KOCHI � THURSDAY � FEBRUARY 15, 2024 � `9.
00 � PAGES 16 � LATE CITY EDITION
ALL-FORMAT CAPTAIN ROHIT SET
TO LEAD INDIA IN T20 WORLD CUP
Cricket board secretary Jay Shah on Wednesday
confirmed that Rohit Sharma will lead India in
the T20 World Cup in June this year
CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOGGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI
Third round of talks
with farmers today
Union leaders ask the protesters not to precipitate
matters till meeting with govt in the evening is over
H A R P R E E T B A J W A @ Chandigarh
LEADERS of the protesting
farmers on Wednesday agreed
to hold talks with the Centre
the next evening and decided
against any further escalation
till then. They advised partici-
pants of the Dilli Chalo protest
not to precipitate matters.
The day began with reports
of scuffle between some of the
protesters and the Haryana Po-
lice at the Shambhu and
Khanauri inter-state borders.
The police not only fired
tear gas shells, they also
used drones to drop the
gas canisters, which
became a contentious
inter-state issue.
On top of the talks
agenda is the demand for a
legal guarantee to the mini-
mum support price mechanism
for procurement of agricultur-
al produce.
After a meeting with senior
Punjab Police officials at a re-
sort near Rajpura in the
evening, Kisan Mazdoor Sang-
harsh Committee general sec-
retary Sarwan Singh Pandher
and Bharat Kisan Union (Ekta
Sidhupur) president Jagjit
Singh Dallewal said, “The third
round of talks will be held with
Farmers at the Shambhu border face tear gas lobbed by police to disperse them on Wednesday | PTI
Kejri gets 6th
ED summons
in excise case
U J W A L J A L A L I @ New Delhi
THE Enforcement Directorate
(ED) asked Delhi Chief Minis-
ter Arvind Kejriwal to appear
before it on February 19 for the
sixth time for questioning in
connection with the excise pol-
icy case, official sources said on
Wednesday.
The latest summons comes
in the wake of a local court’s
order to Kejriwal to appear be-
fore the court on February 17,
for ignoring ED’s earlier sum-
monses. The ED approached
the court last week after Kejri-
wal did not turn up for ques-
tioning. T he
court said that
Kejriwal was “le-
gally bound” to
respond to ED’s
summons in per-
son and that he
“purportedly
f ailed to so”,
which is prima facie an offence
under Section 174 of the IPC.
The agency’s investigation in
the case revealed that the ex-
cise policy was formulated “as
a part of a criminal conspiracy
by the leaders of Aam Aadmi
Party with deliberate loopholes
to generate and channelise il-
legal funds” for themselves as
well as to the party.
The ED is expected to file a
fresh supplementary
chargesheet and may name
AAP as a beneficiary of the al-
leged kickbacks that were gen-
erated through the policy that
was later scrapped.
Union ministers Arjun Munda,
Piyush Goyal and Nityanand
Rai tomorrow evening at Chan-
digarh. Till the meeting, we re-
quest the youth and everyone
else to make the atmosphere
conducive.”
“It has been projected as if
we want to break into Haryana
and create lawlessness but it is
not true. We only want that the
farmers who are fighting for
their rights on MSP and other
issues are heard and it’s made
a law,” he said and added,
“We will continue to fight
for our rights in a non-
violent manner.”
Pandher requested
the government to re-
ciprocate by stopping
the use of tear gas
against the protesters to
create a cordial atmosphere.
The Punjab BKU (Ekta-Ugra-
han), the biggest farmer union
in the state, decided to disrupt
railway traffic at seven places
in Punjab between 12 noon and
4 pm in protest against tear gas
shelling.
In Haryana, farm leader Gur-
nam Singh Charuni criticised
the police action against the
protesters and called a meeting
of his union on Thursday to
discuss the situation.
PROTESTS
AFTER AIDED SCHOOL HOLDS
RELIGIOUS RITUAL ON CAMPUS
General Edu Minister V Sivankutty seeks
report in the incident in which manager of
Nadumannur LP School near Kuttiadi in
Kozhikode organised ‘ganapathy homam’
on campus on Tuesday evening | P4
16 PAGES, INCLUDING 4 PAGES OF KOCHI EXPRESS
4,641 Pocso cases registered in
state last year; T’Puram tops list
R A H U L R @Kollam
CASES OF sexual abuse of children re-
mained above the 4,500-mark in the state
for yet another year, highlighting the
need for better efficacy of preventive
laws and measures.
At 4,641, the number of cases regis-
tered across the state under the Protec-
tion of Children from Sexual Offences
Act, 2012 (Pocso Act) in 2023 was slightly
higher than the 4,582 cases registered in
2022, as per the data sourced from the
State Crime Records Bureau.
Among districts, capital Thiruvanan-
thapuram reported the most number of
Pocso cases (601), followed by Malap-
puram (507) and Ernakulam (484) in
2023.
Pathanamthitta district reported the
least number of cases (177). The overall
tally included 10 cases registered by the
railway police.
Kanal, an NGO working for children’s
welfare in Kerala, highlighted another
worrying fact. According to a study it
conducted in collaboration with the
Kerala gover nment in 2023, titled
June 2-29
RETURNED TO T20Is AFTER A YEAR IN JANUARY ‘AFTER HARDIK INJURY, HE’S CLEAR CHOICE’
Jay Shah said that after Hardik Pandya’s injury in the ODI WC, it
After India’s semifinal exit in the 2022 T20 World Cup, Rohit had not
featured in the shortest format for more than a year. Hardik Pandya had
■
became clear that Rohit Sharma will captain
been leading the side in T20Is whenever he was available. However, in ■ Shah said that Rohit was captaining (in all formats) and he came
January, Rohit and Virat Kohli played T20Is against Afghanistan. The BCCI back for the Afghanistan series. So BCCI would like to continue with SPAN OF THE WC. 55 MATCHES IN ALL
secretary said even head coach Rahul Dravid will continue him till the T20 World Cup to be held in USA and West Indies | P11 WILL BE PLAYED DURING THE PERIOD
1ST UAE TEMPLE SYMBOL
OF HARMONY, SAYS MODI
Y E S H I S E L I @ New Delhi
THE United Arab Emirates, which was hitherto known for its
high-tech buildings such as Burj Khalifa, is going to be famous for
its interfaith harmony and cultural identity, Prime Minister
Narendra Modi said on Wednesday as he inaugurated Abu Dhabi’s
first Hindu temple. “A large number of devotees will come here...
This will also increase people-to-people connections,” he said.
CBSE Profusely thanking UAE President Sheikh Mohammad Zayed
advisory Al Nahyan for making the grand temple a reality, PM said the gra-
The CBSE cious gesture has won the hearts of 140 crore Indians.
advised “I am fortunate that last month I was able to witness the Ram
students in temple consecration in Ayodhya... I am fortunate to be in Abu
Delhi Dhabi to witness the inauguration of this temple,’’ he added.
appearing in Modi inscribed Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (World is one family)
their board in stone using hammer and chisel at the temple built by the Bo-
exams Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the inauguration of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, UAE | PTI chasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha.
starting on
State wants Centre to rein in wildlife
Thursday to
Sonia files for
leave their
homes early
RS, buzz now
so as to
arrive at
the exam Union min’s jibe E X P R E SS N E WS S E R V I C E @T’Puram Centre should amend clauses, Saseendran said several
on Priyanka
centres including 5(2), of the Act that human lives have been lost in
Reacting to the WITH the government facing allowed the chief wildlife the state as wild animals en-
in time resolution, Union
heat over human-wildlife con- warden to delegate powers tered human habitats leading
Minister V flicts, one of which ended in a and duties with the govern- to conflict. “Wild boars and
Bharat Muraleedharan said
P R E E T H A N A I R @ New Delhi farmer’s death in Wayanad ment’s nod. monkeys, considered wild
bandh the Kerala
last week, the assembly on “The Section 11(1)(a), which animals, have been breeding
The ENDING her 25-year-long in- government had Wednesday passed a resolu- gives powers to the chief wild- exponentially outside forest
Samyukt nings in the Lok Sabha, Con- made it a habit to tion urging the Centre to take life warden should be amend- areas, which has led to severe
Kisan gress leader Sonia Gandhi on blame the Centre to steps to rein in exponential ed to delegate the same to disturbances. Wildlife protec-
Morcha Wednesday filed nomination pa- hide its own lapses. breeding of wild animals. The chief forest conservators... tion acts, rules, procedures,
gave a call pers for the upcoming Rajya Sab- In a post on X, he resolution, presented by For- The Act should be amended criteria and advisories hav-
for Bharat ha polls from Rajasthan. termed this practice est Minister A K Saseendran, from time to time by includ- ing stringent conditions that
Bandh on The formal announcement of by CPM shameful also sought amendments to ing necessary practical provi- are not changed as per the
Friday and Sonia’s candidacy was made by and said the the Wild Life (Protection) Act, sions...to prevent wild ani- need of the hour are prevent-
a road roko the party after her arrival in resolution, blaming 1972, in accordance with mals from attacking humans,” ing authorities from killing
from 12 pm Jaipur on Wednesday morning. GoI exposed fault changing times to prevent said the resolution, which and controlling wild animals
to 4 pm on Accompanied by her children lines in the CPM’s such conflicts. also sought declaring wild encroaching into populated
that day in Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi, governance. The resolution said the boars ‘vermin’. areas,” Saseendran said.
support of and some party leaders, Sonia
the farmer filed the papers in the state as-
protests sembly building around noon.
She will be suc-
ceeding for mer
Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh,
who is set to retire
in April this year.
Sources attributed
Gandhi’s decision
to shift to the Up-
per House to her ‘poor health’.
While contesting the 2019 LS
polls, she had said that would be
her last Lok Sabha election.
With her Rajya Sabha entry,
the 77-year-old will be vacating
Raebareli Lok Sabha seat in Ut-
tar Pradesh, which she repre-
sented four times in a row since
2004. The move also sparked
speculation of Priyanka Gan-
dhi’s Lok Sabha debut this year
from the family bastion, five
years after she entered active
politics in 2019.
BJP re-nominates Nadda,
Vaishnaw and L Murugan
The BJP on Wednesday
re-nominated the party’s national
president J P Nadda and Union
ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and
and L Murugan as Rajya Sabha
candidates from Gujarat, Odisha
and MP, respectively | P7
DISHONOUR T’Puram 601
ROLL
Malappuram 507
Dists with most
Pocso cases in 2023 Ernakulam 484
P’thitta reported Kozhikode 421
least no. of cases: 177
Kollam 375
Source: State Crime
Records Bureau Thrissur 369
‘Project X’, revealed that 28.3% of school
students in the state were unaware of
the existence of the Pocso Act, while
48.09% were unaware that the legal age
of consent is 18 years.
Child rights activists emphasised that
children aged between 7 and 12 were
most vulnerable to sexual abuse.
“Abusers prey on children from this
age group assuming that sexual inter-
course with them won’t lead to pregnan-
cy. Moreover, children of the age group
are easier to scare, intimidate and ma-
nipulate, and also less likely to fight
back than teenagers,” said Anson P D
Alexander, the director and founder
of Kanal. ● More on P4
 KOCHI MIN MAX
MIN MAX Thrissur 250C 350C
25 C 33 C
0 0 Kozhikode 250C 360C
Kottayam 240C 360C
WEATHER FORECAST
Mainly clear sky T’Puram 250C 350C

02 KOCHI THURSDAY 15 02 2024 � � newindianexpress com

Realty market takes a hit as high CIAL to become world’s EXPRESS READ

Fire breaks out

first airport to establish underneath pantry car

transaction costs play spoilsport green hydrogen plant

of Netravati Express
Kochi: A fire broke out underneath
the pantry car of Lokmanya Tilak
Terminus-Thiruvananthapuram
State’s revenue from stamp and registration charges expected to decline to Rs 6,111.79 cr Netravati Express when it reached
E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @Kochi
Aluva railway station on
R A J E S H A B R A H A M @Kochi The stamp duty and registration charges were hiked at the wrong the banks, which are refraining
THE Cochin International Air- Wednesday. According to sources,
time. Even if some transactions are happening, it’s only in the urban from lending in the state, as the
REFLECTING a sluggishness port Ltd (CIAL) on Wednesday when the train entered the
areas of Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram — Mary George, economist main reason for the
in the real estate market, Kera- announced a strategic agree- station, the passengers on the
sluggishness.
la’s revenue from land transac- was revised at least five times. ment with the Bharat Petrole- platform could see the smoke
lying unoccupied in the state. “The levels to which credit-
tions show a declining trend Industry insiders said the fair um Cor poration Limited emanating from underneath the
“The housing sector is going deposit (CD) ratio has declined
despite a steep hike in stamp price for land has gone up by (BPCL) to establish the world’s coach. The fire was doused by the
through a slowdown. Whatever for major banks such as SBI is
duty and registration charges 220% since 2010. Further, from first green hydrogen plant in Railway Protection Force (RPF)
demand we are seeing is only shocking. If you are buying
from April 1, 2023. April 1, 2023, the state was sup- an airport. personnel and the staff at the
for flats in cities. NRIs are in- some property or the other, you
In collaboration pantry car. “Initial investigation
A closer look at the budget posed to benefit from a 14% di- vesting in flats, but only if they would like to get some assist- In a strategic move to bolster
with BPCL says that the fire broke out near
documents reveal that the state rect revenue from higher stamp are sure that it can be rented ance from the banks. But that’s its path-breaking green energy
government’s revenue from duty, registration fees, and GST initiatives, CIAL, which is the BPCL will oversee the the wheel due to a malfunction of
out,” she said. not happening,” he reasoned.
stamp and registration charges on real estate transactions world’s first airport fully pow- establishment of the the brake valve,” said sources. The
State Planning Board mem- Ravi Raman’s argument is
is expected to decline to Rs (7+2+5) but this is not reflected ered by solar energy, has en- integrated green hydrogen pantry car was located in the
ber K Ravi Raman admitted substantiated in the latest sta-
6,111.79 crore in the 2023-24 fis- in the numbers. tered into a Memorandum of plant and fuelling station at middle of the train. “The fire and
that there has been a contrac- tistics. For instance, SBI’s CD
cal, down by Rs 104.92 crore “The stamp duty and regis- Understanding with BPCL for Kochi airport, providing smoke created a tense
tion in land transactions this ratio is just 55% while Federal
(around 1.7%) from Rs 6,216.71 tration charges were hiked at setting up a green hydrogen technology and managing the atmosphere at the station and
financial year, which has ex- Bank’s CD ratio is even lower at
crore in 2022-23. the wrong time. Even if some plant on the premises of the operations also among the passengers.
tended to the real estate sector 45%, even when the state aver-
In his 2022-23 budget, finance transactions are happening, airport. However, the train continued its
in general. He, however, blamed age is nearly 64%. SBI and Fed-
minister K N Balagopal had it’s only in the urban areas of “This collaborative effort, journey after a thorough check.
eral Bank are the two leading
proposed a 25% increase in the combining technological prow- ration with BPCL for setting up The train was held at the station
Ko c h i a n d T h i r u v a n a n - STAMP DUTY AND banks in Kerala in terms of de-
for half an hour for safety checks,”
property tax rate, effective from thapuram. The market is slug- REGISTRATION REVENUE posits. “Interestingly, the NRI ess and infrastructure, will re- a 1000 KW pilot project on the
April 1, 2023. The increase was gish,” said Mary George, econo- sult in the world’s first green airport premises. said sources.
deposits are rising in the state
in a phased manner, with a 5% mist and a former head of the Year Revenue (in cr) (growth) while banks are not putting the hydrogen plant and fuelling Under the agreement, BPCL
hike in each of five successive state government’s public ex- 2020-21 4,070.47 money back into the economy,” station located within will oversee the estab-
years. The stamp duty was penditure review committee. he said. an airport setting,” lishment of the inte- Driver gets 20-yr RI for
2021-22 4,857.33 +19.33%
hiked from 5% to 7%, in addi- According to her, 11 lakh According to Mary George, top of ficials said. grated green hydro- sexually assaulting boy
tion to 2% re gistration houses -- most of them palatial 2022-23 6,216.71 +27.99% land used to be the biggest asset Green hydrogen, pro- gen plant and fuelling
charges. buildings belonging to expatri- in Kerala but not anymore. duced from water us- station at Kochi air- Kochi: Ernakulam Additional
“While most other states ate Keralites -- are 2023-24 6,111.79 -1.67% “The property prices appre- ing renewable energy This collaborative
port, providing tech- District and Sessions Court for
effort, combining atrocities against women and
have reduced the property ciated faster than gold prices. sources, is recognised technological nology and managing
transaction charges to 1% and Now, there is no such apprecia- as a future fuel and the operations. CIAL children cases on Wednesday
prowess and
2%, the registration charges tion,” she said. aligns with zero-car- infrastructure, will will contribute suita- awarded 20 years of rigorous
are at 9% in Kerala (7% stamp Because of the higher stamp bon e n e r g y result in the world’s ble land, water, and punishment to a school van driver
duty and 2% registration charg- duty and registration charges, strategies. first green hydrogen g r e e n energy who sexually assaulted a boy
es). Because of these high people hesitate to register prop- The agreement for plant and fuelling resources. inside the vehicle while on the
transaction costs, those who erties, Sunil Kumar said. the green hydrogen station located The initial output way to his house at
are planning to buy flats for “They will hold on to proper- plant was signed at a within an airport of the plant will be Udayamperoor on November 28,
setting 2011. The court also ordered the
investment purposes are re- ties without registering it. function held at the utilised for powering
fraining from doing so,” Though transactions may be Legislative Complex, A top official vehicles within the convict, Akhil K A, 31, of
said Sunil Kumar V, founder happening, it won’t be result- T h i r u va n a n - airport. Udayamperoor, to pay a fine of Rs
and managing director of ing in ownership changes. Or thapuram, in the pres- “CIAL is happy to 1.75 lakh. On November 28, 2019,
Asset Homes, a leading people show lower prices and ence of Chief Minister Pi- start a ground-breaking jour- after dropping the school bus
property developer. register,” he said. narayi Vijayan, who is also the ney with BPCL towards estab- assistant near her home, the
Earlier, the government Terming the high transac- chairman of CIAL. lishing the world’s first green accused drove the vehicle toward
had hiked the fair value of tion costs investor-unfriendly, CIAL, which has been re- hydrogen plant in an airport at the house of the victim who was
land by 20%, which too Sunil Kumar pointed out that nowned for its effective deploy- CIAL”, said CIAL managing di- the last student to alight. After
came into effect from April land registration rates in Gu- ment of green energy through rector S Suhas. parking the vehicle at an isolated
1 last year. The revenue jarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu the installation of big solar BPCL chairman & managing place, the accused sexually
from stamp duty and regis- or Mumbai are in the range of plants and a hydel station now director G Krishnakumar high- assaulted the victim. The victim
tration had risen by 28% for 2-4%. “Someone will get better has a cumulative installed ca- lighted the collaboration as who felt ill next day, shared the
the year ended March 2023 from appreciation for their in- pacity of 50 MW producing a pivotal moment in the jour- ordeal to his mother. Following a
Rs 4,857.33 crore to Rs 6,216.71 vestment in real estate in 200,000 units of power a day. ney towards sustainable complaint filed by the parents of
crore as people rushed to regis- Mumbai or Bengaluru Ever since the installation of solutions. the victim, Udayamperoor police
ter their properties before the compared to, say Kochi, at its first plant with a capacity of Industries Minister P Ra- registered a case and arrested the
higher rate came into effect. lower transaction costs. Only 12 MW, it has been augmenting jeeve, Chief Secretary V Venu, accused.
The fair price for the land, end users are buying an apart- its capabilities and now inked and other top officials were also
first implemented in 2010, ment now,” he added. an MoU for a strategic collabo- present during the event.
Free education fair

Reckless acts of a few bringing shame to theyyam: Experts

on February 17
Kochi: Amid Kerala government’s
plan to open up the state
education sector for foreign
universities, the US Department
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE near Iritty after a boy chased by at a kavu in Thalassery where “For example, persons who people are discussing some un- of Commerce and International
@Kozhikode the theyyam fell to the ground two theyyams argued with each In bad light for have mastered martial arts will fortunate and isolated inci- Trade Administration is organising
and got injured. The irate mob other. One theyyam was seen limelight? be preferred for the Kathivan- dents,” he said. a free education fair in Kochi on
THEYYAM artists and re- tried to manhandle the theyyam moving menacingly towards According to experts, a few nur Veeran Theyyam,” she Kannan also attested the Saturday. The fair is being held as
searchers have raised concerns performer, who was escorted to the other. The visuals of these theyyam artists have a said. view that there is a tendency to a joint effort by the US
over the internationally-ac- safety by others. two incidents were widely cir- tendency to perform for social Lissy pointed out that people play to the gallery. Department of Commerce, US
claimed ritual art form of Ker- But the temple committee culated on social media and media fame. The trend of now go to kavus to get a good “The Thottam of some Commercial Service in India, and
ala facing ignominy because of members and the theyyam art- some opined that “Theyyams performing the art for mobile photograph and the performers theyyams last for hours, but the US Consulate General Chennai in
the reckless acts of a negligible ist dismissed suggestions of should behave properly or else phone cameras is increasing. are compelled to do things that practice now is to cut the Thot- association with the Kerala
minority of performers. They manhandling by the mob. They the public will handle them Some perform knowing their are adventurous. “The all-per- tam short to find time for other government-run recruitment
believe heated social media de- told a press conference that properly”. act will appear on the internet vading social media makes programmes,” he said. agency Overseas Development
bates ignited by a few recent only a small tussle happened in “It is true that some theyyam these performances viral,” she Prabhakaran Kovoor, one of and Employment Promotion
incidents involving theyyam the initial stages of the per- artists behave immaturely. Un- said. the admins of the WhatsApp Consultants Ltd. US Consul
performers have portrayed the formance and the rituals con- fortunately, the tendency to form knowing that their acts Y V Kannan, a theyyam per- group ‘Theyyam/Thira Calen- General (Chennai) Christopher
ritual in bad light. tinued without any hindrance. perform for mobile phone cam- will appear on social media in former and researcher, said so- dar’ that has more than 3,000 Hodges highlighted that the
Two incidents that happened The other incident happened eras is increasing. Some per- the form of reels,” said V Lissy cial media is celebrating inci- members, agreed that isolated United States remains the top
a few weeks ago in north Mala- Mathew, who has authored dents that have sensational cases are being highlighted on host of international students
bar became a point of discus- Theyyam artist Narayana Peruvannan has been awarded the Padma books on theyyam. value. social media. globally, a reflection of the
sion among theyyam enthusi- Shri this year, but people are discussing some unfortunate and She said there is pressure on “Theyyam artist Narayana “Only a minuscule minority quality, diversity, and innovation
asts. A group of people attacked isolated incidents theyyam performers to do what Peruvannan has been awarded is going for these kinds of mis- of American higher education
‘Kaitha Chamundi’ at a Kavu — Y V Kannan, a Theyyam performer attracts people. the Padma Shri this year, but adventures,” he said. institutions.

ARIES TAURUS GEMINI CANCER LEO VIRGO LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES
(Mar 21 - Apr. 20) (Apr. 21 - May 21) (May 22 - June 21) (June 22 - July 23) (July 24 - Aug. 23) (Aug. 24 - Sept. 23) (Sept. 24 - Oct. 23) (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) (Nov. 23 - Dec. 22) (Dec. 23 - Jan. 20) (Jan. 21 - Feb. 19) (Feb. 20 - Mar 20)
Have other Once upon a Financial Everything that The Sun, which Mercury’s Why don’t you Your planetary You may still This week’s If you run The planets do
P E T E R V I DA L people been time many of muddles may happens to you, always has a current back your rulers, Mars and feel as if planetary into any not move
dragging their your ambitions only have added and most of your significant role motion brings instincts and Pluto, are you’re riding patterns, problems significantly, so
15TH February : I have been talking about the heels or simply giving seemed destined to to the general air of responses, should be seen in your life, is helping you various possibilities to hunches to the hilt? True, locking horns. This is a sign an emotional roller- notably the intense with a partner or loved don’t expect much change
Moon. We all think it has a pronounced effect you the runaround? remain distant dreams for confusion, yet there does as part of a larger pattern. develop certain of your the fore. One is the need other people will have that there is a great need coaster, although it now relationship between one, don’t blame the just yet. You will do your
Either way, you may ever. As the dust settles seem to be considerable Unlikely events may be more adventurous to develop your mind by useful things to say, but for compromise. You may seems as if recent Mars and Pluto, are of world at large or retreat best by continuing along
on human behaviour. It would be astonishing if have good cause to you’ll see that so much hope that matters are viewed as stepping stones aspirations. In short, it’s taking up new interests. looking at the next few be correct to stand your planetary storms are the kind that can rock behind a mask, giving your present path, dealing
it didn’t. However, a hundred scientific studies grumble. However, the more may now be about to improve. The to a brighter, happier, freer a superb time to organise Another concerns the days it becomes clear ground over matters of dying down. Why don’t the boat and make you the impression that you with commitments and
have failed to come up with decisive evidence. I question to be carefully attainable. The price of answer may lie in new future. You are still an overseas trip, or pleasure and stimulation that you will have to principle, but equally right you stand back and feel slightly nervous don’t care. Pretending responsibilities left over
think that’s probably because a lot of scientists considered is whether freedom is often high but, partnerships, perhaps with juggling a variety of explore ideas and beliefs you will receive from keep your own counsel. to be diplomatic over the attempt to take a critical about the future. that you don’t feel as from yesterday, or even
you should keep your as time passes, you will see people who are prepared possibilities, so understand which are very different foreign travel, or from Perhaps partners are just details. It could be in your and dispassionate look Don’t worry, though. you do could serve no from last year. The past
are biased – some in favour of a Lunar effect, complaints to yourself that recent tough decisions to back you rather than that complications are from those you’ve contacts with people not ready to hear what best interests to find some at your deeply-held Your trust has certainly purpose, so be honest may be almost over but
others against. It’s all most confusing! and be diplomatic. put you on the right course. find fault at every turn. inevitable. accepted in the past from distant places. you have to say. sort of amicable solution. attitudes and opinions? not been misplaced. about your desires. it’s not completely gone.

CROSS WORD JUMBLE UNSCRAMBLE THESE JUMBLES, ONE LETTER TO

EACH SQUARE, TO FORM FOUR ORDINARY WORDS.
BY DAVID L. HOYT
ACROSS DOWN AND JEFF KNUREK
1 This has no real bite (5,5) 2 A girl about ten, one feels (7)
8 Out of metal? (3,2) 3 Is climbing in a rough
9 A new notion for the mountainous area (5)
Merchant of Venice (7) 4 Missile making a
10 It’s true it will upset terrible crater (6)
the ingenue (7) 5 To argue can
11 Signal fear (5) cause o�ence (7)
Solutions to Yesterday’s puzzle

12 It takes the strain out 6 Layer on article turned

of brewing (3,3) to shade of red (5)
14 Sunny place to provide 7 Chief o�cer maintains
her tan? (6) authority over a worker (10)
17 Girl takes new road round 8 A retiring habit (10)
capital of Hawaii (5) 13 Article on a brain
19 You won’t remember disturbance in a horse (7)
su�ering from it (7) 15 Stew one has
21 Declining music for a song (7) to stir round perhaps (7)
22 Musical composition from 16 Ornament from Bengal (6)
more remote times (5) 18 Work with a
SU DO KU EVIL 23 For a change study twitch in the eye (5)
aninterpretation (10) 20 Identifies celebrities (5)
TEST YOUR NUMBER
CRUNCHING SKILL WITH OUR
UNIQUE PUZZLE YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS
Across: 1 Bigamy, 4 Does up, 9 Minutes, Down: 1 Bemuse, 2 Genoa, 3 Matthew,
� Fill in the grid with digits in such a manner 10 In tow, 11 Stash, 12 Regular, 5 Owing, 6 Set plan, 7 Powers, 8 Astronomers,
that every row, every column and every 3X3 box Yesterday’s
13 Flowing hand, 18 Forearm, 20 Calve, 14 Lariats, 15 Hackles, 16 Afraid,
accommodates the digits 1 to 9, without repeating any. 22 Alack, 23 Reliant, 24 Dispel, 25 Estate. 17 Settle, 19 Ankle, 21 Lhasa.

03 KOCHI
Choorakkad blast: Action council to
approach court for compensation
No minister has visited the place even two days after the explosion, says a resident
3 under treatment at
medical college
Kochi: Following the explosion at
an illegal firecracker unit in
Tripunithura on February 12, three
survivors are currently undergoing
treatment at the Ernakulam
Government Medical College
Hospital. Adarsh, 28, of
Madavoorpara, Shastavattam,
Anandan, 69, of Thenmala,
Idamanna Kollam, and Anil, 50, of
Paripally, Kollam, are receiving
medical care. Due to concerns
related to respiratory distress,
breathing issues and severe burns,
the patients require continuous
monitoring and treatment in the
foreseeable days.
Identity of deceased
confirmed
Kochi: The identity of a person
who died in the firecracker blast
was confirmed by his familyon
Wednesday. One of the two
deceased was earlier falsely
identified as Divakaran, 55.
However, the relatives of the
deceased visited the morgue and
identified the body as that of
Anil, 51, of Peedikathara,
Kottakkapuram.
Shoot-out
outside bar:
Six arrested
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
@Kochi
POLICE on Wednesday ar-
rested six persons in the
case related to a recent
shoot-out outside a bar in
the city. However, the
prime accused Vineeth
who fired shots at two bar
employees is still at large
and a probe is on to nab
him.
The arrested persons
are Manu M Nair, 35, of
Pallilangara, Thrikkakara
North, Mithun Krishna A
M, 26, of Puliyinam, Par-
akkadav, Angamaly, Sab-
areenath E R alias Appus,
30, of Methala, Kodungal-
lur, Najeem V A, 40, of
Muthalakkodam, Thodu-
puzha, Shaheed V P, 33, of
Randathani, Malappuram,
and Shanil T S, 36, of Me-
thala, Kodungallur. Manu
was arrested from a place
near his residence on
Wednesday. He was part of
the five-member group
that reached Hotel
Edassery Mansion in the
city for buying liquor
which was followed by a
shoot-out in which two bar
employees were injured
on Sunday night. Police of-
ficials said Manu was in-
side the car when the inci-
dent occurred and his
CCTV visuals were not
available during the ini-
tial stage of the probe.
THURSDAY 15 02 2024
� �
E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @Kochi
THE Choorakkad residents
whose houses were damaged in
a firecracker explosion on Mon-
day have decided to approach
the court for the redressal of
their grievances.
Having formed an action
council on Tuesday to repre-
sent those who suffered losses
following the explosion, the
Choorakkad Residents’ Asso-
ciation members consulted a
lawyer on Wednesday and de-
cided to move court. Heading
the action council, Santhosh
Kumar said their plea concerns
the release of compensation for
the damage suffered in the
explosion.
“We want an expert agency
to be appointed to assess the
damage. Also, we want the au-
thorities to prevent the stock-
ing of explosives near our
houses in the future,” he said.
Santhosh said the action
council will approach each res-
ident to garner consent on ap-
proaching the court.
“The signature collection
will commence on Thursday.
The representation will be giv-
en at the court in the names of
Hit-and-run: Driver held, cops draw flak for FIR delay
E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @Kochi
A day after a seven-year-old boy
was run over by a car at Kuttama-
ssery near Aluva, the police ar-
rested the driver of the vehicle
on Wednesday. After allegations
of reluctance to register a case,
Ernakulam Rural Police Chief
Vaibhav Saxena has directed
Aluva DySP A Prasad to check
for lapses on the part of the cops
in that regard.
The driver -- Nedumbassery
resident Shaan -- had fled the
s c e n e a f t e r r u n n i n g ove r
Nishikanth, son of South
Vazhakulam resident Prajith.
The boy is currently on ventila-
tor with injuries to vital organs.
The police, who registered an
FIR 13 hours after the incident,
identified the vehicle with the
help of CCTV footage. The car in-
volved in the incident was regis-
tered in the name of a woman
We want an expert agency to
be appointed to assess the
damage
Santhosh Kumar,
head of action council
all individuals who suffered
losses,” he said.
Though the authorities have
started a relief camp at an au-
ditorium for people whose
houses were damaged, a major-
ity of them preferred to stay in
their own houses. Mohan,
whose house is located next to
the explosion site, said the
camp is only a temporary ar-
rangement. “Our house is our
only asset. How can we leave it
behind and move to a camp? We
went to the camp but returned
residing at Kaloor in Kochi. The
car owner told the Aluva Police
that Shaan was driving the car
while on his way to Thodupuzha
for business purposes.
“Shaan admitted that he was
behind the wheels of the car. His
arrest has been recorded,” the
Aluva DySP said.
The accident occurred at
9.45am on Tuesday when
Nishikanth was travel-
ling in an autorickshaw
driven by his father Pra-
jith. When the autorick-
shaw reached near Prism
Clinic in Kuttumassery,
Nishikanth fell off the autor-
ickshaw, onto the road. The car
driven by Shaan was trailing the
autorickshaw and Nishikanth
was crushed under the wheels.
“The car did not stop after run-
ning over my son. I called an am-
bulance and shifted him to a pri-
vate hospital. He suffered kidney
because of concerns regarding
the house. Other than the main
door, all doors and windows are
broken. People from distant
places are moving inside our
houses to see the damage. Some
come with cameras to make
videos. We are worried about
leaving our houses open to
strangers,” he said.
Another resident who did not
want to be named, fearing the
wrath of the authorities, said
no minister has visited the
place even two days after the
explosion. “Government offi-
cials are visiting the houses
and collecting our details. But
the people who we chose to rep-
resent us in the parliament and
the assembly have not turned
up. Nor has any minister re-
sponded regarding our plight
through social media or main-
stream media. It looks like it
was a minor incident for them,”
he said. Sasidhara Panicker,
another resident, said the peo-
ple in the area will support the
decision of the action council.
“The action council is taking
up our issues with the authori-
ties. There was a meeting with
the sub-collector. We fully back
its decisions,” he said.
and liver injuries. Also, there
was bleeding in the brain,” Pra-
jith said. According to him, the
hospital authorities informed
the police about the accident by
around noon but he was contact-
ed by an officer from the Aluva
police station only after 5pm.
“Soon after the accident, I told
my friends to collect CCTV
visuals from near the ac-
cident spot. When a po-
lice officer contacted
me, I told him that my
son was run over by the
car. The policeman grew
agitated and asked me
whether I had seen the inci-
dent. I told him I had the CCTV
footage. But the policeman con-
tinued to argue about it. Hearing
this, I had to raise my voice as
well,” Prajith said. As the police
did not take any step to start an
investigation, Prajith approached
his friends who informed the me-
Man arrested with 1.2 kg of ganja
KochI: Police on Wednesday arrested a 36-year-old man after seizing 1.2 kg of ganja during
a raid at his house in Mattancherry. The arrested person is Rijas, of Kochangady, in
Mattancherry. Following a tip-off, police raided his house and found ganja concealed in
packets. Rijas was involved in narcotics and assault cases in the past.
SAFETY FIRST
A woman with disability crossing the busy Shanmugham Road in Kochi on Wednesday | T P SOORAJ
EXPRESS READ
Key accused in
abduction case nabbed
Kochi: The police on Wednesday
arrested the kingpin who abducted
a migrant worker and extorted
money and a mobile phone at
Muttom on February 2. The
arrested person is Ajmal Rashid of
Malappuram. The accused parked
their vehicle near the tea shop of
the victim and ordered tea. When
the victim reached the car, they
abducted him.
dia of the incident.
“After news about the accident
circulated, police personnel from
Aluva arrived at the hospital and
recorded the statement of my
wife. The FIR was registered only
by 11pm. We are only complain-
ing about the delay on the part of
the police,” Prajith said. Vaibhav
Saxena said he was in Thiru-
vananthapuram on Tuesday
night and contacted the police
station soon after coming to
know about the incident.
“I have been told that the first
intimation from the hospital
came around 2.30pm. The police
person from the Aluva police sta-
tion contacted the father of the
child by around 5pm. Prima facie,
no lapse on the part of police
could be seen. However, direction
has been given to the Aluva DySP
to check for any flaws. Once the
DySP files a report, further ac-
tion will be decided,” he said.
newindianexpress com
Muvattupuzha riverside
tourism project gets `5 cr
E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @Kochi land Park across the Thodu-
puzha River to Petta and a riv-
A total of `5 crore has been al- erside walkway from Petta to
located for the development of Kacherithayam,” he said.
riverside tourism in the Muvat- According to Eldose, Dream-
tupuzha Municipality under land Park, located in the heart
the Amrut project. With the of the city, will be renovated to
help of the Central and the provide more facilities. “The
state governments, and the de- existing park will be divided
partment of tourism develop- into two parts with residential
ment, the municipality has complexes for tourists to stay
been aiming for an extensive
development of the tourism
and relax, and new rides, boat-
ing, kayaking, suspension
sector. Being at the confluence bridge, glass bridge, and a sea-
of three rivers, Muattupuzha plane to attract children and
has endless possibilities for riv- adults. The existing riverside
er tourism, said Municipal walkway will be extended up to
Chairman P P Eldose. Nehru Children’s Park. A jetty
“The project will be imple- and a suspension bridge will be
mented by connecting Muvat- constructed to connect the two
tupuzha Dreamland Park and banks of the river with Dream-
Nehru Children’s Park owned land Park,” he added.
by the municipality. In the first In the second phase, the plan
phase, a suspension bridge will is to maintain Nehru Children’s
be constructed from Dream- Park as a natural park.
Regd. Office: PSEB Head Office, The Mall, Patiala - 147001.
Corporate Identity Number : U40109PB2010SGC033813 | Website : www.pspcl.in
(Contact No. 96461-17604, 96461-17659)
Tender Enquiry No. 1624/MAMC/O&M/PC-2513 Dated : 13.02.2024
Chief Engineer / O&M (P&P Cell-II), GHTP, Lehra Mohabbat, invites E-Tender for the
Procurement of Safety / Control Devices & Consumables for Window / Split AC’s,
Water Coolers, Package AC’s and Air Washer Systems of GHTP, Lehra - Mohabbat.
Quantity as per NIT. For detailed NIT & tender Specification please refer to
https://eproc.punjab.gov.in from 13.02.2024 from 17:00 hrs. onwards.
Note:- Corrigendum and addendum, if any will be published online at
https://eproc.punjab.gov.in
158/GHTP-11/24-2/14/2024
76155/12/2710/2023/32453

04 KOCHI
E1.07 lakh cr loss since 2017 due to
cut in borrowing limit: State in SC
Argues Centre lacks power to issue directives to the state under Article 293 of the Constitution
E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @Kochi
THE KERALA government’s
case, filed in the Supreme
Court, highlights that the lim-
its imposed by the Union Gov-
ernment on the state’s borrow-
ing powers have plunged the
state’s approved budget into a
severe crisis by withholding re-
sources amounting to Rs 1.07
lakh crore since 2017. The state
took its case to the apex court
in December, contending that
the actions of the Union Gov-
ernment were encroaching
upon the state’s capacity to
meet its fiscal obligations.
In the suit, Kerala asserts its
exclusive authority to regulate
its finances by preparing and
managing its budget and bor-
rowings. Kerala argued before
the apex court that the Union
Government lacks the constitu-
tional right or authority to is-
sue directives to the state gov-
ernment under Article 293 of
Religious ritual in
govt-aided school
sparks protests
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
@ Kozhikode
A GOVERNMENT-aided man-
agement school in Kozhikode
held a religious ritual on its
premises triggering protests
that ended in a scuffle between
local residents and the organ-
isers. The manager of the Na-
dumannur LP School near
Kuttiadi organised a ganapa-
thy homam on Tuesday
evening. The incident came to
light after local residents, no-
ticing vehicles inside the
school compound during the
night, entered the building.
The headmistress of the
school denied any knowledge
of the incident, and alleged
that the school manager mis-
led her to take the keys of her
office. General Education
Minister V Sivankutty on
Wednesday sought a report
from the department director
on the incident.
The incident occur red
around 7.30pm in Kayakkody
panchayat. School manager
Aruna and her son took the
initiative in holding the ritual.
Once the news spread, villag-
ers, including CPM workers,
gathered and protested against
the “illegal” conduct of a reli-
gious ceremony in an aided
school. When they contacted
headmistress Sajitha T K, she
denied any knowledge of the
incident.
“The manager asked for the
key to my office room to take
some stuff related to the con-
struction of the new building
and I gave it. When I called the
manager and her son Rudhish
to stop the pooja after the local
residents started protests,
they said it’s almost done.
They said no pooja was held
during the Nava Rathri and
this was part of the penance,”
‘Reporting of cases rose
due to better awareness’
CONTINUED FROM P1
R A H U L R @Kollam
ADDING TO CONCERNS, conviction rate in Pocso cases in
Kerala dropped to 15.14% in 2022 from 35.98% in 2018, with only
301 convictions compared to 1,465 acquittals.
R S Vijay Mohan, special public prosecutor in the Thiru-
vananthapuram Pocso fast track court, pointed out that the rise
in elopements by those aged between 16 and 18 contributed to
the surge in Pocso cases. He attributed the rise in cases to in-
creased reporting of such incidents which itself showed height-
ened awareness about sexual abuse.
“The reporting of incidents of sexual abuse against children
has increased following awareness campaigns. However, in
many cases, in which partners or close relatives were abusers,
there is a tendency to settle the matter once a compromise is
reached between the accused and the victim’s family. This also
affects the conviction rate,” Mohan said. One solution, he said,
was integrating information about Pocso in the school curricu-
lum. “Already, schools are teaching young students about ‘good
touch’ and ‘bad touch.’ With higher awareness, reporting of
such cases will also go up,” he said.
THURSDAY 15 02 2024
� �
ASSERTS AUTHORITY
� In the suit, Kerala asserts its
exclusive authority to regulate its
finances by preparing and
managing budget and borrowings
� Highlights that the net
negative impact or loss sustained
by the State’s economy could
amount to as high as Rs 2 to 3
lakh crore, based on 2016-17 as
the base year
the Constitution that could un-
dermine the federal structure
by encroaching upon the state’s
exclusive financial domains. It
further contended that the Un-
ion Government under the
guise of ‘sound public financial
management’, infringes upon
or encroaches upon the com-
prehensive powers of the
states.
Kerala argues before the
court that it has suffered a sig-
nificant loss of Rs 91,617.59
crore from FY 2017 onwards
TURN OF EVENTS
� The manager of
Nadumannur LP School
organised a ganapathy
homam on Tuesday
� The incident came to light
after residents, noticing
vehicles inside the
compound during night,
entered the building
� General Education
Minister V Sivankutty on
Wednesday sought a report
from the department
director on the incident
When I called the
manager and his son
following protests,
they said the pooja is almost
done. They said no pooja was
held during the Nava Rathri and
this was part of the penance
Sajitha T K, headmistress
the headmistress said. In a re-
port submitted to the deputy
director of education,
Kozhikode, the Kunnummal
assistant educational officer
said the religious ritual was
held at the school in violation
of the rules.
After the protests broke out,
police arrived on the scene
and took the organisers into
custody. They were released
later. The CPM alleged that the
school manager’s family has
BJP connections and the ritu-
al was conducted under the
leadership of saffron party
workers. Workers of DYFI and
SFI took out protest marches
to the school demanding ac-
tion against the management.
Meanwhile, BJP leader MT
Ramesh refuted the allega-
tions against the party and al-
leged that the CPM was delib-
erately creating an issue.
due to a new order implement-
ed in 2017 by the Union Govern-
ment, as outlined in the Fi-
nance Commission report. This
order introduced the practice
of deducting the balances in
the public account of Kerala
and other states from their Net
Borrowing Ceiling (NBC). Fur-
thermore, through another or-
der implemented in 2022, the
state has incurred an addition-
al borrowing entitlement loss
of Rs 15,895.50 crore. This sec-
ond order relates to deducting
the borrowings of state-owned
enterprises on the grounds that
they utilise budgetary support
of the state for repaying its li-
abilities. In total, Kerala has
experienced a cumulative ex-
penditure loss or resource defi-
ciency of Rs 1,07,513.09 crore
over fiscal years 2016-2023, as
stated in the affidavit.
Kerala stated that the actions
of the Union Government have
resulted in significant arrears
FLOWER FOR A CHANGE
Mahila Morcha workers under the West Hill area committee of BJP, who recently protested with brooms against public display of
affection of couples at Konad Beach, hold lotus to greet youngsters on Valentine’s Day in the same area | E GOKUL
San Mateo deaths: Techie killed wife,
kids before ending life, say US cops
E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @ Kollam
THE DEATH of a family of
Kerala origin in San Mateo in
the US is a case of suspected
suicide and homicide. Anand
Henry, 38, and his wife Alice
Priyanka, 37, who hails from
Kollam, along with their four-
year-old twins, Noah and Nath-
an, were found dead in their
house on Monday. As per CBS
news, Anand killed his twin
children and then shot his wife,
and later shot himself. The bod-
ies of the children were found
No mention in history about
temple at site: Gyanvapi Imam
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
@Kozhikode
ALL THAT the Sangh Parivar
have spread about the Gyan-
vapi Mosque are fabricated
things, the imam of the mosque
-- Abdul Batin Nomani -- said in
Kozhikode on Wednesday.
At the fraternity conference
organised by Jama’at-e-Islami,
Nomani said nowhere in the
history of Varanasi could one
find mention about a temple
that was situated at the place
where the mosque now stands.
“What is now propagated as
the area where pooja was per-
formed is actually a place near
the mosque where the proper-
that the state owes in terms of
welfare schemes to its people,
especially the poor and vulner-
able, various beneficiary
groups, state government em-
ployees, pensioners, and dues
to its state-owned enterprises.
It highlighted that the net
negative impact or loss sus-
tained by the State’s economy
could amount to as high as Rs 2
to 3 lakh crore, based on 2016-17
as the base year. This repre-
sents 20-30% of the state’s cur-
rent GDP over a six-year
period.
Kerala argued that unless the
Net Borrowing Ceiling (NBC),
as fixed by the Kerala Fiscal Re-
sponsibility Act, 2003, the state
is legitimately apprehensive
that its treasury operations
will be halted or starkly cur-
tailed. The state added that
there is a dire situation loom-
ing ahead and the immediate
consequences to the state will
be catastrophic.
in the bedroom, while the bod-
ies of Alice and Anand were
found inside the bathroom.
The police stated that the in-
formation regarding the cause
of death of children will be
confirmed only after the post-
mortem examination.
‘’On Monday, based on the 911
call, the local police conducted
a search at the deceased’s home
and found the bodies. The po-
lice have found no signs of
forced entry into the home. The
husband filed for divorce in De-
cember 2016 but apparently did
Gyanvapi
Masjid Imam
Abdul Batin
Nomani
speaking
at the
conference
organised
by Jama’at-
e-Islami in
Kozhikode on
Tuesday
| EXPRESS
ties of the temple were stored,”
he said.
In his inaugural speech,
Jama’at-e-Islami national amir
Syed Sadathullah Hussaini said
the aggression on mosques in
the country will destroy not
merely Muslims but the nation
as a whole. “The chief minis-
ters of the BJP-ruled states are
competing with one another in
spreading hate. There are thou-
sands of acres of land that have
been encroached but mosques
are being demolished at night
alleging that they are built on
encroached land,” he said.
The conference is a declara-
tion that people are not ready to
surrender, he said.
Ramesh Chennithala @chennithala
TWEET Congress Parliamentary Party leader and former Congress President beloved Soniaji has
OF THE given nomination for RS from Rajasthan. Soniaji upholds the integrity and that we want
DAY to being back to India and its polity.
MANKULAM ISSUE: MINISTER
GIVES CLEAN CHIT TO POLICE
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE assembly. “The incident hap-
@ T’Puram pened on January 4 when the
forest of ficials went to
FOREST MINISTER A K Mankulam in connection
Issues like these are prevalent
Saseendran has given a clean with an investigation into
wherever there are instances of man -
chit to the Kerala Police cit- animal conflict and forest land the alleged encroachment of
ing that they had given pro- forest land by the Mankulam
encroachment. The forest officials
tection to the forest depart- block panchayat which saw
address these issues in a competent
ment officials who went to manner the police intervening in the
Mankulam on January 4 to issue and giving protection
A K Saseendran, Forest Minister
address the alleged encroach- to the forest officials. Issues
ment by the Mankulam block like these are prevalent
panchayat. The minister’s the Kerala High Court seek- wherever there are instances
statement came after the ing a directive on the is- of man - animal conflict and
NCP-backed Kerala Forest sue. The UDF legisla- forest land encroach-
Staff Association (KFSA), a t o r s wh o r a i s e d ment. The forest offi-
ruling front-backed associa- questions in the As- cials address these is-
tion sought CRPF cover for sembly included C sues in a competent
forest officials and a CBI R Mahesh, K Babu, manner and also show
probe into the attack on for- K K Rema and Roji restraint while deal-
est of ficials in Idukki’s M John. Saseendran ing with such situa-
Mankulam. He was replying replied to them that tions. The help of the po-
to questions raised by UDF representatives of KFSA lice is also sought when
MLAs in the Assembly on had given a memorandum to required and they provide
Wednesday. the chief secretary on Janu- help and security”, said
TNIE had reported on Feb- ary 5, a day after the forest of- Saseendran.
ruary 1 citing how the Manku- ficials faced attack. The KFSA He informed that he had
lam incident had brought a has since modified its com- held discussions with the for-
huge embarrassment to the plaint and has given a fresh est officials and local leaders
LDF government which also representation to the forest and recommendations were
saw the KFSA approaching minister, Saseendran told the provided to solve the issue.
QUICK READ
Meal scheme: State govt directs
Supplyco to distribute rice
T’Puram: In a bid to address the crisis in the noon meal scheme in
schools, the government has directed Supplyco to urgently allocate
rice to schools. The directive was given following a meeting
between General Education Minister V Sivankutty and Food and
Civil Supplies Minister G R Anil. The scheme had landed in a crisis
after Supplyco failed to lift rice from Food Corporation of India
(FCI) godowns to be distributed in schools. The PSU had cited the
arrears owed to it by the General Education Department. After the
meeting between the ministers, Supplyco was directed to lift the
rice required for the fourth quarter meant for the meal scheme from
FCI. Officials have been appointed from the Directorate of General
Education and Supplyco to coordinate the timely distribution of rice
to schools that are facing shortages.
Justice Anu Sivaraman shifted
to Karnataka High Court
Kochi: The Supreme Court collegium headed by
Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud has recommended
the transfer of Justice Anu Sivaraman from Kerala
High Court to Karnataka High Court. She was
transferred based on her request. On October 16,
2023, Justice Anu Sivaraman sought a transfer out
of the state of Kerala. “The collegium accedes to
the request and resolves to recommend that Justice Anu
Sivaraman be transferred, in the interests of better administration
of justice, to the High Court of Karnataka,” stated the order of the
collegium. Justice Anu Sivaraman was sworn in as Additional Judge
of the High Court of Kerala on April 10, 2015, and appointed as
permanent judge with effect from April 5, 2017.
not go through with it,’’ accord-
ing to CBS News.
KU senate members nominated
The relatives of the de-
ceased’s family told TNIE that by guv seek police protection
there were family issues be- Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday sought the view of the
tween the couple. However, state police on a petition filed by advocate V K Manju and six others,
they refused to share more de- who were nominated by the chancellor to the senate of the Kerala
tails. Anand and Alice were University in different categories, seeking police protection to attend
alumni of TKM Engineering the senate meeting of the varsity to be held on February 16. The
College. Anand was a mechani- petitioners alleged that the CPM, DYFI and SFI leaders have declared
cal engineering graduate, while that they will not permit the petitioners to participate in the meeting.
Alice was a civil engineering The leaders also threatened them saying that they would face the
graduate. The couple had been same fate as senate members of Calicut University. Though the
residing in San Mateo County petitioners filed a complaint before the police, they are not taking any
for the past nine years and was steps to provide protection to the petitioners.
working for an IT company.
UDF meeting postponed, no third
Lok Sabha seat for Muslim League
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE tive Assembly. A senior UDF War room set up at
Cong’s state HQ
@ T’Puram leader told TNIE that there
were unofficial discussions T’Puram: Congress state Political
THE UDF MEETING sched- with the IUML on and off dur- Affairs Committee (PAC) member
uled for Wednesday was post- ing the course of the assembly M Liju has been appointed
poned as the day’s Legislative session. “The IUML leader- chairman of the party’s ‘war
Assembly session has been ship has been aware from day
prolonged. Though official- one that it is not going to get a
room’, which has been set up at
its state headquarters at Indira
level bilateral talks third Lok Sabha seat. Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram.
with the IUML were They just want to Established on the lines of the
not held on Wednes- convince their party AICC’s war room, the state unit
day, it has been con- workers that they will coordinate eight important
firmed that the Con- The IUML has been are putting pressure elections, including the upcoming
gress leadership had aware that it is on the Congress lead- Lok Sabha polls. Congress leader
u n o f f i c i a l l y c o n - not going to get a ership for an extra Jaison Joseph and Manacaud
firmed to them that third Lok Sabha seat apart from the Suresh have been appointed
they would have to be seat. They just existing Malap-
want to convince co-chairmen. Former IAS officer
content with the ex- puram and Ponnani Sasikanth Senthil is the national
their party
isting two Lok Sabha workers that they Lok Sabha seats,” chairman of the Congress war
seats. are putting said a senior UDF room. KPCC has already
In the last UDF pressure on the leader. appointed senior leaders as
meeting held on Feb- Congress Already, the UDF coordinators in all 20 Lok Sabha
ruary 5, UDF conven- leadership has pro- constituencies. It has also decided
A senior UDF leader
er M M Hassan had vided one seat each to appoint district-level
informed that ahead to the RSP and Kera- coordinators. Congress state
of the next sitting on Wednes- la Congress (Joseph) faction. general secretary (organisation) T
day, they would hold a meeting Apart from the IUML’s two U Radhakrishnan said the main
with the IUML leadership. But seats, the Congress will be agenda of the war room is to
that did not happen as expect- contesting in 16 Lok Sabha coordinate party activities and
ed where the UDF leadership seats. The new date of the next ensure its message reaches
put the blame on the ongoing UDF meeting will be decided people.
budget session of the Legisla- later by the leadership.
 P Rajeev @PRajeevOfficial
TWEET
OF THE Kerala gears up for a monumental leap forward with the global AI Conclave in July,in collabora-
tion with industry giant IBM. This event marks a significant milestone in Kerala’s journey to-
DAY wards becoming India’s new high-tech industrial hub, focusing on innovation & sustainability.

05 KOCHI THURSDAY 15 02 2024

� �

‘Centre cutting state’s borrowing cap to help corporates’

K N Balagopal says that the grant-in-aids for the state reduced
from I30,000 crore in 2021-22 to I11,000 crore in the current fiscal State govt neglecting Law to protect gig workers in the making
T’Puram: Labour Minister V Sivankutty said that the government is

agri sector: Satheesan

preparing the ‘Kerala State Platform-Based Gig Worker (Registration
and Welfare) Bill’ to protect the employment rights and welfare of gig
E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @T’Puram the borrowing limit and a drop workers in the state. The Bill has provisions to set up a welfare fund
in the central funds to the state. and a welfare board for the benefit of platform-based gig workers, he
THE Centre is helping corpo- He said that the grant-in-aids informed the assembly on Wednesday. The Bill contains details about
rates by slashing market bor- for the state reduced from E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @T’Puram mission has become dysfunc- the registration and duties of platform-based gig workers, aggregators
rowings by governments, Fi- `30,000 crore in 2021-22 to tional in the state. There are and primary employers, dispute resolution mechanism for platform-
nance Minister K N Balagopal `11,000 crore in the current HOLDING the government re- also arrears to the tune of `221 based gig workers, welfare fund and cess, penalties for violation of
said during a general discus- fiscal. sponsible for the fall in prices crore related to debt relief. In provisions of the Act and adjudication of offences.
sion on the budget in the as- Participating in the discus- of agricultural products and the agricultural sector, more
sembly on Wednesday. New announcements sion, Leader of Opposition V D the debt liability of farmers, and more farmlands are being
Balagopal said that one of at budget discussion Satheesan said the budget the Opposition on Wednesday confiscated. Farmers are com- No separate probe Pinarayi declines
the reasons behind the Centre’s lacked credibility. A perform- staged a walkout protesting the mitting suicides. About 30 lakh needed in murder of to reveal names of
� Allocation for Civil Supplies Dr Vandana Das: CM Keraleeyam sponsors
decision to reduce the borrow- ance audit of the budget an- denial of permission for their people have been affected by
raised to I2,001 crore
ing limit was to facilitate more nouncements will expose the adjournment motion man-wild animal con- T’Puram: Expressing satisfaction T’Puram: Chief Minister Pinarayi
credit availability for the cor- � I5 crore for international lack of credibility of the two on the subject. flicts,” Satheesan said. over the police probe in the Vijayan on Wednesday declined to
porate sector. cultural complex consecutive governments led Leader of Opposition However, Agriculture murder of Dr Vandana Das, Chief divulge the names of sponsors of
“Union Finance Minister by Pinarayi Vijayan, he said. V D Satheesan said that Minister P Prasad put Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told the the Keraleeyam, saying details are
Nirmala Sitharaman had said � I5 crore for science city Satheesan said the fiscal in- the LDF government is the blame on successive assembly on Wednesday that not known yet. In addition, the
in the Budget speech that the � I3 crore for cultural survey dicators disprove the finance neglecting the farmer’s Union governments. there was no need for a further government doesn’t have the
Union government would re- minister’s claim that the state issue and the agricul- “The policies of these investigation by a special squad. details of the fuel expenses
duce its borrowings by `1 lakh � I10 crore for campus industrial had a ‘sunrise economy’. “The ture sector. He also al- governments had al- He dismissed the demand raised incurred by ministers’ vehicles
crore in the new financial year. parks revenue deficit rose from 0.88% leged that the procure- ways created obstacles by MLA Mons Joseph for a during the Nava Kerala Sadas, he
Now, this borrowing space will of GSDP in 2022-23 to 2.09% in ment of farm produce for the growth of the separate probe, citing the High told the state assembly during
� I5 crore for Malappuram KSRTC
be utilised by corporates,” he 2023-24. The deficit grew from had been hit for three years in agriculture sector. The fall in Court verdict. “The court has Question Hour. Keraleeyam did
bus stand
said. `9,226 crore to `24,555 crore. the state while it is increasing the price of natural rubber and refused the demand for a CBI not attract as many sponsors as
The minister said that his � I7 crore for 16 nursing colleges The fiscal deficit increased in Tamil Nadu every year. other products was caused af- probe after studying the expected, the chief minister said.
government could increase ex- from 2.44 pc of GSDP in 2022-23 “The government should in- ter the free trade agreements chargesheet and finding nothing Earlier, the government had
penditure despite the financial 24. There was an increase of to 3.45% in 2023-24. It rose from crease the procurement rate of and the formulation of export- amiss in it,” he said. Pinarayi said claimed that the names of
crisis. “The total expenditure `30,000 crore,” he said. The `25,554 crore to `40,661 crore. coconut from `35 per kg to `40. import policies. The free trade that the police gave the sponsors and other details would
in the financial year ending minister reiterated his claim Do these indicators suggest The Farmer’s Debt Relief Com- agreements have destroyed the chargesheet within 90 days of the be released within two weeks of
March 2021 was `1,38,000 crore. that the current crisis was due that the state is having a sun- mission had stopped receiving backbone of the agriculture crime. holding the event.
It rose to `1,68,000 crore in 2023- to the centre’s decision to slash rise economy?” he asked. applications in 2020. The com- sector,” he said.

Party does remember Mission Belur Makhna postponed TN adopts Stalin’s resolutions
opposing One Nation; One Poll
Pushpan, says Balagopal EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
@Mananthavady
Forest ranger held hostage
Chedalath forest range officer
tinue on Thursday,” North
Wayanad DFO informed. T M U R U G A N A N D H A M @Chennai ment fixed based on the popula-
Meanwhile, tension gripped tion 1971,” the resolution said.
E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @T’Puram on welcoming foreign universi- THE fourth day’s mission to Abdul Samad K P was held the area when local residents THE Tamil Nadu assembly on It also urged that states like
ties. “A policy decision is yet to capture Belur Makhna failed as hostage by the protesters who spotted a tiger near the St Al- Wednesday adopted two resolu- Tamil Nadu should not be pe-
F I NA N C E M i n i s t e r K N be taken. Education sector the wild elephant moved deep demanded to issue an order to phonsa Church in Padamala at tions opposing the One Nation; nalised for implementing vari-
Balagopal said on Wednesday needs discussion and reforms,” into the forests. On Wednesday, tranquillize the tiger which has 6.30 am on Wednesday in the vi- One Poll policy of the BJP-led ous development programmes
that his party, the CPM, does the minister said. the forest officials received the been spreading fear in the locality cinity of the house of Ajeesh Union government and the de- and welfare schemes for the
remember Pushpan, the DYFI He said his party had op- radio collar signal of the jumbo, for more than a month. The forest Joseph, who was killed in a wild limitation of Parliament and benefit of the people over the
worker who was para- posed tractors and com- which had moved to the Nagara- department has set up three elephant attack last Saturday. assembly constituencies after past 50 years. The second reso-
lysed in the 1994 police puters 40 years ago be- hole tiger reserve region around cages at Thanitheruvu, After getting information, for- 2026 based on the popula- lution moved by the CM
firing at Koothupara- cause there were people midnight on Tuesday, and re- Surabhikkavala and est guards reached the spot and tion of the states. Chief said, “This August House
mba while protesting who were at the risk of turned to the Kerala-Karnataka Vadanakkavala and installed 15 started a search. “While going Minister M K Stalin urges the Centre not to
against granting gov- losing their jobs. border by morning. CCTV cameras too. The protesters, to Padamala Church, we saw the moved the resolutions. implement the One Na-
ernment quota seats to “The situation has The team led by North Waya- who held the officer hostage from tiger. The tiger escaped when we “This August House tion; One Election Poli-
college managements. changed now. Young- nad DFO Martin Lowel, South 11am to 3pm, backed off after the shouted and cried for help,” said urges the Centre that cy as this is against the
He was replying to some sters are going abroad for Wayanad DFO A Shajna, Waya- officials agreed to take further Lissy, the local resident who the delimitation process basis of democracy; im-
Opposition members’ question, education. At least `30 lakh is nad Wildlife Warden P Dinesh, steps to issue the order to spotted the animal. to be carried out after 2026 practical; not enshrined in
in the backdrop of the budget spent on a student’s foreign ed- Flying Squad DFO Kozhikode tranquillise the tiger Following the incident, the lo- based on the census should not the Constitution of India. Elec-
proposal to welcome foreign ucation. The budget proposal is Imthias A P and Social Forestry cal residents lit torches in Pad- be carried out. Due to unavoid- tions to be local bodies, state as-
universities, whether the party to prevent the outflow of mon- ACF Harilal moved to the place as the elephant quickly hid in amala to protest against recur- able reasons, if the number of semblies and Parliament are
forgot Pushpan. ey,” he said. Balagopal remind- where the signal was received. the forest. ring wildlife attacks. seats based on the population being held at different times
“We do remember Pushpan. ed the Opposition that their During the search, the tusker “We tried to shoot the ele- “Despite informing the forest were to increase, it shall be based on people-centric issues
We all actively participated in late leader, Oommen Chandy, was spotted twice and the vet- phant for the second time but it department that the human - maintained at the present ratio in a vast and diverse country
that agitation,” Balagopal said. had inaugurated a protest erinary experts were ready to retreated after the accompany- wildlife conflicts have intensi- of the constituencies between like India and it is against the
The minister said the budget against computerisation at the fire the tranquilliser shots. The ing elephant charged at the mis- fied, there was no intervention,” the states in the state assem- idea of democratic
proposal called for discussions Calicut University. first attempt was unsuccessful sion team. The mission will con- said Mukundan, a resident. blies and both Houses of Parlia- decentralisation.”

EXPRESS READ
2 workers die after
slab falls on them
Kozhikode : Two workers
were killed after an under-
construction house
collapsed at Valayam in
Nadapuram on
Wednesday. According to
local residents, a concrete
slab fell on the workers,
crushing them to death.
Three other workers who
sustained severe injuries
have been admitted to the
Kozhikode MCH.

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06
INDIAN EXPRESS IS NOT AN
INDUSTRY. IT IS A MISSION.
— Ramnath Goenka
PROFILE INDIA’S DISEASE
PREDISPOSITION FOR
EFFECTIVE HEALTHCARE
T
HE Defence Research and Development Organisation will
be signing a memorandum with the All India Institute of
Medical Sciences to prepare a unique weather-suscepti-
bility database. Such a database would be essential for
designing equipment for the armed forces for deployment
in varying weather conditions. While this exercise is defence-
specific, a larger, more challenging one to map a disease predis-
position profile of the entire Indian population is an urgent
need. Such profiling would go a long way in improving health-
care delivery through evolved protocols for a more effective
disease management. Disease predisposition mapping would
help in understanding which sections of the population in
which regions are more prone to what diseases. As a part of the
exercise, genetic studies would also reveal their likely predispo-
sition to cardiovascular diseases, cancers and diabetes.
This would allow for better planning to assign and distribute
the health apparatus for quicker treatment protocols. Comple-
mented by the telemedicine network—which developed after
the Indian Space Research Organisation deployed the first na-
tionwide satellite-based service in 2001 to take digital health-
care to all corners of the country—one can assess the future
improvement in healthcare services. While disease-specific
mapping among sections of the population has been done over
the years, a countrywide exercise to understand the degree of
predisposition to communicable and non-communicable dis-
eases has not been done.
Non-communicable diseases have emerged as the leading
cause of death in India. At least 60 percent of all deaths in the
country are caused by non-communicable diseases; among them,
80 percent are caused by just four—cancer, cardiovascular dis-
ease, chronic pulmonary disease and diabetes. A pre-Covid sur-
vey found that inactive lifestyles and questionable diet trends
had rendered up to 61 percent of Indian women and about 47
percent of Indian men unhealthy. A range of diseases—both
communicable and non-communicable—can be brought under
the scanner if people’s predisposition in various regions is pro-
filed by taking into consideration their genetics, immunity, life-
style, diet, water quality and exposure to air pollution. Health-
care of the people is as crucial as—if not more—the defence of
the land. The government’s vision for a Viksit Bharat cannot be
complete without it. A thorough disease predisposition scan
would be the first step towards it.
KARNATAKA NEEDS TO
PLUG REVENUE LEAKS
A
S Karnataka looks forward to Budget 2024-25—Chief Min-
ister Siddaramaiah’s record 15th budget—it can expect the
guarantee schemes to go into their second year. The guar-
antees cost the exchequer about `60,000 crore a year and
benefit approximately 1.30 crore families—at an average
payout of `4,000 a month. Fulfilling the promise is no mean task
and the government has been mopping up resources from all sec-
tors. It increased the excise and stamp duties and is looking at new
avenues to fuel its schemes. Property tax from Bengaluru citizens
is a big source and the Bengaluru Bruhat Mahanagara Palike
(BBMP) has been directed to ensure that all defaulters pay up,
along with arrears and interest. Having a tax collection target of
`4,412 crore for 2023-24, an increase of around 50 percent over last
year, BBMP began its collection drive last year. It has issued no-
tices for 46,318 properties since November 2023, sealed over 10,603
shops and commercial establishments in the past six months, fro-
zen bank accounts and is now impounding defaulters’ vehicles.
The drive has run into controversy, with citizens rushing to
the high court to protest against the tax demand notices and stop
drastic measures, complaining that the tax tabulations are ‘un-
scientific’ and high. The court has provided temporary relief,
ordering BBMP to de-seal properties and conduct a fresh inspec-
tion. The opposition BJP has seized the moment and warned of
a protest across Bengaluru if BBMP fails to stop harassment of
citizens. Under pressure, the government is mulling reducing
penalties and giving citizens more time to pay up. Such a tax
drive was much needed for the city: many citizens undervalue
their properties, paying lower taxes by registering their proper-
ties as residential units, but renting them for commercial use;
and they still expect world-class infrastructure.
In its first year in office, the government has implemented its
guarantee schemes with success, but has little to show by way
of development, which is suffering due to lack of funds. Already
handicapped with a central tourniquet on its fund flow, the Sid-
daramaiah government cannot afford to ignore development at
the cost of populist schemes, nor can it go back on its guaran-
tees. As a new fiscal year begins, it must look at plugging reve-
nue leaks, weeding out fake beneficiaries and reclaiming gov-
ernment properties to bulk up its kitty and keep its boat afloat.
Q U I C K TA K E
PROMOTE RESISTANT SEEDS
M
ETEOROLOGISTS have spelt out the trouble in store for
Indian farmers this year. El Niño, the disruptive weather
formation that brought us a warmer 2023, is expected to
continue till June 2024. This is likely to put India’s wheat crop
in peril. Many institutes under the Indian Council of Agricul-
tural Research, including the Institute of Wheat and Barley
Research at Karnal, have been producing seeds that can with-
stand weather’s vagaries. But their use has been patchy. It is time
for a nationwide exercise to promote the seeds of the future. Our
food security depends on it.
Resident Editor (Kerala): Kiran Prakash* Published by R K Jhunjhunwala on behalf of Express Publications (Madurai) Private Limited at Express House, Kaloor, Kochi-682 017 and Printed by him at Viani Printings, P B No.3062, Lissie Road, Ernakulam North, Kochi - 682018.
Kochi. Vol. 52, No.39. RNI Reg. No. 24964/73. Phone: 0484-2402220, Fax: 0484-2401799. * Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act. Copyright: Express Publications (Madurai) Private Limited. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any manner, electronic or otherwise, in whole or in part, without prior written permission is prohibited.
KOCHI THURSDAY 15 02 2024
� �
Y
EAR 2024 is important for In-
dia—the country is headed for
general elections. In the course
of 2024-29, the term of the new
government, India will cross the
GDP threshold of $5 trillion and
become the third largest econo-
my in the world. Indeed, India will ap-
proach a GDP of $7 trillion. This year, be-
ing roughly half-way between 2000 and
2047, is a convenient point to take stock
about the future trajectory.
By the time the new government’s term
ends, the world will also be approaching
the deadline for the Sustainable Develop-
ment Goals or SDGs. Most countries have
slipped from those the targets, though In-
dia has slipped less than others. Growth
is correlated with improvements in social
sector indicators. In the medium term,
what growth trajectory is India on? a)
5.5-6 percent; b) 6.5-7 percent; or c) 7.5-8
percent. The differences between a, b and
c blow up exponentially.
Any projection requires a set of as-
sumptions—real growth rate, inflation,
rate of population growth, total factor pro-
ductivity increases and the rupee-dollar
exchange rate. For instance, before Covid,
the Economic Survey for 2018-19 stated,
“Given 4 percent inflation, as the Mone-
tary Policy Framework specified by the
government for the Reserve Bank of In-
dia, this requires a real annual GDP
growth of 8 per cent.”
A more recent report by SBI Research
states, “The path taken since 2014 reveals
that India is likely to get the tag of the 3rd
largest economy in 2027 (or 2027-28)…. At
this rate, India is likely to add $0.75 trillion
every 2 years, implying that India is all set
to touch $20 trillion by 2047, at least on cur-
rent numbers. Behind this surge, India
needs to grow at a CAGR of 8.4 percent till
2027 (in dollar terms). This translates into
11.0-11.5 percent nominal GDP growth per
annum (in rupee terms), which is eminent-
ly achievable with a 6.5-7 percent growth
rate.” This doesn’t state the per capita in-
come in 2047 directly. But with a projected
population of 1.7 billion in 2047, one can
deduce that the per capita income would
be short of $12,000.
In contrast, there is a study done by
Ernst and Young in March 2023, which
states: “In the most preferred scenario, In-
dia is likely to cross the critical thresholds
of $5, $10 and $20 trillion in market ex-
change rate terms in 2027-28, 2035-36 and
2044-45, respectively…. India’s per capita
income in market exchange rate terms is
expected to cross $13,000 by 2044-45, putting
SOLUTIONS FOR A PROGRESSIVE
PRISON SYSTEM IN INDIA
F
OR a society built upon the prin-
ciples of justice and human
rights, the treatment of prison-
ers becomes a critical measure
of its commitment to these val-
ues. Like other human beings,
prisoners are also entitled to
rights, but their rights are frequently
infringed upon.
A recent Supreme Court intervention
addresses the substandard treatment of
prisoners, emphasising their entitle-
ment to the fundamental rights despite
incarceration. Prisoners, recognised as
humans with constitutional rights, retain
these entitlements even during confine-
ment, as established in State of Andhra
Pradesh vs Challa Ramkrishna Reddy.
The Supreme Court has underscored that
the prisoners, whether convicts, undertri-
als, or detainees, maintain their human-
ity and constitutional rights, including
the right to life, throughout their incar-
ceration. The prison system in India faces
multiple hindrances in ensuring these
rights are not infringed upon.
One of the issues is overcrowding. Prison
congestion, notably among undertrials, is a
significant issue in India. Data from 2021
shows a 9.5 percent drop in the number of
convicts housed in prisons, but a substantial
45.8 percent rise in the number of undertri-
als from 2016 to 2021. This is a cause for con-
cern. President Draupadi Murmu stressed
during her National Law Day address that
building more prisons isn’t a sustainable so-
lution. The Chief Justice of India also pro-
posed a one-time prisoner release for decon-
gestion and urged collaborative efforts
between the judiciary, government, and law
enforcement to reduce court backlogs and
adjournment practices.
While fast-track courts aim to expedite
proceedings, addressing the prevalent ad-
journment culture is vital for enhancing
efficiency of the criminal justice system. To
address the issue of overcrowding among
undertrials, another solution is the provi-
sion of anticipatory bail.
Another significant challenge is the short-
age of prison staff. Despite a sanctioned
staff strength of around 91,181, the current
strength stands around 63,578. This shortfall
complicates the task of effective manage-
ment, often resulting in the neglect of cru-
cial aspects like the mental health of prison-
ers and ensuring that they are housed under
humane conditions. The deaths of 1,995 pris-
oners in judicial custody during 2022, with
159 attributed to unnatural causes, high-
lights the need to increase the manpower.
Recommendations of the Mulla Commit-
THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS
Chairman of the Board: Manoj Kumar Sonthalia Editor: Santwana Bhattacharya
While parsing through growth projections, we need to look
closer at a number of underlying factors. One of them is
the heterogeneous growth among our states
WHEN STATES
PROSPER, SO
DOES THE UNION
BIBEK DEBROY
it in the ranks of developed economies... As
per the most preferred scenario, India’s
real GDP is projected to grow in the 6-6.4
percent range over the period 2022-23 to
2047-48, although with a moderating dec-
adal growth profile... The projected GDP in
$ trillion terms shows an average annual
growth of close to 8.4 percent over the fore-
cast period (2022-23 to 2047-48).”
When thinking about such projections, it
is important to bear in mind an obvious
point. These terminal goals are in current
US dollars, not constant US dollars. In con-
stant US dollars, a goal may seem impossi-
ble. In current US dollars, it is achievable.
In principle, differences in projections
can arise from different assumptions
HASAN MOHAMMED
JINNAH
tee dating back to 1980, such as implement-
ing alternative sentencing like community
service and establishing a national prison
policy, remain unfulfilled.
Budget utilisation is another area of con-
cern. Prison authorities spend an average of
`10,474 per inmate annually, covering food,
clothing, medical expenses, education and
welfare. Despite a budget of `6,818 crore,
only `5,958 crore was spent in 2019-20 on
AFP
India’s prisons are overcrowded
and understaffed. Ensuring
prisoners’ rights and providing
them with a transformational
environment would require the
smart use of technology and
full use of the allocated budgets
prison services, leading to shortages of med-
ical staff, particularly mental health profes-
sionals. This underuse underscores the
pressing need for reforms. Kerala, Tamil
Nadu, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh have shown
a comparatively greater investment in pris-
oners’ welfare. This commitment has led to
the vocational training of inmates, resulting
in the production of goods to be sold in the
market. Tamil Nadu has reported the high-
est sales of goods made by inmates.
Furlough for prisoners aims to strengthen
family bonds and mitigate the negative im-
pacts of long-term incarceration. Despite the
absence of specific provisions in the Prisons
Act of 1894, Section 59 of the Act empowers
states to formulate rules for parole and re-
wards for good behaviour. However, superin-
tendents often fail to grant emergency leaves
for significant life events. The case of Me-
hraj vs the State of Tamil Nadu deliberated
on the provision of granting leave for emer-
gencies and conjugal rights. The court di-
He who can listen to the music
in the midst of noise can
achieve great things
Chairman, Economic Advisory Council
to the Prime Minister
SOURAV ROY
about the inflation rate, which is unlikely
since the RBI has a tolerance band of 4-6
percent. They can arise from differing ex-
change rate assumptions, factoring in
total productivity changes. They can
arise from differing assumptions about
population growth. But more often than
not, they arise from different projections
about the real rate of growth. A differ-
ence between 6 percent and 6.5 percent
may seem to be that of a mere half a per-
centage point, but that difference blows
up over time. As an economy grows, the
rate of growth slows over time.
India’s growth is an aggregate of growth
delivered by its states. The combined state
GDP or GSDP roughly accounts for 97 per-
Tamil Nadu State Public Prosecutor
rected the formation of a committee, which
proposed an amendment to Section 15 of the
Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 1982, recommending
the temporary release of detenus based on
humanitarian considerations.
Adoption of technology is also important.
Artificial intelligence start-ups employ fa-
cial biometrics to conduct tests on Indian
faces. The integration of this biometric iden-
tification system with criminal justice de-
partments aims to enhance efficiency and
coordination. The Supreme Court is setting
up an integrated criminal justice system that
will link the police, courts, and prisons on
one platform to facilitate real-time informa-
tion exchange, including FASTER (Fast and
Secure Transmission of Electronic Records),
a new electronic system to transfer e-authen-
ticated copies of bail orders to prisons to en-
able faster release of undertrials.
The Madras High Court has implemented
an E-Bail Module to expedite the bail process
from the application stage. The Indian gov-
ernment is also working to enhance the cohe-
sion of the criminal justice system through
the implementation of e-prison initiatives
under the Model Prison Act of 2023.
Healthcare is another area where the use
of technology can significantly enhance the
well-being of the incarcerated. Implement-
ing video-based telehealth consultations can
streamline healthcare services, cutting costs
by eliminating the requirement of a large
medical workforce while providing real-
time diagnoses by trained professionals.
AI can be used to monitor inmates. For
example, the Uttar Pradesh Police uses
JARVIS (Joint AI Research for Video In-
stances and Streams), an AI-powered audio
and video analytics platform, for monitor-
ing inmates. AI-based video analysis also
streamlines parole processes by analysing
prisoner conduct, potentially reducing over-
crowding. Electronic ankle tags can further
help monitor prisoner movements.
Correctional facilities must ensure the
growth and transformation of the prisoners
so that they can reintegrate smoothly into
the society once released. Providing ample
educational opportunities—as shown by
Tamil Nadu, where elementary and higher
education is offered to of inmates—is essen-
tial for preparing them for a successful reen-
try into society. (Views are personal)
Vikram
Sarabhai
cent of India’s GDP. No reliable estimates
exist for a state’s income, as opposed to
GSDP. This can make a difference in states
with substantial net out-migration. GSDP
growth rates can be volatile. Over time, they
need to be smoothened out and the results
are function of the time period.
Consider real GSDP growth rates for
2012-2022, where aggregate growth for In-
dia was 6 percent. The states fall in neat
buckets: 10 percent plus: Mizoram; 8 per-
cent plus: Gujarat; 7 percent plus: Tripura,
Karnataka; 6 percent plus: Haryana, Mad-
hya Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Andhra
Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam, Andaman &
Nicobar, Arunachal, Tamil Nadu; 5 per-
cent plus: Delhi, Himachal, Chhattisgarh,
Rajasthan, Puducherry, Uttarakhand, Ut-
tar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Chandi-
garh, Punjab; 4 percent plus: Jammu &
Kashmir, Manipur, Maharashtra, Kerala,
West Bengal, Nagaland; 3 percent plus:
Goa; and 2 percent plus: Meghalaya.
Hence, to move from one growth trajec-
tory to another, the performance of many
states will have to improve. This is in terms
of growth rates. Since states vary in size,
all states are not equally important in con-
tributing to India’s GDP. In descending or-
der of importance, the major ones are Ma-
harashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh,
Karnataka and Gujarat. These five states
account for 47 percent of India’s GDP. Mi-
zoram, growing at 10 percent plus, has a
relatively low impact, compared to West
Bengal growing at 4 percent plus.
Heterogeneity among states comes
across in a host of other indicators. First,
in achieving the SDGs, there is a differ-
ence between Kerala and Himachal at
the top, and Jharkhand and Bihar at the
bottom. Second, states differ in multi-di-
mensional poverty and the extent to
which there has been a decline. Third,
the commerce ministry has a LEADS re-
port that measures logistics ease across
states. Fourth, the department for pro-
motion of industry and internal trade
gauges states on their business reform
action plans. Fifth, the NITI Aayog has
an export preparedness index for states.
Most exports originate in Gujarat, Ma-
harashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and
UP. In rankings, the coastal states of
Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka
and Gujarat do well. But among the larg-
er states, Jharkhand, Bihar and Chhat-
tisgarh lag behind.
It only goes on to underline that India is
a Union of states. When they prosper, the
nation does. (Views are personal)
(bibek.debroy@gov.in)
Vexed vets
Ref: Odisha vet strike needs govt intervention
(Feb 14). The unavailability of doctors at
veterinary clinics in Odisha is concerning. In
the absence of medical care, 9,000 animals are
reported to have died and many more could
die. The government should take measures
to ensure that animals are given the care
they need even during the strike.
Sharon Junita, Bengaluru
Revive KSRTC
Ref: Promote public transport in Kerala for
equitable mobility (Feb 14). For long, Kerala
governments have ignored the Kerala State
Road Transport Corporation or KSRTC. There
have been protests by KSRTC staff over salary.
The buses are also in poor condition. The
government should take steps to revive
the service and increase its frequency at a
time when the number of private
vehicles is booming.
V K S Krishnan, Kumbakonam
Transport plan
Ref: Promote public transport in Kerala for
equitable mobility (Feb 14). The number
of private vehicles on Kerala’s roads is
high, leading to traffic snarls that eat into
productive working hours. There is also the
issue of pollution. The state government
must improve public transport services and
create awareness among the public regarding
the benefits of using it.
Dharmarajan A K, Thalassery
Farm politics
The Congress is backing the ‘Delhi Chalo’
march by farmer unions to gain votes.
If they are concerned about the plight of
farmers, they should implement measures
that support farmers in the states where
they are in power. The three farm laws that
were repealed in 2021 would have brought
enormous benefits to the farmers.
K R Venkata Narasimhan, Madurai
Soften stance
Unfortunately, the police in BJP-ruled Haryana
used tear gas and water cannons on protesting
farmers. With opposition unity in tatters, the
BJP is confident of keeping power. However,
such a brutal crackdown was unwarranted.
The government should soften its stance and
pursue another round of talks with farmers.
K S Sundaram, Coimbatore
Sorting seats
Ref: Just one seat, Cong doesn’t even deserve
it in Delhi: AAP (Feb 14). The INDIA bloc’s
unity has suffered yet another jolt with the
Aam Aadmi Party offering just one seat to
the Congress in Delhi. With only a couple of
months left for the Lok Sabha elections, the
Congress has its back against the wall.
S Sankaranarayanan, Chennai
 Jyotiraditya M Scindia @JM_Scindia
POSTS
In 2004, Dehradun was connected to only 3 cities, it
OF THE is 13 cities today. In 2014, there were 46 flights oper-
DAY ating from Dehradun, it is around 200 flights today.
Subramanian Swamy @Swamy39 Mahua Moitra @MahuaMoitra
Is Modi govt using drones against the protesting Taxpayers’ money spent on military-grade drone technology
Punjab farmers? If so then it will imply violation should be used to stop Chinese from coming into Galwan. Not
of UN Human Rights Charter. for domestic policing to stop our farmers coming to Delhi.

07 KOCHI THURSDAY 15 02 2024

� �

No room for corruption in India: PM Umar Khalid withdraws bail

At World Governments’ Summit in UAE, Modi spoke about India’s transformative reforms
Y E S H I S E L I @ New Delhi
THE Indian government does
not discriminate against any-
one and has no room for cor-
ruption, Prime Minister Naren-
dra Modi said in Abu Dhabi on
Wednesday.
The Prime Minister was de-
livering the keynote address at
the World Government’s Sum-
mit where he was invited as the
guest of honour.
Earlier, in 2018 too, Modi was
invited as a chief guest for the
same summit.
Crown prince of Dubai,
Sheikh Hamdan bin Moham-
med, warmly greeted the PM
upon his arrival.
“We extend a warm welcome
to the Republic of India and the
guest of honour of this year’s
World Governments Summit
(WGS), PM Modi. The strong
ties between our nations serve
as a model for international co-
operation. T he WGS has
evolved into one of the world’s
leading platforms for sharing
governance best practices, suc-
cess stories and initiatives and
envisioning the future of the
government. It is a pleasure to
have India as a distinguished
guest at this international
event, where it will showcase
its innovations, initiatives and
projects across diverse sectors
that are a model for accelerat-
ing development for govern-
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid
Al Maktoum during a meeting in Dubai on Wednesday | PTI
ment service delivery,” Sheikh
Hamdan bin Mohammed said.
This time, the summit wit-
nessed participation of 20
world leaders, including ten
presidents and as many prime
ministers. Governments and
delegates from over 120 coun-
tries were represented at the
global gathering.
Modi spoke about India’s
transformative reforms based
on the mantra of ‘Minimum
Government, Maximum Gov-
ernance’. He shared how India
had leveraged digital technol-
o g y t o f u r t h e r we l f a r e,
inclusivity and sustainability.
Besides calling for a human-
centric approach to govern-
ance, the Prime Minister also
underlined India’s focus on
people’s participation, last-
mile-delivery and women-led
development to achieve an in-
clusive society.
He said that given the inter-
connected nature of the world,
governments must collaborate
and learn from each other to
address future challenges.
Earlier, Modi met Sheikh Mo-
hamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,
Vice-President, Prime Minister,
Defence Minister and the Ruler
of Dubai. The two leaders held
discussions on a wide range of
areas of bilateral cooperation,
including trade, investment,
technology and education.
‘Modi always
plea in SC, to move trial court
ensured safety of SUCHITRA KALYAN MOHANTY @ New Delhi
Indians abroad’
FORMER JNU scholar and ac-
tivist Umar Khalid, who is
jailed in connection with the
E X P R E SS N E WS S E R V I C E @ New Delhi February 2020 Northeast Delhi
riots case, withdrew his bail
PRIME Minister Narendra
Modi has always taken the ini-
plea application from the top
court on Wednesday.
tiative and spoken to leaders of A two-judge bench headed by
other countries to ensure the Justice Bela M Trivedi and also
safety of Indian nationals comprising of Pankaj Muthal
abroad, foreign secretary Vinay allowed him to withdraw the
Kwatra said on Wednesday. bail petition.
Responding to questions on Senior advocate Kapil Sibal,
the release of eight Indian appearing for Khalid, told the
Navy veterans, facing death top court that the petition is be-
row in Qatar, Kwatra said ing withdrawn due to an inevi-
whenever the Indian commu- table “change in
nity had faced problems, the circumstances”.
Prime Minister and his person- “We will try our luck in the
al initiatives ensured that they trial court now,” Sibal submit-
were brought back to India. ted to the court.
“This is direct evidence of Notably, even after around 15
the sensitive approach the adjournments in the case for
Prime Minister adopts to ad- several months, Khalid could
dress the problems faced by the not get relief from the Supreme
Indian community,” Kwatra Court. The social activist has
said during a briefing on the been in jail since his arrest by
PM’s visit to the UAE. the Delhi Police on September
The foreign secretary said 14, 2020.
that over the past 10 years, He was booked under the
whenever Indian nationals stringent UAPA (Unlawful Ac-
have faced problems, it was not tivities Prevention Act) for his
just a question of the Ministry alleged involvement in a larger
of External Affairs but the conspiracy behind the Delhi ri-
whole of government approach ots. However, Khalid has denied
has been adopted to ensure the charges and claimed inno-
their safety. cence in the case.
ALSO IN TOP COURT
Verdict on validity of
electoral bonds today
The top court will pronounce
its verdict on Thursday on
pleas challenging the validity
of the electoral bonds
scheme. The scheme, notified
2018, was pitched as an
alternative to cash
donations made to
political parties as
part of efforts to
make political
fundings
transparent.
Khalid had approached the
apex court challenging an Octo-
ber 2022 Delhi High Court ver-
dict that denied him bail.
The Delhi Police arrested
him in September 2020 for his
alleged role in the communal
violence in the national
capital.
The accused had initially, in
the Delhi High Court, sought
bail on the grounds that he nei-
ther had any “criminal role” in
the violence in the city’s north-
east area nor any “conspirato-
rial connection” with any other
accused in the case. The Delhi
police had opposed the bail plea
of Khalid in the high court.
SC Collegium
recommends
transfer of
three HC judges
SUCHITRA KALYAN MOHANTY @ New Delhi
THE Supreme Court collegium
has recommended the transfer
of three high court judges —
Calcutta HC’s Justice Moushu-
mi Bhattacharya, Kerala HC’s
Justice Anu Sivaraman and
Madhya Pradesh HC’s Justice
Sujoy Paul.
Justice Sivaraman had, on
October 16 last year, requested
a transfer out of Kerala. The
collegium accepted the request
and suggested her transfer to
the Karnataka High Court.
Justice Bhattacharya had
also sought a transfer citing
personal reasons. She was rec-
ommended to be transferred to
the Telangana High Court.
The collegium has also rec-
ommended transfer of Madhya
Pradesh HC judge Justice Su-
joy Paul to Telangana High
Court. Justice Paul had sought
a transfer on the ground that
his son is practicing in the High
Court of Madhya Pradesh.

Canada among 51 nations Nadda & Vaishnaw among 3 BJP MPs JD(U) fields Sanjay Jha,
to join 9-day Navy drill renominated for RS; rest set for LS polls NCP Praful Patel for
‘Milan’ beginning Feb 19 Feb 27 Rajya Sabha polls
R A J E S H K U M A R T H A K U R @ New Delhi

THE BJP on Wednesday re-

M AYA N K S I N G H @ New Delhi participate in the exercise. nominated its three prominent P R E E T H A N A I R @ New Delhi sociate and former minister
Eastern Naval Command leaders — Union ministers Sanjay Jha’s candidature.
EVEN as India and Canada Chief of Staff Officer (Opera- Ashwini Vaishnaw and L Mu- WITH the deadline for filing The ruling BJD in Odisha an-
grapple with their deteriorat- tions) Rear Admiral Shantanu rugan and party chief JP nomination to the Rajya Sabha nounced its support to BJP’s
ing diplomatic relations, the Jha said the exercise will be Nadda, among 14 candidates, elections ending on February Ashwini Vaishnaw. On Tues-
Justin Trudeau government held in two phases involving for the Rajya Sabha polls. 15, most political parties are day, two BJD candidates De-
will send its naval delegation harbour and sea. The harbour Among the 14 party candi- preparing to announce the full bashish Samantaray and Sub-
headed by a commander for the phase will be conducted from dates for the biennial Rajya list of candidates. hasish Khuntia filed their
nine-day multination- February 19-23 and the Sabha elections, the prominent JP Nadda, Ashwini Vaishnaw, L Murugan, Govindbhai Dholakia As many as 56 members of nominations, while the party
al maritime exercise participants would ex- names are Vaishnaw (Odisha), the House from 15 states are re- had kept the third seat vacant.
‘Milan 2024’ to be held change expertise on Nadda (Gujarat), Murugan Dr L Murugan, Umesh Nath Himachal Pradesh but the BJP tiring in April and the elections Early this week, the Trina-
off the Visakhapat- subject matters. They (MP) and Ashok Chavan, who Maharaj, Maya Naroliya and had to re-nominate him from are scheduled to be held on Feb- mool Congress (TMC) an-
nam coast from Febru- will also witness the joined the saffron camp on Bansilal Gurjar were nominat- Gujarat because it did not have ruary 27. nounced 4 candidates, includ-
ary 19. The exercise will dee p submergence Tuesday from Maharashtra The results will be announced
ed from Madhya Pradesh, sufficient number of votes in ing journalist Sagarika Ghose,
witness a series of
Indian Navy’s Depu- events, including
rescue vehicle demon- and Govindbhai Dholakia, where the saffron party re- Himachal. This would be his the same day. Sushmita Dev, former Lok
ty Chief Vice-Admiral an international stration and also hold who donated `11 crore to the tained power in the recent as- the third RS term in a row. While the Congress Sabha MP Mamata Bala
Tarun Sobti on maritime bilateral meetings. construction of the Ram Tem- sembly elections. Many senior BJP leaders, has named all ten can- Thakur and sitting Ra-
Wednesday said Milan exposition, a “The sea phase will ple in Ayodhya. Speculation was rife about whose names were expected in didates, including vet- jya Sabha MP Nadimul
2024 is a major endeav- maritime be held from February The biennial elections to fill the railway minister and the the list for Rajya Sabha polls, eran leader Sonia Gan- Haque.
our to get together technical 24-27 in the Bay Ben- 56 seats in Rajya Sabha will be BJP chief (whose RS terms missed it. Union ministers and dhi, from Rajasthan, On Tuesday, the SP
friendly foreign coun- exhibition, a city gal with participation held on February 27 and last will end this month and next) outgoing RS members Mansu- BJP has nominated 28 announced the candida-
tries from across the parade... of 35 warships and date for filing nominations is that they would be fielded for kh Mandaviya and Parshottam so far. ture of former MP Ram
globe for a major mar- Vice-Admiral Tarun submarines with 50 on February 15. Lok Sabha seats either from Rupala, both from Gujarat, In politically significant Ji Lal Suman, former bu-
itime activity. He said Sobti, Deputy Chief of aircraft,” Jha said. As per the second official Odisha and Himachal Pradesh, and Narayan Rane from Ma- Bihar, the RJD on Wednesday reaucrat Alok Ranjan, and
51 countries will par- Indian Navy The exercise holds party list, Nadda, who was ear- respectively. At present, Nadda harashtra have not been named party’s national spokes- renominated actor Jaya Bach-
ticipate in the event. significance in the lier nominated to RS from his is a Rajya Sabha member from renominated. person Manoj Kumar Jha and chan from Uttar Pradesh for
While delegation- backdrop of major ge- home state Himachal Pradesh, Sanjay Yadav. the polls.
level participation is confirmed opolitical tensions along with Dholakia, Mayankbhai Nayak A statement issued by the In Andhra Pradesh, YSR
from more than 30 countries, 15 drone attacks and hijack inci- and Dr Jashvantsinh Salam-
SHASTRI’S GRANDSON QUITS CONG, JOINS BJP party said that RJD chief Lalu Congress Party fielded YV Sub-
others are sending their war- dents in Red Sea. sinh Parmar from Gujarat, Former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri’s grandson Vibhakar Prasad finalised the list of can- ba Reddy, G Babu Rao and M
ships for the exercise. The “The exercise will witness a and Ashok Chavan, Medha Shastri on Wednesday joined the BJP and announced leaving the didates. While Yadav will be Raghunadha Reddy.
French Navy will come with an series of events, including an Kulkarni and Dr Ajit Gopch- Congress. Vibhakar Shastri joined the BJP in Lucknow in the contesting for the first time, for The term for Rajya Sabha
aircraft, Sobti said. international maritime exposi- hade from Maharashtra have presence of party state president Bhupinder Singh and Deputy Jha, it will be his second con- MPs is six years and the Rajya
From the Indian side, nearly tion, a maritime technical exhi- been fielded. In the first list, Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak. Vibhakar Shastri had secutive term. Sabha has a total of 245 mem-
20 ships, including aircraft car- bition, a city parade, and inter- the BJP re-nominated unsuccessfully contested Lok Sabha polls in the past from The JD(U) had earlier an- bers at present. Elections are
riers Vikrant and Vikramadit- actions with junior officers,” Vaishnaw with the support of Fatehpur Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh. nounced the then Chief Minis- held after every two years for 33
ya, and nearly 50 aircraft will Sobti said. ruling BJD from Odisha while ter Nitish Kumar’s trusted as- per cent of the seats.

DoPT report says 10,732 cases pending in courts

Safe food at workplace: FSSAI certifies
FIRs in all cases re-registered by Central agency

Investigation of 1,025 CBI Manipur strife: NIA takes 500 hospitals as ‘Eat Right Campuses’
cases pending, shows data over probe into six cases
M U K E S H R A N JA N @ New Delhi
A TOTAL 1,025 cases — includ-
ing 943 FIRs and 82 Preliminary
Enquiries (PE) are pending
with the Central Bureau of In-
vestigation since periods rang-
ing from three months to more
than one year, the Department
of Personnel and Training
(DoPT) has revealed in its an-
nual report for 2022-23.
“Other than the 1,025 cases,
23 Lokpal references were also
pending by the end of the year.
Out of the 943 regular cases, 447
were pending under investiga-
tion for more than one year.
Similarly, out of 82 preliminary
enquiries, 60 were pending un-
der enquiry for more than three
months,” the report revealed.
The report has also stated
that in cases where the investi-
gation has been completed,
10,732 cases were pending un-
der trial in various courts by
the end of the year.
The DoPT, in its report, also
mentioned that during the year
2022, courts had delivered judge-
ments in 557 CBI cases. “Out of
Probing on directions
The CBI registered 946 cases in
2022. “Out of these, 107 cases
were taken up on the directions of
the constitutional courts and 30
cases on the requests of states
and Union Territories. Twenty
eight references came from
Lokpal,” the annual report of
DoPT stated.
these, 364 cases resulted in con-
viction, 111 in acquittal, 13 in
discharge and 69 cases were
disposed of for other rea-
sons. The conviction rate
SECURITY
MATTERS
was 74.59 per cent,” it said.
The CBI registers crimi-
nal cases on the basis of ref-
erences received from govern-
ment departments, statutory
authorities like Central Vigi-
lance Commission, constitu-
tional courts and references
received from states, as well as
its own information. However,
the CBI is not the first respond-
er and has limited resources.
So, due care is taken to ensure
that only good cases are regis-
tered, officials said.
K AV I TA BA J E L I - DAT T @ New Delhi UP tops the list Hospital in Darjeeling, West
Bengal, District Women’s Hos-
According to officials, Uttar
MHA M U K E S H R A N JA N @ New Delhi MORE than 500 hospitals and pital in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Pradesh has the highest number
issued medical colleges in the country, and more than 50 district hospi-
of certified hospitals at 162. It is
directions THE National Investigation Agency (NIA) has mostly private, have been certi- tals in the country. “This repre-
taken over six different cases of violence in fied as ‘Eat Right Campus’ by followed by Tamil Nadu at 75. The sents the commitment towards
The anti-terror other states are Maharashtra
the ethnic strife-torn Manipur following di- the Food Safety and Standards food safety across diverse geog-
probe agency (52), West Bengal (39) and
rections from the Union Ministry of Home Af- Authority of India (FSSAI). raphies,” the statement said.
has taken over Madhya Pradesh (35).
fairs last week. The initiative focuses on cre- FSSAI has established rigor-
investigation
The anti-terror probe agency has also re- ating safe, healthy and sustain- ous criteria and a comprehen-
into the six
registered as many FIRs under various sec- able food environments within hospitals. “This widespread sive evaluation process for the
cases following
tions of Indian Penal Code for further inves- various institutions and work- adoption of the “Eat Right ‘Eat Right Campus’ certifica-
directions from
tigation, officials said on Wednesday. places, including hospitals as Campus” initiative demon- tion programme under Eat
the Union
The cases include the assassination of part of FSSAI’s ‘Eat Right In- strates the collective commit- Right India movement, which
Ministry of
Moreh SDPO Chingtham Anandkumar on Oc- dia’ movement. ment of hospitals toward en- was started in 2019 as a large-
Home Affairs
tober 31, 2023 and the murder of four Meitei According to officials, Uttar hanced food safety and scale effort to transform the
last week
civilians by Kuki militants at Ningthoukhong Pradesh has the highest sustainable practices for the country’s food ecosystem to en-
Kha Khunou on January 18, 2024. number of certified hospitals well-being of their staff and sure safe, healthy and sustain-
Besides these two prominent cases, the NIA at 162. It is followed by Tamil visitors,” said officials. able food for all Indians.
Major
re-registered a case on the basis of an FIR reg- Nadu at 75. The other states are Leading the change Hospitals undergo
cases
istered at Moreh police station in connection Maharashtra (52), West Bengal are institutions like thorough audits to en-
probed
with an attack on the IRB post at Moreh and (39) and Madhya Pradesh (35). SNM Hospital Leh, sure compliance with
Two prominent at Moreh Bazar area on January 17, 2024 by According to officials, the Bangalore Baptist Hos- four key parameters,
cases are the heavily armed Kuki militants using bombs achievement signifies a para- pital, Mumbai’s Breach which include food
assassination and bullets. A policeman was killed and six digm shift within the health- Candy Hospital and safety measures, steps
of Moreh SDPO other security personnel had sustained inju- care industry, which is priori- Tata Memorial Hospital, to ensure the provision of
Chingtham ries in the incident, they said. tising not just medical care but which have embraced the ini- healthy food and efforts to raise
Anandkumar The other cases that were re-registered by also recognising the crucial tiative, the officials added. awareness among individuals.
on October 31, the NIA relate to the FIRs lodged at Porompat role of healthy food choices in In Delhi, hospitals like Fortis FSSAI, spearheading the na-
2023 and the police station and Imphal police station in promoting well-being of staff Hospital, BLK Max Hospital tionwide ‘Eat Right India’
murder of four connection with a firing incident and the al- and visitors. and Lok Nayak Hospital have movement, is making signifi-
Meitei civilians leged attack by unknown persons on the north Among these certified hospi- been certified. cant strides in promoting
on January 18, western gate of the First Manipur Rifles on tals and medical colleges, as The other hospitals that have healthy eating habits among
2024. November 1, 2023. many as 100 are government been certified are Kalimpong workplaces.
 INDIA Max Min Max Min

2
Ahmedabad 31 20 Mumbai 33 24
P L A N TAT I O N Bhopal 26 14 Panaji 33 23
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday Jaipur 26 13 Patna 24 16
Amritsar 21 07 Lucknow 23 12
said bamboo cultivation could help in tackling the Chennai 29 25 Port Blair 31 26
challenge of pollution and climate change, and appealed
TRIBALS
BEATEN UP IN SEPARATE Kolkata 28 19 Imphal 24 12
to farmers to form dedicated clusters. INCIDENTS IN MP Srinagar 08 -03 Chandigarh 22 10

08 KOCHI THURSDAY 15 02 2024

� �

Mann govt objects to ‘intrusion,’ Khattar admin says cops acted when pelted with stones Congress expresses solidarity with protestors

Punjab, Haryana agree to Rahul dials injured farmer,

disagree on use of drones BJP says don’t be misled
H A R P R E E T BA J WA @ Chandigarh
A day after Haryana Police
used drones to rain down tear-
gas shells on protesting farm-
ers at Shambhu border, AAP-
led Punjab government has
objected to such measures,
raising jurisdictional issues.
In a letter to his Haryana
counterpart in Ambala, Patia-
la de puty commissioner
Showkat Ahmed Parray has
asked Shaleen to restrict such
measures within the Haryana
territory. Parray said the au-
thorities in the BJP-ruled Har-
yana fell in line after he took
up the matter, restricting the
drone movement along the bor-
der. Parry said he has conveyed
his objection to the Ambala
Senior Superintendent of Po-
lice as well. Sources said the
DC Amabla was analyzing the
Parray’s information.
Farmers claimed drones
dropped several teargas canis-
ters on them when they were
standing well inside the Pun-
jab territory. The Haryana Po-
lice maintains the measure
was taken after their person-
nel were pelted with stones by
the protestors.
Meanwhile, Haryana Home
Minister Anil Vij expressed his
surprise over Punjab’s notic.
“When farmers started mov-
ing from Amritsar, they (Pun-
jab cops) did not even try to
stop them. That means they
wanted the farmers to create
terror in Delhi. A DSP and 25
other police officers have been
injured in stone throwing,’’
said Vij. He said the area was a
state border and not an “inter-
national boundary.”
The Punjab Congress and
the Shiromani Akali Dal have
condemned the Haryana Police
action. Meanwhile, the Harya-
na government has extended
the ban on mobile internet
services, bulk SMSs and don-
gle services in seven districts
of Haryana till February 15
midnight. Earlier, mobile serv-
ices were suspended in Amba-
la, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind,
Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa till
February 13.
On Tuesday, farmers had
clashed with Haryana Police
personnel at two border points
between the states, facing tear-
gas shells and water cannons as
they tried to break the barri-
cades blocking their protest
march to Delhi.
After a face-off with
the police that lasted FARMERS
several hours on Tues- PROTEST
day, far mer leaders
called off the protest.
They resumed their march
from Shambhu border on
Wednesday. Thousands of
farmers, mainly from Punjab
and Haryana, are participating
in the ‘Delhi Chalo’ agitation
to put pressure on the centrfor
their demands, including a law
on MSP.
RANCHI
PREETHA NAIR & HARPREET Sharing a video of the inter-
DIARY
BA J WA @ New Delhi/Chandigarh action on Facebook, Warring
said, “Havildar Rajinder MUKESH RANJAN
A day after Congress promised Singh, who served in the Army Our correspondent
Minimum Supporting Price for 17 years, talked about Ra- in Jharkhand
(MSP) for crops if the INDIA hul Gandhi. Rajinder ji ex- mukesh.r@newindianexpress.com
bloc comes to power, senior plained that he knows the dif-
leader Rahul Gandhi spoke to ference between a bullet
an injured farmer over the wound and a tear gas shell Scholarships for girl’s to
phone and extended support attack, he is saying that it is pursue technical edu
to the farmers in their fight a bullet wound. They are
The Jharkhand government will
for their rights. attacked with 12 bores,”
provide scholarship to girl students
Gurmeet Singh, an ex-serv- he said.
Cong rejects BJP claim to pursue technical education. The
iceman, was injured during Meanwhile, Union Agricul-
scholarship scheme has been
the police action in the protest ture Minister and BJP leader
Dismissing the BJP’s allegations introduced to encourage girls to opt
at the Shambhu border Arjun Munda today speaking
that the UPA government for technical education, as boys-girls
near Patiala. The phone con- to media in Delhi said “Farm-
rejected Swaminathan ratio in state in technical institutions
versation was facilitated by er organizations have to un-
Commission recommendations in is merely 6:1. Under the ‘Manki
Punjab Congress chief Ama- derstand that no decision re-
2010, Congress leader Pawan Munda’ Scholarship scheme, a girl
rinder Raja Warring who garding the law that is being
Khera said the government student will get a scholarship of
visited Singh at the hospital talked about can be taken in
accepted 175 out of the 201 `15,000 per annum for pursuing
in Rajpura. such a way that without think-
recommendations. Khera diploma courses, while `30,000
Rahul shared a post in Hindi ing about the situation for eve-
challenged the BJP to prove its annually for engineering courses.
on his WhatsApp channel ryone in the later days.”
claims on the issue. Nearly 3,000 girl students pursuing
and inquired about his “People should criticize at
diploma courses will be benefitted
health. “Talked on phone times. We should try to take
from the scheme in first year, while
to former soldier Gur- “It is completely wrong. We care of all its aspects. Farmers
1,200 students will get benefits of
meet Singh ji, who was are with you. Don’t worry. You will also have to take care that
the scheme in engineering courses.
seriously injured in po- are fighting for what is impor- common life should not be dis-
lice atrocities during the tant for the country. You ear- rupted, common life should
farmers’ movement. En- lier worked for the country not be disturbed in any way”,
quired about his health and and you are doing it now as he said. He appealed to the
expressed support to him for well. Well done. Best of luck,’’ farmers to come to speak on
their peaceful movement de- Rahul told the injured farmer. the issue instead of being mis-
manding their rights,” said The farmer leaders led by political parties. On
the former Congress chief. Ra- have claimed that 60 farmers Tuesday, Union minister An-
hul also flayed the “dictatorial were injured yesterday when urag Thakur also said that the
attitude” of the Modi govern- the Haryana Police used tear government is ready to speak
ment towards th farmers. gas shells. to farmer on MSP.

HEMANT SOREN
JMM to take out Sandeshkhali simmers, BJP Maha speculation over Champai Soren assures

Sharad Pawar’s NCP pucca house for everyone

‘Nyay Yatra’ to chief faints & taken to hosp

The newly elected Jharkhand Chief
Minister Champai Soren has assured

free jailed chief
M U K E S H R A N JA N @ Ranchi
THE Jharkhand Mukti Morcha
(JMM), in order to seek justice
for former Chief Minister He-
mant Soren, has decided to go on
a statewide ‘Nyay Yatra’ which
is to be launched on Thursday.
In order to reach out to each and
every household against BJP’s
conspiracy, the ‘Nyay Yatra’ will
be conducted in every nook and
corner of the state.
According to JMM, people
will be made aware about the
BJP conspiracy and explained
why and under what circum-
stances Soren was sent to jail.
The deep conspiracy behind
his arrest will also be exposed
during the ‘Nyay Yatra,’ they
said. District wise fasting has
also been planned near the stat-
ues of freedom fighters in
Ranchi, praying for the release
of their top leader. ‘Nyay Yatra’
will start from February 15 in
Ranchi, while other districts in
the state have been asked to fix
dates on or before February 20
as per their convenience.
JMM General Secretary and
Spokesperson Vinod Pandey.
yatra will try to convince peo-
ple how the BJP are targeting
the CMs and governments in
non-BJP ruled states.
P R A N A B M O N DA L @ Kolkata
STRIFE-hit Sandeshkhali wit-
nessed dramatic scenes on
Wednesday as BJP state chief
Sukanta Majumdar offered
prayer to goddess Saraswati on
the banks of Ichamati river in
Taki, North 24 Parganas, and
f ainted during a scuf fle
with police when he tried to
proceed and visit women who
accused the local leaders of the
ruling Trinamool Congress of
sexual abuse.
Majumdar was rushed to a
local hospital in unconscious
state from where he was
brought to a private hospital in
Kolkata.
A day after the Calcutta High
Court set aside the state gov-
ernment’s promulgation of
prohibitory order in Sand-
eshkhali, the district adminis-
tration again on Wednesday
clamped restrictions on move-
ment under Section 144 of
CrPC in 19 pockets of the area.
Setting aside the earlier order,
the high court, on Tuesday,
mentioned it its order that the
manner in which the restric-
tions were imposed was not
right.
M a j u m d a r o n T u e s d ay
dodged the state administra-
tion’s effort to intercept him
and arrived Basirhat, where
the trouble-hit area is located,
by boarding a local train.
He staged a sit-in-demonstra-
tion in front of the office of the
superintendent of police de-
manding release of BJP sup-
porters who were arrested dur-
ing the course of a skirmish
with police. As the police did
not respond, Majumdar spent
the night in a local hotel.
The unrest in the TMC’s
stronghold in North 24 Parga-
nas stemmed from ongoing agi-
tation by women in Sand-
eshkhali, who accused TMC
strongman Shahjahan Sheikh
and his men of perpetrating
sexual abuse on them.
Sandeshkhali turned to be
the epicentre of Bengal politics
merging with Congress
Sit-in-demonstration
S U D H I R S U RYAWA N S H I @ Mumbai
BJP state chief Sukanta
Majumdar dodged the state
THE power corridors in Ma-
administration’s effort to
harashtra are abuzz with spec-
intercept him and reached
ulation about a merger of
Basirhat, where the trouble-hit
former union minister Sharad
area is located, by boarding a
Pawar-led Nationalist Congress
local train. He staged a sit-in-
Party (NCP) with the Congress
demonstration in front of the
ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha
office of the superintendent of
elections.
police demanding release of party
However, NCP Lok Sabha
supporters who were arrested
member Supriya Sule denied
during the course of a skirmish
the rumour, saying their fac-
with police before he fell.
tion has no plans to merge
with any other political
after three officers of the En- party. “Sharad Pawar-
forcement Directorate (ED) led NCP will continue
were bashed up and left bleed- participating in elec-
ing when they went to search tions as part of the
Shahjahan’s house Sheikh in a Maha Vikas Aghadi
foodgrain scam case on Janu- (MVA) alliance. Our fac-
ary 5. tion will not merge with
On seeing the TMC leader any political party,” Sule told
and his men are at large since the reporters later.
the attack on the federal agen- Speculations about Pawar’s
cy, homemakers of the area NCP merging with Congress
mustered up their courage to started this morning and gath-
protests against the sexual ered steam after Pawar’s meet-
abuse on them allegedly by the ing with the top NCP leaders,
ruling party’s satraps. including Anil Deshmukh,
Majumdar, accompanied by Rajesh Tope, Amol Kolhe, and
BJP’s one of the general secre- Shrinivas Patil in Pune.
taries Jagannath Chattopad- It was conveyed that the
hyay, left the hotel where spent meeting was for an upcoming
Tuesday night through the rear rally of the INDIA bloc and se-
entrance on Wednesday hood- lecting leaders to address these
winking guarding policemen. proposed rallies.
Dispelling the merger ru-
mours, Pune City NCP unit
president Prashant Jagtap said
his party will not be merged
with the Congress. The factions
will emerge with a new name
and symbol. He said the 2024
Lok Sabha and state assembly
elections fight for existence so
that they will fight with
vigour.
According to sources, the
merger talks are on, but no date
has been decided. “It’s a
long process, and a lot of
stake is also involved.
Besides, the roles of
every individual, in-
cluding Sharad Pawar,
Supriya Sule and other
leaders, must be defined
in the Congress. The talk is
whether the merger should
happen before the Lok Sabha
elections or after the state as-
sembly elections result.
The merger will boost both
parties. The cadre will get unit-
ed and motivated. Besides, both
have a similar ideology, so there
are not many hiccups in this
merger, but still, it is a long
process,” said a senior Con-
gress leader who requested an-
onymity. The NCP witnessed a
split after Deputy CM Ajit Pa-
war took over the party.
that everyone in Jharkhand will have
their own pucca house by the year
2027. No person will be forced to live
in a slum or a dilapidated house, he
said. Everyone will get a three-room
permanent house under Abua
Awaas Yojana launched by the
former Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
According to Champai, the state has
taken steps towards realising the
dream of 20 lakh poor, needy and
homeless people of having their own
pucca home. Champai also handed
over approval letters of Abua Awas
to several beneficiaries.
Cultivation of
thornless cactus
Thornless cactus will be cultivated
on barren lands of the state. It will
be started on an experimental basis
on 157 hectares of land all over the
state. Besides making the barren
land green, the scheme will also
become a source of income for the
locals. To make the barren land of
Jharkhand green, the state is taking
steps towards the cultivation of
thornless cactus. The scheme was
announced during a workshop on
the promotion of ‘Spineless Cactus
Plantation and Cultivation’
organized under the aegis of
Jharkhand State Watershed Mission
under Rural Development
Department. Objective behind this
scheme is sustainable development
of barren lands, watershed,
improvement of ecological balance.

Setback to Assam Cong Only 32 out of over 2 lakh educated Tribal tea seller thrashed
as 2 legislators join BJP unemployed youth got jobs in 2 yrs for refusing to pay bribe
us relentlessly from before,” wantsinh Rajput informed the other attacker about having
Gujarat’s listed
P R A SA N TA M A Z U M DA R @ Guwahati D I L I P S I N G H KS H AT R I YA A N U R A AG S I N G H @ Bhopal
Sarma told journalists. @Ahmedabad Assembly that Rajkot has 13,439 committed a murder in the
IN a setback to Congress ahead “The decision of Purka-
of Lok Sabha elections, two yastha and Das will strengthen A total of 2.38 lakh educated unemployment registered jobless individuals,
while Junagadh has 11,701,
THREE days after the incident
of a tribal youth being punched
past. Due to it, Parate didn’t tell
anyone about it.
MLAs of the party in Assam our government. Purkayastha people in Gujarat are unem- Panchmahal has 12,334, Suren- and kicked by a Bajrang Dal It was when the video went
decided to extend their support has resigned as Congress work- ployed and have registered dranagar has 12,435 and Dahod leader was reported in Betul viral on Tuesday that he finally
to the BJP govern- ing president. I re- themselves for employment has 11,095. But no one has a gov- district, an even more shocking admitted it to his elder brother,
ments in the state and spect the decision of with various departments, ac- ernment job. incident of another tribal man after which the matter was re-
21,633

at the centre. both MLAs. In the cording to government data. As per the data, in the last Ashish Parte being stripped ported to the local police.
Chief Minister coming days, we all Also, in the last two years, two years, 22 in Ahmedabad, 09 and brutally assaulted while A case has been lodged under
16,400

Himanta Biswa Sar- Respecting the MLAs and ministers only 32 youths could land gov- in Bhavnagar, and 1 in Gandhi- being hung upside down has IPC and SC/ST (Prevention of
18,732

ma paraded the duo – leadership, will strive to ernment jobs. Of these, 22 were nagar have secured govern- been reported from the Atrocities) Act sections.
Cong ress working Kamalakhya Dey ensure special devel- in Ahmedabad, 9 in Bhavnagar, ment jobs. same area. Earlier on Monday, the
president Kamala- Purkayastha and opment of (Purka- and one in Gandhinagar. Thus, a total of Thirty-two Though the incident Betul district police had
khya Dey Purkayastha Basanta Das have yastha’s) Karimganj In response to a question educated youths got employ- with the tribal tea-sell- lodged a case against a
and Basanta Das – on decided to support North and (Das’) Man- posed by Congress MLAs in the ment in the same period. state er happened in Novem- Bajrang Dal leader
Wednesday as he ad- the constructive galdoi constituen- Assembly on Tuesday, the state Congress Leader of ber 2023, it has been Chanchal Rajput and
work of Assam
dressed the media in cies,” Sarma added. government stated that 2,38,978 Opposition Amit Chavda reported to the local po- aides for assaulting a
and central
Guwahati to break the governments. Criticising Con- educated unemployed have said, “The recruitment calen- lice, after its video went tribal youth Raju Uike on
13,439

11,095
12,334
12,435
11,701

news. gress for allegedly not been registered in the last two dar of government jobs exists viral on Tuesday night. camera. A viral video of the
“ Re s p e c t i n g t h e Himanta Biswa allowing its MLAs to years in a total of 29 districts, solely on paper.” The victim in the November shocking incident showed Raju
leadership of Prime Sarma attend gover nment while 10,757 partially-educated However, the State Industries 2023 incident, Ashish Parte, being punched and kicked on
2,362

Minister Narendra meetings and pro- unemployed have been regis- Minister rejected the Opposi- said the attackers (two accused) various parts of the body and
Surendranagar

Modi, Kamalakhya Dey Purka- grammes and meet ministers, tered, taking the number of tion’s claim. State Industries stripped before tying him up to being forced to sit like a rooster,
Panchmahal
Ahmedabad
Vadodara

yastha and Basanta Das have he asked how their constituen- educated unemployed people to Minister Balwantsinh Rajput be hung upside down and then for working with a DJ player
Junagarh
Dwarka
Anand

Dahod
Rajkot

decided to support the con- cies will develop if they cannot 2,49,735. stated, “The state has over 46 beat him with sticks and belts, Gullu, who had recently as-
structive work of Assam and highlight the problems. According to the data, Anand e m p l oy m e n t o f f i c e s t h at to demand ‘cut money’ for run- saulted the Bajrang Dal leader.
central governments. Two oth- “No opposition party had has the highest number of un- arrange employment ning the tea-shop. The shop is State Congress chief Jitu
er Cong ress le gislators – such a stance earlier. Several employed — 21,633, followed by hoomi Dwarka is the lowest programmes. An app was also run by Ashish with father. Patwari said this suggests that
Sashikanta Das and Siddeque Congress MLAs are not happy Vadodara at 18,732, Ahmedabad with 2,362 unemployed people. developed to provide Parate said that one of the at- tribals are being intentionally
Ahmed – have been supporting with this,” the CM said. ranks third at 16,400, and Devb- State Industries Minister Bal- information.” tackers who held a gun told the targeted in the state.

09 KOCHI
Indonesian
ex-general
Subianto
leads polls
JAKARTA
DEFENCE Minister
Prabowo Subianto, an ex-
general linked to past hu-
man rights atrocities,
claimed victory in Indo-
nesia’s presidential elec-
tion on Wednesday based
on unofficial tallies.
The 72-year-old candi-
date, who was once
banned by the United
States from entering for
two decades due to his
human rights record,
told thousands of sup-
porters in a sports stadi-
um in the capital, Jakar-
ta, that the victory,
according to an early, un-
official ‘quick count,’
was ‘the victory of all In-
donesians.’ There was no
declara-
tion by
electoral
officials
and the
two former
provincial
governors
who also
contested the election in
the world’s third-largest
democracy have not con-
ceded defeat.
Subianto was an army
general during the brutal
period of the Suharto dic-
tatorship that ended just
over 25 years ago. He
served as a special forces
commander in a unit
linked to torture and dis-
appearances, allegations
t h at h e ve h e m e n t ly
denies.
According to the unof-
ficial tallies conducted by
Indonesian polling agen-
cies, Subianto had be-
tween 57 per cent and 59
per cent of votes, with
more than 80 per cent of
the vote counted in poll-
ing places sampled.
The quick counts are
based on the actual vote
count at a sample of poll-
ing stations across Indo-
nesia. The laborious offi-
cial count may not be
finished for up to a
month, but quick counts
have provided an accu-
rate picture of the results
of all four presidential
elections held in Indone-
sia since it began direct
voting in 2004.
“We are grateful for the
quick count results,” he
said in the speech, broad-
cast on national televi-
sion. ‘We should not be
arrogant, we should not
be euphoric, we still have
to be humble, this victory
must be a victory for all
Indonesian people.’
To avoid a runof f
against his rivals, Subian-
to needs more than 50%
of all votes cast and at
least 20% in each of the
country’s provinces. AP
THURSDAY
Hamas joins Cairo truce talks on Day 2
4 killed as Israel launches Lebanon strikes, stoking fears of an escalating conflict in the region
A picture taken from Rafah shows smoke billowing over Khan Yunis in the distance following Israeli bombardment on the southern Gaza Strip | (R) Activists from Amnesty
International hold placards with statements made by civilians living in Rafah during a silent vigil outside the gates of Downing Steet in central London | PICS: AFP
GAZA STRIP
NEGOTIATIONS to pause the
Israel-Hamas war headed into
a second day in Cairo on
Wednesday, as Israel launched
a series of deadly strikes on
Lebanon, stoking fears of an
escalating conflict in the
region.
Mediators in Egypt were rac-
ing to secure a ceasefire and
free the remaining hostages be-
fore Israel proceeds with a full-
scale ground incursion into the
Gaza Strip’s crowded far-south-
ern city of Rafah.
A Hamas source said a dele-
gation was headed to Cairo to
meet Egyptian and Qatari me-
diators, after Israeli negotia-
tors held talks with the media-
tors on Tuesday.
Palestinian president Mah-
mud Abbas urged Hamas to
“quickly complete a prisoner
deal, to spare our Palestinian
people from the calamity of an-
other catastrophic event”.
Beijing 9 -6 SNY Los Angeles 18 8 SNY
9
Syrian soldiers killed in Islamic State group attack on
GLOBAL
WEATHER
LR: Light Rain WI: Windy HR: Heavy Rain SN: Snow
Colombo
Dhaka
Dubai
Houston
Istanbul
32
27
27
23
8
23
16
16
16
7
TDS
SNY
SNY
LC
LR
Melbourne
Moscow
New York
Singapore
Toronto
22
-11
3
31
1
11
-11
1
25
-1
SNY
SN
LC
TDS
SN
military barracks this week, an oppn war monitor said TDS: Thundershower LC: Light Cloud SNY: Sunny London 16 11 SNY Washington 11 2 SNY
15 02 2024
� �
Blasts hit gas
pipeline in Iran;
official calls it
act of sabotage
DUBAI
ISRAEL-GAZA: DAY 129
EXPLOSIONS struck a natural gas
pipeline in Iran early on Wednesday,
with an official blaming the blasts on
a ‘sabotage and terrorist action’ in
Tel Aviv WEST BANK
the country as tensions remain high
JORDAN
in the Middle East amid Israel’s war
Jerusalem on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
RAFAH
GA Z A Details were scarce, though the
STRIP
blasts hit a natural gas pipeline run-
ISR A EL
ning from Iran’s western Chaharma-
hal and Bakhtiari prov-
ince up north to cities
GAZA TOLL SO FAR on the Caspian Sea.
28,576
The roughly
1,270-kilometer (790-
mile) pipeline be-
gins in Asaluyeh, a
mas-Israel war on October 7, Spain and Ireland have asked hub for Iran’s offshore
WHO says Gaza hospitals are completely overwhelmed more than 240 people have been the European Union to South Pars gas field.
GENEVA: The World Health Organization lamented on killed in Lebanon, most of “urgently” examine whether Saeed Aghli, the manager of Iran’s
Wednesday that fewer than half of its requested aid-delivery them Hezbollah fighters but Israel is complying with its gas network control centre, told Ira-
missions in Gaza have been approved by Israel, stressing the also including over 30 civilians. human rights obligations in nian state television that a ‘sabotage
need to reach and resupply devastated hospitals across the Lebanese militant group Hez- Gaza under an accord that and terrorist’ action caused explo-
territory. “Hospitals are completely overwhelmed and bollah has traded near-daily links rights to trade ties sions along several areas of the line.
overflowing and undersupplied,” said Rik Peeperkorn, the WHO’s fire with Israeli troops since There are no known insurgent
Palestinians have begun
representative for the occupied Palestinian territories. Speaking the outbreak of the war in groups operating in that province,
evacuating the main hospital
to reporters in Geneva via video-link from Rafah in southern Gaza, with tens of thousands home to the Bakhtiari, a branch of
in Khan Yunis, according to
Gaza, he described how patients were frequently undergoing displaced on both sides of the Iran’s Lur ethnic group. Aghli did not
videos shared by medics on
unnecessary amputations of limbs that could have been saved border. name any suspects in the blasts.
Wednesday. Weeks of heavy
under ordinary circumstances. Decrying the “shrinking In the past, Arab separatists in
humanitarian space” in the Gaza Strip, he accused Israel of
Rafah fears fighting had isolated the
southwestern Iran have claimed at-
medical facility and claimed
obstructing aid deliveries across the Palestinian territory. AFP The potential for mass civilian tacks against oil pipelines. However,
the lives of several people
casualties in Rafah has trig- attacks against such infrastructure
inside it.
gered urgent appeals, even are rare elsewhere.
CIA Director William Burns Israel launched strikes on Leb- from close allies, for Israel to Iran has faced low-level separatist
had joined Tuesday’s talks with anon hours after fire from Leb- hold off sending troops into the
ERDOGAN IN EGYPT unrest from Kurds in its northwest,
David Barnea, head of Israel’s anon wounded multiple people last major population centre Turkish President Recep the Baluch in its east and Arabs in its
Mossad intelligence service, in northern Israel, according to they have yet to enter during Tayyip Erdogan arrived in the southwest since the 1979 Islamic Rev-
which Egyptian media said had medics. the war. Rafah, where more Egyptian capital on olution. However, tensions have risen
been mostly “positive”. The strikes in south Lebanon than 1.4 million Palestinians Wednesday on his first visit in recent years as Iran faces an econ-
US National Security Coun- killed four civilians including are trapped, is the main entry since 2012, sealing a thaw in omy hobbled by international sanc-
cil spokesperson John Kirby two children and wounded nine point for desperately needed re- ties between the regional tions over its nuclear programme.
described the negotiations as other people, a Lebanese secu- lief supplies and UN agencies heavyweights. Erdogan had The country has faced years of mass
“constructive and moving in rity source said, speaking on have warned of a humanitari- said he would discuss with demonstrations, most recently in 2022
the right direction”. condition of anonymity. an disaster if an assault goes Egyptian President Sisi over the death of Mahsa Amini after
With regional tensions high, Since the outbreak of the Ha- ahead. AFP efforts to halt the bloodshed her arrest allegedly over how she
wore her mandatory headscarf. AP

10 KOCHI
IRDAi issues
draft rules for
Bima Sugam
Regulator is trying to establish online
insurance marketplace in line with ONDC
M O N I K A YA DAV @ New Delhi
THE proposed insurance e-
marketplace will be jointly held
by all life, non-life and health
insurance companies, and offer
free services to consumers.
The Insurance Regulatory
and Development Authority of
India (IRDAI) on Tuesday is-
sued the draft framework for
establishment of Bima Sugam,
an insurance e-marketplace.
With Bima Sugam, the regu-
lator is trying to replicate the
ONDC (Open Network Digital
Commerce). The aim is to cre-
ate a digital public infra-
structure to boost insur-
ance penetration in
India, and improve
availability, accessibil-
ity, and affordability of
insurance services.
“Bima Sugam platform
shall be a one-stop solution for
all insurance stakeholders vis-
a-vis customers, insurers, inter-
mediaries, and insurance agents
to promote transparency, effi-
ciency, collaboration across en-
tire insurance value chain, tech-
nological innovation in the
sector, universalise and democ-
ratise insurance and to achieve
the vision of ‘Insurance for all
by 2047’,”IRDAI said.
Key aspects of the proposed
framework include formation
of a not-for-profit company un-
der Section 8 of the Companies
Act, 2013, responsible for oper-
IEA would benefit when India plays
a bigger role in it: Narendra Modi
E N S E CO N O M I C B U R E AU @ New Delhi
PRIME Minister Narendra
Modi on Tuesday said the Inter-
national Energy Agency (IEA)
would benefit when India plays
a bigger role in it. While ad-
dressing the Paris-based
organisation, the Prime Minis-
ter also said India had exceeded
all of its Paris Agreement
commitments towards
climate change.
“Inclusivity boosts the cred-
ibility and capability of any in-
stitution. 1.4 billion Indians
bring talent, technology, and in-
novation to the table. We bring
scale and speed, quantity and
quality to every mission. I am
sure that the IEA will benefit
when India plays a bigger role
POWERGRID posts PAT of
L4,028 cr, total income
L11,820 cr for Q3FY24
New Delhi: Power Grid Corporation
of India Limited (POWERGRID), a
‘Maharatna’ Company under
Ministry of Power, GoI, has
announced unaudited financial
results for Q3FY24 and nine
months ended 31st December
2023. For Q3FY24, on standalone
basis company has reported PAT
of I3,970 crore and Total Income
of I11,468 crore registering a YoY
growth of 7% and 2% respectively.
On consolidated basis, company
has reported PAT of I4,028 crore
and Total Income of I11,820 crore
registering a YoY growth of 10%
and 3% respectively. For nine
months ended 31st December
2023, on standalone basis,
company posted PAT (including
discontinued operations) and
Total Income of I11,347 crore and
I33,562 crore respectively. On
consolidated basis, company
posted PAT and Total Income of
I11,407crore and I34,608 crore
respectively.
THURSDAY
ating and maintaining the mar-
ketplace. The shareholding of
the company will be diversified
among life, general, and health
insurers, ensuring no single en-
tity holds a controlling stake.
IRDAI will nominate two
members to the company’s
board, which will establish a
risk management panel to ad-
dress various risks. Other pro-
visions include a consent-based
service architecture, and no
charges for consumers availing
Bima Sugam services.
The stakeholders can submit
their feedback on the draft regu-
lations by March 4 ,2024.
With Bima Sugam, a gov-
ernment-backed insur-
ance marketplace, the
government aims to
achieve insurance for
all by 2047. Currently, life
Insurance penetration in
India at 3.2% (of GDP) and non-
life penetration at about 1%.
Tarun Chugh, MD & CEO,
Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance,
said, “It’s an encouraging move
and a welcomed one for Indi-
ans, as they can get better ac-
cess to life insurance products
designed for their long-term
life goals.”
Venkatesh Naidu, CEO, Ba-
jajCapital Insurance Broking,
said, “Bima Sugam can bridge
the insurance gap, empower in-
formed choices, and pave the
way for a financially secure fu-
ture for millions.”
India’s commitment
Prime Minister Narendra
Modi said India is home to
17% of global population.
Yet, India’s carbon emissions
account for only 4% of
global total. He said India is
firmly committed to
combating climate change
in it. Let us harness this plat-
form to strengthen existing
partnerships and for m
new ones. Let us build a clean-
er, greener, and inclusive
world,” said Modi.
In a recorded message at the
50th Ministerial Meeting of the
IEA, Modi said India had ex-
ISB&M’s Crescendo 2024: A Triumph of
Talent, Emotion, and Artistic Expression
In a display of creativity and diversity, ISB&M capped off its
three-day extravaganza, Crescendo 2024. The event set the stage
alight with its powerful theme, “Feel It, Rock It, Live It,”
showcasing a powerhouse of talent from colleges in and around
Pune such as TC College Baramati, Modern College, Raja Shiv
Prasad College, Jharia, NICMAR, ISB&M COC, ISB&M College, New
Law College, Chintan Jain, Christ University LAVASA, and
Symbiosis Institute of Technology. The inauguration ceremony
was graced by presence of Kajal Jain, Miss Diva Earth.
15 02 2024
� �
ED initiates probe against Paytm Payments Bank
E X P R E SS N E WS S E R V I C E @ New Delhi
IN a fresh trouble for Paytm, the
Enforcement Directorate (ED)
has initiated a preliminary in-
quiry against One97 Communi-
cations Ltd and its subsidiary
Paytm Payments Bank.
The agency has sought infor-
mation from the troubled fin-
tech firm regarding ‘customers’
who may have been involved in
dubious transactions.
Officials aware of the devel-
opment said the Reserve Bank
of India (RBI), which cracked
down on the payment bank arm
of Paytm over non-compliance
last month, has asked the ED to
RENEWABLES
Adani Green
starts 551 MW
solar plant in Guj
E N S E CO N O M I C B U R E AU @ New Delhi
ADANI Green Energy Limited
(AGEL), an Adani Group arm,
on Wednesday announced the
commencement of operations
for its 551-megawatt (MW) solar
power generation capacity at
Khavda in Gujarat.
The company said it achieved
this milestone within 12 months
of starting work on the Khavda
RE park. This involved develop-
ing basic infrastructure, in-
cluding roads and connectivity,
and creating a self-sustaining
social ecosystem.
“Adani Green Energy is cre-
ating one of the world’s most
extensive renewable energy
ecosystems for solar and wind,”
said Gautam Adani, Chairman
of the Adani Group.
“Through bold and innova-
tive projects like the Khavda
RE plant, AGEL continues to
set higher global benchmarks
and rewrite the world’s plan-
ning and execution standards
for gigawatt-scale renewable
energy projects.” This mile-
stone validates the Group’s
commitment in accelerating
equitable clean energy transi-
tion journey towards its goals
of 500 GW of renewable energy
capacity by 2030, he said.
ceeded its Paris Climate com-
mitments, ahead of the time-
line. He highlighted that India is
home to 17% of the global popu-
lation and runs some of the
world’s largest energy access
initiatives. Yet, India’s carbon
emissions account for only 4%
of the global total. He said the
country is firmly committed to
combating climate change.
“Ours is a collective and
proactive approach. India has
already led initiatives such as
the International Solar Alli-
ance. Our Mission LiFE focuses
on pro-planet lifestyle choices
for a collective impact. ‘Reduce,
Reuse, and Recycle’ is a part of
India’s traditional way of life.
India’s G20 Presidency saw sig-
nificant action on this front.”
Market 267.64
Watch 96.80
check for suspected breaches at
the fintech company.
One 97 Communications on
Wednesday accepted that its
subsidiaries and its associate,
Paytm Payments Bank Limited
have over time been receiving
notices and requisition for in-
formation, documents and ex-
planations from the authori-
ties, including ED, with respect
to the “customers that may
have done business with the re-
spective entities, and provided
the required information, doc-
uments and explanations to the
authorities”.
It added, “The company and
its associate have continued to
‘Founder, investors responsible for Byju’s crisis’
E N S E CO N O M I C B U R E AU @ Bengaluru
ONE rotten apple in India does
not darken the cloud, said
edtech firm UpGrad founder
Ronnie Screwvala, hinting at
Byju’s. According to him, this
should not affect the entire
edtech sector in the country.
He said at an event in Guru-
gram on Wednesday, “It is a
joint accountability of the
founder and 51 investors, who
felt it was more important in a
board meeting to ask, ‘When’s
SC suggests expert panel to look into
Sterlite Thoothukudi plant reopening
S U C H I T R A K A LYA N M O H A N T Y
@ New Delhi
THE Supreme Court on
Wednesday asked the parties
whether a committee of ex-
perts can be constituted to in-
spect the viability of reopening
of Vedanta’s Sterlite Copper
plant at Thoothukudi with
stringent conditions in place.
During the course of the
hearing on Wednesday, a three-
judge bench of the top court,
headed by Chief Justice of In-
dia (CJI) Dr Dhananjaya Yes-
hwant Chandrachud and also
comprising Justices JB Pardi-
wala and Manoj Mishra ob-
served that “a way forward”
must be found so that the “as-
set” is not lost by the country.
On the Supreme Court’s pro-
posal of a special committee to
prescribe safeguards for re-
suming operations at Vedanta’s
copper smelter plan in Tuti-
corin, the Tamil Nadu govern-
Muthoot Finance reports 23% increase in Q3 net
E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @Kochi
MUTHOOT Finance Ltd has re-
ported a 23% increase in its
consolidated profit after tax for
the quarter ended December
31, 2023, at `1,145 crore as
against Rs 934 crore in the same
quarter previous year.
During the quarter, consoli-
dated loan assets under man-
agement increased by `3,280
crore, i.e. an increase of 4%
QoQ, a release said here after
the NBFC’s board of directors
met on Wednesday to consider
Petronet LNG executes
contract for 7.5 MMTPA
LNG with Qatar Energy
Petronet LNG Limited (PLL),
India’s flagship LNG terminal
owning company, has successfully
concluded and executed LNG Sale
& Purchase Agreement (LNG
SPA) for purchase of around 7.5
MMTPA LNG with QatarEnergy on
long-term basis today. This is
pursuant to extension of an
existing LNG SPA forLNG supply
of around 7.5 MMTPA LNG Sale &
Purchase Agreement on FOB
basis, signed on 31st July 1999 for
supplies till 2028. Under the new
agreement, LNG supplies will be
made on delivered (DES) basis
commencing from 2028 till 2048.
Similar to earlier agreement of
1999, the LNG volumes under the
new SPA shall also be offtaken by
GAIL (India) Limited (60%),
Indian Oil CorporationLimited
(30%) and Bharat Petroleum
corporation Limited (10%) after
regasification primarily from
Dahej Terminal of PLL on
substantially back to back basis.
MARKET
Sensex 71,822.83 H680
Nifty 21,840.05 H600
provide such information, doc-
uments and explanations to the
Authorities as is being required
by them.” The company also
clarified that Paytm Payments
Bank does not undertake out-
your next secondary?’ versus ‘I
don’t see a CFO’ and so that one
single aspect I don’t think is go-
ing to hold the whole educa-
tion sector to ransom.”
He said the sector
needs change with fru-
gality. The serial entre-
preneur and investor
has been a vocal critic
of Byju’s. His comments
come at a time when the
firm’s major shareholders have
called for an extraordinary gen-
eral meeting (AGM) to reconsti-
ment opposed the move citing
repeated violations by Vedanta
The court also further pointed
out that there are only three-
four copper smelters in the
country and that fact can’t be
overlooked.
“State is a guardian for its res-
idents. Equally we can’t over-
look the national interest,” CJI
Chandrachud remarked. Vedan-
ta had filed a petition in the apex
court challenging the Madras
High Court’s decision against
Consolidated
loan assets
During the quarter,
consolidated loan assets under
management increased by
I3,280 crore, i.e. an
increase of 4% QoQ
and approve the unaudited
standalone and consolidated re-
sults for the quarter ended De-
cember 31, 2023.
Muthoot Finance’s consoli-
Producer company comes to farmers’
aid, turns them into agripreneurs
E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @ Kochi
TAKING its success story one
step further, Travancore Rural
Development Producer Com-
pany Ltd (Travanco), which is
among the first farmers’ pro-
ducer companies to be estab-
lished in India to help them
deal with crises and setbacks in
the agriculture sector, is plan-
ning to set up a chain of hyper-
m a rke t s e x c l u s ive l y f o r
farmers.
The company with a mem-
bership of 8,500 farmers and an
annual turnover of Rs 10 crore
has registered notable profit
during the last 16 years.
“By FY 2024-25, we aim to
build up our membership to
50,000 and increase revenue to
Rs 75 lakh,” said Adoor Sethu,
CEO, of Travanco. The compa-
ny aims to turn farmers into
entrepreneurs, also known as
agripreneurs, by imparting
GOLD
24 carat (10 gm) H62,310 H1500
22 carat (10 gm) H57,150 H15
newindianexpress com
ward foreign remittance.
The clarification by Paytm
came amid reports that the ED
was probing if Paytm and the
payments bank were involved
in foreign exchange violations.
The fintech major had recently
denied rumours that neither
the company nor founder/CEO
Vijay Shekhar Sharma was be-
ing probed by the agency.
“We have consistently as-
sured that neither Paytm nor
any of its associates are under
investigation by any regulatory
agency” the company had said
recently.
In a big setback for SoftBank-
backed Paytm, the RBI recently
tute the board. Reacting to it in
a X post, he said, “Finally some-
one smelt the coffee!! Hope its
not a whiff and then whim-
per but they will stay the
course and get this done
- for the whole eco sys-
tem! For India as an in-
vestment destination!
For just credibility over-
all of an otherwise sun-
rise and sunshine sector.”
At the EGM to be held on Fri-
day, shareholders will discuss
the issues including a change in
Way must be found
so asset is not lost: SC
During the course of hearing on
Wednesday, a three-judge bench,
headed by Chief Justice of India
(CJI) Dr Dhananjaya Yeshwant
Chandrachud and also comprising
Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj
Mishra observed that “a way
forward” must be found so
that the “asset” is not lost by
the country
the reopening of the plant.
The Wednesday’s argument
was inconclusive and would
continue on Friday.
The closure order was passed
after the plant had turned into
a protest site with citizens op-
posing expansion of the plant.
The order was supported by the
state government. The protest
took a violent turn, when po-
lice opened fire on the protest-
ers, leading to several people
losing their lives.
dated loan assets under man-
agement grew 27% YoY to
`82,773 crore as at nine months
ended December 31, 2023, as
against `65,085 crore in the
same period previous year.
The consolidated profit
after tax for the nine-
month period stood at
`3,285 crore as against
`2,661 crore the previous
year, an increase of 23%
YoY. George Jacob Muthoot,
chairman, The Muthoot Group,
said the company’s consolidat-
ed loan assets under manage-
The hypermarket will have
all agricultural machinery,
mechanical equipment and
even imported seeds for the
farmer. It will also have sections
where produce procured from the
farmers directly at fair prices will be
available for sale— Adoor Sethu, CEO, of
Travanco
training to farmers, extending
credit and day-to-day opera-
tional assistance, along with
m a rke t s u p p o r t f o r t h e
purpose.
Explaining more about the
expansion plans, Sethu said,
“The hypermarket will have all
agricultural machinery, me-
chanical equipment and even
imported seeds for the farmer.
It will also have sections where
produce procured from the
farmers directly at fair prices
will be available for sale.”
Based on a survey conducted
among farmers in seven dis-
tricts, an action plan by the
SILVER
1 kg H74,000
FOREX
Dollar 83.03
10 gm H740 Euro 88.96
barred its payments bank from
taking new or top-up deposits
in customer accounts, prepaid
instruments, wallets, etc. after
February 29, 2024, owing to
non-compliance. This, as per
analysts, will result in a reduc-
tion in revenue and more losses
for the already loss-making
company. Not to forget custom-
er exodus in large numbers.
The RBI has already ruled
out any review of its action
against the firm. “If you are ex-
pecting a review of the deci-
sion, let me very clearly say
there is (going to be) no review
of the decision,” RBI Governor
Shaktikanta Das had said.
management. They might vote
for a revamp of the existing
board. Earlier, reacting to EGM,
Think & Learn, parent of Byju’s,
emphasised that the sharehold-
er’s agreement doesn’t give
them right to vote on CEO or
management change.
Akshay Munjal, CEO and
Founder, Hero Vired, said,
edtech platforms are undergo-
ing a significant transformation
with a focus on personalised
learning experiences driven by
AI and ML technologies.
EXPRESS READ
Sanjay Kumar Jain
new CMD of IRCTC
NEW DELHI: Railway PSU IRCTC
on Wednesday announced the
appointment of Sanjay Kumar
Jain as its Chairman and MD with
immediate effect. Prior to this
role, Jain was Principal Chief
Commercial Manager (PCCM) of
Northern Railway, Indian Railway
Catering and Tourism Corporation
Ltd (IRCTC) said in an exchange
filing. Jain has relinquished the
charge of PCCM/Northern Railway
on February 13. ENS
Vibhor Steel Tubes IPO
booked 101.30 times
NEW DELHI: The initial public
offer of steel pipes manufacturer
Vibhor Steel Tubes Ltd was
subscribed by a whopping 101.30
times on the second day of
bidding on Wednesday. The IPO
received bids for 36,39,20,733
shares against 35,92,445 shares
on offer, garnering a 101.30 times
subscription, as per NSE data. The
category for qualified institutional
buyers subscribed 8.52 times. ENS
ment crossed the milestone of
`80,000 crore and standalone
loan assets under management
crossed the milestone of
`70,000 crore. The contribution
of subsidiaries in the consoli-
dated profit after tax also in-
creased to 9% from 4% last
year, he said. George Alexan-
der Muthoot, managing direc-
tor, Muthoot Finance, said, “In
Q3 FY24, the standalone loan
AUM grew by `2,180 crore, pri-
marily driven by growth in gold
loan of `1,704 crore, reaching
`71,182 crore.
name “Strengthening of the
Livelihoods of 40,000 Marginal
Farmers’’ was drawn up to help
increase their income from
farming by up to four-fold.
“We have been collectively
giving about Rs 1 crore as Kisan
Mitra Loan on an average to 200
farmers in a month in the last
one-and-a-half years. Till now,
Rs 15 crore has been disbursed
to over 3,000 farmers across
more than 600 farmer interest
groups. Not even a single farm-
er has defaulted on repayment
to date and this proves the suc-
cess of the project,” he said.
Recently, Federal Bank and
Canara Bank have come for-
ward to join hands with Tra-
vanco, thanks to the success of
the scheme that improved the
lives of marginal farmers.
A Rs 250-crore project has
been drawn up for uplifting the
marginal farmers during 2024-
25.

11 KOCHI
G O M E S H S @ Rajkot
LET’S be honest. Before the
Hyderabad Test, many doubted
whether England would have
any success in India. And there
were merits to the argument.
India had lost only two home
Tests in the past decade. They
were and are a monster at
home in Test cricket. If anyone
had bet that India would lose
the first Test after taking a 190-
run lead, you’d have laughed
them off and rightly so.
Yet, they did and two Tests
on, both teams are at Rajkot
and the series reads 1-1. And
for the first time in 12 years, a
visiting team has a chance to
do something no one else could.
Win two matches against India
in a home Test series. And what
more, they perhaps have the
best venue to do it. The Sau-
rashtra Cricket Association
Stadium, which got a new name
after the former cricket admin-
istrator Niranjan Shah on
Thursday.
So, at the Niranjan Shah Sta-
dium, where the pitches have
been historically good for bat-
ting, England would fancy their
chances. That they have
brought in pacer Mark Wood in
place of Shoaib Bashir says
what England think of the sur-
face. “You look down the wicket
there are two cracks that sort
of bummed me but again only
time will tell if they actually
come into it but yeah, obvious-
ly you never want to go with
too many preconceived ideas
around wickets but you have to
sort of have some kind of idea
Time for captain to rise & lead from the front
G O M E S H S @ Rajkot
ROHIT Sharma is the third-
highest run-getter among Test
openers since he started on the
job against South Africa five
years ago. He has 2242 runs in
49 innings just below Dimuth
Karunaratne (2358 in 48 in-
nings) and David Warner (2328
in 58). His average, 48.73, is
third among openers with
more than 2000 runs in the
period.
At home, he averages a tinge
above 52 and has five centuries,
the last one being against Aus-
tralia in Nagpur. Which is why,
there have been questions
about his on-field tactics
against England in the first
two Tests and red-ball captain-
cy in general, but not about the
fact that Rohit has not crossed
the 40-run mark in eight in-
nings (13, 14, 39, 24, 16*, 39, 0, 5).
Or about how he hasn’t scored
a fifty in his last five Tests.
Truth be told, it is not that
Rohit has been entirely out of
form, or has a technical flaw.
He had one of the best white-
City, Real inch
closer to quarters
Manchester City closed in on the
Champions League quarterfinals
with a dominant
display while
Real Madrid
posted a 1-0
win away at RB Leipzig.
Talking points...
THREE-STAR SHOW BY CITY
Facing FC Copenhagen, Kevin De
Bruyne’s early opener was cancelled
out against the run of play by
Magnus Mattsson. Bernardo Silva
restored City’s lead before half-time,
but they had to wait until stoppage
time to add further punishment.
11 City have won 11 consecutive
games in all competitions as
they remain on course to repeat
last season’s treble.
Tuesday’s results (Last 16, first legs): In Leipzig: RB
Leipzig (GER) 0-1 Real Madrid (ESP); In Copenhagen:
FC Copenhagen (DEN) 1-3 Manchester City (ENG).
Prime time: Chennai Blitz take on Ahmedabad Defenders in PVL opener
E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @ Chennai
WITH the third season of the
Prime Volleyball League set to
begin, all the captains of the
nine franchises came face to
face in a grand pre-season get-
together in Chennai on Wednes-
day at the Jawaharlal Nehru
indoor Stadium, Periyamet.
Defending champions
Ahmedabad Defenders will take
on hosts Chennai Blitz in the
opening clash on Thursday,
THURSDAY 15 02 2024
� �
Runs or ruins, Test begins
With India’s untested middle-order, visitors England will fancy their chances in third Test
India’s Shubman Gill (R) during a practice session on Wednesday | PTI
which is obviously why you
ended up picking the XI that
you have done,” Stokes said
about the surface on
Wednesday.
As someone who has played
all his domestic first-class
cricket here, Ravindra Jadeja,
who’s returning from an inju-
ry, said that the nature of the
surfaces varies from time to
time. “Sometimes you get 36
wickets in three games. Some-
times it’s different. This one
looks hard. I think it will play
ball year ever as a captain and
opener in 2023, led India to the
final of the men’s ODI World
Cup as well as the World Test
Championship. It might seem
like he is just going through a
lean patch as any high-per-
formance athlete would.
However, context matters.
Eight innings with-
out getting to 40s is
one thing, but it is
not that he didn’t get
starts. Thrice he got
the starts and then
got out, and more
than the dismissals,
it is the way he has
gotten out. While he
has gotten a couple
of peaches from Kagiso Raba-
da and James Anderson, there
have been quite a few soft dis-
missals as well. In the first in-
nings of Centurion, he pulled
Rabada straight into the hands
of long leg fielder. In Hydera-
bad, with a massive lead in the
bank, he tried to go after Jack
Leach only to be caught by Ben
Stokes. In Visakhapatnam, he
flicked Shoaib Bashir straight
INFLUENTIAL DE BRUYNE
De Bruyne was sidelined for five months by a
hamstring tear suffered on the opening night of the
Premier League season in August. But since his return
Diaz last month, the 32-year-old has scored two goals and
provided seven assists in seven appearances.
DIAZ STEPS UP FOR REAL
In the other match, Leipzig were energetic but wasteful
early, while Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin made
many saves after the hosts controversially had a goal
disallowed for offside. The German club were made to
pay early in the second half when Brahim Diaz (L) opened
the scoring. Diaz danced past three Leipzig defenders
before curling an inch-perfect shot inside the far post.
while last season’s runners-up
Bengaluru Torpedoes will face
the Season 1 winners Kolkata
Thunderbolts.
Meanwhile, Chen-
nai captain Akhin GS
said his side will have
an advantage playing
in familiar condi-
tions and will rely on
the noise from the fans.
“Dakshinamoorthy sir, who
was the coach of the previous
season’s winners, has joined us
well at the start and probably
slowly start to break much lat-
er,” Jadeja noted.
The debate about the pitch
apart, India, despite the victory
in Visakhapatnam and the re-
turn of Ravindra Jadeja, have
more holes in their team than
the visiting side. They do not
have KL Rahul or Shreyas Iyer.
The middle-order is likely to be
Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan
and Jadeja. Throw in Dhruv
Jurel in the mix, should he play
in KS Bharat’s spot, that is one
into the hands of Ollie Pope.
Now, Rohit has always been the
kind of batter who takes on the
ball. When it comes to Test
cricket, it’s something that has
made for a debatable topic even
when he was a middle-order
batter. Like how he tried to go
after Nathan Lyon and got out
when he was set and
going well, multiple
pull shot dismissals
and so on. There’s al-
ways been an argu-
ment about risk ver-
sus reward. The
problem now is that
there is no Virat Kohli
or Chesteshwar Pu-
jara to carry on. There
is no Rishabh Pant to continue
the madness from where Rohit
had left.
In this Indian team, Rohit is
indispensable. In form or not,
he is the senior-most reliable
batter in the side. While young-
sters like Yashasvi Jaiswal
have piled on runs, and with
Shubman Gill set to get a long-
er rope for now, Rohit is the
name and player everyone
this season and this develop-
ment has been a major boost for
us in this championship. We
feel confident
that we are on
the right track
entering the
first game. We
also expect a lot
of support from
the home crowd and we expect
them to pack the stands in huge
numbers and make their voices
heard. Their support will help
B’luru Open: Ramkumar
upsets top seed Nardi
India Probable XI: Rohit, Jaiswal, Gill,
Patidar, Sarfaraz, Jurel, Jadeja, Ashwin,
Bumrah, Siraj, Kuldeep.
England Playing XI: Crawley, Duckett,
Pope, Root, Bairstow, Stokes, Foakes,
Wood, Rehan, Hartley, Anderson.
Test match between three mid-
dle-order players.
That is not just it. In the
bowling department, they have
Jadeja, R Ashwin and Jasprit
Bumrah, who reached Rajkot
but didn’t attend the training.
Apart from these three, who
will be the other two? Will In-
dia go with four spinners and a
lone pacer on what is expected
to hard surface? Does Moham-
med Siraj come back and one
of Axar Patel/Kuldeep Yadav
make way for Jadeja? The ques-
tions remain. The bigger ques-
tion, however, is whether India
will counter England’s ap-
proach better than they did in
Hyderabad. While Bumrah’s
brilliance came in handy in Vi-
zag, and he might just repeat it
again in Rajkot, it is not fair to
expect it from him every single
time. By and large, India would
want their spinners to step up
and do the job — something
one thought was a routine.
That even Jadeja expected Ash-
win to get to 500 Test wickets in
looks up to. He is the batter op-
ponents are wary of. For they
know what he can do if he bats
through a couple of sessions.
England players would not
have forgotten the century in
Chennai 2021. And that is why,
for a team that is in transition,
with Kohli not available
against a world-class opposi-
tion, Rohit, the batter, is as im-
portant as Rohit, the captain.
If not, more. Which begs the
question — is it time to talk
about Rohit’s batting?
In Rajkot, if India go on to
hand debut to two players,
their middle-order will have an
experience of one Test. The
other opener is still making a
name for himself and No. 3
just scored his first hundred in
that position. If there ever was
an occasion for Rohit to step up
and score big runs, this was it.
India need their captain, the
most experienced batter and
one of the top openers in the
world to just bat through a cou-
ple of sessions. That is all Ro-
hit needs to take the game
away from England. Can he?
Mohun Bagan edge FC Goa in ISL
A G E N C I E S @ Margao
MOHUN Bagan Super Giant
ended the 12-match-long un-
beaten streak of FC Goa in the
Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-
24 by inflicting a 1-0 loss upon
the Gaurs at the Fatorda Sta-
dium on Wednesday
A 75th-minute winner by
Dimitrios Petratos sealed the
deal for the Mariners as they
got a second consecutive victo-
ry under their belt and prevent-
ed Manolo Marquez & Co. from
bridging the gap between them
and league-leaders Odisha FC.
The home side teased the Mo-
hun Bagan Super Giant as their
personnel tested them from
both set-pieces and open play in
the first 20 minutes. Brandon
Fernandes was at the forefront
of it all, setting up deliveries
for Carlos Martinez and Noah
Sadaoui at different junctures.
Martinez was caught off side
us go a long way,” said Akhin.
Meanwhile, Ahmedabad skip-
per Muthusamy Appavu, dur-
ing the press briefing, made his
intentions clear that his team
will be gunning to make it two
titles in a row.
“There is always pressure
when you enter the tournament
as the defending champions. It
puts a target on your back. But
it also motivates the players in
equal measure and we are eager
to showcase our skills once
India’s Ramkumar Ramanathan fought back impressively after losing the
opening set to upset top seed Luca Nardi of Italy to reach the singles
quarterfinals of the Bengaluru Open 2024 being played at the Karnataka
State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA) Stadium on Wednesday. Ramkumar
banked on his big serves to beat Nardi 1-6, 6-4, 6-4.
the first Test itself tells what
the players expect of them-
selves. However, it hasn’t hap-
pened yet. And despite know-
ing and seeing the way England
have played, India had a slip up
in Hyderabad, and haven’t
done anything so far to sur-
prise them.
In Rajkot, Rohit would want
the spinners to not just do the
job, but also try and keep a
check on the run rate. Jadeja,
meanwhile, believes that Eng-
land just bats a little aggres-
sively and it all comes down to
how they adapt and move to-
wards plan B and C. “Their
style is such that they play ag-
gressive cricket. Sometimes
what happens is that when a
batter tries different things
sometimes it connects, some-
times it doesn’t. That is style
and they will continue to play
like that. For us, it is about
what is the plan B if they con-
tinue to play like that. Based on
that we would want to keep
field placements and bowl ac-
cordingly. As a bowling unit,
our plan is to do the opposite of
theirs and ensure that they are
not playing the same shots they
want to and keep scoring runs,”
said Jadeja.
Full story: newindianexpress.com
Lead in mind
With the series locked at 1-1,
both sides will keen on getting
ahead at Rajkot. A look...
WOOD WALKS IN
With the surface expected to be
much flatter than the previous two
Tests, England has named Mark
Wood in the playing XI for Shoaib
Bashir. He, along with James
Anderson, will be sharing the fast
bowling duties on a pitch where
the batters might flourish.
CENTURY FOR STOKES
Numbers apart, to have the impact
he has had for England as a player
and captain, it’s only fair to say
that Ben Stokes is one of the finest
all-rounders to have played for
the country. On Thursday, he will
scale another peak, walking onto
the field for the 100th time as a
Test player.
SPIN COMBINATION
With Ravindra Jadeja featuring,
the question moves to whether
India will play both Axar Patel and
Kuldeep Yadav along with Jasprit
Bumrah as the lone pacer. If not, it
might become a toss up between
Axar and Kuldeep.
India vs England, third Test, Rajkot
Live on Sports18 and JioCinema, 9.30AM
Mohun Bagan’s Dimitrios Petratos (L)
celebrates his goal vs FC Goa | ISL
from a promising position in
the fifth minute, and one of
Brandon’s own efforts from
long-range was on target but
couldn’t get past Vishal Kaith
soon afterwards.
Petratos quickly turned the
again. We have a new coach, the
vastly-experienced Dragan Mi-
hailovic sir and we have had a
tremendous pre-season. Now, it
is all about the execution of our
plans,” he said. All nine teams
will play against each other
once. By the end of the league
stage, the top-five teams with
the most points will enter the
Super 5’s stage. In the Super 5’s
stage, the five teams will play
against each other once. The
team with the most points by
Under Rohit, we will
win T20 WC: BCCI secy
G O M E S H S @ Rajkot
AFTER months of speculation
on who will captain India in the
upcoming T20 World Cup, the cat
is out of the bag. BCCI secretary
Jay Shah confirmed on Wednes-
day that Rohit Sharma will be at
the helm, leading India’s pursuit
to end the ICC trophy drought in
the United States and West
Indies.
“Rohit was captaining (in the
past and in other formats) and
he came back for the Afghani-
stan series, which means we
were going to let him continue
forward,” Shah told reporters
on the sidelines of an event at
the Niranjan Shah Stadium,
Rajkot. India head coach Rahul
Dravid, captain Rohit, chair-
man of the men’s senior selec-
tion committee Ajit Agarkar
attended the said event.
“When Hardik was injured
in the World Cup, who else can
we give the captaincy? In the
third T20I against Afghanistan,
India were 22/4 and the way he
took the team to 212/4, we can’t
Sakshi, Bajrang threaten
to recommence protest
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
@ Chennai
A DAY after the United World
Wrestling (UWW) lifted the sus-
pension on the Wrestling Federa-
tion of India, Sakshi Malik and
Bajrang Punia accused the WFI
chief Sanjay Kumar Singh of
conniving with the world body to
get a decision in his favour. The
duo also threatened to restart
their agitation if Sanjay Singh-
led WFI is allowed to function.
“We came to know
yesterday that Sanjay
Singh had done some
setting with UWW to
get the suspension
lifted. Brij Bhushan
(Sharan Singh) and
Sanjay Singh have left
no stone unturned to Bajrang Punia
show that they are
above the law,” said Sakshi in a day-to-day affairs of the WFI, is
video posted on ‘X’.
Adding further she said, Roman wrestlers, two coaches
“Our protest has only been sus- and a physiotherapist to Baku,
pended. I might have retired Azerbaijan for a 20-day train-
from wrestling but I not will ing camp. The team is sched-
tolerate Brij Bhushan or his uled to leave on Thursday night.
people running the federation “The plan is on as the panel has
and harassing women. In the not been given any directives
next 2-4 days, we will contact after the UWW’s decision. The
the people associated with our camp has been sanctioned and
agitation and chalk out the fu- team is set to leave on Thurs-
ture course of action. I urge the day night,” said a source.
tables with a sharp turnaround
as he switched the ball on his
feet and attempted to curl in a
shot from distance in the 21st
minute. Thankfully for FC Goa,
goalkeeper Arshdeep Singh
stretched fully on his left to
keep the scores level.
Incidentally, the duo of Arsh-
deep and Petratos was at the
centre of attraction yet again,
in a move that decided the even-
tual fate of the game. The Mari-
ners broke on the counter and
a usually organised FC Goa
backline seemed out of place,
which Manvir Singh looked to
capitalise upon by putting the
ball past Arshdeep in the 74th
minute.
The goalkeeper, who had kept
the most clean sheets in the
league before this, made a hasty
clearance that Petratos pounced
upon and swirled over the cus-
todian to bag the eventual win-
ner of the contest.
the end of Super 5’s stage will
reach the final. The team that
finishes second and third in Su-
per 5’s stage will compete in the
Eliminator match. Winner of
Eliminator will be the second
team in the final.
Today’s matches: Ahmedabad
Defenders vs Chennai Blitz @ 6:30 PM;
Bengaluru Torpedoes vs Kolkata
Thunderbolts @ 8:30 PM.
Live on Sony Sports Network
newindianexpress com
question much about him,
right? He has the ability, as I
said, we won ten games in the
ODI World Cup. We didn’t win
the final, but it’s part and par-
cel of the game. Whoever plays
better, wins,” he added, con-
firming that Rahul Dravid will
be the head coach for the ICC
event.
After India’s semifinal exit in
the 2022 T20 World Cup, Rohit
had not featured in the shortest
format for more than a year.
Since then, Hardik Pandya had
been leading the side in T20Is
whenever he was available. It
was only after the loss to Aus-
tralia in the 2023 ODI World
Cup final, the speculations of
Rohit coming back in the short-
est format began.
In January 2024, Rohit, and
Virat Kohli, featured in the
three-match T20I series against
Afghanistan. In that series, Ro-
hit scored two ducks and a cen-
tury. India’s next international
assignment will be the 2024 T20
World Cup in the United States
and West Indies.
government (to ensure) that
Brij Bhushan or his group are
barred forever from (running)
the federation and some good
people are entrusted with the
task of doing the job.”
Bajrang echoed the senti-
ments and urged the govern-
ment not to force them to take
the streets again. “I request the
government to take a decision
in this regard. We, wrestlers,
will also speak to all organisa-
tions which supported us dur-
ing the previous pro-
test and take a
decision soon,” Punia
said.
Baku camp for GR
wrestlers?
Meanwhile, the ad-
hoc committee, which
has been managing
planning to send nine Greco-
EXPRESS READ
BATC: Sindhu & Co
shock China 3-2
SHAH ALAM (MALAYSIA): Two-
time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu
made a winning return from an
injury lay-off as India stunned
China 3-2 in the women’s
competition of the Badminton
Asia Team Championships. With
just two teams in Group W, India
were assured of a knock-out round
berth even before their opening
match. The men’s team posted a
4-1 win over Hong Kong to qualify
for the knock-out round.
India women go down
fighting vs Netherlands
ROURKELA: The Indian women’s
hockey team put up a much-
improved defensive show against
Netherlands but lack of sharpness
up front saw them lose the FIH
Pro League match 0-1 to the
World No 1 side here. This was the
home team’s fifth defeat in six
Pro League games so far and it
came about thanks to a superb
27th-minute field goal by Albers
Felice for the reigning Olympic,
world and Pro League champions.
Mooney to captain
Gujarat in WPL 2
NEW DELHI: Australia’s Beth
Mooney will captain Gujarat
Giants in the Women’s Premier
League beginning on February 23,
the franchise announced. Mooney
was named captain for the
inaugural season as well but got
injured after the first game and
could not take further part in the
competition. India all-rounder
Sneh Rana had led the side in her
absence. Rana has been named
vice-captain.
12 KOCHI THURSDAY 15 02 2024
� �
THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS newindianexpress com

MUKH MANTRI TEERTH YATRA

Sri Amritsar Sahib Sri Hazur Sahib Sri Patna Sahib Sri Anandpur Sahib

Mata Naina Devi Ji Sri Vrindavan Dham Mata Vaishno Devi Ji Mata Jwala Ji

Varanasi Mata Chintpurni Ji Sri Khatu Shyam Ji, Sri Salasar Dham Khwaja Ajmer Sharif Dargah

With the sincere efforts of

Son of Punjab
Bhagwant Singh Mann
Chief Minister

Over 20,000 devotees

made holy pilgrimage so far
NA/13/772/2023/32473

Bhagwant Singh Mann

Chief Minister, Punjab

Department of Transport, Punjab


DAY ’S D I A RY
New flag design
A new red-and-white maple leaf
design was adopted as the flag of
Canada, replacing the old Canadian
Red Ensign banner, in 1965
TOBY ANTONY
T
HE recent shooting at
a Kochi bar, injuring
FIRE
two employees, has
sparked concer ns
about the rising fre-
quency of gun-relat-
ed crimes in the dis-
trict. While gun violence was
once rare, numerous recent cases
involving pistols and airguns
have been reported in Kochi and
surrounding areas.
On Sunday, at 11.30pm, Vineeth,
of Parakkadavu, opened fire in
the Hotel Edassery Mansion bar
near Kaloor from his pistol. He
was with four friends, and fired
IN THE
four rounds. Two shots hit bar
employees, who are now recover-
ing after surgery in a hospital.
Vineeth, who fled the scene, has
a history of criminal cases, say
police officers. They suspect he
used a 7.62mm pistol, based on
the bullet casings found at the
HO LE
scene.
According to Ernakulam Cen-
tral Assistant Commissioner of
Police Raju V K, the specific pis-
tol used in the case is yet to be
analysed. “Our investigation sug-
gests it’s a model that can be pur-
chased only with a valid gun li-
cense. However, considering
Vineeth’s background, we believe
he lacked one,” he notes.
“We are certain it’s not a
country-made gun. We can
gather more informa-
tion on how he got the
pistol only after ar-
resting him.”
Here is a quick look
at some ‘bullet points’ to ponder
over…
One of Kochi’s most sensation-
al gun crimes occurred in April
2006, when a bar owner, Mithila
Mohan, was shot at his house in
Vennala. Despite probes by the
police, Crime Branch, and CBI,
the killer remains elusive to date.
Tamil Nadu and Sri Lankan
sharpshooters were suspected,
but no fur ther evidence
emerged.
In May 2008, self-styled godman
Swami Himaval Bhadrananda
fired two shots from his pistol at
the Circle Inspector’s office room
in Aluva police station during a
negotiation discussion. ‘Thokku
Swami’ — as he came to be known
later — had earlier been arrested
and released on bail for threaten-
ing journalists for reports on an-
other self-styled godman San-
thosh Madhavan. The next day,
‘Thokku Swami’ appeared at the
station with a pistol, threatening
How about a Slap Day after V-Day?
A PA R N A N A I R
NAH, this has got nothing to do
with post-Valentine’s moral polic-
ing or bullying. It is, rather, about
what’s being called the Anti-Val-
entine’s Week – a week dedicated
to those souls crushed by Cupid.
First, their hearts broke and
bled, and then they struck a bal-
ance to turn back and think about
what and how exactly things
panned out. They then found
there might be more to love than
just the fluff and the mush and
the gifts and the flowery feel of
spring dawning when love
sprouts.
They find the feeling that the
bards lauded as immaculate may
have manipulative avatars in the
changed contexts, and the tug-
ging of the heart that swept them
off their feet could also slump
them into pits of self-pity.
World over, the Anti-Valentine’s
Week trend has gradually picked
up – to look at the other side of
the coin after the Feb 14 celebra-
tion. Some view it as a ‘tribute’ to
all those broken hearts and ‘vic-
tims’ of love who had picked
themselves up from shreds and
braved to move on, and even find
greener pastures.
Some others view it as a satiri-
cal take on V-Day, which has
turned into a customary delight,
both for those in love and those
banking their commerce in it.
“Love should not be delusional.
We should be practical. For me,
V-Day is not just about love and
lovers; my Valentine is my grand-
PUBLIC CEREMONY
The new maple leaf flag was made
official by a proclamation from
Queen Elizabeth II. It was inaugurated
at Parliament Hill. Thousands
gathered as the new flag was hoisted
The last thing Kochi needs is an underground
gun culture. While the recent shootout at a city
bar raises alarm over the safety of citizens,
police officers downplay it as a one-off incident
to kill himself. He fired two shots
before being overpowered by the
police.
In December 2018, two hired
shooters associated with under-
world don Ravi Pujari fired upon
a beauty parlour owned by model
Leena Maria Paul in Panampilly
Nagar, Kochi. It was apparently
an extortion attempt.
mother,” says a teenager in
Thiruvananthapuram.
As per the National Crime
Records Bureau (NCRB) report,
in the name of ‘love,’ India has
witnessed nearly a 2 per cent in-
crease in crime against women.
Also, the same report called ‘love
affairs’ the third biggest trigger
of murders in India.
Whereas in Kerala, the official
records say there were at least 30
cases reported in six years in the
state where unrequited love took
a deadly turn.
Of these, 20 victims died, and
the rest were seriously injured.
Between 2017 and 2021, at least 350
girls or women died in the name
of ‘love’; 10 were murdered and
340 died by suicide. The 2022 mur-
der of Sharon, who was allegedly
poisoned by his lover, was the talk
of the town and sparked memes
and comical takes on love in mod-
ern times.
“We need a balance and a prac-
tical sense of what love is. It is a
feeling that needs thought, under-
standing and a knowledge of ours
and the other person’s aspira-
tions,” says Bhagya Suresh, a col-
lege student from Varkala.
Anti-Valentine’s Week, per-
haps, helps in this context, not
just to lighten the mood and have
fun, but also to drive the message
that the path of love needs careful
treading.
“What we enjoy the most is the
Slap Day, on February 15,” quips
Milisha Yadav, who has finished
school and is planning higher
studies. “On that day, we are sup-
Ravi Poojari
In November
2020, Okkal resident
Adhil Shah was shot
in the chest by a five-
member gang at Perum-
bavoor. The gang first hacked
Adhil. Then, one of them shot
three rounds from a pistol, and
one hit the target.
In 2019, gangster Perumbavoor
We enjoy slap day the most. On
February 15, we are supposed to
slap negative emotions from
previous break-ups. The fun
take to this as we go about
playfully slapping our friends in
school
Milisha Yadav, student
posed to slap all those negative
emotions we have had as leftovers
of any previous break-ups. The
fun take to this as we go about
playfully slapping our friends in
school. The Kick Day, on Febru-
ary 16, too, gets the same treat-
ment. It used to be fun.”
Students chorus that “fun
means fun”, and there is no inten-
tion or scope for violence on these
days. “It’s like giving birthday
bumps or a pillow fight,” explains
Manoj K, of Kochi.
NEED FOR A NEW DESIGN
In 1960, Lester B Pearson, then leader
of the opposition, was determined to
solve “the flag problem.” He promised
to resolve this in time for Canada’s
centennial celebrations in 1967
Anas was arrested after a loaded
7.65mm pistol was found hidden
under his hospital bed during
medical treatment. He lacked a
license for the weapon.
In August 2021, a Kothaman-
galam dental student was fatally
shot by a stalker near her hostel.
The murder weapon was a coun-
try-made pistol procured from
Bihar.
In October 2022, an intoxicated
Rojan Paul, of Kannamaly, fired a
.32 revolver at the walls of a Ma-
radu bar.
And now, enter Vineeth, who
has absconded.
HOW EASY IS
IT TO PROCURE
A GUN?
Sajan K Pau-
lose, owner of a Swami Himaval
wholesale gun Bhadrananda
shop, Cochin
Armoury, explains one needs to
clear complex procedures to ob-
tain a firearms license. That in-
cludes clearances from the police,
forest department, and district
administration.
“The district collector then
holds a hearing to understand the
reason for seeking the licence. It
is a challenging process to get
one,” he adds.
“As far as I know, no firearm li-
cences has been issued in Er-
nakulam over the past few
years. If an application is
rejected without valid
reasons, the appli-
cant can approach
the High Court.”
Sajan believes
most firear ms
used in criminal
activities originate
from Bihar, where
illegal arms and am-
munition are manufac-
tured and smuggled.
“Seeing the bullets from the bar
shooting on TV, I suspect
they were also from Bihar. They
seem like reused casings,” he
adds.
The third one, Perfume Day, is
for gifting those who have helped
one cope during tough times of
love, and also for those who want
to seek new relationships after
kicking and slapping out past
baggage.
February 18 has been set aside
as Flirting Day, and those who
wish to dally along are allowed to
do so with all fun intact. The last
one is Confession Day, meant to
reveal feelings to a new crush or
to own up and apologise to a past
partner.
Next comes ‘Missing Day’ –
simple, it’s okay to tell someone ‘I
miss you’. And, the last one, on
February 21, is Break-up Day. The
swiftness with which the entire
‘emotional plot’ is planned might
be a satirical take on how love
pans out nowadays.
It is also a reminder of how all
of it can be viewed with a practi-
cal, light-hearted mind that wants
to find fun even in the grimmest
of circumstances. And, of course,
a larger point is that one should
not shy away from snapping a tox-
ic or unhappy relationship for
good.
“In a way, it prepares us to face
life in a better way. Even among
the many days in the February 15
to 21 week, we select the days that
are most important to have the
maximum fun. Say, the confes-
sion or the break-up day. We make
it as light and enjoyable as possi-
ble with friends and groups that
can laugh with us. But therein lie
deeper messages of reality,” says
Athira S. Nair, an MBA student.
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15 � 02 � 2024
THURSDAY
‘We want to take kabir
A SYMBOL OF PRIDE
The maple leaf emerged in
the 19th century as a symbol
of Canadian identity and was
to many people’
everywhere in popular culture:
books, songs, coins, badges, etc. PG 3
Our investigation suggests it’s a model that can be
purchased only with a valid gun license. However, considering
Vineeth’s background, we believe he lacked one. We are
ILLUSTRATION
certain it’s not a country-made gun. We can gather more
EXPRESS
information on how he got the pistol only after arresting him
Rajuv V K, Ernakulam Central Assistant Commissioner
As far as I know, no firearm licences has been
issued in Ernakulam over the past
few years. If an application is rejected
without valid reasons, the applicant
can approach the High Court
Sajan K Paulose, owner,
Cochin Armoury
MEANWHILE, a sen-
ior police of ficer
downplay the frequen- ing an
cy of gun-related crimes. airgun to
“In most cases, air pis- settle a person-
tols are used for criminal al dispute. Though
activities. As they require the youth survived, the in-
no licence, criminals mis- cident yet raised concerns over the
use them for threatening or extortion,” ‘safety’ and misuse of air guns.
he says. Notably, not all airguns are exempt
“A few years ago, someone tried rob- from licencing. Air rifles exceeding 20
bing an elderly woman in Ayyappankavu joules of energy and larger calibres like
with an air pistol. Crimes involving reg- .22 (5.5mm) require licenses. Airguns un-
ular guns, including pistols, are still rare der .177 calibre and 20 joules of energy
here, especially compared to other major do not require licenses, but sellers must
cities,” the officer said. collect the customer’s
However, airguns can documents.
also be lethal. In Septem-
ber 2023, a Kerala High
Court staffer fatally shot
Air guns In 2023, Kerala regis-
tered 119 cases under the
Arms Act, compared with
can be
his brother in Edayapuram 122 in 2022 and 121 in 2021.
near Aluva during a tus- The slight decrease is like-
sle over a parked bike. ly due to stricter
lethal
Paulson T J, the victim, regulations.
was shot seven times with “I have stopped selling
the airgun. While airguns licenced firearms know-
are generally considered ing that authorities are
non-lethal, close-range not issuing any fresh li-
use can be fatal. censes,” says Sajan. “The
In a freak incident in May 2022, three minimum price of a pistol in the retail
friends making an Instagram reel acci- market will be around `1 lakh. Now, we
dentally fired an air pistol, injuring a mainly do business in airguns. We have
nearby lawyer in Palarivattom. The customers who buy toy air guns from us.
youth apparently forgot the air pistol These toy guns require no license but we
was loaded. sell them only after collecting copies of
In November 2023, a youth in Mat- the customer’s photo and Aadhaar
tancherry was shot at by two people us- card.”
Babur, Humayun, Taj Mahal and theatre
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE The play is written by Rajiv Joseph, an
American playwright. The story is set in the
RASA Theatre Collective founded by Rahul 1650s and revolves around two characters
Thomas and Sidharth Varma is entering its — Humayun and Babur — imperial soldiers
third year. After the non-verbal play ‘Gajam’ and best of friends who guard the Taj Ma-
that raised the issue of human-animal con- hal. The drama is slated to be performed on
flict and ‘Niyamavartanam’, which talks February 24 and 25 at the Ala Centre for Cul-
about the autonomy of women over their ture and Alternative Education in Mulan-
bodies, the collective is gearing up for their thuruthy. For ticket information, contact:
next play ‘Guards at the Taj.’ 8086811023 / 9961229312

Conquering the
Maharajas
By Harrison Akins
The book explores the crucial
history of princely India from
the turbulent end of the
British Empire in South Asia to
the early years of Indian and
Pakistani independence.
The Cobra’s
Gaze: Exploring
India’s Wild
Heritage
By Stephen Alter
As our cities and towns
reel under pollution, the
groundwater is contaminated.
The writer shows us the
importance of ecological
awareness, and why the
preservation of nature is key to
our survival.
The Great Flap of
1942
By Mukund
Padmanabhan
Demonstrates that the Raj
cynically encouraged the
exodus and contributed to
the repeated cycles of rumour,
panic and flight. It reveals how
the shadow of the Japanese
threat influenced the course
of nationalist politics, altered
British attitudes towards India
and charted the course towards
Independence.
Out Of Sri Lanka
Edited by Vidyan
Ravinthiran, Seni
Seneviratne and Shash
Trevett
It shines light upon a long-
neglected national literature
by bringing together Sri Lankan
and diasporic poetry written
in and a�er Independence.
Features over a 100 poets
writing in English, or translated
from Tamil and Sinhala.
REGIONAL
CAPTAIN MILLER (Tamil)
A renegade Captain and his unconven-
tional outlaws execute daring heists
in the 1930s and 1940s. Miller must
decide whether to continue running or
confront the challenges head-on.
Cast: Dhanush, John Kokken, Antony
� Watch on: Amazon Prime Video
NERU
(Malayalam)
Sara, a blind sculptor, seeks justice
after suffering trauma. She contends
with the legal system and her
own resilience to find resolution.
Cast: Mohanlal, Anaswara
Rajan, Priyamani
� Watch on:
Disney+ Hotstar
2
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THURSDAY
Mail us: cityexpresschn@gmail.com 15 � 02 � 2024
W HEN
WHATY WHERE
WH
HAVE AN INTERESTING
STORY TO SHARE, OR
A CIVIC ISSUE TO RAISE?
+91 7994270262
cityexpresskoc@newindianexpress.com
@cityexpress.kerala
Music concert Spotless beauty
Kerala Fine Arts Society is conducting Mohana
Veena concert by Poly Varghese. Get ready to Get the perfect finishing touch to your full-
witness the artist creating magic by playing glam look with Nykaa’s latest launch Matte
Hindustani music on electric guitar. To Last Pore Blurring Loose Powder collection,
a dynamic 6-shade range that pore blurring
WHERE: Kerala Fine Arts Society finish with a touch of flair!
WHEN: February 16 at 6:30pm WHERE: www.nykaa.com
HEART OF A GEM
Gi�ing a marvellous piece of jewellery is a beautiful way of saying ‘I love you’ to your partner. Check out
the latest addition to Mia by Tanishq’s, ‘The Cupid Edit’. The inclusion prominently features the exquisite
Rhodolite gemstone. WHERE: www.tanishq.com
A HELPING HAND
V-Day wardrobe A dredger being pulled by a vessel for work in the Kochi backwaters to facilitate the smooth passage for water metro and other boats.
A scene from Marine Drive | T P SOORAJ
Valentine’s collection at Dennison
is a curated symphony of versatility,
offering a range that seamlessly
transitions from formal workwear to
QUICK FIX FIT BIT
laid-back charm.
WHERE: dennison.in
MACARONI PASTA BADDHA HASTA PADMASANA CHIN TO FLOOR
(HANDS BOUND LOTUS POSE CHIN TO FLOOR)
Standup Comedy This is a beginner level stretch to help develop the mobility of the shoulders and arms. It
Araanu Sandosham Aagrahikkathathu, can be done to release tension in the neck by giving a gentle stretch to the neck. Stretching
a malayalam standup comedy show the shoulders is helpful for professionals who spend long hours hunched over a computer.
by John Joe, Mahadevan A R, Aneez M
Latheef and Deepak Mohan. STEPS BENEFITS
WHERE: House of Commons WHEN: March 2, at 7:30pm � Sit with legs stretched out in front keeping the � Stretches shoulders, biceps,
COST: Rs 399 onwards spine erect. triceps, arms, wrists, neck, and
pectoralis muscle.
� Bend your right knee and place it on the le�
Art exhibition thigh. Then, bend your le� knee and place it on
the right thigh. Make sure that the soles of the
� Lengthens the spine, and
strengthens the supporting
Artist Rejini S R presents
the art exhibition Group painting exhibition feet point upward and the heels are close to
the abdomen. �
muscles of the upper back.
Develops the mobility of the
‘Pillatheeni.’ A group of artists present an exhibition titled � With both the legs crossed and feet placed on shoulders.
‘Emerging Echoes.’. Contributed by Princy Glady, Chennai opposite thighs, roll your shoulders back and
WHEN: till � Helps to stretch the front of the
February 21 WHEN: till February 20
take the arms behind your back as you inhale. shoulder and chest.
INGREDIENTS � Exhale, interlock the fingers behind your back. � Improves breathing by li�ing the
WHERE: Durbar WHERE: Palette People Art Gallery,
Hall Courtyard Mattancherry � Macaroni: 1 cup � Tomato: 3 � Now, exhale and bend forward placing the ribs and creating more space for
� Water � Salt chin to the floor. Raise your interlocked hands lungs to expand.
towards the sky at your back. � Strengthens the surrounding
� Oil: 1 tsp � Butter: 2 tbsp
Exhibition Flawless beauty � Onion (small): 2 � Garlic: 3
� Once comfortable here, stretch your neck down,
look towards the floor as you exhale.
muscles to enhance the
appearance of the chest.
A retrospective exhibition � All purpose flour: 2 tbsp � Chilli powder: 1 tbsp
� Stay here for 4-6 deep breaths. Keep focusing � Great heart and shoulder opener
curated by Bipin Balachandran Get ready to redefine flawless � Chilli flakes � Tomato sauce:2 tbsp
on your breath. that counteracts slouched and
will be showcasing K P beauty as LoveChild by Masaba
To release, exhale and loosen the arms, come hunched posture.
Soman’s artistic journey of five announces the launch products METHOD �
decades. including 4K Mattifying Foundation, � Blend tomatoes into a purée. back to the original position and relax. � Those with cervical issues with
Blending Brush, and Pore-Proof chronic neck and shoulder pain
WHEN: till February 29 � In a saucepan, boil water. Add salt, oil and macaroni.
may find great relief.
Primer for Ultimate Glam. � Cook until the macaroni is ready. Drain and set it aside. LIMITATIONS
WHERE: Durbar Hall � Great warm-up for swimmers,
Art Centre WHERE: LoveChild by � Heat butter in a seperate pan and add in chopped onion, garlic, People who have shoulder,
Masaba.in, houseofmasaba.com wrist, elbow, knee, hip or ankle tennis or badminton players,
all purpose flour and sauté for a minute.
injuries or have had surgeries, avoid. javelin throw players, bowlers,
� Mix well, pour tomato purée and water. Let it boil. labourers, artists, and
Vanitha Utsav � Add salt, tomato sauce, chilli powder and chilli flakes to the mix.
� Mix well and cook on simmer. Once done, add in cooked
Instability due to rotator cuff tears,
tendonitis, arthritis, or if you feel any
homemakers.
� Gives great range of
18th edition of Vanitha macaroni, and stir it for 2-4 minutes. pain in the shoulders,
motion to the arms and
Utsav features 500+ stalls. avoid shoulder
� Serve hot. to build strength and
An expo on electronics, stretch.
home appliances,
support in the rotator
furniture, automobiles, cuff muscles.
ready made garments and
much more. What’s cooking in your kitchen?
We are hungry for recipes with minimum ingredients and
WHEN: Feb ruary 9-26 maximum flavours. Share your quick-fix with us, along with By N Elumalai, PhD Scholar (Yoga Science) at
WHERE: Marine Drive step-by-step photos, at cityexpresschn@gmail.com. Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education & Research, Chennai
BHAKSHAK (Hindi) PHILIP’S (Malayalam) FOREIGN THE MARVELS (English)
A struggling local journalist begins a Unforeseen events arise in Philip’s joyful Carol Danvers gets her powers entangled with
dogged investigation into harrowing family, disrupting their happiness. They MR AND MRS SMITH (English, series) those of Kamala Khan and Monica Rambeau,
cases of abuse being covered up at a must tackle these hiccups and regain John and Jane Smith become secret agents for a myste- forcing them to work together to save the
shelter for young girls. their life. rious organisation. Their work puts both their skills as universe.
Cast: Bhumi Pednekar, Sanjay Mishra, Cast: Mukesh, Innocent, Noble Babu spies and their relationship to the test. The two have to Cast: Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris, Samuel L.
Adithya Srivastav Thomas deal with a world full of dangers. Jackson, Iman Vellani
� Watch on: Netflix � Watch on: Amazon Prime Video Cast: Maya Erskine, Donald Glover, Parker Posey � Watch on: Disney+ Hotstar
� Watch on: Amazon Prime Video
KHICHDI 2 (Hindi)
When an intelligence services
agent discovers that Praful
resembles the king of Paan-
thukistan, he enlists the help
of the Parekh family to place
Praful in the king’s position
and save his subjects. Will the
Parekh family save the world?
Cast: Reyaansh Veer Chaddha, ORION AND THE DARK (English) THE BROTHERS SUN (English, series)
LANTRANI (Hindi ) GUNTUR KAARAM (Telugu)
Anang Desai, Paresh Ganatra The thing Orion fears the most is the dark. When When the head of a Taiwanese triad is shot by
The stories are inspired by the different A man seeks explanations when his the embodiment of his worst fear pays a visit, an assassin, his eldest son, Charles ‘Chairleg’
� Watch on: ZEE5
segments of small towns and rural mother asks him to sign a document Dark whisks Orion away on a roller-coaster ride Sun, heads to Los Angeles to protect his
worlds where people take absurd meas-
All the streaming apps can
denying he is her son while she campaigns around the world to prove there is nothing to be mother and brother, who’ve been completely
ures to survive. for office, years after she deserts him. afraid of at night. sheltered from the truth of his family until
be accessed on smartphones now.
Cast: Rajesh Awasthi, Boloram Das, and smart TVs with Internet Cast: Mahesh Babu, Sreeleela, Meenaak- Cast: Jacob Tremblay, Paul Walter Hauser, Mia
Jitendra Kumar connection. shi Chaudhary Akemi Brown, Colin Hanks Cast: Michelle Yeoh, Justin Chien, Sam Song Li
� Watch on: ZEE5 � Watch on: Netflix � Watch on: Netflix � Watch on: Netflix
Netflix : H 199/month
Prime Video: H 299/month
RIP
TIO
N
Jio Cinema: H 999/year
SC
SUB Disney+ Hotstar: H 899/year
Zee5 : H 699/year
Viki Rakuten: H 299/month
Aha: H 699/year
SonyLIV: H 299/month
THURSDAY 15 � 02 � 2024
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