RNI No. TELENG/2018/76469

Established 1864Published From

HYDERABAD DELHI LUCKNOWBHOPAL RAIPUR CHANDIGARH

BHUBANESWAR RANCHIDEHRADUN VIJAYAWADA

*LATE CITY VOL. 4 ISSUE 172*Air Surcharge Extra if Applicable

@TheDailyPioneer facebook.com/dailypioneerFollow us on:

}Page 11

www.dailypioneer.com

ANALYSIS 7YOGI MUST PLAN WELL TO

FULFIL PROMISES

MONEY 8WHEAT EXPORT AT 70.30 LAKH TONNES

TILL MAR 21 THIS FY

SPORTS 12KKR DISMISS PBKS FOR 137

‘IMMEDIATELY TRANSFER CHANDIGARHTO PUNJAB’: MANN VS CENTRE

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today moved a resolutionin the Assembly, seeking the immediate transfer of Chandigarhto Punjab, accusing the Centre of trying to "upset the balance"

in administering the Union Territory. The big move by Mr Mann twoweeks after he took over as Chief Minister comes amid the ongoingtussle between the centre and Punjab to control the Union Territorywhich serves as the capital of Punjab and neighbouring Haryana. Atthe centre of this tussle is the centre tweaking service rules foremployees of Chandigarh administration, giving them the samebenefits as their counterparts in central government.

KARNATAKA HALAL MEAT VENDORATTACKED BY BAJRANG DAL MEN

Aday after Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommaisaid his government will look into "serious objection"raised against 'halal' meat, some Bajrang Dal activists

allegedly attacked a Muslim vendor in Bhadravathi onThursday, police said. Shivamogga Superintendent ofPolice (SP) BM Laxmi Prasad told ANI that an FIR has beenregistered under relevant sections."Bajrang Dal activistsargued and then attacked a Muslim vendor. An FIR hasbeen registered at Hosamane police station in Bhadravati,"the Shivamogga SP said.

US WARNS INDIA OF ‘CONSEQUENCES’OVER AVOIDING SANCTIONS ON RUSSIA

The US on Thursday cautioned that there will beconsequences for countries actively attempting to"circumvent or backfill" American sanctions against

Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine and said it would not liketo see a "rapid" acceleration in India's import of energy andother commodities from Russia. Visiting US Deputy NationalSecurity Adviser Daleep Singh, referring to the "no limits"partnership between Moscow and Beijing, said India shouldnot expect Russia to come to its defence in case China violatesthe Line of Actual Control (LAC).

INDIA’S CRYPTO TAX COMES INTOEFFECT, VIOLATORS STARE AT JAIL TIME

Crypto profits in India will be subject to tax deductionsstarting today as the crypto laws proposed during theUnion Budget 2022 and passed in the Parliament takes

effect. This brings ‘virtual digital assets' -- the classification ofwhich is still fuzzy -- under a tax bracket in India. But what weknow so far is that starting today, April 1, a 30 percent tax willbe deducted from any profits generated via crypto trading inIndia. In addition, India's requirement of one percent TDS oneach crypto transaction is also in action starting today. Andfailing to comply can land you in a lot of trouble.

HYDERABAD, SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2022; PAGES 12 `3

ALMANAC

Updated: APRIL 1, 2022 5:00 PM

Forecast: sunny

Temp: 38oc

Humidity: 28%

Sunrise: 6:14 AM

Sunset: 6:25 PM

Month & Paksham:

Tithi: Pratipada: Apr 01 11:54 AM

to Apr 02 11:58 AM

Dwitiya: Apr 02 11:58 AM

to Apr 03 12:38 PM

Nakshatram:

Revati: Apr 01 10:40 AM

to Apr 02 11:21 AM

Ashwini: Apr 02 11:21 AM

to Apr 03 12:37 PM

Rahukalam: 9:16 AM to 10:48 AM

Yamagandam: 1:51 PM to 3:22 PM

Varjyam: 08:24 AM to 10:05 AM

Gulika: 6:13 AM to 7:45 AM

Amritakalam: 08:53 AM to 10:32 AM

Abhijit Muhurtham: 11:55 AM to

12:44 PM

TTOODDAAYY

HYDERABAD WEATHER

The Pioneer wishes itsreaders, advertisers,

suppliers and agents ahappy Ugadi. As ouroffices will remain

closed today (2-04-2022), there will

be no issue of thepaper tomorrow

(3-04-2022).

— RESIDENT EDITOR

NAVEENA GHANATE n HYDERABAD

Union Food Minister Piyush Goyalon Friday targeted the TelanganaRashtra Samiti (TRS) governmentfor 'misleading' farmers in thestate over paddy procurement,saying it should fulfil its responsi-bility towards the farming commu-nity.

Speaking in the Rajya sabha,Piyush said: "Like Punjab,Har yana, Madhya Pradesh,Telangana, Odisha, there aremany states where rice is beingproduced in the country. Manytimes delegation after delega-tion came; some gave threatsthrough Chief Ministers. SomeMinisterial delegations come reg-ularly and discuss with us in

detail. We are consistent andclear on our stand".

Piyush Goyal alleged that theTelangana government had beentelling new 'kahani' by deceiving

farmers. He emphasized that theCentre had always been buyingraw rice from Telangana as it hadbeen doing in the case of Punjab.

"I don't think anybody can give

clarity like I gave at this transpar-ent level. If someone chooses notto understand, I don't have a curefor foolish (na samaj)".

When TRS leaders objected tothis, Piyush said: "Why are youfeeling that I called you (nasamaj)".

Some states' CMs are threateningon procurement: Piyush Goyalo Power words of Goyal: ‘Dhamki, nasamaj, khand, kahaani’

Irked over price hike, CREDAI declaresconstruction holiday on April 4PNS n HYDERABAD

The Confederation of RealEstate DevelopersAssociation of India(CREDAI) and its chapters inassociation with theTelangana Real EstateDevelopers Association(TREDA), the TelanganaBuilders Federation (TBF)and the TelanganaDevelopers Association(TBA) held a meet on Fridayto discuss ways to tackle therise in the cost of construc-tion materials.

The CREDAI said thatthey will be holding a state-

wide protest in Telanganaand a construction holidaywould be declared on April4 in the context of the hike inthe prices of raw materials.

Speaking at the event, P.Ramakrishna Rao, thePresident of CREDAI

Hyderabad said, “The realestate sector in Hyderabad wasgrowing rapidly. The Russia-Ukraine war has severelyimpacted global supply chains,affecting the supply of rawmaterials.

Singareni will not beprivatised: CentrePNS n HYDERABAD

The Union Ministry of Coal hassaid that there are no plans to selloff or privatise the SingareniCollieries Company Limited(SCCL).

In response to an RTI queryraised by activist Robin Zaccheus,the Union government said thatas there was no plan of the cen-tral government to privatise theSCCL; there was no question ofagreeing with or informing theTelangana government. Not onlySingareni, the Centre said, therewas no plan of the Central gov-ernment to privatise coal mines.

You are nasamaj, yours isdhamki culture: Harishreturns compliments

PNS n HYDERABAD

TS Finance Minister Harish Raocame down heavily on UnionMinister Piyush Goyal for thecomments the latter made inParliament. Harish said, "He hascalled us 'nasamajhwale', butaccording to me, you (Piyush) arethe one who doesn't understand.You don't understand the farmers'struggle and pain".

Taking objection to PiyushGoyal's claim that Chief Ministerswere issuing a 'dhamki' to theCentre, Harish Rao explained thatTelangana Ministers and MPs wereonly speaking on behalf of farm-ers in the state. The culture ofthreatening ('dhamki') belonged toBJP and it was not that of TRS.

Harish said: "It's you (Goyal) whothreatened and insulted Telanganafarmers and people when a groupof Ministers from Telangana calledon you with a plea to procure Rabipaddy by explaining that onlyparboiled rice could be producedin Telangana during the season".

o If needed we will consumebroken rice and bring down BJP

o BJP leaders are threatening uswith jail and raids for standingby farmers

PNS n HYDERABAD

TRS working president K.T.Rama Rao, in a tweet, hasequated April fool's Day withAche Din Diwas in theIndian context. On Friday,he re-tweeted a cartoonmocking Narendra Modi'spromise of 'Ache din'. "Aprilfool's day aka acche dindiwas," wrote the Minister.

He also tweeted that hewould continue to highlightand expose the bigotry of theNational DemocraticAlliance (NDA) governmentand Prime MinisterNarendra Modi.

In his tweet, Rama Rao

advised those critical of hisposts about the NDA gov-ernment and the PrimeMinister to unfollow him.

KTR equates April fool’sDay with Ache Dino Vows to expose bigotry of BJP

GHMC nets Rs 1,144crore throughbuilding permissionso 2 multiplex proposals, 8

residential projects with morethan 30 floors approved in FY21

PNS n HYDERABAD

The Greater HyderabadMunicipal Corporation(GHMC) netted revenuestotaling a whoppingRs.1,144.08 crore from theBuilding Permission Fee andCharges during the financialyear 2021-22. As per an offi-cial note, 17,572 building per-missions and 1,550Occupancy Certificates wereissued in FY22. There was 73%increase in the revenues com-pared to that of the last year.

‘CBI's credibility has come underdeep public scrutiny in recent yrs’PNS n NEW DELHI

CBI's credibility hascome under deeppublic scrutinywith the passageof time as itsactions andinactions haveraised questionsin some cases,Chief Justice N VRamana Friday said andcalled for creating an "inde-

pendent umbrella institu-tion" to bring various inves-

tigating agencies underone roof.

"When it comesto the CBI, it pos-sessed immensetrust of the publicin its initial phase.

In fact, the Judiciaryused to be flooded

with requests for transferof investigations to the CBI,as it was a symbol of impar-

tiality and independence."Whenever the citizenry

doubted the skill and impar-tiality of its own state police,they sought an investiga-tion by the CBI, as theywanted justice to be done.But, with the passage oftime, like every other insti-tution of repute, the CBI hasalso come under deep pub-lic scrutiny.

CREDAI, TREDA and TBA leaders at a meeting in Hyderabad on Friday

Like Punjab, Haryana, MadhyaPradesh, Telangana, Odisha,there are many states where riceis being produced in the country.Many times delegation afterdelegation came; some gavethreats through Chief Ministers.Some Ministerial delegationscome regularly and discuss withus in detail. We are consistentand clear on our stand

{GAYATHRI BHARADWAJ

COMES ON BOARD TIGER NAGESWARA

RAO

TS will grow furtherin Shubhakrut: CM HYDERABAD: Chief Minister KChandrasekhar Rao hasconveyed Ugadi festivalgreetings to the people ofTelangana. The Chief Ministersaid that all sectors had beenstrengthened in the recentpast and Telangana woulddevelop further in the year of"Shubhakrut". KCR observedthat Telangana had become acompass for the country. KCRsaid that the year of'Shubhakrut', embodyingauspiciousness, would bringgood fortune to people in allspheres. The Chief Ministersaid that Telangana hadprogressed in a very shortperiod of time.

22

2

2

2

2 2

2

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

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

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

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

hyderabad 02HYDERABAD | SATURDAY | APRIL 2, 2022

EGG

RATES

HYDERABAD 384

VIJAYAWADA 394

VISAKHAPATNAM 400

RREETTAAIILL PPRRIICCEE `̀33..8844

`̀//110000

CHICKEN

RATES

Dressed/With Skin `279

Without Skin `299

Broiler at Farm `156

`̀//KKGG

(IN HYDERABAD)

PNS n HYDERABAD

Chief Minister K.Chandrasekhar Rao shouldquit if his government cannotbuy paddy, the BJP MLA rep-resenting Huzurabad, EatalaRajender, said on Friday.

He said that farmers are suf-fering due to the insane poli-cies of KCR. He added thatKCR has been venting hisanger against the BJP on farm-ers and that KCR has beenblaming the Centre as theearth under his feet is shaking.

Addressing the media atthe BJP office here EatalaRajender alleged that KCRhas been throwing dust intothe eyes of farmers by askingthem not to cultivate paddy asecond time.

He said that KCR has beenspeaking lies even though he

knows very well that Punjabfarmers cultivate wheat twicea year.

Eatala demanded that KCRshould stick to his assurancethat he would procure the lastseed of paddy from farmersand demanded that the gov-ernment should procurepaddy by allocating Rs 10,000crore for it.

He said that farmers are get-ting ready for harvestingpaddy hoping that the KCRgovernment will procure it.

Eatala said that AndhraPradesh, Kerala and Karnatakaare getting ready to procurepaddy from their farmers, butthe Telangana government isnot ready to buy paddy.

Although the governmenthad extended the RythuBandhu scheme to one crorefarmers, Eatala said that it was

cruel on the part of the TRSgovernment to have increasedpower tariffs even though thestate was generating 17,000MWs.

Criticising the governmenton the MGM Hospital inci-dent, Eatala asked how it ispossible to improve hospitalswithout allocating funds.

Criticising the punishmentimposed on the MGMSuperintendent regarding ratsbiting a patient, Eatala askedwhether the MGM HospitalSuperintendent should bepunished for the mistakes ofthe Chief Minister and theHealth Minister.

He said that the ChiefMinister was indulging incheap tricks and has beenmisleading people regardingthe hike in power tariffs andbus fares.

MEIL’s Drillmec to invest 35 millionEuros in Italy, produce green hydrogenPNS n HYDERABAD

The board of directors ofDrillmec, a Piacenza-basedcompany in the oil and gas sec-tor, and part of Indian infra-structure giant, the Meil Group,has approved an investment of35 million Euros in energytransition which includes ini-tiatives in the production ofhydrogen through the mostadvanced technologies likeelectrolysis, pyrolysis etc., thedesign and construction ofCO2 capture and storage sys-tems and geothermal energy.

Drillmec launched the com-pany, Idrogena, a start-up ded-icated to the development andmass production of a pyrolyt-ic converter for the productionof ultra-clean hydrogen.

The converter designed by

the Idrogena team consisting ofpersonnel with around 30 yearsof experience in process engi-neering, will produce hydrogenthrough pyrolysis without pol-lutants.

This is indeed a decisive stepin energy transition that com-bines the safety of people, pro-

tection of the environmentand economic viability.

“We are pleased to announcethis new initiative in our coun-try which is consistent with ourhistory, which is to develop safetechnologies capable of meet-ing energy, social and environ-mental needs, Simone

Trevisani, the CEO of DrillmecSpA said.

This tech revolution await-ed for 120 years, will allow theproduction of hydrogen with-out CO2 emissions, in fact,among its strengths will be theability to prevent the genera-tion of carbon dioxide by pro-ducing in its place graphiteused by large companies in theauto, cosmetics and pharmabusinesses.

With the converter, the pro-duction of hydrogen can becarried out at pre-determineddestinations in a capillary man-ner, thus significantly reducingtransport costs and solvingthe low energy content prob-lem of hydrogen which is achallenge in its storage andtransportation.

“This technology fits within

the natural gas value chain, thuscompensating for the lack of ahydrogen distribution networkwhich currently represents themain hurdle to mass adoption,”Simone Trevisani said.

“I congratulate the teamregarding the new initiativeand wish them success inGreen Hydrogen technologies,”Srinivas Bommareddy, theChairman of the board ofDrillmec SPA said.

The development of thistechnology at a competitivecost will allow it to operate atlow pressure and will be safe touse with minimal training.

Powered by renewable ener-gy, it will not use polluting cat-alysts, will not produce wasteand will produce hydrogen formultiple uses including indus-trial and public transport.

Set up more Sainik Schools inTelangana, Sanjay urges RajnathPNS n HYDERABAD

BJP leader Bandi Sanjay Kumarhas requested Union DefenceMinister Rajnath Singh to setup more Sainik Schools inTelangana. He thanked Rajnathfor approving a Sainik Schoolin Karimnagar Lok Sabha con-stituency.

Sanjay met Rajnath Singhalong with Central WaterResources Ministry AdvisorVedire Sriram on Friday at thelatter's chamber in Parliament.

Rajnath asked Sanjay aboutthe political conditions in

Telangana and the programmesbeing taken up by the BJP.

He also enquired about theTRS government’s failures andthe BJP’s attempts to get pub-lic issues solved.

Rajnath also enquired aboutSanjay’s planned PrajaSangrama Yatra’s second phase.

Sanjay explained to Rajnaththat the first phase of his PrajaSangrama Yatra had become abig success as it was focussedon the TRS government’s cor-ruption and KCR’s dictatorship.

Sanjay told Rajnath that hewould be launching the secondphase of the Praja SangramaYatra on April 14.

AICC spokespersonSravan approaches SCon OBC quota in EFLUPNS n HYDERABAD

AICC spokesperson Dr DasojuSravan expressed concern aboutthe failure in providing reserva-tions to OBCs in student admis-sions and staff appointments inCentral Universities (CUs) andother Higher EducationalInstitutions (HEIs) in the coun-try.

Dr Sravan has been fightingthe injustice being done toOBCs by the administrations ofthe English and ForeignLanguages University (EFLU)and the University ofHyderabad (UoH).

Initially, Dr Sravan broughtthe injustice being done to theOBCs to the attention of theNational Commission forBackward Classes (NCBC).

He filed a complaint againstEFLU for not implementing the27 per cent Constitutionallyguaranteed reservation forOBCs, lack of transparency instaff recruitment, releasingrecruitment notification for 58faculty posts during the lock-down and not following the ruleof reservation and roster.

EFLU made sure that notmany candidates applied for fac-

ulty posts by not allowing themto apply online. It also commit-ted gross violations in therecruitment process and againstthe Constitution, he said.

EFLU recruited from thekith and kin of the administra-tion, by advertising only eightposts for OBCs in itsNotification I/2020.

In EFLU, there must be 63OBC faculty members out ofthe UGC sanctioned strength of238 posts. There were only 25OBCs working at the universi-ty and never in the history of theuniversity was an OBC candi-date selected as Professor orAssociate Professor in any directrecruitment, he said.

This is a gross violation of thereservation policy as not evenone professor was selected forthe eight sanctioned professorposts, and not a single candidatewas selected for the 17 sanc-tioned posts of AssociateProfessor from among OBCs,he said.

Dr Sravan has been fightingalong with the NCBC againstinjustice, but EFLU got an orderfrom the TS High Court andfilled up 25 of the 58 postsadvertised.

Raghunandanasks DGP toprobe policeinactionPNS n HYDERABAD

The BJP MLA representingDubbaka, M. RaghunandanRao, has urged DirectorGeneral of Police (DGP) M.Mahender Reddy to probethe injustice meted out to himby the police officials in hisconstituency.

He met the DGP on Fridayand submitted a memoran-dum regarding this.

He alleged that the policefailed to provide security onMarch 31 when he went toGudikandula village inThoguta mandal in Dubbakato inaugurate a mini veg-etable market after the offi-cials concerned invited him.

Raghunandan alleged thatthe police remained silentspectators when anti-socialforces tried to attack him. Thepolice didn’t do anything tocontrol the situation althoughanti-socials created distur-bance for two hours.

He alleged that the policedidn’t summon additionalforces to the spot and alsofailed to take action againstthose who disturbed thefunction.

KCR must quit if he cannotprocure paddy: Eatala

You are nasamaj, yours isdhamki culture: Harishreturns complimentsContinued from page 1

Harish said: "It's BJP leaderswho were threatening repeat-edly that TRS leaders would besent to jail or Income Tax andEnforcement Directorate raidswould be conducted on them,when they (TRS leaders) weretrying to convince the Centreto address the farmers' issues".

He said BJP leader was talk-ing in the way oppositionparties spoke during the statebifurcation, similar to that of'samaikyandhra' (unitedAndhra Pradesh) leaders dur-ing the Telangana statehoodmovement.

Harish and MLC PallaRajeshwar Reddy demandedthat Piyush apologise to thefarmers and people ofTelangana and later appealedto him to procure Rabi paddy

in Telangana without any con-ditions.

The Finance Minister askedif Uttar Pradesh and Punjabcould produce the seed of thequality that Telangana doesand if they could producepaddy in Kashmir. He said thatit was based on the localweather conditions that cer-tain crops were raised everyyear.

Harish said, "We will con-sume broken rice, if need be,as suggested by the UnionMinister and bring down theBJP government at the Centreby mobilising farmers andpeople across the country".

He asked as to what theUnion government had doneabout WTO, despite being inpower for past eight years,considering that Modi hadbeen going on foreign tours.

Some states’ CMs are threatening on...Continued from page 1

He went on to add, "TheTelangana government hasstarted a new gamble(khaand), which has no rele-vance".

He added, "Their CM wrotea letter to procure similar toPunjab. We said we are doingthe same way as in Punjab.From Punjab the kind of ricewe are getting it sells in thecountry. Time and again, thisattempt to mislead people byfew parliamentarians and stategovernments is baseless andwrong. It is far from truth. Wewill take all the raw rice that

is being produced inTelangana. The state shouldthink about the farmers".

Replying to a query raisedby TRS leader K Keshav Raoin the Rajya Sabha, the UnionMinister said the Telanganagovernment had given in writ-ing that it would not supplyparboiled rice, but raw rice tothe Food Corporation of India(FCI).

He added, "If a state wantsto give quality or differentforms of rice, which cannot beused in state, what will theCentre do with it? There is 4-5 years' stock of excess par-boiled rice in godowns. Then

Centre alerted all states thatwe will take excess rice only inform of raw rice. If there isexcess rice in other form, youcan use within the state".

When asked if the Centrecould facilitate the export ofparboiled rice, the Ministersaid it was not permitted dueto the WTO conditions and itwould welcome if states exportvia private trade. He blamedthe Congress for being tied upwith the WTO restrictions.The FCI had entered into amemorandum of understand-ing with all states and askedthem to procure parboiledrice as per local demand and

the surplus grain be suppliedraw to the central pool, hesaid.

The Minister reiterated thatthe FCI had been taking rawrice and not paddy from thestates for years. "It is importantthat the state government ini-tiates a probe on this issue.The state government shouldbe concerned about farmersand fulfil its responsibility," headded.

According to the MoUbetween FCI and states, thestates can procure parboiledrice according to their require-ment and the Centre takesonly raw rice, he said.

Singareni will...Continued from page 1

The share of Union govern-ment and the Telangana gov-ernment in SCCL is 49:51. i.e.49% share of the Centralgovernment and 51% share ofTelangana government.Robin said, "The TRS partyhas been speculating thatSingareni is being privatised.People have to know thetruth that is happening inTelangana behind every spec-ulation if it is fact or electiongimmick. The state govern-ment should avoid specula-tion when they have suchmajority of share in SCCL".

It may be mentioned herethat SCCL has been opposingthe auctioning of four coalblocks.

KTR equates April fool’s Day with Ache DinContinued from page 1

"To all those people who cringe& crib each time I post somefacts about NDA Govt & PMPlease unfollow me immedi-ately as I will continue tohighlight & expose their big-otry & false propaganda; comewhat may," tweeted KTR, asRama Rao is popularly known.

KTR, a senior minister inthe cabinet headed by hisfather and Chief Minister K.Chandrasekhar Rao, has beenattacking the central govern-ment and the Prime Ministerover various issues.

On Thursday, KTR took ajibe at the Prime Minister overfuel price hike. 'Thank youModiji for Acche Din', he

tweeted, after prices of petroland diesel were hiked for the9th time in 10 days.

KTR also reacted to thehike in price of commercialcooking gas. "I am seriouslyhoping this is an April fool'sjoke!," he tweeted on a newreport about a hike of Rs 250per cylinder in the price ofcommercial cooking gas.

TS will grow further in Shubhakrut: CM Continued from page 1

He expressed his happinessthat, with the blessings ofGod, Telangana was abound-ing in water and verdure.

The CM said that people ofTelangana would start theNew Year from Ugadi and thefarmers would start their agri-cultural work from Ugadi.The Telangana governmentwas giving maximum encour-agement to irrigation andagricultural sectors. TheTelangana government wasthe only government in the

country that had given high-est priority to welfare of farm-ers, he said.

The CM said thatTelangana had achievedunprecedented developmentin the field of agriculture tomake the country proud. Hesaid that the state's sustainablegrowth in the farm sector alsocontributed the country'sGDP growth even during thecorona pandemic.

He said that Telangana wasnow challenging the Centre inprocuring grains with thehighest crop yield. The state

government had worked tire-lessly to reach this level. Hesaid that the rural economy ofTelangana had been strength-ened by boosting agricultureand allied occupations.

The Telangana governmentwas following the motto 'allpeople will be happy whenagriculture is good'. The CMsaid that the development ofthe agricultural sector hadindirect ly helped boostemployment opportunities inconcerned productive andservice sectors for youth inTelangana.

GHMC nets Rs 1,144 cr...Continued from page 1

In 2020-21, 11,538 BuildingPermissions, 1,574 OccupancyCertificates were issued and anamount of Rs 661 crore collect-ed.

Five commercial projectsand eight residential projectswere approved with heightmore than 30 floors. The max-imum building height permit-ted so far in GHMC area is 128mts , spread over 41 floors. Twomultiplex proposals wereapproved during the financialyear 2021-22.

According to GHMC, dur-ing the year 2020-21, due toCovid pandemic there wasdecrease in the number of per-missions and the governmenthad given installment facilityfor payment of fees and chargesduring that year. The shortageof construction labour during

the lockdown and after that forsome time had also resulted inthe reduction in the number ofBuilding Permissions duringduring 2020-21.

However, during 2021-22,post Covid, the Real Estate hasfully recovered and shownconsiderable growth. Thegrowth in the constructionactivity in GHMC area is dueto Industry-oriented proactivepolicies of the Governmentunder the guidance of Ministerfor Industries and MunicipalAdministration. The construc-tion of flyovers and develop-ment of Link Roads to easetraffic congestion, provisionof clean drinking water to allcitizens, continuous power sup-ply, and maintenance of lawand order also helped inattracting the new commercialand residential projects inHyderabad city.

SCCL posts record Rs26,000 crore turnoverPNS n HYDERABAD

The Singareni CollieriesCompany Limited (SCCL) hasset a record for coal productionin the financial year 2021-22ending 31st March. It has pro-duced 650 lakh tonnes of coal-- the highest output in its 13-decade-long history andachieved a new record turnoverof Rs 26,000 crore. This is 47per cent higher than theturnover of Rs 17,669 crore inthe previous year.

Compared to Coal India,Singareni is also a leader in coalproduction and transportgrowth.

Chairman N. SridharSingareni congratulated theemployees and officers on theachievement of record levelproduction and turnover. Hecalled on the employees to

achieve the target of 700 lakhtonnes of coal production forthe current financial year(2022-23).

The Singareni Company hasshown significant growth in allaspects this financial year ascompared to last year.Singareni, which achieved 505lakh tonnes of coal productionin 2020-21, has set a newrecord by producing 650 lakhtonnes of coal in the currentfinancial year (2021-22) with a

growth of 28.6 per cent.Coal shipments grew by 35

per cent. The growth rate was28.6%, in dispatches it was35.1% and in the overburdenremoval it was 20.4%.

Out of the total 650 lakhtonnes of coal produced bySingareni, of the total coal dis-patches, SCCL has suppliedover 53.65 million tonnes (MT)to thermal power stations,including 12.8 MT toTelangana, followed by nearly

6.7 MT to Andhra PradeshGenco, about 21.9 MT to 16NTPC thermal stations in dif-ferent States, 8.2 MT toKarnataka, nearly 2.6 MT toTamil Nadu Genco and about2.98 MT to MaharashtraGenco. Thus, Singarenishipped and provided elec-tricity to power companies inalmost all the states of southIndia. Apart from these, allother industries like cement,ceramics, paper, sponge, andiron ore were supplied with118.79 lakh tonnes of coalwhich did not contribute to theproduction of their products.

Although the Singarenicompany had set a target of 680lakh tonnes of coal productionfor the financial year 2021`22per month, shortage of explo-sives had hampered the pace ofproduction. Ammonium

nitrate from overburden andexplosives used in blastingcoal in open cast mines areimported. The impact of thewar has been such that there isshortage of explosives.However, the company regis-tered the highest production of650 lakh tonnes in its historyby continuing to produce coalwith alternative arrangementsdue to special initiative takenby N. Sridhar.

Singareni Thermal PowerStation generated 9,353 millionunits of electricity in the finan-cial year 2021-22 and sup-plied 8,808 million units to theTelangana State Power Grid.The Singareni Thermal PowerStation has generated 48,448million units of electricity sinceits inception, of which 45,537million units have been sup-plied to the state.

Irked over pricehike, CREDAI...Continued from page 1

The present increase in thecosts of materials like steeland aluminium is severelyaffecting developers. Theincreased cost of diesel is hav-ing an inflationary impact onthe costs of raw materials. Insuch a scenario, propertycosts will increase by 10 percent to 15 per cent. We wantthe government to intervenein this. Just like any otherindustry, the real estate indus-try also needs a regulatorybody especially for main-taining the price of steel andcement.”

The price of steel in Indiawas around Rs 40,000 to45,000 per tonne last year,but today it has touched Rs85,000 to Rs 90,000.Aluminium prices haveincreased by 45 per cent to50 per cent. According toCREDAI, a mid-level con-struction project takes twoto four years for completion.Builders quote a price to thecustomer while booking aflat and that has to be hon-oured.

‘CBI's credibility has come under deep...Continued from page 1

Its actions and inactions haveraised questions regarding itscredibility, in some cases,"Justice Ramana said. The CJI,who was speaking at the 19thD P Kohli Memorial Lecture ofCBI on "Democracy: Role andResponsibilities of InvestigativeAgencies," said there was an"immediate requirement for the

creation of an independentumbrella institution for theinvestigating agencies to bringvarious agencies like CBI, SFIO,ED, etc under one roof".

Justice Ramana said thebody was required to be "cre-ated under a statute" clearlydefining its powers, functions,and duties. He said such a lawwill also need too much need-ed "legislative oversight" for the

"upright organisation" to beheaded by an "independentand impartial authority" to beappointed by a committeewhich appoints the director ofthe CBI.

"The head of the organisa-tion can be assisted by deputieswho are specialists in differentdomains. This umbrella organ-isation will end a multiplicityof proceedings.”

PNS n PATANCHERU

Career Guidance Cell of GITAMdeemed-to-be University,Hyderabad, celebrated Achievers'Day to hand over the offers ofappointment to selected stu-dents and admittance for higherstudies in engineering, manage-ment, pharmacy and sciencestreams at its campus onThursday.

A total of 1,000 students, 771from engineering, had beenplaced through the institute'scareer fulfillment process. About230 companies visited for recruit-ment. More than 300 GITAmitesbagged multiple offers. A goodnumber of students opted out forhigher studies and got admissionletters from their respective uni-

versities, like University of Texas,Texas A & M University,University of Massachusetts,Northeastern University andUniversity of Memphis, IIM -Betc. The Achievers' Day was cel-ebration on Thursday. In hismessage, the chief guest DrSrinivas Puppala, head HR,Aragen Life Sciences (GVK Bio),said that money is important butskills and competences are moreimportant than money.

Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof.N.Siva Prasad emphasised thatpeople with clear purpose andgoals succeed. Nathi VenuKumar, Director, CareerGuidance Cell, delivered the wel-come address and Prof. M.AkkaLakshmi proposed the vote ofthanks.

hyderabad 03HYDERABAD | SATURDAY | APRIL 2, 2022

PNS n PATANCHERU

Finance and Health Minister THarish Rao has said that theDalit Bandhu, the programmetargeted for development ofDalits, will be implementedwith a missionary zeal.

He along with PathancheruMLA Gudem Mahipal Reddydistributed 100 units to bepromoted under Dalit Bandhuat a programme held at MytriGrounds here on Friday.

Addressing the gatheringon the occasion, he said thatvehicles and other units havebeen distributed among 100Dalit beneficiaries inKodakanchi, Anantaram andBachchu Gudem villages ofPathancheru constituency.

He appreciated the acceler-ated implementation of DalitBandhu in Sangareddy con-stituency. He desired to changefaster transformation in thelives of the Dalits.

Telangana Government isthe only government to give Rs10 lakh to Dalit families to startself-employment activities, hesaid. Earlier, there wereinstances of Dalits borrowing

funds from others to repay thebank loans, he said expressingconcern over the Dalits.

The government has allotted300 wines shops for Dalits.New Sub-Plan for SCs and STshas been introduced, he saidadding that Dalits get prefer-ence in all government bids.Telangana serves as a rolemodel for Dalit welfare. On thelines of Kalyana Lakshmi,which was first targeted to

benefit SC girls, the DalitBandhu would be extended toother communities too, heexplained.

Dalit Bandhu is not a merewelfare and developmentscheme, but a movement, heanalysed. The government hasearmarked Rs 17,800 crore forDalit Bandhu. During the cur-rent year, at least 2 lakh Dalitswould derive benefit underDalit Bandhu, he added. The

BJP government did not doanything for people. Moreover,it is exploiting all sections ofsociety, he said calling the BJPas the Bharatiya Jhuta Party.There is no power holiday inTelangana like the NarendraModi's Gujarat, he said point-ing out that power cut is inforce in 50 per cent of the statesacross the country. However,Telangana is free from powercuts and power-related prob-

lems. Moreover, he said thatTelangana has emerged as themost powerful state in thecountry. KCR, with his fore-sight, solved the power prob-lem in Telangana, whose powergeneration capacity has goneup from 7000 mw to 17000mw. As the whole countryreeled under darkness due topower cuts, there is sheen inTelangana, he compared blam-ing the Centre for the powercrisis in the country.

The power cuts are due tolack of production and supplydue to the attitude of theCentre.

ZP Chairperson ManjusriJaipal Reddy, District CollectorHanmanta Rao, SP RamanaKumar, former protem SpeakerVennavaram Bhupal Reddy,former MLA K Satyanarayana,Additional Collector RajarshiSha, ZP Vice-ChairmanKunchala Prabhakar, RDONagesh, ZP CEO Yellaiah,Pathancheru DSP BheemReddy, DRDO Srinivasa Rao,Dalit Bandhu special officerPrasad, ZPTCs, MPPs,Municipal chairmen, corpora-tors and others were present.

PNS n RANGAREDDY

The Hyderabad GrowthCorridor Limited (HGCL), awing of the HyderabadMetropolitan DevelopmentAuthority (HMDA), is con-verting the existing two-laneservice roads to four-lane oneither side of the ORR fromNanakramguda to theTelangana State PoliceAcademy (7.50 km) and fromNarsingi to Kollur (14.50 km)from 7.50 metres to 15 metresat a cost of Rs 300 crore tosolve traffic problems andmeet future requirements.

The HGCL is also overlay-ing the bitumen road fromGachibowli to Shamshabadon the ORR at a cost of Rs 87crore taking the total cost of

the project to Rs 387 crore.HGCL officials said that

bicycle tracks will be laidbetween these stretches. Theservice road works would becompleted by January 2023while the bitumen overlaywill be completed by May.Once the service roads arewidened to four-lane, two-way traffic will be allowed.

HGCL sources added thatwork is going on briskly atNanakramguda and otherstretches from where under-ground utility lines are beingshifted and service roads arebeing laid on the widenedportion. The bridges on thisstretch would be widened.

The works started inNovember last year and arebeing done briskly and are

constantly monitored byHGCL officials.

The narrow two-lane ser-vice roads of the Outer RingRoad (ORR) were troublingmotorists driving to and fromHitech City from Madhapur,Narsingi, Gachibowli andother important places andthey face a difficult time dur-ing peak traffic hours.

The offices of IT and ITEScompanies coming up aroundNanakramguda, Narsingi,Kokapet, Kollur, Tellapur,Madhapur, Financial District,TSPA and other areas have ledto the clogging of serviceroads during peak hours.

Officials said that the exist-ing two-lane service roadsfrom Nanakramguda toKollur are getting saturated

due to the massive expansionof business in these areas.

The ORR is part of the ITcorridor, mainly along thelink road from Gachibowli tothe ORR at Narsingi andtowards RGI Airport, Kollur,Nanakramguda.

A few hundred trees will beshifted and replanted by theUrban Forestry Departmentsoon as the ForestDepartment has given per-mission to do so.

At present due to the two-lane road, only one-way traf-fic is being allowed on thesetwo stretches and motoristsare forced to travel long dis-tances to reach their destina-tions. The junctions atNanakramguda and otherplaces will be beautified.

PNS n HYDERABAD

The Additional CP in charge ofcrimes and SIT, AR Srinivas,reviewed the performance ofSHE teams on Friday in the firstquarter of 2022. He providedvaluable suggestions and appre-ciated the efforts of SHE teamsin ensuring that Hyderabad issafe for women. The Addl. CPviewed the testimonials of peti-tioners and encouraged every-one to continue the good work.He also gave rewards to compe-tent officers ranging from HomeGuards to Inspectors in thepresence of Sirisha Raghavendra, the Addl. DCP of SHETeams. Srinivas said that SHEteams are constantly trying toprovide women with moreadvanced spy cameras for betterlogistical support in future.

Dalit Bandhu to benefit 2 lakh during current year

Minister for Finance T Harish Rao along with Patancheru MLA Gudem Mahipal Reddy at Dalit Bandhu meeting in Patancheru on Friday

Achievers' Day celebrated at GITAM

HGCL widening ORR service roads to 15 metres

Additional CPreviews SHEteams

PNS n HYDERABAD

South Central Railway hasachieved record addition of344 track kms to the Zone'srail network. The specialthrust given for speedy com-pletion of the ongoing pro-jects, combined with themeticulous planning andeffective implementation ofthe scheduled works hasresulted in this stupendousachievement.

The SCR achieved recordaddition of 344 track kmcomprising constructionand completion of 83 km ofnew lines, 197 km of doublelines and 64 km of third lineduring 2021-22. It was thehighest ever in any financialyear since inception of thezone. The sections complet-

ed as part of 83 kms newlines during the currentfinancial year. They include40.2 km between Bhadrachalam to Bhavana palem inthe critical coal loading area,12.2 km between Gajwel toKodakandla, 17.3 kmbetween Akanapet to Medakand 13.3 km betweenMagnur to Makthal.

The sections completed aspart of 197 kms of doublelines include 29.7 kmbetween Umdanagar toShadnagar, 25.7 km betweenGollapalli to Mahabubnagar,17 km between Vijayawadato Uppaluru, 48.2 kmbetween Narsapur toBhimavaram to Aravalli,23.9 km between Gundlakamma to Donakonda, 22.5km between Edduladoddi to

Maddikera, 26.4 kmbetween Kalluru to Gooty,2.1 km bypass line atMotumari and 1.5 kmVijayawada Bulb line.

The sections completed aspart of 64 km of third lineduring the current fiscalinclude 7.8 km betweenKolnur to Potkapalli, 19.2km between Wirur-Manikgarh, 37 km betweenKavali to Thalama nchi.Sanjeev Kishore, GeneralManager, SCR has compli-mented the entire railwayofficials at both the zonaland divisional levels, includ-ing construction wing,RVNL and RITES officialsfor their extraordinary con-tribution which helped thezone to achieve the recordinfrastructure addition.

SCR achieves record addition of 344 track km

PNS n MEDCHAL MALKAJGIRI

The sleuths of SpecialOperations Team, MalkajgiriZone, RachakondaCommissionerate along withKeesara police arrested twointer-state drug peddlers andseized 900 grams of narcoticsubstance and cash all worth of15 lakh. The police arrested thealleged peddlers while theywere transporting the drugfrom Punjab to Hyderabad.

According to RachakondaPolice Commissioner MaheshM Bhagwat, the suspect, JagtarSingh (58), is owner of SandeepPanjabi Dhaba, near

Kandlakoya toll plaza, MedchalMalkajgiri district, and nativeof Punjab State. He had goodcontacts with the inter-statelorry transporting companies,and other State lorry drivers,who were the regular visitors tohis hotel for food. In thatprocess, Jagtar came in contactwith accused Ranjith Singh, alorry driver, who hailed fromPunjab State, was also a regu-lar visitor to the hotel.

About 4 months ago the sus-pects, the Police Commissionersaid, had hatched a plan to earneasy money by supplying con-traband narcotic drug to selectcustomers in Hyderabad and

surrounding areas in view ofhigh demand for it in the localmarket. Ranjith Singh used toprocure the narcotic drug(poppy straw concentrate)from Punjab and started trans-porting it to Hyderabad in hislorry and handing it over toJagtar and collecting his sharein the booty. On informationSOT Malkajgiri Zone teamalong with the Keesara policeintercepted a car near LakeView Dhaba on Keesara -Shameerpet road and appre-hended Jagtar and Jaimalasthey were in possession of thedrug, the Police Commissionersaid.

PNS n HYDERABAD

The State government hasrevised examination datesfor first to 9th class.According to the Departmentof Education, examinationswill be held from April 16 tothe 22. The results would bereleased on April 23. Thegovernment announced sum-mer holidays for schools fromApril 24. Earlier, the exam-inations were scheduled to beheld from April 7. They werepostponed.

Exams for 1st to 9th

class to be heldfrom April 16 to 22 PNS n HYDERABAD

UoH extends the last date toApril 15 for admissions in dis-tance mode courses. TheCentre for Distance and VirtualLearning (CDVL), Universityof Hyderabad, has invitedapplications for various one-year diploma programmes.All the courses are approved bythe UGC/ AICTE/DEC jointcommittee. These coursesinclude one year duration pro-grammes offered for the ben-efit of graduates as add on pro-gramme at PG level in businessmanagement, project manage-

ment, cyber laws, forensic sci-ence, library automation net-working, communicativeEnglish, infection preventioncontrol, community eye healthand other skill up-gradationprogrammes jointly withNIRD, ICAR-NAARM; BSNL-NATFM, Truth Labs, ApolloMed Skills, IFCAI and LVPrasad Eye Institute (LVPEI).

The students who arealready pursuing their full-time courses can also jointhese programmes simultane-ously. The admitted studentswill be given well preparedstudy material soft copy.

UoH extends last date to applyfor distance mode courses

Rachakonda cops bust Inter- state drug racket

Vanasthalipuram police onFriday apprehended analleged notorious and

professional burglar, while hewas moving undersuspicious circumstances.On interrogation, the suspecthad revealed his name andconfessed that he hadcommitted offences, thepolice claimed and addedthat Rs.18,000 cash, 230

tulas of gold ornaments and10.02 kg of silver all worth ofRs 1,30,18,000 wererecoverd from him. Theypertained to various cases.According to PoliceCommissioner Mahesh MBhagwat, the accusedMuchu, Ambedkar (50),works as electrician hailedfrom Pidu guralla in Gunturdistrict in AP.

Notorious criminal arrested, cash,gold & silver articles recovered

Head of HR Argen Life (GVK Bio) Dr Srinivas Puppala being felicitated at theAchievers Day at GITAM on Thursday

PNS n HYDERABAD

IT and Industries Minister KT Rama Rao received an invi-tation to speak at the 25thannual Milken InstituteGlobal Conference. It will beheld from May 1 to 4 at theBeverly Hilton in Los Angeles,USA.

The theme of this year'sflagship event, 'Celebratingthe Power of Connection,'highlights 25 years of buildingbridges across sectors, bor-ders, and political divides.

'We have recast the conferenceitself. This year, we aim to hostaround 3,000 participants in-person during this invitation-only event," said MilkenInstitute Chief ExecutiveOfficer Michael L. Klowden inthe invitation letter. 'With theworld in transition, sharingthe unique insights of ourspeakers and inspiring ourparticipants have never beenso vital. I know our audiencewould greatly value your con-tribution to the discussion,and I hope you can join us for

this timely event,' Michaeladded. Rama Rao thanked theMilken Institute for invitinghim to speak at their globalconference. He stated thatthis will be a great platform toconnect with the global lead-ers post the covid pandemic.

The Milken Institute hasbrought together its influen-tial community to catalysepractical, scalable solutionsto global challenges by con-necting human, financial, andeducational resources to thosewho need them.

Minister KTR receives invite tospeak at Milken Institute meet

Preserve our culture, tradition: VPVice-president inaugurates Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav, a three-day cultural festival

PNS n HYDERABAD

Vice-President M VenkaiahNaidu on Friday inauguratedRashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav,a three-day NationalCultureal Festival, at NTR sta-dium here.

'I am delighted to be part ofIndia's mega cultural festivalwhich depicts our gloriousculture and tradition. Ourculture and tradition haveevolved over several cen-turies. Our ancestors devel-oped our art, culture, litera-ture, dance and theatre,' hesaid.

The Vice-President furthersaid the objective of the gov-ernment in organising Azadi

Ka Amrit Mahotsav was toremember and pay tributes tothe selfless sacrifices made byfreedom fighters. Thousandsof people from different com-munities, regions and casteshad participated in the longstruggle for the nation's inde-pendence. He stressed theneed to preserve the culture,traditions and heritage. 'Wedo not want to attack anycountry. We want the entireworld and humanity to live inpeace and harmony and hap-piness. That is the greatnessof Indian culture,' he added.

Venkaiah Naidu expressedthe confidence that the festi-val would bring the peoplefrom all walks of life togeth-

er. Union Minister for Cultureand Tourism G KishanReddy, said 'There were nosocio-cultural activities forthe last two years due to thepandemic and only recentlythanks to the world's largestvaccination programme andPrime Minister NarendraModi' initiative enabled us tocome out to attend an eventlike Rashtriya SanskritiMahotsav.

This festival has artistsfrom all the States of Indiaand there are over 500 localartists from Andhra andTelangana as part of this fes-tival. This festival is beingdedicated to our tribal tradi-tions and practices," he said.

Telangana Governor TamilisaiSounderarajan and Union TourismMinister G. Kishan Reddy inaugurated the

'Crafts Mela' at the NTR Stadium near theNational Cultural Mahotsavam venue. Speakingon the occasion, Kishan said that the Centre givestop priority to artistes who hail from rural and tribal areas. He saidthat this kind of cultural programmes will be conducted in all statesand that programmes will be conducted till midnight every day.Kishan said that they had also provided an opportunity to start-upcompanies to set up stalls at the Craft Mela. He said that they haveset up stalls connected to all cultures and arts from Kashmir toKanyakumari. He said that the Centre will conduct Ghantasala'scentenary birth celebrations grandly and programmes to remembersinger Balasubrahamanyam and lyricist Sirivennal Sitharama Shastri.

Guv, Kishan open Crafts Mela,cultural mahotsavam

PNS n HYDERABAD

The InternationalArbitration andMediation Centre,Hyderabad, (IAMC)administered a vari-ety of disputes for anaggregate value ofUSD $ 400 million. Itcovered a wide spec-trum of matters fromthe energy sector, realestate to family con-cerns.

As per the firstquarterly report, asmany as 22 matters,including a batch ofmatters, had beenreferred to IAMC byvarious courts and tri-bunals across thecountry. Two matters

from the SupremeCourt also came to theArbitration Centre.

The Centre, in ashort span of time, hadconducted more than50 hearings, bothadministered underthe IAMC rules as wellas ad hoc with disputesaggregating USD 400million.

The Centre is alsolooking forward toreleasing its rules forI n t e r n a t i o n a lArbitration .

According toRegistrar Tariq Khan,'The enthusiasm andactive engagement ofthe local bar withIAMC, Hyderabad ismuch appreciated as

several ad hoc arbitra-tion proceedings havebeen conducted fromour premises using oursecretarial facilities.We have collaboratedwith other Domesticand InternationalInstitutions to conducttraining courses,awareness programsand conferences toencourage Arbitrationand Mediation.Importantly, IAMC,Hyderabad is slowlybut surely taking itsfirst steps to grow itsinternational presenceand footprint. In midof March, IAMC,Hyderabad waspleased to partner around table discussion

covering varied per-spectives on India as aseat of InternationalArbitration in Dubai.These are excitingtimes for IAMC,Hyderabad and wehave much more tolook forward to in thefuture".

IAMC has been setup as a public charita-ble trust authored byChief Justice of IndiaJtice N V Ramana. It isan institution dedicat-ed to all forms of dis-pute resolution. To thisend, IAMC,Hyderabad provided adigital-first experience,top notch services andseamless client ser-vices.

Arbitration Centre administereddisputes worth US $ 400million

Man dies indrunken brawlPNS n HYDERABAD

A man died, allegedly afterhe was attacked during adrunken brawl at KPHBColony here on Friday. Thevictim, Nagaraju (30), alongwith the suspect Marshaland others reportedly had aliquor party on Wednesdayon the terrace of a men'shostel in they were staying.Police said during the party,Nagaraju and Marshal hadargued, after which Marshalattacked Nagaraju. Nagarajuwas immediately shifted toa hospital, where he diedwhile undergoing treatment.The KPHB police are inves-tigating.

Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu lighting a traditional lamp at the inauguration of Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav on Friday and (right) a dance performance at the venue

04HYDERABAD | SATURDAY | APRIL 2, 2022

PNS n MULUGU

District Collector S Krishnaaditya on Friday revealedthat the districtadministration hadallotted 20 acres ofland next to theG o v e r n m e n tDegree College.The State govern-ment had alsoapproved the allotmentof the land.

Speaking to reporters at theCollectorate here, ChiefMinister K ChandrasekharRao had given green signal forestablishing a medical collegein Mulugu on the request ofthe Minister for Health THarish Rao. On the instruc-tions of the Chief Minister, the

district administration hadallotted 20 acres of land for themedical college.

The Collector appealedto the people not to

venture out between11 am and 4 pmunless it wasabsolutely necessaryin view of heat wave

conditions prevail-ing in the Sate. The

Indian MeteorologicalDepartment (IMD) has issueda heat wave warning acrossTelangana with the tempera-tures likely to go up to 40degree C in several parts of theState.

Krishna said the adminis-tration has constituted 125teams to implement healthprofile project.

PNS n HYDERABAD

The Centre has said in a writ-ten reply in the LS that 19,155tonnes of wheat, 5,545 tonnesof rice and 19,635 tonnes offortified rice were supplied toTelangana in 2021-22 for sup-ply to Anganwadis. Fortifiedrice is enriched with micronu-trients like iron, Vitamin D12and folic acid.

The Nalgonda CongressMP, N. Uttam Kumar Reddy,had said that no fortified riceis being supplied toAnganwadis in Telangana as isbeing claimed by the Centre.

In response, the UnionMinister of Women and ChildDevelopment, Smriti ZubinIrani, informed the Housethat she was shocked at thisand would order an inquiry.

Uttam Kumar Reddy alsopointed out that while rice, dal,oil and eggs were being sup-plied by the government toAnganwadis, only Rs.1.15 perchild per day and Rs 2.40 permother per day is being givento Anganwadi workers to payfor gas cylinders, vegetables,salt, tamarind, chilli, turmer-ic, condiments and for theirtransportation. Even these Rs1.15 per child per day and Rs2.40 per mother per day havenot been paid to Anganwadiworkers from September 2021and Anganwadi workers arefacing great financial stress.

He also brought to thenotice of the Centre that 1.33lakh Anganwadis in the coun-try do not have safe buildings,8.59 lakh Anganwadis do nothave safe tap water and 2.87

lakh Anganwadis do not havetoilets.He demanded that theCentre should ensure theseminimum facilities in allAnganwadis across the coun-try.He criticised the Centre forgiving a paltry sum of Rs4,500 per month as honorar-ium for Anganwadi workersand Rs 2,250 per month ashonorarium for Anganwadihelpers.

This is less than minimumwages and the Centre shouldimmediately increase this toRs 10,000 per month forAnganwadi workers and to Rs5,000 per month forAnganwadi helpers. If this isdone, Anganwadi teachers willget Rs 19,150 per month andAnganwadi helpers will get Rs10,550 per month inTelangana, he said.

20 acres of land allotted formedical college: Collector

PNS n KARIMNAGAR

Medical, Health and FamilyWelfare Commissioner VakatiKaruna has called for makingKarimnagar district free ofanaemia and tuberculosis (TB)besides promoting institution-al deliveries in governmenthospitals in the district.

Holding separate meetingswith gynaecologists of privatenursing homes and govern-ment medical officers at theCollectorate here on Friday, sheasked them to take steps toincrease the number of deliv-eries in government hospitals,urban health posts.

She advised them againstdelivering babies through C-section unnecessarily andwanted them to give a priori-ty to normal deliveries.Caesarean surgeries should beconducted in unavoidable cir-cumstances to save the lives ofthe mother and the child. She

asked them to promote normaldeliveries.

She wanted them to ensurethat the newborns are fed withcolostrum to improve theirimmunity power.

She called for extending bet-ter health services to the poorin government hospitals andsuggested the PHCs and urbanhealth posts availing them-selves of telemedicine services.

She suggested holdingHealth melas and free medicalcamps.

Later, she distributed meritcertificates among the PHCsadjudged as the best.

District Collector R VKarnan, local bodies addition-al Collector Garima Agarwal,Assistant Collector MayankMittal, ZP CEO Priyanka, dis-trict medical and health officerDr Juvaria, Peddapalli districtmedical and health officer DrSudheera, Karimnagar andPeddapalli district Medical

Officers and programme offi-cers and others took part in themeeting.

Later addressing gynaecolo-gists of private nursing homesalong with the Collector, shetold them to give priority tonormal deliveries and asked

them not to entertainCaesarean deliveries under anycost. She advised the patientsnot to entertain the requests ofpatients on conducting surg-eries on the pretext of goodmuhurat and auspicious dayand so on. Delivering babies

through surgical procedureswill spoil the health of moth-ers, she said advising them tosensitise the expectant mothersand their family membersabout it.

She asked them to take theState to number one position interms of the number of normaldeliveries conducted.

Karnan told the HealthCommissioner that the districtadministration gained an upperhand over Covid-19. TheKarimnagar district is the firstto administer both the doses ofthe vaccine to all people in thedistrict. He assured Karunathat the district administrationwould take steps to improvenormal deliveries in the districtand give a top priority to thehealth of the mother and thechild.

Later, she inspected themother and child welfare cen-tre in Karimnagar. She interact-ed with the patients there and

enquired about the servicesbeing rendered to them andnutritious food being given tothem. She expressed satisfac-tion over the services beingprovided to the patients at thecentre.

She went round variousfacilities at the centre, babies'vaccination room, midwife-led care unit, gynaecologyroom and natal OP, scanningroom, laboratory, operationtheatre, birthing unit, OT com-plex and so on.

Earlier, Karnan welcomedthe commissioner who is on atour of the district by present-ing her with a bouquet.

Government HospitalSuperintendent Ratnamala,Resident Medical Officer Jyoti,Mother and Child WelfareCentre Administrative OfficerAleem, District DeputyDMHO Sudhakar Reddy, pro-gramme officer Viplavasri andothers were present.

Health Commissioner lays stress on promoting normal deliveriesThe officer has urged gynaecologists in government and private hospitals to avoid Caesarean surgeries

Medical, Health and Family Welfare Commissioner Vakati Karuna interacting withgyanaecologists in Karimnagar on Friday

PNS n SIDDIPET

Health Minister T HarishRao on Friday greeted thepeople of the State on theoccasion of Ugadi, the TeluguNew Year Day.

'The people of the Stateshould lead a happy, com-fortable and prosperous lifein the new year,' he saidextending greetings to thepeople of the State.

He desired that the Stateshould achieve progress in allsectors of economy duringthe new year.

He was happy that fruits ofwelfare and developmentschemes trickled down tothe people of the State thisyear.

Irrespective of the season,there is ample water incanals, tanks and ponds.Thanks to the execution ofthe Kaleswaram Project, hesaid desiring that the farm-ers' homes should by flood-

ed with milk and harvestedcrops.

Celebration of Ugadi couldnot take place during the pasttwo years on account ofCovid-19, he said.

However, the ShubhakrtNama Samvatasaram shouldbring more good to the peo-ple driving away Covid-19and other such maladiesfrom the soil of the country.The new year should bringsheen in all families, he saidpraying to the Almighty.

Let Ugadi bring sheen in livesof all people: Harish Rao

PNS n WARANGAL

Panchayat Raj and RuralDevelopment MinisterErrabelli Dayakar Raohas called upon thepeople to celebrateTelugu New YearUgadi on Saturdaywith joy and happi-ness since the Covidhas almost left theshores of the country.

Greeting the people ofthe state on Friday on the eveof Ugadi, he wished all sec-tions of society -- includingthe down-trodden sections -lead a happy and prosperouslife in Subhakrutu Nama yearbeginning Saturday.

By virtue of the welfareand development pro-grammes of the state govern-

ment, living standards haveimproved. The per capitaincome rose to Rs 2,78,833 in

2022 as against Rs1,24,104 in

2 0 1 4 - 1 5 ,which is 86more thanthat of theper capitaincome at

the nationallevel. The Pal le

Pragati and other ruraldevelopment schemes havetotally changed the contoursof the villages, he said.

TRS government is theonly government that releas-es funds to village panchay-ats and other local bodiesevery month without anyhindrance, he said.

Errabelli greets peopleof state on Ugadi

PNS n NAGARKURNOOL

In spite of the police caution-ing the people, especially inthe villages, not to get trappedby designs of the cybercrimi-nals, a vegetable vendor ofAmbatipalli village in LingalaMandal, Jyoti, was relieved ofher hard-earned money of Rs20,000 by the fraudsters,according to delayed reportsreaching here.

Jyoti is a farmer and ekesout a living by selling vegeta-bles. Recently, she got aWhatsApp call on her phoneby some unknown personswho alerted and congratulat-ed her on winning Rs 25 lakhin a lottery. An elated Jyoticalled up the number provid-ed by the fraudsters, who

asked her to deposit Rs 20,000in a particular bank account toreceive the lottery amount inher bank account. She plead-ed her inability stating that shedid not have Rs 20,000 withher. They told her that herprize money is being sent toher through phone pay. Sheborrowed Rs 20,000 from heracquaintances to pay themoney. After three days, shetried to call up the numbergiven to her by the fraudstersonly to find that the phone wasswitched off. She realised thatshe was duped by the fraud-sters. She lodged a complaintwith the local police. Sub-Inspector Ravi Kumar saidthat a complaint has beenregistered and investigation ison.

Cyber criminals relievevillage lady Rs 20,000

PNS n WARANGAL

A student of PharmacyCollege in Warangal diedafter falling from the thirdfloor of the college hostelbuilding on Friday. Thepolice are investigating thecase from the angles todetermine the cause ofdeath.

The deceased was identi-fied as Rabihul Khan, a stu-dent of the ChaitanyaPharmacy College inWarangal. He was a native ofWest Bengal.

His friends immediatelyrushed him to the MGMHospital in Warangal, wherehe succumbed to injuries.The body was preserved inMGM hospital mortuary.

Mystery shroudsdeath ofpharmacy student

Tension in Kamareddy as BJP activistsprotest seeking allotment of 2BHK units

PNS n HYDERABAD

The Telangana Junior DoctorsAssociation (T-JUDA) on Fridaycondemned the suicide of DrArchana Sharma, a gynecologistwho was practicing inRajasthan."Another barbaric actagainst a doctor has come out,but this time it has crossed alllimits. We at T-JUDA and theentire medical fraternity con-demn this heinous incident andwe demand stringent, exemplaryaction against the culprits andalso demand immediate imple-mentation of a national law tosafeguard doctors, hoping thatthrough this we can deliver jus-tice to the dead doctor and herfamily. The nation has lost agood doctor. It would take a life-time for her family to overcomethis trauma," the JUDA state-ment said.Archana Sharma, adoctor practicing in Rajasthan'sDausa district, was bookedunder Section 302 of IPC afterone of her patients, a pregnantwoman, died due to childbirthcomplications.

Non-supply of fortified rice to TSanganwadis will be probed: Smriti Irani

T-JUDA calls for lawto protect doctors

K. VENKATESHWARLU

n HYDERABAD

The entry of former PCCchief Dharmapuri Srinivasinto the Congress has becomean unending drama.

It is learnt that a section ofleaders from Telangana hasbeen objecting to his entryinto the Congress ver ystrongly. However, someCongress leaders have sent aletter on Friday to AICC chiefSonia Gandhi urging her toinduct D. Srinivas into theparty.

The leaders said in the let-ter that they don't know whyDS had left the Congress butnow DS wants to join theCongress and serve the party.

They added that the lead-ers opposing DS' entry intothe Congress have no abilityto fight the TRS and the BJPand that they were touched bythe last speech delivered byDS on Thursday in the RajyaSabha in which DS praisedthe Congress leadership indi-cating his respect for SoniaGandhi's leadership.

The leaders requestedSonia to consider DS' requestfor joining the Congress.

They also mentioned in theletter that DS is in New Delhiawaiting Sonia Gandhi'sresponse. Meanwhile, SeniorCongress leader V.Hanumantha Rao went toNew Delhi on Friday as he gotan appointment with Sonia.VH missed the 2 pm flightand went to New Delhi on the4 pm flight.

Sonia had given VH anappointment at 5 pm onFriday. But he couldn't meetSonia on Friday as he hadmissed his flight.

Speaking to 'The Pioneer,'

VH said that he will stay inNew Delhi till April 4. VH hasgot an invitation from theAICC along with all TPCCPolitical Affairs CommitteeMembers and other leaders toattend the meeting on April 4with Sonia and Rahul.

VH and many other seniorCongress leaders didn't get aninvitation from the AICC toattend the meeting that washeld on March 30 in whichTelangana Congress leadershanded over a cheque forfunds collected during thedigital membership drive.

Congress leaders urge Sonia to induct D Srinivas

VH and many othersenior Congressleaders didn't get aninvitation from theAICC to attend themeeting that was heldon March 30 in whichTelangana Congressleaders handed over acheque for fundscollected during thedigital membershipdrive.

PNS n HYDERABAD

A day after theSuperintendent of MahatmaGandhi Memorial (MGM)Hospital was transferred fol-lowing a rat bite incident inthe ICU, a number of doctorsand doctors' associations areup in arms, alleging that thatthe doctors have been madescapegoat in the entireepisode.

Telangana GovernmentDoctors Association (TGDA)held an emergency executivecommittee meeting on Fridayand condemned the transferof the HospitalSuperintendent and termina-tion of contract doctors in theRICU. The association alsodemanded that the govern-ment cancel the transfer ofSuperintendent within 24hours and they threatenedagitation if its demand is notmet.

The TGDA said that themaintenance of sanitation inthe hospital is the responsibil-ity of the sanitary contractor

and hence strict action shouldbe taken against the contrac-tor. The association alsodemanded that the govern-ment form a committee tostudy the lacunae in infra-structure in MGM hospitaland other government hospi-tals to take necessary actionand promote better healthfacilities for the poor.

Dr Mahesh from theHealthcare Reforms Doctors

Association said 'The superin-tendent and other doctorshave been made scapegoats inthis. The shortage of staff isthe major issue. The nursingstaff should be in 1:5 ratio ingeneral wards and 1:1 in ICU,whereas in government hos-pitals the ratio is 1:10,' he said.The responsibility for theincident should be fixed onAgile Group, the agencywhich has been given the

contract. These agencieswould allocate only 3 to 4 per-sons. That was why theseincidents were happening, hesaid Dr Srinivas, advisor toTelangana JUDA said,'Transferring theSuperintendent is not theright move. The governmentshould recruit proper staff.The government should alsotake responsibility for theincident. The problem cannot

be solved just by removingone doctor.'

Dr Kiran Madala, HODCritical Care at GovernmentMedical College said, 'It is asystematic failure of the hos-pital and the governmentshould work towards correct-ing it. There are protocols tobe followed. They should havegiven a warning or a memo tothe Superintendent ratherthan transferring him.'

RAT BITE INCIDENT IN MGM HOSPITAL

Govt action against MGM doctors:Doctors’ associations up in armsTelangana Government Doctors Association held emergency meeting and threatened stir

Errabelli Dayakar visits MGM HospitalPNS n WARANGAL

Minister for Panchayat Rajand Rural DevelopmentErrabelli Dayakar Rao on

Friday expressed concern overthe shocking incident of ratbiting a patient in the RICU atthe MGM Hospital here onThursday. The government, hesaid, would take action againstthose responsible for theincident. He also said that theagency, which has beenappointed to take care of

sanitation, patients and securityat the hospital would be put onthe blacklist. Speaking to mediapersons, after inspecting thehospital, the Minister said thegovernment had alreadytransferred HospitalSuperintendent B Srinivas andsuspended two doctors, YakubNaik and Md Abeedi on a chargeof negligence. The patient,Kadarla Srinivas, who wasinjured in the rat bite, would beshifted to NIMS in Hyderabad,he said.

PNS n KAMAREDDY

Tension prevailed in the townon Friday with the BJP staginga protest in support of itsdemand for allotment of 2BHKhouses built at Rajiv Nagar areain the town to the beneficiaries.They raised slogans against thegovernment condemning thedelay in allotment of the hous-es to the beneficiaries.

The BJP activists protestedseveral times during the pasttwo months giving ultimatumto the government to allot thehouses by March 31. Theyurged the government toundertake repairs to the hous-es, provide water, power andprovide drainage facility.

Local BJP leaderKat ipa l l iVenkataramanaReddy gave the deadline to the

government. Otherwise, theBJP would resort to directaction of handing over the flatsto beneficiaries undertakingrepairs by it.

Led by VenkataramanaReddy, hundreds of BJPactivists reached Rajiv Nagar.However, police prevented theprotestors, who demanded thatthe District Collector intervene

in the matter. Braving hot sun,women staged a sit-in for overtwo and half hours.

The police arrested the pro-testers and whisked them awayin waiting police vans to thepolice station. The policeeffected the arrest of the BJPleaders and activists takingpart in Chalo Rajiv Nagar agi-tation.

BJP activists staging a protest in Karimnagar in support of the demand forallotment of double bedroom houses to beneficiaries, on Friday

PNS n NAGARKURNOOL

Prime Minister NarendraModi has said that sometimesour body will not cooperatewith us in remembering thelessons that we learn in class-room environment. Similarly,our mind also sometimes letus down.

He was replying to a ques-tion put by a student ofNagarkurnool district Anushawhy students fail to recallanswer to a question while inthe examination room in spiteof understanding well the les-son while the teacher wasexplaining it in the classroomand in spite of preparing wellfor the exams.

He addressed students fromTalkatora stadium in NewDelhi on Friday as part of hisPariksha pe charcha pro-gramme. He called upon stu-dents to treat examinations as

a festival since the exams arealmost held during the festivalperiods. He interacted with thestudents and made an attemptto dispel exam fear from theirminds.

Students of all high schoolsand colleges took part in thelive telecast of the Modi's lec-ture.

Continuing the answer,Modi said that sometimeswhen the teacher was busyteaching the class the mind ofthe student goes out of focusthinking about their house orfriends and other issues.Lessons that we hear in theclassroom with such a frameof mind are hard to recall.

He advised students to focustheir mind on topics of theirliking, but the topics that arehighly useful to students inspite of it is very difficult tofocus on them. Then only thestudents will achieve success,Modi explained.

PM clears student'sdoubt on examinations

Minister for Panchyat Raj at MGM Hospital in Warangal on Friday

Soon after

holding talks

with External

Affairs Minister S

Jaishankar, he

said Russia is

exploring ways

to bypass

impediments for

bilateral trade

with its allies

and partners.

nation 05HYDERABAD | SATURDAY | APRIL 2, 2022

IND

IA C

OR

NE

R

ALashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist was killed in an encounter with security forces in Shopiandistrict of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, police said. Based on a specific input generated bypolice regarding the presence of terrorists in Turkwangam area of Shopian, a cordon and

search operation was launched by security forces, a police spokesman said. As the search teamproceeded towards the suspected spot, the hiding terrorist fired indiscriminately upon them whichwas retaliated effectively leading to anencounter, he said. In the ensuingencounter, one terrorist was killed and hisbody was retrieved from the site of theencounter, the spokesman said. Heidentified the slain ultra as Muneeb AhmadSheikh, a resident of Tak Mohalla Shopian.Sheikh was affiliated with the LeT."According to police records, the killedterrorist was...part of groups involved inseveral terror crime cases includingattacks on police/security forces andcivilian atrocities,” the spokesman said.

LeT terrorist killed in encounter in J-K's Shopian

Taking a swipe at the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh, Congress leader PriyankaGandhi Vadra on Friday asked it to hold a "charcha (discussion)" on the paper leakand said "no bulldozer is targeting" the system involved in such acts. Her attack came

after the Uttar Pradesh secondary school board's Class 12 English exam was cancelled in24 districts on Wednesday following a question paper leak. "The BJP government shouldhave a 'charcha on paper leak' in UttarPradesh. "Last year, on November 28,lakhs of youth suffered a blow due tothe UPTET examination paper leak. Inthe name of action, nothing happenedexcept pretentious steps," PriyankaGandhi said. Till today, the youth ofUttar Pradesh do not know whichcorrupt system of the Uttar Pradeshgovernment had carried out the paperleak, the Congress general secretaryclaimed, adding the result of it wasanother paper leak.

BJP govt should hold 'charcha' on paperleak in UP: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra

Teaching regional languages to Army Public School students will put an unnecessary burdenon them as they have to frequently change cities because of the nature of the service of theirparents, Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt said on Friday. Army Public Schools (APS)

have been established to cater to education requirements for the wards of Indian Army Personnelwho hail from diverse backgrounds and regions of the country, he said in a written reply to aquestion in the Lok Sabha. "Unlike otherschools with students from theimmediate and extended locality, all 136Army Public Schools are enrolledprimarily with wards of Indian Armypersonnel, who have been transferred-infrom another location," he explained.Due to the nature of service, IndianArmy Personnel are transferredfrequently, at short notice, and mostly inthe middle of the academic calendar andat times in field locations away fromtheir families, the minister noted.

APS students frequently changecities, teaching regional languages

PNS n NEW DELHI

Russia has developed a systemto engage in trade in nationalcurrencies with countries likeIndia and efforts to move awayfrom the dollar-based pay-ment system will intensify,Russian Foreign MinisterSergey Lavrov said on Friday.

Soon after holding talkswith External Affairs MinisterS Jaishankar, he said Russia isexploring ways to bypassimpediments for bilateral tradewith its allies and partners.Lavrov said a rupee-roublepayment system for trade withIndia was put into place earli-

er and it could be strengthenedfurther. "More and more trans-actions will be done usingnational currencies and bypass-ing dollar-based system," hetold a select group of reporters.

Asked about India's plan tobuy discounted Russian oil,Lavrov said Moscow is ready toprovide anything that NewDelhi wants to buy.

The Russian ForeignMinister also complimentedIndia for its position on theUkraine crisis, saying it followsan independent foreign policy.He said Russia is committed tocontinue with India its cooper-ation in defence sector.

Russia to intensify efforts tobypass dollar-based system

PNS n NEW DELHI

A Parliamentary Committee hasasked the Mussoorie-based LalBahadur Shastri NationalAcademy of Administration(LBSNAA) to re-orient its train-ing programme to make youngcivil servants sensitive to theneeds of the public, especially themarginalised and the vulnerable.In its recent report, the panel rec-ommended LBSNAA shifts itsapproach from 'one-size-fits-alltraining' to 'need-based cus-tomized training'. It is of the viewthat training should be continuousand it should be tailored to theneeds of the individual, said thereport of department-relatedParliamentary StandingCommittee on Personnel, PublicGrievances, Law and Justice, ondemands for grants (2022-23)

pertaining to the Department ofPersonnel and Training. The cur-rent training programmes offeredat LBSNAA, especially at the mid-career level, are based on thepremise that all officers needtraining, that too, the same kindof training, it said. The commit-tee feels that this assumption isbasically flawed, stated the report

tabled in Parliament on March 24. Training needs vary from indi-

vidual to individual and therefore,the committee recommendsLBSNAA first assess the corecompetencies of the officer, thenperform a gap analysis, determinethe training needs and chalk outa training programme accord-ingly, it said.

PNS n BHUBANESWAR

Odisha Chief Minister NaveenPatnaik on Friday asked officialsto distribute 5 kilograms of riceper month free of cost to bene-ficiaries of the State FoodSecurity Scheme (SFSS) for thenext six months. While theCentre provides rice to the ben-eficiaries covered under theNational Food Security Act, thestate government has extendedit to 8.09 lakh people left out ofthe central scheme. The Odishagovernment provides rice at therate of Re 1 per kg under theSFSS. The state government hadearlier extended the benefit of 5kg of free rice for the beneficia-ries of SFSS from December 2021 to March 2022 after the Centre launched the PMGKAY during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PNS n NEW DELHI

The government on Fridayintroduced a bill in the LokSabha that seeks to extend theapplication of domestic laws toresearch stations set up by Indiain the Antarctic region.

The Indian Antarctic Billwas introduced in the LokSabha by Earth SciencesMinister Jitendra Singh amidobjections by Opposition tothe government enacting laws togovern the icy continent, whichthey contend was a "no man'sland." "The government nowwants to take bureaucracy toAntarctica as well," Trinamool

member Saugata Roy said,objecting to the introduction ofthe Bill. Congress leader AdhirRanjan Chowdhury said Indiadoes not even have its own polar

research vessel and has to hiresuch vessels for expeditions andsuch a law was "uncalled for".He also wondered how the billsought to apply Indian laws on

foreign citizens and demandedthat it be referred to a SelectCommittee. Roy also wonderedhow India can make a law for aterritory it does not own inAntarctica. BJP memberNishikant Dubey urged the pre-siding officer to overrule theobjections raised by Chowdhuryand Roy, contending thatParliament had powers to makelaws for implementation ofinternational treaties. Singh saidactivities in the Antarctic regionare governed by internationaltreaties that require domesticlaws to be extended to theresearch stations of respectivecountries to check unlawful

activities."If any unlawful activ-ity happens in the territoryoccupied by Indian researchstations, then how to check it. Inthe Antarctic Treaty, it wasmade mandatory for all 54countries (signatories) thatwhichever area is occupied byyour set up, you enforce yourcountry's law and in order tohonour that this bill has beenbrought," the minister said. Healso sought to allay apprehen-sions about increased bureau-cracy, saying only a law officerwould be appointed to ensurethat no unlawful activity takesplace in territories occupied byIndian research stations.

Bill to extend Indian laws to research stations

PNS n BALLIA (UP)

Eight more people, includingthe alleged mastermind in theClass 12 English exam ques-tion paper leak, were held onFriday, taking the total num-ber of arrests to 34, the UttarPradesh Police said.

The Uttar Pradesh schoolexamination board's Englishlanguage exam was cancelledin 24 districts on Wednesdayafter the paper was leaked,prompting Chief Minister YogiAdityanath to order stringentaction, including invoking theNational Security Act, againstthe culprits. Among the Friday

arrests, the alleged master-mind Mulayam Chauhan andthree of his accomplices werenabbed by the police in Nagraand four others by a team inSikandarpur.

Confirming the arrests,Deputy Superintendent ofPolice, Rasra, ShivnarayanVaishya said, "A team of Nagrapolice has arrested oneMulayam Chauhan, who issaid to be the mastermindbehind the English questionpaper leak. A total of sevenother suspects have beenarrested by our teams. Theywill be produced before amagistrate."

8 more arrested inUP paper leak case

Odisha to distribute5 kgs of rice topeople left out ofcentral scheme

Centre against quashing of quota in promotionPNS n NEW DELHI

The Centre has told theSupreme Court thatquashing of reservation inpromotion to SC/STemployees in governmentjobs may lead to “employ-ee unrest” and "multiplelitigations".

In an affidavit filedbefore a bench of JusticesL Nageswara Rao and B RGavai, the Centreinformed it that the poli-

cy for reservation is inconsonance with the con-stitution and the law laiddown by this court. "If thecase is not allowed, itwould necessitate with-drawal of the benefits ofreservation in promotiongranted to SC/ST employ-ees. This may lead toreversions of SC and STemployees, re-fixation oftheir salaries including re-fixation of pension ofmany employees who may

have retired in the mean-time, recovery of excesssalaries/pension so paid tothem. This would lead tomultiple litigations andemployee unrest,” theCentre said. Defending itspolicy, the Union of Indiastated that representationof SCs/STs in govern-ment jobs is inadequateand contended that grantof reservation does not inany manner hamper theadministration.

PNS n NEW DELHI

The Supreme Court Fridayrejected a plea by theMaharashtra government chal-lenging an order of theBombay High Court whichdismissed its petitions forforming an SIT to probe thecorruption case against formerhome minister AnilDeshmukh.

A bench of Justices S K Kauland M M Sundresh dismissedthe plea filed against the highcourt order dated December15, 2021.

"It is complete red herring…I thought the state will seesome sense. But, these are dif-ferent nature of battles. Sorry,dismissed," the bench said. Atthe outset, senior advocate CA Sundaram, appearing for theMaharashtra government, sub-mitted that the current CBIdirector was the former DGPof Maharashtra and part of thePolice Establishment Boardwhich oversaw the transferand postings. He said how canthe CBI investigate its ownconduct. "The present director

of CBI at relevant time was theChairman of the establish-ment board responsible fortransfer. He will either be pos-sibly an accused or definitelya witness. I am not going intolikelihood of bias, a personwho is relevant as a witness oran accused, he was directlyinvolved.

"My only submission is thatif this is the situation that hasarisen your lordship may con-stitute a SIT or whoever toinvestigate the matter. It sure-ly cannot be that a person whois responsible for actions com-

plained about in FIR, be theperson to conduct investiga-tion regarding that," Sundaramsaid.

On March 24, the apex courthad transferred to the CBI theinvestigation in multiple casesagainst former Mumbai policecommissioner Param Bir Singhover allegations of miscon-duct and corruption saying "avery murky affair is going onamid echelons of power".

It had said a thorough inves-tigation is required to regainthe faith of people in the statepolice. "The exigencies in theadvancement of principles ofjustice require the investigationto be transferred to CBI. Weare not saying appellant(Singh) is a whistle-blower oranyone involved in this case iswashed with milk," the topcourt had said.

The High Court had inDecember last year dismissedMaharashtra government'spetitions for forming an SIT toprobe the corruption caseagainst Deshmukh on theground that CBI's investigationwas not impartial.

SC rejects Maha govt's plea forSIT to probe corruption case

PNS n TUMAKURU

The Narendra Modi-led gov-ernment is treading on thepath shown by the lateShivakumara Swamiji ofSiddaganga Mutt here byimplementing 'TrividhaDasoha' (three-pronged com-mensality) offering free food,education and shelter, UnionMinister for Home andCooperation Amit Shah saidon Friday.

Hailing the services of thepontiff, who passed away in2019 at the age of 111 afterserving the Lingayat Mutt for88 years, Shah said feeding10,000 children everyday,imparting free education tothem and giving them sheltercould be achieved by a 'KarmaYogi', which the Swamiji was.The pontiff implemented thepreaching of 12th centurysocial reformer Basaveshwaraon ground and turned theMutt into a centre for elevat-ing people, Shah said whileparticipating in the 115thbirth anniversary of Shivakumara Swamiji. "No one inthis Mutt goes hungry.Everyday 10,000 children fromevery section of the society getfood, education and shelter,"the Home Minister noted."The BJP government led byPrime Minister NarendraModi at the Centre has imple-

mented the principles ofShivakumara Swamiji onground. We are giving five kgrice, given a new dimension toeducation through the newNational Education Policywhere anyone can get techni-cal and medical education intheir own language and gaveroof to three crore people inseven years," Shah said. Healso said that during theCOVID-19 pandemic, 80 crorepeople were given free meals.

PNS n NEW DELHI

Prime Minister Narendra Modion Friday urged society to treatsons and daughters withoutany differentiation and givethem an equal opportunity,asserting that if a society slipsin recognising girls' abilitiesthen it can never progress.Modi made these remarks whileanswering a question in aninteraction with students dur-ing "Pariksha Pe Charcha", andnoted that things have nowchanged from a time whendiscrimination between boysand girls was perceptible. Girlsare estimated to outnumberboys among new students, hesaid, adding that every Indiancan now be proud of the spiritand aspirations of girls. "Now,girls have become a big assetand strength for every family.The more this change occurs,the better it is," he said.

If society slips inrecognising abilitiesof girls, it can neverprogress: PM Modi

PNS n NEW DELHI

Congress president SoniaGandhi will chair a meetingof the Parliamentary Party onApril 5 to discuss the currentpolitical situation, strategyin both Houses of Parliamentand the way forward. AllCongress parliamentariansin the Lok Sabha as well asthe Rajya Sabha will attendthe meeting in the central hallof Parliament on Tuesday,sources said.

Cong Parliamentary

Party meeting on April 5

Re-orient training programmefor young civil servants: Panel

TRADE IN NATIONAL CURRENCIES WITH COUNTRIES LIKE INDIA

ANTARCTIC REGION

Govt led by Modi implementingShivakumara Swamiji's teachings

"No one in this Muttgoes hungry.Everyday 10,000children from everysection of thesociety get food,education andshelter," the HomeMinister noted.

COVID-19 is very much outthere. We have to be responsibleand careful.

Actor— Shruti Haasan

violence on a massive scalethat shook Bangladesh.

The United States andother western countries,which had become extreme-ly uneasy since the late 1990sover the medieval, retrogres-sive polices of the TalibanGovernment in Afghanistan,and the al-Qaeda’s terroriststrikes against the US andother western countries,pressed hard on Begum Zia’sGovernment to act. More seri-ous efforts followed the ascentto power of the second AwamiLeague-led Government, withSheikh Hasina as PrimeMinister, in 2009. The resul-tant measures caused somesubsidence in lawlessness,and the terrorist organisationsto go underground.

Two terrorist organisa-tions that rose to salience intheir place and made theirexistence known are Ansar-alIslam, earlier known asAnsarullah Bangla Team,affiliated to Al Qaeda in theIndian Subcontinent (AQIS),and Daesh affiliated to theparent Islamic State in Iraqand Syria (ISIS). They haveplayed a major role in themurder of bloggers, whichbegan with the killing ofAhmed Rajib Haider inDhaka on February 15, 2013.

The attacks on bloggers

followed a series of develop-ments that began with anamendment of theInternational Crimes(Tribunals) Act of 1973 enact-ed for investigation into theactivities — and prosecution of— persons guilty of genocide,crimes against humanity, warcrimes and crimes under inter-national law, during theLiberation War. The Act wasamended in 2009 and twoInternational Crimes Tribunalswere established in 2010 and2012 respectively to try warcriminals and collaborators.Jama’at and allied organisa-tions, whose leaders had col-laborated with the Pakistanisand perpetrated unspeakableatrocities themselves, spranginto violent opposition whichgrew in spread and intensity assentences were announced.

Others, however, felt thatthe sentences were not harshenough. Matters came to ahead when Abdul QuaderMollah, assistant secretary,Jama’at, was sentenced to lifeimprisonment on February 5,2013, on six counts of crimesagainst humanity. While theJama’at reacted violently, large-scale protests broke outdemanding the death sentenceto Mollah and others convict-ed of war crimes. Raising thesedemands, thousands of people,

a majority of them studentsand youth, began collecting atDhaka’s Shahbag intersection.The gathering became massiveand the movement spread toother parts of Bangladesh.Finally, Bangladesh’s SupremeCourt overturned the verdictand sentenced Mollah to death.He was hanged in a Dhaka jailon December 12, 2013.

Opponents of the warcrimes trials responded withmurder. As seen above,machete-wielding activists ofthe Ansarullah Bangla Team(subsequently Ansar-al Islam),killed blogger Ahmed RajibHaider, who had been activein the Shahbag gathering, inDhaka on February 15, 2013.Other killings followed. Thosemurdered included not onlybloggers but LGBT activists,Shias, Hindus academics —indeed, all opposed to reli-gious bigotry and supportiveof humanism, secularism andrationalism. Professor Ali Riazwrote in ‘Bangladesh: IslamistMilitancy, Democracy Deficitand Where to Next?’ in AlJazeera (June 28, 2016), “Atleast 49 people have beenkilled in the last 17 months.”The objective was simple — tocreate a climate of terror inwhich nobody would speakout against the warped world-view of fundamentalist terror-ists and allied organisations.

Resolute counter-terroristoperations, galvanised by thedastardly attack on the HoleyArtisan Bakery in Dhaka onJuly 1, 2016, in which 20 per-sons, including 18 foreignersand women, were savagelykilled along with five terroristskilled by Bangladeshi Armycommandos, have caused theviolence to ebb. Nevertheless,it continues — the anti-Hinduriots from October 13 to 19last year, during which atleast 11 persons, includingseven Hindus, were killed, wasclearly the work of Islamistterrorist organisations. SheikhHasina’s Government, whichtook stern action, needs to bevigilant.

(The author is ConsultingEditor, The Pioneer. The viewsexpressed are personal.)

ROUGH DAYS FOR THE AIADMKSir — This has reference to ‘The goldenjubilee pangs of AIADMK’ (March 31).Thecharismatic and yet ruthless bonded sub-servience enforced relentlessly byJayalalithaa over her cadre during herundisputed reign had left a torn legacy.Amma had controlled the party’s funds,every single MLA /office bearer, executivepower as well as the public sentiment. Sansa demarcation between party and the exec-utive and in a bid to usurp the sceptre, thethree emergent heirs Sasikala, EPS andOPS had fallen out among themselves. Theabsence of the dynasty of Amma is nowseen to underscore its much-debatedutility in Indian politics.

And the current goings-on in theAIADMK have been posing a Catch-22situation for its three factions. Sasikala’sincarceration did provide the party anopportunity to bifurcate the party andexecutive functions for a while. But thisdétente ended with the return of Sasikalato active politics. And all this time, the rivalDMK marshalled its resources,smoothened its own internal rifts andswept away the State in the last electionand its subsequent triumph in local bodyelections has left the AIADMK dispirited.

R Narayanan | Navi Mumbai

WELCOME MOVE TO RELAX AFSPASir — It’s good news for the North-Eastwhen the Government announced reduc-tion of disturbed areas under the con-tentious AFSPA in Assam, Nagaland andManipur from April 1, a decision wel-comed by the political leadership of thethree States but greeted with cautious opti-mism by others, who wanted the dracon-ian law to be repealed in entirety. It is tobe noted that reduction in areas underAFSPA is the result of the improved secu-rity situation and fast-tracked developmentand also several agreements were signedwith militant groups to end insurgency.

As we are aware, AFSPA has been inforce for decades in the three northeast-ern States to assist the armed forces oper-ating there to tackle insurgency as the Actempowers security forces to conduct

operations and arrest anyone without awarrant besides giving immunity fromarrest and prosecution to the security per-sonnel even if they shoot someone dead.Manipur’s human rights activist IromChanu Sharmila waged the most remark-able fight against the law with her 16-yearhunger strike before giving up her peace-ful resistance on August 9, 2016. The dis-turbed area notification under AFSPA wascompletely removed from Tripura in2015 and Meghalaya in 2018.

Yash Pal Ralhan | Jalandhar

AUTISM AWARENESS DAY TODAYSir —The convention on Rights of Personswith Disabilities has specially looked intomany crippling human disabilities anddeformities so that our brothers and sis-ters can integrate themselves into themainstream and pro-actively participatein deliberations. In addition to technolo-gy, education and employment play majorparts in securing the people with physi-cal and mental disabilities. A developmen-tal disorder that it is, a person with autism

tends to withdraw into a shell due toimpaired ability to communicate with thesurroundings. Also termed AutismSpectrum Disorder (ASD), speech andnon-verbal interaction is seriously ham-pered in autism, compelling the affectedperson to go through repetitive behaviour.

Diagnosable as early as one year, prop-er scientific intervention can mitigate thedevelopmental problems to a large extent.The wide spectrum of autism also meansan individual can live with the twoextremes — seriously challenged or per-fectly normal. The puzzling ways ofautism, which often goes undetected tilllater life, have made the disorder a pro-fessional challenge. There are specific mile-stones in a child’s developmental curve,and parents should know what to expectof their little ones at the appropriate stages.The aim of professionals is to improve thechild’s quality of life.

Ganapathi Bhat | Akola

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

www.dailypioneer.comfacebook.com/dailypioneer | @TheDailyPioneer | instagram.com/dailypioneer/

HYDERABAD | SATURDAY | APRIL 2, 2022

06

Send yyour ffeedback tto:letterstopioneer@gmail.com

The Sheikh Hasina Government has largely been successful in bringingthe culprits to book but the threats of violence are far from over

THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, A

MAJORITY OF THEMSTUDENTS ANDYOUTH, BEGAN

COLLECTING ATDHAKA’S SHAHBAG

INTERSECTION. THE GATHERING

BECAME MASSIVEAND THE

MOVEMENTSPREAD TO

OTHER PARTS OF BANGLADESH

LETTERS TO TTHE EDITOR

HIRANMAY KARLEKAR

Ironically, Pakistanis have inured themselvesto military rule, given the fact that evendemocratically elected Governments are

arbitrarily taken over by military Generals atthe drop of a hat. Cricketer-turned-politicianand Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khanfaces the same dilemma; it is yet anotherinstance of the military shenanigans as a cou-ple of allies, including the Muttahida QaumiMovement (MQM) and the Pakistan People’sParty (PPP) in the Imran Khan-led Tehreek-e-Insaaf Party Government have not only with-drawn their support to the Government but

also shifted allegiance to the Oppositiongrouping, effectively making Imran face theno-confidence motion in the NationalAssembly. Simultaneously, Pak Army chiefQamar Javed Bajwa also harbours grudgeagainst Imran over the ISI chief’s appointment.

However, the Pakistan PM has refusedto buckle under the gratuitous duress anddecided instead to “play till the last ball” likethe bold cricketer that he has been. In hisaddress on the no-confidence motion, Imranbared his heart out in calling PML(N) chiefShehbaz Sharif, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhuttoand PDM president Maulana Fazlur Reman“the three stooges playing in the hands of for-eign powers”. The world powers are eager-ly awaiting the developments taking place inPakistan. On the face of it, the sword ofDamocles is hanging on Imran’s head.Whether or not he survives, the no-confidencemotion and time will tell! Let’s wait and watch.

Azhar A Khan | Rampur

Imran on a sticky wicket

Bangladesh still inthroes of terrorism

The Sylhet Anti-Terrorism SpecialTribunal sentenced fourpersons to death for

killing writer-blogger AnantaBijoy Das, in Sylhet, Bangladesh,on May 12, 2015. Of the four —Abul Khaer Rashid Ahmed,Abul Hossain alias AbulHussain, Haranur Rashid andFaisal Ahmed — Abul Khaer isin custody. The rest are abscond-ing. The judgment is significant.It focuses on the violent chal-lenge that extremist Islamistterrorist organisations pose toBangladesh and its secular,democratic humanist civil soci-ety, including bloggers who areoften atheists decrying religion.

Militant fundamentalistIslamist parties like the Jama’at-e-Islami Bangladesh (Jama’at)and associated organisations likeRazakars, al-Badr and al-Shams,which collaborated with, andparticipated in, the horrific atroc-ities perpetrated by the PakistaniArmy during the 1971 LiberationWar, crawled into the woodwork,as some of their leaders fledabroad, after Bangladesh’s liber-ation on December 16, 1971.They resurfaced following SheikhMujibur Rahman’s assassinationon August 15, 1975, and wereactively promoted by the regimesof the two military dictators,Generals-turned-President Zia-ur Rahman and HM Ershad, andthe pseudo-civilian Governmentswhich wielded power periodical-ly, that followed. The supportcontinued under the twoGovernments headed by PrimeMinister Khaleda Zia (1991-96and 2001-06) — the second incoalition with the Jama’at.

The elements clusteredaround the Jama’at and alliedorganisations received a boostfrom the Mujahideen’s victoryover Soviet forces occupyingAfghanistan (December 27,1979 to February 15, 1989) andthe victory of the Taliban, whichwas formed in 1994 and came torule almost the whole ofAfghanistan from September1997. Organisations like theHarkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami-Bangladesh (HUJIB), Jama’at-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB)and Jagrata Muslim JanataBangladesh (JMJB) unleashed

Now, this is as spooky as it gets. Within hours of each other, we were confrontedwith two confounding news items, both related to the health and well-being ofIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart, Imran Khan.

The pieces of dark news sent shockwaves not only through the Indian subcontinent butacross the world. Understandably, Indian security agencies went into a tizzy after theMumbai branch of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) received an anonymous e-mail threatening to “bombard” Narendra Modi and “kill more than 20 million (Indian)

people”. The email’s author, who claimed thatthe plan was ready and just waiting to be putinto action, purportedly said that he wouldcommit suicide so that the conspiracy couldnot be exposed. There’s already hush-hushtalk of at least 20 sleeper cells — who aresaid to be in the possession of 20kg RDX —having been activated since February 28 forthe ‘job’. This is not the first time the secu-rity apparatus has received mail threatening

to eliminate Modi. In 2020, the NIA had received a three-word email that issued a directthreat to the PM, stating “Kill Narendra Modi”. In 2018, too, a plot to assassinate thePrime Minister in a “Rajiv Gandhi-type” attack was revealed in a letter to the Pune Police.

Meanwhile, India’s “independent foreign policy” came in for some fulsome praiseby none other than the embattled Pakistan Premier who said the country is “look-ing for its best interests”, referring to India’s move to buy Russian crude at sub-sidised rates as the energy market suffers due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. However,hours earlier, Pakistan’s Information Minister Fawad Chaudhary said their securi-ty agencies have reported a ‘plot’ to carry out Imran’s assassination. Interestingly,this development comes just a day after the Pakistan Prime Minister said that aforeign nation had sent a message that he needs “to be removed” or Pakistan willsuffer consequences, lending credence to claims that there was a conspiracy toassassinate the Pakistani Premier over his refusal to “sell the country”. A no-con-fidence vote against Imran’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Government is scheduledin the National Assembly for April 3. A few leaders of both the countries have alreadybeen assassinated, so there’s an urgent need to bring to book troublemakers whoplan to disrupt peace on the subcontinent.

New Delhi sees through the blow-hot-blow-cold posturing of the West over its standon Russia. That the posturing continues and takes on patronising tones is irk-some. India’s stand is consistent and reflects three things: Primacy to national

interest, concern for disrespect of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and honouring longstand-ing relationships with all. It is in neither camp — the West’s or Russia’s. It does notsupport war and calls for resolving the crisis through dialogue. India’s Prime Ministerhas had conversations with all dramatis personae in l’affaire Ukraine. And yes, it is inIndia’s national interest to buy discounted fuel from Russia. And yet, the West is play-ing bad-cop-good-cop with India. March began with US President Joe Biden using theword “shaky” to describe India’s position on Russia. Last week, it was US Under-Secretaryof State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland telling India that it is important to the USthat India joins it in re-evaluating “where we are with Russia” and “it’s important thatwe do it together”. Now it is Deputy NSA for International Economics Daleep Singhsaying there are “consequences” to countries that actively “attempt to circumvent orbackfill the sanctions”. However, in Washington, State Department spokesperson Ned

Price is singing a different tune. He admits that coun-tries have “their own relationship with the RussianFederation”. It is a fact of geography and that “is notsomething that we are seeking to change”. The USis only interested in seeing that “the international com-munity is speaking in unison”, he insists.

On the rupee-rouble trade, Price’s reply was price-less: “That is all well and good. We understand that.”India finally seems to have decided to call a spade aspade, understandably because this one-sided diplo-matic sparring is neither positive nor reassuring. ForeignMinister S Jaishankar told visiting UK Foreign

Secretary Liz Truss that India is watching for some time “what looks almost like a cam-paign on this issue” — with reference to India buying discounted Russian oil. He mincesno words pointing out that Europeans are among the biggest buyers of Russian gaswhile India’s purchases are minimal. The message India seems to have conveyed iswhy single out India when Europe is doing the same thing. The fact is that it is the USand Europe that are caught on the wrong foot over Russian gas. Sanctions have impact-ed domestic gas prices in the US (which faces midterm elections shortly). The US isreleasing a million barrels of oil daily to fight the spikes and domestic inflation. In Europe,Germany cannot wean away from Russian gas, sanctions or no sanctions. Russia isthreatening to cut off gas supply if European buyers do not pay in roubles. Germany,in turn, is thinking of rationing gas supply internally. Technical difficulties stop the USfrom replacing Russia as the supplier. And the UK is thinking of permitting frackingagain. So, the problems clearly lie elsewhere, not with India.

Oil slick

Need for cautionBaffling as it sounds, the PMs of India andPakistan have been threatened hours apart

PICTALK

The Pamban railway bridge during its inspection by the railway officers, in Ramanathapuram PTI

India defends its decision of doing

business with Russia in self-interest

Our Govt hasdecided to withdraw all cases filed for violation of thelockdown order.

Maharashtra Home Minister— Dilip Walse Patil

I feel more prepared…sothere’s moreexcitement andsatisfaction.

WTA World No. 1— Iga Swiatek

SOUNDBITE

We doubtRussia’s seriousness.There’s what itsays and there’swhat it does.

US Secretary of State— Antony Blinken

We must accelerate ourefforts to boostintra BIMSTECtrade.

External Affairs Minister— S Jaishankar

ed in the BJP manifesto and target-ted at fostering socioeconomicgrowth across the regions and to gen-erate job and self-employmentopportunities.

The estimated financial outgo ofover ̀ 50,000 crore, although spreadover coming financial years, has tobe seen in the context of the UP bud-get size and the plethora of financiallimitations and constraints thereon.

On December 16, 2021, theYogi Government 1.0 had tabled anInterim Budget for UP of more than`5.45 trillion for 2022-23 financialyear since UP polls were thenapproaching. An Interim Budget ismeant to ensure that ongoing devel-opment projects as also sundry gov-ernment expenditure are adequate-ly met during elections - when themodel code of conduct is in force -and also during later days, when anew government is taking shape.

Now, Yogi cabinet 2.0 will pre-sent a Full Budget in the comingmonths. The full-fledged annualfinancial statement would include theroadmap of raising the financialresources to translate the manifestovision on the ground. In the UPInterim Budget, the Yogi government1.0 had sought grants, through voteon account, for just `1.68 trillioneffective for the first four months(Apr-July) of 2022-23. This wasestimated to garner sufficient fundsfrom the consolidation funds for thenew Government before a FullBudget could be tabled in the house.

According to the InterimBudget, the capital and revenueexpenditure were pegged at near-ly `1.31 trillion and `4.14 trillionrespectively. The Budget had esti-mated total receipts of a little lessthan Rs 5.45 trillion, including cap-ital and revenue receipts.

The projected revenue receiptsof ̀ 4.53 trillion included more than

`2 trillion of the State’s own tax col-lection apart from ̀ 1.26 trillion as itsshare in central taxes. Besides, non-tax revenue and central schemesupport kitty was calculated at morethan `23,400 crore and `95,000crore respectively. Although, onpaper, the State appears to be in a fair-ly comfortable financial position, yetthe government has already beenrunning a slew of flagship infra pro-jects, including expressways, as wellas public welfare schemes, includingfree ration etc that eats away amajor portion of the revenues.

The UP Interim Budget had esti-

mated almost ̀ 90,000 crore of cred-it line from different sources during2022-23. The public debt has to bekept under check apart from provi-sioning for current debt servicing.

The surging oil prices followingthe Russia-Ukraine war and the pan-demic hit economic recovery are twomajor areas of concerns for anyGovernment. Hence, theGovernment would need a dexter-ous planning on the budgetary frontwith adequate provisions put inplace to swiftly adjust its receipts andexpenditure equation in unforeseenexigent situations.

Yogi must plan wellto fulfil promises

WE FEEL THAT BOTH SIDES HAVE LEGITIMATE

CONCERNS… BUT THE DELEGATIONS MUST PUT

AN END TO THIS TRAGEDY.

— TURKISH PRESIDENT

RECEP ERDOGAN

THE RUSSIAN SIEGE IS A CRIME AGAINST

HUMANITY, WHICH IS HAPPENING IN

FRONT OF THE WHOLE PLANET.

— UKRAINE PRESIDENT

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY

The UP elections were no different with regard to the populism template butthe freebies can cost the Yogi 2.0 Government upwards of `50,000 crore

Chances of the Ukrainecrisis serving as Washington’s trumpcardleading to diplomatic isolation of Russia are extremely limited.Similarly, escalation of the crisis is least likely to help Russia emerge

as a master strategist. If India and Pakistan can agree to disagree onseveral controversial issues and display wise nuclear diplomacy, whatails major nuclear powers - US and Russia — from exercising nucleardiplomacy without using Ukraine as a pawn? Yes, India and Pakistanhave been fairly controversial as permanent enemies. There are issues,particularly Kashmir, they are least likely to ever agree upon. Not sur-prisingly, when they chose to pursue their respective nuclear prolifer-ation drives, United States and American media in general opposed themstrongly. The United States was acutely apprehensive of India and Pakistantaking to MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction) path by pursuing nuclear

proliferation drive. US failed to secure both India and Pakistan’s signa-ture to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). It may be noted thatPakistan stayed away from being a signatory to NPT on the ground thatIndia was not inking it. India and Pakistan are certainly well-versed athurling verbal missiles at each other, a trait frequently indulged in aspart of their respective national electoral campaigns. Certainly, region-al history is not devoid of bilateral conflicts they have actually indulgedin and/or have been at the verge of resorting to. What stands out sig-nificantly is that nuclear diplomacy has restrained the two from beingengaged in actual conflict.

The highlight of this diplomacy was the six-point accord reachedbetween the then Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and PakistaniPresident Zia-ul-Haq in December 1985, during latter’s visit to Delhi. Itwas inked during Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Islamabad in December1988. The two countries agreed in principle not to attack each other’snuclear installations. The agreement came into force on 27 January 1991.Under the agreement, the two countries, on first January of every cal-endar year, are to inform each other of Nuclear Installations and Facilitiesto be covered by the agreement. The first such exchange of lists tookplace on January 1, 1992. This year marked the 31st “consecutiveexchange” of such lists. True, the same thirty-one years have witnessedtensed Indo-Pak ties over Kargil “war” in 1999 and Mumbai terror strikes(November 2008). They did not however reach the stage of any openconflict. Indo-Pak nuclear diplomacy, resting on their bilateral under-standing of nuclear deterrence defies fears raised earlier about theirnuclear-status leading to MAD in South Asia. Russia cannot be sparedcriticism for its moves against Ukraine. Neither can these be justifiedby citing incidents of American indulgence in more aggressive movesin name of Arab Spring and its Afghanistan policy.

Diplomatically speaking, importance of a superpower’s role shouldrest in limiting escalation of bilateral, multilateral and other differencesto stage of any crisis. As the sole superpower, the US is expected todisplay greater diplomatic wisdom. United States is apparently moreconcerned about ensuring decrease in power and strength of Russiaas well as that of its key ally China. Language used by Washington aswell as American media appears to be more focused on hurling diplo-matic missiles at Russia and its leaders. United States is certainly tar-geting Russia with probable purpose of securing Kremlin’s diplomaticisolation and strengthening its own diplomatic stature. Prospects of thisdecreasing suffering of Ukrainians are virtually non-existent. Russia hasnot yet lost diplomatic support of its allies. Till Ukraine-crisis lasts, theUkrainediplomacy cannot be viewed as a success. If India and Pakistancan wisely exercise nuclear diplomacy, why can’t United States andRussia display greater diplomatic wisdom regarding Ukrainecrisis?

(The writer is a senior journalist. The views expressed are personal.)

HYDERABAD | SATURDAY | APRIL 2, 2022

07

www.dailypioneer.com facebook.com/dailypioneer | @TheDailyPioneer | instagram.com/dailypioneer/

FIRSTCOLUMNTHE UKRAINE CRISIS &NUCLEAR DIPLOMACY

POINTCOUNTERPOINT

VIRENDRA SINGHRAWAT

As the sole superpower, the US is expected to display greater diplomatic wisdom

ALTHOUGH ONPAPER, THE

STATE APPEARSTO BE IN A

FAIRLYCOMFORTABLE

FINANCIALPOSITION,

YET THEGOVERNMENTHAS ALREADY

BEEN RUNNING A SLEW OF

FLAGSHIP INFRAPROJECTS,INCLUDING

EXPRESSWAYS,AS WELL AS

PUBLIC WELFARESCHEMES,

INCLUDING FREERATION ETC

THAT EATS AWAYA MAJOR

PORTION OF THE REVENUES

(The writer is aLucknow-based financialand political journalist.

The views expressed are personal.)

Russian President VladimirPutin may not be able tosave himself, but he may

already have saved anotherdespot, Hungary’s PrimeMinister Viktor Orbán. There’san election in Hungary nextSunday, and it looks like Orbánmay actually win it. A monthago he was trailing the opposi-tion badly, but then Russiainvaded Ukraine.

Hungary is one of the new-model ‘soft’ dictatorships thatlook like democracies to theaverage passer-by. After all,there are no secret police, youcan criticise the governmentpublicly, and they actually countall the votes in the elections.Sometimes they find a few extravotes as well, but Orbán reallyhas won three more or less fairelections in a row.

Yet he actually is a dictator

(‘The Viktator’, some peoplecall him) despite the free elec-tions. They don’t need to berigged in advance, becauseOrbán controls almost all themedia that the voters get theirinformation from. And he does-n’t even need to win a majorityof the votes, because the electiondistricts are gerrymandered inhis favour.

He eliminated the ‘liberal’media by making them unprof-itable (no government advertis-ing, expensive lawsuits, etc.), andthen getting rich friends to buythem up at bargain prices andsing his praises in them. Over90% of the Hungarian media arepro-Orbán, although there is noformal censorship.

Orbán’s greatest success wasextending citizenship to over amillion ethnic Hungarians wholive as minorities in surround-

ing countries - and also givingthem access to generousHungarian social benefits. Theymay never have been toHungary, but they make upone-tenth of the electorate, theytake the money - and 95% ofthem vote for Fidesz.

In the media, there is aceaseless torrent of hate propa-ganda against minorities (Jews,Roma, and gays) and especiallyimmigrants. For a dozen yearsthe country has been told that

Fidesz is their only defenceagainst an Islamised Hungarywhere real Hungarians would bean oppressed minority, althoughno sane Muslim would ever vol-untarily choose to live there.

A depressingly large num-ber of Hungarians, mostly older,poorly educated or rural,believed the whole package, butOrbán’s victories also dependedon the fact that the oppositionparties were chronically at warwith one another. This time he

was in serious trouble, becauseall six of them had managed tocome together and back thesame candidate.

They couldn’t agree onmuch else, so the challenger theychose was a rather colourlesscentre-right politician calledPéter Márki-Zay. Nevertheless,enough people were fed up withthe cronyism and the lies that bya month ago Fidesz and theopposition alliance were run-ning neck-and-neck. And thenRussia invaded Ukraine.

That should have been a dis-aster for Orbán, who rivalsDonald Trump in his fanboyadulation of Putin. He evenhad to slam into reverse gear andlet 450,000 Ukrainian refugeesinto the country. That’s only afifth as many as Poland hastaken, but it’s thirty times asmany as the United Kingdom

has accepted so he’s safely in themiddle of the European pack.

He was just as quick inswitching his foreign policynarrative. Instead of holdingoff the Muslim hordes, now hewas keeping Hungary out of thewar in Ukraine. “The oppositionhas lost its mind,” he said in rallyon 15 March.

“They would walk into acruel, bloody and protracted warand they want to sendHungarian troops and guns tothe front-line. We can’t let thishappen. Not a single Hungariancan get caught between theUkrainian anvil and the Russianhammer.”

It’s all nonsense, of course.The opposition coalition neversaid any such thing, andHungary is a member of theNATO alliance, which constant-ly declares that under no cir-

cumstances will it get directlyinvolved in the war in Ukraine.Hungary couldn’t send troopsinto Ukraine even if it wanted to.

But it worked. By mid-March Fidesz was leading theopposition alliance by a clear 8%,although more recent polls haveshown Orbán’s lead narrowing.For a people with a reputationfor being clever, even cunning -‘ the only people who can go intoa revolving door behind you,and come out of it in front ofyou’ - Hungarians are embar-rassingly naive.

Could this be a clue to whysome countries get seduced bythese manipulative would-beautocrats while others do not?Are Americans more naive thanthe Canadians? Are Russiansmore easily fooled thanUkrainians? Food for thought,but I’ve said enough.

Can the Opposition unite in time to defeat Victor Orban?

Hungary elections: Fooled again?

(Gwynne Dyer’s new book is ‘The Shortest History

of War’. The views expressed are personal.)

GWYNNE DYER

NILOFAR SUHRAWARDY Populism is a global phenomenon,especially in democratic countries;and it gets disproportionately ampli-fied during elections. By definition,

populism could be summed up as cateringto the basic needs and aspirations of thecommon people. It is characterised withpublic announcements even if it means giv-ing scant attention to the underlying fiscalprudence or economic viability. Nonetheless,populism entails a cost. The schemes andprojects drafted in populist rhetoric couldbe made possible only through adequatefunding and planning.

The 2022 Uttar Pradesh assembly elec-tions were no different with regards to thetime-tested populism template. In India,populist announcements are known tohave played a key role in determining pollingoutcomes. The electorate are believed togravitate to a political party which makessuperlative and fancy pre-poll promises.

Now that Yogi Adityanath 2.0Government has re-taken the reins of UP, thetough task of walking the tightrope betweenfiscal mathematics and populist waitlist hasbefallen the monk chief minister.

By doing simple calculations based onthe 2022 UP manifesto of the rulingBharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or ‘Lok KalyanSankalp Patra’, it is evident that the newGovernment would require a substantialbudgetary allocation of more than ̀ 50,000crore to fulfill its string of populist announce-ments and sops. Interestingly, the opposi-tion parties especially the Samajwadi Party(SP) and Congress had also promised themoon to the UP voters. However, their defeatat the hustings saved them from the com-plexities of drawing up an action plan to ful-fill the respective election plank.

Meanwhile, the schemes included in theBJP manifesto pertained to all key sectorsviz. agriculture, social security, dairy, sug-arcane, infrastructure, skill development,employment etc. The estimated expenditureon these heads would be in addition to thecommon public welfare programmes beingrun by the state Government.

Sample this: The BJP, in its manifesto,had promised to pump in Rs 25,000 crorein developing a robust network of cold chainand warehouses for the grading of majorhorticultural crops so that farmers getremunerative prices. The scheme would beknown as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Agri-infrastructure Mission. Similarly, `10,000crore will be spent on another mega infrascheme, while nearly ̀ 5,000 crore would bespent on facilitating farm irrigation.

To further sweeten the deal, the saffronoutfit had promised to undertake a massive`5,000 crore modernisation scheme toupgrade the state sugar mills. This is aimedat enriching the UP sugar value chain giventhe fact that more than 4 million farm house-holds are directly associated with the sug-arcane farming and allied activities. Since,the manifesto was hammered out in thebackdrop of the farm stir, the documentreflected an evident agricultural footprint.

Moreover, budgetary allocations wouldalso be required for other schemes includ-

Farmers:(1) Free electricity for farmers

for agriculture in the next five years.(2) ?25,000 crore ‘Sardar

Vallabhbhai Patel Agri-Infrastructure Mission’ to set upcold chain centres, godowns, pro-cessing units across the State.

(3) Formulation of MinimumSupport Price (MSP) for wheat andrice.

(4) ?5000 crore to be spent onmodernisation of sugarcane mills.Payment to sugarcane farmerswithin 14 days and, in case of delay,payment to be done with interest.

(5) As many as 6 ‘Mega FoodParks’ to be developed in the State.

Women empowerment: (1) Under ‘Mukhya Mantri

Kanya Sumangala Yojana,’ financialaid will be hiked from ?15,000 to?20,000.

(2) Financial assistance of upto?1 lakh for marriage of girlsbelonging to poor families.

(3) Two free LPG cylinders forwomen under ‘Pradhan MantriUjjwala Yojana’ every Holi andDiwali.

(4) In public transport, freecommute for women passengersabove 60.

(5) ?1000 crore to be used for‘Mission Pink Toilet,’ while month-ly stipend for widows to be hikedto ?1500.

(6) CCTV cameras to beinstalled at public places and neareducational institutes. 3000 PinkPolice booths to be set up.

(7) Under UPPSC, number ofwomen in Government jobs to bedoubled.

Education: (1) ‘Mission Kayakalp’ to be

launched to make furniture such astable and benches in primaryschools.

(2) Modernisation of 30,000secondary schools, as well as col-leges, of the State.

(3) With modern infrastruc-ture and world-class facilities,universities, including Aligarh’sRaja Mahendra Pratap Universityand Maharaja Suheldev Universityin Azamgarh.

(4) Digital research institutes willbe set up in Lucknow and Noida.

HHEERREE AARREE SSOOMMEE KKEEYY AANNNNOOUUNNCCEEMMEENNTTSS

MMAADDEE BBYY TTHHEE BBJJPP IINN IITTSS MMAANNIIFFEESSTTOO

HYDERABAD | SATURDAY | APRIL 2, 2022 Money 08

MONEY MATTERS

Automaker Kia India onFriday reported its best-ever monthly sales in

March at 22,622 units.The company said itswholesales last monthincreased by 18 per cent to22,622 units compared to thesame month last year.In March, Seltos remained

the company's best-seller with 8,415 unit sales, while the newlylaunched Carens picked pace, registering 7,008 unit dispatches. Sonetand Carnival also recorded healthy sales, contributing 6,871 and 328units to Kia's overall March 2022 tally. The company concluded thelast fiscal with 1,86,787 unit sales despite the global supply chaindisruption due to the semiconductor shortage. The brand registered agrowth of 20 per cent year on year. "2022 has been a good year for usso far, as we have been able to sustain our positive sales momentumin the past quarter. Our growing sales number can be attributed to ourrecently launched Carens, which has won Indian customers' hearts.We look forward to this outstanding positive trajectory continuing,backed by our revolutionary products and quality customer experienceservices," Kia India VP and Head of Sales & Marketing Hardeep SinghBrar said in a statement. While the company is happy with the growingdemand for Kia cars in the country, it is well aware of the long waitingperiod and hence commenced the production in three shifts at ourAnantapur facility, he added.

Kia India reports best-ever monthlysales in March with dispatch

Tata Motors on Friday said itstotal domestic sales increasedby 30 per cent to 86,718 units in

March as compared to 66,462 unitsin the year-ago period.The company said its passengervehicle wholesales rose by 43 percent to 42,293 units last month asagainst 29,654 units in March 2021.

Its commercial vehicle sales stood at 47,050 units in March, up by16 per cent from 40,462 units in the same month last year. "Weposted the highest-ever annual, quarterly and monthly sales,supported by a strong demand for our New Forever range and agileactions taken on the supply side," Tata Motors Passenger VehiclesManaging Director Shailesh Chandra said in a statement.

Tata Motors total sales rise30 pc in March

PNS n NEW DELHI

The total wheat export stood at70.30 lakh tonnes till March 21this fiscal, with maximumshipments to Bangladesh fol-lowed by Sri Lanka and UAE,Parliament was informed onFriday.

As both Ukraine and Russiaare major exporters of wheatwith more than 25 per centtotal share in the global wheattrade, there is scope for Indiato increase exports of wheat,Minister of State forCommerce and IndustryAnupriya Patel said in a writ-ten reply to the Rajya Sabha.

"The total export of wheat interms of quantity during 2021-22 (till 21st March 2022) was70.30 LMT," she said.

From April 2021 - March 21,2022, exports of wheat toBangladesh, Sri Lanka andUAE stood at 39,37,438 tonnes;5,80,819 tonnes; and 4,69,851tonnes, respectively.

In another reply, she saidIndia has exported seafoodproducts worth USD 7.16 bil-lion in April-February 2021-22,which is an all-time highexport of marine products.

The US Department of Statehas banned wild-caught

shrimp imports from Indiaon the alleged grounds that thefishing methods being fol-lowed in India (types of nets)are adversely affecting the seaturtle population, she said.

"India has exported seafoodproducts of value...USD 7,165million during April-February2021-22, which is an all-timehigh export of marine prod-ucts," Patel added.

In a separate reply, she saidthat India's merchandise tradewith South Asian countries hasalmost doubled in the last ten

years from USD 13.83 billionin 2010-11 to USD 25.45 bil-lion in 2020-21.

"Under 'NeighbourhoodFirst' policy, India remainscommitted to building a con-nected, integrated, secure andprosperous South Asia," theminister said.

In a separate reply,Commerce and IndustryMinister Piyush Goyal saidthat recognised startups haveincreased from 726 in 2016-17to 66,810 in 2021-22 (as ofMarch 28, 2022).

Wheat export at 70.30 lakhtonnes till Mar 21 this FY

"India hasexported seafoodproducts ofvalue...US $ 7,165million duringApril-February2021-22, which isan all-time highexport of marineproducts," Pateladded.

PNS n NEW DELHI

The country's largest iron oreminer NMDC on Fridayhiked the prices of lump oreby Rs 100 a tonne and Rs 200in case of fines with immedi-ate effect.

The price hike came at atime when steel prices inIndia are trading at an all-timehigh. Iron ore is one of the keyraw materials used in themanufacturing of steel, andany movement in the prices ofthe mineral has a directimpact on the rate of steel.

In a regulatory filing, thecompany said it has fixed theprices of per tonne lump oreat Rs 6,100 and that of fines atRs 5,160 a tonne.

While lump is high-gradeiron ore having Fe (iron) con-tent above 65 per cent, fine isinferior grade ore, whichneeds beneficiation.

The revised prices are effec-tive from April 1, 2022, andexclude royalty, District

Mineral Fund (DMF),National Mineral ExplorationTrust (DMET), cess, forestpermit fee, and other taxes,the company said.

NMDC had announced itslast price revision on March 8,when it had fixed the prices oflump ore and fines at Rs6,000 per tonne and Rs 4,960per tonne, respectively.

NMDC, under the Ministryof Steel, is the country's largest

iron ore producer and suppli-er. It recently posted a recordproduction of over 40 milliontonne.

The company, which hasbeen in the business of min-ing iron ore for over sixdecades, produces iron orefrom its three complexes inthe country -- one inDonimalai in Karnataka andtwo in the Dantewada districtof Chhattisgarh.

NMDC hikes lump ore rate by Rs100 per tonne; Rs 200 for fines

PNS n NEW DELHI

Brick kilns can opt for a compo-sition scheme to pay a 6 per centGST without input tax credit(ITC) beginning Friday, higherthan 5 per cent earlier.

Those businesses who do notwish to opt for the compositionscheme would be subject to 12per cent Goods and Services Tax(GST) with ITC. The govern-ment on March 31 notified theGST rates that would be applic-able from April 1. As per thenotification, building bricks,earthen or roofing tiles, fly ashbricks and blocks, bricks of fos-sil meals can opt for a composi-tion scheme.

So far, manufacturing andtrading of bricks were chargeableat 5 per cent GST, and business-

es were allowed to claim crediton inputs.The GST Council hadin September last year decided tobring brick kilns under a specialcomposition scheme from April1, 2022.AMRG & AssociatesSenior Partner Rajat Mohansaid India is already witnessinghigh inflation and at this junc-ture, any steep increase in taxrates for essential infrastructureitems would lead to a ripple effectacross the housing and infra-structure sector.

"Developers of residentialhousing are not permitted toavail any ITC. Thereby suchsharp increase in the tax rate forbricks would also lead to cascad-ing effect in the entire residen-tial housing sector, pinching thepocket of consumers," Mohanadded.

Brick manufacturing, trading toattract 6% GST without ITC

PNS n TOKYO

Global shares were tradingmixed Friday as a resurgenceof Russian attacks dashedhopes for any quick end tothe war in Ukraine.

France's CAC 40 addednearly 0.2% in early tradingto 6,670.87, while Germany'sDAX rose 0.2% to 14,439.41.

Britain's FTSE 100 gained0.3% to 7,540.21. The futuresfor the Dow industrials andS&P 500 were 0.4% higher.

The Bank of Japan's close-ly watched quarterly gauge ofbusiness sector sentiment,the “tankan,” showed thebenchmark indicator for largemanufacturers dropped forthe first time in seven quar-ters, losing three points froma survey in December to 14points from 17 points.

The war in Ukraine, com-ing on top of supply chaindisruptions at top manufac-turers caused by COVID-19restrictions and growing wor-ries about inflation, espe-cially soaring energy costs,are clouding the outlook foralready fragile growth in theworld's third-largest econo-my.

The war is the biggest sin-gle factor weighing on mar-kets, analysts say. UkrainianPresident VolodymyrZelenskyy expressed pes-

simism about Russian inten-tions and said in his nightlyvideo address to the nationthat he expected the Russianoffensive would continue forsome time.

“As we head into the week-end break, optimism for aceasefire in the geopoliticalconflict continues to fadeovernight,” said Yeap JunRong, market strategist at IGin Singapore.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei225 slipped 0.6% to finish at27,665.98.

Shares in electronics andenergy giant Toshiba Corp.jumped 6.5% on news thatBain Capital might make anoffer to acquire the companyand take it private. Toshibasaid it was not involved inany such talks.

South Korea's Kospi lost

0.7% to 2,739.85. Australia'sS&P/ASX 200 edged downless than 0.1% to 7,493.80.Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose0.2% to 22,039.55, while theShanghai Composite jumped0.9% to 3,282.72.

Rising COVID-19 cases inChina are adding to the wor-ries of a regional slowdown.The lockdown in Shanghaientered its second phase ofextended restrictions, whilerestrictions were lifted inhard-hit Jilin.

Oil prices fell as PresidentJoe Biden ordered the releaseof up to 1 million barrels ofoil per day from the nation'sstrategic petroleum reserve.The move to pump more oilinto the market is part of aneffort to control energyprices, which are up nearly40% globally this year.

Global shares mixed as Japan‘tankan’ shows weaker outlook

PNS n NEW DELHI

Power giant NTPC on Fridayannounced the commercialoperation of 22 megawatts offloating solar capacity inKayamkulam, Kerala.

The capacity, which begancommercial operation onThursday, is part of its 92MW Kayamkulam floatingsolar PV project, NTPC saidin a statement. "Consequentupon successful commission-ing, the first part capacity of22 MW out of 92 MWKayamkulam Floating SolarPV Project at Kayamkulam,Kerala, is declared on com-mercial operation with effectfrom 13:00 hours of31.03.2022," it said.With this,the standalone installed andcommercial capacity ofNTPC has become 54,516.68MW. Further, the group'sinstalled and commercialcapacity have increased to68,631.68 and 67,971.68 MW,respectively.

NTPC beginscommercial operation of22 MW floating solarcapacity in Kerala

PNS n NEW DELHI

Investments in the Indian cap-ital market through participa-tory notes (P-notes) rose to Rs89,143 crore till the end ofFebruary, with experts sayingthe positive trend is likelycontinue in the comingmonths on expectations ofstrong corporate earnings byIndia Inc which will enthuseforeign investors.

P-notes are issued by regis-tered Foreign PortfolioInvestors (FPIs) to overseasinvestors who wish to be a partof the Indian stock marketwithout registering themselvesdirectly. They, however, needto go through a due diligenceprocess.

According to Securities andExchange Board of India (Sebi)data, the value of P-note invest-ments in Indian markets --

equity, debt, and hybrid secu-rities -- stood at Rs 89,143crore by the end of February,compared to Rs 87,989 crore atJanuary-end. At the end ofDecember 2021, the invest-ment level was Rs 95,501 crore.

Of the total Rs 89,143 croreinvested through the route tillFebruary 2022, Rs 79,747 crorewas invested in equities, Rs9,224 crore in debt, and Rs 172crore in hybrid securities.

Investment via P-notes rises to Rs 89,143 cr

PNS n NEW DELHI

Mahindra & Mahindra(M&M) on Friday said itstotal sales increased by 35per cent to 54,643 units inMarch as compared withthe year-ago period.

The Mumbai-based automajor had dispatched 40,403units in March 2021.

The company sold 27,603passenger vehicles lastmonth in the domestic mar-ket as compared with 16,700units in March 2021.

It sold 23,880 commercialvehicles in the domesticmarket last month as against21,577 units in the year-agoperiod.

"We continued ourgrowth trajectory in March2022 with overall sales of54,643 vehicles, a growth of35 per cent. Demand contin-ues to be strong, even as weremain watchful of the glob-al supply chain and takeappropriate action, asrequired," M&M CEO(Automotive Division)Veejay Nakra said in a state-ment.

Mahindra &Mahindra total salesup 35 pc in March

PNS n NEW DELHI

The US will release 1 millionbarrels of oil per day from itsstrategic petroleum reservefor the next six months,President Joe Biden hasannounced, as he tried to keepthe oil prices under controlwith the largest-ever releasefrom its emergency oil stash.

Biden's move comes afterRussia's invasion of Ukrainehad sent crude prices surging,leading to a spike in gas prices.The soaring cost of fuel hasbecome a major political issuearound the world, including inthe US, which will hold mid-term elections in November.

"I'm authorising the releaseof 1 million barrels per day forthe next six months -- over 180

million barrels from theStrategic Petroleum Reserve,"Biden said on Thursday.

The release ordered byBiden will be the largest in thenear 50-year history of thestrategic petroleum supply.

"This is a wartime bridge toincrease oil supply until pro-duction ramps up later thisyear. And it is by far the largestrelease from our nationalreserve in our history," hesaid.

The revenue generated fromselling the oil would be used torestock the Strategic PetroleumReserve when prices are lowerso that the country is ready forfuture emergencies, he said.

The Strategic PetroleumReserve is a stockpile of crudeoil that the US maintains in

case of emergency. It wasestablished after the oil crisisof the 1970s. The oil is storedin underground salt caverns inTexas and Louisiana.

Biden said he has been talk-

ing to other allies and partnersaround the world.

"Already, we have commit-ments from other countries torelease tens of millions ofadditional barrels into themarket. Together, our com-bined efforts will supply wellover a million barrels a day --nations coming together todeny Putin the ability toweaponise his energyresources against Americanfamilies, and families anddemocracies around theworld,” he said.

The president alsoannounced plans about declar-ing real American energy inde-pendence in the long term sothat the US never has to dealwith this problem again.

“Ultimately, we and the

whole world need to reduceour dependence on fossil fuelsaltogether. We need to chooselong-term security over ener-gy and climate vulnerability.We need to double down onour commitment to cleanenergy and tackling the climatecrisis with our partners andallies around the world,” hesaid.

Meanwhile, NationalEconomic Council DirectorBrian Deese told reportersthat there are currently 568million barrels in the reserve,which is in stored at four loca-tions across southernLouisiana and Texas. Theunderground salt caverns cur-rently hold less than onemonth's worth of oil at currentUS consumption levels.

Biden orders release of 1 million barrels of oil per dayPNS n NEW DELHI

Hyundai Motor India onFriday said its total salesdeclined 14 per cent to 55,287units in March, as comparedwith same month last year.

The company had dis-patched 64,621 units to itsdealers in March 2021.

For 2021-22 fiscal, thecompany reported total salesof 6,10,760 units, up by 6 percent from 5,75,877 units in2020-21.Sales in the domes-tic market rose by 2 per centto 4,81,500 units last fiscal asagainst 4,71,535 units in2020-21. Exports increasedby 24 per cent to 1,29,260units last fiscal as against1,04,342 units in 2020-21.

Hyundai sales dip14 pc in March to55,287 units

ATF price hiked by 2 pc; commercial LPG price upPNS n NEW DELHI

Jet fuel prices on Friday werehiked by 2 per cent - the sev-enth straight increase this year- to an all-time high, reflect-ing a surge in global energyprices.

Aviation turbine fuel (ATF)- the fuel that helps aeroplanesfly - was hiked by Rs 2,258.54per kilolitre, or 2 per cent, toRs 1,12,924.83 per kl (Rs112.92 per litre) in the nation-al capital, according to a pricenotification by state-ownedfuel retailers.

Meanwhile, rates of LPGused by commercial estab-lishments like hotels andrestaurants, was increased by

Rs 249.50 to Rs 2,253 per 19-kg cylinder.

However, prices of cookingLPG used in household

kitchens were not changed.Rates of such gas were hikedby Rs 50 to Rs 949.50 per 14.2-kg cylinder on March 22.

Likewise, there was nochange in the price of petroland diesel on Friday. Prior tothe second pause in 11 days,auto fuel rates had gone up byRs 6.40 per litre.

While jet fuel prices arerevised on 1st and 16th ofevery month, LPG rateschange once a month. Petroland diesel prices are reviseddaily based on equivalent ratesin the international market.

PNS n NEW DELHI

Asian Paints Ltd onFriday said it willacquire stake intwo companies --White Teak andWe a t h e r s e a lFenestration -- in amove to strengthen itspresence in the fast-grow-ing home improvement anddécor segment.Asian paints willacquire 100 per cent of ObgenixSoftware, popularly known by

the brand name of White Teak,in a staggered manner over the

next three years.It has entered into

"definitive agreementsto acquire 49 per centstake in ObgenixSoftware from the pro-

moters, for a considera-tion of approximately Rs

180 crore, along with an earn-out up to a maximum of Rs 114crore, payable after a year, sub-ject to achievement of mutual-ly agreed financial milestones".

Asian Paints to acquire stakein White Teak, Weatherseal

KEEPING OIL PRICES UNDER CONTROL

Follow us on

@TheDailyPioneer

facebook.com/dailypioneer

SaturdayApril 2, 2022

SHIKHA DUGGAL

ourneyingover 30 years,AlmondHouse hasdeveloped a

wide range of mithaiand savouries with akeen eye for craftsman-ship in the city ofHyderabad. They spe-cialise in creating theflavours of festivity andcelebration! The personbehind this artistry isChaitanya Muppala; hisbrand in our city makessomething that we haveall grown up relishing,and he knows how topack you with the bestdesserts from AlmondHouse, running since1989.

The CEO says, “I wasborn here, although Idid my schooling andspent a little adult lifeoutside the city, I amstill a Paka Hyderabadi.Our business is built onthe shoulders of ourcustomers. In fact, whenwe weren’t even a recog-nised brand in the city,it was still built on theownership of our cus-tomers. Growth has

happened in the last sixyears, but this is nocoincidence.”

With the correct bal-ance of flavours andquick deliveries,Almond House is yourplace to go in the city.The CEO continued,“Thirty years ago, thesweet business wasdeveloping with gapsand devoted analysis.Hyderabad wasn't this

gigantic city, it was justlike any other smalltown. Our industry wasvery homegeneuos andfragmented back then.What Almond Housedid was dare to take arisk and didn’t choose tobe a small mithaiwala.”

So, it’s like wheneveryou are craving someexotic sweets, you canalways try this savouryshop that’s exponentially

growing across our cityand is etching its markon the history of thiscity. He also mentionedto us, “Funnily, it’s not afamily business. Myfather started it. He wasa chemical engineergraduate from BITSPilani. So, we have noth-ing to do with mithais!It was my father’s urgeto take up this businesschallenge, and in today’stimes, we do heavily relyon our previous genera-tion’s experiences whenit comes to runningAlmond House forHyderabadis. They setup a business, but we areleading them towards anorganisation. Perhapsthat’s the difference!”

“For me, Hyderabadis still that small town,”he says, discussing hislikes and dislikes for thecity. “I know it so well. Ihave been here since mypre-primary schoolingdays. It’s definitely amassive hub, butHyderabadis make itinto a different place tobe because they bring usa sense of belonging.This is the societal per-spective! From the view-point of expansion, for

me, it’s still a small townwhen it comes to mar-keting. The market hasnot evolved in terms ofconsumer preferencesbecause Hyderabadishave a very specifictaste,” he said, furtheradding, “The only thingI dislike is the lack ofpedestrian-friendlystreets. By many stan-dards, you would wantto move here. Start-upsare growing here.Communities are devel-oping. In a golden year,in many ways, we standout and we don’t dis-criminate. You willhardly find any cases ofdisharmony here. Weare happy-go-lucky peo-ple! I am sure we’ll oneday turn out to be alarger metropolis in thiscountry.”

For Chaitanya, theCEO of Almond House,success is measured in areally different manner-ism, and he has his ownyardstick for success.Emerging as a successfulentrepreneur isn’t hislong-term goal as ofnow. He’s on a missionto bring more creativityinto this F&B industryinstead.

j

What you need:” Refined flour: 2 cups” Ghee: 4-5 tbsp” Salt: 1 pinch” Chana dal: ½ cup” Soaked jaggery: 1/3 cup” Broken sugar: 1/3 cup” Cardamom powder: ½ tbsp

How to make:

” Take the refined flour in abig mixing bowl and add 2tablespoons of ghee in itwith a pinch of salt and mixwell” Add lukewarm water littleby little and knead softdough same as required formaking chapatti” Add 0.75 cups of water forkneading the flour” Cover and keep the doughaside for 20-25 minutes torest” Wash the chana dal thor-

oughly with water andsoak for 2 hours” Place the chana dal ina pressure cooker and add

1/2 cup of water and putthe lid on” Let the dal cook till

the cooker releases a whis-tle” Once the whistle isreleased, reduce the

flame to low and cook thedal for 2 more minutes” Turn off the flame and

let the steam escapes on itsown” Remove the lid and transferthe dal to a sieve placedover a bowl” Let the dal cool down a bit” Put the dal into a mixer jar” Put the lid on and grind thedal into a fine paste” Place a pan on the flameand add the dal paste, jag-gery, and sugar and mix well” Cook the mixture till thejaggery and sugar is dis-

solved com-pletely and turnthick in consistency” Stir continuously to pre-vent the mixture frombrowning at the base” Add 1 teaspoon of car-damom powder and mixwell” Turn off the flame andtransfer it to a bowl sothat it cools down quickly” Knead the dough againand divide it into lemonsized dough balls” Cover the dough balls toprevent them from dry-ing” Prepare dough balls, sodivide the stuffing into 9portions as well” Take a dough ball, makeit smooth, and flatten itslightly” Apply some ghee on therolling board, place thedough ball and roll it outinto 3-4 inch diameter poori” Place a portion of stuffingin center, lift the edges ofthe dough and close thestuffing really well” Press it gently with the fin-gers” Again, grease the rollingboard with some ghee androll the stuffed dough ballinto a thin Puran poli” Roll it evenly by applyingless pressure” Place a tawa on the flameand evenly apply some gheeto it” Place the rolled Puran polion it” Once the Puran poli getsroasted from beneath, flipits side and roast it fromanother side as well” Pour some ghee on top andspread it evenly” Flip the sideagain and

pour some ghee on this sideas well and spread it evenly.” Press the Puran poli gentlywith the spatula and cook iton a medium-high flame tillbrown spots appear on boththe sides” When the Puran poli hasroasted aptly, fold it into atriangular shape and trans-fer it to a plate” Similarly, stuff, roll, androast the rest of the Puranpolis” Turn off the flame” Serve the Puran polis as adessert after any meal orhave them whenever youcrave something sweet” Once they cool down com-pletely, store them in an air-tight container and relisheating for up to 8-10 days.

COURTESY: CHEF NISHAMADHULIKA

What you need:” Thickened milk: 200gms” Cardamom powder: 1tsp

” Raisins chopped: 2tbsp” Cashew chopped: 2 tbsp” Almond chopped: 2 tbsp” Sweet potato boiled and

mashed: 200 gms” Milk: 550 ml” Rice powder: 1 tbspHow to make:” Heat pan, add milk,

cover, and let it boil” In a small bowl, takerice powder and mixwith cold milk” Keep it aside” Add sweet potato toboiling milk and stir well” Add thickened milkand stir” Add sugar, rice powdermixture, and cook onlow heat till it thick-ens” Add cardamom pow-der, almonds, cashews,and raisins, cover, andcook for 2 minutes” Garnish with almonds,serve chilled

COURTESY: CHEFKARRA SARITA

‘For me, Hyd is still asmall town when it

comes to marketing'

Sweet Potato Kheer

Festive treatFestivals are an integral part of Indian culture as theysignify happiness, prosperity, and new beginnings.Further, it binds people of different age groups andcommunities to be a part of something special.Considered the start of the Hindu New Year, Ugadi hasalways been looked upon as one of the auspicious days ofthe year. Today, we bring to you some festive special, yethealthy recipes that are super easy to try out at home thisfestive weekend. Recipes by Tata Play Cooking.

Xebia academy presentsSAFeProduct owner training5.1

This SAFe Product OwnerCertification or SAFe POPMCertification is a two-day course

that has been devised for you to attaina thorough understanding of the roleof a SAFe Product Owner and ProductManager in the Agile Release Train(ART) as it delivers continuous valuethrough Program Increments in aLean enterprise. The SAFe ProductOwner Training course allows atten-dees to explore the contributions ofContinuous Delivery Pipeline andDevOps culture in an incessantimprovement of the ART.

Prompt a Lean mindset to breakEpics into features and stories, refinefeatures and stories, manage programand team backlogs, and plan and exe-cute iterations and program incre-ments.

Discover how to bring persistentimprovements in your organization interms of products and servicesthrough the POPM Certification.

Eligibility: Anyone interested canattend the course, no prior experiencerequired.However, attendees havingwork experience in a SAFe® environ-ment or certification in Lean, Agile, orother courses are recommended.

Deadline: April 8, 2022.

Amazon announces ‘AmazonSmbhav’

Amazon India, on Friday,announced that it will host thethird edition of ‘Amazon

Smbhav’ on May 18th and 19th thisyear. The two-day virtual mega sum-mit will bring together policymakers,eminent industry leaders, solutionproviders, startups, and Amazon lead-ership for invigorating discussions onthe best ways to leverage technology toenable digitization and economicprogress of lakhs of small local storesand businesses across India. The sum-mit will feature keynotes, panel discus-sions, masterclasses, and more on thesignificance of technology adoptionacross industries while focusing on keythrust areas like Social Empowerment& Enablement for inclusive EconomicGrowth, Innovating for India &Creating Digital Infrastructure, andmore. The registrations for AmazonSmbhav 2022 are now open at amazon.in/smbhav.

Shershaah takes the lead inIIFA Race with 12 nominations

As the countdown to the biggestcelebration of Indian Cinemaworldwide draws near,

International Indian Film Academy(IIFA) Awards announces its 12Popular Category nominations for the

22nd edition in Yas Island, Abu Dhabion May 20 and 21, 2022. Shershaahleads the way, amassing the highestnumber of nominations, 12 in total, 83and Ludo come close seconds with 9and 6 nominations respectively fol-lowed by Thappad and Atrangi Re with5 and Mimi with 4 nominations.

Inbase launches ‘Urban Lyf M’smartwatch

Inbase introduces the all-new UrbanLyf M – a smartwatch so versatilethat won’t let you down. Sporting a

large vibrant and crisp display on aslim and lightweight profile accompa-nied by a feature-rich performance,this smart wearable is designed to beyour daily companion. It is a versatilepackage for style, fitness and assis-tance.

Pricing and availability: The InbaseUrban Lyf M has an introductory priceof Rs 3,999, users can buy it from thecompany’s official websiteinbasetech.in and other leading storesand is backed with a 12-months war-ranty. So head out in style with thefeature-rich and highly versatile InbaseUrban Lyf M available in stunningcolor options that suits your mood.Take your pick — Black Dial with aBlack strap, Rose Gold Dial with aViolet Strap or the Silver Dial with aGrey Strap — you won’t regret it.

Puran Poli

What you need:

” Oats: 1 bowl” Almond milk: 300 ml” Almond flakes: 2tbsp” Cashew: 1 tbsp” Raisins: 1 tbsp” Brown sugar: ½ cup” A pinch of cinnamonpowderHow to make:” Heat a pan and roastthe oats” Add almond milkand mix well” Now add almondflakes, cashew, raisins,

and brown sugar” Mix everythingand cook on mediumflame” Now add cinnamonpowder, and cook forsome more time” Oat’s kheer is ready” Transfer it to a bowland garnish withalmond flakes” Tip: Roast the oatsnicely so that it takesless cooking time

COURTESY:SHIPRA KHANNA

Oats Kheer

Shor

t Ta

kes

Bringing you a festival of fashion, food, and family time during Ramzan, Daawat-E-Ramzan by Magnets Infra, anight bazaar, set at Vintage Palace, Attapur, is a must-visit for all. Acclaimed entrepreneur Anam Mirza, alongwith her cricketer/lawyer husband Asaduddin Mohd, who is also the son of former Indian Cricket team captain

Azharuddin Mohd, is all set to host this exciting affair.

10

Hyderabad Saturday April 2, 2022

PAR

TY

Ph

oto

s b

y S

V C

ha

ry

what’s brewing?

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

NIBAV Home Liftslaunched itsexperience cen-

tre in Visakhapatnam,which was inaugurat-ed by RavindraAnchuri, Founder ofAnchuri DesignWorld, FormerChairperson for IIID(Institute of IndianInterior Designers).Customers can nowexperience the fea-tures of the lift andthe view of the sur-roundings with its360-degreepanoramic glass dis-play before buyingthe lift for theirhomes.

Kalasha Jewels celebrated itsanniversary week inHyderabad, where actress

Raashi Singh, along with a fewmodels and fashion lovers, show-cased Kalasha Jewels’ anniversaryspecial jewelry at their outlet inBanjara Hills.

GLAM AND GLITTER

l Samyuktha

l Aishwarya l Ghazala

l Fouzial Mohammad Ismal Ali, Azzan Kaseri and Zeeshan Azaml Chandu

l Sowmya

l Raashi Singh

It’s a great respite from thescorching heat this summer asMumbai’s popular dessert joint

“Ice Cream Factory & Shahi Durbar”launched its first outlet inHyderabad. This new franchise inthe city is introduced by AzzanKaseri and Mohammed Ismail, whocome from F&B industry.

TANDA TANDA... COOL COOL...

ollywood star Jim Carrey hasannounced that he’s retiringfrom acting.

When revealing his plan in anew interview, the actor saidthat he feels he’s “done enough”

after nearly five decades of his career,reports aceshowbiz.com.

During a conversation with AccessHollywood, the 60-year-old actor said, “Iam retiring. I am being fairly serious.” He

went on to explain, “It depends. Ifthe angels bring some sort ofscript that’s written in gold ink,that says to me that it’s going to bereally important for people to see,I might. I might continue downthe road, but I’m taking a break.”

“I really like my quiet life, and Ireally love putting paint on can-vas, and I really love my spirituallife, and I feel like — and this issomething you might never hearanother celebrity say as long astime exists — I have enough,” Jimcontinued.

He then stressed, “I’ve done

enough. I am enough.” Still, itmight be an April Fool’s jokeconsidering the timing.

The announcement of hisretirement came after Jim madeheadlines as he weighed in onWill Smith and Chris Rock’sawkward confrontation at theOscars. “I was sickened by thestanding ovation (when Willlater took home the award forBest Actor),” he told host GayleKing during an interview withCBS Mornings on March 29.

“I felt like Hollywood is justspineless en masse. It really feltlike, ‘Oh, this is a really clearindication that we’re not thecool club anymore.’”Carrey alsosaid that if he’d been in Chris'position, he’d do the same asChris as he didn’t “want the has-sle” that came with filing apolice report.

However, the EternalSunshine of the Spotless Mindstar noted that he’d like to sue

Will.“I’d have announced this morning that

I was suing Will for $200 millionbecause that video is going to bethere forever,” he explained, “It’sgoing to be ubiquitous. Youknow, that insult is going tolast a very long time.”

Jim then shared that hebelieved the moment “did-n’t escalate.”

He elaborated, “Itcame out of nowherebecause Will has some-thing going on insidehim that’s frustrating,and I wish him thebest. I really do.”

The Yes Manactor then high-lighted that hedoesn’t have any-thing againstWill “but thatwas not agoodmoment.”

h

udhir Babu hadsigned his next,a high-voltageaction thriller,under the ban-ner of Bhavya

Creations. Directed byMahesh, Ananda Prasad isproducing the film thatopened in February thisyear. The regular shootingof this yet-to-be-titled filmbegan in Hyderabad on

Friday.On the occasion, produc-

er V. Ananda Prasad said,‘Sudhir Babu is the hero inour companyafterShamantakamani. It isa high voltage actionthriller. We started regularshooting on Friday. Theschedule will continue tillApril 23. Sudhir Babu willbe playing the role of apowerful police officer in

the film. Srikanth,Premiste fame Bharat,Goparaju Ramana, GeminiSuresh, Mime Gopi, AjayRatnam etc. are also partof this film. In the firstschedule, we planned toshoot key scenes on thehero and the othercast.”

The film has cine-matography by ArulVincent.

MrunalThakurtook to

social medialast eveningand thebuzz isstrong.Theactress isspeculatedto behelmingGauri

Shinde’snext. She

posted cutepictures of

them togetherwith the caption -

“Oh Hello, DreamDirector”.

Mrunal is currently pro-moting her next, Jersey

with Shahid Kapoorwhich is slated to releasein cinemas on 14thApril. The actress tookpictures in tow withthe immensely talent-ed director, Gauriwhose last film wasDear Zindagi withAlia Bhatt andShahrukh Khan.

While not muchis known, we aresure excited to seewhat comes of thiscollaboration.

nown for hisdepiction ofbone-chillingviolence inaction-thrillers,Ram Gopal

Varma is back with anaction-packed story of ason avenging his father’sdeath. Set against the back-drop of revenge, bloodshedand oppression, MX Playerbrings its viewers the trail-er of Dhanaman, a series of7 episodes. Produced byRam Gopal Varma,Dhahanam is directed byAgastya Manju and starsIsha Koppikar, AbhishekDuhan, Naina Ganguly,Ashwatkanth Sharma,Parvathy Arun, SayajiShinde, AbhilashChaudhary and PradeepRawat in pivotal roles.Originally made in Telugu,the show is also dubbed inHindi and Tamil. Allepisodes of this high-octane heartland dramawill stream free exclusivelyon MX Player startingApril 14.

The captivating trailerhighlights how the murderof Sri Ramulu, a commu-nist worker, creates a sen-sation in the village. SriRamulu’s elder son,Hari, is arebel

(Naxalite) operating fromthe forest in a guerrilla warwith the landlords and isenraged by the news of hisfather’s death. He takes itupon himself to hunt downthe culprit behind the mur-der of his father, whichleads to a war between themost powerful goons in thevillage. The dominance ofNaxalites is adding to therising tension in theregion. Will Hari be able tosucceed in avenging hisfather’s death?

Talking about the much-anticipated show, producerRam GopalVarma said,

“Thrilled to announce my1st ever web series#Dhahanam in collabora-tion with MX player. Thestory runs in a grey areabetween two contradictoryquotes “An eye for an eyewill only succeed in mak-ing the whole world blind”said by Mahatma Gandhi,and “Revenge is the purestemotion” as quoted inMahabharata. Dhahanamtells not a story of justrevenge, but the story of acircle of revenge. It’s not acrime thriller but it’s aboutthrilling crimes which aredesigned to create an

adrenaline pumpingexhilaration. With

this show, we havenot gone one

extra mile, butwent manymiles withintensemethodactors livingin their rolesto do justiceto the story’sviolentdemands.

Our entireteam eagerlywaiting to seethe audiences’

reaction.”

Pan-India star VijayDeverakonda’s highly-anticipated film LIGER

(Saala Crossbreed) wrappedup its shooting and post-production works arepresently underway.Directed by Puri Jagannadh,Mike Tyson is making hisdebut in Indian cinema withLiger.

As is known, thesequences involving

Mike Tyson wereshot in the USAwith VijayDeverakondaand other tak-ing part in theschedule.Interim, MikeTyson hascompleteddubbing forthe film.“Thank youvery muchfor beingkind tome. I’mverygrateful,”saidMikeTysonin avideo.

Mike Tyson has played amighty role in the film andhis portions will be one ofthe major highlights. It willbe feast for fans to see VijayDeverakonda and MikeTyson together on screen.Movie buffs indeed are wait-ing with bated breath to wit-ness the real action on bigscreens.

In association with Puriconnects, the film is beingproduced jointly byBollywood’s leading produc-tion house DharmaProductions. Puri Jagannadh,Charmme Kaur, Karan Joharand Apoorva Mehta togetherare bankrolling the film on agrand scale.

Vishnu Sarma is handlingthe cinematography, whileKecha from Thailand is thestunt director.

Being made in Hindi,Telugu, Tamil, Kannada andMalayalam languages, thePan India Movie is scheduledfor release in theatres world-wide on 25th August, 2022.

11

Hyderabad | Saturday April 2, 2022 tollywoodGayathri Bharadwajcomes on board Tiger Nageswara Rao

assMaharajaRavi TejaandVamsee’span India

project, TigerNageswara Rao, pro-duced by AbhishekAgarwal underAbhishek AgarwalArts, and presentedby Tej NarayanAgarwal, had agrand opening onUgadi.

Nupur Sanon, sis-ter of Bollywood starheroine Kriti Sanonwill be playing one

of the lead actressesin the movie.Popular modelGayatri Bharadwajcomes on board toplay the other hero-ine in the movie.Like for Nupur, thisis first film forGayatri Bharadwajas well. Both theheroines will havescope to perform inthe movie.

Gayatri Bhardwajwas crowed as fbbColors Femina MissIndia UnitedContinents 2018.She also won the

titles of SephoraMiss GlamourousLook, Jio MissPopular, Kodak LensMiss SpectacularEyes, Miss IndiaDelhi 2018 etc. Shewon praises for herperformance in theweb-seriesDhindora.

Tiger NageswaraRao will be made inTelugu, Tamil,Kannada,Malayalam andHindi languages.Based on the life ofthe notorious thieffrom Stuartpuram,

Tiger NageswaraRao is going to behighest budgetedfilm for Ravi Teja.This will mark firstPan India project ofthe actor.

GV PrakashKumar willscore muic forthe film thathas dialoguesby SrikanthVissa. R MadhieISC will crank thecamera andAvinash Kolla is theproduction designer.Mayank Singhaniyais the co-producer.

m

K

Mike Tysondubs for Liger

RGV announceshis first web-series

fter multiple post-ponements andcountless hurdles,Varun Tej’s upcom-ing sports dramaGhani will hit the

screens soon while the makershave locked the digitalstreaming partner.

It is reported that Ghanipost-theatrical streamingrights are locked by Netflix.

The makers have also madean agreement regarding thepost-theatrical streaming datewith Netflix.

While movies like ShyamSingha Roy did really wellwith Netflix, Ghani is expect-ed to create a near impact aswell. It is also reported thatGhani will start streamingafter 3-4 weeks of its theatri-cal release.

The sports drama whichhas seen multiple postpone-ments will hit the screens onApril 8. Ghani is a boxingdrama featuring Varun Tej inthe role of a professionalboxer. The film also starsUpendra, Suniel Shetty, andSaiee Manjrekar.

Depicting Varun in a titularrole, Ghani is helmed byKiran Korrapati.

Post-theatrical digitalstreaming partner lockedfor Varun Tej’s Ghani

a

s

In o

ther

new

s

Sudhir Babu beginsshooting for his next

MrunalThakur to

star in GauriShinde’s

next?

Jim Carrey announces retirement from acting

HYDERABAD | SATURDAY | APRIL 2, 2022

IT'S ALWAYS NICE TO HAVE SUCH HIGH QUALITY IN YOUR ATTACK. TO HAVE THEM AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT IS ANOTHER GREAT PLUS —KUMAR SANGAKKARA

Po. TEAM M W L NR Pts NRR

1. KKR 3 2 1 0 4 0.843

2. RR 1 1 0 0 2 3.050

3. DC 1 1 0 0 2 0.914

4. GT 1 1 0 0 2 0.286

5. LSG 2 1 1 0 2 -0.011

6. RCB 2 1 1 0 2 -0.048

7. PBKS 2 1 1 0 2 -1.183

8. CSK 2 0 2 0 0 -0.528

9. MI 1 0 1 0 0 -0.914

10. SRH 1 0 1 0 0 -3.050

pointstable

4s 215

6s 115

boundarymeter

PTI n NEW DELHI

Rashid Khan has a fastbowler's mindset in a spin-

ner's body with an uncompro-mising attitude when it comesto ripping his googlies and leg-breaks off the surface at near-ly 100 kmph.

At 23, the Afghan spinneris the most sought-after T20freelancer on the global leaguecircuit with 436 wickets in 312games.

Having started the seasonwith an impressive 1/27 forGujarat Titans, Rashid isextremely hopeful that he canreplicate his SunrisersHyderabad form for the HardikPandya-led franchise.

So is Rashid an aggressive

fast bowler or 'scientist' readyto pull off new tricks?

"I am a spin-fast bowlerbecause of the pace at which Ibowl. It is very hard to spin theball at that pace and for that Ithink that it requires a differ-ent kind of skill-set," Rashidsaid.

"The speed at which I bowlis somewhere between 96kmph to 100 kmph. It is hardto generate turn at that pace butI would rather bowl at thatspeed than bring it down to 70to 75 kmph.

"I have always been a bigfan of bowling quick leg spin.I have just been trying differ-ent experiments with my bowl-ing in the nets and it's reallyhelping," he added.

‘MYSTERY' IIS IIN CCONSISTENCYThe term 'mystery spinner'

is a loosely used jargon todescribe any slow bowler thatbatters find difficult to read overa consistent period of time.

"I don't always considermyself a leg-spinner because,spinners use a lot of wrists andI don't use my wrists that much.I just use top of my fingers andso I am a finger spinner as wellin that sense," he said.

The 'mystery' comes fromconsistency of being able to hitthe right length which can sowseeds of doubts in a batter'sminds.

"It's all about, being moreconsistent with line and lengthand whatever you are bowling-- be it flipper or leg-break. As

long as you have the good con-trol over your skills and canbowl in right areas, it doesn'tmatter, if there is an element ofmystery or not.

"If you hit the perfect lengthtime and again, anyone canbecome a mystery bowler. Mylength on which I have workedhard makes me different fromother leg-spinners."

For Rashid what has stoodout for him is having that mind-set where he is ready to deliverfor the team in any given situ-ation.

"Consistency is in havingthat kind of mindset. Yes, thatI am capable of delivering it inevery stage and hardwork andbelief in skill sets is somethingI have always had," he said.

AP n DURBAN

Off-spinner Simon Harmerended an absence of more

than six years by taking fourwickets and putting SouthAfrica in charge on the secondday of the first Test againstBangladesh at Kingsmead onFriday.

Bangladesh were 98 forfour at the close in reply toSouth Africa's 367 all out.Harmer took four for 42 in 20overs.

Harmer, 32, had notplayed in a Test match sinceNovember 2015.

He signed a Kolpak con-tract with English countyEssex in 2017, making himineligible to play for SouthAfrica before the system cameto an end in 2020.

Now classified as an over-seas player for the countyand again becoming availablefor his country, Harmer took491 First-Class wickets duringhis time away from interna-tional cricket.

Harmer made the firstbreakthrough in the last overbefore tea when he bowledShadman Islam for nine withthe third ball of his secondover.

He ended a 55-run standbetween Mahmudul Hasanand Najmul Hossain by bowl-ing Najmul for 38 with asuperb delivery which driftedin and spun past the bat.

Bangladesh captainMominul Haque fell withoutscoring in Harmer's next over,caught off bat and pad by adiving Keegan Petersen atsilly point.

The experiencedMushfiqur Rahim wasHarmer's fourth wicket, glov-ing a ball down the leg side towicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne.

Mahmudal, playing in histhird Test, survived until theclose, scoring 44 not out.

Temba Bavuma top-scored for South Africa with93, while fast bowler KhaledAhmed took four for 92 forBangladesh.

PTI n NEW DELHI

The ones with deep pockets are expected to bid for IPLmedia rights but treasurer Arun Dhumal on Friday said

the introduction of a non-exclusive package will also encour-age smaller players to be part of the bidding process.

The BCCI has set a combined base price of approximate-ly Rs 33,000 crore for the media rights for 2023-2027, thedouble of what Star India paid for the existing rights.

The base price of Package A (India sub-continent TVrights) stands at Rs 49 crore per game and 33 crore per gamefor Package B (India sub-continent digital rights).

For Package C (non-exclusive digital rights) the base priceis Rs 16 crore per game. Package C will have only 18 games,including Play-offs and Final.

For Package D (Rest Of the World TV and digital rights),the base price has been set at Rs 3 crore per game.

"We don't speculate or set target for price. It is the mar-ket that decides the price. Our objective and job is to ensurea fair, transparent and inclusive ITT," Dhumal told PTI whenasked about his expectations.

The cost to buy the bid document -- Invitation to Tender(ITT) -- is Rs 25 lakh.

"This is the property that entire sporting world is look-ing at eagerly. Whatever the markets feel is the right value,should come."

The likes of Britain-based investment company CVC andManchester United owners had come to the bidding tablefor the two new teams in the IPL.

CVC eventually made the winning bid for Ahmedabadfranchise and India's RPSG Group for Lucknow.

"The bidding for two new teams showed that IPL hasbecome a global brand and is only going to grow in the future.I expect more interest from global players for media rights,"he said.

Streaming giant Amazon is expected to pick up the ITTdocument.

"IPL is a global league, the idea is to make it more par-ticipatory from small to big players. There are few playersfor whom cricket may not be main the sport as of now butin their future plans, so they may not wan't to eat the wholecake but start with a small pie.

"This ITT ensures their participation either in a non-exclusive bundle or for international territories.

PTI nMUMBAI

IPL's ticketing partner BookMyShow on Fridaysaid that audience capacity for the current sea-

son has been increased to 50 per cent from April6.

The Maharashtra government had initiallyallowed 25 per cent crowds at all the four venues- Wankhede stadium, Brabourne stadium inMumbai, DY Patil stadium in Navi Mumbai andMaharashtra Cricket Association stadium inGahunje in Pune.

"Ticket sales for the next set of matches arelive even as the BCCI has announced an increasein stadium occupancy to 50%, which was earli-er capped at 25% thereby extending the oppor-tunity for many more fans across India andbeyond to experience the IPL action live in thestadia," BookMyShow claimed in a mediarelease.

The Maharashtra government had onThursday decided to do away with all the COVIDrestrictions, from April 2 in the entire state.

PTI n NAVI MUMBAI

Mumbai Indians will have the return-ing Suryakumar Yadav's flamboy-

ance in the middle-order as they lookto bounce back against a confidentRajasthan Royals unit in the IPL hereon Saturday.

The two teams head into thegame at the DY Patil Stadiumon the back of contrastingstarts to the 15th edition ofthe tournament.

While f ive-timechampions MI suffereda four-wicket defeatagainst Delhi Capitals intheir lung-opener despiteposting 177, Rajasthanmauled SunrisersHyderabad by 61 runs in adominant show.

So farin this IPL,there hasbeen atrend ofwinning the toss and bowling firstand it is likely to continue.

Mumbai have two of the bestopeners in captain Rohit Sharmaand Ishan Kishan, who blazed hisway to an unbeaten 81 against DC,justifying his heavy price tag.

With a wide range of shots at theirdisposal, the duo can give the hostsa strong start, so vital in the schemeof things.

Suryakumar, who has joined theteam after his recovery at the NCA, willlikely bat at number three and has theability to play match-winning knocks atany positions. He will be keen to get goingquickly and justify the faith shown in himby the owners.

Mumbai's middle-order crumbled inthe game against DC and one amongAnmolpreet Singh, Tilak Verma and Tim

David would have to make way forSuryakumar.

Veteran all-rounder Kieron Pollard,who has a knack of hitting huge sixes, alsoperished cheaply against DC and he wouldbe eager to get going against Royals.

More than their batters, the Mumbaibowlers are the ones who would need

to step up as they were unable todefend 177, and considering

Rajasthan's power-packed line-up, they would need to hit the

right lengths.The team would bank

on pace spearhead JaspritBumrah to deliver, but healso needs support fromthe others like of Basil

Thampi and Daniel Sams.The role of Murugan Ashwin,

who picked up two wickets on hisMI debut, too would be crucial ashe can effect breakthroughs andalso put the brakes on the scoringrate.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan tickedalmost all the boxes in their gameagainst Sunrisers and were ahead in

both bowling and batting, even asfielding remains a cause for concern,

having dropped catches.The onus will be again on skipper

Sanju Samson to lead from the frontafter he made a scintillating 55 in his

team's opener.The RR openers -- Yashashvi Jaiswal

and Jos Buttler -- got starts against SRH butthey will need to convert them into substan-tial scores.

The other batters including DevduttPadikkal and Shimron Hetmyer also clickedand they would hope to repeat the show.

The Rajasthan bowlers, led by PrasidhKrishna, were on target against SRH. They

have a lethal attack in pacer Trent Boult andspinners Ravichandran Ashwin andYuzvendra Chahal.

PTI n PUNE

They came out on top inthe battle of newcom-

ers but it will be a differ-ent ball game altogether forGujarat Titans when theylock horns with DelhiCapitals in the IPL here onSaturday.

Both Gujarat and DCstarted their campaign in the15th edition of the lucrativeleague with wins and theywould look to continue inthe same vein at theMaharashtra CricketAssociation Stadium.

Injury-plagued DC willgain strength further in both

bowlingand batting, with the likelyinclusion of Lungi Ngidi,Mustafizur Rahman andSarfaraz Khan, who havecompleted their three-dayquarantine.

The trio's return willbolster the Delhi outfitagainst an opponent thatgave enough indications ofits ability to not just competewith the best but also pull offthe result it desires. In theirfive-wicket defeat, K L

Rahul's Lucknow SuperGiants came to know whatthe Titans are capable of.

So irrespective of thefour-wicket victory over

f ive-time championsMumbai Indians in theirtournament opener, DCknow it too well that theyjust cannot afford to take thefoot off the pedal.

The win against LSGfirst up is definitely a hugeconfidence booster, but inDelhi Capitals, Titans face amore seasoned opponents,who have established them-selves as one of the top sidesin recent years.

With a strong top-order

batting, besides a well-bal-anced bowling unit, theCapitals have all the toolsrequired to embark on awinning run early on in thecompetition, so they cer-tainly start as favouritesagainst Titans.

Besides, the fact that DCmanaged to overcome theMumbai challenge without afew key players, includingflamboyant Australian all-rounder David Warner andMitchell Marsh and SouthAfrican duo of Ngidi andAnrich Nortje, only adds totheir confidence and makesthe win more praiseworthy.

While DC are going to

strengthen their playing XIby making useful additions,the Titans on the other handmay not like to tinker withthe combination that gavethem their maiden win intheir very first appearance.

Australian recruitMatthew Wade, who wastasked with opening the bat-ting alongside Shubman Gill,is eyeing a big one after fail-ing to convert his 30 in theprevious game into a moresubstantial contribution.

In the absence of theirtop pacers, Delhi's bowlingleft a lot to be desired in theopener and it will look to domuch better against Gujarat.

PTI n CHRISTCHURCH

Tournament's leadingwicket-taker Sophie

Ecclestone has said thatEngland are capable ofbeating the mightyAustralia on their day,warning that her sideentered the ongoingWorld Cup final withoutplaying its best cricket.The final will be played atthe Hagley Oval onSunday.

"Beating the Aussiesin the final, I can't reallyput it into words after theAshes we had," she said.

"I really believe in thisgroup and on our day wecan definitely beat theAussies - we've got a great

chance."England have had a

poor tune-up to the show-piece, losing the Ashes totheir traditional rivalsbefore suffering a defeat tothe Aussies in their open-ing game of the WorldCup. "I know if we playour best cricket and ourbatters bat the way theycan and the bowlers bowlthe way they can, we'vegot such a great unit as ateam, so we'll just focus onourselves and do the bestwe can," she said.

After losing threematches in a disastrousstart to the tournament,England prevailed in fivemust-win games to reachfinal.

PTI n MUMBAI

Umesh Yadav continued hisimpressive run with the newball as Kolkata Knight Riders

stifled a power-laden Punjab Kingsbatting line-up to 137 all out in theIndian Premier League here on Friday.

With heavy dew setting in laterhalf of the games, fielding first hasbecome a no-brainer this IPL andKKR skipper Shreyas Iyer called itright at the toss.

Punjab, which had successfullychased 200 plus in their openinggame, enjoyed a good powerplay thatyielded 62 for 3 in six overs.

Veteran pacer Umesh (4/23 in 4

overs), who had played only twogames overs the past two seasons dueto his inconsistent run in shortest for-mat has been proving his critics

wrong this season.He once again provided the break-

through early in the game, removingopposition skipper Mayank Agarwal,who was found plumb in front aftermissing a rather straight and full deliv-ery in the first over of the match.

Sri Lankan Bhanuka Rajapaksa(31 off 9) who had produced a match-winning knock in the first game,looked in sensational touch at theWankhede Stadium on Friday.

In his brief stay in the middle, thetop-order batter hammered threefours and as many sixes, mostlytowards the mid-wicket region, leav-ing the spectators in awe.

His breathtaking effort was per-

Gujaratss vvss DelhiLive from 7:30 pm ISTSTAR SPORTS 1 NETWORK

Mumbai vvss RajasthanLive from 3:30 pm ISTSTAR SPORTS 1 NETWORK

Returning Suryakumar boosts MI'sprospects against Rajasthan Royals

Ensured that smaller playerscan also be part of IPL mediarights bidding process: BCCI

Delhi Capitals test awaits Gujarat Titans

We can definitely beat Aussies

on our day: Ecclestone

IPL crowd capacityincreased to 50%

Harmer marks SA returnwith four-wicket Test haul

I am ‘spin-fast' bowler who prefers bowling at 100 kmph: Rashid

KKR dismiss PBKS for 137

haps the lone bright in an otherwise underwhelming innings.

Iyer impressed with his leadership. Hebrought back Umesh in the middle overs toensure there was no fightback from Punjab. Healso employed a slip in the 15th over and wasrewarded for that with the wicket of RahulChahar.

His new ball partner Tim Southee andKKR's retained spinners Varun Chakaravarthyand Sunil Narine were also too good for thePunjab batters.

Liam Livingstone (19 off 16) could converthis start while India U-19 star Raj Angad Bawafound the going tough for the second game ina row.

Kagisa Rabada (25 off 16), playing his firstgame of the seasons, saved Punjab the blushesby getting much needed boundaries to take thetotal close to 140.

VETERAN INDIANPACER UMESH

YADAV (4/23 IN 4OVERS), HAS BEEN

PROVING HISCRITICS WRONG

THIS SEASON