TRUMP BRIEFLY SAYSRUSSIA HELPED IN WINWashington: US PresidentDonald Trump brieflyacknowledged in a tweet thatRussia helped him get electedbut quickly backtracked incomments to reporters.

CONG TO NOT PARTICIPATEIN TV DEBATES FOR MONTHNew Delhi: The Congress hasdecided to not sendspokespersons on televisiondebates for a month, as the partyfaces a leadership crisis withRahul Gandhi insisting on hisresignation as its president.

AMARINDER-SIDHUTUSSLE INTENSIFIESChandigarh: Navjot Singh Sidhuon Thursday hit back at PunjabChief Minister Amarinder Singhsaying he has been unfairly“singled out” for the poorperformance of the Congress

CAPSULE

DEEPAK K UPRETI n NEW DELHI

Presiding over the biggestelectoral victory for the BJP

since its birth in 1980,Narendra Damodardas Modion Thursday took oath asPrime Minister for the secondtime in a grand ceremony atthe forecourt of RashtrapatiBhawan.

Rajnath Singh was the firstperson after Modi to take oathas a Cabinet Minister, followedby BJP chief Amit Shah.

Nitin Gadkari, Smriti Irani,Nirmala Sitharaman andPrakash Javadekar were amongthe 36 Ministers who weresworn in for a second term,while 20 MPs took oath ofoffice as Ministers for the firsttime.

Besides the Prime Minister,24 Cabinet Ministers weresworn in, nine took oath asMinisters of State (Independentcharge) and 24 others asMinisters of State.

Modi sprung a big surpriseby inducting former ForeignSecretary SubrahmanyamJaishankar in the Cabinet.

Senior BJP leader SushmaSwaraj, who attended the glit-tering ceremony, seemed tohave opted out like her partyleader Arun Jaitley, on healthgrounds.

Ram Vilas Paswan, DVSadananda Gowda, NarendraSingh Tomar, Ravi ShankarPrasad, Harsimrat Kaur Badal,Thawar Chand Gehlot, HarshVardhan, Piyush Goyal,Dharmendra Pradhan andMukhtar Abbas Naqvi wereamong those who got a secondchance in the ModiGovernment.

Giriraj Singh, Raj KumarSingh, Hardeep Singh Puri,Ashwini Kumar Choubey,Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, GajendraSingh Shekhawat, Santosh

Kumar Gangwar, Sripad YasoNaik, Jitender Singh, KirenRijiju, Mansukh Mandavia,Arjun Ram Meghwal, KrishanPal Gurjar, Sanjeev KumarBalyan, Purshottam Rupala,Ramdas Athavale and BabulSupriyo were among theMinisters of State in the previ-ous Government, who havebeen retained in the newGovernment.

Smiriti Irani, the giantslayer who defeated Congresspresident Rahul Gandhi inAmethi — pocket borough ofthe Gandhi family for 42years— was greeted with loudcheer when she walked up tothe dais to take oath as aCabinet Minister.

Shah’s entry to the Cabinetmarked the end of his highlysuccessful innings as the BJPpresident. Given his closenessto the Prime Minister, Shah isexpected to be saddled withone of the most importantCabinet portfolios.

Pratap Chandra Sarangi,known as the poorest MP whowon his election from Odisha(Balasore) campaigning on his

cycle, was made Minister ofState (MOS). He was cheeredby BJP leaders as he rose to takehis turn at the dais.

With an exception ofJaishankar, there was not anyother unusual entry into theCouncil of Ministers. It wasalmost a repeat of the 2014 pro-file with six new faces in theCabinet.

In a ceremony that lastedtwo hours, 57 Ministers,besides the PM, took oath.Electorally most importantState of UP where BJP won 64LS seats is represented byamong others by Irani andSanjev Balyan.

The Cabinet formation hastaken stock of comingAssembly elections inMaharashtra, Haryana andJharkhand. Maharashtra hasseven Ministers, while Haryanahas four ministerial represen-tation.

Induction of Jaishankar, aformer career diplomat whoserved as the Foreign Secretaryfrom January 2015 to January2018, has caught many withsurprise. Ambassador to China

and the US, Jaishankar whojoined Indian Foreign Servicein 1977, had played a key roleduring Indo-US nuclear dealrecently at the time of Doklamcrisis vis-à-vis China.

A sour note in the forma-tion of the Council of Ministerwas stuck by the NDA ally fromBihar JD(U) which did not jointhe Cabinet as the BJP did notagree to their demand for threeportfolios and was willing tooffer only one.

While Ramvilas’s LJP withsix LS seat is represented withone berth, the JD(U) wantedmore honours for its 17 LS seatsfrom Bihar. Paswan representesthe LJP in the Cabinet.

Another NDA ally AapnaDal and its leader AnnupriyaPatel did not get a place in theGovernment though Patelattended the swearing-in cer-emony.

Former Union Minister JPNadda, seen as a front runnerfor the post of BJP presidentreplacing Shah, was apparent-ly not in the list of Ministers forthe same reason.

Though a large number of

the Ministers in the Modi-1were repeated in the Modi-2,the notable miss were ManekaGandhi, Rajyavardhan Rathore,Suresh Prabhu. Maneka, aneight-time MP, however, istipped to be interim Speaker forthe 17th Lok Sabha. RadhaMohan Singh, AgricultureMinister in the previousregime, and party general sec-retary Rajiv Pratap Rudy, didnot get a berth this time.

Leaders of BIMSTECcountries, includingBangaldesh, Sri Lanka,Mayanmar, Thailand, Bhutan,former Prime MinisterManmohan Singh, Congresspresident Rahul Gandhi, SoniaGandhi and host of high pro-file businessmen and artistsfrom Mumbai film industryattended the oath ceremony.

Around 8,000 invitees esti-mated to have attended theswearing-in of Modi after hisresounding victory which tookBJP past 300 figure withNational Democratic Alliance(NDA) standing at stupendous350 mark.

Continued on Page 10

PNS n NEW DELHI

After five years of hardorganisational work during

which he transformed the BJPinto a political behemoth, AmitShah is all set to leave the party’spresident post, creating a voidwhich not many within the BJPcan easily fill up. However, JPNadda, Health Minister in theNDA I, has emerged as thefront runner for the post.

The name of DharmendraPradhan was also doing therounds as Shah’s replacement,but after he took oath as aCabinet Minister decks seemedto be clear for Nadda’s corona-tion as the party president.Besides being a trusted lieu-

tenant of Prime MinisterNarendra Modi and AmitShah, Nadda enjoys the supportof the RSS.

A Rajya Sabha member,fifty-nine-year-old Nadda isParliamentary Board Secretaryof the BJP. His elevation asparty president will help theBJP ward off criticism that theparty has been hijacked by

two leaders from Gujarat. SinceNadda is a Brahmin, it will alsohelp the BJP reach out to theupper castes.

Nadda is known for hisproximity to the party topleadership, which had entrust-ed him with the challengingtask of overseeing party’s UttarPradesh performance in therecent Lok Sabha polls.

The new BJP chief willstraight away face the challengeof leading the party to victoryin State Assembly elections inMaharashtra, Jharkhand andHaryana in September andalso deal with the instabilityfaced by the Congress-JD(S)regime in Karnataka.

Continued on Page 10

PNS n HYDERABAD

YSRCP chief YeduguriSandinti Jaganmohan

Reddy, popularly known as YSJagan, who led his party to alandslide victory in recentAssembly polls, took oath asthe second Chief Minister ofAndhra Pradesh post its bifur-cation, at a grand public func-tion in Municipal Stadium inVijayawada on Thursday.

Keeping in line with hispromise of “revolutionarychanges” in the governance,Jagan asserted that hisGovernment would not toler-ate corruption at any cost.

Therefore, a call centre will beset up by August 15 linkingdirectly with the ChiefMinister’s Office to allow any-one from across the State tolodge their complaints.

Jagan took the oath inTelugu amid thunderous cheersby scores of party leaders andworkers. Only Jagan took oathon Thursday and his Councilof Ministers is expected to besworn in on June 7.

Telangana Chief MinisterK Chandrashekhar Rao, whowas the special guest along withDMK chief MK Stalin, saidthere was enough scope for twoTelugu States to grow togetherand achieve higher goals.

Continued on Page 10

Rajnath, Shah openers in Modi 2nd innings

PNS n NEW DELHI

Amid serious differencesbetween Bihar Chief

Minister Nitish Kumar andBJP leadership over allotmentof only one Cabinet berth,Janata Dal-United (JDU) hasdecided to opt out of theNarendra Modi Government.

“The offer made by the BJPwas not acceptable to us. Weare firmly with the NDA, butwe will not join theGovernment,” Nitish said.

Sources said Nitish wantedat least three ministerial berthsfor his party including two ofCabinet ranks and one ofMinister of State.

But the BJP was ready tooffer him only one Cabinetberth and one MoS position.

Sources said Nitish washighly unhappy with this offer

because as many as five BJPMPs from Bihar were nomi-nated to the ModiGovernment. They include twoCabinet Ministers — RaviShankar Prasad and GirirajSingh — and three Ministers ofState.

“JD(U) won 16 seats, justone less than BJP from Bihar.Then why should we acceptsuch humiliating offer,” said asenior JD(U) leader.

The Bihar Chief Ministerdid attend the swearing-in cer-emony of Prime MinisterNarendra Modi and his newCouncil of Ministers atRashtrapati Bhawan.

BJP had offered oneCabinet berth to the JD(U),and sources said the regionalparty was also unhappy withthe portfolio offered to it.

Continued on Page 10

Ex-Foreign Secy Jaishankar most surprise pick for Cabinet; 36 make it for 2nd time

Nothing is betterthan something!JD(U) walks out

NOTABLE EXCLUSION

Grievance call centre in Jagan’s CMOKCR, Stalin

chief guests

at swearing-in

Two Telugu States

partners of mutual

benefit, says KCR

Nadda likely to head BJP

as Pradhan too joins Govt

Prime Minister Narendra Modi signs the register after taking oath of office and secrecy for the second consecutive term duringthe swearing-in ceremony at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Thursday PTI

YSR Congress Party president YS Jaganmohan Reddy is greeted by Telangana andAndhra Pradesh Governor ESL Narasimhan during his swearing-in ceremony at theIndira Gandhi Municipal Stadium in Vijayawada on Thursday PTI

*Portfolios for the new Ministers have not been announced amidreports that Amit Shah may get the Finance portfolio and Rajnath willretain Home

*Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, a former diplomat who lost theelection, managed to retain his berth

*UP accounted for a maximum of 9 Ministers while West Bengalwhere the BJP had a spectacular showing winning 18 LS seatsaccounted for two Ministers

*Leaders of BIMSTEC countries, including President of BangladeshAbdul Hamid, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, Nepal PrimeMinister KP Sharma Oli, President of Myanmar U Win Myint andBhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering as well as Kyrgyz PresidentSooronbay Jeenbekov and Mauritius PM Pravind Kumar Jugnauthattended the oath ceremony

@TheDailyPioneer facebook.com/dailypioneerFollow us on:

www.dailypioneer.com

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WORLD 12

NIRAV MODI’S REMANDEXTENDED TILL JUNE 17

SPORT 15

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Late City Vol. 155 Issue 148*Air Surcharge Extra if Applicable

Published From DELHI LUCKNOW BHOPAL BHUBANESWAR

RANCHI RAIPUR CHANDIGARH DEHRADUN HYDERABAD VIJAYWADA

Established 1864

RNI No.2016/1957, REGD NO. SSP/LW/NP-34/2019-21

LUCKNOW, FRIDAY MAY 31, 2019; PAGES 16 `3

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14 VIVA CITY

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OPINION 8

NO TIME FORTV RHETORIC

city 02LUCKNOW | FRIDAY | MAY 31, 2019

PNS n LUCKNOW

With the report onBarabanki hooch tragedy

that claimed 24 lives yet to besubmitted, the Uttar Pradeshgovernment on Thursdaywarned all district magistratesand district police chiefs thatstern action would be taken ifany such tragedy was reportedfrom anywhere in UttarPradesh.

According to an officialcommuniqué released onThursday, Chief SecretaryAnup Chandra Pandey hasdirected all district magistratesand district police chiefs tolaunch a month-long drive tocheck sale of spurious liquor inthe state.

Pandey has asked the dis-trict officials to take sternaction against the mafia

involved in supply of spuriousliquor in the state, particular-ly through licensed shops.

He warned that if anyBarabanki-like incident wasreported, the district magis-trates and district police chiefswould be held responsible andstern action would be takenagainst them.

Pandey said that he wouldreview the action taken in thismatter on the first Monday ofevery month besides reviewingthe law and order situation andstatus of development and wel-fare works.

Meanwhile, even as thereport of three-member com-mittee formed by the ChiefMinister to look into reasons ofBarabanki tragedy and to iden-tify the culprits is still awaited,three people died and five oth-ers were taken ill in another

hooch tragedy reported fromSitapur.

Superintendent of Police ofSitapur, LR Kumar, said thedeaths were reported fromPaiteypur and Saidpur villageson Wednesday night.

One person identified asKanhaiya Kumar has beenarrested and investigations areon to establish from where theliquor was sourced, the SPsaid.

Those who lost their liveswere identified as Vijay, 30,Sumerilal, 40, and Vinod, 30.Of the five taken ill, four are incritical condition and havebeen referred to the KGMUTrauma Centre in Lucknow.

In the Barabanki tragedy,the death-toll mounted to 24while several others have eitherlost their sight or are fightingfor their lives.

Lucknow (PNS): TheSamajwadi Party has exhortedyouths to come out on thestreets to expose the anti-peo-ple policies of the BharatiyaJanata Party-led governmentsin the state and at Centre dueto which the youths, farmersand women are suffering.

“The Constitution is inperil. It is the dark age inwhich people are suffering.Only the youth can providesuccour. Therefore, the youthsshould come forward andexpose the government,” SPspokesman RajendraChaudhary said on Thursday.

Chaudhary said that notonly youth and women, evenfarmers were bearing the bruntof the faulty policies of the BJPgovernment. “What can bemore unfortunate than farmersnot getting remunerative pricefor their agricultural produce,”he added.

PNS n LUCKNOW

The Uttar Pradesh unit ofBharatiya Janata Partysees consolidation of

Muslim votes in favour of SP-BSP-RLD alliance partners andfailure of Congress to get votesas the primary reason for thedefeat of its candidates in west-ern Uttar Pradesh, the regionwhere the party suffered max-imum loss in the recent LokSabha polls in the state.

The BJP state leaders helda review meeting in which theperformance of the party wasdiscussed threadbare. The focuswas obviously on the resound-ing victory of the party in theface of the mahagathbandhanformed by Samajwadi Party,Bahujan Samaj Party andRashtriya Lok Dal. They also

dissected the results to find outthe reasons for the loss of theparty in western UP.

“The party lost nine seats in2019 compared to what it wonin the 2014 parliamentary elec-tions and the maximum losswas in western UP. Reports ofthe booth in-charges suggestthat the BJP lost because of con-solidation of Muslim votes.Majority of the seats won by theBSP are where Muslims andDalit votes proved decisive,” asenior BJP leader told ThePioneer on Thursday.

The BJP lost nine seatsthis time – seven in western UPand two in eastern UP. In the2014 general elections, the BJPand its ally had won 73 seats inUP of which BJP’s share was 71while in this election, the BJPand its ally Apna Dal have won

64 seats with BJP’s share being62 seats.

The BJP lost the prestigiousSaharanpur Lok Sabha seatwhere party’s sitting MPRaghav Lakhanpal was defeat-ed by Haji Fazlur Rahman ofthe BSP by over 22,000 votes.The SP-BSP-RLD leaders hadstarted their poll campaignfrom Deoband in Saharanpurwhere Mayawati had given acall to Muslims to vote united-ly in favour of the alliancepartners. For this statement, shewas barred by the ElectionCommission from electioneer-ing for 48 hours but the voterstook her advice very seriously.

The BJP suffered the worstdefeat in Moradabad divisioncomprising six parliamentaryconstituencies where it lost allthe seats. BJP’s loss was gath-

bandhan’s gain as the SP and theBSP shared the seats equallybetween them. All these seatswere earlier held by BJP.

The BJP, during the reviewof the poll results, took solacefrom the fact that the party wasable to get votes of the MBCs(Most Backward Classes)because the BJP candidate lostonly in Nagina by a margin ofover one lakh votes while inother constituencies, the mar-gin of defeat was in thousands.

“Another reason for BJP’sdefeat in western UP could bethe failure of Congress to get agood chunk of votes. Their fail-ure led to our defeat,” the BJPleader said. The SP wonMoradabad, Sambhal andRampur Lok Sabha seats whilethe BSP bagged the Amroha,Bijnore and Nagina seats.

PNS n LUCKNOW

Campaigning against the partycandidate proved costly for a

Bahujan Samaj Party leader fromBijnore as party supremo Mayawatiexpelled him from the party onThursday. BSP district president inBijnore, Rajendra Kumar, confirmedto media the expulsion of IqbalThakeydar from the party.

Last Tuesday, Mayawati had sus-pended senior leader and formerminister Ramveer Upadhyay for his‘anti-party activities’. Upadhyay hadcampaigned for BJP candidates inAligarh and Fatehpur Sikri.

According to sources, taking a seri-ous note of reports that senior BSPleader Iqbal Thakeydar, who wastwice elected MLA from ChandpurAssembly constituency of Bijnore onBSP ticket, had campaigned forCongress candidate from Bijnore,Naseemuddin Siddiqui, Mayawatiissued his expulsion order onThursday.

Iqbal did not campaign for BSPcandidate Malook Nagar in Bijnoreand backed his former colleagueNaseemuddin Siddiqui.

Siddiqui was number two in theBSP but after the party expelled him,he accused Mayawati of taking moneyfor giving party tickets. Siddiqui,about a year back, joined Congress andcontested the recent parliamentaryelections from Bijnore on its ticket butcame in third place. BSP candidateMalook Nagar won the election as SP-BSP-RLD gathbandhan candidate.

Sources said that Iqbal, who lostthe 2017 UP assembly elections to BJP’sKamlesh Saini, was demanding LokSabha ticket from Bijnore. WhenMayawati made Ruchi Veera asincharge of Bijnore parliamentaryseat, Iqbal had staged a protest. TheBSP supremo got agitated and removedhim from the Party but afterannouncement of the parliament elec-tions, she took him back in the party.Not only this, Mayawati also removedRuchi Veera and made Iqbal theincharge of Bijnore Lok Sabha seat.

This had raised hope of Iqbal con-testing the election from Bijnore andhe purchased the candidature form butat the last moment, Mayawatiannounced Malook Nagar as the partycandidate. Annoyed by her move, Iqbalhad openly campaigned for Siddiqui.

Lucknow (PNS): Uttar Pradesh CongressCommittee president Raj Babbar on Thursday helda meeting of state unit’s executive, even in absenceof quorum, and passed a resolution urging party’snational president Rahul Gandhi to withdraw his res-ignation and continue to lead the party.

Rahul Gandhi has offered to resign as Congresspresident taking responsibility of the party’s worst everdefeat in recent parliamentary elections and has askedthe senior leaders to search another party chief. In UP,Congress could win only one seat (Rae Bareli by SoniaGandhi) while Rahul himself tasted defeat in Amethi.

Babbar had called a meeting of UPCC executiveat party office here on Thursday. Though there areover 1,100 Pradesh Congress Committee membersbesides AICC members and a committee of over 400leaders, barely four dozen leaders and workers turnedup for the meeting. Interestingly despite the absenceof quorum, Babbar conducted the meeting in a hurryand completed the formality of passing a resolutionappealing to Rahul Gandhi to withdraw his resigna-tion. He later left the UPCC office without speak-ing a word on party’s recent defeat in the parliamen-tary elections.

UPCC spokesman Brijendra Singh said the exec-utive praised the working of Rahul Gandhi andappealed to him to withdraw his resignation and con-tinue to guide the party. Singh said UPCC spokesmanPradeep Singh, who was sitting on fast-unto-deathat state headquarters demanding withdrawal of RahulGabndhi’s resignation, ended his fast on the requestof Raj Babbar.

PNS n LUCKNOW

Ayouth was shot dead overa petty dispute in

Shahjahanpur while a 19-year-old woman was killed and herhusband seriously injured inBareilly on Thursday in a sus-pected case of ‘honour killing’.

According to reportsreceived from Shahjahanpur,Mulayam Singh Yadav, a nativeof Jaitpur area of the district,called his friend Arjun to hisfield for a liquor party onWednesday night. While drink-ing liquor, Yadav had some dis-pute with Arjun followingwhich the latter whipped out acountry-made revolver andshot him dead and escaped.

A villager who witnessed tomurder informed the police

about the incident. A case wasregistered and efforts were onto nab the assailant.

In Bareilly, Gulsher, anative of Karua Sahebganj vil-lage under Kyoladiya police sta-tion, reportedly barged into hissister Mohini’s house and shother on Wednesday night.When Mohini’s husband, RamKishore Baretha, rushed to herrescue, Gulsher opened fire athim and escaped.

Mohini died on the spot,while Ram Kishore was seri-ously injured and rushed to ahospital. Mohini and RamKishore got married in April2018 against the wishes oftheir families. They had left thevillage after their marriage buthad returned later.

An FIR was registered

against Gulsher and effortswere on to arrest him.

Mohini’s body was sentfor post-mortem.

Meanwhile, in a separateincident reported from Shamli,a 36-year-old woman alleged-ly poisoned her two children todeath before committing sui-cide over a family dispute.

The incident took place inGogvan Jamalpur village onWednesday. The woman wasidentified as Rachna and hertwo children as Mansi (10) andVikrant (8).

The woman allegedlymixed some poisonous sub-stance in a soft drink which sheoffered to her children andthen consumed it herself.

In another incident, a 15-year-old girl, identified as

Shivani, was burnt to deathafter her house caught fire inGomtipur village under ThanaBhawan police station inShamli district.

The girl had suffered burninjuries and was rushed to ahospital where doctors pro-nounced her dead.

In a mishap reported fromFatehpur district, three peoplewere killed and four injuredwhen their vehicle overturnedon National Highway-2 onThursday.

The DCM van on its wayto Allahabad from Kanpurwhen it overturned nearKatodhar toll plaza under theKhaga Kotwali police station,killing Mumtaz, Nisar andSajid on the spot. The injuredwere undergoing treatment.

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Consolidation of Muslim votes

led to BJP defeat in west UP

UP govt orders driveagainst spurious liquor

SP exhorts youths toexpose BJP govt’santi-people policies

Youth shot by friend over a petty dispute

Mayawati expelsrebel Iqbal

UP Congress urgesRahul to withdrawhis resignation

city 03FRIDAY | MAY 31, 2019

PIONEER NEWS SERVICE n LUCKNOW

Lucknow recorded the high-est maximum temperature

of May this year as mercurysoared to 44.8 degree Celsiuson Thursday. It was five notch-es above normal. The same wasrecorded on May 26 last year.

There is also no relief instore with the weathermanpredicting heat wave conditionsto persist at a few places of thestate and severe heat waveconditions at isolated places ofeast UP. The last 10-year recordshows that Lucknow hadrecorded the maximum tem-perature at 44.7 degree Celsiuson May 14 (2017), 44.4 degreeCelsius on May 16 (2016), 44.7degree Celsius on May 25(2015), 44.3 degree Celsius onMay 23 (2014), 43.9 degreeCelsius on May 27 (2013), 44.7degree Celsius on May 30(2012), 43.1 degree Celsius on

May 15 (2011), 44.7 degreeCelsius on May 13 (2010) and43.8 degree Celsius on May 1(2009). The highest tempera-ture has been 46.5 degree

Celsius, which was recorded onMay 31, 1995.

However, Allahabad wasthe hottest at 48.6 degreeCelsius. The local forecast is for

clear skies with the maximumand minimum temperaturesexpected to be around 45degree Celsius and 25 degreeCelsius, respectively.

PNS n LUCKNOW

Uttar Pradesh ChiefSecretary Anup

Chandra Pandey has askedofficials to formulate microplan at village level toachieve the target of planti-ng 22 crore trees in one dayacross the state and alsoissue annual income certifi-cates to upper caste poor sothat they could derive thebenefit of reservation.

While reviewing theprogress of implementationof government schemes hereon Thursday, the ChiefSecretary said that alldepartments should preparemicro plans up to villagelevel to achieve the target ofplanting 22 crore saplings inone day. “Meetings of treeplantation committeesshould be held on a regularbasis. The village level offi-cials should ensure that pitsare dug up by June 15 forplanting saplings and thereport should be sent to thegovernment,” Pandey said.

He also asked the offi-cials to provide income cer-tificates to the poor amongthe upper caste so that theycould avail of the reservationgiven to them. “The govern-ment is getting reports aboutdelays in issuing reservationcertificates to the poor

among the upper caste. Theprocess should be expeditedand if need be special campsshould be held,” the ChiefSecretary said.

Reviewing the function-ing of wheat purchase cen-tres, Pandey asked theAgriculture department tomeet the target of purchas-ing 55 lakh metric tons ofwheat by June 15.

“Officials should ensurethat farmers get a suitableprice when they come at thecentres to sell their wheat.The nodal agency shouldalso ensure that farmers getthe price for their producewithin the stipulated timewithout the intervention ofmiddlemen, the ChiefSecretary said.

Pandey asked theDistrict Magistrate ofShrawasti to carry out aprobe into the low purchaseof wheat in the district andif required take actionagainst PCF officers.

In view of the increase indemand of electricity, TheChief Secretary asked thedistrict magistrates ofPrayagraj, Kanpur, Etah,Kasganj, Chandauli,Mirzapur, Meerut, Bhadohi,Ghaziabad, AmbedkarNagar and Basti to provideland for setting up of powerstation.

CS asks officials to achieve treeplantation target

44.7

0

C: May saves hottest for last

PNS n LUCKNOW

In a rare case, a woman hasgiven birth to quadruplets

—two girls and two boys —at a private hospital in thecity. Director of the hospitalDr SA Siddiqui, while talk-ing to The Pioneer, said themother as well as the chil-dren were fine.

Rehana (28), a native of

Barabanki, was admitted tothe hospital on Wednesdayafternoon and she was oper-ated upon by Dr AshaMishra. He said it was herfirst delivery and the womanhad not taken any fertilitytreatment.

“It’s a rare case becauseI have never seen a womandelivering four children atthe same time,” he added.

Woman gives birth

to quadruplets

The quadruplets born at a private hospital in Lucknow Pioneer

Girls keep their facescovered to protectthemselves from theinexorable onslaughtof heat wave

Pioneer

PIONEER NEWS SERVICE n LUCKNOW

Three persons were killed inseparate road mishaps in

the state capital. In the firstincident which was reportedfrom Rajni Khand underAshiyana police station lateon Wednesday night, 18-year-old Pramod, who was out fora walk after having dinner, wasknocked down by a speedingcar (UP32 JD0090) frombehind.

He was rushed to LokBandhu Hospital where hebreathed his last in the weehours. His father Kamleshlodged a complaint against theerrant driver at Ashiyana policestation on Thursday afternoon.Police said the deceased waspreparing for some competitiveexam.

Meanwhile, two youthswere killed after being hit by amini-trick on Rae Bareli road

under Mohanlalganjpolice station onThursday morning. They

were identified asTribhuvan Singh (21) andRahul (19). Police said thedeceased were partners incatering business andwere coming to Lucknowto meet a client. An eye-witness said the mini-truck driver apparentlylost control of the vehiclewhich hit the motorcycle.Both Tribhuvan andRahul died on the spot.

3 killed in road mishaps

city 04LUCKNOW | FRIDAY | MAY 31, 2019

U.P. POWER TRANS-MISSION CORPORA-TION LTD. E-TENDERNOTICEE Following E-Tenders are invited from

the experienced reputed contractors/sup-pliers for the execution of following works.For more details login on websitewww.etender.up. nic.in. 1. Short Term E-Tender No. 09/AETC/2019-20:-Procurement of Heavy Duty (2000A)Male & Female Arm Assembaly completesuitable for 132KV S&S make Isolatorchanel type for 200MVA T/F at 220KVS/S Azamgarh under Electy. 400KV S/SDivision Azamgarh. Earnest Money: Rs.2000.00 (Rs. Two Thousand) only.Tender Cost: Rs. 236 00 (Rs. TwoHundred Thirty Six) only. 2. Short TermE-Tender No. 10/AETC/2019-20:-Procurement of Heavy Duty Male &Female Arm Assembaly completeSuitable for 245KV S&S make Isolatorchanel type for 200MVATF at 220KV S/SAzamgarh under Electy. 400KV S/SDivision Azamgarh. Earnest Money: Rs.Rs 2000.00 (Rs. Two Thousand) only.Tender Cost: Rs. 236.00 (Rs. TwoHundred Thirty Six) only. 3. Short TermE-Tender No. 11/AETC/2019-20:-Providing and operating Dry Air Plant(minimum capacity -40°c Dew Point) withdew point meter and all accessories suit-able for injecting dry air in main tank oftransformer during installation& commis-sioning of 220/132 KV 200MVA TF at220KV sub-station A/amgarh underElecty. 400KV S/S Division Azamgarh.Earnest Money: Rs. 2,000.00 (Rs. TwoThousand) only. Tender Cost: Rs. 236.00(Rs. Two Hundred Thirty Six) only. 4. E-Tender No. 12/AETC/2019-20:-Procurement of Expantion type terminalconnector for proper mentinance of400KV S/S Azamgarh under Electy.400KV S/S Division Azamgarh. EarnestMoney: Rs. 2000.00 (Rs. Two Thousand)only. Tender Cost: Rs. 236 00 (Rs. TwoHundred Thirty Six) only. 5. E-Tender No.13/AEI 2019-20:- Procurement of differ-ent type of materials for proper menti-rance of 220KV S/S Azamgarh underElecty. 400KV S/S Division Azamgarh.Earnest Money: Rs. 2000.00 (Rs. TwoThousand) only. Tender Cost: Rs. 236 00(Rs. Two Hundred Thirty Six) only. 6. E-Tender No. 14/AFTC/2019-20:-Procurement of spares at 220KV S/SAzamgarh under Electy. 400KV S/SDivision A/amgarh. Earnest Money: Rs.2000.00 (Rs. Two Thousand) only.Tender Cost: Rs. 236.00 (Rs. TwoHundred Thirty Six) only. 7. E-Tender No.15/AI TC 2019-20: Procurement of33KV Post Insulator made of good qual-ity porcelain as per sample for propermentinance of 220KV S/S Azamgarhunder Electy. 400KV S/S DivisionAzamgarh. Earnest Money: Rs. 2000.00(Rs. Two Thousand) only. Tender Cost:Rs. 236 00 (Rs. Two Hundred Thirty Six)only.Tender Cost: Rs. 236 00 (Rs. Two8. E-Tender No. 16/AET 2019-20:Overhauling of 03 Nos. 145 KV circuitBreaker (2 No. CGL & 1 No. SIEMENSMake) installed at 132 KV Sub-StationKerakat & Siddiquepur under ETD-II,Jaunpur. Earnest Money: Rs. 2000.00

(Rs Two Thousand) only. Tender Cost:Rs. 236 00 (Rs. Two Hundred Thirty Six)only. 9. E-Tender No. 17/AET 2019-20:Maintinance of A.C. System at 132KVSub-station Atraulia, under Electy. Trans.Division, Azamgarh. Earnest Money: Rs.1500.00(Rs. One Thousand FiveHundred) only. Tender Cost: Rs. 236 00(Rs. Two Hundred Thirty Six) only. 10.E-Tender No. 18/AETC/2019-20:Overhauling of 33 KV three phase vac-uum circuit breaker of various type, 33KV feeders at 132 KV S/S Lalganj underElecty. Trans. Division, Azamgarh.Earnest Money: Rs. 2000,00 (Rs TwoThousand) only. Tender Cost: Rs. 23600(Rs. Two Hundred Thirty Six)only.Earnest Money: Rs. 2000,00 (RsTwo Thousand) only. Tender Cost: Rs.23600 (Rs. Two Hundred Thirty Six) only.11. E-Tender No. 19/AI TC/2019-20:Dismantling & replacement of 145 KV oldMOCB and 33 KV BOCB by new 145 KVSF-6 CB and 33KV VCB respectively at132 KV Sub-Station Shahganj underElecty. Trans. Division-II, Jaunpur.Earnest Money: Rs. 1000.00 (Rs OneThousand) only. Tender Cost: Rs. 236 00(Rs. Two Hundred Thirty Six) only. 12.E-Tender No. 20/ALTC/2019-20:Repairing and servicing of 132 KVIsolators and 33 KV CTs on annual main-tenance basis at 132 KV S/S Lalganj,Koilsa, under ETD, Azamgarh. EarnestMoney: Rs.000.00 (Rs Two Thousand)only. Tender Cost: Rs. 236 00 (Rs. TwoHundred Thirty Six) only. Earnest moneywill be in shape of RTGS/NEFT dulypledged in favour of SuperintendingEngineer, Electy. Transmission Circle.IPPTCL, Azamgarh. Tenderer can uploadtheir tender bids against Short Term E-Tender No. 09 to 11 upto 17.00 Hrs. of17.06.2019 and the same will be openedon dated 18.06.2019 at 12:00 hrs,13:00 hrs & 14:00 hrs. respectivelythrough E-Tendering. Tenderer canupload their tender bids against E-TenderNo. 12 to 15 upto 17.00 Hrs. of02.07.2019 the same will be opened ondated 03.07.2019 at 12:00 hrs, 13:00 hrs,14:00 hrs & 15.00 hrs, respectivelythrough E-Tendering. Tenderer can uploadtheir tender bids against E-Tender No. 16to 20 upto 17.00 Hrs. of 03.07.2019 thesame will be opened on dated 04.07.2019at 12:00 hrs., 13 00 hrs., 14:00 hrs. 15:00hrs & 16:00 hrs. respectively through E-Tendering. Intimation regarding openingof Tender Bid Part-II i.e. Price Bid willbe given on above e-website in duecourse of time. Please visit web sitewww.etender. up.nic.in for details/download and for any other corrections/amendments /modification extension tillthe date of submission of tender. In casethe tender opening date is holiday orundersigned remain out of headquartersthe date of submission and opening oftender will stand extended to next work-ing day. Undersigned has the right toreject/divide any tender without assign-ing any reason thereof. Conditional ten-ders shall not be accepted. SUPERIN-TENDING ENGINEER (TRANS. AZA-MGARH No. - 744 Date 28.05.2019SAVE ELECTRICITY IN THE INTER-EST OF NATION

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PIONEER NEWS SERVICE n LUCKNOW

Asub-inspector and headconstable were among

eight persons who sustainedinjuries when two groupsclashed in Paharpur villageunder Banthara police stationlate on Wednesday night.

Police said the clash brokeout over the recently-conclud-ed gram pradhan elections.Reports said two influentialpersons of the village —Krishna Pal Singh and AjitSingh — were having differ-ences over village politics.

The police said the twowould often pick up fight witheach other. However, localssaid the police took no actionagainst them and wouldalways let them off with warn-ings. Late on Wednesdaynight, Ajit, along with armedaccomplices Luv Kush, ShivMangal, Anupam Singh andKripa Pal, went to the house ofKrishna Pal to settle scoreswith him. Krishna and his sonArjun were in the house whenthey barged into the house at11 pm.

Initially, they had a heat-

ed exchange with the duo andall of a sudden, Ajit and hisaccomplices resorted to vio-lence and vandalism. Theyalso damage Krishna’s SUVand two motorcycles.

Meanwhile, some villagersinformed the police. As thepolice reached the spot, Ajitand his accomplices startedpelting them with stones inwhich a sub-inspector andhead constable sustainedinjuries. Besides, six personsfrom both the groups werealso injured.

The injured sub-inspector

informed the district controlroom about the situation tak-ing a turn for the worse.Additional police force wasrushed to the village to bringthe situation under control.Those injured were rushed tothe nearby community healthcentre. The police said thatKrishna Pal, in his complaint,alleged that they had alsobeaten up women members ofthe family and looted four goldchains & Rs 5,000 in cash. Thepolice said the accused would be arrested after investigations.

PIONEER NEWS SERVICE n LUCKNOW

The Fire department hasgiven 15 days to coaching

institutes in the city to haveproper firefighting arrange-ments as per National BuildingCode (NBC-2016) norms orface stringent action.

The department is check-ing the coaching centres run-ning in commercial buildingsin the wake of the Surat firetragedy in which several chil-dren were charred to death.

Singh said that they hadcarried out the exercise in 30-40 institutes and the exercisewas still continuing becausethere were a large number ofsuch institutes in the city. Hesaid that the inspection willcontinue till all the coachingcentres were covered.

“I have instructed the zonalofficer to carry out the inspec-tions in their respective regions.We have given them instruc-tions to also look at the build-ing design which is important

for firefighting measures,” chieffire officer said. He added thatmost of the coaching instituteswere not following the rulesand had only a few equipmentin buildings.

Asked if the coaching insti-tutes had discontinued theclasses till adequate arrange-ments were made, he said theofficials had been assured thatcoaching centres would func-tion only after proper fire-fighting arrangements wereensured.

PIONEER NEWS SERVICE n LUCKNOW

Two persons were serious-ly injured when they were

thrashed by four armed mis-creants who also looted twosmartphones and Rs 30,000 incash when the former askedthem not to consume liquor atan orchard in Abid Khedaunder Kakori police stationlate on Wednesday night. Themiscreants were identified asSubhash Yadav, Jeetendra,Shivpal and Nadeem.

Police said orchard ownerSaroj Rajput Lodhi haddeployed his brother Sameerand servant Amit to look afterthe orchard. Lodhi went to theorchard around 11 pm toserve food to them. Lodhiasked Amit to fetch waterfrom the tubewell in theorchard. When Amit reachedthere, he saw the quartet hav-ing a drinking session. Themiscreants asked Amit to sendhis boss to take water. WhenAmit asked them not to con-sume alcohol there, theythrashed him. Amit com-plained to Lodhi after whichthey went to the tubewell to

confront the miscreants.The tipsy miscreants

thrashed Lodhi too and loot-ed cash and smartphones fromhim and Amit at the gun-point. On Thursday morning,a complaint was lodged atKakori police station. Lodhiand Amit were taken to thecommunity health centre fromwhere they were dischargedafter being administered firstaid. Police said no arrests hadbeen made in this connectionas investigations were underway.

Meanwhile, thieves brokeinto the house of Rahul Yadavin Ravindra Nagar (Telibagh)under PGI police station onWednesday night. He lodgeda complaint alleging that Rs20,000 in cash and valuablesworth lakhs of rupees hadbeen stolen from his house.The family was fast asleepwhen the thieves entered thehouse and decamped with thebooty. The family memberscame to know about the theftonly on Thursday morning asthey saw the locks of almirahsbroken and cash & valuablesmissing.

IGNOU’S TERM-END EXAMS FROM JUNE 1

Indira Gandhi NationalOpen University is going toorganise its June term-endexams from June 1. The examswill continue till June 29 andabout 7,59,380 students will beappearing at more than 910exam centres of IGNOU,including 16 overseas onesand 123 centres in jails. Theexamination will be organisedin two shifts — from 10 am to1 pm and from 2 pm to 5 pm.Regional director ManoramaSingh said that 18 examinationcentres had been identified inLucknow. Nine examinationcentres had been established atthe Central Jail, Bareilly,District Jail, Jhansi,Shahjahanpur, Kanpur Nagar,Kanpur Dehat, Rae Bareli,Sitapur, Hardoi and Model Jail,Lucknow, where only the jailinmates who had taken admis-sions in various programmes ofIGNOU will appear in theexaminations. Two examina-tion centres at JNPG Collegeand Lucknow Christian DegreeCollege, Lucknow, had beenestablished in Lucknow.Besides, the examinations willalso be conducted at Kanpur,Jhansi, Bareilly, Kanpur Dehat,Shahjahanpur, Hamirpur andFaizabad.

UPSEE RESULTS LIKELY ON JUNE 3

Abdul Kalam TechnicalUniversity (AKTU) is likely toannounce the results of UttarPradesh State EntranceExamination (UPSEE) on June3, media incharge Asheesh

Mishra said on Thursday. Theexam was conducted by AKTUon May 21. The exam is con-ducted for entry to engineeringcolleges affiliated to AKTU.UPSEE was conducted at 138centres in 21 cities, includingDelhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur,Kolkata, Mumbai, Patna,Ranchi, Roorkee andBengaluru.

CMS STUDENT OFFEREDADMISSION BY US UNIVS

Aseem Mishra, a student ofCity Montessori School,Mahanagar, has been offeredadmission with scholarship by7 prestigious universities ofUSA. He has been offeredadmission with US$ 72,000 byPace University, US$ 40,000 byFlorida Institute of Technology,US$ 40,000 by University ofCincinnati, US$ 36,000 byUniversity of South Florida,US$ 24,000 by University ofIllinois, US$ 20,000 byUniversity of Utah and US$16,000 by Washington StateUniversity for the entire studyperiod of four years.

2 cops among 8 hurt in group clash

SCHOOLSCAN

Tipsy miscreants thrash orchard owner, servant

PIONEER NEWS SERVICE n LUCKNOW

SGPGI will hold the 7th livesummit of IJCTO (Indo

Japanese CTO) which is heldonce every year in the firstweek of June. Chronic TotalOcclusion (CTO) includes aspecific subset of patientswherein the heart arteries aretotally blocked and are usuallynot amenable to interventionaltherapy as per the standardtechniques.

Addressing the mediaper-sons at a press conference whichwas held at the SGPGI here onThursday, the head of theDepartment of Cardiology, PKGoel, said that the conferencewould be attended by about400-500 interventional cardiol-ogists from all over the countryand joining SAARC nationsalong with interventionalexperts from Japan and a fewfrom Europe and the USA too.Giving the background, he saidthat the Indo Japanese CTOClub was formulated in 2013 asan association between theIndian and Japanese experts onChronic Total Occlusion (CTO)intervention in cardiology. Four

interventional cardiologistsfrom India viz Dr PK Goel,HOD, Cardiology, SGPGIMS,Lucknow, N Pratap Kumarfrom Trivandrum, Kerala, VSurya Prakash Rao fromHyderabad and AV GaneshKumar from Mumbai, havebeen founder members of thegroup along with the Japaneseexperts, including Dr MasahisaYamane, Kenya Nasu, Uedaand Asakura formed the CTOteaching group.

He said that there would beat least 13 live demonstrationsof CTO cases through which thedelegates and faculty couldimbibe major learnings andadvance their knowledge andskills in the field of CTO inter-ventions of cardiology and car-diovascular medicine. “Themeeting will span its scientificdeliberations over three days i.e.from May 31 to June 2, 2019.CTO intervention includes aspecific subset of patientswherein the cardiac arteries aretotally blocked and are usuallynot amenable to interventionaltherapy as per the standardtechniques. They need specialexpertise and skill levels to be

opened with a needle hole tech-nique so that one could resumenormal blood flow without hav-ing to open the chest.Alternately the standard thera-py for such blockage wouldhave been a bypass surgerywhich is a major one with all itsassociated morbidities andlonger hospital stay. The high-est expertise in this interven-tional procedure worldwide isavailable largely with theJapanese interventional cardi-ologists, hence this pivotal col-laboration,” informed Goel.

“The major advantage fora physician having skills inopening a CTO (chronic totalocclusion of the heart artery) isthe capability of avoiding abypass surgery which wouldhave otherwise been needed inthese patients. Bypass surgery assuch involves a long waitingtime and has to be performed bya surgeon with open chest andtotal stoppage of heart andlonger periods of hospitalisa-tion. This meeting will discussthe tips and tricks of differenttechniques which are needed toopen chronically totally occlud-ed arteries,” added Goel.

SGPGI to hold live summit

of IJCTO in June 1st week

LMRC awarded

Lucknow (PNS): LMRCwon the ‘International SafetyAward, 2019’ from the BritishSafety Council for its Phase 1A(North-South corridor) in theProject Infrastructure catego-ry for the year 2018. “Duringthe construction of the entireNorth-South corridor measur-ing around 23 km, there weremany construction challengeslike U-girder erection, a 60-metre-long steel span over therailway line, tunnelling carriedout in the heart of Lucknowand completing the projectwithin the estimated time-these factors proved to be deci-sive in winning the award,” asenior LMRC official said.

Lucknow (PNS): Afemale Indian hog deer wasrescued by the rapid responseunit of Wildlife SOS after itentered the living room of ahouse in Hansela village atAchnera in Agra. The hogdeer had dog bite wounds onits limbs and was given neces-sary medical treatment by therescuers.

As per reports, the hogdeer was being chased by apack of feral dogs and in anattempt to save itself, the

panic-stricken animal ran intoa house in Hansela village, onSunday. On being informedabout the incident, two mem-bers of the rapid response unitof Wildlife SOS arrived at thespot and carefully transferred thetraumatised animal to theWildlife SOS hospital.

A close examinationrevealed that the hog deer hadsustained minor bite injuries onits hind limbs and back regionand it was under immensestress. It took a couple of hoursfor the deer to recover from theordeal. After necessary treat-ment, the deer was released inits natural habitat. A few weeksago, the Wildlife SOS had res-cued another hog deer from asimilar situation in Mirzapur vil-lage of Mathura. The Indian hogdeer is listed as an endangeredspecies in the Red List of theInternational Union forConservation of Nature (IUCN).

Hog deer rescued

Coaching centres given 15 days to

ensure firefighting arrangements

Job-seekers filling forms at an employment fair at Sewayojan office in Lucknow on Thursday Pioneer

nation 05

PNS n NEW DELHI

Congress president RahulGandhi’s brother-in-law

Robert Vadra appeared beforethe Enforcement Directorate(ED) here on Thursday in con-nection with a money laun-dering case relating to purchaseof alleged illegal assets abroad.

Vadra was dropped by hiswife and Congress leaderPriyanka Gandhi outside theED’s office near India Gateabout 10:30 am.

The ED had summonedVadra to depose before theinvestigating officer of the casefor recording his statementunder the Prevention of MoneyLaundering Act (PMLA).

Taking to microbloggingsite Twitter and Facebook,Vadra said, “I maintain mybelief in the Indian judiciary. Ihave and will adhere to all sum-mons/norms of governmentagencies. I have deposed 11times with questioning ofapproximately 70 hours. Infuture also, I will cooperate, tillmy name is cleared of all falseallegations and accusations.”

Vadra has appeared beforethe agency multiple times inthe past in this case.

The agency has recentlysought cancellation of theanticipatory bail given to Vadraand has also opposed his for-eign travel. A local court onWednesday had reserved forJune 3 its order to allow Vadrato travel abroad.

The ED also moved a courthere last week seeking cancel-lation of the anticipatory bailgiven to him in this case andthe Delhi High Court had thenissued notice to him seeking hisresponse.

The ED had told the DelhiHC that it required Vadra’s cus-tody as he was not cooperatingin the investigation and the trialcourt had not discussed thegravity of the offence in itsorder while granting him reliefto the high-profile business-

man. The ED case against Vadra

relates to allegations of moneylaundering in the purchase ofa London-based propertylocated at 12, Bryanston Squareworth 1.9 million GBP (Britishpounds), which is allegedlyowned by him.

The agency had told aDelhi court that it has receivedinformation about various newproperties in London whichbelong to Vadra. These includetwo houses, one worth 5 mil-lion GBP and the other valuedat 4 million GBP, six other flatsand more properties.

Vadra has denied the alle-gations of possessing illegalforeign assets and termed thema political witch hunt againsthim.

PTI n NEW DELHI

The Supreme Court onThursday asked the Assam

State coordinator for NationalRegister of Citizens to ensurethat fair procedure is adoptedin dealing with claims andobjections of persons againstexclusion or inclusion of citi-zens in the draft NRC.

A vacation Bench of ChiefJustice Ranjan Gogoi andJustice Aniruddha Bose toldState coordinator PrateekHajela that even though theJuly 31 deadline for publicationof final Assam NRC has to beadhered to, the claims andobjections must be dealt withas per the law.

“Your (Hajela) job is toensure that hearing on claimsand objections are done in a fairand proper manner. There is adeadline and a time frame. Justbecause there is a time framethat does not mean that yourofficers will cut short the processto complete it,” the Bench said.

Referring to “disturbing”media reports regarding theprocedure to deal with claimsand objections, the Bench said

although the media is notalways correct, sometimes it isright as well.

“Ask your officers to followthe proper procedure in deal-ing with the claims and objec-tions”, and give proper hearingto people on claims and objec-tions, the Bench told Hajela.

The apex court said it hasgone through the progressreport filed by the State coor-dinator in the matter and thework is going on.

The CJI told Hajela tocoordinate with district levelofficers who are involved in theprocess of dealing with claimsand objections so that a prop-er procedure is adopted.

The Bench told him that ifhe faces any difficulty or pres-sure from anybody, he canapproach the secretary gener-

al of the apex court and thematter would be taken up forhearing by the court.

In its order, the Benchnoted that all claims and objec-tions will be heard and accord-ingly disposed of well in timeto ensure the publication offinal NRC for Assam by July 31this year.

New Delhi: The SupremeCourt on Thursday told theAssam Government to includeretired bureaucrats, not belowthe rank of secretary and addi-tional secretary and havingjudicial experience, for appoint-ment as members of 200 addi-tional foreigners tribunalswhich will be set up in the State.

A vacation Bench of ChiefJustice Ranjan Gogoi andJustice Aniruddha Bose said theState will ensure that 200 addi-tional foreigners tribunals arefunctional by September 1 thisyear. The State Governmentinformed the Bench that at pre-sent, 79 such tribunals arealready functional.

Solicitor General TusharMehta, appearing for Assam, toldthe Bench that a meeting washeld on May 24 in connectionwith selection of members andstaffs for the proposed additionaltribunals. He said though thereis a need for setting up 1,000more foreigners tribunals inAssam, 200 such tribunals will beset up in the first phase.

Mehta said following theMay 24 meeting, a letter hasbeen addressed on May 29 tothe registrar judicial of theGauhati High Court withregard to the steps to be taken

for appointment of members ofthe 200 tribunals.

He said the letter also indi-cates the qualification and con-dition of service of the mem-bers to be appointed.

The Bench was informedthat retired judicial officers ofdistrict courts, advocates notabove the age of 35 years withat least seven year practice andretired IAS officers can apply forthe post of members of the tri-bunals. After conducting inter-views, the result is scheduled tobe declared by August 20.

“How a retired civil servantwill be there in a quasi judicialtribunal? How retired IAS offi-cers will do this?,” the Benchsought to know. Mehta respond-ed that retired IAS officers ofsecretary or additional secretaryrank can be appointed as mem-bers of these tribunals as theyget experience of conductingquasi judicial function.

He said they may not getrequisite numbers of retiredjudicial officers of districtcourts and advocates, below theage of 35 years and having atleast seven years practice, forappointment in the foreignerstribunals and the State hasproposed this after consultingthe High Court. PTI

PTI n NEW DELHI

The Supreme Court onThursday said 10 per cent

EWS quota cannot be appliedto PG medical courses inMaharashtra for the academicyear 2019-20 as admissionprocess started long before theprovision came into force.

A vacation Bench of ChiefJustice Ranjan Gogoi and JusticeAniruddha Bose said 10 per centEWS quota cannot be granted atthe cost of others unless addi-tional seats are created by theMedical Council of India.

The Bench noted thatadmission process for PG med-ical courses started inNovember 2018 while the 103Constitutional amendmentgranting 10 per cent EWSquota was passed in January

this year.The Bench said the

Maharashtra Governmentenforced the 10 EWS quota forPG medical courses in March.

“Ten per cent EWS quotacannot be granted to the ongo-ing admission process. Youcannot change the rules ofgame when the game is on,” theBench said.

The court’s order came ona plea filed by a student fromGeneral Category saying thatunless additional seats are cre-ated, the ten per cent EWSquota will eat into their shareof seats. The student RajatRajendra Agrawal had chal-lenged two circulars of theMaharashtra government bywhich ten per cent EWS quotawas enforced in PG medicalcourses of the State.

New Delhi: The Supreme Courton Thursday agreed to hear aplea filed by a Chennai-basedprivate hospital challenging theMadras High Court orderdirecting the authorities todemolish top five floors of thefacility’s eight-storey block forconstruction in alleged violationof the approved building plan.

A vacation Bench com-prising Chief Justice RanjanGogoi and Justice AniruddhaBose said the plea filed byBillroth Hospitals will be heardon June 3.

Senior advocate MukulRohatgi, appearing for the hos-pital, mentioned the matter forurgent listing before the Benchand said the High Court has seta deadline to demolish the fivefloors of the block. PTI

PNS n NEW DELHI

After launching rotavirusvaccine in 11 States in

phases in the last two years, theUnion Health Ministry is all setto extend the life saving vaccinefor small kids in 19 more Statesand seven UTs under its uni-versal immunisation pro-gramme (UIP), thus coveringthe entire country as per theWHO recommendation. Theaim is to ensure children com-plete prevention from the dead-ly virus that can cause extremediarrhoea and can even befatal in some cases.

Rotavirus accounts for 40per cent of hospitalisationsdue to diarrhea in children inIndia with nearly 78,000 deaths,32 lakh out-patient visits andnearly 9 lakh hospitalisationsevery year. Globally, Rotavirusdiarrhea causes about 4,53,000deaths in under-5 children, a

senior health official said.In India, the vaccine was first

introduced under the UIP in2016 in Odisha and subsequentlyexpanded to Haryana, HimachalPradesh, Andhra Pradesh,Assam, Rajasthan, MadhyaPradesh, Tamil Nadu, Tripura,Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh.

“We will soon cover theremaining States as well, thusbringing all the new-borne kidsin the entire country under theambit of the Rotavirus vaccine.Officials in all the 19 States and

UTs have been trained andthere is no shortage of vaccine,”the official said.

Diarrhoea is one of thebiggest killers in children androtavirus is one of the mostcommon causes of severe diar-rhoea in children less than 2years of age. Besides launchingrotavirus vaccines, the gov-ernment has also stressed onproper sanitation, hand wash-ing practices, ORS and zincsupplementation with an aimto cut downthe mortality and

morbidity due to diarrhoea inchildren.

According to the official,approximately 50 per cent ofRotavirus-associated deathsoccur in the first year of life andabout 75 per cent occur in thefirst two years of life.

The rotavirus infects theintestinal tract of humans andanimals. “It is highly contagiousand is usually transmitted viathe fecal-oral route. Therotavirus is easily transmittedperson to person from infect-ed stool via inanimate objects.Children can spread rotavirusboth before and after theybecome sick with diarrhea,”they said.

The rotavirus is a memberof the Reoviridae family. Thereare 7 different strains of thevirus: A, B, C, D, E, F, and G,with Rotavirus A being themost common cause of viralgastroenteritis.

Money laundering case:

Vadra appears before ED

ASSAM NRC

PTI n NEW DELHI

The Supreme Court onThursday granted seven-

day protection from arrest tosocial activist Anirban Dasagainst whom a case has beenlodged for publishing a socialmedia post critical of WestBengal Chief Minister MamataBanerjee.

A vacation Bench of ChiefJustice Ranjan Gogoi andJustice Aniruddha Bose, whilegranting seven-days protec-tion from arrest, said that Dascan move the concerned courtfor relief.

Advocate Dipak Jena,appearing for Das, said therewas a lawyers strike in WestBengal and he may be arrest-ed by the police for writing thepost on social media.

The Bench told him thatthere was no strike at presentin the courts in West Bengaland he can approach the appro-priate courts for the relief.

Jena said police has lodgedan FIR against him atAlipurduar police station andDas had already tendered anunconditional apology to alocal Trinmool Congressleader, who made the com-plaint against him.

Ensure fair procedure in dealingwith claims & objections: SC

SC: Include retired babuswith judicial experience forforeigners tribunals

7-day protection

granted to activist

over social media

post against Didi

SC: 10% EWS quota can’tbe applied to PG medicalcourses in Maha for 2019-20

SC to hear hospital’splea against HC order directing demolition of 5 floors

Govt to extend rotavirus vaccine in more States, UTs

RAJNATH SINGHCarries Vajpayee’slegacy of ‘Ajatshatru’

NITIN GADKARIMan who paved BJP’s road to success

S JAISHANKAR Frompointsman for China tosurprise pick in CoM

NIRMALASITHARAMAN first fulltime woman Def Min

ARJUN MUNDATribal leader who loves golf, painting

For SMRITI IRANI, sky is the limit

AMIT SHAH in newrole after being mostsuccessful BJP chief

After a most successful stintas the Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) president, Amit Shah,

called the “Chanakya” of modernday Indian politics, on Thursdayjoined the Cabinet of PrimeMinister Narendra Modi.

Shah is most likely to be giventhe Finance portfolio, which wasearlier with Arun Jaitley, who onWednesday urged Modi to keep him out ot the Ministry onhealth grounds.

After Modi, Shah was the manwho built the party’s campaign sys-tematically around the nationalismplank and the Prime Minister’spopularity.

Shah, who was in electionmode since becoming the partypresident in 2014, has been reward-ed by Modi after the BJP registereda spectacular win in the Lok Sabhaelections bagging 303 seats on itsown. Though Shah entered nation-al politics in 2013, his organisa-tional training and extensive trav-el across India helped him learn thefiner points of cow belt politics.

In no time in Uttar Pradesh,Shah transformed the profile of theBJP, which for a long time was seenas a party of forward castes in thestate. Both in the 2014 Lok Sabhaand 2017 Assembly elections, Shahfirst stitched together a strongintra-party caste alliance withinBJP’s broad political framework inthe State.

He also strengthened the so-called rainbow coalition by strik-ing a pre-poll alliance with small-er regional outfits. IANS

One of the top leaders of theBJP, Rajnath Singh is a manof all seasons who main-

tains cordial relations with leadersacross the political spectrum andenjoys wide acceptability.

The Home Minister in theoutgoing Government, on whomPrime Minister Narendra Modibanked on heavily in the last fiveyears whenever there was a crisis,be it farmers agitation, violence inJammu & Kashmir or Jat quotastir, has been appointed CabinetMinister again.

Many see a reflection of AtalBihari Vajpayee’s mannerism inhim and feel he has been carryingforward the party veteran’s legacyas ‘Ajatshatru, a man with noenemies. His good rapport withopposition leaders like GhulamNabi Azad, Mamata Banerjee,Mulayam Singh Yadav, and OmarAbdullah had made him govern-ment’s pointsman for any discus-sion with the Opposition.

Even during bitter politicalcampaign, Singh, who was con-testing from Lucknow Lok Sabhaseat, was never drawn into any uglywar of words with his opponents.The image of the Minister carryingon his shoulder the coffin of soldierskilled in February 14 Pulwama ter-ror attack will remain etched in theminds of the people. A former pro-fessor of physics, it was Singh, as BJPpresident in 2013, who was instru-mental in declaring Narendra Modias prime ministerial candidate,despite strong Opposition fromveterans like LK Advani. PTI

Aself-made politician-cum-businessman, Nitin JGadkari, 62, hails from

Nagpur in eastern Maharashtra andstarted his political career with theABVP and BJYM wings of the RSSand BJP respectively. An endearingand mild-mannered person adeptat winning friends and influencingpeople, Gadkari, who is a Brahminby birth, joined the BJP and laterbecame a minister in Maharashtra’sfirst opposition saffron-combineShiv Sena-BJP Government head-ed by Manohar Joshi (1995-1999).

Enjoying excellent personalrapport with leaders of all parties,and with his penchant for improv-ing the basic transport infra-structure in the state, he quicklygained prominence and was themoving spirit behind the hundredsof flyovers, roads, state and nation-al highways, including theMumbai-Pune Expressway.

He occupied several positionsin Maharashtra, including StateBJP president and Leader of theOpposition, but his big moment ofresponsibility came in 2009, whenhe was elected the BJP President,a post which he held till 2013.

In the first term of PrimeMinister Narendra Modi, Gadkarihandled crucial and high-visibil-ity infrastructure-related portfolioslike Road Transport & Highways,Shipping, etc and made his indeli-ble mark there. Given his all-roundexperience and no-nonsenseapproach to work, Gadkari may beallotted key portfolios in the sec-ond Modi Government. IANS

Former Foreign Secretary SJaishankar, a surprise pick inNarendra Modi’s Council of

Ministers, is a seasoned diplomatwho was the Indian government’spointsman for China and the US.

Jaishankar, son of late KSubrahmanyam, one of India’sleading strategic analysts, was akey member of the Indian teamwhich negotiated the landmarkIndia-US nuclear deal.

The deal, initiated in 2005,took several years to craft, and wassigned by the UPA Governmentheaded by Manmohan Singh in2007. Jaishankar’s appointmentas foreign secretary in January2015 had evoked a sharp reactionfrom various quarters over thetiming of the Government’s deci-sion to remove Sujatha Singh.

The 64-year-old had earlierserved as India’s Ambassador tothe US and before that to China.

A 1977-batch IFS officer,Jaishankar played a key role inresolving the crisis following theincursion in Ladakh’s Depsang andthe Doklam stand-off, handlingthe tough negotiations withBeijing. Among other positions,Jaishankar has been India’s HighCommissioner to Singapore andAmbassador to the CzechRepublic. Last year, Tata Groupappointed Jaishankar, who wasIndian foreign secretary fromJanuary 2015 to January 2018, asits president for global corporateaffairs, within three months of hisretirement from the Governmentservice. PTI

Smriti Irani, whose meteoricrise in the BJP saw herbecome the HRD and

Information & BroadcastingMinister, is someone who wouldnever give up. After losing toRahul Gandhi in 2014, she con-tinued to cultivate Amethi in thepast five years and this helped herreap electoral dividends — sheemerged a giant-killer of 2019 bydefeating the Congress presidentRahul Gandhi in his home turf.

Though the 43-year-old pop-ular television actor-turned-politi-cian lost in 2014, she had suc-ceeded in bringing down the vic-tory margin of Gandhi to only 1.07lakh from 3.7 lakh in the previouselection. The voters rewardedIrani for her sustained efforts in2019. Throughout her campaign-ing, Irani asserted that people ofAmethi want change and devel-opment and will vote for Modi.

“Kaun kehta hai aasmaanmein suraakh nahin ho sakta,”tweeted Irani, a line from a poemof famous Hindi poet DushyantKumar, soon after Gandhi con-ceded defeat in Amethi and con-gratulated her on May 23.

Irani had first contested a LokSabha election from ChandniChowk in Delhi in 2004, but lost toCongress heavyweight Kapil Sibal.She was elected to Rajya Sabha in2011 and re-elected in 2017 for asecond term. The firebrand actor-turned-politician held portfolios ofHRD, Textiles and Information &Broadcasting Minister during thetenure of the Narendra Modi-ledNDA Government’s maiden tenurefrom 2014-2019. PTI

Nirmala Sitharaman was thefirst woman to be appoint-ed full-time Defence

Minister of India in September2017 — and since then she hasbeen assiduously trying to adopta holistic approach in addressingthe country’s security challenges.

60-year-old Sitharaman, aRajya Sabha member, is the secondwoman to take charge of the cru-cial ministry after Indira Gandhiwho as the Prime Minister alsoheld the portfolio in the seventies.

One of BJP’s chief spokesper-sons before its ascent to power,Sitharaman is an alumnus ofJawaharlal Nehru University andLondon School of Economics. Asthe Defence Minister, Sitharamanattempted to strengthen the Army,Navy and the Air Force and wascredited for expediting the deci-sion making process relating todefence procurement. She consti-tuted a Defence PlanningCommittee to formulate an “actionplan” to effectively deal with var-ious security challenges facingthe nation.

However, her biggest momentcame when India carried out airstrikes on a terrorist trainingcamp in Pakistan’s Balakot, seen asmajor policy shift in the country’sefforts to deal with cross borderterrorism. She has also focused onboosting domestic defence pro-duction besides taking steps toimplement the ambitious “strate-gic partnership” model with sev-eral countries like the UnitedStates and Russia. PTI

Arjun Munda is a prominenttribal face not only in hishome state of Jharkhand

but also in neighbouring Bihar,Odisha and Chhattisgarh. A three-time chief minister, Munda edgedout Congress’s Kalicharan Mundaby a wafer thin margin of just 1445votes in Khunti (ST) seat besidescampaigning for the BJP in theLok Sabha elections in Odisha andChhattisgarh.

He is a passionate golf playerand loves playing the flute andspends his spare time in art andpainting. He has also promotedarchery in the tribal State. He runsan archery academy and wasinstrumental in the rise of acearcher Deepika Kumari in inter-national championships.

A witness to the rise and fall ofGovernments in Jharkhand since itsinception in 2000 to 2014, Mundawas himself a victim twice to thepolitics of musical chairs whenIndependent MLA Madhu Kodatoppled him in September, 2006and then the JMM pulled down hisGovernment in 2013.

Munda first became CM inMarch, 2003 when he replaced theState’s first Chief Minister BabulalMarandi after JDU and SamataParty MLAs had revolted against thelatter’s style of functioning. He wasthe tribal affairs minister in the firstMarandi-led NDA Government.Munda was first elected as MLA in1995 in undivided Bihar and wenton to win three consecutive termsfrom Kharsawan before losing theseat in 2014. PTI

PROFILE OF MINISTERS

LUCKNOW | FRIDAY | MAY 31, 2019

nation 06LUCKNOW | FRIDAY | MAY 31, 2019

SAUGAR SENGUPTA n NAIHATI

In a perfect encore of whatshe did at Midnapore on

May 6, Mamata Banerjee onceagain got off her vehicle onThursday chasing and threat-ening with dire consequencesa crowd of “Jai Shri Ram”chanters who stood by theroad to Naihati where she wasgoing to join a TrinamoolCongress sit-in demonstra-tion staged against attacks onthe Trinamool supporterspost-polls.

Naihati is in Barrackporeparliamentary constituencywhere senior TMC leaderDinesh Trivedi was trouncedby BJP nominee and localstrongman Arjun Sing, a turn-coat from Banerjee’s party.

Aware of her reportedaversion against the catch-phrase which is normally usedby the BJP supports, locals lin-ing the road in hundredsgreeted Banerjee’s convoy with“Jai Shri Ram” slogan twice atBhatpara and Jagaddal.

Even as the Chief Ministerjumped off her vehicles withthe State DGP Virendra andtop IPS officers in pursuit,Banerjee shouted “they arecalling me names which can-not be accepted in a democ-racy.”

A bid that experts prompt-ly identified as a “vicious ploy”to turn religious polarisation— that apparently earned BJPhuge mileage in Bengal earn-ing it 18 out of 42 seats — intoa linguistic divide Banerjeemarked the locals mostlyworkers of the tens of factoriessituated on both sides of theroad as “outsiders” who “livein Bengal eat our food, run azamindari and challenge theintegrity and purity of Bengaliculture.”

Subsequently referring tothe incident at Naihati she

said, “these are the people, thecriminals who have beenimported from outside Bengalby two ‘gaddars’ (traitors) —Mukul Roy and Arjun Singh— of the BJP to vitiate theState’s culture and insult thelocal Bengalis.”

Referring to the incidentsof attacks on the TMC fami-lies, particularly women whohad been forced to leave theirhomes and were currentlystaying at relief campsBanerjee tended to issue aveiled warning saying: “wewant no tension between theBengalis and non-Bengalis. Ialso don’t say that all non-Bengali people are bad. But Ifeel that some people are cre-ating trouble for political rea-sons. They should rememberthat there could be problemfor them if other people (readBengalis) take up the issuewhich I don’t want to happenin this State where we havebeen living peacefully forages.”

Incidentally, Banerjeedrew flak early this monthwhen in a similar circum-stance she got off her car andchallenged bystanders atMidnapore chanting Jai Shri

Ram. The video reportedlyearned a mileage for the BJPwith two stages of polls still togo.

TMC views “Jai Shri Ram”slogan as an import of theHindi heartland not only glo-rifying their culture but alsoearning organisational pointsfor the BJP. It prefers slogansglorifying Durga and Kali thatit feels truly represent Bengaliculture.

However, sitting in thewings the opposition partieslike the Congress and the Leftsay Chief Minister is gettingthe taste of her own medicine.Like she played minority cardto wean away the Oppositionvotes 2007 onwards the BJP isplaying the Hindu card towin elections.

Cut to Naihati: Hoursbefore Narendra Modi was totake his oath, Banerjeeattacked the Prime Minister,the Election Commission forwinning the elections “by cre-ating an emergency-like situ-ation in the State.”

The BJP had spent croresto win the election she saidtelling people how “winningone election by fraud they areattacking the opposition par-ties like this. Imagine whatthey will do later on,” adding“I warn them to desist fromattacking and molesting theBengali and minority women.”

Announcing formation ofJai Hind Vahini and BangaJanani Samiti Banerjee said “Iam for Jai Hind and not anyother slogan and so Iannounce the formation of JaiHind Vahini which will bedressed in white kurta andpyjama and carry lathis. I alsoannounce formation of BangaJanani Samiti that will work forprotection of women.Wherever the attackers comethe women wings will chasethem away.”

Didi loses cool, warns

of dire consequences

PNS n KOLKATA

Senior IPS officer and BengalAdditional Director General

of Police(ADG), (CID), RajeevKumar, being probed for hisrole in the investigation of theSharada and other chit fundcases as the head of the SITformed by Mamata Banerjee in2013, on Thursday got yetanother breather from theCalcutta High Court whichextended the shield against hisarrest by the CBI for littlemore than a month but clippedhis wings substantially.

Kumar, who is under theCBI scanner for his allegeddubious role in the multi crorechit fund probe that has founda number of crucial evidenceslike laptops, pen drives, anddairies missing from policecustody had been at large afterthe Supreme Court vacated itsorder preventing CBI from

arresting the top cop. TheApex Court had asked him totake anticipatory bail fromlower courts or Calcutta HighCourt.

The Bench of Justice PratikPrakash Banerjee on Thursdaygranted Kumar bail till July 10but said he would be requiredto appear before the CBI andreply to its questions on dailybasis. The Court also directedhim to deposit his passport andstopped him from moving outof Kolkata even for any official

work. The Court directed thecentral agency to go to RajeevKumar's residence every day at4 PM to register his attendance.

The Court also debarredKumar from taking a lawyerwith him during the interro-gation but said no coerciveaction including arrest could betaken against him till July 10.

Meanwhile, the CBI onThursday grilled another IPSofficer Arnab Ghosh for severalhours for the second consecu-tive day.

Burdwan (WB): A BJP workerwas stabbed to death in WestBengal’s West Burdwan districton Thursday, police said.

Sushil Mondal, 49, waskilled allegedly by a TrinamoolCongress activist following analtercation over putting up BJPflags at Panduk village underKetugram police station limits.

Local TMC leaders, how-ever, claimed Mondal was a vic-tim of the party's internal feud.

Police said Mondal's wifehas lodged a complaint againstthree persons who are on therun.

According to the complaintfiled with the police, Mondalwas putting up BJP flags in thevillage when three personsobjected and, during an alter-cation, one of the three stabbedMondal with a dagger in theabdomen.

When taken to a local hos-pital, the BJP activist wasdeclared dead, the complaintsaid.

The FIR named threeaccused but did not mentiontheir political affiliation.However, the three are locallyknown as TMC workers.

Local TMC MLA SheikhSahnawaz claimed that the partywas not connected to the inci-dent and the killing is a result ofthe BJP's internal bickering.

Local BJP leader Anil Duttasaid TMC killed Mondal to cre-ate terror in the area as the saf-fron party has performed wellin the Lok Sabha elections.

District Superintendent ofPolice Bhaskar Mukhopadhyay,however, said Mondal was killedfollowing a quarrel betweenthe two over grazing goats.

The incident occurredhours before Narendra Modi'sswearing-in as the prime min-ister for a second term in Delhi.

Family members of over 40BJP workers, who were killed inpolitical violence in WestBengal, have been invited for theprogramme. PTI

BJP worker stabbed

to death in Bengal

JAI SHREE RAM CHANTSCalcutta HC grants Rajeev Kumarone month protection from arrest

New Delhi: As the sun set overthe Rashtrapati Bhavan onThursday, Narendra Modi andhis Council of Ministers weresworn in for a second successiveterm with 8,000 people packinginto the forecourt of the historicBritish-era presidential palace.

In a grand ceremony with

overtones of a US presidentialinauguration, heads of Stateand Government, India Inchonchos, Opposition leaders,BJP members and showbiz starsrubbed shoulders as theywatched President Ram NathKovind administer the oath ofoffice to India’s 58 newMinisters. The two-hour swear-ing-in ceremony of ModiGovernment 2.0 — which cre-ated a splash, with the PrimeMinister powering his party toa 303 victory in the 543-mem-ber Lok Sabha, and also a spec-tacle — is the largest event to beheld in Rashtrapati Bhavan,officials said.

It was India's Kodakmoment for the political timeswith grandeur and pomp, ritu-al and glimpses of realpolitikand some history too.

The ceremony started at 7pm, right on time, but thecrowds had started filing inmuch earlier, taking their allot-ted seats and making conversa-tion while millions watching theproceedings on TV and otherscreens speculated about whowas who, who was there andwho was not.

Soon, as Minister afterMinister took oath with the

president sometimes the strictteacher correcting some of themwhen they slipped up, dusk slipped into night and thelights came on over thepanoramic Lutyenscape withthe Rashtrapati Bhavan dome litup in the tricolour.

Among those present were

former Prime MinisterManmohan Singh, former pres-ident Pratibha Patil, veteranBJP leader L K Advani and evenspiritual guru Jaggi Vasudev.

Congress president RahulGandhi, who is adamant on hisdecision to quit office after hisparty's debacle in the hustingsand hasn't been seen for somedays, created a buzz when hewalked in with his mother,UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

NDA ally Janata Dal-Unitedchief Nitish Kumar was theretoo, making an entry shortlyafter his party announced itwould not be part of theGovernment. The BJP wasoffering one Cabinet berth tothe JD(U) and sources said theregional party was also unhap-py with the portfolio offered toit. Leaders of BIMSTEC (Bay ofBengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical andEconomic Cooperation) coun-tries, including BangladeshPresident Abdul Hamid, SriLankan President MaithripalaSirisena, Nepal Prime MinisterK P Sharma Oli, President ofMyanmar U Win Myint andBhutanese Prime Minister LotayTshering also attended the galaevent. Kyrgyz President and

Rashtrapati Bhavan hosts 8k guests

People watch the swearing in ceremony of Narendra Modi at Rashtrapati Bhavan inNew Delhi on Thursday AP

cabinet was announced, partycadres across Telangana burstinto celebrations.

With inclusion of KishanReddy, a committed party manand popular face of the party inState, BJP bosses have not justensured representation forTelangana State in UnionCabinet after two years gap, butsent clear signals to partycadres that saffron party isfocused on expanding party inTelangana and is betting onachievers to do the job. Thoughno reasons were cited, it waswidely believed that BandaruDattatreya resigned citing ageand health concerns. Now BJPhas picked Kishan Reddy, whonot just has all qualities toemerge as important leaderamong younger brigade of BJPat national level, but also steerparty to power in Telangana, asBJP is leaving no stoneunturned to make inroads intoSouth India.

J DEEPTHI NANDAN REDDY n

HYDERABAD

Telangana gets a representa-tion in Modi’s Cabinet as

BJP national leadership pickedGangapuram Kishan Reddy, adedicated partyman who rosethrough the ranks.

A first time MP fromSecunderabad, Kishan Reddyhad served as three-time MLA,was floor leader of party in

both united AP and TelanganaAssemblies. Starting as an ordi-nary worker of Janata party ata young age of seventeen in1977, Kishan Reddy sailed withBJP since its formation in 1980.Thanks to his consistent efforts,organising skills and politicalacumen, Kishan Reddy earnedrecognition in the party atState and national level, even-tually becoming BJYM'snational president and evenleading BJP in both united APand Telangana, before earninga coveted place in Modi'sCabinet.

Being considered as smartand honest leader without anycharges of corruption or con-troversies associated with him

helped him get a place inModi's team. Unflinching loy-alty to RSS and BJP ideals and

experience on his side, ensuredthat PM and BJP presidentAmit Shah, considered KishanReddy the first choice, thoughfour MPs won from Telangaanaas BJP made big gains in thestate for the first time, riding onModi wave and people's angerover ruling TRS.

"With the blessings of peo-ple of Secunderabad and PMNarendramodi Ji, I will be tak-ing oath as Union Ministertoday. I seek your continuedsupport," tweeted KishanReddy after as soon as he gota call from Amit Shah, inform-ing about his inclusion inunion cabinet.

As soon as news of KishanReddy's inclusion in union

With this pick,BJP signalsexpansion in T

Secunderabad MP Kishan Reddy gets place in Modi's Cabinet

current chair of ShanghaiCooperation OrganisationKyrgyz President SooronbayJeenbekov, and Mauritius PMPravind Kumar Jugnauth alsoattended the event

From India Inc, RelianceIndustry's Mukesh Ambani,veteran industry leader RatanTata, steel baron L N Mittal and

Adani Group head GautamAdani were among the who'swho of corporate India present.

RBI Governor ShaktikantaDas, Essar Director PrashantRuia, Tata Group Chairman NChandrasekaran, VedantaChairman Anil Aggarwal andHDFC's Deepak Parekh werethere as well. PTI

nation 07LUCKNOW | FRIDAY | MAY 31, 2019

Will Karnataka coalition Govt survive Tsunamo?

RAHUL DATTA n NEW DELHI

The new Defence Ministerwill have to hit the ground

running to sustain the pace ofmodernisation of the armedforces amidst the ever presentthreat of a two-front war withPakistan and China. The east-ern neighbour has stepped up itsefforts to modernise its forcesthereby posing a direct chal-lenge to India and it can illafford to lag behind in opera-tional readiness due to lack ofState of the art weapons andallied systems.

In this backdrop, the newMinister will have to ensure thatthe depleting fighter squadronstrength of the IAF is addressedimmediately. Even though, thefirst lot of Rafale jets will startcoming in by this year end andentire lot of 36 expected to jointhe IAF in two years, the IAFwill still fall critically short offighter jets to ward off anythreat from China. It is fastmodernising its air force and theIAF, now down to 32 squadronsthough the sanctioned strengthis 42, is faced with a real threat.Moreover, the squadronstrength is expected to falldown to 28 by end of next year.

The government issued aglobal tender for acquiring 114fighter jets last year worth overfive billion dollars to close thegap and the new minister willhave to address this issue on anurgent basis to enable the IAFto be become a modern, potentand strategic fighting force.This matter assumes greaterimportance now with Chinabacking Pakistan in its efforts tomodernize its air force and theIAF has to prepare itself forfighting a two-front war if needbe.

Besides bolstering the oper-ational capability of the IAF, thenew minister will also have topay attention to the long delayedproject to acquire six moreconventional submarines. Atpresent, the navy has 13 oddsubmarines with half of them inthe last leg of their operationallife. Even if the six Scorpenesubmarines, now under con-struction at Mazagon DocksLimited, Mumbai, join the ser-vice in the next two year, thenavy still has to have new sub-marines to replace the ageingfleet and have a fleet of 24 sub-marines.

The government earlier thisyear floated tenders under theStrategic Partnership pro-gramme to build six submarineswithin the country and thenew minister will have to pro-pel the process. Incidentally,China has 50 submarines there-by presenting a grave threat toIndia's maritime interests espe-cially in the Indian Oceanregion.

As regards the Army, thenew defence minister will haveto carry forward reforms nowunderway to make the forcemore effective to fight modernday conventional war besideshandling insurgency in Jammuand Kashmir and the North-

East. Efforts are already on to

make the Army lean and meanto meet future challenges bymerging various administra-tive and operational units foreffective command and controlstructure besides saving money.Moreover, plans are on to freeup mid level officers fromadministrative postings anddeploy them on operationalduties thereby making theshortfall on the one hand andensuring lesser administrativestructures which are no longerneeded. The Army also plansto cut flab by undertaking man-power reduction of 1.5 lakh per-sonnel over the next five toseven years to save Rs 6000 to7,000 crores in terms of salariesand pensions.

This apart, the new minis-ter will have to address the issueof shortage of ammunition andweapons to even fight a ten-daywar as pointed out theComptroller and AuditorGeneral(CAG) in its reportsome time back.

Moreover, the StandingCommittee on Defence, in itsreport tabled in Parliamentearly this year had flagged thebudgetary allocations wereenough for the Indian Army'smodernisation programme, toequip itself for a 'two-frontwar'. The deposition of the vicechief of Army Staff before a par-liamentary panel in March lastyear exposed the state of mod-ernisation in defence, as heclaimed that 78 per cent ofIndian Army's weaponry is vin-tage.

Given this report card aboutthe state of affairs of the threeServices, the new minister willhave to focus on the NareendraModi government's pro-

grammes like 'Make in India'and bigger role for the privatesector in manufacturing bigticket items like fighter jets, war-ships and tanks within thecountry.

The 'Make In India' projecthas to be boosted to meet thegrowing demand of the armedforces for modern weapons onthe one hand and make Indiaself-reliant in defence produc-tion and make it a industrial hubfor building weapons on theother.

Coming to budgetary allo-cations, the armed forces haveto make do with lesser capital asmajor chunk of the budgetaryprovisions are taken away bysalaries, pensions and revenueexpenditure. In fact, only 25 to28 percent budget is available formodernization and acquisitionsdue to ever increasing pensionand salary bill. The new min-ister will have to ensure that abalance is arrived at betweencapital and revenue heads in thedefence budget to ensure thatmodernization does not falterdue to want of funds.

As the nature of warfare isfast changing due to informa-tion technology, the country willhave to change its old mindsetof working in silos and thearmed forces will have to inte-grate to achieve military andpolitical objectives while fight-ing a war. This is imperative asadvanced countries includingChina are now using space alsoto advance its strategic interestsand India is now on its way tohave its own Space Commandbesides Cyber division to meetthe challenge. However, theminister will have to ensure thepace of integration does notslacken due to administrativeand financial hurdles.

MODERNISATION OF ARMED FORCES

New Defence Minister willhave to hit ground running

Kerala CM skips Modi’sswearing-in ceremony

Agrarian crisis biggest challenge for new Min

KESTUR VASUKI n BENGALURU

Post election drubbing thepolitical circles are busy dis-

cussing the fate of coalitionGovernment in Karnataka ledby Chief Minister HDKumaraswamy. Even after hec-tic parley and confabulations theJD(S) –Congress Government isreeling under the threat of dec-imation with many MLAs open-ly opposing the Governmentand coalition. The weakening ofCongress high command due toface loss especially in Karnatakawhere the partners have wononly two seats out of 28 has seri-ously damaged the existence ofJD(S) and the Congress inKarnataka. The undercurrent ofModi wave which has swept thecountry has made bothCongress and the JDs suffer alife loss is affecting the very exis-tence of the Kumaraswamygovernment which was thoughtas a platform for oppositionunity.

The one year old govern-ment is reeling under heavyimpact of the rejection andtrauma is taking its toll. Eventhough the leaders of theCongress and JDs putting up abold face by saying all is well hasnot gone well within the coali-tion. It’s not just chemistry alsoaffecting the arithmetic withlooming large operation lotus bythe BJP.

Meeting after meeting byCongress Karnataka in chargeKC Venugopal, Siddaramaiahand other leaders has so far notable to assuage the rebellion

within the party. The conspic-uous absent of the seven legis-lators to the CongressLegislator Party on Wednesdayis clear indication of the thingsin the Congress which is facingserious problems of decimationacross the country.

Meanwhile, FormerKarnataka Chief Minister andCongress leader Siddaramaiahon Thursday asserted thatMLAs and ministers in the rul-ing JD(S)-Congress coalitiongovernment in the state are"united". Addressing a pressconference, Siddaramaiah said,"The result of this Lok Sabhaelection will not have an impacton this government. All ourMLAs and ministers are united.Ramesh Jarkiholi will not leavethe party."

The JD(S)-Congress coali-tion, which is in power in thestate, went through a roughpatch during the campaigningof the recently concluded elec-tions. Congress has 79 MLAswhile Janata Dal-Secular (JDS)has 37 MLAs in the coalitiongovernment holding power inthe state.

The BJP with 104 MLAs in224 member house is waiting inthe wings to for an order fromthe high command.

Tensions between the twoparties benefitted the BJP whichwon 25 of the 28 Lok Sabha seatsin Karnataka while both JD(S)and Congress had to contentitself with just one seat each.

Kumaraswamy who is inDelhi attending PMs oath tak-ing ceremony met Congress

chief Rahul Gandhi to discussthe political situation in thestate. Kumaraswamy and hisfamily party JD(S) has seen acomplete wash out in the elec-tions has been very dramaticand working out plans to save

his government. He had apolitical hotline with RahulGandhi and survived but thepolitical drubbing has cut offthe hotline and now he is fac-ing the rebellion both in hisparty and Congress.

New Delhi: Cine stars such asRajinikanth, Shahid Kapoor,Boney Kapoor and KanganaRanaut were among the guestswho attended Prime MinisterNarendra Modi's swearing-inceremony on Thursday.

Sidharth Roy Kapur,President of the Film andTelevision Producers Guild ofIndia, Vivek Oberoi, AnupamKher, Madhur Bhandarkar andproducer Boney Kapoor werealso a part of the event, held atthe Rashtrapati Bhawan.

Boney said he was hon-oured to be invited for the cer-emony.

"The kind of victory theyhave had, It is almost like a cel-ebration. It is celebration ofdemocracy. Something goodhas happened and it will con-tinue to happen," Boney toldPTI. Before she flew in fromMumbai, Ranaut told reportersshe wished Modi all the best forhis future endeavours.

"The PM has set somegoals and we all heard that inhis speech. All our best wish-es with him, that he is able to

do what is best for the countryand be able to fulfil all his goals.He is an extremely loved PrimeMinister. He is here because ofhis hard work, we all can onlyappreciate him," she said.

Oberoi, who played PMModi in a biopic and had alsoattended the swearing in cere-mony in 2014, said, "I'm watch-ing @narendramodi bhai tak-ing his oath for the 3rd time onhis journey from CM Gujaratto PM of Bharat once again!Feeling like a small part of anincredible history."

Bhandarkar wrote, "Feelinghonoured to be attending thehistoric #OathCeremony ofShri @narendramodi ji for the#ModiSarkar2. Wishing thevery best to all the newlyappointed ministers."

Director Rajkumar Hirani,Aanand L Rai, Sushant SinghRajput, Divya Khosla Kumar,Kajal Aggarwal, MangeshHadawale and AbhishekKapoor were also invited, saidMahavir Jain, one of the organ-isers behind PM's meeting withBollywood stars last year. PTI

Who's who of film industry

attend Modi's swearing-in

TN RAGHUNATHA n MUMBAI

Aday after her family mem-bers demanded thorough

investigations into the circum-stances leading to post-graduatemedical student Payal Tadvi’salleged suicide, the Mumbaipolice brass on Thursday trans-ferred the sensational case to thecity crime branch police.

Confirming the transfer ofthe Payal Tadvi suicide case tothe city crime branch branch,Mumbai’s DeputyCommissioner of Police and

Spokesperson DCP ManjunathShinge said: “Considering theseriousness and importance ofthe Dr. Payal Tadavi’s deathcase, the investigation has beentransferred to Crime Branch”.

“We had demanded thatgiven the questionable circum-stances leading to my client’sdeath, the investigations in thecase be handed over to the theCrime Branch. We had taken upthe matter with the ruling ShivSena which in turn raised it withCM Devendra Fadnavis,” Payal’sfamily lawyer Nitin Satpute said.

Payal Tadvi suicide:Mumbai Police crimebranch to probe case

RAJESH KUMAR n NEW DELHI

Agrarian distress, doublingof farmers’ income,

drought in several parts of thecountry, and PM-KISANscheme will be top most pri-or it ies for the newAgriculture Minister. As forthe Minister for Housing andUrban Affairs (MoHUA), itwill be Housing for All by2022, development of 100smart cities and the nationalurban rental housing policyamong others that will be themain priorities..

Following a historic man-date, the Modi Government isnow expected to shift itsfocus on governance. "Theimmediate reason for farmdistress is falling food prices.Despite Modi Government'simplementat ion of new

Minimum Support Price(MSP) regime, the farmersare not getting profitableremuneration from their agri-culture products. However,despite increased support,prices for several crops con-tinued to be below even theMSPs that had been declaredlast year. PM-AASHA toofailed to have any positiveimpact on procurement andprices," said the sources. ThePrime Minister 's majorpromise to agriculture in itsmanifesto for 2019 was todoubling farmers income by2022 with 2015 being thereference year.

Ahead of the Lok Sabhapolls, the Modi Governmenttried to lessen the burden onthe farmers with PrimeMinister-Kisan SammanNidhi (PM-KISAN) a scheme

to provide cash support of`6,000 a year in three intal-ments.

According to agricultureministry, agriculture, ani-mals, forestry, fishing —together clubbed under thehead of agriculture — com-prised 17.89 per cent of grossdomestic product (GDP) in2016-17. It has dropped toaround 13 per cent in the past15 years. But the number ofworkforce has not droppedaccordingly in farms.Agriculture employs nearly55 per cent of the workforcein the country. An estimated26 crore people are workingin the sector. This translatesinto dependence of about 55-57 per cent population onagriculture, which is in dis-tress for far too long to ignorefor Narendra ModiGovernment.

The Modi Governmentwill have to address biggerissue in agriculture, that is, ofshifting farm workers toother employment avenues.This leads to PM Modi'sanother major challenge -unemployment before thenew Agriculture Minister. Of136 crore estimated popula-tion of India, 67 per cent is in15-64 years bracket. Thisputs the job-seeking popula-tion over 91 crore. Not all ofthem would actually be look-ing for job but this figureitself is a challenge to anyGovernment. The promiseof 2 crore jobs annually cou-

pled with the slogan of "achhedin" (good days) had broughtModi Government to powerin 2014. A Centre forMonitoring Indian Economy(CMIE) report, released inJanuary this year, said around1.1 crore jobs were lost in2018 as side effects of 2016demonetisation and 2017GST rollout.

"The new Minister shouldhave as its first priority notonly the mapping out of thevulnerabilities in the agri-cultural sector, but also find-ing ways of dealing with thestructural issues whichrequire urgent interventions,"said the sources. Reforms ine-NAM and AgricultureProduce Market ingCommittee will be majorchallenge before the agricul-ture minister.

The MoHUA, whichspearheads the maximumnumber of f lagship pro-grammes, will focus on thenational urban rental housingpolicy to promote varioustypes of public-private part-nerships for promotion ofrental housing in the countryand making good the grow-ing housing shortage. Tocomplete and develop 100smart cities will be top agen-da for the new Housing andUrban Affairs minister. Stateshave been asked to expeditethe award of tenders and theconversion of detailed projectreports (DPRs) to tenderswith targets having been set.

Thiruvananthapuram: KeralaChief Minister Pinarayi Vijayanon Thursday skipped theswearing-in ceremony of theBJP-led NDA Government cit-ing inability to attend due to hispre-occupation with partyrelated matters in State.

“Chief Minister could notparticipate in the event as thestate secretariat of the party isgoing on. The Secretariat ofCPI(M) is reviewing the pollresults.

Party general secretarySitaram Yechury is also attend-ing,” a source close to theCPI(M) told PTI.

Vijayan had on May 24congratulated Prime MinisterNarendra Modi and his col-leagues for the BJP-led NDA's

stellar performance in the LokSabha polls.

The state BJP unit cele-brated the oath-taking cere-mony by bursting crackers anddistributing sweets at various

places across the state.Senior BJP leader and the

lone MLA of the party ORajagopal inaugurated the "vic-tory day" celebrations of thesaffron party at its headquartershere. As soon as PrimeMinister Narendra Modi tookoath for the second time, BJPworkers here burst crackers.

The activists also celebrat-ed in front of the Secretariathere.

The ruling Left DemocraticFront was routed in the LokSabha election winning just oneseat out of the total 20 seats inthe state.

The Congress-led UnitedDemocratic Front bagged 19seats but the BJP again failed toopen its account in Kerala. PTI

The performance of the Congressin the Lok Sabha elections wasextremely disappointing and itis important for a responsiblepolitical party like it to accept

the verdict of the people with humility. Itis also important for the party to under-stand the pulse of the nation better andshowcase itself as a more viable alterna-tive to the BJP. Perhaps most important-ly, however, it is important for the partyto highlight that the battle between theCongress and the BJP is not one of merepolitical power but one of ideology.

This ideological battle is often depict-ed as a fight on TV screens broadcast bynews channels. In the past five years, thisideological battle has been depicted as asensational fight. The sequence of eventstypically follow the described course: Anoutrageous statement by a BJP leader likeSadhvi Pragya (about Godse being adeshbhakt) followed by TV channels witha room full of pundits lending theirexpertise, either admonishing the outra-geous statement or finding some sympa-thy for it. This descends into a shoutingmatch between the two sides, furtherfuelled by TV anchors who have realisedthat this is the easy way to capture theattention of the public. I will admit, theCongress and other Opposition partieshave often fallen into this trap that onlyhelps TV channels. The reality, however,is that first, the Congress’ ideological bat-tle with the BJP cannot be won in the priv-ilege of air-conditioned TV rooms but willinstead be tested over time on the ground.Second, to reduce this ideological battleto a “debate” over statements of agentprovocateurs does India and its citizens noservice. Instead the Congress will have tonow take the values it holds dear like thoseof equality, fighting violence with reasonand scientific temper to the people of thecountry and convince them by actionrather than TV rhetoric. So what happensto these TV channels and what willbecome of these inflammatory debates?

In this backdrop, I have to say that Iam extremely pleased that the Congresshas decided that it will send no spokesper-sons for TV debates. While this positionappears to be limited to the next month,I would welcome sticking to this stand forthe next five years. This is because newschannels now resemble soap operas whereTV anchors have pre-decided the plots andsub-plots. Where if the debate appears tobe dying, some will ensure that themasala remains till the end. Of course, Idon’t mean to paint all TV news media andall anchors with the same brush. But youknow who you are and more important-ly, every reader of this article has a few ofthem who spring to mind. I am, therefore,happy that the Congress will do its partto prevent this embarrassing practicefrom continuing.

I remember there was atime when media houses andTV news channels engaged ingenuine investigative journal-ism. They would raise ques-tions and go where their inves-tigation led them. News chan-nels were led by the aim of ful-filling their role as journalistsand earned viewershipthrough dedicated researchand brave questions. Has thattime gone? An examination ofthe past few years does seemto suggest so. If not, whatexplains the unbelievable lackof focus on issues that thecountry is actually grapplingwith?

In Jharkhand, for example,why are media houses notraising questions about thehuge number of starvationdeaths and the failures of thestate government that has ledto these deaths? Why are thereno debates about how theland of tribals in Jharkhand isbeing taken away from themwithout any form of rehabili-tation? At the national stagetoo, why have our news chan-nels not raised questions aboutthe intelligence failure thatled to the death of our bravesoldiers in Pulwama? Howdid such a massive attackoccur and why haven’t webeen provided any answers by

the government? Who is supposed to ask

these questions? Yes, theOpposition must, as theCongress did over the past fewyears. But what happenedwhen these questions wereraised? Spokespersons werebrought on debates where thetopic would inevitably beframed along the followinglines: “Is the Opposition anti-national for questioning thegovernment at this time?”

Once the debate has beenframed in the manner detailedabove, the discussion on TV isno longer a discussion ordebate about how we canimprove our intelligence infra-structure or how do we pre-vent our soldiers from dying inthe future. Instead the debateis now: Is the Opposition anti-national or not? What atragedy.

It is no coincidence thenthat the only real investigativejournalism we have seen in thepast few years has beenthrough print media outlets.This is because the nature ofprint journalism restricts itfrom doing what TV channelsdo. Turning important issuesthat require examination andquestioning of authorities toshouting matches and sensa-tional headlines.

So I welcome seeing howour TV news channels willreact. As the government inpower with clear majority forwhat will be 10 years in 2024,PM Modi will have no excus-es. They will have to answerquestions about a failing econ-omy and how they plan torevive it. They will have toanswer questions about whythere are no jobs for India’syouth. They will have toanswer questions about whycertain Indians feel targeteddue to their religion and casteas the events of the past weekhave shown.

Without a shouting matchbetween the Opposition andthe government, TV anchorswill now have to face represen-tatives from the BJP govern-ment and have to look at theactual work that has beendone and what the numberson the ground are. Their TRPswill then depend on how theyquestion the government andwhether they can get the gov-ernment to answer questionsthe government may not wantto answer. Let’s see if thesenews channels are up to thetask: The nation wants toknow.

(The author is president ofJharkhand Pradesh CongressCommittee)

In the shadow of the huge win for Prime

Minister Narendra Modi, one tends to over-

look other narratives of the 17th Lok Sabha.

Like the fact that it is all set to witness the high-

est ever representation of women MPs, 78,

46 of them debutantes. And though women

MPs of the ruling party are yet to make a size-

able presence felt in governance, at least there

is cross-sectional representation in the

House. The first- timers are quite the mix. Take

the case of Chandrani Murmu, the Biju Janata

Dal (BJD) MP from Odisha’s Keonjhar, who,

at 25, defeated two-time Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ananta Nayak, and

is purposive about getting a new rail line between Keonjhar and Bhubaneshwar

and setting up a steel plant. Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, though a giant killer of senior

Congress leader Digvijay Singh by over 3,64,000 votes, has sullied her journey

with controversies and incendiary remarks and one wonders if she will indeed

pursue her professed desire to push farmer interests. Queen Oja, the BJP MP

from Assam, 67 and Jyotsna Mahant, the Congress MP from Chhattisgarh at

65, have proven age is no bar for politics. Nusrat Jahan and Mimi Chakraborty,

a pair of glamorous Trinamool Congress MPs, have proven that beyond their

dress, they are feisty enough to stall the BJP and convince voters.

But it would be amiss to ignore that in Bangladesh, 21 per cent of elected

representatives in the National Assembly are women and in the US Congress,

almost a third of the representatives are women. So the bigger question is how

to get more women interested in taking up politics? It is sad that we are low on

representation despite having a woman Prime Minister in Indira Gandhi long, long

ago. The success of women to crest political life, therefore, is not a factor in

furthering more women into the line. The answer doesn’t lie in women’s reser-

vation either because that is unlikely to pass a male-dominated legislature. The

only way forward is to empower women as a political force; after all they are

half the electorate and should vote for their own interests. Parties should intro-

duce women’s manifestoes and improve representation in their own internal ranks.

Talking about female empowerment and then not nominating enough female can-

didates will not pass muster. At the same time, a higher number of women in

the workforce will make them more aware of their rights and keep them more

involved in politics to protect them. That said, as the defeat of Hillary Clinton

proved, women will not vote for women just because they are expected to. Women

will, like any other category of voter, choose their own best interests.

With the halo around Prime Minister

Narendra Modi and the penumbra

dominated by BJP party chief Amit

Shah, rarely does one talk about the man who

is as much a Modi-maker, having steered him

through the legalities of the Gujarat riots and

crafted the personality phenomenon across the

intelligentsia to make him the pan-India brand

he has become today. That man is former

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Even though he

has opted out of the new government on health

grounds, he has been a ferocious warrior of

the Modi brigade through these painful months, defending the government’s poli-

cies and blunting the edge of the Opposition attack through his blogs and brief

appearances. Even at the risk of his own electoral fortunes, where he failed ulti-

mately, he has never faulted on his primary job, that of being Modi’s most effi-

cacious counter-critic. And if the discontent over demonetisation and the Goods

and Services Tax (GST) failed to dampen the BJP’s electoral prospects this Lok

Sabha election, then Jaitley needs to be thanked in good measure for neutralis-

ing people’s fears and anxieties and keeping them corked till the winds cleared.

He has even managed to defend the indefensible and turned it into a fine art,

simply by statistical comparisons, like apportioning the blame of public banks

piling up non-performing assets (NPAs) to the UPA regime between 2008 and

14 and diverting attention from why NDA2 allowed it to fester and let two vio-

lators, Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, escape. He diluted the rising angst of job-

lessness by rolling out international projections of India’s healthy growth rate

and its cascading effect on job-creating sectors. If there were doubts about fig-

ures put out by think tanks, he found holes in their methodology. Point is nobody

could have been a better propagandist and perhaps this is why Modi drove to

his residence and is considering a way for Jaitley to still stay relevant. So though

he may stay away from the Ministry, his advisory role in the new government

cannot be ruled out.

Jaitley’s biggest challenge has been to ensure an almost impossible con-

sensus across party lines for GST. Had it not been for his gentle persuasion, a

common tax structure would have been impossible. In fact, more than an eco-

nomic tool, GST stands out as a shining example of bipartisan politics in NDA2,

which has mostly been accused of undermining institutions and being bull-head-

ed about dissent. For the record, the consensus was unanimous, there was never

a need for voting! Though conceived by the Congress regime, Jaitley will always

be remembered as the man who converted a theory into practice in real time.

He was equally proactive about taking on the challenges posed by the imple-

mentation of GST. Now that the collections have stabilised, it doesn’t seem to

be such a bad thing. And for all her fury towards Modi, even Trinamool Congress

chief Mamata Banerjee had amiable terms with Jaitley, he attending the Bengal

investors’ meet on receiving her invitation. Though both demonetisation and GST

were policy disruptors, with catastrophic short-term squeeze on the economy,

he still bet on their long-term impacts, fully aware that this would dent the Modi

government’s appeal among the masses. Yet he did not let tapering economic

growth figures daunt him and despite them, ushered in the Insolvency and

Bankruptcy Code (IBC) to perk up the banking sector. He has worked out a slew

of measures for attracting foreign investment, lowered corporate tax rate for MSMEs,

turning them into a vital engine of economic growth, and at a time of extreme

farm distress, promised a minimum 50 per cent return over production cost to

farmers besides laying the template for direct cash transfers. He has eased for-

eign direct investment. In fact, the Micro Units Development Refinance Agency

(MUDRA) Bank, that has given a fillip to micro-entrepreneurship, is probably one

of the key reasons, besides the Prime Minister’s Awas Yojana, why the elec-

torate in the rural hinterland kept the faith in the BJP. And even though he could-

n’t present the vote-on-account, he had realised the political expediency of send-

ing the right message and authored the ̀ 6,000 per year income support scheme

to farmers with small land-holdings. So though he may not be part of NDA3,

Modi may continue to count on him as his wingman for some time.

Jaitley, the wingman

The ex-Finance Minister may not be in govt but the BJPstill needs his expertise and management skills

India has a record number of women MPs butfemale representation is still poor in politics

Field story

Sir - Mahendra Singh Dhoni hasbeen the pillar of the Indiancricket team for years and hissplendid 113 runs off only 78 ballsin the warm-up match againstBangladesh at Cardiff shows thathe is in tremendous form. KLRahul, with his 108 runs, appearsto be the key to resolving the longrunning discourse over the fourthslot in the Indian batting order.The middle order has the poten-tial to guide the team to notewor-thy totals even if there is a chanceof the opening partnership failingto deliver in some of the WorldCup matches.

Tushar AnandPatna

Unconstitutional move

Sir - There are many who cannotforget the statement made byPrime Minister Narendra Modi inWest Bengal while campaigningof 40 Trinamool Congress (TMC)legislators being in touch withhim and ready to desert after theLok Sabha elections. Even moreshocking was BJP general secre-tary in-charge of West Bengal,Kailash Vijayvargiya’s words that

crossovers would continue inseven phases (May 29). If PrimeMinister Modi bowed before theConstitution while seeking todispel fears of majoritarianism,why should he not initiate amarch towards observing fairand decent political norms? Whyencourage defections, which areanother form of corruption? Is theBJP’s ‘takeover strategy’ of the

entire country State by Stateunderpinned by this? Is this whatwe voted for?

Bidyut Kumar ChatterjeeFaridabad

Welcoming new MPs

Sir - It is heartening that in the17th Lok Sabha, the number of

female MPs has risen from 62 to78, accounting for 14.3 per cent ofthe seats, though well short of the33 per cent women’s quota beingsought. There is hope that the leg-islation for one-third representa-tion to women will be on track.But what is jarring is that as manyas 233 MPs, or 43 per cent of theLower House, have an allegedcriminal background, having been

elected by “our awakened andwise” voters. There was tall talk oftainted MLAs and MPs beingshown the door. Instead, there isan increase, of about nine per cent,in the number of such parliamen-tarians.

Meghna ANew South Wales

A true statesman

Sir - The thumping majority thatthe BJP has got should also leadto a review of its economic poli-cies of the past five years whicheither failed miserably or causedhavoc to development. For exam-ple, projects found detrimental toagrarian interests should bedropped. Instead of continuing topolarise people, developmentshould be the main goal. Thoseelected must be given a workschedule to be executed within astipulated period. This is also agreat opportunity for PrimeMinister Narendra Modi to blos-som into a statesman. In the lastfive years, he was only a politician.

Tharcius S FernandoChennai

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

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op nionLUCKNOW | FRIDAY | MAY 31, 2019

08

No time for TV rhetoric

AJOY KUMAR

Cong will have to take the values it holds dear like those of equality, fighting violence

with reason and scientific temper to the people and convince them by action

We need big commercial film-makers to make a female lead orfemale-centric films. I want thatto happen. I have said this toZoya Akhtar and other friends. Iwould like to see that happen.

Actor—Katrina Kaif

The public in Israel made a cleardecision. It decided that I will bePrime Minister, that the Likud willlead the government, a right-winggovernment. We'll win, we'll winand the public will win.

Israel PM—Benjamin Netanyahu

S O U N D B I T E

L E T T E R S T O T H E E D I T O R

Gloating is over, look at real issues

It will be a travesty if one felt that therecently concluded general election hadbeen fought and won on earthy issues.

It was a bitterly fought war of attrition,where rules were broken at will, institutionscrumbled under pressure, civility was givena go-by and muck was splattered all-around— on the living and dead. Mahatma Gandhibecame a traitor and his assassin NathuramGodse a patriot for a self-styled Sadhvi, whowill now represent Bhopal in the Lok Sabha.Imagine, could anybody in Pakistan have escaped fromimprisonment after calling the Baba-i-Quam (Father of theNation) Muhammad Ali Jinnah a traitor? And even the deathof a former Prime Minister, who was shredded to piecescruelly by a suicide bomber, was presented as a self-craft-ed destiny.

India had always been the punching bag and a tar-get for slander during elections in Pakistan. The partiesthere had always jostled in India-bashing as it fetched thempower quite often without investment. In contrast, the main-

stream parties in India generally refrainedfrom making Pakistan an electoral issue.However, this time around, the ruling BJPdepended heavily on Pakistan and throughit, the Indian Muslims and the intrusion —decisive as it was described — into Balakotto smash them. The strategy seemed to haveworked in the Hindi heartland. In a surpris-ing volte-face, The Guardian, which lavishedwholesome praise on Narendra Modi, res-onating the popular perception of “a new

kind of leader” “from the lower castes,” who was “not anatural English speaker” and a voice that “has announceda new kind of India” in May 2014, preferred to declare,“the world does not need another national populist leaderwho pursues a pro-business agenda while trading in fakenews and treating minorities as second-class citizens” inMay 2019. Honestly, many are confused and disturbed aswell in India.

Haridasan RajanKozhikode

Send your feedback to:letterstopioneer@gmail.com

Girl power

Even before the swearing-in ceremony of the newly-electedBJP government, they are trying to disturb and dismantlethe state governments ofOpposition parties.

Rajasthan CM —Ashok Gehlot

Congratulations to @ysjaganon taking oath as AndhraPradesh's Chief Minister. Iassure full cooperation fromthe Centre. We will takeAndhra to new heights.

Prime Minister—Narendra Modi

IN JHARKHAND, FOREXAMPLE, WHY AREMEDIA HOUSES NOTRAISING QUESTIONS

ABOUT THE HUGENUMBER OFSTARVATION

DEATHS AND THEFAILURES OF THE

STATEGOVERNMENT THATHAS LED TO THESEDEATHS? WHY ARETHERE NO DEBATES

ABOUT HOW THELAND OF TRIBALS IS

BEING TAKEN AWAY FROM THEM?

Cash is the only king

UNDER DEPARTMENT POLICY, A PRESIDENT CANNOT

BE CHARGED WITH A FEDERAL CRIME WHILE HE IS IN

OFFICE. THAT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

— SPECIAL COUNSEL FOR US JUSTICE DEPT

ROBERT MUELLER

I WANT CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES TO

INVESTIGATE WHETHER TRUMP OBSTRUCTED

MUELLER’S INVESTIGATION. NOTHING IS OFF TABLE.

— SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

NANCY PELOSI

POINTCOUNTERPOINT

Recently, Spencer’s Retail, the retail flagshipof the Sanjiv Goenka Group, acquiredNature’s Basket, Godrej’s premium food

retailing venture, for ̀ 300 crore in an all-cash deal,unravelling possibilities of mutual synergies.Through this acquisition, Spencer’s is planning togain access into the western India market whereit does not have any presence at present. Spencer’swill continue with the Nature’s Basket brand andmay even extend it to other markets. Worldwide,acquisition remains the quickest route companieshave to new markets and to new capabilities. Asmarkets globalise and the pace at which technolo-gies change continues to accelerate, more and morefirms are finding mergers and acquisitions to bea compelling strategy for growth. Like its globalcounterparts, Indian companies across several sec-tors are also in consolidation mode. Take the exam-ple of the renewable energy sector, Tata Poweracquired Welspun Energy’s assets in a deal valuedat over `9,000 crore; Kotak Mahindra acquiredING Vysya Bank in an all-stock deal valued at over`15,000 crore in the banking sector; the telecomsector witnessed the acquisition of MTS India fromSistema by Reliance Communications in an all-stock deal, followed by a merger of HDF Life andMax Life in the insurance sector.

As in the case of Spencer’s-Nature Basket dealof paying for an acquisition in cash, acquirers canalso pay in stock or can have a combination of cashand stock. A cash merger happens when the acquir-ing firm buys the target company’s stock with cash.Think of a cash merger as shareholders of the tar-get company being bought out. In a straight cashmerger, the acquiring firm will make a tender offerat a price that is acceptable to the shareholders ofthe target company, who must vote to approve thedeal. Often, companies offer stock rather than cashto complete a merger deal by using “conversionratio” that converts the target company’s shares intoshares in the combined firm. For example, if youown 1,000 shares in a target company thatreceived a stock merger offer with a conversionratio of 1.275, you would receive 1,275 shares inthe merged company or 1,000 times 1.275. Somemergers combine a stock-for-stock transaction witha cash portion. For example, a stock merger offer-ing you 0.5 shares plus ̀ 10 in cash for every shareyou own means you’ll have to multiply 0.5 and ̀ 10by the number of shares you hold in the target com-pany. If you owned 400 shares in the old compa-ny, you’ll own 200 shares in the merged compa-ny plus receive `2,000 in cash or `10 multipliedby 200 shares.

As with most business transactions, cash dealsare highly preferred for fairly obvious reasons.Nonetheless, plenty of mergers still happen viastock deals. Although the same thing essentiallyoccurs regardless of whether the deal is complet-ed with a cash payment or a purchase of a certainpercentage of shares, there are often differences inthe way in which the merger ultimately unfolds.Here are some of the key differences between thetwo ways to close the deal:

Cash deals show clear ownership: One of thereasons why everyone loves cash transactions isbecause of its straightforward simplicity, it is fasterand people face fewer hurdles in getting the dealclosed. While one side hands over cash, the otherside transfers its ownership interest in the com-

pany. There is rarely any question as towho owns the company and who relin-quished ownership. In an analysis forworldwide M&A deals between 1992-2017 by the University of London, it wasfound that the failure rate for cash trans-actions was only 2.9 per cent. By way ofcomparison, all other forms of transac-tions were likely to fail 4.4 per cent of thetime. Another benefit of cash transac-tions is that they are relatively simplewhen it comes to what shape the newentity will take. The roles of the two par-ties, too, are clear-cut and the exchangeof money for shares completes a simpletransfer of ownership. They go on to notethat with this kind of transaction, theroles are pretty cut and dry when it comesto who will control the new organisation,with the purchaser pretty much dictat-ing everything. On the other hand, witha stock deal, the number, type or percent-age of shares sold may make it a bit hard-er to decipher the ownership structure.

Risk allocation is greater in cashdeals: Even though cash reigns supreme,there are some potential negatives to thistype of deal. The major downside to acash transaction is that the buyers in thesituation are assuming all of the poten-tial risk associated with the merger. In astock transfer, that risk is at least allocat-ed amongst the shareholders with respectto their proportion of shares. The goalof a merger is obviously to realise anincrease in value and, thus, returns. Butthere are obviously risks to the joiningof entities that may get in the way of that,so when paying cash, buyers must be pre-pared to accept the potential conse-quences. In addition, there’s the issue ofthe financing itself. If the financing fallsapart, that would certainly doom the deal.Outside of the money risks, there areadditional issues, including taxes. One

major drawback of an all-cash deal is thatshareholders will be on the hook to paypotential capital gains taxes — which arelikely to climb from their current levels.For all-stock transactions, these taxes forshareholders would likely be deferred.

With all these positives related to acash transaction, one might wonder whyanyone would consider an alternative.But there are numerous benefits tostock-based transactions where a com-pany uses its stock as currency to pur-chase another company. Perhaps thebiggest perk of all is that the acquiringfirm is able to keep its cash reservesaround for other functions. Or if theydon’t have a significant amount of cashin the first place, they don’t need to bor-row money from outside partners tomake that deal happen. For sharehold-ers of the acquired company, the bene-fits are significant as well. As they arepaid in stock rather than cash, they canhold on to that stock and as a result, deferany capital gains implications that wouldresult from this buy out. Of course, thereis also the potential growth of the newentity and any financial rewards that mayresult. From a risk standpoint, a stocktransaction presents different issues aswell. In a stock transaction, the risk isshared proportionately between theacquiring firm and the acquired firm.And for ownership of the acquiredfirm, a stock transaction also means thatyou’re ceding control of the direction ofthe company to the buyer.

However in recent times, in grow-ing economies where access to capitalremains relatively inexpensive, stocktransactions have been on a decline. Infact, according to Thomson Reuters, 33per cent of all deals in the second half of2016 included stock in the transaction.This represents a steady decline from

over 50 per cent just two years before.According to Dealogic, 2017 was actu-ally the weakest year since 1995 for UScompanies when it came to stock-basedM&As. However, not all deals are aneither/or. Many feature a combinationof both cash and stock. There are a vari-ety of reasons for this, including accessto capital, share dilution, potential com-peting offers and payment preferences.

A recently published research byUniversity of London’s Cass BusinessSchool found that the type of consider-ation offered was a significant predictorof the probability of deal completion —for both private and public M&A targets.It was a long-term global study into aban-doned acquisitions, ie, deals that areannounced but which subsequently failto complete, by investigating more than82,500 M&A deals announced over 26years to identify the significant predic-tors of failed deals and strategies thatacquirers and targets employ to increasethe likelihood of successful deal comple-tion. In particular, deals, where cash wasthe only form of consideration, were lesslikely to fail than those involving equi-ty or cash/equity hybrids as considera-tion. Target companies value the certain-ty that a cash offer brings, both at thetime the deal is agreed upon and on com-pletion. By contrast, a deal financed byequity or partly by equity, may becomemore or less valuable depending onmovements in the acquirer’s share price.

In today’s robust M&A environment,there will be no shortage of transactionsof both types. The only question thatremains is what’s going to be the righttype for both companies involved andwhat value this delivers to their share-holders.

(The writer is Assistant Professor atAmity University)

In today’s robust M&A environment, there will be no shortage of transactions of eitherstock deals or cash transactions. But most firms prefer the latter for obvious reasons

analysis 09F I R S T C O L U M N

Decoding a

great victory

DR VK BAHUGUNA

Certainly, Modi’s track record was very crucial forhis win. Which means going further, he will only

be assessed on deliverables

HIMA BINDU KOTA

IN PARTICULAR,DEALS, WHERECASH WAS THEONLY FORM OF

CONSIDERATION,WERE LESS

LIKELY TO FAILTHAN THOSE

INVOLVINGEQUITY OR

CASH/EQUITYHYBRIDS AS

CONSIDERATION.TARGET

COMPANIESVALUE THE

CERTAINTY THATA CASH OFFER

BRINGS, BOTH ATTHE TIME THE

DEAL IS AGREEDUPON AND ON

COMPLETION. BYCONTRAST, A

DEAL FINANCEDBY EQUITY OR

PARTLY BYEQUITY, MAY

BECOME MOREOR LESS

VALUABLEDEPENDING ONMOVEMENTS IN

THE ACQUIRER’SSHARE PRICE

The 17th Lok Sabha election was, perhaps, the most bitter-

ly fought in Indian history. It will be remembered for a lot

many things but the most important of all was that it ush-

ered the country into a new era of politics. For the first time since

India’s independence, a non-Congress Government was voted

to power with a record number of seats. Of course, its long-

term effect will depend on how the new regime under Prime

Minister Narendra Modi shapes its policy. Second, this was a

presidential style election with Modi as the star campaigner. The

focal point of both the ruling NDA and the Opposition was on

one leader — Modi, the monolith. His landmark win will, there-

fore, be remembered not just for the fact that his Government

secured absolute majority but also for changing the contours

of the hitherto political playfield. Third, the mandate was against

the cobbling up of an unsteady alliance, which the people felt

will not be able to govern India if voted to power.

The Opposition Congress has been almost decimated in the

Hindi heartland States of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and

Chhattisgarh where it had registered wins only last year. The

BJP’s remarkable recovery in these States is a reflection of the

people’s mandate to repel the negative politics of the Opposition.

The BJP has also made significant inroads in West Bengal. It

could retain its influence in North-Eastern States of Assam,

Tripura, Arunanchal Pradesh (both in Assembly and Lok Sabha)

and to some extent in Manipur.

Let us examine the reasons for this resounding mandate for

the Modi government. As a matter of fact, not every voter can

be swayed by rhetoric or negative politics. The BJP success-

fully focussed on ‘nationalism’ and its achievements like surgi-

cal strikes and the Balakot bombing as its commitment to the

grand cause. It portrayed itself as a strong Government that is

ready to take revenge. This is what people expect. Public opin-

ion was building up against non-action on the killings of Indian

soldiers in terror attacks. Further, the BJP put the blame on the

Opposition that it was playing into the hands of Pakistan by ques-

tioning the strikes and painted Congress chief Rahul Gandhi into

a corner. The slogan, “Modi hai to mumkin hai” was shown as

the greatest positive of a strong Government. Rahul’s high deci-

bel accusation of the Prime Minister as a “Chowkidar chor hai”

backfired and harping on the Rafale deal dealt a severe blow to

the Opposition’s credibility. Another reason for Modi’s appeal was

his resonance among the country’s youth, who rejected dynas-

tic regional parties in the north, especially in Uttar Pradesh and

Bihar.

One of the lessons from this election is that the era of caste-

based politics is almost over. Similarly, the concept that Muslims

would never vote for the BJP was dented majorly in Uttar Pradesh.

Apart from this, the Congress’ jingoism to garner Muslim votes

in north India backfired and came to a cropper. This led to the

consolidation of Hindu votes.

The BJP further surpassed the Congress in communication

strategies and was able to encash some of its welfare schemes.

In rural and semi-urban areas, the Ujjwala scheme has come

as a boon, reducing drudgery of more than 15 crore women.

Another feel-good scheme, which had an impact on the minds

of the voter, is Ayushman Bharat, which provided the much-need-

ed medical facilities in good empanelled private hospitals to the

poorer sections. Already, more than 18 lakh people have enrolled

for it and are availing benefits. Yet another scheme which made

an impact was the pension scheme for the poor and unorgan-

ised sector workers who constitute a very sizeable vote bank

of 25 crore people. Increasing road and housing projects for the

poor also benefitted the people.

On the other hand, the Opposition kept on portraying Modi

in a negative light than demonising the schemes he had failed

in. The Congress’ manifesto, despite having the grandiose and

hopeful plan of Nyay, was more about theory than practice. The

repeated logjams in Parliament also played a role in decimating

the Opposition, who were seen as stallers rather than doers. The

10 per cent reservation for the weaker sections of the upper class

also played a role in this victory and the anger of the upper caste

was the reason BJP lost in MP and Rajasthan. The farmers’ anger

was dealt with by announcing the Rs 6,000 scheme for farm

uplift.

It is now up to the new Government to lead the nation to

greater heights. Prime Minister Modi should review the effica-

cy and deficiency in the machinery responsible for policy imple-

mentation. A lot of reforms in governance structure and decen-

tralisation is needed.

(The writer is a former civil servant)

Amid the ruins and crumblingedifice all over the country,Punjab and Kerala are the only

two oases for Congress in 2019, giv-ing the grand old party something tocheer about—a consolation prize intimes of utter political despair andgloom.

In Punjab, the Congress won animpressive eight seats and 40 per centof the votes, which is much more thanfour seats and 33 per cent in the 2014polls, indicating that the graph of theparty is going up despite PrimeMinister Modi and BJP building up anarrative of muscular nationalismpost the Balakot air strike insidePakistan. As Punjab is a border stateand has faced the brunt of all the warswhich the country has fought withPakistan — 1948, 1965 and then 1971

— and also faced one of the worstphases in its existence in the form ofPak-sponsored terrorism for over 10years in the 1980s and early years of1990s, the narrative which Modi builtof national security had the potentialof getting more traction in this state.But this simply failed to get dividendshere because of the counter narrativebuilt by the Capt Amarinder-ledPunjab Congress which has to be dif-ferentiated from the Rahul Gandhi -led Congress.

Two seats which BJP won inPunjab were Gurdaspur, which waslargely due to the star power of SunnyDeol, and Hoshiarpur reserved seat,where the local factors went against theCongress as well as the improved per-formance of Bahujan Samaj Party,ensuring the victory of BJP candidateSom Prakash. Long-time NDAalliance partner, Shiromani Akali Dal,managed to win from Bathinda andFerozepur with the husband-wife duoof Harsimrat Kaur and Sukhbir Badalgetting the voters’ approval due to theconcentration of the entire Akalimachinery here.

For all practical purposes, inPunjab, the Congress has been more

or less converted into a regional partyfor a while now, with a strong region-al satrap in Capt Amarinder Singh.And this unit has little to do with thehigh command culture prevalent inthe national party where decisions aremade at the central level and commu-nicated to the states. In fact, to be fairto the party president Rahul Gandhi,he has left it to Capt Amarinder todecide what is good.

Just before the Lok Sabha electionswhen former Congress WorkingCommittee member Jagmeet SinghBrar approached the party high com-mand for re-entry into the Congress,possibly to contest the Lok Sabha elec-tions, the high command simplydirected him to Capt Amarinderrather than taking a decision on itsown and then imposing him on theChief Minister. The set-up is perfectin Punjab for the former ArmyCaptain. PCC president Sunil Jakharis a hardcore Amarinder loyalist andeven the AICC in-charge of the state,Asha Kumari, is hardly a politicalheavyweight. That’s the kind of respectCapt Amarinder enjoys right now withthe top leadership of the party. Ofcourse, the leaked messages of Brar to

Capt Amarinder speaks volumesabout the level of sycophancy whichthe former Congressman indulged into get back but the Chief Ministerrefused to have any truck with himgiven his limited appeal and party-hopping tendencies.

Moreover, almost all candidateswere practically hand-picked by CaptAmarinder. Manish Tewari, a formerLok Sabha MP from Ludhiana, whowanted a ticket from Chandigarh, wasgiven nomination from AnandpurSahib Constituency, an entirely newseat for him from where he had nopolitical linkage or any claim. CaptAmarinder ensured that Tewariemerged victorious and no doubtalong with Shashi Tharoor, the MPfrom Kerala, he would be the face ofthe party in the Lok Sabha after thedefeat of seasoned Congress parlia-mentarians like Mallikarjun Khargefrom Karnataka and JyotiradityaScindia from Madhya Pradesh.

Despite his success at the region-al level, it would be ridiculous to por-tray Capt Amarinder as a nationalleader and a possible replacement forRahul Gandhi. It is too far-fetched apolitical theory and even Capt

Amarinder would not agree to this ashe knows his limitations. First, henever had a national ambition nor hasit now despite an impressive show.Second, at 80, he is not getting anyyounger. Third, his inability or ratherunwillingness to communicate inHindi, the language of the cow belt,would further reduce his appeal. It issimilar to Manmohan Singh, thetwo-term Prime Minister, who was apoor communicator in all languagesand could not even highlight theachievements of his government prop-erly. In fact, he hardly campaigned forhis party anywhere else in the coun-try even in the 2019 polls.

Coming from an ex-servicemanwho takes pride in using “Captain”before his name, a person who hadseen the 1965 action from close quar-ters as an officer in uniform and is aproud military historian, Modi’s nar-rative fizzled out in the border state.Even when Capt Amarinder asked forevidence for the Balakot strike, he wasconvincing as he himself gave numer-ous examples from the 1965 war wherethe victorious Indian Army officershad brought trophies of war fromamongst the Pakistani Army as proof

of victory. The simple fact of the mat-ter is that Capt Amarinder matchedModi step by step in the aggressive nar-rative post Pulwama-Balakot episodesand did not follow the Congressparty line of being suspect and unsurehow to react to these developments.

Besides, the BJP has been ridingpiggy-back on the Akalis for severaldecades, unsure of an independentidentity. RSS, too, has been trying toexpand its influence amongst theSikhs through the Rashtriya SikhSangat for years now with limitedappeal and little scope of penetratingthe rural Sikh peasantry. Family rulehas been firmly established in theAkalis and is being resented.

In fact, Capt Amarinder alsotried to play identity politics and tosome extent appropriated the religiousissues which the Akalis had been usingfor decades. This was like hurting theopponent where it hurts the most.When police firing took place at aplace called Baragari on protestors afterseveral incidents of sacrilege of reli-gious scriptures came to notice, theAkalis were on the defensive. Like agood heavyweight wrestler, CaptAmarinder simply raised the pitch on

Baragari police firing, making oneannouncement or the other to keep theAkalis on the mat. He got the policeofficers responsible for the firingarrested, promising to reach to the topof Akali leadership which was the thenChief Minister Parkash Singh Badaland his son Sukhbir Badal. Akalis, inturn, had little or nothing to offer tothe aggression of Capt Amarinder andhis team, who was clearly enjoying thenew rules of the game which he hadjust introduced.

So in reality, Congress did becomean umbrella organisation of all groupsin Punjab — the rural Sikhs forwhom religious issues are important,the urban-centric voters for whomAkali Dal has little to offer and also thelarge section of the Dalits in the Doabaregion where Congress always hadmore traction. No wonder, the partyemerged as an oasis amid despair innorth India and also gave appropriatelessons to the central leadership howto successfully counter the narrative of“muscular nationalism” with a simi-lar one, albeit with a regional varia-tion.

(The writer is Senior ResidentEditor, The Pioneer, Chandigarh)

How Punjab remained a Congress oasis

AMITABH SHUKLA

LUCKNOW | FRIDAY | MAY 31, 2019

www.dailypioneer.com

For all practical purposes, the state unit has been more or less converted into a regional party with a strong satrap in Capt Amarinder Singh

nation 10LUCKNOW | FRIDAY | MAY 31, 2019

SADHVI NIRANJANJYOTI saffron-cladUnion minister

Muzaffar riots castshadow overSANJEEV BALYAN

Chess enthusiastMN PANDEY gets rewarded

Soft-spoken SANTOSHGANGWAR bceomesminisiter in Modi 2.0

MUKHTAR ABBASNAQVI prominentMuslim face

Mukhtar Abbas Naqvijoined the BJP in 1986while he was in college

and decades later, he emerged asone of the prominent Muslimfaces of his party. The 61-year-oldBJP leader, who held the minori-ty affairs portfolio in the outgoingcouncil of ministers, has beenappointed Cabinet minister again.

He was administered the oathof office by President Ram NathKovind on Thursday. A member ofthe Rajya Sabha, Naqvi wasrewarded for his hard work toensure the BJP’s victory in therecent Lok Sabha elections.

As a student, Naqvi activelyparticipated in social, politicalactivities and students’ movements.

He took part in many politicalcampaigns during the Emergencyperiod and was even detained atNaini Central Jail at the age of 17.

However, it was not the onlytime Naqvi was imprisoned. Hewent to jail over three dozen timesfor several national movements.

He was the district vice presi-dent and general secretary of YuvaJanata (youth wing of the JanataParty), Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh,from 1978 to 1979. He went on tobecome an elected member of thestate executive of the Yuva Janata,Uttar Pradesh.

Naqvi then became the youthwing’s general secretary. He waseventually appointed all India vicepresident of Bharatiya Janata YuvaMorcha, a post he held from 1992to 1997.

Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti was easyto spot in the last Parliament,thanks to her saffron robes.

The minister in the first NarendraModi government, is back in theHouse after winning fromFatehpur parliamentary con-stituency in Uttar Pradesh,improving her victory margin thistime by over 70,000 votes. She hasbeen sworn in as a Minister ofState in the Narendra Modi-ledUnion cabinet. Before testing herpopularity as an MP, she was anMLA in Uttar Pradesh from 2012to 2014, when she representedHamirpur assembly constituency.

In December 2014, Jyotistoked a controversy by allegedlymaking certain communalremarks and using an expletive inan election rally, leaving the BJPand the government embarrassedas an angry opposition demand-ed that she be sacked. The remarksthat voters of Delhi should choosebetween “Ram’s sons” and “illegit-imate sons” drew the ire of oppo-sition which protested inParliament following which Jyotiexpressed “deep regret”.

In the previous Modi govern-ment, Jyoti held the portfolio ofMinister of State for FoodProcessing Industries.

The MP has been a strongadvocate of promoting afforesta-tion, social and cultural values,protecting cows, uplifting poorchildren and helping women fromfinancially weak backgrounds getmarried.

Sanjeev Balyan attracted con-troversy name over hisalleged involvement in the

2013 Muzaffarnagar riots. The 46-year-old lawmaker hails fromKutbi village in Muzaffarnagardistrict. He was part of a maha-panchayat there in September2013, which appeared to haveinflamed tensions. Balyan hasdenied his involvement in the riotsand has claimed that he has beenbooked in a false case. He wasadministered oath as minister ofstate by President Ram NathKovind at Rashtrapati BhavanThursday. A BJP member, he waselected to the Lok Sabha in 2014from the Muzaffarnagar con-stituency after trouncing BSP’sKadir Rana by a margin of morethan four lakh votes. In the 2019general election, he defeated AjitSingh of the Rashtriya Lok Dal bya margin of 6,500 votes.

He was appointed the minis-ter of state for agriculture andfood processing in the NationalDemocratic Alliance (NDA) gov-ernment in May 2014.

Then, in July 2016, he wasmade the minister of state forwater resources, river develop-ment and Ganga rejuvenation,under Union minister UmaBharti. Balyan obtained hisdegrees from the HaryanaAgricultural University. He hadserved as an assistant professorand a veterinary surgeon with theHaryana government before join-ing politics.

Leading the charge of theBJP’s Uttar Pradesh unit inthe 2019 Lok Sabha elec-

tions, chess enthusiast MahendraNath Pandey has been rewardedfor checkmating a united oppo-sition in the state.

He took oath as a cabinetminister on Thursday. Pandey,who served as a Union ministerof state (MoS) in the Ministry ofHuman Resource Developmentbetween 2016 and 2017, wasgiven the responsibility of theBJP’s Uttar Pradesh unit in 2017after the party’s massive win inthe assembly elections. Pandey, aBrahmin, played a significantrole in wooing the upper caste infavour of the BJP ahead of thecrucial general elections.

He has a post-graduate degreein journalism and a PhD in Hindifrom the Banaras HinduUniversity. Pandey, born onOctober 15, 1957, was elected thestudents’ union president of CMAnglo Bengali College and thegeneral secretary of the students’union of the Banaras HinduUniversity. Pandey took activepart in the Ram Janmabhoomimovement and was booked underthe National Security Act by theMulayam Singh Yadav govern-ment in the state.

He was elected to the UPAssembly for the first time in1991 and then in 1996. Pandeyserved as a state minister between1998 and 2000, and between2000 and 2002.

Known for his simplicity andhonesty, Santosh Gangwar,who has been elected as Lok

Sabha member from Rohilkhandregion for the eighth time, swornin as a Union minister Thursday.

Gangwar was Minister of Statefor Labour and Employment(Independent Charge) in the out-going Modi government. Taking aplunge into politics during thedays of Emergency, Gangwar wasjailed for guiding a people’s move-ment against then government. Hemade an entry into the nationalarena in 1989 when he was elect-ed from Bareilly in the ninth LokSabha on a BJP ticket. He went onto represent Bareilly as BJP MPuntil 2009 when he had to facedefeat by a narrow margin. He,however, returned in 2014 as anMP going on to become a minis-ter in the Narendra Modi govern-ment. Soft-spoken, Gangwar hadstirred a controversy in April2018 when he had said that “oneshould not make a big deal” aboutrape in a country as large asIndia. A law graduate fromRohilkhand University, Bareilly(Uttar Pradesh), Gangwar isamong senior-most parliamen-tarians in the country.

During his long politicalcareer spanning decades, Gangwarhas held various responsibilitiesincluding that of Minister of Statefor Petroleum and Natural Gaswith an additional charge ofParliamentary Affairs in the 13thLok Sabha.

PROFILE OF MINISTERS

PTI n NEW DELHI

Staunch Narendra Modi loy-alist Giriraj Singh and for-

mer chief ministers ofUttarakhand and JharkhandRamesh Chandra Pokhriyaland Arjun Munda respective-ly were among the BJP leaderselevated to the Cabinet in thenew NDA government onThursday.

Kiren Rijiju, the face of theBJP in the Northeast and a two-time MP from Arunachal WestLok Sabha seat, has also beenpromoted from minister ofstate to minister of state withindependent charge in the newgovernment.

Giiriraj Singh, who sup-ported Modi since the days hewas the chief minister ofGujarat, has courted controver-sies with his utterances vergedon Hindutva hardline as herepeatedly raised the issue ofrising Muslim population inthe country and underscoredthat a decline in the proportionof Hindus in a region invariablyled to social strife.

At times he also wentagainst the government line of

awaiting the Supreme Courtverdict on Ayodhya saying“Hindus were running out ofpatience”. Singh won theBegusarai seat in Bihar defeat-ing CPI’s Kanhaiya Kumar.

Considered to be close tothe BJP top brass, GajendraSingh Shekhawat has got acabinet rank from his previousMoS with independent chargestatus. Shekhawat, who wasmade the Union minister ofstate for agriculture inSeptember 2017, defeated theson of Rajasthan Chief MinisterAshok Gehlot from the

Jodhpur Lok Sabha seat.Other promotees include

Mahendra Nath Pandey, theUttar Pradesh BJP chief andformer minister of state in thefirst Modi government.

BJP ally Shiv Sena’s ArvindGanpat Sawant, a second timeMP from Mumbai South, andformer foreign secretarySubrahmanyam Jaishankarhave also been included in theModi Cabinet. Former rail-way minister DV SadanandaGowda, who was dropped in areshuffle earlier, has also founda place in the new Cabinet.

New Delhi (PTI): TraditionalIndian wear with hues of saffronand use of Hindi language foroath-taking were the overridingthemes at the glittering swearing-in ceremony of Prime MinisterNarendra Modi and Union min-isters of the new NDA govern-ment. The mega event took placein the sprawling forecourt of theiconic Rashtrapati Bhavan whichwas attended by heads of states ofvarious countries and a galaxy ofother high-profile guests.

Among the ministers whowere sworn-in, most of themchose to take oath in Hindi whilethe rest did it in English.

In sartorial sense too, kurta-pyjama was the dominating theme

as most of the MPs turned up inkurta-pyjama, colourful waistcoator their traditional dresses, whilea few chose to wear shirts andtrousers.

The crowd cheered the mostwhen Modi took his oath in Hindiand someone in the crowd shout-ed ‘Bharat Mata Ki ‘Jai’ just beforehe was sworn-in.

BJP chief Amit Shah andSmriti Irani were also greetedenthusiastically by the crowd.

The ceremony also witnessedshowbiz stars rubbing shoulderswith political leaders and corpo-rate honchos as they watchedPresident Ram Nath Kovindadminister the oath of office toIndia’s 58 new ministers.

PTI n NEW DELHI

Smriti Irani at 43 years of agehas emerged as the youngest

in the second Narendra Modigovernment’s council of minis-ters, who with an average ageof 60 years, are a shade youngerthan their predecessors, whohad an average of 62 years.

Anurag Singh Thakur, 44,Mansukh Mandaviya andSanjeev Kumar Balayan at 46years and Kiren Rijiju at 47 areamong the youngest in thegroup. First time ministersRameswar Teli and DebasreeChaudhuri are both 48 yearsold. BJP ally Lok JanshaktiParty leader Ram Vilas Paswanis the oldest at 73 years of age.Close on his heels are ThaawarChand Gehlot and SantoshKumar Gangwar at 71 years.

The average age of thecouncil of ministers hasdecreased because many inthe previous Modi govern-ment ,who were over 65 yearsof age, are no longer part of thenew one. While senior leaderArun Jaitley, 66, has opted outof the Cabinet over ill-health,Sushma Swaraj, 67, who alsohad health issues, was a notableomission from the council ofministers.

Shiv Sena leader AnantGeete, 68, senior Haryanaleader Chaudhary BirenderSingh, 73, six-time MPRadhamohan Singh, 70, formerunion tourism ministerAlphons Kannanthanam, 65,have all lost their ministerialberths. Senior Delhi BJP leaderVijay Goel, 65, PonRadhakrishnan, 67, who lostthe Kanyakumari Lok Sabhaseat this time and S SAhluwalia, 67, who won fromDurgapur and a Dalit leaderwho won from Bijapur inKarnataka Ramesh ChandappaJigajinagi, 66, have failed to finda place in the council of min-ister this time.

Assam leader RajenGohain, 68, Lok Sabha MPfrom Tikamgarh in MadhyaPradesh, Virendra Kumar, 65,have also been left out.

Rajathan BJP leaders, C RChaudhary and PP Chaudhary,71 and 65, respectively, havebeen both been dropped fromthe government. In the outgo-ing council of ministers, formerminister of state for health,Anupriya Patel, 38, was theyoungest.

PTI n NEW DELHI

Sushma Swaraj, J P Nadda,Suresh Prabhu, Maneka

Gandhi, Rajyavardhan Rathoreand Mahesh Sharma are amongthe notable omissions in theBJP-led NDA’s second innings.

Despite winning theirseats, eight-time MP ManekaGandhi, six-time MPRadhamohan Singh, Sharma,Jayant Sinha, Anupriya Patel,Jual Oram, Ram Kripal Yadavand Rathore lost their ministe-rial berths. Another key BJPleader, Nadda, who did notmake it to the Cabinet this timewas the health minister in thefirst Modi dispensation.

He could be the nextBharatiya Janata Party presi-dent as incumbent Amit Shahhas joined the government.

Swaraj had opted out offighting the polls due to healthreasons while Arun Jaitley,who held the finance portfolio,too decided not to be a part ofthe new Union cabinet as hehas been unwell and neededtime for his medical treat-ment. Others who decided notto contest were Suresh Prabhu,

who held the civil aviationportfolio, Uma Bharati, theminister of drinking water andsanitation and Birender Singh,who was minister of steel — allof whom lost their ministerialberths. Manoj Sinha, the min-ister of state for railways,Alphons Kannanthanam, theminister of tourism with inde-pendent charge, and HansrajAhir, the minister of state forhome, were among those whonot only tasted defeat in theelections but also lost theirministerial berths.

Former bureaucrat andminister of state for urbanaffairs (independent charge)

Hardeep Singh Puri, however,retained his berth despite los-ing his seat. Vijay Sampla, whowas the minister of state, socialjustice and empowerment, wasdenied a ticket by the BJPfrom the Hoshiarpur (SC) LokSabha seat in Punjab.

Expressing his displeasure,Sampla had termed the saffronparty’s decision as “cow slaugh-ter”. Known for his controver-sial statements, AnantkumarHegde, who held the skilldevelopment portfolio, too hasbeen dropped.

Other prominent faceswho have failed to find a placein the council of ministers this

time include Shiv Sena leaderAnant Geete, senior Delhi BJPleader Vijay Goel, PonRadhakrishnan, S S Ahluwaliaand Ramesh ChandappaJigajinagi, a Dalit leader fromKarnataka. WhileRadhakrishnan had lost fromKanyakumari parliamentaryconstituency, Ahluwalia hadbagged the Durgapur LokSabha seat.

Assam leader RajenGohain, Lok Sabha MP fromTikamgarh in Madhya PradeshVirendra Kumar and Rajathanleaders— C R Chaudhary andPP Chaudhary were dropped aswell.

PTI n LUCKNOW

NDA’s second term in officeThursday saw eastern Uttar

Pradesh bagging the lion share ofthe ministerial berths with PrimeMinister Narendra Modi himselfleading the pack. Modi won fromVaranasi while Rajnath Singh, asenior minister who joined theprime minister’s team as numbertwo in the Union Cabinet, repre-sents Lucknow in the Lok Sabha.

UP BJP chief Mahendra NathPandey, who was re-elected fromChandauli, also in eastern UP,joined Modi’s team at the Centre aswell. Smriti Irani who won fromAmethi is also a part of Modi 2.0.

Thursday’s government for-mation saw UP, which elects themaximum number of 80 MPs,getting 10 representatives in thegovernment. While five of them areCabinet ministers — Modi, RajnathSingh, Smriti Irani, Mukhtar AbbasNaqvi and Mahendra Nath Pandey,two are MoS (independent charge)— Santosh Gangwar and HardeepSingh Puri, a Rajya Sabha memberfrom the state.

Others are MoS — Gen (retd)V K Singh, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyotiand Sanjeev Balyan.

However, those who could notmake it this time are: ManeKaGandhi, who is likely to becomethe Pro-tem Speaker, MaheshSharma, Shiv Pratap Shukla andSatyapal Singh.

Anupriya Patel, whose ApnaDal (Sonelal) bagged two seats totakle NDA’s tally to 64 in the statewas conspicuous by her absence inthe list of ministers this time,though she was part of the previ-ous government.

Some other faces of the lastgovernment who failed to make itare Manoj Sinha who lost fromGhazipur, Uma Bharti and KalrajMishra who did not contest.Krishna Raj was not given a tick-et. An analysis of the newlyappointed ministers shows that noparticular caste or community wasgiven preference.

While Modi is a backward,Rajnath Singh is a Thakur andMahendra Nath Pandey is aBrahmin. Naqvi is the lone Muslimface in the Cabinet.

Uttar Pradesh gets 10

Central mins; lion’s

share for eastern UP

White pyjama-kurta, Hindi

dominating themes

Sushma, Maneka, Rathore among

notable omissions in Modi Cabinet

Giriraj, Rijiju, Shekhawatamong those promoted

RAJNATH, SHAHOPENERS...

Former UrbanDevelopment Minister HardeepPuri, who lost his first LokSabha poll from Amritsar fromwhere Jaitley also could not winin 2014, has found place in theCouncil of Ministers asMinister of State (Independentcharge). Former BJP youthwing president and MP fromHimachal Pradesh (Hamirpur)and former BCCI presidentAnurag Thakur, who hadmissed the bus in the firsttenure of Modi, found favourthis time round.

Prahlad Joshi, a die-hardRSS loyalist and a fourth timeMP from the saffron party’sbastion of Dharwad, was includ-ed as a Cabinet Minister.

BJP MP from Telangana GKishan Reddy, who wassworn-in as a Minister ofState, won the SecunderabadLok Sabha seat in Telanganawhich was a forte of the TRS.

Among the first timers inthe Modi Government are: for-mer Jharkhand Chief MinisterArjun Munda, formerUttarakhand Chief MinisterRamesh Pokhriyal, four-timeMP from Karnataka’s DharwadPrahlad Joshi, Shiv Sena’sArvind Sawant, five-time MPfrom Maharashtra’s JalnaRaosaheb Danve, GangapuramKishan Reddy from Telangana,three-time Hamirpur MPAnurag Thakur. Other first-timers included DebasreeChaudhuri, KailashChoudhary, Pratap ChandraSarangi, Rameshwar Teli,Renuka Singh Saruta, VMuraleedharan, Ratan LalKataria, Nityanand Rai, AngadiSyresh Channabasappa andDhotre Sanhay Shamrao.Prahlad Singh Mulayam SinghPatel, who was the CoalMinister in the VajpayeeGovernment, took oath at theglittering ceremony atRashtrapati Bhawan.

NOTHING IS BETTER...JD(U) was not a part of the

first Modi Government as welleven though it allied with thesaffron party in 2017. Therewas no comment from the BJPover the development. Sourcessaid that JD(U)’s senior leaderand Nitish’s close aide, RCPSingh was to become the loneCabinet Minister from theparty. Nitish decided to keephis party out of the UnionCabinet after a closed-doormeeting in New Delhi withsenior leaders of his party.Nitish had met BJP presidentAmit Shah on Thursday to dis-cuss JD(U) participation inthe Union Cabinet. The JD(U)’smove to seek two Cabinetberths came in the backdrop ofthe party’s strong performancein the Lok Sabha elections inwhich it won 16 of the 17 seatsthat it contested from Bihar.The BJP and the Lok JanshaktiParty (LJP) won all 17 seats andsix seats, respectively that they

contested, giving the NDA 39of the 40 Lok Sabha seats inBihar. RCP Singh is a formerUttar Pradesh cadre IndianAdministrative Service (IAS)officer and hails from Nalandadistrict of Bihar. He belongs tothe same caste as Bihar ChiefMinister Nitish Kumar and isconsidered close to him. Singhhas been associated with Nitishsince his stint in the Atal BihariVajpayee Government and wasalso Nitish’s Principal Secretaryin the State Government till hejoined politics.

NADDA LIKELY...Nadda did his schooling

form St. Xavier’s School, Patnaand his graduation from PatnaCollege. His father was arenowned professor in thePatna university those days. Hecompleted his LLB fromHimachal Pradesh University.A three-time MLA and a mem-ber of the Rajya Sabha from thehilly States, Nadda had joined

the Modi Cabinet in 2014 andcontinued for all of five years.At the age of 31, Nadda hadbecome national president ofBJP Yuva Morcha in 1991. Hehas been BJP’s national gener-al secretary since May 2010.

GRIEVANCE CALL...Addressing the public

meeting after taking oath, Jaganvowed to root out corruptionfrom the State. He signed thefirst file as CM on the dais itselfenhancing social security pen-sions for poor to Rs 2,250 permonth.

Jagan said his Governmentwould fill up four lakh villagevolunteer positions by August15, and 1.60 lakh vacancies inGrama Secretariats, which willbecome the nodal point foradministration in villages, byOctober 2 on Gandhi Jayanthi.

Keeping in line with hispromise of “revolutionarychanges” in the governance,Jagan asserted that his

Government would not toler-ate corruption at any cost.Therefore, a call centre will beset up by August 15 linkingdirectly with the ChiefMinister’s Office to allow any-one from across the State tolodge their complaints.

Jagan reiterated that thenew Government wouldcleanse the system inside out tomake transparency a definitivepriority. If irregularities werefound in contracts, he said theGovernment would call forreverse tendering.

To maintain high levels oftransparency, he said theGovernment would appoint ajudicial commission to over-look the process of awardingnew contracts. Telangana CMK Chandrashekhar Rao, whoaddressed the public meeting,said there was enough scope fortwo Telugu States to growtogether and achieve a higherscale of development. “It is timefor the two States to move for-

ward hand in hand instead ofcrossing swords on one issue orthe other. The two Statesshould not be rivals, but part-ners of mutual benefit,” KCRremarked.

He said a great responsibil-ity on hand for the twoGovernments is the optimumutilisation of Godavari waters.It is time to overcome theissues in sharing the Krishnariver waters by addressing theconcerns of one another andensure every inch of both theTelugu States should be coveredwith lush green crops by mak-ing use of their due share ofriver waters. KCR said Jaganmay be young in age but he hadonerous tasks to deal with.KCR said as Jagan had provedamply in his 9 years of politi-cal journey, he had the requiredability, courage and strength,besides qualities he had inher-ited from his father, late CM SRajasekhar Reddy to lead theState in new direction.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Modi 2.0 councila shade younger;Smriti youngestminister

money 11LUCKNOW | FRIDAY | MAY 31, 2019

Sensex and Niftyresume record run

Script Open High Low LTPRCOM 1.95 2.00 1.92 1.97PCJEWELLER 83.90 85.30 74.70 80.55YESBANK 150.35 156.45 149.80 154.55SUZLON 5.38 5.91 5.38 5.75SPICEJET 138.70 148.00 138.50 144.50RELIANCE 1316.40 1340.45 1316.00 1330.60NTPC 131.50 135.95 131.50 135.35JUSTDIAL 694.70 778.40 691.00 747.15DHFL 114.90 118.40 109.65 114.35ADANIPOWER 50.05 52.70 49.40 51.50RELINFRA 110.00 110.60 101.50 103.10JPASSOCIAT 4.94 5.02 4.89 4.94BEL 116.95 116.95 111.60 113.60RPOWER 7.75 7.79 7.12 7.38TCS 2120.00 2153.40 2116.40 2145.40SBIN 350.00 354.90 347.60 353.65TATAMOTORS 176.65 178.60 173.30 175.05RELCAPITAL 131.35 133.10 126.55 130.20PNB 82.15 83.15 80.90 81.50SUNPHARMA 422.30 422.30 411.55 412.75INFY* 727.80 737.35 724.00 733.30IBULHSGFIN 784.80 793.15 770.30 774.30HDFC 2146.90 2193.00 2128.80 2185.65POWERGRID 194.70 194.70 188.20 191.15TATASTEEL 494.00 496.05 486.65 489.10IBVENTURES 307.00 325.80 306.60 310.50DLF 195.70 196.50 190.75 194.65ZEEL 375.00 375.00 361.70 365.70IBREALEST 126.00 129.50 123.90 124.80WIPRO 286.05 289.90 285.60 288.30ASHOKLEY 90.10 90.50 89.20 90.35BANKBARODA 136.30 137.75 134.30 134.95GRAPHITE 433.65 438.90 427.75 432.40ICICIPRULI 384.95 396.05 384.60 387.80HDFCLIFE 426.00 436.95 423.40 435.00LT 1550.00 1569.00 1541.10 1558.25ICICIBANK 422.95 427.90 420.00 426.45BOMDYEING 128.05 134.50 127.50 131.35JETAIRWAYS 149.60 154.50 148.50 150.85IDEA 13.30 13.70 13.00 13.30IOC 160.95 163.60 159.40 162.60BAJFINANCE 3410.00 3486.90 3402.20 3480.75JSWSTEEL 282.00 282.70 275.10 276.60COALINDIA 252.00 255.40 249.85 252.90MOTHERSUMI 120.00 120.45 117.00 117.85HAVELLS 736.70 736.70 709.30 723.15INDIGO 1640.05 1663.40 1628.15 1641.80TATAPOWER 68.95 70.70 67.95 70.30MARUTI 6900.00 6920.00 6825.30 6858.75UNIONBANK 80.90 80.90 77.35 78.15UPL 995.00 1014.70 988.55 1007.45SUNTV 539.05 547.00 535.15 544.95STRTECH 174.95 179.20 172.50 177.10INDIANB 275.70 289.00 273.85 282.20APOLLOHOSP 1225.00 1235.00 1195.50 1204.90AXISBANK 804.80 814.15 803.05 808.10GNFC 293.25 294.50 287.05 288.75PFC 124.10 124.10 120.70 122.85M&M 658.90 667.25 656.20 661.45ASIANPAINT 1359.35 1387.50 1353.60 1373.35HDFCBANK 2429.95 2447.15 2412.30 2439.25BHARTIARTL 340.00 349.95 340.00 346.60AVANTI 381.90 389.00 368.60 378.30SAIL 51.70 51.80 49.75 50.60VEDL 165.80 165.95 162.80 163.95BHEL 71.15 72.10 70.60 71.65INFIBEAM 47.50 51.70 47.05 50.50GMRINFRA 16.05 16.50 15.70 16.05NCC 111.50 117.90 111.50 116.95HINDPETRO 314.90 318.90 313.45 317.65VENKYS 2094.90 2107.50 2030.00 2037.60INDUSINDBK 1607.85 1621.70 1580.00 1586.10HCLTECH 1088.00 1098.15 1068.00 1077.10HEG 1825.00 1843.70 1775.00 1792.95AUROPHARMA 690.00 702.00 681.10 684.85EDELWEISS 185.00 193.00 184.05 191.40NAUKRI 2045.00 2190.00 2017.60 2161.00L&TFH 133.00 133.90 130.85 131.60CADILAHC 265.00 266.00 254.05 257.30DELTACORP 208.00 210.40 204.10 207.35VGUARD 228.25 236.90 223.90 234.00ADANIPORTS 405.70 413.00 401.75 409.05GAIL 355.00 361.30 353.70 359.35MANAPPURAM 131.40 137.10 131.30 136.00MPHASIS 955.05 1005.00 950.00 1002.45NMDC 103.00 103.15 101.75 102.70LTI 1827.95 1860.00 1790.65 1825.90IFCI 10.15 10.45 10.12 10.30INDIACEM 110.30 112.50 109.10 110.90CANBK 272.05 276.50 268.50 272.45ESCORTS 619.00 620.00 606.30 616.75BANKINDIA 95.75 97.90 95.30 97.45BEML 987.00 1013.90 976.00 1008.65ITC 289.55 290.90 288.20 289.10PRESTIGE 313.00 313.00 283.10 286.35GUJGAS 182.00 189.00 182.00 186.90SIEMENS 1254.45 1308.00 1249.30 1299.25GODFRYPHLP 993.40 1011.20 940.00 950.20HINDALCO 200.70 200.70 196.40 199.90NBCC 63.00 64.10 62.60 63.75IDFCFIRSTB 46.10 46.40 45.50 45.70ENGINERSIN 121.10 127.05 121.10 125.15BATAINDIA 1323.80 1333.00 1303.75 1320.20PHILIPCARB 156.95 157.00 150.10 151.50BAJAJ-AUTO 2956.60 2976.65 2923.35 2945.35GRASIM 911.90 919.75 899.10 911.20RAIN 117.35 120.20 115.00 118.95BPCL 401.70 409.00 400.25 407.50UJJIVAN 339.10 343.90 337.30 340.50

KOTAKBANK 1515.00 1538.70 1513.75 1533.50NATIONALUM 50.30 50.60 49.55 50.35SJVN 27.40 27.75 25.55 25.70JAGRAN 112.75 119.45 111.25 114.65EICHERMOT 20600.00 20600.00 19800.00 19879.65IGL 331.70 339.80 326.20 337.00FSL 55.50 56.55 54.60 55.65DIVISLAB 1591.05 1625.50 1580.05 1585.00ONGC 172.15 172.15 168.00 169.65CHOLAFIN 1482.70 1525.95 1480.00 1505.40PERSISTENT* 575.50 581.95 568.00 579.15CUMMINSIND 761.55 771.00 751.90 764.10ASHOKA 153.00 155.00 143.40 145.70TECHM 741.10 745.55 731.00 735.55

JINDALSTEL 164.00 164.95 161.55 163.65RBLBANK 690.00 696.80 683.10 692.25HINDUNILVR 1786.00 1791.65 1780.00 1784.00LICHSGFIN 550.30 564.25 550.30 556.10CANFINHOME 353.10 358.70 353.10 356.05PEL 2200.00 2215.55 2156.50 2201.10SUVEN 268.90 283.00 268.00 277.60KEI 523.70 526.00 515.00 517.20M&MFIN 416.45 429.00 410.10 424.50FORCEMOT 1534.00 1595.00 1525.30 1579.85JAICORPLTD 121.30 122.30 117.80 119.85MFSL 438.20 460.50 433.80 453.35ULTRACEMCO 4721.00 4784.90 4706.00 4756.90TATACHEM 636.60 640.50 629.80 634.10RAJESHEXPO 700.00 700.00 657.00 658.90DRREDDY 2635.00 2665.00 2595.95 2651.40DISHTV 31.75 32.15 30.30 31.05CONCOR 527.00 537.45 527.00 529.85PETRONET 244.50 247.25 240.90 242.65MCX 826.60 830.85 811.90 815.65DEEPAKNI 316.20 322.00 315.00 318.20GLENMARK 533.00 557.50 533.00 555.35FEDERALBNK 107.85 108.80 107.15 108.05JUBLFOOD 1331.20 1340.55 1312.70 1320.75ICICIGI 1150.00 1153.80 1140.85 1146.85COLPAL 1161.90 1165.95 1152.40 1161.20BHARATFORG 474.80 477.00 465.60 470.45BIOCON 543.45 550.80 541.55 544.45WOCKPHARMA 393.00 404.00 392.60 402.75HEROMOTOCO 2722.00 2743.70 2705.10 2717.70PVR 1707.05 1783.25 1707.05 1772.70BAJAJFINSV 8130.00 8248.00 8109.60 8220.70PAGEIND 19800.00 19800.00 19240.95 19300.35MERCK 3993.00 4098.95 3993.00 4081.60MEGH 71.00 71.80 67.15 68.55NBVENTURES 104.35 104.35 96.60 97.20DMART 1307.05 1317.00 1297.70 1302.80CGPOWER 37.20 37.20 35.40 36.30BLISSGVS 168.30 169.50 164.30 166.15JUBILANT 506.00 517.00 502.30 506.00TATAGLOBAL 234.30 238.00 233.10 236.75IDBI 36.80 38.30 36.65 37.95TORNTPHARM 1510.80 1575.15 1510.80 1559.75RCF 66.00 66.90 65.00 65.75PNBHOUSING 862.00 870.00 837.50 845.70GRUH 315.00 320.40 315.00 317.75LUPIN 738.00 746.85 733.40 743.70IPCALAB 940.00 945.00 928.00 932.65GODREJPROP 902.50 917.00 881.95 885.40REPCOHOME 407.90 425.30 407.90 415.35NHPC 25.00 25.15 24.50 24.70TATAMTRDVR 86.05 86.15 84.20 84.90IRB 132.50 132.50 127.60 128.30JKCEMENT 1035.00 1049.75 1011.00 1016.00GSFC 107.10 108.60 106.30 107.90HEXAWARE 362.00 364.70 352.25 362.95ALKEM 1727.05 1798.00 1721.55 1762.45SYMPHONY 1380.05 1450.00 1354.95 1436.90JISLJALEQS 54.50 54.70 52.65 54.20IDFC 37.40 38.00 37.25 37.70RECLTD 145.00 146.40 142.60 143.80BRITANNIA 2954.70 2954.70 2876.90 2887.75TAKE 157.90 157.90 151.10 153.35NIITTECH 1291.50 1312.00 1286.85 1305.10ABFRL 212.50 218.90 211.50 218.00GREAVESCOT 148.40 151.20 146.30 149.40BOSCHLTD 17099.80 17450.00 16943.55 17192.40DCBBANK 230.80 235.00 229.90 234.10

EQUITAS 135.05 137.30 134.15 136.55AUBANK 698.00 719.25 694.20 698.70MGL 880.00 900.00 880.00 894.00CHAMBLFERT 188.50 189.00 182.95 187.95SUNTECK 502.15 505.35 480.30 492.80AARTIIND 1750.00 1850.00 1750.00 1843.90SCI 34.25 34.25 33.35 33.70RADICO 338.70 342.65 337.50 341.00TATAELXSI 891.40 892.35 882.00 884.85VOLTAS 570.45 575.20 564.70 571.90BERGEPAINT 305.90 305.90 297.10 300.40SRTRANSFIN 1114.00 1130.80 1108.35 1126.30JSWENERGY 74.40 74.40 71.60 72.30CIPLA 562.90 564.65 555.20 563.30ALBK 45.20 46.70 45.05 46.15SADBHAV 269.75 272.00 255.40 257.20ACC 1721.20 1732.10 1703.45 1710.60ADANITRANS 233.00 239.00 231.80 234.80BBTC 1152.05 1181.50 1146.00 1166.75NATCOPHARM 520.00 522.90 510.00 515.90MUTHOOTFIN 624.80 644.25 624.80 641.40VIPIND 437.50 439.20 430.50 435.25OBEROIRLTY 561.95 566.35 549.95 564.00ISEC 214.10 220.00 212.80 218.15ABCAPITAL 99.80 99.85 98.75 99.55KSCL 535.00 548.00 528.30 540.05ORIENTBANK 102.20 103.30 99.75 101.35SRF 2900.00 2909.60 2880.10 2899.75HFCL 21.50 21.95 21.45 21.55GODREJCP 664.00 668.55 656.35 659.20BALKRISIND 815.15 818.15 797.35 799.50TITAN 1234.00 1248.70 1225.00 1240.90STAR 434.85 434.85 424.80 428.00WELCORP 145.60 146.05 141.65 142.55VINATIORGA 2080.00 2135.50 2036.15 2093.50CROMPTON 237.00 240.50 234.15 236.85SWANENERGY 104.90 106.80 104.55 105.90SYNDIBANK 36.10 36.30 35.45 35.80EMAMILTD 340.05 344.65 334.75 342.35DABUR 398.50 401.75 394.60 396.00UBL 1350.00 1379.00 1342.00 1355.70APOLLOTYRE 192.60 199.25 192.60 197.20KTKBANK 114.40 114.50 112.80 114.20INTELLECT 248.00 252.95 248.00 249.70BIRLACORPN 674.75 677.45 661.20 662.40BANDHANBNK 590.20 600.80 590.20 596.30SBILIFE 680.40 685.40 673.75 680.30LTTS 1758.00 1770.00 1741.40 1748.90EXIDEIND 212.85 216.00 212.80 214.35MAXINDIA 62.50 68.95 62.50 66.85KNRCON 289.90 293.05 280.25 284.15DEEPAKFERT 151.80 153.70 146.50 148.05INDHOTEL 150.00 152.40 148.60 151.30FINCABLES 465.00 470.15 455.00 468.05GUJALKALI 553.60 568.40 548.60 554.40TVSMOTOR 487.70 488.10 479.95 481.45INOXLEISUR 364.45 373.60 363.95 365.65SOUTHBANK 14.50 14.60 14.25 14.35SPARC 152.60 154.50 151.45 152.15PIDILITIND 1267.70 1280.80 1260.95 1268.45ITI 95.95 96.00 93.75 94.15MARICO 364.65 368.00 360.75 364.40TORNTPOWER 241.10 252.00 241.10 250.85HINDCOPPER 46.30 46.30 45.10 45.45NAVKARCORP 38.80 39.00 36.80 37.05ISGEC 511.00 515.50 500.10 501.80HIMATSEIDE 199.00 209.00 197.00 202.70SHANKARA 516.70 532.80 516.70 527.30CYIENT 552.00 567.75 543.75 551.90NESTLEIND 11176.05 11341.45 11176.00 11291.10HINDZINC 254.00 254.00 246.90 250.05HEIDELBERG 211.85 214.15 209.20 210.60INFRATEL 275.90 275.90 271.60 272.40MAHINDCIE 245.80 251.65 241.90 246.30WELSPUNIND 57.50 57.50 56.40 56.70CENTURYTEX 1027.95 1039.50 1022.95 1031.70ADANIGREEN 45.00 45.20 44.35 44.65NLCINDIA 69.65 69.65 64.55 64.90KAJARIACER 638.85 644.80 632.50 640.20KEC 324.00 324.00 317.05 319.10FCONSUMER 45.35 45.40 44.10 44.40OMAXE 207.80 207.80 205.45 206.00OIL 182.70 182.70 179.00 179.80TV18BRDCST 29.50 29.85 28.85 29.20MMTC 27.00 27.80 27.00 27.45PNCINFRA 189.95 196.75 189.95 195.75JSLHISAR 85.25 87.85 85.15 86.95MOTILALOFS 813.95 819.65 793.05 798.90PRSMJOHNSN 96.90 101.25 96.75 98.55DBL 599.00 606.00 594.15 598.75CHENNPETRO 224.65 224.65 216.90 219.85GODREJIND 484.15 487.00 476.00 484.60TEJASNET 181.40 195.00 178.00 188.10BLUESTARCO 796.20 808.55 781.60 786.75WESTLIFE 347.00 355.90 344.40 348.20TATACOFFEE 91.00 91.05 89.15 89.50AMBUJACEM 236.85 236.85 232.45 233.40CASTROLIND 146.75 147.90 146.00 147.00MAGMA 133.00 135.00 130.40 132.15AJANTPHARM 1024.40 1042.40 1023.50 1038.40CEATLTD 1002.55 1004.35 990.15 996.25RAYMOND 840.45 852.00 838.00 848.60HSCL 102.80 103.65 102.00 102.65AMARAJABAT 639.70 642.25 630.95 639.15HUDCO 44.45 44.50 43.40 43.60JINDALSAW 89.55 89.95 87.00 88.90ADVENZYMES 208.50 214.45 208.50 212.60JMFINANCIL 94.95 95.50 94.00 95.10TATACOMM 546.05 551.95 541.50 549.95J&KBANK 58.40 59.85 58.00 59.55

TRIDENT 68.50 69.40 68.00 68.55EIHOTEL 196.40 200.00 195.00 198.55TVTODAY 272.95 288.25 272.85 281.60GSPL 190.50 193.35 188.65 190.95APARINDS 687.95 687.95 662.35 670.60DCMSHRIRAM 556.90 589.00 556.90 580.45FRETAIL 446.95 453.40 438.00 442.45FDC 195.50 200.00 195.50 196.15JAMNAAUTO 59.95 59.95 56.20 56.80GPPL 88.05 89.25 87.00 87.15NOCIL 133.65 135.35 133.40 134.35SYNGENE 685.00 689.70 676.45 685.15MINDAIND 355.40 360.90 343.10 346.85MRPL 63.40 63.40 62.05 62.25AEGISLOG 229.30 230.95 222.95 224.85JKTYRE 82.25 82.90 81.55 81.85RAMCOCEM 825.65 835.00 821.30 828.95GRINDWELL 595.40 602.00 590.00 592.80BDL 329.40 336.85 321.00 325.50FINOLEXIND 494.00 500.65 493.90 496.50BALMLAWRIE 203.00 203.00 197.00 198.25REDINGTON 94.80 99.60 94.80 97.25CUB 218.00 218.00 210.70 211.75PIIND 1047.80 1089.00 1040.10 1082.70ENDURANCE 1221.95 1221.95 1183.00 1193.15GREENPLY 162.55 165.85 161.05 163.85PHOENIXLTD 620.00 634.85 620.00 629.25GODREJAGRO 515.05 517.30 510.90 514.15PTC 70.60 71.30 69.80 71.10GALAXYSURF 1192.95 1192.95 1128.00 1158.00KALPATPOWR 531.35 536.65 519.75 522.85LINDEINDIA 566.00 577.20 566.00 571.05THERMAX 999.15 1016.00 998.05 1005.35ABB 1584.60 1584.75 1563.20 1578.45MINDACORP 122.15 123.00 119.05 120.10BAJAJELEC 544.35 548.50 540.00 542.50MAHLOG 508.95 511.10 494.65 501.10ASTRAL 1274.90 1280.00 1257.00 1262.65ALLCARGO 117.45 118.95 114.25 115.15GUJFLUORO 1039.05 1044.90 1020.00 1035.15JKLAKSHMI 391.00 394.75 385.15 390.00TRENT 376.05 387.00 376.05 385.35GHCL 263.15 268.35 261.30 264.65OFSS 3429.00 3429.00 3370.00 3401.55LAKSHVILAS 73.85 75.40 73.10 73.70COROMANDEL 434.05 438.00 424.25 436.55IBULISL 292.95 300.90 288.75 291.55

GRANULES 113.00 114.30 110.45 112.25WHIRLPOOL 1453.00 1464.00 1437.15 1459.70ORIENTCEM 118.80 122.80 118.80 120.00MANPASAND 57.10 57.10 57.10 57.10KANSAINER 444.90 447.95 438.40 444.00STARCEMENT 119.20 127.80 119.00 123.80BAYERCROP 3878.50 3883.70 3810.00 3870.20COFFEEDAY 253.95 256.80 250.00 253.55THOMASCOOK 225.10 234.70 225.10 231.80CENTURYPLY 170.25 174.60 170.00 171.80GICHSGFIN 271.00 271.00 266.45 269.65ANDHRABANK 25.55 25.75 25.00 25.30LALPATHLAB 1043.05 1053.50 1027.00 1032.55ATUL 3950.00 3960.00 3889.05 3925.30RNAM 221.55 222.60 220.60 220.95PARAGMILK 242.00 244.00 238.70 242.05ITDCEM 114.70 118.80 114.70 117.90CENTRALBK 25.40 25.65 25.30 25.55GICRE 226.40 229.00 225.00 225.75BAJAJHLDNG 3486.05 3510.90 3455.00 3494.50SOBHA 550.00 550.00 542.35 545.05WABAG 321.00 324.40 315.25 321.65JSL 40.70 40.70 37.55 38.40TNPL 209.00 209.00 200.65 201.90LEMONTREE 75.50 75.50 73.05 73.40MINDTREE 983.85 984.60 980.00 980.00INOXWIND 71.50 72.90 69.55 71.50BHARATFIN 1009.10 1013.45 989.05 992.65EVEREADY 90.50 91.05 88.00 88.60ITDC 263.05 269.00 260.70 265.05NILKAMAL 1243.90 1243.90 1221.10 1231.65HERITGFOOD 424.30 434.95 418.50 422.60SOMANYCERA 443.10 445.00 433.20 438.90UFLEX 259.95 266.40 258.25 264.70RATNAMANI 1010.45 1010.45 968.40 972.25MAHABANK 16.30 16.45 15.90 16.15BAJAJCON 338.45 345.00 336.45 343.90IFBIND 790.25 800.20 758.60 764.85SUNDRMFAST 541.05 544.95 533.75 540.70SHREECEM 21513.50 21899.85 21291.85 21421.10ABBOTINDIA 7864.85 7944.45 7762.85 7826.80COCHINSHIP 384.00 384.00 376.25 376.95DCAL 238.00 238.50 230.25 232.95

GESHIP 284.25 284.80 278.65 280.05LAURUSLABS 360.10 369.00 360.00 362.853MINDIA 22817.00 23210.75 22725.00 22920.90RALLIS 150.95 154.25 150.30 150.90NETWORK18 31.40 32.60 31.40 32.20PFIZER 3195.80 3217.35 3178.60 3196.50AKZOINDIA 1754.95 1782.15 1736.95 1748.85TIMETECHNO 99.35 99.40 96.60 98.50EIDPARRY 190.20 193.70 188.05 189.95MRF 55425.00 56199.95 55001.00 55212.85SUDARSCHEM 340.30 344.25 338.05 340.25WABCOINDIA 6330.00 6463.15 6255.00 6281.85JYOTHYLAB 170.45 172.70 170.00 171.20JBCHEPHARM 377.75 378.80 368.05 372.15SREINFRA 25.60 25.80 25.25 25.55SHILPAMED 352.40 360.00 348.00 353.25FORTIS 125.75 127.35 125.75 126.70VBL 947.80 947.80 918.25 921.90RELAXO 839.95 850.00 831.00 836.65CRISIL 1455.40 1475.80 1455.00 1459.90MOIL 156.90 157.30 155.00 157.10GMDCLTD 82.25 82.75 80.95 81.20SCHNEIDER 103.85 103.85 100.50 101.65MAHLIFE 419.95 424.25 414.45 417.10IOB 11.84 11.99 11.84 11.91SUPREMEIND 1087.60 1089.35 1072.85 1082.60GET&D 271.00 272.30 262.05 264.95BLUEDART 2719.95 2739.40 2680.00 2692.95HSIL 289.50 293.05 286.70 288.45ASTRAZEN 1984.40 2023.00 1976.15 1986.70ZENSARTECH 246.55 250.75 246.50 249.30NESCO 518.85 518.95 506.55 511.00INDOSTAR 393.20 396.00 388.10 391.40ECLERX 931.00 940.00 928.55 937.30GDL 146.80 149.80 146.80 148.90TIMKEN 693.00 702.95 685.15 686.60GLAXO 1271.65 1275.45 1262.55 1270.40UCOBANK 17.20 17.50 17.15 17.25ASTERDM 154.50 156.00 153.10 153.25TATAINVEST 885.00 891.00 883.25 888.60CARERATING 944.70 972.00 944.70 968.15IEX 153.45 156.00 153.20 154.30SANOFI 5400.00 5424.45 5335.00 5365.75SONATSOFTW 352.55 354.90 351.10 354.45CORPBANK 25.00 25.60 25.00 25.25NIACL 164.50 165.10 163.20 163.80APLAPOLLO 1623.05 1637.95 1615.10 1621.90ZYDUSWELL 1343.15 1343.15 1323.20 1334.40ERIS 527.60 535.00 511.15 513.45CCL 261.45 270.90 261.45 263.50SHK 152.00 154.90 151.45 152.95HAL 714.35 725.00 710.00 718.15APLLTD 524.10 524.10 515.05 517.30AIAENG 1741.00 1770.00 1741.00 1769.65SKFINDIA 1900.00 1900.00 1880.00 1886.70FORBESCO 2131.00 2226.95 2130.00 2144.90GSKCONS 7450.00 7465.00 7380.00 7437.95TIINDIA 395.00 397.05 385.05 390.60LAXMIMACH 5555.00 5680.00 5506.00 5615.45TTKPRESTIG 7201.00 7280.00 7110.80 7239.35GILLETTE 7333.50 7333.50 7168.80 7191.70QUESS 658.20 666.85 656.10 665.50TVSSRICHAK 2070.30 2084.80 2050.00 2054.65DBCORP 193.05 196.35 192.00 195.90PGHH 10938.60 11006.00 10896.60 10974.55KRBL 352.05 355.05 349.35 351.90KPRMILL 626.95 631.20 623.00 623.55SOLARINDS 1170.05 1190.00 1164.95 1169.70SCHAEFFLER 5131.50 5178.00 5085.00 5119.85CENTRUM 30.35 31.15 30.35 30.75GAYAPROJ 177.15 177.15 170.65 175.30TATAMETALI 610.45 619.90 607.20 611.80CAPPL 415.05 421.50 411.15 414.00SUPPETRO 224.60 226.50 223.90 224.60GEPIL 878.30 880.00 866.10 877.05TEAMLEASE 3025.00 3025.00 2932.00 2986.60NAVINFLUOR 718.20 728.00 715.00 720.80FLFL 456.00 461.60 455.90 456.25LAOPALA 205.95 205.95 197.00 204.55LUXIND 1258.20 1258.20 1244.45 1249.65BASF 1400.00 1406.75 1387.05 1391.75ESSELPRO 129.05 130.40 129.00 129.70MHRIL 220.00 224.50 220.00 222.95MONSANTO 2450.00 2450.00 2404.85 2412.05MAHSCOOTER 4227.30 4298.95 4208.40 4256.15VTL 1077.25 1098.00 1077.25 1088.40SHRIRAMCIT 1508.75 1530.00 1508.75 1520.10ELGIEQUIP 275.30 283.95 272.50 283.30SHOPERSTOP 488.10 488.30 485.55 487.75NAVNETEDUL 109.00 110.85 108.95 109.25SUNCLAYLTD 2690.00 2690.00 2572.00 2581.15HATSUN 711.05 721.50 705.00 714.80THYROCARE 476.85 485.35 473.40 484.70UNITEDBNK 10.89 10.90 10.80 10.84NH 224.90 231.95 224.90 227.70CARBORUNIV 374.45 376.95 374.45 375.40SIS 913.70 920.45 909.30 910.05CHOLAHLDNG 489.00 497.50 488.05 494.90HONAUT 26100.40 26106.50 25834.00 26043.90SHARDACROP 349.65 354.65 346.20 352.35GULFOILLUB 882.00 889.95 882.00 887.50CERA 3000.00 3011.90 2985.00 3000.65JCHAC 1870.00 1887.00 1825.25 1831.45SFL 1253.50 1253.50 1235.05 1246.25VMART 2477.65 2495.85 2460.45 2493.65SUPRAJIT 216.05 216.05 212.10 213.20KIOCL 146.50 146.50 142.35 144.10DHANUKA 375.00 383.85 375.00 383.85ASAHIINDIA 237.25 242.30 237.25 242.00TRITURBINE 110.15 110.15 108.75 108.85

NIFTY 50

SCRIP OPEN HIgh LOW LTP CHANGENIFTY 50 11865.30 11968.55 11859.40 11945.90 84.80NTPC 131.05 135.60 131.05 135.25 4.35YESBANK 150.20 156.50 149.90 155.25 3.55BAJFINANCE 3408.90 3489.70 3400.05 3486.95 77.70BPCL 401.00 409.70 400.05 407.55 8.40BHARTIARTL 340.00 349.55 339.55 345.75 6.95TCS 2123.00 2156.55 2114.40 2146.30 38.75GAIL 355.85 360.50 353.35 359.50 5.75SBIN 349.75 355.00 347.50 354.00 5.35DRREDDY 2613.00 2659.90 2593.35 2650.05 39.30HDFC 2141.40 2189.45 2130.00 2179.10 31.65RELIANCE 1316.25 1342.00 1316.25 1330.00 16.95KOTAKBANK 1513.90 1541.75 1511.90 1531.55 17.65ICICIBANK 420.85 428.00 419.60 427.95 4.65TITAN 1234.00 1249.80 1225.00 1248.00 13.35ULTRACEMCO 4719.00 4771.00 4707.05 4770.00 50.15COALINDIA 251.95 255.25 249.10 253.25 2.55ASIANPAINT 1365.00 1392.00 1353.90 1372.00 13.75HDFCBANK 2416.00 2447.90 2413.05 2440.00 23.10BAJAJFINSV 8150.00 8260.00 8120.00 8199.90 68.15WIPRO 286.00 290.00 285.50 288.05 2.35INFY 727.00 737.25 722.55 732.60 4.80UPL 992.30 1013.80 987.20 1003.15 6.15ADANIPORTS 406.55 411.80 401.60 409.00 2.45BAJAJ-AUTO 2942.00 2980.00 2920.65 2941.05 15.55IOC 160.50 163.40 159.40 161.20 0.85AXISBANK 803.25 814.20 803.25 808.75 4.05POWERGRID 193.40 193.90 188.15 191.00 0.85LT 1550.00 1569.35 1540.00 1558.55 6.10HEROMOTOCO 2730.00 2743.95 2701.20 2734.60 9.10ITC 289.00 291.05 288.30 288.90 0.80HINDUNILVR 1788.00 1792.00 1781.00 1784.25 3.40GRASIM 912.00 919.80 898.70 910.95 0.45HCLTECH 1088.00 1098.35 1068.00 1081.00 -4.00HINDALCO 199.10 200.80 196.30 198.55 -0.75IBULHSGFIN 780.00 793.05 771.35 774.60 -3.20CIPLA 560.10 563.50 554.25 562.00 -2.35TATAMOTORS 177.50 178.50 173.10 175.40 -0.95BRITANNIA 2921.00 2937.05 2874.60 2899.20 -17.80MARUTI 6890.00 6921.00 6825.00 6847.55 -43.90TECHM 741.50 746.00 732.95 733.75 -5.10VEDL 165.25 166.40 162.50 164.10 -1.75TATASTEEL 493.00 496.45 486.00 488.00 -5.30INDUSINDBK 1608.60 1621.60 1580.55 1590.90 -17.75JSWSTEEL 281.00 283.25 275.10 277.25 -3.30INFRATEL 276.40 276.70 271.10 272.10 -3.60ONGC 172.00 172.00 167.55 169.25 -2.30M&M 660.00 667.50 656.35 658.50 -13.65ZEEL 371.40 375.60 361.30 364.60 -7.95EICHERMOT 20420.00 20499.90 19820.00 19970.00 -453.75SUNPHARMA 421.25 422.70 411.20 412.90 -10.90

SE 500B

NIFTY NEXT 50

SCRIP OPEN HIgh LOW LTP CHANGENIFTY NEXT 50 27670.05 27709.90 27583.55 27648.55 23.20SIEMENS 1253.80 1310.00 1247.95 1303.50 51.00IDEA 13.20 13.65 12.95 13.65 0.45PEL 2163.00 2215.00 2152.20 2205.90 48.85HDFCLIFE 425.00 437.00 423.40 435.00 9.35SRTRANSFIN 1115.05 1132.00 1106.85 1129.00 19.55LUPIN 735.00 745.80 734.00 745.00 12.45CONCOR 526.40 537.65 520.25 532.00 7.45HINDPETRO 315.00 318.50 313.25 317.95 4.40PGHH 10889.95 11054.95 10861.05 11032.00 131.60BHEL 71.20 72.15 70.60 71.70 0.75BANDHANBNK 590.25 600.50 590.25 595.00 6.00BOSCHLTD 17025.00 17480.00 16976.00 17180.00 162.35DLF 194.95 196.50 190.65 195.40 1.70ICICIPRULI 388.00 396.50 384.10 385.65 3.15MCDOWELL-N 528.00 544.40 525.25 539.15 3.95ASHOKLEY 89.90 90.75 89.20 90.20 0.50ICICIGI 1145.70 1154.55 1140.00 1142.25 5.65PETRONET 245.00 247.45 240.75 244.65 1.15INDIGO 1644.95 1663.00 1625.00 1647.55 7.10BIOCON 543.00 550.70 541.00 544.00 2.30BAJAJHLDNG 3520.00 3529.00 3450.00 3520.00 12.90COLPAL 1160.80 1167.05 1151.50 1164.20 3.40HINDZINC 248.95 250.90 246.25 249.55 0.60AMBUJACEM 233.90 235.25 232.10 234.35 0.50MARICO 365.85 367.50 360.80 367.50 0.60SBILIFE 680.00 686.60 674.00 680.90 0.90OFSS 3402.25 3423.90 3369.00 3399.00 4.10NMDC 102.35 103.35 101.50 102.70 0.05PIDILITIND 1269.80 1282.05 1260.00 1271.00 0.00NHPC 25.00 25.10 24.50 25.00 0.00L&TFH 133.00 133.85 130.80 132.45 -0.35DMART 1307.05 1319.00 1296.00 1303.00 -4.05DIVISLAB 1599.00 1626.80 1580.80 1584.00 -5.10AUROPHARMA 691.80 702.00 682.00 684.50 -2.25UBL 1355.10 1369.50 1340.20 1355.20 -5.90HDFCAMC 1764.00 1769.40 1749.00 1755.55 -8.20ACC 1717.90 1732.90 1701.20 1711.60 -9.95BANKBARODA 136.00 137.75 134.25 135.50 -0.85DABUR 399.95 402.00 394.20 396.15 -2.85NIACL 164.60 165.50 163.00 163.10 -1.40GODREJCP 666.50 669.75 654.05 659.75 -6.45HAVELLS 732.00 733.00 709.20 723.25 -7.70SHREECEM 21598.10 21950.00 21280.65 21400.00 -236.85MRF 56250.00 56250.00 55025.00 55299.00 -617.70ABB 1580.00 1587.90 1562.10 1570.00 -17.90MOTHERSUMI 120.05 120.20 116.70 117.85 -1.95SAIL 51.85 51.85 49.80 50.50 -0.85GICRE 228.55 230.00 225.45 225.50 -4.25PAGEIND 19878.00 19878.00 19239.50 19350.05 -435.25CADILAHC 264.85 265.35 253.60 257.00 -6.75

Bids open for Jewar airport: Officials

PTI n NOIDA

The Noida InternationalAirport Limited (NIAL)

on Thursday invited globalplayers to float bids for devel-opment of an internationalgreenfield airport in UttarPradesh’s Jewar, officials said.

The airport, second innational capital region afterDelhi’s Indira GandhiInternational airport and billedto be the biggest in the coun-try when fully operational, willcost an estimated Rs 15,000crore, said officials of the NIAL,an entity floated by the UttarPradesh government for imple-menting the mega project.

“The state cabinet had in ameeting in Lucknow on May28 approved the bid docu-ment for development of theairport. Today, this bid is beingopened by the NIAL and detailsare available on its website —www.nialjewar.com. The entireproject would cost Rs 15,754crore and the first phase wouldbe completed in an area of over1,300 hectare with two run-ways,” Chief Executive Officer,NIAL, Arun Vir Singh toldreporters.

The bidding will be madeon per passenger basis, will becompleted in a single stage andthe tender finalised onNovember 29 this year, hesaid.

“Development work is like-ly to commence early in 2020and the first phase expected to

be completed by 2023,” he said.According to the NIAL, the

first phase development of air-port would cost Rs 4,086.54crore.

The cost includes Rs2,848.35 crore for compensa-tion over acquisition of privateland, Rs 894.53 crore for reset-tlement and rehabilitation offamilies displaced due to theprojects, Rs 318.66 crore asadditional compensation andcost of assets, and Rs 25 crorein administrative expenses, itsaid.

“The money for the firstphase is available and madeavailable in the district collec-tor’s official account for expen-diture,” Singh said.

He said the initial capaci-ty of the airport is expected tobe 12 million passengers andwill go up to 70 million for thetwo runways and will go up to200 million during later stageswith construction of six run-ways.

“The state government hasgiven a go ahead for conduct-ing a study for developing theairport with six runways, themost in the country, by thecompletion of the entire projectwhich will be spread in an areaof 5,000 hectares,” he said.

About 1,333 hectare ofland has been acquired from sixvillages for the first phase of theproject, including 1,239.1416hectare private land and 95hectare government land, hesaid.

Metro rail from Gr Noida toJewar airport by 2023: YEIDAPTI n NOIDA

Anew metro rail line willrun between Greater

Noida and go up to theupcoming Jewar airport by2023, the YamunaExpressway Industr ia lDevelopment Authorityannounced on Thursday.

YEIDA also sanctionedRs 83.94 crore for a road thatwill connect the EasternPeripheral Highway with theYamuna Expressway and cuttravel time by one hour forpassengers commuting fromGreater Noida to Palwal,Faridabad, Gautam BuddhNagar, Ghaziabad, Baghpat,Sonipat, and Panipat.

The announcements weremade after the 65th BoardMeeting of the YEIDA, whichmanages development ofregion along the 165-km-long Yamuna Expressway, byits Chief Executive OfficerArun Vir Singh.

“The proposal for themetro rail was presented dur-ing the board meeting and ithas been approved. It wouldnow be sent to the state gov-ernment,” he said.

“The new metro rail linewill have dedicated tracks,one for taking passengersdirectly to the Jewar airportand the other for commuta-tion within the sectors here.The project will cost Rs 7,000crore and YEIDA has allo-cated Rs 500 crore for it fromits annual budget during theboard meeting,” he toldreporters.

The CEO said the pro-posed metro project “doesnot have economic feasibili-ty” at present due to lesscommuters to Jewar but it isessential keeping in view theprojected growth of theregion where an internation-al airport is coming up.

“We have set a timeline tocomplete the metro project by2023 and launch both theprojects, that is the first phaseof the airport and themetro rail, on the same day,”he said.

The metro rail corridorwil l begin f rom theKnowledge Park II metrostation and go up to theinternational airport in Jewar,covering a distance of 32 km,Singh, who is also the CEO of

Noida International AirportLimited, said.

He said the funding pat-tern for the budget allotted tothe metro rail project will bedecided by the Uttar Pradeshgovernment.

To further bolster roadconnectivity in the region, hesaid the Eastern PeripheralExpressway will be connect-ed to the Yamuna Expresswayvia an interchange road.

“For this, Rs 83.94 crorehas been allotted in this year’sbudget of YEIDA,” Singh said.

“The development of thisinterchange will cut the jour-ney time by one hour forpeople travelling to and fromGreater Noida to PalwalFar idabad GhaziabadBaghpat Sonipat Panipat.This project is expected to becompleted in 18 months butwe are hoping that it wouldbe ready within one year,” headded.

During the 65th boardmeeting, YEIDA presented itsannual budget, showing tar-geted revenue of Rs 2,223crore and initial expenditureof Rs 1,461 crore in loans,among others, according to

officials.For villages, a budget of

Rs 103 crore has been allo-cated and YEIDA hasannounced developing five“smart villages” with anexpenditure of Rs 49.30 crore.

“These smart villages willhave city-like amenities ofwater, sewerage, power sup-ply, streets, health care facil-ities, sanitary pad manufac-turing units, e-chaupaal, andinternet facilities,” Singh said,stressing it is the first of itskind project taken up byYEIDA.

“This would be done inthe first phase of the smartvillages project and later fivemore villages will be taken upfor development similarly.The detailed project reportsare ready and work has beenon it for one-and-a-half yearsnow,” he added.

Altogether 10 villages willbe developed as smart villagesin 2019-20 with an expendi-ture of Rs 80 crore, he said.

Singh said in 2018-19,YEIDA’s loan amount stoodat Rs 350 crore, down fromRs 400 crore in the previousfiscal.

PTI n MUMBAI

After a day’s breather,benchmark Sensex onThursday resumed its

record-setting spree by rallying330 points on gains in indexheavyweights RIL, HDFC andTCS amid expiry of May deriv-ative contracts.

Moreover, sentiment wasdriven by renewed hopes fromthe new government asinvestors have been keenlyawaiting the allocation of keyportfolios to ministers.Narendra Modi and his coun-cil of ministers are all set to takeoath at 1900 hours Wednesday.

After soaring over 400points, the 30-share indexended 329.92 points, or 0.84per cent, higher at 39,831.97 —its fresh-closing high. Thegauge hit an intra-day high of39,911.92 and a low of39,500.56.

The broader NSE Niftyalso settled at a new closingpeak at 11,945.90, gaining 84.80points or 0.71 per cent.

NTPC was the top gainerin the Sensex pack, rallying3.44 per cent. Bharti Airtel,Bajaj Finance, TCS, HDFCtwins, Yes Bank and RIL toogained up to 2.33 per cent.

However, Sun Pharma,M&M, ONGC, IndusInd Bankand Vedanta fell up to 2.39 percent.

Meanwhile, the Prime

Minister Narendra Modi-ledgovernment’s new Cabinet willinfuse renewed vigour in India’seconomy with landmarkreforms on the back of a deci-sive mandate as the countryaims to become a global eco-nomic power house, India Incsaid Thursday.

Several leading industrial-ists, including RelianceIndustries CMD MukeshAmbani, Vedanta ResourcesLimited Executive ChairmanAnil Agarwal, ChairmanEmeritus of Tata Sons RatanTata, Mahindra GroupChairman Anand Mahindra,Paytm Founder and CEO VijayShekhar Sharma, WelspunGroup Chairman andAssocham President B KGoenka, attended the swear-ing-in ceremony.

“Prime Minister NarendraModi has taken care to includeexperienced leaders withproven ability who have lednew initiatives with great suc-cess in the past. The additionof new inclusions in theCouncil of Ministers will helpto bring in fresh ideas underthe guidance and leadership ofthe Prime Minister,” CIIPresident Vikram Kirloskarsaid. Tweeting while on his wayto attend the ceremony,Mahindra said, “Bumper tobumper as the sun sets on theway to the PM’s swearing inceremony.

LUCKNOW | FRIDAY | MAY 31, 2019world 12

PTI n JOHANNESBURG

South African PresidentCyril Ramaphosa hasunveiled his new trimmed

Cabinet, which includes twoIndian-origin leaders and 50per cent women, making thecountry one of the world’s fewgender-balanced government.

Ramaphosa, who led theruling African NationalCongress (ANC) party to vic-tory in elections earlier thismonth with a majority of 57.5per cent, the smallest since theparty came to power 25 yearsago, cut the number of cabinetministers from 36 to 28.

He took office last yearafter the ousting of graft-taint-ed Jacob Zuma, who hadexpanded the number of min-isterial posts.

“In the election of the 8thof May, South Africans pro-vided this administration witha clear mandate to accelerateinclusive economic growth, actwith greater urgency to tacklepoverty, improve governmentservices, fight corruption andend state capture,” Ramaphosa

said in a nationally-televisedbroadcast to announce theappointments.

“If we are to give effect tothis mandate, we need a capa-ble, efficient and ethical gov-ernment,” he said onWednesday.

Keeping his promise ofreducing the number of min-istries, Ramaphosa, 66,appointed only 28 ministers,combining the rest into otherportfolios.

Amid widespread concernover a number of ministersfrom the previous administra-tion who have been accused ofinvolvement in state capture orcorruption, Ramaphosa reaf-firmed his position by notappointing those who appearedthe most tainted, but retaineda few.

“This is a significant moveof downscaling our state. Manypeople believed our govern-ment... was bloated and thiswas agreed right across theboard,” he said.

Two Indian-origin minis-ters — Pravin Gordhan andEbrahim Patel — have been

retained from the previousadministration.

Gordhan, 70, who receivedthe Padma Bhushan for dis-tinguished service in Januarythis year, was reappointed asMinister of Public Enterprisesto continue the challenge ofrescuing embattled state-owned enterprises such asnational electricity supplierEskom.

Patel, 57, who has achievedsuccess as Minster of EconomicAffairs, has been retained in

that portfolio, with the formerMinistry of Trade andIndustries now combined intohis Department.

Half the new ministers arewomen, making South Africaone of the world’s few gender-balanced governments.

More than 30,000 peoplegathered to witness the swear-ing in ceremony of Ramaphosaat a stadium in the capitalPretoria on Saturday.

Ramaphosa has vowed totackle corruption and rejuve-nate the country’s strugglingeconomy.

“In undertaking thisreview, we have been guided bythe need to build a moderndevelopmental state that hasthe means to drive economicand social transformation, toembrace innovation and todirect effort and resourcestowards where they will havethe greatest impact,”Ramaphosa said.

“If we are to make effectiveprogress in building the SouthAfrica that we all want, it isimportant that we deploy intopositions of responsibility peo-

ple who are committed, capa-ble and hard-working, andwho have integrity,” thePresident said.

“The people who I amappointing today must realisethat the expectations of theSouth African people havenever been greater and thatthey will shoulder a greatresponsibility,” he said.

“Their performance —individually and collectively— will be closely monitoredagainst specific outcomes.Where implementation isunsatisfactory, action will betaken,” he said.

The business leaders wel-comed the president’sannouncement.

“I like the idea that therewill be deliverables and peoplewill be held accountable,” saidLloyd Theunissen of theCongress of Business andEconomics, a subsidiary of theerstwhile Transvaal IndianCongress.

“Let’s hope and trust thatthe new cabinet will do just thatand make a difference in ourlives,” Theunissen added.

Israel faces snap elections after parliament dissolves

AP n JERUSALEM

Israel embarked Thursday onan unprecedented snap elec-tion campaign — the second

this year — after Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu failed toform a governing coalition andinstead dramatically dissolvedparliament.

In what seemed an improb-able scenario just days ago, Israel’snewly elected Knesset dissolveditself in an early morning 74-45vote and set a new election datefor Sept. 17.

The parliament’s disbandingcomes just a month after it wassworn in and sets the stage for asecond election in the same year— a first in Israeli history.

The developments were ashocking setback for Netanyahu,who had appeared to secure acomfortable win in last month'selection. But he was unable tobuild a parliamentary majoritybecause his traditional ally,Avigdor Lieberman, refused tobring his Yisrael Beiteinu faction

into the coalition.Netanyahu, who has led

Israel for the past decade, nowfaces another challenge to hislengthy rule. It comes as he pre-pares for a pre-indictment hear-ing before criminal charges areexpected to be filed against himin a series of corruption cases.

Assuming they would sweepinto power again, Netanyahu’sallies in the ruling Likud Partyhad already begun drafting a con-tentious bill aimed at grantinghim immunity from the variouscorruption charges awaiting him.He was also looking to push leg-islation limiting the power ofIsrael’s Supreme Court andpaving his path to several moreyears in office.

But it was a separate issuethat sparked the extraordinarycrisis, and for the first time everthrust Israel into a repeat electionbefore a new government waseven formed.

Lieberman — a veterannationalist yet secular politician— demanded that current legis-

lation mandating that youngultra-Orthodox men be draftedinto the military run its course.

Years of exemptions forultra-Orthodox men have gen-erated widespread resentmentamong the rest of Jewish Israeliswho serve. The ultra-Orthodox,backed by Netanyahu, refused tobend and the showdown quick-ly devolved into a full-blown cri-sis that imploded the perspectivegovernment.

“The public chose me, andLieberman, unfortunately,deceived his voters. From thebeginning he had no intention todo what he said,” Netanyahu saidafter the vote, accusingLieberman of aligning with “theleft.”

“He made one demand afteranother and every time hisdemand was met, he raisedanother one,” Netanyahu alsosaid, adding that Lieberman“clearly wanted to topple the gov-ernment for his own personalreasons.”

Lieberman, a former top

aide to Netanyahu who for twodecades has alternated betweena close alliance and bitter rival-ry with his former boss, retort-ed that the new election wasindeed unfortunate but a resultof Netanyahu caving in to theultra-Orthodox.

“This is a complete surren-der of Likud to the ultra-Orthodox,” he said.

Though a staunch hard-liner who has drawn accusationsof racism, Lieberman also cham-pions a secular agenda aimedtoward his core political base ofimmigrants from the formerSoviet Union. He has pledged toconfront efforts of ultra-Orthodox parties to impose theirlifestyle on the country’s secularmajority, earning him some cen-trist support as well.

In contrast to Netanyahu’sdeal-making pragmatism,Lieberman has earned a reputa-tion as a maverick willing tobreak from his traditional ideo-logical bloc — and this time hedug in.

The new election gives theanti-Netanyahu forces in Israel,led by Blue and White leaderBenny Gantz, another shot attoppling the longtime leader. Italso complicates Netanyahu'sefforts to pass the proposed billsto protect himself from prose-cution.

Even if Netanyahu wins theelection, it is unlikely he will beable to form a government andlock down the required politicalsupport for an immunity dealbefore an expected indictment.That would force him to standtrial, and in turn put heavy pres-sure on him to step aside. No onein Likud has yet challenged himpublicly.

The political uncertaintycould also spell trouble for theWhite House’s Mideast peaceefforts. The US has scheduled aconference next month inBahrain to unveil what it says isthe first phase of its peace plan,an initiative aimed at drawinginvestment into the Palestinianterritories.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before voting in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament in Jerusalem, on Wednesday.Israel’s parliament has voted to dissolve itself, sending the country to an unprecedented second snap election this year asPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to form a governing coalition before a midnight deadline. AP

PTI n ISLAMABAD

Pakistan has further extend-ed the closure of its airspace

along its eastern border withIndia until June 15, accordingto the country’s civil aviationauthority.

Pakistan fully closed itsairspace in February after anIndian Air Force strike on aJaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) ter-ror camp in Balakot. The coun-try opened its airspace for allflights except for New Delhi,Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur onMarch 27.

On May 15, Pakistanextended its airspace ban forflights to India till May 30.

According to a noticeissued to airmen (NOTAM) bythe Civil Aviation Authority(CAA), the country’s airspacealong the eastern border withIndia will remain closed until5 am (local time) on June 15.

As per a separate NOTAM

issued by the CAA, thePanjgoor airspace wouldremain open for overflyingtransit flights from the westernside as Air India had alreadybeen using that airspace.

Pakistan had given a spe-cial permission to India forExternal Affairs MinisterSushma Swaraj to fly directlythrough Pakistani airspace toattend the SCO meet inBishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on May

21. However, the airspace forother commercial airlinersremained closed.

As a result of the ban, for-eign carriers using Indian air-space have been forced to takecostly detours because theycannot fly over Pakistan. Theclosure mainly affects flightsfrom Europe to Southeast Asia.The flights from US andEurope flying in and out ofNew Delhi were worst hit.

Thousands of travellerssuffer flight cancellations,delays and soaring ticket pricesdue to Pakistan’s decision toclose its airspace for flights toand from India.

Aviation Minister GhulamSarwar Khan had said thatdue to closure of eastern sideairspace, Pakistan was sufferingfrom less loss compared toIndia as Indian commercialflights had to take longer routesfor Europe, the Dawn report-ed.

Thousands oftravellers sufferflightcancellations,delays and soaringticket prices dueto Pakistan’sdecision to closeits airspace forflights to and fromIndia.

Pak extends airspace closure till June 15

Prez Ramaphosa unveils trimmed-down Cabinet

US introduces legislation to protect

H4 visa work authorisation

PTI n WASHINGTON

Two influential lawmakersfrom California have intro-

duced a legislation in the USHouse of Representatives toprotect work authorisation ofH-4 visa workers, a significantnumber of whom are Indian-American women.

The introduction of such alegislation comes days afterthe Department of HomelandSecurity (DHS) said that itwould publish this month thelong-promised regulation thatwould prevent the work autho-risation to spouses on H-4visas.

H-4 visas are issued to thespouses of H-1B visa holders,a significantly large number ofwhom are high-skilled profes-sionals from India.

This week, the Trumpadministration announcedplans to overturn current theDHS regulations that allowcertain H-4 dependent spous-es of H-1B visa holders who arestuck in green card backlogs toobtain employment authorisa-

tion, pursue their own profes-sional goals and contribute tothe US economy, said the law-makers Anna G Eshoo and ZoeLofgren.

Many H-4 visa holders arehighly skilled professionals,and the DHS previouslyextended eligibility for employ-ment authorisation to themrecognising the economic bur-dens of families of many H-1Bworkers, particularly those wholive in high cost areas likeSilicon Valley on a singleincome as they await green cardapprovals, they said.

Since the rule was imple-mented, over 100,000 workers,mainly women, have receivedemployment authorisation, andthe H-4 EmploymentProtection Act prohibits theTrump administration fromrevoking this important rule.

“H-4 visa holders deservea chance to contribute to theirlocal economies and providefor their families,” Eshoo said.

“This is a matter of eco-nomic fairness and this legis-lation ensures it will continue,”

she added.H-4 visa holders had

obtained work permits under aspecial order issued by theprevious Obama administra-tion. Indian-Americans were amajor beneficiary of this pro-vision. More than one lakh H-4 visa holders have been ben-eficiary of this rule.

“While the Trump admin-istration sits on its hands anddoes nothing, American citi-zens in-waiting are stuck in linefor their number to come up,”Lofgren said.

“Nobody benefits from thissystem, least of all theAmerican economy, when H-1B dependent spouses are pro-hibited from working. Many ofthese are accomplished andqualified individuals whoseskills we’ll lose to other coun-tries unless the Administrationfinds a more sensible approachto immigration,” she said.

Last November, Eshoo andLofgren originally introducedthe H-4 EmploymentProtection Act.

In March 2018, Eshoo and

Lofgren led 13 Members ofCongress in writing to DHSSecretary Kirstjen Nielsen, urg-ing her to reconsider DHS’sproposal to revoke eligibility foremployment authorisation toH-4 dependent spouses.

A 2015 rule issued by theObama administration allowswork permits for spouses whootherwise could not beemployed while H-1B visaholders seek permanent resi-dent status, a process that cantake a decade or longer.

The H-1B programmeoffers temporary US visas thatallow companies to hire high-ly skilled foreign professionalsworking in areas with shortagesof qualified American workers.

Since taking office, theTrump administration hasbeen talking about crackingdown on the H- 1B visascheme.

During his election cam-paign, President Trumppromised to increase over-sight of our H-1B and L-1visa programmes to preventits abuse.

China accuses US of naked economic terrorismAFP n BEIJING

China accused the UnitedStates of “naked economic

terrorism” on Thursday asBeijing ramps up the rhetoricin their trade war.

The world’s top twoeconomies are at loggerheads astrade talks have apparentlystalled, with President DonaldTrump hiking tariffs onChinese goods earlier thismonth and blacklisting telecomgiant Huawei.

“We are against the tradewar, but we are not afraid of it,”vice foreign minister ZhangHanhui said at a press briefingto preview President Xi

Jinping’s trip to Russia nextweek.

“This premeditated insti-gation of a trade conflict isnaked economic terrorism,economic chauvinism, andeconomic bullying,” Zhangsaid.

“There is no winner in atrade war,” he warned.

China has hit back withits own tariff increase whilestate media has suggestedthat B eij ing could stopexports of rare earths to theUnited States, deprivingWashington of a key materi-al to make tech products.

“This trade conflict willalso have a serious negative

impact on the developmentand revival of the global econ-omy,” Zhang said.

China and Russia havebroad consensus and commoninterests on the trade war issue,he said.

“China and Russia will cer-tainly strengthen economicand trade cooperation, includ-ing cooperation in variousfields such as economic andtrade investment,” Zhangadded.

“We will certainly respondto various external challenges,do what we have to do, devel-op our economies, and con-stantly improve the living stan-dards of our two peoples.”

G20 nations eye tax policy for internet giants

AFP n TOKYO

G20 countries are plan-ning a new tax policyfor digital giants like

Google, based on the businessa company does in a country,not where it is headquartered,the Nikkei business daily saidThursday. The basic policy islikely to be signed by financeministers from the Group of 20countries when they meet nextmonth in the Japanese city ofFukuoka ahead of the mainG20 meeting in Osaka, theNikkei said.

The policy, targeting firmslike Google, Apple, Facebookand Amazon, would “allocaterevenue to countries that pro-vide large user bases for theworld’s digital corporate giants,”the daily said, citing unnamedsources.

The countries will seek toreach a final agreement in2020, but how the policy willwork remains to be finalised.

One possibility would be to

distribute collected tax rev-enues to countries based on thenumber of users a given com-pany has in each country.

That could mean that

Facebook, whichhas centralised itsprofits and tax pay-ments in Ireland totake advantage oflow rates, would seeits tax paymentsredistributed toareas where moreof its users live.

But details ofhow the tax will becollected and dis-tributed and whichcompanies will beaffected remain tobe finalised, withthe Organisation forE c o n o m i cCooperation and

Development (OECD) expect-ed to help iron out the rules.

The issue of how to tax topdigital companies has becomeincreasingly fraught, with sev-

eral European nations going italone, drawing the ire of theUnited States.

The Paris-based OECD istrying to forge a new globalagreement that would preventthe firms from simply declar-ing their income in low-taxjurisdictions, depriving othercountries of billions in revenue.

In April, French lawmakerspassed the first reading of a billto impose taxes on digitaladvertising, the sale of personaldata and other revenue forany technology company thatearns more than 750 millioneuros ($840 million) worldwideeach year. A bid to agree a lawat the European Union levelwas scuttled by low-tax coun-tries like Ireland, which havewooed big tech firms.

Austria has proposed sim-ilar domestic legislation.

PTI n LONDON

AUK court hearing theextradition case of fugitive

diamond merchant NiravModi on Thursday fixed hisnext remand hearing for June27 and directed the Indian gov-ernment to confirm within 14days which prison he is to beheld in if he were to be extra-dited to India. Modi, wanted inIndia to face charges of fraudand money launderingamounting to nearly USD 2-billion in the Punjab NationalBank (PNB) case, was pro-duced in the dock atWestminster Magistrates Courtbefore Chief Magistrate EmmaArbuthnot for his first casemanagement hearingThursday. The 48-year-old,dressed in a blue shirt andblack trousers, took notes asthe judge fixed his nextremand hearing via videolinkfor June 27 and set a 14-daydeadline for the Indian author-ities to confirm the prisonplans in India.

“There is no reason why itshould not be answered with-

in 14 days,” Judge Arbuthnotsaid, adding that Arthur RoadJail would be the “obviouscandidate”. Arbuthnot, whoordered the extradition ofliquor tycoon Vijay Mallya inDecember 2018, had sought avideo of the exact cell inwhich the former KingfisherAirlines boss was to be held.She therefore indicated that ifModi was to be held withinthe same premises, the courtwould most likely not haveany objections. Modi’s barris-ter, Clare Montgomery, agreedthat unless it was the samecell, she would be seeking acourt-appointed independentprison visit to ensure thatany holding cell in India metwith human rights guidelines.

No further details or time-lines were set for the extradi-tion trial at the first casemanagement hearing onThursday as Montgomery toldthe court that the defenceteam was yet to receive theopening position statement onthe case to start building on itsarguments.

The judge has given the

Crown Prosecution Service(CPS), representing the Indiangovernment, six weeks’ time topresent an opening positionstatement laying out the primafacie case against Modi, withthe next case managementhearing set for July 29 – whena timeline for extradition trialis expected to be laid out.

“I have had a brief look atthe pagination and it is muchbetter than before… it is muchclearer than earlier, so I amdelighted about that,” saidJudge Arbuthnot, as she wel-come the improvement in thepaperwork submitted by theIndian authorities. She has pre-viously been extremely criticalof the paperwork submitted forprevious extradition cases,including that of Mallya. Shedirected the CPS to make theindex clearer in the openingstatement, which is now due tobe submitted by the Indian sideby July 11. A team from theEnforcement Directorate (ED)and Central Bureau ofInvestigation (CBI) were pre-sent during the hearing incourt, which was especially

packed due to a hearing in theWikileaks co-founder JulianAssange’s case, which was ulti-mately adjourned due to his “illhealth”. CPS barrister EdMartin, representing the Indianauthorities in the Modi case,had offered a six-week time-frame as opposed to an initialeight-week period for the open-ing statement after the judgepushed for an earlier date tomove the legal process along.Modi was taken back into cus-tody at Wandsworth prison insouth-west London, havingbeen denied bail by the courton three previous occasions.

“This is a large fraud andthe doubling of security to 2million pounds is not sufficientto cover a combination of con-cerns that he would fail to sur-render,” Arbuthnot had ruled atthe last hearing on May 8.

“A combination of inter-ference with witnesses, destruc-tion of servers and mobilephones and the lack of com-munity ties means I still havedoubts that he would fail tosurrender before the court,” sheconcluded.

Seeks confirmation of prison cell in India

Nirav Modi’s remand extended till June 27

LUCKNOW | FRIDAY | MAY 31, 2019world 13

7 dead, 21 missing as Budapest tourist boat sinks

AFP n BUDAPEST

Seven South Koreantourists died and 21 otherswere missing after a sight-

seeing boat capsized and sankon the Danube in Budapest,Hungarian and South Koreanofficials said Thursday.

The accident happenednear the parliament building inthe heart of the Hungarian cap-ital after a collision with a larg-er river cruise boat during tor-rential rain around 09:15 pm(1915 GMT) on Wednesday,according to officials.

A total of 33 South Koreanswere on board, Seoul’s foreignministry said, confirming theseven dead were Korean.

The youngest was a six-year-old girl, travel agency offi-cials said.

The 26-metre tourist boat,called the “Mermaid,” was alsocarrying two Hungarian crewmembers.

“Our services have record-ed the death of seven people,”Pal Gyorfi, a spokesman forHungarian emergency services,said early Thursday morning.

“Seven people have beentaken to hospital in a stablecondition with hypothermiaand shock symptoms,” Gyorfiadded.

“A further 21 people aremissing,” a Hungarian policespokesman Kristof Gal toldAFP.

“Police are searching theriver throughout the entire

length of the Danube inHungary south of where theincident took place,” he said.

Local media reported thatone of the bodies was foundseveral kilometres south of thecollision location, althoughGal declined to confirm.

The temperature of theriver water is between 10 and15 degrees, according to localmedia.

The search for the missingwith the help of divers andpolice shining lights continuedthrough the night, said an AFPphotographer at the scene.

A film crew working froma bridge south of the accidentsite also used reflector lights tohelp light up the water throughthe gloom and pouring rain,reported local media.

Heavy rainfall since the

beginning of May has led tohigh water levels and a fast-moving river current, compli-cating rescue efforts.

The accident happened ona popular part of the Danuberiver for pleasure trips, fromwhere passengers can view thecity and parliament buildingilluminated at night.

The boat was regularly ser-viced and had no apparent

technical faults, Mihaly Toth, aspokesman for Panorama Deckthat owned the vessel, told theHungarian news agency MTI.

“It was a routine sightsee-ing trip,” said Toth.

“We know nothing abouthow it happened, the authori-ties are investigating, all weknow is that it sank quickly,” hesaid. An eye-witness told theIndex.hu news-site that the

Mermaid, which could hold 60people on board, had been hitfrom behind by a large cruiseboat.

Web camera footage froma hotel rooftop posted on localnews-sites appeared to showthe bigger boat colliding withthe Mermaid.

The wreckage of theMermaid was found on theriverbed after several hours ofsearching near the MargaretBridge, one of the main bridgesconnecting the two parts of theHungarian capital, local mediasaid.

Access to the river hasbeen blocked by the authorities,according to public television.

South Korea’s PresidentMoon Jae-in instructed thegovernment to “deploy all avail-able resources” for the rescue,the presidential office said.

Seoul planned to send ateam of 18 officials to assist theauthorities in Budapest, SouthKorea’s Yonhap news agencyreported.

The foreign ministry saidminister Kang Kyung-whawould leave for Budapest laterThursday as head of a govern-ment taskforce.

Embassy staff have alsobeen assisting the emergencyservices in the identification ofvictims.

The Hungarian interiorand health ministers visited thescene and expressed condo-lences to the families of the vic-tims.

A rescue boat searches for survivors on the Danube River in Budapest (Hungary). A massive search was underway on the river in downtown Budapest for over a dozenpeople missing after a sightseeing boat with 33 South Korean tourists sank after colliding with another vessel during an evening downpour. AP

21 killed infiery Mexicoroad accidentAFP n COATZACOALCOS

Asemi-truck and a bus car-rying passengers back

from a pilgrimage to a Catholicshrine crashed and burst intoflames Wednesday in easternMexico, killing at least 21 peo-ple, officials said. Thirty otherswere injured.

Most of the victims werepilgrims from the southernstate of Chiapas who were ontheir way back from a trip toMexico City to pray at the basil-ica of the Virgin of Guadalupe,the country’s patron saint, saidthe head of the Civil Protectionservice for the state of Veracruz,Guadalupe Osorno.

“The forensics experts atthe scene report 17 bodies ofpassengers who were travelingin the bus, plus two people whodied in the semi-truck,” shesaid.

“One person was dead onarrival at the hospital, andanother who was in seriouscondition died.” The Catholicarchdiocese of TuxtlaGutierrez, in Chiapas, sent itscondolences to the victims’loved ones in a statement.

“We deeply regret the

deaths caused by this accidentand share in their families’overwhelming pain,” it said.

The accident occurred ona highway in a region known asthe Maltrata hills, where theroads wind between peaks thatrise more than 2,000 meters(6,500 feet) above sea level.

Emergency officials at thescene said one of the vehicleslost its brakes going downhilland crashed into the other,causing both to erupt in flamesand leaving the bus a charredframe lying on its side.

Rescue and forensic work-ers carried away the bodiesafter covering them.

In 2006, more than 50Evangelical Christians werekilled in the same region whentheir bus plunged into a ravine.Authorities said that accidentwas also caused by faultybrakes.

EMERGENCY OFFICIALS

AT THE SCENE SAID ONE

OF THE VEHICLES LOST

ITS BRAKES GOING

DOWNHILL AND CRASHED

INTO THE OTHER

Saudi Arabia asks nations torespond to Iran with ‘firmness’AP n JIDDAH

Saudi Arabia’s foreign minis-ter on Thursday urged

Muslim nations to confrontrecent attacks in the region thatthe US and its allies haveblamed on Iran with “all meansof force and firmness.” Ibrahimal-Assaf made the comments ata meeting of foreign ministersof the 57-nation Organizationof Islamic Cooperation aheadof a series of summits in thekingdom beginning Thursday.

Al-Assaf said the allegedsabotage of boats off the coastof the United Arab Emiratesand a drone attack on a Saudioil pipeline by Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels requiresthe region to “make moreefforts to counter the terroristacts of extremist and terroristgroups.” “We should confrontit with all means of force andfirmness,” al-Assaf said.

Iran has denied beinginvolved in the attacks, which

come amid heightened tensionsbetween Tehran and the US AnIranian official was at the meet-ing where al-Assaf spoke onThursday, but Iranian ForeignMinister Mohammad JavadZarif did not attend. The UShas accused Tehran of beingbehind the string of incidentsthis month, which also includ-ed a rocket strike near the USEmbassy in Baghdad.

On Wednesday, US nation-al security adviser John Boltontold journalists in Abu Dhabithat there had been a previouslyunknown attempt to attackthe Saudi oil port of Yanbu aswell, which he also blamed onIran.

Bolton described Tehran’sdecision to back away from its2015 atomic deal with worldpowers as evidence it soughtnuclear weapons, even thoughit came a year after Americaunilaterally withdrew from theunraveling agreement.

He also stressed the US had

not seen any further Iranianattacks in the time since, some-thing he attributed to the sub-sequent military deployments— America recently sent an air-craft carrier and B-52 bombersto the Persian Gulf. But Boltonwarned the U.S. would strikeback if again attacked.

“The point is to make itvery clear to Iran and its sur-rogates that these kinds ofaction risk a very strongresponse from the UnitedStates,” Bolton threatened,without elaborating.

Meanwhile Wednesday,acting US Defense SecretaryPatrick Shanahan said some900 troops coming to theMideast over the perceivedIran threat — to reinforce thetens of thousands already in theregion — would be deployed inSaudi Arabia and Qatar.Another 600 attached to aPatriot missile battery havehad their deployment in theregion extended.

“The Iranian threat to ourforces in the region remains,”Shanahan said.

Bolton’s trip to the UAEcomes just days after Trump inTokyo appeared to welcomenegotiations with Iran.

“We’re not looking forregime change — I just want tomake that clear,” Trump said.“We’re looking for no nuclearweapons.” But Bolton himself,for years before becomingnational security adviser, calledfor overthrowing Iran’s gov-ernment in interviews and inpaid speaking engagementbefore an Iranian exile group.

“I don’t back away fromany of it. Those are positions Itook as a private citizen,”Bolton said when asked abouthis prior remarks.

“Right now I’m a govern-ment official. I advise the pres-ident. I’m the national securi-ty adviser, not the nation secu-rity decision-maker. It’s up tohim to make those decisions.”

UK opp calls for election or second

referendum on Brexit deal

AFP n LONDON

The leader of Britain’s mainopposition Labour party

Jeremy Corbyn — criticised forfailing to take a clear positionon Brexit — has said the onlyway out of the political crisiswas to hold a general electionor a second “public vote on anydeal agreed by parliament”.

Labour has come underfire for sitting on the fence overBrexit and it remains unclearwhether the party would backLeave or Remain in the nextgeneral election.

The party’s approach toBrexit — dubbed “constructiveambiguity” — saw them gethammered at the ballot boxduring EU elections last week,losing half of their 20 seats inthe European Parliament andfinishing in third place behindthe staunchly anti-Brexit LibDems and the newly-formedBrexit Party.

Speaking ahead of meet-

ings with the IrishPresident andPrime Minister inDublin, Corbynsaid on WednesdayLabour would“work with anyoneacross party bound-aries and do what-ever is necessary tostop a disastrous‘No Deal’ outcome,which would openthe way for a frenzyof deregulation anda race to the bottomin jobs, rights and protections.

“But faced with the threatof ‘No Deal’ and a PrimeMinister with no mandate, theonly way out of the Brexit cri-sis ripping our country apart isnow to go back to the people.Let the people decide the coun-try’s future, either in a generalelection or through a publicvote on any deal agreed by par-liament.”

Some rival candidates

vying to take over from out-going Prime Minister TheresaMay as premier and leader ofthe Conservative Party includ-ing frontrunner Boris Johnsonhave said Britain must be pre-pared to leave the EU withouta deal if necessary.

Corbyn said the countryfaced a summer in which “ourpolitics will be paralysed andour country’s future put onhold while the Conservatives

are locked in internalconflict over their lead-ership.

“Jobs and invest-ment will be put at riskin Leave and Remainareas alike.” He added:“The Tory leadershipcontest will most likelyend with a small num-ber of wildly unrepre-sentative rightwingConservative activistsfoisting a ‘No Deal’zealot on the country.

“The next Toryleader will be yet anotherunelected Prime Minister,without the support of thepublic and with no mandate forwhatever form of Brexit he orshe supports.” May will quit asConservative leader on June 7,with the new premier due to bein place before July 20.

Britain is due to leave thebloc on October 31, while thenext general election is not dueuntil 2022.

Top Afghan officialshold talks with Pakistani authoritiesPTI n ISLAMABAD

Ahigh-level Afghan delega-tion led by national secu-

rity adviser has held talks withtop civilian and military offi-cers in Pakistan, dicussingsecurity issues, peace processwith Taliban and also to pre-pare the ground for a possiblevisit of President Ashraf Ghaninext month.

Hamdullah Mohib – wholed a high-powered delegationthat included the Afghan inte-rior minister – was the firstsenior Afghan official to havetravelled to Islamabad inmonths.

The crucial talks withPakistani authorities, includingArmy chief Qamar JavedBajwa, were part of the latestpush by the two neighbours toremove irritants in their bilat-eral ties that have underminedefforts for a peace deal inAfghanistan, officials said onWednesday.

Diplomatic officials saidthat main engagements werewith the security officials butforeign secretary SohailMahmood also attended dele-gation level talks on bordersecurity, Afghan peace processand political ties.

Army spokesman in briefstatement on Wednesday saidthat Mohib also met armychief Qamar Javed Bajwa.

“Matters related to mutualinterest, peace and stability inthe region, Pak-Afghan bordermanagement and prospects forpeace with particular empha-sis on reconciliation process inAfghanistan were discussed,”

the Inter-Services PublicRelations (ISPR) said in a state-ment.

Diplomatic sources saidthat Ghani was likely to visitPakistan next month for whichwas invited by Prime MinisterImran Khan when the Afghanleader talked over phone withhim last month.

Mohib mission was to holdinitial talks on key issues to seeif progress was possible duringvisit of President Ghani.

Pakistan’s role is consideredas a key to bring peace inAfghanistan.

The Afghan peace initia-tive has been moving at asnail’s pace due to refusal ofthe Taliban to sit for talkswith the Afghan governmentofficials.

Taliban leader MullahAbdul Ghani Baradar is the co-founder of the Taliban move-ment with Mullah Omar whoremained a synonym for theTaliban until his death was dis-closed in 2015. Mullah Baradarwas arrested in 2010 in jointISI-CIA operation fromKarachi but released byPakistan last year to help jump-start the peace process.

But there are many irritantsundermining such efforts,including the trust deficitbetween Pakistan andAfghanistan.

Kabul is still wary ofIslamabad’s role in the peaceprocess. Pakistan, on the otherhand, has its own list of griev-ances, including Afghanistan’spatronage of certain militantgroups that often launch attacksfrom across the border.

PTI n WASHINGTON

The US is alarmed by the“arbitrary and unjust”

detention of more than onemillion Uighur Muslims inChina’s Xinjiang province, a topofficial has said, demanding anend to human rights abusesagainst the ethnic and religiousminorities.

State DepartmentSpokesperson Morgan Ortagustold reporters it was importantto speak up for the victims ofChina’s massive campaign of

repression against Uighurs andother Muslim ethnic minoritiesin Xinjiang province in the holymonth of Ramzan.

“The United States isalarmed by the arbitrary andunjust detention of more than1 million people; widespreadreports of torture and cruel,inhumane, or degrading treat-ment; ever-present, high-techsurveillance; and coerced prac-tices contrary to people’s faiths,”Ortagus said Wednesday.

Her remarks came after‘The Washington Post’ in a

news dispatch from Beijingreported that the Chineseauthorities were bullyingmembers of the Muslim minor-ity Uighur community to eatand drink before sundown —in violation of Islamic rules forRamzan — with the implicitthreat of punishment if they donot.

Throughout this campaign,the Chinese government aimsto force its own citizens torenounce their ethnic identitiesand their Islamic faith, Ortagussaid. “The Chinese Communist

Party has exhibited extremehostility to all religious faithssince its founding, but even sothe repression of ChineseMuslims stands out as partic-ularly cruel and inhumaneduring the holy month,” shesaid.

“The human rights abusesin Xinjiang must end, and theymust end now. We call on theChinese government to releaseall Uighurs and other Muslimminorities arbitrarily detainedthroughout Xinjiang so thatthey may return home to cel-

ebrate the Eid Holiday withtheir loved ones,” Ortagus said.

Earlier in the day, in aninterview to Fox BusinessNews, Secretary of State MikePompeo alleged that Chinawas not allowing these peopleto move freely.

“They are indoctrinatingthem with Chinese thought,Chinese thinking, in ways thatthe West just wouldn’t do. It’sdifferent, it’s historic, and it’simportant,” he said.

“We’ve focused on thesemillion Uighurs that are in

these terrible situations in thesecamps in one of the provinces,but it’s broader and biggerthan that,” Pompeo said.

“The complete absence ofpolitical freedom inside of thiscountry is something that theAmerican people need to con-tinue to watch and see, becauseit has an impact on our eco-nomic relations,” said the topAmerican diplomat.

China has denied the alle-gations of human rights viola-tions and persecution ofMuslim minority group.

US alarmed at plight of Uighurs in China

India criticises slow pace of UN Security Council reform processPTI n UNITED NATIONS

India has criticised the slowpace of UN Security Council

reform process, saying theadoption of “opaque” method-ologies, non-attribution ofassertions and “obfuscation”of references by the memberstates is blocking the earlyreform of the world body.

India’s PermanentRepresentative SyedAkbaruddin said onWednesday that the documentco-chairs produced on themeetings of the Intern-Governmental Negotiations(IGN) for reforms during thecurrent General Assembly ses-sion had serious gaps and didnot properly reflect the pro-ceedings.

He was addressing aninformal plenary meeting ofthe IGN on ‘Question of equi-table representation on andincrease in the membership of

the Security Council and othermatters related to the Council’.

“In this paper, what wasnot requested has been under-taken and what has beenrequested has been left out,” hesaid.

“If we are to follow aninclusive approach, thenrequests with broad supportshould all be reflected.Alternatively, if we are to adoptan exclusionary approach, thenany new suggestions opposedby anyone should be left out,for lack of consensus. We canadopt either of these method-ologies, but we can’t adopt onemethodology for a set of sug-gestions and another for anoth-er set of suggestions,” he said.

He said the G-4 (India,Brazil, Germany and Japan)and the L-69 (Group of 42developing countries) hadmade a several suggestions butthey have not been included inthe document.

“This may be, perhaps, onaccount of objections fromsome, although those sugges-tions had wide support. Itwould, therefore, appear thatyou have followed an exclu-sionary approach. If that is so,we too join all the others whohave expressed their objec-tions to a series of new issuesthat have been inserted, with-out any clarification of whetherthey enjoy broad support ornot,” he said.

He said, “The adoption ofopaque methodologies, non-attribution of assertions andobfuscation of references isthe antithesis of usual practicesand procedures of the GeneralAssembly.” The G-4 groupinghas been seeking expansion ofthe permanent and non-per-manent seats of the SecurityCouncil to make the powerfulUN body more representativeand reflective of the changingglobal order.

6 dead in suicide

blast at Kabul

military academy

AFP n KABUL

At least six people were killedand six more wounded in a

suicide blast outside a militaryacademy in the Afghan capitalon Thursday, an official said.

The attack outside theMarshal Fahim NationalDefense University in westernKabul took place at the roadentrance to the war college.

Kabul police spokesmanFirdaws Faramarz said the sui-cide bomber had been on foot.He blew himself up when a sol-dier challenged him.

“Based on initial informa-tion, six people killed, sixwounded, police have reachedthe scene,” Faramarz said.

The attacker “detonatedhimself before reaching his tar-get”, Faramarz added, withoutproviding further details.

The attack happenedaround noon (0730 GMT), atime when students typicallyleave school early during themonth of Ramadan.

No group immediatelyclaimed responsibility.

Police and security forces inand around Kabul have comeunder frequent attack in recentweeks, even as the US and theTaliban have held talks about apossible peace agreement.Opened in 2005 and namedafter former vice presidentMohammed Fahim, the MarshalFahim academy is modelledafter US and British war collegesand trains cadets destined tobecome officers in Afghanistan’sarmy.

A large annexe to the uni-versity is home to dozens ofNATO troops who mentor theAfghan cadets.

WikiLeaks says Assange is ill; he misses brief court hearingAP n LONDON

WikiLeaks founder JulianAssange has missed a

court session, apparently due tohealth problems. Assange hadbeen expected to appear fromprison via video link at a briefextradition hearing Thursday atWestminster Magistrates’Court. He is in Belmarshprison serving time for jump-ing bail in Britain while fight-ing extradition to the UnitedStates, which accuses him ofviolating the Espionage Act bypublishing secret documentscontaining the names of con-fidential military and diplo-matic sources. Sweden alsoseeks him for question about analleged rape. Judge EmmaArbuthnot said a more sub-stantive extradition hearing setfor June 12 may be moved to acourt next to Belmarsh prisonfor convenience.

LUCKNOW | FRIDAY | MAY 31, 2019

Actress VIDYA BALAN hasaddressed the issue of body sham-ing via a video and called out peo-ple for passing derogatory remarkson others’ body type.

“Kabhi tu moti kehta hai,kabhi tu choti kehta hai...” Vidyasays in a video. She highlights thediscriminatory com-ments and jokes made atpeople regarding theirlooks.

“Don’t makejokes on someone’ssize, colour.Everyone is differ-ent...that’s whyeveryone is special,”Vidya said.

“Most of us arepotential victims of‘body shaming,’ thewidespread phe-nomenon of receiv-ing cruel feedbackwhen our bodiesdon’t meet theunrealistic beautystandards of ourtime,” she added.

Actors SONAM K AHUJA andVARUN DHAWAN

have praisedMumbai-baseddance group VUnbeatable, whogot a standingovation from thejudges of the reali-ty show America’sGot Talent.

“Got a chance to dance withthis team at the Wagah border forStreet Dancer 3. They are unbe-lievable,” Varun wrote on socialmedia.

Sonam also shared the videoand wrote, “This is beyond amaz-ing. They have come such a longway and are loaded with talent.”

Actress MERYL STREEP doesn’tagree with the term “toxic masculin-ity,” and says that the use of theexpression can be harmful for boys.

Streep addressed the topic whilediscussing an anecdote about amale fan who had told actressNicole Kidman that heenjoyed the show.

She explained thatshe dislikes the termbecause, in her opin-ion, all individualscan exhibit toxicbehaviour, regard-less of gender.

“I don’t findputting thosetwo wordstogether becausewomen can bepretty toxic too.It’s toxic people. Wehave our goodangles and we haveour bad ones,”she said.

‘I haverecentlyrecoveredfrom aninjury andit’s been aperfecttime forme to be doing thisfilm (Panga). Iwanted tocollaborate mypersonal fitnessgoals with that of thefilm. So the trainingof Kabbadi extendedme to collaboratewith people likeMustafa who hascurated a fantasticstrength andmovement basedfitness module forme.’ —Richa Chadha

vivacity 14

Stop bodyshaming: Vidya

‘Don’t agree withtoxic masculinity’

KUSHAN MITRAThe new Hyundai Venue is being launched in the midst of a declining car

market in India. Can it provide the spark that the industry needs?

A great Venue

First things first. A round ofapplause to Hyundai MotorIndia for having organised

the first large-scale media drivingevent in India’s North-east. Greathospitality, delicious food andyou realise that folks in Guwahatiand Shillong drive just as badly asfolks elsewhere in the country.Also, kudos to the NationalHighways Authority of India(NHAI) for building a lovely four-lane highway between the two statecapitals, the old GS road wasquite scary. The highway had abeautiful surface, light traffic andwas a great combination of twistysections and straights, whichallowed us to really get a good feelof the steering, handling as well asthe engine and gearbox perfor-mance. A couple of rough patch-es in Guwahati and the approachroad to the stunning Ri Kynjairesort on the shore of the BadaPani lake outside Shillong also gaveus a good impression of the ridequality. I won’t get into the looksdebate around this car other thansaying that it looks contemporary.

Before I start to list my impres-sions of the new Hyundai Venue,a quick caveat. I deliberately askedto drive the new one-litre GDI tur-bocharged petrol engine with thenew seven-speed Dual-Clutch

gearbox (DCT). This is an all newcombination for Hyundai and it isreally what I wanted to experience.To note, Hyundai offers the 1.2petrol with a five-speed gearbox;a six-speed manual with this GDIengine which has 120PS of poweras well as a diesel option with thetried-and-tested 1.4 litre unit.Additionally, the cars we testedwere the SX+ model which comefully loaded with a touchscreeninfotainment system andHyundai’s ‘Bluelink’ system whichmakes the Venue India’s first ‘con-nected’ SUV.

A bit more about this system,which not only pairs with yoursmartphone but also allows you touse the inbuilt e-SIM in the carfrom Vodafone-Idea which comeswith a three year subscription ifyou purchase the car. Bluelink isavailable only on the higher SXspecification models and higher.The system provides not justtelematics, which allow you to seeyour driving data, but you can usethe system to unlock the car, startand stop the engine as well as startthe air-conditioning remotely. Inaddition, you could geo-fence thevehicle, that is, say, you allow your18-year-old to borrow the car butdon’t want him or her to drive offfar, so you could put a radius of 15

kilometres from your house and ifthe vehicle crosses that lakshmanrekha you will get an alert on yourphone. Here is the cool part, youcan remotely immobilise yourvehicle, not allowing it to start.This feature might not make yourteenager son as well as potentialcar thieves happy, but it is indeedan interesting. If you are keen onthe Venue, Hyundai has trainedexecutives in every dealership toshowcase these features.

But now about the car, how is

it to drive? First things first. I per-sonally felt that the Venue was thebest-handling Hyundai vehiclethat has been built in the country.The steering felt perfectly weight-ed and body roll, even while tak-ing some of the high-speed cornerson this highway was almost non-existent. And this did not come atthe cost of the ride. On rougherstretches of road, the Venue did-n’t behave badly at all. The ride andhandling ought to be commonacross all variants.

As for the engine and gearbox,small turbocharged petrols, whileproducing a lot of power for theirsize, can be thirsty. Worse thanthat, they could have significantturbo lag, which often means thatwhen such engines are coupledwith an automatic, you can getabysmally poor performance. Thatsaid, the GDI and the DCT com-bination do not feel badly mated,sure the kick-down response whenyou floor the car immediatelyafter a corner can feel sluggish,

during regular acceleration andbraking the Venue changed gearsin good time without needlesslyhigh engine revs. But if there is onething I missed on this vehicle, itwas paddle-shifters. You can usethe gear selector to change up anddown if you’re in the mood but Iguess I have been spoiled. Butwhen you push the car, it can gopretty fast, very comfortably. Thosewho drove the GDI with the man-ual transmission had more fun, butif you live in a city, automatics arethe only way to go and this DCTis up there with the best of them.

The Venue is fairly good whenit comes to space, although I stillfeel the XUV300 is the best in seg-ment on that front. Issues? Ahigh loading lip at the rear is asstandard for vehicles in this seg-ment, which might make tyrechanging a bit difficult. But at`11.1 lakh ex-showroom for thisvariant and prices starting at `6.5lakh, the Venue is miles ahead onthe price battlefront. It is so attrac-tively priced, which when coupledwith its good ride, handling anddecent performance makes it notjust a compelling buy for thoselooking at compact SUVs but alsoat premium hatchbacks like thei20. Hyundai should have anoth-er winner on their hands.

What is common to thesongs Waka Waka, La laBrasil or De Ghuma Ke?All three are sportsanthems, the first two

were for the football world cups and thelast for the cricket one. With the Men’sCricket World Cup having kicked off in theUnited Kingdom, there is a new one espe-cially created for this edition. As part of itspartnership with the International CricketCouncil (ICC), Uber and the band hasreleased the song, Way-O, Way-O, toenergise fans.

Since music has always evoked strongemotions and helped foster a global spir-it of unity and togetherness, this rhythmicanthem is a cultural blend of harmonies.It is written by Sonal Dabral (Ogilvy) andcomposed, produced and curated byMichael (Mikey) McCleary. The makersinclude Sanam, a band known for its ren-ditions of classical Bollywood songs,alongside other globally acclaimed artistssuch as Jahmiel (Jamaica), CatherineTaylor Dawson (United Kingdom), SimbaDiallo (New Zealand) and a Choir groupcalled Khayelitsha United Mambazo(South Africa).

How did the idea come about?Sanam Puri (Lead vocalist): WhenMcCleary approached us about singing ananthem for the world cup, we werethrilled. I have been a part of several of hisjingles and I like working with him. I puthim in touch with our manager, BenThomas, who discussed it with McClearyand then briefed all the members of ourband. It took us about an hour to under-stand the song and then two to three hoursto record our vocal parts.

Sports and music help to foster a globalspirit of unity and togetherness. So howdid you blend this sensibility in theanthem?Samar Puri (Lead guitar): Cricket and

music are two vital aspects of our culture.Many have tried to encapsulate this sportin a song but none so far have been ableto strike a chord with the people. Thisanthem is an excellent piece of work andhas the potential to connect people tran-scending geographies and cultures. WithWay-O, Way-O we are confident that fansfrom across nations will come together andcheer for cricket and their favourite teams,thereby ensuring ‘every fan wins’.I used to play cricket for the under 16/19team in Oman when I was in high school.We also played cricket when we startedjamming as a band in Keshav’s (Dhanraj)garage. We still play whenever we get time.It’s always nostalgic to be associated withsomething like cricket and it’s a sport thatbinds everyone together. You’ll hear it inthe vocals where the words are — We’re onour way-O, we’re on our way; singing way-o, way-o; we’re on our way.

How is the creative process for theanthem different from that of film tracksor albums?Keshav Dhanraj (Drum kits): This songis entirely composed by McCleary. We juststepped into the studio for backing vocals.He was busy trying to get together artistsfrom across the world. I guess it was a newexperience for him too and he pulled it offvery efficiently in a short time.

Where are the global music trends head-ing?Venkat Subramaniyam (Bass guitar): Iguess hip-hop subgenres like Trap andLatin inspired music like Reggaeton arequite popular. I love how McCleary hasused a dancehall beat for the anthem. It willhelp to bring people together along withthe catchy group vocals and Indian inspiredhorn riffs.

You have remade so many old hits andpeople have cherished each of them. Doyou think remakes lessen the value of old

blockbusters?Keshav: We just focus on putting out ren-ditions of the classic tunes to the best of ourability without worrying about the criticism.Our approach has always been to maintainthe essence of the song when we render aclassic and that helps us connect with audi-ence of all ages. We even get feedback say-ing how three generations within the fam-ily can connect while watching our musicvideos and listening to our songs.

What does fusion music mean to you andhow do you plan to explore this genremore?Venkat: In India, fusion music is general-ly associated with one form of Indian clas-sical music being fused with anothergenre. The older film directors like Shankar,Jaikishan had a lot of fusion in their com-positions. Even in the 80s, jazz fusion wasvery popular. It brought out a lot of inno-vation through unique improvisationalmelodic ideas as well as the use of uniqueeffects that were new at the time. Fusionmusic can evolve with the time and I guesswe are more of a pop/rock band in our styleand don’t really play fusion music. However,we’ve got a new original music album anda lot of releases this year as well as collab-orations and some more renditions.

How do you see the evolution of Indianmusic industry and how do you think youhave changed as a singer since the timeyou started?Sanam: Today, It’s possible to co-exist withthe film industry and do your own workas a music artist. I always wanted to com-pose and make my own music. Playbacksinging was never my aim. So the freedomthat I get working with a band is somethingI cherish and it empowers me to give it myall when I am making music. I am grate-ful for the love and support from my fanswhich enables us to do what we do todayalong with the invaluable help from ourmanagement.

The Tamil Nadu Theatre andMultiplex Owners’ Associationhas announced a new revenue

sharing model based on the marketvalue of the male stars of the Tamilfilm fraternity. The unprecedentedmove, if implemented, will be both aboon and a bane, feel industryexperts.

According to the new model,theatre owners would share revenuesbased on the collections of a filmacross various centres, week by week.While superstar Rajinikanth, Ajithand Vijay constitute tier one of thegroup, Suriya, Jayam Ravi, Dhanush,Simbu, Sivakarthikeyan and VijaySethupathi form the tier two. The restof the actors, including Kamal Haasanand Vikram, fall in the tier threegroup.

Tirupur Subramaniam, presidentof Tamil Nadu Theatre OwnersAssociation, feels the model is a rec-ommendation for the benefit of the-atre owners as most of them don’t seeprofits.

“The new model is yet to beimplemented. It’s necessary becausewith growing tax rates, maintenancecost and increasing salaries of work-ers, theatre owners are not able to seeprofits nowadays. At present, there’sno fixed rate when it comes to prof-it sharing and it changes from film tofilm. If it’s a big film with a star, wepay around 65-70 per cent, which wewant to bring down to 55-60 per cent,”Subramaniam said.

With theatres already playing 18per cent GST on top of eight per centof local body tax, Subramaniam ruesthat theatre owners can’t see profitswith the current profit sharing model.The new revenue sharing model hascategorised stars into three tiersbased on their market value.Filmmaker Arun Vaidyanathan, whohas also produced Tamil comedyKalyana Samayal Saadham, asked onwhat grounds were the actors cate-gorised into these tiers.

“Karthi delivered two block-busters last year in the form ofTheeran Adhigaaram Ondru andKadaikutty Singam last year. Why isthat he is not in the second tier andwhat about Vishal? Are Karthi andVishal left out because they are mem-bers of Tamil Film Producers

Council? Also, if Kamal (Haasan) sirreturns with Indian 2, will he beincluded in tier one,” Arun ques-tioned.

He also asked how the new rev-enue sharing model will benefit film-makers and producers who makesmall films sans any stars.

“There’s already very little hopefor small films which seldom getenough screens for release. If this newrevenue model gets implemented,they would be making lesser than nowdue to the new revenue sharingmodel. Let us understand that the top10 stars of the industry togetherhave around 20-25 releases a year andover 200 other releases are films fea-turing mid-level actors and thosemade by small-time filmmakers andproducers. If the model benefits amajority of the releases, then it makessense to implement,” he said.

A leading producer, on the con-dition of anonymity, asked if the newrevenue sharing model will bringtransparency in collections of films.

“By introducing the new revenuemodel, can you monitor the multi-plexes and other theatres in cityareas. What about theatres in tier twoand tier three towns across TamilNadu? Who will know how much afilm collects in these theatres? Today,if you ask a successful producer howmuch his last hit film collected, hewouldn’t know exactly because there’sabsolutely no transparency when itcomes to box office numbers,” he said.

“When a producer doesn’t knowhow much his film exactly collects,what’s the need for introducing a newrevenue sharing model? If theatreowners alone want to benefit fromthis move, I really don’t think itshould be implemented,” he added.

The producer also pointed outthat the new model will make actorsgreedier and they will eventuallyhike their remuneration.

“If the new model gets imple-mented, the actors in the top two tiersmight demand a hike in remunerationas they would know their films willearn better share of profits for the pro-ducer. Most producers are already notable to afford paying the leading starsas their salaries run into crores,” herued.

—IANS

The Tamil Nadu Theatre and Multiplex

Owners’ Association has announced a

new revenue-sharing model based on

the market value of the male stars of

the Tamil film fraternity

A piece of the pie

SPIRIT

OF TOGETHERNESSSANAM teams up with global artistes for the world cup cricket anthem.In conversation with AYUSHI SHARMA, they tell us what they keep inmind while creating their melodies

LUCKNOWFRIDAY | MAY 31, 2019● Windies opener Chris Gayle needs 56 runs to complete 1000 runs in WC He is participating in WC for the fifth time 15

WORLD CUP CORNER

Prince Harry sledges Finch London: Prince Harry, the Duke ofSussex, stoked the fierce cricketing rival-ry between England and Australia by mak-ing a cheeky sledge at Australia captainAaron Finch ahead of the ICC CricketWorld Cup. "You're getting on a bit now,aren't you? How long have you been play-ing?" express.co.uk quoted the Duke ofSussex as asking Finch, making himlaugh during a team captains' receptionat the Buckingham Palace on Wednesdayevening. The 32-year-old Australian bats-man took the remark sportingly and toldHarry that he had been playing for eightyears at the highest level. However, heleft Harry bemused when he replied to theduke's query about the favourites to winas: "England and India." Harry, 34, alsotold the Sri Lanka captain DimuthKarunaratne: "Enjoy it, if you're not goingto enjoy it you might as well not be here".

Eng, India are favourites: KPLondon: A transformed England underEoin Morgan and India are the favouritesbut "dark horses" Australia and "unpre-dictable" West Indies too have brightchances of lifting the ICC ODI World Cup,says Kevin Pietersen. Asked to predict thewinner, Pietersen, a former Englandcaptain, said: "India and England are prob-ably the favourites. But the dark horsesare Australia and the unpredictables areWest Indies." Pietersen, who playedalongside Morgan in the past, heapedpraise on the current skipper for transform-ing the current English side. "Eoin Morganhas transformed them. I'm not surprised.It's just beautiful to see the way Englishplayers are playing now. It's somethingthat makes me so happy, to see them fullycommitted to their strokes, the way theydon't fear failure, and how they are allowedto fail, the way they are backed," he said.Pietersen, 38, hoped England couldcope up with the pressure of expectationfrom home fans in their bid towards maid-en World Cup glory.

Smith, Warner need to havethick skinLondon: Steve Smith and David Warnerhave nothing to prove but the duo willneed to have "thick skin" to counter sledg-ing and hostile crowd in the World Cup,said former Australia pacer Brett Lee.Smith and Warner, who are returning afterserving suspensions for their involvementin the infamous ball-tampering episode,have already witnessed hostile crowd dur-ing Australia's two World Cup warm-upgames. "I don't think they have got a pointto prove, they will just be happy to be backplaying for Australia," Lee said. "We sawwhat happened with David Warner dur-ing the IPL, the leading run scorer and theOrange Cap holder, Steven Smith got abig hundred in his first game. They havebeen welcomed back to the Australiancricket team with open arms and I reck-on they have a shot at winning. "(But) youhave got the Barmy Army, you have gotguys like Kevin Pietersen chirping at mealready. They are going to cop somesledging but you need thick skin," headded.

‘Being underdogs suits NZ’London: Perennial dark horses NewZealand are characteristically lying low,hoping to give another impactful perfor-mance at the World Cup and the "under-dog" tag augers well for them, said for-mer all-rounder James Franklin. Last edi-tion's finalist, New Zealand have reachedthe semi-final of the World Cup seventimes. A team known to always punchabove its weight, the Black Caps havetried every trick in the book to lay handson their maiden title. "New Zealand arein a sweet spot. No-one's talking aboutus too much. We're forever the underdogsand that suits us quite well," Franklin saidat the official tournament opening. "Wehaven't been leading the world, I thinkEngland have been in front in recentyears, but we've still been playing veryconsistent cricket," Franklin said. "If we canget some form going over the next fewweeks, there's no reason why NewZealand couldn't go on and win the WorldCup," Franklin said. "I think the NewZealand public and team will be confidentthey can go deep into the tournament,"he added.

AGENCIES

WATCH OUT FOR■ In-form dangerous duo of Chris Gayle

& Andre Russell

■ Shai Hope golden run with the bat

■ Fakhar Zaman & Imam Ul Haqopening stand

■ Babar Azam’s class in middle overs

■ Mohammad Amir’s return

■ Can Pakistan end the drought of 10straight defeats?

ANDRE RUSSELL HAS

TAKEN HIS GAME TO A NEW

LEVEL. HE IS THE PLAYER I

WOULD KEEP AN EYE ON IN

THIS TOURNAMENT

— KEVIN PIETERSON

I THINK IT'S GOOD TO BEUNPREDICTABLE. ALL TEAMSARE SCARED BECAUSE OFPAKISTAN. AT THE END OF THEDAY, PAKISTAN TEAM IS VERYDANGEROUS. SO IT'S GOOD TOBE FOR THE WORLD CUP VERYUNPREDICTABLE, SO IT WILLAFFECT THE WHOLE OUTCOME,INSHALLAH

— SARFARAZ AHMAD, PAKISTAN

EVERYBODY IS PLAYING WITH ASMILE ON THEIR FACE, AND ITHINK THAT'S HOW WE PLAYOUR BEST CRICKET. WE'REFEARLESS, WE ENJOY WHATWE'RE DOING AND WE ENJOYONE ANOTHER'S COMPANY. ICAN SAFELY SAY WITHIN THEGROUP WE'VE GOT THAT. WE'VEGOT THE ENERGY GOING INTOTHIS TOURNAMENT THAT WEWOULD WANT TO HAVE

— JASON HOLDER , WEST INDIES

CAPTAIN’SCABIN

PNS n NEW DELHI

The two most unpre-dictable sides in thecompetition come face

to face at Nottingham’s TrentBridge. West Indies and

Pakistan can be indifferent orspectacular. But on their day,

there is no doubt that they canchallenge, and beat, theworld’s top sides.

Pakistan haven’t had themost ideal preparation forthe tournament. They lostto Afghanistan in theirfirst warm-up game, andtheir second, againstBangladesh, was washedout without a ball bowled.

More worryingly, they havelost their last ten completed

ODIs. Nevertheless, Pakistan atICC tournaments have traditional-

ly been a notch above what they areat other times. Every other team inthe world found that out the hardway at the ICC Champions Trophyin 2017, and there is little reason todoubt that with a young squadbursting with talent, they can do it all

over again.Standing opposite them are West

Indies, who held the world’s No.1 ODIside to a stalemate at home earlier thisyear. They have a batting line-up that isexploding with firepower. It gave them421 runs in their last warm-up game,against New Zealand. But if you thoughttheir batting is all about the big hits,then you’re wrong: Shai Hope, who isin the form of his life, is perfectly capa-ble of staying at the crease and build-ing the innings. In his last five ODI

innings, Hope has reeled off scores of170, 109, 30, 87 and 74. He also madea century in the warm-ups to boot.

Their bowling is slightly less-herald-ed, but with a solid pool of all-rounders

to tap into, they have several options onthat front. And besides, if the batsmenshow up in the mood that they didagainst New Zealand, they’re going tohave plenty to play with.

MOHAMMAD AMIR (Pakistan)

The paceman has been brought with apurpose, and that is to add value withhis experience. Amir brings past suc-cess in England and has all the skill-sets to succeed in these conditions,

especially if swing is on offer, he is athis most devastating.

ANDRE RUSSELL (West Indies)

Not only does Russell severely bruisebowling attacks, he also does it frompretty low down the order, meaning

teams can expect very little respite if theydo manage to cut through the rest of the

top and middle order.

CONDITIONSNottingham is expected to becloudy for the most part, with

some sunny intervals in between.Rain is expected to stay away, but

the overcast conditions couldmake Gayle against Amir and

Wahab Riaz an intriguing contest.

HEAD TO HEAD

Venue Played Pak WI Tied N/R

Matches 133 60 70 3 -

Day matches 102 38 61 3 -

In World Cup 10 3 7 - -

Last 5 matches 5 4 1 - -

HIGHEST TOTALS

Pakistan: 337-5 in 50 overs at Sharjah 02-10-2016

West Indies: 339-4 in 50 overs at Adelaide 28-01-2005

PERFORMANCE IN WC

Team P W L T Success%

Pakistan 71 40 29 2 57.74

West Indies 71 41 29 0 58.45

FAISEL FEATURES

West Indies vs PakistanStarts from 03:00 pm IST

VENUE: Trent Bridge, Nottingham

TODAY LIVE

Britain's Prince Harry meets Australia cricketcaptain Aaron Finch center during a Royal GardenParty at Buckingham Palace in London AP

AFP n NOTTINGHAM

Pakistan seamer Hasan Alisays he is not worried aboutthe prospect of flat pitches

that are likely to favour batsmenduring the World Cup.

The 24-year-old was Pakistan'sstar performer in the ChampionsTrophy win in England two yearsago, taking 13 wickets to finish asplayer of the tournament.

But his recent form has beena worry for Pakistan. Hasan saidhe knows how to bowl on flat

pitches."The way modern cricket is

going, every bowler needs to knowthat taking wickets is the key,"Hasan said.

"You take wickets and you winmatches." Touted for taking wick-ets in the middle overs of one-daymatches, Hasan rose to the top ofthe bowler's charts in 2017, taking45 wickets — the most in the cal-endar year.

But he managed just threewickets in four matches againstEngland in a 4-0 loss earlier in

May."I know that I have not taken

many wickets since the SouthAfrica tour, but I am doing thehard work with bowling coach(Azhar Mahmood) and once I getmy rhythm I am sure wickets willcome my way," said Hasan.

"We know that our bowling,which has been our strength, is notdoing well but with the return oftwo experienced bowlers in WahabRiaz and Mohammad Amir ourbowling is now at full strength," headded.

AFP n TRENT BRIDGE

Pace spearheadMohammad Amir is fitand available for selection

for Pakistan's opening WorldCup match against the WestIndies on Friday, captainSarfaraz Ahmed said.

There was speculation thatthe 27-year-old, who missed thelast four matches of the one-dayinternational series againstEngland earlier this month,might not be able to make hisWorld Cup debut at TrentBridge.

"Amir is fully fit and avail-able for selection for tomorrow'sgame," Sarfaraz said in his pre-match press conference.

Amir, who missed the 2011and 2015 World Cups due to afive-year ban for spot-fixing,was seen bowling using his fullrun-up in the team's practicesession.

Sarfaraz said he hoped theteam could put behind them astreak of 10 straight ODI defeats.

"Yes, we have lost 10 match-es but we have to forget that and

start the World Cup journey," hesaid.

Asked if he was worriedabout the short boundaries anda flat pitch at Trent Bridge,Sarfaraz said: "When we camehere on the first day and askedthe groundsman what is the parscore he told us that it's 480."

Top-ranked England havescored 400-plus twice at thisground, 444-3 against Pakistanin 2016 and a world record of481-6 against Australia last year.

"Cricket has changed.People used to think that 300was a par score but it has

changed. We will have differentpitches in the World Cup so ifa team scores 300-plus then theother team will also go forthat," he said.

Sarfaraz said both Pakistanand the West Indies were unpre-dictable teams.

"It's good to be unpre-dictable so all teams are scaredof you. Yes, we are unpredictableand we will take that tag, so arethe West Indies," said the skip-per.

West Indies, who sneakedthrough last year's qualifyinground to feature in this year'sevent, piled up 421 against NewZealand in a warm-up match onTuesday.

With their powerful battingincluding Chris Gayle, EvinLewis, Shai Hope and AndreRussell, Pakistan will be hard-pressed to contain them.

But Sarfaraz said takingwickets will be the key.

"If you want to contain anyteam you have to take wicketswhoever you play, so it's impor-tant to put pressure by takingwickets."

K E Y P L A Y E R S

Amir fit for World Cup

debut: Sarfaraz

AFP n NOTTINGHAM

Pakistan bowling spearheadMohammad Amir says play-ing in the World Cup will be

a dream come true after he missedthe previous two tournaments fol-lowing a ban for spot-fixing.

The 27-year-old nearly missedout this time as he was left out ofthe preliminary World Cup squad,having taken just five wickets in the14 matches before the recent one-day international series againstEngland.

He did not get to bowl in thefirst match against England at theOval, which was ruined by theweather, and missed the last fourgames with a bout of chicken pox.The home side won the series 4-0.

But selectors decided toinclude him in the final 15 for theWorld Cup in England and Wales.

"It's a dream come true," Amirsaid ahead of Pakistan's first matchagainst West Indies at Trent Bridgeon Friday. "Every cricketer dreamsof representing his country in aWorld Cup so this is my chance.

"My target is to take wicketsand be a third-time lucky inEngland after winning the WorldTwenty20 and Champions Trophy,"said the paceman, recallingPakistan's triumphs in England in2009 and 2017.

Amir said Pakistan had posi-tive memories of playing inEngland, which they hoped to take

into the World Cup."Our triumph in the World

Twenty20 was excellent and thenthe Champions Trophy -- theimpact of those wins are with usand the amount of support we getin the UK is extraordinary, so nat-urally we will like to match those.

"People love the Pakistan teamand come in large numbers to sup-port us. I can't forget the final ofthe Champions Trophy at theOval (2017)."

Amir believes talk of flat tracksand big scores at the World Cup areexaggerated.

"People have made a mountain

out of a molehill that flat tracks willdo this and that. I agree that it's achallenge for bowlers but youneed to swing the ball and if it's nothappening then you have to rely onyour variations.

"I don't get bogged down bythe hype on flat tracks."

Amir hopes to overturn apoor run of personal form.

"I am sure things will get bet-ter," he said. "I know I have nottaken wickets but I have notbowled badly, so I am thankful tothe team, selectors and otherswho have backed me and I will domy best to fulfil their confidence."

OF UNDERDOGS

BATTLE

Third time Lucky

Hasan does not fear flat pitches

Amir, who missed

the 2011 and 2015

World Cups due to

a five-year ban for

spot-fixing, was

seen bowling

using his full run-

up in the team's

practice session

AFP ■ LONDON

Ben Stokes starred in alldepartments as England

began their quest to win theWorld Cup with a 104-runthrashing of South Africa in thetournament opener at the Ovalon Thursday.

The all-rounder top-scoredwith 89 in England’s 311 foreight, held a brilliant catch inthe outfield and took two for12, including the last wicket, asEngland won with 61 ballsleft.

Jofra Archer did the earlydamage with the ball, the fastbowler taking three for 27 inseven overs.

Barbados-born Archer,who only qualified forEngland in March, made hispresence felt even before he hadtaken a wicket with a bouncerthat beat Hashim Amla forpace and crashed into the grilleof the helmet, with the veter-an opener retiring hurt onfive.

Archer then reduced theProteas to 44 for two.

Aiden Markram edged toJoe Root at slip and SouthAfrica captain Faf du Plessis fellfor just five when he top-edged a hook to long leg.

But Quinton de Kock keptthe Proteas in the hunt,although the opener was luckywhen on 25 he played ballfrom leg-spinner Adil Rashidonto his stumps only for thebails to stay put.

The dashing left-handerwent on to complete a 58-ballfifty but holed out off fastbowler Liam Plunkett for 68.

Rassie van der Dussen thenmake exactly 50 without press-ing on when he miscuedArcher to mid-on.

His exit saw Amla returnwith South Africa strugglingat 167 for six in the 32ndover.

STOKES BRILLIANCEThe game was all but up

for South Africa when a back-pedalling and diving Stokesheld a brilliant one-handedcatch in the deep to dismissAndile Phehlukwayo.

Amla’s brave effort to res-cue the innings ended on 13when he was caught behind offPlunkett’s slower-ball bouncerand Stokes finished the matchwhen Imran Tahir edged himto Root.

Stokes was one of fourEngland batsmen who got to 50on a tricky surface, with cap-tain Eoin Morgan (57), JasonRoy (54) and Root (51) all out

soon after reaching the land-mark.

England lost a wicket sec-ond ball before Roy and Rootshared a stand of 106 that wasequalled by Morgan andStokes.

Du Plessi opted to field

despite being without injuredspearhead Dale Steyn and tookthe unorthodox decision togive leg-spinner Tahir the firstover.

The 40-year-old, the oldestplayer in the tournament,struck second ball when

Jonny Bairstow was caughtbehind by De Kock for a gold-en duck.

Roy and Root repaired thedamage but were dismissedwhen well set as England losttwo wickets for four runs infour balls to be 111 for three.

Morgan, whose aggressiveapproach has been symbolic ofEngland’s rise to the top of theone-day international rank-ings after their woeful first-round exit at the 2015 WorldCup, struck the match’s firsttwo sixes off successive balls

from Lungi Ngidi before he toowas caught in the deep.

Left-hander Stokes saw his79-ball knock end in the penul-timate over when caught atthird man following a reversehit off paceman Ngidi (threefor 66).

LUCKNOWFRIDAY | MAY 31, 2019● Shoaib Malik is participating in the World Cup after a gap of 12 years. He played three matches in 2007 campaign16

IF WE CAN GET SOME FORM

GOING OVER THE NEXT FEW

WEEKS, THERE'S NO REASON

WHY NEW ZEALAND

COULDN'T GO ON AND WIN

THE WORLD CUP

— JAMES FRANKLIN

IANS ■ NEW DELHI

The unpredictable Englishweather and some qual-ity cricketers looking to

showcase their skills on thebiggest stage, the 2019 editionof the World Cup couldnt getany better. It is this very weath-er though that had the much-famed Indian batting line-upon its knees against NewZealand in their openingwarm-up game going into theshowpiece event. The manwho had the Indian batsmendancing on his finger tips wasnone other than Kiwi pacespearhead Trent Boult and thisfast bowler is only gettingstarted.

Speaking about it Boultsaid that the idea is to makemaximum use of the condi-tions and whoever be the bats-man at the other end — stick-ing to one's own strength is thekey. In fact, the Kiwi believesin fighting fire with fire andthere will be no holding backwhen he gears up to bowl toundoubtedly the best batsmanin world cricket at the momenton June 13 in Trent Bridge —Virat Kohli.

"Yeah, you got to remainaggressive against Virat andlook to get him out because themistake he makes are very fewand far between. Doesn't lookto give his wicket away. It isimportant to start well and putpressure on him early andmake sure he is under pressureand doesn't get off to an easystart," he explained.

But this is the World Cupand apart from Kohli, there willbe other top quality batsmenlike Steve Smith, David Warnerand Joe Root amongst others.While Boult doesn't wish to getinto rating them, he is upbeatabout the opportunity that hewill get to challenge these bats-men during the showpieceevent.

"They are all quality play-ers and it will be unfair for meto say who is the best, but in theODI format I feel things areplaced nicely in favour of thebatsmen and they have twohard new balls with the pow-erplays and all. It is set up fora lot of runs. From a bowlingpoint of view you have toremain aggressive and get theseplayers out because otherwisewith their quality, they will lookto cash in and score runs. It willbe an interesting challenge andone that I am sure all bowlersare looking forward to," hesmiled.

While the warm-up gamessaw the wickets have a green-ish tinge to them, former play-ers believe that the main drawwill see the grass beingtrimmed and kept to a bareminimum. Boult though feelsthat the weather will play amajor role when it comes togames and their outcomes.

"During the ChampionsTrophy a few years back, it wasvery batsman friendly. But I amhoping the ball will swingaround a little bit and we cantake wickets with the new ball.You cannot control the weath-er. Time will tell and it will beinteresting and we have the bal-ance in the squad to counterany challenge," he said.

England and India are con-sidered firm favourites withAustralia too peaking at theright time. But the Kiwi pacerfeels that all the 10 teams aregood and this could in fact beone of the most competitiveWorld Cups in recent times.

"I think it is anyone's tour-nament to win with 10 quali-ty sides. Obviously Englandknow the conditions well andIndia and Australia, they allplay well in the World Cup, so,it is important to get off to agood start and then make itcount. It will be exciting to takeon the best players in theworld," he explained.

Stokes stars as England thrash SA

PTI n LONDON

South Africa's Imran Tahiron Thursday became thefirst spinner to bowl the

first over in a World Cup matchduring the tournament-openeragainst hosts England.

South Africa skipper Faf duPlessis handed the ball to Tahirafter winning the toss and theleg-spinner didn't disappoint ashe dismissed Jonny Bairstow(0) in the second ball.

Tahir deceived Bairstowwith a googly as the openerended up giving a catch to wick-et-keeper Quinton de Kockwithout bothering the scorer.

In the 1992 World Cup,New Zealand off-spinner DipakPatel had bowled the secondover during a match againstAustralia.

Tahir (40 years and 64days) also became the oldestSouth African to play in aWorld Cup match.

Tahir first spinner to bowl first over

Ben Stokes plays a shot off the Lungi Ngidi bowl during the World Cup match between England and South Africa at The Ovalon Thursday

Must get Virat beforehe gets you: Boult

AFP n PARIS

Naomi Osaka staged a secondsuccessive Roland Garros

great escape on Thursday as fel-low top seed Novak Djokovic andSerena Williams strolled into thelast 32.

World number one Osaka,bidding to add the French Opento her US and Australian Opentitles, came back from a set and 2-4 down to defeat former worldnumber one Victoria Azarenka 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.

Her win came on the back ofbeing just two points from defeatin her tournament opener againstAnna Karolina Schmiedlova.

The 21-year-old held hernerve, despite squandering twomatch points late in the decidingset, to secure a clash againstKaterina Siniakova of the CzechRepublic.

“I was lucky to have playedVictoria twice before. I knew shehad been playing well coming intothe tournament,” said Osaka.

“It was an unfortunate secondround draw for me so I am happyto win.”

Osaka finished the two-hour50-minute encounter on CourtSuzanne Lenglen with 52 winnersand 43 unforced errors.

She becomes the first topseed to win her two openingmatches at Roland Garros afterlosing the first set since LindsayDavenport in 2005.

“She deserves to be where sheis — she is very powerful andexplosive,” said 29-year-oldAzarenka.

Siniakova, the world number42, also endured a marathon win,putting out Greek 29th seed MariaSakkari 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (8/10), 6-3in a three-hour 10-minute duel.

Siniakova had trailed 1-5 inthe first set before surrendering a5/2 lead in the second-set

tiebreaker.BIG DADDY DJOKOVIC

Djokovic cruised into thelast 32 for the 14th successiveyear, admitting it had been anemotional day playing for the firsttime in front of his four-year-oldson.

Djokovic, bidding to become

just the second man to hold allfour Slams at the same timetwice, cruised to a 6-1, 6-4, 6-3win over Swiss lucky loser HenriLaaksonen.

Watching from the player’sbox on Court Suzanne Lenglenwas Djokovic’s son Stefan.

“It’s a very special day for me

as it’s the first time in my life thatI have played in front of my son,”said the 32-year-old Serb after a23rd straight win at the Slams.

“He showed incrediblepatience to sit there for an hourand a half. Usually, he’s not thatpatient with tennis.”

Djokovic goes on to face

Italian qualifier Salvatore Caruso,ranked 147, for a place in the last16 in Paris.

Thursday was a lot moreenjoyable for Djokovic than hislast visit to Court SuzanneLenglen in 2018 when he wasknocked out in the quarter-finalsby Marco Cecchinato.

Three-time French Openchampion Williams thrashedJapanese qualifier Kurumi Nara tostep up her bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title.

The 37-year-old cruised to a6-3, 6-2 victory and next faces fel-low American Sofia Kenin.

“I’m very serious when I play,but I’m happy,” said Williams.

A mouthwatering quarter-final clash with Osaka, whofamously beat Williams in a dra-matic 2018 US Open final,remains a possibility.

Williams hammered 10 acesand 36 winners past world num-ber 238 Nara, who stands a mere5ft 1in (1.55m).

Fourth seed Dominic Thiemovercame an entertaining chal-lenge from Kazakhstan’sAlexander Bublik to reach thethird round for the fourth straightyear.

The Austrian fourth seed wasfacing a fifth set when trailing 5-2 in the fourth, but reeled off fivestraight games to win 6-3, 6-7(6/8), 6-3, 7-5.

World number 91 Bublikdelighted the Court PhilippeChatrier crowd with his widerange of shots, including threeunderarm serves in the openingset.

The reward for Thiem is aclash against Uruguay’s PabloCuevas who made it throughwhen British number one KyleEdmund retired with a kneeinjury at 7-6 (7/3), 6-3, 2-1down.

Amanda Anisimova becamethe youngest American womansince Williams in 1999 to makethe third round when the 17-year-old defeated Belarus’ 11th seedAryna Sabalenka 6-4, 6-2.

Fellow 17-year-old IgaSwiatek of Poland also reached thelast 32, seeing off Chinese 16thseed Wang Qiang.

English skipper Eoin Morgan receives his 200th ODI cap from former skipperAndrew Strauss before the start of World Cup match against South Africa

MOST MATCHES FOR ENGPlayer Span Mat Runs Wkts

Eoin Morgan 2009-2019 200* 6290 —

Paul Collingwood 2001-2011 197 5092 111

James Anderson 2002-2015 194 273 269

Alec Stewart 1989-2003 170 4677 —

Ian Bell 2004-2015 161 5416 6

DAREDEVILS WIN C’SHIP

Team Daredevils, consisted of Himanshu,Nadeem and Oswin, bagged the DPS Teacher’sSummer Chess Championship on Thursday.Team Knightangle finished second while Team4 ’O Clock settled for third place.

KOOH ACADEMY LIFT TROPHY

Kooh Academy thrashed Sports College by188 runs to lift the U-16 Sudhir Roy Cup at CSDSahara ground on Thursday. Atul Vishwakarmawas adjudged best allrounder while AnshChoudhary and Yashir Tariq bagged the bestbatsman and best bowler trophy respectively.

LOCAL EVENTSOsaka survives as big daddy Djokovic, Serena stroll

Japan's Naomi Osaka plays a shot against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus during their second round of the French Open tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Parison Thursday