Controversial verdicts: Collegium rescinds approval for HC judge

New Delhi, January 30

The Supreme Court collegium is understood to have withdrawn its approval to a proposal for the appointment of an additional judge of the Bombay High Court, Justice PV Ganediwala, as a permanent judge of the court following her two controversial verdicts in sexual assault cases.

POCSO rulings

• Justice Pushpa Ganediwala recently acquitted a man accused of groping a minor's breast because there was no skin-to-skin contact
• SC collegium has withdrawn approval for her appointment as permanent judge

The decision was taken after the judge faced flak for her interpretation of sexual assault under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, a source said.

Justice Pushpa Ganediwala recently acquitted a man accused of groping a 12-year-old girl's breast because he did not make skin-to-skin contact and, days earlier, ruled that holding the hands of a five-year-old girl and unzipping the trousers did not amount to "sexual assault" under the POCSO Act.

On January 27, the Supreme Court stayed the Bombay High Court order acquitting the man after Attorney General KK Venugopal said the order would set a dangerous precedent.

The collegium headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde, at a meeting held on January 20, had okayed the proposal for making Justice Ganediwala a permanent judge.

In two other judgments this month, Justice Ganediwala acquitted two men accused of raping minor girls after noting that the testimonies of the victims did not inspire confidence to fix criminal liability on the accused.

Justice Ganediwala was directly appointed as a district judge in 2007 and was elevated as an additional judge of the Bombay HC on February 13, 2019.

Besides the CJI, Justices NV Ramana and RF Nariman are part of the three-member collegium, which takes decisions with regard to HC judges. PTI

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India prominent ally, Blinken dials EAM

Washington, January 30

Secretary of State Tony Blinken has underscored India's role as a pre-eminent US partner in the Indo-Pacific during his maiden telephonic conversation with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and discussed ways to better seize the new opportunities and combat shared challenges in the region and beyond.

It was Blinken's first telephonic conversation with Jaishankar after he assumed the charge as US top diplomat early this week.

Tells Pakistan to bring Pearl's killers to justice

• The US Secretary of State discussed with Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi the accountability of terrorists convicted for US journalist Daniel Pearl's murder. He expressed concern over the acquittal of the killers.

They discussed issues of mutual concern, including Covid-19 vaccination efforts, regional developments and next steps in expanding bilateral ties, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Friday.

Blinken underscored the importance of working together to expand regional cooperation, including through the Quad, Price said.

"I was delighted to speak today with my good friend @DrSJaishankar to discuss US-India priorities," Blinken wrote on Twitter.

In New Delhi, the External Affairs Ministry said Jaishankar and Blinken expressed their commitment to consolidate and expand the multi-faceted strategic partnership.

"They appreciated the robust defence and security ties, growing economic engagement, productive healthcare collaboration and strong people-to-people linkages as its important pillars," it said.

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Israeli team to join embassy blast probe

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 30

With the initial probe indicating an Iranian link to the blast near the Israeli Embassy here on Friday evening, the National Investigation Agency is most likely to take over the case from the Delhi Police, sources said.

A team of Israeli investigators is also set to join the investigation. An NIA team that visited the blast site on Friday evening carried out complete mapping of the area.

According to Delhi Police officials, initial investigations indicate that explosives and other materials used in the low-intensity improvised explosive device (IED) blast were locally sourced. The use of ammonium nitrate cannot be ruled out, they added.

The Delhi Police probe team has been in touch with the central agencies, including the IB and immigration authorities, and trying to get the details of Iranian nationals who have come to India in the past one month. Police sources have also confirmed that the note found at the blast site on Friday revealed the Iranian connection to the blast. The note claimed "it was a trailer and the target was Israeli installations in India".

Meanwhile, security has been beefed up across the country, particularly at places with Israeli links. The footage retrieved from CCTV cameras in the area showed a cab moving near the embassy just before the explosion. Two persons had alighted from the vehicle, sources said. The cab driver has been identified and questioned about the two passengers, the Delhi Police said. The bomb disposal squad of the NSG also inspected the blast site today.

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New vaccines: Serum’s Covovax likely by June

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 30

Serum Institute today said it had applied to the Drug Controller General of India for permission to start local trials of a new Covid-19 vaccine the country is developing in collaboration with American firm Novovax. The vaccine has been shown to be 89.3 per cent effective in UK trials.

Serum Institute CEO Adar Poonawala said: "Our partnership for a Covid vaccine with Novovax has published excellent efficacy results. We have applied to start trials in India. Hope to launch Covovax by June this year."

In a related development, American healthcare giant Johnson amp; Johnson said its Covid-19 vaccine candidate was 66 per cent effective overall in preventing moderate to severe Covid, 28 days after inoculation. The result was based on Phase-3 study involving nearly 44,000 participants.

Meanwhile, one year since it reported the first Covid case on January 30 last year, India has registered the highest recoveries at 96.98 per cent. Total active caseload has dropped to less than 1.7 lakh (1,69,824) today and only 1.58 per cent of the infected people are currently under treatment. Twenty seven states and UTs have weekly positivity rate less than the national average.

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35L vaccinated so far

Over 35 lakh beneficiaries were vaccinated till Saturday morning under the countrywide exercise. In the last 24 hours, 5,71,974 people were vaccinated across 10,809 sessions.

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Consumers’ rights vital, says apex court

New Delhi, January 30

Consumer rights are "important rights" and non-manning of posts and inadequate infrastructure in district and state consumer commissions across the country would deprive the citizens of redressal of their grievances, the Supreme Court has said.

The apex court said this while hearing a plea that has raised the issue of alleged inaction by governments in appointing the president, members and staff in the district and state consumer disputes redressal commissions and the lack of adequate infrastructure to run these fora. The court said the issue raised in the plea was important but the petitioner had filed a "very sketchy petition".

"We have given a thought to the matter and consider it too important an issue to be thrown out because of the laxity in collection of material," the Supreme Court said. — PTI

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Varsity scam: 36,000 fake degrees detected… just the tip of iceberg

Tribune News Service

Shimla, January 30

The fake degree racket of Manav Bharti University (MBU) in Solan is turning into one of the biggest scams of its kind following the detection of 36,000 fake degrees from 14 of the 55 hard disks scanned so far by a special investigation team of the CID.

This is just the tip of the iceberg as the number of fake degrees is set to multiply manifold with the scanning of the remaining 41 hard disks. The scam is likely to run into crores of rupees, said the investigation team.

The passport of main accused Raj Kumar Rana, the chairman of Manav Bharti Charitable Trust who is running the MBU, has been revoked and extradition proceedings to bring back his wife, son and daughter from Australia are in progress, Director General of Police Sanjay Kundu told mediapersons here today.

Of the Rs 440-crore properties belonging to Rana and his family, those valuing Rs 194.74 crore are linked to the proceeds of the crime and have been attached, the DGP said, adding that this is the biggest-ever attachment of properties of any educational institution in the country in a money laundering case.

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ED attaches Rs194-cr assets of key accused

• Under PMLA, the ED has attached Rs194.17-cr properties and fixed deposits of main accused Raj Kumar Rana (Manav Bharti Charitable Trust chairman) and his family members
• Rana allegedly purchased these properties by selling fake degrees over the past one decade; UGC had alerted the authorities in 2019 about the fake degree racket by Manav Bharti University in Solan

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Timely closure of sick, loss-making central public sector units a must

Shubhadeep Choudhury

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 30

The Economic Survey tabled in the Lok Sabha on Friday by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stressed on the need for timely closure of sick and loss making Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) and disposal of their assets.

According to the pre-budget document, as of January 15, 2021, 110 CPSEs in the country are in a defunct state. In addition, there are 77 CPSEs that have been identified as loss-making.

As many as 256 CPSEs out of total 366 in the country are operational, the Economic Survey reported. 171 CPSEs booked profit during FY20. The total profit was Rs 1.38 lakh crore. On the other hand the consolidated loss of loss-making enterprises was Rs 44,816 crore.

The overall net profit of the CPSEs thus declined by 34.6 per cent to reach Rs 93,295 crore in FY20 from Rs 1.43 lakh crore in FY19.

Even the profit-making CPSEs may be up for sale as the Economic Survey pointed out that under the "Atmanirbhar Bharat Mission", it had been decided to have CPSEs only in the "strategic sectors" and the number of CPSEs in the strategic sector should ideally be limited to four. The CPSEs in the non-strategic sectors would be privatised as to enable the government to focus on strategic sectors.

To strengthen the CPSEs that would be retained by the government, steps are underway to completely revamp the boards of these to reorganise their structure, enhance the operational autonomy and introduce strong corporate governance norms, including listing on stock exchanges for greater transparency.

The Department of Public Enterprises has also separately initiated revamping of Performance Monitoring System of the CPSEs to make it more objective and forward looking based on sectoral indices.

According to the Economic Survey, the Mahalanobis Plan in 1956 envisaged CPSEs as a mean for import substitution and self-sufficiency. However, the inherent inefficiencies leading to low productivity in the PSEs, high-cost structure and strained public finances led the GoI to go for policy change after 1991 heralding an era of privatisation and disinvestment.

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Cheapest non-veg meals in Chandigarh, Haryana

• The cost of a non-veg thali was cheapest in the rural areas of Chandigarh (Rs 29.9) during the June-December 2020 period
• During this period, the cost of a non-veg thali was most expensive in rural Arunachal Pradesh (Rs 48.5)
• Another northern state Haryana figures lowest in the chart in terms of price of a
• non-veg meal in urban areas during June-December 2020
• A non-veg thali costs only Rs28 in the urban areas of Haryana

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Srinagar to Poonch, by air

Anticipated for a few days, the IAF missive arrived one late autumn evening confirming placement of a Jammu-based helicopter at Srinagar for a proposed visit to a couple of locations within Kashmir valley and a survey of the Mughal Road. Within it was the unwelcome suggestion that take-off would take place at daybreak. This was justified by assertions that the sortie would be an extended one, flying in the afternoon was impermissible and the crew had to return to Jammu well in time; they had another long-duration commitment scheduled for the next day.

After our scheduled arrival next morning, pre-flight checks detected a snag in the helicopter. Hot cups of coffee did not dispel the dismay arising out of a delayed departure. As soon as the defect was repaired, 45 minutes later, the pilots suggested that we make a circuit over Srinagar for checking out the serviceability of the machine before heading out. Taking off from the lee of the Zabarwan Range past the impressive seven-terraced Mughal-era Pari Mahal, we headed towards the northern banks of the Dal Lake, then an expanse of caliginous water bereft of its daytime brilliance, and its impassivity broken only by the wake of an occasional shikara. Soon, we were abeam of the Hazratbal dargah, the marble dome of which was bathed in a remarkable pink-orange blush by the sun emerging from behind promontories overlooking the lake. Together with its minaret and the golden leaves of chinar trees, it made for a sublime sight. Satisfied with the aircraft's performance, the pilots turned around. The Durrani Fort atop Hari Parbat, a 500-foot hillock in downtown Srinagar, came into view. Building upon fortifications commenced in the 16th century, the fort was completed in the early 19th century. Its slopes comprehensively betoken the syncretic culture of Kashmir: the temple of Jagadamba Sharika Bhagwati, the shrine of Hamza Makhdoom (a 16th century Sufi saint) and a gurdwara of the sixth Guru adorn its western, southern and eastern slopes, respectively.

Within moments, we were flying past Jamia Masjid in the heart of the old town, the most important mosque of Kashmir valley built in the early 15th century. Encompassing a 3.5-acre grassy courtyard with a large fountain, the mosque sports turrets with pagoda-like roofs on each of its four covered arcades. No dome and no minarets; the building influenced by Indo-Saracenic architectural traditions denotes acceptance of other cultures. My well-informed acquaintances had explained that the roofs of the entire structure are supported by lofty deodar columns, some of 6-foot girth. A privileged aerial view is the only way to appreciate the grandeur of this well-formed and impressive structure.

With this unexpected but quick, yet fulfilling, aerial tour of Srinagar, we headed south past the Shankaracharya Hill and its famed 9th century temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and venerated equally by Hindus and Buddhists.

Following the narrowing but shimmering Jhelum river several hundred feet below, maturing crocuses on the plateau beyond Pampore preparing to deliver saffron in a few weeks and a bumper apple crop west of our course provided a window into the sources of prosperity of this region. Another dimension of nature's bounty was evident in the pageant produced by the blaze of autumn colours by 'flaming' chinars dotting the valley. My gratifying reverie was interrupted by the Captain, who declared that if the crossing of the Pir Panjal Range was to be achieved, proposed visits to Anantnag and Kokernag would have to be abandoned. He had been eyeballing the clouds gradually enveloping Banihal Pass and the massifs to the west of it, and had determined from the Meteorological Section at Awantipore that there was unlikely to be a let-up. I had no option but to submit.

Just before the aircraft banked right to establish a south-westerly course, in the distance, I got a great view of the quadrangular Aishmuqam Ziarat constructed in the 15th century to mark the substantial contribution of Sheikh Zain-ud-din towards promotion of the mystical Rishi (Sufi) culture in Kashmir. Adnan Sami was obviously swayed by the widely held belief that none returns empty-handed from this shrine; he had chosen this venue for his moving rendition of "Bhar do jholi" for the Salman Khan-starrer movie 'Bajrangi Bhaijan'.

Before we crossed Peer ki Gali, a pass at 11,400 feet, into Poonch area of Jammu region, we were treated to a view of the Aharbal waterfall gushing down into a pool of crystal-clear water. On the other side of the pass was Noori Chhamb, a waterfall named after the wife of Mughal Emperor Jehangir high enough to create a permanent mist. Aliabad Sarai and Hirpur Sarai, two Mughal time resting places, were on our flight path; both appeared to have deteriorated significantly.

Staying with the 16th century Mughal Road and descending about 8,000 feet, it did not take long to reach Poonch. The helicopter was set down on hallowed ground; an airstrip built by 6,000 refugees in six days in December 1947 soon after the year-long siege of Poonch town commenced. Entrenched positions of the raiders were strafed by Indian aircraft such that construction remained uninterrupted. Soon after, Baba Mehar Singh, legendary IAF pilot, landed the first aircraft on that 600-yard airstrip, under enemy gunfire. His daring effort led to the setting up of an air bridge; Dakotas flew in supplies day and night and extricated refugees on return flights; artillery flown in countered Pakistani bombardment.

With the pilots declaring that return to Srinagar was not possible, I wound my way back by road savouring the sights along the 140-km Mughal Road, once traversed by Mughal kings on their way to Kashmir.

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The ageing Khan turns partisan

Never before has Pakistan been so pleased at India's success in cricket than during this January. The Indian team's outrageous performance in Australia seems to have gladdened the hearts of fans of cricket across the border, if vlogs and articles by cricketers and writers, and comments by fans on social media, are any indication.

India's 2004 tour of Pakistan is undoubtedly the peak of brotherliness among fans of the two countries; however, then the hospitable spirit of the Pakistanis, generous and eager to please, played a part in the fans cheering India even as their own team lost. But in India's wins in Melbourne and Brisbane, and the draw in Sydney, over the last five weeks, Pakistani fans had no personal stake; what they had was love for cricket, support for the underdog and affinity for India — possibly mixed with some dislike for the Australian team. Pakistan's cricketers, writers and fans showered praise for Ajinkya Rahane and his men, and it clearly came from the heart.

Two years ago, when India won a series in Australia for the first time, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan congratulated Virat Kohli and his team. This time, even though the win was more thrilling and valuable, Imran said nothing — two years ago, he was yet to complete a year in office and was leading a people who placed great hopes in him; now there's disaffection in the country, his words about India are sharp, and there are more important things on his mind than cricket.

As Sanjay Manjrekar narrates in his book, when it came to cricket, Imran was no partisan. About an incident of Imran showing concern over his failure and giving him advice on his batting, Manjrekar writes: "I was just floored that my hero liked my batting enough to follow that tour and be disappointed with my failures. This was a Pakistani following the progress of an Indian and wanting him to do well." Imran then turned to Maninder Singh and expressed concern over his changed action and reduced effectiveness. Clearly, once he walked off the field, Imran did not see borders among cricketers.

19 wins out of 24

Imran didn't congratulate Rahane, but two days ago, he did boast about his captaincy record against India. "I must have captained in 24 One-day matches against India," Imran said. "We won 19! We were always better than them. It was a small board (Pakistan Cricket Board), but as long as the country had confidence, we used to excel in every field!" Amazingly enough, in the middle of a speech on Pakistan's current situation, Imran could summon from his memory the numbers signifying his success against India. This showed how competitive he was against India, and how much that success still matters to him.

Two years ago, Imran hailed India's win in Australia as "the first ever win by a subcontinent team in a Test series in Australia". Clearly, he does have a sense of belonging to the Indian subcontinent — his mother was born in Jalandhar and moved across the new border after Pakistan was created.

Imran, though he identifies himself as a Pashtun or Pathan, was truly a cricketer sans borders — a Pathan who can't speak Pashto or Hindko, dated actresses and socialites from India and the West, married a British woman of Jewish heritage with whom he has two sons in England.

In a TV interview a few years ago, Imran said he was in a good position to give advice on "our" morals to young people. "A man like me, who has seen the western culture very closelyhellip; is more qualified to tell young people what they should guard againsthellip; they should not copy another culture like monkeys," Imran said.

Perhaps the young Imran was following the imperatives of young hormones; the older Imran is following the imperatives of older hormones.

Being unmoored from social and cultural ties can be very emancipating — Imran was a free bird in his youth; yet, being unmoored can also be unsettling, more so as you age. Imran seems to be experiencing that — in his recent speech, Imran also railed against "Indian culture". In the past, he has waxed eloquent about "our culture" when talking about Turkish TV show Ertugrul; last year, in a press conference with Turkish President Erdogan, he happily said that "the Turks ruled Hindustan for 600 years". Having forgotten Pashto, speaking Urdu and not Punjabi, and showing aversion for "Indian culture", Imran seems to have voted for Turk/Mughal imperialism over British imperialism.

But it's likely that, as a cricketer from the subcontinent, Imran would be gladdened by a team from the region doing well in Australia.

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Reality becomes mirror to fiction

If reality is so harsh and crude, is it worth looking at? Let us leave the fatigued farmers on the Delhi borders, the government which did not spend a day before rushing the Bills, now stonewalling, a dozen meetings and riots with Deep Sidhu and Co. Leave the Nishan Sahib at Red Fort. We are into fiction. Story telling, painting deer or a jackal on a rock wall in a cave are the oldest examples of the creative urge in human beings; not forgetting poetry of course, and drums and dance from Africa. All cultures evolved their stories, legends — evil was always vanquished, whether it was Grendel or Ravana or Kans. In India, religion and faith got woven inextricably with stories. You sat around with children and grownups, and stories evolved, right triumphed over wrong. From epics, often a collective effort of a generation, we moved to novels. The gods came down from the sky and joined us.

Utopia too was fiction in a way, so was dystopia. Can fiction be a reflection of reality that can depress or excite at will? More important is the question if reality itself is a mirror of fiction. There are numerous cases where the mind envisaged something and it came to pass. What I am trying to get at is that much of fiction is so depressing that reality seems to follow where fiction has led before.

For two months last year, I read about 30 or more novels — was a member of a jury and so had to. The dismal caught my attention, but we need to start with the celebratory. Dionysius must take the chair. Though there were just two notable volumes of short stories, one by Aruni Kashyap, who teaches creative writing at Georgia, USA, and one by Kalpish Ratna, Mumbai surgeons Kalpana Swaminathan and Ishrat Syed who write jointly under one name. In their book 'Synapse', Kalpish Ratna rightly make fun of Vedic science and Brahminical eugenics and tackle ghostly seductresses. If I may venture to say, even flesh and blood seductresses are hard to tackle!

The finest novel I read in 2020 was 'Kintsugi' by Anukrti Upadhyay, who has post-graduate degrees in management and literature, works with a wildlife trust and writes in Hindi and English. Anukrti divides her time between Singapore and Mumbai, and has worked in Hong Kong. She knows her beat well. Her research in jewellery-making in Jaipur is flawless and her narrative is seamless. She gives a feminist angle by showing women can also be good sunars. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold dust, and here it is used as a metaphor for patching up lives. The narrative starts with jewellery-making. A work of fiction is known by the strength of the narrative, and the depth the writer brings to it. Hers is the story of a girl Leela, daughter of a dead goldsmith, and the Japanese Haruko who comes to Jaipur to learn the sunar's craft, not just designing, and runs into a bull and gets a broken leg. The section on Japan is flawless, even though it ends with a lesbian suicide. The rest of the novel is sunny. It gladdened my heart to read it.

But we need to move towards the depressing if not dystopian. Is that a reflection of an age? Are writers disenchanted with what is happening around us in India? Or is it the norm the world over? Dystopia has almost become a fashion. The narrative would go along perfectly till it nears the end. A woman goes to her ancestral house in Assam where her mother had been badly treated, since she had married outside the community. Then, unaccountably, the novelist dispenses with her in a flood, and she drowns. What is more noteworthy, as in the novel 'A Burning' by Master of Fine Arts student Megha Majumdar, the villain triumphs in the end. We have a right-wing madam who becomes Chief Minister and raises a PT Sir, physical trainer at the college, to a party boss. An innocent woman is hanged because the PT Sir does not pass on her mercy petition. Right-wing goons attack a Muslim house, kill the family, loot gold bangles, then open the ice box. There are chickens in it, no beef! That's the modern version of epiphany. The MFA student-novelist has made a political point, but the plot creaks, whines, squeals like a bad machine badly in need of lubrication.

What about blurbs? Amitav Ghosh writes, "The best debut novel I have come across in a long time." The publishers, Penguin Hamish Hamilton, say, "Taut, symphonic, propulsive and riveting right from the outset, 'A Burning' has the force of an epic." Cyrus Mistry in his novel 'The Prospect of Miracles' puts his characters in Kerala. The protagonist marries a pastor, who is a debauch. In the end, she goes off her rocker, the insanity triggered off by the pastor's widow meeting the gardener Yesu Das. The name Yesu acts as a trigger for setting off hallucinated meetings with Jesus and angel Gabriel. In 'The Cliffhangers' by Sabin Iqbal, a right-winger, Balannan, gets into a clinch with a foreigner and rapes her. When he confesses, the Inspector files the case as 'inconclusive'. Charging him would invite mayhem.

Is our fiction a mirror to our reality? Do both act as depressants?

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Why the farmers’ protests are a wake-up call for rest of us

My family and I spent the last two weeks travelling through Punjab to Dharamkot in Himachal and back home to a Delhi suburb. As we drove away from the capital city, we were cheered by the sight of tractors and cars with banners and flags of farmers' unions going towards Delhi. On our way back, we found ourselves joining the cavalcades arriving at the protest sites on Delhi's borders for the Tractor Parade on Republic Day. On the night of January 25, the traffic on the highway had swelled so much that we were unable to find a way to enter the city. We had become one with the farmers.

We didn't mind. A historic people's movement led by farmers is taking place right now and it is impossible to be untouched by it. What hurts the farmer today will not leave the rest of India unscathed. Those who have risked their lives and livelihood to confront the powerful need to be protected from state repression and false accusations of anti-national activities and sedition. They need visibility. Their demands and point of view need to be amplified by those of us who have smartphones and social media on fingertips.

What do these farmers have to offer us in return? Are we doing them a favour by paying attention? Why should the farmers' agitation matter to the rest of us?

At a time when the state and administration have abdicated from people-centric governance and the judiciary as well as large sections of mainstream media seem to have forfeited their role to provide the checks and balances that keep democratic processes in balance, the farmers' protest is like a shot in the arm of Indian democracy. While it is the three farm laws that have finally catalysed lakhs of farmers to leave their homes and sit in protest in the bitter cold, their mode of protest as well as the capaciousness of their demands is a reminder of some of the basics of humanity — of the power of solidarity, fraternity and unity among people. Of the need for dignity, equality and agency of groups and individuals.

On International Human Rights Day, December 10, 2020, BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) — the largest farmers' union at the protests — held an event in which protesters held up pictures of incarcerated intellectuals and human rights activists who have been booked under grave laws, such as the UAPA. Despite a backlash from sections of the media, farmers' leaders defended this act of solidarity with eloquence and candour, reminding us that the need for stable livelihoods and that of dignity and autonomy cannot be separated into binaries.

"These people have been incarcerated in jails for speaking the truth. Through their writing and work, they have explained how the corporate sector adversely affects agriculture as well as the public sector. These intellectuals and activists have exposed the fascist mindset of the government. If we do not raise our voice for them, then who will?" a speaker asked rhetorically from the stage at Tikri border. Off stage, men and women held posters of each of the activists. "These people are freedom fighters, not anti-nationals," a woman farmer said.

On January 18, Women Farmers' Day was celebrated at the protest sites, just days after Chief Justice of India SA Bobde, while staying the implementation of the new farm laws, had also commented, "We don't understand why old people and women are kept in the protests."

In a rousing speech on the Singhu border, researcher Navsharan Singh challenged the patriarchal and condescending attitude represented by this statement. "Do not forget that this is the same government which maligned Muslim women who were protesting against the highly discriminatory Citizenship Amendment Act last December in Shaheen Bagh. It is the same government that has denied bail to four young women — Devangana Kalita, Gulfisha Fatema, Ishrat Jahan and Natasha Narwal," she said.

"They want you to go back not because you are weak, but because they are threatened by your fearlessness and empowered presence. Their armies and weapons are not as strong as the determination and courage of unarmed women."

As police violence and political backlash against the protesting farmers escalates, the settlements on the borders of Delhi have only continued to grow in response.

The ongoing farmers' protests are a contemporary example of the power of a peaceful people's struggle against marginalisation. It is a wake-up call. Will we stand up for those who are risking their all for the rest of us?

The writer is an author amp; filmmaker natasha.badhwar@gmail.com

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Israeli team to join embassy blast probe

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 30

With the initial probe indicating an Iranian link to the blast near the Israeli Embassy here on Friday evening, the National Investigation Agency is most likely to take over the case from the Delhi Police, sources said.

A team of Israeli investigators is also set to join the investigation. An NIA team that visited the blast site on Friday evening carried out complete mapping of the area.

According to Delhi Police officials, initial investigations indicate that explosives and other materials used in the low-intensity improvised explosive device (IED) blast were locally sourced. The use of ammonium nitrate cannot be ruled out, they added.

The Delhi Police probe team has been in touch with the central agencies, including the IB and immigration authorities, and trying to get the details of Iranian nationals who have come to India in the past one month. Police sources have also confirmed that the note found at the blast site on Friday revealed the Iranian connection to the blast. The note claimed "it was a trailer and the target was Israeli installations in India".

Meanwhile, security has been beefed up across the country, particularly at places with Israeli links. The footage retrieved from CCTV cameras in the area showed a cab moving near the embassy just before the explosion. Two persons had alighted from the vehicle, sources said. The cab driver has been identified and questioned about the two passengers, the Delhi Police said. The bomb disposal squad of the NSG also inspected the blast site today.

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Laws-on-hold offer stays: PM Modi

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 30

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today reached out to irate farmers saying the government proposal to suspend the farm laws for one-and-a-half years was still on the table and the Agriculture Minister was a phone call away should the farmers decide to engage.

Noting that dialogue was the only way forward, the PM told an all-party meeting, called to discuss agenda for the Budget session of Parliament, that the government was approaching the farmers' issue with an open mind.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said, "The PM assured the leaders that the government was approaching the farmers' issue with an open mind."

He said the government's stand was the same as it was on January 22 and the proposal given by Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar still stands. "The PM reiterated what Tomarji had said that he (Tomar) is just a phone call away for talks," he added.

While the PM today signalled the government's willingness to talk to farmers, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad warned him that farmers' protests would swell if the police continued to implicate their leaders.

"You have made one mistake by pushing the farm laws through the Parliament without scrutiny. We had warned you then also. Now don't make the second mistake of unfairly implicating farmer leaders. If you do so, this agitation will flare up. We all condemn the Republic Day violence, but the perpetrators were lumpen elements, not farmer leaders. Had the farm laws not been rushed, R-Day incidents would not have happened," Azad told the PM.

Other Opposition leaders—NCP's Sharad Pawar, TMC's Sudip Bandopadhyay, Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut, DMK's TR Baalu and Tiruchi Siva and Left Front leaders—sought a discussion on farmers' issues in the Budget session.

The government is likely to take up this debate, once Parliament reconvenes after recess on March 8.

The Opposition also sought a discussion on economy, LAC standoff, Arnab leaks and job losses. "It is easier to buy a car these days than to top it with fuel," Azad said.

Terming R-Day violence unfortunate, the PM said the law would take its course.

He urged leaders to avoid disruptions noting that "it was for the bigger parties, including the BJP, to ensure that Parliament functioned smoothly, there were no disruptions and smaller parties were able to voice their views adequately". The PM also urged leaders to give inputs to aid India's global march.

---

Delhi march on Feb 7

In Hisar, 19 khap panchayats on Saturday announced a 'padayatra' from Jind to Delhi on Feb 7. It also announced boycott of BJP and JJP leaders.

38 cases, 84 arrests

Post Red Fort violence, the Delhi Police have filed 38 cases and arrested 84 persons for rioting and damaging public property.

No net at protest sites

The govt has temporarily suspended Internet services at the Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri borders till January 31, sources in the Ministry of Home Affairs said. TNS

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Next ‘mahapanchayat’ at Baghpat, BJP misread farmers’ agitation

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 30

The recent happenings revolving around BKU leader Rakesh Tikait have strengthened Jat brotherhood, with theBJP leadership making a miscalculation yet again.

A day after the Muzaffarnagar "mahapanchayat", a "sarv khap mahapanchayat" is being planned at Baghpat — the bastion of Jat leader Ajit Singh and son Jayant. The implications are expected to be felt by the BJP governments in UP and Haryana where the CMs are non-Jats.

BKU (Tikait) chief Naresh Tikait yesterday said supporting BJP's Sanjiv Balyan (now Union Minister) in the Lok Sabha polls was "a mistake." The BKU, after the demise of its founder Mahendra Singh Tikait, had lost its support base. Rakesh Tikait was routed in the elections. But things have changed now. After Naresh Tikait called off the stir following the January 26 Delhi violence, there were signs of the protest fading away in Ghazipur.

But visuals of Rakesh Tikait breaking into tears stirred the emotions of members of his community, who felt collectively humiliated. Perhaps, the BJP has inadvertently increased his relevance and brought the Jat community together.

Observers say the Modi government earlier underestimated not only Punjab farmers' anger, but also their determination and resolve.

Most Punjab BJP leaders, the observers claim, failed to give a correct feedback to the Centre regarding the ground situation in the state.

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New vaccines: Serum’s Covovax likely by June

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 30

Serum Institute today said it had applied to the Drug Controller General of India for permission to start local trials of a new Covid-19 vaccine the country is developing in collaboration with American firm Novovax. The vaccine has been shown to be 89.3 per cent effective in UK trials.

Serum Institute CEO Adar Poonawala said: "Our partnership for a Covid vaccine with Novovax has published excellent efficacy results. We have applied to start trials in India. Hope to launch Covovax by June this year."

In a related development, American healthcare giant Johnson amp; Johnson said its Covid-19 vaccine candidate was 66 per cent effective overall in preventing moderate to severe Covid, 28 days after inoculation. The result was based on Phase-3 study involving nearly 44,000 participants.

Meanwhile, one year since it reported the first Covid case on January 30 last year, India has registered the highest recoveries at 96.98 per cent. Total active caseload has dropped to less than 1.7 lakh (1,69,824) today and only 1.58 per cent of the infected people are currently under treatment. Twenty seven states and UTs have weekly positivity rate less than the national average.

---

35L vaccinated so far

Over 35 lakh beneficiaries were vaccinated till Saturday morning under the countrywide exercise. In the last 24 hours, 5,71,974 people were vaccinated across 10,809 sessions.

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Consumers’ rights vital, says apex court

New Delhi, January 30

Consumer rights are "important rights" and non-manning of posts and inadequate infrastructure in district and state consumer commissions across the country would deprive the citizens of redressal of their grievances, the Supreme Court has said.

The apex court said this while hearing a plea that has raised the issue of alleged inaction by governments in appointing the president, members and staff in the district and state consumer disputes redressal commissions and the lack of adequate infrastructure to run these fora. The court said the issue raised in the plea was important but the petitioner had filed a "very sketchy petition".

"We have given a thought to the matter and consider it too important an issue to be thrown out because of the laxity in collection of material," the Supreme Court said. — PTI

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Timely closure of sick, loss-making central public sector units a must

Shubhadeep Choudhury

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 30

The Economic Survey tabled in the Lok Sabha on Friday by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stressed on the need for timely closure of sick and loss making Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) and disposal of their assets.

According to the pre-budget document, as of January 15, 2021, 110 CPSEs in the country are in a defunct state. In addition, there are 77 CPSEs that have been identified as loss-making.

As many as 256 CPSEs out of total 366 in the country are operational, the Economic Survey reported. 171 CPSEs booked profit during FY20. The total profit was Rs 1.38 lakh crore. On the other hand the consolidated loss of loss-making enterprises was Rs 44,816 crore.

The overall net profit of the CPSEs thus declined by 34.6 per cent to reach Rs 93,295 crore in FY20 from Rs 1.43 lakh crore in FY19.

Even the profit-making CPSEs may be up for sale as the Economic Survey pointed out that under the "Atmanirbhar Bharat Mission", it had been decided to have CPSEs only in the "strategic sectors" and the number of CPSEs in the strategic sector should ideally be limited to four. The CPSEs in the non-strategic sectors would be privatised as to enable the government to focus on strategic sectors.

To strengthen the CPSEs that would be retained by the government, steps are underway to completely revamp the boards of these to reorganise their structure, enhance the operational autonomy and introduce strong corporate governance norms, including listing on stock exchanges for greater transparency.

The Department of Public Enterprises has also separately initiated revamping of Performance Monitoring System of the CPSEs to make it more objective and forward looking based on sectoral indices.

According to the Economic Survey, the Mahalanobis Plan in 1956 envisaged CPSEs as a mean for import substitution and self-sufficiency. However, the inherent inefficiencies leading to low productivity in the PSEs, high-cost structure and strained public finances led the GoI to go for policy change after 1991 heralding an era of privatisation and disinvestment.

---

Cheapest non-veg meals in Chandigarh, Haryana

• The cost of a non-veg thali was cheapest in the rural areas of Chandigarh (Rs 29.9) during the June-December 2020 period
• During this period, the cost of a non-veg thali was most expensive in rural Arunachal Pradesh (Rs 48.5)
• Another northern state Haryana figures lowest in the chart in terms of price of a
• non-veg meal in urban areas during June-December 2020
• A non-veg thali costs only Rs28 in the urban areas of Haryana

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India prominent ally, Blinken dials EAM

Washington, January 30

Secretary of State Tony Blinken has underscored India's role as a pre-eminent US partner in the Indo-Pacific during his maiden telephonic conversation with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and discussed ways to better seize the new opportunities and combat shared challenges in the region and beyond.

It was Blinken's first telephonic conversation with Jaishankar after he assumed the charge as US top diplomat early this week.

They discussed issues of mutual concern, including Covid-19 vaccination efforts, regional developments and next steps in expanding bilateral ties, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Friday.

Blinken underscored the importance of working together to expand regional cooperation, including through the Quad, Price said.

"I was delighted to speak today with my good friend @DrSJaishankar to discuss US-India priorities," Blinken wrote on Twitter.

In New Delhi, the External Affairs Ministry said Jaishankar and Blinken expressed their commitment to consolidate and expand the multi-faceted strategic partnership.

"They appreciated the robust defence and security ties, growing economic engagement, productive healthcare collaboration and strong people-to-people linkages as its important pillars," it said.

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Controversial verdicts: Collegium rescinds approval for HC judge

New Delhi, January 30

The Supreme Court collegium is understood to have withdrawn its approval to a proposal for the appointment of an additional judge of the Bombay High Court, Justice PV Ganediwala, as a permanent judge of the court following her two controversial verdicts in sexual assault cases.

POCSO rulings

• Justice Pushpa Ganediwala recently acquitted a man accused of groping a minor's breast because there was no skin-to-skin contact
• SC collegium has withdrawn approval for her appointment as permanent judge

The decision was taken after the judge faced flak for her interpretation of sexual assault under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, a source said.

Justice Pushpa Ganediwala recently acquitted a man accused of groping a 12-year-old girl's breast because he did not make skin-to-skin contact and, days earlier, ruled that holding the hands of a five-year-old girl and unzipping the trousers did not amount to "sexual assault" under the POCSO Act.

On January 27, the Supreme Court stayed the Bombay High Court order acquitting the man after Attorney General KK Venugopal said the order would set a dangerous precedent.

The collegium headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde, at a meeting held on January 20, had okayed the proposal for making Justice Ganediwala a permanent judge.

In two other judgments this month, Justice Ganediwala acquitted two men accused of raping minor girls after noting that the testimonies of the victims did not inspire confidence to fix criminal liability on the accused.

Justice Ganediwala was directly appointed as a district judge in 2007 and was elevated as an additional judge of the Bombay HC on February 13, 2019.

Besides the CJI, Justices NV Ramana and RF Nariman are part of the three-member collegium, which takes decisions with regard to HC judges. PTI

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Didn't touch a side

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A Majestic Maine Coon

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Taking the extra time to make this fan's "high five" a memorable one

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This excellent home security camera that picks up every movement

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Don’t yield, we’re with you: Rahul to farmers

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 29

Opposition leaders today backed the massive farmers' mobilisation along Delhi's borders and at Muzaffarnagar with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urging the protesters: "Do not retreat even by an inch. We are with you. If the PM thinks the farmers' will go back, he is mistaken. He must resolve the matter and the only way to do so is to throw the farm laws in a waste paper basket, failing which this agitation will spread to cities, villages and across segments."

Rahul called the government's attempt to get the protest sites vacated as "criminal." Refusing to comment on the farmers' role in the Republic Day violence, he asked, "Who allowed 50 protesters to storm the Red Fort?"

Earlier in the day, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal arranged water supply to the Ghazipur protest site where BKU leader Rakesh Tikait is on a dharna.

Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Badal too announced support for the agitating farmers as did former Uttar Pradesh Chief Ministers Akhilesh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party and Mayawati of the BSP.

Meanwhile, the BJP accused Rahul of "inciting violence" after he warned the Narendra Modi government that if farmers' protest was not defused, the agitation would spread throughout the country.

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Blast outside Israeli Embassy in Delhi

New Delhi, January 29

A low-intensity blast took place outside the Israeli Embassy on Friday evening, the police said. No one was injured. Some cars were damaged in the explosion that took place near the pavement outside the embassy on APJ Abdul Kalam Road, a very high-security zone in the national capital.

The police said it was a low-intensity IED that went off at 5.05 pm. A team of Special Cell personnel was the first to reach the site. An anti-bomb squad and a fire tender were rushed to the spot. They carried out searches to find out if there were more explosives in the area.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to his Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi a few hours after the explosion. — TNS

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Top doctor’s wife slams him for solo COVID-19 jab trip; video goes viral

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, January 27

Top cardiologist KK Agarwal on Wednesday gave netizens several reasons to laugh as an audio clip went viral of a stormy conversation he had with his wife over a solo COVID-19 jab trip.

KK Agarwal, who was live on some show while returning from his COVID vaccination session, took a call from his wife who asked where he was. When he told her he was returning after taking a COVID-19 vaccine dose, she slammed him for leaving her behind.

"Why did you not take me along? Come home, I will hold you to account. This is very unfair," said the wife in a viral video-audio message, expressing her vaccine eagerness.

Doctor KK Agarwal got himself vaccinated without his wife.

Note to self : don't ever pick-up phone while you are live on tv :)
#forwarded. pic.twitter.com/uhIQYvZ4IO

— Tarun Shukla (@shukla_tarun) January 27, 2021

Agarwal, a Padma Shri, later issued a message on Twitter saying "while everyone had a hearty laugh at my expense and laughter is the best medicine, I would urge everyone to take the COVID vaccine when your turn comes".

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Our dog is trying very hard to get our newly adopted Rottweiler to play.

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TNTA appeal to CM

The Tamil Nadu Teachers Association has appealed to the government to offer marks to candidates who have experience in teaching in schools while recru

source https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/tnta-appeal-to-cm/article33701431.ece

GDP likely to grow at 11% in FY22

Sandeep Dixit

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 29

The Economic Survey tabled in Parliament today made a strong case for increased borrowings and relaxing the fiscal deficit laws to push for over 11 per cent growth in 2021-22.

Edit: Post-covid eco survey

V-shaped recovery

• Digital: Economic Survey goes digital
• Roadmap for indigenous defence equipment
• V-shaped economic recovery due to timely lockdown
• Bias against emerging economies in credit ratings
• Agriculture should be seen as business enterprise

lockdown saved lives

Lockdown prevented 37 lakh cases and 1 lakh deaths. The country took short-term pain for long-term gain. GDP growth will recover, but lost lives can't be brought back. - KV Subramanian, Chief Economic Adviser

The economy is expected to contract by 7.7 per cent of the GDP during the current fiscal, followed by an increase to 11 per cent in 2021-22.

India will be the fastest growing economy in the next two years. Projections by various national and international agencies, including the IMF, project this resilience of the Indian economy, it said.

Making a strong case for taking debt to make up for the loss in revenue, the survey pointed out that India had a track record of expansionary fiscal policy focussed on infrastructure spending. "We need to replicate the same," it suggested.

Even if growth is fuelled by borrowings, it will enable redistributive policies that lift people out of poverty. There is no fear of a debt trap because even if India were to have a low GDP growth rate of 3.8 per cent each year from 2023 to 2029, the debt will still come down. "If the interest rate is less than growth rate, debt, as a percentage of the GDP, declines," it noted.

The survey was critical of higher interest rates that India has to pay because it gets a lower sovereign rating than it deserves. "Emerging giants are not getting the credit ratings their economic fundamentals demand," it said while pointing out India's ability to pay is "gold standard". According to the survey, the government's welfare schemes can help India achieve the sustainable development goals of reducing poverty, improving access to drinking water, sanitation and housing by 2030. The gap between urban and rural, and among different income groups, can be addressed through welfare schemes such as Jal Jeevan Mission, Swachh Bharat Mission and PM Awas Yojana.

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President backs farm legislations

New Delhi, January 29

Signalling the government's resolve against repeal of farm laws, President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday backed the legislations, saying that these would open new avenues without dismantling the present set up.

In his Address to the joint session of Parliament at the start of the Budget session, the President lamented the Republic Day violence in Delhi and said the Constitution mandated citizens to honour the law just as it guaranteed their right to free expression.

"The recent acts of dishonouring the national flag and showing disrespect to the auspicious occasion of Republic Day are unfortunate," said President Kovind, whose speech was boycotted by 20 Opposition parties On Covid, the President said it was a matter of pride that India was running the world's largest vaccination drive. Without naming China, the President said when the country was grappling with Covid, attempts were made to challenge the country at the border. He, assured Parliament that Indian security forces successfully foiled all attempts to alter the status quo at the border. — TNS

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PM: Let’s debate important issues

New Delhi, January 29

PM Narendra Modi on Friday urged the Opposition and all MPs to debate issues of national importance in Parliament.

"The first session of this decade is commencing today. This decade is very important for the bright future of India. A golden opportunityhellip;. to fulfil the dreams of freedom fighters. There should be discussions and presentation of different views for meaningful results," the PM said in Parliament. — TNS

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‘Locals’ clash with farmers at Singhu

Chandigarh, January 29

Violence erupted at the Singhu protest site today after over 500 persons claiming to be locals pelted a farmers' camp with stones, lead ing to a clash between them and the agitating farmers.

Dhindsa, GK move court

Former Union Minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and Sikh leader Manjit Singh GK have moved a Delhi court against a news channel

Delhi Police SHO (Alipur) Pradeep Paliwal was injured after a man attacked him with a sword, an official said. The police resorted to lathicharge and used tear gas shells to defuse the situation. The protesters, claiming to be residents of nearby villages, said they wanted the site vacated as the prolonged farmers' stir was affecting their livelihood.

At Tikri too, over 200 persons carrying the Tricolour demanded that the protest site be vacated. The police, however, intervened timely.

Some of the protesters were identified as residents of Singhu and nearby villages Daryapur, Bakhtawarpur and Hamidpur of Delhi, said police sources.

Tikri protesters were from Haridas Colony.

Meanwhile, throwing their weight behind farmers, several political leaders and public figures like Bheem Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad, Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, Congress leaders Ajay Kumar Lallu, Deepender Hooda and Alka Lamba, and RLD vice-president Jayant Chaudhary visited BKU leader Rakesh Tikait in Ghazipur.

Thousands of farmers gathered at Muzaffarnagar in UP on Friday to participate in a mahapanchayat in support of the protest against the new farm laws in Ghazipur on the Delhi-UP border. The mahapanchayat resolved to throw its full weight behind the Ghazipur protest.

Rakesh Tikait's brother Naresh Tikait, who had called the mahapanchayat after Thursday's developments at Ghazipur, told the charged crowd to move towards the Delhi border, about 100 km away.

A day after BKU leader Rakesh Tikait broke down at Ghazipur and tension spiralled amid fears that the farmers who had been camping there for two months would be forcibly removed by the local administration, all roads in western UP appeared to lead to Muzaffarnagar. — TNS/PTI

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Over 100 Punjab farmers ‘missing’ since R-Day rally

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 29

More than 100 Punjab farmers who went to Delhi to take part in the Republic Day rally are 'missing', as per the Punjab Human Rights Organisation. In collaboration with Khalra Mission, the PHRO today announced free legal aid to the farmers booked by the Delhi Police for the Red Fort incident.

"It appears the police deliberately led the farmers to the Red Fort. A ruckus was created when the Nishan Sahib was hoisted there. This cannot be an offence. The Tricolour was not touched. Most protesters were illegally deta-ined on the spot. Since then, their whereabouts are not known," activist Sarabjit Singh Verka said.

Hakam Singh, a lawyer with the Punjab and Haryana High Court, said at least between 80-90 youths from Punjab had not returned to their camps at Singhu and Tikri. "A group of lawyers is trying to trace them. We are in touch with the police, farm unions and hospitals," he said.

Lawyers under the banner of Panthic Talmel Sangathan too offered legal aid to the farmers. "We are scrutinising the FIRs. Most farmers were booked under the Damage to Public Property Act, Epidemic Diseases Act and Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act," an advocate said.

Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh said: "Nishan Sahib is the symbol of the Sikh identity. Hoisting the flag does not constitute an offence."

A report from Moga said 12 farmers of Tatarie Wala village in Moga district were among those missing. The village panchayat identified them as: Amritpal Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Daljinder Singh, Jagdeep Singh, Jagdish Singh, Navdeep Singh, Balvir Singh, Bhag Singh, Harjinder Singh, Ranjit Singh, Ramandeep Singh and Jaswant Singh. The panchayat appealed to the Punjab CM to secure their release.

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Need to look at agriculture as modern business enterprise

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 29

The Economic Survey on Friday suggested the government to see the farm sector as a "modern business enterprise" for which "urgent reforms" are required to enable sustainable and consistent growth.

Covid plan checked surge in cases

The Economic Survey has noted that India's Covid-19 management plan prevented the spread of 37 lakh cases and saved more than 1 lakh lives. UP, Gujarat and Bihar restricted the case spread the best; Kerala, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh saved the most lives. TNS

4 pvt passenger train projects cleared

• The govt's Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee (PPAC) has till date recommended four passenger train projects for private operations, survey said.
• During FY20, the PPPAC recommended five projects with cost of Rs4,321 crore. Of these, four are railway sector projects (passenger train projects) and one port sector project. In FY21, the PPPAC recommended seven projects.

Airlines to increase fleet size by fiscal-end

• The survey says air travel and aircraft movements are set to reach pre-Covid level in early 2021 as a result of effective measures put in place by the government.
• The fleet strength of airlines, which was 669 by the end of 2020 fiscal, will increase to 713 by the end of the current fiscal. tns

India's farm sector has shown its resilience amid the adversities of Covid-induced lockdown, the government's economic report card stated.

According to the Economic Survey tabled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament ahead of the Union Budget on February 1, "agriculture and allied activities were the sole bright spot amid the slide in GDP performance of other sectors, clocking a growth rate of 3.4 per cent at constant prices during 2020-21 (first advance estimates)".

As the survey applauded the contribution of the sector to the emerging "green shoots of the Indian economy", it also added that recent agricultural reforms (against which farmers are agitating) were "a remedy, and not a malady".

"The three agricultural reform legislations are designed and intended primarily for the benefit of small and marginal farmers, which constitute around 85 per cent of the total number of growers," it said.

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E-education to end inequality

Online schooling, which has taken off in a big way during the pandemic, can help reduce inequalities in educational outcomes if it is well-utilised, the Economic Survey said.

The percentage of enrolled children from government and private schools owning a smartphone increased from 36.5 per cent in 2018 to 61.8 per cent in 2020 in rural India.

If utilised well, the resultant reduction in digital divide between rural and urban, gender, age and income groups is likely to reduce inequalities in educational outcomes, stated the Economic Survey tabled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament today. —TNS

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Roadmap for local defence equipment

The Economic Survey on Friday laid out a road map for encouraging indigenous defence equipment manufacturing by providing incentives to private manufacturers.

So far, 496 industrial licences have been given to private companies till September 2020 for manufacture of a wide range of defence items. Exports from Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), DPSUs and the private sector in the Financial Year have increased from Rs 4,682 crore in FY 2017-18 to Rs 9116 crore in FY 2019-20. —TNS

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More funds for health sector

The Economic Survey 2020-21 has called for enhancing government spending on healthcare from the current 1 per cent to 2.5 to 3 per cent of the GDP, saying the shift would decrease out-of-pocket expenditures from 65 per cent to 30 per cent of the overall healthcare spend.

In another radical suggestion, the survey bats for the regulation of private healthcare sector, noting that an unregulated market was leading to sub-optimal outcomes for patients who often did not know anything about the quality of the service they were buying. — TNS

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Appreciate EAM’s suggestions to mend Sino-India ties: China

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 29

Beijing said today that it approved of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's suggestion of "three mutuals" and "eight propositions" as the foundation for resurrecting Indo-Chinese ties. But, it did not want the border issue to be linked with bilateral relations.

'Hope we properly manage differences'

Jaishankar stressed the importance of India-China relations. It shows that the Indian side attaches importance to ties with China. We hope the Indian side will work with us to manage differences - Zhao Lijian, China's Foreign Ministry Spokesman

Jaishankar's stress on the significance of China-India relations "showcases the importance the Indian side attaches to its ties with China," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said today.

"This is also an important lesson learnt through the two countries' efforts over the past decades to keep our ties moving forward. We hope the Indian side will work with us to properly manage differences, promote practical cooperation, and get the bilateral relations back on the right track," he added.

The question was put by China Radio International, a state-owned media outlet.

The reply indicates a gulf in the approaches of the two sides. Most of Jaishankar's eight propositions revolved around the border issue. India has accused China of violating several boundary agreements which maintained peace and tranquillity along the undefined Line of Actual Control for 27 years. China says India has linked the situation on the border with economic measures and banning investments.

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Don’t yield, we’re with you: Rahul to farmers

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 29

Opposition leaders today backed the massive farmers' mobilisation along Delhi's borders and at Muzaffarnagar with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urging the protesters: "Do not retreat even by an inch. We are with you. If the PM thinks the farmers' will go back, he is mistaken. He must resolve the matter and the only way to do so is to throw the farm laws in a waste paper basket, failing which this agitation will spread to cities, villages and across segments."

Rahul called the government's attempt to get the protest sites vacated as "criminal." Refusing to comment on the farmers' role in the Republic Day violence, he asked, "Who allowed 50 protesters to storm the Red Fort?"

Earlier in the day, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal arranged water supply to the Ghazipur protest site where BKU leader Rakesh Tikait is on a dharna.

Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Badal too announced support for the agitating farmers as did former Uttar Pradesh Chief Ministers Akhilesh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party and Mayawati of the BSP.

Meanwhile, the BJP accused Rahul of "inciting violence" after he warned the Narendra Modi government that if farmers' protest was not defused, the agitation would spread throughout the country.

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Blast outside Israeli Embassy in Delhi

New Delhi, January 29

A low-intensity blast took place outside the Israeli Embassy on Friday evening, the police said. No one was injured. Some cars were damaged in the explosion that took place near the pavement outside the embassy on APJ Abdul Kalam Road, a very high-security zone in the national capital.

The police said it was a low-intensity IED that went off at 5.05 pm. A team of Special Cell personnel was the first to reach the site. An anti-bomb squad and a fire tender were rushed to the spot. They carried out searches to find out if there were more explosives in the area.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to his Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi a few hours after the explosion. — TNS

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A good boy chasing his human with a hose

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pup trying to comfort a foster kitty!

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Jaishankar and Blinken talk over phone, reaffirm growing Indo-US ties

The External Affairs Minister and the U.S. Secretary of State discussed issues of mutual concern, including COVID-19 vaccination efforts

source https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/jaishankar-and-blinken-talk-over-phone-reaffirm-growing-indo-us-ties/article33701410.ece

2 trapped militants surrender, one injured shifted at Pulwama encounter site

The three militants, belonging to Hizbul Mujahideen terror outfit, were encircled in Pulwama's Lelhar area on Friday evening

source https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/2-trapped-militants-surrender-one-injured-shifted-at-pulwama-encounter-site/article33701358.ece

Anna Hazare announces indefinite fast, calls it off hours later

The social activist says some of his demands were met by the government.

source https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/anna-hazare-announces-indefinite-fast-calls-it-off-hours-later/article33699123.ece

Allahabad High Court stays arrest of 'Mirzapur' makers

The Division Bench directed the petitioners to offer full cooperation in the investigation while granting the relief.

source https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/allahabad-high-court-stays-arrest-of-mirzapur-makers/article33699473.ece

Supreme Court seeks response from Assam NRC coordinator on Jamiat plea

Petition has challenged his move to delete names of ‘ineligible’ persons in the final list.

source https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/supreme-court-seeks-response-from-assam-nrc-coordinator-on-jamiat-plea/article33700245.ece

Maya the Samoyed Gets Bamboozled

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Deep Sidhu, Sidhana named in Red Fort FIR

New Delhi, January 28

The Delhi Police have issued lookout notices against 44 persons named in 33 FIRs registered so far in connection with the violence during the farmers' tractor parade.

The police said names of Punjabi singer and actor Deep Sidhu and gangster-turned-social activist Lakha Sidhana had been added to the FIR registered at Kotwali police station over Red Fort violence.

In a separate FIR over the same incident, the police have invoked sedition charges. The officials said a case under Section 124A (sedition) of the IPC had been registered and the incident was being investigated.

Meanwhile, in a high-level Ministry of Home Affairs meeting, the police were directed to ask the accused 37 union leaders to submit their passports.

The police have also served show-cause notices to the leaders, asking them to explain as to why action should not be taken against them for breaching the agreement with the police for getting permission to hold the rally. — TNS

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US nod to fighter jets for India: Boeing

New Delhi, January 28

US company Boeing on Thursday said it had the approval of the US Government to market its F-15EX fighter jet in India.

The US Air Force has ordered the same jet for its future aviation programme. Boeing officials said the plane was expected to be flying till 2055 and had scope for further improvement. Boeing also shared information about the F-15EX, which is the latest and most advanced version of the combat-proven, multi-role, all-weather day/night aircraft from the F-15 family of jets.

The F-15EX can offer a future-ready, multi-role solution to the Indian Air Force in the form of unmatched payload, performance and persistence by integrating leading edge technologies, networks, weapons and sensors, the company said.

In addition, Boeing announced the Boeing India Repair Development and Sustainment (BIRDS) hub initiative that envisions a competitive MRO ecosystem for engineering, maintenance, skilling, repair and sustainment services of defence and commercial aircraft in India. — TNS

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Special cell slaps UAPA case on farm leaders

New Delhi: The special cell of the Delhi Police has registered a case under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) to probe criminal conspiracy leading to violence during the farmers' tractor rally.

Farm leaders, including Yogendra Yadav, Medha Patkar, Rakesh Tikait and Darshan Pal, would be probed under the UAPA, a police official said. — TNS

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Supreme Court to Centre: Curb inciting TV content

New Delhi, January 28

Noting that certain content aired by TV news channels had an "instigating effect", the SC on Thursday said the government wasn't doing anything to check such reporting.

"Fair and truthful reporting is not a problem. Problem is when it is used to agitate others," the SC said. The petitioners have sought strict action against channels "spreading communal hatred". — TNS

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EAM outlines 8 principles to mend strained ties with China

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 28

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar today suggested three "mutuals" and eight broad propositions to mend strained ties between India and China. The minister gave no indication whether any of this was being discussed by the two nations.

He said the two countries were at crossroads and their choices would have profound repercussions, not just for them, but for the entire world.

"The three mutuals — mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interests — are determining factors. Any expectation that they can be brushed aside is simply not realistic," he said, while delivering the keynote address at the 13th All-India Conference of China Studies.

Jaishankar underlined the importance of stabilising the relationship through eight broad propositions. Among these are: Agreements already reached must be adhered to in entirety; the LAC must be strictly observed; border area peace and tranquility basis for development of relations in other domains; management of differences essential to ties; and the two nations must always take the long view.

On Galwan clash and troop buildup along the LAC, he said: "Significantly, to date, we have yet to receive a credible explanation for the change in China's stance or reasons for massing of troops along the borders."

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Covid graph flattens, no fresh case in 146 districts

New Delhi, January 28

The Centre today announced flattening of the Covid-19 graph with no new case being reported in 146 out of India's 734 districts in a week and considerably low levels of infection in the rest of the country.

Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said Covid had been contained in a fifth of India. "As many as 146 districts have no new cases since the past seven days, 18 districts in the past 14 days, six districts in the past 21 days and 21 districts in the past 28 days," Vardhan said.

India was currently sixth globally in vaccination coverage behind the US, UK, Israel, UAE and Germany, the government said, with 16 post-vaccine hospitalisations reported so far — 0.0007 per cent of all vaccinations. — TNS

---

• International flights to remain suspended till Feb 28
• Vaccine shots safe for those on blood thinners: ICMR
• India at sixth spot globally in vaccination coverage

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Opposition parties to boycott President Address

Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 28

The Budget session of Parliament is expected to be off to a stormy start on Friday with 18 Opposition parties, including Shiromani Akali Dal, AAP and 16 led by Congress, set to boycott the President's Address to both Houses to express solidarity with the protesting farmers.

The 16 parties, announcing their decision to boycott the President's speech, accused the government of showing "insensitivity" to the demands of protesters. They sought repeal of farm laws in a joint statement and demanded an impartial investigation into the Centre's "nefarious role in orchestrating the Republic Day events in the Capital" while accusing the government of attempting to discredit the farmers' movement.

Motion condemning Red Fort incident likely

'Centre behind violence'

• The protest has been largely peaceful. There were few acts of violence on Jan 26 which we condemn. An impartial investigation will reveal the Centre's nefarious role in orchestrating those events. Cong-led Oppn parties

Akali Dal's Naresh Gujral separately demanded the repeal of farm laws, saying the party had decided to boycott the Address of President Ram Nath Kovind to support the "legitimate demands of farmers".

The Congress-led grouping, meanwhile, said farm laws were brought in without consultations and lacked national consensus.

"Parliamentary scrutiny was bypassed and the laws were pushed through muzzling the Opposition in a brazen violation of parliamentary rules, practices and conventions. The very constitutional validity of these laws is questionable. The Prime Minister and the BJP remain arrogant, adamant and undemocratic in their response. Shocked by this insensitivity, we reaffirm the collective demand for the repeal of the anti-farmer laws and have decided to boycott the President's Address," said the statement signed by opposition leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma, Jairam Ramesh and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury of the Congress; Sharad Pawar of the NCP; Farooq Abdullah of the NC; Derek O' Brien and Sudeep Bandyopadhyay of the TMC; Ram Gopal Yadav of the SP; and Manoj Jha of the RJD.

The CPM, CPI, IUML, RSP, PDP, MDMK, Kerala Congress (M) and the AIUDF also joined the boycott decision of the Opposition and signed the statement.

---

Economic Survey to be tabled today

• Budget session begins on Friday with President's Address to both Houses and tabling of Economic Survey
• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to present Budget at 11 am on Feb 1
• Session to be in two parts — Jan 29 to Feb 15 and March 8 to April 8; 35 sittings in all

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At Tikri Singhu, locals pull away, want stir sites vacated

Geetanjali Gayatri

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 28

After the violence that rocked the Capital on Republic Day, it may be an uphill task for farm leaders to keep the agitation against the Centre's farm laws on course as the first signs of resistance to their sit-ins have begun to surface in Haryana.

While the farm leaders are out to restrategise, locals from villages around Singhu and Tikri have started voicing their concern about the adverse impact of the stir on their lives and livelihood, keeping the police on their toes.

Protesting close to the main site of the agitation at Singhu, villagers of Manoli, Aterna and Sersa among others demanded that the farmers vacate the border. Stating that the traffic flow must resume between Delhi and Haryana, the residents announced the decision to hold a panchayat tomorrow to decide the future course of action if their demand was not met. In Rewari, local petrol pump dealers along with residents of some villages held a meeting on the Delhi-Jaipur highway bordering Shahjahanpur to demand that the protesters should clear the highway. They also threatened to remove the barricades if the farmers failed to do so, giving the local administration some anxious moments. They claimed that the dharna was adversely affecting the sale of fuel and resulted in sanitation issues and other problems for the nearby villages.

In Yamunanagar, a group of miscreants threw stones at a religious place and damaged several vehicles late last night during a protest march by the locals against the incidents of violence in Delhi on Republic Day. A case has been registered.

Sources said police presence had been beefed up in view of the voices being raised against the closure of borders to avert any confrontation between the farmers and those protesting their presence.

Till January 26, villagers around the Singhu and Tikri borders were extending all sorts of services to the protesting farmers, even ensuring a regular flow of supplies.

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UN chief calls for regulating social media companies

The roadmap's aim is to promote a safer, more equitable digital world, says Antonio Guterres

source https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/un-chief-calls-for-regulating-social-media-companies/article33690184.ece

‘Why does a forest need a tree park?’

Opposition mounts to State government’s plans to ‘popularise’ nearly-600-acre Turahalli forest

source https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/why-does-a-forest-need-a-tree-park/article33687505.ece

U.S. ‘outraged’ over Pakistan SC acquitting Daniel Pearl’s killers

In a strongly worded statement, Tony Blinken urges Pakistan to explore all legal options to ensure that the killers of The Wall Street Journal journalist are brought to justice

source https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/us-outraged-over-pakistan-sc-acquitting-daniel-pearls-killers/article33690081.ece

Red Fort to remain closed till Jan. 31

The Archaeological Survey of India on Wednesday extended the closure of Red Fort till January 31, a day after the historical site saw violent scenes d

source https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/red-fort-to-remain-closed-till-jan-31/article33680151.ece

Family forced to perform symbolic last rites for a living child in Odisha

Even was brought about as a result of social ostracism by villagers.

source https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/family-forced-to-perform-symbolic-last-rites-for-a-living-child-in-odisha/article33689091.ece

Anti-India activities abroad committed by a very small fringe, Ministry of External Affairs

India engaged with foreign countries on Khalistan, says MEA apokesperson Anurag Srivastava.

source https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/anti-india-activities-abroad-committed-by-a-very-small-fringe-ministry-of-external-affairs/article33687855.ece

Bollywood big banners arrive in Kashmir

A major shot in the arm of the tourism sector that is facing huge revenue and job losses.

source https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/bollywood-big-banners-arrive-in-kashmir/article33687895.ece

Coronavirus | Japan to produce 90 million doses of AstraZeneca shots

Vaccination may hold the key to holding the postponed Olympics this summer.

source https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/coronavirus-japan-to-produce-90-million-doses-of-astrazeneca-shots/article33687991.ece

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Mamata upset with Soren’s campaign in Bengal

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader started campaign for his party’s candidate in Jhargram.

source https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/mamata-upset-with-sorens-campaign-in-bengal/article33688149.ece

Lalu bail petition in Dumka case to come up today

Approval of bail in Dumka treasury embezzlement case will relieve the RJD leader from jail as he has already secured bail in three other cases of the fodder scam.

source https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/lalu-bail-petition-in-dumka-case-to-come-up-today/article33688224.ece

Don’t lift ban on Durrani’s foreign travel, Pakistan govt. appeals in court

The Ministry of Defence in Pakistan has urged the Islamabad High Court that it should not lift a ban on foreign travels of former spy master Lt. Gen.

source https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/dont-lift-ban-on-durranis-foreign-travel-pakistan-govt-appeals-in-court/article33687612.ece

March off, unions regret Red Fort incident

Ravinder Saini and Parveen Arora

Tribune News Service

Tikri/Singhu, January 27

The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Wednesday expressed regret over the "Red Fort incident" on Republic Day during the tractor parade. Announcing that it had put off the march to Parliament on February 1, the SKM said that farmers across the country would observe fast on the death anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, on January 30.

• Also read: Farmers' leaders Ugrahan, Rajewal among 37 booked
• Tourism Minister asks ASI to submit report on Red Fort raid
• Edit: Damage control

"The incident at the Red Fort where some persons participating in the tractor parade unfurled the flag of a particular religion hurt the sentiments of the people of the nation. We regret the incident even though we had no role in it. But as we had given the call for the tractor parade, in which lakhs participated, we express regret for the shameful incident," said Balbir Singh Rajewal, one of the members on the seven-member SKM committee, after a marathon meeting at Singhu that lasted over five hours.

"

SN Srivastava

Breach of agreement: Delhi police chief

The unions didn't follow conditions set for the rally that was supposed to be held from 12 noon to 5 pm with 5,000 tractors.

"

He and other members blamed the government for hatching a conspiracy to defame their peaceful protest. "We will expose the conspiracy by the government in coming days. We obeyed the route plan given to us by the police but encountered barricades. Members of the Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee stood ahead of these barricades to 'sabotage' our protest. Sangharsh Committee members and Deep Sidhu are responsible for what happened at the Red Fort," Rajewal told the media.

Yogendra Yadav and Gurnam Singh Charuni said the protest would continue and more farmers would join in soon. The SKM, an umbrella body of agitating farmer unions, claimed several of their members were still missing. "FIRs have been registered against innocent farmers too. It was a conspiracy to weaken the brotherhood between the farmers of Haryana and Punjab," the SKM leaders alleged. Rajewal questioned the working of the Delhi Police, asking: "How could the protesters enter the Red Fort which is a high-security area?" Most farmers, gathered at Singhu and Tikri for the tractor parade, returned on Wednesday. Pelted with stones on the Gharaunda flyover, a group of farmers chased the miscreants, parking their tractors on the highway, disrupting traffic.

Doors for dialogue still open: Javadekar

The Centre has sent out feelers to farmers saying doors for talks were still open. Minister Prakash Javadekar asked, "Who has ever said doors for talks are shut?"

Delhi violence a Govt conspiracy, says Opposition

The Congress-led Opposition has alleged the Delhi mayhem was a govt conspiracy to discredit the agitation and questioned how the protesters could reach Red Fort.

2 unions pull out of stir

BKU (Bhanu) and All-India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Comm-ittee have withdrawn from the stir.

Net ban extended in Haryana

Haryana has extended suspension of phone services, except voice calls, in Sonepat, Palwal and Jhajjar districts for 24 hours.

Deol's former aide blamed for violence

New Delhi: Gurdaspur MP Sunny Deol's former aide, Deep Sidhu, who has been blamed for instigating protesters and leading them to the Red Fort, was summoned by the NIA in connection with a case against the Sikhs for Justice.

Sources, however, said that no fresh action had been initiated against him so far. The SFJ is accused of funding anti-India movement in the country and abroad. — TNS

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Farmers’ leaders Ugrahan, Rajewal among 37 booked

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 27

The Delhi Police have named 37 union leaders in 25 FIRs lodged in connection with the violence that took place during the tractor parade by farmers. The police said they would investigate their role.

Several of them were reportedly part of the negotiations with the government. Those named included Yogendra Yadav, Darshan Pal, Gurnam Singh Charuni, Rajinder Singh, Balbir Singh Rajewal, Rakesh Tikait, Buta Singh Burj Gill, Joginder Singh Ugrahan and Satnam Pannu. They have been charged with attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy, assault on public authorities, use of deadly weapons, inciting violence, vandalism and robbery.

Addressing the media, Commissioner of Police SN Shrivastava accused the leaders of breaching the agreement signed for getting permission for holding the rally.

"We maintained restraint as we wanted to facilitate a peaceful parade. The union leaders did not honour any of the terms," he said.

"All those who have already been named in the FIRs will be summoned as accused to join the investigation. More than 390 policemen were injured. We are verifying video clippings and CCTV and drone footage to identify the culprits. More cases will be lodged in due course," he said.

Sources said more than 300 people had been detained for damaging public property and attacking police personnel. They said the FIR over violence at Red Fort included vandalism and robbery charges since some miscreants had allegedly snatched tear gas shells from cops and forcibly entered the historical monument. The police said the case would be investigated by the Crime Branch.

Charged with murder bid, inciting violence

Yogendra Yadav, Darshan Pal, Gurnam Singh Charuni, BS Rajewal and other leaders have been charged with attempt to murder, incitement to violence and vandalism.

394 cops hurt, 30 vehicles damaged: officials

The Delhi Police claimed 394 of its personnel were injured — some of them in ICU. The damaged property included 408 barricades, four X-ray machines, 30 vehicles and six containers.

Twitter suspends over 550 accounts

A day after violence, Twitter said on Wednesday it had suspended more than 550 accounts engaged in spam and platform manipulation.

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