First India-Jaipur Edition-15 December 2020

JAIPUR l TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020 l Pages 12 l 3.00

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Google’s services, including Gmail, YouTube, Google Docs, Google Meet, faced a global outage earlier on Monday. Most the service were back online after an hour. Users also took to Twitter

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to complain about the issues. Google’s Workspace Status Dashboard showed an outage for all services appear of the company. Google later shared a statement explaining that the issue was caused by

an internal storage quota issue, and that all services have now been restored. What can only be termed as great the Google blackout of 2020, the problem appears to have started at 5.25 pm for Gmail.

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FARMERS ON A FAST TRACK AS GOVT HOPEFUL OF TALKS —PHOTO BY PTI

New Delhi: The government is engaging with farmer leaders to decide on the next date of talks, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said, as unions intensified their agitation against the Centre’s 3 farm laws and observed a day-long fast on Monday.

“The meeting will definitely happen. We are engaging with farmers,” Tomar told PTI. The government is ready for discussion anytime. The farmer leaders have to “decide and convey” when they are ready for the next meeting, he added.

The farmers protesting at Delhi’s borders observed a day-long fast on Monday even as the agitation spread to different parts of the country with peasant unions

New Delhi: Bharatiya Kisan Union’s (BKU) national spokesperson Rakesh Tikait on Monday said that there is no rift among farmers after the resignation of three leaders of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Bhanu) faction.

“There is no rift among farmers. 3 leaders of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Bhanu) Turn to P6

RAJ FARMERS BLOCK DEL-JPR NH Farmers wash their clothes at Singhu border during their sit-in protest in New Delhi on Monday.

staging demonstrations at district headquarters.

Tomar is leading the negotiations with 40 farmer unions, along with Food Minister Pi-

yush Goyal and Minister of State for Commerce and Industries Som Parkash.

“We tried to convince farmers and farmer unions leaders. Our wish

Retail inflation declines to 6.93% in November New Delhi: Softening prices of food items like cereals, fruits and milk pulled down retail inflation to 6.93 per cent in November, though it remained above the comfort level of the Reserve Bank of India.

Retail inflation based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) stood at 7.61 per cent in October and 7.27 per cent in September. According to data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) on Monday, inflation in the food basket was 9.43 per cent in November, down from 11 per cent in the previous month.

Inflation in the ‘cereals and products’ category reduced to 2.32 per cent from 3.39 per cent in October.

The rate of price rise in ‘meat and fish’ segment was 16.67 per cent in November, as compared to 18.7 per cent in the previous month.

Similarly, inflation in

TIKAIT DENIES RIFT AMONG FARMERS

vegetables was lower at 15.63 per cent from 22.51 per cent.

Inflation in fruits and ‘milk and products’ was also lower over October.

The rate of price rise in the ‘fuel and light’ segment too moderated to 1.9 per cent as against 2.28 per cent in October.

The RBI, which mainly factors in retail inflation while arriving at key policy rates, has been mandated by the government to keep inflation at 4 per cent (+, - 2 per cent).

The central bank had maintained status quo in the policy rate earlier this month due to high inflation.

Commenting on the data, Sachin Chhabra, Founder of B2B grocery business Peel-Works, said it was heartening to note that the inflation subsided in November, riding primarily on softer food prices.

“We expect inflationary pressure to subside even further in Q4 of the current fiscal.

Turn to P6

is that they come for clause-by-clause discussion. If they are ready to express their views clause by clause, we are ready for discussion,” he said.

Turn to P6

Jaipur: Farmers from Rajasthan on Monday blocked Delhi-Jaipur national highway at Shahjahanpur in Alwar after police stopped them from marching to Delhi. Due to blockade, vehicular traffic on Jaipur-Delhi highway was diverted to Bansur and other routes of Alwar. P7

Govt ready to hold dialogue with farmers, says Rajnath New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that the government is willing to hold dialogue with farmers but asserted that the recent reforms have been undertaken with the best interests of farmers.

“There is no question of taking retrograde steps against our agricultural sector ever. The recent reforms have been undertaken with the best interests of India’s farmers in mind”, Rajnath Singh said while addressing the annual convention of the Fed-

New Delhi: Salt-to-software conglomerate Tata Group was among “multiple” entities that on Monday put in preliminary bids for buying the government’s stake in loss-making carrier Air India.

“Multiple expressions of interest have been received for strategic disinvestment of Air India. The Transaction will now move to the second stage,” Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) Sec-

retary Tuhin Kanta Pandey tweeted.

Air India itself was established as Tata Airlines in 1932, but separated in 1946 and nationalised in 1953, a fact which prompts many to consider the potential buyout Turn to P6

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Dhordo in Kutch, Gujarat on December 15 and lay the foundation stone of several development projects in the State, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said on Monday.

According to a statement by the PMO, these projects include a desalination plant, a hybrid renewable energy park, and a fully automated milk processing and packing plant.

KARNA IPHONE PLANT VIOLENCE Bengaluru: Wistron Infocomm Manufacturing India Pvt Ltd has said it suffered losses worth Rs 437.70 crore in the violence where a section of workers went on a rampage at its facility manufacturing Apple iPhones and other

160 held;

Company pegs loss at `438 crore products in Bengaluru’s Narasapura area over non-payment of promised wages.

According to the

complaint by Wistron company executive Prashanth TD, office equipment, mobile phones, production machinery and related gadgets worth Rs 412.5 crore was lost.

Infrastructure worth Rs 10 crore, Rs 60 lakh worth Turn to P6

BJP statements on farmers’ protest unfortunate: CM Chief Minister also slammed Centre for ignoring the concerns raised by the farmers Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday slammed remarks made by the BJP leaders on farmers’ protest, calling it “most unfortunate and condemnable”.

Taking to Twitter, the senior Congress leader also urged the Centre to

find mutual ground and address the issues raised by the protesting farmers.

“The statements issued by BJP leaders decrying farmers’ protest are most unfortunate and condemnable,” he twitted.

He said that farmers are protesting in a

eration of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

As the farmers’ agitation against the agricultural reforms entered the 19th day, Singh said the govern-

ment is “always willing to listen to our farmer brothers, alley their misgivings and provide them with assurances whatever they can provide.

Turn to P6

Tatas bid for Air India Modi in Kutch on Dec 15 to lay 67 years after exit! foundation stone of projects

GEHLOT TAKES TO TWITTER

First India Bureau

Rajnath Singh

CM Ashok Gehlot and Amit Chachan.

peaceful manner.

“Their protest is for their most genuine concerns, which the government is ignoring.

The farm laws that are not in interest of the farming community must be taken back, “ he demanded.

CM’s comment comes amid ongoing protests by farmers in and around the borders of Delhi against the three farm laws that were implemented by the Centre in September.

Meanwhile, it was a busy Monday for Gehlot as some ministers and MLAs met him during the day. Prominent among those who called on the CM were Minister Bhanwar Singh Bhati, MLA Manju Meghwal, Amit Chachan, Baljeet Singh Yadav and Ganesh Ghoghra. BJP MLA Manjeet Choudhary from Mundawar, too met the chief minister on late Monday evening regarding transfer of an engineer.

Chief Minister of Gujarat will be present on the occasion. Prime Minister Modi will also undertake a visit to the White Rann, followed by witnessing a cultural programme. “Harness-

ing its vast coastline, Gujarat is taking a significant step towards transforming seawater to potable drinking water with the upcoming Desalination Plant at Mandvi, Kutch. This Desalination Plant, with 10 crore litre per day capacity (100 MLD), will strengthen water security in Gujarat by complementing Narmada Grid, Sauni network and treated wastewater infrastructure,” the statement said. —ANI

Jio writes to TRAI,

says rivals portraying

it as anti-farmer New Delhi: Reliance Jio has written to the Telecom Regulator Authority of India (TRAI) seeking strict action against Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea for “unethical practices” and “unscrupulous violations” and to stop campaigns under which “false propaganda is being spread across the country to get some additional MNP port-ins” by “capitalising on the ongoing farmer protest in the northern parts of the country”.

In a letter to Secretary, TRAI, Reliance Jio said its letter was in furtherance of its letter of September 28, 2020 “highlighting the unethical and anti-competitive MNP (mobile number portability) campaign being run by Airtel and VIL to capitalise on the ongoing farmer protests in northern

parts of the country”.

“We submit that despite the above submissions, these companies continue to remain directly/indirectly involved in supporting and furthering the insinuations and false and frivolous rumours of Reliance being an undue beneficiary of the farm laws, for unethical pecuniary benefits in the form of induced porting of RJIL customers,” the letter said.

It said that Airtel and VIL “remain unabated in pursuing this vicious Turn to P6

RAJASTHAN JAIPUR | TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020

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02

‘FARMERS VOTED FOR BJP IN PANCHAYATI RAJ POLLS’ ‘BJP does not act to destabilize a government but what it can do if a government falls by its own misdeeds,’ said Arun Singh Aditi Nagar/ Aishwary Pradhan

Arun Singh with Bhajan Lal Sharma at BJP head office on Monday. —PHOTO BY SUMAN SARKAR

Jaipur: Targeting the Ashok Gehlot government in Rajasthan, BJP state in-charge Arun Singh said on Monday that people are fed up with the Congress in just two years and have voted in support of the BJP in the recent local body polls.

Singh said that a core committee meeting of the party will be held

after 15-20 days.

He said farmers in large numbers voted in favour of the BJP in the

‘AIMIM-BTP alliance only on social media’ Yogesh Sharma

AICC SEEKS REPORT FROM THE PCC

Jaipur: Asserting that Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) is with Congress, Chief whip Mahesh Joshi on Monday rejected the possibility of the entry of Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM party in Rajasthan and alliance with the BTP. He said on Monday that the so-called alliance between the two parties is on social me-

Plea against Speaker’s notice deferred

by HC till Mar 8 Om Prakash Sharma Jaipur: The hearing of the application seeking dismissal of former deputy CM Sachin Pilot and others’ petition has been deferred by Rajasthan HC till 8 March.

The petition filed by Pilot and others is related to the notice served to them by the assembly speaker.

In the application, Mohanlal Nama said that a political settlement has been reached on both sides.

He said that MLAs, including the petitioner PR Meena, have given their votes in favour of the trust vote in the assembly therefore there is no justification for keeping the petition pending and it should be dismissed.

In an earlier hearing, the AG had verbally told the court that the bench has kept the matter for consideration of deciding two legal points, including Schedule 10 of the Constitution and the petition cannot be disposed of until these legal points are decided.

dia and will end there.

BTP, which has two MLAs and growing its influence in tribal-dominated southern Rajasthan, has threatened

to cut ties with the ruling Congress after it was ditched in the recently held Zila Pramukh elections in Dungarpur.

After Owaisi took it to Twitter, speculations about his party’s plan to enter Rajasthan politics and form an alliance with BTP for the next

elections were fuelled.

Sources said that Owaisi’s members have become active in Muslim dominated areas of the state and the party is eyeing 40 Muslim dominated seats and looking for an alliance with the regional parties.

In Southern parts of the state, BTP‘s influence and presence is spreading and there are several areas that are dominated by Muslims.

‘Work with spirit of public interest’ Vinod Tiwari Dholpur: Newly elected Zila Pramukh, Pradhan, and Up-Pradhan of BJP on Monday called on former chief minister Vasundhara Raje at the Dholpur Palace. She hosted lunch for them in the palace and asked the newly elected public representatives to work with dedication.

MP Dushyant Singh, Khanpur MLA Narendra Dagar, Dag MLA Kalulal Meghwal,

Vasundhara Raje met BJP candidates, local leaders, and workers, at the Dholpur Palace on Monday.

Manoharthana MLA Govind Ranipuriya, BJP district president

Sanjay Jain Tau, former RPG chairman Shreekrishan Patidar,

Poonia dismayed over party performance in 50 ULB polls Jaipur: BJP president Satish Poonia on Monday expressed dismay over the party performance in the elections for the state’s 50 local urban bodies, saying it was not as expected.

Poonia also emphasised upon the need for more work by the party in those areas of the Bharatpur division, comprising 12 districts in the eastern part of Rajasthan, where elections were held.

The BJP could not

perform as expected in these 50 civic bodies, largely falling in Bharatpur division of east Rajasthan, said Poonia, pointing out that the BJP had not

been able to win many seats even in the last assembly elections.

“There is only one MLA in this entire division and there is a need to work strongly here in future,” Poonia tweeted.

In his tweet, Poonia added that the Congress, however, has no reason to be happy because despite being in power, it has got majority only in 14 of these 50 civic bodies seats with independents having an edge. —PTI

former RPSC chairman Shyam Sundar Sharma, and others were present on the occasion. They gave a bouquet to Raje.

“Today I met all BJP candidates, local leaders, and workers who won from Jhalawar District Council and Panchayat Samitis in Dholpur and congratulated them. During this time, they were motivated to work with the spirit of public interest paramount,” Raje tweeted.

the state is under threat and BJP workers are being murdered. He said that the Centre will take appropriate action at an appropriate time. He also prayed at the Moti Dungri temple.

Several leaders including Vasundhara Raje, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Arjun Ram Meghwal, Kailash Chaudhary were not present during Arun Singh’s two-day visit.

Panchayati Raj elections. Singh, who is on his maiden visit after assuming the charge of

Rajasthan, said that BJP does not act to destabilize a government but what it can do if a government falls by its own misdeeds.

“The condition of the Congress party is becoming more pathetic in the country,” he said while addressing a press conference at BJP head office here.

Singh also expressed concern over the situation in West Bengal, saying democracy in

Diya thanks Modi, Gadkari for `256 cr roads projects

Meena warns to stage dharna if JEN paper leak not investigated

TIWARI NEVER SPOKE AGAINST PARTY IDEOLOGY

First India Bureau Jaipur: Rajsamand MP Diya Kumari on Monday expressed her gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari for the amount of Rs. 256 crores sanctioned by the Union government for RoB, bypass road construction and drainage construction, major and minor junction construction, road improvement and renovation work for National Highway No. 89 that passes through Merta and Degana Assembly constituencies in Rajsamand Lok Sabha constituency.

Kumari has been regularly meeting Gadkari and raising the issue in the Lok Sabha.

She said that new dimensions of development will be established in the area.

FLORAL TRIBUTE

Kirodi Lal Meena took out a rally with candidates of JEN recruitment exam at Jawahar Circle on Monday. —PHOTO BY SUMAN SARKAR

First India Bureau Jaipur: MP Kirodi Lal Meena on Monday took out a rally with candidates of JEN recruitment exam, the paper of which was allegedly leaked.

Meena alleged that the question paper was leaked in the recruitment examination held on December 6 in which the government should conduct a fair investigation. A 5-member delegation held talks with the officials of Raj Staff Selection Board and the Police Commissioner,

which assured the investigation at the earliest.

“Met the Jaipur Police Commissioner with the delegation, he assured a fair investigation into the paper leak case in the next 7 days, plus the Staff Selection Commission will not declare the results of the JEN exam until the police did not give a clean chit in the investigation.

If the police do not give the inquiry report in the next 7 days, then I will sit on dharna with the delegation at the police commissionerate on December 23,” Meena said.

—PHOTO BY SUMAN SARKAR

Dr Mahesh Joshi pays tribute to late Sanjay Gandhi on his birth anniversary, at the PCC headquarters on Monday.

FIRST ELECTRIC BUS RUNS First electric train from Jaipur flagged off ON JAIPUR-AJMER ROAD BOOST TO RAIL ELECTRIFICATION



Jaipur DRM Manjusha Jain said, 5 other electric trains will start operating from Jaipur junction in the coming days

Kashiram Chaudhary Jaipur: The first electric train from Jaipur junction was flagged off

by Jaipur DRM Manjusha Jain on Monday.

MP Ramcharan Bohra was scheduled to flag off the JaipurPrayagraj train but he could not attend the event as he was not well.

After flagging off the train, Jain said that 5 other electric trains will start operating

The first electric train from Jaipur junction was flagged off by Jaipur DRM Manjusha Jain on Monday.

from Jaipur junction in the coming days.

The electrification work on the remaining

section of BassiJaipur-Kanapura route was completed last month after which the operations of electric trains have started.

Running trains with electric locomotives will save time, revenue, and the environment. Senior NWR officials including division DRM Aditya Mangal, senior DMO Rakesh Kumar, senior DCM Mukesh Saini, and others were present at the function.

First India Bureau Jaipur: Electric buses will soon be operated by the Rajasthan roadways as the first bus was made available to the roadways administration by a private company. The trial of the bus was held at the Ajmer road on Monday.

Some officers of the roadways headquarters boarded the bus and left for Ajmer and returned to Jaipur in the evening. The roadways ad-

ministration is going to take 48 electric buses on contract through the private company.

In March, the roadways will get 20 more electric buses and after

6 months the remaining 27 buses will be delivered to the roadways, said an official. The administration will pay per kilometer to the private company for the operation of these buses. For electric charging done by roadways Rs 48 per km will be paid to the private company and Rs 54 per km if done by the private company. The roadways is planning to ply only electric buses on Delhi Road after March.

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JAIPUR | TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020

03

ALARM OVER INFANT DEATHS IN KOTA

HUMAN RIGHTS TEAM SEEKS REPORT ON DEATHS The team seeks corrective steps to prevent recurrence of such incidents

Bhanwar S Charan Kota: A team of the State Human Rights Commission inspected the JK Lon hospital on Monday to investigate the case of neonatal deaths. The team consisted of Commission Secretary BL Meena

and Registrar OP Purohit. The team sought a full report on the incident from the hospital management, which said that no complaints have come to them regarding the deaths of children.

Meena said that corrective steps should be taken expeditiously to prevent recurrence of such incidents.

The team oversaw the intensive care unit and other wards of new-

borns.

They have sought a review report from physicians on the cause of infant deaths. For this, the District Collector was instructed to con-

stitute a medical board.

The team members asked the officials to analyse the cause of death of every child.

During the visit, the team reviewed the ar-

Rajasthan records 13 more fatalities, 1,250 new cases

Friends killed head constable over liquor money

RPSC issue: Next hearing on Dec 16 Om Prakash Sharma Jaipur: In matter of passing ineligible candidates in ministerial staff and ex-servicemen quota in the main exams of RAS Recruitment-2018, the RPSC has rectified the mistake and excluded 97 candidates from Ex-servicemen and DC category. The bench of SP Sharma took the Commission’s reply on record and, continuing the ban on interview fixed next hearing of the case on 16 Dec. 78 ineligibles have been excluded from quota of ministerial staff, 19 ineligible candidates from ex-servicemen quota.

SOJAT MLA CHAUHAN TESTS POSITIVE

Kota, 116 in Bharatpur, 107 in Udaipur and 102 in Pali.

Of the 1,250 new cases, 256 cases were reported

in Jaipur, 101 in Pali, 99 in Jodhpur, 74 in Bhilwara, 61 in Sriganganagar, 59 in Kota, 51 each in Ajmer and Alwar. —PTI

Ashwini Yadav Alwar: The Alwar police have cracked the case of the murder of Rajpal, the head constable posted at the Laxmangarh police station.

Head constable Rajpal’s body was found lying on the roadside in Vaishali Nagar area, Alwar on December 11.

SP Tejaswini Gautam said that the deceased had come out of the police station on December 6 to give his daughter’s page. Later, he had liquor with two other colleagues. After some time, the constable and other two had a feud over liquor money in a warehouse in Alwar.

—PHOTO BY PANKAJ PAREEK

Human Rights Commission team inspecting JK Lon Hospital in Kota on Monday.

Chittorgarh accident: Three transport officials suspended Kashiram Chaudhary Jaipur: Two inspectors and Chittorgarh DTO Manish were suspended on Monday in the wake of Chittorgarh accident in which nine people were killed on Friday night, transport minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas was informed on Monday during a review meeting with RTOs and DTOs. He expressed grief over the accident victims and said that the state government is committed to bring down the number of accidents in the state.

“The department’s focus is on road safety,”

—PHOTO BY SUMAN SARKAR

Jaipur: Rajasthan recorded 13 more fatalities due to the novel coronavirus on Monday, taking the death toll to 2,555 in the state, a health department bulletin said. The state also reported 1,250 fresh Covid-19 cases on Monday, it said.

The total number of infected people in Rajasthan stands at 2,92,539, out of which, 16,200 are under treatment.

As per the bulletin, 2,73,784 people have been discharged after treatment till now.

In Jaipur, the death toll from the infection is 478 followed by 272 in Jodhpur, 209 in Ajmer, 164 in Bikaner, 159 in

rangements being made for the treatment of newborns in the PicuNicu wards.

The officials also took feedback about the newly admitted newborns and about the improvement work being done by the management of the hospital to avoid such incidents in future.

The secretary and registrar said that the whole matter is still under investigation.

Pratap Singh Khachariyawas alongwith Abhay Kumar, Ravi Jain reviews the work of Transport Department through VC on Monday.

he said. During the meeting through a video conference, the minister gave instructions to officials to run a campaign to enhance the level of awareness

among drivers for road safety so that the number of road accidents could be brought down.

He also directed the officials to achieve the revenue target and in-

crease challans. The minister said that fall in vehicles sale during the corona pandemic has badly hit the revenue collection this year.

5 killed, 17 injured in separate accidents in Raj Ex-MLA Kanwar Lal First India Bureau Jaipur: Five persons including a newly wed couple were killed and 17 injured in two separate road accidents in Jaipur and Nagaur district of Rajasthan.

Two weeks after they were married, Mahesh Kumar Yadav (25) and his wife Sanjana were killed when a high speed private bus hit their motorcycle near Chandwaji on Jaipur-Delhi highway on Monday.

After hitting the bike, the bus also overturned which left 15 passengers injured.

They victims were going to a relative’s home for lunch when the accident occurred.

The bus was at a high speed and after hitting

RAJE CONDOLES LOSS OF LIVES

Ill-fated bus being pulled by JCB.

the motorcycle, it overturned.

They were rushed to a nearby hospital where Mahesh was declared brought dead while his wife succumbed to injuries during treatment.

In Nagaur, three youths were killed and two others injured in a

collision between two bikes on Sunday night.

The impact of the accident, which occurred near Kantiya area in Khinvsar, was so high that all the three youths died on the spot. Primary investigation reveals that both the bikes were at high speed.

The deceased were identified as Asuram Nayak (27), Kailash (18) and Shrawan Meghwal (20).

The injured, Ganesh Nayak (13) and Gulab Nayak (25), are under treatment at a hospital in Jodhpur, the police said.

“I am shocked to hear the news that 3 people losing their lives in the horrific road accident in Khinvasar, Nagaur.

I pray to God for the peace of departed souls. The ever increasing graph of road accidents in Rajasthan is a matter of concern.

Now in the capital Jaipur, the tragic news of the death of one passenger and injuries to half a dozen people was received after the bus overturned. I pray to God for the peace of the departed soul and the health of the injured,” former CM Vasundhara Raje said in separate tweets on Monday.

sentenced to 5-yr jail Om Prakash Sharma Jhalawar: Former Manoharthana MLA Kanwar Lal Meena was on Monday sentenced to two years imprisonment under 353 IPC for hindering government servant and to five years under 506 IPC for threatening an official with death.

Meena was taken into police custody after the Aklera ADJ Court pronounced the judgment.

The issue was related to Panchayati Raj elections of February 3, 2005. Meena was accused of putting a revolver on the temple of RAS officer Ramnivas Mehta, the then SDM

Aklera, and forcing him to change the result of the deputy sarpanch. In this regard, an FIR was lodged against Meena under Section 392,332,353,506 IPC and Section 3 PDPP Act. In 2018, Meena was acquitted from the lower court of Manoharathana of ACJM in the long running case. Mehta is currently Joint Secretary, Home.

Meena is also facing many criminal cases including attacks on social workers and activists in the area. Two cases of this attack were registered and both of them were charged.

One case is now to be heard in March 2021.

‘Ineligible’ firm disqualified Jha, Deol issued notices for ‘hurting sentiments’ from supplying valves to SMS OVER THE TOP (OTT) SERIES GONE WRONG!

Jodhpur: A Jodhpur court on Monday sought stands of filmmaker Prakash Jha and actor Bobby Deol on a plea taking offence to the controversial portrayal of Hindu saints in their recently released overthe-platform web series Aashram.

In the MX Player’s web series, Bobby Deol has played the central role akin to some selfstyled godmen convicted and serving jail terms for various penal offences in different parts of the country, including Jodhpur in Rajasthan.

Issuing notices to Jha and Deol, Jodhpur Dis-

trict and Session Judge Ravindra Joshi listed the matter for hearing on January 11.

The petition against the web series Aashram, resembling the name of a convicted godman, was filed by local resident Khush Khandelwal.

The portrayal of Deol as a Hindu saint has hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus, who respect and worship saints. His portrayal as a rapist, corrupt and drug dealer has diminished the place saints hold for Hindus, Khandelwal contended in his petition.

Khandelwal had earlier complained to the

police, seeking registration of an FIR against the duo, but with the police refusing to lodge any case over his complaint. With ACJM too dismissing plea, Khandelwal approached the Jodhpur district and session judge challenging the ACJM’s decision. The 2nd season has attracted condemnation for the controversial portrayal of Hindu saints. A social media campaign had also been launched terming it to be a malicious portrayal of Hindu culture. Karni Sena had sent legal notice to producers too.

—PTI

Vikas Sharma Jaipur: After questions on the tendering of mechanical valves which are used in heart operations, the SMS hospital administration has gone in defensive mode and disqualified a firm, which was included in technical bid despite being ineligible, from the tendering process.

Dr Rajesh Sharma, the superintendent of SMS hospital, said that the technical committee had considered five firms to be qualified and only after this, in financial bid it was found that there is a

difference.

He said that the valve priced at Rs 45,000 till last year was offered by a firm for Rs. 35000 including GST, others submitted quotations of Rs 49,000 and above.

Sources said that some

doctors were trying to get expensive valves approved but Superintendent made it clear that valves will be purchased from firm which will approve only those companies, which will agree to give cheaper.

PERSPECTIVE JAIPUR | TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020

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INDIA-PAKISTAN POST-1971

IN-DEPTH

CYBER ATTACK FEAR AS GOOGLE, YOUTUBE CRASH

G

oogle services took a hit with multiple outages being reported around 5 pm, Monday. YouTube, Gmail, and other Google services like Google Docs, GMaps, and Google Analytics stopped working for a short while causing security concerns among users. In the case of Gmail, the message popping up on screens read, “…the system encountered a problem, retrying.” On YouTube, a monkey’s cartoon appeared to say that something went wrong. The outage was unusual as YouTube and Google seldom crash. For Twitter users, it was their first experience of the platform’s crash.

The outage was global, including in the US where some feared that the disruption was due to a cybersecurity attack launched by a foreign nation”. Google officially denied any cyberattack and said that the outage was due to a technical glitch.

Downdetector, which tracks cyber disruptions, said that outages were experienced in Brazil, Chile, Santiago, and Argentina. In Europe, parts of Germany and the Netherlands experienced a breakdown.

Such outages lead to loss of user trust. In October the tech giant had said that there was an exponential growth in cybersecurity threats like distributed denial of services (DDoS) which attack websites and online services. In July Twitter accounts of several public figures and celebrities were hacked in a crypto-currency attack. Twitter had said 130 accounts were hacked.

Circa 2020 has been terrible with Covid-19 afflicting and killing large numbers of people and the economy going into a tailspin. The cyber outage was the least expected trouble to strike in these times and hopefully, the year will end without any more outages of any kind.

HARSHA KAKAR THE WRITER IS MAJOR GENERAL (RETD)

T

STAR WAR ON TAMIL NADU’S HORIZON

A

nybody who thought that there’ll be a star war in TN’s political firmament would be disappointed as Makkal Needhi Maiam president Kamal Haasan, who launched his election bid with a pitch for Madurai as the state’s second capital, made a broad hint at an alliance with the to-beannounced political party of Rajnikanth. “Alliances will break and new combinations will emerge,” he said while reminding people of former CM MG Ramachandran’s dream of making Madurai the second capital. The two superstars coming together appears an unlikely scenario as Rajnikanth has been cosying up to the BJP which is aware of the superstar’s stupendous popularity.

It is expected that the two will enter into an alliance to keep the two Dravida parties out of power.

Kamal Haasan has been critical of PM Narendra Modi on various issues, the recent one being his comments on the Rs 1000-crore expenditure on a new parliament building “when half of India is hungry”. Considering that the project is close to the prime minister’s heart, his criticism should make him an untouchable for the BJP. By invoking MGR Kamal Haasan also sought to take on the AIADMK, a party founded by the late celebrity CM but which has considerably weakened after the death of Jayalalitha and the internal dissensions that followed. Tamil Nadu’s politics is set to become even more interesting with Jayalalitha’s confidante Sasikala likely to throw her hat in the ring to claim her mentor’s legacy.

In March 1971, using violence as an excuse, the Pakistan Army intervened to crush the movement supported by the Jamaat-i-Islami and pro-Pakistani elements. It resulted in millions of refugees streaming into India. India had no option but to get involved in the region as it was facing economic pressure supporting millions of refugees streaming across the border

he surrender at Dhaka on Dec 16, 1971, was a humiliating defeat for Pakistan and ended with the largest surrender since the second world war.

The operations led by Eastern Command, in close coordination with the Mukti Bahini, concluded in 13 days and led to the creation of Bangladesh.

The seeds of defeat were sowed from the time of Independence in 1947, with India only ensuring completion of the process.

Pakistan’s refusal to accept Bengali as a state language in the early years after Partition, the economic disparity between the two parts, hegemony of the West Pakistani ruling elite over the country, regular the imposition of martial laws, and a demeaning attitude towards Bengali culture and population soured relations between the two parts. Tensions came to a peak in December 1970 when the Awami League, led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, won the national elections but Bhutto led Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), refused to hand over power.

In March 1971, using violence as an excuse, the Pakistan Army intervened to crush the movement supported by the Jamaati-Islami and pro-Pakistani ele-

ments. It resulted in millions of refugees streaming into India.

India had no option but to get involved in the region as it was facing economic pressure supporting millions of refugees streaming across the border.

The war ended and the Shimla Agreement of Jul 2, 1972, led to the repatriation of the 93,000 prisoners of war. The agreement failed to resolve the basic issue of Kashmir which was the major bone of contention between the two nations. The agreement was the end of part 1 of the Indo-Pak conflict and the commencement of the next.

Strategically, India removed one threat from Pakistan. If viewed in the current IndoChina standoff as also during Doklam, East Pakistan would have been a major threat for India as they with the Chinese could pose a serious threat to the Siliguri Corridor. Chinese string of pearls would have been far easier in the current environment had East Pakistan remained.

Militarily, it was India’s finest moment. It reflected the professionalism, integration, operational readiness, and high morale of the forces that shattered the Pakistani military and inflicted serious losses to its strategic assets. It was a display of perfect synergy between the political and military leadership backed by excellent civilmilitary relations. India wiped off its memory the defeat in 1962 and limited gains in 1965.

It also had a negative impact.

PART 2 OF THE INDO-PAK CONFLICT CONTINUES EVEN TODAY. IT IS UNLIKELY TO END SOON. HOWEVER, DUE TO LESSONS FROM INDIAN CROSS-BORDER STRIKES, THESE WILL BE LIMITED TO SUPPORTING SECESSIONIST FORCES

Pakistan became a viable and cohesive entity with its Armed Forces capable of defending a smaller nation. By creating Bangladesh, we have made an implacable enemy of Pakistan for whom Balkanisation of India by whatever means has become an article of faith. Pakistan had realised that it could never match India in a conventional war and its only deterrence was to develop nuclear weapons, for which it fell to China and North Korea for support. It also took up supporting radical and secessionist forces within India.

Bhutto supported the Khalistan movement which ended with operation Blue Star. He is stated to have said, ‘Pakistan will also have a Bangladesh carved out of India, except that it will be on Pakistan’s border.’

This was further pushed by Zia-ul-Haq who also launched his philosophy of bleeding India with a thousand cuts. The

Global emissions are down by an unprecedented 7%

G

lobal emissions are expected to decline by about 7% in 2020 (or 2.4 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide) compared to 2019 — an unprecedented drop due to the slowdown in economic activity associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

To put this into perspective, the Global Financial Crisis in 2008 saw a 1.5% drop in global emissions compared to 2007. This year’s emissions decline is more than four times larger.

These are the findings we show in the 15th global carbon budget, an annual report card of the Global Carbon Project on the sources and removals of carbon dioxide, the primary driver of human caused climate change.

It may sound like welcome news, but we can’t celebrate yet. A rapid bounce

04

back of emissions to preCOVID levels is likely, possibly by as soon as next year.

A recent study found emissions in China snapped back to above last year’s levels during late spring when economic activity began to return to normal.

These findings come ahead of the Climate Ambition Summit on Saturday, where global leaders will demonstrate their commitments to climate action five years since the Paris Agreement. This huge drop in emissions should be taken as a unique opportunity to divert the historical course of emissions growth for good.

EMISSIONS IN THE PANDEMIC YEAR The total global fossil carbon dioxide emissions for 2020 are estimated to be 34 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Estimated emissions at

the beginning of December are lower than their levels in December last year, at least in the transport sectors. However, emissions have been edging back up since the peak global daily decline of 17% in early April.

The decline in emissions

in 2020 was particularly steep in the United States (12%) and European Union (11%), where emissions were already declining before the pandemic, mainly from reductions in coal use.

Emissions from India dropped by 9%, while emissions from China, which

have returned to close or above 2019 values, saw an estimated drop of only about 1.7%.

Australian greenhouse gas emissions during the peak of the pandemic lockdown (the quarter of March to June 2020) were lower by 6.2% compared to

the previous quarter. The largest declines were seen in transport and fugitive emissions (emissions released during the extraction, processing and transport of fossil fuels).

Globally, the transport sector also contributed the most to the 2020 emissions drop, particularly “surface transport” (cars, vans and trucks). At the peak of the pandemic lockdowns, the usual levels of transport emissions were halved in many countries, such as in the US and Europe.

While aviation activity collapsed by 75%, its contribution to the total decline was relatively small given the sector only accounts for about 2.8% of the total emissions on an average year. The number of global flights was still down 45% as of the first week of December.

SOURCE: THE CONVERSATION

Kashmir militancy commenced in that period and support to the Khalistan movement continues.

Pakistan believed that its nuclear deterrence and policy of first use would deter India from commencing a conventional war, opening doors for it to launch terrorist strikes across the country, impacting India’s growth, development, and internal stability. It also hoped that terrorist strikes would result in religious strife breaking internal cohesion.

Mumbai and the parliament attacks were a result of this. It was only after this myth was broken by the cross border and Balakote strike did Pakistan realize that its nuclear bluff has outlived its utility.

These strikes also laid down limits of Indian tolerance, pushing Pakistan back. Pakistan’s military establishment has realised that it needs to be careful as the next Indian action may not be hidden from its public as Balakote was. Recent Indian decisions on Kashmir were uncontested by Pak proxies as there remained a fear within their establishment of Indian counter actions. It could only resort to diplomatic projections, which were a global failure.

Part 2 of the Indo-Pak conflict continues even today. It is unlikely to end soon. However, due to lessons from Indian cross-border strikes, these will be limited to supporting secessionist forces.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

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TWEET Prakash Javadekar @PrakashJavdekar PM Sh @narendramodi’s call of “Make In India”, is making India an investment hub. Samsung is set to invest `4,825 crore & relocate it’s mobile production unit from China to India. Our government’s commitment towards making “Atmanirbhar Bharat” a reality, is for all to see.

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Spiritual SPEAK

There is nothing so disobedient as an undisciplined mind, and there is nothing so obedient as a disciplined mind. —Buddha

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FARMER STIR CONTINUES AT DELHI-

NOIDA BORDER BRAVING COLD New Delhi: Even as the winter season started getting intensified in the national capital, protestors continued with their agitation against the three farm laws at the Chilla border on Monday.

In the morning, a thick layer of smog surrounded parts of the national capital leading to decreased visibility.

Despite facing such adverse weather conditions, protestors seemed determined to protest against these farm laws.

Kuldeep Pandey, a protestor at the site, said, “Due to light rainfall early in the morning, the cold weather condition has intensified. We had tea and snacks in the morning.

We are surviving in this cold weather only by the mercy of God.” An old man, said, “We are surviving here only by looking at the farmers’ determination against these black laws.”—ANI

Speak for Maha farmers first: Fadnavis

Farmers gather at Singhu border during their sit-in protest against the Centres farm reform laws, in —PHOTO BY ANI New Delhi on Monday.

MP: BJP TO ORGANISE MEETINGS OF FARMERS

DELHI MINS, AAP MLAS HOLD ‘HUNGER STRIKE’

Ujjain: The BJP will organise meetings of farmers in various divisions of Madhya Pradesh from Tuesday to dispel “misconceptions” being spread about the Centre’s three new farm laws, state Agriculture Minister Kamal Patel said. Enacted in September, the three farm laws have been projected by the Centre as major reforms in the agriculture sector that will remove the middlemen and allow farmers to sell anywhere in the country. —ANI

New Delhi: Senior Delhi government ministers and AAP MLAs, including Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, are sitting on a ‘hunger strike’ in support of farmers who are protesting against the Centre’s farm laws.

Ministers Satyendar Jain, Gopal Rai, and party leader Aatishi Marlena are also present at the strike organised at party headquarters. This comes after Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal had announced a one-day fast in support of farmers’ protest on Sunday. —ANI

Mumbai: The war of words between Maharashtra chief minster Uddhav Thackeray and the former CM Devendra Fadnavis continued on Monday after the Bharatiya Janata Party leader fired another shot. Reacting to Thackeray’s recent comments on farmers’ protest in Delhi, Fadnavis asked the chief minister to first speak about agriculturists in his own state.

“The CM must speak of Maharashtra farmers first instead of commenting on protests in Delhi. Protesters are being beaten up in their homes here and the state government is talking of protesters’ rights in Delhi and calling it an emergency situation,” ANI quoted the BJP leader as saying. —Agencies

Govt’s plan is to make all kinds of good films in India, says Javadekar New Delhi: Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar on Monday said the government plans to promote all kinds of good films, including documentaries and short films. Addressing a session at the online International Coronavirus Short Film Festival, he also said it was nothing short of a “communication revolution” that everyone with access to a smartphone and a story to tell is a filmmaker today.

“People have now become citizen journalists, where they shoot on mobile phones and even edit them and are ready with their short films. This is a communication revolution,” the minister said.

From the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) to the Mumbai International Film Festival for Documentary, Short and Animation Films, all reward the best talent in the

Union Ministers Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi (L) and Prakash Javadekar during the inauguration of International Coronavirus Short Film Festival, at NDMC Convention Centre in New Delhi on Monday.

business, Javadekar said.

“At IFFI, we will showcase 21 non-feature films, even at National Film Awards, we have several categories for short films under 70 minutes. The Mumbai International Film Festival also awards documentaries and filmmakers. This is the government’s plan…that all kinds of films, good films, films which move people are made…,” Javadekar said.

IN THE COURTYARD BJP Bengal in-charge Vijayvargiya’s security Delhi HC slams CBSE for Ban on online gambling upgraded after attack ‘anti-student attitude’ websites:HC notice to govt

Kailash Vijayvargiya’s vehicle was attacked on December 10.

New Delhi: Security of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP’s) general secretary and West Bengal in-charge Kailash Vijayvargiya has been upgraded and he has been given a bulletproof car, according to news agency PTI on Monday, days after his vehicle came under attack in the eastern state. Vijayvargiya currently has Z-category security.

“As per the order of the Union home ministry, I have been provided with a bulletproof vehicle,” Vijayvargiya, who is in Kolkata for a programme in Mathurapur in South 24 Parganas, said according to news agency PTI.

The vehicle of the BJP general secretary, who was travelling along with party president JP Nadda, was attacked on December 10 when he was on his way to Diamond Harbour to meet party workers.

The windscreen of his car was damaged in the attack. Vijayvargiya, who was not harmed in the incident, told reporters that when he was going to a local hospital to meet injured party workers, his vehicle was damaged “by lathi- wielding TMC miscreants who along with policemen charged towards BJP workers.”

Vijayvargiya and V-P Mukul Roy sustained injuries. — PTI

SITHARAMAN HOLDS PRE-BUDGET CONSULTATIONS WITH TOP BIZMEN New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday held pre-Budget consultations with top industrialists in the national capital ahead of the forthcoming Union Budget 2021-22, informed the Ministry of Finance. Sitharaman has concluded a comprehensive review of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Package

(ANBP) with the Secretaries of various Ministries/Departments, the Ministry of Finance said on Sunday. In an official release, Finance Ministry said, the Ministries and Departments concerned have started implementing announcements under the three Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Packages & progress is being monitored.

New Delhi: Delhi HC rapped the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for its “anti-student attitude”, saying it was “treating students as enemies” by dragging them all the way to the SC in certain matters.

A bench of CJ D N Patel & Justice Prateek Jalan made the observation while hearing a plea moved by the Board challenging a single judge order, which said CBSE’s reassessment scheme for students whose board exams got cancelled due to COVID-19 would apply to improvement

candidates also. “We don’t like this anti-student attitude of the CBSE. You are dragging students all the way to SC. Should they be studying or going to court?

We should start imposing costs on the CBSE. They are treating students as enemies,” the

bench added. “There is no earthshaking emergency for you to come to court now all guns blazing,” the bench said, adding that CBSE should have gone to apex court for a clarification, instead of dragging students to court.

—ANI

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday issued notice to the Central government on a public suit seeking direction to take steps to ban and prevent online gambling websites from operating in the country.

A division bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan asked the Centre and other to file reply on the public interest litigation seeking direction to the Ministry of Information Technology to exercise its powers under sections of the Information Technology Act, 2000, to prevent online gambling websites. The PIL, filed by one Avinash

Mehrotra represented through advocates Awantika Manohar, Siddharth Iyer and Prashant Kumar, sought directions to the Ministry of Finance to take steps to recover taxes due from both persons who played such online gambling, and more importantly, those who run and operate these websites. —ANI

PIL seeking release of arrested Kerala journo adjourned New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned for the third week of January a plea seeking immediate release of a senior Kerala journalist Siddique Kappan, who was arrested along with some others by the Uttar Pradesh Police on October 5 while on their way to cover the Hathras incident.

the plea from the Centre, the Uttar Pradesh government, and its police chief on the matter.

An FIR had been registered under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in the case. Kappan is lodged in the Mathura jail, the court was informed earlier.

The KUWJ had approached the Supreme

A bench, headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde, adjourned the matter after the senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ), sought time to file a reply to the additional affidavit filed by the Uttar Pradesh government.

Earlier, the bench had sought a response on

EQUITY INDICES CLOSE IN THE GREEN, ENERGY STOCKS GAIN Mumbai: Equity benchmark indices traded with mild gains on Monday with energy stocks witnessing handsome profits.The BSE S&P Sensex closed 154 points or 0.34% higher at 46,253 while the Nifty 50 edged higher by 44 points or 0.33 per cent at 13,558. Most sectoral indices at the National Stock Exchange were in the green with Nifty metal up by 1.38 per cent, PSU bank by 1.77 per cent and private bank by 0.47 per cent. Among stocks, ONGC was the top gainer by moving up 5.9% to Rs 102.55 per share.

MP SET TO BE AMONG MOST DEVELOPED STATES IN 3 YEARS: MIN Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh will emerge as one of the country’s most developed states in three years due to the work it is doing as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat scheme, state PWD minister Gopal Bhargava said on Monday.

Addressing the inaugural session of CII Madhya Pradesh Infrastructure Conclave, Bhargava said

05

strong infrastructure and industries will play a huge role in the effort. “After 2003, MP has made record progress in the areas of infrastructure, agriculture, irrigation, industrial development,” he said, adding that Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had prepared a roadmap for “Atmanirbhar Madhya Pradesh.”

Court with a habeas corpus plea to know the whereabouts of its Delhi unit secretary and senior journalist. But earlier the court refused to intervene while advising the union to move the Allahabad HC instead. KUWJ has sought fulfillment of Kappan’s basic rights such as legal help access to family. —ANI

He said a film festival for short films based entirely on the deadly disease is a novel idea.

Organised by the Indian Infotainment Media Corporation (IIMC), the International Coronavirus Short Film Festival has received over 2,800 entries from 108 countries. The festival aims at showcasing stories based on cure, safety measure and lives affected during the coronavirus pandemic.

—PTI

SC to probe if declaring emergency ‘unlawful’ New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine whether it would be feasible or desirable, after the passage of 45 years, if the declaration of Emergency in 1975 was unconstitutional or not.

A three-judge bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Dinesh Maheshwari and Hrishikesh Roy issued notice to the Centre and sought its response on the plea filed by a 94-year-old woman for the proclamation of Emergency in 1975 to be declared as unconstitutional. During the hearing, the bench raised questions about hearing the issue after the passage of 45 years.

“This plea arises from the passage of time. It is Mr Salve’s (senior advocate Harish Salve appearing for petitioner) submission that ‘prayer A’ survives and wrongs of history must be corrected. We asked Mr Salve whether the petitioner is seeking other reliefs too, the bench said. —ANI

BJP RELEASES ‘TMC FAIL CARD’, SAYS GOVT A FAILURE Kolkata: Describing the report card released by Trinamool Congress last week on its government’s 10-year-rule as a bluff to fool the people of West Bengal, the BJP on Monday brought out the “TMC Fail Card” and accused the Mamata Banerjee regime of peddling lies about the development of the state. The “TMC Fail Card - the true story of 10 years of TMC’s corrupt and inept governance in West Bengal” was released by senior BJP leaders Swapan Dasgupta, Shishir Bajoria Shamik Bhattacharya.

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Govt issues guidelines for vaccination drive India’s active caseload contracts to 3.52 lakh; lowest in 149 days —PHOTO BY ANI

New Delhi: Vaccinating 100-200 people in each session per day, monitoring them for 30 minutes after administering the shots for any adverse event and allowing only one beneficiary at a time are among the guidelines issued by the Centre for the COVID-19 inoculation drive.

According to the guidelines issued to states recently, the COVID Vaccine Intelligence Network (CoWIN) system—a digitalised platform—will be used to track enlisted beneficiaries for the vaccination and anticoronavirus vaccines on a real-time basis.

At the vaccination

A healthcare worker collects a sample to conduct tests for the COVID-19 at a Bus Depot in New Delhi on Monday.

site, only pre-registered beneficiaries will be vaccinated in accordance with the prioritisation, and there will be no provision for on thespot registrations. The

states have been asked, as far as possible, to allocate the vaccine from one manufacturer to a district to avoid mixing of different COVID-19 vaccines in the field.

India to establish climate centre for Himalayas: IMD

Ajit Pawar denies reports on Rs 90 crore

A file photo of snow-capped mountain ranges of the Himalayas.

New Delhi: India is planning to establish a regional climate centre for the Himalayan mountain region which will not only provide weather-related advices within the country but also to its neighbours, India Meteorological Department (IMD) Director General Mrutunjay Mohapatra said on Monday.

Mohapatra said the work for establishing such a centre has already begun and talks are also on with the World Meteorological Organisation.

China is also building a similar regional climate centre on its side of the Himalayas, he said. Addressing a webinar on ‘Weather and Climate Services over Mountains Region’, Mohapatra said India has the eastern

1ST SHOT IN USA

CLIMATE SERVICES

Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday said that the reports about Rs 90 crores spent on bungalow renovation (of Ministers) is not correct. Speaking to reporters, the Deputy Chief Minister said, "The reports about Rs 90 crores spent on bungalow renovation (of Ministers) is not correct. I don't know where did they get this figure from." "According to the concerned department, data on expenditure has not been updated yet," he said

‘India is far ahead POWER Gallery of China in leading world with ideas’ IS PM ANNOYED WITH A COUPLE OF SECRETARIES?

New Delhi: Lauding the "exemplary courage" shown by the country's armed forces amid the stand-off with China, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said there can be a debate on the issue of military might between the two countries but as far as soft power is concerned India is "far ahead" of China, in leading the world with ideas.

"In these testing times, our forces have shown exemplary courage and remarkable fortitude. The coming generations of this nation will be proud of what our forces have managed to achieve this year," said Rajnath Singh while addressing the 'Valedictory Session' of FICCI's Annual Con-

Insiders say that PM Narendra Modi is quite annoyed with the style of functioning of a couple of Secretaries. One can guess the names.

CENTRE CAN ONLY DEBAR IPS OFFICERS FROM DEPUTATION ON DECLINING OFFER?

Rajnath Singh

clave.

Talking about the ongoing military face-off between the two countries, the Defence Minister said, there can be a serious debate on who owns more military might but when it comes to soft power there is no scope of ambiguity. India is far ahead of China when it comes to leading the world with ideas," he said. —ANI

IIT-Madras under lockdown after students, staff test +ve Chennai: IIT-Madras campus has been placed under temporary lockdown after 104 students and staff members of the institution tested positive for coronavirus. The state health department and the IIT management are yet to identify the source of the outbreak.

As per local reports, the students had claimed there had been overcrowding in the hostel mess and that could have led the infection to spread. This is one of the biggest clusters that has emerged in Chennai after the

ghats, western ghats along the east and the west coast and the Myanmar hills in the northeast.

Considering the size of Himalayas and its role in India’s hydrology, meteorology, disaster management, ecosystem and many other activities, the world has correctly recognised it as the ‘third pole of the world’, he noted.

Priya Ramani (L) MJ Akbar (R) —FILE PHOTO

form to women to unburden themselves. "#MeToo came to India in 2018. It wasn't a crime to speak up on the #MeToo platform.

These are acts of extreme courage that require celebration.

The IPS officers, whose services are taken on the central deputation by the Government of India, can’t be forced without the permission of the State.

However, the Centre can debar such officers from central deputation postings for a certain period of time on declining deputation, according to sources.

SUDHIR KUMAR SAXENA PROMOTED AS SPECIAL DIRECTOR GENERAL, CISF

Sudhir Kumar Saxena, Additional Director General, CISF, has been promoted to the rank of Special Director General. He is a 1987 batch IPS officer of MP cadre.

ARUN KUMAR SINHA PROMOTED TO DG GRADE

Arun Kumar Sinha, Director, SPG, has been promoted to the rank of Director General. He is a 1987 batch IPS officer of Kerala cadre.

SANJAY CHANDER APPOINTED AS SPECIAL DG, CRPF

Sanjay Chander, ADG, CRPF, has been appointed as Special Director General, CRPF. He is a 1987 batch IPS officer of West Bengal cadre.

SURENDRA PAWAR APPOINTED AS SPECIAL DG, BSF

Surendra Pawar, ADG, BSF, has been appointed as Special Director General, BSF. He is a 1987 batch IPS officer of Odisha cadre.

CHHATTISGARH CHIEF SECRETARY TO HAVE LONGEST TENURE

Newly appointed Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh Amitabh Jain will create history in the bureaucracy.

1989 batch IAS officer Jain will retire in July 2025.

P K SINGH IS MEMBER LAW, CERC IIT (Madras) campus placed under temporary lockdown after 104 students & staff members tested positive for coronavirus.

state government permitted educational institutions to function from December 7. In the last 10 days, 71 residents of IIT-Madras tested positive for Covid-19 and on Monday, 33 more were found to be

infected. According to the officials, a total of 700 students are currently staying on the campus and they are accommodated across nine hostels with less than 20 per cent capacity occupied in each.

‘Speaking on MeToo INDIA READY FOR ANY is an act of courage’ EVENTUALITY: RAWAT New Delhi: Journalist Priya Ramani on Monday submitted before a Delhi court that speaking up on #MeToo is not a crime and such acts are of extreme courage that requires celebration and not defamation cases.

Senior Advocate Rebecca John, appearing for Ramani in the defamation case filed against her by former Union Minister MJ Akbar, told Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Ravindra Kumar Pandey that she felt #MeToo gave a plat-

06

Kolkata: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat stated on Monday that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is carrying out development activities in Tibet Autonomous Region of China, amid the Sino-Indian standoff at Ladakh.

He also underlined that Indian forces are well- equipped to deal with any eventuality, and similar activities are being undertaken in the country. “We are locked in a stand-off in Ladakh. There is some development activity

which has been going on in Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Every nation will continue to make preparations to boost its security based on its strategic interests.

“I don’t think there should be much concern in that because we, on our side, are also carrying out similar activities,” Rawat told reporters after the launch of indigenously built state-of-the-art stealth frigate ‘Himgiri’ at Defence PSU Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers here.

May 2020, he said.

Karna iPhone... cars and golf carts, smartphones and other gadgets worth Rs 1.5 crore were among those that were damaged, were stolen or lost.

He stated in his complaint that 5,000 contract labourers and about 2,000 unknown culprits carried out the vandalism in the facility. According to police, a clear picture regarding the total loss will emerge only after assessment by the insurance company.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Karthik Reddy said 160 people had been arrested so far. Po-

ACC has approved the appointment of Pravas Kumar Singh, Member (Legal), Jharkhand, SERC, to the post of Member (Law), Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC).

22 OFFICERS IN GRADE OF DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF ENFORCEMENT SHIFTED

As many as 22 officers in the grade of Deputy Director of Enforcement (on deputation) have been shifted. Accordingly, Vikrant Bangotra was posted at Jalandhar and Richa Jaiswal was shifted to Ahmedabad; Amit Kumar to Chandigarh; Yogesh Kumar to Jaipur; Mallikarjun V Mamani to Chennai; Manish Kumar Yadav to Allahabad; Prakash Chaudhary to New Delhi; Bhanu Priya Meena to Jalandhar; Manoj Mittal to Bangalore; Abhijeet Kumar Gautam to New Delhi; Divya Vashishtha to Kolkata; Sudhakar Verma to Ahmedabad; Pugalia Chandan Rajendra to Lucknow; Visakh K to New Delhi; Arjun Singh to Surat; Chandra Mohan Singh to Kolkata; Kamal Deep to New Delhi; Money Jain to Bangalore; Pankaj Jha to New Delhi; Ajit Kumar Nirala to Srinagar; Avinash Parashar to Patna and Purna Kam Singh has been posted to Ahmedabad.

R SUBRAMANYAM APPOINTED ED, RBI

R Subramanyam has been appointed Executive Director (ED) by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

In this capacity, he will be responsible to look after Foreign Exchange Department, Financial Markets Regulation Department, Internal Debt Management and International Department. Prior to this, Subramanian was serving as Chief General Manager-in-Charge, Enforcement Department.

By arrangement with: http:// whispersinthecorridors.com

FROM PG 1 Farmers on...

Earlier in the day, Tomar met Home Minister Amit Shah and discussed about the way forward to end the deadlock. Later, the agriculture minister also met a delegation of farmers led by the All India Kisan Coordination Committee (AIKCC) which extended support to the farm laws. This is the fourth group of farmers who have extended support to the laws in last two weeks. —PTI Tikait denies... faction resigned because they were upset with

their President Bhanu Pratap Singh, as to why he compromised,” Rakesh Tikait told ANI regarding 3 BKU (Bhanu Faction) leaders’ resignation. National Spokesperson of the Indian Farmers Union (Bhanu) Mahendra Singh Chauroli, national spokesperson Satish Chaudhary and a woman farmer leader has resigned from their post.

“The farmers are not going anywhere. Farmers are at loss with these laws and they will only benefit companies,” he said.

Farmers’ leaders including Rakesh Tikait

of Bharatiya Kisan Union sit on a hunger strike from 8 am-5 pm at Ghazipur (Delhi-UP border), where the protest entered day 17 on Monday.

Alleging that the Central government is working in favour of the corporate sector, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) spokesperson Rakesh Tikait on Sunday reiterated that farmers will not end the agitation till the three recently passed agriculture sector laws are repealed. —ANI

Retail inflation...

This will provide elbow

room to RBI to continue its accommodative stance, which is critical for sustained revival of demand,” he added.

Sunil Kumar Sinha, principal economist, India Ratings and Research, said retail inflation at is still outside the comfort zone of the RBI. However, core inflation (non-food and nonenergy) and core-core inflation (non-food, non-energy and transport and communication) are broadly stable in the range of 5 per cent to 5.79 per cent and 4.72 per cent to 4.95 per cent, respectively, since

Tatas bid... as Air India’s “return” to the parent company.

Sources said Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group, has put in an Expression of Interest (EoI) at the close of the deadline on Monday.

It was not, however, immediately clear if Tatas have bid alone or in consortium with an airline.

An official said transaction advisor will inform bidders before January 6, if their bids have been qualified.

lice said the arrests were being made based on CCTV footage and after checking the list of workers in the shift to ascertain the culprits.. —Agencies

Jio writes... and divisive campaign through its employees, agents and retailers”.

“They are inciting the public by making preposterous claims that migrating Jio mobile numbers to their networks would be an act of support to farmers’ protests,” said the letter written on December 10. The letter was accompanied by

pictures of “misleading and inciteful campaign” across Punjab and other northern states. “We reiterate that in order to reap meagre gains in port-in numbers, these service providers are intentionally defacing RJIL by depicting it as being against farmers and projecting themselves as farmer friendly, while at the same time intentionally fanning the antigovernment protests”.

Govt ready...

He also said that his government is always open for discussion and dialogue”. —ANI

NEWS JAIPUR | TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020

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07

RAJ FARMERS BLOCK JAIPUR-DELHI HIGHWAY

AT ALWAR AFTER COPS BLOCK CAPITAL PASSAGE DUE TO BLOCKADE, TRAFFIC ON THE NH48 ROUTE IS BEING DIVERTED TO BANSUR

Activists of CPI(M) taking out a rally in support of farmers in Jaipur on Monday. (Left) A long queue of vehicles on Jaipur-Delhi highway after farmers staged a stir.

—PHOTOS BY SUMAN SARKAR

Jaipur: Protesting against the Centre’s recent farm laws, farmers from Rajasthan on Monday blocked the DelhiJaipur national highway at Shahjahanpur in Alwar district after police stopped them from marching to the national capital.

With the police stopping their march along the state’s border with Haryana, the farmers camping at JaisinghpurKhera border in Shahjahanpur under the leadership of Swaraj Abhiyan chief Yogendra Yadav and others went on a daylong hunger strike, seeking the repeal of farm laws.

With the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh affiliates Swadeshi Jagran Manch and Bharatiya Kisan Sangh too raising the demand for a legal guarantee on the MSP recently, Yadav dared RSS to clarify its stands on the farm laws. “I have one simple question to RSS-affiliated BKS and SJM. Do they support the farm laws in the existing form? Let them come clear on this,” said Yadav, addressing reporters. He claimed the two rightwing organisations were not in favour of the farm laws since day one. But with the pressure building upon the RSS amid the farmers’ agitation, they have now started

Farmers protest may impact economic recovery: CII

T NSUI state president Abhishek Chaudhary led a demonstration in Jaipur by creating a human chain.

POLICE ADVISORY

Avoid travelling to Delhi by road Ashwini Yadav Jaipur: After Delhi, the farmers’ movement intensified on Rajasthan-Haryana border in Shahjahpura on Monday where a large number of farmers have gathered to protest against the farm laws enacted by the centre.

Additional policemen from both Rajasthan and Haryana saying that some amendments are required. Both the organisations, SJM and BKS, have said the Centre’s farm laws favour farmers but they need some amendments to allay their fears over the MSP. “We are holding

were deployed on the border in view of the farmers’ threat to block the Jaipur-Delhi highway. As a precautionary measure, the vehicles were diverted to alternate routes.

Heavy motor vehicles such as trucks and containers were diverted from Shahjahapur toll plaza towards Behror.

Looking at the situaa day-long fast today to pay tribute to the farmers who lost their lives during the country-wide agitation. This fast is being held to give a message that God give wisdom to the government,” said Kisan Panchayat presi-

tion, IG Jaipur Range has issued an advisory to the travellers to take Jaipur-Dausa-Sikandara-Bandikui-Alwar-Tijara-BhiwadiDaruheda-Gurugram route to reach Delhi instead of the national highway-8, if it is necessary to travel. The police have advised people to avoid travelling to Delhi because of the farmers’ agitation. dent Rampal Chaudhary, who is also camping on the highway. One-way traffic from Delhi to Jaipur is open but the Jaipur-Delhi traffic is blocked, police said as they keep a vigil on border areas.

—PTI

he current agitation by farmers in many parts of India has led to disruption in supply chains and logistics. This will have a bearing on the economy over the coming days and may impinge the ongoing recovery from the economic contraction due to COVID. The farmers’ protest which has intensified over the past couple of weeks has led to obstruction of traffic and road blockades across multiple checkpoints in the northern states of Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, and in smaller measure, in many other states. The already broken supplychain which was recovering post the pandemic induced lockdown has come under severe stress.

Around two-third consignment in transit are taking 50 percent extra time to reach destination in states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi-NCR.

I assure you that govt is with farmers: Kailash Choudhary New Delhi: As farmer protests continue along the borders of Delhi, Union Minister of State Kailash Choudhary has assured that the Government of India is with the farmers.

Speaking to ANI, the minister said, “The farmers should be ready for mediation instead of not listening to anyone. I wish to assure that the Government of India is with the farmers. These bills will fa-

vour the interests of the farmers.

Recently, many farmers came and greeted Narendra Tomar ji.”

The minister request-

ed protestors to stop agitating in such cold weather conditions coupled up with the Covid-19 pandemic can prove to be harmful to the health of the people.

He raised questions over the stand of the Aam Aadmi Party and Congress Party saying that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Congress Party supported the bills in the house and not in front of the public.

—ANI

99 percent farmers are with

Modi sarkar: Arun Singh Jaipur: Amid a protest by farmers against the Centre’s three new farm laws, BJP National General Secretary and incharge of Rajasthan Arun Singh on Monday claimed that more than 99 per cent farmers in the country are with the Modi government.

The BJP leader said, “More than 99 percent farmers in the country are with the Modi government and if there is confusion among the rest, we will sit and the

BJP National General Secretary and in-charge of Rajasthan Arun Singh taking part in a Kisan Chaupal in Sikar.

confusion will be removed.”

“They are innocent farmers but among them are some elements who need to be exposed. They

put up posters of Sharjeel Imam,” he said, referring to anti-citizenship law activists accused by Delhi Police of being involved in riots.

—PTI

Ashamed that poaching is not Soldiers are the real heroes of stopped: Minister Vishnoi’s son country: Shekhawat at BSF race Nirmal Tiwari Jaipur: Uncontrolled incidents of hunting, irregularities and no action against accused and guilty officials has brought embarrassment to the forest minister Sukhram Vishnoi who is now being called ‘Mauni Baba’ among the wildlife lovers.

Even his son has expressed the pain on social media saying, “I am sad, ashamed that we are not able to punish the criminals and irresponsible officers, employees of the forest department.”

Apart from the rising cases of poaching, missing of big cats, illegal mining on forest land and in Chambal sanctuary, and complaints against illegal safari, several important matters including transfer, posting and recruitments, work on new wildlife sanctuaries, conservation reserves, tiger reserves, animal relocation programme, African Cheetah reintroduction programme etc. are pending but the minister is not able to pay attention.

Around 30 tigers have gone missing in the

Forest min Sukhram Vishnoi

state but no concrete action was taken. A red alert was issued but that too turned out to be a formality. Hunting activities are there and poachers are active, but again, no seriousness to protect wild animals is

visible on the ground.

The indecisiveness of the minister has brought down the graph of his reputation and he is trolled on social media whenever he posts anything. Social media users point out his failure in tackling the issues related to the forest and wildlife.

The case of appointment of honorary wildlife warden has also been hanging for 7 years.

The state of being indecisive is not only taking a toll on forest and wildlife but his image is also suffering because of it.

Laxman Raghav /Sunil Sihag Bikaner/ Sri Ganganagar: A 180-km relay race to commemorate India’s victory over Pakistan in 1971 war was held along Indo-Pak border in Western sector of Rajasthan by BSF under which the BSF Jawan ran with baton from Khajuwala to Anupgarh.

Union Jal Shakti minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat , the hero of historic Longewala battle Bhairon Singh, IG BSF Rajasthan Fron-

Jal Shakti minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat with BSF officers.

tier Ayush Mani Tiwari, DIG Madhukar and other officials were present in the closing ceremony. Addressing the troops, Shekhawat

said that the soldiers are the real heroes of the country. Folk artists from Jodhpur and other areas also gave performance in the ceremony.

Shekhawat held a press conference at in Udaipur, where he made it clear that all the three agricultural bills passed by the central government are in the interest of farmers. He clarified that the misconceptions that the opposition parties are spreading about these bills are completely wrong. Shekhawat said that there is nothing like abolishing mandis or abolishing the minimum support price in these bills.

When you heal others with compassion, you heal yourself too. Love within is the best dose.

2ND FRONT

—Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor, First India

POSTAL REG NO. JPC/010/2019-21

JAIPUR | TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020

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COVID-19 UPDATE

WORLD

INDIA

08

RAJASTHAN

16,22,818 7,28,59,198 1,43,710 99,04,096 2,555 2,92,539 DEATHS

MAHARASHTRA 48,269 DEATHS 18,83,365 CASES

CONFIRMED CASES

UTTAR PRADESH 8,083 DEATHS 5,66,728 CASES

DEATHS

KARNATAKA 11,954 DEATHS 9,02,240 CASES

CONFIRMED CASES

DEATHS

DELHI 10,074 DEATHS 6,08,830 CASES

CONFIRMED CASES

GUJARAT 4,182 DEATHS 2,28,803 CASES

75 EV charging stations to facilitate e- mobility

The land will be made available by JDA to Rajasthan Electronics and Instrument Limited (REIL) and Energy Efficiency Limited (EESL) Abhishek Srivastava

JDA Commissioner Gaurav Goyal, Secretary Hridesh Sharma, Director Engineering VS Sunda and officials of REIL and EESL during a meeting at JDA Headquarters on Monday.

Jaipur: 75 charging stations will soon be started to promote electric vehicles in Jaipur where the land will be made available by JDA to Rajasthan Electronics and Instrument Limited (REIL) and Energy Efficiency Limited (EESL) on revenue sharing model.

The project was discussed in a meeting held at the JDA headquarters on Monday which was attended by the JDA, REIL and EESL officials.

REIL and EESL officials said that two types of charging stations- fast and slow- will be set up in Jaipur.

The fast charging station will take up to an hour and a half to

6 MTHS’ EXTENSION TO TATA PROJECTS

charge the car while the charging will take 4-5 hours at the slow charg-

ing station. Both the companies have proposed to open 75 sta-

tions in the city- 54 by REIL and 21 by EESL. However, it will depend on availability of land.

6 to 8 vehicles can be charged simultaneously at one station, which will require 800 sq feet of area. Firms have sought lands near malls, multiplexes, large parks & establishments to set up the charging stations for public convenience.

CM approves proposals for Target of generating 30,000 MW Farmers need to integrate technology amendments in RTPP-2013 renewable power in next 3 yrs: Kalla in farming: CP Joshi Naresh Sharma

Dr CP Joshi during the inaugural ceremony of Customer Hiring Centres of Udaipur Co-operative Bank in Rajsamand on Monday.

First India Bureau

LEADER SPEAK

Rajsamand: Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Dr C P Joshi on Monday, suggested the farmers to integrate technologies in the farming work saying that today’s era is the era of technology.

He said that the state government has designed schemes keeping in mind the small and marginal farmers and development of the region.

Addressing a function in Rajsamand district, Joshi also called upon the presidents of co-operative societies to ensure that people in villages get benefits from the schemes.

Joshi was speaking at the function to inaugurate customer hiring centres of the Udaipur Central Co-operative Bank in Nathdwara.

He said that farmers should adopt modern

Jaipur: In view of the economic effects of the Corona pandemic, the state government has decided to give securities related exemption for various works to be executed through tender.

In this regard, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has approved the proposal for amendments to the Rajasthan Transparency in Public Procurement Rules (RTPP), 2013.

As per the proposal, after amendment to the rules, only ‘Bid Securities Declaration’ will be

Vikas Sharma

payable on behalf of the bidder in place of ‘Bid Securities’. Also, performance security payable will also be reduced. These exemptions, which will continue till December 31, 2021, will speed up various works to be executed through tenders.

Jaipur: Energy Minister BD Kalla told the officials of government and private companies working in the solar energy sector to focus on converting solar energy into a battery form and that will be a big advantage for the state. He was speaking at the 11th Rajasthan Energy Conservation Award ceremony held virtually on Monday at Vidyut Bhavan.

Kalla, while speak-

Dr BD Kalla presents awards during the 11th Rajasthan Energy Conservation Award ceremony held virtually at Vidyut Bhavan.

ing to the media on the occasion, said that Rajasthan is self-suffi-

Implement file e- tracking system in depts for ease: CS to officials Dr Rituraj Sharma

technological solutions in farming in order to increase their income and efficiency.

Co-operative Minister Udai Lal Anjana said the department is making all efforts to take the benefits of the schemes to the village level. He said that it is the endeavor of his department to benefit every single farmer in the state with the government schemes and programmes.

Jaipur: Chief Secretary Niranjan Arya has instructed officials to implement the ‘file etracking’ system in all departments to bring in transparency and ease in the government works.

Arya held discussions with senior officials through video conferencing on implementing the system in all departments. He said that the system will increase transparency and speed in the movement of files and it will also become easier to

cient in the field of electricity. He said there is a target of

GEHLOT SAYS

‘Govt must shun arrogance’

y heartfelt condohe statements issued M lences at the pass- T by BJP leaders deing away of Jodhpur's crying farmers’ protest eminent shayar SD Rahi ji. May the Almighty give strength to his family members to bear this loss. May his soul rest in peace.

t’s most ironic that the Ination farmers who feed the are compelled

CS Niranjan Arya holds discussions with senior officials through video-conferencing on Monday.

know when, where and which files are under process and will help officials to act quickly.

The Chief Secretary instructed that the de-

partments where the e-file tracking system is not yet implemented should implement this with immediate effect.

Virendra Singh, the

Commissioner of Information and Technology Department, gave a detailed presentation about the file tracking management module.

generating 30,000 MW of renewable power in Rajasthan in the next 3 years, out of which 27,000 MW projects are under process. Kalla said that we want 2 to 3 cities in the state to be developed as green cities.

The institutes that took initiative for energy saving were honoured.

Applications were received from 110 institutes for these awards, out of which 40 institutes and industrial groups have been selected this year.

are most unfortunate & condemnable. Govt must find an amicable solution & address the grievances of farmers sympathetically instead of blaming gangs, anti national elements for these protests.

to sit on a hunger strike today because Govt of India is not listening to their woes. Our farmers have presented an example of peaceful agitation in front of the nation. Govt must shun arrogance.

MOOLAH MATTERS

Centre releases 7th instalment of GST of `6,000 cr to states 

An amount of Rs 5,516.60 crore has been released to 23 states & Rs 483.40 crore have been released to the three Union Territories (UTs)

New Delhi: The Ministry of Finance on Monday released the seventh weekly instalment of Rs 6,000 crore to the states to meet the Goods and Services Tax (GST) compensation shortfall, an official statement said here.

Out of this, an amount of Rs 5,516.60 crore has been released to 23 states and an amount of Rs 483.40 crore has been released to the three Union Territories (UTs) with Leg-

islative Assembly (Delhi, JammuKashmir and Puducherry) who are members of the GST Council, informed the Ministry of Finance.

The remaining five states -- Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim -- do not have a gap in revenue on account of GST implementation, the Finance Ministry stated.

“Central government had set up a spe-

cial borrowing window in October this year to

meet the estimated shortfall of Rs 1.10

lakh crore in revenue arising on account of implementation of GST. The borrowings are being done through this window by the Centre on behalf of the States and UTs,” it said.

“The borrowings have been done in 7 rounds. The amount borrowed so far was released to the states on 23rd October, 2nd November, 9th November, 23rd November, 1st December, 7th December

and 14th December,” it further added.

“The amount released this week was the 7th instalment of such funds provided to the States. The amount has been borrowed this week at an interest rate of 5.1348 per cent.

So far, an amount of Rs 42,000 crore has been borrowed by the Central Government through the special borrowing window at an average interest rate of 4.7712 per cent,”

Union Finance Ministry stated.

The Statement added, in addition to providing funds through the special borrowing window, the Centre has also granted additional borrowing permission equivalent to 0.50 % of Gross States Domestic Product (GSDP) to the states choosing OptionI to meet GST compensation shortfall to help them in mobilising additional financial resources. —ANI

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09

JAIPUR, TUESDAY DECEMBER 15, 2020

Jagdeesh Chandra with the top 31 finalists of Elite Miss Rajasthan 2020

The Sash Ceremony of Elite Miss Rajasthan 2020 was held on Monday, where a total of 31 finalists were announced, who will further compete for the title

NEHAL NAYAR

nehal.nayar@firstindia.co.in

A

fter auditioning for months in order to select the best, the team of Elite Miss Rajasthan 2020 finally announced the top 31 finalists at Hotel Hilton on Monday.

Jagdeesh Chandra was the chief guest of the event, and congratulated the finalists on attaining the finalists’ positions.

On talking about the arrangements made for the finale, show director Gaurav Gaur said, “We were thrilled to the excitement amongst girls of Udaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, and Jaipur.

Girls from small towns, rural establishments and even villages participated in the auditions, and

now, 31 of the best ones have been selected. To bring them at the same level of preparation, a training and grooming session of 7 days will be conducted, where famous celebrities will give the girls a few tips on fashion, glamour, publicity, etiquettes and style.”

He added, “The grand finale of the program will be held on 20 December in the Samskara Resort at Ajmer Road. Keeping the safety of the contestants in mind, all 31 girls, mentors, directors and additional teams had to undergo a COVID test. Keeping the pandemic in mind, all the guidelines issued by the government will also be followed.”

More on Pg 12

—PHOTOS BY SANTOSH SHARMA

ALL SET TO COMPETE

Gaurav Gaur

Jagdeesh Chandra with Charvi Tanya Dutta

Riya Sain Priyanka Mathur

Shabnamistan Jabeen

Isha Agarwal

Daisy Chaudhary

ETC JAIPUR | TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020

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AGE AND ART OF AGEING

DR RAMAWTAR SHARMA cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

T

mental power but you have to put some effort to stay mentally fit.

The brain, too, should be cared like your heart whenever you reach your 40th birthday.

Does natural curiosity arise?

How and why does a body age?

How and why we change in our looks are per age? Why don’t we stay young forever in our looks?

Is there a method to control or slow down ageing? Is there a drug which can slow down the ageing process of our body?

We are not made to survive forever. Nature has created a system which causes an imperceptible degeneration of body over a period which finally reaches a state at which its survival is impossible. There is an “ axis of ageing “ in our cells which takes care that the body ultimately slows down and then stops regenerating. This axis starts with special strands of DNA called telomeres that cap off our chromosomes, each chromosome having its telomere. These telomeres prevent mutation in our chromosomes when they divide.

As we progress in age, these telomeres get shortened and frayed. Once these telomeres

FA CE OF TH ED AY

he meaning of age has become elusive. The visual clues of age are now untrustworthy- children dress like adults and parents in figure-hugging jeans and Ts. Some people in their 50s are trying to remain transcendently youthful while some 20-something are showing signs of premature ageing. The rules of age-appropriate behaviour drummed into us by parents and teachers, religion and state, no longer hold sway.

Madonna adopted children at the age of 50 while John Elton fathered a child at 62! What to talk about Hugh Hefner......! Look at the true agelessness of Meryl Streep, Rekha, Jane Fonda, Simi Grewal, Mithun and Milkha Singh. Not to forget the classical immortality of Woody Allen - turning out 37 films in 40 years while performing regularly at a jazz band.

How do these people slow down the process of ageing? Age is the period you are alive while ageing is what you look at a particular age- you may look 60+ in your early 50s or vice versa. Ageing is both mental and bodily. Mental ageing isn’t visible on the surface but it starts much earlier than the bodily ageing. By the time you reach 45-49 on your birth chart, you lose about four per cent of your reasoning ability. It is seen more so in people with a sedentary lifestyle and in those who don’t indulge in mental activities.

It is not that everyone loses the

shorten to a critical length, our cells can not divide, the regeneration of cells stops, the powerhouse of cells called mitochondria starts losing energy and the whole body starts degenerating- it is then a downhill course all the way.

Once again a natural question, a curiosity arises. Can we restore telomeres? No, not at present but still, we are capable to revitalise our telomeres to some extent.

Regular meditation increases the blood level of an enzyme called telomeres which helps preserve telomeres. A 10-15 minutes’ session two to three times in a day can preserve your telomeres longer, you stay younger for more length of time. Meditation is a type of leisure- a relaxation of body, its muscles, the mind, dropping of thoughts, decluttering of the brain.

Learn to relax, don’t work like a junky. Every material gain ultimately depreciates and so do you and your body. Try to learn the art of no accumulation and enjoying your gains. You are not a machine who is supposed to work and work alone. You are here to understand and enjoy nature and life. Philoso-

YOUR DAY Horoscope by

Saurabbh Sachdeva

pher Bertrand Russell, though criticised at his time, was after all right when he advocated life leisure. Leisure is your natural right, a way of natural living, get is back from forces and attitudes who have conspired to turn you into an aimless working zombie.

Work hard during your working hours but learn to say NO at a stage and then enjoy your leisure, solitude and relaxation.

Words alone can’t describe what I’m trying to convey, do it and feel the difference.

One can add 6.2 years to one’s life by slow jogging, cycling, brisk walk etc for about 2 hours a week.

Dying is certain but can be delayed.

If you drink 2-3 cups of coffee per day, you increase your chances of living a bit longer provided you drink for leisure rather than stimulation to work more. Always remember, you are human, not horse.

If you sleep less, if you sleep poorly, you increase your chances of ageing fast and dying early.

Sleep deep, sleep adequately.

Sleep well even if you have to buy it with a pill on medical recommendation.

There is a natural agerelated decline in your memory but you can delay it. Read books and eat berries whenever you can. Mushrooms contain some antiageing ingredients, try to make them part of your menu.

Go for heartfriendly fats like coconut oil, olive oil etc. Also, go for antioxidant-packed and anti-inflammatory foods like red bell peppers. Nuts

have significant anti-ageing properties if consumed in moderation, they contain omega-3. The leafy green vegetables are your great source to preserve your telomeres and so is the vegetable from the ocean- the fish.

At a certain stage of life, preferably your late 50s, you should let go of your attachments to material things and move towards living life and it’s inherent leisure. You are born for that but have forgotten. Some day in your life you should hail Bertrand Russell or that ancient Indian concept Charvak.

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

Becoming a confidante of someone important cannot be ruled out for some.

Something included in your diet is likely to have a positive effect on your overall health. A glib talker may try to confuse you so be aware. Disturbances at home will need to be curtailed.

Money loaned may take some more time to be returned. You will need to keep your priorities right on the professional front. Joining health conscious people in daily workouts is likely to keep you fit and energetic. Someone can irritate you and spoil your mood.

Window shopping is all that you can do in order to conserve money. You are likely to swim with the tide on the professional or academic front. Indulging in excesses may prove bad for health. Issue regarding an ancestral property is likely to be settled amicably.

Repayment of a loan may force you to make adjustments. Changes happening on the professional front can have you worried, but will turn out favourable.

More interest is required on the health front. Family life will cruise along smoothly.

MAR 21 - APR 20

APR 21 - MAY 20

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

It is best to make some lifestyle changes to save money rather than become monetarily tight. You will manage to pick up the threads from where you left on the professional front. Much happiness is foreseen on the home front. A trip with friends will not only be exciting.

You will need to follow the directions in letter and spirit in discharging a task.

Some of you can face a medical problem on the health front, but it will be nothing serious. Family will prove to be a pillar of support for those facing something important.

You may feel financially secure.

Money is hard to come by for everyone, so contribute your share if someone is spending on you. A lot of activity is foreseen on the work front and you will be right in the midst of it. Some issues that seem unlikely to get resolved on the family front will begin to move towards a solution.

It is best to take the opinion of others before you put in your money. A household remedy may come in handy for those suffering from body aches and pains.

Something that you wanted to get done on the home front is likely to be initiated now.

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

AUG 24 - SEP 23

SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22

OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Keeping a close tab on spending will leave you with much to splurge later. You may take some time in bouncing back on the work front. No problems are foreseen on health and financial fronts. You manage to play your cards well and avoid getting involved in a contentious issue.

You can become concerned about a recent heavy expenditure incurred on something that you just couldn’t help. Something important may be entrusted to you at work today. You may take up some activity or sport just to keep trim and slim.

Good news may greet you.

You may spend on something not previously catered for. You can struggle to keep pace on the work front. Condition of those ailing is set to improve by leaps and bounds and get them firmly on the road to good health.

Students will be able to keep pace on the academic front and perform well.

Financially you may need to be more secure than you are now. There is a need to come up with something original, if you are in a creative field.

You will be motivated to get back into shape and may even join a gym.

Those thinking of selling a property will be able to get buyers.

NOV 23 - DEC 22

UNNATI MALHARKAR, Content Creator

10

DEC 23 - JAN 20

JAN 21 - FEB 19

FEB20 - MARCH 20

ETC JAIPUR | TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020

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Hilarious Moment B

SECRET

REVEALED!

C

razilian bombshell Adriana Lima took to her Instagram stories during her coffee run to share something.

Starbucks hilariously misspelling her name on her coffee order.

Instead of “Adriana” or “Lima,” the super model’s coffees got a mixture of the two: “ELIMA”. That honestly sounds like some form of medication!

Adriana even clarified that as she was ordering, she took the time to spell out her name for them to get it right but alas, that did not work.

And it seems as though this isn’t the first time this has happened to Adriana.

Before getting her coffees, she asked her followers, “you think they will get my name this time?”, apparently not.

—Agency Kareena Kapoor Khan and Taimur Ali Khan

ome March 2021 and Kareena Kapoor Khan will soon be a mommy of two. The actress, who gave birth to Taimur in 2016, is now expecting her second child with Saif Ali Khan. She revealed her secret to staying fit during Taimur’s pregnancy in a video.

The video is from a book launch and Kareena stressed on the importance of staying fit even before getting pregnant. She also revealed that when she was planning for her first child, one of the first few people she told about it was her dietician Rujuta Diwekar.

Revealing her secret to a happy pregnancy, Kareena said, “It is Your fitness levels. Eating right, exercising, it has been a combination of that even pre-pregnancy. “ —Agency

Late Sushant Singh Rajput

Fans remember SSR

T

he year 2020 witnessed one of the most shocking moments when the news of Sushant Singh Rajput’s unfortunate demise surfaced. The 34-year-old actor was found dead in his Mumbai residence under mysterious circumstances. And while it’s been six months since this heartbreaking incident, Sushant’s fans across the world took to social media to remember him and took a pledge to continue to fight for justice.

Hashtags like #Oath4SSR and #JusticeForSushantSinghRajput have been trending on social media with fans tweeting messages like, “We want justice for Sushant Singh Rajput as soon as possible.” Another user tweeted, “I promise you @ itsSSR I will roar it Everyday “Justice For Sushant Singh Rajput”.

—Agency

19 YEARS OF K3G!

K Adriana Lima

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aran Johar is one of the ace filmmakers in Bollywood who have given us some of the most iconic movies. Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor Khan starrer Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham completed 19 years of its theatrical release on Monday. KJo penned a sweet note reliving the memories of this blockbuster family drama. Calling K3G the biggest blessing in his filmography, Karan expressed his gratitude towards fans for showing love on the movie. He even shared a video reliving the aura of K3G and wrote, “#19yearsofK3G. I continue to be eternally grateful for the abundant love that continues to come our way... this film will always be a blessing in my filmography.... thank you for all memes, memories and moments in the past 19 years!” followed by heart emoticons.

—Agency

CITY BUZZ JAIPUR | TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020

www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia

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—PHOTOS BY RAJKUMAR SINGH

ROYAL POLO DELIGHTS!

Karan Mehra, Sanjiv Bali, Sunjay Kapur, Narendra Singh and Adhiraj Singh.

Chirag Parekh, Shetal Parekh, Rhea Parekh and Ashley Parekh.

Vikram Rathore, Shetal Parekh, Chirag Parekh, Parul Rai, Daniel Otamendi, Padmanabh Singh, Allan, Dhananjai Chaudhry and Narendra Singh.

Gauravi Kumari and Padmanabh Singh.

Kuldeep Singh, Phil Seller, Padmanabh Singh and Siddant Sharma.

T

Victory Lap- Dhananjai, Allan, Padmanabh Singh and Daniel Otamendi.

MARKING TERRITORY

Amaaya

Colours of Joy CITY FIRST

D

igital Baal Mela witnessed a creative painting session on Monday.

An amazing response could be seen on social media. Amaya of Jaipur and Kapil Vashistha gave the message of awareness about social distancing, masking and hand wash.

Neelam Gamti of Jodhpur saluted the corona warriors by painting and boosted its morale. Neha Kalawa called for a refrain from Corona and made others aware through a beautiful painting.

Urmila Prajapat gave the message of being aware of the corona by using the character of the child artist Meena’s story.

Given the enthusiasm of children, the last date of Digital Baal Mela, sponsored

by LIC, has been extended till December 21. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

HAPPY B’DAY!

Urmila

Kapil

unconventional designs remain our USP. Inspired by the world around and within, past and the present the country’s majestic wildlife, diverse culture, roots and values and architecture act as their muse every day.

From everyday wear to occasion wear, from exquisite cufflinks to contemporary brooches, from vintage buttons to luxe lapel pins, they have something for every man.

Cosa Nostraa is also the accessory partner of The Fashion Connect by First India, which will be taking place at Rambagh Palace tomorrow, 16 December. nehal.nayar@firstindia.co.in

NEHAL NAYAR

C

osa Nostraa, an Italian term, signifies a clan of people who claim sovereignty over a territory. The ethos of the company is the same, i.e, to mark territory in men’s accessories by offering a range of impeccably crafted accessories.

Established in 2019, their focus is on bringing wearable art to the world, each handcrafted with precision by highly skilled local artisans of Rajasthan.

Each piece goes through antique oxidization and texturing to give them a vintage look. While they hold a lot of pride in our craftsmanship, their

I

n the Facebook Live Broadcast Series of Rajasthan Progressive Writers Association, the program “Kisansaga” discussed the questions arising out of the farmer movement on Monday. Writer, journalist Ish Madhu Talwar spoke to farmers leader Tara Singh

Sidhu, writer and farmer Rajendra Kaswa and noted critic Rajaram Bhadu on questions related to farmers.

Everyone in the discussion agreed that the already troubled farmer will get crushed by the new laws.

Rajaram Bhadu said that the

BIG RELEASE I

Chief Justice Indrajeet Mahanty sent a box of sweets to all the people who had attended the joint reception of his son and daughter held at his residence on 12 December.

Punjabi tadka in the film with the song , EK PAPPI. The story is full of adventure and suspense. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

new law will end government mandis and farmers will be forced to sell their crops at one-off prices. Tara Singh Sidhu said that it is a preparation to hand over the business of crops in the hands of private corporate companies.

—City First

FROM PG 09

—PHOTOS BY SANTOSH SHARMA

n the corona era, Bollywood’s first Hindi film “Sayonee” is being released nationwide on December 18th.

Cricketer Yuvraj Singh’s father Yograj Singh and Upasana Singh are playing the role of parents in the film along with actor, Tanmay Singh and Telegu Actress Muskan Sethi.

The special thing is that “Aashiqi’s hero Rahul Roy will appear as a villain in “SAYONEE”.

The title song “sayonee......sayonee” is becoming very popular in the voice of the legendary singer ARIJIT SINGH and Punjabi singer Mika Singh has put

Jagdeesh Chandra congratulated Ashish Sangwan of Jaipur, on holding the record in the India Book of Records, for being the only kidney transplant recipient to complete a seven-day bicycle ride with a distance of 1,250 kms across Rajasthan, that took place between 14 March and 20 March. The group started and finished their bicycle trip in Jaipur, covering the cities of Kota, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Jodhpur and Ajmer. 30 years old Ashish underwent a kidney transplant two years ago and has devoted his life to send a motivational message of his own life of Sports and fitness after the transplant.

LIVE BROADCAST SERIES!

CITY FIRST

IAS Vandana Singhvi and IPS Dr Ravi celebrated their birthdays on Monday, 14 December. We wish them all the best!

CONGRATULATIONS!

WITH STYLE

Neelam

Neha

he final of “Sternhagen Bhavnagar Polo Trophy”, was held on Sunday at Rajasthan Polo Club. The match was played between Sahara Warriors and Sona Polo Team. Sahara Warriors scored 7 goals and won the match whereas Sona Polo Team scored 5.5 (Five and a half) goals.

The match was followed by high tea where the players and the guests enjoyed a relaxed evening. —CITY FIRST

ALL SET TO COMPETE

Ajit Soni

Yasheel Pandel

Amit Bhattar

Tripti Sharma