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HYDERABAD I THURSDAY I 23 DECEMBER 2021
deccanchronicle.com, facebook.com/deccannews, twitter.com/deccanchronicle, google.com/+deccanchronicle Vol. 84 No. 353 Established 1938 | 20 PAGES | `6.00

WEATHER
Max: 30.2OC
Min: 11.2OC
RH: 24%
India trounces Pakistan in hockey
Oppn, new Covid fears
cut short Parl. session
Rainfall: Nil
Forecast: Clear sky. Misty
morning. Max/Min
temp. 30/12ºC

ASTROGUIDE Decision was taken a day after BSP MP tested Covid positive
Plava; Dakshinayana
DC CORRESPONDENT
Tithi: Margasira Bahula
Chaviti till 6.24 pm
Star: Ashlesha till 2.39 am
(Friday)
NEW DELHI, DEC. 22

With the Opposition unre-

Varjyam: 2.33 pm to 4.16 pm
Durmuhurtam: 10.25 am to
11.09 am; 2.48 pm to 3.32 pm
Rahukalam: 1.30 pm to 3 pm
HIJRI CALENDAR
Jamadi ul-awwal 23,1443 AH
PRAYERS
Fajar: 5.37 am
Zohar: 12.25 pm
Asar: 4.12 pm
Maghrib: 5.54 pm
Isha: 7.07 pm
SUNSET TODAY 5.47 PM
SUNRISE TOMORROW 6.42 AM
MOONRISE TODAY 9.24 PM
MOONSET TODAY 9.53 AM
lenting and the new vari-
ant of Covid-19 slowly pick-
ing up pace, the govern-
ment decided to end the
Winter Session of
Parliament a day before
schedule. The Opposition
in both the Lok Sabha and
the Rajya Sabha had been
constantly protesting over
the suspension of 12 Rajya
Sabha MPs and seeking the
revocation of these suspen-
sions, and also demanding
Indian and Pakistani players vie for the ball during their hockey match at the Hero
Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2021, in Dhaka. India beat Pakistan 4-3 to finish the sacking of minister of
third. — PTI ■ Report on Page 12 state for home Ajay Mishra
“Teni” over his son’s
alleged involvement in the
TS reports 14 cases
of Omicron in 1 day
BALU PULIPAKA I DC
HYDERABAD, DEC. 23
Telangana on Wednesday
reported a mini-explosion
of sorts with respect to
Omicron Covid-19 cases,
with the health depart-
ment saying 14 cases were
confirmed during the day.
This takes to 38 the known
cases of Omicron variant
infected people in the state
so far.
Siricilla district: A man
who returned recently
from Dubai and was living
with his family in Gudem
village of Mustabad man-
dal of the district.
The man has since been
shifted to the Telangana
Institute of Medical Scien-
ces at Gachibowli, the gov-
ernment designated facili-
ty for treating Omicron
cases. Health officials said
that the man’s wife, and
PM TO HOLD MEET
ON THREAT OF
OMICRON TODAY
New Delhi, Dec. 22: Amid
fresh concerns caused by
the Omicron variant of the
coronavirus, Prime
Minister Narendra Modi
will hold a meeting on the
Covid-19 situation in the
country on Thursday.
Sources said Modi will
take stock of the pandemic
situation across the coun-
try. India has so far record-
ed 213 cases of the Omicron
variant of the coronavirus

HC slaps `10,000 penalty

Lakhimpur Kheri killings.
On Wednesday, a discus-
COUNTER POINT sion on the price rise and
on climate change had been
listed on the Lok Sabha’s
Also, in what appears to
be not a good sign as far as
containing the spread of
the Omicron variant is
concerned, one case was
mother, had tested positive
for Covid-19 and that their
samples were being sent
for genome sequencing.
across 15 states and UTs
and 90 of the infected peo-
ple have either recovered
or migrated, according to
the health ministry's data

on CS for non-compliance schedule. However, Lok

Sabha Speaker Om Birla
announced the sine die
adjournment in the morn-
confirmed from Rajanna-

for Covid-19. He was regu-

■ Full coverage on Page 2

Venkaiah Naidu also

IN BRIEF
Another civilian
killed in Kashmir
Srinagar: The ghost of
targeted killings has
returned to the Kashmir
Valley. On Wednesday
evening, suspected mili-
tants shot and critically
wounded a civilian in the
capital Srinagar and a
policeman in Bijbehara
town of southern
Anantnag district.
■ Full report on Page 7
Doctors oppose
Jallikattu in TN
Chennai: With the year
coming to a close paving
way for the Jallikattu
traditional sport for
Pongal, about 80 doc-
tors on Wednesday
appealed to the TN gov-
ernment not to give its
nod to the conduct of
the popular bull taming
sport this time due to
Covid-19 risk and
Omicron concerns.
VUJJINI
VAMSHIDHAR I DC
HYDERABAD, DEC. 22
The Telangana High
Court on Wednesday slap-
ped a fine of `10,000 on
Chief Secretary Somesh
Kumar, who also holds
the post of principal sec-
retary for revenue, and
issued summons to him
to appear on January 24
for disregarding its direc-
tions.
A division bench com-
prising Chief Justice
Satish Chandra Sharma
and Justice N. Tukaramji
Rawat’s outburst
puts Cong. in fix
ASHHAR KHAN | DC
NEW DELHI, DEC. 22
The Congress is facing a
major jolt in poll-bound
Uttarakhand as former
chief minister and cam-
paign committee chief
Harish Rawat hit out at
his own party, alleging
“internal sabotage” on
Wednesday. In a three-
part tweet, he said: “Isn’t
it strange? We have to
swim in this sea of elec-
tions, but instead of sup-
porting me, the organisa-
tion has either turned its
back on me or is playing a
negative role.”
The party is divided into
two camps led by Rawat
and AICC in-charge
was dealing with a batch
of 12 petitions filed in
2016 by around 1,000 per-
sons whose land was
acquired by the state gov-
ernment for various pro-
jects which include the
Kaleshwaram lift irriga-
tion scheme and some
belonging to the TS Sout-
hern Power Distribution
Company Limited.
The petitioners’ griev-
ance was that their land
was acquired under GO
123, which was set aside
by the court later, and
other provisions without
giving opportunity to
Devendra Yadav.
He added: “The powers-
that-be have let loose ma-
ny crocodiles in the sea
we have to navigate. Tho-
se whom I am supposed to
follow… their people have
tied my hands and feet. I
have been thinking...
Harish Rawat, it’s gone
too far, you have done
enough, it is time to rest.”
He made it clear he will
decide on his future soon.
“Then there is a voice in
the head that quietly says
I am neither weak nor will
run from challenges. I am
in turmoil. Hope the New
Year shows me the way. I
am confident that Lord
Kedarnath will show me
the way.”
updated on Wednesday.
In a communication to
the states and UTs on
Tuesday, the Centre said
them on fixing of rate of ing itself. This was a day lar in Parliament all thro- announced that the Upper the Omicron variant is at
land compensation. They after Amroha MP Kunwar ugh the session. In the House was being adjourned least thrice more transmis-
said they were threatened Danish Ali tested positive Rajya Sabha, Chairman M. sine die. sible than Delta. — PTI
and forced to give up
their land for the projects
and without issuing pre-
liminary or other notifi-
cations, the authorities
had taken their signa-
tures in the agreements,
by using the police force.
Further, they said the
government had violated
the 2013 land acqui-sition
law, which safeguarded
the rights of land owners.
■ Page 5: State govt failed
to respond to petition
INDIA TESTS
LOW-FLYING
PRALAY MISSILE
PAWAN BALI I DC
NEW DELHI, DEC. 22
India on Wednesday
tested a new surface-to-
surface missile, Pralay,
a quasi-ballistic missile
that can hit targets from
150 to 500 km away.
The new generation
missile built by the
DRDO can be launched
from a mobile launcher,
making it difficult for
enemies to know their
location.
Missile sites are usual-
ly the first targets in a
war situation. Being a
quasi-ballistic missile, it
will follow a low trajec-
tory and move faster,
giving enemies less time
to react.

PEACE | TIME Monitoring of suspects kept crime low, says top cop

Crime rate dips 21% in Hyd

MOULI MAREEDU I DC
HYDERABAD, DEC. 22
With the New Year just
round the corner, the city
police had some good news
for Hyderabadis. Overall,
crime in the city saw a dip
for the third straight year,
Hyderabad police commis-
sioner Anjani Kumar
reported on Wednesday.
The year 2021 saw 20,012
cases in all, Anjani Kumar
said, down from 22,641 in
2020, which was fewer than
the 25,187 cases registered
in the city in 2019.
That the city turned a lit-
tle more peaceful for its peo-
ple, was announced at the
feet of the Lord Buddha
statue in the middle of
Hussainsagar, with Anjani
Kumar, accompanied by
senior city police officials,
significant decrease in
occurrence of bodily and
property offences. The decr-
ease was seen in the report-
ed cases of dacoities, culpa-
ble homicides, robberies,
chain snatchings, robber-
ies, house breaks, people
posing as police officials,
thefts, and other crimes.
“The rate of detection of
property crime by the city
police is at 63 per cent, with
a recovery rate of 54 per
cent despite a 34 per cent
vacancy rate. This is an
Hyderabad police commissioner Anjani Kumar thanks achievement considering
Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao at Pragathi Bhavan in the fact that during the
Hyderabad on Wednesday after his elevation to the entire year, the city police
Director-General of Police rank. — DC was very busy serving peo-
ple during the second wave
addressing a press confer- ing cases, and close vigil on of Covid-19 performing law
ence on the Gibraltar Rock the movement of people and order duties,” he said.
platform. who previously committed
Underlining the continu- crimes, and suspects, Anj- ■ Page 4: Cheating cases rise
ous monitoring on report- ani Kumar said there was a in city: Commissioner
CITY
DECCAN CHRONICLE | HYDERABAD | THURSDAY | 23 DECEMBER 2021
Omicron found in Sircilla dist
12 passengers who arrived at RGIA were from not at-risk countires
BALU PULIPAKA | DC
HYDERABAD, DEC. 22
Telangana on Wednesday
reported a mini-explosion
of sorts with respect to
Omicron Covid-19 cases,
with the health depart-
ment saying 14 cases were
confirmed during the day.
This takes to 38 the known
cases of Omicron variant
infected people in the state
so far.
Also, in what appears to
be not a good sign as far as
containing the spread of
the Omicron variant is
concerned, one case was
confirmed from Rajanna-
Sircilla district: A man
who returned recently
from Dubai and was living
with his family in Gudem
village of Mustabad man-
dal of the district.
The man has since been
shifted to the Telangana
Institute of Medical
Sciences (TIMS) at
Gachibowli, the govern-
ment designated facility
for treating Omicron
cases. Health officials said
that the man’s wife, and
mother, had tested positive
for Covid-19 and that their
samples were being sent
Tesla Power USA officials address the press conference at India Business Meet in
New Delhi on Wednesday.
Tesla Power USA to set up Ponnala hits out at
5,000 EV charging points Shah on TRS graft
DC CORRESPONDENT
HYDERABAD, DEC. 22
Tesla Power USA will set
up 5,000 two-wheeler
charging points across
India at its franchisee out-
lets, said a senior official
of the company.
Speaking at the India
Business Meet organised
by Tesla Power in New
Delhi, company managing
director (India) Kavinder
Khurana said: “We are
gearing up for installing
5,000 two-wheeler EV
charging points pan-India
in the near future at our
franchisee-owned Tesla
Power Shops. This is our
commitment to encourage
the use of electric vehicles
and contribute to as much
SEASON’S| TOAST
Christmas tree, a sign of hope, renewal
SANJAY
SAMUEL PAUL I DC
HYDERABAD, DEC. 22
The Christmas tree is
what makes the season
both colourful and
enchanting in homes and
in churches. Children are
the more excited lot when
it comes to arranging the
Christmas tree in their
homes.
Notably, the Christmas
tree is made of branches
cut from a fir tree or the
pine. These trees are cho-
sen because their leaves
do not wither and they
retain the green colour.
Jesus Christ is all about
eternity to the faithful.
The tree is decorated
with ‘Star of Bethlehem’
and angels along with dec-
orations of red, green and
white. The decoration
stores here are brisk with
sales this year compared
to the previous Christmas.
Church streets across the
city shine with the bright
decoration lights on the
tree, during the winter
season, giving a warm
feeling of Christmas to
one and all.
Cyberabad police com-
missioner, Stephen
Raveendra explained what
State sees 182 fresh
Covid cases, 1 death
DC CORRESPONDENT
HYDERABAD, DEC. 22
Hyderabad and the rest of
the GHMC area appear to
be in the grip of a rising
Covid-19 case trajectory
with the health depart-
ment saying on Wedn-
esday that the region
recorded 91 new cases.
This is five more cases
than on Tuesday, and 38
cases more than on Mo-
nday that were reported
from the GHMC limits.
Telangana, in all, report-
ed 182 new cases along
with one more death due
for genome sequencing.
Further evidence over a
possible threat of an
uncontrolled spread of the
Omicron variant came
from Hayathangar on the
city fringes with health
officials saying that a man
in his 20s, who came from
● THE COMPANY would
support its vehicles com-
pletely and would look
forward to offering them
charging points support
to increase the accept-
ance of EV two-wheelers.
sustainability of the envi-
ronment as we can.”
He said the company
would support its vehicles
completely and would
look forward to offering
them charging points sup-
port to increase the
acceptance of EV two-
wheelers.
Tesla Power USA Inc. is
among the fastest-growing
brand of batteries in
India. They have more
than 200 distributors and
Sales at decoration stores, novelty houses brisk this year
Christmas trees decorated at YMCA in Secunderabad on Wednesday, as Christmas is
around the corner.
the Christmas tree sym-
bolises. “Hope and renew-
al, this tree is used as a
sign of everlasting life.
Red in the decorations rep-
resents Christ’s blood,
green is everlasting and
white is the purity of
Jesus. The decorative sym-
bols on the Christmas tree
are import elements of
what had happened during
the birth of Jesus Christ.”
The official, who has
to Covid-19 which took the
toll from the disease to
4,017 on Wednesday.
Hanamkonda district
(formerly Warangal Ur-
ban), too reported a spike
in cases — from seven on
Tuesday to 18 on Wed-
nesday — as did Siddipet,
from two to none. Jagitial
district which reported
zero cases for three days
in a row till Tuesday, had
seven new Covid cases.
The health department
said there were 3,610 ac-
tive Covid cases, and that
it had conducted 37,353
tests during the day.
Sudan and stayed in
Hayatnagar’s Saty-
anarayana Colony, was
found to be Omicron posi-
tive.
In this instance too, offi-
cials began collecting sam-
ples from the man's pri-
mary contacts and from
— BY ARRANGEMENT
over 250 Tesla Power
Shops in more than 20
states in the country.
The company, Sandeep
Avasthi, business head
(India) stated, gives the
longest warranty with the
largest service network.
The company’s global
CEO John H. Vratsinas
paid tribute to India for
leading the world in new
technologies. “This is the
first time in modern
Indian history that India
is leading the world in
new technologies and
infrastructure for the
growth of E-Vehicles. I
believe India will create
the best model of EV
charging infrastructure
that the west will follow,”
Vratsinas said.
many of his memories
associated with the
Christmas and the
Christmas tree, added,
“The tree is decorated at
the advent of the season
and the whole family get
together to decorate the
tree. At the bottom of the
Christmas tree, gifts are
packed and kept. My
daughter, for one, gets her
surprise gift each
Christmas, packed and
the neighbourhood for
testing for Covid, and then
if positive cases are found,
subsequently to identify if
any of such emerging
cases carry the Omicron
variant.
The Rajanna-Sircilla
case is the second
Omicron case found out-
side of the GHMC area.
The first was that of a
woman who returned
from the United Kingdom
and lived in Hanamkonda.
The health department
said of the 14 cases report-
ed on Wednesday, 12 were
found from among passen-
gers arriving at the Rajiv
Gandhi International air-
port (RGIA) in the city
from countries listed by
the Government of India
as not at-risk nations. Two
other cases were from at-
risk countries, it said.
The department said
four Covid-19 positive
cases were found on
Wednesday at the RGIA
from among arrivals from
at-risk countries and their
samples were sent for
genome sequencing. It
said it was waiting for
genome sequencing
results on four samples.
TS issues norms on
employees transfer
DC CORRESPONDENT
HYDERABAD, DEC. 22
The state government on
Wednesday gave an
opportunity to employees
to apply for change of
local cadre on spousal
grounds after allotment
in the ongoing transfers
being made to new dis-
tricts and zones as per the
new zonal system.
The government also
allowed all employees to
appeal against allocation
of cadres to new districts
and zones.
To seek changes on
DC CORRESPONDENT
HYDERABAD, DEC. 22
Former PCC president
Ponnala Lakshmaiah on
Wednesday criticised
Union home minister
Amit Shah for reacting to
corruption in the TRS
government after seven
years.
The Congress had sever-
al times highlighted the
irregularities and corrup-
tion of TRS government
with the Central but the
BJP had never reacted,
Lakshmaiah said in a
release here on
Wednesday.
Lakshmaiah alleged
that Shah had pointed to
corruption in the TRS
government for political
reasons. He said that a
— R. PAVAN
kept at the tree.”
He added, “Children are
more excited when it
comes to Christmas tree
and to the gifts near it. For
the festival, my friends
and their families are
invited, their kids get sur-
prise gifts at the
Christmas tree.”
“Most of our memories
are connected with the fir
or the pine tree, which are
natural. But the new gen-
pg 2
So far, Omicron cases
found in Telangana are
dominated by those arriv-
ing — whether Indian or
foreign nationals, the lat-
ter mostly from African
nations, and some from
countries in the Gulf. As
many as 31 of the total 38
cases are from the so-
called not at-risk coun-
tries, while six are from at-
risk countries. One case is
that of a local transmis-
sion, a cancer specialist
doctor at a corporate hos-
pital who caught the
Omicron variant from a
patient who arrived from
Africa, he was treating.
Meanwhile, sources told
Deccan Chronicle that 13
Omicron patients were
admitted to the special
ward at TIMS. At least 11
patients, earlier found
infected with Omicron,
have been discharged from
the hospital, the sources
said. They also said
genome sequencing
results were awaited on
another 14 suspects, who
tested positive for Covid-
19. This group includes
Covid positive contacts of
those who had earlier test-
ed positive for Omicron.
spousal grounds, the
employees should first
join in the new local
cadre to which they are
allotted. Later, they
should apply in the pre-
scribed format to district
head of the department
for zonal and multi-zonal
cadres.
The secretary con-
cerned after due exami-
nation should dispose of
the applications expedi-
tiously.
The same system is to be
followed by employees
seeking changes in trans-
fers on other grounds.
CBI special court directed
the filing of FIRs in the
Sahara and passports
cases on April 14, 2014,
but no action had been
taken.
The senior Congress
leader alleged that there
were high-level irregular-
ities in power purchases,
and construction of the
Kaleshwaram and
Palamuru-Ranga Reddy
lift irrigation schemes.
He said that Mission
Kakatiya, Mission
Bhagiratha and Haritha
Haram had witnessed
high levels of corruption.
He demanded central
agencies should conduct
inquiry on state govern-
ment works to find out
the high level irregulari-
ties.
eration has seen only the
artificial Christmas tree,”
said Lavina D’Souza, a
member of Shrine of Our
Lady of Health, Church,
Khairatabad.
“As kids, along with our
siblings, we used to get the
tree branch chopped, they
were decorated well and
all the elements and the
props were handmade by
us. Now we have an artifi-
cial one. But whenever we
pass by those real trees in
front of some individual
house, it gives us a good
feeling of Christmas,” she
added.
Begum Bazaar market is
the biggest wholesale mar-
ket in the state for the
Christmas trees and deco-
ration, said Ashok Kumar
Katri of Bhagwan Card
Centre. “The sales of the
Christmas trees and deco-
rations are better this
time compared to the pre-
vious year.”
“The price starts from
`200 to `10,000, and for spe-
cial purposes they may
cross any digit. The latest
attraction is the electric
Christmas tree, which has
optical fiber leaves, and
which changes lighting
colours by itself. It costs
around `9,500.”
 CITY
DECCAN CHRONICLE | HYDERABAD | THURSDAY | 23 DECEMBER 2021
pg 3

SHORT

MADHAVARAM
TAKES
Regulator asks for PASS ALL INTER
STUDENTS IN 12 Will halt work on Dindi
MADE PREZ. OF TS
SECRETARIAT ASSN power tariff plans
HOURS: JAGGA
DC CORRESPONDENT
project, TS assures NGT
HYDERABAD, DEC. 22 DC CORRESPONDENT
DC CORRESPONDENT
HYDERABAD, DEC. 22
File ARRs, proposed tariffs by Dec. 27, discoms told
TPCC working president
T. Jayaprakash ‘Jagga’
VIJAYAWADA, DEC. 22

The Telangana state gov-

Narender Rao Madhavaram
was re-elected president of the
Telangana Secretariat
Association on Wednesday for
a term of three years till 2024.
Shaik Yousuf Miya was elect-
ed general secretary and
Rendla Rajesham treasurer.
Narender Rao said that the
new body will work for the wel-
fare of all Secretariat employ-
ees and try to resolve all the
problems they face while dis-
charging their duties.
He said the association had
achieved the long-pending pro-
motions for employees in
Secretariat due to which 200
staffers had benefited. Besides
additional posts had been
secured at the Secretariat to
ease the work burden.
Narender Rao thanked Chief
Minister K. Chandrashekar
Rao and Chief Secretary
Somesh Kumar for responding
positively and resolving the
issues raised by Secretariat
employees.
APOLOGISE TO TS
NARENDER PULLOOR |
DC
HYDERABAD, DEC. 22
The TS Electricity
Regulatory Commission
(TSERC) has directed
power distribution com-
panies (discoms) to file
their aggregate revenue
requirement (ARR) and
proposed tariffs for the
financial year 2022-23.
The commission
returned the ARRs filed
by the discoms as they
were not accompanied by
the filings of tariff pro-
posals (FPT), which is
mandatory.
Reportedly, discoms
asked for 10 days to sub-
mit revised ARRs and tar-
iff proposals, but the com-
mission directed them to
submit the proposals by
December 27.
Ministers T. Harish Rao
and G. Jagadish Reddy
conducted review meet-
ings for three days recent-
● OFFICIALS SUBMIT-
TED that ERC could
impose a penalty on
discoms if they failed
to submit the ARRs and
FPTs within the stipu-
lated time.
came to the conclusion
that Telangana had the
lowest rates.
The revised ARR and
FPTs will be given final
shape after obtaining
Chief Minister K.
Chandrashekar Rao’s
directions, sources said.
Reportedly, discom offi-
cials are revising the pro-
posals.
The commission is also
checking the feasibility of
hiking the tariff suo
motu, by itself. Officials
submitted that ERC could
impose a penalty on dis-
coms if they failed to sub-
mit the ARRs and FPTs
within the stipulated
time.
per capita power con-
sumption after formation
of the state but the tariff
had not been increased for
a couple of years. For this
reason, according to
sources, though the gov-
ernment was releasing
tariff subsidies in time
and was infusing consid-
erable equity in them, the
discoms were facing
financial stress.
Sources said that in
order to bridge the rev-
enue gap and strengthen
the financial position of
the discoms, there was a
need to enhance the retail
supply tariff. The ARR of
the TS Southern Power
Distribution Company
Limited (TSSPDCL) for
year 2021-22 was `30,544
crore and was projected to
be `34,870 crore for 2022-
23. The TS Northern
Power Distribution
Company Limited showed
`15,074 crore as its aggre-
gate revenue requirement
Reddy, the Sangareddy
MLA , gave an ultimatum
to the state government
to declare all Inter
mediate first year stu-
dents as passed within 12
hours, failing which, he
would stage a deeksha in
front of Board of
Intermediate Education
(BIE) office in
Hyderabad on December
23. About 51 per cent first
year students had been
declared failed last week.
Jagga Reddy said that in
view of Covid-19 pan-
demic, students were
unable to attend regular
classes and did not com-
plete the syllabus.
The government had
first decided to promote
all students but later con-
ducted the examinations,
he said, adding that the
government should have
taken adequate care
before announcing the
results. In an earlier
instance, around 25 stu-
dents had died by suicide
ernment on Wednesday
gave an undertaking to the
southern bench of the
National Green Tribunal
(NGT), Chennai, stating
that it will not proceed
with the construction of
the Dindi lift irrigation
scheme.
The Andhra Pradesh
government filed a peti-
tion with the tribunal stat-
ing that the TS govern-
ment was taking up con-
struction of the scheme
without authorisation.
The NGT heard argu-
ments on the petition dur-
ing which the Telangana
state government said that
the tribunal had stayed the
construction of the
Palamuru Ranga Reddy
lift irrigation scheme
(PRLIS) on October 29. As
the Dindi scheme was an
integral part of the PRLIS,
it could not take work on
the project. With this, the
NGT stayed the construc-
tion of two irrigation proj-
ects as they were not hav-
KRMB meet: Water
sharing on the anvil
DC CORRESPONDENT water has been allocated
HYDERABAD, DEC. 22 for the purpose. The
KRMB will finalise the
The Krishna River schedule for release of
Management Board water to Chennai in con-
(KRMB) will meet on sultation with the states.
Thursday and has asked The meeting will also
member states, which discuss the proposed lay-
include Telangana, ing of pipeline from the
Andhra Pradesh, Srisailam reservoir to
Maharashtra and Kandaleru reservoir by
Karnataka, to attend the the Tamil Nadu govern-
meeting virtually. The ment. The KRMB also the
meeting is expected to be sought the opinion of the
confined to discussing and states over sharing of
allocating water to their water utilisation
Chennai to meet the data mutually.
drinking water needs of The KRMB is expected to
the metropolis. Water is meet again in a week to
supplied from the discuss and finalise alloca-
Srisailam project to tion of Krishna water to
Chennai every year Telangana and Andhra
through the Telugu Ganga Pradesh to meet irrigation
project. needs for rabi season and
About 15 tmc ft (thou- drinking water needs dur-
sand million cubic feet) of ing summer.
under the Environmental AP Advocate General S.

FARMERS: HARISH ly on power tariff propos-

als. Comparing the tariff
Sources said there was
considerable growth in
for 2021-22, which will
grow to `18,183 crore in
due to errors in the
Intermediate results, he
ing permission from the
Union ministry of envi-
Impact
Notification
Assessment
dated
Sriram and AP’s NGT
counsel D. Madhuri Reddy

TELLS GOYAL
in different states, they electricity demand and 2022-23. recalled. ronment as required September 14, 2006. argued in the case.

DC CORRESPONDENT
HYDERABAD, DEC. 22
Finance and health minister T.
Harish Rao on Wednesday
demanded that Union food
minister Piyush Goyal tender
an unconditional apology to
Telangana state and its farm-
ers for allegedly insulting the
government delegation which
met him in Delhi on Tuesday
to seek resolution of the prob-
lems with paddy procurement.
Harish Rao alleged that
Goyal humiliated Telangana
by asking the delegation com-
prising ministers and MPs
whether they had no work
other than meeting him in
Delhi frequently on the paddy
issue.
Speaking to media personnel
here, he accused Goyal of
hurting the self-respect of 70
lakh farmers of Telangana on
whose behalf the delegation
had met him. Goyal’s language
was unbecoming of a central
minister, Harish Rao said.
“Goyal kept the delegation
waiting for three days in Delhi.
He first met BJP leaders and
then met the TS government
delegation after three days. Is
this not insulting a constitu-
tionally-formed state govern-
ment? What right does he have
to humiliate our ministers and
the state,” Harish Rao asked.
“Despite all this, our minis-
ters and MPs remained calm
because our priority is farm-
ers,” he said.
“The Centre had fixed the
target of 60 lakh tonnes paddy
procurement for the recent
kharif season. The state has
already met the target and
another 20-30 lakh tonnes is
lying in the market. The state
delegation went to Delhi to
request the Centre to enhance
the target and purchase all the
paddy,” he said.
Harish Rao also condemned
Goyal’s remarks blaming the
state government for not
procuring paddy from farm-
ers.
He pointed out that the state
government has made repeat-
ed requests to the Centre urg-
ing it to make all arrange-
ments to lift the paddy stocks
but the Centre is delaying it,
citing shortage of rail wagons
for transportation and storage
space in godowns.
● HARISH RAO also con-
demned Goyal’s remarks blam-
ing the state government for
not procuring paddy from
farmers.
TPCC president and MP A. Revanth Reddy shows a news clipping at a press con-
ference in New Delhi on Wednesday. Congress MPs N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and
Komatireddy Venkat Reddy are also seen.
Cong. slams BJP, TRS,
vows to expose ‘nexus’
DC CORRESPONDENT Hyderabad from New
HYDERABAD, DEC. 22 Delhi.
Commenting on the
Congress MPs A. meeting between TS BJP
Revanth Reddy, the state leaders and Amit Shah,
Congress chief, and N. Revanth said it was ridic
Uttam Kumar Reddy and ulous on behalf of the
Komatireddy Venkat home minister to suggest
Reddy alleged that lakhs his partymen to cam-
of Telangana farmers paign on the plank of
were falling prey to the irregularities and cor-
monstrous plans of the ruption of Chandra
BJP-led Centre and the shekar Rao and his fami-
TRS government at the ly. “Kishan Reddy and
state for the last two Bandi Sanjay alleged
months. They alleged repeatedly that KCR had
that the TRS government indulged in corruption
and the BJP government and he would land in jail.
at the Centre had jointly But they never lodged
conspired to cheat the any written complaint
farmers using blame with the Centre,”
game, deception and Revanth said. Further, if
falsehood as their tools. Amit Shah had proof of
Addressing a joint KCR’s corruption, then
press conference in New he could directly order a
Delhi on Wednesday, the probe by the ED, CBI,
MPs said the blame game income-tax department
over paddy procurement or other Central agen-
was scripted. This was cies, he said, and added
reportedly being done on that by not taking any
the advice of a political action against the CM,
strategist Sunil, who was the BJP leaders had
closely associated with proved that they were
both Union home minis- having a secret tie-up
ter Amit Shah and Chief with the TRS. “Which
Minister K. Chandra ‘invisible power’ is stop-
shekar Rao, they added. ping the BJP govern-
They said they would ment from taking action
expose the entire nexus against KCR,” he asked.
between the TRS and the “The paddy produced
during the rainy season
BJP on their return to
GOV. CALLS FOR GREATER TEACHING
STANDARDS ACROSS UNIVERSITIES
DC CORRESPONDENT initiative, she said, will
HYDERABAD, DEC. 22 transform the education
sector. She was address-
Governor Dr Tamilisai ing the inaugural of a
Soundararajan on two-day national seminar
Wednesday expressed titled ‘Synergizing Higher
concern over the falling Education in the context
standards of teaching in of NEP-2020: Strategies
higher education institu- for implementation’, at
tions, and called for sus- Tagore Auditorium in the
tained efforts to correct Osmania University cam-
the situation. “I appeal to pus. While many coun-
the state governments tries have benefited from
and Vice Chancellors to Indian students’ migrat-
prioritize recruiting ing and using their skills
teaching staff in universi- and knowledge, “it is a
ties,” she said. She called question for academic
on states to join hands leaders to think about
with the Centre for effec- why we are unable to
— DC tive implementation of attract foreign students to
the National Education our educational institu-
Policy-2020. The policy tions,” she said.
must be a non-issue.
However, the TRS MPs
are trying to make it
appear as a big issue
despite the fact that they
did not get any commit-
ment from the Union
minister on paddy pro-
curement for the Yasangi
season,” he said.
Revanth said that the
Congress would expose
both the TRS and the
BJP by conducting
‘Rachabanda with farm-
ers’ programme from
December 24 to January
3, 2022.
Uttam Kumar Reddy
said that farmers had
suffered huge losses in
the kharif season due to
the negligence of the
TRS government. It did
not make adequate
arrangements for gunny
bags, transportation or
Indira Kranti Pathakam
(IKP) centres. He said
everyone knew that the
TRS leaders were fully
mired in corruption and
irregularities. But the
Centre was not taking
any action against KCR
due to their secret friend-
ship, he added. Bhongir
MP Venkat Reddy
blamed the TRS govern-
ment for the agriculture
crisis in the state.

AUCTION | BLOCK Sale proceeds went to govt. coffers, GO clarifies

HMDA aided Kokapet auction

DC CORRESPONDENT
HYDERABAD, DEC. 22
The state government clari-
fied on Wednesday that the
Hyderabad Metropolitan
Development Authority
(HMDA) had just acted as
an agent in selling land
parcels in Survey No. 239
and 240 during the
Neopolis e-auction held in
July this year.
The e-auction was con-
ducted for sale of land in
survey numbers 239 and
240 in Kokapet village,
Gandipet mandal on the
outskirts of Hyderabad.
It clarified in a govern-
ment order that all the sale
proceeds through the e-auc-
tion belonged to the gov-
ernment. The HMDA was
only an agent and all trans-
actions conducted by the
HMDA in the matter were
on behalf of the state gov-
ernment. The sale amount
realised in the auction had
been deposited in the gov-
ernment treasury, the GO
said. It also directed Ranga
Reddy district collector to
execute the sale deeds in
favour of successful bid-
ders by himself or by the
persons authorised by him
on behalf of the govern-
ment. It asked both the dis-
trict collector and the
HMDA commissioner to
take further action accord-
ingly.
The HMDA undertook
online auction of 49.92
acres of land at Neopolis
Layout in Kokapet abutting
the Financial District,
through MSTC platform.
Uniform base price was `25
crore per acre, with mini-
mum bid increment of `20
lakh or its multiples per
acre. The auction was done
in two sessions.
The HMDA had a total
land of 634 acres in
Kokapet, of which 167
acres were sold through
auction in 2007, when the
maximum bid was `14.25
crore.
Later, the lands got mired
in legal dispute for a long
time, before being cleared
by the Supreme Court in
2017 in favour of the
HMDA. After allotment of
110 acres to the special eco-
nomic zone, and 55 acres to
several other organisa-
tions, the HMDA developed
the layout in 300 acres.
After allocation to roads
and other public utilities,
plots were developed in 110
acres.
Kokapet lands proved to
be a gold mine for the cash-
strapped government, with
the highest bid in the
online auction reaping `60
crore per acre on July 15,
the day when the e-auc-
tions were conducted by
the HMDA for eight plots.
In all, the total revenue gar-
nered from the auction
stood at `2,000.37 crore.
The single plot of 1.65
acres put up for sale in
Golden Mile Layout fetched
a total of `99.33 crore in the
auction. The winning bids
ranged between `31.2 crore
and `60.2 crore with a
weighted average bid
amount of `40.05 crore per
acre.
 CITY
DECCAN CHRONICLE | HYDERABAD | THURSDAY | 23 DECEMBER 2021
pg 4

IN
Foreign currency
BRIEF
smuggler arrested
Hyderabad: Customs offi-
cials at the Rajiv Gandhi
International Airport (RGIA)
on Wednesday arrested a
man for smuggling foreign
currency. The accused was
caught while he was about
to board a Hyderabad-
Sharjah flight. The officials
recovered 2,500 Saudi Riyals
and 22,500 UAE Dirhams
worth over `8 lakh from his
possession. He was taken for
further interrogation,
sources in the customs
revealed.
One arrested for
stabbing friend
Hyderabad: Jagtial police
detained a person,
Prashanth, for allegedly
stabbing his friend,
Mohammed, at a hotel on
Wednesday. The victim has
been shfited to a govern-
ment hospital. Police said
the stabbing followed an
argument over what was
stated to be a petty issue,
while they were having tea.
Prashanth fled after the inci-
dent and was detained later.
No bias in nod for rallies
by political parties: Anjani
Police allowed protests by all parties at Dharna Chowk, says top cop
MOULI MAREEDU | DC
HYDERABAD, DEC. 22
There is no bias in giv- SAD DEMISE
ing permission for polit-
ical parties to hold
protests at Dharna
Chowk, city police com-
missioner Anjani
Kumar said here on
Wednesday.
Keeping in mind the
law and order issues, the
city police impose cer-
tain curbs on rallies and
other events but had KALLA SATYANARAYANA
allowed protests by all S/o K. Sriramulu
parties at Dharna Left for Heavenly abode
chowk, he said. on 13th Dec 2021
“No lathicharge took Homage on Thursday
23rd Dec 2021
place in the city and we
have given permissions From: Family Members
to all political parties to Ph: 9949659536
hold protests. In sensi-
tive areas, we exercised SHRADDHANJALI
more caution, though,” OBITUARY
Anjani Kumar said.
Telangana is where the
police forces have plenty
of facilities and grant of

MAN ALLEGES
sufficient funds from the
state government.

BLACKMAIL BY
Thousands of CCTVs
help the police in detect-
ing cases. The city police Hyderabad police commissioner Anjani Kumar addresses a press meet at the Buddha statue on Hussainsagar
WOMAN: COPS would also introduce
new technologies in
on Wednesday. — S. SURENDER REDDY Mrs. KIRAN RAJ
With profound grief we inform you the
sad demise of Mrs. Kiran Raj
DC CORRESPONDENT detecting and prevent- (W/o. Mr. Rajmohan Lal Bhatnagar)

Focus on cybercrime: Police

HYDERABAD, DEC. 22
Police is trying to trace an
unidentified person who
attempted to blackmail a man
by threatening to release his
nude pictures on social media
sites if he did not pay `1 lakh.
Police said the victim, a pri-
vate company employee of
Malakpet, met the accused on
Facebook and began chatting.
She later proposed marriage,
to which the employee agreed.
She then sent him a nude pic-
ture purportedly of herself,
and sought a similar picture
from the man.
When he set her his nude
picture, she started to black-
mail him. The victim then
approached the police.
HC NOTICE TO
ing crime, the commis-
sioner said.
Explaining the future
plans, the commissioner
said the police would file
charge-heets in POCSO
cases within 60 days, and
90 days in rape cases, to
achieve a high convic-
tion rate.
The police would also
organise a special drive
to prevent drug menace
in the city.
The police, he said,
would allow celebra-
tions of New Year, but
the people must take pre-
cautionary steps to pre-
vent the spread of
Covid-19. Some restric-
tions were imposed for
the safety and security
of people. The amuse-
ment places that organ-
DC CORRESPONDENT
HYDERABAD, DEC. 22
The steady increase in
cases of cybercrime is
posing a major challenge
to law enforcement agen-
cies. “The future crime
is cybercrime,” said the
Hyderabad police.
Hundreds of cyber-
crime cases were report-
ed during the Covid-
linked lockdowns. As
many as 1,883 cyber-
crime cases were regis-
tered, against only 1,393
CRIME AND PUNISHMENT
cases in 2019.
Additional commis-
sioner of police, crimes,
Shikha Goel, said the
increase in cybercrime
cases during 2021 was by
55 per cent.
“The future crime is
cybercrime. Everyone
uses devices and smart
phones for money trans-
actions by making pay-
ments in the digital
mode. Miscreants target
many. The cybercrime
police have arrested 265
accused from different
states, besides 13 foreign-
ers, for indulging in sev-
eral such offences,”
Shikha Goel said.
She said that previous-
ly, such complaints used
to be accepted from the
cybercrime wing. As the
cases increased, police-
men at all law and order
police stations were
allowed to accept com-
plaints, investigate them
and arrest the accused.
“Those who make
transactions online and
do digital payments
With profound grief we inform Passed away peacefully on
the sad demise of Tuesday, 21 Dec 2021.
Mrs. Dulcie Ganpath Reddy Ex Teacher of Taraporwala’s Montessori
and Roots Montessori School.
(Retired Methodist School Teacher)
In grief: Sri Rajmohan lal
on 22-12-2021. Last rites will be held
on 23-12-2021 at Vaikunta Rashmi, Ashish, Anarv, Rushil
Mahaprasthanam at 10.00 AM.
Raveesh, Sheetal & Ramit.
Ph: 9848332535 (Raveesh)
must be aware about the Ph. No.:-98491 62637
guidelines of cyber law (CA-3810)
and comply strictly with SAD DEMISE
the terms of use of
online platforms.
Miscreants take advan-
tage of unsecured online
platforms and indulge in
looting the people,” she
said.
Meanwhile, the Central
Crime Station (CCS)
police have frozen 1,206
bank accounts involving
`80 crore and 16 proper-
ties worth of `23 crore
have been attached. Dr. M.A. SAMAD
Prop. GANIS Scientific & Surgicals,
Abids.
DOD: 21st Dec 2021
Deeply mourned by:

OMNI MEDI ise New Year celebra-

tions must take precau-
CHEATING CASES Family and Friends
Ph: 6300476287
2019 2020 2021 TOTAL TOTAL
COMPANY MD tions while allowing cus-
tomers. In narcotic sub-
Murder 4,921 3,615
GO UP IN CITY: SECOND ANNIVERSARY
(B/2122/D00146)

3
DC CORRESPONDENT I DC
stances cases, Kumar
said a total 246 cases of gain 7 COMMISSIONER
HYDERABAD, DEC. 22 were registered by the 13
city police in 2021. Dacoity 5 2019 From Page 1
2020
The Telangana High Court “There is no place to 11
issued notice to Kancharla cultivate ganja here. It is However, there was a
Srihari Babu, managing direc- smuggled from a neigh- 107 slight increase in cases of
tor of Omni Medi Company, bouring state to another Robbery 75 cheating, other thefts,
who is accused in the `23- state via Hyderabad city. 69 2021 murder, and rape com-
crore IMS scam regarding sup- To prevent this, the city 328 pared to 2020.
House 318 281
ply of medicines to the ESI police have intensified a Anjani Kumar
Hospitals. drive,” Anjani Kumar Break 273 265 TOTAL explained: “This
288
by
Dealing with a petition filed
the Enforcement
said.
Other
2,253 Rape
3,031 increase can be attrib-
uted to the efforts and
Directorate (ED), the court ● THE POLICE, he said, 1,608 special drives conducted Smt. CILAMKOTI JANA
issued notices to him to would allow celebrations thefts Rioting 34 18 9 by the police to create
(W/o C.L. Janakiram)

explain his contentions. The 2,042 awareness among the

Fond Remembrance
of New Year, but the From Family Members
ED challenged the decision of 84 Kidnap 320 211 192 people on sexual assault “We miss you every moment in our Life.”
people must take pre- Ph: 7207855780, 9391348502, 7207815065
a special court which rejected Hurts 1,508 1,093 1,243 cases, and as a result,
the arrest of Srihari Babu
cautionary steps to pre- Murder 64 more victims started
(S/2122/D01032)

over the issue of CrPC Section vent the spread of 85 Cheating 1,668 83 1,528 reporting the cases to
41-A notices. Covid-19. Some restric- police. In 90 per cent of
First Death Anniversary
tions were imposed for THE CITY POLICE SUCCEEDED SENTENCED 30 25 20 10 LIFE
Jesus said, I am the resurrection, and the
IN SECURING THE CONVICTION rape cases, the accused life: he that believeth in me, though he

MAOISTS KILL the safety and security were dead, yet shall he live (John 11:25)
was known to the victim
OF MANY PERSONS CONVICTS 1 1 9 10 10
of people. The amuse- and relatives.”

ONE IN MULUGU ment places that organ- Years With respect to convic-
ise New Year celebra- SENTENCED TO tions, the Hyderabad

DISTRICT tions must take precau-

PULI SHARATH KUMAR I DC
MULUGU, DEC. 22
Maoists on Wednesday killed
Korasa Ramesh, a former
sarpanch of Sooraveedu in
Venkatapuram mandal of
Mulugu district, after accus-
ing him of acting like a police
informer.
Maoists had abducted
Ramesh on December 20 and
killed him after conducting a
people’s court, police said. His
tions while allowing cus-
tomers.
● IN NARCOTIC sub-
stances cases, Kumar
said a total 246 cases
were registered by the
city police in 2021.
SABITHA REDDY
INAUGURATES
10 10 YEARS IN JAIL police achieved a convic-
tion rate of 81 per cent
IN 10 CASES during 2021, against 41
per cent in 2019.
On the overall decrease
SEIZED of crime, Anjani Kumar
GANJA HASH OIL
COCAINE MDMA LSD/LSA ARRESTED said initiation PD Act Late Mr. T. BHASKER
DRUG
2,077 kg 2,310 ml proceedings against 205 (B.A., B.Com., M.A Diploma in Library Science)
CASES
34 41 10 602
Rtd. Lecturer in Library Science
criminals, continuous (Badruka College, Hyderabad)
— DC GRAPHIC criminal tracking, aided Sunrise 18.02.1933 Sunset 23.12.2020
In our hearts forever & always
on this front. As many as We miss u very much.
3,562 offenders were Inserted by: Wife - Manikyam Bhasker
checked 95,388 times, and Family members
HC to decide on 2 ARRESTED FOR
KILLING WOMAN
1,680 history sheeters
were checked 45,352
times. At least 123 patrol
cars and 251 blue colts
(S/2122/D01090)

body was abandoned in thick

forests on the state border
with Chhattisgarh.
In a letter left behind with
the body, the Maoists alleged
that Ramesh had caused huge
damage to the organisation.
Ramesh elected as sarpanch
for Sooraveedu in 2014 on a
Congress ticket and is a lorry
driver.
His wife Rajitha is an auxil-
iary nurse midwife ANM in
Eturnagaram mandal.
The family used to stay at
ITDA quarters in the mandal
headquarters of Eturna-
garam.
Ramesh’s wife Rajitha and
his family members said that
the Maoists did not listen to
their appeals to release him,
and had not cared for the
future of his two little
children.
● IN A letter left behind with
the body, the Maoists alleged
that Ramesh had caused huge
damage to the organisation.
● RAMESH WAS elected as
sarpanch for Sooraveedu in
2014 on a Congress ticket and
is a lorry driver. His wife
Rajitha is an auxiliary nurse
midwife.
116 CC CAMERAS
D C CORRESPONDENT
HYDERABAD, DEC. 22
Telangana Education
minister P. Sabitha
Indra Reddy
Wednesday inaugurated
on
as many as 116 commu-
nity CCTV cameras in
Rachakonda commis-
sionerate limits.
The cameras were
installed at various
points in New Royal
Colony, Bismilla Colony,
Sai Homes and
Sadatnagar areas under
Balapur police station
limits. Mahesh
Bhagwat, police com-
missioner of
Rachakonda was present
on the occasion.
Later, commissioner
Mahesh Bhagwat inau-
gurated the renovated
rest rooms for women
and men, property room
and dining area at the
command control at
Balapur police station, a
press release issued by
the Rachakonda police
commissioner office
stated.
IAS officer’s plea
DC CORRESPONDENT
HYDERABAD, DEC. 22
Justice Ujjal Bhuyan of
Telangana High Court
on Wednesday
reserved orders in the
quash petition filed by
D. Muralidhar Reddy,
an IAS officer of the
Andhra Pradesh cadre.
He was named as
accused in one of the
11 cases registered by
the Central Bureau of
Investigation (CBI), in
connection with the
Y.S. Jagan Mohan
Reddy quid pro quo
cases.
The officer is
Accused No. 12 in the
case related to land
and water allotment to
the Indu Shyam Prasad
Reddy's Lepakshi
Knowledge Hub proj-
ect. He was executive
director of Andhra
Pradesh Indistrial
Infrastructure Develo-
pment Corporation,
when the allotments
were made to the com-
pany. He filed a peti-
tion before the High
Court to set aside the
case against him.
The CBI argued that
the accused had played
a key role in allot-
ments. “By knowing
the facts that the
Lepakshi company
was not yet registered
with the Registrar of
Companies, when it
made an application
for the land in
Anantapur, the
accused officer had
approved the propos-
al,” CBI counsel said.
He submitted that the
officers of the then
APIIDC allowed the
company to alienate or
to mortgage the land
allotted by the govern-
ment. Petitioner's
counsel Sivaraju
Srinivas argued that
the state government
had not approved the
application made by
the CBI to prosecute
Muralidhar Reddy.
IN COTTON FARM
DC CORRESPONDENT
HYDERABAD, DEC. 22
The Alampur police of
Jogulamba Gadwal dis-
trict arrested two per-
sons for allegedly killing
a woman at her cotton
farm at Asapuram in the
district on December 19,
and robbing her house.
The victim was identi-
fied as Modin Bi, 60, of
Asapuram, and the
accused, who were
picked up after
analysing mobile phone
call data, as Shalu
Basha, and Golla Venkat
Ramudu. Basha is said
to be a close relative of
the victim.
Police said Modin Bi
owned three acres of
land and used to lend
small sums to villagers.
A few days ago, Ramudu
borrowed `80,000 from
Modin Bi. Basha later
asked her for money but
she allegedly refused.
Angered by this, Basha
took Ramudu’s help and
allegedly murdered
Modin Bi.
bikes performed
patrolling round the
clock in three shifts, and
a whopping 1,99,873 Dial
100 calls were attended to
by the patrol staff.
NANAKRAMGUDA
ROTARY JUNCTION
TO GET A FACELIFT
DC CORRESPONDENT
HYDERABAD, DEC. 22
To reduce the traffic con- 13th ANNIVERSARY
gestion that regularly I will dwell in the house of the Lord
40 YEARS IN LOVING MEMORY
occurs in the western forever. Psalm. 23:6
part of the city, the
Hyderabad Growth
Corridor Limited
(HGCL), a wing of the
Hyderabad Metropolitan
Development Authority
(HMDA), has decided to
improve the rotary junc-
tion at Nanakramguda.
The plan includes
merger with the GHMC’s
proposed comprehensive
development plan. The MARIE CELINE FERNANDEZ
Late Sri. RAJA MEGHARAJ
S/o Late Sri Shanker Rao
work would be taken up (Retd. Keyes High School Teacher) DOB: 23-03-1938 DOD: 26-12-1981
at an estimated cost of DOB: 01-05-1934 DOD: 23-12-2008 Your memories live in our hearts forever...
From: Son- N.V. Chalam
`2.41 crore and complet- Inserted by:
FERNANDEZ FAMILY
Daughter-in-law: N. Sridevi
ed in two months. Grand Sons: N. Kushaal & N. Hitesh
(S/2122/D01083) (S/2122/D01092)
 CITY
DECCAN CHRONICLE | HYDERABAD | THURSDAY | 23 DECEMBER 2021
SHORT
STATE GOVT
TAKES
FAILED TO
RESPOND TO PLEA
From Page 1
Even six years after filing the
petitions, the respondent gov-
ernment and the revenue
department failed to reply to
their contentions against the
charges upon them. In spite of
repeated opportunities given
by the court, they failed to file
counters.
On the last occasion of hear-
ing on November 11, 2021, the
division bench headed by
Chief Justice Satish Chandra
Sharma gave the last opportu-
nity to the government file
counters and directed the prin-
cipal secretary of revenue to
file the counter by December
22, else he shall be present
before the court.
But, on Wednesday, Somesh
Kumar had neither filed the
counter nor appeared before
the court. Radhive Reddy, gov-
ernment counsel, requested
some more time. However, the
petitioner’s counsel brought to
the notice of the court that
despite giving the same type of
requests for the past five years,
the authorities had been drag-
ging the cases.
Taking serious view of the
negligent attitude towards the
court orders, the bench
imposed a fine of `10,000 on
the principal secretary of rev-
enue, which should be paid to
the PM`s Covid Relief Fund.
The bench also issued sum-
mons to him to appear on
January 24, 2022.
DELHI AIRPORT THE
GREENEST DUE TO
LOW CO2 EMISSION
DC CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI, DEC. 22
Delhi International Airport
Limited (DIAL), a subsidiary
of the GMR Group, said that it
has taken several initiatives to
keep carbon emissions at
Delhi airport in control and
make it one of the greenest in
the world.
“Today CO2 emission at the
Delhi Airport is significantly
lower than the major global
airports of its size and capaci-
ty,” recent study conducted by
an online tool Airport Tracker
said.
The study was a joint project
by International Council on
Clean Transportation, ODI,
and Transport and
Environment.
According to the findings of
the study, CO2 emission at
Delhi Airport is the lowest
when compared with any
other airports handling over
60 million passengers per
annum in the world.
“Total flight emission by air-
craft from Delhi airport is 5.53
million tonnes of CO2, which
is significantly lower than
some large airports like
Singapore’s Changi airport,
South Korea’s Incheon airport,
Germany’s Frankfurt airport
and Hong Kong airport, each
of which produces over 10 mil-
lion tonnes of CO2 per
annum,” according to the
Tracker.
Kuala Lumpur airport fol-
lowed Delhi Airport with 5.83
million tonnes of CO2 emis-
sions, followed by Tokyo
Haneda Airport (6.53 million
tonnes of CO2) and Dallas Fort
Worth Airport (7 million
tonnes of CO2).
Some of the initiatives adopt-
ed by Delhi Airport for reduc-
ing Green House Gas (GHG)
emission from airport opera-
tions include the use of green
building concept in construc-
tion and operation,
use of renewable energy with
development of a 7.84 MW
solar power plant on the air-
side.
Delhi airport has also adopt-
ed a green taxiing device
called ‘TaxiBot’, which
reduces fuel consumption and
emission from airport opera-
tion. Delhi Airport is the first
airport to adopt this
technology.
OUR | HERITAGE 13th century idol carved during Kakatiya dynasty
Chamundi Devi idol found
PULI SHARATH
KUMAR I DC
SIRCILLA, DEC. 22
Historian Samaleti Ma-
hesh claims to have found
a rare idol of Goddess
Chamundi Devi in Mus-
tabad village of Rajanna
Sircilla district. He said it
is a 13th century idol car-
ved during the Kakatiya
dynasty.
The idol shows the
Goddess seated in the form
of Sukahasanam under a
‘makara toranam’,
Mahesh said. On the head,
there is a ‘karanda maku-
pg 5
Wires, dug-up HC issues notices to pubs, eateries
roads irk public
VUJJINI
HC seeks report on HC RESERVES ORDER VAMSHIDHARA | DC
HYDERABAD, DEC. 22
ON 2 WRIT PLEAS Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy of
It’s a mess at Banjara Hills Road No. 11 FILED BY KARVY the Telangana High Court
on Wednesday issued
notices to 10 commercial
establishments in Jubilee
death of 2 workers DC CORRESPONDENT
SYED OMAR Hills, which include pubs, DC CORRESPONDENT Kondapur of Hyderabad in HYDERABAD, DEC. 22
FAROOQ | DC restaurants and coffee HYDERABAD, DEC. 22 the last week of November.
HYDERABAD, DEC. 22 shops, to explain their case The High Court took this The Telangana High Court
in the petition filed against A division bench of incident as a suo motu PIL, on Wednesday reserved
Residents living along them on charges of causing Telangana High Court com- based on news reports. The orders on two writ appeals
Road No. 11, Banjara inconvenience to the local prising Chief Justice Satish Chief Secretary, principal filed by Karvy Stock Broking
Hills, may have their residents and violation of Chandra Sharma and secretary of municipal Ltd, challenging the order of
homes in an upmarket Noise (Regulation and Justice N. Tukaramji on administration, commis- a single judge, who upheld
area but when it comes Control) Act. Wednesday issued notices to sioner of GHMC, commis- the decision of the Union
to roads, their prob- The court was dealing with the government and other sioner of labour depart- corporate affairs ministry to
lems appear to be no a petition filed by the departments to file counters ment, district collector of order an investigation into
different than those liv- Jubilee Hills Residents’ on an incident related to the Medchal Malkajgiri and the the affairs of the company by
ing in the otherwise Green and Clean Assoc- deaths of two persons, who managing director of the Serious Fraud
neglected parts of the iation, which complained died of suffocation while HMWS&SB were directed to Investigation Office (SFIO)
city. that public authorities were cleaning up a septic tank in file counters in the case. under Section 212 of the
Several residents not considering their Companies Act.
have complained that plea and taking Karvy Stock Broking also
telecom service prov- action against the commercial estab- ● RESIDENTS complained challenged the notices issued
iders dug up the roads pubs, restaurants lishments. These that the authorities, without by the SFIO as part of
and dumped excavated and other com- establishments inspecting the premises and Investigation.
debris and coils of opti- mercial units in include 800 Jubilee not verifying parking slots, A division bench of
cal fibre cable ducts in the residential Pub, Farzi Café, gave permissions to run Telangana High Court had
a haphazard manner. locality of Roads Amnesia Lounge on September 14, 2020, stayed
This, they say, is caus- No. 36, 41, 44, 45 and Bar, Hy Life Brewing commercial establishments. proceedings by the SFIO. On
ing frequent accidents Telecom service excavated debris and coils of 55 of Jubilee Hills. Company, Daily Dose The court issued notices to Wednesday, a division bench
among two-wheeler rid- optical fibre cable ducts dumped in a haphazard They also complained that Bar Hop, Dirty Martini all private respondents and comprising Chief Justice
ers, and has become a manner on Road No. 11, Banjara Hills. — DC the authorities, without Kitchen and Cocktail Bar, the Hyderabad police to file Satish Chandra Sharma and
source of some trouble inspecting the premises and Broadway the Brewery, the counters. The case was Justice N. Tukaramji heard
to pedestrians. vate employee said. cables are left open by not verifying parking slots, Makobrew World Coffee and adjourned to December 29 the contentions of both sides
“Every day on my A few days back, a the nternet service gave permissions to run Heart Coffee Shop. for further hearing. and reserved orders.
way to the gym, I see contractor lost his leg providers. It is their
the multicoloured after he was hit by a duty to patch up the
Career Chronicle
cable ducts sticking out speeding motorbike as cables after their work
at various places. Not he was trying to extri- is complete not a single
only is this unsightly cate himself after he contractor has been
but also pushes people stepped over some seen,” Murtuza Ali, a
walking onto the road coiled cable ducts. “His resident, said.
and into vehicular traf- shin bone was broken Road No. 11 is one of
fic,” said Dr Radhika, and he fell unconsci- the older areas in Ba-
one of the residents. ous. I called the Ban- njara Hills, and counts
During the road jara Hills police and he among its residents for-
widening, optical fibre
lines were laid along
was taken to Care Ho-
spital in an ambulance.
mer chief secretary P.
Ramakanth Reddy, sci-
Road No. 11 from where
it starts from Road No.
A few hours later, his
wife Padmavati came
entist M.A. Kamal, top
businessmen, and sen-
1 of Banjara Hills, till asking for her husband ior police officials.
Dawood Junj Colony. N. Narsimha,” Moh- “The civic authorities
The road was dug mul- ammed Khalid, who allowed service prov-
tiple times to lay the runs a tea stall nearby iders after through the
underground optic and witnessed the acci- site survey and issued
fibre lines by various dent, said. a permission to install
telecom service “After I learnt about cables. But our utility
providers. The contrac- the accident, I have agency did not barri-
tors did not finish the been complaining to cade the area, leaving
work properly and left the service providers the works incomplete,”
the cables and ducts but they have not the area manager of
sticking out of the responded. There are leading internet serv-
ground, V. Anil, a pri- multicoloured thick ice provider said.
Ramineni Foundation
awards ceremony today
D C CORRESPONDENT
HYDERABAD, DEC. 22
Dr Ramineni Found-
ation will conduct
‘Puraskarams 2020 &
2021’, a mega awards
function on Thursday
at Anvaya Conventions,
Financial District, Ga-
chibowli, here. It will
confer awards on per-
sonalities for their con-
tribution to society,
who will be chosen
from a cross-spectrum Dr Ramineni Foundation USA chairman Sri
of fields in arts, science Dharmapracharak Ramineni and convener Paturi
and humanities from Nagabhushnam launch the invitation for the
across the country. Puraskarams 2020-2021 on Wednesday. — DC
Chief Justice of India
N.V. Ramana will be the Dwarkamai Seva Trust anaesthesiology, NIMS,
chief guest at managing trustee Dr Durga Padmaja and
the event. The Bandlamudi Srinivas. Telugu film journalist
awardees for 2020 The 2021 awardees are S.V. Rama Rao.
according to the foun- Bharat Biotech founder This foundation was
dation are Nabard chai- chairman and manag- started in 1995 by the
rman G.R. Chintala, ing director Dr late Dr. Ramineni Ayy-
actor Sonu Sood, TV Krishna M. Ella and anna Chowdary in Cin-
anchor Suma Kana- joint managing direc- cinnati, Ohio, the USA,
kala, Healing Hastha tor Suchitra M. Ella, with a vision to pro-
Herbals Pvt. Ltd man- Telugu film comedian mote Indian culture
aging director B. Brahmanandam, pro- and ideals of
Masthan Yadav and fessor and head of Hinduism.
Delay in fee policy: HC fumes
DC CORRESPONDENT ment to formulate the ool Parents Association
HYDERABAD, DEC. 22 policy based on reports moved the High Court.
submitted by the Prof Last year, the High
The Telangana High T. Tirupathi Rao com- Court directed the gov-
Court on Wednesday mittee which had ernment to formulate
expressed anguish over looked into the issue. the policy and to sub-
the government delay- The committee, const- mit the copy by April 9,
ing the formulation of ituted in 2017, gave a re- 2020. With no report be-
a policy to regulate the port each to the govern- ing submitted after a
fee structure in private ment in 2017 and 2018. gap of 20 months, High
unaided schools. When the government Court expressed its
The court had earlier did not draft a fee poli- anguish at the govern-
directed the govern- cy, the Hyderabad Sch- ment’s attitude.
● THERE IS a ‘dama- arms and a kadgam and
rukam’ and ‘trishulam’ on other weapons in her
the arms and a kadgam hands. The throne on
and other weapons in her which the Goddess is seat-
ed is damaged, he stated.
hands. The throne on Ramoju Hargopal, con-
which the Goddess is seat- vener of the Kotha Tela-
ed is damaged, he stated. ngana Charithra Brun-
dham, said that the idol
tam’, the ears are decorat- idol is unique and the gov-
ed with ‘chakra kun- ernment must take steps to
dalalu’. The idol features a protect it.
‘buja keeritalu’ and a neck- Members of the associa-
lace along with a variety of tion S. Majesh, Kiran and
‘kankanalu’ on the hands Narendar Reddy appealed An idol of Goddess Cha-
and ‘kadiyalu’ on the legs, to the villagers and officials mundi Devi was found by a
he said. of the state heritage dep- historian, S. Mahesh, at
There is a ‘damarukam’ artment to protect the rare Mustabad village of Raja-
and ‘trishulam’ on the idol of Chamundi Devi. nna Sircilla district. — DC
 EDIT
DECCAN CHRONICLE | HYDERABAD | THURSDAY | 23 DECEMBER 2021
pg 6

Subhani

23 DECEMBER 2021

Poll rolls’ reform hinges

on how it’s implemented
T
he Rajya Sabha has approved the proposed election laws reform
that allows poll officials to ask registered voters for their Aadhaar
details. It is said that the process of linking poll rolls to the data-
base is entirely voluntary. Experience with Aadhaar compliance
in many fields points to the government having its way in making com-
pliance compulsory and it would be fair to assume that the takeover will
be complete in this process, too. If anywhere close to the ideal state is
attained with proper implementation, the aims of the reform would be
met, at least in terms of weeding out duplicate entries and bringing about
an end to bogus voting with the system enabled to pin a person’s vote to a
specific location.
It is clear the government has not learnt much from the farm laws expe-
rience in which the hazards of rushing legislation through without dis-
cussion and informed debate in Parliament stood exposed. This unseemly
hurry displayed in the legislative process of the poll reform has become a
hallmark of how the NDA-BJP operates with scant regard to studying
diverse viewpoints before making laws. Scant
A powerful regard for listening to the views of all stake-
LETTERS
oversight holders leads to even good laws becoming sus-
pect amid the din of parliamentary proceed-
committee would ings. A year’s unrest after hasty legislation in
be needed to the farm laws has amounted to nothing as the
decide on those Winter Session demonstrated.
who face being The threat of disenfranchisement of large sec-
Aadhaar’s use and misuse: AADHAAR LINK
The opposition to linking

Govt spreads its tentacles

the Aadhaar with Voter ID
disenfranchised; tions of voters is real as the lower level bureau-
cracy will be in charge of the voting process and is not reasonable.
otherwise the the poorest people with no access to additional Ultimately we may move
purpose of the documents to prove their identities all over towards e-voting system
reform would again to claim their vote face the prospect of whereby majority of the
as well.
be lost losing out. The best intentions of lawmakers
can so easily be defeated by the officiousness of
This dream of the So, the issue is not present problems could be
petty bureaucracy. The hard-earned reputation of the Indian voting sys-
tem, which has withstood so many challenges to become a beacon of the
Parsa State streamlining
the lives of citizens
about the misuse of
Aadhaar to violate the
addressed effectively.
democratic franchise the world over, might be under threat from the very Venkateshwar should not be privacy of the citizen.
The basic question is:
Rather than opposing it,
constructive technological
law that is supposed to enhance its capabilities. allowed. The use of
The fear of voters being profiled because the right to privacy is being Rao Jr Aadhaar should be
what is Aadhaar, and
what is it meant for. If
advise should be given.
brazenly overlooked in the government’s convenient interpretation of Wg. Cdr. V. Sundaresan
Supreme Court diktats in the matter is real. It must, however, be said that restricted to the the government brings
in a country with 90 crore plus voters, any task of profiling individual vot- beneficiaries of in a law making (Retd)

P
ers would be forbiddingly enormous. Guarding privacy in the time of the rime Minister
Internet has also become complex and challenging. That we care so little Narendra Modi
for privacy is a testament to our “Indianness” but a disregard for privacy displays a neo-
should not be allowed to breach the basic soundness of our electoral sys- phyte’s zeal for
tem with its standalone EVMs proving a paragon of solidity. the use of
As with any reform, execution is most important and it remains to be Aadhaar, an idea that he
seen how well the integration of Aadhaar with the poll rolls works out, had strongly opposed
more so as compliance is voluntary and not mandatory. The Aadhaar when he was the chief
card, as it stands legally, is only proof of residence rather than of citizen- minister of Gujarat. But
ship. How it works in weeding out duplication while being inclusive of Mr Nandan Nilekani, in
people already on the voting list remains to be seen. A powerful oversight a meeting with Mr Modi
committee would be needed to decide on those who face being disenfran- soon after he became
chised; otherwise the purpose of the reform would be lost. Prime Minister in 2014,
persuaded him about the
virtues of Aadhaar, and
always accepted by the
government of the day.
And as Nationalist
Congress Party Lok
Sabha member Supriya
Sule pointed out, the
government should
bring forward a compre-
hensive electoral reform
bill which would include
reservations for women.
Of course, electoral
reform of the compre-
hensive kind is not what
this government wants.
State subsidies,
whether farmers or
wage workers
way to end this malprac-
tice is to connect it with
Aadhaar. It is basically
an expansion of the use
of Aadhaar.
But neither the
Supreme Court nor
Parliament had spelled
out what the Aadhaar
number is meant to be
Aadhaar an all-purpose
identity card meant for
all things, there would
be no need for a separate
voter identity card
either. Aadhaar should
suffice. But no single
identity marker can
serve all purposes. This
dream of the State
streamlining the lives of
citizens should not be
allowed. The use of
Aadhaar should be
restricted to the benefi-
Secunderabad
ELECTORAL REFORMS
That the Bill on electoral reforms
was passed by the Lok Sabha with-
out a debate amid protests by the
Opposition is shocking. Even more
shocking is that the Rajya Sabha
passed the Bill after witnessing
dramatic scenes and walkout by
the Opposition.
K.R. Srinivasan
Secunderabad

Mr Modi became a con-
Rising inflation a concern vert. So, the Narendra
Modi government in its
first term in office
It is also true, of course,
that it is the same with
all other governments as
well.
OMICRON CASES
for. Is it a social security ciaries of State subsi-
number as it is in the
United States? All gov-
ernments have fought
dies, whether they are
farmers
workers.
or wage We need not panic, but awareness
is absolutely essential (Doc

W
hile rampant corruption was always claimed to be the big reason for brought the Aadhaar Mr Rijiju tried to soft- shy of making this clear, Prime Minister Modi, Omicron+ in first case of local
the downfall of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) in 2014, the role (Targeted Delivery of en the blow by saying or clarifying what its with his love for technol- transmission, DC, Dec. 22). People
of inflation bringing down what was considered one of most populist Financial and Other that fresh voter registra- position is. It was initi- ogy, is enthused to bring calling Omicron “mild” are the
governments was always overlooked. The Manmohan Singh-led Congress gov- Subsidies, Benefits and tion will now take place ated by the Manmohan everything into digital same people who called Covid-19
ernment, wooed by votes of the farming community, had increased the mini- Services) Act 2016. Then four times in a year Singh government order, and all that he “just a flu”. The disease might be
mum support price (MSP) for several food items. Despite the RBI’s red-flagging finance minister Arun instead of one. The sec- under Nandan Nilekani, wants is to keep a close mild, but the sheer number of
of food inflation, the UPA risked higher inflation in hope that a growing econ- Jaitley made it into a ond reform of the bill is who mooted the idea, as eye on every citizen. He cases could choke our healthcare
omy and resultant higher incomes would offset the impact of price rise. The money bill which need gender neutrality. a way of streamlining is busy constructing Big systems again.
result was for all to see in the 2014 general elections. not get the Rajya Earlier, if a man was in the beneficiaries of gov- Brother with digital Madiha Arif Khan
The second term of the Narendra Modi government appears to be facing the Sabha’s approval service, his wife was ernment subsidies. And reach. For a man and a Hyderabad
same monster that its predecessor had faced in its second term. Ever since because the BJP did not counted as a voter. But that is what it should be. party which believes the

being elected to power, the NDA government has been extremely conscious of have a majority in the
controlling inflation. It resisted the temptation to announce exorbitant hikes Upper House. This was
in MSP, which kept food inflation and, as a result, headline inflation in control the first act of sub-
during its first term. After the Covid-19 pandemic, the supply side constraints terfuge. Then the gov-
and higher fuel prices have been showing the effect on retail inflation — which ernment decided that
is used to measure the change in prices of goods and services that people Aadhaar should be
consume. linked to all bank
The impact of higher fuel prices appears to be more dominant as a steeper accounts. So, of the 140
rise in fuel prices led to a cascading effect on sectors like transport, etc. It crore bank accounts in
resulted in a rub-off effect on headline inflation. The RBI, too, appears to be the country, 120 crores
overlooking inflation to fuel economic growth. However, in this process, the are now linked to
NDA government seems to be committing the same mistake as UPA-2. The Aadhaar, says Saurabh
poorest of poor would be the last person standing in queue to get the benefits Garg, CEO of the Unique
of economic growth as fruits of reforms would take time to percolate down, but
they would be the first to be hit by inflation. It’s high time that the Narendra
Identification Authority
of India (UIDAI). He also
Modi government takes note of the rising prices for its own benefit. disclosed that new-born
children will be issued
Aadhaar at the hospital
DECCAN CHRONICLE soon. So, it is not sur-
KAUSHIK MITTER K. SUDHAKAR
prising that the Modi
Editor Printer & Publisher government is now
eager and anxious to
DECCAN CHRONICLE offices are located at: link the Aadhaar num-
ber to voter registration
Hyderabad: 36, Sarojini Devi Road, Secunderabad - 500 003, Ph: 040-27803930-4; Fax : 040-27805256 as well.
Vijayawada: No.C-3 & 4 Patamata, Industrial Estate, Auto Nagar, Vijayawada (A.P.), Ph: 0866- But law and justice
2555284/2555287; Telefax: 0866-2555234
minister Kiren Rijiju
Visakhapatnam: Survey No.1/3A Beach Road, Near Kailasagiri Ropeway, Sector-9 MVP Colony,
Visakhapatnam - 530 017 (A.P), Ph: 0891-2552333/2552334; Fax: 0891-2755285 went about his job in a
Rajahmundry: Vemagiri, Dhawaleswaram Rd, Rajahmundry, Ph: 0883-2417618/2417208; Telefax: 0883- round-about manner.
2417208 First, he said that the
Anantapur: Thapovan colony, Bangalore By-Pass Road, Anantapur - 515004, Ph: 08554-276903; Fax: move was based on the
08554-276904 recommendations of the
Karimnagar: Survey No.1341, Vavilalapally Colony, Jagityala Road, Karimnagar - 505 001, Ph: 0878- parliamentary standing
2228908; Telefax: 0878-2220433 committee which
Nellore: Survey No.527/2, Burranpur Village, Venkatachalam (M), Chemmudugunta Panchayat, Nellore, included members from
Ph: 0861-2348581/82; Telefax: 0861-2348580
Chennai: SP-3 Developed Plot, Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032, Ph: 044-22254747/ 48/50/51;
all parties. But he forgot
Advt Fax: 22254765/22254766/42305325 to tell us that not all the
Coimbatore: 77, Vivekananda Road, Ramnagar, Coimbatore - 641 009, Ph : 0422 2231255 recommendations of a
Gram: CHRONICLE Postal registration no: No. H/SD-348/2006-08 standing committee are
this was not the case
with a working woman.
The husband was not
recognised as a voter
because of his working
wife. So, the term
“spouse” has been
inserted. The third
reform in the bill is that
the Election
Commission should give
a notification before it
can requisition a build-
ing
purposes.
for election
But the crux of the
Election Laws
Amendment Bill 2021, as
passed by the two
Houses of Parliament
earlier this week, is that
of linking the Aadhaar
number to voter regis-
tration. It might appear
that this is a facilitatory
measure where a new
voter can register him-
self or herself by using
the Aadhaar card. But
the intention of the gov-
ernment is something
else. The law minister
said that this is to weed
out voters who are regis-
tered in more than one
place. Or those who pos-
sess more than one voter
identity card. The gov-
ernment says that the
And even under the 2016
Act, it remains to identi-
fy the beneficiaries of
subsidiaries. The ques-
tion of whether it should
be extended for other
purposes has stayed
unsettled. The Narendra
Modi government is
misusing this gap in the
definition of Aadhaar to
extend the power of the
State to identify and
monitor citizens. The
Supreme Court’s judg-
ment that there can be
legitimate reasons for
State intrusion into the
privacy of the citizen
had been used by Mr
Rijiju to defend the use
of Aadhaar’s new func-
tion. At the same time,
he has said that the
Election Commission
would use Aadhaar to
check the identity of the
voter and no other data
would be brought into
the public domain. It is
of course true that given
the Leviathan that the
modern state is, it can
even enter the minds of
the citizens through psy-
chiatric means as had
happened in the former
Soviet Union. And it can
do so without Aadhaar
state is God, the surveil-
lance apparatus is con-
sidered legitimate. Mr
Modi looks upon
Aadhaar as a remote-
control device to moni-
tor citizens. This idea
must be challenged. His
ideas — such as “one
nation, one election” or
“one nation one ration
card” — is to establish
the dictatorship of the
State.
This is one of the evil
ideas that both social-
ism and fascism share —
the supremacy of the
State and the sub-
servience of the individ-
ual. All political parties
in India, from the left to
the right end of the spec-
trum, want to use the
State as an instrument
to rule over the people.
That is why most of the
Opposition parties who
criticise the BJP on this
issue sound weak and
false. The Supreme
Court has, sadly, failed
to check the expanding
tentacles of the State.
The writer is
a Delhi-based
commentator
and analyst
MARRIAGE AGE
It is not possible to implement the
uniform law on marriageable age
for women especially rural areas.
The government has to focus on
this and bring awareness among
the people that their daughters
should be married at the age of 21.
D. Manoj Kumar
Secunderabad
50 YEARS AGO IN
Tumultuous crowds
greet Bangla
leaders at Dacca
DACCA, Dec. 22.
Bangla Desh acting President
Syed Nazrul Islam accompanied
by Prime Minister Tajuddin
Ahmed and three members of his
Cabinet flew in here from
Mujihnagar to a tumultuous wel-
come today and proclaimed the
city as the new capital of free
Bangla Desh.
Security personnel had a tough
time in controlling the enthusias-
tic crowd who broke all barriers
to have a closer glimpse of their
leaders.

T
he Indian Forest Service (IFoS) and
forest officers are important but more
so in Uttarakhand than anywhere
else because of its geography. With
Dilip Cherian Assembly elections looming, the state gov-
ernment cannot afford to have a large section
matter and get themselves heard. or outstation ASO rank officers of various According to sources, Mr Sahota who is a
Incidentally, the trigger for the current ministries. These are usually forwarded from 1988-batch IPS officer was also the CM’s
unrest within the ranks is because the ministers and members of Parliament to choice and appointed after Mr Channi
National Tiger Conservation Authority strengthen the said officer’s “case”. Even became the chief minister of Punjab.
(NTCA) has confirmed several illegalities in
the Kalagarh tiger division of the Corbett
though ASOs are Group B non-gazetted offi-
cers, they are a key component of the Central
It is more than likely that people, some even
from within his government and party, may

Dilli Ka Babu of forest officers feeling disgruntled.
The recent transfer of 30 Indian Forest
Service (IFoS) officers including the forest
chief, chief wildlife warden and principal
conservator of forests by Uttarakhand chief
minister Pushkar Dhami for alleged illegali-
ties in the Corbett Tiger Reserve has created
tiger reserve.
But the forest officers insist that the trans-
fers violate a Supreme Court order of 2013 in
which the apex court had directed that IFoS
officers must be given an assured minimum
term in posting.
Secretariat, manning the middle-level posts.
The government is apparently serious
about this issue and such officers can face
disciplinary action if they use ministers and
MPs to press their case for a transfer of their
choice. The directive from DoPT states clear-
ly that no government servant “shall bring or
make some noises about Mr Channi’s latest
move, even though some suggest that he has
relented to pressure and obliged state
Congress president and his political rival
Navjot Singh Sidhu, who had been pressing
for Mr Sahota’s removal for long. He plugged
for Mr Chattopadhyay who during an earlier

After transfers, an uproar in the service. Serving forest offi-

cers in Uttarakhand claim that the transfers
are “arbitrary” and in violation of the service
DOPT FROWNS ON CSS BABUS
REQUESTING TRANSFERS
The Centre has taken a serious view on the
rising number of transfer requests from
attempt to bring any political or other out-
side influences… to further his interests”.
We’ll have to wait and see how that pans out.
Congress government had led the investiga-
tion into the financial dealings of senior
Akali Dal leaders. Earlier, too, Mr Sidhu had
forced Mr Channi to replace the state’s advo-
rulebook.
U’khand forest The postings have also opened up the door
to the airing of old grievances of the forest
officers. One major complaint is that IFoS
assistant section officers (ASO) from the
Central Secretariat Service (CSS) cadre for-
warded via ministers and MPs, something
PUNJAB CM BOWS TO SIDHU’S DEMAND
As is expected, Punjab chief minister
Charanjit Singh Channi is making careful,
cate general A.P.S. Deol.
These moves are necessitated by the
approaching elections and before the

officers unite officers are often given state deputation with-

out their consent and that many posts meant
for IFoS officers are filled by Provincial
Forest Service (PFS) officers with “question-
that until now was considered par for the
course. Yet, going by the order issued by the
department of personnel and training
(DoPT), this may soon be a thing of the past.
well-calibrated moves, knowing Assembly
elections are around the corner. He recent
removed senior IPS officer and state director
general of police (DGP) Iqbal Preet Singh
Election Commission announces the poll
dates, most likely in January, when the code
of conduct will come into play. Keeping his
flock together in a rather fluid scenario for

to protect turf able” track records. The state has a sanc-

tioned strength of 113 IFoS officers.
The president of the IFoS Association of
The directive from DoPT secretary Pradip
Kumar Tripathi makes the government’s
stand clear.
Sahota and named Siddharth Chattopadhyay
as the officiating DGP. An officer of the 1986-
batch IPS, Mr Chattopadhyay will hold this
the Congress Party may be just one of Mr
Channi’s many concerns.

Uttarakhand, Kapil Lal, has reportedly Apparently, the department is flooded by charge until a regular DGP is appointed from Share a babu experience! Follow
protested with the government and the numerous requests for inter-cadre transfer a panel of three IPS officers shortlisted by the dilipthecherian@Twitter.com.
aggrieved officers are keen to pursue the on personal or medical grounds to attached Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Let’s multiply the effect.
 NATION
DECCAN CHRONICLE | HYDERABAD | THURSDAY | 23 DECEMBER 2021
pg 7

IN

Working Prez of
BRIEF
TMC, AAP cross swords in Goa Maha committee
Kerala PCC dies
Thiruvananthapuram: Promi-
TMC not even in race, says Kejriwal; TMC calls him ‘immature’ proposes death
nent Congress leader and
sitting MLA P.T. Thomas
passed away at Christian
Medical College, Vellore on
Wednesday where he was
RAJIB CHOWDHURI | DC
KOLKATA, DEC. 22

West Bengal’s ruling

undergoing treatment for
cancer. He was 71. Thomas,
who was also one of the
working presidents of
Kerala PCC, was under treat-
ment at Vellore medical cen-
tre for the past one month.
A three time MLA and one
time LS MP, Thomas was
known for his principled pol-
itics. He was one of the very
few politicians in Kerala who
supported the Gadgil
Committee report on conser-
vation of Western Ghats.
Trinamul Congress has
accused Delhi Chief
Minister Arvind
Kejriwal of showing his
“political immaturity
and desperation” after
the Aam Aadmi Party
convenor had rubbished
the TMC’s ability to have
a vote bank in Goa and
downplayed its ambition
to come to power there in
the Assembly election
due early next year.
This is the first time
West Bengal CM Mamata
Banerjee’s party and the
top AAP leader have
clashed with each other
in a poll battle outside
IN U.P., PRIGA BANKS ON DEEWAR
DIALOGUE, SAYS ‘I HAVE SISTER’
their respective domains.
Kejriwal, who reached
the coastal state on
Wednesday for his
party’s poll preparations,
told the media in Panaji:
“According to my esti-
mate, the TMC does not
even have one per cent
vote share in Goa as of
today’s date. They came
to Goa barely three
months ago. Democracy
cannot be run like this.
One needs to work hard
for democracy among the
people. The TMC may
have a high position in
your eyes. But in my
eyes, I do not think they
stand anywhere. They
are not even in the race.”
Within hours of his
unexpected attack, the
TMC retaliated against
him. It tweeted: “We
firmly believe in WORK-
ING FOR PEOPLE and
STANDING BESIDE
THEM through thick &
thin. Those indulging in
election forecasting &
vote share predictions
are simply reflecting
their political immaturi-
ty and desperation. Let
the people of Goa decide
who should be taken seri-
ously!”
Lucknow, Dec. 22:
Congress leader
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
on Wednesday recalled
the iconic dialogue from
Bollywood movie
‘Deewar’ to counter crit-
ics that her party had
lost base in poll-bound
Uttar Pradesh, saying,
“Mere Paas Behen Hai” (I
have sister).
In a video clip uploaded
by the Congress general
secretary on her twitter
handle, a journalist is
seen seeking her
response to the rival par-
ties’ remarks that the
Congress had been
speaking about women
in its rallies as it had no
base left in Uttar
Pradesh.
To this, she said, while
referring to famous dia-
logue, “Toh main keh
rahin hun, mere paas
behen hai (I have sister),”
Priyanka said in a appar-
ent reference to women
in Uttar Pradesh. — PTI
penalty for rape
SONU SHRIVASTAVA | DC
MUMBAI, DEC. 22
The Maha Vikas Aghadi
(MVA) government on
Wednesday tabled a joint
committee report on Shakti
Criminal Laws (Maharashtra
Amendment Bill 2020) in
Maharashtra Assembly. The
committee has proposed capi-
tal punishment for rape and
stipulated period of 30 days to
complete the probe since the
registering the complaint.
It has also proposed to
amend section 326 of the
Indian Penal Code (IPC) in
connection with the punish-
of the IPC, which is invoked
in cases of acid attack, would
be amended to make provi-
sion of minimum 15 years to
maximum life imprisonment
to the guilty along with mon-
etary fine. The provision pro-
posed to cover the cost of
medical treatment including
plastic surgery and face
reconstruction operations of
the victim from the mone-
tary fine.
The joint committee has
also recommended holding
social media platforms as
well as Internet data provid-
ing companies responsible to
share data for police investi-

India should A ROAD SO DANGEROUS AND FATAL ment for acid attacks.
The proposed minimum
punishment is 15 years of
imprisonment, which may
gation. In case of failure to
share the data by the compa-
nies, punishment will be
awarded to them.

emerge world extend to the reminder of the

natural life of such persons
and with fine to be paid to the
victim. Earlier, it was ten
According to a clause in the
joint committee report, fail-
ure on the part of a social
media platform or internet or

leader: Modi years.

Maharashtra home minis-
ter Dilip Walse-Patil tabled
the report.
mobile telephony
provider to share data, if
data

demanded by the investigat-

ing officer while investigat-
New Delhi, Dec. he said the current The 21-member joint select ing specific offences related
22: India should generation will be committee of both Houses of to women, within three days
emerge a world at the helm of the legislature has held 13 will attract imprisonment up-
leader in the post- affairs then and meetings on the proposed to three months and the puni-
Covid global order, the nation’s des- Shakti bill and recommended shment of a fine of `25 lakh.
Prime Minister tiny will be in their several amendments to the The committee has also rec-
Narendra Modi hands. original Bill. The Bill was ommended punishment of
said on Wednesday, “Therefore, it is sent to the joint committee in imprisonment “not less than
calling for “surg- important to the budget session of the one year but may extend to
ing ahead with a
focused approach
decide what we
must inculcate in
FAST AND FURIOUS state legislature for scrutiny
and is expected to be passed
three years ” and the amount
of fine as `1 lakh for filing
setting new targets them now so that in this week or next week. false complaints regarding
for ourselves for they will be able to Walse-Patil said section 326 sexual offences.
2047”. make big contribu-
Addressing the tions in the future THE GOVERNMENT ON WEDNESDAY SAID
second meeting of towards the coun- THAT OVER 1.16 LAKH ROAD ACCIDENTS
the national com- try,” he said. OCCURRED IN 2020
mittee on ‘Azadi ka “We have always
Amrit Mahotsav’, insisted upon and ACCIDENTS ADVANCED
TRAFFIC
Modi said the pan-
demic has taught
fought for our
rights but there is 1,16,496 SYSTEM
2020

new lessons and a higher greatness

shattered the exist- in following one's DEATHS
ing structures
which will lead to
duties,” he added.
It is only when 47,984
the emergence of a people follow their
“new world order” duties religiously ACCIDENTS Minister of road
transport and
1,37,191
in the post-Covid that they are able
era, according to a to ensure rights of highways Nitin
2019

statement. others automati- Gadkari said

It is commonly cally, he said. DEATHS advanced traffic
53,872
stated that the 21st Therefore, as
century belongs to Azadi Ka Amrit
management
Asia, and it is Mahotsav is cele- systems have
important to focus brated, the com- been revised
PVT. PROPERTIES ON
on India’s stature mitment to duty recently to FIRST AID MEASURES
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
include advanced

1,640
in Asia in this cen- should be the Government is developing
tury, he said. uppermost priority technology-based way side amenities along the
Emphasising that and the pledge to solutions. highways to provide users with
this is an oppor- contribute mean-
tune time to set ingfully for the hospitals for medical services and
eyes on 2047 when country should be PERMISSIONS granted for access to private also helipads for emergency
the country will the main resolve, properties from NHs in last three years evacuation in case of emergencies.
celebrate 100 years he said. — DC GRAPHIC
of Independence, — PTI

Cop, civilian shot dead in Kashmir

YUSUF JAMEEL | DC by gunmen in
SRINAGAR, DEC. 22 Srinagar’s Mirjanpora,
Idgah area. He was
The ghost of targeted rushed to the nearby
killings has returned to Sri Maharaja Hari
the Kashmir Valley. On Singh Hospital where
Wednesday evening, su- he died minutes after
spected militants shot arrival, the police and
and critically wounded hospital sources said.
a civilian in the capital The Kashmir zone
Srinagar and a police- police tweeted:
man in Bijbehara town “#Terrorists fired upon
of southern Anantnag a #civilian namely
district. Both succum- Rouf Ahmad at
bed in hospital soon af- Mirjanpora, Idgah,
ter being targeted in co- Police Station
ld blood, officials said. Safakadal #Srinagar.
A 45-year-old resi- The injured was shifted
dent, Rouf Ahmed to SMHS hospital
Khan, was fatally shot where he was declared
dead. #Case registered, Srinagar hospital for The authorities, follow-
investigation going on advanced treatment, ing these attacks and
(sic.)”. but he died on the way. other stepped-up activi-
Half an hour later, a Earlier this month, ties of militants, issued
J&K police assistant two policemen were an updated security
sub-inspector was tar- shot dead by militants alert across J&K.
geted by suspected mil- in the northern town of In October and
itants in a similar fash- Bandipore. This was November, the Valley
ion in the highway the seventh such attack had seen a series of tar-
town of Bijbehara. The on the uniformed get killings, the gory
policeman, identified forces in the past few acts in which several
as Muhammad Ashraf, weeks. On December members of minority
received bullet wounds 13, an assistant sub- Kashmiri Pandit and
in the neck and chest. inspector and two other Sikh communities and
He was initially taken policemen were killed, workforce from Bihar,
to Bijbehara’s sub-dis- and eleven others Uttar Pradesh and West
trict hospital but on wounded in a sneak Bengal — both Hindus
seeing his condition attack on a police bus and Muslims — fell to
the doctors asked for in Zewan area on the bullets of the assas-
him to be shifted to a Srinagar’s periphery. sins.

Med edu in Hindi not binding

for pvt colleges in MP: Mantri
RABINDRA NATH
CHOUDHURY | DC
BHOPAL, DEC. 22
Madhya Pradesh medical
education minister
Vishwas Sarang on
Wednesday said that
while the government
colleges are going to have
medical courses in Hindi
from the upcoming aca-
demic session, private
colleges are free to take
their call.
“But, we are not going
to impose the new system
of imparting medical
education in Hindi on the
private medical colleges
in the state. They are free
to take a call if they
would adopt the new sys-
tem”, Sarang told this
newspaper.
The minister said the
government is soon
going to set in motion the
process to develop med-
ical science curriculum
in Hindi by holding delib-
erations on the issue
with the experts.
An expert committee
comprising educationists
as well as eminent acade-
● MINISTER SAID govt
is soon going to set in
motion the process to
develop medical science
curriculum in Hindi by
holding deliberations on
the issue with experts.
micians in medical edu-
cation would soon be con-
stituted to recommend
syllabuses for undergrad-
uate and postgraduate
medical students and
develop the curriculums
in Hindi.
Besides, the committee
would also go deep into
the logistic problems for
imparting medical edu-
cation in Hindi such as
preparation of syllabus
and acquainting the new
system with the faculty
members.
“Our major challenge is
to prepare the medical
science syllabus in
Hindi”, he said.
Sarang said the govern-
ment was mulling to
entrust the responsibili-
ty of preparing the syl-
labus in Hindi to Atal
Behari Vajpayee Hindi
University here. The uni-
versity is already run-
ning diploma and degree
courses in several
streams of engineering
in Hindi.
The process of develop-
ing medical science cur-
riculum in Hindi will be
completed within a
month, he said.
He sought to dispel
doubts that medical edu-
cation in Hindi may
affect the quality of med-
ical education, saying,
“Except a few nations,
many countries like
Japan, China, Russia,
Germany and various
others have been teach-
ing these courses in their
own languages and are
progressing”.
“We have to break this
mindset that progress is
assured through English
only”, he said.
Asked if students
would be given the option
of choosing between
medical education in
Hindi and English,
he said, “A decision in
this regard is yet to be
taken”.
cmyk cmyk

DECCAN CHRONICLE | HYDERABAD | THURSDAY | 23 DECEMBER 2021 pg 8

 WORLD
DECCAN CHRONICLE | HYDERABAD | THURSDAY | 23 DECEMBER 2021
pg 9

Lam in Beijing to report on HK ‘patriots only’ election

Beijing, Dec. 22: Hong
Kong’s leader Carrie Lam
was meeting with top lead-
ers in Beijing on Wednesday
to report to them on the ter-
ritory’s first legislative elec-
tions held under new laws
ensuring that only “patri-
ots” loyal to the ruling
Chinese Communist Party
could run as candidates.
As expected, Sunday’s
elections for the 90-seat
Legislative Council were
swept by party-backed
politicians who beat out the
dwindling number of mod-
erates and independents.
Leading figures in the pro-
democracy opposition have
been intimidated into
silence, jailed or forced into
exile.
Just 20 of the seats were
directly elected while 40
were filled by members of a
Beijing-appointed commit-
tee that selects the territo-
ry's chief executive. Lam
said she was satisfied with
the election, despite a 30.2%
voter turnout — the lowest
since the British handed
Hong Kong over to China in
1997. All candidates were
vetted by a largely pro-Bei-
jing committee before they
could be nominated and sev-
eral were disqualified over
statements or actions in the
past. The elections had been
postponed for a year —
ostensibly due to a spike in
Covid-19 cases — after the
opposition swept elections
for district counsellors. The
polls also followed wide-
spread and increasingly vio-
lent antigovernment
protests in 2019 that prompt-
ed China’s rubber-stamp
legislature to impose a
sweeping National Security
Law on Hong Kong, followed
by a reorganisation of the
electoral process and trans-
formation of the makeup of
the Legislative Council to
stack it with pro-Beijing
loyalists.
The opposition camp criti-
cised the elections, with the
largest pro-democracy
party, the Democratic Party,
fielding no candidates for
the first time since the 1997
handover.
Chinese Foreign Ministry
spokesperson Zhao Lijian
said Monday there were
“multiple reasons” for the
decline in voter turnout. “It
is not only the impact of the
pandemic, but also the dis-
ruption and sabotage of
anti-China elements in
Hong Kong and external
forces,” Zhao said at a daily
briefing.
— AP
 WORLD
DECCAN CHRONICLE | HYDERABAD | THURSDAY | 23 DECEMBER 2021
pg 10

SHORT

TRAIN LINKING
TAKES
PAK, TURKEY,
IRAN RESTARTS
Islamabad, Dec. 22: A freight
train service linking Pakistan,
Iran and Turkey, which was
suspended for more than 10
years, has been re-launched to
improve regional connectivity
and unlock trade potential be-
tween the three countries, me-
dia reports said on Wednesday.
The three countries also plan
to launch a passenger train se-
rvice on the same route in the
future. Minister for Railways
Azam Khan Swati, along with
Foreign Minister Shah Mahm-
ood Qureshi and Adviser to the
Prime Minister on Commerce
Abdul Razak Dawood, inaugu-
rated the Islamabad-Tehran-
Istanbul (ITI) freight train at
Margalla railway station here
on Tuesday. Ambassadors of
Turkey, Iran, Kazakhstan and
Uzbekistan were also present
on the occasion. The ITI freight
China on high alert: Xi’an city MH17: Dutch
for life sentence
locks down 13 mn residents Schiphol, Dec. 22: Dutch
prosecutors on Wednesd-
ay demanded life sentenc-
es for four suspects in the
caused to the next of
kin,” Ridderbeks said.
Prosecutors accuse Rus-
sians Igor Girkin, Sergey
Tightens travel controls to fight a growing outbreak of Covid-19 cases downing of Malaysia Dubinskiy and Igor Pula-
Airlines flight MH17 over tov as well as Ukrainian
Beijing, Dec. 22: The eastern Ukraine in 2014. Leonid Kharchenko, who
northern Chinese city of
Xi'an ordered all 13 mil-
lion residents to stay
home in a strict lock-
$100 bn Prosecutors said the
four recklessly used a Ru-
ssian missile to bring
down the passenger jet,
were separatist rebels fi-
ghting Ukrainian govern-
ment forces in 2014, of
forming a team that aim-
HAS BEEN STOLEN from
down Wednesday, while Covid-19 relief programmes killing all 298 passengers ed to bring down Ukrain-
dramatically tightening and crew. Public prosecu- ian planes using a missile
travel controls to fight a
set up to help businesses and tor Manon Ridderbeks system trucked in from a
growing Covid-19 out- people who lost their jobs due made the sentence dema- Russian military base.
break. to the pandemic, the US nd at the end of a three- Prosecutor Thijs Berger
With Beijing preparing Secret Service said. day presentation of evide- said that it’s legally irrel-
to host the 2022 Winter nce. The suspects are be- evant that the suspects
Olympics in February, ‘NO MORE SHUTDOWNS’ ing tried in absentia. wanted to shoot down mi-
China is on high alert as New York City Mayor Bill de “The downing of MH17 litary and not civilian air-
it fights local outbreaks Blasio said he’s committed to with a Buk missile brutal- craft. “Legally speaking
in several cities. Xi’an keeping the city open as it ly ended the lives of all they were ordinary citize-
reported 52 new grapples with a huge spike in 298 people on board. Inc- ns, they were not allowed
Coronavirus cases on redibly deep and irrever- to commit any violence,”
Wednesday, bringing the Coronavirus cases. The sible suffering has been he said. — AP
total to 143 since Democrat said that New York
December 9. can’t see schools and busi-
nesses close again like they

Oil spill: Ship

train, which will operate every From midnight on Th-
Tuesday, began its journey ursday, all households did when Covid-19 first hit the
from Margalla railway station may only “send one ho- city in 2020.
in Islamabad. usehold member outside
once every two days to CHRISTMAS LOTTERY

‘IMPOSSIBLE’ TO
HOLD PREZ VOTE:
LIBYA PARL.
Cairo, Dec. 22: A Libyan par-
liamentary committee said We-
dnesday that it has become
“impossible” to hold a long-wa-
ited presidential vote in two
purchase necessities,”
with all others ordered
to remain indoors
except for emergencies,
the city government
said in a statement on
its official Weibo social
media account.
Residents “should not
leave the city unless nec-
essary,” the government
said, adding that those
$2.7 billion
IN PRIZES WILL BE dished out
in the country’s bumper
South Korean small business owners shout slogans during a rally against the
Christmas lottery, known as
government’s policy on vaccine passes and business restrictions related to the
Covid-19 pandemic in downtown Seoul on Wednesday. — AFP
“El Gordo”, or “The Fat One”
this year as Spaniards look for
a respite from the pandemic’s
Biden says America SELF-ISOLATION
PERIOD CUT TO
gloom and doom.
capt convicted
Port Louis, Dec. 22: The
captain and first mate of
a bulk carrier that
crashed into a coral reef
off Mauritius, causing
the Indian Ocean archi-
pelago's worst-ever envi-
ronmental disaster, have
ra Tilakaratna, were fou-
nd guilty of “endangering
safe navigation” and are
due to be sentenced on
December 27.
The MV Wakashio was
sailing from Singapore to
Brazil with 3,800 tonnes of

‘ready’ for Omicron

days as scheduled, in a major
blow to international efforts to
end a decade of chaos in the oil-
rich country.
It was the first official statem-
ent that the vote would not hap-
pen on Friday, although it was
widely expected amid mounti-
ng challenges and calls for a
delay.
In a letter to Parliament
Speaker Aguila Saleh, lawmak-
er al-Hadi al-Sagheir, head of
the committee tasked to follow
the electoral process, said the
group found “it is impossible to
hold the election as scheduled
on Dec 24.”
He did not specify whether
another date had been set for
the voting, or if it had been
cancelled altogether.
seeking to leave would
have to provide evidence
of “special circum-
stances” and apply for
approval.
The orders came a day
after the city began test-
ing all of its 13 million
residents.
Long-distance bus sta-
tions were closed and
authorities have set up
disease control check-
points on highways out
of Xi'an, government
notices said.
More than 85 percent
of flights to and from
the city's main airport
have been grounded,
according to flight track-
er VariFlight. — AFP
been convicted of endan- fuel oil and 200 tonnes of
7 DAYS IN UK gering safe navigation.
The MV Wakashio, a
diesel onboard when it
ran into the reef off the
Japanese-owned but Pan- southeast coast of Mauri-
Washington, Dec. 22: severe form of Covid-19 London, Dec. 22: The amanian-flagged vessel, tius, a paradise island
President Joe Biden on than the Delta variant. self-isolation period for ran aground in July 2020, nation that heavily relies
Tuesday told Americans Its lightning dash aro- people who test positive spilling more than 1,000 on tourism for its reven-
worried about the rapid- und the globe has led for Covid-19 in England tonnes of toxic fuel into ue.
ly spreading Omicron some governments to re- will be cut from 10 days the pristine waters of “A birthday party had
Coronavirus variant impose restrictions ahe- to seven for those who Mauritius, coating man- been held on board and I
that the country was ad of the holidays, dam- produce two negative I know it’s frustrating to go into groves, corals and other had consumed alcohol in
“prepared” to fight it, as pening hopes the worst lateral flow test (LFT) another holiday season with fragile ecosystems. moderation,” the 58-year-
Israel announced fourth of the pandemic is over, results on day six and Covid looming over us. But it The vessel’s Indian cap- old captain said.
shots for those over 60 or to re-evaluate their seven since the start of won’t be like this forever. tain, Sunil Kumar Nand- He added that he had
and health workers. plans to halt the spread. their quarantine, UK Someday the pandemic will eshwar, who was convict- given instructions to ap-
Omicron, now present “We can see a new Health Secretary Sajid ed by a court in the capi- proach Mauritian waters
end, and the better we look
in dozens of countries, storm coming,” warned Javid announced on tal Port Louis on Tuesday, to get a network so crew
appears to be more infe- the World Health Wednesday. Javid said after each other, the sooner admitted drinking during members could phone
ctious than earlier coro- Organisation’s regional the change has been that time will come. an onboard party. their families as they had
navirus strains, despite director for Europe, made in consultation He and first officer, Sri not been in contact bec-
early indications that it Hans Kluge. with the UK Health Sec-
BILL GATES, Lankan national Hitiha- ause of the Covid-19 pan-
does not cause a more — AFP urity Agency. — PTI Microsoft co-founder nillage Subhoda Janend- demic. — AFP

HYDERABAD | THURSDAY | 23 DECEMBER 2021

quick  Prelude to govt diluting consumer protection rules?

Amazon to take Cloudtail in fold

RELIEF RALLY
IN STOCKS
AMIDST MIXED
Zee, Sony
move ahead
BITES SANGEETHA G
CHENNAI, DEC. 22

In what could be an indica-

tion of government doing
SURPRISE MOVE
◗ Amazon will acquire Narayana Murthy-owned
ing at acquiring Amazon’s
stakes in the joint venture.
However, the new develop-
ment is an indication that
the government would
GLOBAL CUES
RAVI RANJAN PRASAD
MUMBAI, DEC. 22
with merger
RAVI RANJAN PRASAD
INDICATORS % away with some of the
clauses of proposed Consu-
Catamaran’s stake in Prione Business Service
◗ Prione is the joint venture that runs Cloudtail,
probably let go the clauses
that would prevent a mar-
The stock market wit-
nessed a relief rally for
MUMBAI, DEC. 22
Sensex 56,930.56 1.09 mer Protection (E-com- the largest seller on Amazon platform ketplace to have stake in a the second consecutive Zee Entertainment
Nifty 50 16,955.50 1.10 merce) Rules, 2020, and seller entity. day, tracking overnight Enterprises (Zee) and
changing FDI norms for e- ◗ Catamaran has a 76 per cent stake in Prione In September 2021, min- US market, though glob- Sony Pictures Networks
S&P 500* 4,649.23 1.78
commerce marketplaces, ◗ Amazon has moved the CCI for deal approval istries including finance al cues were mixed. India announced signing
Dollar (`) 75.55 0.07 Amazon has made a sur- and corporate affairs, Sensex and Nifty-50 of definitive agreements
prise decision to keep its ◗ Amazon had earlier cut its stake in Cloudtail besides the Niti Aayog, had gained over one per cent to merge Zeel into Sony
Pound Sterling (`) 100.31 -0.16 to 24%
stake in Cloudtail with opposed the draft e-com- each, outperforming Pictures Networks India
Euro (`) 85.20 0.24 itself. merce rules put out by the Asian peers. and combine their linear
Gold (10gm)* (`) 47,093▼145 0.30 Amazon will acquire bilities. The businesses of that an e-commerce mar- Ministry of Consumer However, European networks, digital assets,
Infosys co-founder the joint venture shall con- ketplace should not use Affairs. They found that markets traded flat and production operations
Brent crude ($/bbl)* 74.13 0.20 Narayana Murthy-owned tinue under the... current any information collected the rules would disrupt the Dow, S&P 500 and and programme India will have cash bal-
IN 10-Yr bond yield 6.464 0.00 Catamaran’s stake in management and on through its platform for sector which was a large Nasdaq futures were in libraries. ance of $1.5 billion at the
US 10-Yr T-bill yield* 1.481 -0.006 Prione Business Service, receipt of regulatory unfair advantage of its employment generator. the red, reflecting cau- "The agreements follow time of merger, includ-
the joint venture that runs approvals, the board of related parties. Further Further, the government tion and fragile market the conclusion of an ing through infusion by
* As of 8:30 PM IST Cloudtail, the largest seller Prione and Cloudtail will none of its related parties has also proposed to come sentiments. exclusive negotiation the current shareholders
on the Amazon platform. take steps to complete the and associated enterprises up with Open Network for The Sensex gained 1.09 period during which Zee of Sony and the promot-
The acquisition will be transaction in compliance should be enlisted as sell- Digital Commerce, which per cent or 611.55 points and Sony conducted ers (founders) of Zee, to

Maersk to take
subject to regulatory with applicable laws,” the ers to consumers directly. wants to onboard smaller closing at 56,930.56 while mutual due diligence," enable the combined
approvals, Amazon and statement said. As per these proposed traders and sellers on the the Nifty-50 closed at said a joint statement. company to drive sharp-
Catamaran said in a joint Catamaran has a 76 per rules, Amazon could not digital platform. The 16,955.45 gaining 184.60 Experts feel it’s a posi- er content creation
over China’s release.
sources,
According
Amazon
to
has
cent stake in Prione. In
order to comply with the
own stake in Cloudtail if it
continues to sell products
democratization process
also requires presence of
points or 1.10 per cent.
The broader market
tive development for both
the companies as they
across platforms,
strengthen its footprint

LF Logistics approached the Competi-

Danish shipping giant, AP
Moeller-Maersk, said it has
agreed to acquire LF Logistics,
a subsidiary of Chinese supply
chain manager Li & Fung, for
$3.6 billion as it seeks to
expand beyond its core ocean
freight business. "Maersk is
now taking another significant
step to provide our customers
with integrated logistics... shift-
ing the balance significantly
towards global logistics and
end-to-end services,” it said.
Printed & Published by
K. Sudhakar on behalf of Deccan
Chronicle Holdings Limited, Printed at
Deccan Chronicle Press at Deccan
Chronicle Holdings Ltd. #563/9/D&9/E,
Behind Andhra Bank Pet Basheerbagh,
Kompally, Ranga Reddy Dist. Editor:
Kaushik Mitter, RNI Reg
No.APENG/2008/24282. © All rights
reserved. Reproduction in whole or in
part without written permission of The
Editor, Financial Chronicle ® is
prohibited.
tion Commission of India
for approval of the deal.
“Amazon will acquire
Catamaran’s shareholding
in Prione in compliance
with applicable laws
including all assets and lia-
Das bats for continued policy support to economy
FALAKNAAZ SYED
MUMBAI, DEC. 22
With the omicron variant
threatening the fragile eco-
nomic recovery, the
Reserve Bank of India gov-
ernor Shaktikanta Das
batted for continued policy
support to nurture a
revival in sectors which
are lagging, revealed the
minutes of the monetary
policy committee (MPC)
meeting held during
December 6 to 8. The six-
member rate setting panel
had unanimously voted to
FDI rules, Amazon had ear-
lier reduced its stake from
49 per cent to 24 per cent in
Cloudtail.
The new rules proposed
by the government under
Consumer Protection (E-
commerce) Rules insist
keep the key rates
unchanged in its bi-month-
ly monetary policy. This
was the ninth consecutive
time the MPC maintained
a status quo on rates.
“To sum up, there is
growing uncertainty
regarding the evolving
global macroeconomic
outlook. In the domestic
front, even as the
prospects for economic
activity are improving,
there is still a slack with
key drivers like private
consumption remaining
well below their pre-pan-
on the platform. On August
9, 2021, the joint venture
partners had announced
their decision to not con-
tinue the venture beyond
the end of its current term
of May 2022.
Catamaran was also look-
demic levels. Given these
uncertainties, continued
policy support is warrant-
ed for a durable, broad-
based and self-sustaining
rebound, especially to nur-
ture revival in sectors
which are lagging and to
safeguard those which are
exposed to the evolving
headwinds,” said Das.
“In this scenario, it
would be prudent to watch
out for growth signals
becoming well entrenched
while remaining vigilant
on inflation dynamics.
There is also a necessity to
large e-commerce sellers.
While the small traders
have been up in arms
against the e-commerce
majors, the ONDC could
get both the parties on the
same platform and help
resolve the differences.
have a firm understanding
of the impact of the omi-
cron variant,” added Das.
MPC member and RBI
deputy governor Michael
Debabrata Patra too
expressed concerns on the
spread of the new variant
of coronavirus, saying
“suddenly, the global out-
look has darkened”.
However, another mem-
ber Jayanth Varma dis-
sented on the continuation
of the accommodative
stance for the foreseeable
future, which led to the
MPC in a split state.
outperformed with BSE
Mid-cap Index up 1.47
per cent and the BSE
Small-cap gained 1.66
per cent. All the sectoral
indices registered gains,
led by BSE Realty (2.93
per cent), Capital Goods
(2.01 per cent) Auto (1.90
per cent) and Telecom
(1.87 per cent).
Domestic institutional
investors were buyers of
equities worth Rs
1,593.41 crore while the
foreign portfolio inves-
tors were net sellers by
Rs 827.26 crore.
"Sentiments got a boost
as US President and UK
Prime Minister both
ruled out strict lock-
downs or new curbs
ahead of the Christmas
and new year vacation.
There was also opti-
mism among investors
that the economic
growth might overcome
risks,” said a Motilal
Oswal update.
can compete better now
in the business.
After closing the deal,
the new combined com-
pany will be publicly list-
ed in India.
Zee shares will be
delisted for three weeks
at the time of merger
completion before the
merged entity gets listed,
according to analysts.
"Music and Movies
businesses of Sony will
not be included under the
ambit of this merger and
therefore they may com-
pete with the like to like
businesses of the merged
entity post-merger," said
an analyst.
The closing of the
transaction is subject to
certain customary clos-
ing conditions, including
regulatory, shareholder,
and third party appro-
vals, said a release.
"Under the terms of the
definitive agreements,
Sony Pictures Networks
in the rapidly evolving
digital ecosystem, bid for
media rights in the fast-
growing sports land-
scape and pursue other
growth opportunities,"
the release said.
Punit Goenka will lead
the combined company
as its managing director
& CEO. The majority of
the board of directors of
the combined company
will be nominated by the
Sony Group and will
include the current Sony
Pictures Networks India
managing director and
CEO N.P. Singh. On
merger Singh will
assume a broader execu-
tive position as chair-
man, Sony Pictures
India.
As part of the definitive
agreements, the promot-
ers (founders) of Zee will
limit the equity they may
own in the combined
company to 20 per cent of
outstanding shares.
 GAMES
DECCAN CHRONICLE | HYDERABAD | THURSDAY | 23 DECEMBER 2021
Suns leave Lakers in shade
SHORT TAKES
Gowtham Junior
College in final
Hyderabad: Gowtham Junior
College (ECIL) won the second
semifinal comfortably to set up
the final with Hyderabad School
of Excellence in the Hyderabad
Cricket Association’s Under 16
Schools & Colleges tournament.
In the second semifinal played
on Wednesday, GJC beat
Bhavans Sri Aurobindo Junior
College ‘A’ by six wickets. Set to
chase 146, the winners rode on
unbeaten half-centuries by
Anvith Reddy (50) and B. Balaji
(53) to romp home in 34.2
overs. Vivek Gagan’s 52 went in
vain for Bhavans.
Brief scores: Bhavans Sri
Aurobindo Junior College ‘A’
146 in 43.1 overs (Vivek Gagan
52, D. Manish 3/22, Rishabh
Bimal Payyan 3/42) lost to
Gowtham Junior College (ECIL)
148 for 4 in 34.2 overs (Anvith
Reddy 50 n.o, B. Balaji 53 n.o)
Sports Authority of Telangana
State chairman Allipuram
Venkateshwar Reddy (left)
felicitates Srikanth Kidambi
after the shuttler brought
home a silver medal from bad-
minton world championship.
Rashmikaa loses
in pre-quarters
Hyderabad: Hyderabad’s
Shrivalli Rashmikaa lost to
Nigina Abduraimova in the pre-
quarterfinals of the NECC
Deccan $25k Women’s Tennis
Tournament being played at the
Deccan Gymkhana in Pune.
After having come up through
the qualifying, Rashmikaa went
down in three sets 4-6, 6-3, 2-6
to the fifth seeded player from
Uzbekistan.
Telangana Social Welfare
Residential Educational
Institutions Society (TSWREIS)
secretary Ronald Rose (left)
felicitates captain Rani after
she led the Telangana softball
team to the National Sub-jun-
ior Championship title at
Mehamadabad in Gujarat.
State ranking
chess on 26th
Hyderabad: The Telangana
State Chess Association is con-
ducting the 34th Telangana
State Ranking tournment in the
Under 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15 age
groups for boys and girls at the
Lal Bahadur Stadium Yoga Hall
on December 26.
The tournament will be played
over five rounds under Swiss
Format.
Players born on or after 01-01-
2006 are eligible to participate.
They should enroll their names
by 5 pm on December 25
through
www.chesstelangana.com or on
phones 7337578899,
7337399299. There will be no
spot registrations.
West beat East
Zone by 98 runs
Hyderabad: West Zone defeat-
ed East by 98 runs in the
Telangana Cricket Association’s
Under 19 zonal state league
match played at Mudhol in
Nirmal district on Wednesday.
Batting first, West rode on
Manne Sourav’s fine knock of 87
to make 231 in 46 overs. In
reply, East were out for 133.
Brief scores:
■ West Zone 231 in 46 overs
(Manne Sourav 87, M. Ashok
Kumar 45, S. Adarsh 4/33) bt
East Zone 133 in 29.4 overs
(Vaishnav Sai Tanay Jaddu
3/30). MoM: Manne Sourav
(West Zone).
■ Played on Tuesday: West
Zone 164 in 36.1 overs (Nikhil
Nakirekanti 3/16) lost to South
Zone 166/8 in 31.4 overs (Mohd
Sohail 49, Yuvatarak Potu 39,
Vaishnav Sai Tanay Jaddu 3/24).
MoM: Mohd Sohail (South Zone)
Los Angeles, Dec. 22:
Devin Booker and
Deandre Ayton powered
the NBA-leading Phoenix
Suns to a 108-90 victory
Tuesday over the Los
Angeles Lakers, whose
superstar LeBron James
suffered a left ankle
injury.
Booker delivered 24
points, nine rebounds
and seven assists while
Bahamas big man Ayton
contributed 19 points and
11 rebounds as the Suns
won their fourth game in
a row and sixth in seven
starts.
The Suns, who lost to
Milwaukee in last sea-
son’s NBA Finals,
improved the NBA’s best
record to 25-5, just ahead
of the Golden State
Warriors (26-6). It marks
the team’s second-best 30-
game start in team histo-
ry.
Phoenix started 0-for-9
from 3-point range and
finished 12-for-41 with
Booker, just back from a
hamstring injury that
had him miss seven
games, going 6-for-11 from
beyond the arc.
The Suns led only 54-52
at halftime but stretched
the margin to 85-73 enter-
ing the fourth quarter
and pulled away from
there.
Four-time NBA Most
Valuable Player James
led the Lakers with 34
points on 13-of-19 shoot-
George, Aakarshi clinch titles
Telangana’s Sanjana wins mixed doubles BENGAL TODAY
Chennai, Dec. 22:
Kerala’s Kiran George
and women’s top seed
Aakarshi Kashyap of
Chattisgarh registered
straight games victories
over their respective
opponents to clinch the
men’s and women’s sin-
gles titles at the All India
senior ranking bad-
minton tournament in
Chennai on Wednesday.
Telangana’s Sanjana
Santosh won the mixed
doubles title alongside
Rohan Kapoor, her part-
ner from Delhi. In the
title clash, they beat S.
Sunjith & Gowrikrishna
TR in straight games 21-
18, 21-16.
The men’s singles final
was a match-up against
the aggressive 21-year-old
and Subhankar Dey, who
has been known for his
tenacity on and off the
court. But if one expected
a close encounter on
Wednesday, Kiran doused
those hopes pretty early
when he opened up a 7-1
lead in the opening game
and controlled the game
with net exchanges and
unleashing down the line
smashes.
World No. 57 Dey, who
had to come through the
qualifying rounds due to
his lower domestic rank-
ing, did manage to close
the gaps but powerful
smashes by Kiran were
too good for him. Kiran
won 21-17, 21-12 in 39 min-
utes
The women’s singles
final was also a one-sided
affair as Aakarshi domi-
nated qualifier Tanya,
who had upset fifth seed
Ashmita Chaliha in the
semifinal, from the start.
The champion had
Para power at infinity cycle ride
DC CORRESPONDENT
HYDERABAD, DEC. 22
Telangana Governor Dr
Tamilisai Soundararajan
flagged off the seventh
edition of The Infinity
Ride hosted by Aditya
Mehta Foundation (AMF)
from Hyderabad to
Gokarna in Karnataka
with the theme ‘Say No to
Drugs.’
The ride started at the
AMF Infinity Para Sports
Academy & she added.
Rehabilitation Centre in
Rasoolpura, Hyderabad.
It got off to a colourful
start with actress
Lakshmi Manchu and
entrepreneur Shilpa
Reddy joining the ride for
some distance.
Others, including
cyclists from Telangana
Police, Narcotics Control
Bureau, Karnataka
Police, Indo-Tibetan
Border Police, members
of the Indian para cycling
team and amateur
cyclists, will ride the dis-
tance of 660 kilometres to
Gokarna on the coast of
Deandre Ayton (second from right) of the Phoenix Suns vies for the ball with
LeBron James of Los Angeles Lakers during their NBA game on Tuesday.
ing and added seven
rebounds, two assists and
two steals while Russell
Westbrook added 22
points and 10 rebounds
for the hosts, whose los-
ing streak hit three
games.
James, who turns 37
next week, drove to the
HYDERABAD
TAKE ON EAST
Sanjana Santosh (left) and Rohan Kapoor pose with
their mixed doubles winners trophies at the All India
Senior Badminton Ranking Tournament in Chennai.
engaged her opponent in
long rallies during the
initial exchanges to open
up a 11-4 lead. Though
Tanya looked more com-
fortable in the second
half of that game, she
was never really in con-
tention and Aakarshi
needed just half-an-hour
to bag the match 21-15, 21-
12.
National champions
and women’s doubles top
seeds Shikha Gautam and
Ashwini Bhat K got bet-
ter of Uttar Pradesh’s
Shruti Mishra and
Shailja Shukla 21-14, 21-16
while the unseeded com-
bination of Rohan
Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan (centre) pats
AMF founder Aditya Mehta (left) at the flagging off of
the Infinity Ride for para-athletes in Hyderabad on
Wednesday. Actress Lakshmi Manchu is to the right.
the Arabian sea.
Addressing the gather-
ing, the Governor con-
gratulated Aditya Mehta
for choosing the theme of
‘Say no to drugs’ for this
year’s run.
“My message to the
youngsters is, proper use
hoop near the midpoint of
the third quarter and his
left foot landed on the foot
of Phoenix forward Jae
Crowder.
James collapsed to the
court, grabbed the ankle,
rolled over and pounded
the court three times
with his left fist.
Kapoor and Sanjana
Santosh defeated S.
Sunjith and
Gowrikrishna TR 21-18,
21-16 to clinch the mixed
doubles title.
In the men’s doubles
that saw two pairs who
had to come through
qualifying rounds,
Hariharan Amsakarunan
and Ruban Kumar R got
the better of Ravikrishna
P. S. and Sankarprasad
Udaykumar 22-20, 19-21,
21-18.
THE RESULTS (all finals)
■ Men’s singles: Kiran
George (KER) bt
Subhankar Dey (RLY) 21-17,
of drug for illness leads to
health and drug abuse
will create illness and
lead to death. As doctors
we use drugs to save lives
while youngsters use it in
a wrong way and get
addicted to them, which
impact mental attitude
— AP
He stayed in the game
but wasn’t around for the
finish, and the Lakers
have to be concerned
about the status of his
ankle with big man
Anthony Davis sidelined
for four weeks by a knee
injury.
The Lakers fell to 16-16
Kiran George
Aakarshi Kashyap
21-12.
■ Women’s singles:
Aakarshi Kashyap (CG) bt
Tanya Hemanth (KTK) 21-
15, 21-12.
■ Men’s doubles: Hariharan
Amsakarunan/ Ruban
Kumar R (TN) bt
Ravikrishna P S/
Sankarprasad Udaykumar
(KER) 22-20, 19-21, 21-18.
■ Women’s doubles:
Shikha Gautam/ Ashwini
Bhat K (KTK) bt Shruti
Mishra/ Shailja Shukla (UP)
21-14, 21-16.
■ Mixed doubles: Rohan
Kapoor/ Sanjana Santosh
(DLI/ TS) bt S. Sunjith and
Gowrikrishna TR (RBI/
KER) 21-18, 21-16.
and physical wellbeing,
so please say no to drugs,”
she said.
“It is of great concern of
late that drug abuse is
starting at the school
level itself. We need to
address it with all sincer-
ity. The para athletes here
are an inspiration to able
bodied individuals —
despite the challenges
you have, you are on a
cycle ride to spread the
message on drug abuse,”
“The Aditya Mehta
Foundation (AMF),
besides proactively pro-
moting para-sports,
adopts children with dis-
ability, trains them in
para-sports and grooms
them into prospective
para-Olympians for the
country. The AMF raises
funds though this signa-
ture fund raising Infinity
Ride and enjoys the sup-
port of several celebrities
like Lakshmi Manchu
and Shilpa Reddy,” said
Aditya Mehta, founder,
AMF, India’s first-ever
para cyclist and a Limca
pg 11
CITY
CLIPS
Telangana table tennis team for Natls
ollowing players have been selected by the Telangana
to share seventh in the F State Table Tennis Association to represent the State in
the upcoming Sub-Junior and Cadet Nationals to be held at
Western Conference.
At Miami, Heat reserve Indore from January 11 to 17, 2022.
Tyler Herro and starter ■ Girls U-11 individual events: B. Srividya (GSM), Sri Saanvi
Duncan Robinson each (MLR). Boys U-11 individual events: B. Yashavasin (AWA),
scored 26 points to power Vevaan Bhatia (AWA).
Miami over Indiana 125- ■ Girls U-13 individual events: A. Satya (GSM), Pragyansha
96, delivering the Pacers’ Patra (VPG), P. Jalani (VPG), B. Srividya (GSM). Boys U-13
most lopsided loss of the individual events: Akshay (AWA), M. Devansh Singh (SPHS),
season. Jaffer Hussain (LBS), Sree Anish (SPHS).
Despite Miami stars ■ Girls U-15 team events: A. Satya (GSM), Shrestha Reddy
Bam Adebayo and Jimmy (GSM), Kaavya (AWA), Pragyansha Patra (VPG). Boys U-15
Butler being injured, the team events: A. Jatin Dev (SPHS), Sourya Raj (AVSC),
Heat won for the fifth Arush Reddy (MLR), Akshay (AWA).
time in seven games. M. Deepesh Singh (AWA) and Simin Dastani (VPG) will
Heat guard Kyle Lowry accompany the teams as coaches-cum-managers.
just missed a triple-dou-
ble with eight points, 11
rebounds and 12 assists
Cycling side for track championship
for the Heat. s many as 18 cyclists and four team officials will
Herro, the NBA’s top
reserve scorer, missed the
A represent Telangana in the 73rd Senior, 50th Junior &
36th Sub-Junior National Track Cycling Championship to
prior three games with a held at Jaipur in Rajasthan from December 24 to 28.
quad injury and said the ■ Senior Team: B. Mugesh (SCR), K. Yeshwanth (NZB), K.
Heat thrive on depth and Pranay (JNGM), V. Uday (SID), M. Damodar (SID), CH
being prepared every Ranadeer (WL). ■ Junior: K. Sai Ram (YDR), V. L. Pranav
game. (HYD), D. Rakesh (SID), A. Manohar (MED), A. Arun (KRNR).
Elsewhere, French ■ Sub-Junior Boys U-16: Aashirwad Saxena (HYD), C.
guard Evan Fournier Patwardhan (HYD), A. Rama Krishna (SID), S. Koushik (HYD),
scored a game-high 22 Tirupathi (KRNR), B. Srinath Reddy (HYD). Boys U-14: G. Sai
points while Kemba Charan (MED), R. Tanishk Kumar Singh (MED), R. Sruthik
Walker added 21 points (HYD), Sriyansh (HYD), Shahwat Singh (HYD). Girls: N. Srinidhi
and Julius Randle had 21 (HYD), S. Ratnika, Shiva Bindiya , N. Janvitha, R. Nishitha
points and 11 rebounds to (HYD).
power the New York ■ Team Officials: A. Krishna Yadav (coach), S. Bhargav (assis-
Knicks over visiting tant coach), Anurag Saxena (manager), Rahoof (technician).
Detroit 105-91.
Jalen Brunson scored 28
points to lead the Dallas
Mavericks over visiting
Minnesota 114-102. Karl-
Anthony Towns had 26
points and 14 rebounds
for the Timberwolves
while Malik Beasley
added 22 points in a los-
ing cause. — AFP
Bambolim, Dec. 22: A
confident Hyderabad FC
will look to keep the jug-
gernaut rolling and
bridge the gap on leaders
Mumbai City FC when
they take on wooden
spooners SC East Bengal
in the Indian Super
League here on Thursday.
Hyderabad are on a five-
match unbeaten streak,
the joint longest unbeat-
en streak this season
along with Kerala
Blasters. They have a
game in hand and with a
win against lowly East
Bengal, they can move to
the second spot with 14
points, one adrift of
Mumbai who have 15
from seven matches.
The Nizams have looked
one of the most balanced
sides this season with
attack and defence click-
ing in tandem. Australian
forward Joel Chianese
has been impactful for
Hyderabad chipping in
with one goal and two
assists in 282 minutes
this season.
Chianese has played as
the second striker behind
Bart Ogbeche and has
rotated with Edu Garcia
for a place in the starting
XI.
Hyderabad have conced-
ed five goals in six league
games this season, they
boast the second-best
defensive record in the
league after Chennaiyin
FC. Manolo Marquez will
know all too well that this
is their best opportunity
to cut the gap at the top of
the heap. In East Bengal,
they have a side who are
on an 11-match winless
streak (4 matches last
season and 7 matches this
season). — PTI
Book of World Records
holder.
“The para-athletes here
inspire us by pushing the
boundaries that we our-
selves can’t accomplish in
our regular day. I did 100
kms cycling to raise funds
for AMF this year. I thank
all my friends and donors
for the support,”
Lakshmi Manchu said at
the event.
The Infinity Ride is
being pursued by some of
the stalwart para-athletes
such as Prakhar Sharma,
Aryavardan, Shaik
Arshad, Aditya Mehta,
Venu, Alok Mandal, Mala
Abhishek and Mahesh
Yadav.
THE SCHEDULE
■ December 22: Hyderabad to
Mahabubnagar — 107 kms.
■ December 23: Mahabubnagar
to Raichur, Karnataka — 107
kms.
■ December 24: Raichurto
Sindhanur — 99 kms.
■ December 25: Sindhanurto
Koppal — 95 kms.
■ December 26: Koppal to Hubli
— 120 kms.
■ December 27: Hubli to
Gokarna — 150 kms.
 GAMES
DECCAN CHRONICLE | HYDERABAD | THURSDAY | 23 DECEMBER 2021
SHORT TAKES
Srikanth returns
to world top 10
New Delhi: Riding on his his-
toric World Championship sil-
ver, India’s Kidambi Srikanth
jumped four places to regain
his place in the world’s top 10
in the latest Badminton World
Federation (BWF) rankings. The
28-year-old from Guntur was
rewarded for his final finish in
Huelva, Spain as he grabbed
the 10th position in the rank-
ings.
Young Lakshya Sen, who also
secured a maiden bronze at
World Championship in his first
campaign at the event, jumped
two spots to the 17th position
but B Sai Praneeth slipped two
places to be at the 18th spot.
H.S. Prannoy’s quarterfinal fin-
ish in Spain saw him improve
six places to the 26th spot.
In women’s singles, two-time
Olympic medallist P.V. Sindhu
remained static at seventh
place, while Saina Nehwal, who
is recovering from multiple
injuries, is at the 25th place.
Men’s doubles pair of Chirag
Shetty and Satwiksairaj
Rankireddy slipped one place
to the 10th position. — PTI
Saurashtra in
Hazare semis
Jaipur: Saurashtra produced
another dominating display to
steamroll Vidarbha by seven
wickets and storm into the
semifinals of the Vijay Hazare
Trophy here on Wednesday.
First, Saurashtra bowlers-led by
skipper Jaydev Unadkat (2/25)
dished out a clinical show and
bundled out the opposition for
a paltry 150 in 40.3 overs,
despite Apoorv Wankhede’s
hard-fought 72.
They then rode on Prerak
Mankad’s gusty unbeaten 77 off
72 balls to chase the target
with 20.1 overs to spare despite
a top-order failure.
Put into bat at the Sawai
Mansingh Stadium, Vidarbha
lost their first three batters
inside the first eight overs as
Unadkat and young speedster
Chetan Sakariya (1/12) wreaked
havoc.
Saurashtra face Tamil Nadu in
the semifinal on Friday.
Services put up an allround
show to sail into the semifinals
with a facile seven-wicket win
over Kerala.
Chasing a paltry 176, Services
cantered home in 30.5 overs
with opener Ravi Chauhan top-
scoring with a 90-ball 95 (13x4,
3x6) and skipper Rajat Paliwal
making a 86-ball 65 (8x4).
— PTI
BRIEF SCORES
■ Kerala 175 (Rohan
Kunnummal 85, Vinoop
Manoharan 41; Diwesh Pathania
3/19, Abhishek Tiwari 2/33) lost
to Services 176/3 (Ravi
Chauhan 95, Rajat Paliwal 65
not out; Unnikrishnan
Manukrishnan 2/23).
■ Vidarbha 150 (Apoorv
Wankhede 72; Yuvraj Chudasma
2/15, Jaydev Unadkat 2/25) lost
to Saurashtra 151/3 (Prerak
Mankad 77 n.o., Arpit Vasavada
41 n.o.; Aditya Thakare 2/13).
pg 12
BROWNIE POINTS Mega auction
IPL | 2022
Holders India pip Pak in thriller to win ACT bronze likely in Feb.
Dhaka, Dec. 22: A misfir- against Pakistan. They ● After being from the onset. ing goalkeeper Krishan
ing India were made to toil did press hard and created stunned by Japan 3-5 Unlike against Japan, Bahadur Pathak.
hard before getting the numerous chances, in the semifinal, India came out attacking The Indians responded New Delhi, Dec. 22: The their debut in the cash rich
better of arch-rivals including 11 penalty cor- and secured as many as after conceding the goal BCCI is planning to hold league.
Pakistan 4-3 in a pulsating ners, out of which they
much was expected four penalty corners and earned their fifth the two-day mega Indian CVC is however waiting
third-fourth place contest made use of just two. from India against straightaway, the last of penalty corner soon, but Premier League auction on for its Letter of Intent from
to clinch the bronze medal India, who were the Pakistan. They did which was converted by Harmanpreet’s flick was February 7 and 8 in the BCCI but is expected to
at the Asian Champions defending champions press hard and Harmanpreet with a pow- saved by the Pakistani Bengaluru, a senior BCCI get an all clear in the next
Trophy men’s hockey along with Pakistan in the created numerous erful low flick in the first defence. official said on Wednesday. few weeks.
tournament here on last edition of the tourna- chances, including minute. In the 14th minute, It could well be the last Both teams have time till
Wednesday. ment, will thus return The Indians kept up the Pakistan got their first mega auction that BCCI Christmas to announce
After having topped the with a consolation prize. 11 penalty corners, pressure with numerous penalty corner, which was might conduct as most of their three draft picks but
round-robin stages, the The Indian team took the of which they raids inside the Pakistan saved by Pathak. the original IPL franchises BCCI might extend the
Tokyo Olympics bronze lead in the very first converted just two. circle but failed to create a It was a fighting contest want it to be discontinued. dates for both as CVC is yet
medallists were far from minute through vice-cap- clear-cut chance. in the second quarter as “Unless the Covid-19 situ- to get clearance.
impressive in their last tain Harmanpreet Singh over Pakistan in the tour- Pakistan grew in confi- Pakistan defended in ation worsens, we will have Most of the franchise
two games, and the before Sumit (45th), Varun nament after having beat- dence as time passed by numbers to deny their the IPL mega auction in owners feel that mega auc-
Manpreet Singh-led side Kumar (53rd) and en them 3-1 in the round- and drew level in the 10th neighbours. India. The two-day event tions have passed their
had to play out of its skin Akashdeep Singh (57th) robin stages. minute courtesy some In the 22nd minute, India will be held on February 7 sell-by-date and a team’s
to outwit Pakistan and fin- struck a goal each. In the summit clash late sloppy defending by the secured another penalty and 8 and like other years, composition and balance
ish on the podium. Pakistan’s goals were on Wednesday, South Indians, in particular corner, but once again, we plan to hold it in gets severely compromised
After being stunned by scored by Afraz (10th), Korea will play Japan. Harmanpreet, as he failed Pakistan goalkeeper Bengaluru. Preparations when there are auctions
Japan 3-5 in the semifinal Abdul Rana (33rd) and India started the match to clear a loose ball inside Amjad Ali came to his are underway,” a senior after every three years.
on Tuesday, much was Ahmed Nadeem (57th). on a bright note, pressing the circle, and Afraz did side’s rescue by denying BCCI official said on condi- Delhi Capitals co-owner
expected from India It was India’s second win the Pakistani defence enough to get past onrush- Harmanpreet. — PTI tions of anonymity. Parth Jindal had in fact
There were reports that said this on record how it
auction will be held in the is tough to release players
UAE but as of now, BCCI after having put in effort to
has no such plans. build a team.
However with the emer- “It is very sad to lose
gence of Omicron variant
of Covid-19 and cases on
Shreyas Iyer, Shikhar
Dhawan, Kagiso Rabada
the rise, the situation will
remain fluid but if there
and Ashwin. The auction
process itself is something
are restrictions with like this. Going forward,
regards to overseas travel IPL should look at this
(unless all owners decide because it’s not that you
to use charter planes), con- build a team, give chances
ducting it in India will be to young players, groom
less of a logistical night- them and get them oppor-
mare. tunities from franchises,
This year’s IPL will be a play for the country and
10-team affair with Sanjiv then you lose them after
Goenka owned Lucknow three years,” Jindal had
franchise along with ven- said after players’ reten-
ture capital firm CVC tion was announced
owned Ahmedabad making November 30. — PTI
ASHWIN CONSIDERED
QUITING OVER INJURIES
New Delhi, Dec. 22: being able to be excellent
India’s third-highest Test and felt I needed a shoul-
wicket-taker Ravichan- der to lean on,” he said
dran Ashwin says that he ahead of India’s first Test
nearly quit several times against South Africa on
between 2018 and 2020 due Sunday.
Indian players celebrate after their 4-3 win over Pakistan during their 3rd/4th place match at the Hero Men’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey to injury and because he Ashwin added that
tournament in Dhaka on Wednesday. did not “feel backed”. understanding towards
“I contemplated retire- injuries in Indian cricket
ment for a lot of reasons,” is “pathetic”.
the star spinner told “One thing that will for-
India-SA tour to go on despite Covid cases ESPN Cricinfo.
“I felt like people were
not sensitive enough to
my injuries. I felt like a
ever hurt me is that state-
ments were made about
how I didn’t want to play
or how I ran away from a
New Delhi, Dec. 22: The BCCI Cape Town (Jan 11-15). The Tests provided Manjra’s comments to doctors. Any contacts (close or lot of people were backed, contest,” he said, adding,
and Cricket South Africa have will be followed by three ODIs on PTI. incidental) will continue playing why not me? I have done “You can brand me any-
mutually agreed that the upcom- January 19, 21 and 23. “Considering that everyone and training with non-pharma- no less.” thing, you can kick me
ing Test and ODI series between While there is a specific agree- within the Bio-Secure ceutical interventions strictly The 35-year-old suffered out, all that is fine, but to
the two teams will continue even ment that BCCI can pull out of Environments’ (BSE) and the observed. All team members will a series of injuries, doubt my intent or my
if there is any Covid-19 case the tour in case situation in South broader cricket ecosystem will be undergo symptom screening and including to his knee and fight is something that
among players or support staff Africa, where the new variant vaccinated, any positive case will Covid-19 testing daily, and the abdomen. “I felt I was not deeply hurt me.” — AFP
and close contacts will not be Omicron was found, worsens, a isolate within their designated tour will proceed as planned,” he
forced into isolation, the host senior official said that they are hotel room if clinically stable, or added.
board’s medical officer Shuaib not contemplating any such move an alternate space within the It is understood that Rapid Regd. No. HQ/SD/509/2021-23
Manjra has said. as of now. hotel,” he added. Antigen Tests will be carried out
India will start their three- “There is an agreed medical pro- Respective team doctors will daily and both teams are ready Printed and Published by K. Sudhakar on behalf of Deccan
Chronicle Holdings Limited. Printed at Deccan Chronicle Press
match Test series against the tocol between Cricket South take care of the players in case for the eventuality that there will situated at Plot No. 9 Alwal Village, Vallabh Nagar Taluk, Medchal
Proteas on December 26 at the Africa (CSA) and the Board of any of them test positive for the be positive cases. But as long as Malkajgiri Dist. Telangana and Published at 36, S.D. Road,
Centurion followed by Tests in Control for Cricket in India virus. “They will remain under proper precautions are taken, the Secunderabad-3. RNI Registration No. 3081/1957. Editor: Kaushik Mitter
Johannesburg (January 3-7) and (BCCI),” Cricket South Africa the care of their respective team series will continue. — PTI