First India-Lucknow Edition-11 August 2021

LUCKNOW l WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2021 l Pages 12 l 3.00 RNI NO. UPENG/2020/04393 l Vol 1 l Issue No. 240

RETURN HOME: INDIAN EMBASSY IN AF DIRECTS CITIZENS

New Delhi: India on Tuesday advised its nationals in Afghanistan to make immediate travel arrangements to return home before commercial air services are discontinued amid intense fighting between security forces and the Taliban across the war-torn country.

PRESIDENT KOVIND TO VISIT AYODHYA BY SPECIAL TRAIN

OUR EDITIONS: JAIPUR, AHMEDABAD & LUCKNOW

Lucknow: Ram Nath Kovind will become the first Indian President to visit Ayodhya when he reaches the temple town on a special train on August 29, reaching Lucknow on August 26, to offers prayers at the makeshift temple at Ram Janmabhoomi. He will be accorded a warm welcome by the seers’ community.

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Non-disclosure of criminal info of Oppn creates ruckus, Bajwa throws file at Chair in RS candidates: SC fines 8 pol parties BJP, Congress, RJD, JDU, CPI, LJP fined `1L; CPIM and NCP fined `5L New Delhi: The Supreme Court Tuesday fined eight political parties including the BJP and the Congress for failing to comply with the court’s order to furnish details of candidates with criminal backgrounds on their official websites in the Bihar Assembly Elections.

These political parties were also directed to disclose information about such candidates in newspapers as well as on social media. Six parties — BJP, Congress, Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD), Janata Dal United, CPI, and Lok Jan Shakti Party — were fined Rs 1 lakh for partial non-compliance.

Meanwhile, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Nationalist Congress Party

(NCP) were fined Rs 5 lakh each for total noncompliance of the top court order. The court passed orders on a contempt plea which raised the issue of criminalisation of politics claiming that directions given by the apex court in its September 2018 verdict relating to disclosure of criminal antecedents by candidates are not being followed A bench headed by Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman said the reasons for selecting candi-

dates with pending criminal cases should be justifiable with reference to qualification and merit and not merely on winnability.

CRIMINAL CASES AGAINST MPs, MLAs CAN’T BE WITHDRAWN WITHOUT HC’s ORDER: SC New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday said that no criminal cases against sitting and former MPs and MLAs can be withdrawn by state governments, without prior orders from the state High Courts. The CJI Ramana also slammed the CBI for not filing the status report in the case. The Apex Court was hearing the petition filed by lawyer and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, seeking a direction to debar convicted MLAs and MPs from contesting elections for life and setting up of special courts and speedy disposal of cases against them. “Why the report has not been filed? When this matter started, we are assured that the Govern-

‘SIDHU’S BARBS DON’T AUGUR WELL,’ CAPTAIN TELLS SONIA CAPTAIN ALSO MEETS SHAH ON ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES; MAY MEET PM NARENDRA MODI TODAY New Delhi: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday complained to Sonia Gandhi that Navjot Sidhu’s criticism of his government “does not augur well for smooth functioning” as he met with the Congress president days after a fragile truce with his in-house rival.

Sonia reportedly stressed that the Chief Minister and Navjot Sidhu, who was recently appointed Punjab

Amit Shah and Amarinder Singh meet in Delhi on Tuesday.

Congress chief as part of a peace deal ahead of the state polls, must

CRUCIAL READ ONLY 2 FROM OUTSIDE J&K BOUGHT PROPERTIES SINCE ARTICLE 370 MOVE New Delhi: Only two people from outside Jammu and Kashmir have bought properties in the union territory since August 5, 2019, when the Centre had scrapped Article 370. Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said this on Tuesday to the Lok Sabha in response to a question. “As per the information provided by the government of Jammu and Kashmir, two persons from outside J&K have purchased two properties in the UT of J&K,” Rai said.

ECONOMY TO RETURN GROWTH BY MARCH 2022, BANKS NPAS TO REGAIN NORMALCY The asset recovery Indian banks is set to get delayed as the second wave has crippled economic activity, says Moody’s Investor Services. “For India, Moody’s projects the economy will return to growth in the fiscal year ending March 2022,” the global rating company said in a note. “But the severe second coronavirus outbreak will delay improvements in asset quality.”

SENSEX SCALES FRESH LIFETIME HIGH AS HDFC, BHARTI AIRTEL ADVANCE Mumbai: Equity benchmark Sensex rose by 152 points to close at its fresh lifetime high on Tuesday amid positive trends in the global markets.

The 30-share index closed 151.81 points or 0.28 per cent higher at its lifetime peak of 54,554.66, while the broader NSE Nifty advanced 21.85 points or 0.13 per cent to 16,280.10.

work together. She directed that “both the state government and

the Congress unit in Punjab must work together and not on cross purposes”, said Congress’s Punjab incharge Harish Rawat after the meeting.

Rawat said the two discussed 18-point agenda that Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Navjot Singh Sidhu had brought before him. “Some points were made (by the Punjab Congress). He listed out some problems, the challenges, Turn to P6

ment is very serious about this issue and wanted to do something. But nothing has happened. No progress so far. When you (CBI) are reluctant to even file the status reports, what can you expect us to say?” the CJI observed this, after expressing its displeasure over the way the CBI failed to file its status report today. The CJI also said that the Registrar General of all High Courts are required to submit a chart of judges, pending cases, disposed off cases etc before this court. The Top Court also said that the judges hearing such cases, in CBI courts, special courts hearing, will continue till further orders, and listed the matter for further hearing to August 25, 2021.

—ANI

SPECULATIONS SILENCED! Aditi Nagar

New Delhi: The timing of Captain’s meeting with Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah created some speculation in New Delhi and Chandigarh circles wondering whether Captain has any ‘political agenda’ or is the meet only to discuss border issues with Shah? Prior to this development, there was a talk of Captain taking a strong stand on the Cabinet reshuffle of his own choice or to resign from his post but after his meeting with Sonia Gandhi before his meet with Shah, and his subsequent press release on his Shah meeting agenda, ruled out the political speculations.

WE DEMAND RESTORATION OF FULL STATEHOOD TO J&K: RAHUL GANDHI Srinagar: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi while addressing the party workers in Srinagar on Tuesday, demanded the restoration of full statehood for

J&K and revival of democratic process of elections. I have a bit of Kashmiriyat inside me as well,” said Gandhi.

He said J&K’s strength is brotherhood.

P5

New Delhi: Opposition MPs raised slogans demanding discussion on the Pegasus snooping row, farm laws, and other issues. Rajya Sabha was first adjourned till 12 noon and when the House met again some opposition MPs trooped into the well of the House, began sloganeering and raised placards during the Question Hour. The Deputy Chairman Harivansh adjourned the House till 2 pm. There was high drama in the house as opposition MPs again began sloganeering during a discussion on the farm laws and the House was adjourned again for 15 minutes.

AAP’s Sanjay Singh was the first to climb the table while Congress’ Pratap Bajwa also climbed the table, shouted slogans and then threw a file at the Chair.

—ANI

Lucknow: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said it was unfortunate that people had to wait for decades for basics like hospitals, roads and electricity, indirectly targeting the previous governments.

The Prime Minister was virtually inaugurating the second phase of the Ujjwala cooking gas scheme in UP’s Mahoba district. Chief Minister

PM Modi virtually interacting with beneficiaries of Ujjwala 2.0. (Inset) CM Yogi handing over an LPG cylinder replica to a beneficiary.

New Delhi: Forthcoming census will be the first digital census and there is a provision for self-enumeration for it, the Centre told LS on Tuesday in response to a question by Shashi Tharoor on whether there will be any changes or any additional information required in the 2021 Census as compared to previous editions. The Centre said a mobile app for the collection of data and a census portal for management and monitoring of various census related activities have been developed.

NO DECISION YET ON NATIONWIDE NRC: GOVT New Delhi: The government has not taken any decision on preparing a National Register of Indian Citizens (NRIC) for the whole country, Union Minister Nityanand Rai said in Parliament on August 10. He, however, said the government has decided to update the National Population Register (NPR) under the Citizenship Act, 1955, along with the first phase of Census 2021.

Pegasus row: SC tells parties to avoid ‘parallel debates’ on SM New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday told petitioners seeking a probe into the Pegasus snooping row that they should “have faith in the system” and refrain from participating in “parallel debates on social media”.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India N V Ramana said: “Nobody should cross the limit and all will be given the opportunity in the case. We are not against debates but when the matter is in court, it should be deliberated here.” It also asked parties to answer the queries through proper debate in court and not outside.

The bench said, “This is what we are saying.

We ask questions from parties. We take both parties to task. The matter should be deliberated here.”

PM launches Ujjwala 2.0, CM Yogi hails initiative First India Bureau

IN A FIRST, FORTHCOMING CENSUS TO GO DIGITAL: GOVT

Yogi Adityanath was also present on the occasion as he formalised the ceremony by cutting the ribbon here.

“As we celebrate the 75th year of Independence this year and look at the progress in the past seven-and-a-half decades, we feel that some situations and conditions should have changed decades ago,” the Prime Minister said through video conference.

Turn to P6

‘MOD ABSOLVED ITSELF, WHAT ABOUT OTHERS’ New Delhi: A day after the defence ministry denied any transaction with the NSO group, Congress leader P Chidambaram on Tuesday raised questions. “MoD has ‘absolved’ itself of any deal with the NSO Group, Israel Assuming, MoD is correct, that takes out one Ministry/ Department. What about the remaining half a dozen usual suspects?

Only the PM can answer on behalf of ALL ministries/departments. Why is he silent?” Chidambaram wrote on Twitter.

UP best among rest in GeM purchases Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh outperformed all the other states and scored a hat-trick by achieving first position in the departmental purchases through the GeM portal on Tuesday.

The award, third time in a row, was received virtually by Additional Chief Secretary MSME, Navneet Sehgal. “Efforts are being made continuously by the state government under the leadership of the Chief Minister to make government procurement corruption free,” said Sehgal. Purchases of Rs 4,611 crore were made through the portal by the state govt in the financial year 2020-21. More on P2 CORONA CATASTROPHE INDIA

36,309 new cases

468

new fatalities

UP

20

new cases

01

new fatalities

J&K: Terrorists hurl grenade; journo held Srinagar: In a major threat to national security just five days ahead of Independence Day, terrorists on Tuesday launched grenade at security forces at Srinagar’s Hari Singh High Street.“At around 2:40 pm, a miscreant targeted a bunker of SSB with a grenade. There has been no injury to any security force personnel,” Kishore Prasad, DIG CRPF in Srinagar, said.

Five civilians were reportedly injured in the grenade attack on secu-

rity personnel today.

“Terrorists lobbed a grenade towards security force personnel near Amira Kadal bridge which exploded by the roadside,” officials in the knowhow said. During the probe, a journalist named Adil was arrested with two grenades in Srinagar. “Adil was working for Jaish-eMohammed. His associate Zahid Nazar, who escaped from the site, had recently come out of jail,” J&K police said.

—Agencies

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CM CONDUCTS SURVEY OF DISTRICTS AFFECTED BY SWELLING RIVERS First India Bureau Hamirpur/ Jalaun: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday conducted an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas in Jalaun and Hamirpur districts and distributed relief material to the affected people, an official spokesperson said.

The CM held a meet with public representatives and officials to take stock of the flood situation, relief and rescue operations. UP CM also distributed relief material to the flood affected people.

Officials were told to keep a constant vigil on the dams of Yamuna and Betwa rivers and the rising water level.

“Nodal officers should be posted in all the revenue villages affected by floods, who should continuously monitor the flood situation and distribution of relief materials,” he said. Besides, one boat each in all the affected villages should be provided to ferry people to safer areas, he said adding that helpline numbers should be issued to help the people, the Chief Minister added. Since elec-

DIARRHEA: LMC SWINGS INTO ACTION

tricity supply has been affected in most of the villages the UP CM asked the officials to take steps to restore power supply as soon as possible. Arrangement of fodder and medicines should be ensured for animals, he said. A team of doctors should be sent and adequate supply of medicines should be kept at all Primary Health Centers/ Community Health Centres including anti-venom injections for cases of snake bites.

The CM said that adequate number of food grains and relief materials are being made available in the flood affected areas.

Adequate funds have already been provided to each district from the Disaster Relief Fund, due to which 10 kg rice, 10 kg flour, 10 kg potato, 02 kg pulse, huja, gram, oil, spices, salt, candle and kerosene etc is being distributed.

Officials informed that around 90 villages of Hamirpur districts had been inundated and the situation had worsened due to release of water from Kota Dam of Rajasthan and Mata Tila Dam in Yamuna and Betwa rivers.

LUCKNOW | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2021

DIRECTS AUTHORITIES TO TAKE ALL MEASURES TO HELP THE AFFECTED

YOGI INSPECTS

FLOODED ZONES

—PHOTO BY SUMIT KUMAR

First India Bureau Lucknow: District Magistrate Abhishek Prakash on Tuesday chaired a meeting regarding supply of contaminated drinking water in Balu Adda area of in Raja Rammohan Rai ward.

The DM during the meeting instructed the project director to form an instruction team for the Immediate technical audit of sewage line. He also instructed GM Jal Kal to investigate the drinking water supply line immediately for any leakage from the pipeline and check if discharge from sewage line is mixing with it or not.

He instructed that around 500 houses of Raja Ram Mohan Roy ward should be provided with chlorine tablets from 10 am today.

ttar Pradesh Chief U Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the

ks a e p S Yogi

ogi said due to the effective implementation of the ambitious Ujjawal scheme, the number of LPG connections in Uttar Pradesh had almost doubled from 1.47 crore to 3.25 crore. This resulted in reducing usage of kerosene oil in the state, thereby saving Rs 15 crore to the exchequer.

ith Covid-19 cases at the lowest count in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has asked the Team 9 officials to take a fresh look with regards to lifting of the weekly corona curfew.

The state government is likely to take a decision with regards to the same.

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath taking an aerial view of flooded region of Hamirpur district on Tuesday.

T

aking serious view of irregularities committed in the consolidation work under Tehsil Pindra of district Varanasi, parliamentary constituency of PM Modi, CM Yogi has ordered suspension of concerned DDC and seven other staff including the administrative officer.

SANITATION DRIVE AFTER WATERS RECEDE Hamirpur: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday instructed the public representatives to assure that a sanitation drive is conducted after the flood waters backtracks. He also instructed the health officials to make sure that a team of

CM Yogi distributing relief materials to the needy.

biofuel exhibition in Mahoba district on Tuesday and distributed certificates to the beneficiaries of Ujjwala scheme. He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his constant guidance on behalf of citizens of UP.

Y

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doctors visits the area after the water level recedes. The Chief Minister also asked officials to take all possible measures to stop the out break of diarrhea. SDRF, PAC units are also working in coordination with the administration in relief and rescue operations.

View of an IAF helicopter air-dropping relief material in UP.

CM launches C-warrior GeM portal: UP scores hat-trick, portal for BJP workers 1st in departmental purchases First India Bureau

First India Bureau

LMC’s cleaning staff cleaned a nullah and sprinkled slaked lime as a precautionary measure against diarrhea at Balu Adda area of the city.

NODAL OFFICERS INSTRUCTED TO DISTRIBUTE RELIEF MATERIALS

02

Lucknow: With the fear of a possible third wave of coronavirus refusing to die down, the UP Government is beefing up preparations to deal with it. Addressing people on the government’s preparations towards tackling the much feared third wave, CM Yogi said that health volunteers will play a big role during the likely third wave of COVID-19.

He said this at the inauguration of National Swasthya Swayamsevak Abhiyan portal, an initiative to train volunteers ahead of the possible third wave of COVID-19.

CM Yogi addresses a press conference in Jalaun district

CM LAUDS ROLE OF HEALTH WORKERS

The campaign was launched by BJP President JP Nadda in Delhi on July 28.

The Chief Minister in his address said

72,000 monitoring committees were constituted by the state government during the pandemic to prevent its spread.

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh outperformed all the other states and scored a hat-trick by achieving first position in the departmental purchases through the GeM portal on Tuesday.

The award, third time in a row, was received virtually by Additional Chief Secretary MSME, Navneet Sehgal.

“Efforts are being made continuously by the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister to make government procurement corruption free,” said Sehgal.

Purchases of Rs 4,611 crore were made through the portal by the state government in

TRANSPARENCY Sehgal said priority was being given to quality and transparency in departmental purchases, due to which there were about 12,589 govt buyers and over 1,81,487 sellers on the portal, including nearly 60,906 MSME entrepreneurs ACS (MSME) Navneet Sehgal received the award virtually. financial year 2020-21.

The purchases have seen a four-time increase this year in comparison to the last year and about 20 times in last four and half years.

It is to be known that various departments of UP have procured Rs

AGRI TECH

Over 44L farmers download e-ganna app First India Correspondent Lucknow:Uttar Pradesh government is connecting sugarcane farmers with technology to increase their crop yield as well as their income.

So far 66,963 farmers have been trained to apply modern techniques and advanced technology in sugarcane production by the Sugarcane Farmers’ Institute. Through the training, record sugarcane production of 81.5 tonnes has been achieved in UP.

SMART SUGARCANE WEBSITE GETS 5.1 CRORE HITS

—FILE PHOTO

Over 44.40 lakh farmers of the state have downloaded the e-Ganna App where they are getting the benefit of being directly connected to the Uttar Pradesh Sugar-

cane Department.

The tech initiative has freed farmers from the influence of middlemen. Apart from this, the farmers are getting aware of all the

As many as 5.1 crore hits have been recorded on the website of Smart Sugarcane Farmer (Smart Ganna Kisan). These figures are testimony to the fact that the efforts of UP government have made the farmers of UP tech-savvy. Sugarcane department is playing an important role in training farmers, spreading information about mobile apps through supervisors, and in establishing direct communication with agricultural experts . required information through their mobiles.

OVER 81CR HITS ON E-GANNA APP The growing use of technology by sugar-

cane farmers in UP can be gauged from the fact that so far over 81.57 crore hits have been made on the mobile app of the sugarcane department.

602 crore from GeM portal in the financial year 2017-18, Rs 1674 crore in the financial year 2018-19 and Rs 2401 crore in the financial year 2019-20, which is continuously increasing in the financial year. The total has gone

up to Rs 4675 crore in 2020-21. In financial year 2021-22 so far, an amount of Rs 3363 crore has been procured.

In the first quarter of 2019-20, the e-procurement worth Rs 365 crore was done through the GeM portal.

CS directs to expedite Gkp Sainik School works First India Correspondent Lucknow: Chief Secretary RK Tiwari on Tuesday chaired a meeting of Project Monitoring Group to review latest progress of implementation of MoUs signed during the Investors Summit, Development of Auraiya Plastic City, DelhiMumbai Industrial Corridor, Amritsar-Delhi-Kolkata Industrial Corridor and Sainik School Gorakhpur.

In his address at the event, the Chief Secretary called for setting up of milestones for

CS RK Tiwari presides over the PMG meet on Tuesday. speedy completion of works of Sainik School Gorakhpur and instructed on expediting construction works.

With regards to MoUs signed during Investors’ Summit, he was informed that regular meets are being held by ACS, Infra and Industrial Development to resolve issues.

UTTAR PRADESH LUCKNOW | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2021

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03

Noida to be Silicon Valley of India Data Centre facility to invite Rs 20k-cr investment

Work on new IT Park on 200-acre land to start soon

First India Bureau Lucknow: The Yogi Adityanath government plans to develop a data centre park on 200 acres in Sector 28 of Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) in Gautam Budh Nagar district.

The project will start at the end of this month.

The park is expected to attract investments from IT industry giants both from within the country and abroad.

According to YEIDA, the park is likely to attract an investment of Rs 20,000 crore, offering employment to thousands of people.

The officials exuded confidence that the park would emerge as a force

—FILE PHOTO

GOVT POLICY CHANGES BEAR FRUIT

In view of the increasing interest of investors in the IT sector, the CM decided to declare Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna E’way areas in NCR as ‘Electronics Manufacturing Zones’. With this decision, many reputed companies of China, Taiwan and Korea came forward to set up their units in UP. Last year Microsoft, Adani Group, MAQ, Hiranandani Group, Netmagic Services, STT Pvt Ltd and Agarwal Associate Ltd also took the initiative to invest in UP.

CRUCIAL READ 32-YEAR-OLD MURDER ACCUSED ON THE RUN ARRESTED Noida: A 32-year-old murder accused on the run for 14 years and living under a fake identity was arrested by the Noida Police, officials said on Tuesday. The police have also recovered a passport and an Aadhaar card made on forged documents by the accused, who was held on Monday from Surajpur in Greater Noida.

25-YEAR-OLD HELD FOR DUPING PEOPLE

BY IMPERSONATING POLICE OFFICIAL Noida: A 25-year-old Noida resident who allegedly donned police uniform illegally and duped people of their money was arrested on Tuesday, officials said.

The accused has been identified as Saudarv alias Saurabh Singh, a resident of Chhalera village in Sector 44 under Sector 39 police station limits, the officials said.

MOS SWATI SINGH REVIEWS SCHEMES OF WOMEN & CHILD DEV DEPT Lucknow: Swati Singh, MoS for Women and Child Development chaired a meeting to review schemes run under the Department of Women and Child Development. She gave special instructions on CM Kanya Sumangala, Destitute Women Pension for those whose husband has passed away, One Stop Centre, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Working Women Hostel etc.

Forgery probe started against Mukhtar aide First India Bureau Lucknow: Wazirganj police have initiated investigations against Shakeel Haider, close aide of mafia-turned politician Mukhtar Ansari and his bank details were being collected.

Police have asked details of Shakeel and his relatives from Punjab National Bank, Aminabad branch. It was reported that Shakeel had taken huge loan from the bank on grounds of fake documents of lands.

According to Dhananjay Pandey, Wazirganj police station in-charge said that four cases were registered against Shakeel in two days. Victims had complained that Shakeel had taken huge loan on their land and they were not aware about it.

DCP Somen Berma had ordered investigations into the matter and

to reckon with in the IT and electronics sector in near future.

According to IT experts, with huge investments, Noida would be seen competing with Silicon Valley in the US within a few years.

Many leading companies have invested heavily in Noida in the last four years due to the investor-friendly policies of the government.

Renowned companies like Microsoft, Adani Group and MAQ have recently bought land to set up data centres in Noida. Besides these, HCL, Google and TCS have already established themselves in Noida whereas Hiranandani Group, Netmagic Services, STT Pvt Ltd and

Aggarwal Associate Ltd are in touch with the government to set up their own data centres.

The investments have been brought to the state in the fields of data centre and software technology solely because of the initiatives of CM Yogi as until four years ago these companies were wary of UP because of law and order issues as well as bureaucratic red tape.

The Yogi Government after assuming office drafted a new IT policy and announced several concessions and relaxations for investors. The concessions given under this Electronics Manufacturing Policy-2017 encouraged 30 big investors to show interest.

Jaunpur police gun down 2 criminals First India Bureau Jaunpur: Two notorious criminals, who had killed a cash van guard during ATM loot in Dhaniyamau market under Baksha police station area here, were gunned down during encounter with police under Singaramau police station area.

Superintendent of police Ajay Sahni here said both criminals identified as Abhishek Gautam and Nitin Maurya died during encounter with police team near Bahra Pili River close to railway crossing and highway early on Tuesday morning.

SP said during routine patrolling Singarpur po-

HAD KILLED ATM CASH VAN GUARD The criminals had killed cash van guard Ram Awadh Chaubey during ATM loot bid in Dhaniyamau market under Baksha police station area at around 3 pm on Monday. Two cashiers, van driver and another guard were injured in the attack. Several criminal cases under loot, attempt to murder charges were registered against both criminals, the SP said adding they were wanted in other cases too.

lice team got information about the criminals who killed guard during ATM loot in Dhaniyamau market. Police intercepted two suspects near Bahra Pili river but they opened fire on police team in which one sub-inspector and constable were injured.

In retaliatory firing both criminals were in-

jured. Both injured criminals were rushed to district hospital where doctors declared them brought dead. Police have recovered one 9 mm pistol and cartages from the criminals.

Criminals had killed cash van guard Ram Awadh Chaubey during ATM loot bid in Dhaniyamau market under

Baksha police station area at around 3 pm on Monday. Two cashiers, van driver and another guard were injured in the attack.

Several criminal cases under loot, attempt to murder charges were registered against both criminals, SP said adding that they were wanted in other cases also.

OPD patients stand in queue for antigen test after govt guidelines mandating covid report for OPD treatment at SP Mukherjee Civil Hospital in Lucknow on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY SUMIT KUMAR

At 20, state logs lowest-ever daily covid case count

First India Bureau

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday witnessed the steepest decline in number of fresh cases as the state limited the infections to just 20, making it the lowest daily-case count ever.

Uttar Pradesh, in a sharp contrast to major other states which are significantly lesser in terms of population has been successfully taming the raging disease.

Where the other states have been witnessing a greater surge of fresh Covid-19 infections (daily cases ranging from 20,000-2,000), UP has restricted the daily-case count below 100 for 4 weeks in a row now.

The downward trajectory has continued for the consecutive thirteenth week, testifying the success of numerous proactive measures implemented by the Uttar Pradesh government.

In another significant achievement, UP, pushing the Covid graph southwards, dropped the daily Covid test positivity rate

ACTIVE CASE LOAD AT 545 The Active Caseload in the most populous state now stands at 545, which has been brought down by a remarkable 99.8 per cent from its peak capped at 3,10,783 cases on April 30.

States like Kerala, Maharashtra account for a heavy caseload.

(TPR) — the number of positive cases against the total tests done — to 0.01 percent, the lowest in the country.

This rate was at its highest at 16.84 per cent on April 24 and now remains even lower than the lowest post first wave. Despite aggressive tracing and testing, UP’s positivity rate has been registering a steady decline, indicating signs that the dangerous Covid wave is receding from the state, in contrast to which states like Kerala have failed to register any reduction and have a positivity rate of 13 per cent.

Two get 20 years in jail for 2018 gang rape of minor

Jitendra Bablu’s BJP membership cancelled after Bahuguna’s plaint

First India Bureau

First India Bureau

Sultanpur: A special court of POCSO Act has awarded 20 years jail term with Rs 60,000 fine each to two convicts of gang-rape of a minor girl. The court mentioned that the amount will be given to father of victim and convicts have to serve extra six months in jail if fine is be submitted.

Special public prosecutor Abhishek Tripathi said a 9-yr-old daughter of a tea seller was gang-raped by two meat traders on Janu-

HEINOUS CRIME

ary 21, 2018. The accused had left the girl in very serious condition before she was rushed to the district hospital.

Victim had recovered after long treatment.

Agitated crowd had protested against police af-

Mukhtar Ansari

cases were registered against Shakeel. During investigations it was revealed that Shakeel had taken loans from several banks on fake documents and their relatives were also involved in scam.

Police will investigate how Shakeel got such huge loans on fake documents.Why banks did not check authenticity of documents and if any bank officials were involved in the crime. Police will investigate bank officials involvement in the crime and actions will be taken against culprits, Pandey said.

Microsoft, HCL already part of Noida transformation dream

ter the crime and senior officials pacified the situation after assurance of stringent actions against culprits. As accused were from other community, communal tension prevailed in the area after the incident.

Lucknow: The BJP on Tuesday cancelled the membership of former BSP MLA Jitendra Singh Bablu, inducted in the party last week, following a complaint

by MP Rita Bahuguna Joshi that he was allegedly involved in the torching of her house in 2009.

State president of BJP Swatantra Dev Singh cancelled the membership of Bablu, joint media in-charge of the BJP Himanshu

Jitendra Singh Bablu

Dueby said in a press statement.

Expressing shock over the induction of Bablu, Joshi, sitting BJP MP from Allahabad, had alleged that Bablu might have hidden facts from the party leaders.

“In July 2009 when my house was set ablaze in Lucknow, he (Bablu) was in the forefront and he was found guilty during investigations,” Joshi, who was in the Congress at that time, had alleged.

“I believe he has kept the party in the dark. The doors of the BJP are open to all and I have full faith that the state president was not aware of his criminal background and that he is an accused in the house burning case,” Joshi had alleged.

FAST TRACK

Getting Wings: YIAPL raises `3k-cr debt for int’l airport 

The financing agreement was signed between YIAPL, SBI, and Noida International Airport Limited, the project’s nodal agency set up by the UP government

First India Bureau Noida: The Yamuna International Airport Pvt Ltd (YIAPL) has raised Rs 3,725 crore debt from State Bank of India for the development of the upcoming Noida International Airport, officials said on Tuesday.

YIAPL is a 100 per cent subsidiary of Swiss developer Zurich Airport International AG (ZAIA) and has been incorporated to develop the airport in Jewar, around 70 km from the

`2,005-CR

Yamuna Authority PCS Shailendra Bhatia, CEO Yamuna Authority Arunveer Singh along with Zurich Airport officials on Tuesday.

Delhi region.

The UP government was also informed about the complete funding

for the first phase of the project on Tuesday, the officials said.

The ‘financing agree-

ment’ was signed between YIAPL, SBI, and Noida International Airport Limited (NIAL),

the project’s nodal agency set up by the UP government, they said.

“YIAPL has raised Rs 3,725 cr in debt from SBI to be repaid over a period of 20 years with oneyear moratorium post completion of the project. This is one of the largest financings in an Indian greenfield airport. The financial close marks another crucial milestone for the project, bringing it closer to the start of construction works,” an official statement read.

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SAM MISSILES REACH REBELS

04

IN-DEPTH

UJJAWALA 2.0 IS PM’S TRUMP CARD BEFORE UP POLLS

UNDETERRED OF AMERICAN BOMBING, AFGHAN TALIBAN LAUNCH MASSIVE ATTACKS ON CITIES

P

GOPAL MISRA

The writer is accredited as a Journalist of Long and distinguished service with the Press Information Bureau of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry

U Bajwa is confident that since almost 60 percent of the army soldiers have already been Talibanized, he could go ahead with his plans to support the Afghan rebels. It would also enable him to crush his peers in the armed forces as well as to muzzle the saner advice of the knowledgeable sections of the society comprising former diplomats, political analysts and others

nable to prevent the USA from using its air space for bombing the aggressive Taliban forces, Pakistan army under its chief Qamar Javed Bajwa takes a calculated decision to facilitate the rebels with surface to air missiles (SAM) being obtained from China. Taliban is being given intensive training for using the high-tech system.

Bajwa is confident that since almost 60 percent of the army soldiers have already been Talibanized, he could go ahead with his plans to support the Afghan rebels. It would also enable him to crush his peers in the armed forces as well as to muzzle the saner advice of the knowledgeable sections of the society comprising former diplomats, political analysts and others.

During his recent visit to Peshawar with the Prime Minister, Imran Khan, the Taliban were reportedly assured that as soon as they occupy major cities, Pakistan would accord recognition to the Afghan Taliban as the legitimate rulers of Afghanistan.

China would soon follow its ally. Earlier, Pakistan had recognized the Taliban government during 1996-2001 and had allowed its embassy

RIDDING POLITICS OF CRIMINAL ELEMENTS

in Islamabad. It had also accepted them as the legitimate rulers of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

Earlier, American intelligence agencies have been able to trace the existence of as many as 100 stingers with the rebel forces; but following the high-level visit of the Taliban delegation to China, more high-tech SAM are being inducted to augment its capacity to challenge US bombers. In 2020, as many as two jests were downed by the rebel forces, though American confirmed that only one of its planes had crashed in eastern Afghanistan near Ghazni. The American officer, Col Sonny Leggett stated: “While the cause of the crash is under investigation, there are no indications the crash was caused by enemy fire.”He also denied the Taliban’s claim that an additional aircraft too had crashed. The Americans had also rejected the widely reported news of the downing of the aircraft in the social media about a Bombardier E-11A - the type of jet used by the US Air Force for electronic surveillance over Afghanistan.The Afghan authorities in Kabul had initially said the crashed plane belonged to stateowned airline Ariana, but the company quickly issued a rebuttal that s all its planes were accounted for.

NO DEARTH OF WEAPONS It is estimated that the Chi-

P

olitical parties have a penchant to keep candidates with clean image out of politics, preferring those with criminal antecedents instead. Efforts were being made for the last several years to discourage all the political parties from fielding criminals in elections.

While the results have been encouraging, the practice has not completely stopped.

The Supreme Court has now cracked the whip to ensure that the polity remained clean.

On Tuesday a Supreme Court Bench headed by Chief Justice NV Ramana said that state governments cannot withdraw criminal cases against sitting MPs and

It is estimated that the Chinese authorities have decided to dump their surplus weapons in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Since China has already embarked upon a massive modernization plan for the next two decades to overtake its military might the US-led western forces nese authorities have decided to dump their surplus weapons in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Since China has already embarked upon a massive modernization plan for the next two decades to overtake its military might the US-led western forces. Its present weapons and ammunition need to be dumped; and thus Pakistan and Afghanistan become the destination for its dated military equipment.

In a document available in the public domain, the Chinese Communist Party has not defined what it means by its ambition to have a “worldclass” military; but it appears that China’s national strategy is to develop a military by mid-century that is equal to—or in some cases superior to—the US military, or that of any other great power that China views as a threat to its sovereignty, se-

Governments in most states, including Uttar Pradesh, have no qualms about withdrawing criminal cases against their MPs and MLAs MLAs without prior sanctions from their respective high courts. The statement was based on a report submitted by amicus curiae Vijay Hansaria. The report said that there has been a 17 per cent jump in criminal cases pending against sitting and former MPs and MLAs in less than two years.

Governments in most states, including Uttar Pradesh, have no qualms about withdrawing criminal

curity, and development interests.

The Chinese duplicity is quite known to India. Therefore, India is not surprised by these developments, though a high-level Russian diplomat in New Delhi, roman Babushkin, recently stated, “We have got some real experience in Afghanistan..”

Vijay Gokhle, a former foreign secretary, in his recently published book, “How Chinese Negotiate Game with India”, reveals the game plan Chinese play in the region.

However, it was not surprising when he said, “China used its “close connections” with Left parties in India to “build domestic opposition” to the Indo-US nuclear deal between 2007 and 2008. Gokhle, however, did not share the information about how China had funded and trained Naga and Mizo insurgents during the sixties and seventies. He also exposes how China used the Russians to stall the listing of the Jaishe-Mohammed chief, Masood Azhar. The Chinese had claimed that Pakistan had reliably assured them that the “JeM was defunct” and that “Masood Azhar had ‘retired’”. India obviously did not buy that line. It may be recalled that Gokhale was one of the lead negotiators for the Indian government when Azhar was designated global terrorist at the UNSC in May 2019.

rime Minister Narendra Modi’s Ujjwala scheme under which free LPG cylinders were provided to poor households worked wonders for the BJP in the 2017 UP assembly elections. In the first year of its launch on May 1, 2016, 2.2 crore cylinders were distributed against a target of 1.5 crore.

By October 2017, a total of 3 crore cylinders were distributed, a bulk of which went to women belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

The scheme launched from Ballia came as a boon to below poverty line families and made cooking smoke-free for them.

On Tuesday, the Prime Minister launched Ujjwala 2.0, about seven months ahead of 2022 elections. The eye is obviously on Bundelkhand as the scheme was launched from Mahoba. It is expected to have an equally positive impact on BJP’s prospects in UP as it targets women voters by making life easy for them. Other political parties will find it difficult to counter this poll-winning move by the Prime Minister.

SPIRITUAL SPEAK If with a pure mind a person speaks or acts happiness follows him like his never-departing shadow.

—Buddha

TOP TWEET Ashwini Vaishnaw @AshwiniVaishnaw

Blue Flame Revolution reaches 1 crore more poor families with the launch of #PMUjjwala2 by PM @narendramodi Ji. Free LPG connection and access to clean fuel will further add to ease of living.

Shashi Tharoor @ShashiTharoor

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

cases against their MPs and MLAs. The amicus curiae’s report said that UP seeks to withdraw 76 cases against BJP MLAs, including those accused in Muzaffarnagar riots. Karnataka wants to exonerate 61 legislators. Such legislators are an asset for a party in election season.

In another attempt to decriminalize politics, a Bench of Justices Rohinton Fali Nariman and BR Gavai imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh and Rs 5 lakhs on nine political parties, including the Congress, BJP and CPM, for “not making public criminal records of their candidates”.

The apex court and Election Commission alone can’t cleanse the system. We, the voters, should join this cleanliness drive.

After @udfkerala MPs protested before Gandhiji’s statue inParliament, a number of us signed a fresh letter to HealthMinister @mansukhMandviya asking urgently for more vaccines for Kerala. (My own request a week ago attached). GOI should put lives ahead of politics & send vaccines!

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CRUCIAL READ WFI SUSPENDS VINESH PHOGAT FOR INDISCIPLINE, NOTICE TO SONAM New Delhi: The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Tuesday “temporarily suspended” star grappler Vinesh Phogat for indiscipline during her forgettable Tokyo Olympics campaign and also issued notice to young Sonam Malik for misconduct. It has been learnt that Vinesh, who crashed out of the Tokyo Games in the quarterfinals after a crushing defeat by ‘fall’, has been given time till August 16 to reply to the notice that mentioned indiscipline on three counts.

KARNATAKA MINISTER ATTACKS CONG LEADERS, APOLOGISES LATER Bengaluru: Karnataka Minister K S Eshwarappa on Tuesday courted controversy by making some objectionable remarks against Congress leader.

Moments later he apologised for his utterance. At a press conference, he attacked the Congress and used an objectionable term. “...Why I am using this term is because they don’t have any idea what to utter and what to omit,” Eshwarappa, who holds the Rural Development & Panchayat Raj portfolio.

THROWING LOVE CHIT AT MARRIED WOMAN IS OUTRAGING MODESTY: HC

Nagpur: The bench here of the Bombay High Court has observed that throwing a chit professing love for a married woman amounts to outraging her modesty and imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on the accused while directing it to be paid to the victim as compensation. Hearing the matter, Justice Rohit Deo said this act is “sufficient to outrage her modesty”.

EQUITY INDICES WIPE OUT EARLY GAINS, AIRTEL UP 3.8 PER CENT Mumbai: Equity frontline indices erased most of intra-day gains as traders booked profits on Tuesday but ended in the positive terrain after a volatile session. At the closing bell, the BSE S&P Sensex was up by 152 points or 0.28 per cent at 54,555 while the Nifty 50 inched by 22 points or 0.13 per cent to 16,280. While Nifty IT moved up by 0.8 per cent and financial service by 0.3 per cent, Bharti Airtel gained by 3.7 per cent to Rs 621.90 per.

FREE TICKETS FOR A LIFETIME TO ALL INDIAN MEDALISTS AT TOKYO OLYMPICS Bengaluru: Star Air promises free lifetime airline tickets to all the Indian Olympic medalists who won at the Tokyo Olympics of 2020. “It will be our privilege to offer our Tokyo Olympic champions a lifetime of free air travel.

We recognize that greatness should be valued,” said Sanjay Ghodawat, Chairman.

TEJPAL URGES HC FOR ‘INCAMERA’ HEARING OF PLEA New Delhi: Former Tehelka magazine editor Tarun Tejpal’s acquittal of rape and sexual assault charges has left an “inevitable impression on all victims of sexual violence” and has “a deterrent effect among those who are potential victims”, additional solicitor gen-

eral Tushar Mehta told the Bombay high court at Goa on Tuesday.

Mehta, who appeared for the state government, said the institution of the judiciary has failed while opposing Tejpal’s plea that the appeal against his acquittal be heard in camera.

THE COURTYARD INDIA’S PRIDE IS IN ITS TRADITIONAL Twitter hasIN‘prima facie’ complied

KNOWLEDGE, NEED NOT COPY

OTHERS: MOHAN BHAGWAT New Delhi: India’s pride is in its traditional knowledge and it need not copy other countries, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat said on Tuesday. Bhagwat was speaking at the launch of the book, “Bharat Vaibhav”, by the National Book Trust (NBT). “ India’s pride is its traditional knowledge.

India was born to share its knowledge tradition with the whole world...

The ocean of information about India should be translated into all Indian languages and should be widely publicised. “I am often asked why cannot we do like China or America or Russia. I would say why do we have to copy any other country, why

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.

do we have to do like them, we should do things our own way,” he said in his address.

He claimed that the earlier education policy did not talk enough

about “the great deeds of our own people” and noted that the new national education policy will give importance to Indian languages.

“What is the point if

whatever is taught in our country does not talk about the great deeds of our people.

Our education policy didn’t talk about this,” he said.

The book Bharat Vaibhav’ presents the various dimensions of India and its traditional knowledge system, its ancient culture and civilization and its need for today’s world.

Governor of Kerala Arif Mohammad Khan said that the morale and self-confidence of any nation have only been awakened with the help of its culture.

“Indian culture is eternal and it is our collective responsibility to try our best to imbibe it in our lives and pass it to our future generations as well,” he said.

with new IT Rules, Centre tells HC New Delhi: The Central government on Tuesday, informed the Delhi High Court that Twitter had “prima facie” complied with the new Information Technology Rules, 2021, by appointing permanently a Chief Compliance Officer (COO), a Resident Grievance Officer (RGO) and a Nodal Contact Person (NCP).

Following this, the

court directed the Centre to submit an affidavit highlighting the new development within two weeks. It posted the case for October 5.

During the brief hearing, senior advocate Sajan Poovayya, representing Twitter, submitted that the microblogging site had in compliance with the new IT Rules made the appointments.

—PTI

SC GRANTS BAIL TO AZAM KHAN, SON IN FORGERY CASE

SUKESH ARRESTED, RUNNING EXTORTION RACKET FROM JAIL

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted bail to Samajwadi Party leader, Azam Khan and his son Abdullah Khan in a forgery case. Court directed that father and son should be released on bail after trial court concerned in UP recorded Azam’s statement in case within four weeks. Azam and his son Abdullah are accused of forging latter’s age on his educational certificates in 2017 polls.

drasekhar, an accused in 21 cases including the Election Commission bribery case, has been arrested for allegedly extorting Rs 50 crore from a businessman here and the fresh case will be investigated by the Economic Offences Wing, officials said on Tuesday. Based on technical surveillance and "source-based inputs", a team of Special Cell arrested him.

Cong will continue to fight against Modi Srinagar: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi targeted the Centre for not allowing the opposition to raise in Parliament serious issues related to farmers, Pegasus snooping controversy and corruption, and said that his party would continue to fight against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “ideology that divides India”.

As the monsoon session of Parliament continues to be marred by frequent disruptions over the Pegasus issue, Gandhi, who was here to inaugurate the new building of Jammu and Kashmir Congress office, alleged that the policies of the Narendra Modi government were dividing India.

“I fight against Narendra Modi and we will continue to fight against his divisive ideology, the ideology that divides India,” Gandhi said while addressing the party function here.

Gandhi, who was here on a two-day visit, said BJP has launched an assault not only on Jammu and Kashmir but the entire country.

“They (BJP) are as-

Rahul Gandhi visits hazratbal shrine and also offers prayers at Mata Kheer Bhawani temple in Ganderbal district on Tuesday.

RAHUL OFFERS PRAYERS AT KHEER BHAWANI TEMPLE & MIR BABA Srinagar: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday visited the Kheer Bhawani temple in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir and the Hazratbal shrine here. Gandhi, who arrived on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir on August 9, reached the temple nestled saulting all the institutions, they are assaulting judiciary, Assembly, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha,” Gandhi said and pointing to the media enclosure added, “We have media friends here...But the truth that they should report, they

among mighty chinars in Tullamulla area of the central Kashmir district early in the morning.

Immediately after leaving the temple complex, the former Congress president visited the nearby shrine of Mir Baba Haider to pay obeisance there, the leader said. are not (doing it).”

He said dissent was not allowed against this government. “We are not allowed to speak in Parliament on issues like farm bills, Pegasus, corruption, Rafale and unemployment,” he added. —ANI

5K SECURITY PERSONNEL KILLED: RAI

250 TO 300 TERRORISTS WAITING

New Delhi: As many as 5,886 security personnel were killed in Jammu and Kashmir in terrorist incidents from 1989 till August 5, 2019, informed Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai in Lok Sabha on Tuesday in a written reply.

Jammu: After initial ‘’zero infiltration’’ in the wake of renewed ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan in Feb, fresh attempts are on to push terrorists from across the border where 250 to 300 terrorists are trained and waiting on the launch pads.

RESTORE FULL STATEHOOD IN J-K: AZAD TO CENTRE New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad urged the Central government to restore statehood, “It will be our request to the central government that assurances given by Prime Minister should be implemented in short-term rather than long-term, as it will benefit people.”

For Didi, road to Delhi routes through Assam, Tripura & Meghalaya!

Kartikey Dev Singh New Delhi: The thumping third time victory in the West Bengal Assembly election and its correspondoing political momentum with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has given wings to its supremo Mamata Banerjee’s political aims.

Excited by the victory in one state and the defeat of the BJP after a hotly contested election, Didi’s hopes of ‘handling’ the nation from the hallowed Prime Minister’s Office have gained momentum and she knows that she needs more states under her to even come close to

achieving her dream.

Furthermore, she also has to ‘contest’ within other Opposition party for her ‘supremacy’ in the Opposition alliance and for this too, she needs more state governments under her to enforce herself on the alliance. As they say, might is right in politics.

Therefore, Banerjee has now set her eyes on the Eastern states of Assam, Tripura and Meghalaya. To the uninitiated, these far flung states may seem to be of little importance, but every one knows, even a small state is nevertheless, a state.

And this is why Mamata is looking to form governments here.

05

But dreaming and hoping for something is quite different than the ground reality. So lets talk numbers.

TMC’s relevance in Tripura is based on the fact that the BJP ruled state has 2/3 Bengali speaking population, which TMC can appeal to, politically. About 1/4 population are local tribal. Furthermore, Tripura and West Bengal have had almost similar political history as the Left (CPM) has ruled both states in the past.

But the positives don’t end there. In fact, the current health minister of Tripura Sudeep Roy Burman has his ‘Godfather’ in TMC’s senior leader Mukul

Mamata Banerjee

Roy, who had defected to BJP and got Roy Burman to join BJP. Now, the health minister has initiated a campaign against BJP’s Tripura CM Biplab Dev with

other BJP legislators joining forces to remove the Chief Minister. Therefore, Mukul Roy, who rejoined Mamata post WB election results, could now

play a crucial role in turning the tide towards TMC. In Meghalaya, the NPP, a party formed by former Lok Sabha speaker PA Sangma, is currently ‘managed’ by his son Konrad Sangma, who has formed the government in alliance with the BJP. Mamata Banerjee and her political managers feel that she can bring Sangma with her if she emerges on political horizon of the country. After all, Mamata has been actively involved in politics with PA Sangma for a long time.

In Assam, Didi wants to bring firebrand leader Akhil Gogoi with her. It is being said that

Gogoi can also merge his party Raijor Dal with Mamata’s party. It should be noted that Akhil Gogoi has won the Assembly elections while in jail and contested the elections in association with the Asom Jatiyata Parishad, a party of the All Assam Students Union.

He can even bring this party along to further strengthen Mamata.

This will give Didi a strong base to start with in Assam.

Therefore, along with Bengal, if Mamata’s strategy is successful in these three states of Northeast, then it will strengthen her plan to become a national leader.

New Delhi: Sukesh Chan-

PIL in HC on Remdesivir drug sale New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday allowed the petitioner to withdraw his PIL seeking the sale of Remdesivir, used in COVID-19 treatment, in the domestic market.

Remdesivir is a drug used in Covid-19 treatment. The PIL sought permission that all the drug firms making Remdesivir be allowed to sell it in the domestic market.

A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh disposed of the plea after the counsel appearing for the petitioner informed the court that his client wished to withdraw the matter.

Earlier, the court had sought the response of all the respondents including the Centre and concerned authorities in the matter.

The court had also issued notice to various pharma firms including Zydus, Cadila, Cipla and other makers. During the second wave, the Centre had prohibited its export.

RBI: Penalty on ATMs that run out of cash, from Oct 1 Mumbai: Concerned over the inconvenience caused to the public due to the non-availability of cash in ATMs, the Reserve Bank has decided to penalise banks for failure to timely replenish currency notes in such machines. RBI will start imposing penalty on banks in case ATMs remain out-of-cash for 10 hours in a month from October 1 onwards.

“Scheme of Penalty for non-replenishment of ATMs has been formulated to ensure sufficient cash is available to public through ATMs,” RBI said.

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06

OUTSIDERS: THE NEW FLAVOUR FOR CONG-BJP? Kartikey Dev Singh New Delhi: Apart from various complications and issues surrounding the Congress party, one major resentment among the grand old party’s ‘old faithfuls’ is the issue of high command giving preference to ‘outsiders’ i.e. leaders who have not originally been with Congress, and ignoring old, loyal leaders. After the appointment of Navjot Singh Sidhu as the President of Punjab Congress, there has been an outrage among the leaders.

Sidhu had joined

the Congress four years ago, just before the Punjab Assembly elections. Before that he was in BJP and used to abuse Congress fiercely. He had made major attacks on Sonia and Rahul as well as late Rajiv Gandhi. But within four years, he has managed to climb the ranks from being a member of party to a minister to now becoming the state president.

Not only Captain Amarinder Singh is angry with this, but MPs like Manish Tewari are also angry and there is resentment in other states

CRUCIAL READ DELHI RECORDS 52 FRESH CASES, 1 DEATH; POSITIVITY RATE 0.08 PC New Delhi: Delhi reported 52 fresh coronavirus cases and one new fatality on Tuesday, with the positivity rate at 0.08 per cent, according to data shared by the Health Department. Forty-five patients recovered from the infection in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of recoveries in the city to 14,11,280. Delhi had reported 39 Covid cases and one fatality on Monday.

as well.

Similarly, Congress appointed Revanth Reddy, state president in Telangana. He too left the Telugu Desam Party and joined the Congress four years ago in 2017. Within four years, he reached the chair of the state president. On the other hand, in Maharashtra too, Nana Patole, who left the BJP three years ago and joined the Congress, has become state president.

In these three years, he contested Lok Sabha by-election once on a Congress ticket from his traditional Bhandara-Gondia

Navjot Singh Sidhu

Revanth Reddy

Nana Patole

seat. Then in 2019 he contested the Nagpur seat against Nitin Gadkari and contested the Assembly elections in 2019, became the Assembly speaker and now he has become state president.

It is true that he has

been in the Congress earlier, but despite this, there is resentment among the party leaders for being promoted so quickly. The Congress had similarly made Dr Ajay Kumar the state president, after he left the

Jharkhand Vikas Morcha and joined the party nearly two years back.

But it is not just Congress that is witnessing an influx of defectors, the Bharatiya Janata Party is also treading the same line

Bill to restore states’ rights on OBC list: Oppn voice support

20.32 L TESTS, 7.08 L HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS RELATED TO COVID New Delhi: As of July 25, 20.32 L tests and 7.08 L hospital admissions related to COVID-19 were authorised under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, the government informed Parliament on Tuesday. Public health being a state subject, the response to the COVID-19 pandemic is primarily directed by the state governments, Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar said in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha. The National Health Authority (NHA) has been providing support to the states and Union territories for free testing.

OVER 3L PREGNANT WOMEN GIVEN FIRST DOSE OF COVID-VACCINE: GOVT

New Delhi: As many as 3,05,938 vax doses have been administered to pregnant women till August 4, out of which 3,05,482 lk beneficiaries have received first dose and 456 have received both doses, the RS Sabha said on Tuesday. In a reply to a question, Minister of State for Health Bharat Pravin Pawar said about 91,104 doses have been administered to transgenders.

GRAFT CASE AGAINST VELUMANI; PARTY DUBS IT “VENDETTA” Coimbatore: The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption on Tuesday registered a case against former Minister S P Velumani for allegedly abusing his position and allotting tenders. He is the second AIADMK leader to face action after the DMK assumed office in May. While the anti-graft agency conducted searches in 52 premises across Tamil Nadu and questioned Velumani, a AIADMK strongman, the opp condemned action.

TERRORIST KILLED IN RAJOURI WENT TO PAK ON INDIAN PASSPORT Jammu: Police on Tuesday said one of the two terrorists killed in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district last week had travelled to Pakistan on a valid Indian passport in February 2018.

Two terrorists belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) were killed in a gunbattle with security forces in Rajouri district on Friday. “One of the killed terrorists has been identified as Ramees Ahmad Tantray son of Mohd Yusuf Tantray,” Rajouri SP Qasba. —PTI

FLORAL TRIBUTES

President Ram Nath Kovind paying floral tributes to ex-Prez of India VV Giri, on his birth anniversary on Tuesday. —ANI ­­­­

as Congress. Earlier, to go to any higher post in BJP, it was necessary that the leader should be associated with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. But now this measure has been abolished. Now if a big leader of a party comes to BJP, who fits into BJP in terms of electoral politics or social balance, then he is being given a higher post immediately.

In the last three months, three instances of this have been seen. The BJP first made former Congressman Himanta Biswa Sarma the chief

New Delhi: Lok Sabha on Tuesday witnessed a thaw in the logjam over the Pegasus snooping row as members cutting across party lines voiced support for a constitutional amendment bill to restore the states’ power to make their own OBC lists.

During the debate on ‘The Constitution (127th Amendment) Bill, 2021’, several Opposition parties, including the Congress, demanded a removal of the 50 per cent cap on reservations, while the government underlined its commitment to social justice.

For the first time since the Monsoon session of Parliament began on July 19, Lok Sabha witnessed a de-

bate in an orderly manner as the Opposition put their protests demanding a debate over the Pegasus snooping allegations on hold for the bill.

During the debate, many leaders such as BJP ally JD(U)’s Lalan Singh, Samajwadi Party’s Akhilesh Yadav, BSP’s Ritesh Pandey and DMK’s T R Baalu demanded a caste census be conducted throughout the country.

Moving the bill for consideration and passage, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Virendra Kumar described ‘The Constitution Bill, 2021’ as a historic legislation as 671 castes in the country would benefit from it.

—PTI

CONG DIDN’T GIVE RESERVATION TO OBCS FOR 40 YRS: GOVT

MODI SEEKS NAMES OF MEMBERS ABSENT DURING VOTING IN RS

New Delhi: The Congress did not give reservation to the OBCs for almost 40 years and it was finally granted by a government supported by the BJP, Union minister Bhupender Yadav said in Parliament on Tuesday. Speaking in the Lok Sabha on the Constitution (127th Amendment) Bill, he said the Kaka Kalelkar Commission had suggested reservation for the OBCs in the 1950s, but the Congress did not implement it for almost four decades. Not only this, the Congress also did not implement the recommendations of the Mandal Commission for six years, which was eventually done by a government supported by the BJP, Yadav said. It was the Narendra Modi government that gave constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes, which the Congress did not do, he added.

—ANI

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi took BJP MPs to task over the absence of some of them in the Rajya Sabha on Monday when the Tribunals Reforms (Rationalisation and Conditions of Service) Bill, 2021 was being passed. He made his remarks during the last parliamentary party meeting of the BJP in this monsoon session of Parliament, and asked Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi to make a list of absent MPs, according to sources. The censure was due to the fact that the Opposition had moved a statutory resolution asking that the Bill be sent to a Select Committee first, while the resolution was defeated and the Bill was passed by voice vote, the thin attendance of the treasury benches, with “at least 20 MPs missing” according to govt sources.

—ANI

SCs, STs TO BE ENUMERATED IN 2021: GOVT New Delhi: The government has decided as a matter of policy not to enumerate caste-wise population other than SCs and STs in census, the Lok Sabha was informed on July 20. Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai also said that according to the provisions of the Constitution, the seats are reserved for SCs and STs in LS and in the assemblies in proportion, as nearly as may be, to their population. Rai said in census, the castes and tribes specifically notified as SC and ST are enumerated.

‘RSS strong supporter of reservation’ New Delhi: Asserting that RSS is a “strong supporter” of reservation, the organisation’s general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said it is a tool for affirmative action and should continue as long as a particular section of the society

Jantar Mantar slogans: BJP leader, 5 others held New Delhi: Six people including SC lawyer and BJP leader Ashwini Upadhyay were arrested by Delhi Police on Tuesday in connection with alleged inflammatory sloganeering near Jantar Mantar.

Besides Upadhyay other arrested persons include Vinod Sharma, Deepak Singh, Vinit Kranti, Preet Singh, and Deepak. They were detained and questioned by cops.

—ANI

experiences “inequality.”

Underlining that the history of India would be “incomplete” without the history of Dalits, Hosabale said they have been at the forefront of social change He was speaking at an event organised by

the India Foundation for the launch of a book, titled “Makers Of Modern Dalit History”.

“History of India is not different from History from Dalits. Without their history, India’s history is incomplete.”

‘Work in progress to translate tech, pharma edu into official language’ New Delhi: While stating that PM Narendra Modi has given respect to the country’s official language by speaking in Hindi at various events and on international platforms, Union Home Minister Amit

Shah on Tuesday announced at 36th meeting of Panel of Parl on Official Langauge that work has begun to translate curriculum of technical education and pharmaceutical edu into official language.

As the interactions were on the verge of conclusion, Prime Minister Modi said, “Before 2014, the poor people of the country had to make rounds of government offices, even for the smallest things. We are making efforts to change the situation, and while talking to you, it seems that the results of the efforts made have started becoming visible. May the blessings of sisters continue.”

To this, Devi said, “I also want to thank you

from the bottom of my heart. ” Asked whether her daughter cooks food using a gas stove, Devi told the prime minister, “She enjoys cooking using LPG and whenever the cylinder is empty, she is unwilling to cook food.”

minister of Assam. He left the Congress and joined the BJP six years back.

In West Bengal, Shubhendu Adhikari, who left the Trinamool Congress and joined the BJP six months ago, was made the leader of the legislative party. Now he is the leader of 75 BJP MLAs and as such is also the Leader of the Opposition.

After Assam and Bengal, the party made Basavaraj Bommai the chief minister of Karnataka after Bommai left the Janta Dal fold and joined the Saffron party.

IAF focused on boosting capabilities: IAF chief

New Delhi: India’s air power capabilities in terms of hitting targets with precision, defending assets and use of new technologies have gone up significantly after the Balakot air strikes and rapid developments in eastern Ladakh following the Galwan Valley clashes, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria said.

In an address at a leading think-tank, the IAF Chief said India now has an “edge” in its ability on both the Western and Northern fronts to “react fast, respond fast and hit fast”, noting that induction of Rafale jets has helped in bringing the “next level” of operational transformation.

About the drone strike on the Jammu airbase, he said the IAF is taking a series of initiatives including procuring next-generation jammers to deal with such challenges and added that the attack would not have been possible if it was attempted two-three months later.

Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria said the “edge” that the IAF has today came from its weapons, and training.

—PTI

FROM PG 1 PM launches...

He launched the second phase of the nationwide Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), or Ujjwala 2.0, by virtually presenting free LPG connections to some beneficiaries in Mahoba.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who was present at the Mahoba event, handed over the documents to the women on his behalf. He hailed the initiative and said that while getting an LPG connection seemed like a

dream earlier, it is now available at finger tips.

PM Modi interacted with Devi, a resident of Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, and a few other women during the event, and said the “eradication of hardships” in their lives has proved to be an “appropriate reply” to the critics of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana-PMUY. Accompanied by her daughter, Devi’s interaction with the prime minister lasted around four-and-half minutes.

‘Sidhu’s Barbs... and also listed the ones where actions that have been initiated already,” Rawat said.

The meeting precedes an anticipated cabinet reshuffle in

Punjab and comes in the midst of strong indications that the feud between the Congress’s top two in the state is far from over.

Meanwhile, after meeting Sonia, Amarinder went to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah, However, citing social, economic, and security implications of the prolonged farmers’ agitation, the Punjab Chief Minister asked Amit Shah for the immediate repeal of the Farm Laws,

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‘SHILPA SHETTY SOLD OFF SHARES IN COMPANY

ACCUSED OF FRAUD TO ESCAPE BLAME’ Lucknow Police sends teams to Mumbai, likely to question Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty and her mother in ‘fraud’ case LUCKNOW POLICE IN MUMBAI

First India Bureau Lucknow: There is more trouble brewing for Shilpa Shetty as she and her mother Sunanda Shetty have been named in an alleged case of fraud in Uttar Pradesh.

Lucknow-based businesswoman Jyotsna Chauhan filed an FIR against actress Shilpa Shetty and her mother Sunanda. Jyotsna said that after investing Rs 1.36 crore in Shilpa’s company, a wellness center was opened in Lucknow which was occupied by Shilpa’s close friends.

She added that before investing she was told

by Shilpa Shetty that she would be earning Rs. 5 lakh per month from the center.

In 2019, Shilpa’s close friends gave a bluff. Jyotsna said that in January 2019 she met Kiran Baba a close aide of Shilpa Shetty and director in her company named IOSIS. She add-

The Lucknow Police has decided to send teams to Mumbai to question actor Shilpa Shetty in connection with an alleged fraud case. The first team has left for Mumbai while the second is likely to reach by next week.

The police are also expected to question her mother Sunanda Shetty. Jyotsna said that after the center opened, the product which was worth 5,000 in the market was billed up to 15,000. Jyotsna seeing her capital sink decided to reach a Vibhutikhand police station and lodge a complaint. The Lucknow Police is investigating & two FIRs registered in the city against Iosis Wellness Centre last year.

Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty Kundra with mother Sunanda Shetty.

ed that Kiran through presentations of many centers of IOSIS had said that the franchisee of the company is earning up to Rs 5 lakh every month. She further added that along with Kiran, Vinay Bhasin, Anamika Chaturvedi, Ishrafeel Dharamjwala, Asha and Poonam Jha were also involved in this and asked Jyotsna to make an investment of Rs. 85 lakhs for opening a wellness center by tak-

ing the franchise of the company which would be inaugurated by Shilpa Shetty herself.

Jyotsna said trusting these people, she rented a 1300 sq ft shop in Rohtas Presidential Arcade in Vibhutikhand, Lucknow in April 2019 & made it into a wellness center.

When Jyotsna asked Kiran Baba and his associates to make an agreement with Shilpa’s company, they started hesitating. Jy-

Second day of protests in Noida against State govt First India Bureau Noida: Congress workers staged a demonstration here against the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday and targeted it over issues like inflation, unemployment and farmers’ protest. The protest was organised as part of the party’s events held across the country to mark the an-

niversary of ‘August Kranti’ -- the ‘Quit India’ call by Mahatma Gandhi in 1942. “In Uttar Pradesh, footmarches have been taken out in all Assembly constituencies on August 9 and 10, with a demand that the BJP should quit power, Congress leader Anil Yadav said. “The Yogi Adityanath government has failed miserably in

checking inflation and crime, in providing employment and in resolving farmers’ problems,” he claimed. Tuesday’s protest saw 200-300 participants including office-bearers, members and supporters of the party take out processions in Sector 70, 121 and 122 of Noida, a day after a similar event was held in Sectors 18 and 19 of the city.

—FILE PHOTO

otsna added the accused also demanded Rs 11 lakh in the name of calling Shilpa for the inauguration. Jyotsna said she felt cheated after Kiran Baba took over the center but by then she had already invested Rs. 1.35 crores. Jyotsna alleges when Shilpa got to know of the complaint, she sold the shares of her company IOSIS to Kiran Baba and has cleaned her hands off the company.

LOAN BY MORTGAGING THE HOUSE

Jyotsna used to work for Airtel & her husband Anand works in the court. In the greed of good income, both invested deposits along with a loan of Rs. 75 lakh taken from the State Bank by mortgaging the house.

Minor kills brother for not buying phone First India Bureau Fatehpur : A 16-yearold youth Rahman killed his elder brother Farman a resident of Fatehpur Dhola village Saharanpur and then buried him in the house itself after his brother failed to buy him a mobile phone. In Saharanpur, a 22-day old murder was un-

covered after strong unpleasant odor started spreading in the house of the accused causing the villagers to alert the police who uncovered the murder. The accused was roaming freely for 22 days but the strong odor from the house caught the attention of the people who informed the police.

Congress launches BJP Gaddi Chhodo campaign First India Bureau Hisar: On the occasion of “August Kranti Diwas”, All-India Congress Committee of Haryana State took out the “BJP Gaddi Chhodo” march to protest against inflation, unemployment, women’s security, farmers’ problems, deteriorating law and order, corruption &

Congress protest in Haryana on Tuesday.

huge increase in petrol diesel, cooking gas.

The march of the Congress ended at Maris Road while passing through various central points in the city.

The protesters at the end of the march surrounded the Maris Road Petrol Pump and demonstrated there with hundreds of Congressmen raised slo-

gans with placards written in their hands with anti-government and “BJP Gaddi Chhodo” slogans. Vivek Bansal, in-charge at the closing ceremony said that due to high inflation and mismanagement of the government, the country’s economy has suffered, and the public is suffering ever more.

‘AFTER FIR, SHILPA SOLD THE SHARES’ Jyotsna said that she felt cheated after Kiran Baba took over the center but by then she had already invested Rs. 1.35 crores.

Jyotsna alleges that when Shilpa got to know of the complaint, she immediately sold the shares.

Miscreant attacks Priest of Dasna Devi temple First India Bureau Ghaziabad : A miscreant entered the famous Dasna Devi temple of Ghaziabad at around 4 am on Tuesday and attacked Swami Naresh Anand Saraswati with a sharp weapon. The priest was found in time and was taken to a private hospital where he is currently being treated.

The temple came into the limelight in March when a Muslim teenager was beaten up when he had entered the temple to drink water. A hoarding on the gate stating “entry of Muslims is prohibited in this temple” had also become the talk of the town.

On Tuesday, 58-yearold Swami Naresh Anand Saraswati was sleeping in the verandah of the guest house near the rest house of Yati Narasimhanand Saraswati. At around 4 in the morning, a miscreant entered the premises by climbing the wall of the temple

further disciplinary probe into the matter to uncover the racket but it is anybody’s guess on the findings ever seeing the light of the day or getting implemented.

As for the probe report in this case, preliminary investigations have confirmed what was always known : despite an official transfer policy laying down norms, the ‘transfer industry’ continues to flourish.

The Director of Accounts and Audits was unceremoniously removed on July 28 following

allegations that he had carried out transfer of 456 employees allegedly in violation of norms.

The issue came to light after employees unions took to streets to protest these bulk transfers and accused of a ministers-officers nexus. The name of director Treasury Pankaj Sharma first cropped up in this controversy when he allegedly transferred 39 newly appointed accounts officers reportedly sans government —M Tariq Khan approval.

—FILE PHOTO

PROBE ON

& attacked the sleeping Swami with a sharp weapon multiple times before escaping. Hearing the cry of the priest, other priests woke up and took the injured to the Hospital.

Monsoon rains damage

Delhi-Meerut Expressway,

repairs now underway First India Bureau Ghaziabad : The Delhi-Meerut Expressway was found to have suffered damage in 26 places in the first monsoon rains with parts of roads being washed away at many places. In the fourth section (Dasna-Meerut) of the expressway, most of the cemented drains meant for drainage have been washed away due to soil cracking.

When moving from Meerut towards toll plaza located at Partapur, one can find 2 damage to the expressway 100 meter apart from each other with about 5 meters long road sinking upto 5 feet. This has also caused breaking of wires which are placed on the side of the highway and railings have also been

RAISES QUESTIONS

The damage caused to the expressway from rains has raised questions on the quality which was built with state-of-the-art machines. The damage is currently being repaired by the GR Infra which is busy repairing the cemented drains so that there is no further damage to the expressway. damaged at the said places. The reason for the structural damage is being said to be due to stagnant rainwater which started developing crack in the soil, causing a section of the road to collapse. Cemented drains are be-

NIPPING THE NEXUS

Remember how this column reported on July 29 that bulk transfers in violation of policy norms were a ticking bomb for the ruling dispensation.

Well, the first head has rolled.

Director of Accounts and Audits has been placed under suspension after preliminary inquiry indicted him for ordering arbitrary and illegal transfers in violation of the laid down transfer policy. But this is just the tip of the ice-berg of the deep-rooted middlemenpoliticians-bureaucrat nexus.

According to sources, the state government has ordered a

07

AMROHA SDM’S UNIQUE INITIATIVE TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION mroha, Sub-Divisional A Magistrate of Dhanura tehsil Mangeram Chauhan has earned a

reputation through his noble deed for environment protection. He has ordered to plant five saplings to accused of disturbing peace and they have to submit photographs

of plantations on next date.

Miscreants who are booked under charges of disturbing peace have to submit bond papers for release but SDM has connected the procedure with environment protection. He was ordered to submit a green-bond paper with other legalities to get released. After submitting greenbond paper accused have to plant five saplings and along with the accused his two guarantors also

ing repaired to fill the space created due to the sinking of soil.

Sources said that in the past 1 week more than 50 cemented drains have been repaired/reinstalled so that rainwater does not accumulate on the highway.

have to plant one sapling each. All of them have to present photographs of the plantation on the next date. An initiative of SDM has planted more than 10,000 trees in the area. SDM Mangeram Chauhan has demanded a plantation add-in penalty system.

He has written a letter to the government and solicitor general of Apex court with his suggestions. He said that environmental protection can be ensured if such initiatives will be taken on large. The green bond system is getting famous with the name of Chauhan model and other officers were thinking to follow the model. According to the model, the responsibility of protection of the trees goes with the accused who planted the saplings.

—Janardan Misra

A civilised society is one in which women have equal say and infuence as men (or even more) !

2ND FRONT

—Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor-in-Chief, First India

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With polls in sight, BJP plans farmer outreach to counter Tikait factor First India Bureau Lucknow: Facing flak from various farmers’ unions over the three farm laws passed by Parliament last year, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is putting in place its farmer outreach programme in Uttar Pradesh that goes to the assembly polls in about six months.

The BJP is set to hold mega kisan panchayats and launch farmer outreach drives this month

in Uttar Pradesh. The BJP hopes to mobilise farmers in its support, especially in western Uttar Pradesh where the protest against the farm laws has continued under Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait for more than eight months.

Tikait, on the other hand, has been mobilising the support of farmers against the three farm laws by organising kisan panchayats in western Uttar Pradesh.

He has voiced his opposition to the farm laws hinting that he may mobilise his supporters to campaign against the BJP in the UP Assembly election.

To counter any negative impact on the party’s prospects in the assembly polls, the BJP plans to hold ‘Kisan Samvad’ (dialogue with farmers) from August 16 to 23 in Uttar Pradesh. The campaign will be led by the BJP Kisan Morcha.

Farmers protesting against the three new farm laws on Delhi border

‘Owaisi BJP B-team, tries to divide Muslim votes’ Mamata’s minister exhorts UP Muslims to reject AIMIM

Highlights Bengal model in keeping BJP out

First India Bureau

Asaduddin Owaisi

who had reached Darul Uloom Deoband to condole the death of Naib Mohtamim Qari Usman Mansoorpuri and Maulana Abdul Khaliq Sambhali, in his address targeted Asaduddin Owaisi and called the people of UP to defeat BJP in UP just like the Bengal model, making it obvious that he had reached UP with political intentions.

He added that BJP had fielded many big leaders, but CM Mama-

Mamata Benarjee

POL-SPEAK 

First India Bureau Lucknow: Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh , who has leveled allegations of corruption against UP Jalshakti Minister Mahendra Singh, has kicked up a storm which is seeing no end.

After Mahendra Singh termed the allegations as false, MP Sanjay Singh has once again accused Mahendra Singh of corruption and challenged him to open debate on this anywhere.

Soon after this Ajay Singh BJP MLA from Basti also filed an FIR against him at Hazratganj police station in Lucknow, accusing Sanjay Singh of cheating and defamation. He has also demanded immediate arrest of Sanjay Singh for tarnishing the image of the government and Ajay Singh.

Ajay Singh said on August 8, Sanjay Singh had held a press conference and alleged pipe scam in the Jal Jeevan Mission in which Ajay Singh and Mahendra Singh were accused.

during its campaign about the benefits of the farm laws and work done by the central and state government on minimum support price (MSP) for various crops, electricity supply, availability of fertilisers and social security schemes for the farmers’ families.

CM Yogi will also hold meetings with around 200 farmer-leaders and farmers in a bid to address the issues raised by them.

IN THE COURTYARD

SC clears way for bail to Azam, son in forgery case ‘HABITUAL OFFENDER’

SP leader Azam Khan and his son Mohd Abdullah (L)

First India Bureau Lucknow: The Supreme Court on Tuesday said bail can be granted to senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan and his son Mohd Abdullah, in a case of alleged forgery of documents by them for getting a second PAN card. The top court noted that the duo can be released on bail, subject to the trial court examining the complainant within two weeks.

A bench of justices AM

Khanwilkar and Sanjiv Khanna noted that charge sheet has already been filed in the case, which relates to mostly documentary evidence. The bench added that bail may be granted to the duo after trial court records the statement within two weeks.

It has been alleged that Azam Khan helped his then minor son procure a second PAN card using forged documents to show wrong date of birth, to enable him to contest the 2017 polls.

Lucknow: Additional Solicitor General Raju argued that he is a habitual offender and committed forgery.

Land worth millions or may be billions or more rupees was encroached or grabbed by him. The Special Leave Petition was filed challenging the order passed by Allahabad HC wherein the High Court had rejected three bail applications stating that it will not be in the public interest, filed

by Senior SP Leader Md. Azam Khan and his disqualified U.P. MLA son who were arrested in the case of cheating, forgery and obtaining a fake PAN card fraudulently for the latter.

UP IN ARMS —PHOTO BY SUMIT KUMAR

Lucknow: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had thwarted Asaduddin Owaisi’s All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen entry into West Bengal as AIMM was unable to field a single candidate in the assembly elections of the state. Following this Owaisi has announced to contest more than 100 seats in UP and this has caused uneasiness among SP and BSP. Siddiqullah Chaudhary attacked BJP and Asaduddin Owaisi fiercely in Deoband with many taking political meanings out of it. Siddiqullah Choudhury minister in Mamata’s government, while targeting Owaisi, called him BJP B-team and said that people of Bengal have rejected Owaisi. Maulana Siddiqullah Chaudhuri

ta Banerjee stopped them all. He further added under the able leadership of Mamata Banerjee, Hindus and Muslims together wiped out the BJP in Bengal.

Chaudhary said 97 per cent Muslims in Bengal had voted for TMC in the assembly polls to save the country and the Constitution. He added that way Muslims in Bengal supported the TMC to defeat the BJP, the same should be done in Uttar Pradesh. He further targeted Owaisi and called him BJP Bteam who was rejected by the people of Bengal.

Siddiqullah said that Asaduddin Owaisi’s provocative speech did not have the intended effect and that he wants to divide the Muslim votes by jumping in the elections of every state, but it in fact is helping forces like BJP to dominate the elections.

FIR against AAP MP Sanjay Singh for ‘defamation’

—FILE PHOTO

In the next phase, the BJP will hold ‘Kisan Sansad’ (farmers’ parliament) from August 22 to 25.

During the farmer outreach programmes, the BJP aims to spread awareness about the work done by the Central and state governments for farmers. The BJP will also organise a ‘Kisan Chaupal’ in western Uttar Pradesh.

The BJP said its workers and leader will inform the farmers

Reservation: Yogi govt may include 39 castes in OBC First India Bureau

Lucknow: The Yogi government before the assembly elections in the state is to take a big step regarding reservation. The State Backward Classes Commission (UPSBCC) is preparing to include 39 castes of the state in the Other Backward Classes (OBC category). According to the information, these 39 castes in-

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath

clude Bhutia, Agrahari, Dosar Vaish, Jaiswar Rajput, Ruhela, Muslim Shah, Muslim Kayastha, Hindu Kayastha, Barnwal, Kamalapuri Vaish, Core Kshatriya Rajput, Dohar, Ayodhyawasi Vaish, Kesarwani Vaish, Bagwan, Omar Bania, Mahour Vaish, Hindu Bhat, Bhatt, Goria, Boat, Panwaria, etc. Survey is yet to be conducted for castes like Vishnoi, Khar Rajput, Porwal,

Puruwar, Kunder Kharadi, Binoudhia Vaish, Honorable Vaish, Gulhare Vaish, Gadhaiya, Radhedi, Pithbaj etc.

State Backward Classes Commission Chairman Jaswant Saini said work of survey is going on continuously on the basis of the representation. He said survey of 24 castes has been done, while it was yet to be done for 15 castes are yet to be done.

Police detain protesting candidates in Lucknow on Tuesday. They were demanding to fill vacant 1.37 lakh posts of teachers in Basic Education Department.

MAJOR SHIFT

30 state PCS officers spanning three batches to be promoted to IAS rank 

After the DPC of 1996-97, names of UP PCS officers of 1998, 1999, 2000 batches are also set to be finalised for promotion to IAS rank soon

Ahtesham Siddiqui Lucknow: The PCS Association which is without a President will see its general secretary, vice-president, treasurer, joint secretary, auditor and 30 others become IAS officers.

Previous President Indramani Tripathi had been promoted to IAS in 2020 after which the post was vacant. In the latest order UP PCS Association general secretary Pawan Gangwar, Vice

Pawan Gangwar

Sunil Chaudhary

President Sunil Chaudhary, Jt Secretary Kapil Singh and Vishal Singh, Auditor Sameer Verma, Treasurer Dhananjay Shukla and 24 other offi-

Kapil Singh

cers of 1998, 1999 and 2000 batch is to be promoted to IAS very soon.

After the DPC of 1996-97, PCS officers of 1998, 1999, 2000 batch

Vishal Singh

are also set to be finalised soon. The list will see all PCS officers sparing 4 of the entire batch of 1998 promoted to IAS. Among those to

Sameer Verma

be promoted in 2021, the entire batch of 1999 (except Uday Singh due to his older age) will be promoted and the names of 7 PCS officers

Dhananjay Shukla

of the 2000 batch are included.

Manoj Kumar Rai (Topper), PK Gangwar, Nidhi Srivastava, Khempal Singh, Sanjay

Chauhan, Sunil Kumar Chaudhary, Santosh Sharma, Arun Kumar, Prakash Gupta, SB Singh, Brijesh Kumar, Harikesh Chaurasia, Mahendra Singh, Ravindra Pal Singh, Anil Kumar and Prabhunath will be promoted. In the 2000 batch Vandana Tripathi (Topper), Sameer Verma, Archana Gaharwar, Kumar Vineet, Vishal Singh, Dhananjay Shukla and Kapil Singh will be promoted to IAS.

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LUCKNOW, WEDNESDAY AUGUST 11, 2021

09

MITALI DUSAD

mitalidusad01@gmail.com

T

eej is traditionally celebrated across India in different ways but dressing up to the nines in lehariya, with mehndi and all the ‘solha shringar’ along with dancing and singing is common to all regions. Teej is rooted in tradition and mythology and is observed as a celebration of the union of Goddess Parvati with Lord Shiva. We not only celebrate to mark the happy occasion but also seek the blessings of Ma Parvati to ensure personal marital bliss. The first Teej of a bride is a very special occasion and women often fast on this day and pray for a long and happy married life.

In Rajasthan Teej like Gangaur is a major festival and is celebrated extensively in Uttar Pradesh also, it is looked forward to by the women with the advent of monsoon.

Turn to Pg10-11

Clockwise: Flaunting it - Akanksha, Sapna and Tanu

—PHOTOS BY MUKESH KIRADOO

At Rambagh Palace Top Step: Sumitra and Juhi Middle Step: Akshita, Tripti, Tanu and Sapna Bottom Step: Akanksha, Yashvi, Aarzoo and Soni

Top: Aarzoo and Sapna pose with a heritage cannon Below: Akanksha clicks a selfie with Sumitra, Soni and Tanu

ETC 10-11

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LUCKNOW | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2021

—PHOTOS BY MUKESH KIRADOO

TEEJ SHRINGAR

A day of festivity & joy This Teej, City First colours the canvas of your life with the flowing colours of lehariya and also tell you how to ‘ace’ the Teej look this year!

FROM PG 9 Lehariya sarees and lehngacholi/ paushak are the dress of the day as it mehndi on the hands and decoration around with marigold flowers. Women open their fasts in the evening with prayer and feast in traditional food and ‘ghevar’ the special sweet of the season.

During the fasting, women dress up like brides wearing a lot of jewellery. All the finery they own. The outfits for the festival are in combination with green, red and yellow.

However, the colours of the sarees differ from region to region.

The Shrinjhara package includes Ghewar (traditional

Yashvi Soni gracefully shows off her saree as the pecaocks at Rambagh Palace add more beauty

Teej sweet), traditional dress (usually tie and dye), Mehendi or henna and bangles. Women use these items to get ready for the festival. Teej is a festival for women and a time for Teej Shringar. This festival calls for being one’s best at the festival and women make the most out of the occasion.

Decking up oneself is the most colourful and vibrant ritual of the Teej Festival is called Teej Shringar. It is performed with a lot of craze and enthusiasm by the women.

They make proper schedules for the festival well in advance.

Both married and unmarried women and girls love to dress up like newlywed brides. The festival of Teej is dedicated to women as they observe fast for

a healthy and long life of their husbands. The women are free to do as they please. They get ready in the following manner:

CLOTHES

On Teej, unmarried and married women dress up in bright clothes, mostly wearing green as it is considered auspicious and symbolizes Haryali Teej or the month of Sawan. Usually, they wear sarees, suits and lehengas. Some women prefer wearing expensive designer wear while others love to wear their wedding attire and feel like a newlywed again.

JEWELLERY

After selecting their dress the women choose their jewellery.

Married women usually prefer

WE THANK 

Venue Courtesy: Rambagh Palace, Jaipur



Styling by: Akanksha Bhalla



Directors: Gaurav Gaur and Dr Maulik Shah



Hair and Make-up: Jassi Chhabra, Shades



Sarees By: Neelghar sarees

heavy necklaces and bangles; some lucky women also receive beautiful jewellery from their husbands as gifts for Teej. On Teej, shops get stocked up with colourful glass and metal bangles. Women visit these shops to buy bangles to

match their perfect outfits.

When it comes to Teej Shringar, women want everything to be perfect and in sync.

MEHENDI OR HENNA

Teej Shringar is not complete without the application of intricate Mehendi or henna designs on hands and feet.

Young girls and women fondly apply Mehendi a day in advance and some even get their husband’s name written. In villages, women apply Alta or red paint to their feet and hands.

Akanksha and Tanu

Tripti flaunts her bag and jewellery Akanksha, Soni and Tripti flaunt some moves

Aarzoo in her gorgeous saree

Akshita, Aarzoo and Yashvi

Aarzoo dancing on the beats as others groove too

Juhi Tikkiwal flaunting her beautiful Mehendi (L-R) Sumitra, Tanu, Tripti and Juhi

(From left) Akshita, Arzoo, Yashvi, Sapna, Akanksha, Soni, Sumitra, Tanu, Tripti and Juhi

(L-R) Sumitra, Soni and Akshita slaying on the occasion Aarzoo poses with a peacock feather

(L-R) Sapna, Akanksha and Soni captured in a candid moment

(L-R) Akanksha, Soni and Tripti captured while dancing Tanu and Sumitra rejoicing

CITY

STAY MASKED

GET VACCINATED

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TUGGING HEARTS WITH STRINGS

BUZZ

LUCKNOW | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2021

12

Rakhi isn’t just a festival, it’s a feeling that brings siblings together as they honour their love and affection for each other. Each string symbolizes the tightly knit relation. The citizens have already begun to prep up as they bought various Rakhis for the celebration.

—PHOTOS BY ASHOK DUTTA

The triumphant story of Dr Mirza Waqar Beg, a renowned paediatrician, who recently beat the fatal virus and decided to see heaven on earth aka Kashmir, to celebrate the life and love of his family!

JASHN-E-AZADI

AN EXHILARATING EXPERIENCE MONICA PRABHAKAR

cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

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reaking the shackles of a global pandemic that makes confinement to homes feel like house arrest calls for one thing: a vacation.

Ever since the coronavirus entered the world, all anyone yearns for is a respite from gazing at people grappling with the Pandemic.

Having been infected with the virus and coming out victorious on the other side gives a perspective to live life to its fullest.

One such triumphant story is of Dr Mirza Waqar Beg, a renowned paediatrician, who recently beat the fatal virus and decided to see heaven on Earth aka Kashmir, to celebrate the life

(L-R) Sheza Waqar Beg, Arifa Shaukat, Dr Mirza Waqar Beg and Dr Maha Waqar Beg

Sheza Waqar Beg

and love of his family.

Talking to City First, Dr Beg, who runs Dr Begs Child Care said, “Going

DSW GOLD MEDALISTS

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epartment of Social Work, University of Lucknow organised Medal Distribution ceremony of meritorious students of Post-graduate Programme of Social Work for the session 2019-20. Total 8 Gold Medals are conferred to three students.

Anam Khan was conferred with 6 Gold Medals including Vijaya Shila JP Jaiswal Gold Medal and Raj Mohini Sayal Gold Medal. Man-

to Kashmir and watching the serene beauty of the mountains has been a dream for the last 25

NEWLY APPOINTED

PCS Dr Archana Dwivedi took charge as Additional District Magistrate in Saharanpur. Archana Dwivedi was earlier the Additional Municipal Commissioner in Lucknow Municipal Corporation.

During the event CITY FIRST

Dr Maha Waqar Beg

years. Since I severely fell prey to the coronavirus infection, I decided, once I get back to life, I am checking things off my bucket list and hence, I finally decided to take a trip with my family to paradise aka Kashmir.”

On being asked how the whole experience was in the hills, post-covid, Dr Beg and his wife, Arifa Shaukat unanimously, said, “It was just the reprieve and peace we needed. After the amount of mental and physical toll that coronavirus took on our health, being in the mountains where the rivers flow side by side to mountains and lush meadows seep you in its glory, it heals you from within. The magnificence of mountains and the calmness of mother nature restored our mental health.”

Arifa Shaukat, a social worker at Mahauday Society and a Youtuber at Arifa’s Kitchen and Her World, said, “This vacation to the

si Singh Verma is conferred with Sri Chaudhary Babu Ram Numberdar and Smt. Tulsa Devi Memorial Gold Medal. Anil Pathak is conferred Late Rai Sahab MP Srivastava Gold Medal.

Prof Prem Suman Sharma, Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Lucknow was the Chief Guest for the programme. Prof Anoop Kumar Bhartiya, Head, Department of Social Work, University of Lucknow, presided the programme.

mountains was our dream as a family, and what better time to visit than when you’ve got a second life, post-Covid.”

Dr Mirza Waqar Beg has been an asset to the city since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. He has continuously provided online consultations to the patients in need along with free medication. He has helped innumerable people get facilities like a Covid care specialised bed, medicines and even food. He’s one of many corona warriors who worked tirelessly to save the people.

Another doctor in the family, Dr Maha Waqar Beg, commented about her experience with the much-needed family trip and said, “This vacation was something we didn’t even know we needed. I’m grateful to my father for organising this and providing the solace we needed amongst the chaos we faced during our family’s fight with Covid-19.”

In a series of programs organised to celebrate Independence Day, the officials of Jashn-eAzadi Trust Nighat Khan, Abdul Waheed, Zubair Ahmed, Wamiq Khan, Sanjay Singh, Murtuja Ali, Aslam Khan, Mo Faheem, Kamaruddin, Santram Yadav among others spread awareness by distributing masks and sanitizers to the general public to prevent corona epidemic at major intersections of the city in Hazratganj, Kaiserbagh, Aminabad on Monday.

MEET AND GREET

The newfound star for ages and Olympic gold medalist, Neeraj Chopra was greeted by the Uttar Pradesh Olympic Association Secretary and Indian Olympic Association treasurer Anandeshwar Pandey on Tuesday in Lucknow city.

NEW NODAL OFFICER

Karmesh Pratap Singh, Information Officer, has been nominated as Nodal Officer to facilitate the exchange of supporting material with Parliament TV and Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly Secretariat. UP Legislative Speaker Hriday Narayan Dixit handed the appointment letter.

WELCOMING TEEJ

Hariyali Teej is being celebrated today. Mankameshwar Math Temple on the eve of Teej on Tuesday organised a Henna competition wherein women enjoyed the cultural gathering.

—PHOTOS BY ASHOK DUTTA

HAPPY B’DAY!

The birthday of (from top) IAS Akhand Pratap Singh, IPS Sureshrao A Kulkarni, IPS Hemraj Mehta, IPS Shlok Kumar, IPS Satpal and IPS Kuraku Venkat Ashok was on Monday, August 9. We wish them all the best!

WARM WELCOME

In a bid to enhance women representation in Samajwadi Party, Syed Zareen, a renowned social worker in Lucknow joined the Samajwadi Party. Zareen was warmly welcomed into the party

by Dimple Yadav, Former MP from Kannauj. Also present at the ceremony was senior SP leader Juhi Singh.

MUHARRAM

The City of Nawabs witnessed the sight of beautiful Tajias being sold at the old city market as the beginning of Muharram was observed on Tuesday.

—PHOTOS BY SUMIT KUMAR