONMUTUAL BASIS

LETTERS TO TTHE EDITOR

RISHI GUPTA

Two years of the Coronavirus pandem-ic have been pretty harsh on the livesof teenagers, and these have made their

activities virtually dependent on socialmedia. According to a recent study pub-lished in Nature Communications, theharmful effects of social media are partic-ularly pronounced on girls between the agesof 11 and 13, and boys between 14 and 15years. The more they are exposed to onlineapps such as Instagram, Tik Tok, WhatsApp,Facebook etc, the worse they are likely tofeel about themselves the following year.

There is ample evidence to suggest thelethal effects of toxic social media leadingto depression, anxiety and low self-esteemamong children.

With the advent of modern gadgets,smartphones and internet penetration,mental health issues are alarmingly on therise amongst teenagers. Recently, Chinapassed an order allowing those under 18years of age to play video games only forthree hours a week. The US has called forresearch on the link between technology andthe mental health of youth. These are urgentand pressing issues that need interventionof all sections of society: parents, teachersand media. The first step is to study the truemechanics and nature of the problem on awar footing. There has to be a perfect bal-ance between internet and physical activ-ities if we are to create and nurture a healthyand progressive society.

Vijay Singh Adhikari | Nainital

Social media’s negative impact

Deuba’s visit to revup ties with India

Amid the ongoing contestbetween China and theUnited States on asserting

their position in Nepal overMillennium ChallengeCorporation (MCC) and Belt andRoad Initiative (BRI), NepalesePrime Minister Sher BahadurDeuba is arriving in India on athree-day visit today. It will be hisfirst visit to India since takingover as the Prime Minister in July2021. Meanwhile, Deuba andNarendra Modi had held talks inGlasgow on the sidelines of theClimate Summit in October2021. The meeting evoked inter-est as it indicated a reach-outmoment between the countries.

The visit comes in the back-drop of strained India-Nepalrelations in the last three years.Since July 2021, Deuba has madeattempts to improve bilateralties; in fact, a Nepali Congressdelegation led by former ForeignMinister Prakash Sharan Mahatvisited India in October to pre-pare the ground for this visit andmet BJP president JP Nadda andForeign Minister S Jaishankar. InAugust, Vijay Chauthiwala, thehead of the BJP’s foreign affairscell, visited Nepal and held talkswith Deuba, UML ChairmanKP Oli and Maoist PartyChairman Prachanda, amongothers.

Backdrop: With the forma-tion of a CommunistGovernment in Nepal in 2018,the bilateral ties touched thenadir in recent history. Kalapanibecame the most contentiousissue which ex-Prime MinisterOli chose to politicise instead ofresolving it diplomatically. Oli’santi-India centric ultra-national-ist outlook proved to be a polit-ical stunt to consolidate his posi-tion vis-à-vis Prachanda, who hadbeen demanding Oli’s resigna-tion. Meanwhile, despite India’smultiple requests to resolve theborder row, the Kalapani issuewas used as a tool by almost allpolitical parties to make electoralgains.

Connectivity and Energyon Cards: Among many likelyagreements and MoUs, connec-tivity and energy are high on thecards. For a landlocked Nepal,access to the third world throughland and sea routes is only

Even as India becomes increasingly influential globally and a virtual hub for worldleaders from across the spectrum to have a stopover here in New Delhi, the moodand situation in Islamabad grows from worse to despondent. It’s barely an escape

yet for Prime Minister Imran Khan after facing immense heat to resign ahead of theno-confidence vote as he has reportedly lost majority in the National Assembly. Puttingup a brave face in his late-night address to the nation, however, he called it “a defin-ing moment” for Pakistan. A squeamish Imran alleged that the “foreign hand” was

behind the act of sabotaging his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Government. He also blamed the “threestooges working at the behest of foreign powers” —meaning key Opposition leaders Pakistan MuslimLeague (Nawaz) president Shehbaz Sharif, PakistanPeople’s Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari andPakistan Democratic Movement chief Maulana FazlurRehman. Accused of mismanaging the economy andforeign policy, particularly by way of damaging rela-tions with the US, Imran indicated he won’t be cowed:“I won’t resign; I will play till the last ball.”

The situation had started unravelling when Armychief Qamar Javed Bajwa had a difference of opinion with Imran on appointing the newchief to Pakistan’s powerful spy agency, the ISI. Interestingly, Imran himself has beenseen to be too cosy with the Army Generals despite his promise of ushering in a ‘NayaPakistan’ that would be free of corruption and nepotism following his election win in 2018.Meanwhile, Shehbaz Sharif, whose brother and former Prime Minister Nawaz is in self-exile in the United Kingdom after being convicted in a corruption case he claims is polit-ically motivated, is the man most favoured at the moment to become the next Premierof Pakistan. Even PPP chairman Bilawal has endorsed Shehbaz’s name. Already, a fewindependent lawmakers as well as Imran’s allies Balochistan Awami Party and the MuttahidaQaumi Movement-Pakistan have withdrawn support to Imran’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-InsafGovernment. Shehbaz’s road map in office is to improve Pakistan’s ties with the UnitedStates and the European Union, ostensibly to match and counter India’s influence in thesespheres. In what could possibly be a shape of things to come, he has also claimed thatthe otherwise ubiquitous Pakistan Army has been “staying neutral” ahead of the confi-dence vote, which is good news for him at least for the time being.

The fighting is in Ukraine, thousands of kilometres from India, but New Delhi is thedestination for world leaders to rein in invader Russia. Wonder why, unless theyall need to be personally reassured of India’s backing to their foreign policies on

certain parts of Asia, like the Indo-Pacific, that are undergoing a concern-filled rejig afterVladimir Putin’s aggression. The visits are simply numerous. Japanese Prime MinisterFumio Kishida visited New Delhi to announce an increased investment target in Indiaand ended up pitching for greater ties between the two countries for a free and openIndo-Pacific particularly when the world was “disturbed over Ukraine”. His Australiancounterpart Scott Morrison held a virtual meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modiand remarked that while the QUAD was distressed over Ukraine, “our focus is very muchon Indo-Pacific”. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived next. India hosted him despitehis unwarranted remarks on Kashmir, perhaps to send a message that it is having todeal with China’s border standoff on its own and yet face pressure on Ukraine. Thencomes the visit of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. He is probably more both-ered about India’s purchase of discounted Russian crude and arranging a rupee-rou-

ble payment system in view of the western sanctions.German National Security Advisor Jens Plotner, hereWednesday, said Germany understood India’s chal-lenges and saw no reason for Europe to “preach andteach” New Delhi over its position on the Ukraine issue.

He could not have been less diplomatic about India’sstand on Russia, considering Germany too has an ongo-ing arrangement for importing Russian gas (though itis trying to cut back on it). But he put the finger on thepulse when he said Putin’s logic that historically Ukrainebelonged to the Soviet Union could encourage some-body as big as Russia in Asia to follow suit. As if on

cue, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Foreign Minister S Jaishankar on,according to the latter’s tweet, “developments pertaining to the Indo-Pacific, Ukraineand global economy”. As members of the QUAD, the US and India, along with Japanand Australia, had met on more or less a similar agenda in early March. The conversa-tion is to be followed by US Deputy National Security Adviser Daleep Singh to prepareground for the ‘2+2’ ministerial dialogue in Washington next month but his presenceat this juncture has a meaning. He is the second American official, after US Under Secretaryof State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland, in this part of the world. Foreign Ministersof Austria and Greece were also in India last week. Last but not the least, British ForeignSecretary Elizabeth Truss brings a message to New Delhi about supporting the west-ern stand on Ukraine. The diplomatic tours notwithstanding, the point remains that India’sneutral stand on Russia and open sympathy for Ukraine have not diminished New Delhi’simportance when it comes to the west’s standpoint on the Indo-Pacific.

Global axis

Sticky wicketImran’s fate as the Pakistan PM is all but sealed but he’s fighting on

PICTALK

Tourists shield themselves from a hot summer sun, during their visit to the Taj Mahal PTI

New Delhi has emerged as the station

of choice for notable world leaders

In a very shortspan of time, sixof the 12 issuesbetween Assamand Meghalayahave been settled.

Union Home Minister— Amit Shah

These hands,they’ve hit moregolf balls thananyone else.

Golf legend— Gary Player

SOUNDBITE

Nato has never,ever, ever beenas strong as it istoday. Never.

US President— Joe Biden

We have a policy that eventhe last man in the queue gets Govt schemes’benefits.

Prime Minister— Narendra Modi

be made up through manufactureof more LHB coaches by correct-ing the course in mid-year. Thiswould ensure that the pace ofreplacement of ICF coaches is notvitiated too badly.

The safety record of IR hasimproved in recent years and thenumber of fatalities is much lower.Greater stress on upkeep of trackand allied infrastructure has cer-tainly helped. Due to this focus ontrying to have more and more ofsafer coaches to limit the loss of lifein case of a derailment, primacy ofthorough investigation into causeof accidents and implementation ofcorrective measures should not beignored due to any complacency.

The cause of the accident wasreported as a traction motor of thelocomotive falling down and caus-ing the locomotives wheels to liftand derail followed by derailmentof twelve trailing coaches; such anevent is very rare and largely lim-ited to a particular type of motor onelectric locomotives. The tractionmotor is stoutly secured in the bogieand the accident indicated a seri-ous manufacturing defect com-pounded by improper examinationof the fitment of traction motor onthe bogie during maintenance.Subsequent examination of datarevealed that the culprit seems to bethe nose stay lug of this motor andits weld failure has caused tencases of motor getting detached inrecent years whereas its indicatedfailures during checks number in hundreds.

This key aspect, whether themanufacturing alone or both design

and manufacturing need improve-ment, it is expected, would be a partof the findings of Commissioner ofRail Safety (CRS), who has beenentrusted with the inquiry. Someaspects of the follow-up related tothe accident in question are some-what disturbing.

There have been some instruc-tions which give the impressionthat some officers are trying tojump the gun and attempting todivert the issue. First, in a knee jerkreaction, a top Railway Boardexecutive passed bizarre instruc-tions immediatelyafter the accident,calling out for Loco Pilots to checkthe condition of traction motormounting while taking over chargeand even during halts in the mid-dle of a train-run, never mind thata routine check by a Loco Pilot canhardly detect a failure of fabricationor weld, and it unnecessarily stress-es them out. There may be need toinstitute a one-time examination ofthis fitment on all locomotives ofthis series on a pit by maintenancestaff but it is not a defect which iswithin the purview of a Loco Pilotto assay, particularly when hewould be without the benefit of alocomotive standing on an inspec-tion pit. A Loco Pilot, who carriesthe burden of safety of hundreds oflives when in-charge of a trainshould be freed from such imprac-tical and disquieting duties.

After that came the news reportof the CRS flagging railways’ fail-ure in ensuring mandatory safetyinspection of locomotive of the ill-fated train. He observed that thelocomotive in question was run-

ning continuously for 18,000 kmafter the last trip inspection where-as it should have undergone inspec-tion after 4,500 km as per stipula-tions. It would appear that the tripinspection time interval has beenkept at 4500 km as a matter ofsupreme caution by IR whereasmodern locomotives, not today butfor more than two decades, aregood for working 30 to 40 thou-sand kilometres without anyinspection. In fact, many locomo-tives on IR easily work for thisrange of distance without anychecks and even if we assume thatthese passenger locomotives needcloser examination, there can neverbe a case to examine their tractionmotor mounting every 4500 kilo-metres. Experts say that overdueschedule running of the locomo-tives, per se, cannot be the cause ofan accident and our operations aresuch that overdue running is fre-quently unavoidable. The mattercan certainly be taken up for sys-tematic improvements but linkingit with the derailment would onlytend to obfuscate the real cause ofthis tragic event.

Even complex problems havesimple solutions whereas thisseemed to a simple problem witha simple solution; the solutionsought, however, seems to be acomplex one, with unnecessarilyduplicity borne out of unclearintentions.IR has managed well tokeep its record largely accident-freeand such red herrings by certainexecutives may cause it to fritteraway this advantage. This shouldnot be allowed to happen.

Address root causeof train accidents

THE AAP GOVERNMENT IS RUNNING AWAY

FROM THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PROVIDING

EMPLOYMENT…IT’S TRYING TO FOOL PEOPLE.

— LEADER OF OPPOSITION

RAMVIR SINGH BIDHURI

THE ‘ROZGAR BUDGET’ WILL SET A TREND,

AND OTHER PARTIES WILL ALSO BE FORCED

TO TALK ABOUT EMPLOYMENT.

— DELHI CHIEF MINISTER

ARVIND KEJRIWAL

While focusing on safer coaches to limit fatalities, thorough investigations intoaccident causes and implementation of corrective measures mustn’t be ignored

BIMSTEC is a complex acronym for the Bay of Bengal Multi SectoralTechnical and Economic cooperationamong 7 countries in Southand Southeast Asia. The length of the acronym apart, a rudder-

less leadership in the past from seven countries which constitute BIM-STEC has ensured that it never got the clout,that regional platforms likeASEAN have. BIMSTEC held its fifth summit in Sri Lanka this week. Itas a platform for economic growth,prosperity and trade for the regionwas conceivedto be a carve out from SAARC and ASEAN, given theapprehensions, many of the participating countries have with the twoblocks. Five members of SAARC and two members of ASEAN formthe seven countries which constitute BIMSTEC currently. In the 25 yearsof existence, the summit, in Sri Lanka for the first time, tried to providean architectural framework for BIMSTEC. It has for the first time insti-

tutionalised the future roadmap, by agreeing to have yearly foreign affairsminister’s meeting and summits every two years. The member-coun-tries are home to nearly a quarter of the human population and havenearly $4 trillion combined GDP. They have a huge potential for growthand large market potential, as has been evidenced by nearly doublingof Bangladesh and Nepal’s GDP during the period BIMSTEC has beenin existence. Sadly, BIMSTEC had no role to play in this growth storybecause unlike ASEAN, it doesnot have a free trade agreement amongstits members. One of the issues discussed in Colombo was a quick con-clusion to a free trade agreement for bringing increased prosperity tocitizens. However, the legacy challenges of mistrust amongst BIMSTECpartners and the rise of non-democratic forces in national politics(Myanmar) could stall the process. The political leadership addressingBIMSTEC cooperation have to realise that pushing a free trade agree-ment is going to be a domestic exercise, where their own political oppo-nents would create roadblocks.

This is a tricky situation for India as it is the largest economy inthe grouping and has a unique share of voice amongst thepartners(without China or Pakistan presence). India is also not part ofany regional economic cooperation framework such as RegionalComprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). This leaves India withthe only choice of forging many bilateral trade and economic cooper-ation agreements with the regional players, leaving out potential accessto large seamless free trade market. In this regard India needs to emu-late the Indo-Pacific Economic Strategy being currently collated byPresident Joe Biden led US government, as a tool for increasing accessand influence in the region. The nuanced contours of the US strategyare still under developmenthowever a broad statement of purpose, vision,goals and clear threats have been identified. India has always main-tained a bipartisan, strategically nonaligned approach towards its for-eign policy.However,defining avision, mission and its proposedapproach towards Indo Pacific region could help in achieving the tar-gets and open up new inroads for regional cooperation. India needsregional partners such as BIMSTEC and ASEAN for its goal of achiev-ing a $5 trillion economy. These countries also form and influential axisin India’s overall Indo-Pacificstrategy, QUAD framework and current gov-ernment’s focus on neighbourhood first policy. China is a constant threatto the democratic sovereign countries in South Asia. It has used eco-nomic and militarycoercion to undermine the sovereign status of manynations in the Indo Pacific belt ofAsia. The only bulwark against Chinafor many of these smaller countries is an economically powerful, demo-cratic India, which vouches for a rules-based global order. India willhave to don the mantle of being the elder sister in BIMSTEC withoutbeing overtly assertive.

(The writer is a policy analyst. The views expressed are personal.)

VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | APRIL 1, 2022

07

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FIRSTCOLUMNTHE BIMSTEC FOCUSMUST BE SHARPER

POINTCOUNTERPOINT

SUDHANSHU MANI

India faces a tricky situation as it is the largest economy in the grouping

EVEN COMPLEXPROBLEMS HAVE

SIMPLESOLUTIONS

WHEREAS THISSEEMED TO A

SIMPLEPROBLEM WITH

A SIMPLESOLUTION; THE

SOLUTIONSOUGHT,

HOWEVER,SEEMS TO BE ACOMPLEX ONE,

WITHUNNECESSARILY

DUPLICITYBORNE OUT OF

UNCLEARINTENTIONS. THE

RAILWAYS HASMANAGED WELL

TO KEEP ITSRECORDLARGELY

ACCIDENT-FREE

(The writer is a retiredGeneral Manager ofIndian Railways and

anindependent rail con-sultant. The views

expressed are personal.)

An explosive, mind blow-ing account of a singleman’s unbounded initia-

tive to checkmate the Dragon .. . ,” so reads the blurb on thereverse jacket of Major Bakshi-The Dragon’s Nemesis, by SudipTalukdar, author, military ana-lyst and journalist. The book,published by GarudaPrakashan, is an unusual yetgripping story in contemporaryIndian fiction, focusing on veryreal dangers posed by ournorthern neighbour.

The narrative beginsinnocuously enough. MajorBakshi, a veteran of fiftycounter terror operations and arecipient of Mahavir Chakra, isdistressed by the ‘rowdy’ behav-iour of some ‘Bollywood celebs’he is hosting for a TV pro-gramme in a forward area. Notonly do his polite requests to

maintain decorum fall on deafears, but his uniform is mockedas a ‘joker’s costume.’ But whenhe is manhandled, an indigni-ty that crosses all bounds of tol-eration, matters really get out ofhand. He promptly marches theentire protesting team to thewaiting transport and sendsthem away, unceremoniously.

Dumped into the mostbackward rural pocket of cen-tral India, dubbed as a ‘blackhole,’ by a livid brigade com-mander, the infantry officerfinds himself among a bunch ofArmy discards, doomed to amiserable existence. The Major,made of sterner stuff, reboundsfrom the colossal setback, turn-ing the punishment postinginto an opportunity. He goesabout forging the demoralizedgroup into one of the world’smost feared guerrilla forces,

with a resolute will and grimdetermination. Notwithstandingdaunting odds, he imparts cut-ting edge combat skills to thewritten-off soldiers and mouldsthem into warriors of steel,preparing them for the mostdangerous and daring missionof their lives. One that is capa-

ble of inflicting terriblevengeance on an enemy likeChina! Is it his sharp strategicsense at play or just pure luck?Or even his connect withShamanic Powers, from theworld beyond. This is theauthor’s second novel afterProxy War: The CounterMoves, which focused on ter-ror networks from across theborder and how the Armydelivers a coup de grace.

Painted on a sweeping can-vas with broad strokes of thepen, the book seamlessly inte-grates the complex world of his-tory, military affairs, politicsand international relations, intoa gripping narrative that neverloses sight of its goal, headinginexorably towards a shatteringdenouement.

Major Bakshi does have somany intriguing aspects to his

persona. The setback in love lifeand the ensuing trauma prompthim to take up the calling ofarms. The master of tactics andambush is not only a ruthlesstask master but also equallycompassionate, often to a fault,who loves his men and seeks tohelp them in a thousand andone ways. He is also instrumen-tal in eliminating dozens of themost dreaded terrorists, apply-ing their own methods. Thebook has a real-life war veter-an in a fictional role as a lieu-tenant general and army com-mander, who has been given themandate to checkmate theaggressive Northern neighbour.He brings his formidable expe-rience and expertise to bear onthe undertaking. China hasbeen bullying India withimpunity, a fall-out of the poli-cies being pursued in the post-

independence years. Successivepolitical dispensations havefared no better, either behavinglike passive spectators or wilt-ing before its military might,even though the Indian Armyis prepared to give the Dragona befitting reply, as borne out byevents at Nathu La, Somdorongand lately at Galwan.

How the book came to bewritten makes for an interest-ing story. One day, just out ofthe blue, the publisher askedthe author to write aboutChina, not long after his debutnovel Proxy War-The CounterMoves, appeared on the book-shelves. Being totally cluelessand unprepared, he somehowracked his brains for ideas,completing the task in sevenshort months. He wove a plotaround whatever knowledge hehad acquired about geopolitics,

strategic matters, military life,officers and men who hadserved with his father in warand peace and lastly the urgeto punish the Northern neigh-bour.

Lt Gen PG Kamath, for-mer Commandant of ArmyWar College and strategicaffairs analyst, observes: “Thebook has in places discussionthat is taking place among theveterans and planners. It is sorealistic that it well could beheld in the decision-makingprocess in the corridors ofpower. The author appears tobe well informed in geo-strat-egy and has a clear idea ofpower-play indulged by coun-tries. The shenanigans of dif-ferent countries and the con-cept of proxy war have beenabundantly and exquisitelybrought out in the book.”

Painted on a sweeping canvas with broad strokes of the pen, he seamlessly integrates the complex world of military affairs, politics & international relations

Maj Bakshi checkmates the dragon

(The reviewer is a formerSecretary, Government

of India. The viewsexpressed are personal.)

LOV VERMA

KUMARDEEP BANERJEE Readers would recall that ninepassengers died and nearly fortywere injured following the derail-ment of several coaches of Up

Bikaner-Guwahati Express on January 13at Domohani in Mainaguri area of WestBengal’s Jalpaiguri district. The derailmentcaused many of the twelve coaches whichderailed, to capsize or climb over anoth-er coach. This accident had brought intofocus once again, the issue of avoidablefatalities in an accident by switching overto a safer coach design on all faster ser-vices such that even if a derailment doesoccur, in spite of all the precautions andmeasures, the damage it causes to theaffected coaches should be so controlledthat it causes minimal casualties.

Indian Railways (IR) principallyemploys two types of coaches — the oldICF-type and the newer LHB-type. Thelatter coaches are designed with a coupler,which gets strongly interlocked with thecoupler of the adjacent coach, preventingrelative sideways and vertical movementsof the coaches with respect to each otherand, therefore, coaches do not climb orcapsize, even if there is a derailment. TheICF-type coaches have no such restrain-ing arrangement, causing them to mounteach other or capsize individually whensubjected to a thrust in case of a derail-ment. At the same time, the more recentVande Bharat Train 18 type coaches areeven safer with their semi-permanent typecouplers, anti-climbing feature and saferstructural designs. I had recommended inthis column that ICF-type coaches shouldbe scrapped in a greater haste and toincrease the pace of manufacture ofLHB- and Train-18- type coaches toreplace them. It is possible,thanks to somemeasures taken by railway productionunits, particularly Integral Coach Factorysince 2016, that IR can be geared to man-ufacture more than 9000 coaches per year.Once we replace the ICF coaches on fasterservices in a period of 3 to 4 years, the bal-ance can be relegated to inferior serviceswhich can then complete their full usefullife without putting lives of passengers toany significant danger of fatalities in caseof an accident.

The coach production programmeissued by IR has a plan for manufactur-ing 8429 coaches, falling short of the pos-sible 9000 or more. Although it is notexplicitly spelt out, it would help fasterreplacement of ICF coaches, and therefore,a good step towards improving safety. Thepitfall is that this plan envisages 1200Vande Bharat Train sets and another 52Cargo-liner and freight EMU coacheswhereas the actual achievement would befar less. Even if IR manages to manufac-ture around 500 against these 1252, itwould not be a mean achievement, con-sidering that not one coach of VandeBharat coach has been built since their firstturn-out in October 2018, more than threeyears back. It is strongly hoped that theshortfall of these 700+plus coaches would

VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | APRIL 1, 2022 Money 08

MONEY MATTERS

German auto majorVolkswagen group hascrossed the cumulative

production milestone of 15lakh units in India across itsthree brands - SkodaVolkswagen and Audi,according to Skoda AutoVolkswagen India Pvt Ltd(SAVWIPL). SAVWIPL,which manages the Indian

operations of five Volkswagen Group brands -- Skoda, Volkswagen,Audi, Porsche and Lamborghini -- said the production milestone wasachieved collectively across the group's two manufacturing facilitiesat Pune and Aurangabad. This milestone has been accomplished withthe production of Skoda Kushaq at its facility in Pune, SAVWIPL saidin a statement on Thursday. SAVWIPL Managing Director PiyushArora said, "The production milestone is a significant achievementand a testament to the success of our products in the domestic aswell as export market." It also highlights the seamless collaborationbetween the group's global and Indian teams, who have beeninstrumental in putting the engineering and manufacturing expertiseof India on the global map, he added. The SAVWIPL facility in Punecurrently produces Skoda Kushaq, Skoda Slavia, Volkswagen Taigun,Volkswagen Virtus, Volkswagen Polo and Volkswagen Vento. Whilethe Aurangabad facility produces premium and luxury models fromthe group's brands Skoda, Volkswagen and Audi.

Volkswagen group crosses cumulativeproduction of 15 lkh units

Asian Development Bank (ADB)and HSBC India have signed anagreement to establish a USD

100 million partial guaranteeprogramme to support more than4,00,000 micro-borrowers andmostly women-run micro-enterprises across India.

HSBC will expand its lending to microfinance institutions (MFIs) andnon-bank finance companies, with ADB partially guaranteeing theloans, Manila-based multilateral funding agency said in a statementon Thursday. This will expand HSBC's risk appetite and deployedcapital, helping to enhance private sector financing and improvefinancial inclusion in India, it said. It is ADB's first partnership withHSBC and under the agreement, to give impetus to this partnership,aggregated financing of an equivalent of USD 30 million is beinginitially disbursed to three MFIs in India by April 2022, it said.MFIs have emerged as lifelines for underserved clients such as low-income ouseholds and small businesses as they struggled to accessfinance during the pandemic, it said. This programme will strengthenmicrofinance as a tool to build economic resilience, reduce genderdisparities, and support economic recovery across India, it said.The partial guarantee arrangement will help MFIs to access fundingfor on-lending activities as they expand operations after thepandemic.

ADB, HSBC India set up US$100 mn partial guarantee prog

SpiceJet on Thursdaysaid it has settled itscommercial dispute

worth around USD 24million with Swiss financialservices company CreditSuisse, with the low-costairline agreeing to pay thesettlement amount over amutually agreed period oftime. "With regard to the

dispute pending between Credit Suisse and SpiceJet Limited, we wouldlike to inform that the parties have now reached an in-principlecommercial settlement of the dispute and the process ofdocumentation is underway," SpiceJet said in a statement. Credit Suissehad filed a case in the Madras High Court alleging that SpiceJet failed tohonour its commitment to pay the bills for over USD 24 million raisedby it towards maintenance, repairing, and overhauling of the aircraftengines and components. The high court in December 2021 orderedwinding up the airline. SpiceJet then moved the Supreme Court, whichon January 28 stayed the high court order and granted three weeks tothe budget carrier to resolve the commercial dispute. "SpiceJet hadalready deposited USD 5 million on the direction of the Hon'ble MadrasHigh Court in the Credit Suisse case and there is no adverse financialliability on the company," the statement said. The settlement involvespayment of settlement amount over a mutually agreed period of time, itmentioned. As per the statement, the settlement with Credit Suissefollows SpiceJet's successful settlements with De Havilland Aircraft ofCanada Limited, Boeing, aircraft lessors CDB Aviation and Avolon.

SpiceJet settles US$ 24 millionfinancial dispute with Credit

PNS n NEW DELHI

Prices of all electric vehicles(EVs) will be equal to the costof petrol vehicles in the coun-try within two years, RoadTransport and HighwaysMinister Nitin Gadkari said inLok Sabha on Thursday.

Gadkari also said MPs canbuy electric vehicles once acharging station is installed inParliament premises.

"I will assure all the hon-ourable members that withintwo years the cost of electrictwo-wheelers, electric three-wheelers and electric four-wheelers will be equivalent tothe cost of petrol vehicles andthe country will change," hesaid during Question Hour.

The minister said the gov-ernment's policy is importsubstitute, cost-effectiveness,pollution-free and indigenousproduction.

"Due to petrol and dieselcosts, we are facing crucialproblems. Already we haveseen the situation. So, this is theonly alternative fuel, I mean,green hydrogen, electricity,ethanol, methanol, bio-diesel,bio-LNG and bio-CNG. Sir, wewill work in that direction," hesaid.

He requested Speaker Om

Birla to provide proper spaceto start electric charging sta-tions in all Parliament parkingplaces so that MPs can buyelectric cars.

"They can come here andcharge their cars here, in theParliament premises. In everygovernment premises, weexpect to give the facility of

electric charging in the park-ing system," he said.

In a lighter vein, Birla said itcan be provided on a paymentbasis.

The minister said there isgood development concerningcharging stations and theMinistry of Power has issuedcharging infrastructure forelectric vehicles. There arerevised consolidated guide-lines and standards to acceler-ate the e-mobility transition inthe country, he said.

He said the NationalHighways Authority of India isdeveloping wayside amenitiesevery 40 kilometres and it istrying to use solar or windpower for that purpose.

Gadkari said electric charg-ing stations are to be providedwith these wayside amenities.The NHAI has already award-ed 39 wayside amenities and aproposal for 103 such facilitiesis at the bidding stage. Morethan 600 sites have been iden-tified and the bids will beopened soon, he said.

The Bureau of IndianStandards is working onimproving standards for charg-ing stations because in theworld today charging tech-nology is changing quickly, hesaid.

Prices of EVs to be equal to thoseof petrol cars in 2 years: Gadkari

PNS n NEW DELHI

The Centre's fiscal deficit atthe end of February stood at82.7 per cent of the full yearbudget target, mainly onaccount of higher expendi-ture, according to govern-ment data released onThursday.

In the last financial year,the fiscal deficit or gapbetween the expenditure andrevenue was 76 per cent ofthe Revised Estiamate (RE) of2020-21.In actual terms, thedeficit stood at Rs 13,16,595crore at the end of Februarythis year, as per the datareleased by the ControllerGeneral of Accounts (CGA).

The central government'stotal receipts stood at Rs18.27 lakh crore or 83.9 perof the RE of Budget 2021-22.It was 88.2 per cent of the REof 2020-21 in the correspond-ing period.

The government's totalexpenditure was at Rs 31.43lakh crore or 83.4 per cent ofthe current year's RE. It was81.7 per cent of RE in the cor-responding period last finan-cial year. The governmentexpects the fiscal deficit to beat 6.9 per cent of the GDP orRs 15.91 lakh crore in thecurrent financial year endingMarch 31, 2022.

Centre''s fiscaldeficit touched 82.7pc of full year target

PNS n NEW DELHI

Tight supply of coal to powerplants and expected rise inimport of the dry fuel amidhigh international prices willput upward pressure on elec-tricity tariff, according to anIcra report.

"Given the continued tightdomestic coal supply positionover the last six-month period,coal import dependency forthe power sector is expected toincrease moderately in thenear-term.

"It therefore poses a costheadwind for IPPs (merchant& competitively bid based pro-jects with no or limited fuelcost pass-through) and for thedistribution utilities ('dis-coms'), in an elevated interna-tional coal price level environ-ment," Girishkumar Kadam,Senior Vice President & Co-Group Head - Corporate rat-ings, Icra, said.

The outlook for thermalgeneration and distributionsegments within the powersector continues to remainnegative, he stated.

According to the report,Ministry of Power issued anadvisory on March 26, 2022highlighting domestic coalsupply availability to powersector to be done in propor-tionate basis of coal received

from Coal India Ltd /Singareni Collieries CompanyLtd (SCCL).

In the advisory, the ministryalso directed to maximize cap-tive coal production within thepermitted levels and to takeinitiatives to promote the useof renewable energy so as tobring down coal dependency.

In December 2021, the min-istry also advised state powergeneration companies(GENCOs) and independentpower producers (IPPs) tomeet their coal requirementsthrough blending of importedcoal to the extent of 4 per cent.

The improvement in theaverage coal stock level for thethermal generation capacity onall-India basis continues toremain slow as seen from thestock position of 9 days as onMarch 28, 2022 against 9 daysas on November 30, 2021which recovered from lowest

level of 4 days as of September30, 2021, against the normativerequirement level of 24 days.

Icra stated that the share ofcoal imports in overall coalrequirements for the powersector has declined to about 4per cent in April-February2021-22 against that of 8 percent in FY2021, amid theincrease in international coalprice level by more than 140per cent over the last 12-month period (Indonesian coalprice index) and challengesfaced by IPPs to pass on thefuel price cost increase to dis-coms under PPAs.

With a sharp increase in coalprice levels internationally overthe past 12 months, the vari-able cost of generation forimported coal based powerprojects is estimated to haveincreased by more than Rs 3per unit between March 2021and March 2022, it stated.

Tight coal supply, rise in importdependency to put upward pressure

PNS n NEW DELHI

The ongoing war in Ukraine,which is the world's largestsunflower grower, is likely toresult in at least 25 per cent or4-6 lakh tonnes shortage ofcrude sunflower oil supplies inIndia next fiscal, according toa report.

Around 70 per cent of crudesunflower oil comes to Indiafrom Ukraine and about 20 percent from Russia.

Balance sheets of domesticedible oil processors arehealthy enough to withstandsupply disruptions caused bythe Russian invasion ofUkraine but will have a bear-ing on the production plan-ning of domestic edible oilprocessors, rating agency Crisilsaid on Thursday.

Refined sunflower oil con-stitutes 10 per cent of the

country's consumption of 230-240 lakh tonnes of edible oilsannually and almost 60 percent of the demand is metthrough imports.

As much as 90 per cent ofthe country's annual crudesunflower oil requirement of22-23 lakh tonnes come fromUkraine (70 per cent), Russia(20 per cent) and the restfrom Argentina and othercountries.

"Supply disruptions causedby the Russia-Ukraine conflictcould lead to a supply shortfallof at least 4-6 lakh tonnes ofcrude sunflower oil for Indianext fiscal," Crisil said.

Cumulatively, Ukraine andRussia export 100 lakh tonnesof crude sunflower oil annual-ly, with Argentina at the thirdplace with 7 lakh tonnes inoutward shipments, Crisil saidin a report.

PNS n NEW DELHI

Government-owned powergiant NTPC along with itsjoint ventures and subsidiariesclocked highest ever annualelectricity generation of 360billion units in 2021-22, regis-tering a growth of 14.6 per centcompared to the previous year.

The country's largest powerproducer also recorded themaximum single-day genera-tion of 1,215.68 MU (Group)and 1,013.45 MU (NTPC)during 2021-22.

"NTPC, India's largest inte-grated power generating com-pany, delivered a phenomenalperformance with highest everannual group generation of 360BU, a growth of 14.6 per centcompared to previous year," acompany statement said.

The coal-based plantsrecorded a PLF (Plant LoadFactor), or capacity utilisa-tion, of 70.7 per cent with anavailability factor of 88.8 percent.

On a standalone basis, theNTPC generated 299 BU in2021-22, an increase of 10.4per cent over the previousyear.BU refers to Billion Unitsand MU stands for MillionUnits.

The total installed capacityof NTPC Group increased by4.7 per cent to 68,940 MWwith 3,130 MW of capacityaddition in the fiscal yearunder review.

On a standalone basis, theNTPC's capacity increased by4.1 per cent to 54,575 MW.

NTPC Korba inChhattisgarh and NTPCSingrauli in Uttar Pradeshrecorded remarkable achieve-ments in the current year.

Korba Unit-3 and SingrauliUnit-4, commissioned 38 yearsago, have achieved more than101 per cent and 99 per centannual PLF, respectively.

NTPC Group's power output up 14.6pc to 360 billion units in 2021-22

Ukraine war may result in 25 pc supplyshortage of sunflower oil in India: Report

Interest rates on smallsavings schemesunchanged for firstquarter of FY23

PNS n NEW DELHI

The government on Thursdaykept interest rates on smallsavings schemes, includingNSC and PPF, unchanged forthe first quarter of 2022-23due to an elevated level ofinflation.The interest rate hasnot been revised since the firstquarter of 2020-21.

Public Provident Fund(PPF) and National SavingsCertificate (NSC) will contin-ue to carry an annual interestrate of 7.1 per cent and 6.8 percent, respectively, in the firstquarter."The rate of intereston various small savingsschemes for the first quarterof the financial year 2022-23,starting from April 1, 2022,and ending on June 30, 2022,shall remain unchanged fromthe current rates applicable forthe fourth quarter (January 1,2022, to March 31, 2022) forFY 2021-22," the finance min-istry said in a notification.

PNS n NEW DELHI

Aggrieved homebuyers ofNBCC's Gurugram project'Green View' project, which hasbeen declared unsafe, onThursday demanded refundof their money as well as com-pensation from the state-owned firm for the "harass-ment" faced by them.

The homebuyers havesought refund of their invest-ments along with a 15 per centinterest and a minimum com-pensation of Rs 25 lakh. Theproject is located in Gurugram,Haryana.

The Association ofApartment Owners (AOAO),NBCC Green View, Sector37D, Gurugram, said at a pressconference that it has already

written to the CBI as well as theEconomic Offences Wing ofthe Delhi Police more than amonth ago to investigate howthis project, within four yearsof completion, became unsafeand unlivable due to structur-al defects.

At a press conference heldhere, the association's PresidentG Mohanty said that around 90apartments were occupied,either by owners or tenants,and all of them were vacatedduring the first week of Marchitself.

"We have vacated flats and(are) now living on rent. But,NBCC has not refunded themoney to us as it was orderedby the authorities inGurugram," he said.

The 'NBCC Green View'

group housing project, whichis located in Sector 37D ofGurugram, was launched in2011 comprising 786 flats, ofwhich only 250 units have

been sold mainly to the work-ing and retired governmentemployees. The constructionwork started in 2012 and theproject was to be delivered in

2015 but possessions wereoffered to 250 allottees in 2017.

"There are four componentsto our demand. We want thatNBCC should refund the pricepaid by us to purchase the flat,plus registration charges andexpenses on interior works,along with 15 per cent annualinterest. At lease Rs 25 lakhshould be provided as suitablecompensation for harassment,suffering and agony suffered byall allottees," said Gaurav Singh,an allottee.

Another buyer YadvendraYadav said NBCC is payingrent to 25 allottees, who havevacated the flats, at a rate of Rs12.5 per square feet, but theresidents want refund of theirinvestments along with inter-est.

Homebuyers demand refund of money, compensation

Sensex, Nifty decline due to profittaking, close FY22 with over 18 pc PNS n MUMBAI

Benchmark stock indicesSensex and Nifty pared theirearly gains to settle lower inchoppy trade on the last day ofthe 2021-22 fiscal on Thursdaymainly due to profit-taking inReliance Industries, Infosysand HDFC Bank after a three-day rally.Ending its three-day winningrun, the 30-share BSE Sensexdeclined by 115.48 points or0.20 per cent to settle at58,568.51 amid the expiry ofmonthly derivatives contracts.During the day, it touched ahigh of 58,890.92 and a low of58,485.79.The broader NSE Niftydeclined by 33.50 points or 0.19per cent to settle at 17,464.75with 30 of its stocks ending withlosses.For 2021-22 fiscal, the BSESensex jumped 9,059.36 points

or 18.29 per cent while the Niftyrallied 2,774.05 points or 18.88per cent."Even as markets ended the lastday of the financial year in arather quiet mood, it has deliv-ered a 19 per cent return thisyear on the Nifty with two sec-toral indices - metals and mediareturning over 50 per cent thisyear.

NBCC'S GURUGRAM PROJ

PNS n NEW DELHI

The country has enough rawmaterial to produce 1,016crore litres of ethanol by2025 for blending with petrol,but policies of oil marketingcompanies and other factorsare restricting the output ofthe fuel additive, industrybody ISMA said on Thursday.

In a presentation beforeMembers of Parliament(MPs), Indian Sugar MillsAssociation Director GeneralAbinash Verma said thatabout 10 per cent ethanolblending with petrol isexpected in the current(2022) year.

OMCs' policieshampering ethanoloutput: ISMA tellsMPs

"Due to petrol and diesel costs, weare facing crucial problems. Alreadywe have seen the situation. So, this isthe only alternative fuel, I mean, greenhydrogen, electricity, ethanol,methanol, bio-diesel, bio-LNG and bio-CNG. Sir, we will work in thatdirection," he said.

PNS n NEW DELHI

ONGC, which opened sevenout of India's eight oil and gasproducing basins, is on theway to open another basin,Vindhyan as it details outcommercialisation of a gasdiscovery in Madhya Pradesh.

An exploratory well in Sonvalley sector in MadhyaPradesh's Damoh district dis-covered gas, and on tests con-firmed commercially avail-able volumes, the companysaid in a statement.

"Oil and Natural GasCorporation (ONGC) is on itsway to commercialize anoth-er Basin -- the VindhyanBasin. This would be the ninthproducing Basin of India (and)the eighth by ONGC," it said.

The firm had in December2020 opened the eighth IndianBasin the Bengal Basin, whencommercial oil productionstarted from Ashok Nagardiscovery.

India has 26 sedimentarybasins, covering a total area of

3.4 million square kilometersspread over land and sea. Ofthese, 7 basins - KrishnaGodavari, Mumbai Offshore,Assam Shelf, Rajasthan,Cauvery, Assam-Arakan FoldBelt and Cambay - have com-mercially producing oil andgas discoveries. Bengal gotadded to the list in December2020.

Besides, there are five basins- Saurashtra, Kutch, Vindhyan,Mahanadi and Andaman -which are believed to holdhydrocarbon potential but sofar do not have commerciallydemonstrable discovery. Otherbasins have very little prospec-tivity for hydrocarbons.

ONGC to open Vindhyan Basinin MP for gas production

Direct sellingindustry grows 7.7%to Rs 18,067 cr PNS n NEW DELHI

The direct selling industrygrew 7.7 per cent in the pan-demic impacted FY21 to crossthe Rs 18,000 crore mark forthe first time, according to areport.The industry's salesstood at around Rs 18,067crore in 2020-21, which is anincrease of Rs 1,291 crore overRs 16,776 crore in FY20, saida report released by IndianDirect Selling Association(IDSA)."In a year dominated bythe COVID-19 pandemic andcomprehensive lockdowns, theIndian Direct Selling Industryhas managed to emergestronger and maintain itsgrowth momentum. This hasbeen achieved by constantinnovation, adoption of newtechnology and custom drivenadjustments to customer andmarket needs," it noted.

9

Vijayawada | Friday April 1, 2022 what’s brewing

ctors SimoneAshley andJonathan Bailey areset to come back forthe third season of

popular Netflix’s Regency eraromance Bridgerton.

The second season of theseries, which started stream-ing from March 25, sawBailey return as ViscountAnthony Bridgerton andAshley make her debut asKate Sharma.

“We’re going to be back!Kate and Anthony are justgetting started,” Ashley toldDeadline at a dinner celebrat-ing South Asian culture host-ed by Netflix in Los Angeleson Tuesday.

The latest chapter focuseson the eldest Bridgertonbrother Anthony (Bailey),who embarks on a quest tofind a bride, leading him tomeet the Sharma sisters, Kate(Ashley) and Edwina(Charithra Chandran).

Ashley said Jess Brownell

will take the lead asshowrunner in the alreadyannounced third and fourthseasons after originalshowrunner Chris VanDusen’s exit from the series.

“In Season 2, there was a

lot of push and pull betweenKate and Anthony, there werecomplications with the fami-ly, and then they find eachother towards the end. Ithink everything is just start-ing.”

“I’d like to see Kate just let go a bit more and playmore in Season 3 and kind ofswim in that circle of lovetogether. I think they bothdeserve it,” the actor, who haspreviously starred in anotherNetflix series Sex Education,added.

The new installment of theseries is one of the mostwatched shows on Netflix asper the streamer, thoughmany viewers have criticisedthe makers for misrepresent-ing Indian culture throughthe characters of Kate andEdwina.

The first season was hailed for its diverse casting,beautiful costumes and story,making its stars, particularlyRege-Jean Page, popularovernight. Fans, however,were shocked to know thatPage, who played DukeSimon Basset, will not returnfor the follow-up season,which will focus on a differ-ent sibling’s love life.

Simone Ashley, Jonathan Bailey willreturn for Bridgerton season 3

aisciplinary pro-ceedings areunderway againstWill Smith forslapping Chris

Rock at the Oscars, said theAcademy of Motion PictureArts and Sciences, addingthat the actor was asked toleave the awards ceremonyafter the incident butrefused to do so.

According to TheHollywood Reporter, theAcademy on Wednesdaysaid through his actionsSmith violated its Standardsof Conduct, “includinginappropriate physical con-tact, abusive or threateningbehavior, and compromis-ing the integrity of theAcademy”.

In a statement releasedafter a Board of Governorsmeeting, the institution saidthe actor could face suspen-sion, expulsion or othersanctions if the boardchooses to take action at thenext scheduled meeting onApril 18.

Smith will also receive 15days’ notice of a vote as wellas an opportunity to beheard by written responsebeforehand.

“Things unfolded in away we could not haveanticipated. While we wouldlike to clarify that Mr. Smithwas asked to leave the cere-

mony and refused, we alsorecognise we could havehandled the situation differ-ently,” the Academy said.

The statement from theAcademy didn’t providedetails about who askedSmith to leave. TheAcademy also apologiseddirectly to Rock in the state-ment, as well as nominees,guests and viewers.

While presenting theOscar for best feature docu-mentary on Sunday night,Rock cracked a joke aboutSmith’s actor-wife JadaPinkett Smith, who current-ly sports a shaved head dueto alopecia.

After apparently laughingat the quip, Smith walkedup to the stage to slap Rock,which will go down as oneof the most shocking inci-dents in Oscars history.

Once Smith returned tohis seat, he shouted at aseemingly disoriented Rockto take “my wife’s name outof your f***ing mouth.”

Smith later went on towin the best actor award forhis performance in KingRichard. In his maidenOscar acceptance speech, heapologised to the Academyand fellow nominees butdidn’t mention Rock.

After outrage and manycondemnations, includingfrom the Academy, Smith

took to Instagram onMonday to publicly apolo-gise to Rock. “Violence inall of its forms is poisonousand destructive. My behav-ior at last night’s AcademyAwards was unacceptableand inexcusable... I wouldlike to publicly apologize toyou, Chris. I was out of lineand I was wrong,” he wrote.

Next day, Pinkett Smithbroke her silence on thecontroversy in an Instagrampost as she shared a briefstatement that read, “This isa season for healing and I’mhere for it.”

According to The LosAngeles Police Department,Rock was asked by his agentif he wanted to presscharges against Smith, butthe comic declined.

The officers of the

Academy’s Board ofGovernors met for an emer-gency meeting on Monday,and the full board metWednesday to discuss theincident. In his first publicappearance since theSunday episode at a comedyclub, Rock received a stand-ing ovation and a warmwelcome from the audiencemembers.

He briefly touched uponthe elephant in the room,without taking any names.

“I don’t have a bunch ofsh*t about what happened,so if you came to hear that,I have a whole show I wrotebefore this weekend, andI’m still kind of processingwhat happened,” Rock said,adding that he will talkabout the Oscars slap 'atsome point'.

Academy begins ‘disciplinary proceedings' against

Will Smith, says actor refused to leave ceremony

d

ctors AbhimanyuDassani, ShirleySetia and ShilpaShetty’s next filmNikamma is set to

hit the screens on June 17.Nikamma is now all set

to entertain the audiencewith its wholesome packageof action, romance, andexplosive entertainment onthe silver screen. The film isfrom the director of theoriginal Heropanti andBaaghi — Sabbir Khan.

Sabbir Khan says, “Thewhole team has been wait-ing very patiently for thetimes to be right for theworld and I am just happyto see our film finally get-ting a theatrical release,which is what the film wasconceived for.”

“The fresh new pairing ofAbhimanyu and Shirley willsurprise everyone, withShilpa in a totally different

avatar. I hope that the audi-ences will show the samelove for Abhi and Shirley asthey had done for Tiger andKriti in their debutHeropanti.”

Actress Shilpa Shettyadded: “I am glad our filmNikamma has a release dateset and I cannot wait foraudiences to see me inanother avatar. As an

actress, it is great to be back in the theatres after ahiatus of 15 years. It’s thefirst film I said yes to aftermy sabbatical, and I wasconvinced by Sabbir’s graspon the craft and the unusualand exciting part he had tooffer. Avni has been one of my most challengingroles yet, but also a part Ienjoyed playing to the hilt.

Can’t wait for people toenjoy Nikamma in the the-atres.”

Abhimanyu revealed thathe is happy the film is get-ting a theatrical release.

“They say good thingstake time, I believe the samewhen it comes to Nikamma.Working on this film hasbeen an adventure. I’m gladwe chose to wait for a the-atrical release for it.Nikamma is a total familyentertainer that is bestenjoyed in a communityviewing experience of a the-atre with popcorn andsamosas.”

Shirley has been waitingfor this day to arrive andthat she is elated and thank-ful for our makers to makethis happen and at the righttime.

Nikamma is produced bySony Pictures Films Indiaand Sabbir Khan Films.

Abhimanyu, Shirley, Shilpa-starrerNikamma to release on June 17

a

layback singerShilpa Raoreleased a newage romanticEDM track

titled Ehsaas in collabora-tion with music artisteRavator on Thursday.

The song, crooned byShilpa Rao and Ravator,has been written andcomposed by Utsavi Jha.

The musical arrange-ment of the track featuressynths, Indian flute, per-cussions synthesised by

drum machine andacoustic guitars.

Talking about her expe-rience, singer Shilpa Raosays, “Ehsaas is a perfectsong to lose yourself anddance to, and for the peo-ple in love. We have triedsomething new with thisEDM track which I hopeconnects with the youthand it will be fun to seetheir reactions and look-ing forward to most ofthose reactions.”

On her first collabora-

tion with Ravator, sheadds, “Harsh Ravator isthe producer on this trackand he had reached out tome to work on this trackand we soon after record-ed it in Bombay. I alwayssay that a good song cancome from anywhere andit can come from some-one who you don’t know.That is something which Ikeep doing, keep mymind open to all such col-laboration and that’s whathas led to this.”

Shilpa Rao releases romantic EDMtrack Ehsaas featuring Ravator

p

Rules

ARCHIE

GARFIELD

SUDOKU

REALITY CHECK CROSSWORD

GINGER MEGGS

NANCY

l Each row and column cancontain each number (1 to 9)exactly once.

l The sum of all numbers inany row or column mustequal 45.

Yesterday’s solution

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SPEED BUMP

FUN

PNS | HYDERABAD

tarting as a budding startup entrepre-neur Neeraj Joshi identified a gapwherein people had great startupideas but did not have a platform todiscuss them. With the intent of

providing support for these entrepreneurs, hecame up with ‘Pushstart’.

Under Neeraj’s leadership and with themotto “Create Impact in the everyday lives ofprofessionals”, the community was founded in2018 and has evolved over the past three yearsto impact the lives of more than 5,00,000 entre-preneurs worldwide.

Leading a team of 15 members, Neeraj’s visionof creating a community that helps entrepreneursgrow their business, has led Pushstart to becomeone of the most active startup communities inIndia.

“I am one of the cofounders of Pushstart, a 2016batch pass-out of BITS Pilani. After graduatingfrom college, I joined Spinny as one of the earlyteam members in 2017. I spent my last two yearsat Spinny, building multiple internal products andimproving the overall efficiency of the business.People around me and my friends were eitherinterested in their jobs or preparing for theirMasters. But I wanted to build something of realimpact. I became part of various communities tofind entrepreneurs outside my network, but they

werefilled withpeople spammingand selling their stuff; no real conversations hap-pened. It became so unusual for me that I finallydecided to go on with it. I started reading booksand online content to figure out the next practicaland logical step. And one fine day in 2018, I madethe riskiest decision of my life by quitting my rou-tine 9–5 job to work on Pushstart full-time,”Neeraj tells us.

Neeraj’sefforts towards cre-

ating a startup platformhave led to more than ten thou-

sand entrepreneurs active in the com-munity every day, carrying out 3.5K+ business

interactions daily. These include exchange of ideasand solving business problems to enhance thegrowth of various startup ecosystems, with themission of building India’s largest community-based ecosystem.

“Startups are rapidly growing in India. We wantto support this growth by solving the core prob-lems of startups through our communities andofferings. In the next one year, we plan to launch50+ communities across growing industry verti-cals like D2C, Edtech, Fintech, etc., so that we canaccommodate the interests of more and moreentrepreneurs and provide them a place wherethey can interact and get guidance from otherentrepreneurs in their industry,” Neeraj says.

Neeraj focuses on solving core problems ofEntrepreneurs and evolving across 3 verticals:Learning, Networking and Investment. His visionis to create a sense of belonging and empowerentrepreneurs in their growth journey. Along withPushstart, Neeraj is a mentor at grad Capital, anIndian VC investing exclusively in student star-tups. In his free time, Neeraj likes to advise andhelp startups raise funds. Originally fromUttaranchal, Neeraj pursued his bachelor’s in

Mechanical Engineering from BITS Pilani andlater joined the core team at Spinny, an early-stage startup, as a Product Manager. Neeraj ishighly passionate and committed to helpingentrepreneurs on their journey and connect-ing like-minded people.

Neeraj also plans to help startups with theirofferings in the following ways: Outsourcing:Help more startups outsource their work byscaling our vendor base from 100 to 300+

vendors in the next year.Community building: We have launched a

product that empowers startups to easily buildand efficiently manage their customer community.We plan to enable hundreds of startups to launchtheir community via our community platform.

Investment: Launch an initiative via which wewill help early-stage startups connect with relevantinvestors via our network of 1000+ Investors.

When asked what message would want to giveto budding entrepreneurs, Neeraj says, “Building astartup is a long-term game; don’t start justbecause everyone else is starting their startup. Startonly when you have a strong vision and can reallyconnect with the startup’s problem personally. Thestartup journey is really hard; it is the vision andthe problem that will keep you going when thingsget tough, nothing else.”

Thechange of

seasons always makesus all crave newness in

our homes and refresh ourspace. And to do so, why stop

at deep cleaning, or refreshing theinteriors of your home. Your Kitchen

will thank you for the simple upgradesthat will turn a bland space into a trulyswoon-worthy space and make it the ultimatehub of your home. Kitchens have always beena prime and most hardworking place in everyhousehold. The kitchen is not just a cookingspace anymore, but a lifestyle space. With theconsumers steadily evolving to become moreintrospective, kitchens should bring together apeaceful yet welcoming ambiance that holdsthe key to sustainable, healthy, and happylifestyles.

And now that we are officially in spring, itis time to upgrade your kitchen and give itsome much-needed TLC. Popular kitchendesigns are constantly evolving, meaningwhat was trending yesterday isn’t necessarilystill in style today and while you may notthink about it, your kitchen is also an impor-tant place to add some aesthetics making itdecorative and functional at the same time.Components such as colourful tools andquirky accessories are some of the things thatcould bring in style and innovate the entireplace while being mindful and responsible.

A kitchen is what you make of it! It isnever too late to elevate the kitchen that cre-ates memories and brings you joy. ANANDBALDAWA, CEO, thinKitchen, lists a fewquick ways to give the kitchen a facelift thisspring:

Brighten up your space:

Swap out your kitchen’s current colourscheme with bright colours for an extra pop.Much like the season of spring, bright colourscan also be brought into your kitchens byinvesting in stools, flooring, walls, glassware,or with Burleigh’s Blue Calico dinnerwareplates which are decorated with intricatescrolling flowers and foliage and are availableat thinKitchen — giving a complete springworthy swing to your kitchen. These changeswill not only make your kitchen but the entirehome cheerful.

Make way for some light:

Incorporating additional lightening ele-ments boosts up the surroundings and also

gives a glammed-up look and feel. It’s

time to cherish theclear skies, letting the

golden sunlight in anddraping the windows in

light fabrics to allow thesunlight to brighten up the

space. You may switch or addsome lights to your cabinets or

over-the-countertops to lift up thespace which would immediately

make your kitchen look like it’s gonethrough an upgrade.

Soothing aesthetics:

Utilise the transparent glass cabinets to addtone and colour by topping off your staples inclear glass storage jars or containers. Glasswhen placed in the kitchen, instantly elevatesthe space and makes it look tidy and eye-pleasing making everything look organisedand put together.

Restructuring elements:

Less is always more, especially when itcomes to Kitchen Décor. The less-is-moreminimalist approach creates a calming spacewith clean sweeping lines. The minimalistapproach creates a calming space and high-quality functional products are always betterthan cluttering up spaces with thousands ofnot so useful items. One can also choose tohave integrated appliances and hidden storageto create a trendy look that is classy and isn’tdisrupted.

Accessorise with essentials:

Your kitchen is a great place to add decora-tive elements that bring a sense of you andyour lifestyle into the space. There are alwayssome small yet indispensable items in thekitchen that no one focuses on. And by mak-ing minor changes such as replacing some of

the sink-side accessories with colourful onescan totally transform the kitchen space. Forinstance, adding vibrant coloured soap dis-pensers can add a pop of cheerfulness to thekitchen that one won’t mind leaving on thecounter.

It’s all about having a lovely space that willmake you fall in love with your kitchen allover again. Your guests will also be captivatedby these minimalistic and stylish changes inyour kitchen. A little personality, a little blastof colour, and a little touch of texture can havea significant impact on your kitchens andoverall homes making it worth revering.

PNS | HYDERABAD

ay Bhanushali, actor and host, needsno introduction in Hindi televesionindustry. He enjoys a massive fanfollowing and is a popular name inevery household. Jay was recently

seen in Bigg Boss 15. Jay, who is now back tohost DID L’iL Masters S5, speaks with ThePioneer about how hosting has changed overthe years, challenges he has faced and hisfuture plans

You are back to host thedance show. Whatdoes it feel liketo returnafteryears?

It feels great to be again associated withDID and that too with DID L’il MastersSeason 5 and am very happy to be a part of itagain.

This show was my first ever reality show asan anchor as this show has given me anopportunity to host and my journey on thisplatform has been amazing. My audience andfans have loved me hosting this show and Iowe all my success journey to DID. This showhas given me my real identity and am gratefulto be back on the kid’s show as I enjoy beingaround them.

According to you, how has hostingchanged over time?

Hosting has definitely changed over thetime, and I believe I was the one who tookthe first step forward to transform andchange the rule book of hosting. I stillremember there used to be an anchor whojust used to come and tell his script, readingfrom the tele-prompter.

But when Mithun Da and I got together forDID, and he started pulling my leg, that’swhere the whole profile of an anchor

changed.Now the audience not only wants to

see the anchor delivering his lines butalso entertain them.

Host holds some responsibilityfor making a show enjoyablefor viewers. How challenginghas it been for you?

It definitely gets challenging everyyear, but I am a very different person

on the stage and otherwise. I like theattention that I get and enjoy teasingthe contestants and the kids around.They react according to my vibes, ifI behave seriously, they are also seri-

ous with me and if I behave and casu-ally talk to them, I get the same inreturn. I think it is the one of the ways

that content gets created on its own,and once my connection with the

kids has been established, theylet me know everything. Itry to spend a lot oftime with thecontes-

tants as well as their family, which helps theirfamilies talking on the show too. I enjoyinteracting with them and the kind ofresponse I get from them is very enthusiastic.They know that if there is anything they wantto talk about, they can come to me, either thekids or the parents.

How is your rapport working withRemo D’Souza, Sonali Bendre andMouni Roy in the fifth season of DIDL’il Masters?

I have known Remo Sir for a long time,and we have been so close until then, wespend our vacation together in Goa too andused to play cricket. He is a very good personat heart and is such a great choreographerand director, but he is very down-to-earth.He never demands for respect, and this issomething I really love about him. WithMouni, we have started our television careertogether, so we have known each other sincethen, so I was sure of gelling up with her sofast since she herself is a very happy-go-luckyperson to talk to. Talking about Sonali Mam,I believe you get a vibe from the person

whenever you talk or meet them for thefirst time, and when we met for the first timeon the stage of DID, I knew I won’t takemuch time to gel up with her too and now,all four of us have a very good chemistryon-screen as well as off-screen.

What are your future plans?

I am really looking forward tosome good work, interestingshows. I want to get backto my acting and show-case my talent as anactor. My fanshave loved meas an actor,and soI

need to get back into acting soonand entertain them. I always keepgetting messages from them thatthey want to see me acting inshows and I think I need to getback into my acting zone forthem.

Any message for yourfans or viewers?

I just want to ask them tokeep showering their loveon me and the show DIDL’il Masters Season 5 asthey always have done.Also, DID is on-airnow and I requestthem to watch itonce for me andI know theywill notregret.

‘I want to get back to my acting’J

Revering newbeginnings with a

spring-worthy Kitchen

S

Making a difference inthe lives of professionals

FridayApril 1, 2022

Follow us on

@TheDailyPioneer

facebook.com/dailypioneer

sports 11VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | APRIL 1, 2022

AP n DOHA

The countdown towardsthe most controversialWorld Cup in history

really begins on Friday as thedraw for Qatar 2022 takesplace in Doha, less than eightmonths before the start of thetournament itself.

As pandemic restrictionsease, some of football's biggestnames will be there for thedraw at a Doha conventioncentre among the skyscrapersof the city's West Bay district,as holders France and theirrivals find out who they willface in the group stage of thefirst World Cup to be held inNovember and December.

The dust has still not set-tled on qualifying, with finalmatches the three berths to bedecided in play-offs in June.

Seedings for the draw arebased on the latest FIFA worldrankings published onThursday, and the seven high-est-ranked qualifiers, includ-ing France, are in Pot Onealong with the host nation,despite Qatar being one of thelowest-ranked participants.

The tiny Gulf state ofunder three million peoplestunned the planet when itwon the right to host theWorld Cup at a vote in 2010,leading to accusations of vote-buying -- which were hotlydenied -- and questions overthe country's suitability.

Off-field issuesThe obvious issue was the

extreme heat in June and July,when the World Cup is tradi-tionally held, and so the deci-sion was taken to move thetournament to the northernhemisphere winter.

Then there has been thecriticism of the working con-

ditions of hundreds of thou-sands of migrant labourers inthe country, including thosewho built the stadiums. Thatled to the threat from somecountries of a boycott.

For all the issues, there isexcitement as a World Cupapproaches, and FIFAannounced on Wednesdaythat over 800,000 tickets hadbeen snapped up so far.

Seven of Qatar's eightWorld Cup stadiums arebrand new. Most will bereduced in size after the tour-nament, while one will evenbe dismantled altogether.

This week organisers havebeen eager to show off thegleaming infrastructure as theworld's media descend onDoha.

There will though beinevitable questions about thefate of the migrant workers,however much FIFA and localorganisers would prefer the talkto be solely about football.

The last 32-team tourna-ment

Even the draw itself cannotbe separated from bigger issuesbeyond football.

Russia's invasion of Ukrainethrew the European play-offs todecide the final three of UEFA's13 qualifying places into somechaos.

Russia were suspendedfrom all international footballuntil further notice, preventingthem from featuring in theplay-offs.

Ukraine's play-off semi-final against Scotland was post-poned until June, with the win-ner of that match facing Walesfor a place in Qatar.

England will certainly bethere, with their managerGareth Southgate dismissingtalk of a boycott.

Canada will be there too, fortheir first World Cup since1986, but Italy are the biggestabsentees from the draw aftertheir disastrous defeat by NorthMacedonia last week ruled themout again, just like in 2018.

Their next chance to qual-ify will be in 2026, by whichtime the World Cup will havebeen expanded to a bloated 48teams.

For all the controversy sur-rounding Qatar's World Cup, atleast it features 32 sides, splitinto eight groups of four, sure-ly the perfect number for foot-ball's global showpiece.

AP n LOS ANGELES

The United States andMexico booked their

tickets to the World Cupfinals in Qatar onWednesday after securingthe results needed to claimthe last two automatic qual-ifying places from the CON-CACAF region. The USAwere beaten 2-0 by CostaRica in San Jose to finishthird in the standings whileMexico eased past ElSalvador 2-0 in Mexico Cityto finish second overall.

Costa Rica finishedqualifying in fourth placeand will face New Zealand ina playoff for a World Cupberth. Canada, who com-pleted their successful qual-ifying campaign with a 1-0defeat in Panama onWednesday, had alreadyqualified for the World Cupon Sunday.

Both the US and Mexicohad all-but sealed qualifica-tion after wins on Sundaymeant only a freak set ofresults in Wednesday's finalround would see either siderelegated to a playoff place.

Costa Rica needed tobeat the US by six goals ormore in San Jose to have achance of qualifying.

Two second-half goals ineight minutes by Juan Vargasand Anthony Contrerasraised hopes of a miracle forthe home fans, but theUnited States regrouped toclose out the game, qualify-ing ahead of Costa Rica ongoal difference.

"I'm extremely proud ofthis group," US starChristian Pulisic said afterWednesday's defeat.

"It's a bit of a weird feel-ing right now because I hateto lose so much. But I'm real-ly proud and I can't wait to

go to the World Cup.The United States qual-

ification comes after theirshock failure to reach the2018 World Cup in Russia,when an upset defeat toTrinidad and Tobago shat-tered their campaign.

Mexico ended their see-saw qualifying campaignwith a victory which ensuresthey will continue theirrecord of appearing at everyWorld Cup since the 1994tournament.

Mexico took the leadwhen Uriel Antuna jabbedhome from close range on 17minutes after a rebound froma Nestor Araujo header.

Wolves striker RaulJimenez then doubled theMexican lead from thepenalty spot to leave 'El Tri'on course for Qatar.

In Wednesday's otherqualifying game, Jamaicadefeated Honduras 2-1.

AP n LAS VEGAS

Las Vegas will host a night-time Formula 1 Grand Prixalong its iconic Strip in 2023 with the sport's top offi-

cial describing the event as "an incredible moment".The race returns to the city for the first time since 1982

and will become the third grand prix in the United Stateson next year's F1 calendar, alongside Miami and Austin.

"This is an incredible moment for Formula 1 thatdemonstrates the huge appeal and growth of our sport witha third race in the US," said Stefano Domenicali, the pres-ident of Formula 1.

"Las Vegas is adestination knownaround the world forits excitement, hos-pitality, thrills, and ofcourse, the famousStrip. There is nobetter place forFormula 1 to racethan in the globalentertainment capi-tal of the world."

The race willtake place at night,on a Saturday inNovember.

The track willbe 3.8 miles (6.12km) long from start to finish with topspeeds estimated to be over 212 mph (342 km/h).

It will take in the city's most famous landmarks, hotelsand casinos.

There will be 50 laps with three main straights and 14corners, including a high-speed cornering sequence and asingle chicane section.

"Iconic Las Vegas and Formula 1, the pinnacle of motor-sport, is the perfect marriage of speed and glamour," saidGreg Maffei, president of F1's owners Liberty Media.

Las Vegas twice hosted F1 races in 1981 and 1982 onthe car park of Caesar's Palace after Watkins Glen in upstateNew York lost its rights after two decades.

The Miami Grand Prix debuts this year on May 8 whilethe United States Grand Prix takes place at Austin, Texason October 23.

The famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway previouslyplayed host to the US Grand Prix between 2000 and 2007.

This year will be the first time since Dallas and Detroitin 1984 that the United States has staged two races.

AP n MIAMI

Iga Swiatek's dream sea-son continued as she

defeated Petra Kvitova 6-3,6-3 in the Miami Openquarter-finals to close in ona third successive WTA1000 crown.

The new world num-ber one won the title inDoha and then IndianWells and now has anexcellent chance of becom-ing only the fourth womanin history to win theSunshine Double -- tri-umphing in California andFlorida in the same year -- following Steffi Graf(1994 and 1996), KimClijsters (2005) andVictoria Azarenka (2016).

Swiatek, who has nowwon 15 successive WTAtour matches, is the formplayer in the women's

game at the moment andAmerican Jessica Pegula,who reached the last fourearlier in the day after fifthseed Paula Badosa wasforced to retire because ofillness midway through thefirst set, will have her workcut out attempting to stopthe Polish 20-year-oldwhen they meet onThursday for a place in thefinal.

Czech star Kvitova wason the backfoot once she

was broken in the first setas Swiatek's excellent hit-ting, especially from theback of the court, and herserve ultimately proved thedifference.

The two-timeWimbledon championfought hard, but Swiatekwas able to maintain heraggressive, attacking gameand when she broke for 3-2 in the second set it wasalways going to be an uphillbattle for the 32-year-oldnow ranked 32nd in theworld.

"I want to use the con-fidence I have had since thestart of the year and I amon a roll," Swiatek saidafter winning in one hourand 14 minutes at HardRock Stadium.

"I am just so happy Ican compete against leg-ends like Petra. I knew I

had to keep up with thepace as she plays fast and Ithink my first serve was thekey."

Pegula goes into hersecond WTA 1000 semi-final well rested after herround of 16 match againstAnhelina Kalinina onlylasted a set before theUkrainian retired.

The same fate thenbefell Spain's fifth-seededBadosa in the quarters onWednesday, as she con-ceded the contest with thescore at 4-1 to theAmerican.

Pegula, whose parentsown the Buffalo Bills NFLfranchise, has spent justthree hours and 22 minuteson court in her four match-es so far and said: "I've def-initely played really, reallyclean tennis the last twosets.

AP n BARCELONA

Aworld record crowd for awomen's football match of

91,553 saw Barcelona cruise into theChampions League semi-finals bythrashing Real Madrid 5-2 at CampNou on Wednesday to seal an 8-3win on aggregate.

The crowd figure surpassed theprevious record for a women's gamewhen 90,185 watched the 1999World Cup final between the UnitedStates and China at the Rose Bowlin Pasadena.

It also smashed the previousrecord attendance for a club fixture,set in March 2019 as 60,739 support-ers saw Barca beat Atletico Madrid

at the Wanda Metropolitano.Barcelona were eager to give the

fixture as much visibility as possible.The club's 147,000 members

were allowed 24 hours to book upto four free tickets, with only anadministration charge due of 2.50euros. Non-members were thenable to buy tickets for between 9 to15 euros.

The reigning European cham-pions advance to the semi-finalswhere they will face the winners ofArsenal and Wolfsburg, who playtheir second leg on Thursday, afterthe opening game in London fin-ished 1-1. Barca now own sevenwins out of seven in competitivemeetings against Real Madrid.

AP n MIAMI

Casper Ruud beatAlexander Zverev 6-3, 1-

6, 6-3 to reach the MiamiOpen semi-finals onWednesday and compound adifficult start to the year forthe world number four.

The Norwegian will meetArgentine surprise packageFrancisco Cerundolo for aplace in Sunday's final afterthe 23-year-old, playing in hisdebut ATP Masters event andranked 103rd in the world,made the last four whenItalian Jannik Sinner wasforced to retire because of ablister on his right foot at 4-1 down in the first set.

Cerundolo is lowestranked Miami semi-finalist intournament history, surpass-ing Sebastien Grosjean whowas ranked 74th in 1999.

Ruud will compete in a

hard court semi-final at thislevel for the first time afterreaching the same stage onclay at the Masters 1000events in Monte Carlo,Madrid and Rome in the lastcouple of years. ForGermany's Zverev, however,an early exit in Indian Wellswas followed by more disap-pointment in Florida.

Ruud, the sixth seed fromNorway came into the tourna-ment having never won amatch in Miami but foundhimself up against the incon-sistent second seed, whorecovered impressively from ashaky start only to run out ofsteam by the end of an enter-taining tussle at Hard RockStadium.

PTI n ORLEANS (FRANCE)

The Indian troika of Kiran George, MeirabaLuwang Maisnam and Mithun Manjunath

progressed to the men's singles pre-quarterfinalsafter contrasting wins in the second round of theOrleans Masters Super 100 badminton tournamenthere.

While George stunned Netherland's third seedMark Caljouw 19-21 21-16 23-21, qualifier Meirabagot rid of eighth seed Toby Penty of England 21-16 21-16 and Manjunath prevailed over compatri-ot Siddharth Pratap Singh 21-14 21-10 in anothersecond round match.

George, who had won the Odisha Super 100event in January, will face Indonesian qualifierChristian Adinata, Meiraba meets Hong Kong'sChan Yin Chak and Manjunath takes on secondseeded Dane Hans-Kristian Solberg Vittinghus next.

Ashwini Bhat K and Shikha Gautam eked outa 21-23 21-12 21-10 win over Danish pairing ofAmalie Schulz and Christine Busch to set up a fightagainst French duo of Flavie Vallet and EmilieVercelot.

Men's doubles pair of PS Ravikrishna andSankar Prasad Udayakumar also made it to the pre-quarterfinals with a 19-21 21-11 21-12 win overGerman pairing of Marvin Datko and PatrickScheiel.

Among others, top seed B Sai Praneeth andwomen's singles players Anupama Upadhyayaand Ira Sharma also entered the third round onWednesday night.

Mixed doubles pairing of Ishaan Bhatnagar andTanisha Crasto, seeded seventh, also crossed theopening round hurdle.

PTI n POTCHEFSTROOM

The presence of threeOlympians, including

skipper Salima Tete, willcertainly be an advantagefor the Indian hockey teamwhen it competes at theFIH Women's JuniorWorld Cup, beginning hereon Friday.

Apart from Tete, mid-fielder Sharmila Devi andstriker Lalremsiami werepart of the senior teamwhich finished fourth atthe Tokyo Olympics.

The Indian team willbegin its campaign in PoolD against Wales onSaturday before taking onformidable Germany onSunday.

The Indians will thentake on Malaysia in thefinal pool match before

the quarterfinal roundwhich starts on April 8.

The 20-year-old Salimais a vital cog in the Indianmidfield. She has alreadyproved her capabilities in

the successful Olympicscampaign.

Her swiftness is a treatto watch. She mesmerisedwith her brilliant runs inthe bronze medal match

against Great Britain, earn-ing three penalty corners,albeit in a losing cause.

Lalresiami, the firstwoman Olympian fromMizoram, is a nimble-foot-ed striker, known for quickand poaching movementsinside the opposition circle.

The 20-year-oldSharmila, also an energeticforward, has impressed allwith her brilliant runs fromboth the flanks during theOlympics. She also scoreda goal in India's pool stagematch against GreatBritain.

The coveted quadren-nial tournament, whichwas originally scheduledfor December, was post-poned due to the Omicron-threat in South Africa.

"There is a lot of excite-ment among the players.

Everyone has worked sohard for this moment andused the postponement togain better exposure,improve as a team so wecan put up our best perfor-mance here," said Tete,who had led the U-18 teamto a silver medal at theYouth Olympics in 2018.

Highlighting the team'spreparations, the Indianskipper said: "Coming hereearly has helped us tremen-dously. We have been ableto get a good amount oftraining sessions herewhich has helped in accli-matising to the weather." "Itgets very warm and humidduring the day. It definite-ly helped to have our lastcamp before coming herein Bhubaneswar where wetrained in quite hot condi-tions."

Qatar's WC gets real as Doha hosts tourney draw

Mexico, USA clinch World Cup berths

F1 returns to Las Vegasafter four-decade absence

Barca thrash Real Madrid in front of record crowd

Confident India eye best-ever finish at Jr WC

Kiran, Maisnam & Mithun in last 16

Swiatek cruises into Miami Open semi-finalsCzech star

Kvitova was on the

backfoot once she

was broken in the

first set as

Swiatek's excellent

hitting, especially

from the back

of the court

Ruud topples Zverev to reach last 4

12

Vijayawada | Friday April 1, 2022 tollywood

an-India starPrabhas,who hasworked inhits such as

the Baahubali fran-chise, Saaho, Varsham,Darling and Mr Perfectamong others, is nowgearing up for his nextAdipurush, which hesays is sentimentally a very important pro-ject for his life and thatit’s more than just afilm.

Adipurush, whichtranslates to The FirstMan, is a Hindu his-torical film based onthe epic Ramayanadirected by Om Raut.It also stars KritiSanon and Saif AliKhan. According toreports, the movie isone of the most expen-sive Indian films evermade.

Talking about hisslate of upcomingfilms to IANS, Prabhasshared: “Adipurushsentimentally is a very

important project formy life. Om Raut,luckily I have a verygood director. I hadcalled him after threedays and asked ‘shouldI do it?’ because if I domake mistake it will bevery wrong.”

The star, who hasfeatured in ForbesIndia’s Celebrity 100list three times since2015, stressed thatAdipurush is morethan just a film.

He asserted: “It isnot just a film.”

“It is not a film, it issomething very impor-tant and everyone willbe having a look at it. Iwas really frightenedof it and is very impor-tant for me. It is some-thing else I feel.”

The 42-year-old starhas had his share ofhits and misses in acareer spanning overtwo decades. Do boxoffice numbers matterto Prabhas, who isoften referred as

“Darling” by his fans?“Yes. I can’t get

every Baahubali as afilm... But the budgetsand the people’s accep-tance is very impor-tant. The box officecan be told like that. Itdoes not mean I breakrecords nothing likethat but how much Iam reaching in everypart... How many peo-ple are disappointed,happy or super excitedthat I can only knowthrough box office. Itis important.”

Talking about hav-ing regrets in his jour-ney in cinema, Prabhasshared: “So regrets...When your film does-n’t do so well alwaysbefore also after alsoyou feel maybe some-where I should haveconcentrated or weshould have donethat... It is a process ofmy profession other-wise I don’t have somuch regrets.”

Prabhas and his film

Baahubali openedthe floodgates forpan-India filmsand helped inexchanging tal-ents all acrossthe country. Heagrees that nowis the time totake Indian cin-ema to the nextlevel.

“I think it’stime we need tomake Indianfilms or we needto cross Indiaand go global. Ithink the timehas come maybe itstarted withBaahubali and S.S.Rajamouli...(Baahubaali direc-tor) It matters for meand my life and thecrew. It changed a lotfor us.”

“It is time we needto become one Indiancinema and we need tocross the Indian bor-ders and go world-wide,” he said.

p

Prabhas: Adipurushsentimentally is avery importantproject in my life

egastarChiranjeevi,who attendedthe pre-releaseevent forTaapsee

Pannu-starrer MishanImpossible, had showered praise on theactress.

Stating that he regretsnot having worked withTaapsee, Chiranjeevispoke highly of the Pinkactress.

“I was surprised atTaapsee’s appearance inthe movie JhummandiNaadam. By the time Icould work with her, Ihad become busy in poli-tics. I regret being in pol-itics, without havingworked with actresseslike Taapsee,” Chiranjeevisaid on a witty note.

Chiranjeevi, who isalways on the supportingside of the buddingartistes also hailed actorSuhaas for his outstand-ing performance inColour Photo.Chiranjeevi then hadbriefly addressed theother budding directors,as he wished Sandeep Raj

(Colour Photo director),Swaroop RSJ (MishanImpossible director),Arjun Reddy fameSandeep Reddy Vanga,and many others on thisoccasion.

Chiranjeevi’s generouscompliments at the eventhad given much encour-agement to the buddingartists, as they were visi-bly moved.

The movie MishanImpossible is produced byNiranjan Reddy andAnvesh Reddy onMatinee Entertainment,while it is directed byAgent Sai SrinivasaAthreya fame SwaroopRSJ.

Billed as a comedy-thriller, MishanImpossible surrounds thelife of three children,who are on the hunt tofind the underworld donDawood Ibrahim. Withcomedy as the coreessence, this thriller isone of the most hypedupcoming movies.

Mishan Impossible willhit the screens on April1, with Taapsee Pannu inthe lead role.

I regret for notworking withactresses like

Taapsee:Chiranjeevi

m

ctor Manchu Manoj, whowas caught by the trafficpolice at Tolichowki,Hyderabad, was fined forviolation of tinted glassnorms.

Hyderabad traffic police, who hadalready warned the commuters regard-ing tinted glass norms, stoppedManchu Manoj’s car at the Tolichowk

centre, after whichthey

levied a fine of Rs 700 against theBindaas actor.

The police had also removed thetinted glass on the spot, while ManchuManoj was still in the driving seat. Theactor seems to have accepted his mis-take and hence had even posed for apicture, which was later released to thepress.

The Supreme Court has banned theuse of tinted glass. It states that a vehi-cle's window must be fully transparent.But, some celebrities have been usingthe tint for the sake of their privacy,

which is still a violation of trafficrules.

The Department ofHyderabad Traffic

Police has issued astern warning to

those who goagainst the

rules.

Manchu Manoj fined by Hyderabad trafficcops for using tinted glass on car

Theteamof

director VigneshShivan’s roman-tic entertainerKaathuvaakulaRendu Kaadhalfeaturing VijaySethupathi,Nayanthara andSamantha in thelead haswrapped upshooting for thefilm.

Taking tosocial media,Vignesh Shivanposted picturesof the team cele-brating thewrap-up andwrote,“Kaathuvaakula

RenduKaadhal! Thanking God for making

this possible! Working with outstandingtalents... extraordinary actors is always adream for any director.”

“Can’t ask for a better combination ofactors to convert my script to screen! Thegreat vijay sethupathi! The always beauti-ful, stunning and extremely professionalNayanthara my Thangameyyyyy!, Thesuper talented, pretty and amazingSamantha Ruth Prabhu!”

“Everyonemade thisfilm

come outso well that Ifeel very happyand proud to haveput this all together!Every day, everymoment from this filmwill go a long way! Thankyou beautiful people!” VijaySethupathi plays a charactercalled RAMBO in the film. Thename is actually an acronym forRanjankudi Anbarasu MurugesaBoopathy Ohoondhiran. Samantha

plays a character called Khatija andNayanthara plays a character calledKanmani in the film.

Shot by cinematographer VijayKarthik Kannan, the film has musicby Anirudh and has been edited bySreekar Prasad. The much-awaitedrom-com is to release on April 28.Udhayanidhi Stalin’s productionhouse, Red Giant Movies, has bought

the theatrical distribution rights of thefilm for Tamil Nadu.

Mass MaharajaRavi Teja’sfirst pan-

India project TigerNageswara Rao

generated enoughinterest with itstitle poster.Directed byVamee andproduced byAbhishekAgarwal ofAbhishekAgarwalArts whomade thecriticallyacclaimedand com-mercialblockbusterfilm TheKashmirFiles, thefilm will bemade onmassivescale withhighestbudget inRavi Teja’scareer. It’sindeed themostambitiousproject ofthe pro-ducer. TejNarayanAgarwalpresents thefilm.

The makers have finalisedthe actress to play oppositeRavi Teja in the film.Bollywood actress NupurSanon comes on board for thiscrazy project. Hailing from anacademically sound family,Nupur Sanon had only one rolemodel to follow, which is hersister Kriti Sanon who risked itby venturing out into showbiz.So, when Nupur followed herto Mumbai, she had her set ofhurdles to face before she madea foray into the on-screenworld. She is now making herdebut in Telugu with TigerNageswara Rao. This indeed isfirst film for Nupur who previ-ously appeared in a musicvideo alongside Akshay Kumar.She is sister of popularBollywood actress Kriti Sanon.

Meanwhile, Tiger NageswaraRao will be launched on April2 in Novatel at HICC,Madhapur. The film’s pre-lookwill also be unveiled on thesame day. Vamsee who pennedpowerful script is going presentRavi Teja in a completely masslook in the film to be made inTelugu, Tamil, Kannada,Malayalam and Hindi lan-guages.

R Madhie ISC will take careof cinematography, while GVPrakash Kumar scores music.Avinash Kolla is the produc-tion designer, while SrikanthVissa is the dialogue writer andMayank Singhaniya is the co-producer.

Samantha

wraps up

shooting for

Kaathuvaakula

Rendu Kaadhal

Nupur Sanon comes

on board TigerNageswara Rao

a