˘ ˇ ˆ˙˝˛˚ ˇˆ˙ˆ ˙˝ ˘ 1˚ ) # %˙ˇ! ’3 & 4& 44 · ahul Bajaj’s claim that...

��

Promising the implementa-tion of National Register of

Citizens (NRC) across thecountry, Union Home Ministercum BJP national PresidentAmit Shah said that his partywill remove ‘every single infil-trator’ from India. Addressinga public meeting atChakradharpur in WestSinghbhum district on Monday,Shah asked those present thatwhether intruders should bekicked from this country or not.He said that the Congress Partydoes not want NRC to beimplemented, but the UnionGovernment is committed toensure that infiltrators areshown the doors.

Promising implementationof NRC before 2024, Shah reit-erated that "each and every"infiltrator will be identifiedand expelled before the nextGeneral Election. "Today, Iwant to tell you that before the2024 polls the NRC will be con-ducted across the country andeach and every infiltrator iden-tified and expelled,” he said.

Lauding Raghubar Das ledgovernment, Shah said that inthe last five years, Narendra

Modi government and Stategovernment have uprootedNaxalism from the State andpaved way for development.

Hitting out at theOpposition parties, Shah said,"For thirst for power HemantSoren is trying to become ChiefMinister, while sitting on the lapof Congress. Their objective isto get power but BJP's objectiveis to ensure development of theState." He added that the votersneed not only need to vote BJPcandidates to power, but alsothey are actually strengtheninghands of Modiji.

"Even Jharkhand wantsKashmir to be an integral partof India. Jharkhand wants ter-

ror to end. Jharkhand wantsNaxalism to end. Jharkhandwants Ramlalla's temple to bebuilt in Ayodhya," Shah added.

Taking a dig at RahulGandhi’s campaign, Shah said,“Rahulji is also in Jharkhandtoday. I challenge him to bringaccounts of decades of rule inthe State. We have done thework of bringing the tribals intothe path of progress. No onecared for the memorial ofBhagwan Birsa Munda for somany years. BJP paid befittingtribute to Birsa Munda by cre-ating a memorial at his birthplace.

Amit Shah said that thedecades-old demand for

Chakradharpur of overbridgewas completed by the BJP gov-ernment. Subdivision court wascreated. Moreover 102 km ofroad has been constructed inChakradharpur. Das's govern-ment is bearing the entireexpenditure of poor familiesunder the Ayushman Bharatscheme. Under the Ujjwalascheme, the BJP governmenthas given a smoke-free kitchento the sisters. The state gov-ernment is also working toprovide assistance of up to 25thousand to every farmer.

Shah also declared that acommittee to increase thereservation of OBCs withoutdisturbing the reservation of

Dalits will be formed. Womenof Jharkhand will also be given33 per cent reservation.

Summing up his speech hesaid that people’s votes willdetermine the future ofJharkhand. “Jharkhand will goon the path of development orpath of misfortune it will bedecided by the voters.Opposition’s aim is to gainpower and the BJP aims to takeJharkhand on the path of devel-opment. Only the Modi-ledBharatiya Janata Party can dothe work of taking Jharkhandon the path of development, theparties who buy and sell tick-ets, the parties exploit the trib-als,” said Shah.

��

�� !

��

�� !��

��

Rahul Bajaj’s claim that peo-ple are afraid to criticise the

Modi Government reverberat-ed inside and outsideParliament on Monday. Bioconchairperson Kiran MazumdarShaw echoed Bajaj’s sentimentsaying the Government treat-ed India Inc as “pariahs” evenas Finance Minister NirmalaSitharaman claimed that it isunfair to say the Governmentis not listening to criticism.

Facing an all-out attackfrom the Opposition in the LokSabha over Bajaj’s question toHome Minister Amit Shaha,the FM said the Governmentlistens to criticism and wantedto respond to it and alwaysengaged with corporate world.She was replying to the debateon Taxation (Amendment) Billin the Lok Sabha. Sitharamandismissed contention that theGovernment was averse to anycriticism.

Shaw said the Governmentdoesn’t want to hear any criti-cism of the economy. “Hopethe Govt reaches out to IndiaInc for working out solutions torevive consumption n growth.So far we are all pariahs n govtdoes not want to hear any crit-icism of our economy,” Biocon

chairperson tweeted on Sundayevening.

Bajaj’s son and Bajaj AutoManaging Director Rajiv Bajajhailed his father “uncom-monly courageous” and saidnobody (from the industry)wanted to join him and thatthey “conveniently cheer fromthe sidelines”.

Soon after, Sitharamantweeted a video of the ETevent to say, “Home Minister@AmitShah answers on howissues raised by Shri RahulBajaj were addressed.Questions/criticisms are heardand answered/addressed”.

“Always a better way toseek an answer than spreading

one’s own impressions which,on gaining traction, can hurtnational interest,” she said.

Her remarks drew variedresponses with the OppositionCongress seizing on it to crit-icise the Government.Congress leader and formerUnion Minister Kapil Sibaltweeted, “Bajaj only said:Industry fears to criticiseGovernment. Does nationalinterest lie in praising you!.”

Defending theGovernment, Civil AviationMinister Hardeep Singh Purialleged there were fake narra-tives. “That Mr Rahul Bajajcould stand up to

Continued on Page 4

"��#$� �� !��%��&��&��&�� '�(��%��

�� "� �� #�� $�� !

�� !"#��$��

��

��

��%��&��'��(

��)*�+��! ��!"#��$��"

,��*��'�*� ��-.�� /.0,��1��+��2*��$$��

1��)��#�%��!��'3�& 4�&��4�4��

��'�� '��(�� 5��4��6��5 ��

��

�� !��"��#��$ %&�'(��)��$

��&6��&%�6��

��4��'��4��'&

��(�

��

�� !��"�� #�� $��%��&�� '�� "��(��

�� !"�#��$�%��#��#��#��&' "!!'�(��!)* " !!* ��&��+��,-��.#/01��21/��3%�/��(/40��.(��(1��0�� "*� ""��%��#��#��&' "!!'�5��2��+��#��2��+��#0/#�-��56�2078*!!'8**) !�#271�0��#0&9"*8*!!'��/#�3#�6�#72��#��9�!!2��+��%�� :��0��+��;��+�� <�� +%�-��<��+��$��1��4��+0��=�%��7�� %�:��%��>��-�0�:1��&99!!!*��+!99&"!99!"??��4��+@& 9��=�04/1��7��%��0-�&*!9 !9�3��+!9*!&"'A)'!!<"'A))!!��:4��+"��@��-��@�B �#��:**=!9=�(��+!?**&* "="" �* "="""�* "=""?�

�� !�"#$% ��

�� &�(��

Naxal incident free pollingday here in Palamu on

November 30 just got delugedin the Kusiyara incident whereat the vortex of the episode wasthe flaunting of a pistol byCongress candidate KNTripathi.

The episode got moreattention in media and publicand police also treaded cau-tiously. It was being discussedas to why Tripathi was notpicked up from the street soonafter the Kusiyara episode as hehimself went down to DC,where he was detained. SPPalamu Ajay Linda said, “Picking him up on the streetwould not have been correctfrom the point of view of main-tenance of law and order as allaround polling was going on infull swing too smoothly at thathour. Rumour mills would havethen churned out any quintal offalse and fake information.”

Sources said everyone rightfrom Palamu to police head-quarter in Ranchi got toopressed with this Tripathyepisode where everyone waspushing the panic button littlerealising that polling at 1,595booths in the district of Palamuset up in 1,198 buildings locat-ed across the LWE hit district

with all that remoteness thatcan be imagined went withouteven the slightest of the inter-ference/ intervention by theCPI (Maoists). This big score ofthis Government was under-scored by the single incident ofa single booth said a police offi-cer here.

There was the Pipra shootout by the Maoists a weekahead of this poll where twocivilians lost their lives. No pollvehicle of any candidate wasburnt. No party flag wasdestroyed or pulled down by theMaoists. Sources said nowhereMaoists unfurled any blackcloth parallel to any party flag.

The Pioneer has concreteinformation that family mem-bers and relatives of theMaoists, who are still roamingin the jungles voted as enthu-siastically as others. Voting bythese family members and rel-atives was mostly done inPanki and Hussainabad’sHarihurganj segment.

A member of a Maoistfamily told, “We cast our vote.We think we did a good job.”

Panki BJP candidateShashibhushan Mehta at a pressmeet here on December 1 atBJP’s Media Centre said, “Onehad not thought of this poll inPanki constituency to be sosafely conducted as it was done.”

��)��&� ��*��$�� $�� + ��$�� ,+$��

�� '��

Nearly 26 per cent (67 out of260) candidates contesting

in the second phase ofJharkhand Assembly electionshave declared serious criminalcases against themselves,including murder, attempt tomurder and rape, in their self-sworn affidavits.

As per affidavits filled bythe candidates, four candidateshave declared cases related tomurder (IPC Section-302)against themselves while at thesame time, eight candidateshave declared cases related toattempt to murder (IPCSection-307) against them-selves.

According to theAssociation of DemocraticReforms (ADR), 44(17%) can-didates have declared seriouscriminal cases against them-selves. Party-wise, among themajor parties, four (67%) out ofsix candidates analysed fromCongress, seven (50%) out of14 candidates analysed fromJMM, five (42%) out of 12 can-didates analysed from AJSUparty have criminal records.Similarly, eight (40%) out of 20candidates analysed from BJP

and eight (40%) out of 20 can-didates analysed from JVM(P)have declared criminal casesagainst themselves in their affi-davits.

Similarly four candidateshave declared cases related tocrime against women. Out offour candidates one candidatehas declared cases related torape (IPC Section-376).

However, State Congressexecutive president and statemedia in-charge Rajesh Thakurclaimed that none of the candidates have serious criminal cases. Thakur said, “Asa political leaders who are also public representativesthese candidates must havecases related to political agitation as in Raghubar Das Government stagingdemonstration in support ofpublic issue too amounts tocriminal cases, but none ofthem would have serious crim-inal cases such as rape, murderor others.”

The ADR report also men-tion about out of the 260 can-didates, 46(18%) are crorepatis.In the second phase, JMMcandidate from Ghatsila is rich-est having an asset of �9.60crore followed by Abhay Singh

of JVM(P) contesting electionfrom Jamshedpur East withasset of �9.19 crore. Former IPSofficer, Rezi Dungdung con-testing election from Simdegais third richest with asset of�8.97 crore.

Among the major parties10(50%) out of 20 candidatesanalysed from BJP, 7(50%) outof 14 candidates analysed fromJMM, 2(33%) out of 6 candi-dates analysed from INC,3(25%) out of 12 candidatesanalysed from AJSU Party and4(20%) out of 20 candidatesfrom JVM(P) have declaredassets worth more than �1crore.

Average assets per candi-date contesting in the secondphase are �71.68 Lakhs.

Elections in Jharkhand willbe held over five phases — vot-ing for the first phase will beheld on December 7, with 20 ofthe 81 Assembly seats on theline. These are: Baharagora,Ghatsila, Potka, Jugsalai,Jamshedpur East, JamshedpurWest, Sisai, Torpa, Khunt,Tamar, Mandar, Seraikella,Kharsawan, Simdega, Kolebira,Chaibasa, Majhgaon,Jaganathpur, Manoharpur, andChakradharpur.

�� !�! "�� " ��#� �� $"�

��

�� 4&3��&

Two candidates in the frayfrom Chandankiyari

Assembly constituency with-drew their nomination on thelast day, on Monday. “As manyas 19 nominations were receivedfrom the constituency, out ofwhich two were rejected onvarious grounds while two with-drew their candidature and 15candidates remain in the fray,”said Mukesh Kumar, DistrictElectoral Officer-cum-DCBokaro.

There was no withdrawal ofnominations from the BokaroAssembly constituency and 25candidates remain in the fray,informed Kumar.

Bokaro district consists offour constituencies — Bermo,Gomia, Bokaro andChandankiyari. Bermo andGomia will go to polls onDecember 12 while Bokaro andChandankiyari on December 16.

According to the proposedfinal roll (12 October 2019),there are about 13.5 lakhs vot-ers in four constituencies of thedistrict. In Bokaro constituency,there are 52,6,660 voters includ-ing 2,81,653 male voters,2,43,428 female, 30 transgenderand 1,549 service voters while in

Chandankiyari, there are2,40,900 total voter including12,7,161 male, 11,3,469 female,1 transgender and 269 servicevoters, he said.

Bokaro SP P Murugun said,sufficient numbers of securitypersonnel along with magis-trates were deployed to conductpeace and fair poll. BesidesWebcasting, Videography andStill photography two chopperswill keep a close watch on free

and fair poll even in the difficultterrain of the constituency.

"Vehicle check-up has beenintensified to prevent the trans-portation of cash and materialsin order to conduct the upcom-ing Assembly elections in apeaceful and clean environmentacross the Bokaro district," headded.

On Monday, election sym-bols have been allotted to allqualified contestants to contestthe poll for Bokaro andChandankiyari Assembly seatsby their respective returningofficers.

Now, with the allotment ofsymbols, Bokaro constituency isall set to witness a multi-cor-nered contest whileChandankiyari will see a bipo-lar contest among BJP andAJSU.

�%�� %�� -� ��&��$��&

�� & �� &%

�&��&��%�&��4&3��&��4�5

'&��'5��.7'��

��%��5

�� %��

&�'�� (�� "� �� )��

��

The East Singhbhum districtadministration reviewed

the security arrangements andpreparedness of NarendraModi's rally at Gopal Maidanin Bistupur to ensure safety ofthe rally on Tuesday. Modi willaddress an election rally infavour of party candidatesfrom Jamshedpur East andWest. This will be Modi’s firstrally in the entire Kolhanregion.

SSP Anoop Birtharay dis-cussed the logistics with othermembers of the team whichalso comprised officials from

Union Government. Theadministrative officials alsodecided the various entrypoints and exits at the venue ofthe meeting.

A BJP leader said, "Partyactivists are excited and keento participate in NarendraModi's rally and that theactivists from each and everyblock of three districts — EastSinghbhum, West Singhbhumand Seraikela-Kharsawan —were expected to come in largenumbers.

The venue has a capacity ofaccommodating 10,000 people.Special security arrangementswould be in place for the rally.

�� '��

The Jharkhand AcademicCouncil (JAC) is redying to

conduct the matriculation andintermediate examinations ontime. For this, the dates forsubmitting the forms for theIntermediate Examination2020 have been announced.The forms can be submittedfrom December 6 to December19.

The forms can also be sub-mitted from December 20 toDecember 26 with the paymentof a late fee. The council has

also made arrangements forsubmitting the forms online.

“The forms for class X andXII examinations are beingfilled up by the students.Within the next one or twodays, a meeting of the exami-nation committee is beingscheduled to take place, postwhich the final dates for theexams will also be announced,”said JAC Secretary, MK Singh,

JAC has issued specialguidelines to all the DistrictEducation Officers and hasfurther asked all the schoolprincipals to give information

regarding the number of stu-dents. The council is also tak-ing necessary steps to ensurethat malpractice free examina-tions are conducted. Studentswhose registrations haveexpired after a period of three-years, directives have also beenmade to register them again.

Students appearing for theclass 11 exams, the dates forsubmitting the forms are fromDecember 2 to December 21.The forms can further be sub-mitted from December 23 toJanuary 3 with payment of alate fee.

.��+��+�� )��

�� 4��&�

An FIR has been lodgedagainst president and sec-

retary of Laxman MemorialFootball Tournament, BokaroThermal for allegedly violatingthe Model Code of Conduct.The case has been registeredunder section 171(H),188 and34 of IPC at Bokaro Thermalpolice station, said Officer inCharge Umesh Kumar Thakur.

Police said that the presi-dent Vijay Singh and Secretarynamely K Kartik violated thecode of conduct by makingplayers of all 6 teams wear a T-Shirts with AJSU Party writtenon them during the match.

According to the reports,the violation of the code of con-duct by players of the eight daylong Laxman Memorial foot-ball tournament being playedon Sunday at the VivekanandaStadium in Bokaro Thermal.

The first day of the tournamentwas played between the teamsof Bermo-11 and Kathara-11inwhich a team came out to playwearing a jersey inscribed withthe AJSU, while in JharkhandAssembly polls are being heldand in such a situation, wear-ing a jersey of any politicalparty and playing a footballmatch will be a violation of

model code of conduct.As the matter came to

light, SDM, Bermo PremRanjan allowed to lodge FIRagainst organisers and issued ashow-cause notice to presi-dent and secretary, seekingexplanation on how theirremark was not against therules of Model Code ofConduct.

(/��+��$��

��

��

XLRI - Xavier School ofManagement has decided

to start the Delhi-NCR Campusfor the academic Session 2020-2022. In the first phase, two sec-tions of 60 students each for theBusiness Management pro-gramme(2020-22 batch) willbe granted addmission. XLRIwill be shortly applying forAICTE approval.

The registration for XavierAdmission Test (XAT-2020)has been extended till 10December and as a special ges-ture late registration fees havebeen waived off this year.

The new state-of-the-artcampus spread over an area of36.34 acres is getting readywith infrastructure requiredfor 240 students in the firstphase. The new campus hasearned a Gold-level GreenBuilding Certification.

XLRI’s new campus in NewDelhi will have the same ped-agogy and curriculum as XLRI- Xavier School ofManagement, Jamshedpur andthe faculty from the main cam-pus will also be taking classes

at the new campus. Studentswho get through XAT will beable to get the admission toXLRI’s Delhi-NCR campus.The choice will have to bemade while applying for XAT-2020 Entrance Test.

The foundation stone forthe Jhajjar campus in Delhi-NCR was laid on 16 January2017. Om Prakash Dhankar,cabinet minister, Governmentof Haryana unveiled the plaque

of the foundation and Rev.Anil Couto, Archbishop ofDelhi, blessed the foundationstone.

XLRI’s Delhi-NCR cam-pus is located in Jhajjar District,at Naurangpur which is 25kms. from Gurugram and iscentrally connected to the maindistricts like Delhi, Gurgaonand Rewari.

While announcing theadmission for the first batch of

Delhi-NCR campus Fr. P.Christie S.J., Director, XLRI-Xavier School of Managementsaid “ XLRI is India’s First B-School and for seventy years wehad just one campus atJamshedpur. With India slatedto become the fifth-largesteconomy in the world in thenear future, there is a con-comitant need for more busi-ness leaders. XLRI took astrategic decision to expand its

footprint across the countryand set up new campuses in theNorth, West and Southernparts of India. We are glad toannounce that XLRI’s Delhi-NCR campus is all set to startwith 120 students for BusinessManagement programme from2020 academic session after theAICTE approval process iscompleted.”

*#'!�� (��+"&'�� ,-,-

&�� '�� (��.��.�� ,��/��

�� /�.��.��/�0�1��'�� '��

�� !�"#$% ��

�� '��

In a bid to show its strengthin the politics of the State,

former Chief Minister, SudeshKumar Mahto-led AJSU Partyhas fielded a record 52 candi-dates for the State Assemblyelections till the final day ofnomination for the final phaseof polling on Monday.

After parting ways fromally Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP), the regional party start-ed fielding more candidate forthe election. Most of the can-didates of the party are turn-coats and who joined the AJSUParty to contest the election.Prominent of these leader areformer Jharkhand PradeshCongress Committee (JPCC)president, Pradip KumarBalmuchu, Senior BJP leaderand Chattarpur MLA,Radhakrishna Kishore and for-mer Jharkhand Mukti Morcha(JMM) MLA from Pakur, AquilAkhtar.

The party has intensified itspoll campaign and becomemain contenders at many seats.The party president SudeshMahto is addressing severalpublic rallies in support of theparty candidates per day. OnMonday Mahto addressed fivepublic rallies in Kolhan area ofthe State. He addressed twopublic rallies at different placesunder Chakradharpur con-stituency for the party candi-date, Ramlal Munda.

Addressing the gathering atChakradharpur, Mahto said

that there are two aspects ofpolitics – one to exploit the pol-itics and second to exploit theemotions of people. “AJSUParty does not do any suchkinds of politics. AJSU Partywill rule for the poor and theexploited class. Our govern-ment will run from the village,not from the capital city. BlokDevelopment Officers (BDO)and Daroga (Officer Incharge)will sit at the village’s ‘chaupal’so that they can serve the peo-ple in the true sense,” he added.

Mahto, while attacking theBJP, said that those who areshouting sixty-four and sixty-five seats they have now for-gotten the counting. He furthersaid that AJSU Party does nottalk about temple but the partyis talking about the educationtemple, the health temple andnot the temple and the mosque.The largest temple and mosquefor AJSU Party is poor, headded.

Mahto said that the days ofthe Government is over whichresorted the lathi charge onAnganwadi workers and Parateachers. In the tone of thepromise, Mahto said that no onecould put hand on the job of aPara teacher if his party votedto power. “If AJSU Party comesin power then the party will pro-vide salary to Madarsa teachers’equivalent to the Governmentteachers,” he added.

Mahato further said thatthe opponents do politics ofillusions, so people should notfall into trap of these parties.

��'��

Senior Congress leader andparty’s former national pres-

ident, Rahul Gandhi, who hasconspicuously remained absentfrom poll campaign in firstphase of election, on Monday,addressed a rally at Simdegapromising to waive farmers’loan if the grand old party isvoted to power in the State.

Rahul, the star campaign-er of party and Wayanad(Kerala) MP, also slammed theBJP saying that wherever theSaffron party is in power, thebusinessman are given land atthe cost of neglecting farmers.

Highlighting the pollpromises made by Congressgovernments at Chhattisgarh,Punjab and Rajasthan, thejunior Gandhi said, “Congressparty is real well-wisher offarmers and not handful ofindustrialists like the BJP gov-ernments. The Congress ruledgovernments at Chhattisgarh,Punjab and Rajasthan as perthe poll promises had waivedfarmers’ loan.”

He also said that if theGrand Alliance government, ofwhich Congress is part is votedto power, they will waive farm-ers’ loan. The Congress leader’sstatement assumes importance

as the Congress party in itsmanifesto released last monthtoo had talked about waiving offarmers loan. The Congressmanifesto mention that all croploans up to �2, 00,000 will bewaived immediately if the partyreturns to power in the state.

Highlighting the loopholesin the land acquisition of NDAgovernment, Rahul Gandhi said,“The UPA government’s landacquisition bill has given morepower to farmers and original

owners of land. It mentionsthat if the industrial houses,which acquired land from trib-als, farmers and original ownersof land fail to set up industrialunits within five years from thedate when the land was acquiredthen the land will be returned tothe original land holders.”

With an attempt to lurefarmers in tribal dominatedareas, the Congress leader alsotalked about minimum supportprice (MSP) of �2,500 for

paddy in Chhattisgarh.Targeting Prime Minister

Narendra Modi and ChiefMinister Raghubar Das, RahulGandhi also questioned theNDA government’s promise ofcreation of employment oppor-tunities under much acclaimed‘Make in India’ campaign.Gandhi asking the gatheringsaid, “My question is fromcrowd how many youths havegot job or employment oppor-tunities under ‘Make in India’

campaign.” The Congressleader also attacked Modi andRaghubar Das for their ‘failure’of demonetisation and Goodsand Service Tax (GST), whichhas ruined the trading com-munity. He said, “Not a singleperson will tell you that theyare happy with demonetizationand Goods and Service Tax(GST), the only persons whoare happy with demonetisationand GST are big industrialhouses who are unaffectedwith financial measures.”

Rahul Gandhi’s rally inSimdega comes nearly a monthafter he stayed away from allparty activities. The Congresshad last month released the listof 40 star campaigners for the

state election. Making analliance with the JharkhandMukti Morcha (JMM) and theRashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), theCongress is fighting 31 out of 81seats in the State.

In Jharkhand, the five-phase election which started onNovember 30 will continue tillDecember 20. The results of thepolls will be announced onDecember 23. Those who werepresent at rally includedCongress candidates fromSimdega and Kolebira Assemblyseats—Bhushan Bara andNaman Bixal Kongari respec-tively. State Congress presidentRameshwar Oroan, StateCongress in-charge RPN Singhamong others was present.

� ��$�� #�� %"��"��#!"$ �� &�

2� � ��!��&�� &��3�!&&4�� '��5��/��&�� +�� '�"��.�� 3��4��"��0��6�� 36�� 4��

&�� '��5�� 3��4��"��0��6�� 36�� 4��

��1��6�� (��7��

�.01�� &�� 2�&��

�� 6��

�&�� *��*+�,,�� ,�-!*��.�

�8��)1)$��*�#��*��++��)�8��)*�#��#�09��*��)��*��:1��8�)�)��;�#��!��<��=�(��#��$��)��#��#�� 09��*��)��*��#�!��*��.=999��**��)��*��:1�� )*�#�$��)��)�8��#��*��#��)��!�*�31!��)8��+�#�*��1�+��#�)*��*�8��*�)��31!��8��+�#�*��#=�)��#&��'��+��!��!��#��)�� <�#��*�$��*��*��!�*��#��*�)��8�1�#��#��<��+��+��:1��!��+��*��<��1)�$��*)��4��=��##�#�*��>��>'��+� �1�)�:1��*��=��*��$�8�)��#��*��+��>�(��#��#��4��$1��<��+��#�*��<��=��#�#�8�*��*��:1��=�8�)��*��$*�#=�*��)��#

�� *��,�*,,! �*�� *��"

�*1#��*)��'��))��*��=��+�8�*��*��1�+�!��#)��$*��)��<�#�*��*��1*��<��*��#��=��1��+��+��8��))��#��!!�*!��*�*��$��*��*�*��$��*��1��+�$��1*�� *��))�.�)*1#��*)�8�)��*��*�#�8�*��*��#1�*��1*�*��$��!��#��*)��*) ��*�8�)�$��#�#��$��!=��8��*��)*1#��*)��2$��#�*��+��<��)��$��1*�� )��#�)�1))�#��#�*��*��<��1)��1)�)�8��#�*��$��1*��#�*��))��)*�$)�*��*��+�<��!��*�*��!��*��* ��)*1#��*)��$*��)��$��)��*�#��#��!��*�*��#�?��$��*��*�@ ��)��*��<��<�#��1�#�$��*��*��+��*��*��!�$��1*��#�$��<��*��+��*)��)�1��)��!�#�$��*��+

�*��*,��# ��)� ��!��#��!��*��+�8�)��+��)�#��*��4��<��)�*��#��*��$��*��1*�)�*��+��)��1�)�)*1#��*��1��!�3�)��)��=�8��$�))�#��8��*��#��#��*�*8��#��)��+� ��*��)=�)*1#��*)��#��>*��+�)*��$*�*8�>!��1*��)��#�$��#��$�*��*��*��<�#��!�� +�)*��63��+�=��#�!��)��3��+��+8�*��1�*��!�!��)�8��$��)��*��*��)��*��$��*��1*�)�*��*��#�$��*�#�)�1�

�#��+��/,, *$#�,*"��!$��)��'��!�*�#8��+�<��!��*��8��#��*��*��*��!��*��<�!��/9 ��*��#�!$��)��1#��!��1��*��8=�%��!��(��A%��BC��#��31!��=�%��!��'��#��A�1�<��#��8��+B��#��!31!��+�=�%��!��'��1��*��(1��# �'��'��#��*��A*��"��D�"'��B��8�)��#��*��+�*�1*1��=�+��#��*��#��+��*��*��+��!$��)=�8��#��+�*��!��<��!!��#�*��**��=�!�!��*��#�)��8�

&�� '�� (�� .�� .�� +,-89��

��

�� '��

Five persons died and sever-al others injured after a pas-

senger jeep collided with a busnear Chakla, Ormanjhi about12 kms from State Capital onMonday morning. Eightinjured persons are being treat-ed at the Rajendra Institute ofMedical Sciences and the con-dition of three persons is saidto be critical.

The accident took place ataround 9 AM when the Buscoming from Jamshedpur hitthe jeep that was en route toRanchi from Sikidari. The col-lision was so fierce that the jeepgot torn into two parts and fivepersons died on the spot. Eightpersons were rushed to RIMSfor treatment, police said.

According to locals thejeep was full of daily wagelabourers and the deceased

alongwith the injured onesare mostly labourers. Policereached the spot soon after theaccident and helped to sendthe injured to RIMS. Thewreckage of the vehicles wereremoved from the NationalHighway and seized by theauthorities.

Passengers travelling bythe bus, however, did not getany serious injuries and weregiven first aid, said locals.

�� 1��'��+��.��'��:��;��. �� 1� �� 0�� 7��

�� '��

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) Executive pres-ident, Hemant Soren filed his nomination from

Barhet State Assembly seat on Monday to forti-fy his claim for the Chief Minister’s post of theState.

Soren filed his nomination papers in two setsto contest the election from the seat. He wasaccompanied by the party MP from Rajmahal,Vijay Hansda and other senior leaders of the party.The Chief Ministerial candidate of the GrandAlliance and JMM leader Soren is contesting fromtwo seats this time. He filed his nomination fromDumka on November, 29.

The Executive President of JMM won the elec-tion from Barhet Assembly seat in Sahibganj dis-trict in 2014. In both Dumka and Barhet seats,voting is to be held in the fifth and final phase onDecember 20. It is noteworthy that nominationsfor the fifth and final phase started fromNovember 26. The last date for filing the form isDecember 3.

The nomination papers filed by the candidatesfor the fifth and final phase will be examined onDecember 4. Candidates will be able to withdrawtheir names by December 6. On December 6, thecandidates will be allotted their election symbol.

Soren went out from his house in Ranchi fornomination after getting blessings of his parentsin the morning. Soren contested from these twoseats in the last assembly election also. He lost theelection in Dumka by the State GovernmentMinister, Louis Marandi. He claimed that this timehe will avenge the defeat by winning elections fromboth the seats.

JMM Executive President and Leader ofOpposition filed nomination in the office of

Barhet, Election Officer cum Additional CollectorAnuj Kumar Prasad after arriving in Sahibganj byhelicopter from Ranchi. After that he addressedan election meeting held at the Shepherd Schoolground in Rajmahal. After that he addressed anelection rally at Navgachiya of Barhet. Then hereached Bhognadih, where Soren garlanded thestatue of Sido-Kanhu.

JMM is contesting the State Assembly elec-tions in alliance with Indian National Congress(INC) and former Chief Minister of Bihar, LaluPrasad Yadav led Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Outof total 81 seats JMM is contesting 43 seats, INCis contesting at 31 seats and RJD is contesting at7 seats as smallest ally of the alliance.

��

��<��;�� '�� ;�� '��

��"�#*�� '��

As per statistics released bythe Association for

Democratic Reforms (ADR),in the ongoing AssemblyElections 2019 in Jharkhand,only about 11.2 per centwomen are contesting elec-tions in the State in the secondphase of polls taking place in20 constituencies. In the lastelections held in 2014, about12.7 per cent female candi-dates were a part of the elec-tions.

“It is a common beliefthat politics is a very dirtyindustry and it is not consid-ered very appropriate for

women to be a part of thisgame. Any political party be itat the Centre or State level,though talks of giving a 33 percent reservation to women, butat the same time, all politicalparties are apprehensive of

giving women candidates aticket to contest the elections,because of which they do notget an opportunity to come tothe fore front,” said Sudhir PalState Cordinator ADR,Jharkhand Election Watch.

Pal further added that ina State like Jharkhand, womenare incapable of managing adequate funds required for conducting rallies andinteracting with the masses,because of which they are not

entertained and taken seri-ously by the voters.

“However, in the neigh-bouring States, some of theregional political parties havegiven tickets to the femalecandidates to contest General

and Assembly elections. Only by allowing them to be a part of the elections will women get a chance to prove theirmettle. This will go a long wayin instilling confidence inthem,” he added.

The Bharatiya Janta Party(BJP) is fielding seven womencandidates in the electionsincluding Dr Neera Yadavfrom Koderma and Dr LouisMarandi from Dumka.

“In the last elections, therewere six candidates, this timethere are seven. The numberof women candidates is notless. It all also depends on thedecisions taken by the seniorparty members,” said a BJPmember on the condition ofanonymity.

On the other hand theCongress is supporting sixfemale candidates this elec-tions. Deepika Singh Pandeyfrom Mahagama, Godda dis-

trict and Mamta Devi fromRamgarh among others arecontesting the elections.

“In our society, men havealways dominated women andwomen have always been toldto only do the household workand not venture out of thehouse. In the past few years,there has been a drastic changein this trend and women arenow working with men withequal fervor. Women need towork for the betterment of thepeople in their respective con-stituencies because only thenwill a party also consider themfor the elections,” said a mem-ber of Congress requestingnot to be named.

3345�%��&�� &�� 6��7��

0 ��5�� 1� #�� " ��=��; (��3&��4

'�(��"!��)��*+"",� ��

�� !�"#$%

�� "��4��

Amassive controversy haserupted over BJP MP

Ananth Kumar Hegde’s claimthat Devendra Fadnavis wasmade Maharashtra ChiefMinister last month, fromNovember 23 to 26, despitelacking majority to “protect”�40,000 crore Central fundsunder the CM’s control frombeing “misused”.

While Fadnavis has deniedthe claims of his senior party col-league, the new-found alliancepartner NCP called for thePrime Minister’s resignation ifHegde’s revelations are found tobe true.

The Shiv Sena has said the�40,000 crore transfer of fundsfrom the State exchequer to theCentre will be examined by theChief Secretary. It said the Statefinance department should con-duct necessary enquiry to bringout the truth.

The BJP leadership isunhappy with Hegde for hiscomments which sought to givea new twist to the last month’spolitical drama in Maharashtra.

Fadnavis has dubbedHegde’s claim as “absolutelywrong”, and said nothing ofthat sort happened. AttackingFadnavis over Hegde’s claim, theShiv Sena said the purported actof Fadnavis was a treacheryagainst Maharashtra. TermingFadnavis and BJP Maharashtra’s“criminals”, Sena MP SanjayRaut said the State ChiefSecretary will clarify on theissue.

After the controversyFadnavis asserted neither did theCentre ask for any funds nor didthe Maharashtra Governmentsent them back. “It (claim) isabsolutely wrong and I refute itcompletely. A CentralGovernment company is imple-menting the bullet train project,where MaharashtraGovernment’s role is restrictedto land acquisition. Neither didthe Centre ask for any funds nordid Maharashtra Governmentsent them back. Not a singlerupee of the Maharashtra

Government has been returnedto the Centre from any otherproject,” the former CM toldreporters in Nagpur.

“I have not taken any suchpolicy decision during mytenure as Chief Minister or ascaretaker CM. Those whounderstand the accounting sys-tem of the Centre and Stateswould know no such transfer offunds takes place,” he said.

Both the Congress and theNCP demanded an immediateexplanation on the issue fromthe BJP and the ModiGovernment. “A former UnionMinister has exposed the ModiGovernment. BJP’s anti-Maharashtra face has beenexposed. Has the federal struc-ture been crushed? Was the�40,000 crore earmarked for thewelfare of the public and farm-ers withdrawn through a con-spiracy? The Prime Ministershould reply,” Congress’spokesperson RandeepSurjewala said.

The NCP said Modi willhave to resign if there is truth inHegde’s claim. “It is impossiblefor the State Government toreturn �40,000 crore to theCentre. If at all it (Hegde’s claim)is true, then Prime MinisterModi will have to step downfrom his post. It is not an injus-tice to just Maharashtra but toother States as well,” NCP chiefspokesperson Nawab Malik said.

��

Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind chiefMaulana Arshad Madani on

Monday said a review petitionchallenging the Supreme Courtruling has been filed exercisinga constitutional right and not todisturb “communal harmony”and claimed that the Ayodhyaverdict legitimises “majoritari-anism and mobocracy”.

Hours after the JamiatUlema-e-Hind filed the reviewpetition, Madani said if theSupreme Court upholds itsAyodhya decision, the Muslimbody will abide by it.

“We have sought review ofthe impugned judgment on theBabri Masjid-RamJanmabhoomi title suit whichwas not based on evidence andlogic,” he said.

The plea seeking review ofthe verdict which cleared theway for construction of a Ramtemple at the disputed site inAyodhya was filed in theSupreme Court on Mondaystating that “complete justice”could only be done by directingreconstruction of Babri Masjid.

��

In a security breach, sevenunknown persons travelling

in a car reportedly drove up tothe porch of Congress gener-al secretary Priyanka GandhiVadra’s Lodhi Estate homewithout being stopped by theCRPF, walked up to her andtook photographs with theZ+ category security protectee.

The group that breachedher security included threemen, an equal number ofwomen and a girl. After alight-ing from the car, the groupwalked up to Priyanka Gandhiand asked for photos to betaken with her. The group leftafter Priyanka obliged them.

Priyanka’s office has takenup the issue of the securitybreach that occurred onNovember 26 with the CRPFthat secures her after theCentre last month withdrewSpecial Protection Group(SPG) security cover, sourcessaid.

While sources in theCRPF confirmed the develop-ment, officials in the paramil-itary did not issue any officialstatement.

The Delhi Police said asper the new security arrange-ment of Priyanka Gandhi, theCRPF and the Delhi Police arelooking after her security.“There seems to be some com-munication gap leading tobreach. In the light of the saidsecurity breach necessary cor-rective measures are beinginitiated,” said an official.

However, the police said ithas not received any writtencomplaint regarding entry ofunauthorised vehicle insidePriyanka’s residence.

Minister of State for HomeG Kishan Reddy said he was

unaware of the alleged inci-dent and will seek informationon it.

“I am not aware. I am justcoming out of the Lok Sabha.Let me take the informationfrom police... I will discusswith my officers,” Reddy toldreporters outside Parliamentwhen asked about the issue.

In November, theGovernment had withdrawnthe SPG cover for Congresspresident Sonia Gandhi, sonRahul and daughter Priyankaand accorded CRPF protectionunder the Z+ category.

Under Z+ security cover,

the Gandhis are being securedby the commandos of the VIPsecurity wing of CRPF besidesstatic guards at their homes asalso mobile security compo-nent during their travel acrossthe country.

Though not requiredunder the Z+ security catego-ry, the Government has nowallowed an ambulance andextended Advance SecurityLiaison ahead of their travel todifferent places in the country.

The Gandhis are withoutSPG protection after 28 years.

They were included in theVVIP security list following anamendment in September,1991 in the SPG Act of 1988.

On November 27, the LokSabha passed a Bill to amendthe SPG Act to secure only thePrime Minister and membersof his immediate family resid-ing with him at his official res-idence.

It will also provide securi-ty to former Prime Ministersand their immediate familymembers staying with them atthe residence allotted for aperiod of five years from thedate on which they cease tohold the office.

��)�!�� 4��

The Maharashtra BJP wentinto a tizzy on Monday as

its former Minister and seniorleader Pankaja Munde —through a Facebook post andsubsequent removal of the BJP’sname from her twitter handle— hinted at the possibility ofher quitting the parent partyand joining another party.

As Pankaja was incommu-nicado all through the dayafter she removed the BJP’sname from her twitter handle,the BJP went into a damagecontrol mode and denied thatshe had any plans to quit theparty as was being interpretedby the political observers fromSunday’s Facebook post and herdecision to remove the party’sname from her twitter handle.

Forty-year-old Pankaja isthe daughter of late BJP leaderGopinath Munde. A formerMinister in the previous BJP-ledsaffron alliance Government inthe State, she was defeated byher cousin Dhananjay Mundein the October 21 StateAssembly polls by a margin of30,701 votes in their home

constituency of Parli in Beeddistrict of Marathwada.

Shiv Sena spokespersonSanjay Raut added fuel to ongo-ing speculation that Pankajamight join the Shiv Sena. Rautsaid, “Many prominent BJPleaders have expressed theirwillingness to join the BJP. Ifyou are talking about PankajaMunde, you will get knowabout her plans on December12.”

Talking to mediapersons,Maharashtra BJP presidentChandrakant Patil said, “At atime we have an accidentalGovernment in the State. It isbut natural that we get to see theruling front leaders indulge inthis kind of wishful thinking.There is absolutely no truth inthe rumours that Pankajataiwould quit the BJP. Many of ushave spoken to Pankajatai. Idon’t think there is any possi-bility of her taking such a step

(of quitting the BJP).”“To put an end to this kind

of rumours, as the State BJPpresident I am issuing an offi-cial statement that Pankajataiwill not quit the BJP,” Patil said.

Another senior State BJPleader Vinod Tawade said, “Ihave spoken to Pankajataimyself. Being a member of theMahajan-Munde family, she isclose to Thackeray family. Butthat does not mean thatPankaja will leave the BJP andjoin the Shiv Sena. The BJP hasconfidence in her loyalty to theparty. All she has done throughher Facebook post is to inviteall her supporters for a meet-ing called on December 12.Hence there is no need todraw wrong inferences fromher FB post”.

Notwithstanding the asser-tions to the contrary made byTawade and other BJP leaders,there is lot to read in betweenthe lines in the Pankaja’sFacebook post.

In a crucial sentence in herFacebook post, Pankaja invitedher supporters for a meetingcalled on December 12 on thebirth anniversary of her latefather Gopinath Munde andwrote, “Considering thechanges in political situation inthe State and also the respon-sibility before me, we need todecide our future course ofaction.”

In the initial paragraph ofher post, Pankaja wrote: “Youhave all been witnessing the

political events - be it core com-mittee meetings or party meet-ings -- in the State ever since theAssembly poll results wereannounced. Minutes after theresults, I went in front of themedia and accepted the fullresponsibility for my defeat”.

“I attended the BJP’s coremeetings. I have always believedthat the country comes first,next the party and lastly me.There’s nothing greater than myduty towards people. That’swhy on the third day after myfather’s death, I had got back tomy work. During the five yearsin power, I worked for thepeople through you. After I wasdefeated in the polls, I have gotso many message from peoplewanting to meet me,” Pankajasaid.

“You are asking me time formeeting you. I will give you alltime after eight to 10 days .During the eight to 10 days, letme introspect. I want to decideon what should I do next?Which way should I go?. Whatcan I give to people? What’s mystrength? What do peopleexpect from me? After deliber-ating on all these questions, Iwill come before you onDecember 12,” Pankaja toldher supporters through herFacebook post.

In another reference thatshe is moving away from theBJP, Pankaja on Mondayremoved the party’s name fromher twitter handle@Pankajamunde.

- #� �.�"# � ��"$"��/0�1&�!�& �%"�!� �

5�� .�� "��/�$�2"��" &�� "��"��/��%"��%��" ��&�)�" ��

�3�,��4��"#�% ��3-��#��"��"�� !�"�� "��," ��

*��-�� 8$��9��.*�� ! %��"+" �� #� ��"�� # !"�/5��6�! &��"��784888� ��/"�"

From Page 1Sh @AmitShah Ji’s face,

express himself freely & instigateothers to join him clearly indi-cate that freedom of expression& democratic values are alive &flourishing in India. This isexactly what democracy is allabout,” he tweeted.

Minister of Railways andCommerce Piyush Goyalreferred to Shah’s response toBajaj’s remarks to say there is nofear. “See Home Minister @amit-shah respond to Rahul Bajaj’sclaim that people are afraid toexpress themselves. After hear-ing your question, I doubt any-

body believes this claim thatpeople are afraid,” he tweeted.

A day before the ET event,former Prime MinisterManmohan Singh had statedthat many industrialists havetold him they lived in fear ofharassment by Governmentauthorities. Delivering the vale-dictory speech at the NationalEconomy Conclave, Singh hadon Friday warned, “There is apalpable climate of fear in oursociety today. Many industrial-ists tell me they live in fear ofharassment by Governmentauthorities. Bankers are reluctantto grant new loans, for fear of

retribution. Entrepreneurs arehesitant to put up fresh projectsfor fear of failure attributed toulterior motives. Technologystart-ups that are an importantnew engine of economic growthand jobs, seem to live under ashadow of constant surveillance

and deep suspicion.”In the Lok Sabha on

Monday, Congress leader AdhirRanjan Chawdhury quotedManmohan’s statements andurged the Centre and FinanceMinister to listen to the wisewords of former PM.

9"$!"�$�%"��" 4��/�4�/�$ ##��""(��50��"��$ ��

��%��+��>�1*��**��!�*��&$$�)�*��*��<��4�E�EF)�:1�)*��*��!��)*��!�*��=��*��!��)��#�*��(�<��!��*��)*��)�*��*��)!��#�8��*�#�*��)$��#�*��*��#��8��)��+�+�#�8�*��$��*��8��#

��4��$��)��3��;1!#��8�)��#�*��(�<��!��*#��)�F*�8��*�*��*��)!��*��!� �?��$��*��(�<*��)��1*�*��#��8��+��1*�)��1*��)�*��<�<��)1!$*��#�+��8*� ��8��$��)��#�(�<�!��*#��)��*�8��*�*��*��)!��1��!�=@�4��$��)��*8��*�#��1�#��<��+ �

��)*��8��)��#�'�!!��1)��(��#�*��F)��)$��)��*��4�E�EF)��!��)�*��)��$��$��*��#��*��)��+*��(�<��!��*��))1��

:;��:��:�� !444

*$��+��+��$��&�

�� '��(��

The Goods and Service Tax(GST) collection in

Chandigarh for the periodbetween April-November in2019 has witnessed an increaseby 12.05 per cent as comparedto the last year.

According to the latest GSTcollection data released by theUnion Government, the rev-enue collection was �947.18crore this year from April–November (2019-20) while itwas �845.31 cr (2018-19) dur-ing the same period.

The total GST collectionscomprise of UTGST and IGST(integrated GST). For the same

period, the UTGST growth ratewas 13.20 per cent, while for theIGST, it was 11.36 percent.

For the period, April toNovember 2019, 95.05 percent GST registered firms inthe city filed their R-3B return.April had registered the high-est return filing with nearly97.50 per cent firms filing it. InOctober, the same was 89.04per cent, the data stated.

As per the data, the increasein GST collection is by 20.80percent, highest in the country,for month of November 2019 inthe city. In November last year,�112.37 crore was collectedwhich increased to �135.74crore in November this year.

��!"##$!%&"�&��&'��(&%�$))&�!�$�)$

�� '��(��

To promote ease of doingbusiness for the newly-

incorporated Micro, Small andMedium Enterprises(MSMEs), the PunjabGovernment on Mondayokayed an ordinance to bringin the Punjab Right toBusiness Act-2019 and PunjabRight to Business Rules-2019.

The move is aimed atreducing the regulatory com-pliance burden by waiving offthe requirement of certainapprovals and inspections forestablishment and operationsfor MSMEs in the State whileintroducing the provision ofself-declaration.

Sanction of building plans,issuance of completion oroccupation certificate forbuildings, application for fireNOC, Registration of TradeLicense, besides Change ofLand use, approval of factorybuilding plan and registrationof shop or establishment, aremajor services covered underthe Act.

Notably, Punjab is home toapproximately two lakhMSME units, which are one ofthe most important pillars ofthe industrial growth.

Under the new ordinance,a State Nodal Agency underDirector Industries andCommerce will be set up tomonitor and supervise the over-all functioning of the districtlevel nodal agency, to be head-ed by the DeputyCommissioners.

The DeputyCommissioners have beendesignated as Chief ExecutiveOfficers of the DistrictBureaus of Enterprise, to be setup across the State, whichwould act as district-levelnodal agencies operatingunder overall superintendenceof the State Government andthe state nodal agency.

Under the Act, the districtlevel nodal agency would assistMSME enterprises in main-taining record of ‘Declarationof Intent’ received, and issue‘Certificate of In-principleApproval’ to the new enter-prise, being set up in approvedindustrial park.

For MSME units proposedoutside the approved indus-trial park, the decision onissuance of ‘Certificate of In-Principle Approval’ would betaken by the District LevelNodal Agency within a periodof 15 working days. punjabcurrently has approximately 2lakh MSME units.

AMENDMENTS OKAYEDIN FACTORIES ACT,INDUSTRIAL DISPUTESACT, CONTRACT LABOURACT

To further strengthen thestate’s investment climate and

boost employment genera-tion, the Punjab Cabinet hasapproved various amendmentsto the Factories Act, 1948,Industrial Disputes Act, 1947,and the Contract Labour(Regulation and Abolition)Act, 1970.

Official spokesperson saidthat the Cabinet has given itsnod to amendments to section2 (m) (i), 2 (m) (ii), 85, Section56, Section 59, Section 65(3)and Section 105, as well asinsertion of new section 106 B,in the Factories Act, 1948,through promulgation of anordinance.

“The ordinance willincrease the threshold limit ofnumber of workers from ‘10’and ‘20’ to ‘20’ and ‘40’, in fac-tories with manufacturingprocesses being carried outwith or without the aid ofpower, respectively. “This willhelp promote establishment ofsmall manufacturing units tocreate more employmentopportunities for workers.Consequently, the existingSection 2 m (i), 2 m(ii), 85, 56and 65(3)(iv) of the Act areproposed to be amended,” saidthe spokesperson.

The need for increasingthe total number of hours ofwork on overtime in quarter isbased on the demand fromindustries so that factories cancarry out the work on urgentbasis.

Further, the existing sub-section(1) of section 105 isproposed to be amended tothe effect that cognizance ofany offence shall be taken bythe Court on complaint madeby an Inspector only afterobtaining previous sanction in writing from the StateGovernment.

Under the existing provi-sions of Act, there is no pro-vision for compounding ofoffences, resulting in highnumber of prosecution cases.For speedy disposal of offencesand to minimize litigation, anew provision, that is section106 B is proposed to be insert-ed for compounding ofoffences.

In another decision, theCabinet approved amendmentto Section 25K (1) to increasethe minimum number ofworkers for applying the pro-visions relating to layoffs,retrenchment and closurefrom 100 to 300, while ensur-ing a minimum notice periodof three months.

Cabinet further approvedamendment to sub clause (a)and (b) of clause 4 of section1 of the Contract Labour(Regulation and Abolition)Act, 1970 aimed at giving fil-lip to employment generationin the State by enhancing theambit of the Act from presentthreshold limit of 20 to 50workers.

9 �� 0�2 �� ,��"� �,�� $�##� (��3-��

The Bharatiya Janata Party hasstated that former chief min-

ister Harish Rawat staging adharna for holding winter ses-sion of the Assembly at Gairsainis a political gimmick.

The BJP has stated that thedecision to hold the winter ses-sion of the Assembly inDehradun was a collective deci-sion which was accordedapproval by the Congress andleader of opposition. The protestbeing undertaken by theCongress regarding THDC isalso baseless.

�� !�"#$% ��%&"��*

��

Senior Congress leaders onMonday described P

Chidambaram’s detention as a“witch-hunt of the worst kind”and tweeted in support of theformer Union finance ministerusing the hashtag “ReleaseChidambaram”.

The Supreme Court onThursday reserved its verdict onthe plea filed by Chidambaramseeking bail in the INX Mediamoney-laundering case.“Former Finance Minister PChidambaram has been in judi-cial custody for more than 100days. Mr Chidambaram’s con-tinued detention is nothing buta witch-hunt of the worst kind.It is the duty of the court touphold the personal liberty of an

individual,” Congress generalsecretary (organisation) KCVenugopal said.

Mahila Congress chiefSushmita Dev said a rulingparty misusing the investigatingmachinery to selectively targettheir political opponents, byfoisting cases against them is“New India”. “MrChidambaram’s continueddetention is nothing but a witch-hunt of the worst kind,” she said.

Youth Congress chiefSrinivas BV said the entire nationknows that the case againstChidambaram has been nothingbut “pure vendetta politics”.“While the economy reachesnew lows every single day, thisis where the BJP Government’sfocus has been. Welfare of thenation has been abandoned,” he

alleged in a tweet with the hash-tag “Release Chidambaram”.

Several Congress organisa-tions such as its youth andwomen’s wings also tweeted insupport of Chidambaram.Congress spokesperson SupriyaShrinate said many glaring inac-curacies in both the CBI and theED’s contentions point to ashoddy, hasty job done at theinstructions of their politicalmasters. The CBI registered itscase on May 15, 2017, allegingirregularities in a ForeignInvestment Promotion Board(FIPB) clearance granted to theINX Media group for receivingoverseas funds of Rs 305 crorein 2007, during Chidambaram’stenure as finance minister.Thereafter, the ED lodged themoney-laundering case.

��

Members in the TreasuryBenches in Parliament

on Monday protested againstCongress leader Adhir RanjanChowdhury calling PrimeMinister Narendra Modi andHome Minister Amit Shah as“infiltrators” and sought hisapology for the “insult”.Chowdhury claimed that hewas not understood in thecorrect context and repeatedhis comments.

BJP members in the LokSabha were on their feet afterthe question hour chargingChowdhury with facilitatingBangladeshi infiltrators in hisconstituency. ParliamentaryAffairs Minister Pralhad Joshiwho led the loud protest hit-back saying Congress party’sown president was of foreignorigin and an “infiltrator”.

Chowdhury said he wasnot understood in proper con-text and apparently sought toexplain his comment in the ref-erence to the controversialNational Register of Citizenssaying his family itself camefrom Bangladesh.

Nishikant Dubey (BJP) tar-geted the Congress leader byalleging that he allowed infil-tration of Bangladeshis in hisconstituencies.

As war of words turnedhigh, Speaker Om Birlaadjourned proceedings till 2.15pm. Earlier, when Chowdhuryrose to ask a supplementaryrelated to the Steel Ministry,ruling alliance members shout-ed the word “infiltrator” severaltimes. The Congress leaderimmediately tried to counter bysaying: “Yes, I am an infiltrator,I am a ‘deemak’ (termite).Modi is an infiltrator. AmitShah is an infiltrator. LKAdvani is an infiltrator”.

Union Petroleum and SteelMinister Dharmendra Pradhanshot back saying Chowdhury’s“design would be exposed soon”.

On Sunday, Chowdhuryhad termed Modi and Shah as“infiltrators” in Delhi. TheCongress leader also said Modiand Shah are migrants since theyhave their homes in Gujarat butare now living in Delhi.

In the Upper House BJPmember Bhupender Yadavraised a point of order after thelunch and sought to condemnthe Congress leader’s remarks.This was opposed by Congress’Digvijay Singh and others.

“This is not only the issueof this House or of that House”,this is a matter of dignity,Yadav said.

“Does any leader of a partyhave the right to use wordssuch as ‘infiltrators’? Are we notinsulting parliamentarydemocracy of this country byusing such words,” he said.

Several BJP members lefttheir seats to protestChowdhury’s comments.

��

Defence Minister Rajnath Singhon Monday said the benefit of

exemption from income tax fordisability pension will be only beextended to those personnel whoare invalidated from service.

The notification led to furoramong the serving and retired per-sonnel and the issue also figured inthe last session of parliament withthe government assuring that inter-ests of veterans will be looked after.

The Defence Minister’s replyin the Rajya Sabha on Monday toa question posed by Ripun Bora(Congress) came against the back-drop of the CBDT notification inJune this year that exemptionfrom income tax for disability pen-sion will not be allowed for thoseofficers who served their full stint

of service. Only those invalidatedfrom service will be eligible for thisexemption, the circular said.

Answering a supplementaryduring Question Hour, theDefence Minister said on disabil-ity pension, the Defence Ministryhad sought a clarification from theFinance Ministry.

Adding the CBDT had giventhe clarification to the DefenceMinistry, Singh said, “As far as thequestion of exemption on Incometax on Disability Pension is con-cerned, this exemption will begiven to only such people whoduring the service period havebecome invalidated,” he said. TheMinister also said it has been clar-ified that a circular by CBDT wasonly “clarificatory” in nature andall other circulars issued earlier areoperative.

In the notification dated June24, the Central Board of DirectTaxes (CBDT) said “such taxexemption will be available only toarmed forces personnel who havebeen invalidated from service onaccount of bodily disability attrib-utable to or aggravated by suchservice and not to personnel whohave been retired on superannu-ation or otherwise.”

Disability pension is of twotypes, war and normal. War dis-ability is 60 per cent of the lastsalary drawn in case of 100 percent disability and normal dis-ability is 30 per cent of the lastsalary drawn in case of 100 percent disability. It goes down pro-portionally for lower percentage ofdisability. Disability pension forarmed forces is available based ona 1922 notification.

��

Members in Parliament onMonday expressed their

outrage against the Hyderabadrape and demanded swift deathpenalty with some of the MPsblaming unchecked sale ofliquor for the heinous inci-dents. The Government said itwas willing to further tightenlaw and ensure speedy trial ofsuch incidents though a fewalso pointed out that culprits in‘Nirbhaya’ case were yet to bepunished even after seven yearsof the incident.

Besides seeking speedytrial, some MPs in both theHouses also called for publiclynching and castration of rapeconvicts as other measures forchecking the rampant rapecases across the country.

Responding to a discussionduring Zero Hour in the LowerHouse, Defence MinisterRajnath Singh said he wasfalling short of words to con-demn the heinous crime.

“We are ready for discus-sions in the House so that strin-gent provisions in laws could beexplored to give punishment tothose involved in such ghastlyincidents,” he said.

Union Minister G KishanReddy said the Government isready to amend the Indian PenalCode (IPC) and CrPC to ensureswift justice in cases of heinouscrimes like the Hyderabad rapeand murder case.

In Rajya Sabha, ChairmanM Venkaiah Naidu even sug-

gested a rethink on allowingconvicts in heinous crimes togo in for mercy appeals.

Speaking in the UpperHouse, Samajwadi Party’s JayaBachchan said the rapistsshould be “brought out in pub-lic and lynched.” DMK’s PWilson said courts should beempowered to surgically andchemically castrate convictedrapists before they are releasedfrom jails so as to check repeatoffenders.

Leader of the OppositionGhulam Nabi Azad said thesociety will have to tackle thisproblem at its root and the

guilty should be given stringentpunishment without any dis-crimination on the basis of reli-gion or caste.

In Lok Sabha, UttamKumar Reddy (INC) slammedthe Telangana Home Ministerfor his purported “insensitive”remarks and slammed the Statepolice for the delay in lodginga case. Demanding ban in thesale of liquor, he pointed outthat the alleged rapists weredrunk when they committedthe crime. TR Baalu (DMK)raised the issue of sexual assaultof a school girl in Coimbatore.

Describing the rape of the

veterinarian as a “heinouscrime”, Saugata Roy (TMC)said even after the enactmentof strict laws after the Nirbhayacase, rapes were still takingplace. He advocated that rapebe made punishable by death.

Supriya Sule (NCP), how-ever, was not sure that deathpunishment alone would fixthe problem of growing casesof rapes in the country. Holdingthat there should be “zero tolerance” towards suchincidents, she said even mendeserve security.

Observing that such brutalincidents create a bad atmos-

phere across the country, BandiSanjay Kumar (BJP) was ofview that when such incidentstake place “we need to imple-ment punishment on the spot.”

Pinaki Misra (BJD) ques-tioned the delay in executingthe death sentence awarded toconvicts in the Nirbhaya gan-grape case. He said laws andestablishment of fast trackcourts will not make a differ-ence till the time the death sen-tence is not executed.

Terming the incident as a“shameful act”, KothaPrabhakar Reddy (TRS), said,“We need to bring an act to

curb such incidents.”Condemning the rape in

Hyderabad, Anupriya Patel(Apna Dal) said the incidenthas brought shame to India.”Irequest the Government tonot keep quite. We need to senda strict message,” she said.

Expressing grief over theincident, Speaker Om Birlasaid, “We in one voice” con-demn such incidents.

On November 29, fourmen, aged between 20 and 24,were arrested on charges of rap-ing and killing the youngwoman veterinarian inHyderabad.

��

Rajya Sabha Chairman MVenkaiah Naidu on

Monday was irked over highabsenteeism among MPs whohad listed questions but werenot present. Terming it as a“sorry state-of-affairs” Naidusaid it is a “serious matter” andurged the media to publish thenames of the missing members.

There were 15 starredquestions listed for QuestionHour and at least seven MPs,who had listed their questions,were not present thereby incur-ring the Chair’s anger.

In fact, the Question Houralso ended five minutes at12.55 pm before scheduled

time due to this on account ofthe absent MPs. All of themwere from Opposition parties.

Registering his displeasure,Naidu said “I am sorry I haveto make an observation hap-pening time and again. Therewere 15 starred questions…Members were absent. Afterhaving asked the question theyare absent…It is a sorry state-of-affairs.”

Expressing concern oversuch high absenteeism, Naidueven urged the media to publishtheir names. “I hope the mediawill publish the names of thoseabsent, those who are not com-ing to House inspite of puttingthe questions also, which is aserious matter…Today isMonday, the first working day,”he said. In effect, 12 of the 15starred questions listed for theday were orally answered.

Those absent wereDharamapuri Srinivas (TRS),Ravi Prakash Verma (SP),Ronald Sapa Tlau (Congress),Mohammad Nadimul Haq(TMC), Dr Sasikala (AIADMK),Binoy Viswam (CPI) and PradipBhattacharya (Congress).

��

Researchers from Chennaibased Anna University has

developed a new portabledevice to determine antibioticsusceptibility of bacteria infect-ing the individuals.

Named ‘AntibiogramDevice’, the gadget could be ofgreat value in the hospitals anddiagnostic laboratories, at atime when antimicrobial resis-tance is spreading globally, andnew resistance mechanismsare emerging threatening ourability to treat common infec-tious diseases, resulting in pro-longed illness, disability, anddeath in some cases.

The device which is underfield trial will enable doctors toview the lab results on their

tablets and computers to ratio-nalise their antibiotic treat-ment and save lives.

Developed by the teamheaded by Dr K Sankaran,Scientist, National Hub forHealthcare InstrumentationDevelopment (NHHID), AnnaUniversity, the optoelectronicgadget can determine theantibiotic susceptibility or resis-tance within seven to 10 hoursor before the second dose ofantibiotics, so that doctorscould decide the safe and effec-tive antibiotic treatment.

The unique feature of the

technology is that it has poten-tial to replace current micro-biological method that takes 2to 3 days and can be operatedby semiskilled workers inperipheral laboratories.

The TechnologyDevelopment and TransferDivision of the Department ofthe Science and Technologyunder the Union Science andTechnology Ministry has sup-ported the team to convert theproof-of-concept stage tech-nique into advanced validatedproduct prototype.

The device has a promisingpotential in the market owingto its uniqueness. The IPOwnership of the device is heldby NHHID and they are yet tofile the patent, said an officialfrom the DST.

��

Realising that most of therights of the Persons with

Disabilities (PwDs) haveremained on papers, NitiAayog Vice Chairman Dr RajivKumar on Monday called uponcorporate, NGOs andGovernment institutions forimplementation of a focusedprogramme like that of 117aspirational district pro-gramme anchored by theGovernment’s thinktank.

“Disability is one sectorwhich is still not in our con-sciousness. World Bank figuressay that there are more than abillion people with disabilitiesand 80 per cent of them are indeveloping economies such asours. But there has been nomovement at all marchingtowards the Ministry,” saidKumar, Vice Chairman NITIAayog at an event NCPEDP-Mindtree Helen Keller Awards

of 2019 held here on the eve ofthe International disability Daymarked on December 3.

Dr Kumar added “disabil-ity issues should be addressedjust not as a scheme, but as animplementation focused pro-gramme like that of 117 aspi-rational district programme-run by NITI Aayog. Corporates,NGOs, government institutions

should all come together forsuch an intervention.”

Arman Ali, ExecutiveDirector, NCPEDP said “Weare at that point now, wherepeople with disabilities can nolonger be ignored. Private sec-tor should recognise peoplewith disabilities as a talentpool and hire them as a main-stream part of HR Operations

and not as CSR. The challengeis access to education for peo-ple with disabilities, lack ofawareness on disability issuesand accountability of privatesector-this cannot be just urbanphenomena.” According to theWorld Bank, India is home toabout 80 million PwDs.

Tarika Roy, Joint Secretary,Department of Empowermentof Persons with Disabilitiesfelt that the way to go about itwas to mandate section 34 and35 of Rights of Persons withDisability Act 2016 as a groundreality while DebashisChatterjee, CEO & MD,Mindtree talked about varioussteps his organisation has takenover the years for the empow-erment of the sector. Mindtreedelivers digital transformationand technology services fromideation to execution in variouscountries.

The Awards were givenaway to twelve exceptional indi-

viduals and organisations whoare role models in furtheringemployment opportunities forpersons with disabilities.

Those who bagged underthe Role Model Persons withDisabilites category were MUmmul Khair-Coordinator,

Disability Legislation Unit andLegal Aid Cell, Vidya Sagar,Chennai, Aditi Verma fromAditi’s Corner, Mumbai,

Shriram Parthasarathy-Marketing CommunicationsManager (Social & DigitalMedia, and CustomerAdvocacy), Microsoft,Mumbai, Vineet Saraiwala-Inclusion Lead, Big Bazaar,Mumbai.

Alina Alam, founder-CEO,Mitti Café, Bengaluru, AvinashDugar, founder & CEO, LaGravitea, Jamshedpur andSurender Singh-manager(employment), Muskaan, Delhigrabbed award under the rolemodel supporter of increasedemployment opportunities forPwDs category while undercategory role model compa-nies/NGOs/institutions, TheAssociation of People withDisability (APD), Bengaluru,Vishal Mega Mart, Gurgaon,Infosys, Bengaluru, SubrosLimited., Manesar and SenseInternational India,Ahmedabad were selected forthe award.

�.� ��"&��(�+�� 6�� .� ��,-89��;��".�(��

&�� '��1��&��.�� #�� $�� /��".�(��/�� !

��> �� /��

☛ ��)�0�123�2��4��4��25��6�1��1��5��2��4�2��2��1��7��8�1��6��9��29��2��5��6�4��7��2��9��71��2:��1��8�;9��4�1�8��7�2��0�2�6��1��0�28��1��6��29��2�

☛ ��<�25�7��8�1�� 3�#��2��9��6�17��9�829��25�2�9��1��2�61�7�

9�20�9��13��1��6�19��9<�25��1�37�2�1�7�9��91��9��2�18

❝ ��#��#�)�1))��)��*��1)��)��*��*�)*��+��*$��<�)��)��8)��1�#��2$��#�*��+�<��$1��)�!��*�*�*��)��<��<�#��)1��+��)*��#��*)��=�� )�

☛ ��#��#��>��! �<��)1++�)*�#��*��8��+��<��*)��1)��!�)�*��+��!��$$��)

❝ ��$�)*)�)��1�#��?��1+�*��1*��$1��#��#=�"��❝ ��)��*��8��<��*��*��*��)

$��!��*��*)��*��#�*��+1��*�)��1�#��+�<��)*��+��*�$1��)�!��*8�*��1*��#�)��!��*��*��)�)��+��)*�

)�!,�#��.��☛ ! �#>!#��" )��!!�#�*��+��!�

��)*��)�$1�$��*�#�?��)��)�*�<�@��!��)��#)��!!�#�*��*�*��$��*��#��#+��+��)�

�!��"��!,=��8�<��=�8�)��*)1��*��*�#��*��$1��)�!��*

��8�1�#��2�*��$��!��+��8��+��)�)��$�)

��*��1�*��

��:1�)*�*��(�<��!��**��*��$�:1�*� � ��#�*��)��#��)*��*!�))�+��!��"�� ,

��

��<��#�!��)1��#��*)*#��,�

� 4��!�!��)��*��8��*��*��*��*��:1�)*��1��+��+��#��E��'��8#�1��8�*��*�*��+�4��+��#�)��*��*��)��)��)*�*1��

� '��8#�1��)��#��8�)��*1�#��)*��#��$��$��*�2*��#��$$��*��)�1+�*�*��2$��)��!!��*��*��*��*��*��<��)��*��+�)*��'�*�;��))��+��)��!��*)��!��!�4��+��#�)�

� �)�8��8��#)�*1��#��+�=�$��&!�4��#E�1��#$��#��+)�*��. -7�$! ��=8��'��8#�1��)��*��)��)1$$��!��*��*�#�*��*��*��)*��=��1��+��!�!��)�)��1*�#�*��8��#?��*��*��@�)�<��*�!�)

��+��*6��0�&��

�"�'�$%�)%$�+��$%$�%&"�,(&%!�-�.�%"/%�$("�)%�&��0

/,:�� +�� &�

!��/��+��;�� (� �� ;�� :��;�� .��1��!��"�;�� :�� ??�� /��;��1�� 6��;��.��"�;��(� �� ;�� !

��

��<��8��)�1�#��#�*��8��#��*��)�*��<��8�*��

��)1�*)��*��*��*)��#��!$1*��)�*��*��)��*��

��*��*��*��*!��*��#�)�<��<�)

*��%�� +��&��+�� 6�� )��*��))1�)�)��1�#��##��))�#�E1)*��*��)��)��!�=��1*��)��!$��!��*�*��1)�#$��+��!!��*��*��--G�)$��*��#�)*��*$��+��!!�>�1��+ �'��$��*�)=��(&)=+�<��!��*��)*�*1*��))��1�#��!��*�+�*��)1��*��<��*�� "*) �� #�� =�� >!#��

�� !�"#$% ��%&"��1

� �� 3&�3��

Students of two top WestBengal universities held sep-

arate protests in the city onMonday, demanding promptconviction and action in rapecases.

The agitators, many ofthem affiliated to students’unions, sought heightenedsecurity for women acrossIndia.

Hundreds of PresidencyUniversity students, along withthose from other institutes,took out a rally from the var-sity campus to Esplanade, withplacards highlighting the lackof safety measures for womenat public places.

The gang rape of a veteri-nary doctor whose body wasset on fire and dumped undera bridge on the outskirts ofHyderabad has sent shock-waves across the country.

In Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh,a 16-year-old girl was alleged-ly raped and set ablaze by herneighbour. She succumbed toher injuries on Saturday.

Two minor girls wereallegedly gang-raped by teenageboys in the city last week.

Ujan, a member ofIndependent Consolidation —one of the students’ unions inPresidency — said he alongwith other protesters formed ahuman chain at Esplanadearea, which was also joined bybystanders.

In a similar demonstration,students of Jadavpur Universityhad also formed a human chainoutside its premises.

The rally, organised byArts Faculty Students Union ofJU, called on people to “raisevoice against incidents of rapeand sexual assault”.

“We shudder to think whathappened to the female veteri-

nary doctor in Hyderabad.Many of us have to deal withstalking and indecent behav-iour on road every day. Whycan’t women move freely afterdusk? Why should they bescared of being molested, rapedand even murdered?”Madhurima Dutta, one of theprotesters outside JU, said.

Meanwhile, several DurgaPuja committees in the cityhave launched helpline num-bers for distressed women.

A puja committee inKalighat area has posted sixmobile numbers on itsFacebook page, promising tocome to aid of women in itsvicinity. Similarly initiativeshave also been taken by pujacommittees in Tollygunge andBehala area of the city.

Arpana Banik, a youngprofessional, however, said, shewas apprehensive about callingup helpline numbers.

Kolkata: With its pitch toimplement the NRC in WestBengal hitting the BJP hard inthe recent by-polls in the state,the saffron party has decided toraise awareness on Citizenship(Amendment) Bill by con-ducting workshops and party classes for cadres, a seniorBJP leader said on Monday.

The BJP scored a duck inthe by-elections to Karimpur,Kaliaganj and Kharagpur SadarAssembly seats, which was thesaffron party’s first electoraltussle with the TMC in the statesince its impressive perfor-mance in the Lok Sabha polls.

“While analysing the by-poll results, we found that ourcadres were not aware of theclauses of the CAB because ofwhich they failed to spread themessage...

“So, party classes, work-shops and seminars will be heldat the booth-level to educatecadres about the Bill. TMC’smisinformation campaign onthe NRC will be countered by

a positive campaign on CAB,”he said.

The legislation, that seeksto grant Indian citizenship topeople of minority communi-ties of Afghanistan, Pakistanand Bangladesh who have fledreligious persecution there, islikely to be tabled during theongoing Winter session of the Parliament, BJP sourcessaid.

“Once the Bill is passed, wewill launch a Statewide cam-paign on the CAB. Senior BJPleaders will address the partyclasses, seminars and work-shops. Also, leaflets and book-lets on the legislation will bedistributed in the border areas,”the BJP leader said.

The publication of the finalupdated NRC (NationalRegister of Citizens) in Assam,which left out over 19.6 lakhpeople, including over 12 lakhHindus and Bengali Hindus,has changed the political nar-rative in West Bengal, with theTMC appearing to be in anadvantageous position over theBJP, he added. PTI

��!"�� ("�� "��,��"��"��3"$ �

�"��?#!��

Lucknow: BJP national gener-al secretary Arun Singh was setto be elected unopposed to theRajya Sabha after he filed hisnomination papers on Mondayfor the Upper House bye-elec-tion in Uttar Pradesh.

“Only Arun Singh has filednomination papers. He hasfiled three sets of nominationpapers,” Returning OfficerBrajbhushan Dubey told PTI.

The bypoll was necessitat-ed following the resignation ofSamajwadi Party MP TazeenFatma, who is now an MLAfrom Rampur.

Arun Singh, 54, is an expe-rienced chartered accountantand currently the party in-charge for Odisha.

Uttar Pradesh ChiefMinister Yogi Adityanath, hisdeputy Keshav Prasad Mauryaand Dinesh Sharma, and UPBJP chief Swatantra Dev Singhhad accompanied Arun Singhduring the filing of his nomi-nation papers. PTI

� �� '3�&

BSP president Mayawati on Monday calledfor speedy trial in the Hyderabad woman veteri-

narian rape and murder case to ensure justice to herfamily.

“Public outrage against the heinous rape and mur-der of a woman doctor in Hyderabad has spread acrossthe country,” Mayawati said on Twitter.

“The incident is very sad and very condemnableand the Government should ensure that the guilty arepunished as quickly as possible so as to ensure justiceto the victim’s family,” she said.

The veterinarian was raped and killed last weekwhen she was on her way home from work on herscooter.

The charred body of the woman, working at a state-run hospital, was found under a culvert in Shadnagarin Hyderabad.

Lucknow: The BJPGovernment in Uttar Pradeshhas failed to ensure womensafety and it has no moralright to continue, SamajwadiParty president Akhilesh Yadavalleged on Monday, citing sev-eral cases of crime againstwomen in the State. He alsosaid those who are propagatingthe ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’

campaign are not being able tocheck “inhuman activities”.

“Women are feeling unsafeunder the BJP Government.Even minor girls are becomingvictims of cruelty,” Yadav saidin a statement.

The situation today is suchthat women and girls feelunsafe whenever they go out oftheir homes, to schools, to

work or any function. The fear of insecurity fol-

lows them everywhere, he said.“Cases of rape and sexual vio-lence are registered everyday.Ifthe government, which spendscrores of rupees on law andorder, is not able to give asecure atmosphere then it hasno moral right to remain inpower,” Yadav said. PTI

� ��

Rajasthan Energy Minister BD Kalla on Monday blamed

the content available on inter-net for crimes like rape anddemanded that it be censored.

The Minister said internetcontent is “distorting mentali-ty” of the people.

“The Government takesaction wherever such incidentsoccur but distorted mentality isbehind such crimes and inter-net is responsible for this.Content available on internet isdistorting mentality in society,”he said here.

“There should be censor-ship on contents available oninternet and the central

Government should take stepsfor this,” Kalla told reporters atthe PCC office while respond-ing to questions related to rapeand murder of a six-year-oldgirl in Tonk.

The girl was raped andmurdered by a man in Tonkdistrict on Saturday and thebody was found on Sunday atan isolated area in Aligarhtown of Tonk. The accused hasbeen arrested.

� ��

A40-year-old manwas detained on

Monday in connec-tion with the rape andmurder of a six-year-old in Rajasthan’sTonk district, policesaid.

Mahendra, aliasDholu, is being inter-rogated as a suspect inthe killing of the childwhose body was found at anisolated place near Khedli vil-lage near Aligarh town onSunday morning, Aligarhpolice station SHO RamKrishan said.

Condemning the incident,Chief Minister Ashok Gehlotsaid on Sunday night that theaccused will not be spared.

“The rape and murder ofthe minor girl is highly con-demnable and shameful. Theaccused of the heinous crimewill not be spared,” Gehlotsaid.

Police said the ‘Dholu’ wascaught on the basis of evidencecollected from the crime scene.The child went missing after asports function in school onSaturday.

The function got over at 3pm and she was not seen afterthat. Her family members start-ed looking for her and foundthe body the next morning inan isolated spot about 400metres from the school.

She was strangled to deathwith her school belt whichwas tied around her neck.

Jodhpur: A young Rajasthan woman willride solo on her scooter to Kanyakumari,a 3,200-km journey to give out the mes-sage that crimes like the rape and mur-der of a Hyderabad veterinarian shouldnot force women indoors.

“There has been enough of ‘BetiBachao, Beti Padhoa’. We need to makegirls independent and capable ofhitting back instead of calling helpline,”said Neetu Chopra, a resident of Udaipur.

The 28-year-old said she will meetChief Minister Ashok Gehlot in Jaipurbefore embarking on her journey fromBalotra in Rajasthan to Kanyakumari onThursday.

She met Cabinet Minister GajendraSingh Shekhawat in Jodhpur on Sundayand apprised him of her mission. PTI

� �� 4��

The Gujarat Governmentwill demand capital pun-

ishment for the accusedinvolved in rape of three minorgirls in separate incidentsrecently, Minister of State forHome Pradeepsinh Jadeja saidon Monday.

He said the Governmentwill also request the high courtto shift these cases to fast trackcourts.

The incidents had occurredin Vadodara, Rajkot and Suratlast week.

While the accused involvedin the Rajkot and Surat inci-dents were already arrested,

police are looking for the cul-prits of the Vadodara incident.

Jadeja said the StateGovernment would appointspecial public prosecutors aswell as ‘pairvi’ officers (prose-cuting officers) to ensure jus-tice for the victims.

“Accused were alreadyarrested in Rajkot and Suratcases. Police have formed 25teams to trace the accusedwho had raped a 14-year-oldgirl in Vadodara,” he toldreporters in Gandhinagar.

Jadeja said the maximumpenalty for such crimes wherevictims are minors is deathpenalty as per amended law.

“Our Government will try

to ensure that these accused getcapital punishment. We willurge the High Court to shiftthese cases to fast track courtsfor a speedy trial,” he said.

A 14-year-old girl wasraped by two unidentified menon November 28 evening whenshe was sitting with her friendat Navlakhi ground inVadodara.

In Surat, an 11-year-old girlwas raped by her 30-year-oldstep-father on November 29.The accused was arrested.

In Rajkot, an 8-year-old girlsleeping in a public park wasraped by a 22-year-old man onNovember 29 night, who wasarrested later.

Patna: The BJP on Mondaydubbed Lalu Prasad’s RJD as an“18th century, old model” partyin which the younger genera-tion, including his three chil-dren active in politics, had nofuture.

The saffron party’s freshtirade came in the wake ofspeculations in a section of themedia that the RJD founder, inRanchi serving sentences infodder scam cases for morethan a year, is likely to run forhis 11th consecutive term asthe party’s national president.

Filing of nomination papersfor the party’s national presi-dent’s election is scheduled forTuesday. While there has beenno official word on the issue sofar, RJD sources said the ailingseptuagenarian leader’s nomi-nation papers were ready andwill be submitted here by hisrepresentative.

Prasad, who has been dis-qualified from taking part inelectoral politics since his firstconviction in a fodder scamcase in 2013, was last elected tothe RJD national president’spost for a two-year term inNovember, 2017.

The wily leader had soughtto make clear the line of suc-cession by getting passed aunanimous resolution, beforeagain landing behind bars, thathis younger son Tejashwi Yadavshall be the RJD’s Chief

Ministerial candidate inthe next Assembly polls in thestate. This has, however, failedto prevent the eruption of afeud between the heir apparentand Prasad’s eldest daughterMisa Bharti and elder son TejPratap Yadav who are membersof the Rajya Sabha and the stateAssembly respectively.

In a statement drippingwith sarcasm, BJP statespokesman Nikhil Anand said,“The RJD is an 18th century,old model political party inwhich the younger generationhas no future. By a divinevision acquired in jail, likeSanjaya (a character in theMahabharata, who is said to bea clairvoyant), Lalu ji has learntthat none of his party leaders,including Tejashwi Yadav, TejPratap Yadav and Misa Bharti,have the capability to hold the national president’spost”. PTI

��!)��)!� �� 3&�3��

Bengal Chief Minister MamataBanerjee has slammed the BJP

Government for looking right throughthe plight of the people — of her State— who have suffered untold misery inthe aftermath of the super cycloneBulbul that ravaged the southern dis-tricts in early November.

“Not a single paisa has come to theState Government despite assurancesgiven by Prime Minister NarendraModi,” the Chief Minister on Mondaytold the State Assembly.

Replying to a question on theextent of devastation caused by thecyclone Banerjee said, “after the PrimeMinister’s tweet a central delegation vis-ited the three districts hit by (cyclone)Bulbul. But that was the end of it. Wehave not heard a word after that and nota single penny has come from theCentre.

A super cyclone had hit large partsof southern Bengal leaving a devastat-ing effect on property and crop worththousands of crores. Three coastal dis-

tricts of North and South 24Parganas and East Midnapore— including large part of theSunderbans and picturesqueBakkhali and FraserganjIslands were — most affectedin the cyclone causing damage not onlyto tourism but also crops worth crores,the Chief Minister said.

The State Government had esti-mated a damage of � 23,000 crore andinformed the central team according-ly. While 15 people lost their lives about14 lakh hectare of agricultural land wasdestroyed, Banerjee said adding winterharvest, particularly vegetables suf-fered extensive damage in the cyclone.

Instead of waiting for the centralassistance the State Government did itsbit by releasing an immediate grant ofRs 1,200 crore the Chief Minister saidadding an amount of � 1,200 crore wasreleased from the state FinanceDepartment to help the farmers. TheGovernment would also release � 5,000each for those betel leaf farmers whofaced huge loss in the cyclone Banerjeeadded.

“Bengal had not sufferedsuch damage and devastationin decades. Not even Ailacould make such damage inthe State. Economically farm-ers were ruined along with

their dwellings, livestock and produce.This led to steep price rise,” anotherMinister said holding Bulbul responsi-ble for skyrocketing price of cauliflower,cabbage, brinjal, etc.

The Chief Minister said that “theimmediate estimate of the StateGovernment is around � 23,000 crorefrom the losses incurred by several dis-tricts such as South 24 Parganas, North24 Parganas, Midnapore and parts ofHowrah, Hooghly and even Kolkata.

“The cyclone that lasted for sixhours affected more than 3.5 millionpeople and damaged around 5 lakhhouses along with 6000 electrical polesas and millions of trees… despite plac-ing a detailed report on the extensivedamage and despite a central team vis-iting the areas and calculating things foritself we are yet to receive a singlepenny.”

Aizawl: Mizoram reported onMonday that at least 17,897people are infected withHIV/AIDS, the highest in thecountry, with around nine per-sons testing positive everydayin the State since the beginningof this year.

Over 42 per cent of thosein the age group of 25-34 havetested positive for HIV in thestate, one of the least populat-

ed in the country, said officialsof the Mizoram State AIDSControl Society (MSACS) thatreleased the data on the occa-sion of the World AIDS Day.

Several awareness pro-grammes were organised hereand across the state to mark theDay, which was on December1, a Sunday.

Officials said 2,557 freshHIV cases were detected in

2018-19, which was “extreme-ly high” as the State has a mere-ly ten lakh population.

Among the total number ofHIV patients, 6,069 are female,they said. While HIV infec-tions were earlier higher amongdrug addicts and sex workers,currently cases of AIDS are alsobeing reported from higherstrata of the society, an officialsaid. PTI

�� !"#��"$�%&"��"�'��(�)"$*��+� !"��

��, �,�� &��&��%��;, �,�� !��$� ��:��-

��

Exciting works of fictions byfour authors of Indian origin

and one each of Pakistani andAfghan figure in the shortlist forthe US $25,000 DSC Prize forSouth Asian Literature 2019announced recently at a specialevent at the London School ofEconomics & Political Science.

In its ninth year, the DSCPrize is one of the most presti-gious international literaryawards focused on South Asianfiction writing. The shortlistencapsulates story revolvingaround the lives of the people ofthe region.

The shortlist of six novels,comprising new and diverse voic-es, was announced by the chairof the jury panel Harish Trivedi.Among the authors are 3 debutwomen writers.

A a work of translation of anovel originally written inBengali also figure in the short-list. One author each fromPakistan and Afghanistan arealso in the race for the top hon-

our.The increasing globalization

of South Asian writing is high-lighted by the fact that half theshortlisted authors are basedoutside the region, and theirwork brings alive the nuances ofSouth Asian life in the sameevocative manner as done bytheir counterparts living in theregion.

The six shortlisted novelscontending for the DSC Prize forSouth Asian Literature 2019 are:�AmitabhaBagchi: Half theNight is Gone(Juggernaut Books,India)�Jamil Jan Kochai: 99 Nights inLogar (Bloomsbury Circus,Bloomsbury, India & UK, andViking, Penguin Random House,USA) �Madhuri Vijay: The Far Field(Grove Press, Grove Atlantic,USA) �ManoranjanByapari: There’sGunpowder in the Air(Translated from Bengali byArunavaSinha, Eka, AmazonWestland, India)�Raj Kamal Jha: The City and the

Sea (Hamish Hamilton, PenguinRandom House, India)�Sadia Abbas: The Empty Room(Zubaan Publishers, India)

Speaking on the occasion,Harish Trivedi, Chair of thejurycommented, “The shortlistthat we have arrived at compris-es six novels—for the good rea-son that the five jurors, located infive different countries, could not agree on just five nov-els.

There are two women here,and three debut novelists includ-ing both the women. What is itabout writing novels that one canget it so right the very first timeof asking? Three of our writerslive in South Asia and three liveabroad — which fact may notcome as a complete surprise.There is now a South Asiabeyond South Asia.

Two of the six novels are setpartly in New Delhi, and partlyin the surrounding countrysidein one case, and in the other casepartly on the Baltic coast.

One of the novels is set inPakistan of the 1970s, one in

Kashmir, and one inAfghanistan. The sixth is actu-ally set in a prison and was writ-ten originally in Bengali by anauthor who has actually servedtime and used that period tolearn to read and write. That toois South Asia.”

The DSC Prize, founded bySurina Narula and ManhadNarula in 2010, is administeredby the South Asian LiteraturePrize & Events Trust, and itreceived a record 90 eligibleentries this year from 42 pub-lishers and 55 imprints fromacross the globe.

“I thank the internationaljury panel for going through allthe entries and coming up withthis exceptional shortlist for theDSC Prize 2019. We already hada very impressive longlist of 15books and bringing this down toa shortlist of six must have beenquite a challenging task for thejury. Each of the shortlistedbooks is a must read and togeth-er they represent the very best ofSouth Asian fiction writing,” saidSurina Narula, co-founder ofthe DSC Prize.

�� /��

�$��

'�1�.�� @/,--+�� .��. ��

5�;�� ;�� +�� /��.��

0�$��+ ��&��.*��%��

��

��2�� ,��-"$�%&'.��!#)�#"!�/�&�'.�'�%��"$��%�%&"��"&"*��

��;�� !�� !�� &��& ��.� �� 5�� !

��0.,10.�2 3�&�)�&"/�&�� 4�"��$%)5"&�� /�� "$�� $��$# �

A�!�� (�&�� ?�� 7� �6�� &��&��& &��$�+$�

��0�� 1�� .�� !

��%&"��3�� !�"#$%

Coimbatore: In a major rain-relatedincident in Tamil Nadu, at least 17 peo-ple, including ten women and two chil-dren, were killed in their sleep when awall came down crashing on a row ofhouses at a village near here on Monday,police said.

A portion of the 15-foot high pri-vate compound wall, damp due to heavyrains lashing the area for the past fewdays, fell on the adjoining tiled-roofhouses in Nadur village, over 50 kmfrom here, around 5 am, burying alivethe inmates.

Tamil Nadu Governor BanwarilalPurohit and Chief Minister KPalaniswami mourned the deaths.

Several parts of the State have beenlashed by incessant north east monsoonrains for the past few days. Fire andRescue services personnel with theassistance of locals and police retrievedthe bodies from the debris.

In Chennai, Chief Minister KPalaniswami condoled the deaths andannounced a relief of Rs 4 lakh each tothe bereaved families from the StateDisaster Relief Fund.

Purohit expressed shock and griefover the incident.

“I convey my deep condolences tothe bereaved members of the families,”he said in a message.

Coimbatore district collector KRajamani and Superintendent of PoliceSujit Kumar visited the spot.

Rajamani told reporters that the vil-lagers informed him about the issueover the construction of the com-pound wall. If found illegal, the wallwould be demolished, he said.

The district administration willreview suggestions by the villagers to

prevent such incidents in future and willsend a detailed report to the StateGovernment for follow up action,including providing relief measures, headded.

He also said facilities at theMettupalayam Government hospitalwould be upgraded to ensure locals didnot need to travel to the district head-quarters here.

Meanwhile, villagers at Nadurdemanded immediate arrest of theowner of the land, where the wall wasconstructed.

They also put forth variousdemands including increase in thesolatium from � 4 lakh announced bythe State Government to � 25 lakh dur-ing a meeting convened by theCollector.

Earlier, about 500 local peoplestaged a sit-in on the Mettupalayam-Ooty road, seeking the arrest of the landowner, disrupting traffic for nearly anhour.

Later in the day too, protests wereheld, reportedly by the relatives of thevictims, at the MettupalayamGovernment hospital where the post-mortem of the bodies was held.

TV visuals showed some policemenpurportedly shoving and assaulting afew protesters.

Police resorted to a mild canecharge to disperse a crowd which gath-ered at the hospital, police sources said.

Another group of villagers, whichgathered at the hospital, refused toaccept the bodies till the land owner wasarrested. PTI

Chennai: Tamil NaduGovernor Banwarilal Purohiton Monday expressed shockand grief over the death of 17people in a wall collapse nearCoimbatore.

“I convey my deep condo-lences to the bereaved mem-bers of the families,” he said ina message.

A portion of a 15-foothigh private compound wall,wet due to heavy rain lashingthe area for the past few days,collapsed on a row of houses at Nadur village, killingthe 17, including 10 womenand two children, in their sleep.

Meanwhile, villagers atNadur demanded immediatearrest of the owner of the land,where the wall was construct-ed.

They also put forth variousdemands including increasein the solatium from �� 4 lakhannounced by the StateGovernment to ��25 lakh dur-ing a meeting convened by dis-trict collector K Rajamani atMettupalayam.

Earlier, about 500 localpeople staged a sit-in on theM e t t u p a l a y a m — O o t yroad, seeking the arrest of theland owner, disrupting trafficfor nearly one hour. PTI

Chennai: The long-awaitedelections to rural local bodiesin Tamil Nadu will be held intwo phases on December 27 and 30, the StateElection Commissionannounced on Monday.

The model code of conductcomes into force immediatelyin local bodies that go to elec-tions and the poll notificationwill be issued on December 6,it said.

The nominations can befiled from December 6 toDecember 13 and the scrutinywill be taken up on December16.

The last date for with-drawal of nominations isDecember 18. The counting ofvotes will be taken up onJanuary 2. PTI

� �� '��

As many as 25 people have diedin various rain-related inci-

dents in Tamil Nadu sinceNovember 29, the StateGovernment said on Monday.

This includes 17 who diedafter a wall collapsed on threehouses at Nadur village inMettupalayam near Coimbatore.

As the North-East monsoonintensifies in the State, nearly1,000 people have been accom-modated in relief camps inTuticorin, Cuddalore andTirunelveli districts which borethe brunt of rain fury.

Some low-lying areas inChennai and nearby Chenglepetand Kancheepuram districts wereinundated following the down-pour.

Chief Minister K Palaniswamichaired a review meeting with hisdeputy O Panneerselvam andother Cabinet colleagues andsenior officials to take stock of thesituation.

He issued orders to monitorthe reservoirs, many of which areeither full or fast filling up.

An official release said eight

persons died in various rain-related incidents betweenNovember 29 and December 1.

Further, 17 people were killedin a wall collapse in Coimbatoreon Monday, taking the total to 25.

As many as 58 head of cattleperished while over 1,700thatched and tiled roof houses suf-fered damage.

While the Governmentannounced � four lakh each to thefamilies of the 17 victims killed inMettupalayam, Palaniswamiordered due compensation to thekin of the other deceased, therelease said. The monsoon had setin on October 16 bringing wide-spread rains.

Palaniswami asked officials toensure preparedness by holding

adequate stocks of med-icines, food, diesel gen-erators and disinfectants.

Rescue teamsshould be on standbywith necessary equip-ment to rush to affectedareas while designatedofficials should monitorthe percautionary mea-sures, it said quoting theChief Minister.

The incessant rains inChennai over the weekendbrought cheer to the city’s watermanagers, as the storage in thefour reservoirs went up.

The combined storage in thefour reservoirs — Poondi,Cholavaram, Redhills andChembrambakkam — stood at4,091 million cubic feet (mcft),double the level it was on the sameday in 2018, which was 1,694 mcft.

The overall combined capac-ity is 11,257 mcft. With forecast ofmore rains, the water managersare hopeful of a better situationnext summer as Chennai wit-nessed one of its worst water crisesthis year following a weak mon-soon in 2018.

�666�/"�/!"� $�&"! "��-�)/�

5��&��" %"��'�!" !�� #�� !�

>!#��,,�� '��"3&'��H

The observations beingmade by veteran marine

scientists, technologists andpolicy makers that India wasyet to tap the huge potentialoffered by the three seas sur-rounding the country has beenproved right with a plea madeby the Chennai DistrictCollector R Seethalakshmy toBankers on Saturday.

The collector, whileaddressing State level Bankersat Chennai requested them toexplore the possibilities of pro-viding loans for the fishingcommunity.

But Dr Paul Pandian,director, department of fish-eries, Government of India,told fish farmers and fishermenduring a colloquium held atKochi on Sunday that they canavail bank loans of � 3 lakh on

the basis of the Kisan CreditCards issued by the Centre.

“This shows that there is acommunication gap betweenthe Governments at the Centreand the States regarding themassive programmes chalkedout by the Centre to harness theBlue Economy (economicactivities dependent on marineresources),” said C KSudhakaran, an aqua culturefarmer from Kerala’sKodungalloor district who isinto the business for the lastfour decades.

Indian Ocean, Arabian Seaand Bay of Bengal offerimmense economic potential tothe fishing community spreadacross the country’s coastline aswell as entrepreneurs, accord-ing to Pejawar Murari, formerIAS officer who headed theparliamentary consultativecommittee on Blue Economy

which ushered in the termand the business possibilities tothe country.

The Murari CommitteeReport offers recommenda-tions, suggestions and roadmap to harness the marinewealth of the sub-continent ina sustainable way. “But the pre-sent day decision makers areyet to take note of the possi-bilities offered by the report,”said Murari who after retire-ment was the livewire of theFederation of Indian Chambersof Commerce and Industries asits advisor.

V Balasubramaniam, gen-eral secretarty, Prawn FarmersFederation of India, who him-self is an aqua farmer of reputesaid that persons holdingresponsible persons take scantnote of the woes faced by thefarming community. “It takesminimum five years for renew-ing the license of the aqua farm

for an existing unit. This deny us the chance to

export shrimps and prawns .Moreover we are not coveredunder the National CalamityInsurance Scheme which resultus in suffering huge losseswhenever there are naturalcalamities like tornados,cyclones and tsunamis forwhich there are no dearth inthe Indian shorelines,” saidBalasubramaniam.

He pointed out that aquaculture is a segment thatensures sustained fishing andmarine resources. “Millionscould be employed in thesefarms since we can have aquafarms even in the hinterland ofthe country.

Yet another shortcoming isthe absence of accredited lab-oratories with facilities of test-ing the quality of the crop,” hesaid.

Dr Pandian said the deci-

sion to include the fishermenas well as aqua farmers underthe national calamity insurancehas to be taken by the Ministryof Home Affairs which under-scored the communicationgap between various Ministriesand departments of theGovernment of India .

Blue Economy which couldlead India to the status of aneconomic super power is beingretarded by the vested interestsof trade union leaders andcertain bureaucrats, saidSudhakaran.

He said trade union lead-ers in his region resort togoondaism to prevent the aquafarmers from introducingmechanization in aqua culti-vation. “We are facing the samescenario of the 1980s when theGovernment of India tried tointroduce computerization inbanking and insurance sec-tors,” said Sudhakaran.

� � � ��4��

The Shiv Sena on Monday described BJP MP Anant kumarHegde’s claim that Devendra Fadnavis was made CM last

month only to ‘protect’ � 40,000 crore central funds from beingmisused as treachery against Maharashtra.

Terming Fadnavis and BJP Maharashtra’s “criminals”, SenaMP Sanjay Raut said the state Chief Secretary will clarify on theissue.

Reacting to Hegde’s claim, Fadnavis said, “No such major pol-icy decision has been taken by me as CM. All such allegationsare false.”

“Not a paisa of the State Government was returned to theCentre from any other project,” he said.

Hegde has claimed Fadnavis was made Chief Minister ofMaharashtra last month despite lacking majority only to ‘pro-tect’ ��40,000 crore central funds under the CM’s control frombeing ‘misused’.

Days after Fadnavis resigned barely 80 hours after taking oathfor the second time as Chief Minister, Hegde sought to give anew twist to the episode describing the Government formationby the BJP as a ‘drama’ played out to ensure that the funds meantfor development works were ‘protected’.

8B��.�� "�;��

'��.� �� .��"�� ;��/�� &�� !

=�33�@��*��1�#�*��!��*��#�)*�$��!!1�D3�)�!��=��#��#��*�!��1)-0 0�#�+��)�'��)�1)��#��)��#��1�*��*�+�*��#��*)�+��$��*��*8��1��

*��*��) ��+��#�#�*��#�)*��+�*��*��)��)��*�!��1)�. 7�#�+��)�'��)�1)=�- I�#�+��)��8�*��)��)��F)��<��+�=�*��

!�*��+��#�$��*!��*�)��# ��!�1)�)��)��*��(1�!��+��*��3�)�!��=�8��2$��#�)�<��*��)��8��<��1)��)��)��)*!��*�=�8�)�*��#�)*�$��*��<��8�*��8��!��1)�G 9#�+��)�'��)�1) ��8�<��=�*��)1��)��+�*�*��)!��+��*��3�)�!��#��!!1��+��) � �

� � � 4��(��

Sending mixed signals, JD(S)patriarch H D Deve Gowda

on Monday said he will workfor strengthening his partykeeping both the BJP andCongress at a distance, daysafter hinting at a possible postbypoll alliance in Karnatakawith the Sonia Gandhi-ledparty.

The former PrimeMinisters comments came aday after the Congress indi-cated it was not averse to join-ing hands with JDS, its erst-while coalition partner, onceagain to form a Government inthe state in case the ruling BJPfalls short of majority after the

December 5 Assembly bypolls.“I have had experience (of

running a Government) withboth. With BJP I have had theexperience of running a gov-ernment because of my son (HD Kumaraswamy), and withmy approval we had (aGovernment) with Congressalso,” Gowda said.

Speaking to reporters inBelagavi, he said, “Keepingboth at a distance, saying‘namasakara’ to both of them,I will work beyond my limits tostrengthen my party.” Gowdahas recently said CongressPresident Sonia Gandhi’s deci-sion after the bypolls should bewatched out for, leading tospeculation about the possible

coming together of the two par-ties once again, if situationarose.

Kumaraswamy too hadsaid there would be a stablegovernment in the state afterthe bypolls, but not necessari-ly that of BJP, as he asked mediapersons to wait for the resultsof the bypolls to 15 Assmeblyconstituencies to be declaredon December 9.

Sounding upbeat afterforming a coalitionGovernment in neighboringMaharashtra, senior Congressleaders Mallikarjun Khargeand G Parameshwara onSunday said there was a possi-bility of the two parties comingtogether.

Jammu: The Jammu andKashmir National PanthersParty (JKNPP) on Mondaycalled for a ‘Jammu bandh’ onDecember 7 to protest suspen-sion of mobile Internet servicesfollowing abrogation of Article370 provisions and against set-ting up of toll plaza at Sarore onthe Jammu-Pathankot highway.

“We appeal to the people toparticipate in the peacefulbandh on December 7 againstthe authoritarian moves of thegovernment,” JKNPP chair-man and former ministerHarsh Dev Singh said.

Mobile Internet serviceswere snapped across Jammuregion on August 4, a dayahead of the abrogation ofArticle 370 provisions and divi-sion of Jammu and Kashmirinto two Union Territorieswhich came into existence onOctober 31.

However, fixed-lineInternet services, especiallybroadband, functioned unin-terrupted in the Jammu regionwhere the situation remainedby and large peaceful post theAugust 5-decisions of theCentre. PTI

"�5�; �� .��

��$��$� ��&�� 60�� !�&��

!��!�� 1��<��$��)��.G=�/9

�6"�� C��%��(��B��!�� ;��

��% �� )� ��.7<0=�� 0��+ ��

��)�!�� 4��

Within 24 hours after itannounced withdrawal

of cases filed against activistswho had protested againstfelling of trees at Aarey Colony,the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)Government on Mondayevening withdrew all casesfiled against protesters whohad opposed the proposed oilrefinery and petrochemicalscomplex at Nanar in Rajapurtaluka of Ratnagiri district.

Informed official sourcessaid in the night that newchief minister UddhavThackeray had given instruc-tions to the Ratnagiri districtpolice to withdraw all the casesagainst the villagers, Shiv Senaand other political activistswho had opposed the Nanarproject in 2018.

The police had registeredcases at the Vijaydurg policeagainst 350-odd villagers, ShivSainiks and other politicalactivists who staged protestsagainst the Nanar oil refineryproject in April-May 2018. Theprotestors had among otherthings had waylaid the BJPleaders at Ramesh KateKolwadi village in Rajapurtaluka of Ratnagiri district incoastal Konkan region. In fact,the Shiv Sena activists were onthe forefront of the against theNanar project.

The people from 14 villages

in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurgdistricts had opposed the oilrefinery project which was tocome up on 13,000 acres ofland.

It may be recalled that aspart of the seat-sharing agree-ment for the Lok Sabha pollsarrived at between the rulingBJP and its alliance partnerShiv Sena on February 18 thisyear, the Devendra Fadnavisgovernment had accepted theSena’s demand to shift theNanar project out of Ratnagiriproject. The shifting of Nanarproject was one of the Sena’sdemands for entering into seat-sharing pact with the rulingBJP for the LS polls.

On June 19, Chief MinisterDevendra Fadnavis hadannounced that the controver-sial refinery project would nowbe located in the neighbouringRaigad district.

The shifting of Nanar pro-ject had followed intenseprotests by villagers with thesupport of the Shiv Sena.

Addressing a publicrally at Nanar on April23, 2018, Shiv Sena pres-ident Uddhav Thackerayhad said: “The BJP (readFadnavis) is holding outthreats to us that if therefinery project is notallowed to come up atNanar, it will be shiftedto Gujarat. If it so desires,the BJP can take the

project to Gujarat. But, we willnot allow it come up at Nanar”.

Uddhav had also chargedthat a major land scam hadtaken place a Nanar ahead ofthe Centre’s announcement tolocate the oil refinery project atNanar. “With prior informationthat the project is coming up atNanar, Gujaratis and Marwadishave purchased large tracts ofland in and around this village.Why did these people cornerhuge land at Nanar? There is ahuge scam in the whole landdeals. Land sharks are involvedin this,” he said.

“Otherwise, when didShahs and Katiyars becomefarmers? What we are witness-ing here is brazen display ofmoney here. I have to tell themthat whatever you want to do,please do it in your state. Youcan buy anything in the world,but not Shivaji’s loyal foot sol-diers. Come what may, we willnot allow Konkan region tobecome Gujarat,.” Uddhav hadsaid.

��%�� %�&��,�� &��

>��#��$�3�4��&�� .?"��>� �-�

As India celebrated theConstitution Day on November26, the country’s President, RamNath Kovind, Vice PresidentVenkaiah Naidu and Prime

Minister Narendra Modi drew the attentionof the citizens to the chapter on fundamen-tal rights in our Constitution.

Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, thePresident said, “The true source of rights isduty. If we all discharge our duties, right willnot be far to seek. If leaving duties unper-formed we run after rights, they escape uslike a will-o’-the-wisp.” He said, fundamen-tal duties remind the people of their moralresponsibilities. “It can be said that the soulof the Constitution lies in its Preamble andin the parts pertaining to fundamental rights,directive principles and fundamental duties.”

Over the last seven decades, there hasbeen great emphasis on Part III of the IndianConstitution, which deals with fundamen-tal rights and rightly so. This chapter in ourConstitution establishes the foundation onwhich our democracy rests. Several Articlesin this chapter constitute the soul and sub-stance of our democracy like the right to lifeand personal liberty (Article 21); the rightto equality before law and the equal protec-tion of the laws (Art 14); and the preciousrights in Article 19, which give every citizenthe right to freedom of expression, freedomof association, freedom of movement etc.This is the bedrock on which our democ-ratic nation rests. The Supreme Court hasstood like a sentinel guarding these rights.

While all this is welcome, the time hascome for citizens to also turn their attentionon fundamental duties, which is incorporat-ed in Article 51 A. This Article, which wasinserted via the 42 Amendment in 1976, waspassed by Parliament during the dreadedEmergency. Ironically, this was one of thegood additions and so was retained. Manyof the other obnoxious provisions wereremoved later.

It enjoins upon all citizens to abide bythe Constitution and respect its ideals andinstitutions, the National Flag and theNational Anthem; to cherish and follow thenoble ideals which inspired the nationalstruggle for freedom; to uphold and protectthe sovereignty, unity and integrity of India;to defend the country and render nationalservice when called upon to do so; to pro-mote harmony and the spirit of commonbrotherhood among all the people of Indiatranscending religious, linguistic and region-al or sectional diversities; to renounce prac-tices derogatory to the dignity of women; tovalue and preserve the rich heritage of ourcomposite culture; to protect and improvethe natural environment including forests,lakes, rivers and wild life and to have com-passion for living creatures; to develop thescientific temper, humanism and the spiritof inquiry and reform; to safeguard publicproperty and to abjure violence; to strivetowards excellence in all spheres of individ-

ual and collective activity so thatthe nation constantly rises tohigher levels of endeavour andachievement; and for those whoare parents or guardians to pro-vide opportunities for the edu-cation of the child between theage of six and 14.

As can be seen from this list,while fundamental rights havestrengthened our democracy,fundamental duties are essentialto strengthen our society.Adherence to these duties willensure common brotherhood,fortify India’s unity and integri-ty and improve the quality of life.A good understanding of funda-mental duties is a must alsobecause we are not only theworld’s largest democracy butalso the most diverse society inthe world.

In this context, VicePresident Venkaiah Naidu’ssuggestion that fundamentalduties must be introduced at anappropriate level in the curricu-lum and that these dutiesshould be displayed at all edu-cational institutions, officesand public spaces, is worthy ofserious consideration.

Prime Minister NarendraModi, who took the decisionfour years ago to declareNovember 26 as theConstitution Day, has ensuredthat there is greater awareness ofthe Constitution among the cit-izenry. He has now added freshvigour to this campaign by

turning the spotlight on funda-mental duties. He said in hisaddress on Constitution Daythat while there was greatemphasis on fundamental rightsover the last seven decades, thetime had come for citizens toalso pay attention to their duties.He is of the view that “we can-not preserve our rights withoutfulfilling our responsibilities.”

Few countries in the worldhave such an elaborate list offundamental duties in their con-stitutions. But many nationsprescribe defence of the coun-try as a national duty. For exam-ple, Article 109 of the NorwegianConstitution stipulates that as ageneral rule, every citizen of theState is equally bound to servein the defence of the country fora specific period, irrespective ofbirth or fortune. The applicationof this principle and the restric-tions to which it shall be subject,shall be determined by law.

Under Article 81 of theConstitution of Denmark,“Every male person able to beararms shall be liable with his per-son to contribute to the defenceof his country under such rulesas are laid down by statute.”

In fact, the foundations ofthe French Republic rested notonly on the rights of man butalso duties. It said the mainte-nance of society requires thatthose who compose it shouldboth know and fulfill theirduties.

Although they are notenforceable by writs, in severaljudgments, the Supreme Courthas sought to creatively use theprovisions in Article 51 A. Forexample, it is of the view thatfundamental duties prescribedfor citizens apply to the State aswell. It has said that underArticle 51 A (g), it is the duty ofthe Central Government tointroduce compulsory teachingof lessons at least for one hourin a week on protection andimprovement of natural envi-ronment in all the educationalinstitutions in the country (MCMehta (2) vs Union of India,1987 SCR (1) 819).

In another case, it referred tothe fundamental duty to strivefor excellence and said excellencemeant surpassing merit, virtue,honest performance, dignity andeminence. “Constitutional law-givers have provided that the cit-izens of this great nation shallperform their duties in an excel-lent way than performing ithalf-heartedly.” The performanceof these duties fall within theConstitutional Law.

So, it’s now time to turn thespotlight on an importantArticle in our Constitutionthat has remained dormantfor long so that the citizenrydevelops a balance betweenrights and duties.

(The writer is an author spe-cialising in democracy studies.Views expressed are personal.)

)��(�� *��

�� %�� #�� (�� (��+��

��+��%�� ,�-��-.//�)��0*��(��$��1��1��1��$��#��

2�� 3��&�� 1��0*�4��0��+��(��(��5�� (��#�� 61��#��1��+�� 1�� +��#��(��(�� (�� $��#��.-��#�3��(��%�� (�� 1��(�� 7��(��

)��(��

��(�� 8 )�� 9��:�� 1�� +��8#��(�� *��(�� (��

�� 3��;��</��"��(�� (��+��3��"�� 9��:*��1��=��3��!�� %��2��>?��"��$�� *��#�� @�� %��3�� $��>/��"�� 7�� %��>?�� =��2=$�� (��A2$BC�� *��4��*�� "��(��)��(��*��+��A*+C��(�� $�� #��(�� )�� "�� 8#��$��*��%��2�� "�� )�� 89B�� :��7��8#�� *��+��*��8+��1��*��82�� "��(��8��(��(��

1�� !��(��(� ��*��(*��&�� B��./��(��(*��2�� 0��$��2�� (��#��(��(�� #�� #� ��1��&��7�� 81��*��(�� 2�� "�� #� ��(��#� ��(�� 1��&��(��

��

Sir — This refers to the editorial,“Crying shame” (December 2).The brutal gang rape and murderof a young veterinary doctor nearHyderabad must attract the moststringent punishment for theaccused. This crime has onceagain proved that the law andorder situation in the country hasnot improved even after the har-rowing 2012 Delhi gang rapecase. In the Hyderabad incident,the tyre of the young woman’sscooter was reportedly puncturedby the accused with the aim of lur-ing her away so that the crimecould be committed. TelanganaHome Minister MohammedMahmood Ali must be con-demned for his statement, blam-ing the victim for calling her sis-ter and not the police.

The law enforcement and jus-tice delivery require an urgentoverhaul. Ours is a system underwhich potential criminals feelemboldened to commit the mostviolent acts, believing that they canget away with it. This is one of thebiggest reasons why the number ofsuch crimes keeps increasing.

Madhu AgrawalDelhi

��

Sir — This refers to the editor-ial, “Crying shame” (December2). It was shocking to read aboutthe heinous gangrape and mur-der of a young veterinary doc-tor near Hyderabad. The crimemust be condemned unequivo-

cally and the culprits given theharshest punishment as per thelaw. As of now, no woman is safein our so-called democraticcountry and it looks nothing willchange if we utter ‘RIP’ for oneday for the victim.

A girl’s short outfit is not thereason for the crime, it’s thementality of the people. There’s

an urgent need for stricter laws,a time-frame to deal with suchcases and harshest punishmentfor the rapists. Panic buttons,free transport service for womenand other such measures will notbe enough to make the nationsafe for women.

Meghna ANew South Wales

��

Sir — This refers to the editorial,“Crying shame” (December 2). Itlooks like the conscience of thenation gets awakened only whena middle class educated girl is sex-ually assaulted, raped or mur-dered. This class conscious mind-set was once again exposed fol-lowing the brutal gang-rape of anurban veterinarian and thealleged culprits being lorry dri-vers. It is intriguing that when twopavement dwellers were kid-napped and gangraped by threemen in south Kolkata in broaddaylight, the “conscientious”brigade did not come out on thestreets with a “solemn” face or acandle in their hand.

Despite the registration ofinnumerable cases of rape in thelast two decades, conviction ratesremain low. Only when the admin-istration acts impartially and nabsthe rapists promptly with the judi-ciary being proactive in deliveringjustice, can an environment ofsecurity exist for the women.

Kajal AgrawalKolkata

� 1 � : � � � � � 9 � � 1 � � � � �

(((7#� !'/ �$""&7-�)�� !"#��$��J ��J ��)*�+��! ��!"#��$��"

"4�&"�� !�"#$%

�5

@��$��$�

�� 6 ��

&<��*��$�)*�)�<��#��#�)=�+��*��!$��)�)��)��#��1�#�!��*��+�*)��)��)��#��*��'��)*�*1*�� *F)��8�*�!��*��*1��*��**��*��1�#�!��*��#1*��)

��)��*��*��#��#��#��!�*�� *��!)��<�)�*��*��*��) ��!�)��(1E��*�1*�*��<��!��*��

��251��1K�#��E��'��8#�1��

��)*��*�#�+�**��+��)��)�2��!�#��)��*��)�� )��8�#�!��+��#�*��)*��$��!��8��8�)��1*�*��!� �

�9��1K��#��$*�

� � � � � � � �

� � � � � � � � � ��

��

��)��)�*��*��#�*��=�?'��+�)��!�@�A��!��.B ��*�8�)�)��+�*��#��1*�*��1)�+��+>��$��#�!1�#��1�+�<�*��#��*��

��#��# ��!��!1)*��#�!��#�1��:1�<��>��#�*��1�$��*)��+�<��*��)��)*�$1��)�!��*�1�#��*��8 ��!��8��*��1)�#�*��#�*��<��>*�!�8�)��)$��#>�1�#��+ ��8�!��#��<��$��#��+��<�)�*��*��#��+��!�!��L��1!��!�)��+��)*�8�!��*��1�*��))$��+�8�*��$�))��+�#��

�*�)��!)��)�*��1+��8)��#�*��*��*��)�8��8�)��*��!!�*��!�)��+��)*�8�!�� >�#��)��**�*1#�� 8>��!��*��+��)��#�*��*��#��$��E1)*��#��<��#��*��!��*��) ��*��1�*��)=��$��#�!1�#��*��)��!$��*>�#�)$��#��#�*��!�)*�)�<��$��*��)�+�<��*��*��1�$��*) ��#��=��8�<��=�)1��*��*��)�!��) &<��$��)�)��$��#��+��1��1�*)��*$��)��* ��)�)$��)��$��!��+�*��+1��*��*��*�*��)��$��*��1*��)��*��8 �

��)�)�!�*��+�#��$��8��+�8�*��1��)��*�

��*)��1*�=��)$��*��!��=��)��+��*1��+�1*�*��$��$�*��*��)��)1��<��*��!�) ��*��*��8)=��8��!��*��#�)�<��$1��)�!��*��1��!�)� �+��)*� 8�!�� (��)� $��$)� )��1�#� ��)�� *�1+�*�!��*��*)��)��#��+� ��+�*�$�*��+��+��#��)*��*)�)��1�#��*�+�*��

�1�0�2��3�9��2�1�2��

%��

��&��(��&�

�&'��5 ��'��&

�� '&��&�

4�&��&&�=%&��%5��F�

��5��(��5��

��&6��M��5�&%��%�

��(&&��(��

��&4�'��

�&��&��5�� &��F��(��

��&'��'5�4��&��&��

��6��&'��5�

�� >��1��7��2��1A53��9�3

�!� 0�� )��(��:1�*��(��)�*��*�1*�!1��*�� =��)��*��* ��(��8��*��!1��1)��1*1��

�=��43�<�1K��)��*��1��

�� *��$�&��+8$��&��4��$��+�$��&

��&��&��&��+��0��/� ��$�� + ��)��+��

�� 4� ��"��

'��*�#�8�*��!�*��)�)�*��*��+��<��)�*��*)��=��1!��*�!1)*��)��*8��$��#�)1��#��

!�9��6K��*��(1*��)

��&��

��

Politics is the art of making possible what wasonce seemingly impossible. This was provedto be true in Maharashtra as the country wit-

nessed how the BJP’s State unit, in its bid to holdon to power, was trying to break every rule in thebook to form a Government. These rule-breakerswere supported by certain sections of the media, who,instead of calling them out, were lauding such uncon-stitutional moves as “masterstrokes” and part ofChanakya Neeti (Chanakya’s strategies).

The coming together of the Shiv Sena, theNationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congressin an alliance is more to keep the State first and India’sConstitution above all else. Those who continue toraise doubts must realise that what was witnessedin this Maharashtra battle after the results weredeclared had little to do with political twists and turnsor ideology. It had more to do with the State, thecountry and its very foundation, democracy. Theway the BJP Government was secretly sworn in, earlyin the morning, without even cross-checking theparty’s claims of having the majority, raises questionson the role of various individuals who are relied uponto uphold the institutions entrusted to them.

It was surprising to learn how the Governorworked all through the night to install a Governmentwithout checking if the Chief Minister he was swear-ing in actually had the numbers that he was claim-ing to have. Those who said in his defence that itisn’t the Governor’s job to check, should first explainhow does it become a Governor’s job to clandestine-ly swear in a party while refusing to give time to oth-ers? It is time to seriously re-examine the Governor’sfunction in a democracy.

While Governors doing the bidding of theCentral Government has become a norm now, thebigger shock was the reduction of the President’soffice to the status of a “rubber stamp.” For thePresident to apply the rarely-used Rule 12 to do awaywith the need for the Union Cabinet’s approval torevoke the President’s Rule, was shocking. So hur-riedly was this done that the notification for the samewas uploaded without the President’s signature!

The country has seen similar cases in ArunachalPradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Meghalaya andKarnataka. This trend of every non-BJP Governmentthat has been formed, having to fight for their rightto govern by knocking on the Supreme Court’s (SC’s)doors, needs to be discouraged.

What this episode has shown to the nation isthat whenever our democracy has faced a simple test,all the institutions entrusted with the task ofupholding the principles of democracy crumbled andindividuals stood compromised. It took the SC tostep in and call the bluff of those who played a leadrole in subverting the Constitution, leading to theresignation of Devendra Fadnavis from the ChiefMinister’s post.

At a time, when the election results had all thepolitical parties precariously perched, it took the ShivSena president and now Maharashtra Chief Minister,Uddhav Thackeray, to call out the supposed invin-cibility of the BJP in shoring up numbers to forma Government — the saam, daam, dand, bhed(explain, bribe, punish, coerce) method the BJPproudly proclaims. After the BJP declared itsinability to form the Government when first invit-ed by the Governor, the Shiv Sena moved deftly anddiscussed possibilities for a coalition with the NCP

and the Congress. Keeping all differences aside, it took

the political will of NCP and Congressparty presidents, namely Sharad Pawarand Sonia Gandhi, to take a historic leapof faith and forge an alliance that wouldbe an alternative to the BJP Governmentin the State.

The other argument of different ide-ologies coming together to form aGovernment is also inherently incorrectbecause the three parties are committedto working on the basis of the CommonMinimum Programme they have formu-lated. Committed to the people of theState, it keeps the people of Maharashtrabefore all else. It is a framework that haskept the development of Maharashtra atthe forefront with no ambiguities what-soever. The Government’s top prioritywould be to ensure that farmers are lookedafter, the youth have job opportunities,women have safety, besides education,health and homes for all.

This coming together of the allianceis also a reality check for all those who havebeen building a political narrative to endall parties opposed to them, that will laterbe followed by decimating their alliancepartners.

This attempt to become a hegemon-ic political party has been thwarted byIndia and its people. Time and time again,our democracy has shown that there cannever be space for single-party dominanceand it is important to ensure that dissentand disagreement prevail. This alliance willnot just see the dynamics of the powerstructure change in the State but will alsosee a tectonic shift in the political dynam-ics of India. The coming together of theShiv Sena and the Congress to run aGovernment in a coalition may be a first.However, the history of cooperationbetween the two sides is well-document-ed. The Shiv Sena had supported the

Congress’ Murli Deora for mayoral elec-tions and also backed the UPA’s presiden-tial candidates Pranab Mukherjee andPratibha Patil.

The bond between former CongressChief Minister AR Antulay and the lateBalasaheb Thackeray was well-known andAntulay had once referred to himself asa Shiv Sainik. Balasaheb held IndiraGandhi in high regard. Shiv Sena had alsohailed the introduction of computers inthe country which was vehementlyopposed by the BJP.

Shiv Sena was also very vocal on thedemonetisation move, the agrarian crisisand some aspects of the Goods andServices Tax (GST). While being inalliance with the BJP at the Centre, it didfind common ground with the Congress.For the Sena, their politics has been aboutputting the people first.

Though the NCP and the Shiv Senahave never worked together politically butthe presidents of both the parties and theirfamilies have been very close friends. In2006, when Supriya Sule was to contest forthe Rajya Sabha, Balasaheb chose not tofield any candidate against her.

When Uddhav Thackeray was to besworn in, Supriya in a tweet had acknowl-edged how she would miss both Balasaheband Meenatai Thackeray on the momen-tous day. The two most-important region-al players have come together to ensurethat Maharashtra gets the governance thatit deserves.

The party that would truly need tointrospect its strategy is the BJP. WhilePrime Minister Narendra Modi continuesto enjoy immense popularity amongst thepeople, his party’s unholy greed for poweris not appreciated. Devendra Fadnavispulling in the PM’s office in his power-grabbid was unfortunate and misleading.Fadnavis leading the walk-out of the BJPfrom the Assembly on the day of the trust

vote, after repeatedly rushing into the Wellof the House and sloganeering, was indirect contrast to what Modi had said onConstitution Day.

The BJP’s conduct in Maharashtraafter elections has been arrogant andbrazen. Some grace and humility now asan Opposition party in the State wouldhelp them regain their lost credibility.When today the BJP accuses others oflacking numbers and merit, it has to lookback on its history of formingGovernments in other States despite nothaving the numbers.

As the BJP sees its hold shrink in var-ious States from 71 per cent in December2017 to 40 per cent in November 2019, itsurely needs to introspect its politicalmanoeuvres that are coming at theexpense of diluting all it stood for and los-ing its long-standing allies.

Those who say that the alliance willnot last are yet again making a “master-stroke” of a mistake. Those who rush tosay this alliance will go the Karnataka waybarely understand the ground realities ofthe State. In Karnataka, the alliance wasnot what the local leaders wanted.However, in Maharashtra it was the win-ning MLAs of all the three parties, bar-ring a few, who overwhelmingly wantedthe parties to come together and are com-mitted to working towards a stableGovernment.

This alliance has to last as it paves theway for the tenets of democracy to thriveand to retain the balance of power. Themajority vote on the floor of the Househas shown the stability of thisGovernment; the CM’s decisions onAarey Metro Car shed and his speechesin the Assembly have shown this allianceGovernment’s intent. It is going to be aGovernment of the people, by the peopleand for the people of Maharashtra. (The writer is a senior Shiv Sena leader)

:�� +�� 0��0��,��*,��&��+��-�� /� ��!��$��+��4�:��&��$��0��&��

��#7)&) �8� � � � � � � � � � �

� /� $�89�4&�(��$��%&/& �"

:��

��8��>*��>��*��$�*�#�+��8*��2$�)�)�)�<��+�$)��*��1�#��)*��#��+��*��4�

��#��*)��)*��+�#�<�)��

��:��

B��$��=��1��D�E��"��AF-C��D�?��*��

"��2��(��"��1��&�� -.�� #�� &��#��#��%��$��A%�$C��(��+��"�� "��AF.C��F-��?��

7��F.��F-��D�?��3�� !��2��1��A!21C��9��:��(�� 5�� !21&��1��E�.��

1��!21��&��-/.<��-/.<��"�� (2��5��+�� A 25+C��(��#��F-�� >�.��8#�+��"��

%��(�� !21�� +�� (�� 0�� &�� !21��3��(�� (��9��:��

*�� !21�� .,?��-//<(/G��+�� D-?��)�� (�� )��E�.��(��%��./( ��(��

H��3�� $�� +��A3$+C�� ?/��H��3��H��AH3H�C��#�� %��&��(��+��&��

H��431�� B�� #��(��

#��&�� (��%�$��#�%��*��#��A%*#C��(��H�� (�� (�� F- �� %��

#�� "�� 1��&��"�� #�� (� ��!21��

A�� C

�� !�"#$%

(((7#� !'/ �$""&7-�)

#*� ��& &&&��*�/��!�� #�� #;��*� �*,� �� #*!�

/��)��> * �� ,)*��#� �B�=�#�

�� >!#��)�

+��*##� � ��"/� � ��*�,*+#�� =��/�*�)� ��*�,*+ �� B��#��=�"��!

Irony has died a thousanddeaths.” This statement by AqsaSheikh, a transwoman doctor

and medical college teacher, right-ly sums up the Transgender Persons(Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019, thatwas ratified by the Rajya Sabharecently.

The Bill was moved by theSocial Justice and EmpowermentMinister Thawar Chand Gehlot onNovember 20, which is globallycommemorated as the TransgenderDay of Remembrance, in memoryof people murdered as a result oftransphobia. The Pride Parade, heldon November 24 to protest againstsome contentious provisions of theBill, received no acknowledgementfrom the Upper House and gotpassed after two days, ironically on

Constitution Day. The Bill has beencontested and criticised from theday it was drafted and passed in theLok Sabha, as, among other things,the community is miffed over theprovision that mandates that ascreening committee certify a per-son’s trans-status.

“If we want a trans-ID, we willhave to approach a screening com-mittee, which is full of cisgenderpeople”, says Grace Banu, a trans-rights activist from Tamil Nadu.

Shanthi Muniswamy, a memberof the community says, “How can ascreening committee be authorisedto confirm whether or not I am atransgender?”

Mridul, a transman, activistand member of a queer-feminist col-lective says it is even more difficultto get legal documents to reflect atransperson’s gender identity. “Mybirth documents certify me as afemale but I want them to identifyme as a male because I am a man.But as per this Bill, I can’t get thatdone unless I have had a SexReassignment Surgery. Then, some-one else will determine whether Ican be a man or not”, says Mridul.

While pointing to the minor’sright of residence, Mridul says,“For transgenders, the family isusually a source of trauma and vio-lence. As per the Bill, any transgen-der person below 18 years of age willhave to live with their natal families,failing which, they will be admittedto a rehabilitation centre, a place tomodify delinquent behaviour. Howdemeaning and unfair is that.”

The Bill treats sexual harass-ment, assault and violence againsthomosexuals and heterosexuals dif-ferently. But more than that, what

shocks the community is the factthat the maximum punishment fora sexual offence against a transgen-der is two years of imprisonment asagainst a minimum of seven yearsof jail for sexual assault on a woman.In cases of sexual assault or gender-based violence, any punishment ofless than three years is bailable at thepolice station. The person doesn’teven have to go to court to get bailafter assaulting a transperson. It isa mockery of the Constitution,” saysChisty Nag, a student at the TataInstitute of Social Science and a

member of the community. None of the sticky issues regard-

ing provisions related to the right ofself-identification, the narrow def-inition of family, sex work or sen-sitisation, have been addressed, dis-cussed or amended in the Bill.

This toothless Bill has alsodampened the hope which the ver-dict in the National Legal ServicesAuthority 2014 vs Union of Indiacase gave to the community. Theprovisions of this Bill and theSupreme Court’s verdict stand instark contrast. Whereas the apexcourt’s ruling gave the LGBTQs theright of self-identification, this Billhas made the community dependenton certification by a system whichis full of insensitivity and apathytowards transgenders.

This Constitution Day couldhave become a milestone in the longhistory of the struggle of the com-munity for transgender rights.Lawmakers could have gifted thetrans-citizens of India an empower-ing Bill, or at least held some much-needed deliberations over the con-tested provisions. But, as the Bill waspassed in the Rajya Sabha without

any consideration or acknowledge-ment of the concerns of the protest-ing community, it is now time toask, kaanoon logo ke liye hai, ya logkaanoon ke liye (Is the law for thepeople or vice versa)?

“The Bill violates several consti-tutional freedoms and it can be chal-lenged in court”, says Bittu KR, atrans-activist who works with theTelangana Transgender Hijra Samiti.

But the question is why has thelegislature left the community tofight a long legal battle all overagain? They have been fighting fordecades to be recognised as a partof our society, and when we havelawfully accepted them to be our cit-izens, then why this discriminato-ry and apathetic Bill which claimsto be a Bill of Rights but doesn’trecognise the dilemma that it cre-ates for the transcommunity? Whyis this system treating passing of arights Bill as a favour? Where is theresponsibility involved in makingprovisions for someone who has toadhere by it every day?

(The writer is a postgraduatescholar, Department of PoliticalScience, University of Delhi)

��&��+� ��

�� !��"�� "� ��!� �

��9�

�� 2�

��1*�N9�$��*��8�1�#>��*��)*)��!�>+��8� ��)��4�)1=4��*��F)�!�)*�)��1�*��>*��)!��=��*�#=�8��*�*��1�*��8�1�#��*��!��?$��)�*��*�+��*�8��#)!��)��1)��=�!��)��!��*��#�!��#1��*��A*��*B��!1��!��*��#��<��#�8�<��*��*��$��+��#�)*�*��)��1��*��$$��*1)$1*�*�+�*�� @��)��8�)�8��#)=��1*�1��*1��*��*��1�*��)��8��F*��)*��)��F)�+��1��*>��*��8��*��)��*��

A�� #�*��B

4&��(�&��(%�'��&� ��&��

��&�� &��&��5��

��'�� (&��3��3�

�5�4��5��

(�&��&%��

�� 3��3�=��

��'�� &��

�&'��

�& �6��=��

�� (�� &%��

��=4��(��%� =

�&&6�� (�5

��'&��(

�&(��&%��

��'&��&

&�3��(�& ��

��4��(&6��

�� !�"#$% +"�$7:�

��>��)��!#��)*+�*/�)��4��@ �3��+�=��2��1*�<��*��*��<��*��+��#��& ��(��*��+��>��/9�*��<�!��.9-O ��*��))1!��+�*��#��)��$��& ��(��*��+��>�=��8�))��<��+��)�*��#�� )*��+��>�� +��)��*��*��)��2*��)�<��2$��8��+��*��$�8��)��*�� *��:1��+��)*��))��+��+�#�+��!��<��)�*�=��)*��*�#��)��!��'��#�E��#�& ��(��*��*�*��*�!��*)��!�*�� )��2*��)�<��2$��)!�))��'��)*�1�*��D�!$C��*��=��*��*��#��E��*��*��+��*� ��8�)��)*�1!��*��*��)*�1�*��)�<��$��)*�+��1)�$��E��*)��& ��(��)1��)�6�'�1)�1��#��1�#��)!�))��)*�!

��C%&�' *�+�� C�� *��,,��4��@ ��-0*��#�*��$��2�.9-O�K *��*��*��2��*��#�'��1�$=��$��#��#��#1)*��)�8��8��2$��*��2��*��)��#��1)��))�#��+�*�)��)��*��)��+��+��)�#�#1��+��!��/>I=�.9-O��*��8��)*�1�*�#!�#��2��*��)��*��*��*��2��*��#�'��<��*��'��*��A��''B��!$��2��*��+�*��#�� '�<��+��<��/7999�): !*�) �+��))��*��8��)*�1�*�#��'��)�A� � ��/(%=��0�(%=�04(%��#��7(%B��+8�*��2�)*��+��)�N�*��-.�=��$��2�.9-O��)��+��+��)�#��")��<��#��<�*��!�*�# �&*��$��!��*��!��+�*��#�$��*��)��*�*��)��8��)*�1�*�#��)��P��1!��1!��2*�1)��2$��.9-O�A��!��-.>-7=��/(%B=�P��(��))��+��2$��.9-O�A��!��-.>-7=��7(%B=�P��)��#� ��#�8)��2$��A��!��-.>-7=��0�(%B=��'��'��.9-OA��!��-O>..=��0�(%B��#��6�Q&�A��!��.9>..=��/(%=��0�(%B

:�!�*�� =�� >�� ;��,�!��4 ��@ ��$��*!��*�� !��#�'��#��<��$!��*(�<��!��*��'��#��1��#�*��!$��+�?�1$�)��*��6��)��*��@K �1��#��+��*��*��*��+�*��*�1�6��#��$*��=�*��)�!��8��*�#��!�.��#�� *��N�*�� .9-O��#��*��!$��!��**��+)��$�)��!��?��#��*��*�1�6��#��5�E��@�!��*�<��#��))��>�� +��!��8�)��1��#��*��*��*��$��*!��*=��4��)��#��1+1��)$��8�)�#��<��#=��1)��+��*��)�+��!$��!��*�*��*��)��!��+8�*��*��*��*�<�)"��*�<�*��)�*��1�#��*��*�#��*��<��=�#1��+*��!$��+��8��)��+��+�*�#�#1��+�*��1+1��$��+��!!�

��;��,��>� *�,�� *+�,,)�,�*,*��4��@ ��'��*��(�<��!��*��)�*��)*��#��)��*�+��*��8��)��$��+�*)�*��!��*��09��)�#��*)��-G/-��1*��)�#�'��)��8��*��'��*��$$��<�#*��+1��*��)��*)�!��*��+��#��&�*��./=�.9-O��*��)��+��# ��#��$��+��1��=��)*��*�*��A�"'B��1)��+��#��)=�(�<��!��*��#��1��#�*��$��*��./�#��<�!��=�.9-O�*��#��#�#��*��*��1�#��)��1��1*��)�#��)��#�)��)1++�)*��)"��#��!�*��)�#��*)� ��))��*��)��*��)��1*��)�#�'��)�8�*��-7�#��)��!�*��#�*��1$��#��+��!�$)"��1�#��)�1$��#�#��*��$��*�� #��+��=�8�*��<��8�*��+��*��+��8��)��$��+�*)�*��*��)�#��*)��-G/-�1��1*��)�#��)��*�!�>��1�#!��=�*��<��$!��*��1*��*��)��)*��)��#��#�!�#��1��*��.7��$��)�)��*�<��1)��*��)��!�9. -. .9-O�*��*�*��#��#��))��))�)*��!��*��8��)��$��+�*) �&��)"��)��<��#�$��#��*��$��)��#�$��<�#�#�8�*��:1�)�*��)*�1�*1��#�8��8�*��

��+,� �� ,*/�� +*�/��/��*/��4��@ ��$$��*��)��<��)��#��#�*��*��*��)��)=��!��*��%��)=��1��#�&��1��+��!��.�#��1+1)*=�.9-O��*!��*��-=999��#��!��*)��*��*��>/0�D�/7=��#��*��(>.�D�!$C�(>N=��%��)*�'�!��%��)*��<��4�)�)�*��*��+��*��8��#��)"8��8�#�8)=�$��)��)�8��<��E1��#"#�)��#�#1��+�*��*��"8��!��!�=��<�=��%��=��>��*��%��)��*��)1�)�#�;�#��*��G��) ��)��#<��*�)�#�*��)��!��*��1+��#<��*�)�!��*��8)$�$��)��#�#�)*��1*��$�)*��)��!��+�*��$��)��'��*��!�#��%��A'�%B�'�!$=�'��*��!��*��*� ��$1��;��+�*��!� ��!��)��)��*�!�*�#�*��*��*��)��)*��=��)*��!��)��#��*��=��$��*!��*��2>��<��!��F)� ��8�*��:1�)*�*��+��8�#��$1��*� ��)$��)��*��*��!��)��1��+��+��#�)*��*�#�$��+�1$�!�!��*1! ��)��8=�-..��*)��<��#��*��*��+�*�#��)��#�*��<�)*��*�#�#�$�)�*��+�*��!�1�*�*�8��#)�*��)*��*��)��*) �))�))��)��)��*��<��)1��*��#�$�)�*��+��#1�) ��)��!��)��$��#�#��!�� =��!��8��$��*��)*��)*)

� ��

Finance Minister NirmalaSitharaman in the Lok

Sabha on Monday said thegovernment’s decision toreduce corporate tax rate wasaimed at attracting investmentand creating jobs.

The government’s decisionwas also necessary to attractinvestment from multi-nation-al companies, which are want-ing to shift operations fromChina in view of ongoing Sino-US trade war, she said whilemoving the Taxation Laws(Amendment) Bill, 2019 forconsideration and passage.

The Bill seeks to replace theOrdinance which was promul-gated by the President in

September.The government through

the ordinance reduced the cor-porate tax rate from 30 per centto 22 per cent, and for newmanufacturing companies to15 per cent. The companiesopting for lower tax rates, how-ever, will not be entitled toclaim any rebate or deductions.

“We think we will attractinvestment by reducing taxrate”, she said while stressingthat several neighbouringcountries and emerging nationshave reduced tax rates to attractinvestment.

She further said that withreduction of corporate tax rate,the effective rate will comedown to 25.17 per cent from34.94 per cent.

The effective tax rate fornew manufacturing compa-nies, which will be entitled for15 per cent rate would be17.16 per, she said.

Beside other things, the billhas also provided a negative listof businesses which will not beentitled for concessional taxrate of 15 per cent.

The companies engagedin development of computersoftware mining, convertingmarble blocks into slabs, bot-tling of gas cylinder, printing ofbooks and cinematographicfilm will not be treated a newmanufacturing entities for thepurpose of concessional tax.

The government, she said,has also partially rolled backthe surcharge announced in thebudget to attract investmentfrom the foreign portfolioinvestors (FPIs).

�5�� <� �� #"!� � �$��%"�#"

� ��

Gross direct tax collectionincreased by 5 per cent till

November, Finance MinisterNirmala Sitharaman said onMonday as she allayed fears ofcorporate tax reductionimpacting revenue collection.

Replying to a debate onTaxation Law AmendmentBill, 2019 in the Lok Sabha,the minister categorically saidthere is no decrease in directtax collection. In fact, there isan increase of 5 per cent in thegross direct tax collection tillNovember this fiscal, she said.

Historically, maximumcollection of direct taxes hap-pens in the last quarter of thefiscal, she added. The mainobjective of the reduction incorporate tax was aimed atattracting fresh investment inthe manufacturing sector.

New Delhi: Micro, small andmedium enterprises (MSMEs)have created 11 crore jobs andthe target is to generate anadditional 5 crore employmentopportunities by 2024, UnionMinister Nitin Gadkari said inthe Rajya Sabha on Monday.

“MSME is the heart of thesubject which is related withthe growth of the country.Presently 29 per cent growth iscoming from MSME and 49per cent of the export of thecountry is coming fromMSME. 11 crore jobs up tillnow have been created byMSME,” MSME ministerGadkari said.

“For this five year (2019-2024), we have taken pro-grammes, where our target isto” add 5 crore employmentpotential, he added. The targetis also increase the share ofMSMEs in the country’s exportand growth to 50 per cent,Gadkari said. PTI

2��!��" <� ��" ��"��)&�'=��%��5

(�<*��!)�*��+��*��##�*��7��E��$$��*1��*��)��)�)��*��

� �� 4��

Market gauges Sensex andNifty closed on a flat note

after a see-saw trade onMonday as losses in auto andprivate bank stocks offset rallyin telecom counters.

Investors turned cautiousweighing weak GDP numbersand continued drop in auto-mobile sales, bringing bankingand auto sector stocks underpressure.

Besides, participants alsotook a defensive stance aheadof Reserve Bank’s monetarypolicy meet.

After a volatile day of trad-ing, the 30-share BSE Sensexclosed marginally higher by8.36 points or 0.02 per cent at40,802.17. The index swungbetween a high of 41,093.99and a low of 40,707.63 duringthe day.

On the other hand, thebroader NSE Nifty settled 7.85points or 0.07 per cent down at12,048.20.

On the Sensex chart, BhartiAirtel emerged as the biggestgainer with a rise of 3.67 percent. Reliance Industries, par-ent firm of RJio, rose 2.28 percent.

Shares of telecom compa-nies surged on the back of newtariff plans announced by theoperators to be effective fromDecember 3 onwards.

Another operatorVodafone Idea too saw its

shares close over 14 per cent atRs 7.79 per unit on the BSE.The stock rose 22.63 per centto Rs 8.40 on the NSE.

Apart from Airtel and RIL,other top Sensex gainers wereAsian Paints, Kotak Bank andMahindra and Mahindra.

On the other hand, Yesbank was the biggest loser inthe pack, dropping 6.22 percent. It was followed by BajajFinance, ONGC, Sun Pharma,Maruti Suzuki and TechMahindra — falling up to 3 percent. Subdued sales numbers ofautomobile companies led tofall in their shares.

Sectorally, telecom

emerged as the top performingBSE index, surging over 2.64per cent. Other sectoral gain-ers on the BSE were energy,metal and basic materials, ris-ing up to 1.28 per cent

On the other hand, auto, ITand healthcare indices wit-nessed decline. Of the 19 sec-toral indices, 4 ended in thegreen and 15 in the red.

“Despite positive sentimentin the global market due to bet-ter-than-expected manufac-turing data in China, domesticmarket traded range-boundon account of weak GDP, autosales and ahead the RBI’s mon-etary policy this week.

��

New Delhi: Shares of telecomcompanies on Monday surgedon the back of new tariff plansannounced by the operators tobe effective from December 3onwards. Shares of VodafoneIdea closed at �7.79 apiece, up14.06 per cent, on the BSE.During the day, the stock hit ahigh of �8.49, a jump of over 24per cent. The stock appreciat-ed 13.87 per cent to �7.80 onthe NSE. Intra-day, the stock price varied between�7.50 to �8.80, zooming over28 per cent. PTI

� ��

Shares of automobile com-panies tumbled as much as

2.59 per cent on Monday afterthey posted subdued salesnumbers for November.

The country’s largest car-maker Maruti Suzuki Indiasaw its shares fall 1.77 per centto �7,121.20 on the BSE and1.61 per cent to �7,129 on theNSE. Tata Motors ended 0.28per cent lower at �161 on theBSE, while it fell 0.43 per centto �160.80 on the NSE.

:��&��&-�$��-�

1�� (��(�!��$$��%"#)"�� "�

� �� 4��

The slowdown is deeper thananticipated and will be pro-

longed, ratings agency Crisilwarned on Monday slashing itsgrowth estimate sharply to alow 5.1 per cent from 6.3 percent earlier.

The agency attributed thesharp revision to various high-frequency indicators showing asoftness and partly blamed thesame to the reforms like GST,real estate regulation, and thebankruptcy code which arestill a “drag” on the economywhich is yet to adjust to thechanges unveiled years before.

The Crisil’s estimate isamong the lowest, but stillabove Japanese brokerageNomura’s 4.7 per cent forecast.

The Reserve Bank, which isscheduled to review of themonetary policy on Thursday,had in the October reviewlowered its forecast to 6.1 percent — down a full 90 bps fromits August forecast.

Given the gathering storm,the monetary authority is wide-ly expected to slash its rates fur-ther — after five successive ratecuts to the tune of 135 bps,bring down the policy rates toa nine-year low of 5.45 per cent.

Official data releasedFriday showed the Septemberquarter GDP hitting a 26-quar-

ter low of 4.5 per cent, pencil-ing the first half growth at a low4.75 per cent.

“The economy is goingthrough a deeper-than- antic-ipated slowdown, as weaknessin the real sector and stress inthe financial sector feed intoeach other,” the Crisil reportsaid.

“Key short-term indica-tors like industrial production,merchandise exports, bankcredit off-take, tax mop-ups,freight movement, and elec-tricity production, all point toa weakening growth momen-tum,” the report underlined.

However, it expects a“mild” pick-up in growth in thesecond half.”Growth in the sec-ond half will go up to 5.5 percent, up from 4.75 per cent inthe first half,” it said.

The note said a dip infixed investment and weak pri-vate consumption growth arethe main drags on the demandside, and that it is Governmentconsumption that has sup-ported growth in the first half,but capex spending on infra-structure like highways, ship-ping, power and affordablehousing was slower till August.

Private consumptiongrowth, benefiting from a weakbase, printed higher in Q2 butthe pace of growth nearlyhalved year-on-year.

� ��

The country’s manufacturingsector activity inched up in

November, but the upturnremained subdued as growthrates for new orders as well asproduction were modest, amonthly survey said onMonday.

The IHS Markit IndiaManufacturing PMI rose to51.2 in November from 50.6 inOctober, when it had fallen toa two-year low, indicating onlya slight improvement in the

health of the sector.Although business condi-

tions in the Indian manufac-turing sector improved inNovember, the rise, however,remained subdued compared to earlier this yearand the survey history, thestudy said.

This is the 28th consecutivemonth that the manufacturingPMI has remained above the50-point mark. In PMI par-lance, a print above 50 meansexpansion, while a score belowthat denotes contraction.

� ��

Employees in India areexpected to see 9.2 per cent

salary growth in 2020, highestin Asia, but inflation may playa spoiler as real-wage salariesin the country is anticipated tobe just 5 per cent, a report saidon Monday.

According to Korn FerryGlobal Salary Forecast, India’ssalary growth for 2020 stood at9.2 per cent down from 10 percent last year, while real-wageafter adjusting inflation mayremain constant at 5 per centin 2020. The report added thatIndia has emerged as the leaderof salary growth projection inAsia.

“India has posted a stronggrowth despite real wages tak-ing a hit globally. With currenteconomic scenario and pro-gressive reforms by the gov-ernment, there is a sense ofcautious optimism across sec-tors in India that continues toshow high salary increments,”Korn Ferry India Chairmanand Regional ManagingDirector Navnit Singh said.

� ��

The Government onMonday said there is no

proposal to reduce taxes onpetrol and diesel. FinanceMinister Nirmala Sitharamantold the Lok Sabha that nowhere in the world do theprices of petrol and dieselremain steady for a particularperiod of time. To a query onwhether petrol and dieselwould be brought under theGoods and Services Tax (GST)regime, she said that in a way,they are already under thezero rate category of the GST.The rates have to be decided bythe GST Council, she noted.

The council, chaired bythe Union Finance Minister,has ministers in-charge offinance or taxation.

“At present, there is noproposal to reduce taxes onpetrol and diesel,” Sitharamansaid in response to a questionon whether the Governmentproposes to reduce taxes so thatprices of petrol and dieselwould come down.

� ��

More than 3.38 lakh com-panies were struck-off

from official records in the lasttwo financial years for failing tosubmit annual returns, accord-ing to the government.

The Corporate AffairsMinistry has removed thenames of these companies fortheir failure to file annualreturns for two or more finan-cial years continuously.

Minister of State forCorporate Affairs AnuragSingh Thakur told the LokSabha on Monday that theministry through its RoCs(Registrar of Companies) filesprosecutions against companies that have not filedfinancial statements from timeto time.

Mumbai: The Indian rupee onMonday settled 8 paise higherat 71.66 against the US dollaramid participants hopingReserve Bank will go for anoth-er rate cut in the ensuing RBIpolicy review meet this week.

Forex traders said thedomestic currency openedweak as investors traded cau-tiously after India’s Q2 GDPgrowth dipped to an over six-yr low of 4.5 per cent, but dur-ing the day, the local unit gath-ered strength.

At the interbank foreignexchange, the rupee openedweak at 71.78 a dollar butsoon gathered strength to toucha high of 71.62 before finallysettling at 71.66, up 8 paise overits last closing. PTI

� �� 4��

The National Company LawTribunal (NCLT) on

Monday admitted the ReserveBank’s petition to initiate insol-vency proceedings againstmortgage player DHFL, mak-ing it the first financial servicesfirm to be resolved through thebankruptcy code.

The move came in after theReserve Bank last Fridayreferred DHFL to the NCLTMumbai to resolve the debt cri-sis at the third largest pure-playmortgage player, which owesclose to Rs 1 lakh crore to thesystem, mostly to banks andretail investors of its debtinstruments.

Admitting the petition, atwo-member NCLT bench ofMK Shrawat and ChandraBhan Singh said, “the petitiondeserves admission” withoutfixing the date for next hearing.

However, the bench wasquick to add, “we are not say-ing it is a fit case or not. But isthere another point of view.This should not have a domi-no effect,” as this is the firstfinancial services companycoming up for debt resolutionthrough the NCLT route.

Ravi Kadam, the counselrepresenting the RBI, saidunder Section 227 of the IBC(notified only on November

15), if the Reserve Bank foundit necessary it could notify afinancial institution for insol-vency.

He further stated that theregulator had appointed RSubramaniakumar, a formerhead of the state-run IndianOverseas Bank, as the admin-istrator of DHFL on November20 when it had superseded itsboard.

Kadam also said the tri-bunal needs to appointSubramaniakumar as theadministrator/resolution pro-fessional for the company, cit-ing the provision of Section 227which has empowered the RBIto appoint the administrator forNBFC/HFC.

Following the appointmentof the administrator, the RBIhad on November 22 alsoappointed a three-memberpanel comprising IDFC FirstBank non-executive chairmanRajiv Lall, ICICI Prudential Lifemanaging director NS Kannanand mutual fund body Amfichief executive NS Venkatesh asadvisors to assistSubramaniakumar in the oper-ations of DHFL during theinsolvency resolution process.

Kadam said once the caseis admitted, it will be open forRBI to continue with the samecommittee of advisors orappoint others.

New Delhi: Loans worth $14billion (about �1,000 crore)provided to real estate firms bybanks, NBFCs and housingfinance companies (HFCs) areunder “severe stress” and fac-ing issues of debt servicing,according to a report.

“Over 62 per cent or about$58 billion of the total loanadvances ($93 billion) to Indianreal estate by banks andNBFCs/HFCs is currently com-pletely stress-free,” Anarocksaid in a statement. Another 22per cent (about $21 billion) is

under some pressure but canpotentially be resolved. Thestress on this segment is large-ly on recovery of interest andnot on principal amount.

“$14 billion (or merely 16per cent) of overall lending toIndian real estate is under‘severe’ stress, meaning thatthere has been high leveragingby the concerned developerswho have either limited orextremely poor visibility ofdebt servicing due to a combi-nation of factors,” the consul-tant said. PTI

;�<�5$�!��$��5% !#"&�%$#"&��"�"&"��&"��.�)�'&"�%!�� $�#"��%!�*��"/�&�

�� &$��(A��%��&��2435

�!� 0��# �� $�" �� %�&�$�� "��,��%"#)"�

� � ��"��!� # &��"�)&�>?�=��8�8��",��

�� $&��)��

� "!$"��$�"�)&��, ��"��@A�3��,�� &�#""��

��>:�� /��7�(>+��-�$��& ��&��

&<��/ /N��!)#��+�)*��#��)*�.��)H�(�<*

+"�$7::�� !�"#$%

��)F��$��*��+��*��.9-G>-N�8�)�8��)*��-9��)H�'�(� ��

The Indian Railways’recorded an operating

ratio of 98.44 per cent in2017-18 which is the worst inthe previous 10 years, theComptroller and AuditorGeneral (CAG) has said in areport tabled in Parliament onMonday.

A measure of expenditureagainst revenue, the operatingratio shows how efficiently therailway is operating and howhealthy its finances are. Anoperating of 98.44 per centmeans that the Railways spent

� 98.44 to earn Rs 100.The national auditor in its

report on the railways’finances, said that the railwayswould have ended up with anegative balance of � 5,676.29crore instead of a surplus of �1,665.61 crore but for theadvance received from NTPCand IRCON.

“The Indian Railways’operating ratio at 98.44 percent in 2017-18 was the worstin the last 10 years,” thenational auditor, Comptrollerand Auditor General (CAG),said in a report tabled inParliament on Monday.

“Exclusion of this advancewould other wise haveincreased the operating ratioto 102.66 per cent,” the audi-tor said.

The Railways has alsobeen unable to meet its oper-ational cost of passenger ser-vices and other coaching ser-vices. Almost 95 per cent ofthe profit from freight trafficwas utilised to compensate forthe loss on operation of pas-senger and other coachingservices, it said.

The audit analysis of thefinance accounts of IndianRailways revealed a declining

trend of revenue surplus andthe share of internal resourcesin capital expenditure. The netrevenue surplus decreased by66.10 per cent from � 4,913.00crore in 2016-17 to � 1,665.61crore in 2017-18.

The share of internalresources in total capitalexpenditure also decreased to3.01 per cent in 2017-18.

“This had resulted ingreater dependence on GrossBudgetary Support and ExtraBudgetary Resources,” theCAG said.

The CAG also recom-mended that railways need to

take steps to augment theirinternal revenues, so thatdependence on gross andextra budgetary resources iscontained.

“Under provisioning fordepreciation is resulting in pil-ing up of ‘throw forward’ ofworks concerning renewal ofover aged assets. There is anurgent need to address thisbacklog and ensure timelyreplacement and renewal ofold assets,” it said.

It also advised the rail-ways to avoid creating newfunds without any “justifi-able reason”.

��#��F)�!�+�)��*��*�<�*��+��8*��)1$��<C��1*��!��)�)1�#1�#� ��

The country’s manufacturing sectoractivity inched up in November, but

the upturn remained subdued as growthrates for new orders as well as productionwere modest, a monthly survey said onMonday. The IHS Markit IndiaManufacturing PMI rose to 51.2 inNovember from 50.6 in October, when ithad fallen to a two-year low, indicatingonly a slight improvement in the health ofthe sector.

Although business conditions in theIndian manufacturing sector improved inNovember, the rise, however, remainedsubdued compared to earlier this year andthe survey history, the study said.

This is the 28th consecutive monththat the manufacturing PMI has remainedabove the 50-point mark. In PMI parlance,

a print above 50 means expansion, whilea score below that denotes contraction.

“After pulling back noticeably inOctober, manufacturing sector growth dis-played a welcoming acceleration inNovember. Still, rates of expansion in fac-tory orders, production and exportsremained far away from those recorded atthe start of 2019, with subdued underly-ing demand largely blamed for this,” saidPollyanna de Lima, Principal Economistat IHS Markit. According to the survey,growth of manufacturing activity inNovember was supported by the launch ofnew products and better demand, thoughrestrained by competitive pressures andunstable market conditions.

“Some level of uncertainty regardingthe economy was evident by a subdueddegree of business optimism. Also, com-panies shed jobs for the first time in over

a year-and a-half and there was anotherround of reduction in input buying,”Lima said. Lima further noted that theweakness of these forward-looking indi-cators suggest that firms are bracingthemselves for challenging times ahead.

On the inflation front, there were onlymarginal increases in both input costs andoutput charges in November.

“PMI data continued to show a lack ofinflationary pressures in the sector which,combined with slow economic growth,suggests that the RBI will likely extend itsaccommodative policy stance and furtherreduce the benchmark interest rate duringDecember,” Lima said. The Reserve Bankmay cut interest rates for the sixth straighttime on December 5 to support growththat has continued to slip to more than six-year low on slump in manufacturing,bankers and experts said.

�1*��)*��)��$��<�)��)New Delhi (PTI): Shares ofmajor automobile companiesfell on Monday on the back ofpoor show in November salesdata. Maruti Suzuki India stockfell 1.18 per cent to � 7,164.20on the BSE and 1.31 per cent to� 7,151.20 on the NSE.

Tata Motors was downmarginally by 0.12 per cent toRs 161.25 on the BSE and 0.05per cent to Rs 161.45 on theNSE.

Mahindra & Mahindra(M&M) stock dropped 1.15 percent to � 523.95 in early tradeon the BSE. Later on, it recov-ered the losses to trade 0.21 percent up at � 531.15. On theNSE, the stock was trading 0.01per cent down at � 530.50.

Bajaj Auto registered adecline of 0.54 per cent.

3" �# �(�$ �$"��"!�� A�"�" �#�� (�� &� �� 4��

Market gauges Sensex andNifty closed on a flat

note after a see-saw trade onMonday as losses in auto andprivate bank stocks offsetrally in telecom counters.

Investors turned cautiousweighing weak GDP numbersand continued drop in auto-mobile sales, bringing bank-ing and auto sector stocksunder pressure.

Besides, participants alsotook a defensive stance aheadof Reserve Bank’s monetarypolicy meet.

After a volatile day oftrading, the 30-share BSESensex closed marginallyhigher by 8.36 points or 0.02per cent at 40,802.17. Theindex swung between a highof 41,093.99 and a low of40,707.63 during the day.

On the other hand, thebroader NSE Nifty settled7.85 points or 0.07 per centdown at 12,048.20.

On the Sensex chart,Bharti Airtel emerged as thebiggest gainer with a rise of3.67 per cent . Rel ianceIndustries, parent firm ofRJio, rose 2.28 per cent.

Shares of telecom com-panies surged on the back ofnew tariff plans announcedby the operators to be effec-t ive f rom December 3

onwards.Another operator

Vodafone Idea too saw itsshares close over 14 per centat � 7.79 per unit on the BSE.The stock rose 22.63 per centto � 8.40 on the NSE.

Apart from Airtel andRIL, other top Sensex gainerswere Asian Paints, KotakBank and Mahindra andMahindra.

On the other hand, Yesbank was the biggest loser inthe pack, dropping 6.22 percent. It was followed by BajajFinance, ONGC, SunPharma, Maruti Suzuki andTech Mahindra - falling up to3 per cent.

Subdued sales numbers ofautomobile companies led tofall in their shares.

Sectoral ly, te lecomemerged as the top perform-ing BSE index, surging over2.64 per cent. Other sectoralgainers on the BSE were ener-gy, metal and basic materials,rising up to 1.28 per cent

On the other hand, auto, IT and healthcareindices witnessed decline. Ofthe 19 sectoral indices, 4ended in the green and 15 inthe red.

“Despite positive senti-ment in the global marketdue to better-than-expectedmanufacturing data in China,domestic market traded

range-bound on account ofweak GDP, auto sales andahead the RBI’s monetarypolicy this week. But markethopes for further stimulusand ease in interest rates torevive the slowing economy.Weakness was broad basedwhile telecom stocks jumpedon account of aggressive tar-iff revision,”

Vinod Nair, Head ofResearch at Geojit FinancialServices, said.

On the currency front,the Indian rupee appreciatedby 10 paise to 71.64 againstthe US dollar.

Brent crude, the global oilbenchmark, surged 2.36 percent to USD 61.92 per barrelin futures trade.

Asian markets werebroadly higher following asurvey showed Chinese fac-tory activity strengthenedinvestor sentiment.

Also, investors were alsohopeful about a possible US-China trade deal ahead ofDecember 15 deadline fortariff hike.

On Friday, foreign insti-tutional investors offloadedshares worth � 1,892.29 crorein the capital market, whiledomestic inst itut ionalinvestors bought equitiesworth � 953.62 crore, dataavailable with stock exchangeshowed.

Script Open High Low LTPIBULHSGFIN 291.2 309.1 271.85 304.1YESBANK 70 70.5 63.1 64.05INFY 702.35 704.35 690.35 692.9RELIANCE 1595 1614 1577.7 1586.3BHARTIARTL 470 485.75 455.15 458.55IDEA 7.51 8.49 7.51 7.79INFRATEL 280.1 295.75 260.65 264.9ZEEL 289.95 307 284.4 292.85KOTAKBANK 1614.4 1636.1 1600.25 1633BAJFINANCE 4089 4089 3923 3949.4RBLBANK 374.85 377.3 362.3 373.25TECHM 755 758.6 732.5 748TCS 2060 2079 2017 2020.95MARUTI 7271 7298.85 7111 7121.3SBIN 343.35 344.05 336.2 338.55TATASTEEL 424.7 427 419 420.8NCC 59.95 59.95 57.4 57.95VEDL 145.35 146.25 143.9 144.45HDFCAMC 3550 3550.75 3366.35 3395.9ICICIBANK 514 514 507.4 510.85BANKBARODA 105 106.15 104 104.45HDFC 2304.25 2315 2265 2306.45HCLTECH 1135 1135 1123.8 1126.1LT 1331 1342.4 1320.65 1332.65POWERGRID 193.7 194.3 190.55 191.5JSWSTEEL 266.4 269.4 263.35 268.4TATAMOTORS 161 163.05 158.95 161ASHOKLEY 79.1 80.75 77.55 79.6INDUSINDBK 1590.1 1596.35 1561.55 1576.2SUVEN 270 275.55 253.1 264.7GRASIM 805 822.45 802.8 807.8L&TFH 121 121.8 118.4 119.95HDFCBANK 1275 1276.4 1259.25 1265ACC 1521.7 1547.45 1521.35 1537.3JINDALSTEL 163 163 158.3 159.4SADBHAV 127.9 131 127.9 130.7ESCORTS 640.05 666.4 640.05 662.55BIOCON 282 291.9 281.95 285.95AXISBANK 740 745.8 737.55 745.25ONGC 133 133 127.55 128.15PEL 1782 1828 1777 1819.2BHEL 53.6 53.75 51.05 51.2SRTRANSFIN 1129 1130 1092 1097ADANITRANS 312.5 341.4 303.3 332.15BOSCHLTD 16151 16538.25 15800 15871ULTRACEMCO 4272 4320 4256.85 4277.05

HINDUNILVR 2036.1 2062 2029.3 2044.2DISHTV 12.3 13.79 12.25 13.04RAYMOND 735 772 695.5 713.3DLF 220.7 220.7 214.65 219.2M&MFIN 353.2 357.2 340.65 344.8GRAPHITE 320 324.45 298 299.7SUNPHARMA 450 450.1 437.2 440.05BAJAJFINSV 9110 9110 8900 8947.55ITC 246.25 246.8 244.6 244.95EICHERMOT 22799 22799 21651.8 21727.2UJJIVAN 345.1 345.1 327.85 339JUSTDIAL 566.85 572 534.45 538.2PFC 114 115.1 112.4 113.7ADANIENT 213 213.75 206.1 208.85ASIANPAINT 1704 1743.1 1698.1 1737M&M 527.95 537.5 523.95 534.25ADANIGAS 161.85 167.7 158.5 164ADANIPORTS 381 383.55 375.8 377.85BEML 996 1048.5 986.1 1036.75COLPAL 1478 1478 1441 1451.2BPCL 511.45 511.45 498.65 500.2TITAN 1161 1161.05 1143.6 1154DMART 1845 1850 1813.2 1840MFSL 504.5 518.75 500.6 510MOTHERSUMI 127.6 133.6 126.65 133FEDERALBNK 89.45 89.85 87.05 87.3MCX 1181 1181 1150.2 1154.65IDFCFIRSTB 47 47.7 45.9 46.7HEROMOTOCO 2437 2448.5 2400 2405.8PIDILITIND 1305 1324.9 1291.1 1322.05TATAGLOBAL 325.9 325.9 316.05 316.35BALKRISIND 914 935.1 914 924.9APOLLOHOSP 1445 1447.5 1413.1 1417.85BAJAJ-AUTO 3185 3215.2 3145.05 3149.9BATAINDIA 1624.6 1636.75 1616.7 1628.1INDIGO 1444 1462 1438.75 1445

PVR 1818.8 1837.75 1801.5 1810.15AUROPHARMA 450 454.7 447.8 448.9LICHSGFIN 460.2 474.4 455.3 468HDFCLIFE 571.5 578.8 566.1 569.65MGL 1055 1055 1031 1033ICICIGI 1359.95 1395.5 1347 1368.2CANBK 227.95 227.95 222.7 226.1EQUITAS 108 108.1 101.4 105.3ADANIGREEN 137.9 138.85 130.35 131.25GLENMARK 340 340 326.2 332.05PIIND 1481.85 1524.1 1467.25 1515GODFRYPHLP 1314.2 1403 1279.95 1382.6SAIL 39.35 39.75 38.9 39.45HINDALCO 200.35 202.5 198.7 200.75SRF 3205.3 3245 3176.6 3234.3SUNTV 494 494 465.95 474PNB 66 66.7 65.15 65.8RNAM 361.5 361.5 348.6 352.35ADANIPOWER 63.95 64.2 62.05 62.3BERGEPAINT 488.65 497.15 485 494.55DELTACORP 215.3 224.75 212.5 220.3STRTECH 127 129.4 124 124.85HINDPETRO 283 283.75 278.2 280.95TVSMOTOR 470 483.05 461.9 466BEL 104 104 100.75 103.1SIEMENS 1484.4 1488.3 1464.8 1485.4IDBI 37.7 38.4 36.8 37.2HFCL 17.25 20 17.15 19.65TATACHEM 674.9 685 664.4 667.6CIPLA 469.95 470 455.45 464.45IOC 131.75 131.75 128.05 128.6HEG 1131 1139.7 1068 1069.9INDIACEM 80.7 81.1 78.1 78.6GMRINFRA 21.5 21.8 20.85 21.25JUBLFOOD 1618.2 1618.2 1587.1 1594.2PETRONET 271.4 280.15 271.1 278RAJESHEXPO 688 688 668.5 671.25BOMDYEING 82.45 83.3 79.5 80.7BANDHANBNK 582.05 582.85 562.75 568.5BHARATFORG 462.35 468.45 455.9 466.9TATAMTRDVR 71.9 72.65 69.65 69.9CONCOR 579 580 565 572.55UNIONBANK 63.95 63.95 62.15 62.4GAIL 127.95 127.95 125.4 126.6PCJEWELLER 30.5 30.5 28.2 28.3LUPIN 800.35 803.65 790.1 793.2WIPRO 239.75 239.8 235.75 238.5DIVISLAB 1780 1794.65 1778.85 1786STAR 387.2 390.85 384 384.8NAUKRI 2583.4 2589.5 2490 2511.05OMAXE 182.7 182.7 179.95 181.1MUTHOOTFIN 679.25 684.45 662.95 676.55NMDC 102 106.4 101.85 105.5WOCKPHARMA 258.75 259.05 253.2 254.55DABUR 460 460 449.3 453.9TRIDENT 66 72.7 65.75 71.25IBVENTURES 172 178 163.45 170.5MANAPPURAM 155.3 159 150.7 157.05TATAPOWER 56.6 57.2 55.55 56.45GUJGAS 213.95 220.9 211.05 216.6UPL 573.1 580.1 566.45 571MARICO 363 363 351.15 353.55DRREDDY 2901.35 2911.6 2853.4 2868.7TATAELXSI 807 809.8 785.8 788NESTLEIND 14460 14625.4 14299 14505.9SPICEJET 105.5 105.8 103.4 103.75AMBUJACEM 207.9 210.9 204.65 209.6PNBHOUSING 535.7 538.5 509 511.75PAGEIND 21877.85 22319.65 21672.9 22319.65NBCC 38.75 38.85 37.15 37.25LTI 1685 1690.3 1626 1640.35NTPC 116.45 116.45 115.15 115.4CADILAHC 253.85 259.1 251.85 257.65JKTYRE 69.9 72.3 69.5 71.4ABCAPITAL 109.8 110.95 105.8 107.1CASTROLIND 141.35 141.35 136.5 138.4BANKINDIA 76 76.4 74.45 74.9HAVELLS 667 673.5 660.3 670.7JAICORPLTD 96.75 97.2 94.2 94.5SBILIFE 961 962 938 943.5MINDTREE 699 715.05 695.7 705INFIBEAM 50.3 51.8 50.05 50.05BRITANNIA 3070 3087.65 3051.35 3070.85ICICIPRULI 506 506 495.5 498.35COALINDIA 204.8 206.45 202.45 205.85KTKBANK 77 78.75 76.5 77.45GODREJCP 733.5 733.5 710.5 728.65RECLTD 137 138.85 136 137.95RPOWER 3.51 3.61 3.43 3.43SUNTECK 393.45 398.9 385 395.55MRF 63412 63560 62550 62669.5APOLLOTYRE 170 170 166.35 168.25ITI 93.45 95 91.4 92.2SPARC 163 163 155.7 156.3IGL 414 418.05 411.7 415.6TATACOFFEE 89.65 93.65 88.2 92.9PFIZER 4160 4259.25 4159.65 4191VOLTAS 699.8 700.05 689.55 692.35IBREALEST 66.55 67.8 64.6 65.15ASTRAZEN 2649 2833 2649 2832CUB 226 234.8 217 230.85NATIONALUM 44.7 44.85 43.2 43.35CANFINHOME 397.25 403.15 392.25 395.75AUBANK 816.05 835.95 809 832.9TORNTPOWER 280.15 281.2 275.75 277BALRAMCHIN 154 156.15 152.8 155.25EXIDEIND 195 197.6 192.25 193.45POLYCAB 934 945.5 919.45 938VENKYS 1824.95 1856.15 1776 1780GODREJPROP 904.3 917.9 889 889GAYAPROJ 70.9 76.6 66.15 71.3

AVANTI 512.85 513.95 489.4 495.45IIFL 169.9 174.8 161 170.05GRANULES 128.15 128.5 119.1 123.65CUMMINSIND 545 545 535.65 540.1JSWENERGY 73.9 77.05 73 76.15LTTS 1514 1514 1468.5 1478HINDCOPPER 40.2 42.35 39.3 40.35DHFL 19.8 20.05 19.7 19.7AMARAJABAT 746.1 761.25 744.8 751.7CHOLAFIN 311.95 311.95 303.25 307.4IPCALAB 1140.9 1155.05 1111.1 1128.6LINDEINDIA 654.9 668 652 652RELCAPITAL 15.5 15.6 14.4 14.4GICRE 260.65 269.15 257 268.45BAJAJHLDNG 3550 3550 3511 3520TORNTPHARM 1890.1 1922.3 1883 1899CYIENT 405.6 406 397.35 403.45EIDPARRY 182.2 187.9 180.65 182.5COFFEEDAY 50 51.95 47.7 50.85VBL 725.3 754 723.5 727.3SWANENERGY 101.95 102.9 101 102.55SCI 60.5 60.5 58 58.25KEI 519 528.4 512.7 519.65TIMKEN 869.9 918.75 851 884TIINDIA 474.55 507.7 474.55 487.1ABFRL 225.85 228.5 220.85 225.1EDELWEISS 124 124.1 117.15 117.45ISEC 348 348.75 334.6 337.5DBL 412.35 415.4 400 402.7COROMANDEL 473.95 490.05 473.5 480RCF 49.15 49.6 47.7 47.85WHIRLPOOL 2170 2177.6 2107 2163.45HINDZINC 216 217.8 212.9 213.85RAIN 105.6 105.6 100 101ORIENTBANK 58.6 58.6 57.5 57.5TRENT 520.7 528.75 515.25 527.25GODREJIND 437 444 434.15 434.7DCBBANK 184 184 177 177.6HEXAWARE 345 345 333.4 337.9HSCL 68.55 69.15 63.15 63.5ABBOTINDIA 12562.3 12864.5 12562.3 12635NOCIL 104.1 104.1 100.85 101.55INDIANB 128.85 130 125.6 126.4PRESTIGE 301.45 331.45 298.5 322.8TV18BRDCST 24.45 24.45 22.75 23.1SUZLON 2.34 2.34 2.25 2.31ASHOKA 96.6 96.85 94.1 95BLISSGVS 143.6 143.85 141.85 142.65RELINFRA 26.6 26.7 25.35 25.35FRETAIL 351 352 340.8 342.75FSL 42.6 42.6 40.7 41DEEPAKNI 344.7 344.95 326.8 329.55RITES 281 282.3 277.8 280.1JINDALSAW 80.7 81.35 78.9 79.75CEATLTD 940.5 940.5 926.15 929.1BBTC 1101 1104.9 1078 1081.5ABB 1453.6 1491.1 1448 1479.45JISLJALEQS 10.5 10.77 9.93 10PHILIPCARB 125.6 126.75 123.5 123.6SHREECEM 21049.5 21049.5 20760.3 20930SUNDRMFAST 467 472.2 450 463.1WELCORP 139 140.85 136.5 139.9OIL 154 155.3 151.8 154SANOFI 7101 7225 7100.1 7170.55JAGRAN 60 61 58.55 59.15THOMASCOOK 164.8 164.8 153.3 160SYMPHONY 1146.7 1160 1120 1128.4SOBHA 415.95 422.5 406.15 411.7OBEROIRLTY 517.35 517.35 509.35 510.5INOXWIND 37.85 43.3 37 42.3UBL 1289 1289 1240.2 1250.25PTC 55.85 56.15 55.25 55.5PHOENIXLTD 762.7 776 747.25 753.05LALPATHLAB 1575 1615.5 1575 1595IBULISL 72.5 75.2 72.5 75.2CRISIL 1551 1633.5 1551 1633.5FORTIS 138 139.65 137.6 139.65ITDC 345 345.6 334.75 337.25MEGH 53 53 51.2 51.6IRB 76.5 76.5 74 74.15GLAXO 1700 1700 1659 1674RAMCOCEM 798.6 805.65 791 795.75NATCOPHARM 593 597.4 587 590.5NHPC 23.7 24.25 23.7 24.1NIITTECH 1490 1493.6 1455 1455VIPIND 431 431 423 426.7PGHH 11320.4 11400 11010 11281GODREJAGRO 492 496.95 481.55 481.55GNFC 194.35 194.35 188.8 189.45TEJASNET 102.9 104 99 99.55MOTILALOFS 771.7 779.95 753.45 761.1AAVAS 1880 1880 1720 1741.55MOIL 138.5 138.5 134.85 135.9INOXLEISUR 359.6 374.4 358.8 368TTKPRESTIG 5741.4 5782.7 5661.25 5697RADICO 312.95 320.85 311 319.55NAVINFLUOR 879.35 879.35 840.25 860BAJAJELEC 341.6 350 325.55 327.5GSKCONS 8827.25 8960 8827.25 8892.05AEGISLOG 196.9 203.45 192.15 195.5ADVENZYMES 166.2 172 164.25 166.35WESTLIFE 388 388 369.35 370.25LAKSHVILAS 20.5 20.5 18.95 19.4REPCOHOME 300 301.8 292.35 295.8HEIDELBERG 196.65 196.65 186.65 187SUDARSCHEM 395 399.4 387.85 393.5VINATIORGA 1990 2022.75 1960 1974.05DCAL 129.35 129.85 124.6 127.35CENTRALBK 22.1 22.15 20.75 20.95CREDITACC 797.6 824 786 816.4RVNL 24 24 23.85 23.85

JUBILANT 513.9 513.9 504.5 508.55KANSAINER 527.4 527.4 520.5 520.8KAJARIACER 534.1 535.4 517.8 521.45UCOBANK 17.75 17.95 17.05 17.453MINDIA 22235.05 22480.95 22170.6 22170.6CENTURYPLY 172.55 178.5 170.7 177.2KEC 281.3 284.55 277.55 277.55SJVN 24.7 24.8 24.6 24.7INDHOTEL 149.7 149.7 148.1 148.15ORIENTELEC 213.3 215.65 206.7 209FORCEMOT 1042.55 1045 1020 1022GSPL 216.05 218.05 214.75 214.9NIACL 149 149.85 146 147.15JYOTHYLAB 178.85 180 171 171.85IFCI 7.05 7.12 6.95 6.98GREAVESCOT 135.95 137.5 134.35 135.85JAMNAAUTO 45 45 44.05 44.3LAXMIMACH 3500.8 3553.6 3403.25 3443.3CHAMBLFERT 149.7 151.4 148.75 149.4BIRLACORPN 656.55 667 638.5 650.7REDINGTON 118.1 118.1 110 113.2IDFC 35.6 36.15 35.25 35.5MPHASIS 879.95 879.95 865 871.65ENGINERSIN 105.6 105.6 103.7 103.75CORPBANK 24.2 24.2 23.25 23.9COCHINSHIP 400 408.8 399.05 400.35SOUTHBANK 11.2 11.25 10.99 11.02AJANTPHARM 999.2 999.4 987.3 989.9DALBHARAT 885 890 868 870KALPATPOWR 460 463.95 448.5 448.5ATUL 4030.1 4085.75 4014.45 4021.5MINDAIND 349.8 356 346 349.95PGHL 4330 4395 4320 4340HUDCO 41.8 41.8 40.7 40.8JBCHEPHARM 397.15 403.4 396.2 400.65ALKEM 2008 2059.95 2004.55 2030.95ALBK 23.85 24 23.3 23.4AIAENG 1635.45 1649.8 1610 1620DCMSHRIRAM 339.5 342.05 334.6 336PNCINFRA 193.85 201.1 192.9 198.55IRCON 420 422 412 413.4WABCOINDIA 6225 6288 6212.85 6212.85BAJAJCON 246.1 249.65 242.55 245ECLERX 534.5 534.5 508 510ASTRAL 1117.05 1134.8 1103.3 1104ITDCEM 65.2 65.6 61.5 61.95APLLTD 555 560.25 550.45 558.7FCONSUMER 28.3 28.3 26.4 26.9CGPOWER 13.66 13.66 13.09 13.2FINEORG 1782 1831 1761.1 1794.8JMFINANCIL 90.7 90.7 86.55 87.05CROMPTON 251.95 254.55 248.4 251.5SUPREMEIND 1140.95 1140.95 1126.5 1134.25WABAG 180 180 171.7 176.4CARBORUNIV 328 339.2 321.95 330PARAGMILK 149.1 149.1 145.4 147.9MAHSCOOTER 4714.9 4730.7 4630 4630.3ASTERDM 157.7 158.4 153.85 156.75SYNDIBANK 29.75 30.15 29.2 29.6INTELLECT 150.55 152.5 148.4 150.85SYNGENE 317 319.2 314.45 316.4HERITGFOOD 345.75 350.25 341.35 347.75HONAUT 27590 27694 27200 27283.6RALLIS 182 186.2 182 185.4MAHINDCIE 152 152 146.3 146.9J&KBANK 34.8 34.8 32.75 32.9RELAXO 587.7 595.25 582.55 589.55TVTODAY 284.25 284.25 275.05 275.1MAXINDIA 76.75 80.4 76 77.55FDC 189.4 197.4 189.4 195.9GESHIP 314 319.65 299 305.35LAURUSLABS 351 351 341.4 342VGUARD 236 236.85 231.6 231.6NETWORK18 29 29.45 28.1 28.1NH 299.75 304.7 296.25 300.45BALMLAWRIE 194.35 195.6 193.8 194PRSMJOHNSN 69.75 69.95 67.55 67.7WELSPUNIND 53.45 53.45 51.85 52.25IEX 138.8 141.05 137.4 139.85DBCORP 138.25 142.15 136.35 140.75LEMONTREE 63.25 63.25 60.7 60.95PERSISTENT 680.1 689.4 678 681.5CHENNPETRO 126.3 126.35 121 122.05GSFC 72.45 72.9 70.8 70.85THYROCARE 550.2 550.2 541 543.45SONATSOFTW 308.2 308.2 303.9 303.9KRBL 206.4 207.75 201.9 204.45EMAMILTD 316.15 318.15 311.2 314.9NESCO 610.85 615 607.15 609.9BLUESTARCO 790.1 799.8 780 798.35ZYDUSWELL 1432.35 1441.5 1401.65 1433ERIS 449.75 456.25 442.35 444.2MHRIL 216 216.35 206.5 206.5JSL 39.4 39.4 37.9 38.85LUXIND 1371.6 1375 1329 1340.4BDL 332 342 330.55 332.1CAPPL 314.4 322.3 310.1 316.65GILLETTE 6857.45 6899.15 6856.8 6856.8CARERATING 476.65 480.5 472.2 478.6ANDHRABANK 19.2 19.2 18.5 18.6KNRCON 233 233 227 229.95GICHSGFIN 163.6 165.15 162 162.2THERMAX 1019.5 1021 1003 1004.5INDOSTAR 192 199 188 191.2NLCINDIA 55.3 55.3 54.65 54.75TEAMLEASE 2466.05 2484.3 2430 2430.85TIMETECHNO 52.2 52.45 51 51.35SOLARINDS 1100 1100 1050 1068.8GUJALKALI 405.6 408.35 395 401.85TATAMETALI 597.25 605.4 590 590SIS 899 927 892 892

STARCEMENT 95.5 95.5 91.8 92.8SREINFRA 9.48 9.48 8.94 9.05ESSELPRO 156.1 156.1 149 149.6APLAPOLLO 1568.9 1626.1 1563 1620.95EVEREADY 55.45 56.75 54.25 54.45BLUEDART 2050.6 2078.15 2044.3 2054.1MINDACORP 90.05 90.5 86.55 87.85GHCL 204.15 204.15 197.9 198.25BAYERCROP 3722.6 3816.75 3718.75 3797.6BASF 1023.1 1023.1 992.6 997RATNAMANI 978.05 999 963.1 985.3SOMANYCERA 215.8 220.05 207.2 209.95VSTIND 4349.95 4350 4219 4219HAL 774.65 783.95 774.35 777.15ZENSARTECH 188.6 188.85 184.4 185.55SHANKARA 311.85 315.35 304.1 306.35FINOLEXIND 590 590 575.8 587.45EIHOTEL 159.8 159.8 155.15 156.95DEEPAKFERT 94.55 95.4 94.2 95NILKAMAL 1320 1320 1293.8 1301.15GMDCLTD 57.55 58.15 57.3 57.5MMTC 18.2 18.25 17.85 17.95METROPOLIS 1390 1404.25 1370.55 1376.4MAHLOG 386.25 388.1 378 378GPPL 90.5 91.25 88.15 88.15JKLAKSHMI 290.3 293.4 286.8 288GEPIL 697.05 728 695.95 721.65OFSS 2946 2975.25 2929.5 2960MRPL 47.7 48 47.1 47.1IOB 10.61 10.7 10.45 10.58MAHABANK 12.36 12.47 12.12 12.12SUPRAJIT 175.8 182.8 171 176.9TAKE 99.05 99.05 96.25 97.7FINCABLES 367.75 368.5 363 366NBVENTURES 70.85 72.45 69.15 71.95VARROC 444.4 444.4 432.85 434.7MAHSEAMLES 375.4 375.4 366 368.65SKFINDIA 2127.6 2159.5 2125 2136AKZOINDIA 1930.45 1935.2 1911.6 1932.2LAOPALA 142 142 135 138.75TATAINVEST 833 840.9 833 833.1DHANUKA 295.2 297.45 290.75 292.5CENTRUM 23 23.4 22.6 22.65SCHNEIDER 68.1 68.1 66.3 66.4JPASSOCIAT 2.55 2.55 2.55 2.55JSLHISAR 73.3 74.3 71.05 71.55ALLCARGO 92.95 93.6 92.05 92.1TCNSBRANDS 722.75 722.75 700 708.25GALAXYSURF 1452.05 1466.4 1440.4 1460QUESS 522 522.25 517.3 519.55CHOLAHLDNG 498 498.5 478 479.5JSWHL 2409 2464.4 2380 2407.65GULFOILLUB 800.05 814 785 814TVSSRICHAK 1750.75 1767.65 1733.3 1748.3TNPL 181 181.45 176.55 178.1GDL 99.5 100.45 99.05 99.1JKCEMENT 1152.5 1161.2 1149.55 1155.65VTL 895 925.9 893.95 910ENDURANCE 1107 1109.9 1094.4 1105CCL 205 205.65 200 200.4GRINDWELL 573.2 584.9 573.2 584.45MAHLIFE 383 385 375.4 381HIMATSEIDE 133.55 133.65 131 132.7IFBIND 647.25 653.4 627.65 630.7UFLEX 198.1 201.1 196.95 198.5UNITEDBNK 9.13 9.16 9.01 9.16SHK 112.7 112.7 110 110.75MASFIN 713.3 725 711.6 713.45GET&D 159.5 160.6 155.6 156.15ORIENTCEM 75 77.05 75 75.65SHILPAMED 298.15 304.95 294.95 294.95TRITURBINE 94.9 94.9 93.1 94.9HATHWAY 20.2 20.2 19.9 20.15KPRMILL 658.95 667.85 658.45 666.8MAGMA 54.5 54.5 54.5 54.5CERA 2553.9 2557.4 2498 2498JCHAC 2000 2000 1935.1 1991APARINDS 454.95 455 450 450SHOPERSTOP 348.4 353.1 348.4 351FLFL 409.25 416.15 402.65 411.3RCOM 0.85 0.85 0.85 0.85SHRIRAMCIT 1350 1355.6 1350 1355.6SCHAEFFLER 4324.25 4329.95 4291.55 4313SFL 1309 1310.35 1300.5 1310.35VMART 1723.3 1723.3 1720.3 1721CHALET 346.55 349.85 341.55 343.05

��

SCRIP OPEN HIgh LOW LTP CHANGENIFTY 50 12,137.05 12,137.15 12,023.70 12,048.20 -7.85BHARTIARTL 471.15 485.6 455.05 460.7 18.25JSWSTEEL 267.5 269.45 263.25 268.1 6.55RELIANCE 1,600.00 1,614.45 1,577.00 1,586.90 35.75GRASIM 810 822 802.25 805 17.95ASIANPAINT 1,706.20 1,742.50 1,698.35 1,741.00 34.85KOTAKBANK 1,614.50 1,636.50 1,600.20 1,631.00 15.8AXISBANK 739.25 746 737.35 744.55 5.5NESTLEIND 14,453.95 14,631.30 14,285.90 14,553.30 99.35M&M 525 537.5 523.5 534.15 3.6ULTRACEMCO 4,270.00 4,320.00 4,255.00 4,286.95 27.85INDUSINDBK 1,592.00 1,596.55 1,561.20 1,579.10 10BRITANNIA 3,057.70 3,089.95 3,051.55 3,077.00 19.3HINDUNILVR 2,038.00 2,062.00 2,029.25 2,046.90 11.6HDFC 2,316.00 2,316.00 2,263.90 2,306.65 9.4WIPRO 238.25 239.7 235.55 238.65 0.95GAIL 127.85 127.85 125.4 126.5 0.45HINDALCO 200 202.55 198.45 200.85 0.7LT 1,330.55 1,342.90 1,320.35 1,333.00 2.45COALINDIA 205.2 206.4 202.25 205.2 -0.05VEDL 144.6 146.4 143.95 144.35 -0.25HCLTECH 1,139.00 1,139.00 1,123.50 1,124.90 -2.75ICICIBANK 513.45 514 507.25 510.95 -1.65ZEEL 291 307 284.2 292.05 -1TATAMOTORS 160.95 163 158.95 160.8 -0.7BAJAJ-AUTO 3,163.10 3,217.40 3,142.05 3,162.45 -13.55UPL 582.95 582.95 566.05 570.7 -2.55INFY 703.1 704 690.3 692.75 -3.6TITAN 1,160.00 1,161.00 1,142.50 1,153.15 -6.55ITC 246 246.9 244.55 245 -1.4SBIN 343.9 344.35 336.2 339.5 -2.35CIPLA 469.6 469.6 455.35 463.5 -3.2POWERGRID 195 195 190.4 191.9 -1.4NTPC 115.75 116.3 115.1 115.4 -0.95HDFCBANK 1,273.95 1,273.95 1,258.60 1,262.55 -12.4ADANIPORTS 381.1 383.35 375.85 377.7 -4.35HEROMOTOCO2,431.00 2,447.00 2,400.00 2,404.00 -29.55BAJAJFINSV 9,110.00 9,110.00 8,900.00 8,995.20 -115.05DRREDDY 2,918.00 2,918.00 2,852.00 2,872.10 -41.75TCS 2,060.00 2,067.70 2,016.00 2,021.00 -32.25MARUTI 7,291.00 7,294.85 7,106.75 7,129.00 -116.85TATASTEEL 424.95 426.95 419 419.25 -8.25IOC 131.5 131.6 128 128.8 -2.6TECHM 758.1 759.9 732.3 745.55 -15.9SUNPHARMA 449 449.6 437 440 -9.85BPCL 508.05 509.5 498.75 499.75 -11.8ONGC 131.05 131.45 127.55 128.6 -3.15BAJFINANCE 4,075.00 4,077.35 3,920.10 3,952.00 -122.2INFRATEL 284.3 296.5 260.45 267.55 -8.75EICHERMOT 22,715.00 22,750.00 21,640.45 21,691.00 -1,190.40YESBANK 69 69.3 63.05 63.8 -4.5

��

��

SCRIP OPEN HIgh LOW LTP CHANGENIFTY NEXT 50 28,581.05 28,592.10 28,378.00 28,539.45 -7IDEA 7.5 8.8 7.5 7.8 0.95IBULHSGFIN 292.5 309 271.45 302.35 11.85NMDC 102.25 106.45 101.65 106 3.45GICRE 262.5 269.35 256.55 268 7.5MOTHERSUMI 127.95 133.65 126.5 133 3.45PETRONET 273.7 280.25 269.05 278.6 7.1AMBUJACEM 205.5 211 204.65 209.95 5.3BIOCON 283.2 291.95 282.45 287.95 6.3PIDILITIND 1,310.00 1,324.85 1,290.00 1,324.50 21.5CADILAHC 254 259.25 251.75 258 3.85NHPC 23.85 24.25 23.8 24.1 0.3PAGEIND 22,180.00 22,289.90 21,660.00 22,275.00 225.9ACC 1,521.00 1,546.80 1,520.00 1,535.70 13.55ASHOKLEY 78.5 80.8 77.5 79.85 0.7SIEMENS 1,470.10 1,489.00 1,463.10 1,483.00 12.8DMART 1,822.50 1,850.00 1,815.00 1,837.40 14.9OFSS 2,924.15 2,975.00 2,912.00 2,955.00 23.75HAVELLS 667.45 673.2 660.2 671.95 4.5ICICIGI 1,360.00 1,396.10 1,345.50 1,369.00 6.1PEL 1,810.50 1,828.00 1,776.00 1,818.00 7.55INDIGO 1,458.00 1,461.90 1,437.35 1,449.85 5.65PNB 65.65 66.4 65.1 65.85 0.25AUROPHARMA 452.7 455 447.5 451 1.1GODREJCP 724 731.6 710.1 726.5 1.5DIVISLAB 1,773.10 1,795.00 1,773.10 1,786.00 -0.2L&TFH 121.3 121.5 118.3 120.3 -0.05HDFCLIFE 570 578.85 566 570.6 -0.9SHREECEM 21,099.95 21,099.95 20,789.75 20,944.00 -52.55DLF 219 219.5 214.6 219 -0.7MCDOWELL-N 609.7 609.7 599.1 604.05 -2.2BERGEPAINT 491.65 499 484.5 494.5 -2.05BANKBARODA 105 106.15 104.05 104.4 -0.5UBL 1,263.90 1,274.20 1,239.75 1,250.00 -7.6HINDZINC 216 217.95 213 213.8 -1.55HINDPETRO 282.6 283.95 278.3 280.55 -2.05ICICIPRULI 499 502.5 495.4 498.6 -3.85PFC 114.9 115.15 112.4 113.6 -0.9LUPIN 802.65 803.45 790 793.8 -6.85PGHH 11,441.90 11,441.90 11,300.00 11,302.00 -98.05NIACL 149.75 149.75 146.05 147 -1.35DABUR 458.9 459.1 449.25 453.6 -5.5BAJAJHLDNG 3,565.00 3,565.00 3,510.00 3,516.00 -48.35CONCOR 579.9 580.45 565 571 -8COLPAL 1,470.00 1,474.20 1,440.00 1,450.00 -24.2BOSCHLTD 16,180.00 16,552.50 15,800.00 15,876.00 -266.6SBILIFE 959.15 959.15 938.3 944 -16.05MARICO 359.75 359.75 351.1 353.65 -6.25BANDHANBNK 582 582.55 562.3 570.2 -11SRTRANSFIN 1,130.00 1,130.30 1,091.35 1,098.00 -29.2HDFCAMC 3,535.00 3,549.00 3,365.00 3,387.00 -149.95

�� !�"#$% ("�#�:�

��

D %&&��+� �/� ��+)��@/�*>��@��!��G=.99�$��$��+��)*��8��)*�!�*�#�*��6�$�)�*�<�=��#��+�*��+1��)��)�#��*��*�� #��*��&�+��;�*�� + ��#��#)��=�*�� &��1�#��#��#��$1��8��))��!$��+��+��)*��*��#��8�*��*��))1�=��$��*)��&�&��8)

�$��>�� #*� ,">�� >�,,��+��3��E�33�2@��*��)*��*��)=�!�)*��#��#�8�!��=�8��#8��1*��*��*��1)��1��#��=��)�)��#��#��

��>;�-!��,+*�*++��,�� 3��@��)*��%��+��)*��!��#�M1��)��)��*8�>#��<�)�*�#1��+�8��)�2$��*�#�*��)�#��*(�*��E�$��)��#��!��)*��#��E�$��)�

�,�#� �,>�@��,"%&&�*!� �� #��1��@��*8�>8��!�*��)1!!�*��**��#�#��.99��1�*��)�8��#��*�*)��$��+��#��*��*�*��)��1)��+�*��#E1)*�*��*��$��*F)��)��+�*�!$��*1��)�?8��*��8��+�)�#��)*�� @�

Yangon: About 700 people ral-lied Sunday to show support forMyanmar’s leader, Aung SanSuu Kyi, as she prepares todefend the country againstcharges of genocide at the UN’shighest court.

Members of Suu Kyi’sNational League for Democracyparty swelled the ranks in frontof the colonial-era City Hall inYangon, Myanmar’s largest city,as the crowd waved nationalflags and listened to music andpoetry.

A popular local singer toldthem “Mother Suu is the bravesthuman being in the world – her

weapon is love.” Many carried banners say-

ing, “We stand with you, MotherSuu.” The case before theInternational Court of Justice inThe Hague relates to a harshcounterinsurgency campaignwaged by Myanmar’s militaryagainst members of the coun-try’s Muslim Rohingya com-munity in August 2017 inresponse to an insurgent attack.

More than 700,000Rohingya fled to neighbouringBangladesh to e s c a p ewhat has been called an ethniccleansing campaign involvingmass rapes, killings and the

torching of homes.The head of a UN fact-find-

ing mission on Myanmarwarned recently that “there is aserious risk of genocide recur-ring.”

Gambia filed the case at theICJ, also known as the worldcourt, on behalf of theOrganisation of IslamicCooperation.

The case alleges thatMyanmar’s actions against theRohingya are “genocidal incharacter because they areintended to destroy theRohingya group in whole or inpart.” AP

London: An accomplice ofUsman Khan, the convictedterrorist shot dead on LondonBridge during last Friday’s ter-ror attack, has been arrestedafter UK security serviceslaunched an urgent review ofdangerous prisoners as thescene of the attack was openedto traffic and pedestrians amidheavy police presence onMonday.

Nazam Hussain’s familyalso came from the same villagein Pakistan-occupied Kashmir(PoK) as Usman Khan and hadbeen together found guilty ofterrorism offences for a plot tobomb the London StockExchange (LSE) and set up aPoK terrorist training camp inthe guise of a madrassa in 2012.

Both Khan and Hussainwere planning to travel to PoKin 2011 but were arrested bysecurity forces in coordinatedraids in December 2010 as theirnine-member gang was busted.Counter-terrorism officersarrested 34-year-old Hussain

over the weekend from Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire, thecentral England region whereUsman Khan also hailed from.

“Staffordshire Police con-tinue to carry out furtherenhanced neighbourhoodpatrols to reassure local com-munities following the incidentwhich took place in London onFriday and the arrest of a manlast night in Stoke-on-Trent byWest Midlands CounterTerrorism Unit in connectionto a wider ongoing review ofexisting licence conditions ofconvicted terrorism offend-ers,” said Staffordshire PoliceDeputy Chief Constable NickBaker.

“People will be aware thatthe man who carried out theattack in London was living inStaffordshire. Two properties inthe county continue to besearched and cordons remainin place at these locations asdetectives and forensic officerscontinue with their investiga-tion,” he said.

Meanwhile, British PrimeMinister Boris Johnson brokefrom General Election cam-paigning to attend a vigil inGuildhall Yard in London inmemory of the two victims ofFriday’s terrorist strike, whenKhan went on a rampage withtwo knives before being over-powered by members of thepublic and being shot by apolice officer. PTI

Beijing: China suspended USwarship visits and sanctionedAmerican NGOs on Mondayin retaliation for the passage ofa bill backing pro-democracyprotesters in Hong Kong.

The financial hub has beenrocked by nearly six months ofincreasingly violent unrestdemanding greater autonomy,which Beijing has frequentlyblamed on foreign influence.

Last week US PresidentDonald Trump signed theHong Kong Human Rightsand Democracy Act, whichrequires the president to annu-ally review the city’s favourabletrade status and threatens torevoke it if the semi-autonomous territory’s free-doms are quashed.

The move came as theworld’s two biggest economieshave been striving to finalise a“phase one” deal in their pro-tracted trade war. “In response to the unreasonable behaviour of the US

side, the Chinese Governmenthas decided to suspend review-ing the applications for US war-

ships to go to Hong Kong for(rest and) recuperation as oftoday,” foreign ministry spokes-woman Hua Chunying said at

a regular Press briefing.China had already denied

requests for two US Navy shipsto dock in Hong Kong inAugust, without specifying areason why.

Hua said they would alsoapply sanctions to a number ofUS-based NGOs, althoughfailed to give any specifics overthe form sanctions would take.

Sanctions will apply toNGOs that had acted “badly”over the recent unrest in HongKong, she said, including theNational Endowment forDemocracy, Human RightsWatch and Freedom House.

There was “already a largeamount of facts and evidencethat make it clear that thesenon-governmental organisa-tions support anti-China”forces and “incite separatistactivities for Hong Kong inde-pendence”, Hua added.

She accused them of hav-ing “great responsibility forthe chaotic situation in HongKong”. AFP

� �� (�&�

Donald Trump nor his attor-ney will take part in the

impeachment hearing againstthe US President on Wednesday,his lawyer has said, citing com-plete lack of “basic due processand fundamental fairness.”

The impeachment hearingsare an effort by the Democratsto establish whether Trumpwithheld US military aid toUkraine to pressure the CentralAsian country’s PresidentVolodymyr Zelensky intoannouncing a corruption

inquiry into Joe Biden, Trump’sleading Democratic Party rivalin the US presidential poll in2020.

The Democrats are allegingthat Trump’s call with hisUkrainian counterpart wasirregular and inappropriate andabuse of his office for politicalgain.

In a letter to Chairman ofthe Judiciary Committee of theUS House of RepresentativesJerrold Nadler dated December1, Pat Cipollone accused him of“purposely” scheduling the ini-tial hearing at this time as

Trump would be out of thecountry.

“You scheduled this initialhearing-no doubt purposely-during the time that youknow the President will be outof the country attending theNATO Leaders Meeting inLondon,” Trump’s lawyer saidin the letter.

“As you know, this baselessand highly partisan inquiry vio-lates all past historical precedent,basic due process rights, andfundamental fairness,” it said.

The letter stated that theJudiciary Committee has afford-ed the President no schedulinginput, no meaningful informa-tion, and so little time to preparethat “you have effectively deniedthe Administration a fair oppor-tunity to participate.”

“We cannot fairly be expect-ed to participate in a hearingwhile the witnesses are yet to benamed and while it remainsunclear whether the Judiciary

Committee will afford thePresident a fair process throughadditional hearings,” it said.

Cipollone also noted thatthe initial hearing into the pres-ident’s impeachment will include“no fact witnesses” at all.

“We understand fromrumours and press reports(though not from any noticeprovided in your letter or in theofficial notice of the hearing)that the hearing will consist ofan academic discussion by lawprofessors. We understand thisto mean that your initial hear-ing will include no fact witnessesat all,” he said.

The letter, citing pressreports, pointed out that theidentities of these witnesses,apparently all academics, havenot even been provided to otherDemocrats on the JudiciaryCommittee.

These reports also indicatethat the Judiciary Committeecurrently intend to call three aca-

demic witnesses, but will allowRepublicans to call only onesuch witness.

“Worse, while providing noinformation, you have demand-ed a response from thePresident. Your letter does noteven attempt to explain the rea-son for this,” it noted.

Cipollone said thatPresident Trump can considerparticipating in future JudiciaryCommittee proceedings if it isserious about conducting a fairprocess of going forward.

“It is too late to cure the pro-found procedural deficienciesthat have tainted this entireinquiry. Nevertheless, if you areserious about conducting a fairprocess going forward, and inorder to protect the rights andprivileges of the President, wemay consider participating infuture Judiciary Committee pro-ceedings if you afford theAdministration the ability to doso meaningfully,” he said.

Ougadougou: Fourteen peoplewere killed in an attack on achurch in eastern Burkina Fasowhere places of worship havesuffered a string of Islamistassaults this year, the regionalGovernment said.

The attack took place onSunday.

“Unidentified armed men”carried out the attack during aSunday service at a Protestantchurch in the town ofHantoukoura near the borderwith Niger, the governmentstatement said.

“This attack unfortunatelyleft 14 dead and many wound-ed,” it said. Soldiers in theregion were hunting down theassailants, who fled on scoot-ers, a security source said ear-lier. The poor West Africancountry has suffered a series ofattacks on Christian targetssince February, leaving 21 deadbefore Sunday’s attack. AFP

��&��10��"�$��

� �+�� ; �� 6��

Hong Kong: China said onMonday it will suspend USNavy visits to Hong Kongand sanction severalAmerican pro-democracyorganisations in retaliationfor the signing into law oflegislation supporting humanrights in the semi-autonomous territory.

While the nature of thesanctions remained unclear, themove appeared to back upChinese threats that the USwould bear the costs of the deci-sion. The steps are “in responseto the US’s unreasonable behav-iour,” foreign ministry spokes-woman Hua said, adding that theHong Kong Human Rights andDemocracy Act “interfered” inChina’s internal affairs. PTI

Hong Kong: Over 40 petrolbombs and other weapons werefound on the wrecked campusof Hong Kong’s PolytechnicUniversity, after police lifted a13-day cordon around thepremises which was the sceneof violent clashes between anti-government protesters and theforce. Police said on Mondaythey were alerted by the varsi-ty on Sunday afternoon to asmall number of petrol bombsand dangerous chemicals stillon the grounds after the initialclear-up, reports the SouthChina Morning Post.

Officers found 41 petrolbombs, 10 bottles of variouschemicals and a gas canister.

IANS

Cairo: Another five years offighting in Yemen would cost asmuch as $29 billion just to sus-tain the current level of human-itarian aid — more than theentire annual humanitarian bud-get globally — an internationalrelief group said on Monday.

The war in Yemen has killedover 100,000 people and creat-ed the world’s worst humanitar-ian crisis, leaving millions suf-fering from food and medicalcare shortages.

The International RescueCommittee said in a report that24 million Yemenis, or 80% ofthe population, need humani-tarian aid and 16 million are liv-ing on the verge of famine.

The war also caused theYemeni economy to shrink by50%, it said.

The group warned that withthe current rate of aid, it wouldtake 20 years to return Yemen topre-conflict levels of childhunger. AP

�� &��&�

The UK’s rulingConservatives have said that

visitors from the EuropeanUnion (EU) would require anelectronic clearance before trav-elling to the country after Brexit,it was reported on Monday.

Travellers from Europe cur-rently only require an ID cardto gain entry. But under theConservatives’ proposed system,they would require passportsand have to fill in an onlineform before their trip, TheDaily Mail said in a report.

The changes were outlinedby Home Secretary Priti Patel onSunday.

“When people voted toleave in 2016 they were votingto take back control of our bor-ders. After Brexit we will intro-duce an Australian-style pointsbased immigration system andtake steps to improve the secu-rity of the UK,” Patel told themedia here.

“The consequence of EUlaw limiting our border capa-bility is brought home to meevery day. I am committed todoing everything we can tosecure the border.”

Beirut: Syrian oppositionactivists say an airstrike on amarket in a rebel-held town inthe country’s northwest haskilled at least 10 civilians.

The Britain-based SyrianObservatory for Human Rightssaid Monday’s airstrike on themarket in Maaret al-Numankilled 10 and wounded others.

The Aleppo Media Center,an activist collective that cov-ers rebel-held areas in northernSyria also said 10 civilianswere killed and dozens werewounded.

The town is in Idlibprovince, the country’s lastopposition stronghold.

Syrian troops launched afour-month offensive earlierthis year against Idlib, which isdominated by al-Qaida-linkedmilitants.

��#,��"��"�� "!��" ��$�� ;��2 #�� %��

� ��6��;��

'��*��)1)$��#��<��<�)�*)�*��3��<��8��8

�"��)�#)�4�" ,��!��9B��%"��& �$� ��

��%�$��0$$�" �

��<�)�*��)8��#��><�)�)��*��4��2�*H��)

�7�(��"!��3��(� �� (��"$�� 2�%

��)*��>��#*�8��)�-9

2��,�� &��'#��"�&" �� C"#"�� @�>3� �!

�� !�"#$%

��*��#!>�=� �)��)�*�*�!��#��1*��)��8)��*��6��)*��$��)��*��)�)��E1<��!�)

��$�)�*�!��*��$��$��8��*��)��))1��1)��<��)��+�*��)1��8��+��#�*��*��#)*��+� ��)��)=�?�)��8�!��#��!�*��=��F!�2*��!��>�1��1*�*��))��!��!��))��!��)�8��1�#��+��##��F*��*��!�>��) @

��##)*��*�8��#*��2*��!��<�+��*��#$��*��*��1�#�1+�*��)��#��!��)

��*��#� ��)��$$�#��$$��1��<��*��*��=��#�)$��1��*��)�8��!!�#��*��8��*��*��*��#�+�<��*��<��*��!�))�8��+�*��*�

�<��*��1+��8�)��*�$��)�>��$��)��*��**��<��*=��<�#��8�)�$��#�8��*��*��)$��*��1*1��#1��*��#��#��)�)��#��)��)*�8�)��)�8�*��*��!��)��*��$$

��*��=�8��)��*��8�*��3�$��=��*��)��#��#>*��>)��)�$��*�+��$�)��!�*��*��)��*��+

&)��>8��+�#��*�� 3��7�1�)*��>)*1##�#

!1)�� 8��)�#��#��*��

��!��*1��) �",*��/�+

��1#)��=��!�)'��#��=��#��)

��=��3��=��

��)��=��1#��=��)��1�� !��)��>�!�+��)�*��!1)��8

+��*�� &��*��+�)*>

�1��+�)��8)�� )*��#��#�4��#8��)>*��=�*��)*�+��!1)�� )�8��*)�8��#�$��>!��*�*��8��#��*��-ON-

,��+�"%+.!�"/�!""�<.%�#"=$/""�>�/"##"(%�$�$!&4$>�%(�)�(�"#$)"+$

$?4$�&$�!$/"�+$(�&!�+��$+$!��##$�'$+7)$#/��$?4$�&+$�%(&%�)"+$%�&�'��=$�$=$�%�&$�<$/"�$>�7/�=".�&%$�&)�&)��&!.��7> ��=$<$$��<#$%"#$��%�$<�)&!)%��".'�%�&))�"(@�� >0A��($%��&4�%�&

��7#"�/$�%.�$�&��+.)&!�#

=&=�!&%7:�

��&�$<.%)�)�$()��!�"�

Who was the most topsearched celebrity of the

year? What do Mamata Banerjeeand Smriti Irani have in com-mon? Who was the only non-cricketer among the top searchedsports personalities of the year?Well, these are some questionswhich certainly make one curi-ous. And much to your surprise,Yahoo India has announced the‘2019 Year in Review (YIR) forIndia,’ with answers all thesequestions and everything elsethat grabbed the attention ofinternet users during the year.

It provides the top trends,happenings and events of theyear, based on users’ daily searchhabits. It also has an editorialselection of what the peopleread, recommended and sharedthe most on the platform.

Top events of the decadeThe Ayodhya verdict claimed

the number one spot on the list,with an avalanche of interestonline. The Abrogation ofArticle 370 stood second, withthe decriminalisation of Article377 and India’s 2011 World Cupwin also making it to the “TopIndian Events of the Decade.” Ona more sombre note, theNirbhaya rape case found a placeon this list — etched forever inthe collective consciousness ofIndians online. This year alsomarked the end of a decade dur-ing which India discovered itslove for the internet and the

smartphone, earning the tele-com/smartphone revolution aplace on this list.

Actor Aamir Khan’s Dangalwas the “Biggest Blockbuster ofthe Decade” on the list that wasdominated by the three Khans ofBollywood with BajrangiBhaijaan, PK, Sultan andChennai Express grabbing spotson the list.

Revisiting the decadeIn 2010, actor Katrina Kaif

was YIR’s top newsmaker of theyear. In 2019, showing her stay-ing power, she still holds her ownon YIR lists as the “MostSearched Female Celebrity” andthe “Best Dressed on the RedCarpet.” Moving over, 2011 and2012, respectively, belonged tosocial activist Anna Hazare andAAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal,the nation’s top newsmakers,united in their fight against cor-ruption, till the mentor and hisprotege fell out in 2012.

In 2013, Narendra Modimade his presence felt amongIndia’s “Most SearchedPersonalities” — a list he is pre-dicted to dominate throughoutthe decade. He continued togrow his sway in 2014, when‘Make in India’ was also one ofthe year’s biggest financial events.PM Modi didn’t just dominatethe “Most Searched Politicians”and “Most SearchedPersonalities” lists, but in 2017,also made it to the list of “Most

Stylish Indians.”In 2015, we had an unusual

“Personality of the Year” — thecow. The Maharashtra govern-ment’s ban on the sale of beefpolarised netizens, leading tomassive debates on social media.

The year 2016 belonged tothree champion sportswomen,who cracked the typically crick-et-dominated “Most SearchedSportspersons” list, includingPV Sindhu, Sakshi Malik andDipa Karmakar, who provedtheir mettle at the Rio Olympics.The year was also rememberedfor demonetisation that made usall scamper to ATMs and thisemerged as the “Top FinancialEvent that shook India.”

In 2017, BJP’s Amit Shahwon the t it le of “TopNewsmaker.” The following year,India’s #MeToo survivors, whostarted a conversation with awide-reaching impact, sealedtheir place as YIR’s 2018“Personality of the Year.”

Review 2019The five-judge SC bench

who delivered the historicAyodhya verdict emerged asYIR’s “Personality of the Year.”

On the back of a landslidevictory in the Indian GeneralElections 2019, PM Modi wasthis year’s “Most SearchedPersonality.” Cricketer MS Dhoniand actor Priyanka Chopra Jonasalso joined him on this list,along with a surprise entrant —

wing commander AbhinandanVarthaman. Veteran BJP leaderArun Jaitley’s untimely deathalso made it to this list.

The second position of the“Most Searched Politicians of2019” was bagged by chief min-ister of West Bengal, MamataBanerjee. She edged out Congressleader Rahul Gandhi, who had tosettle for third position. She alsotopped the list of “Most PowerfulWomen of 2019.” FinanceMinister Nirmala Sitharaman andUnion Minister Smriti Irani fol-lowed her.

Salman Khan was the “MostSearched Celebrity of 2019(Male).” Actors AmitabhBachchan and Akshay Kumarmade it to the top three. ThespianGirish Karnad, who passed awayin 2019, also found his spot in top10. Actor Sunny Leone was onceagain “Most Searched Celebrity of2019 (Female).”

Actor Hrithik Roshan,admired for his stylish look inWar, and offscreen too, made it tothe list of YIR’s “Male Style Iconof 2019.” Whereas, newcomerSara Ali Khan was YIR’s “FemaleStyle Icon of 2019.”

Cricketer MS Dhoni was the“Most Searched Sports Personalityof the Year.” While cricketersRohit Sharma and Virat Kohlistood at the top three, shuttler PVSindhu was the only non-cricketerwho grabbed a spot here.

Let’s see what 2020 has instore.

Memories are not hazy. They areall about specifics that haveembedded every pore of our

being. Be it the aroma of Parle-G, naan-khatai biscuits and churan waftingthrough the air or the smell of fresh,crispy pakoras reminding us of thecooked food by our mothers, a perfume,reminding us of a special person or thesmell of rum making us recall our care-free hostel time... We can map our life’sjourney citing such examples. It couldalso be an old, dusted book which wouldhave retained the smell of the time oneread it and it might hit us hard. With eachfragrance, comes an old memory. Andthis is what director Roshan Abbaspointed out while describing his journeyat the Spoken Fest.

He began his story, Ameeri-TheSaabun, that started with his childhooddays in Lucknow and ended in Delhi.Talking about its conceptualisation, hesaid, “Once I asked people about theirfavourite smell and the memory theyattached with it. Right from the smell ofsoil to their favourite perfume, peopleshared a lot. This is what became the basisof my story.”

He has worked in various domains,from being a director to RJ to TV anchorto an event manager and writer. Yet it is thespoken word that he has returned to cre-ate a new oral tradition. “My career graphwill tell you that I have a background inperforming arts. I was a good anchor anddirector because I have done theatre andI also used to write and sing in my college.But what is a performance without words?So I thought of organising a fest. When Idid open mic and poetry sessions, Irealised that three things that people real-ly liked was poetry, storytelling and music.So I wanted to create a space where wordsmatter the most,” said he.

As an artiste, Abbas knows how touplift other artistes. The fest, he believes

would give them a reason to believe in theirart. “Spoken Fest is just one more way oftelling people that your art might not bepopular and not appear as a mainstreamculture but even that needs to be valued,”he added.

The first two editions were in Mumbaiand this was his first outing in Delhi. Sowhat’s different or new for the audiencehere? “As the hip hop genre is increasing-ly grabbing eyeballs, we had a lot of hip hopartistes who performed it. Frankly I am wayover the age to understand hip hop, but theaudience understands it. So we had fourdifferent kinds of rappers who performed.The second new thing was a discussion ona couple of topical pieces. Like Priya Malikdid a piece on pollution, there were pieceson identity and culture too. We also hadcontemporary pieces talking about currentproblems. Earlier, we didn’t focus much onthem. But this time we did,” he said.

The fest had poets, storytellers, thes-pians, lyricists, comedians, and musi-cians. It also had interactive workshops andmasterclasses. Over the course of two days,artistes from across the country per-formed in varied languages such as Urdu,Hindi, English, Kannada and many more.

Director Ankur Tewari held a discus-sion with Swanand Kirkirie and KausarMunir, where the former shared how hewrote his award-winning songs and Munirapprised the audience about her writingexperiments.

“I loved the performance by YashnaArora, a young girl, who was the winnerof Delhi college slam which we organised.I am also a huge fan of Alif band which per-formed and even the rappers, Ahmer andPradeep because they cater to a very dif-ferent audience. There were many otherperformances too which I loved,” saidAbbas.

We have seen various other literary andpoetry fests such as Jashn-e-Rekhta, DelhiLiterary Festival, TimesLit Fest whichdeal with poetry, literature and writing astheir core elements. So what makes theSpoken Fest different? “All these festivalsare focussed on one thing, Jashn-e-Rekhta’sbase is Urdu and they celebrate everythingin one language. The others usually haveEnglish and Hindi as their focus. But wecater to all kinds of audience. Our sessionsare multilingual because we want to cele-brate people in every language,” said he.

While the other festivals are usuallyfree, Abbas believes that if artistes are per-forming, you need to find a way throughwhich the audience pays them.

Dancer-choreographer TerenceLewis has written an open letter

in the wake of rapes happening inIndia. He says the real culprit of suchcrimes against women is not the per-petrator alone but also the family thatplays a big part in developing the psy-che of such acts. He expressed his sen-timents on social media.

Lewis began saying: “#Rape: #enti-tled? I wanted to say this when thatmacabre incident happened in the bus,but emotions were running so highthat it felt inappropriate to speak outthen. But now I think I must expressmy observations of this unsettlingissue as I fear that we are lookingmyopically and our emotions arecoming in the way of our understand-ing of this issue! Of course I know thatmy perspective isn’t going to changeanything substantial overnight but Ijust want to use this platform toexpress myself. I hope that at somelevel this snowballs to make the nec-essary shifts in the right direction andeliminate the ugly stain that colours allof us.”

He then shared his observation.

“Why do rapes happen in our coun-try specifically (I’m an Indian man andcan only speak for the culture I’ve beenraised in)?”

He then shifted attention to theperpetrator. “Without getting a rise outof me, I put myself in his shoes andstarted to work backwards as to whatbelief I could have cultivated so pow-erfully that makes any of us do suchan act, and worse inflict mindless tor-ture even after the act is over? It wasimportant to identify my own darkside to be able to see the elephant inthe room. And the truth that came outfrom this experiment was this,” hementioned in his post.

“The real culprit of such crimes isnot the perpetrator alone but the“Family” too that plays a big part indeveloping the psyche of such acts! Wecan see that it’s also the fabric of ourculture as a collective that hasn’t beenable to challenge the patriarchy and

misogynistic belief system that theirparents have been born into! Don’t getme wrong, no parent will openly telltheir sons to rape women but it hap-pens subliminally through the parents’attitude, beliefs and behaviour towardswomen in general.”

Lewis is all for the harshest pun-ishment to be enforced, as soon as theculprit is charged without doubt.

“You can enforce the strictestlaws and it should be a deterrent tothose who value their life at stake, butyou will soon realise that a majorityof the gruesome acts of rape, stemsfrom simply this singular belief ‘ENTI-TLEMENT’.”

Where did he get this thought inthe first place? “Most of it starts athome. Our parents are the first influ-encers and teachers of our life. Mostof our beliefs, stems from how we areraised and we accept our parents’ beliefas our own which in turn is the col-

lective belief of a society nuanced byculture and religion. For the youngboy, a patriarchal and misogynisticbelief system gives him privilegesand entitlement so why would hequestion his vested interests of thispower equation! He will not, no mat-ter what his school and education sys-tem teach him thereafter!”

In the context to current times,people need to “expose the superficial-ity of our culture where on one handwe worship our goddesses for theirstrength and power then in the samebreathe we look at the woman on thestreet and think she is weak and shouldserve me because that’s her role in soci-ety.”

“Whilst we need stricter laws, fasttrack courts, sensitivity of police andsociety towards victims in not mak-ing them feel guilty or responsible forit, what's even more important is notto teach the daughters of India how todress or avoid provocation, but ratherto teach the sons of India, that womenare equal and they are ‘NOT ENTI-TLED ANYMORE’.”

D!�"�

-&�!!��$#�&�!!5��#��)��1��#�*��R.9-O�5��<��8�A5��B��#��=F��<��+�*��$��)��*��)��#��<��*)�*��*�+��#�*��**��*��*��*�1)��)

/:!0�@�>A�

� &"-��&�� "!!�� : �� 2� ��&�%4�� /�+"$�="��.��"(�$��-&"��"�5"��"&�&� ��"��5'�4 � $4��")��&"��$��5"! "�"� $��" &��&�

B@�70

��$.'#7)%�&�

�� !�"#$%=&=�!&%7 &� '(�:�

��*131!��

$��)��*)��=8��$��)��*)��<��!�+�)��#��+�)��1�#�*��#�<��)�*��#�*��)��#$��*��+��#��#$��*��+��*� �/��@��!��-.� �#@--��!�*��7�$!�/��@��*131!��*��=��0=��1*��2*��)��

��'�$��)��*)�$��)*��#��*��F)

�� !" #��*�)*�8��$��)��*�!1)��+�#��+��*�)*)��#� �)*��!1)��!$�)��) /��@��!��I �#@ I /9�$!/��@'��)�!1��1#�*��1! �!!��1��$��)��*)�$�� %��"&��)��

�2��*�� %��*�)*��*S$��$��)��8*��)$��*1��*��#��8�!��)��*�)�8�*��) ��*��$��*)�8�!��)*��+=�):1�**��+=�#��!��+=�!�<��+=!��<��+=��#�8��+�*��1+��<��1)�!�#�� /��@��!��7� �#@I /9�$! /��@6�)1��*)�(��

��(�<��!��*�$��)��*)�'�� (��&�8��)��8��)�)��*�<��#��)*�1�*�<�

��<��<�!��*��F)��1*��+�8�*��2��*��+��1$��!��*��*�)*) �/��@��!��I/��@'��*��=��E�<�'��8�

B ��

As the area reverberated withthe sound of Nooran Sisters

singing Allah Waleyan Di Jugni,it became evident why scholarsconnect the term sufi to safi(meaning pure). The vibe at DLFMall of India’s open space wassurreal as the audience swayed insync with the hypnotic tunesunder the moonlit sky. Theevening balanced mysticism withnew-age sounds as the duo’ssinging playlist ranged from pop-ular Sufi Kalams and Punjabi folkto some Bollywood numbers.

Their powerful rustic vocalsand a mesmerising Sufi singingprowess appeal across differentage groups have made Jyothi andSultana Nooran universalfavourites. The two credit theirentire success to their father, withwhom their relationship hasn’tchanged a bit since childhood. “Afather remains a father. He hasbeen our teacher and still watch-es our whole performance andscolds us too if need be,” saysJyoti and laughs.

Making a living as a musiciancan be tough especially for inde-pendent artists. And who knowsthis better than the NooranSisters? Jyoti says, “If we talkabout success in any field of art,if youngsters channelise theirenergy towards their work appro-priately, success will certainly kisstheir feet. There is no place forlaziness. All you need is passionand dedication.”

From performing at theDhaka International Folk Fest, tomastering the Sham Chaurasiagharana music and making adebut in Bollywood playbacksinging, the sisters have hadquite a journey. Of course, a lothas changed along the way. “Asartists, we have grown a lot. Werecognise our efforts and want tosustain them. If we talk aboutchanges, of course, the musicpatterns have evolved to keeppace with people’s music prefer-ences. Different genres havecome up and each one has itsown importance. For us, variousremixes of our independentalbums will continue to be made.

And not to forget, it has beenquite a transition from classicalsinging to Bollywood music,”says Sultana.

She feels that composers inthe Hindi music industry todayare well aware of their style andtaste of singing. “They havenever stopped us from singingwith gusto. The composition ismade according to our tone andtenor. We have always felt greatsinging for Bollywood films. Wehave sung simpler genres infilms but that does not changeour forte as independent classi-cal artists. And all our songsinspire us to create more happymusic. Memories fromBollywood have been special,”adds Jyoti.

With the rise in hip hop andrap culture, it might seem thatSufi and classical singing are los-ing their charm. “How can an artform that represents spiritualitybe lost?” questions Jyoti and

adds that Sufi has various stylesand variations, which make itlively and evergreen. Sultanaadds, “Sufi can never lose itscharm. It is like smoke fromincense sticks which keepsspreading even after the flame issnuffed out and spreads its scentthroughout. And Western musicis like a candle, which stopsspreading light after a whiff ofair. Also, those who know theessence of Sufi, make sure theymaintain its traditions and val-ues intact. They want others toget connected to music too. SoSufi can never die.”

The sisters have added var-ious Western instruments intheir music compositions butexploring a new genre is stillawaited. “Instruments do notchange with genres. Changes inthe instrumentational complex-ity are related to the number ofartists contributing to that style,”says Sultana.

Jogen Chowdhury quotes Picasso,“Everything that you can imag-ine is real.” This resonates very

much in his new series of works.Elegance and style define his

human figures embodied in Reverieand Reality at Emami Art in Kolkata,which have been curated by RanjitHoskote. His drawings have a frag-ile yet an intrinsic element whichmakes way for some grace. The aes-thete with an epicurean eye, RichaAgarwal, director of Emami Art, hastaken two years to put together thisepic show.

�!��*!��*� *!��Jogen’s drawings embrace exag-

gerated limbs, fingers and torsoes,and natural expressions which arefluid in their infinitely curious con-tours. The 80-year-old doyen of artssays, “When I began drawing someyears ago, I had a strong urge to cre-ate something new and originalwithout imitating the West. But Ididn’t want to fall back on Indianart’s appropriations, which are aboutancient India and its heritage. Iwanted an individual definitionthat would determine my art and itsconventions. Be it the people I sawon the street, their mannerisms,their peculiarities or their strangeexpressions, for me, observation andthe passion to translate these peo-ple onto my work became my bestpastime.”

/��*#/*#�There is an accentuated sensu-

ality in Jogen’s work, in which eroti-cism breathes from every pore.Through thin, wiry lines, and ascreen of darkness, he creates aromanticised imagery revelling ininherent satire. He says, “I used togaze for long at Picasso’s women. Iliked how he presented his idea ofromantic longing through theirmany expressions. I have always feltthat when we draw or paint a

woman or a man, there should bean unpredictable element in what weare creating.”

But he is sensitive towards thewomen that punctuate this oeuvreas they have a strength of character.And the Marwari couples that hecreates have about them a sculpton-ic intensity and ingenuity. “I havealways looked at the sculptures of

Michaelangelo and Picasso and feltthat I must bring sculpted weightinto my human figures. But unlikePicasso, I have woven sympathy andadmiration in my female formstoo. The facial features and the fig-ures are very important. Perhaps, alittle appreciation,” he says.

At his home in Kolkata, his liv-ing room is filled with drawings of

his wife, tall and slender with finefeatures, which affirm the truth thatmany of his images are a reflectionof her. When asked about his pas-sion for drawing, he says, “From 17,I started keeping sketchbooks andusing them as references. I also hadthis habit of working on an imageand creating shadows of cross hatch-ing to add an expression of heavi-

ness or roundedness to a body, orbreast, stomach or even limbs. Byadding texture and volume, I wascreating forms that were intriguingas well as interesting.”

� �,,,��Jogen is one among many who

belonged to the famed mentorWilliam Hayter’s class. His love for

classical European art echoes in hispainting of a still life framed in anold master style. When you look atsome of them in the show, youwould know that his still livesbreathe through the Indian gar-dens. The fruits either single or intwos and threes have a bulbousvivid colouring, which combinesgrounding earth tones and enliv-en primary, fleshy colours.

It is his unique synthesis of theindigenous and the exotic, hisabsorbing of the heights attainedby European modernists, and

simultaneously achieving theintrinsic roots crucial to art, thathighlights the importance of therudiments of the history of art.

+*,>�� *#��*� ��

To move from one image toanother is to partake of art histo-ry simultaneously. In his manyportraits, we realise that paintingfor Jogen is a synthesis, a crucialstep and a culmination of two greattraditions — Western art andIndian idioms and conceptualisa-tion.

A rare masterpiece is Womanwith a Necklace. “My charactersbelong to my own choreography,”states he. The feminine mystique iscrystal clear — be it the long hair,the almond-shaped eyes, the pen-cil-thin lips or the sinuous curves,everything combines to create anaura.

“The characters, temperamentand manners that I observe in thepeople around me are fascinating.I portray them from a personal per-spective. In my characterisation ofpeople, I crossed the boundaries ofrealistic representation and let myimagination take over,” he affirmsand adds, “Drawing is like music,it must flow and be fluid. If an artistcannot draw, there is no music!”

Walking into a Broadway theatreat show time is something

special — the electricity, the excitedmurmurs, the shared anticipation.But, it turns out, walking into anempty Broadway theatre can be justas fun.

A newly launched tour of theHudson Theatre offers a rare chanceto wander around the interior ofBroadway’s oldest theatre and hearsome of the fascinating stories thathave happened over its 116 years.

“I would encourage you to baskin the rare moment of being in aBroadway theatre by yourself with noother audience members,” says tourleader Tim Dolan, moments beforeopening the Hudson’s inner doors.

Over the next 90 minutes, Dolanweaves real stories about HudsonTheatre veterans like BarbraStreisand, Louis Armstrong andElvis with historical events like thesinking of the Titanic and theIroquois Theatre fire of 1903 inChicago.

“The stories are crazy. Across allboards — tragedy, American histo-ry, TV and film, pop icons, and thenBroadway, of course, which I’mobsessed with,” Dolan says after thetour.

Dolan, an actor who has per-formed on Broadway, off-Broadway,cruise ships, national tours — andwho had one line on an episode ofBoardwalk Empire that he’s happy todeliver when prompted — runs theBroadway Up Close tour company,which prides itself on hiring work-ing actors and stage managers forauthenticity.

Dolan has partnered with theHudson’s owner, the AmbassadorTheatre Group, to let him bring toursinto the theatre during lulls betweenshows. He uses an iPad filled withperiod photos and video clips tobring the place alive.

While there are other walkingtours of Broadway — and one thatalso can get you inside a theatre —none match Broadway Up Close’sability to mix history and architec-tural knowledge and convey it froma performer’s perspective. Wheneverhe can, Dolan will also get his tourgroup up onto the Hudson’s stage, avery rare feat.

Highlights of the tour includewandering the 100-foot green mar-ble lobby, admiring the turquoise,orange and mauve luminescentmosaic tiles by Louis ComfortTiffany and spotting the ghost lighton the stage. You’ll learn that the bestseats cost just $2 when the theatreopened in 1903, and you’ll find outwhy women’s theatre bathrooms areso crowded today.

The tour takes you to the orches-tra seats, up into the balcony and intoa private bar area. Dolan showsphotos of the empty top two floors,which once housed a family and arenow sealed off from the rest of thetheatre. Dolan’s infectious energy,insight and handle on history makesthe tour a Broadway visit must-do.

To find his stories, Dolan hasscoured the Library of Congress, TheShubert Archive, The Museum of the

City of New York, The New YorkPublic Library for the PerformingArts, memoirs and biographies. Hefilters it through his own show busi-ness life. “I’m going to try and makeyou understand how I look at a build-ing like this,” he says.

The 977-seat Hudson was builtby theatre producer Henry Harris,who perished aboard the Titanic. Hiswidow, Rene, who was the lastTitanic passenger to be rescued,managed the Hudson for another 20years, staging more than 90 plays.

Among them was the 1929 musi-cal revue Hot Chocolates, noteworthyfor music by Thomas Waller and forlaunching the career of a then little-known Louis Armstrong, who stolethe show with his singing of Ain’tMisbehavin’.

The Hudson operated as a the-atre on and off until 1960, with shows

starring some of the biggest namesin show business, including EthelBarrymore, Douglas Fairbanks,Sidney Lumet, Mae West, LenaHorne and Maureen Stapleton. ThePrice Is Right with Bob Barker onceoriginated from the Hudson, andAmerican Idol auditions have beenheld on its stage.

After 1960, it narrowly escapeda wrecking ball four times — the exis-tence of a family in the top floorsprobably helped — and went throughmany hands and incarnations,including stints as a radio and TVstudio, burlesque theatre and pornmovie house.

Jack Paar’s variety show wasbroadcast from the Hudson and itwas where Streisand made her firstTV appearance. Steve Allen’s showwas housed at the Hudson for a time,and he was responsible for an infa-mous episode in which Elvis sangHound Dog to a real hound dog.You’ll also see what Jake Gyllenhaal— who reopened the Hudson in aribbon-cutting ceremony in 2017 —left as a permanent mark: His hand-written notes of a Stephen Sondheimlyric have been turned into a neonsign at one of its bars.

As an actor, Dolan can explaintechnical stage details, from the waybackdrops move to the staggeringprice each production pays to geteverything loaded into the theatre.He reveals that actors carefully listento the number of coughs in the audi-ence — a sure sign of boredom. Andif you’re the kind of person who daresto record a show on your phone, hewarns you that his fellow actors canspot the tiny red light and will tell anusher.

“We see everything,” he jokes.“We pretend we don’t but we’rewatching everything you do.”

Dolan hopes his tour can demys-tify Broadway and reveal the rich his-tory of buildings we often enter with-out much thought. Ultimately, he’s aBroadway fan and wants more peo-ple to want to come back and see ashow.

“We need to make them feel con-nected and feel a part of it,” he saysafter his latest customers spill out intoTimes Square.

D��

>�� ?�:�2� ��@��*�)*��&(��'�& ��5 *��)��)$��*��!��))��)��1!��+1��)=�8��<��+�)�!�)�!$�*��#��#!��*��*��)��!��!)=�1��*��1��$��!�)*�� 4��

��)*��)=��5&�� #��=�*��1*�)8�*��+�!1)��+��)��#��8��*��)��#�*��!�*��2��#�*��!�*) �4�� 6�6�

0��$��$��

The Broadway show��$"(!'�!�%$-�"#��%&��"��%#��$��"��&"��"&��-��$-"��""��"� $�"& �&��&��#(�'@��!#"��"��&"

��*��$��(��$��)��*)��

)��!�& ��+��1$)��8�8��8��*��*��E�1��#��*�)*)��!�*��$��>��#�$��#��*��*��$�)*>��#�$��#��#��*��8��#��*�)��)�<��<�# /��@��1��/� �#@-9�!�*��G�$!

�+��

Spin king Nathan Lyon snared five wick-ets, including dangerous half-centurymakers Shan Masood and Asad Shafiq,

as Australia wore down a stubborn Pakistanto clinch the second Test and wrap up theseries 2-0 Monday.

Pakistan resumed day four of the day-night match on a precarious 39 for threewith Masood not out 14 and Shafiq on eightafter being bowled out for 302 in their firstinnings and forced to follow on.

It followed Australia’s mammoth 589for three declared, built around DavidWarner’s exceptional 335 not out — the 10thhighest Test score of all time.

Needing another 248 to force Australiato bat again and avoid a second successiveinnings defeat, they had a decent crack butwere eventually all out for 239 with thehome team claiming victory by an inningsand 48 runs.

It was Australia’s sixth consecutive winin a pink ball Test — four of them atAdelaide — with every day-night Testplayed so far since the concept was intro-duced in 2015 producing a result.

“Really happy. Barring few slip-ups inthe field yesterday, we played excellent crick-et in the last two matches,” said Australiacaptain Tim Paine.

“David and Marnus (Labuschagne)have been unbelievably good. We all wit-nessed a special knock from David Warner.It is among the top one or two innings everby an Australian.”

Lyon was Australia’s saviour, finishingwith 5-69 on a lifeless pitch that offered lit-tle for the home side’s fast bowlers, who were

made to toil.It was his 16th five-wicket haul and his

first against Pakistan, who have lost all fourTests they have played this year after twodefeats to South Africa in January.

Defeat continued Pakistan’s appallingrecord in Australia, where they have nowcrashed in 14 consecutive Tests.

“I would like to congratulate Australiaand especially David Warner,” said Pakistanskipper Azhar Ali.

“We have been beaten by a better team.We will take some positives from here. Asa bowling unit, we need to control the scor-ing rate.”

At least they offered some resistance on

Monday, with Masood, who models him-self on England’s Alastair Cook, playingsome glorious strokes as he assumed a lead-ership role after Babar Azam and captainAzhar Ali fell cheaply on Sunday evening.

His sixth Test 50, in his 17th Test,arrived with a boundary off Lyon, his sixthfour, before he chipped the spinner to mid-off on 68 where Mitchell Starc collected aneasy catch.

Shafiq, who has 12 Test hundreds to hisname, proved to be Masood’s equal andbrought up his 25th half-century with a sin-gle off Josh Hazlewood.

But Lyon struck again, with Shafiq get-ting a thin edge to a flighted ball that car-ried to Warner at slip and he was gone for57.

Lyon then removed Iftikhar Ahmed,caught at short leg by Labuschagne for a bat-tling 27, before trapping surprise first-innings century-maker Yasir Shah lbw for13.

Shaheen Afridi became his fifth victim,

�� !�"#$% )4"�%:*

� ��

West Indies cricket legend Brian Lara hasrevealed that he was looking forward to con-

gratulate David Warner had the Australianbreached his record of highest individual Testscore, just as Gary Sobers had done when heachieved the feat.

Lara broke the record of highest individualTest score twice, first when he overtook compa-triot Gary Sober’s 36-year-old record of 365 byscoring 375 against England in 1994 and thenagain when he bettered his own record to reach400 in 2004.

Warner hit an unbeaten triple century (335)on Saturday during the second Pakistan Test andlooked set to pass Lara’s 400 mark before skipperTim Paine declared the innings.

Lara, who was in Adelaide attending to somecommercial engagements, said he was gettingready to meet Warner.

“I was hoping they might catch me and get me(out) there and that was one of the reasons I washoping they might have let him go for it,” Lara wasquoted as saying by News Corp.

“It would have been amazing to walk out there(as Sobers did). Records are made to be broken.It’s great when they are broken by attacking play-ers. Entertainers. Being in Adelaide I would havegot an opportunity to if not walk out at least meethim at this opportune time,” said Lara.

The 50-year-old former West Indies captainsaid that Warner could still achieve the milestone.

“I still think Warner may have time to do itin his career. I know he is not a spring chicken butas soon as you get that 300 you know how to get400. He may get another shot at it.

“He is a very attacking player and that is thesort of player who can always set you up for a win.I know you need stabilizers but you also need oneor two players like David Warner and Sir VivianRichards who can take the game with their bats.”

En route his 335 not out, Warner went pastDon Bradman and Mark Taylor’s top scores of 334to sit second behind Matthew Hayden’s 380 as thesecond highest-ever score by an Australian.

“But after passing Sir Donald Bradman Iwould have loved to see him race towards me. Iwas getting dressed to come back near the end ofhis innings. I was listening to commentators saywhether he would have a go at Matthew Hayden’s380 but I felt if he got to 381 he would have to havea go at my record,” said Lara.

He added that although he understood thecaptain’s decision of declaring the innings, hewould have like if Warner was given a little moretime to try and etch his name in history books.

“It was a great innings. I can see that Australiawinning the match was the major thing and theweather was a big factor but I would have lovedto have seen Australia go for it. Being here I wouldhave loved to see it. Even if they say ‘hey David,you have got 12 overs, see if you could do it bytea time’ It would have been great.”

�+�� &�

Joe Root could not hide his delightafter a masterful 226 ended his run

drought and gave England a much-needed boost in the second Test againstNew Zealand on Monday as they endedday four believing they can square theseries.

It took a five-wicket haul for thetireless Neil Wagner to bring England’sfirst innings to an end at 476, a lead of101.

At stumps,New Zealandwere 96 for twoand needing to batlate into the finalday although rainmay yet have thelast word with fur-ther showers fore-cast for today.

“It felt good,”a beaming Rootsaid as he put astream of low scoresbehind him.

“Once I got in and had thebit between my teeth I want-ed to make it a real big one andtry and get us in a positionwhere we can force a result inthis game.

“I know there’s a bit ofweather around but you justnever know. It’ll be one big lastpush from everyone to try andcome away with a levelled-upseries.”

Root said it had been afrustration more than a worrythat he had gone 14 Test inningswithout a century but his return

to form gave him confidence.“It’s nice to get back to scoring some

big runs,” he said.“I found a really good rhythm out

there, felt pretty comfortable and I justwanted to keep going.

“It’s been a while since I’ve had thatamount of time out in the middle andyou get really hungry for it.”

It was Root’s third double-century,his longest innings in terms of time andballs faced and it ended just 28 runsshort of his Test best 254 againstPakistan three years ago.

He had part-nerships of 177with RoryBurns for thethird wicketand 193 for the

s i x t h - w i c k e twith Ollie Pope.

The 21-year-old Pope, in only his

fourth Test, progressed to75 before his valuable contribu-tion ended with an edge to yet

another Wagner bouncer.

� ��4��

Uttar Pradesh batsman Priyam Gargwill lead defending champions

India in next year’s Under-19 ICCCricket World Cup after the BCCI onMonday named him captain of a 15-member squad for the tournament tobe held in South Africa.

The All-India Junior SelectionCommittee picked the squad for thetournament to be held from January 17to February 9.

The 19-year-old Garg, a righthanded top-order batsman, has afirst-class double hundred and a ListA century to his name.

He was a part of the India C teamthat finished runner-up in the DeodharTrophy. He hit a 74 in the final againstIndia B last month.

In the 2018-19 Ranji Trophy sea-son, Garg was the second-highestrun-scorer for Uttar Pradesh with atally of 814 at an average of 67.83. Thisperformance also fetaured two hun-dreds, including a career-best 206.

Another player to watch out forwould be 17-year-old Yashasvi Jaiswal.Jaiswal became the youngest to hit aList A double-century during theVijay Hazare Trophy for Mumbai. Heaveraged 112.80 with three hundredsand a fifty during the season.

The 13th edition of the U-19World Cup will be played among 16teams, split into four groups.

India are placed in Group A withfirst-time qualifier Japan, New Zealandand Sri Lanka. The top two teams fromeach group will qualify for the SuperLeague stage.

India is the most successful teamin the tournament, having won fourtitles till date.

Ahead of the World Cup, the teamwill also travel to South Africa for threeone-day matches against the Proteas U-19 side, followed by a QuadrangularSeries featuring South Africa U-19,India U-19, Zimbabwe U-19 and NewZealand U-19.Squad: Priyam Garg (captain),Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma,Divyaansh Saxena, Dhruv Chand Jurel(vice-captain & wk), Shashwat Rawat,Divyansh Joshi, Shubhang Hegde,Ravi Bishnoi, Akash Singh, KartikTyagi, Atharva Ankolekar, KumarKushagra (wk), Sushant Mishra,Vidyadhar Patil.

�/�,��@ Cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekarbelieves MS Dhoni’s leadershipis one of the greatest assets forChennai Super Kings, addingthat if the wicketkeeper-bats-man can replicate last season’sperformance, it would augurwell for the team in next editionof the Indian Premier League.

In last edition of the IPL,where CSK finished as runners-up, Dhoni scored 416 runs at anaverage of 83.20 in the 15matches he played.

Besides the former Indiancaptain, CSK boasts of havingexperience in their side with thelikes of Faf du Plessis, ShaneWatson and Suresh Raina beingthere in the team.

“CSK have always had

senior players in their squad,they have Faf Du Plessis andShane Watson at the top, theyhave got players like AmbatiRayudu and Suresh Raina at themiddle, so a backup middleorder batsman would be agood idea for them,” Manjrekarsaid while speaking at StarSports show Game plan.

“Dhoni loves to take thesechances with ageing players, hisleadership eventually makes adifference and if he can repli-cate last season’s performance,it would be great for the

team,” he added.The auctions for next

year’s IPL are slated to beheld on December 19 inKolkata and one of the ladswho will be watched out

will be Virat Singh. The middle-order batsman from Jharkhandwas one of the standout per-formers in Syed Mushtaq AliTrophy and also showedglimpses of his talent in theDeodhar Trophy too.

“If you look at his Deodhartrophy numbers, he (ViratSingh) is averaging at 80 andstill striking at 101 and if he isable to do that in a 50-over for-mat, you know he has got thefire power to play the 20-overmatch,” said former India open-er Aakash Chopra.

“Most of the IPL teamswant an Indian batsman whocan bat at 5, 6 or 7 which is atough place to bat as youngsterstend to struggle at that position,”he added. PTI

��

Former Australia all-rounder AndrewMcDonald, who has been appointed as

the head coach of Rajasthan Royals, is hop-ing that the franchise makes improvementsby leaps and bounds under him andremove the tag of underdogs to one ofchampions in the upcoming IPL editions.

Rajasthan Royals had won in theinaugural IPL season in 2008 under leg-endary Australian leg-spinner ShaneWarne. However, after that, the Rajasthan-based franchise hasn’t been able to performas per expectations. In fact, in the 9 sea-sons they have participated after their titlewin in 2008, Rajasthan have been able tomake it to the play-offs only three times.

McDonald — who has been appoint-ed for the next three years — stressed thathis one and only aim will be to makeimprovement in all the departments andmake it sustainable.

“I see this as an enjoyable opportuni-ty. The common thing is that we are work-ing to win matches for Rajasthan,”McDonald said.

“Rajasthan have made it to the finalfour 4 times out of the 10 seasons they haveplayed. Our challenge is to improve andmake that improvement sustainable overa period of time.

“I am looking forward to improvingthe team so that we go from underdogs totitle favourites leading into the tournament,”he added.

NEERAJ SUSPENDED FOR FAILING DOPE TESTNew Delhi: ��*��*�� !�#��>8��+� ��#��8�!��2��E� A7G�+B=�8��8�)��!��+� *��$��)� �� .9.9� �� &��!$��)=� ��)� ��$��<�)�� )1)$��#�#� ��*�� +� �� #�$�� *�)* ��>��2��*�)*�#�$�)�*�<��$��!��>��+� #�1+� ��+��#�� #� ?�*�� )*��#)@

ANJALI TAKES 6/0 IN WOMEN'S T20IPokahra: ��$��T)� ��E�� '��#�� #��)��$*�#� ��)*�� $��#1��+� *�� )*� ��8��+$��!��8�!��T)��.9��8�*��+1��)��I"9��!�*��+��)*��#�<�)��*�*��-/*��1*��)��(�!�) ��)��)�*��)*�*�!��<��8��)�*��)�2� 8��*)� �� 1�� *��*�� !�*�� $��8��*��!�*��-9�8��*)=��+�-G��))��9 7��<��) ��=�*��#��+�#�*��)��)��)�=�8��#��!�#�)�2�8��*)�� *�� 1�)� ��!� �� 0� �<��)� �+��)*� '��8�!��1��*��)��

KEMBOI, KALPANA WIN IN ATMCM 2019Gurugram: 3��#�3��8�*��3�!��=�8��+�)*��#��*��*��$��)��1!�'�*��*��.9-O��*��<��*��=��#��#�T)3��$��1*��!��*��8��)��*�� !�� #� 8�!��T)� �<��*)� �� .H00H-/� ��#/H7/H.9��)$��*�<��)$�!��+��#�� 3�1)��#��#�3��8�**�31�1��1*� 8��)� �� *�� !�� #� 8�!��T)� ��>!��*��)� 8�� #��#�� +�� #� 4��*��!�#�*��-9�!��$��#�'��+��1�) ��*��-N99��1��)��)��#�*��*�!�#��<��*)��1��*�� #��$1�� #� (�� '�1�)�� #1�#��$�))�)

971 PLAYERS REGISTER FOR IPL AUCTIONNew Delhi: OG-� $��)� ��<�� +�)*��#� �� *��1$��!��+��1�*��*��.9.9�)��)��*��=*�� +1�� )��#� �� #�� G/� )$�*)� �� 1$� ��+��)��#�*��)�)��<��1�*��7�$!=��!��O�*��)1�!�*�*��)��*��)*��$��)�*��*�8��!��*��1�*��)* �I/0��*��OG-��1��$$�#��#��$��)�8��I9��1��$$�#��#��$��)8��<��$��#��*� ��)*��!�*�� I9�!��$��)� �� 1��$$�#� ��*��*�� $��)� 8��*�� -OI� ��$$�#� ��*��*�� $��)� �� *�� -O��$$�#��#��$��)�� *�� )*�8��*8��$��)��!��))��*��*��)

MEN'S KHO KHO TEAM ENTER SAG SEMISKathmandu: '��*��1��+� �*)� 1��*�� 1�=� ��#��!��T)�3��3��*��!��*��#�*��)�!�>��)��*��-/*��1*��)��(�!�)��*��+�*8��8��)��#��#�� #��)*�*��)��#��)*)��$�� +)��#�-.�$��*)�8�*��)��)��-G>7��#��*��8��*��*��*�4��+��#�)��+)��#*8��$��*)�8�*��)��)��-.>-9 ��#��8��8�*��**�!>$��#��*��)�!�>��*�#�� 8��=� 8�!��T)� *��!� ��)�� )��1��#� )�!��*��)�*��$�)*�#�*��)��#�)1��))�<��8��*��!$�*�*��8��*��*��$��

DELHI PLAYER BANNED FOR AGE FUDGINGNew Delhi: �� *�� !� ��8�)5�#�<��)��#��*��4''��!�#�!�)*��*� �� *��2*� *8��)��)��)��*��+� ��1�#+1��*��1#+��+��)��+��1�#��>-O�*�1��!��*) 5�#�<=�8��)��+�)*��#�8�*��*��'�=��)��#�):1��#��*��4''��8�*��!!�#��*��*��#��#��!�$��*��$�*��+��.9.9>.-��#�.9.->..#�!�)*��*�)��)��) �� 5�"&!��

��2�:�

$�� $� � �� >�#� �

�@��@(�:�C�>A@�

F��)��1)*��!��*��)��#�*��)��+��+�*��*��)�!��*��+� �&��#��<�*��*��)�*��#��)��*�*��))*�+� �U��<�3 G

K ��'��6�(��

F�*��+*��#��)��*��!��!$��)��$��*� ��*��!�)��!��#�!�*��8�� A��*!��(��#��B�*F)��*��!$��*��*�8��*��*��$��$��<��1*��1 ��*F)��!$��*��*�8��*��1��<��1*��1�)�� #�<�#8��/-��U//7��*�1* G

K '��'��

F��<�#��#��1)��<��1��<��

+��# �(1�)��<��)��+��1�)

8��*��<��+�**��+�$$��*1��*��) � ��8�*��))�#��)$��!��<�# �� *��)��!��+�*��*�$��*8��+)��<��1)*�� *�8�)��)$��!�!��*��1)*�� G

K��

F��8�1�#��*��+��*1��*��1)*��#�)$��<�# �� <��*��**��*��! � ��8��*��)�!�$�)�*�<�)��!�� G

K�P��

�� .��.��

"��#�� (��+"�� .��

"��1 ��

-OOO� �1)*��8��/>9

.990� �1)*��8��/>9

.99O� �1)*��8��/>9

.9-I� �1)*��8��/>9

.9-O� �1)*��8��.>9

AUS VS PAK IN AUSTRALIA (since 1999)

# ��3 �3��7�2

-0, ��)*�� -OOO�>�.9-O

O ��#�� -O0N�>�-OGG

O� �)*��#��) .999�>�.99O

N� ��1*�� -O--�>�-O7.

N� ��+��# -O.9�>�-O.7=�.9-/�>-G

MOST CONSECUTIVE LOSSES IN AUS

�� *77 ��2�� "��1

��)*��)�D�77��1�)� ��+��#� ��#)� .9-N

��)*��I�8��*)� �� '��*1�� .9-N

��)*��O�8��*)� �� '�$��8�� .9-O

��)*��-9G��1�)� �� F�1�+� .9-O

��)*��)�D�7��1�)� �1)*�� 4��)�� .9-O

��)*��)�D�0N��1�)� �1)*�� #��#�� .9-O

PAK LAST 6 TESTS AWAY FROM HOME

caught at mid-off by Hazlewood onthe last ball before dinner.

The new pink ball was takenwhen they returned and with thelights on it didn’t take long to finishoff the tail, with Hazlewood clean-bowling Mohammad Rizwan for 45and Mohammad Abbas run out.

Tougher opposition awaits themwith the arrival this month of NewZealand for three Tests — in Perth,Melbourne and Sydney.

C(��%�� &�6% �&7�� %��&��$��

�& '�)��!"�#�$# �� $��A�1��

=��;��.�� 0�1��?� �� !

'��%��,,E� ��

/� ,,"�� "��#��!"�#��$�� "��,��@ Former Australian captain IanChappell feels Steve Smith underminedcurrent skipper Tim Paine by trying toset the field in the second Test.

Smith captained the team before los-ing the position in the aftermath of the

ball-tampering scandal last year. Chappellsaid the batting mainstay should not be as

involved in field placements as he seemedto be on Monday when Australia wrapped

the 2-0 series triumph.“I tell you what I don’t like to see, Steve

Smith is moving a few fieldsmen around,”Chappell told Macquarie Sports Radio.

“He did have a chat with Tim Paine, try-ing to talk Tim Paine into moving a fielderon the off-side, but I’m not sure Tim Painemoved him as far as Steve Smith wanted. SteveSmith started moving him, I hate to see that,”he added.

Chappell said Smith’s conduct amount-ed to “white-anting” Paine. White-anting is anAustralian term to describe action which seeksto bring down from within. PTI

@��-��2D;E��$��@#!�3��&��&$��:��%��*�-�+ ��?��F��$�� &��*��-�+��%��&��

��(�;��$� � �� %��.��; ��

�� !�"#$% )4"�%:1

�+��

Lionel Messi delivered amajor boost toBarcelona’s La Liga title

hopes by scoring a late win-ner in a 1-0 victory at AtleticoMadrid on Sunday.

Messi is thefavourite to win arecord-breaking sixthBallon d’Or and hecame up trumps againfor Barca at the WandaMetropolitano, wherean even contest looked des-tined to finish goalless.

“In matches that are closeand intense, having Leo isalways a big advantage,” saidBarcelona coach ErnestoValverde.

The Argentinian’s 86th-minute strike, after a neatone-two with Luis Suarez,keeps Barcelona level onpoints with Real Madrid atthe top of the table whileleaving Atletico with a moun-tain to climb if they are torejoin the race.

“It’s important for thethree points but also for themental side,” said Valverde.“It sends us into theChristmas period withconfidence.”

Atletico now sit sixpoints adrift of both Realand Barca, with thosetwo also having a game inhand which will be playedout in the season’s firstClasico at the Camp Nouon December 18.

It means Atleti couldconceivably head into theChristmas breaknine points offthe lead, a sig-nificant gap,part icularlyc o n s i d e r i n gthey will have toplay away against both Barcaand Real Madrid in the sec-ond half of the season.

“We need points,” saidAtletico coach DiegoSimeone. “We are not farfrom them but we are wor-ried. I am happy with theway we are playing but I will

not smile at thatbecause that does notbring us points.”

A n t o i n eGriezmann was whis-tled on his return to hisformer club, whomhe left for 120 mil-

lion euros ($132.3 mil-lion) to join Barcelona inthe close season, whiletoy rats were dropped onthe plaque that still bearshis name outside the stadi-um.

But Messi scored his 12thgoal of the season and sixth inhis last five games. He has now25 in 27 in the league against

Atletico although thiswas his first atthe WandaMetropolitano.

� �� 4�4��

India’s consistency will be put totest in the second edition of the

FIH Pro League, said captainManpreet Singh whose team willmake its debut against theNetherlands here in January nextyear.

The Indian men’s hockey teamwill open its campaign in the FIH

Pro League against the Netherlandshere on January 18 and 19 and willthen host world championsBelgium on February 8 and 9, fol-lowed by two more home fixturesagainst Australia on February 22and 23.

“I think the team has grownsteadily in this past year with anumber of youngsters getting verygood international exposure. We

have a good pool of players who canbe further tested during the HockeyPro League,” Manpreet said.

“Although we have maintainedour world ranking at No 5, our con-sistency will be put to test duringthe Hockey Pro League where weplay top teams like Netherlands,Belgium and Australia in the firstthree months of the season,” addedthe midfielder.

� �� 4��

Ace Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake on Mondaysaid he is eyeing nothing less than a Gold

medal in next year’s Tokyo Olympics, his lastappearance at the quadrennial extravaganza.

“It is going to be my last Olympics and defi-nitely I am going for the Gold,” said Blake, whoalready has two Gold and two Silver medals in theOlympics.

“I have got plenty of medals in the past, but thiswill be the icing on the cake for me,” he said here.

Blake considers himself favourite to clinch theyellow metal in the 100m sprint at Tokyo.

“I’m always the favourite, the second fastestman in the universe. Everyone has to look up tome. Definitely there are some good guys comingand I’ll be looking forward to the challenge,” hesaid.

“I think it is going to be epic, this is the great-est show on earth and everyone is looking for thatblue-carpet event, which is the 100m,” Blake added.

Blake also praised Indian sprinters Hima Dasand Dutee Chand.

“I met her (Hima Das) in (2018)Commonwealth Games. I spoke to her, (she is a)very good person. I know she will come backstronger. I feel they should believe in themselvesmore, work harder. They have to work day andnight. That’s what Hima Das asked me. That’s whatI will do in India,” he said.

�+�� '��

Harry Maguire is frustrated that defen-sive lapses are costing Manchester

United crucial points after they let slip awinning position for the second consec-utive match against Aston Villa.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were lead-ing 2-1 midway through the second halfat Old Trafford on Sunday before aTyrone Mings equaliser forced them toshare the points.

The 2-2 draw left United in ninthplace in the Premier League with 18points from 14 matches, their worstreturn at a similar stage since 1988/89.

United also conceded a late goal inthe previous week in a 3-3 draw againstSheffield United after storming backfrom 2-0 down to lead 3-2.

“We got ourselves in a great positionin the second half (against Villa) andagain conceded a sloppy goal really,”Maguire told MUTV.

“As a defender especially, it’s frustrat-ing,” he added. “We haven’t really conced-ed many chances or goals prior to the lasttwo games and then we’ve conceded five.”

Jose Mourinho returns to OldTrafford for the first time since he wassacked a year ago with a resurgentTottenham side tomorrow before Unitedmake the short trip to neighboursManchester City at the weekend.

Solskjaer has to find a way to turndraws into wins, having managed just sixvictories in 22 league matches sincebeing appointed permanent manager inMarch.

Maguire believes the quick turn-around from Sunday to tomorrow couldhelp United after their recent disappoint-ments.

“It’s perfect. When you don’t win anyfootball match you want a game as soonas possible to put things right,” he said.“And there’s no better way than to playTottenham here at Old Trafford.”

�+�� '��

Pep Guardiola says he is satisfiedwith the state of mind of his

Manchester City players eventhough they twice lost the lead todraw 2-2 with Newcastle and slipfurther behind Premier Leagueleaders Liverpool.

Guardiola, whose defendingchampions are 11 points adrift ofJurgen Klopp’s team with more thana third of the season gone, isadamant the City players have notbeen affected by a poor run of justone victory in five games in allcompetitions.

“You have to see how the play-ers run and how they fight and howthey try to do it, the body language— we never give up, so the team isalways there, that’s my feeling,” hesaid. “The game is what it is. In my

opinion, it was good. We playedwell with the ball, we were solid, weconceded few counter-attacks, butfootball is how many goals youscore and how you don’t concede.

“You accept that. Sometimes ithappens.” City have the Manchesterderby on Saturday but Guardiola isfocused on today’s away trip toBurnley beforehand.

“I’m not thinking about howmany games we have to win,” hesaid. “It’s just try to win the nextone.

“Last season when we werehere, we were not talking about thePremier League, how many gamesyou have to win.

“It’s not about that. It’s just nowrecover, prepare and try to winagainst Burnley, that is what youhave to do, and after that thederby and make these steps.”

� ��

Veteran tennis player LeanderPaes on Monday hinted at a

possible retirement, saying he nowrelies on his experience to outsmartopponents and shouldn’t be play-ing past another year.

Paes was named in India’sDavis Cup squad for the Pakistantie after several top players made

themselves unavailable to travel toIslamabad.

The 46-year-old went on to bet-ter his own record by achieving his44th Davis Cup doubles win asIndia routed Pakistan 4-0 last week.

“My experience carries methrough now but in the longevityfor what’s the best for the team Ishould not be playing past anoth-er year,” Paes told reporters.

The Olympic Bronze medallistadded that nurturing a new, youngteam should be the main objectivefor Indian tennis right now.

“Already by 46, I should havebeen moved out by the next gen-eration coming up,” Paes said.

“So to really be looking at itobjectively, the health of the team,to nurture a younger team is what’simportant,” he said.

�+�� 4��4��

Max Verstappen said he was pleased to seal thirdplace in the world championship after finishing

second in Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix — but want-ed more next season.

It was the Dutchman’s best season in the title raceand while he was satisfied, he said he would be aim-ing higher for himself and Red Bull next year.

“There wasn’t much more we could do in thisrace,” he said. “Lewis was too fast for us. As a teamwe want to move forward so, next year, we wantto fight for the title, of course.”

Six-time world champion Lewis Hamiltonwon convincingly for Mercedes ahead of

Verstappen and third-placed Charles Leclerc ofFerrari, who faced a post-race investigation intoalleged fuel irregularities.

Verstappen said his best memory of the yearwas his victory at the Austrian Grand Prix.

“It was also the first win for Honda in the V6era,” he said. “And it was very emotional with so

many Dutch fans there as well.“As a team we have to go forward so next

year we are hoping to fight for the title, of course.“To be in front of Ferrari in the champi-

onship was for me a good achievement. Nowwe have to step it up again.”

��

Francisco “Isco” Alarcón and RealMadrid are back on good terms.After enduring one of his worst sea-

sons in Madrid, Isco again has becomean important piece in coach ZinedineZidane’s team.

Isco has started in two consecutivematches for the first time this season,playing well and showing the type ofconfidence he used to have when hehelped Madrid win its recentChampions League titles.

“We never lost sight of Isco,”Zidane said after Madrid’s 2-1 win overAlavés in the Spanish league. “He is animportant player, he has always shownthat. He has personality. He alwaysshows up in difficult moments and hehas done that remarkably well again.”

Isco set up Dani Carvajal’s winneragainst Alavés after his header wassaved by the goalkeeper and ricochetedoff the post back toward the area for histeammate’s easy goal. The victory leftReal Madrid tied with Barcelona at thetop of the Spanish league standings.

“Isco played a good match, withand without the ball,” Real Madrid mid-

fielder Toni Kroos said. “He workedhard.” Isco had also started in the team’s2-2 draw against Paris Saint-Germainin the group stage of the ChampionsLeague on Tuesday, playing up frontalong with Karim Benzema and EdenHazard. He was loudly cheered by thecrowd at the Santiago BernabéuStadium when he was replaced byRodrygo late in the match.

In the previous 17 matches this sea-

son, Isco had started in only two, com-ing off the bench six other times. The27-year-old forward was slowed by amuscle injury early in the season buthad few chances even after regaining hisfitness.

Isco had been playing an importantrole for Madrid until losing space undercoach Santiago Solari last season, whenthe club endured one of its worst crisesin decades. He was sidelined through

long periods, prompting widespreadrumors about his possible departurefrom the club.

But Zidane wasn’t ready to give upon him just yet. Isco played in all threeChampions League finals won by theclub under Zidane, starting in two ofthem. He also played in the 2013-14final won by the team, coming off thebench.

Isco’s rebirth with Madrid shouldalso help him regain a spot in thenational team, where he used to havea regular place until his club strugglesbegan.

HOME STRUGGLESEspanyol enters the final month of

the year as the team with the worsthome record in the main Europeanleagues.

The Barcelona club has not wonany of its eight home matches this sea-son, with one draw and sevens losses.

The team’s latest setback was a 4-2 defeat against promoted Osasuna,when the more than 21,000 fans atRCDE Stadium loudly jeered the squadafter the match.

“We understand why the fans areangry, I’m also angry,” Espanyol mid-fielder David López said. “It’s a verycomplicated situation. Nothing works.We try hard, but nothing goes our way.We are closer to the second divisionthan we are to the first division rightnow, but it’s not the time to give up justyet.”

The weekend loss kept Espanyolsecond-to-last in the league standingswith nine points from 15 matches.

The team’s only point at homecame from a 1-1 draw with Getafe onNov 24. In away games, Espanyol hasthe 10th-best campaign in the leaguewith two wins and two draws.

�+�� &��

Barcelona legend and Al Saddcoach Xavi backed hosts

Qatar to make an impression atthe next World Cup after excit-ing forward Akram Afif wasnamed Asian player of the yearon Monday.

Doha-based Xavi, who col-lected the award on Afif ’s behalfat the Asian FootballConfederation awards in HongKong, said the Qataris would becompetitive in 2022 “for sure”.

Japan’s Saki Kumagai wasrewarded for a glittering careerfor club and country as she wasnamed women’s player of theyear at the ceremony in protest-hit Hong Kong.

Afif, 23, made a record 10assists as Qatar stormed to theirfirst Asian Cup title in February,reaping the rewards of heavyinvestment in their nationalset-up as the World Cup looms.

Afif also helped Xavi’s AlSadd reach the AFC ChampionsLeague semi-finals, where theylost to Saudi eventual winners AlHilal 6-5 on aggregate.

“I think they are workingvery well, they are competingagainst very big countries,” Xavi,who won the 2010 World Cupwith Spain, said of Qatar.

“I think they have a verygood team and also a verygood coach. They are well

organised on the pitch and theyhave a very good generation ofplayers... Many players that canmake the difference on thepitch.

“They are working reallywell and they can compete in2022 for sure.”

Afif, who beat Iran goal-keeper Alireza Beiranvand andJapan defender TomoakiMakino to the honour, is thesecond Qatari in a row to winthe men’s prize after defenderAbdelkarim Hassan last year.

His award comes exactlynine years after Qatar werenamed as surprise World Cuphosts, a move that was fol-lowed by vote-buying allegationsand a shift to the winter to avoidthe Qatari summer heat.

“Very happy to be selectedas the Asian Player of the Year.This is a great honour for me,”tweeted Afif, who is playing atthe Gulf Cup in Qatar.

Japan’s Asako Takakura waswomen’s coach of the year for arecord seventh time, whileChung Jung-yong was the bestmen’s coach after he led SouthKorea to the Under-20 WorldCup final.

With the top men’s awardoff-limits to anyone based out-side Asia, South Korea’sTottenham Hotspur star SonHeung-min was named interna-tional player of the year.

G�*�S*��#��#��#��<��#�#��)*�)�<��+�!�)A��+�*�+��)B��

��!$�*�*��)=�*��8��)*��1�)��+��!��<�#�*��#��#

�4��<��*�#�-G$��*)��+��*��)�*�7.��))�T)�+��)�*��

��)*��<��!��1*�) �%�1��*��)�$��*)��<��#�<)�*�S*��#��#��#=�!��*��*��$$��*��*��!$�*�*��

3;��+��!��)8��))��)!��+��+�

��+��)*�4��A(-I�I��-9B ��*=�%'�4��*��$$��*�*��<��#�*��!�)*�*�!�)�8�*��1*8��+

3��:1S��)��)��8�-9��8��#)��)-G��$$��)��

��!$�*�*��)�*��)�)��)��=�*��!��*��*��*��.9-N>-O)��)��A7.��$$)B

FIGURATIVELY

�"�0��)�� ">��%��&��-��&�� &�

��$� ��"$-'�( !!�5"��"��"# $��&��?"�4%"*�2�$/&""�

!�� ' � 1��/�� /�.��.�� %�� !��F .��

H��%��

�<�0 ��.�� ,-89�2� ��8�� <F .��

�#��$%��&�)�&)$7$)"��#7+4&!) "#�

=��. ��G� �� !��;�� !

*�;��H�� $� ��&��

��-��4� $��/&��4�$ ��&��"�!�%$#"&�B #�$"

'�� )��!��/��/�� .��;�)�#��'��1�� #��#��

��

��$��$��

�"��$""� ��!�� %"��",� "!�#"�)&�� "�

��'�*��*��+�*��!��!��#H�(1��#��

˘ ˇ ˆ˙˝˛˚ ˇˆ˙ˆ ˙˝ ˘ 1˚ ) # %˙ˇ! ’3 & 4& 44 · ahul Bajaj’s claim that...

Documents

Transcript of ˘ ˇ ˆ˙˝˛˚ ˇˆ˙ˆ ˙˝ ˘ 1˚ ) # %˙ˇ! ’3 & 4& 44 · ahul Bajaj’s claim that...