HYDERABAD � TUESDAY � FEBRUARY 13, 2024 � `9.
00 � PAGES 16 � LATE CITY EDITION
IMRAN’S PARTY DECIDES AGAINST
COALITION, TO SIT IN OPPOSITION
Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf would sit in the
opposition despite having a majority in the
recently concluded Parliamentary elections
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
In diplomatic coup, all 8 naval veterans freed, 7 return to India
Y E S H I S E L I @ New Delhi
IN what was decidedly a diplo-
matic coup, India managed to
get its eight naval veterans re-
leased from Qatar after 16
months of detention in Doha.
It was this newspaper that
broke the story of their arrest
and kept reporting all its subse-
quent twists and turns.
After their arrest by the Qa-
tar’s Ministry of Interior on
August 30, 2022, all eight veter-
ans were awarded capital pun-
ishment last year before their
sentences were commuted to
Assembly resolves not to hand
over common projects to KRMB
Uttam says KCR-Jagan bonhomie led to AP getting bigger share of Krishna waters
V V B A L A K R I S H N A @ Hyderabad
THE Telangana Legislative
Assembly on Monday unani-
mously adopted a resolution
declaring that the state gov-
ernment would not hand over
common irrigation projects to
the Krishna River Manage-
ment Board (KRMB).
Moving the resolution, Irri-
gation Minister N Uttam Ku-
mar Reddy alleged that And-
hra Pradesh got a bigger share
of Krishna waters during the
10-year BRS rule, though in-
flows decreased considerably
during the same period.
Uttam also played a video
clip of Andhra Pradesh Chief
Minister YS Jagan Mohan
Reddy lauding the then Telan-
gana chief minister K Chan-
drasekhar Rao in the AP As-
sembly. “KCR and Jagan held
one-on-one meetings and had
biryani, as a result, injustice
was done to Telangana in river
water sharing,” Uttam
alleged.
The minister also placed a
detailed note on Irrigation in
the Assembly on Monday. Lat-
er, making a PowerPoint pres-
entation in the House, the Ir-
rigation minister explained
the ‘gross injustice’ done to Te-
langana in river water sharing
during the BRS rule.
He said that Andhra Pradesh
got more water in rivers, espe-
cially in the Krishna, after the
formation of Telangana, even
as the inflows into the rivers
reduced during the same pe-
riod. “AP got 50% more water
in the 10-year BRS rule than
the previous years,” Uttam
said.
“The BRS claimed only 299
tmcft out of the 811 tmcft as-
sured water in Krishna river
and did injustice to Telanga-
na,” the minister alleged while
making the PowerPoint pres-
entation. CONTINUED ON P4
NITISH ATTACKS LALU,
WINS TRUST VOTE EASILY
R A M A S H A N K A R @ Patna
BIHAR Chief Minister Nitish
Kumar on Monday won the
confidence motion in the as-
sembly by 129-0 after an oppo-
sition walkout. The majority
mark is 1 2 2 i n t h e
243-member assembly.
Depuy Speaker Ma-
heshwar Hazari, who
was on the chair, an-
nounced the NDA’s
victory by voice vote
but later allowed a head
count on the request of parlia-
mentary affairs minister Vi-
jay Kumar Choudhary.
Three RJD MLAs — Chetan
Anand, Neelam Devi and
Prahlad Yadav — defected and
voted in favour of the ruling
24
PTI LEADS, BUT FALLS SHORT OF MAJORITY KAUN BANEGA PAKISTAN KA PRADHAN MANTRI
In the final results declared by Pakistan’s Election Commission, Imran’s PTI
topped the table with 101 seats as independents, Nawaz’s PML-N 75, Bila-
■ Nawaz has called for a ‘participatory coalition government’ minus the
PTI. Both PML-N and PPP are holding tough power-sharing talks
wal’s Pakistan Peoples Party 54, MQM-P 17 and smaller parties 17. Imran’s ■ The sticking point is who will head the government. PPP wants
party was not allowed to contest as a single party with a common symbol, Bilawal as prime minister. PML-N could propose Shehbaz as the CONSTITUENCIES’ MARGIN OF VICTORY
making it ineligible to get reserved seats, thus falling short of majority premier as Nawaz does not appear keen to lead a ragtag coalition WAS LESS THAN REJECTED BALLOTS
multiple years in jail and now Foreign Secretary Kwatra mum on royal pardon Gill upon his arrival in Delhi. the veterans all through.
they have been set free. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra declined comment on whether the In a related development, “Ambassador Vipul would
Seven of the veterans landed Qatar Emir granted a royal pardon to the veterans. “We can talk about Prime Minister Modi will trav- talk to us, update us about the
in Delhi in the wee hours of different terminology etc... whether it is a release or pardon... but I el to Doha on February 14, after well being of our veterans and
Monday on an Indigo flight. think we should see the facts of what they are. Seven of the eight inaugurating the BAPS Temple also instil confidence in the vet-
The one who is yet to return is Indian nationals are back in India, back to their homes,” he said in Abu Dhabi. Modi will hold erans whenever consular ac-
Commander Purnendu Tiwari. bilateral talks with the Emir of cess was granted,” said one
He is out of captivity but con- Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- such family member.
tinues to be in Doha due to a Ajmi was under detention She has faith that this will hap- mad Al Thani. This is also be- The seven veterans who are
travel ban as he faces another too for some weeks in 2022 but pen soon,” said a source. ing viewed as a goodwill visit back home in India are Captain
case in which he and the CEO was later released on bail. The “We have returned India safe by Modi after the Emir released Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Sau-
of Dhara Global, Khamis Al- Indian government is working and sound. We would like to the eight naval veterans. rabh Vashisht, Captain Biren-
Ajmi (retired Royal Oman Air on getting Commander Tiwari thank Prime Minister Naren- The families of the naval vet- dra Kumar Verma, Command-
Force squadron leader), are back to India at the earliest. dra Modi as this was possible erans lauded the Indian Am- er Sugunakar Pakala,
awaiting clearance. The veter- “ C o m m a n d e r T i w a r i ’s due to his personal interven- bassador in Doha, Vipul, for his Commander Sanjeev Gupta,
ans were working at Dhara Videograb of the veterans arriving at 86-year-old mother is awaiting tion and also the Emir of Qa- unstinting support, updating Commander Amit Nagpal and
when they were arrested. the Delhi airport | PTI the return of her son to India. tar,’’ said Captain Navtej Singh them about the well being of Sailor Ragesh.
Talks fail, farmers start their march to Delhi
HARPREET BAJWA & UJWAL Jagjit Singh Dallewal, presi- However, the farm unions stuck
J A L A L I @ Chandigarh / New Delhi dent of Bharti Kisan Union to their key demand of MSP.
(Ekta Sidhupur) said the five- Meanwhile, the Haryana gov-
FARMERS from Punjab have hour marathon meeting yield- ernment has taken elaborate
started moving towards the na- ed no results as the government measures to keep off the pro-
tional capital in a bid to put sought more time to consider testers, by blocking the roads
2nd round pressure on the Centre to ac- the key demands. passing through the state and
of talks cept their demands, including Sarwan Singh Pandher, gen- leading to the national capital.
Monday’s was a law to guarantee a minimum eral secretary of Kisan Maz- The Haryana-Punjab border
Irrigation
Minister N the second support price (MSP) for crops door Sangharsh Committee, al- has been sealed and paramili-
Uttam Kumar round of talks as talks between the Centre and leged the government did not tary personnel have been de-
Reddy makes between Union union leaders fell through. appear to be serious. ployed. Surveillance drones
a point during ministers and Union ministers Piyush Goy- Sources said the Union min- have been pressed into service
the debate on leaders of al and Arjun Munda on Mon- isters agreed to withdraw the to monitor the situation.
a government farmer day held closed-door delibera- cases against farmers regis- Sources said the farmers are
resolution organisations. tions with union leaders but no tered during the 2020-21 agita- carrying dry rations and mat-
on common The first agreement could be reached on tion and also offered to provide tresses — indicating they are
projects meeting was key demands such MSP and compensation to families of prepared for the long haul.
on River held on loan waiver with the two sides farmers who lost their lives Section 144 has been clamped
Krishna in the February 8 sticking to their positions. during the previous protest. in 15 districts in Haryana.
Assembly in
Hyderabad on
Monday
KCR and Jagan held one-on-
one meetings ... as a result
KCR insulted Telangana society by injustice was done to Telangana
not attending the Assembly
session. He is hiding in his
in river waters. BRS govt sought
farmhouse instead of coming to postponement of Apex Council
the Assembly and sending a meeting to help tendering
message to the people
process for AP project
A Revanth Reddy, N Uttam Kumar Reddy,
������
Chief Minister Irrigation Minister
AP’s WATER DRAWAL INCREASED UNDER BRS RULE
Congress government has tabled a
�������
Project Before 2014 Between 2014-’23
book of lies in the name of ‘Facts
on Krishna’. The government’s Srisailam Dam 44,000 cusecs 92,600 cusecs
decision not to hand over the Rayalaseema LIS - Nil - 34,722 cusecs
��������
projects on River Krishna to the HNSS LIS (Malyala) 3,850 cusecs 6,300 cusecs
KRMB is a victory of the people of HNSS LIS Muchumarri) 3,850 cusecs 6,300 cusecs
Telangana and the BRS KCC Lift (Muchumarri) - Nil - 1,000 cusecs
Veligonda - Nil - 11,500 cusecs
��������
T Harish Rao, BRS MLA and
former Irrigation minister Total 4.1 tmcft 9.6 tmcft
ENC C Muralidhar’s resignation accepted with effect from Feb 8
������������������������������������������������
Hookah parlours face ban
Cong team
visit, BRS
meeting
E N S @ Hyderabad blanket ban on hookah par- today
lours across the state. The ruling
THE Telangana Assembly Minister for Legislative Af- Congress and
unanimously passed the Ciga- fairs, IT and Industries Dudilla the Opposition
rettes and Other Tobacco Prod- Sridhar Babu introduced the BRS will hold
ucts (Prohibition of Advertise- Bill on behalf of Chief Minis- separate
ment and Regulation of Trade
and Commerce Production
ter A Revanth Reddy.
All political parties wel-
meetings on �����������������������������
Irrigation in
Supply and Distribution) comed the Bill which Assembly Medigadda �����������������������
(Amendment) Bill 2024 by voice Speaker Gaddam Prasad Ku- and Nalgonda
vote without any discussion on mar swiftly approved without respectively on
Monday, paving the way for a any debate. CONTINUED ON P4 Tuesday | P4 �������
��������� ��������� ������
EXPRESS ��������������
����� �����
READ ��������������� ����� �����
AGE LIMIT FOR ��������
GOVT JOBS
RAISED TO 46 �������������� ���� �����
Hyderabad: The �������������� ����� �����
alliance despite the party state government
whip mandating them to vote has raised �����������
against the government. the upper age ������������������������ ��� ����
Speaking in the assembly limit for direct
recruitment �������������������� ���� �����
before the trust vote, Nitish
recalled that he had strived to jobs, excluding ���������������
bring all opposition parties Nitish arrives for the floor test at uniformed
service, by two �������������� ���� ����
on one platform, but the Bihar Legislative Assembly | PTI
Congress had a problem years to 46 | P2 ����� ���� ����
with him. ������������ ���� ����
“Your father (Lalu)
Blistering attack RACHAKONDA
from Tejashwi Yadav CP SUDHEER �����������������������������������������������������������
was hobnobbing with BABU
the Congress. I decided Criticising Nitish’s claim that TRANSFERRED
nothing will come out
of the opposition’s INDIA
he was not feeling good about
the mahagathbandhan,
The state govt
on Monday
����������������������������������������������������� ����
������������������
��
���������������������
bloc and left it for good to re- Tejashwi said, “Hum log koi ����������������������������������
transferred ������������ �������������� ��������������������
turn to NDA forever,” he told naachne gaane ke liye thode Rachakonda
leader of the opposition Te- hai” (we were not for there for Police Commiss-
jashwi Yadav. He also accused entertainment). If the CM had ioner G Sudheer ����������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������
the RJD of trying to indulge shared his discomfort, the RJD Babu, replacing
in horse-trading with hefty of- could have offered outside him with Dr Tarun ��������������� �����������
fers to MLAs to cross over. support to the allaince, he said Joshi | P3
������������������������ �������������

02
Rat bite: Kamareddy GGH Age limit for govt employment raised to 46
launches cleanup drive
Official blame poor sanitation, drainage system for rodent menace
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
@ Kamareddy
FOLLOWING reports of rats
biting a patient in the ICU of
the Kamareddy Government
General Hospital (GGH) here,
officials are trying to improve
sanitation, lack of which, they
b e l i e ve, h a s l e d t o t h e
problem.
The senior officials who vis-
ited the hospital found that san-
itation was one key area that
required immediate attention.
They veered to the conclusion
that the hospital has an open
drain system that is attracting
rats from the outside.
Earlier, the GGH was an area
hospital but was recently up-
graded to a government gener-
al hospital. After its elevation,
the hospital went under the Di-
rectorate of Medical Education
as it is a teaching hospital for
Nizamabad Government Medi-
cal College.
Senior officials of the depart-
ment went around the hospital
on Monday and found that the
open drainage was resulting in
rats coming from the outside.
The open drains near the sani-
tation staff room and near the
building where the ICU is lo-
cated were closed but in the re-
maining areas, drains needed
to be fully covered.
After complaints of the move-
ment of rats, the sanitation
staff cleaned the ICU and the
premises of the hospital with
bleaching powder but they de-
ferred capping the open drain-
age as it is work that has to be
handled by others.
The hospital staff said that
another reason for the rats
moving into the hospital is the
Balloon vendors wait for customers at the Tank Bund road in Hyderabad on Monday |
P E T E R V I DA L
13TH February : We’re still in an unusual Lunar
phase, which means that energy is erratic,
but not as much as it was. I think we’ll all be
in a different state of mind, though. Some
of us will still be lethargic and laid-back.
Others will be sensing the energy-boost that
is coming in the next few days and should be
getting on with the coming stage of life.
Solutions to Yesterday’s puzzle
HYDERABAD
With GO 46 set to go, govt to come out
A broken drain at the Kamareddy Government General Hospital; a rat feeds on a
banana peel at the hospital | EXPRESS
Not responsible for the incident: Suspended docs
Doctors in several districts across the state staged protests at hospitals
and medical colleges on Monday against the suspension of two duty
doctors at the Kamareddy Government Hospital and a nurse after a
patient in the ICU was bitten by a rat. The protest weas led by the
Telangana Teaching Government Doctors Association (TTGDA), which
claimed that the responsibility for the incident lay with the sanitation
staff and not doctors. One of the suspended doctors, Dr S Vasanth
Kumar, said he was in Hyderabad when the incident took place. Another
suspended doctor, Dr Kavya, wondered how the morning-duty doctors
were responsible for an incident that occurred late in the night.
leftover food that is discarded
around by relatives of the pa-
tients. The doctors said that
sanitation has to be taken care
of by the sanitation wing and
that they cannot be blamed for
the unkept premises.
They also protested against
the suspension of two doctors
and one nurse on Sunday by
wearing black badges. They de-
manded revocation of their
suspensions.
When contacted, newly-ap-
COLOURS OF LIFE
ARIES
(Mar 21 - Apr. 20)
You may soon
come to the
conclusion that
some of your plans are a
trifle unrealistic but, quite
honestly, you must ask
yourself whether it matters.
The answer is probably not.
In fact, by striving for aims
beyond your capacity you
will define your limits with
excellent consequences for
the future.
SU DO KU MEDIUM
TEST YOUR NUMBER
CRUNCHING SKILL WITH OUR
UNIQUE PUZZLE
� Fill in the grid with digits in such a manner
that every row, every column and every 3X3 box
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TUESDAY 13 02 2024
� �
pointed GGH Kamareddy su-
perintendent Dr Ram Singh
said that the government has
decided to improve medical
facilities.
He said that the open drain-
age issue will be also addressed
in the coming days. He said that
the patients’ attendants’ wait-
ing hall will be constructed very
soon. That will help restrict
their entry into the wards which
will also address the sanitation
issue, Dr Ram Singh said.
VAISHNAV SAI CAPILAI
TAURUS GEMINI
(Apr. 21 - May 21) (May 22 - June 21)
The Taurean You have been
Bull now through some
seems to fascinating
have reached a point of personal periods recently, yet
no return at work and somewhere along the line
in activities involving you will begin to appreciate
public responsibilities that your real blessings in life
and duties. May I offer are much more valuable and
a word of advice to all lasting than fame, fortune
ambitious Taureans? and adulation. Your greatest
Like a good general you treasure is your friends, the
must only fight battles people who have stood by
you know you can win. you through thick and thin.
ALMANAC TODAY MIN MAX Sunrise 06.44 am
Tuesday: 13/02/2024 Year: Sri Subhakritu Aayanam: Dakshinayanam
Rutuvu: Hemanth Masam: Pushya Paksham: Sukla Tithi: Chaviti 02.24 pm
180C 310C Sunset 06.16 pm
Nakshatram: Uttarabhadra 12.35 pm Durmuhurtham: 09.04 am - 09.50 am Moonrise 09.16 am
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Varjyam: Sesham. 01.02 pm - 11.39 pm Rahukaalam: 03.00 pm - 04.30 pm WATCH Mostly Cloudy Moonset 09.51 pm
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
@ Hyderabad
with new policy for police recruitment
THE state government on Mon-
day raised the upper age limit
for direct recruitment jobs by
two more years. The age limit
now for government jobs, ex- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
cluding uniformed service, is @Hyderabad
46.
The state government had THE State government may
earlier issued orders in March scrap GO 46 for future re-
2022, increasing the age limit cruitments in Police depart-
for government jobs from 34 ment. The government may
years to 44 years. give appointment letters
“However, a number of rep- 15,750 constable posts, for
resentations have been received which selection process was
from unemployed youth, for completed already.
considering relaxation of the Chief Minister A Revanth
upper age limit for direct re- Reddy held a meeting with
cruitment to enable more un- the High Power Committee
employed youth to become eli- on recruitment in the police
gible for recruitment to the department at his residence
various categories of posts. on Monday. The chief minis-
The government has decided to ter and the top officials dis-
raise the age limit from 44 years cussed the option to the can-
to 46 years to other than uni- cellation of GO number 46 in
form services, for a period of police recruitment.
two years,” a GO issued by IT and Industries Minister
Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari D Sridhar Babu, Advocate Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy meets the High-Power Committee to discuss
said. General Sudarshan Reddy, recruitments in the police department at his Jubilee Hills residence in Hyderabad
“Nothing in this rule shall Additional Advocate General on Monday. Minister D Sridhar Babu and DGP Ravi Gupta are also seen
apply for direct recruitment to Ranjinikanth Reddy, Chief
the posts of uniform services Secretary Santhi Kumari, for some jobs soon. Revanth recently, as it would adversely
like Police, Excise, Fire, Pris- TSLPRB chairman Srinivasa Reddy sought the suggestions i m p a c t t h e u n e m p l o ye d
ons, Forest departments etc., Rao and others were present of the Advocate General on youths from rural areas in po-
for which physical standards in the meeting. the recruitment process. lice recruitments. Through,
have been prescribed bed in the The chief minister also dis- GO 46, the government allot-
State and Subordinate Service cussed the measures which
Police job aspirants protest ted 53 per cent jobs only to
Rules or in the relevant Special are being taken in view of the Several police job aspirants Hyderabad youths, the pro-
or Ad-hoc rules”, the GO said. issue of recruitment letters protested against the GO 46 tests alleged.
Electric trap set up by poachers kills Greyhounds cop
E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @ Bhupalpally/Mulugu
A Greyhounds commando, A Praveen, died of elec- Installation of electric fences will
trocution on Monday after accidentally coming in
contact with an electrified trap during a combing op- attract life imprisonment: Adilabad SP
eration at Nasturpalli village in the Kataram mandal Adilabad: District SP Gaush Alam on Monday warned of strict action against those who install
forest area under the Kataram police station limits. electric wires to hunt wild animals and to protect crops. He issued the warning in the wake of
The trap was connected to the electric supply by death of a Greyhounds constable due to electrocution in Bhupalpally district. The SP said that
poachers to hunt wild animals. The victim was par- electric fences were proving death traps for farmers and others. He said that the offence is
ticipating in the combing operation ahead of Chief punishable under 304 II of the IPC and offenders face life imprisonment. The Greyhounds
Minister A Revanth Reddy’s visit to the Medigadda constable hailed from Narnoor mandal of Adilabad district. Gaush Alam expressed his deep
condolences to the family of the constable. The SP appealed to people to provide information on
barrage on Tuesday. illegal installation of electric fences and assured that such information would be kept
Praveen, hailed from Narnoor mandal in Adilabad confidential. According to him, so far four persons lost their lives in Mavala, Gudihatnur, Boath
district and belonged to the 2012 batch of and Talamadu mandals of the district after coming in contact with electric fences.
Greyhounds.
According to Kataram circle inspector E Nagar-
juna Rao, the Greyhounds personnel from Hydera-
bad were deployed in the area for security of the
chief minister during his visit to Medigadda. On
Sunday night, the Greyhounds started a combing op-
Cops fear electric fences
more than Maoists!
eration in the forests when the incident happened. “A
case has been registered and Praveen’s body has been
shifted to the Bhupalpally government hospital for a
postmortem examination,” the CI said.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy ex- E N S @ Khammam for catching animals.
pressed his condolences on the death of the comman- Taking a serious note of the inci-
do. Forest Minister Konda Surekha assured that the POLICE forces engaged in combing dent, Bhadradrikothagudem SP B
government would support Praveen’s family. She di- operations in forest areas are wor- Rohith Raju warned poachers that if
rected Chief Wildlife Warden MC Pargaien to inves- ried more about poachers than they set up electric trap in forest ar-
tigate and provide details to the police to take appro- Maoists. eas, stern action would be taken
priate action against the poachers. Surekha said that The reason: The electrified traps against them.
it’s important to prevent such incidents and ensure set up by poachers to hunt wild He also said that not only po-
the protection of animals. animals have become verita- lice forces but also farmers
In another incident, a 28-year-old man, Pindi ble death traps for the and cattle that move in forest
Ramesh, died of electrocution after he came in con- policemen. areas might face problems
tact with a live wire allegedly set up for hunting ani- Bhadradri-Kothagudem because of the electric
mals at a forest near Dumpally village of Govindarao- police have alerted Grey- traps.
pet mandal in Mulugu district on Monday. Ramesh hounds, the CRPF, the special The SP said many people
was searching for his missing cattle inside the forest party, and other forces to be have died due to electrocution
when the tragedy struck. wary of the electric traps inside the in forest areas in different places in
Pasar sub-inspector Shaik Masthan said that a interior parts of jungles. the district in the past. He appealed
case was registered under Section 304, Part II (culpa- A police constable who was in- to the people to inform the police if
ble homicide not amounting to murder) of the IPC, volved in combing operations in any such incidents occur. He said the
based on a complaint filed by Ramesh’s family mem-
bers. His body was shifted to the Mulugu government
Bhupalapalli forest area was electro-
cuted after he came in contact with
protection of policemen who move
in forest areas was top priority for
hospital for a postmortem examination, he added. an electric trap set up by poachers him.
CANCER LEO VIRGO LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES
(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)
Passions run Some partners You’re quite a You have some A shake-up or Wipe the slate If you could A celestial Today’s
high today. and close worrier, but delicate choices showdown is clean now and ever find the adventure is planetary
Many people associates still try taking a to make. You are about to take put domestic balance beginning, alignment
will be involved in direct appear to be out of sorts deep breath and more than usually aware place, mainly because irritations to one side. You between your personal though you may brings out a side of your
confrontations, yet there although, if I might counting to ten who you may trust and who Mars is setting up a great are entering a phase which interests and those of require something of a character that is deep,
is no reason why you venture an opinion, it does whenever your security must be kept in their place. deal of friction with Pluto. may include a few downs, your friends and kick-start to push you intense and brooding.
should not turn tough seem that these people are is threatened. Your Don’t let people influence However, it will no doubt but is generally likely to be associates, you’d be a into action. Keep an You may channel your
planetary energies to your singularly failing to make romantic stars are likely your judgment over public be a good move to clear much more enjoyable than happy person. At least eagle eye open for energies in a positive
advantage. You’d do well the most of their potential. to bring intrigue, or professional matters the air, allowing everyone usual. You must try not to you should now be able to storm clouds at work. direction and be aware
to avoid financial Rather than listening to mystery and possibly an unless they are fully familiar to get complaints off be so reserved, for if you achieve a better balance For some reason of the importance of
speculation, and try to get their moans, why don’t you element of confusion, with all the circumstances, their chests, and perhaps don’t let people know what with lovers, spouses and certain people in your spiritual values.
other people to be clear try and offer them some as well as fond otherwise you may get to see that they were you’re feeling, how can anyone with whom you’re authority seem to be in Give the highest priority
about their intentions. practical encouragement? memories of the past. misleading advice. mistaken. they ever understand you? intimately involved. a singularly bad mood. to the truth
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 Combination lock in case 1 Creature given double support (5)
it is left undone (7) 2 It may clean up a
5 A sect reserved for pile at a push (6,7)
a social class (5) 3 Has an inferior berth
8 He prefers things not so- but keeps quiet (4,3)
so but just so (13) 4 Be acquitted and
9 Live and prosper, obtain release (3,3)
lacking nothing (5) 5 Sing sloppy corn
10 Inn and cafe making money (7) about love? (5)
11 Refuse to acknowledge 6 A machine and
down is out (6) part of others (8,5)
12 It may take an age 7 Last but not least (7)
to get a suntan (6) 11 Doctor needs transfer
15 A gentle arrangement to a city of China (7)
exhibiting good taste (7) 13 But they don’t smooth
17 Inferior sort of cow? (5) out the sea roads (7)
19 Spare lockers? (9,4) 14 Filter the air (6)
20 First night - very jittery (5) 16 It may develop
21 Settles for ten less into friendship (5)
in exchange (7) 18 Sprays of flowers (5)
YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS
Across: 1 Pared, 8 Distance, 9 Spare, Down: 2 Appeased, 3 Earmarks,
10 Uttering, 11 Satan, 12 Arc, 16 Reckon, 4 Litter, 5 Strew, 6 Anvil, 7 Ledge,
Yesterday’s
17 Acquit, 18 Dam, 23 Malta, 24 Holy writ, 12 And, 13 Cam, 14 Squaring, 15 Victoria,
25 Fiord, 26 Enshroud, 27 Ogham. 19 Animus, 20 Three, 21 Flash, 22 Swore.
 The 83rd edition of the All India Industrial Exhibition Society, also known as Numaish, at
NUMAISH EXTENDED BY the Nampally exhibition grounds, has been extended until February 17. The decision to
2 DAYS, TO END ON FEB 17 extend the exhibition was announced by the society’s president and IT and Industries
Minister, D Sridhar Babu, in response to a request from participating traders at Numaish

03 HYDERABAD TUESDAY 13 02 2024

� �

GHMC’s junction Rachakonda and Ramagundam get new police chiefs ACROSS STATES

E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @ Hyderabad 4 of family including minor

revamp project
NAME PREVIOUS POST NEW POST

arrested for peddling ganja

G Sudheer Babu Rachakonda CP IGP Multi Zone-II; FAC,
IN yet another reshuffle of the top police of- IGP, Multi Zone-I
ficers, the General Administration Depart- FOR IGP, MULTI ZONE-I
ment on Monday issued orders to transfer Dr Tarun Joshi FAC, IGP, Multi Zone-I Rachakonda CP

slows to a crawl
S BACHAN JEET SINGH
@ Hyderabad
WORK on the revamp of 13 cru-
cial junctions across Hydera-
bad, taken up by the Greater
Hyderabad Municipal Corpora-
tion (GHMC) in 2022 to enhance
the city’s infrastructure and
promote pedestrian-friendly
spaces, has been sluggish, to
say the least, with only four
junctions being completed thus
far.
The GHMC allocated
`31.16 crore for the
project, focusing on
creating a balance be-
tween smooth vehicu-
lar flow and ensuring
the safety and comfort of
crore) and Sangeeth junction
(`1.98 crore). Notably, one junc-
tion at Gulmohar Park, costing
`5 crore, has been cancelled,
while the IS Sadan junction at
Chaderghat (`3.20 crore) re-
mains held up. Work on Aram-
ghar X Road (`2.63 crore) and
NFCL Junction (`2 crore) is yet
to commence.
70% done, remaining will be
done promptly: Officials
The completed works in-
clude Somajiguda junction
(`2 crore), Miyapur ‘X’
road (`2 crore), Krishna
Kunj junction (`1.30
crore), and IDPL Junction
(`2 crore). Sources said the
ongoing works are around
Rachakonda Commissioner of Police G Sud- M Srinivasulu DIG, waiting for posting Ramagundam CP
E N S @ Hyderabad It turns out that this was not the
heer Babu, who is now posted as the Inspec- first time the family has been
LS Chowhan DIG, Jogulamba, Zone-VII Retained as DIG,
tor General of Police, Multi Zone-II. He has Jogulamba, Zone-VII ON a quest to make easy money, smuggling drugs across states.
also been given Full Additional Charge of a family of four from Maharash- “There have been previous cases
(Was previously directed to take charge as CP
IGP, Multi Zone-I. On transfer, Dr Tarun Ramagundam. GO cancelled now) tra, including a 15-year-old mi- against them too. In fact, there
Joshi, who served as the IGP, Multi-Zone II is D Joel Davis Waiting for posting Joint CP, Traffic,
nor, decided to illegally smuggle was a case registered in Mokila
the new CP of Rachakonda. Cyberabad drugs from Odisha. They had police station against other mem-
The transfer order comes just two months purchased 64 kg of dry ganja for bers of the family,” a police officer
after Sudheer Babu assumed charge as the Narayan Naik Jt CP Traffic, Cyberabad DIG, SCRB, CID, `30,000 in Odisha, packed it in told TNIE.
Rachakonda CP. Sources say the transfer is Hyderabad three bags and planned to reach The interstate peddlers had
merely a part of the Election Code, according K Apoorva rao SP, CID, Women SP, Vigilance, TSRTC, Maharashtra via Hyderabad on taken a lift from an unidentified
to which an officer should not work for three Protection Cell Hyderabad Sunday evening. However, Ra- lorry to reach Chevella via Hy-
years continuously in one segment. D Uday Kumar SP, TS TRANSCO DCP, South West Zone, jendranagar SOT and Chevella derabad. They were again wait-
Reddy Hyderabad
Meanwhile, Dr Tarun Joshi, who was pre- police intercepted them, seized ing for another lorry near the
viously the IGP Multi Zone-II, has also earlier R Giridhar DCP, SOT, Malkajgiri, DCP, East Zone, the drugs, and apprehended the Shankarpalli X Roads when
Rachakonda Hyderabad
served as the Additional CP in Rachakonda. four accused. Chevella police and the SOT per-
The official order, which issued transfers D Muralidhar SP, waiting for posting Deputy Director, RBVRR Police said, 35-year-old Chitra sonnel jointly caught the ac-
Telangana State Police
of 12 IPS officers, also directed the appoint- Academy
Kailash, along with her paternal cused and recovered the ganja.
ment of a new CP for Ramagundam. Accord- uncle Navnath Ganpath, her “The minor has been identified
B Naveen Kumar Deputy Director RBVRR Telangana State
ingly, M Srinivasulu, who was waiting for Police Academy O/o younger brother (a minor), and as a juvenile in conflict with the
posting, is posted as the new Ramagundam DGP (HoPF), Telangana an acquaintance, purchased law and has been sent to a shelter
CP. ganja from Lamu Palari in Brah- home,” the police revealed. A case
D Joel Davis, who was also waiting for post- Sadhana Rashmi Addl, DCP, DCP, Task Force, mapur, Odisha. They intended against the peddlers, the supplier,
ing, is now posted as Joint Commissioner of Perumal Rajendranagar, Hyderabad to sell the ganja for `16 lakh, the and two consumers under the
Cyberabad
police, Traffic, Cyberabad. police said. NDPS Act has been registered.

Court rejects Balakrishna’s bail plea

pedestrians. The proposed im-
provements included travel
lanes, footpaths, pedestrian and
bicycle crossings, illumination,
stor mwater drains, utility
crossovers, signals and public
space design.
Among the junctions under
progress are Habsiguda Junc-
tion (`2.02 crore), Kothapet
junction (`3.05 crore), Punjag-
utta junction (`1.98 crore),
Narayanaguda junction (`1.99
70% complete, and officials said
that the remaining tasks will be
finished promptly.
To tackle rising traffic con-
gestion and facilitate pedestri-
an movement, GHMC Commis-
sioner D Ronald Rose recently
conducted a review meeting
where he directed officials
from the Town Planning and
Engineering sections to pro-
pose tenders for junction im-
provements across the city.
E N S @ Hyderabad
THE Nampally ACB court rejected the bail
petition of former HMDA director Shiva
Balakrishna, who was arrested in a dispro-
portionate assets case. He allegedly amassed
properties worth `250 crore.
Only a few days earlier, on February 7, the
last day of his custody, Balakrishna moved
the court for bail.
Meanwhile, Balakrishna reportedly re-
vealed in his confession statement the name
of senior IAS officer Arvind Kumar, who al-
legedly had a share in the bribes.
Balakrishna’s brother was also arrested in
connection with the case. Balakrishna was
booked under Section 13 (1)(b) and 13 (2) of
the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

23-yr-old robs 12 tolas of gold from elderly couple’s home

E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @ Hyderabad
AN 84-year-old woman, who had stepped
out of her house for four hours on Sun-
day, returned to realise that she had
been robbed of over 12.5 tolas of gold
ornaments, including a mangalsutra.
On Monday, she lodged a complaint with
the Saifabad police, who immediately
registered a case and launched a probe.
Within 24 hours, the police appre-
hended the accused, Mohammed Da-
wood Ismail, who works at a private
travel agency in Lakdikapool. He was
nabbed at his house in Bowenpally and
the stolen gold ornaments were recov-
ered. “He was also produced before the
magistrate,” a police officer confirmed.
The victim, identified as Amtual Ba-
tool, lives in Lakdikapool with her 90-
year-old husband. On Saturday after-
noon, she left her house to visit her
sister. She later returned home and got
occupied with household chores.
Around 11 pm, she opened her almirah
to find that all the items were scattered,
and she had lost a ruby necklace, a dia-
mond ring, two gold bangles, a chain, an
earring, three gold rings, and a mangal-
sutra; all estimated to be 12.5 tolas.
While lodging a complaint at the po-
lice station, the woman also mentioned
that she suspected her jewellery was sto-
len by a young man who works near her
house.
“As her husband is old and bedridden,
she had earlier asked a 23-year-old man
who works beside her house to help take
care of her husband,” a police officer re-
vealed. “The accused was familiar with
the house and also knew that the old
man had hearing issues. So he entered
the house, found the key to the almirah,
and stole the ornaments,” he added.

GOVERNMENT OF TELANGANA
IRRIGATION & CAD DEPARTMENT
E - PROCUREMENT TENDER NOTICE
No.14/2023-24 Date: 12.02.2024
Name of work: Medium Irrigation - Restoration of D/s portion of weir of
Shanigaram Medium Irrigation Project, Shanigaram (V), Koheda (M), Siddipet
District. Estimate Cost (Approx.): Rs.226.00 Lakhs. Tender document
available for download: 13.02.2024 @ 03.00 PM to 28.02.2024 @
03.00 PM. Tender document submission time: 13.02.2024 @ 03.00 PM
to 28.02.2024 @ 05.00 PM. Technical bid opening date: 29.02.2024 @
11.00 AM. Price bid opening date (Financial bid stage): 04.03.2024 @ 03.00
PM. Name & Address of the officer inviting the tender: Sri H.Baswaraj, M.E.,
Superintending Engineer, Irrigation Circle, Siddipet, Contact No.9642703330.
For other details visit https://tender.telangana.gov.in market place.
Sd/- Superintending Engineer, I&CADD, Irrigation Circle, Siddipet
DIPR R.O. No.10342-PP/CL/Advt/1/2023-24, Dt: 12/02/2024

ODISHA RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

S-3/59, MANCHESWAR INDUSTRIAL ESTATE,
BHUBANESWAR-751010, Phone: (0674)-2588260, 2586398,
2580554, Fax: 2586368, Website: www.oredaorissa.com,
Email: ceoreda@oredaorissa.com
e-Tender Call Notice
Notice No.-618 Date: 09.02.2024
CAD-4121: Tender is invited through e-tender portal from eligible
bidders Request for Proposal (RFP) for design, engineering, supply,
installation, testing and commissioning of 24 Solar Water Kiosks and
22 Solar Trees with 88 Street Lights along with Comprehensive Main-
tenance for Five (5) years at Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
The Schedule of Events is given below:
SI. No. Events Schedule
Date of publication of NIT on E-procurement
1. 09.02.2024
Website and OREDA Website
Due date of submission of pre -bid queries 13.02.2024,
2.
as per the OREDA format Time: 5:30 PM
Date and time of Pre-bid Meeting through 15.02.2024,
3.
virtual mode [meet.google.com/axd-nbpe-kcr] Time: 03.30 PM
Due date and time for submission of online 29.02.2024,
4.
copies of Technical Bid and Price Bid Time: 5 :30 PM
Due date and time for submission of hard
04.03.2024,
5. copies of Technical Bid for select Bid Forms
Time: 5 :30 PM
only
Due date and time for the opening of Techni-
06.03.2024,
6. cal Bid for both online copies and hard cop-
Time : 4 :00 PM
ies, except Price Bid
Due date and time for the opening of online
To be Intimated
7. Price Bid, applicable only for the Bidders
later
whose Technical Bids shall be responsive
The RFP providing requisite details about the bidding process
shall be made available on the E-procurement Website (http ://www.
tenderwizard .com/OREDA) on or before the due date mentioned
above. The RFP will also be made available on the OREDA Website
(http://www.oredaodisha .com) for viewing purposes only. The Bid-
ders may write to OREDA at the email id-ceoreda@oredaorissa.com.
for any additional information , if needed.
Note: OREDA reserves all the right to annul the bidding process
and invite fresh Bids without liability or obligation for such invitation
and without assigning any reasons.
OIPR-04065/11/0028/2324 Sd/- Chief Executive
 Congress government should stop doing timepass in
guise of Medigadda visit. If you have guts, arrest KCR and Bandi Sanjay,
seize assets of his family for corruption in Kaleshwaram BJP MP on X

04 HYDERABAD TUESDAY 13 02 2024

� �

Congress, BRS war of words Telangana eligible for

over Krishna rocks House more than 60% share
B K A R T H E E K @ Hyderabad of waters, says Uttam
A heated exchange between the
ruling Congress and the Oppo-
sition BRS during the debate
F R O M PA G E 1

Irrigation Minister N Uttam

The Resolution
on a resolution moved by the Kumar Reddy said that In view of the historical injustice
government on the River Krish- though the state was eligible and the current situation, the
na, projects associated with the BRS MLA T Harish Rao in the Assembly on Monday for more than 60% share of House hereby resolves that the
government of Telangana shall

‘Facts on Krishna’ a
river, and the Krishna River Krishna waters considering
Management Board (KRMB) the catchment area and oth- not hand over control of common
was witnessed in the Assembly er parameters, the BRS projects to KRMB unless the
on Monday. sought only 50% share. conditions put forth by the state
have been fulfilled. The

book of lies: Harish

The war of words was ignit-
ed by the Congress seeking
clarification on the rationale
behind the previous BRS re-
gime settling for 299 thousand
million cubic feet (tmcft) when
Telangana was eligible to de-
mand 551 tmcft.
During the debate, several
ministers intervened to address
and counter the allegations
raised by BRS MLA T Harish
Rao. T he r uling par ty
questioned the Opposition’s
stance, particularly the absence
of Leader of the Opposition
K Chandrasekhar Rao during
the discussion on the Govern-
ment Resolution.
Chief Minister A Revanth
Reddy accused the BRS of mis-
leading the Legislative Assem-
bly, noting the absence of KCR
and alleging that the latter sent
his MLAs to “mislead” the
House with false information.
Highlighting the significance
of the Krishna River to South
Telangana, including Ran-
gareddy, Mahbubnagar, Nalgo-
nda and Khammam districts,
the chief minister emphasised
its role as a lifeline for the
region.
He expressed disappoint-
ment in KCR’s failure to attend
the crucial discussion despite
being elected as an MP from
Mahbubnagar in 2009.
Revanth criticised the Leader
of the Opposition, stating:
“South Telangana - Ranga Red-
dy, Mahbubnagar, Nalgonda
and Khammam depended on
Krishna river and it is a lifeline.
The people of Mahbubnagar
JOIN CONG TO ATONE
FOR YOUR SINS:
RAJGOPAL TO HARISH
Hyderabad: Congress member
Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy
on Monday asked BRS
legislator and former minister
T Harish Rao to join the grand
old party, along with 26 other
MLAs of the pink party. During
an informal chat with the
reporters in the lobbies of the
Assembly, he said: “Harish Rao
doesn’t have a future in the
BRS. If he joins the Congress,
we will make him the
endowments minister so that
he can cleanse himself of the
mistakes he committed in the
last 10 years. Since, the BRS previously lured 12 Congress MLAs, he
should bring 26 BRS MLAs at one go to the Congress,” he said.
Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy gestures as he speaks in the Assembly
We want 68% share: Revanth
Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday said that
Krishna river is lifeline of Telangana and the erstwhile
Mahbubnagar, Rangareddy, Khammam and Nalgonda districts
depended on its water. Intervening during the debate on the
resolution on Irrigation in the Assembly, the chief minister said
that though it was an important discussion, Leader of the
Opposition K Chandrasekhar Rao insulted Telangana society by
not attending the session. The Leader of the Opposition, who is
supposed to give a message to the people, was hiding in his
farmhouse, he alleged. “The House adopted a resolution seeking
68 per cent share in Krishna waters and opposed handing over the
projects to KRMB,” the CM said. KCR should spell out his stand
whether they were supporting or opposing the resolution. Revanth
also requested the Speaker to adjourn the House and convene it
again when the Opposition leader attends the House.
elected KCR to the Lok Sabha in by the people of Kodangal.
2009 when the people of Karim- Ministers Ponnam Prab-
nagar rejected him. Albeit, he hakar, Komatireddy Venkat
chose not to attend the impor- Reddy and MLA Komatireddy
tant discussion on Krishna wa- Rajgopal Reddy strongly object-
ters. Being the Leader of the ed to Harish Rao’s remarks, par-
Opposition, KCR should have ticularly his assertion that KCR
come to the Assembly and sup- alone achieved a separate Telan-
ported the resolution to send a gana state. Venkat Reddy re-
message that we are united.” called KCR hailing former UPA
chairperson Sonia Gandhi as a
Harish Rao questions goddess for giving Telangana.
CM’s electoral choices
Deputy Chief Minister Mallu
In response, Harish Rao ques- Bhatti Vikramarka weighed in,
tioned the chief minister about stating that the Irrigation min-
his electoral choices, asking ister has been working hard to
whether he contested from Mal- rectify the alleged wrongs com-
kajgiri because he was rejected mitted during the BRS regime.
Stop K’taka from building new dam: Akbar
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
@ Hyderabad
AIMIM floor leader Akbarud-
din Owaisi on Monday asked
the state government to initiate
steps to prevent Karnataka
from constructing a new dam
on the upstream Tungabhadra
river as such a move will have
an adverse impact on water
flow in Telangana.
He was speaking during the
debate on the ‘Government’s
Resolution’ on Krishna river,
projects on Krishna and Krish-
na River Management Board
and related issues in the State
Legislative Assembly.
Akbaruddin also asked the
EX P R ESS N E WS S E RV I C E @ Hyderabad
CONDEMNING the averments
made in a PowerPoint presenta-
tion by Irrigation Minister N
Uttam Kumar Reddy during the
debate on the ‘Government’s
Resolution’ on Krishna river,
projects on Krishna and Krish-
na River Management Board
and related issues in the state
Legislative Assembly on Mon-
day, BRS MLA T Harish Rao al-
leged that the state government
has tabled a “book of lies” in the
name of “Facts on Krishna”.
He said that the Congress
government adopted a
resolution in haste just
before his party’s pro-
posed public meeting
in Nalgonda. “The Con-
gress government tak-
ing a decision not to
hand over the projects on
Krishna river to the Centre is a
victory of the people of Telan-
gana and the BRS,” he said.
“During the 10-year BRS rule,
KCR has not handed over the
projects to the KRMB. But you
did it in just two months,” he
said and added that the points
included in the handout given to
the legislators, such as the then
BRS government agreeing to
handing over the projects to the
KRMB, are false.
“In the Apex Council meet-
ing attended by KCR, the
projects were not handed over
state government to ensure
that the works on the Rayala-
seema Lift Irrigation Project in
Andhra Pradesh are halted.
“Swift action is necessary to
safeguard Telangana’s inter-
ests,” he added.
Referring to the long-stand-
ing Krishna river water-shar-
ing dispute between Andhra
to KRMB as the matter was sub
judice. It is said that the gazette
notification was not challenged
but it is a lie. We have rejected
the proposals on water share in
the second Apex Council meet-
ing and wrote 27 letters to this
effect,” he said.
On July 14, 2014, the former
chief minister K Chan-
drasekhar Rao had requested
the Centre for water realloca-
tion, he added. While extending
support to the resolution intro-
duced by the government, he
demanded that the state gov-
ernment tender an apology
for agreeing to hand over
the projects. He also
said that the Centre
has set up a tribunal as
they strived for it in the
last nine years.
Responding to state
government’s allegations,
Harish said that a GO was is-
sued regarding Rayalaseema
Lift Irrigation Scheme (RLIS)
on May 5, 2020, and they lodged
a complaint on May 12, 2020 re-
questing to stop it. “We will not
tolerate the attempts of mud-
slinging,” he said.
Later in the day, the BRS re-
leased a PPT titled “Congress
lies on Krishna waters, and
facts presented by BRS” in re-
sponse to the presentation
made by Irrigation Minister N
Uttam Kumar Reddy in the
Assembly.
Pradesh and Telangana, Owai-
si suggested that the state gov-
er nment engage with the
Krishna Water Disputes Tribu-
nal-II, considering its mandate
with new terms of reference.
He recalled the previous gov-
ernment’s unsuccessful de-
mand for 50 per cent allocation
of Krishna water from the
KRMB, resulting in allocation
of 66:34 ratio of water in favour
of Andhra Pradesh. He urged
the present government to en-
sure that Telangana receives
its rightful share and expressed
support for the government’s
resolution on the matter, af-
firming his party’s commit-
ment to stand by it.
However, BRS MLA and
former Irrigation minister
T Harish Rao countered this,
stating that Uttam was utter-
ing lies on the Floor of the
House. Uttam in his Power-
Point presentation said that
failure to act in time and de-
liberate negligence resulted
in non-enhancement of Tel-
angana’s share of water
above 299 tmcft in the Krish-
na basin. “Delayed action,
deliberate negligence and
inordinate delay in complet-
ing the ongoing projects in
Krishna basin led to the
state missing the opportu-
nity to stake a claim before
the Tribunal and other fora,”
he said, blaming the previ-
ous BRS government.
Telangana’s proposal for
handing over projects with
conditions reflects the intri-
cacies of water manage-
ment. The complex nature
of the issues necessitates
continued dialogue, legal ad-
judication, and a collabora-
tive approach for a sustain-
able resolution, Uttam said.
KCR didn’t attend Apex
Council meetings: Uttam
The Irrigation minister re-
called that an Apex Council
meeting was originally
scheduled for August 5, 2020,
but a letter was sent by the
Telangana chief secretary
on July 30, 2020, seeking
postponement of the meet-
ing to any day after August
20, 2020.
He said that the last date
for submission of tenders for
the Rayalaseema project of
AP was August 10, 2020.
“Thus, the then BRS govern-
ment indirectly helped AP by
seeking postponement of the
Apex Council meeting after
closing the bid of RLIS only
to facilitate a smooth tender-
ing process. Had the then
BRS government stringently
opposed this by attending
Apex Council and raising the
issue, the Centre might have
taken some suitable decision
to thwart the progress of the
tender process,” the Irriga-
tion minister said.
Opposition BRS MLAs fre-
quently interrupted Uttam’s
speech, demanding that they
too be given an opportunity
to make their own Power-
Point presentations.
conditions are:
��Water sharing between AP and
Telangana shall be on the basis of
catchment area, drought prone
area, basin population and
cultivable area
�� In-basin needs shall be met
first on priority as per KWDT-I
��Srisailam project was sanctioned
as a hydroelectric project by the
Planning Commission in 1962 for
supplying 264 tmcft to the
Nagarjuna Sagar Project.
Accordingly, MDDL of Srisailam shall
be +830 ft as per KWDT-I Award
��Outside basin diversions from
Srisailam reservoir shall be limited
to 34 tmcft (15 tmcft for Chennai
water supply and 19 tmcft for SRBC)
which were approved by CWC
��The use towards drinking water
shall be reckoned as 20% of
drawal towards consumptive use
as stipulated by KWDT-I
��States shall be permitted to carry
over water to the next year and the
carry-over shall not be included in
the next year’s account
��Unauthorised construction of
projects/new components diverting
Krishna water outside the basin
shall not be permitted strictly
unless approved by CWC/MoWR
��The House also resolves to
request the Centre to withdraw
the CRPF and hand over control
of the project to Telangana
��Through the APRA-2014, KRMB
was created for regulating water
sharing between sibling states.
BRS govt also proposed handing
over common projects — Srisailam
and NSP to KRMB, which is
detrimental to TS’ interests
��After the formation of TS,
sufficient attention was not given
to the requirements of the
Krishna basin and the then BRS
govt agreed to the grossly unfair
ratio of water sharing between
the two states which is 299 tmcft
to TS and 512 tmcft to AP
THE WAY FORWARD
�� The fresh terms of reference to
the existing Brijesh Kumar
Tribunal and the present govt’s
initiatives give a ray of hope for
achieving equitable share
�� This House shall escalate this
issue at an appropriate level
and attempt in full capacity
to resolve KRMB issues

‘Youth at risk Cong team to visit Medigadda, BRS meet in N’gonda

of hookah E N S @ Hyderabad/Nalgonda ure” of the two-month-old Con- leave Hyderabad for Medigadda Nalgonda, KCR’s first since his

addiction’
F R O M PA G E 1
Explaining the aims and objec-
tives of the Bill, Sridhar Babu
said the state government felt
an immediate need to ban hook-
ah parlours in view of the harm
they are causing to the younger
generation. The chief minister
decided to impose a ban on the
hookah parlours in Telangana
and Cabinet approved the deci-
sion. Sridhar Babu told the
House that organisers of hook-
If you can’t stop AP, why not
THE ruling Congress and the
Opposition BRS will hold sepa-
rate meetings on Irrigation in
Medigadda and Nalgonda re-
spectively on Tuesday.
While the ruling party lead-
ers, including Chief Minister A
Revanth Reddy, will visit Medi-
gadda barrage to expose the al-
PARTY IS PRIORITY leged corruption of BRS in the
construction of irrigation
APCC chief YS Sharmila calls on CM A Revanth Reddy in Hyderabad on Monday projects, Leader of the Opposi-
tion K Chandrasekhar Rao will
address a public meeting in
Nalgonda to expose the “fail-
gress government “in protect-
ing the interests of the state in
river water sharing”.
While the Congress will
highlight the inferior
quality of Medigadda
barrage works, the BRS
will explain to the peo-
ple how the Congress
pledged the interests of
the state to the Centre by
handing over the common
irrigation projects to the KRMB.
Revanth, Deputy Chief Minis-
ter Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka,
ministers, MLAs and MLCs will
in a bus at 10.15 am, after at-
tending the Assembly at 10 am.
They are expected to reach
Medigadda by 3 pm and vis-
it the barrage for around
two hours. The govern-
ment will also make a
PowerPoint presenta-
tion at Medigadda. Af-
ter concluding their
visit, they will return to
Hyderabad.
The BRS leaders, led by
former minister G Jagdish Red-
dy, made elaborate arrange-
ments for the public meeting in
party lost the Assembly elec-
tions. They are also making ef-
forts to mobilise over two lakh
people from Rangareddy, Mah-
bubnagar and the erstwhile
Nalgonda district for the
meeting.
Meanwhile, R&B Minister
Komatireddy Venkat Reddy
said that KCR should apologise
to the people of Nalgonda be-
fore addressing a public meet-
ing for his failure to complete
the Srisailam Left Bank Canal
(SLBC) project when the BRS
was in power.

ah parlours were taking advan-

tage of the craze for hookah
smoking among youth, includ-
ing college students, and that
there was a possibility of youth
getting addicted to it.
The minister said that smok-
ing hookah was more harmful
than smoking cigarettes and it
makes the smokers take toxic
substances and there is a pos-
sibility of youth getting addict-
ed to it.
“Hookah smoking is more
harmful than cigarette smok-
ing. One-hour hookah contain-
ing about 200 puffs is 100 times
more harmful than cigarettes,”
the minister said. He said that
since coal is used in a hookah,
the smoke releases a high level
of carbon monoxide, heavy
metals and cancer-causing
chemicals called carcinogens.
hand over projects, asks BJP BRS, Congress enacting drama over Krishna: Bandi
E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @ Hyderabad
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE tering the claiming of the mem- BJP general
BJP MLA A Maheshwar Reddy has sought to know why the state @ Rajanna-Sircilla bers of treasury benches in the secretary Bandi
government is not inclined to hand over the projects on Krishna Assembly. Speaking about the Sanjay buys
river to Krishna River Management Board (KRMB). BJP national general secretary share of Krishna waters, he vegetables
He was speaking during the debate on the ‘Government’s Reso- and Karimnagar MP Bandi said: “The BRS had a pact with after
lution’ on Krishna river, projects on Krishna and Krishna River Sanjay Kumar on Monday al- the government of Andhra interacting with
Management Board and related issues in the State Legislative leged that the Congress and Pradesh. As part of that deal, it a vendor during
Assembly on Monday. BRS leaders were enacting a allowed AP to draw 812 tmc of his Prajahitha
“When the state cannot stop Andhra Pradesh from drawing drama over Krishna river wa- water in the last 10 years.” Yatra in
water, why cannot the projects be handed over to the Centre,” ters issue. “Though Telangana’s right- Vemulawada
Maheshwar Reddy asked and added that the Centre may have to Speaking to the media dur- ful share of Krishna waters is town on
intervene if the states cannot resolve the issue. ing his Prajahita Yatra in Ve- 512 tmc, the BRS government Monday
“On January 27, the state government wrote a letter addressed mulawada Assembly constitu- settled for 299 tmc of water,” he
to the Centre. It didn’t explicitly state that it would not hand over ency, he said that while the added.
BJP poll panel shortlists candidates for LS polls
the projects. But it enquired about the terms and conditions. Congress was trying to divert He also alleged that former Hyderabad: Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP state election
When the chief minister agreed to hand over the projects on Janu- people’s attention away from chief minister K Chan- committee meeting was held in the city on Monday. According to
ary 27, how did he change his mind all of a sudden,” he said. its unfulfilled election promis- drasekhar Rao failed to fulfil sources, the committee shortlisted three to five candidates for each
He also sought to know why the Congress government adopted es, the BRS was attempting to his promise of developing Ve- constituency during the meeting. The candidates were shortlisted
the resolution in haste, while inferring it to be a corrective meas- escape from the corruption and mulawada temple when the based on inputs received from the constituencies. The list of
ure fearing backlash. cheating allegations by coun- BRS was in power. candidates will be finalised in Delhi by February 20.
 AP CM’S ‘AADUDAM ANDHRA’ SET TO CONCLUDE ON A HIGH NOTE
Launched by CM Jagan on December 26, 2023, Aadudam Andhra is set to end on a
high note in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday. With the participation exceeding 25 lakh
players, the mega sports event has etched its mark in the state’s history

05 HYDERABAD TUESDAY 13 02 2024

� �

Guv refuses to read TN govt’s text,

EXPRESS READ
TN Minister Senthil

walks out on Speaker’s remark

Appavu expunges Ravi’s remarks, reads full Tamil version of customary address
T MURUGANANDHAM &
S K U M A R E S A N @ Chennai
FOR the second consecutive
year, the customary address of
the governor to the State As-
sembly ended in a controversy
on Monday with Governor RN
Ravi refusing to read the com-
plete address prepared by the
state citing certain reasons.
After the governor abruptly
ended his address by reading
just the introductory part of it
and making some caustic com-
ments on the state government,
Speaker M Appavu read out the
full Tamil version of the ad-
dress. The governor remained
seated till the speaker complet-
ed the exercise. After complet-
ing his speech, the speaker gave
a sharp reply to the governor’s
remarks. At this juncture, the
governor stepped down from
the podium. Seeing this, the
speaker said, “Only after this,
the national anthem will be
rendered.”
Balaji finally resigns
Chennai: Under remand since June
last year in a money laundering
case, V Senthil Balaji, after many
months of continuing as a minister
without a portfolio, has finally
resigned. Highly placed sources
Speaker called Guv Nathuram Godse’s follower: Raj Bhavan marks made by the governor said that Balaji sent his
and himself (speaker) had been resignation to Stalin a few days
Chennai: The Raj Bhavan on Monday said by launching a tirade against expunged. Later, the speaker ago, and the CM has forwarded it
the governor and calling him a follower of Nathuram Godse in the House, reiterated this at a press to Raj Bhavan. Notably, the former
Assembly Speaker M Appavu has lowered the dignity of his chair. In a conference. minister’s bail plea is coming up
statement explaining the sequence of events that happened during the Responding to a question on for a hearing on February 14. Balaji
governor’s address in the House, the Raj Bhavan said, “When the speaker whether the governor acted in had held the portfolios of
concluded the address, the governor rose for the national anthem as the way he did with any ulteri- electricity and prohibition, before
scheduled. The speaker, however, instead of following the schedule, or motive, the speaker said the being divested of them after his
launched a tirade against the governor and called him a follower of customary address was okayed arrest on June 14, 2023.
Nathuram Godse and more. The speaker, with his unbecoming conduct, by the governor in advance but
lowered the dignity of his chair and the grace of the House. While the he expressed his own views in
speaker went on with his tirade, the governor, with due regard to the the House. The governor is of PG med student dies in
dignity of his office and the House, left the Assembly.” The Raj Bhavan the view that the national an-
also said the draft of the governor’s address was received from the state Hyd, suicide suspected
them should be played at the
on February 9. The address had numerous passages with misleading beginning of the session too, Sangareddy: Rachana Reddy, 25,
claims far from the truth. “This address has numerous passages with the speaker said. “As per the an intern PG student of Mamata
which I convincingly disagree on factual and moral grounds. I lending my rules of the House, an invoca- Medical College, Bachupalli,
voice to them would constitute a constitutional travesty,” the governor tion to the Thamizh Thaai Hyderabad died by suicide. She
said in the House, explaining the reason for refusing to read the full text. would be rendered at the begin- was found lying unconscious in a
ning of the session and the ses- car by passersby on the Outer
As the governor was leaving lution unanimously by a voice sion will end with the national Ring Road at Ameenpur and was
the House, Leader of the House, vote and even the BJP members anthem. This is being followed shifted to her college hospital
Duraimurugan, moved a reso- did not object to it. After this, in all state events,” the speaker where she died while undergoing
lution proposing that the cus- the speaker said, “Only the text told reporters. Appavu said the treatment. She is suspected to
tomary address presented to
the House in Tamil and English
printed in Tamil and English in
the customary address will go
customary address does not
have any remarks contrary to
BLUSH SEASON? have injected herself with some
lethal medicine. Ameenpur police
should be taken on record as it on record and nothing else,” truth or any remarks that ac- Tabebuia rosea blooms on Sheshadri Road in Bengaluru, captures the attention of registered a case and launched
is. The House adopted the reso- thus indicating that the re- cuse any government. the locals on a Monday afternoon | SHASHIDHAR BYRAPPA investigation.

DALIT GIRLS’ SUICIDE

Inquiry officer shifted, 110 Family overjoyed as Vizag Navy

students have nowhere to go veteran stuck in Qatar returns home
A S E S H A C H A R Y U L U @ Yadadri Bhuvanagiri
IN light of general transfers, Bhu-
vanagiri Special Deputy Collector
Nagalakshmi, who was appointed as
the inquiry officer in the suicide
case of two Class 10 students at Bhu-
vanagiri SC girls hostel, has
been transferred to another
district. However, a new of-
ficer for the inquiry has not
yet been appointed by the
district collector.
Officials said that prior to
her transfer, Nagalakshmi con-
ducted a three-day inquiry and gath-
ered details. All hostel staff were
questioned regarding the behaviour
of the victims — Bhavya and
Vaishnavi — before the incident, as
well as the conduct of auto driver
Anjaneyulu with the students. It was
alleged that the driver used to sneak
into the hostel in the dead of the
night. Warden Shailaja, who was
suspended, was summoned to the
Collectorate for questioning. She
claimed that she had counselled
Bhavya and Vaishnavi over their al-
leged misbehaviour towards
junior students.
Meanwhile, the district
administration has not
made arrangements for the
110 students who vacated
the hostel. With examina-
tions next month, authorities
have decided to accommodate 14
Class 10 students at the Bhuvanagiri
social welfare residential school.
Bhuvanagiri ACP Venkat Reddy said
that the suicide note of the girls was
been sent to the FSL, but no reports
have been received yet.
G JANARDHANA RAO
@ Visakhapatnam
THE 18-month ordeal of Com-
mander Sugunakar Pakala’s
family finally ended on Monday
as he returned to India, along
with seven other former Naval
personnel who were initially sen-
tenced to death for spying for Is-
rael in Qatar.
Speaking to TNIE, Sugu-
nakar’s brother-in-law K Kalya-
na Chakravarthi thanked the In-
dian government, particularly
Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
for securing the safe release of
the naval veterans. The family is
waiting for Sugunakar, who land-
ed in New Delhi from Doha, to
return to Visakhapatnam.
“His sister spoke to Sugunakar
and asked about his well-being.
He is expected to reach Vizag on
Tuesday,” Kalyan said.
A native of Vizag, Sugunakar
had studied in Tympany School
and later shifted to Korukonda
Sainik School in Vizianagaram,
where he joined the Navy. The 54-
year old retired in 2013 after serv-
ing the Indian Navy for 25 years.
After retirement, he worked
with HSL for two years and left
for Doha in 2018. Sugunakar last
visited Visakhapatnam in July
2022. His wife visited him in
Doha in July last year.
Responding to the news, BJP
MP GVL Narasimha Rao said the
RELATIVES THANK PRIME MINISTER
Sugunakar’s brother-in-law K Kalyana Chakravarthi thanked the Indian
government, particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for securing the
safe release of the naval veterans.
eight naval veterans were re-
leased following the intervention
of PM Modi.
Recalling that Sugunakar’s
family had met him and sought
his help to speak to Union Minis-
ter of External Affairs S Jais-
hankar and Indian Ambassador
to Qatar Vipul, the MP, who is
also a Member of the Consulta-
tive Committee for External Af-
fairs, said he then assured them
that the Indian government will
provide all support to ensure jus-
tice for the bravehearts.
GVL announced that he will
meet all the navy veterans soon.

GOVERNMENT OF TELANGANA
THE SUPERINTENDING ENGINEER
IRRIGATION CIRCLE NO.3, MAKTHAL
E - PROCUREMENT NOTICE
Tender Notice No.10/2023-24 Date: 10.02.2024
Name of the work: NKLIS - Execution of Narayanpet - Kodangal Lift Irrigation
Scheme to provide irrigation facilities to the drought prone areas of Kodangal,
Narayanapet and Makthal Assembly Constituencies. Estimate Amount:
Rs.1894.00 Crores. Last date & time for receipt of tenders: 05.03.2024
@ 11.00 AM. Name & Address of the S.E. concerned: L.Chakradharam,
A/c Superintending Engineer, I&CADD, Irrigation Circle No.3, Makthal.
Phone No.9885367472. Further details can be seen at e-procurement
market place www.tender.telangana.gov.in.
(Regd. Office: PSEB Head Office, The Mall, Patiala - 147001) Sd/- Superintending Engineer,
Corporate Identity Number: U40109PB2010SGC033813, Website : www.pspcl.in I&CADD, Irrigation Circle No.3, Makthal
E-Tender Enq.No. 515/P-2/EMP-W-12569 Dtd : 08.02.24 DIPR R.O. No.10353-PP/CL/Advt/1/2023-24, Dt: 12/02/2024
Dy. Chief Engineer / Headquarter (Procurement Cell-2) GGSSTP, Roopnagar
Invites E-Tender ID No. 2024_POWER_117153_1 for Complete repair of 01 No. of 850KW/750
rpm 415V, 3-Phase induction generator of GGSSTP micro-Hydel Rupnagar. For detailed NIT
& Tender Specification please refer to https://eproc.punjab.gov.in from 09.02.24 onwards.
Note:- Corrigendum & addendum, if any will be published online at
https://eproc.punjab.gov.in
140/RTP-23/24-2/12/2024
76155/12/2692/2023/32337

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF CONSTRUCTION ENGINEER OFFICE OF THE ENGINEER-IN-CHIEF (CIVIL), ODISHA
ANANDPUR BARRAGE PROJECT, SALAPAOA. DIST:-KEONJHAR,ODISHA, PIN: 758020 NIRMAN SOUDHA, UNIT-V, BHUBANESWAR
E-Mail:cceabp@gmail.com/ loabpbbsr@gmail.com E-mail ID: cebuildings_orissa@yahoo.co.in, Tel. -(0674)- 2391523
E-procurement Notice No. CCEABP- 12 of 2023-24 INVITATIONS FOR BIDS (IFB)
(Bid Id No. ABP-Soro-01/12 of 2023-24) File No. B-III-Sports-34/2023(Pt-II) No. 5993 Dt. 8th Feb, 2024
A-1481 DETAILED NOTICE INVITING TENDER B-1769 Invitation for Bids
Class/EMD /Tender Fee /Period Bid Identification No.C.E.-(RD&QP) (B) – 63 / 2023-24
Name of Work
of completion 1. The Chief Engineer (RD&QP), Odisha, Bhubaneswar on behalf
Construction of Distribution system for 17080 Ha, of (1)Class of Contractor - Super of Works Deptt.,Govt. of Odisha, invites percentage rate bids in
CCA including Command Area Development (CAD) of Class or Equivalent Grade Bid- double cover system in ONLINE MODE only, for the work “Sup-
Salandi Left Main Canal from RD 45.570 km to 59.970 ders (2) EMD: Rs 495.00 lakh. ply, Installation, Testing and commissioning of 250KVA
km through Under Ground Pipe Line Irrigation system (3) Tender Fee: Rs.10, 000.00. three phase DG set with AMP Panel, Armoured cable and
(Gravity Flow) of Anandpur Barrage Project in Balasore (4) Period of completion; 36 630 amp Main Panel and stadium lighting system (Stadium
Disrict of Odisha on EPC-Tum Key Basis including op- (Thirty-six) calendar months Mast & Flood Light) at Nehru Stadium, Bhadrak ” amounting
eration and maintenance of the commissioned project. including rainy seasons to Rs.2,06,17,856/- as detailed below”.
A. Period of Availability of Bid Document : From 10.00 AM of 15.02.2024 to 2. Nature of work : Electrical Installation Work
in the Portal 11.03.2024 up to 5.00 PM 3. No. of work : 01 no.
B. Date & time For Pre-Bid Conference : 28.02.2024 at 12.30 PM 4. Bid Cost. : `10,000/-
C. Last Date and Time for Receipt of Bid : 11.03.2024 up to 5.00 PM. 5. Class of Contractor : Contractor possessing valid MV /
D. Place of Sale & Receipt of Bid : On-Line through e-Procurement. HT license from ELBO.
E. Time and Date of Opening of : 12.03.2024 at 12.30 PM. 6. Availability of Bid Docu- : From dt.13.02.2024 to 17:00
Technical Bid ments in the website hours of dt.27.02.2024.
F. Place of Opening of Bid : O/o the Chief Construction. Engineer, 7. Date of Opening of Bid : Dt.28.02.2024 at 11:00 AM.
Anandapur Barrage Project, Sala- 8. The Bidders have to participate in ONLINE bidding only. Further
pada. G. Further details can be seen details can be seen from the website :https://tendersodisha.gov.
from E-Procurment Portal "https:// in. Any addendum / corrigendum / cancellation of tender can also
wvvw.tendersodisha.gov.in" be seen in the said website. The authority reserves the right to
Sd/- Chief Construction Engineer, reject any or all bids without assigning any reason thereof.
Anandpur Barrage Project, Salapada. Sd/- Chief Engineer (RD&QP),
OIPR-32180/11/0013/2324
OIPR- 34117/11/0108/2324 Odisha, Bhubaneswar

06
INDIAN EXPRESS IS NOT AN
INDUSTRY. IT IS A MISSION.
— Ramnath Goenka
NAVY VETERANS’
RETURN FROM QATAR
A DIPLOMATIC COUP
T
HE curious case of the Qatar Eight ended as suddenly
as it began. On Sunday morning, the eight Indian
Navy veterans, who were jailed in the emirate since
October 2022 on unclear espionage charges were asked
to pack their belongings. By 2 am on Monday, seven of
them—captains Navtej Singh Gill and Saurabh Vasisht,
commanders Birendra Verma, Amit Nagpal, Sugunakar
Pakala and Sanjeev Gupta, and sailor Ragesh—were back
on Indian soil. The eighth, Commander Purnendu Tiwari,
has been released and is being processed in Doha. None of
the Qatar Eight or their families had been told of the im-
minence of their release.
The twists in the case could hardly be more dramatic. It
was only three and a half months ago that the eight men
were handed the death sentence by Qatar’s Court of First
Instance. The Indian mission swung purposefully into ac-
tion, hiring a former attorney general of Qatar to fight the
case. But things really got going in favour of the Indians
after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the emirate’s
ruler, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, during the Dubai
COP summit in early December. The death sentences were
commuted near the end of December. An appeal to Qatar’s
highest court was discussed in early January; and then, the
discharge. The release comes days after a consequential
deal—India’s Petronet signed its biggest contract to buy 7.5
million metric tonnes of liquefied natural gas per year from
QatarEnergy; the new deal extends by two decades an exist-
ing one that runs till 2028.
This is nothing short of a diplomatic coup engineered at
the highest levels of government. The eight families are in-
deed thankful. The press played its part, too. After TNIE
broke the story, Indian media kept the issue in the spotlight.
Reporters took care to not ratchet up the rhetoric to allow
for diplomacy to proceed unhindered by public opinion.
While all this is reason for celebration, there is cause for a
pause too. We need clearer rules for engagement abroad,
especially when Indian servicemen are involved. The story
of the Qatar Eight will be truly over when the eighth Navy
man is back. Modi is visiting Doha on February 14; we hope
the final chapter will be closed soon.
NAGAL WIN GOOD, BUT
CONSISTENCY IS KEY
J
UST a year ago, Sumit Nagal was staring into the abyss.
He was struggling not just with his tennis, but deep with-
in there was a tempest brewing that forced him to con-
template quitting the game. On Sunday, he had tears in
his eyes after winning the Chennai Open ATP Challenger.
It was cathartic as varied emotions flashed by. Earlier in the
year, the 26-year-old became the first Indian to beat a seeded
player in 35 years at the Australian Open. He followed up
with a win at Chennai to break into the top 100—first for an
Indian since 2019. Everything seems to be falling into place
for the 26-year-old in singles.
This could be a good tiding for India in tennis. The Davis
Cup team has beaten Pakistan to qualify for World Group I.
Rohan Bopanna became the oldest player to win a doubles
Grand Slam crown at the Australian Open last month. The
country is hosting four ATP Challenger series for the first
time since 2015. It is something the players had been request-
ing so that they could earn big points—375 points in the four
series—and get wild-card entries without travelling abroad.
The ATP is itself helping Indian organisers. This could be the
shot in the arm Indian tennis has been looking for.
Indian tennis needs new heroes. The sport has been
starved of idols since Sania Mirza and Leander Paes walked
into the sunset. With the Paris Olympics around the corner,
the focus once again will be on doubles. With Bopanna now
in the top 10, he can literally pick a partner; so all eyes will
be on his choice. Paes’s first individual medal sparked a
small revolution, especially in doubles. That generation’s
top four—Paes, Bhupathi, Sania and Bopanna—gave us a lot
of hope, but Indian players faded even in doubles where they
were expected to do well. Indians have always struggled in
singles, a game dominated by Europeans. With more ATP
challengers at home, and a bit more support from sponsors
and the government, players can dream of improving their
rankings. Nagal has shown that with hard work, it is pos-
sible to win a Grand Slam match. But to be counted among
the best, a lot more consistency is needed at the highest level.
And it is not going to be easy.
Q U I C K TA K E
MORE FOR THE UPI CLUB
S
RI Lanka and Mauritius have become the latest nations
to join the growing unified payment interface or UPI club.
Starting with Bhutan and Malaysia in 2021, the instant
digital payment system is now accepted in the UAE, Singa-
pore, Nepal, Oman and Qatar; France joined earlier this
month. A few other countries are in various stages of inte-
grating the technology. One gap remains to be filled for the
cost-conscious Indian traveller. Without a treasury of its
own, the National Payments Corporation cannot offer forex
rates as competitive as those by some other global payment
systems. The sooner it plugs the hole, the better.
Resident Editor (Telangana) : T Kalyan Chakravarthy* Printed and Published by R K Jhunjhunwala on behalf of Express Publications (Madurai) Private Ltd., at H.No.6-3-1113/1, B.S.Makta Lane, Somajiguda, Near Grand Kakatiya Hotel, Punjagutta, Hyderabad – 500 016 and printed by him at Sakshi Press, Plot No.D-75 & E-52, Industrial Estate (APIE),
Balanagar, Medchal-Malkajgiri District, Telangana. Hyderabad: Vol. 48, No. 37. RNI Reg. No. 32179/77. Phone: 040-23413908. * Responsible for selection of News under the PRB Act. Copyright: Express Publications (Madurai) Private Ltd., All rights reserved. Reproduction in any manner, electronic or otherwise, in whole or in part, without prior written permission is prohibited.
HYDERABAD TUESDAY 13 02 2024
� �
A
S you sip your cup of tea this
morning with a newspaper or a
digital device in hand, Assam tea
is celebrating 200 years. Events
in Guwahati have been raising a
cheer to this occasion. Assam is
ecstatic, as is the state’s tea com-
munity. And rightly so.
Who hasn’t cherished a cup of tea?
Those who have partaken of this bever-
age will swear by its taste, aroma,
strength and aftertaste. The zest of tea as
a wholesome beverage of choice is a
time-tested one. Tea today stands tall in
the hall of fame of beverages worldwide.
It’s a staple beverage of choice, with sta-
ple being defined as something that
grows on a plant and is as natural as it
comes. A beverage that is not made in a
laboratory. A beverage that is not a con-
coction of artificial additives and fla-
vours. A beverage that is as wholesome
as every dried, processed and cut leaf is.
A beverage that is typically made at home
and consumed with relish. With milk and
water and sugar to top the taste experi-
ence. Tea is ubiquitous.
Let me look keenly, but differently, at
the tea industry of India. The way we
look at tea needs to change. We need to
build a perspective and narrative for the
next 200 years, with Assam tea as the
lead player, with its cousins from West
Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karna-
taka in tow. If Indian tea needs to lead
in the world of consumption, we need to
take steps that are different. Different
from what we took in the last 200 years.
Let me examine it from five perspec-
tives of change.
First, Assam tea is 200 years young.
Not old. Two-hundred years gives us her-
itage and lineage. Keep that as a status,
but don’t think old. Think young. The
market is young. We have only taken the
early baby steps in the evolution of this
industry. This industry today offers
largely commodity value realisations.
We need to aim at higher end realisations
that climb the value chain of being a
deeply-dependent commodity (a quasi-
brand status of commodity) for interna-
tional blends. We need to climb higher
still, by offering value-added brands and
big consumer brand propositions. And I
take one step further. We need to attain
the status of a cult beverage for the
young, craved for across the world. Is this
possible at all? I do believe it is. In sum,
we need. A business plan for the industry
to morph its approach to the market alto-
gether. It is time to up the ante on price
INNOVATION TO BRIDGE
THE PENSION DIVIDE
H
OW can the proverbial chaiwala
in India plan for his pension to-
day? Technically, he can invest in
the National Pension System
(NPS). But that requires him to
make a number of relatively
complex calculations, and even
then, it does not tell him how much he
needs to save to ensure that he gets the de-
sired purchasing power when he retires.
This uncertainty is also at the heart of
the debate between the Old Pension
Scheme and the NPS, a debate that is only
for suitwalas. Beneficiaries of NPS do not
necessarily expect it to be worse off than
the OPS—rather, it is that the OPS was
predictable and indexed, and allowed
planning for a certain standard of living,
while NPS is doubly uncertain, subject to
both market and macroeconomic risks,
like inflation and interest rates.
Is the chaiwala asking for too much when
he wants a product that will tell him that if
he saves x now, he will be assured an infla-
tion-protected amount y, when he retires?
The answer to that question is a re-
sounding ‘No’. Such a product is available.
Brazil introduced it a year ago and India
can do so soon, if it chooses to.
Enter InDIAS—inflation-linked, de-
ferred-income, annuity-like securities—a
simple, liquid, low-cost, government-issued
instrument. It is easy to understand even
for a financially unsophisticated individu-
al. It matches the desired real retirement
income of individuals with their current
savings and is a variation of the RBI’s exist-
ing IINSS or Inflation Indexed National
Saving Securities. However, it is simpler
and easier to access for retail investors, un-
like the government bond market. And it
requires the chaiwala to answer questions
he is competent to answer.
InDIAS will pay people when they need
it and how they need it. It starts paying in-
vestors upon retirement (that is, forward-
starting), and pays a real income, that is,
an amount indexed to standard-of-living
indices (for example, `50 a month in to-
day’s value) for a period of 20 years (the
average life expectancy post-retirement).
InDIAS can cover both inflation risk and
standard-of-living improvements by using
a GST-linked index to determine nominal
payments. The payouts will start from a
fixed future date—say, January 1, 2050—
and occur monthly on the same date that
government pensions are paid. The price
of a particular InDIAS will change over
time—less expensive now, but potentially
becoming more expensive as the date of
payout gets closer, depending on interest
THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS
Chairman of the Board: Manoj Kumar Sonthalia Editor: Santwana Bhattacharya
Even as Assam tea turns 200, India’s tea industry
remains far from realising its full potential. It needs
to get its focus right for the next 200 years
RAISING A CUP
TO THE NEXT
TWO CENTURIES
HARISH BIJOOR
realisations and margins and tap the
great big consumer market out there.
Second, the tea industry of India is
very close to the product. It is quality-
and R&D-centric. The Tocklai Tea Re-
search Institute at Jorhat is the world’s
largest and oldest such research station
that was founded in 1911.
How close is the industry to the con-
sumer though? I do believe this is the dis-
tance that India’s tea industry must
bridge to make big strides. In this guard-
ed distance lies the weakness. While
proximity to product is good, at times we
are so close to the product that we don’t
read it well enough. We are too close to
the book to read it correctly. The consum-
ARUN MURALIDHAR
Co-founder of M-cube Investment,
co-author of Rethinking Pension Reform
with Franco Modigliani
rates. Individuals can buy InDIAS through
their working life to acquire the desired
retirement cash flow stream, in amounts
that can be as small as 100 at a time, maybe
using their UPI accounts. India’s high de-
gree of digitalisation can ensure wide-
spread adoption and access.
Delegating retirement planning deci-
sions to individuals is risky as it is complex
and beyond the scope of many financial
professionals. Many do not save enough
and may not be financially sophisticated to
invest their assets to maximise the proba-
ANI
Votaries of the old and new
pension schemes have been at
loggerheads over the pros and
cons of the two systems. InDIAS or
inflation-linked, deferred-income,
annuity-like securities may help.
It is a liquid, low-cost instrument
that seeks to pay people when they
need it and how they need it
bility of achieving their goals. For exam-
ple, to preserve one’s standard of living,
retirement planning requires forecasting
inflation, a daunting task even for sophisti-
cated individuals. Those who work in the
informal sector—our chaiwala—face ad-
ditional challenges like access. InDIAS will
change that, for both the chaiwala and the
suitwala, and use digitalisation to improve
financial inclusion.
If a 25-year-old in 2024 wants to guaran-
tee `50,000 monthly, risk-free for 20 years in
retirement at 60, she would need to buy
1,000 InDIAS (`50,000 divided by `50) over
her working life. No more complex calcula-
tions are needed as InDIAS embed accumu-
lation, decumulation, compounding and
Brand guru and founder, Harish Bijoor Consults Inc
SOURAV ROY
er of tea is changing rapidly. It is time to
understand him, her and them. Correctly.
With precision. And ahead of the curve.
Not behind. Not after the consumer has
changed and bolted.
Third, there are three avatars of tea.
There is the solid (the leaf), the liquid
(the brew) and the gas (the zany beverage
consumption micro-movements that are
new and fashionable). Assam tea has fo-
cused on the solid with great passion and
perfection. It has focused on the liquid at
the backend of production, but not
enough at the front end of consumption.
As for the gas, I do believe there are miles
to go before the tea industry sleeps with
satisfaction.
PARTHA MUKHOPADHYAY
Senior Fellow, Centre for Policy Research
inflation. The ‘pension salary’ from InDIAS
can be locked in as real income payments,
guaranteed by the government, unaffected
by changes in the economy, interest rates
and stock markets—that is, it would be an
individualised, defined-benefit plan.
Should the owner die early, his or her heirs
will inherit these bonds.
InDIAS have good provenance. It satis-
fies the key goals of debt management
and stable debt structure identified by the
RBI in its Payments Vision 2025, as also
the atmanirbhar goal for funding infra-
structure. The RendA+ or Retirement Ex-
tra bond issued by Brazil last year is a
similar instrument.
Brazil’s RendA+ uses a simple app that
requires only one’s date of retirement and
target monthly income in today’s money.
R$1.4 billion of RenDA+ has been sold to
over 77,000 investors, and over one-fifth of
investors are first-time buyers of securities,
indicating financial inclusion. This is im-
portant in India, where less than 10 percent
of the population engage with the stock
market and less than half of those invest in
mutual funds. In addition, 60 percent of the
initial investors in Brazil have already
made more than one transaction, with ris-
ing median investment ticket size, suggest-
ing improved savings behaviour.
InDIAS help the government too. By
broadening the investor pool, it increases
demand for government debt, allowing it to
access patient long- term funds at lower
cost to fund infrastructure investments.
The discipline of making inflation-protect-
ed payouts for borrowing via InDIAS will
also steer government spending towards a
more productive direction, and linking
payments to GST leads to better balance
sheet management.
Correspondingly, by leveraging UPI and
JanDhan accounts, it makes secure instru-
ments available to the hitherto financially
excluded chaiwala, and lowers the risk of
individuals retiring poor. InDIAS are thus
a win-win for all. The sooner the govern-
ment acts, the lower will be the cost of en-
suring retirement security for both chai-
walas and suitwalas and building the
infrastructure that India needs to realise
its 2047 dream. (Views are personal)
Tact is the ability to step on a
man’s toes without messing
up the shine on his shoes
Fourth, generations of tea consumers
have changed, but tea has not. The ever-
green ability of tea has been taken for
granted. Tea’s quality has been taken for
granted, just as consumer consumption
patterns have been. It is time to sit up and
smell the tea. The Gen Z is well-nigh done
and dusted. The Millennials are a rage,
but the Alpha Gen ahead is the future.
The tea industry needs to gear itself up
to the needs of this new generation. A
generation that is turning consumption
formats into a tumult. Tea must be able
to live up to this expectation and deliver.
Fifth, the tea industry does the mass-
play well. Indian tea is good at the vol-
ume end of the game, and not at the niche
end. The market today is turning niche.
Consumers across the world are going
niche. There is a craving for the different.
There is a craving for a small plantation
produce and products that have a story to
tell. That estate-tea that talks of being
plot specific and specific to a type of soil,
flora and fauna is making a big hit in
terms of premiums. Consumers are look-
ing for the new. Tea must not get lost in
the woods of the old.
As I list the top five issues to tackle—
among 11 on my long list—I do believe
the industry needs to do ‘the new’. Even
the completely new. If I am to talk about
just one, my big issue is the way the tea
industry defines its competition. The
competition for Indian tea is not Chinese,
Sri Lankan or Nepalese tea. The competi-
tion of tea is not tea at all. It is water. The
beverage with the biggest draw and the
biggest positive. If tea can think of this,
if tea can position itself to be that “in-
fused water” of choice, it can win. The
bleeding-edge youngsters of today are
shunning tea altogether. They shun the
milk and, even more so, shun the sugar.
Tea in India today is milk, water, sugar
and tea leaves boiled together. Milk and
sugar mask the taste of tea. If tea must
stand out in the long run, it needs to
think of itself as not a flavoured milk
and sugar concoction. Instead, the big
and powerful route is that of being an in-
fused water. A “water additive”, an “en-
hanced water”. A healthier option even.
It’s time to reposition tea as tea in India
and indeed across the world.
There are 64 tea-producing countries
in the world. China leads and India fol-
lows. It is time to up the game and Assam
tea is the best placed to do this. Starting
today, the 201st birthday of Assam Tea.
Hapy birthday! (Views are personal)
(harishbijoor@hotmail.com)
Voters’ call
Ref: LS poll to decide between NCP leader and
pretender (Feb 12). The Election Commission’s
three-test formula revealed that Ajit Pawar’s
faction has the majority of MLAs, MLCs and
MPs. As a result, the poll panel ruled that the
Ajit faction is the real NCP. However, in the
end, the voters will decide between the real
NCP and the imposter.
Bharti Singh, Bengaluru
Two states
Ref: Two sides of India’s consumption story
(Feb 12). While consumption has gone up on
one side of the spectrum, it has declined on
the other side. The government should not
pamper the rich while ignoring the have-nots.
The government must address the stagnant
growth in minimum wage, which could be
holding back rural spending. The government
must indeed go beyond providing free ration.
Anushka Singh, email
Youth anger
Ref: Imran bowls a surprising swing at
opponents (Feb 12). Pakistan’s youngsters
have shown their anger over the military’s
continuing grip over their country’s public
affairs. Curbing military spending and
diverting money towards promoting economic
activities is the need of the hour. The results
show the public trusts Imran to deliver on the
economic front.
M S Nalini Santhanam, Chennai
People power
Ref: Hectic parleys in Pak as no wriggle room
in final tally (Feb 12). The Pakistan election
results show the power of the people in a
democracy. Even with the backing of the
powerful military, Sharif could not achieve
a conclusive victory as a large section of the
public voted for independents loyal to Imran
Khan. The results give Imran a much-needed
bargaining power.
S P Ashta, New Delhi
Political uncertainty
Independent candidates supported by Imran
Khan have registered strong victories in the
Pakistan election. This will bolster Imran’s
stature. However, this also means that the
current political turmoil in Pakistan is unlikely
to end anytime soon. A prolonged political
uncertainty could further damage its economy.
R Sriramprasad, email
Farmers’ protest
Ref: Delhi braces for farmers’ protest
tomorrow; borders fortified (Feb 12).
Everyone has the right to protest. But such
protests should not create a hassle for others.
It is high time that the government framed
rules against protestors who disrupt the day-
to-day lives of others.
Abhilasha Gupta, Mohali

07 HYDERABAD
‘UCC bill means equality & harmony for all’ RLD to join NDA,
There will be positive changes in the lives of women, elderly and children, says U’khand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami
I workers consulted
N the placid plains of Uttara-
khand, a controversy has
swept through the social and
political lives of people follow-
ing the passage of the Uni-
form Civil Code bill by the As-
sembly on February 8. Chief
Minister Pushkar Singh Dha-
mi tells Narendra Sethi that
he has fulfilled his 2022 election
promise. The measure makes
Uttarakhand the first state in
the country to have cleared
such a move with a majority
vote. The UCC will provide a le-
gal framework for uniform
marriage, divorce, land, prop-
erty, and inheritance laws for
all citizens, irrespective of
their religion. Excerpts:
How do you
perceive the
implications
of the UCC
Bill?
It is a moment
of pride for all
the people of
the state that we will be known
as the first state in the country
to move towards implement-
ing UCC. We promised of such
a measure to the residents of
‘Devbhoomi’ during the 2022
elections. On our way to the
passage of the Bill, first we
passed a resolution to that ef-
fect in our inaugural cabinet
meeting. Subsequently, an ex-
pert committee, tasked with
drafting the bill in a span of 20
months, submitted its compre-
hensive report to us on Febru-
ary 2. Following its presenta-
tion in the Assembly on
February 6, the bill underwent
Sonia for RS? Priyanka may contest from Rae Bareli Digital footprint spreads as PM launches
P R E E T H A N A I R @ New Delhi
FIVE years after her entry into
active politics, Congress leader
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra may
make her Lok Sabha debut
from Rae Bareli in Uttar
Pradesh, which has been repre-
sented for decades by her
mother and Parliamentary Par-
ty chairperson Sonia Gandhi,
said sources.
This comes amid strong spec-
ulations that Sonia Gandhi is
considering the Rajya Sabha
route to Parliament from Rajas-
than. As the grand old party is
bracing for the upcoming Rajya
Sabha elections on February
27, senior leaders are of the
view that Rajasthan will be a
safe seat for the 77-year-old,
where the Congress is on a
strong footing. According to
senior Cong ress leaders,
though Priyanka chose to opt
out of the poll fray in 2019, the
party wants her to contest this
time as it is looking to ramp up
its tally in the 2024 elections.
“Though there are demands
from Telangana and Karnataka
leaders that Priyanka should
contest from those states, we
feel that she should take on the
BJP in the Hindi heartland.
The BJP is spreading a percep-
tion that the Congress is limit-
ed only to Southern states,”
said the leader.
Consultant for ‘building competencies’ Bail to MoS home’s son extended in Lakhimpur case
for ITBP, BSF, Assam Rifles likely soon
M U K E S H R A N JA N @ New Delhi
AIMING to strengthen the
border management system in
the northern and eastern fron-
tiers of the country, the gov-
ernment is all set to appoint a
consultant for ‘building compe-
tencies’ in the operational ca-
pabilities of the ITBP, the BSF
and the Assam Rifles.
Officials said that the con-
sultant would be assigned the
task to create an effective
mechanism to bring in synergy
among various stakeholders in
managing affairs. He would
also coordinate with agencies
for implementing development
works in border areas includ-
ing the centrally sponsored Vi-
brant Village Programme.
Seeking to recruit the con-
sultant, the officials said the
government is looking for a re-
tired defence officer to be in-
ducted on contractual basis at
the “Level 14”. The candidate
should have adequate experi-
ence in handling the affairs of
TUESDAY 13 02 2024
� �
a thorough deliberation before
it was successfully passed on
February 8, with nearly all
members of the House articu-
lating their support during the
discussion on the Bill.
After UCC implementa-
tion, what positive social
changes do you anticipate
will flow from the new
law?
As its name implies, UCC is a
common law that embodies
the principles of equality and
harmony for all. The privilege
of passing the law has been
bestowed upon the Uttara-
khand Assembly. The draft
presented to enact this law
has been meticulously crafted
through exten-
sive dialogue
with the people
of the state.
The drafting
committee has
incor porated
2,33,000 sugges-
tions and 43 programmes, and
engaged in 10,000 dialogues to
ensure a comprehensive and
inclusive approach. We hope
that after the implementation
of the new law, there will be
unprecedented positive chang-
es in the lives of women, the
elderly, and children in the
state.
The Bill has a special focus
on women. What changes
can we expect to see in the
future vis-à-vis women of
the state?
This bill ensures that women
of all religions in the state are
It’s exam time, UPI, RuPay services in Lanka, Mauritius
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
Rahul Gandhi
Considering the party’s dis-
mal state in Uttar Pradesh,
there is also a strong view that
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi
should contest from Amethi,
apart from Wayanad, the sit-
ting seat of Gandhi. “Uttar
Pradesh is a very important
state and the party has been in
decline for many years. If Priy-
anka and Rahul are fielded
from Rae Bareli and Amethi re-
Gap anaylsis
The officials said that since the
country’s frontier areas face
challenges such as cross border
terrorism, illegal migration, the
consultant would be required to
carry out capacity needs analysis.
He/she would also examine the
‘gap analysis’ to identify areas
where existing competencies fall
short of requirements and
recommend strategies to plug in
this in the border areas.
the border areas, besides han-
dling security related matters
and implementation of the pol-
icies envisaged for adequate
development of the border ar-
eas in Ladakh, Kashmir,
Sikkim and Arunachal
Pradesh, they added.
The officials said that since
the country’s frontier areas
f a c e ch a l l e n g e s s u ch a s
cross border terrorism, crime
and illegal migration, the con-
sultant would be required to
carry out capacity needs analy-
entitled to a dignified life.
They can now feel secure in
their rights without any fear
of insecurity. They no longer
need to navigate the legal sys-
tem to claim their rightful in-
heritance. By giving women
equal rights in both personal
and paternal property along
with men, we have fulfilled
our commitment to women’s
empowerment.
The Opposition has ex-
pressed concerns over
insecurity among the
minorities. What specific
issues are causing such
concerns?
As this law emphasizes equal-
ity from the very first word, no
religion or caste or communi-
ty can ever feel any kind of in-
spectively, it will send a strong
message to the BJP that we are
very much in the game. The
situation in Amethi is different
from that of 2019. There is an-
ger against the sitting MP and
union minister Smriti Irani for
her apathy towards the constit-
uency. We are confident that
Rahul Gandhi will win if he
contests this time,” said a
senior leader.
INDIA bloc ally SP is willing
to give both Amethi and
Raibareli seats to Congress.
With the Rashtriya Lok Dal
(RLD) switched over to join the
BJP-led National Democratic
Alliance (NDA), the Akhilesh
Yadav-led party may give 16- 17
seats to Congress in Uttar
Pradesh, said sources.
Though Amethi Lok Sabha
constituency was a Gandhi
family pocket-borough, in the
2019 Lok Sabha election, Rahul
lost the seat to Smriti Irani by
around 55,000 votes. However,
he won from his second constit-
uency Wayanad in Kerala.
Since 2004 Gandhi had been
contesting polls from Amethi.
Earlier, Congress UP chief
Ajay Rai said that the people of
Amethi want to correct their
‘mistake’ of 2019 and Congress
workers as well as leaders are
demanding that Rahul Gandhi
contest from the constituency
in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Uddhav’s plea on
sis and mapping of the capaci-
ty building interventions,
which are specific to the threat
perception.
The consultant would also be
mandated to conduct a compre-
hensive need assessment to un-
derstand the current and fu-
ture challenges faced by border
guarding forces and to identify
stakeholder requirements and
expectations, they said.
The incumbent would also
examine the “gap analysis” to
identify areas where existing
competencies fall short
of requirements and to recom-
mend strategies to plug in this
in the border areas, the
officials said.
Launched in February last
year, the Vibrant Village Pro-
gramme is aimed for compre-
hensive development of the
select villages in 46 blocks in 19
districts of abutting the north-
ern border in the States of
Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal
Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand
and UT of Ladakh.
POSTS
OF THE
DAY
security. Our government’s
main focus is security, equali-
ty, and harmony among the
residents of the state. With the
aim of providing the elderly
with a dignified life along with
women and children, special
provisions have been made in
the Bill to remove any feeling
of insecurity at any age of
their life.
The opposition Congress
has raised some objections
about bill’s provisions on
live-in relationships. What
is your opinion?
The Congress was invited by
the draft committee for this
bill. It is strange that they
could not provide their sug-
gestions due to some reasons.
I mentioned in the assembly
Rahul yatra cut
short by 5 days
E X P R E SS N E WS S E R V I C E @ New Delhi
CONGRESS leader Rahul Gan-
dhi has decided to cut short his
Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Ut-
tar Pradesh in view of the state
board exams, according to sen-
ior leaders. The yatra will skip
the western part of UP saving
five days. According to the ear-
lier schedule, the yatra was
scheduled from February 16 to
February 26 in the state.
“Setting an example of sensi-
tivity, Rahul Gandhi has given
public interest a priority on
many occasions. Keeping in
mind the UP Board examina-
tions starting from February
22, the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra
will remain in Uttar Pradesh
from February 16 to February
21,” said state Cong ress
spokesperson Anshu Awasthi
in a statement.
The decision follows indica-
tions that Samajwadi Party ally
Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) may
join hands with the BJP for the
April-May Lok Sabha elections
after Bharat Ratna was con-
ferred on former prime minis-
ter Chaudhary Charan Singh.
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 Mon-
day extended the interim bail
granted to Ashish Mishra, the
prime accused in the 2021 La-
khimpur Kheri violence case in
which eight people, including
four farmers, were allegedly
mowed down by a four-wheeler,
till the next date of hearing.
A single-judge bench of Jus-
tice Surya Kant passed the or-
der. The bench also directed
Mishra, the son of Union
Home Minister of State Ajay
Mishra, not to address the
media till the court further
heard the matter.
On September 26, 2023, the
top court allowed Mishra to
visit and stay in the National
Capital Territory of Delhi to
look after his ailing mother and
to get treatment for his daugh-
ter in the national capital. The
apex court had relaxed the in-
terim bail conditions and
Mishra was asked not to stay
either in Uttar Pradesh or in
Delhi during the period.
According to the prosecu-
Sitaram Yechury @SitaramYechury
It’s over 3 months since SC completed hearing pleas to
scrap Electoral Bonds! Awaiting verdict, as a petitioner, to
scrap legalisation of political corruption before elections.
The drafting
committee has
incorporated
2.3 lakh suggestions
and 43 programmes,
and engaged in
10,000 dialogues
to ensure a
comprehensive and
inclusive approach
to UCC bill.
Pushkar Singh Dhami,
Uttarakhand CM
that Mathuradutt Joshi from
the Congress had been sent a
letter about it, which he did ac-
knowledge. Congress mem-
bers did not appear before the
draft committee, but they fully
participated in the assembly
proceedings. Our state has a
very harmonious atmosphere;
political commitments may
vary, but everyone in the
House has acknowledged from
their heart that the UCC law
will empower everyone.
Let me reiterate that after
independence, the makers of
the Constitution gave the right
under Article 44 that the states
can also introduce the UCC at
an appropriate time... People
have doubts regarding this.
We made the draft as per the
constitutional system.
Y E S H I S E L I @ New Delhi
PRIME Minister Narendra
Modi, along with the President
of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremes-
inghe and the Prime Minister
of Mauritius Pravind Jug-
nauth, jointly inaugurated the
launch of Unified Payment In-
terface services in Sri Lanka
and Mauritius, and RuPay card
services in Mauritius via video
conferencing on Monday.
“India’s UPI or United Pay-
ments Interface comes in a new
role today - Uniting Partners
with India. The launch of In-
dia’s UPI services in Sri Lanka
and Mauritius underscores the
robust linkages between our
countries,’’ said PM Modi.
Prime Minister Jugnauth
said that the co-branded RuPay
card will be designated as a do-
mestic card in Mauritius. “To-
day’s launch,” the Prime Min-
ister said, “will greatly facilitate
the citizens of both countries,’’
PM Jugnauth said.
“Today marks a special day
for three friendly nations of In-
dia, Sri Lanka, and Mauritius
when their historic connec-
tions take the form of modern
digital connect. This is proof of
the government’s commitment
towards the development of the
SC extends stay on
ALSO IN TOP COURT
bail to Navlakha
The Supreme Court on
Monday extended the
stay imposed by the Bombay
High Court on the operation of
its order granting bail to
activist Gautam Navlakha in
the Elgar Parishad-Maoist
links case. A bench of
Justices M M Sundresh
and S V N Bhatti
adjourned the
matter till the first
week of March.
tion, eight persons, including
four farmers, were allegedly
killed on October 3, 2021, after
violence broke out in the La-
khimpur Kheri district of Ut-
tar Pradesh during a protest
against the Centre’s farm laws
that have now been repealed.
The farmer bodies have al-
leged that a vehicle belonging
to Mishra had run over a group
of demonstrators.
The accused was first arrest-
Amit Shah @AmitShah
The youth of the country will work to build a grand
edifice in the next 25 years on the strong founda-
tion that Modiji has laid in the field of sports.
Jayant says party
RAJESH KUMAR THAKUR
@ New Delhi
BUFFETED by AAP and Nitish
Kumar going their separate
ways, the INDIA bloc received
more bad news. Rashtriya Lok
Dal chief Jayant Singh on
Monday confirmed that his
party is joining the BJP-led
NDA. Chaudhary said that the
Modi government honoured
the farmers’ sentiments by an-
nouncing Bharat Ratna for the
former PM and his grandfather
Çhaudhary Charan Singh.
The RLD has significant elec-
toral influence among Jat vot-
ers in western Uttar Pradesh.
When asked whether there
were any differences within his
party over joining the NDA, he
said, “My decision is based on
my interaction with my party
MLAs and workers. There was
no big planning involved in
making such a decision.”
He said his party wants to be
a part of nation-building exer-
cise by partnering with the
NDA. His decision came a day
after Opposition raised uproar
in the Rajya Sabha when he
stood up to speak on last day of
the Budget session. “Farmers’
sentiments were hurt by the
Opposition stance,” he said.
Earlier, he had announced a
tie-up with Akhilesh Yadav’s
Samajwadi Party. The RLD was
supposed to contest half a doz-
en seats. However, hardly had
PM virtually attends launch of UPI services in Sri Lanka and Mauritius on Monday | PTI
people. Fintech connectivity
will further strengthen cross-
border transactions and con-
nections,’’ PM Modi added.
Meanwhile, President of Sri
Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe
congratulated the Prime Minis-
ter for the consecration of Shri
Ram Mandir at the Ayodhya
Dham. He also emphasized the
centuries-old economic rela-
tions. The President hoped to
maintain the momentum of
connectivity and deepening of
the relationship between the
two countries.
PM Modi also said that
digital public infrastructure
SC rejects PIL on
appointing Dy CMs
The Supreme Court on
Monday refused to entertain a
Public Interest Litigation (PIL)
challenging the practice of
appointing deputy chief
ministers and said this does
not breach the Constitution.
The bench, headed by CJI
Dhananjaya Yeshwant
Chandrachud, refused to
entertain the PIL filed by
Public Political Party
against the Centre.
ed in the case on October 9,
2021. He walked out of the jail
on February 15, 2022, after the
Allahabad High Court had
granted him bail. On December
6, an Uttar Pradesh court had
framed charges against 14 peo-
ple, including Mishra.
He has been charged for a
number of offences including
murder, rioting and criminal
conspiracy. The trial had begun
on December 16, last year.
Akhilesh Yadav @yadavakhilesh
There are ‘conspiracies’ at the foundation of
whose rule. There is not even a single
moment of peace in their eyes.
the ink on the pact dried than
the BJP announced the coun-
try’s highest civilian award for
ex-PM Charan Singh. It changed
the entire equation. The RLD
move would facilitate the likely
transfer of Jat votes to the NDA
kitty in UP, Haryana and parts
of Rajasthan in the LS elec-
tions. This is simply music to
the BJP ears as it projects itself
to achieve the ambitious target
of 370-plus seats.
Jayant strongly denied re-
ports about differences within
his party over joining the NDA.
There was no formal announce-
ment either from the BJP or
RLD about the tie-up, but sourc-
es in both camps said it will
happen comfortably.
“We are particularly pleased
with Bharat Ratna being con-
ferred on the ex-PM. The hon-
our is not limited to our family
or party. It is an honour for eve-
ry farmer, the youth, and the
poor,” said Jayant on the
sidelines of an event to mark
the birth anniversary of his
father Ajit Singh.
has brought about a revolution-
ary change in India, where the
smallest of vendors in the
remotest of villages are trans-
acting via UPI and making
digital payments.
More than 100 billion transac-
tions took place via UPI last
year worth `2 lakh crores or 8
trillion Sri Lankan rupees or 1
trillion Mauritian rupees. Mak-
ing last-mile delivery through
the GEM Trinity of bank ac-
counts, Aadhar, and mobile
phones where `34 lakh crores
or 400 billion US dollars has
been transferred into the bank
accounts of beneficiaries.
disqualification
to be heard soon
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 Mon-
day agreed to early listing of
the petition filed by aggrieved
Uddhav Thackeray faction of
Shiv Sena challenging Mahar-
ashtra Speaker Rahul Nar-
wekar’s decision on the dis-
missal of disqualification pleas
against Chief Minister Eknath
Shinde faction MLAs.
A bench headed by CJI DY
Chandrachud said due to pau-
city of time, the matter could
not be taken up for hearing on
Monday. He, however, said that
the case would be heard as
early as possible but did not fix
any date.
When the bench was about to
rise, senior advocate Kapil
Sibal mentioned the matter on
behalf of the UBT group, re-
questing for an early hearing.

08 HYDERABAD
Maha jolt to Cong as ex-CM
Ashok Chavan quits party
Says will spell out next course of action in 48 hrs; BJP RS seat likely
S U D H I R S U RYAWA N S H I @ Mumbai
In a big blow to Congress in Ma-
harashtra, former Congress
chief minister Ashok Chavan
on Monday resigned from the
primary membership of the
party and even submitted his
resignation as an MLA to the
Maharashtra assembly
speaker.
Commenting on Chavan’s
move, deputy CM and BJP lead-
er Devendra Fadnavis re-
marked: “Aage aage dekhiye
hota hai kya (let’s see how
things unfolds).”
Fadnavis’ laconic remark
seemed to draw strength from
Chavan’s decision to “explore
new political alternatives.”
However, the ex-CM clarified
that he has not yet decided to
join the BJP.
“In the next two days, I will
decide the next course of my
political path and actions. I
honestly worked for the Con-
gress party. I have no com-
plaints and grudges against
anyone. I need some time to de-
cide my future political stand,”
said Chavan. He said there was
no particular reason behind
leaving the Congress. “It is not
necessary that there should be
Uproar as I-T
dept summons
MP Cong leaders
E X P R E SS N E WS S E R V I C E @ Bhopal
INCOME Tax department sum-
mons to Madhya Pradesh Con-
gress leaders in connection
with the proceedings of a Con-
gress related case, have sparked
political controversy in the
BJP-ruled state.
According to key sources,
around 100 leaders in MP (most-
ly including winning and los-
ing candidates of the party in
the 2018 assembly polls and
2019 Lok Sabha polls) have re-
ceived the summons.
Some of the leaders sum-
moned by the IT Department to
Delhi, include first time MLA
from Jhabua-ST assembly seat
Dr Vikrant Bhuria (son of
former MP Congress chief and
ex-union minister Kantilal
Bhuria) and Devashish Jarari-
ya, who was the runners up
from Bhind-SC Lok Sabha seat
in the 2019 national elections.
“The summon seems to have
been issued to me just to trou-
ble me, as I’m among the Con-
gress’s probable candidates
from the Bhind-Datia SC seat.
There is no case against me, so
why this summon on February
13. I’ll comply and on returning
from Delhi, I’ll file a complaint
with the police under the SC/
ST (Atrocities) Act for harass-
ing a Dalit politician like me,”
Jarariya said.
No new tax or scheme proposed in Uptick in no of primary schools with only 1 teacher
interim MP budget worth `1.45L cr
A N U R A AG S I N G H @ Bhopal
THE Madhya Pradesh govern-
ment led by CM Mohan Yadav
presented its first interim
budget (vote on account budg-
et) on Monday, without propos-
ing any new taxes or schemes.
Deputy CM and Finance Min-
ister Jagdish Devda tabled the
`1.45 lakh crore-plus interim
budget in the Assembly to fund
various departments’ existing
schemes for the period between
April and July 2024. The first
full-fledged budget will be pre-
sented in July.
The interim budget proposed
`11,674 crore for the school edu-
cation department, `9,588 crore
for farmers welfare and agri-
culture development, followed
by `9,360 crore for the women
and child development depart-
ment, which manages the BJP’s
“game changer” `1,250 month-
ly CM Ladli Behana Scheme for
the financially weak women.
Also on the list of proposed
expenditure was the panchaya-
ti raj and rural development
department for which `5,100
crore was proposed. A sum of
TUESDAY 13 02 2024
� �
‘May join BJP’
Top BJP sources confirmed that
Chavan will eventually join the
BJP and that his name is likely to
be announced as the Rajya Sabha
candidate for the biennial
elections in Maharashtra.
a reason for everything,” Cha-
van said quizzically.
Top BJP sources confirmed
that Chavan will eventually
join the BJP and that his name
is likely to be announced as the
Rajya Sabha candidate for the
biennial elections in
Maharashtra.
BJP ups ante as Sandeshkhali Uneasy calm prevails in
continues to remain on edge Haldwani as 315 families
P R A N A B M O N DA L @ Kolkata
AMID raging tensions in Sand-
eshkhali, where women are
protesting against the alleged
atrocities by the Trinamool
Congress, Governor C V Anan-
da Bose on Monday cut short
his Kerala trip and rushed to
the trouble-hit area to take
stock of the situation after the
state BJP sought his immedi-
ate intervention.
Union minister Smriti Irani
flayed the Mamata Banerjee
government over the women’s
allegations, while a group of
50 BJP MLAs, who were on
their way to the TMC’s strong-
hold, were intercepted by po-
lice 60 km from the area.
Six MLAs of the BJP were
suspended for the remaining
part of the ongoing Assembly
session as they sat in the well
of the House wearing T-shirts
with a slogan written on
them.
“When I heard shocking and
shattering tales of incidents of
Sandeshkhali, I cut short my
visit to Kerala. I am going to
Sandeshkhali and want to see
the real sandesh (message)
from the gullis (lanes) of Sand-
eshkhali,” said Bose after land-
ing in Kolkata airport.
Protesting women greeted
Bose when he arrived at Sand-
eshkhali. They were holding
STATE OF EDU
KEY INSIGHTS
School edu Farmers’ welfare
`11,674 CR `9,588 CR
Public health
Women & children
`9,360 CR `5,417 CR
Backward Classes
`514 CR
Scheduled Caste
`787 CR
`4287 crore was proposed for
the tribal welfare followed by
`3,132 crore for the PWD
department.
The interim budget proposed
`5,417 crore for the public
health and family welfare de-
partment, `514 crore for the
backward class and minority
welfare and `787 crore for the
Scheduled Caste welfare.
While presenting the interim
The Champai Soren government will table its first budget
on February 27, and session will have seven working days
“Ashok Chavan wanted to
join the state government with
heavy portfolios such as the
revenue and public works de-
partment, but incumbent depu-
ty chief minister Devendra
Fadnavis opposed it, saying
this will end his political career
in the state,” said a source.
“After getting the Rajya Sab-
ha berth, Chavan will be ele-
vated as a Union minister
while his daughter will contest
the 2024 state assembly elec-
tions from their Bhokar con-
stituency. She will be also giv-
en a ministry when BJP
returns to power in Maharash-
tra,” said the source.
Sources said at least 15 Con-
gress MLAs are likely to join
the BJP. “Ashok Chavan has
opened the floodgates for the
Congress MLAs. In the Rajya
Sabha elections, these MLAs
will cross-vote against the offi-
cial party candidates and later
join the BJP. Some of them will
be fielded as BJP Lok Sabha
candidates,” said another
source. A Congress leader said
there are multiple factors be-
hind Chavan’s move. He said
Chavan could have been pres-
sured due to his Adarsh Hous-
ing scam files.
Governor CV Ananda Bose interacts with protestors at Sandeshkhali block | PTI
Six MLAs suspended for sitting in the well of House
Six MLAs of the BJP were suspended for the remaining part of the
ongoing Assembly session as they sat in the well of the House wearing
T-shirts with a slogan written on them. Protesting women greeted Bose
when he arrived at Sandeshkhali.
placards demanding deploy-
ment of a central police force
in the area as they have no
faith in the state police.
On his way to the trouble-hit
area, the governor also faced
agitation by a section of locals
who demanded their dues from
the Centre under the MGNRE-
GA scheme, an issue that
Mamata is likely to use as the
TMC’s poll plank in the upcom-
ing Lok Sabha elections.
Narrating their plight, the
women described how the lo-
cal TMC leaders asked them to
attend party meetings at mid-
budget, the finance minister
said the interim budget is
meant to meet the expenditure
of the four months period
(April to July) keeping in mind
interests of all sections. No
new tax or schemes have been
proposed in it, as the full-
fledged budget will be present-
ed in July 2024.
Speaking about the budget
and the future course of his
government, CM Mohan Yadav
said, “Our Sankalp Patra for
the recent assembly polls
wasn’t just a piece of paper for
us, but is like a sacred religious
scripture to us, which will be
fulfilled totally. We’ll work on
starting helicopter services to
connect religious spots, includ-
ing Indore to Mahakaleshwar,
Indore to Omkareshwar, Gwal-
ior to Orchha and Gwalior to
Datia.” Making light of the in-
terim budget, former CM and
senior Congress MLA Kamal
Nath posted on social media
platform X, “The Vote on Ac-
count budget presented in the
Vidhan Sabha has ended up be-
coming just a financial formal-
ity and nothing else.
J’KHAND BUDGET
The budget session of Jharkhand assembly will be held
from February 23 to March 2, an official said on Monday
Lalu conspired Tejashwi seeks
with Cong to Modi guarantee
oust me: Nitish on Nitish ‘move’
R A M A S H A N K A R @ Patna
BIHAR chief minister Nitish Kumar on Mon-
day alleged that RJD chief Lalu Prasad hob-
nobbed with Congress, who had problem with
him and attempted to lure leaders from ruling
parties ahead of floor test of newly formed NDA
government.
Nitish indirectly accused RJD of trying to
lure leaders from ruling parties with offers of
lakhs of rupees ahead of the floor test and said
that he would order a thorough probe so that the
source of such hefty money could be known. He
accused RJD of taking education department
forcefully when he shared pow-
er with the party and also com-
mitted irregularities in the de-
partment despite his warnings.
Speaking in the assembly dur-
ing a discussion on the confi-
dence motion moved by him af-
ter he formed a new government
with BJP, Nitish said that he
had brought all opposition parties on a single
platform under ‘INDIA’ but Congress had a
problem with him.
“Congress had a trouble with me while your
father also hobnobbed with the former,” Nitish
said, referring to RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad
Yadav, who was sitting on the opposition bench.
“I considered now nothing will happen in IN-
DIA and left it and returned to NDA forever,” he
said, adding that RJD did not allow induction of
more number of Congress ministers into the
cabinet when the grand alliance was in power.
night, compelled them to ride
the pillion of their motorcy-
cles and thrashed their hus-
bands if they refused.
Bose assured the protesting
women that arrangements for
their safety would be ensured.
“Ghastly crimes went on,
unchecked by the government.
This cannot be allowed in soci-
ety. Let me get the state govern-
ment’s views first. I will cer-
tainly do my best to see the
honour and dignity of my sis-
ters here are restored,” said
Bose after interacting with the
women in Sandeshkhali.
Number of primary schools
with single teachers
1,606
700
(December 2023)
(March 2022)
Reason for
teacher shortage
DISTRIBUTION OF SCHOOLS Transfer camp
BY STUDENT NUMBERS organised by
education
Fewer Five Eleven to
department
than five to ten twenty
students students students
20 86 316
Schools Schools
Twenty-one Thirty-one
to thirty to sixty
student students
419 694 71
Schools Schools
Variations in numbers of student distribution
An analysis revealed that among the 1,606 schools, the distribution of
student numbers varies significantly. While some schools have fewer
than five students, others accommodate over 61 pupils. Minister Dindor
urged consideration of this diversity when assessing the situation.
INDIA Max Min Max Min
3
Ahmedabad 28 18 Mumbai 32 23
Bhopal 27 15 Panaji 33 21
Jaipur 24 13 Patna 23 17
Amritsar 21 09 Lucknow 23 14
Chennai 30 26 Port Blair 30 26
BURNT TO DEATH IN Kolkata 28 19 Imphal 24 09
SISTERS FIRE IN J-K’S RAMBAN Srinagar 08 -03 Chandigarh 21 12
WAR OF WORDS IN HOUSE OF FIRE
JAIPUR
DIARY
R A M A S H A N K A R @ Patna
RAJESH ASNANI
FORMER deputy chief minister and Rashtriya Our correspondent in Jaipur
Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav rajesh.asnani@
on Monday launched a blistering attack on newindianexpress.com
chief minister Nitish Kumar by asking Prime
Minister Narendra Modi whether he
could guarantee that JD (U) leader would not Raje absent when Diya
switch sides again. Kumari presents budget
Speaking against the confidence motion
Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari
moved by Kumar in the assembly, Tejashwi
presented her first budget at the
questioned if “Modi ki Guarantee’ could ensure
Rajasthan assembly last week. Ever
that the CM would not switch his sides again.
since she was made BJP candidate in
He sharpened his attack on Nitish and said that
Jaipur’s high profile Vidhyadhar
he used to tell media persons
Nagar seat last October, replacing
that the BJP government had
the son in law of former Vice
captured them but now BJP had
captured him itself.
President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat,
Diya is seen as the party High
Using both sarcasm and hu-
Command’s choice to replace former
mour during his speech, Tejas-
CM Vasundhara Raje. After winning,
hwi said that Nitish created a
she was not only made deputy CM
history for taking the oath as
but also given the key portfolios of
chief minister of the state for
finance and tourism. Ironically, Raje
the ninth time nd also for third time during his
had brought Diya into politics in 2013
five-year present term.
but later the duo had a fallout. Raje’s
“I am son of Lalu Prasad, I am not scared, we
absent when Diya presented her
struggle,” he remarked. He said, “We would
budget reflects that cold war.
have extended outside support to Nitish to run
the grand alliance government had he told us in
advance. We could have also removed some min-
isters if you were uncomfortable with them.”
RJD leader said that he always considered Ni-
tish to be ‘Dasarath’ and a father figure and
wondered what forced him to ditch the grand
alliance and return to NDA fold.
BJP to make a shift in
election approach?
flee violence-hit areas Elections for Rajya Sabha seats will
be held in the country this month. Of
these, three seats are also from
Rajasthan. The BJP is expected to
N A R E N D R A S E T H I @ Dehradun Police sources said several experiment and make a significant
people from the area were tak- shift in its approach to choosing
FOUR days after arson and riot- en into custody on Saturday for leaders in the Rajya Sabha.
ing shook a part of Uttara- questioning. Allegations have Previously, leaders could contest
khand’s Haldwani, 315 families, been made that the police also from seats in other states, but the
identified as members of a resorted to mild force. “Fearing BJP is reconsidering this. If
“specific community,” report- an extended curfew and the po- successful, leaders would need to
edly left the city after securing lice, people have rapidly fled secure a seat within their own state
their residences. the area,” said a source. to be brought to Delhi. This change
Violence erupted in On Sunday, families aims to prevent leaders from one
Banbhulpura after were seen walking state being brought to Delhi via
the authorities, armed with their belongings another state’s seat. The party has
with court orders, on Bareilly Road in told this directive to state leaders.
went about demolish- These firearms are the early hours.
believed to have
ing an illegal madrasa In the absence of
been used in the
and a prayer site on transportation, CM visits birthplace
February 8. The po- recent unrest. The people walked at least
lice have detained at administration has 15 km to reach Lal in Bharatpur
asked for compiling
least 140 suspects for Kuan, from where For the first time after becoming the
a roster of
questioning. vandalised vehicles they took trains to Rajasthan CM, Bhajan Lal Sharma
Official reports said and properties to various UP cities. visited his birthplace in Bharatpur’s
that as part of a “sub- seek restitution for The district admin- Attari village a few days ago. The
stantial enforcement the damage istration has distrib- entire village gathered to catch a
action,” the district uted essential items, glimpse of their leader and showered
senior district
administration has administration official including fruits, vege- flowers on him to welcome him.
rescinded the licences tables, milk, and cook- Given the warm and effusive
of 120 authorized firearms ing gas, in the curfew-bound welcome in the village, Bhajan Lal
within the impacted area. Banbhoolpura area. soon shared the pictures and
“These firearms are believed to “After disturbances in Ban- expressed his gratitude on social
have been utilized in the recent bhulpura, the police have be- media. In addition, he even circum-
unrest. The administration has come stricter. They are harass- navigated the entire village barefoot
asked for compiling a roster of ing innocent people,” said to express his happiness and
vandalized vehicles and prop- Mohammad Furkan, who is an gratitude towards people in his
erties to seek restitution for the electrician in Haldwani. “Those birthplace. Bhajanlal has become
damage from identified riot- leaving the area are mostly go- MLA for the first time from Jaipur’s
ers,” said a senior district ad- ing to Bareilly to stay with their Brahmin-dominated Sanganer
ministration official. relatives,” he said. assembly seat.
D I L I P S I N G H KS H AT R I YA
@ Ahmedabad
Parmar expressed dissatisfac-
tion, citing a continued rise in
the number of single-teacher
From 700 in ’22, the number has gone up to 1.6K IN Gujarat, the number of pri- schools over the past two years,
1 teacher in ’23 in Gujarat, with govt blaming mary schools operating with despite prior assurances from
teachers for seeking transfers to hometowns just one teacher has surged sig- the state government. Minister
nificantly, reaching 1,606 as of Dindor, however, noted that al-
Percentage of schools meeting
30:1
December 2023, doubling from most half of these schools
student-teacher ratio requirement 700 in 2022. This revelation maintain the mandated student-
Initiatives taken emerged during the legislative teacher ratio of 30:1 under the
assembly session on Monday, Right to Education (RTE) Act.
to address issue
disclosed by the Gujarat “Among these 1,606 schools,
Appointment of government. 20 have fewer than five stu-
Gyansahayaks,
These schools, catering to dents, 86 have five to ten stu-
holding teacher classes 1 to 8, face a shortage of dents, 316 have 11 to 20 students,
transfer camps educators, a problem exacer- 419 have 21 to 30 students, 694
bated by teacher transfers, as have 31 to 60 students, and 71
highlighted by Education Min- have more than 61 pupils. “We
ister Kuber Dindor during the should also consider this fact,”
ongoing budget session’s Ques- Dindor stated.
Schools
tion Hour. Further analysis revealed
More than
Responding to Congress MLA that among the 1,606 schools,
sixty-one
Tushar Chaudhary’s inquiry, the distribution of student
students
Minister Dindor affirmed that numbers varies significantly.
approximately 5% of govern- While some schools have fewer
Schools
ment primary schools in Gu-
jarat function with a solitary
teacher. However, efforts are
than five students, others ac-
commodate over 61 pupils. Min-
ister Dindor urged considera-
underway to mitigate the im- tion of this diversity when
pact on students, including the assessing the situation. The
appointment of contractual el- minister attributed the teacher
ementary teachers termed ‘Gy- shortage partly to a recent
ansahayaks’ and the facilitation transfer camp organised by the
of teacher transfer camps. education department, which
Despite these measures, sen- saw many educators seeking re-
ior Congress MLA Shailesh location to their hometowns.
 3
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09 HYDERABAD TUESDAY 13 02 2024

� �

2 hostages rescued, 67 Palestinians Sharif, Bilawal discuss new

power-sharing formula
killed as Israeli forces raid Gaza Strip
Israel says 100 hostages remain in captivity; RAFAH

rescuers still searching rubble in Rafah THE Israeli military rescued

two hostages from the Gaza
Strip early on Monday in a dra-
The IMF and World Bank matic operation that also killed
warned on Monday that at least 67 Palestinians in air-
the Gaza war and the strikes, according to Palestini-
related attacks on shipping an hospital officials.
though the Red Sea pose The raid took place in Rafah, Supporters of Muttahida Qaumi Movement of Pakistan celebrate victory of their
threats to the global the city on the southern edge of party candidate in the parliamentary elections | AP
economy the Gaza Strip where 1.4 mil-
An appeals court ordered lion Palestinians have fled to ISLAMABAD/LAHORE The leaders of PML-N and
ISRAEL-GAZA: DAY 127 the Dutch government on escape fighting elsewhere in the PPP discussed the idea of
the Israel-Hamas war. Women Palestinians sit by the destruction from THE top leaders of the Paki- appointing a prime minister
Monday to halt the the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza
export of F-35 fighter jet and children were among those stan Muslim League-Nawaz for half the term during their
killed in the airstrikes, Pales- Strip in Rafah on Monday | AP and the Pakistan Peoples Par- first meeting held on Sunday
parts to Israel, citing a
clear risk of violations of tinian officials said. ty have discussed a new pow- following the February 8 elec-
international law In Gaza, the operation un- jamin Netanyahu says persist- er-sharing formula for divid- tions as part of their efforts to
Tel Aviv WEST BANK leashed another tragedy in a ent military pressure will bring ing the five-year tenure form a coalition government
JORDAN

Yemen’s Houthi rebels fired war that has killed 28,340 Pales- about the captives’ freedom. between them, as efforts to in the Centre and provinces,
two missiles at a ship tinians in the territory, dis- form a coalition government according to a source privy to
Jerusalem placed over 80 per cent of the
A DRAMATIC RAID gathered pace on Monday fol- the development.
bound for a port in Iran, the
GA Z A main backer and armer of population and set off a mas- Israeli military spokesman lowing a split verdict in the ‘It has been proposed that a
RAFAH STRIP the Houthis, on Monday, sive humanitarian crisis. Read Adm. Daniel Hagari said elections. PML-N candidate will serve
causing minor damage More than 12,300 Palestinian special forces broke into a sec- Despite independent candi- as prime minister for three
ISR A EL authorities said minors ‘ children and young ond-floor apartment in Rafah dates backed by jailed former years and PPP’s leader for two
teens ‘ have been killed in the under fire at 1:49am Monday, prime minister Imran Khan’s years,’ the source said, adding
Israel announced a visa ban conflict, the Health Ministry in accompanied a minute later by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf that it was not yet decided
on UN special rapporteur Hamas-run Gaza said Monday. airstrikes on surrounding are- (PTI) party winning the most who will get the first term.
GAZA TOLL SO FAR for the occupied Palestinian Israel claims to have killed as. He said Hamas militants seats in Parliament, questions The meeting was attended
territories over recent

28,340
about 10,000 Hamas fighters.
comments denying In Hamas’ cross-border raid
Hamas's October 7 attack on October 7, an estimated 1,200
was "anti-Semitic" people, mostly civilians, were
killed, and militants took 250
‘STOP AND THINK SERIOUSLY’ people captive, said Israeli au-
thorities. Israel says about 100
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron on Monday urged Israel hostages remain in Hamas
to “stop” its latest military action in war-torn Gaza’s Rafah, after captivity.
deadly overnight bombing and fears of a looming ground Hamas also holds the re-
incursion. “We are very concerned about the situation and we mains of roughly 30 others who
want Israel to stop and think seriously before it takes any further were either killed on October 7
action,” Cameron told reporters during a visit to Scotland. or died in captivity.
Israeli Prime Minister Ben-
were guarding the captives.
The army identified those
rescued as Fernando Simon
Marman, 60, and Louis Har, 70,
abducted by Hamas militants
from Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak on
October 7. They also hold Ar-
gentinian citizenship.
The airstrikes hit jam-
packed Rafah in the middle of
the night. Ashraf al-Qidra,
spokesman for the Health Min-
istry, said rescuers were still
searching the rubble. AP
loom over what the next gov- by PPP-Parliamentarian Pres-
ernment of Pakistan will look ident Asif Ali Zardari, PPP
like. Chairman Bilawal-Bhutto
None of the three major Zardari, and former prime
parties, the PML-N, the PPP, minister Shehbaz Sharif from
or the PTI have won the neces- the PML-N.
sary seats to secure a majority The same power-sharing
in the 266-member National formula was chalked out by
Assembly and, therefore, will PML-N and National Party
be unable to form government (NP) in Balochistan in 2013
on their own, leaving it un- when two chief ministers
clear who will be picked as the from the two parties held of-
cash-strapped country’s next fice for half of the five-year
prime minister. term. PTI

Trump faces GOVERNMENT OF ODISHA

deadline to seek OFFICE OF THE CHIEF CONSTRUCTION ENGINEER
RURAL WORKS CIRCLE, KENDRAPARA-JAJPUR.
delay in poll AT/PO- Chandikhol, Po- Sunguda, Jajpur -754296, Tel No. 0671-2444488, Email-serw_kpd@yahoo.com
Letter No.:1017 Date:-09.02.2024
overturn trial O-1525 1st Corrigendum Notice
1st Corrigendum to Bid Identification No. Tender Online RCK-03/24 invited this office
WASHINGTON letter No.-964, Dt.-05.02.2024
The changes as detailed below are hereby made in the above N.I.T.
FORMER President Don- 1. Clause no-06 of NIT modified below:-
ald Trump faces a Monday Availability of Tender on-line Last Date & Time Date & Time of opening of tender
deadline for asking the Su- Bid Iden- for bidding of seeking tender Technical Bid Financial Bid
Procurement clarification
preme Court to extend the tification Presently
Officer Previously Presently
No. Previously Presently Previously Presently Previously Modified
delay in his trial on charg- fixed on Modified on fixed on Modified on fixed on Modified on fixed on on
es he plotted to overturn Chief From From
his 2020 election loss. Construction Tender 13.02.2024 13.02.2024
04.03.2024 27.02.2024 06.03.2024 28.02.2024 Will be Will be
His lawyers have indi- Engineer, Rural Online at 11.30 A.M at 11.30 A.M
up to 02.00 up to 02.00 at 11.30 at 11.30 intimated intimated
Works Circle, RCK -03 to 04.03.2024 to 27.02.2024
cated they will file an P.M P.M A.M A.M later later
Kendrapara- / 24 up to 05.00 up to 05.00
emergency appeal with the Jajpur P.M P.M
court, just four days after All other conditions of NIT remain unaltered.
the justices heard Trump’s Sd/-Chief Construction Engineer
separate appeal to remain Rural works Circle, Kendrapara-Jajpur OIPR-25129/11/0062/2324
on the presidential ballot
despite attempts to kick
him off because of his ef-
forts following his election
loss in 2020. GOVERNMENT OF TELANGANA Potharaju Renuka
The filing would pre- REVENUE (LA) DEPARTMENT 21 58.75
W/o. Srinivas
serve a delay on what (or) Collector/Additional Collector/RDO Suryapet Challa Narendar
FORM - VII
would be a landmark crim- (See sub-rule (1) of rule 25 and Section-19(1) of the Act 30/2013
22 61.23 Reddy S/o.
Venkat Reddy
inal trial of a former presi- DECLARATION
Gurram Ramadevi
Collector File No.G/405/2023 Date: 02.02.2024
dent while the nation’s RDO File No.C/1093/2023 Date: 17.01.2024
23 31.26
W/o. Madhusudhan
highest court decides what Gazette No.01/2024 Date: 02.02.2024 24 34.50 Sheelam Nagesh
to do. The federal appeals Whereas it appears to the Government of Telangana/
25 22.32
Karnati Gopal S/o.
District Collector, Suryapet that a total of Ac. 0.3107 gts. Venkateshwarlu
court in Washington set land is required in Suryapet Village of Suryapet Mandal by the 26 14.59 Uggam Nagesh
the deadline for filing Land Acquisition Officer & Revenue Divisional Officer, Suryapet 27 6.70 Thota Varudhini
when it rejected Trump’s for laying BT road to District Police Office, Suryapet, Suryapet
28 50.82 Anitha
Patta

Village of Suryapet Mandal and Suryapet District.

Dry

750 750 671 750 Road

immunity claims last week Therefore declaration is made that a piece of land 29 52.90 Bathini Yadagiri
and ruled the trial could measuring, more or less Ac.0.3107 gts. of patta land of 30 53.12 Jaya Raju
proceed. The Supreme standard measurement under acquisition for the above said 31 79.03 Bayyanna
project in the Suryapet Village of Suryapet Mandal Suryapet 32 71.30 Boda Mallaiah
Court’s decision District, whose detailed description is as following.
Chimuta Krishnaiah
on what to Village: Suryapet Mandal: Suryapet Dist: Suryapet 33 49.18
S/o. Guruvaiah
do, and
Type of Title
Type of land

Area Yalagandula Bix-

Name of the Boundaries Struc-
Sl. No.

Sy. under 161.

how quick- No. Acqui-
Pattadar & tures/ 34
90
amamma W/o.
Enjoyer Trees Venkateshwarlu
ly it acts, sition N S E W
172 Bandi Aruna
could de- Agriculture Land 35
.07 W/o. Ashok
termine 1 0.05
Kakkireni Renuka Appam Srinivas
W/o. Nagaiah(P&E) 36 36.63
whether the Rao S/o. Veeraiah
Patta
Dry

748 Kodi Madhavi 753 742 Road 748

Republican 2
0.04
W/o. Saidulu (P)
37 110.60 Panduga Padma
21 Md. Gaffar S/o.
presidential primary front- Nakka Anjaiah (E) 38 80.07
Abbas
runner stands trial in the 0.0 Bandi Aruna
Patta
Dry

3 752 Karnati Aruna 751 752 Road 751

150 W/o. Ashok(P&E) 39 69.27
case before the November
Patta

W/o. Shekar
Dry

751 Danthala Kalavathi 751 752 Road 751

0.0
election. 4
225
W/o. Chan- 40 61.00 Plot No.3
dramouli (P&E) 41 72.31 Chiranjeevi
There is no timetable for
Danthala Kalavathi Bore Devarashetti
the court to act, but special 0.0
Patta
Dry

5 752 W/o. Chan- 751 753 Road 752 well-1 42 91.14 Venkateshwarlu
275
counsel Jack Smith’s team dramouli (P&E) Fencing S/o. Chandraiah
has strongly pushed for the Total 0.1571
43 64.05
Gurram Ramadevi
Non Agriculture Land W/o. Madhusudhan
trial to take place this year.
Patta
Dry

753 752 748 Road 752

Kodi Madhavi Challa Narendar
Trump, meanwhile, has re- 6 94.63
W/o. Saidulu 44 36.56 Reddy S/o.
peatedly sought to delay Kakkireni Chan- Venkat Reddy
Patta

7 748 40.72 dra Shekar S/o. 753 742 Road 748

Dry

the case. If Trump were to Venkanna 45 10.25

Potharaju Renuka
W/o. Srinivas
defeat President Joe Biden, 8 40.61 Yasa Narsihma Rao Total 0.1536 Gts. (1859.33 Sq. yds.)
he could potentially try to 9 1.79 Sk.Rafi Grand Total 0.3107 Gts.
use his position as head of 10 2.74 Sandanaboina The declaration is made after hearing of objections of
Kanakaiah S/o.
the executive branch to or- 11 4.00 Eedaiah persons interested and due enquiry as provided U/s 15 of the
Act No.30/2013. Due to land acquisition no one is affected,
der a new attorney general Kodadi Seetharama
hence resettlement is not proposed.
to dismiss the federal cases 12 19.65 Rao S/o. Laxmi
Narsimha Rao Mines of coal, iron-stone, slate or other minerals laying
he faces or even seek a par- Suggula Santhosh
under the said land or any particular portion of the said land,
except such parts of the mines and minerals which may be
don for himself. 13 8.91
Laxman Kumar
required to be dug or removed or used during the construction
S/o. Tirupathi Ven-
The Supreme Court’s op- phase of the project for the purpose of which the land is being
Patta

kateshwar Rao
Dry

748 753 742 Road 748

tions include rejecting the 14 9.97 Plot No.8
acquired, are not needed.
A plan of the land may inspected in the office of the Land
emergency appeal, which 15 11.15 Plot No.9 Acquisition Officer & Revenue Divisional Officer, Suryapet or at
would enable US District 16 12.45 Muthyala Saidulu Collectorate, Suryapet on any working day.
17 13.56 S/o. Sriramulu
Judge Tanya Chutkan to Sd/- Sd/- Sd/-
18 14.73 Land Acquisition Officer & Additional District
restart the trial proceed- 19 15.91
Nellakunta Mani
Revenue Divisional Officer Collector Collector
ings in Washington’s fed- Pothuganti Suryapet Suryapet Suryapet
20 16.96
eral court. The trial was Sravan Kumar DIPR No.900/LA-PP/Advt/Pub/2023-24
initially scheduled to begin
in early March. The court
also could extend the delay
while it hears arguments
on the immunity issue. AP
 Market 523.00 MARKET
Sensex 71,072.49
GOLD
24 carat (10 gm) H63,100 H500
SILVER
1 kg H75,500
FOREX
Dollar 83.04

Watch 166.45 Nifty 21,616.05 22 carat (10 gm) H57,850 H5 10 gm H755 Euro 89.43

10 HYDERABAD TUESDAY 13 02 2024

� � newindianexpress com

JSW to roll out 3L Retail inflation eases to Multi-bagger Railway,

BEAR HUG

e-cars, 1L e-CVs 3-month low of 5.1% in Jan PSU stocks take a big
from Odisha plant
E N S E CO N O M I C B U R E AU @ New Delhi
BILLIONAIRE Sajjan Jindal-
led JSW Group, which on Sat-
urday signed a `40,000 crore
MoU with the Odisha govern-
ment to set up an integrated
electric vehicles (EV) and EV
battery manufacturing project
in the state, is looking to manu-
facture 1 lakh electric commer-
cial vehicles and 3 lakh electric
passenger vehicle a year from
the plant.
The Group is expected to
start the project by the end of
this year after getting all the
necessary clearances. Follow-
ing this, the project is expected
to be completed in the next two-
three years. Analysts tracking
the auto sector said this is one
of the biggest investments an-
nounced ever in the Indian au-
tomobile sector by a new en-
trant. JSW recently entered the
automobile sector by announc-
ing a joint venture to own 35%
of a newly created JV with Chi-
na’s SAIC Motor (which owns
MG Motor India).
hit after record rally
A senior automobile analyst
said it will be a challenging
task for the Group to establish
itself in the highly crowded au-
tomobile space. “While the cur-
rent electric PV market is small
and growing at a fast pace, it
will become highly competitive
in the next few years when
market leaders such as Tata
Motors, Maruti, Hyundai and
Mahindra would have multiple
offerings. There will be compe-
tition from upcoming players
such as Tesla and Vinfast. A
new player or a player who has
a small market share such as
MG Motor will have to create a
niche for itself,” the analyst
said requesting anonymity.
In the commercial vehicle
space, the Jindals will have to
compete against the likes of
Ashok Leyland, Tata Motors
and Volvo Eicher.
JSW Group Chairman Saj-
jan Jindal has so far said they
would be producing high-qual-
ity batteries and EVs that are
affordable and technologically
advanced.
Correction in food, beverage prices on favourable base effect
M O N I K A YA DAV @ New Delhi
IIP SLOWS TO
RETAIL inflation rate in the 3.8% IN DEC A RS H A D K H A N @ New Delhi tral Bank of India, Punjab
country moderated to a three- & Sind Bank and Indian
month low of 5.10% in January INDIA’S SHARES of many ‘multi-bag- Overseas Bank.
due to slower price increases in industrial ger’ state-owned companies PSU banking stocks are un-
certain food items, as per the of- production took a big beating on Monday der pressure after the RBI’s
ficial data released on Monday. growth as muted third-quar ter latest monetary policy meet-
It fell from 5.69% in December slowed to 3.8 e a r n i n g s nu m b e r s a n d ing, in which the central bank
last year and 6.52% in January per cent in lack of fresh triggers are said kept the repo rate at 6.5%.
2023 to 5.1% in January 2024. December t h at j i t t e re d i nve s t o r s ’ Railway PSU stocks, a fa-
The consumer price food in- 2023, mainly sentiments and raised valua- vourite among investors in
dex (CFPI) decreased to 8.3% in due to poor tion concerns. the recent bull run, have also
January from 9.5% in Decem- performance The BSE PSU index, the been witnessing selling pres-
ber 2023, though higher than of mining and key barometer of PSU (public sure since the last few ses-
what it was in January 2023 at power sector undertaking) stock, sions and on Monday shares
6%. Cereal prices increased by generation fell 4.44% on Monday to close of Indian Railway Finance
7.83% year-on-year in January segments, as at 17,564 points. The Corp, Rail Vikas Ni-
compared to 9.93% in the previ- per official selloff was so wide- gam, RailTel Corpo-
data released BRIGHT FUTURE
ous month, while vegetable spread that of the 56 ration of India and
prices rose by 27.03% in Janu- on Monday. constituents of the Sonam Ircon International
ary, slightly lower than the The factory index, 55 ended Srivastava, crashed more than
27.64% recorded in December. output the session in red. founder and fund 10% each.
Despite the ease in retail in- growth Only Power Grid manager at Selling in the rail-
flation, the Reserve Bank of In- measured in Corp managed to Wright Research, way stocks is attrib-
dia (RBI) opted to keep interest terms of the close with a little said prospects for uted to no big an-
rates steady last week, indicat- Index of gain of 0.02%. PSU banking nouncement for the
ing a delay in rate cuts to ad- Industrial The fall in PSU counters seem sector in the Interim
dress the inflation target of 4%. Production stocks came as over- optimistic, with Budget. Shares of
The RBI projects retail infla- (IIP) was at all market senti- factors like lower d e f e n c e h e av y -
tion to average 5.4% in the cur- 5.1% in ment was weak. The interest rates and weight Hindustan
rent fiscal year ending in March December benchmarks- BSE potential govt Aeronautics Ltd
with the fourth quarter at 5%. 2022. Sensex and NSE Nif- support boosting (HAL) fell over 4%
It has projected 4.5% for the fol- ty50 fell about 0.75% confidence on Monday after the
lowing fiscal year with the first Mild upside surprise on CPI inflation has come on the back of higher- each on Monday. Co reported a 9%
quarter at 5.0%, the second than-expected food inflation, led by higher sequential momentum in The midcap and the smallcap rise in third-quarter profit to
quarter at 4.0%, the third quar- eggs, meat, pulses — Madhavi Arora, Economist, Emkay Global Financial Services indexes underperformed and at Rs 1,261 crore. Energy
ter at 4.6 percent, and the fourth fell about 3% each. stocks such as Indian
quarter at 4.7%. than the usual seasonal behav- voir storage remains well be- In the PSU universe, stocks Oil, Bharat Petroleum and
“The mild upside surprise on ior,” said Madhavi Arora, Econ- low the year-ago levels in most from all sectors, from banks Coal India also fell sharply
CPI inflation has come on the omist with the Emkay Global regions, continuing to imbue to energy and railways to de- on Monday.
back of higher-than-expected Financial Services. caution into the outlook for the fence, were under selling .Sonam Srivastava, founder
food inflation, led by higher se- According to Aditi Nayar, rabi harvest. “Inflation for the pressure on Monday. The Nif- and fund manager at Wright
quential momentum in eggs, Chief Economist, Head Re- miscellaneous sub-g roup, ty PSU Bank index plummet- Research, said the prospects
meat & fish and pulses, while search and Outreach, ICRA which includes various servic- ed by 4.43% to 6,637 points. for PSU banking counters
cereals remained under pres- Ltd, the correction in the infla- es, fell below 4% after a gap of All the 12 constituents of this seem cautiously optimistic,
sure despite rising materially tion for food and beverages was 49 months, and is expected to index closed in the red, with with factors like lower inter-
in 2023. Vegetable inflation has led by a favourable base effect. remain sub-4% over H1 CY2024, four stocks falling between 10 est rates and potential gov-
also remained elevated with se- While rabi sowing has caught auguring well for the core infla- and 12%. These stocks were ernment support boosting
quential contraction being less up with last year’s level, reser- tion,” she added. Bank of Maharashtra, Cen- confidence.

Religare Board Won’t review decision on Paytm Payments Bank: RBI Governor Coal India net
delaying the profit rises 17% to
E N S E CO N O M I C B U R E AU @ New Delhi FASTTags and other instru- Decision taken carefully ling a major change in relation- sured that the RBI will continue

open offer, says THE Reserve Bank of India

ments after February 29 on ac-
count of persistent non-compli-
RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das
ship between the two entities.
Though interest credits, cash-
to support the fintech sector
along with its commitment to
`9,069 cr in Q3
said the decision was taken after

Burman Family
E N S E CO N O M I C B U R E AU @ New Delhi
THE Burman Family on Mon-
day accused the current board
of Religare Enterprises (REL)
for delaying the completion of
open offer.
This statement by the Bur-
mans came after Religare in-
formed the stock exchanges
that the Reserve Bank of India
(RBI) has rejected the family’s
open offer proposal for acquir-
ing majority stake in the diver-
sified financial company.
“The banking regulator has
taken note of the non-coopera-
tion by Religare and has in turn
directed Religare to make the
necessary applications to the
banking regulator. This situa-
tion once again highlights the
partisan approach the board of
Religare has taken which has
resulted in delay of the comple-
tion of the open offer at the
cost of public shareholders,”
said Spokesperson of the Bur-
man family.
“Hopefully with these direc-
(RBI) will not review its meas-
ures taken against Paytm Pay-
ments Bank, Governor Shak-
tikanta Das said on Monday
after a meeting of the central
board of directors here.
He added that the decision
was taken after a thorough as-
sessment of the functioning of
the bank. The apex bank on Jan-
uary 31 had banned PPBL from
accepting deposits or top-ups in
any customer account, wallet,
GlaxoSmithKline PAT
EXPRESS READ
falls 71% to `46 cr in Q3
CHENNAI: GlaxoSmithKline
Pharmaceuticals (GSK) reported
a standalone net profit of `46
crore in the third quarter of the
2023-24 fiscal, a drop of 71%
compared to `164 crore in the
corresponding period last year
(YoY). The company reported a
revenue from operations of `805
crores for the quarter and profit
before exceptional Items and tax
stood at Rs 228 crores. EBITDA
margins stood at 27%. ENS
ance with banking regulations
and continued material supervi-
sory concerns in the bank.
It instructed the termination
of ‘nodal accounts’ affiliated
with One97 Communications
Ltd, which is parent company of
Paytm brand and holds a 49%
stake in Paytm Payments Bank
Limited (PPBL). This move by
the RBI reclassified One97 Com-
munications as an associate
rather than a subsidiary, signal-
Ramco launches AI-
based payroll software
CHENNAI: Enterprise software
provider Ramco Systems has
launched Ramco Payce, a
platform based payroll software
with serverless in-memory, data
analytics and artificial intelligence
(AI) and machine learning. The
company has been offering
payroll solutions for more than
two decades and now has
inducted emerging technologies
to compete with the changing
landscape. ENS
a thorough assessment of the
functioning of the bank. The apex
bank on January 31 had banned
PPBL from accepting deposits or
top-ups in any customer account,
wallet, FASTTags and other
instruments after February 29 on
account of persistent non-
compliance with banking
regulations and continued
material supervisory concerns
in the bank
Reliance most valuable company, edtech
firm Byju’s dropped from Hurun India list
E N S E CO N O M I C B U R E AU @ Bengaluru
RELIANCE INDUSTRIES con-
tinues its reign in the top posi-
tion for the third year in a row
on the Burgundy Private Hu-
run India list of the 500 most
valuable companies.
With a value of `15.6 lakh
crore, it is the most valuable
company, followed by Tata Con-
sultancy Services with `12.4
backs, and refunds have been al-
lowed to be continued with-
out any restrictions.
“At the moment, let
me say clearly there is
no review of this deci-
sion. If you are expect-
ing a review, let me very
clearly say there is going
to be no review of the deci-
sion,” Das told reporters on the
sidelines of CBD meet.
However, the Governor reas-
cured No. 28 after demerging
from Reliance Industries.
HCLTech and Kotak Mahindra
Bank make their return to the
top 10 list in the 2023 edition.
The 2023 Burgundy Private Hu-
run India 500 companies em-
ploy 70 lakh people, with
an average of 15,211 em-
ployees per organisa-
tion, and 437 compa-
nies in the list have
safeguard the interest of cus-
tomers. It is to be noted that
the RBI will release a set
of frequently asked ques-
tions (FAQs) with regard
to Paytm next week.
It may be recalled that
on March 11, 2022, the
central bank had put a ban
on PPBL to onboard new cus-
tomers and directed it to appoint
an IT audit firm to conduct a
comprehensive System Audit.
Adani Group have a combined
value of `9.9 lakh crore and
constitute 4.3% of the total val-
ue of 500 top companies.
As per the report, during the
review period, value of the
Adani Group companies de-
creased by 50% or `9,92,953
crore. However, since the
supreme court ruling
(in favour of Adani
Group) on the Adani-
E N S E CO N O M I C B U R E AU @ New Delhi
COAL INDIA on Monday re-
ported a 16.9% rise in consoli-
dated net profit to `9,069.19
crore for the third quarter of
the current financial year on
the back of higher sales.
Consolidated net profit stood
at `7,755.55 crore in the year-
ago period, Coal India Ltd (CIL)
said in a regulatory filing. In a
statement, the maharatna PSU
said powered by positive per-
formance, its consolidated prof-
it after tax (PAT) rose sharply
to an all-time high of `9,094
crore during the third quarter
of the current fiscal, posting an
18% year-on-year growth.
“This was the highest PAT
earning during the third quar-
ter of any year since the com-
pany’s listing. In absolute vol-
ume, the PAT jumped by Rs 1,375
crore compared to `7,719 crore
of October-December 2022 peri-
od,” the statement said.The
company’s consolidated sales
increased to `33,011.11 crore
during the quar ter, over
`32,429.46 crore in the year-ago
period. CIL’s consolidated rev-

56.02 lakh suspected mobile

tions, the board of Religare will lakh crore and HDFC Bank women’s representa- Hindenberg verdict, enue from operations in the Oc-
retain its independence and with `11.3 lakh crore. Burgun- tion on their boards. which fell beyond the re- tober-December period in-
fulfil its fiduciary duty of ap- dy Private, Axis Bank’s Private Amitabh Chaudhry, MD view period, Adani Group creased to `36,153.97 crore from

plying to the RBI.” The RBI re-
jected the Burman family’s
open offer proposal for REL as
the application should be sub-
mitted by the NBFC and not the
acquirer, informed Religare.
The central bank, in its letter
dated February 5, 2024, stated
the proposal cannot be acceded
as it is not the acquirer but the
NBFC in which change in man-
agement and control is taking
place should submitting the
application.
The fresh direction by the
RBI came a month after the
country’s anti-trust body, the
Competition Commission of
India (CCI), gave its approval
for the acquisition of a 5.27%
stake in REL by four firms con-
trolled by the Burman family.
CCI also gave its nod to the Bur-
mans for the follow-up open of-
fer to buy up to another 26% in
REL and take its holding to up
to 53.94%.
The Burman family, the pro-
moter of FMCG major Dabur,
had in September 2023 an-
nounced a `2,116 crore open of-
fer to acquire up to 26% addi-
tional stake in the REL.
connections disconnected
Banking Business and Hurun and CEO, Axis Bank said the regained `4,72,636 crore in val- `35,169.33 crore in the corre-
India launched the report on companies featured in the list ue, as on 17 January 2024. Inter- sponding period of the previous
Monday, and according to the have collectively created a val- estingly, about 61 companies fiscal, registering a growth of
report, Reliance Industries is ue of `231 lakh crore for their which featured in last year’s 3%. Its board approved second
documents. By December 2023,
E N S E CO N O M I C B U R E AU @ New Delhi valued at least `3 lakh crore stakeholders. About 52 firms in list did not make it to the list interim dividend of Rs 5.25 per
66.98 lakh such mobile connec- more than TCS. the list are less than a decade this year and the top 10 exits in- share for the current fiscal, that
THE Department of Telecom- tions have been detected, of Jio Financial Services has se- old. The eight companies in the clude edtech firm Byju’s. is, 52.5 % of the face value.
munication (DoT) has discon- which 56.02 lakh suspected con-
nected over 56.02 lakh suspect- nections have been disconnect-
ed mobile connections that ed for failing re-verification,”
failed to re-verify.
According to the
DoT’s monthly report,
said DoT. It also disengaged 2.21
lakh social media pro-
files like WhatsApp,
India’s tablet market sees 21% QoQ growth in Q4
as of December 2023, and 7.82 lakh bank/ E N S E CO N O M I C B U R E AU @ New Delhi driven by popular offerings continued progress,” said Men-
66.98 lakh such mobile wallet accounts linked such as iPad 10 and 9 Series. It ka Kumari, analyst, Industry
connections were de- By Dec 2023, to disconnected mobile DOMESTIC tablet market wit- was followed by Chinese tech Intelligence Group (IIG), Cy-
tected by DoT’s Artifi- 66.98L mobile connections obtained nessed a growth of 21% quar- giant Lenovo with a 24% mar- berMedia Research (CMR).
cial Intelligence and connections have on fake/forged docu- ter-on-quarter (QoQ) growth in ket share. South Korean Sam- The premium tablet segment
Facial Reco gnition been detected, of ments were frozen. Q4, 2023, driven by strong de- sung placed third with 19%. (`20,000–`30,000) experienced a
which 56.02L
powered solution - suspected
The ASTR is a sys- mand for 5G gadgets, according “There is a rising consumer remarkable 95% QoQ jump, in-
ASTR, out of which connections have tem that uses subscrib- to CyberMedia Research demand for diverse tablet op- dicating a clear shift towards
56.02 lakh were discon- been disconnected er images provided by (CMR). tions in India, including pre- high-end devices.
nected. It also blacklist- for failing telecom service pro- According to the report, 5G mium, 5G, and value-for-money Lenovo’s Tab M10 and Tab
ed 70,313 Point of Sale re-verification viders (TSPs) to detect tablet shipments soared by 43% tablet offerings. This growth is M9 models performed excep-
(PoS)’s selling SIMs on duplication of SIM year-on-year (YoY), accounting particularly noticeable in the tionally well, capturing signifi-
Telecom department
fake/forged documents, card registrations un- for a significant share of the business-to-business (B2B) sec- cant shares in the value seg-
and 365 FIRs were reg- der different names, market. Similarly, Wi-Fi tablets tor and online purchases. The ment. Samsung was placed
istered across the country. guardian names, dates of birth, also performed well, recording Indian tablet market is show- third with a 19% market share.
“AI-based facial recognition or any other KYC parameter. a 13% YoY increase and claim- ing resilience and potential for Samsung’s Tab A7 Lite and Gal-
analysis has been carried out It mentioned that its Sanchar ing 52% of overall shipments. axy Tab S6 Lite models also saw
on 134 crore mobile connec- S a a t h i p o r t a l h a s b e e n In terms of company, Apple Growth is noticeable in B2B sector and online purchases. Indian tablet strong demand. In CY2023, the
tions to detect mobile connec- visited by 3.67 crore citizens maintained its leadership posi- market is showing resilience and potential for continued progress tablet market recorded a 14%
tions obtained on fake/forged by December 2023. tion with a 25% market share, —Menka Kumari, analyst, Industry Intelligence Group, CyberMedia Research (CMR) YoY decline in shipments.
 Marathon world record-holder Kelvin Kiptum, who was a top contender
Marathon WR-holder for gold at the Olympics in Paris this year, was killed along with his coach
in a car crash in Kenya. Their vehicle was the only one involved in the
dies in car crash crash late Sunday and Kiptum, 24, was driving when it veered off a road
and into a ditch before hitting a tree, police said.

11 HYDERABAD TUESDAY 13 02 2024

� � newindianexpress com

Saxena delivers as Kerala

Sarfaraz could be in line to debut in third Test with Patidar getting another opportunity

PADIKKAL IN post first victory of season

FOR RAHUL A G E N C I E S @ Thumba

AT RAJKOT
VETERAN all-rounder Jalaj
Saxena grabbed a match haul
of 13 wickets on a rank-turn-
er as Kerala crushed Bengal
by 109 runs to taste their first
win of the ongoing Ranji Tro-
phy season here on Monday.
G O M E S H S @ Chennai tween India A and South Africa The win propelled Kerala (14)
A last year, kicked off the Ranji to third in the Group B table
WHEN Devdutt Padikkal was campaign with a 193 against behind leaders Mumbai (30)
taking apart the two Tamil Punjab before scoring another and Andhra (25).
Nadu left-arm spinners at the century against Goa (103) and This was Bengal’s second
MA Chidambaram Stadium England Lions (105 while play- successive defeat of the sea-
last Friday, little did he know ing for India A). son as the last edition’s run-
the impact it would create. His Another half-century for In- ners-up slipped to sixth spot
151 in the first innings — played dia A and the 151 for Karnataka and their knockout qualifica- Kerala players celebrate after sealing victory on Monday | EXPRESS
with chairman of the men’s meant Padikkal was called on tion hopes are as good as over.
senior selection committee Ajit the moment it was clear Rahul Bengal had endured an in- five-wicket haul of his career
Agarkar watching from the was not going to play. “To be nings defeat to Mumbai at SELECT SCORES fetched Delhi six points from
stands — seems to have sealed honest, in the last couple of home in their previous out- the contest on the final day.
At Thumba: Kerala 363 & 265/6
the deal as the Karnataka bat- years, I wasn’t doing too well. ing. The spin-bowling all- The win lifted Delhi (16) to the
decl. bt Bengal 180 & 339 in 87.4 ovs
ter earned his maiden India My performances were natu- rounder Saxena followed up fourth place behind Madhya
(Shahbaz 80, Abhimanyu 65); At
call-up for the third Test against rally dipping because of that. Devdutt Padikkal (above) replaced his 9/68 in the first innings to Vizianagaram: Andhra 261 &
Pradesh (26), Baroda (23) and
England in Rajkot. But I was always injured KL Rahul in the squad. Sarfaraz pocket 4/104 as Bengal were 429/9 in 145 ovs (Ricky 129, Rasheed Jammu and Kashmir (18). Set
The 23-year-old INDIA’S SQUAD confident enough Khan has been with team since bowled out for 339 in their 85, Nitish 53 n.o, Vihari 48; Saurabh a target of 327, Himachal re-
will be replacing FOR RAJKOT TEST that I’d be back Visakhapatnam Test | ASHWIN PRASATH/PTI tough chase of 449 runs. 5/116); At Surat: Railways 297 & sumed their second innings
his fellow Karna- Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit scoring runs at Opener Abhimanyu Eas- 208 bt Goa 200 & 242 in 65.2 ovs at 31 for one on the final day
taka teammate KL Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi some point. Now Dravid had said that while he waran completed his second (Prabhudessai 67; Akash 9/71); At but Chauhan bowled his heart
Rahul, who hasn’t that I’m back in was happy with Bharat’s glove- fifty of the match after Ben- Chennai: Karnataka 366 & 139 out to return with figures of
Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, drew with Tamil Nadu 151 & 338 for
fully recovered in Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz terms of my fit- work, his batting ‘could have gal resumed the day on 77/2. 23-7-63-5 to derail the chase.
time to make the Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), ness and health been better’. But Saxena gave the break- 8 in 105 ovs (Indrajith 98, Pradosh Right-arm medium pacer
74, Vijay 60; Vyshak 3/71); At
cut for the Test that KS Bharat (WK), R completely, I’m re- “Young players take time to through first dismissing Pranshu Vijayran (3/44) and
Dharamsala: Delhi 264 & 381-6
begins on Thurs- Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, ally happy I’m develop at times,” he had said. Anustup Majumdar (16) and left-arm medium-pacer Sid-
decl. bt HP 319 & 250 all out in 76.4
day. “Mr. Rahul has Axar Patel, Washington back scoring runs “They grow at their own pace. then halted Abhimanyu’s pa- ovs (Rishi 65, Himanshu 5/63). dhant Sharma (2/56) also sup-
reached 90 per cent Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, as well,” Padikkal player of spin, got a call-up af- As a coach, you want players to tient innings for 65 (119b). ported Chauhan in dismiss-
of match fitness Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh had told reporters ter smashing 556, 982 and 928 grab the opportunities. His Playing his penultimate ing the hosts in 76.4 overs.
and is progressing Kumar, Akash Deep, at the venue after runs in the past three Ranji sea- keeping has been good, he will match of his career, veteran enth wicket. But it was just a In Chennai, chasing a tar-
well under the su- Devdutt Padikkal. his century against sons. In Rajkot, he is expected also agree that his batting could Manoj Tiwary also became formality for the visitors with get of 355, TN could only man-
pervision of the TN. to join Patidar in an already in- have been better.” Saxena’s victim falling cheap- Basil Thampi (2/8 from 2.4 age 338 for 8 in 105 overs. The
BCCI Medical Team. He will Now, the left-hander has experienced middle-order. It’s Jurel has four fifties in his ly for 35. Tiwary has an- overs) wiping out the tail, match ended in a draw and
continue his recovery process opened for India A and batted unlikely the management will last five first-class innings, with nounced that he will call it a first by effecting the run-out Karnataka got three points
at the National Cricket Acade- at No. 3 for Karnataka. But the drop Patidar, who was in the two of them coming for India day after Bengal’s last league of India Test-bound Akash for their first innings lead,
my (NCA) in Bengaluru to be only available slot is in the mid- squad from the first game be- A. Should Jurel get his cap, the match against Bihar at Eden Deep and then dismissing while TN had to be satisfied
completely match-fit for the dle-order with Rahul not being fore making his debut in three of them, forming the core Gardens from February 16. Shahbaz. with one point. Baba Indra-
fourth and fifth Tests,” BCCI available and Shreyas Iyer not Vizag. of the middle,-order, will have Returning to action after a Meanwhile, pacer Himan- jith was run out just two runs
said in a press release. considered. So, it’s likely that T h e i n t e re s t i n g t h i n g , played one Test between them. two-month injury layoff, Ben- shu Chauhan snared five short of century, while Pra-
Now, the innings which Sarfaraz Khan, who was with though, is Sarfaraz might not While it is not clear if they will gal premier all-rounder Shah- wickets as Delhi bowled out dosh Ranjan Paul and Vijay
helped Karnataka secure first the squad in the second Test at be the only debutant in the go ahead with such a combina- baz Ahmed was the lone war- Himachal Pradesh for 250 in Shankar chipped in with 74
innings lead and crucial points, Visakhapatnam, will get the third Test. With KS Bharat’s tion, especially when the series rior for as he chipped in with their second innings to regis- and 60 respectively. They lost
was not a one-off knock from nod. Also, this management lack of impact with the bat, it is 1-1, it is safe to say that they an entertaining 100-ball 80 ter an emphatic 76-run win, three quick wickets towards
Padikkal. After scoring over prefers status quo over new should not come as a surprise do not have many options at the (8x4, 2x6). Karan Lal gave him only their second victory of the end to fall short of target
450 runs in the Vijay Hazare entrants. should the hosts hand a Test moment. So they will have to support with a 78-ball 40 in an the ongoing Ranji season. In after beginning the day at 36
Trophy, the southpaw, who The Mumbaikar, a middle- cap to Dhruv Jurel. After the make the most of what’s 83-run alliance for the sev- Dharamsala, Chauhan’s third for 1.
played in the unofficial Test be- order batter and an excellent Vizag Test, head coach Rahul available.

Eye on big guns as CL resumes

Defending champions Man City
and serial winners Real Madrid
kick-start the knockout phase
of the Champions League. A
look at two of the Round of 16
clashes on Tuesday...
COPENHAGEN
VS MAN CITY
Pep Guardiola’s men, as is
the norm, have purred
Punjab FC stun Kerala Blasters with commanding victory
E N S /A G E N C I E S @ Kochi
PUNJAB FC stunned Kerala
Blasters with a commanding
3-1 victory spearheaded with a
brace from Wilmar Jordan and
a late penalty by Luka Majcen
in Round 14 of the ongoing In-
dian Super League season
which was played here at
the Jawaharlal Nehru
starting line-up. The home side stantly and equalised within
pressed high in midfield to win three minutes from a team
back the ball and pressurize move involving Tekcham Ab-
the Punjab players. Daisuke hishek Singh and Madih Talal.
Sakai’s effort from outside the The French midfielder found
box did not trouble the PFC Jordan inside the box and the
keeper as same as Rahul KP’s Colombian expertly cut past
effort minutes later. Punjab Pritam Kotal and finished past
grew into the game with the the keeper.
front three of Luka, Jor- In the second half, it was
dan and Madih Talal Blasters who made a bright

into life over the winter
with 10 consecutive wins
in all competitions. With
Kevin de Bruyne back and
Erling Haaland bang in
form, the Danes will do
well very well to not lose.
ISL
Stadium. The home side combining well. They start. However, Punjab scored
had taken the lead had a couple of half against the run of play in the
through Milos Drincic chances which could not 61st minute. Talal caught the
but Punjab answered be capitalized. On the Blasters defence napping and
with three goals to inflict other end, Rahul KP almost his left-footed cross was deflect-
the first home defeat for the scored with a reverse header ed into the path of Jordan by
Blasters in the season. Punjab from a cross by Fedor Cernych. Wilmar Jordan of Punjab FC celebrates after scoring a goal on Monday | ISL Sachin. Jordan planted the free
FC moved to ninth with this Amarajit Singh could have header for his second of the

6 MAN CITY HAVE SCORED EXACTLY THREE GOALS IN win while Blasters remained opened the scoring from a fine with both teams attacking and failed to clear a corner and the night. Later, Blasters conceded
EACH OF THEIR LAST SIX CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GAMES. on third in the table. lay off by Wilmar Jordan, but creating opportunities. The rebound fell to Drincic, whose a third from their own mistake.
Blasters welcomed back In- the former’s shot was saved home side’s pressure paid divi- shot hit the crossbar and Sachin gave the ball away in-
dia inter national Jeakson well by Sachin Suresh. The dends in the 39th minute as crossed the line. side the box to Ricky Shabong,
RB LEIPZIG VS Singh after a long break to the game was played at a fast pace they took the lead. Punjab FC Punjab FC responded in- who cut across to find Luka.
REAL MADRID
Real enjoy a five-point
lead in La Liga but this is
their bread and butter.
They were outstanding Bengaluru Open:
EXPRESS READ

GM Gukesh goes Focus on Sindhu as

FIH Pro League: India
women lose 1-2 to China
in the group stages, Ramkumar in Rd 2 down to Caruana India chase glory
winning all six games.
RB Leipzig could be BENGALURU: Wild card WANGELS (GERMANY): Indian SHAH ALAM (MALAYSIA): India
tricky opponents at Ramkumar Ramanathan GM D Gukesh went down will look to recreate magic
home but they are not fought back from a set down to fighting against World No 2 when they chase the elusive A G E N C I E S @ Rourkela
in great form, having pack off Frenchman Maxime Fabiano Caruana of US in the crown at the Badminton Asia
lost their last three Janvier 6-7 (4), 7-5, 6-4 and first game of the quarterfinals Team Championships, which THE Indian women hockey
league games. advance to the second round of in the Weissenhaus Freestyle will mark the return of double team’s disappointing run in the
the Bengaluru Open here on Chess challenge here. Gukesh Olympic medallist PV Sindhu FIH Pro League continued as it

12 VINICIUS JUNIOR
HAS SCORED 12
GOALS IN ALL
Monday. The 29-year-old
Indian kept his nerves despite
his serve being put under
had a slight advantage in the
middle game against Caruana
but that slipped off quickly and
from injury. The Indian men’s
team, which lifted the Thomas
Cup in 2022, will look to go all
lost 1-2 to China here on Mon-
day. India took the lead in the
seventh minute through San-
COMPETITIONS THIS pressure in the opening two the American GM pounced on the way in the continental gita Kumari’s field goal but
SEASON. sets by his higher ranked his opportunity thereafter to event this week after finishing China equalised in the 14th
opponent to pull off a take the full point home. The with bronze medals in the 2016 minute through Gu Bingfeng
Live on Sony Sports Networks @ 1.30 AM on Wednesday sensational victory. game lasted 39 moves. and 2018 editions. (penalty corner), who scored
his second goal of the match in
the 53rd minute through a pen- Indian women’s team’s disappointing

Ivory Coast savour AFCON success but future is unclear alty stroke.
India had lost to China by the
same 1-2 margin in their earlier
match on February 3 in Bhu-
show continues in Rourkela | HI

ball possession in the second

A G E N C I E S @ Abidjan
IVORY Coast’s stunning Africa
Cup of Nations triumph was a
fitting end to the most thrilling
edition of the tournament in
recent memory but the manner
of their victory makes it impos-
sible to imagine what the long-
term impact could be.
The Elephants really should
have been eliminated from
their own competition in the
group stage after losing 4-0 to
Equatorial Guinea on January
22, their heaviest ever home de-
feat. That would have made
them just the second host coun-
try in 30 years to go out of the
AFCON in the group stage, but
instead they squeezed through
as the last of the four best third-
placed teams.
Their group-stage showing
led to the departure of veteran
French coach Jean-Louis Gas-
set, who had been in charge
since May 2022. He was re-
placed by Emerse Fae, a former
Ivorian international who had
never coached before.
Yet Fae oversaw an incredi-
ble turnaround in the team’s
fortunes, as the Ivorians came
from behind to beat holders
Senegal in the last 16 and over-
came a 1-0 deficit with 10 men
to beat Mali in the quarter-fi-
nals. After beating the Demo-
cratic Republic of Congo 1-0 in
the last four, it felt somehow in-
evitable that they would win
the final, and it was apt that
they came from behind to beat
Nigeria 2-1 to lift the trophy.
It remains to be seen if Fae
will keep the job permanently,
something he had refused to
discuss before the final. Who-
ever is in charge going forward,
the Elephants, Africa’s eighth-
ranked side, should build on
their AFCON success to qualify
Ivory Coast won the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN), beating Nigeria in the final | AFP for the 2026 World Cup.
baneswar. India earned five
penalty corners in the match —
as against four by China — but
as is their wont, they could not
convert a single one.
The two sides were locked 1-1
at the end of the first quarter.
Sangita gave the finishing
touches after receiving a pass
from Vandana Katariya. Just a
minute before the end of the
first quarter, Bingfeng smashed
the ball past India captain and
goalkeeper Savita Punia in her
second PC attempt.
The next two quarters did
not produce any goal from both
sides. China enjoyed greater
quarter but the Indian defence
was resilient in not allowing
the visitors to connect the dots
and take the lead.
With about 10 minutes left in
the second quarter, China were
awarded a penalty corner but
Savita made a fine save. The In-
dians immediately mounted a
counter attack and found them-
selves with an opportunity to
score courtesy of another pen-
alty corner.
India had also lost to the
Netherlands (1-3) and Australia
(0-3) before beating USA 3-1 on
February 9. India face the Neth-
erlands again in their next
match here on Wednesday.
12 HYDERABAD TUESDAY 13 02 2024
� � THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS

GREATER HYDERABAD MUNICIPAL CORPORATION

NIT No.30/SEM/LBNZ/GHMC/J2&J3/2023-24 Date: 12.02.2024
Name of the work: 2 No’s SWD works, 1 No. Building work & 1 No. BT Road work
(Total 4 works) in L.B. Nagar Zone, GHMC - Amount: Rs.362.50 Lakhs. Download
start date: 13.02.2024 @ 03.00 PM. Bid submission closing date: 20.02.2024 @
03.15 PM. Technical bid opening date: 20.02.2024 @ 03.30 PM. Price bid opening
date: 20.02.2024 @ 03.45 PM. Name & Address Office: SE-M, LBNZ GHMC Zonal
Office, Gaddiannaram, Hyderabad. ashokreddy.v@gov.in, Cell No.9701362708.
Further details can be seen at https://tender.telangana.gov.in.
Sd/- Superintending Engineer-M, L.B.Nagar Zone, GHMC.
DIPR R.O. No.10367-PP/CL/Advt/1/2023-24, Dt: 12/02/2024

(A Company of Chennai Port Authority)

CIN:U45203TN1999PLC043322
Tender No : 2024025062
E-Tenders are invited for “Construction
of Driver Amenity Building near ECTPL
Coal Stack yard outside Kamarajar
Port”.
Estimated Cost: Rs.3.24
Crores Excluding GST
The last date of submission
06.03.2024 upto 15:00 Hrs
For details visit:
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CLASSIFIEDS
PUBLIC NOTICE

CHANGE OF NAME & D.O.B.

I, RANI MINA KUMARI spouse of
Army No.15673938A Hav Anil
Kumar Suman, R/o. Gali No.2,
Raja Rahul City, Cantonment,
Lucknow, Malak, Uttar Pradesh
have changed my name and DOB
from RANI MINA KUMARI, DOB:
1-7-1980 to MEENA KUMARI
SUMAN, DOB: 1-7-1981, vide
Affidavit Dt: 12-2-2024 before
CVN Ramakrishna, Advocate and
Notary, Secunderabad.

CHANGE OF NAME
I, Madar Bee spouse of Army No.
14516401X Ex Hav Syed Ameer,
R/o. 37/4, Railway Quarters,
Prabakar Reddy Nagar, Balanagar,
K.V. Rangareddy District,
Telangana, have changed my
name from MADAR BEE to SYED
THAHERRUNISA, vide Affidavit Dt:
12-2-2024 before Mohd. Hameed
Khan, Advocate and Notary,
Begumpet, Hyderabad.

GETTING
INFORMATION
OFF THE
INTERNET IS
LIKE TAKING A
DRINK FROM A
FIRE HYDRANT
MITCHELL KAPOR
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newindianexpress.com
Mail us: cityexpresschn@gmail.com

13 � 02 � 2024
TUESDAY

DAY ’S D I A RY
Capital inaugurated
On this day in 1931, The British Raj
completed its transfer from Calcutta
to New Delhi. It was inaugurated by
Lord Irwin
HISTORY CEREMONY THE GATES ‘I binge-watched all the
The foundation stone of New Delhi On the day of the inauguration, There were a total of 14 Commando films before
doing Crakk’
was laid by George V, during the Delhi four iconic Dominion Columns, walled gates that protected
Durbar of 12 December 1911. The city each made of red sandstone the city in the beginning. Five
was designed by British architects Sir and topped by replica of a ship, of them including Kashmiri
Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker were unveiled by Lord Irwin Gate are still standing PG 4

BENGALI
light at participating in the INSIDE
Telangana Bengali Film Festi-
val. “Having been associated
with Hyderabad since the early

CINEMA
2000s, this festival holds nostal-
gic value for me. The warmth
and appreciation from the audi-
ence here are truly heartening.
The convergence of regional
cinema on platforms like OTT

SHINES
has been a game-changer, al-
lowing audiences to explore di-
verse narratives. Personally,
I’ve been inspired by the works
o f d i r e c t o r s l i k e Vi j ay

IN CITY
Sethupathi and look forward to
collaborating with such vision-

STRIDE WITH
ary talents.”
Srabanti Chatterjee, re-

PRIDE
nowned for her contributions
Swastika Mukerjee to Bengali cinema, exuded ex-
citement about her
film’s screening at
h e
Discover beauty of regional cinema and Prosenjit Chatterjee
T
e r a b ad
the festival. “It’s a
H yd m i ty
surreal feeling
witness the convergence of talent from a le e S a
- to witness my
B a n g i s e d a t wo
Bengal and beyond at the Telangana t r u
commendable.”
l y
o r ga n a n ga n a
el
wo rk b e i n g
showcased
Bengali Film Festival Sharing his per- day T ali Film h e re. ‘ S a d a
B eng l o n
va
Festi & 11
spective on collab- R o n g e r
0 Prithibi,’ where-
Feb 1
S H R E YA V E R O N I C A orating with Tolly-
wo o d , P r o s e n j i t in I portray dual

T
RANSCENDING gen- remarked, “The Telu- characters, has
res and languages, gu and Tamil film indus- been a unique experi-
captivating audiences tries have garnered wide- ence for me as an actor. Hy-
worldwide, films al- spread acclaim, rightfully derabad’s vibrant culture, espe-
ways succeed to en- earning their place on the glo- cially its delectable cuisine, has
thral all. Recognising Srabanti Chatterjee bal stage. As an artist, I’ve al- always left a lasting impression
this fervour for cine- ways advocated for a unified on me. I aspire to collaborate
ma, the Hyderabad Bangalee approach to cinema, transcend- with esteemed directors like SS
Samity organised a two-day Te- Prosenjit Chatterjee, affec- My association with RFC (Ram- ing regional boundaries. With Rajamouli and talented actress-
langana Bengali Film Festival tionately known as Bumba Da, oji Film City) goes back to the the advent of OTT platforms, es like Genelia, whose natural
on February 10 & 11. The event,
held at Prasad Labs in Jubilee
a stalwart of the Bengali film
industry, expressed his enthu-
days when I extensively worked
on mainstream commercial
accessibility to films has in- charisma I greatly admire.”
creased manifold, fostering a The Telangana Bengali Film TALES OF LOVE &
ATTACHMENT
Hills, welcomed esteemed ce- siasm for the festival, reflecting films. Hyderabad, particularly conducive environment for cre- Festival serves as a testament
lebrities from the Bengali mov- on its evolution over the years. RFC, felt like a second home to ativity and innovation.” to the enduring spirit of cine-
ie industry, eagerly anticipat- “This film festival holds a spe- me. Over the years, I’ve wit- Swastika Mukerjee, a promi- ma, fostering cultural exchange
ing the screening of diverse Mamata Shankar being felicitated cial place in my heart; I’ve been nessed the growth and signifi- nent figure in Bengali and Hin- and artistic innovation across PAGE 3
films. attending since its inception. cance of this festival, and it’s di cinema, expressed her de- borders.

SMD INITIATIVE

Global Collaborations and Robust Enforcements Lead to

Record-breaking Seizures, says DRI Chief
NEW DELHI: FICCI Cascade
has been at the forefront when it
comes to raising awareness about
smuggling activities and initiat-
ing pro-active dialogues on how it
can be tackled.
Speaking on the occasion of FIC-
CI CASCADE’s ‘Anti-Smuggling
Day’, a leading official of Directo-
rate of Revenue Intelligence has
emphasised on the need for great-
er international co-operation to
tackle the menace of smuggling.
Mohan Kumar Singh, Principal
Director General, Directorate
of Revenue Intelligence (DRI),
said: “Smuggling is a transna-
tional crime. Underscoring the
critical need for international
cooperation in combating such
illicit activities, DRI actively
engages and participates in
various global enforcement op-
erations targeting drugs, arms,
wildlife, environment, money
laundering, and terror financ-
ing. Through the consistent shar-
ing of actionable intelligence
with our overseas counterparts,
numerous operations have been
conducted, resulting in signifi-
cant seizures of contraband by
customs authorities in countries
including Myanmar, Bangladesh,
Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.
DRI has also kept a close watch
on the smuggling of various other
items like red sanders, cigarettes,
fake currency, foreign currency,
wildlife products and so on. These
seizures are the result of fine
teamwork of the DRI officers, sup-
ported by excellent cooperation
and inter-agency coordination
of our partner law enforcement
agencies in the country.”
Applauding FICCI CASCADE
(Committee Against Smuggling
and Counterfeiting Activities De-
stroying the Economy), he said:
“On behalf of the Directorate of
Revenue Intelligence, my com-
pliments to FICCI CASCADE for
organising the Anti-Smuggling
Day. This great initiative, now in
its third year in a row gives us
an occasion as well as a platform
to discuss the growing menace
of smuggling and counterfeit-
ing. The dynamic nature of the
threat from smuggling makes it
imperative for all of us to join
hands and contribute our bit to-
wards combating of smuggling
activities.”FICCI CASCADE has
also launched a new campaign to
drive awareness among the citi-
zens. Titled ‘Smuggled Saaman
Ko Karo Nakaar, Viksit Bharat Ka
Sapna Karo Sakaar’, it seeks to in-
spire them to help the country re-
alise the goal of being a developed
nation by 2047 by winning the bat-
tle against smuggling.
Anil Rajput, Chairman, FICCI
CASCADE, said: “We launched the
Anti-Smuggling Day on 11th Feb-
ruary, 2022 and pledged to spare
no effort in raising awareness and
taking concerted action against
the multi-faceted challenge of
smuggling. Staying true to that
commitment, FICCI CASCADE is
now introducing a new campaign-
‘Smuggled Saaman Ko Karo Na-
kaar, Viksit Bharat Ka
Sapna Karo Sakaar’.
The Indian economy
is flourishing under a
proactive government,
translating to increased
prosperity and subse-
quently, greater spend-
ing power. However,
it has been observed
that higher disposable
income often leads to
an upsurge in the con-
sumption of smuggled
goods. Today, we launch
a new campaign to sen-
sitise the beneficiaries
of India's economic growth about
the responsibility they bear in
utilising their income. We urge
them not to purchase smuggled
goods which not only jeopardise
their health but also harm the
country's economy. In the ensuing
days and months, we will take this
campaign forward through vari-
ous initiatives.”
Reinforcing the need for vigi-
lance by citizens to tackle smug-
gling, Balesh Kumar, Member,
Appellate Tribunal-SAFEMA,
Department of Revenue, Ministry
of Finance, said: “I would appeal
to all Indians to participate in the
activities of the Anti-Smuggling
Day, which launched by FICCI
CASCADE. This occasion serves
not only as a reminder for enforce-
ment agencies but also for citizens
to remain vigilant against the use
of smuggled goods, as it is in their
best interest to avoid products of
questionable quality. Smuggled
counterfeit goods, often available
at low prices in the market, pose
significant risks to society and
health. Therefore, I implore citi-
zens to refrain from using such
items.”
(with inputs from Agencies)

T.V. Mahalingam’s epic novel ‘Brahma Hathya’ now on

stands by Westland Books
Set to stand as a testament to lished by the award-winning thology and fantasy genre,
the power of storytelling, T. Indian publisherWestland and yet only a few original
V. Mahalingam’s debut novel Books, the 356 pages novel stories being explored under
‘Brahma Hathya’, is an Indi- roots through the complexi- this theme, Brahma Hathya
an mythological fantasy set ties of violence, heritage, narrates a story of a young
in the mystic lands of Kedar kinship, betrayal, love and shepherd boy that unfolds as
where the ice clad mountains bravery against all odds. he meets a mystic Jogi with
hold secrets and stories. Pub- With growing interest in my- no past.

Jagadish
Chandra Bose:
The Reluctant
Physicist
By Sudipto Das
Illuminating the aspects of
Bose’s life, the book sheds light
on early scientific research in
India and the challenges faced
by JC Bose as he extends the
frontiers of knowledge.
Makers of
Modern Goa: The
Untold Story
of Pratapsingh
Rane
By Vijayadevi Rane
The book is a biography that
reveals how Pratapsingh
brought in stability, and sane,
reasoned governance to Goa’s
volatile and unstable politics
every time he became CM.
The Musical
Maverick: The
Authorized
Biography
of Shankar
Mahadevan
By Ashis Ghatak
This biography captures the
multifaceted Shankar as a
singer, musician, composer,
friend, family man, guru, icon
and man beloved by millions.
Lilliput Land:
How Small
is Driving
India’s Mega
Consumption
Story
By Rama Bijapurkar
The book discusses the present
and future of India’s mega
consumption story, with over
half of its GDP accounted for by
domestic consumption.
REGIONAL
SARKAARU NOUKARI (Telugu)
In the year 1996, the entire nation
was politically facing a serious issue.
In addition, the country was suffering
from another dangerous problem. In
this scenario, a government employee
took up the responsibility to change
the ideology of people.
Cast: Sahithi Dasari, Rajeshwari
Mullapud
� Watch on: Amazon Prime Video
BHA-
MAKALAPAM 2
(Telugu)
A wealthy hotelier disrupts Anupama’s
life. In retaliation, she puts together an
imperfectly perfect team to pull off an
elaborate heist at his luxurious hotel
during a culinary competition.
Cast: Priyamani, Sharanya
Pradeep
� Watch on: Aha
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trazenie.com/
Comedy
The Laughology Project
returns to Hyderabad with a
bang - with the duo of Varun
Thakur & Biswa Kalyan Rath.
WHEN: Feb 17, 7 pm
WHERE: DSL Virtue
Mall, Uppal
Concert
Witness the enthralling evening
“Melody of Rhythm” with the
stalwarts of Indian classical music
Niladri Kumar accompanied by none
other than Ustad Zakir Hussain
on tabla.
WHEN: Feb 18, 6.30 pm
WHERE: Shilpakala Vedika,
Madhapur
TIGER 3 (Hindi)
Tiger is informed about a new military
group that is planning something
beyond all imagination, headed by a
deeply motivated Rehman who has
a history of his own with Tiger and a
personal vendetta to settle.
Cast: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif,
Emraan Hasmi
� Watch on: Amazon Prime Video
FIGHT CLUB (Tamil)
An aspiring footballer’s life is upended
when his mentor is murdered. Entangled
in revenge and power games, can he seize
control of his destiny in time?
Cast: Vijay Kumar, Avinash
Raghudevan
� Watch on: Disney + Hotstar
2
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TUESDAY
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MASTER OF STROKES
An artist from Siri Institute of Painting sketches a portrait of a young boy at Hyderabad Book Fair, NTR Stadium | VINAY MADAPU
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WHERE: https://oriveorganics.com/
VERMICELLI ROLL WALL MALASANA
(WALL SQUAT POSE)
Gi�ing This is a variation of Pawanmuktasana (Wind Release Pose) and Malasana (Garland
Select from a variety Pose). This asana helps in releasing the accumulated wind in our stomach and intestines.
of carefully curated
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It is considered a warm up yoga pose to prepare the body for more intense.
that come in a luxe box STEPS BENEFITS
o�ering an indulgent
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� Sit near a wall. Inhale, lie down on
your back with buttocks close to the
� Strengthens lumbar spine, weak knees
and stabilises pelvic joints and hips.
wall.
Bohemian painting workshop will gift boxes along with � Helps strengthen the lower back.
be organised. Contributed by Priya Kolasshery, Exhale, spread your palms on the
a diverse selection of
Thiruvananthapuram
�
floor near the hips, facing the
� Helps enhance body posture, alignment
WHEN: Feb 18, 1 pm fragrance collections and tones glutes.
such as Japanese ground, supporting the upper body.
� Releases stress from the lumbar spine,
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INGREDIENTS � Chili Powder: ¼ tsp � Keep breathing, place your feet on mid and upper back.
Gingham, A Thousand
� Potatoes: 3 � Garam Masala: ¼ tsp
the wall, hip width apart. Inhale and
� Helps activate the intestinal tract.
Wishes, and In The exhale. Feel the inner thighs stretch.
� Half Onion: ½ � Coriander: 2 tbsp Increases blood circulation in the groin
Stars. �
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� Oil for sautéing and
� Turmeric Powder: ¼ tsp deep frying � Feel the shoulders resting firmly on � E�ective in flushing out toxins and
the mat. negative thinking.
METHOD � Treats lower back
� Keep your breath rhythmic. Stay for
� Boil and mash the potatoes. Keep it aside. problems and postural
as long as you can.
� Sauté ginger-garlic paste, green chillies, onions, and mushrooms correction.
in 2 tsp oil. Add turmeric powder, chilli powder, garam masala. � After 3-4 minutes, release and return
to Savasana and relax. � Releases toxins and
� Add coriander and salt. Mix well. Combine the mashed potatoes stress
with the mixture. Form a soft dough. Grease hands with oil and
Jewellery shape the mixture into cylindrical rolls.
� Cook the vermicelli in water for 2 minutes. Drain and cool. Roll
LIMITATIONS
PUTSTYLE has the shaped mixture in cooled vermicelli. People with injuries to
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launched a captivating � Heat oil for deep frying. Fry vermicelli-coated rolls until golden
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- paying homage the aloo vermicelli rolls hot, paired with tomato sauce.
to India’s rich
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showcasing meticulous
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We are hungry for recipes with minimum ingredients and
WHERE: https://
putstyle.in/ maximum flavours. Share your quick-fix with us, along with By N Elumalai, PhD Scholar (Yoga Science) at
step-by-step photos, at cityexpresschn@gmail.com. Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education & Research, Chennai
THE TRIAL (Telugu) FOREIGN SIXTY MINUTES (English)
Roopa, a Hyderabad policewoman, faces Desperate not to lose custody, a mixed martial
tragedy on her anniversary as her hus- SOCIETY OF THE SNOW (English) arts fighter makes enemies when he ditches a
band, Ajay falls to his death. After moving The flight of a rugby team crashes on a glacier. race to his daughter’s birthday party.
on, accusations of murder resurface from Passengers who survived the crash find them- Cast: Emilio Sakraya, Dennis Mojen
Ajay’s family. selves in toughest environments to survive.
� Watch on: Netflix
Cast: Spandana Palii, Vamsi Kaotu, Yung Cast: Enzo Vogricic, Agustin Pardella
Ram
� Watch on: Netflix
� Watch on: Amazon Prime Video
ANIMAL (Hindi)
The son of a wealthy, powerful
industrialist returns to India
and undergoes a remarkable
transformation as he becomes
consumed by a quest for venge-
ance against those threatening
his father’s life.
Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Anil AKASH VAANI (Telugu, series)
Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Rashmika The story revolves around a divorced
Mandanna, Triptii Dimri couple, Akash and Vaani who used to be
celebrated couple back in their college. LIFT (English) BADLAND HUNTERS (Korean)
� Watch on: Netflix
Now fate throws them into a situation To stop a terrorist from flying 10 tons An earthquake turns Seoul into a lawless
All the streaming apps can
that demands the sour coupe to act like of gold from London of Zurich, Inter- badland. A fearless huntsman goes on to
the love bords they used to be. pol enlists a professional thief and his rescue a teenager from a mad doctor who held
be accessed on smartphones crew to steal the loot midflight. the teenager captive at a cult camp.
and smart TVs with Internet Cast: Kavin, Reba Monica John, Sharath
connection. Ravi Cast: Kevin Hart, Gugu Mbatha-Raw Cast: Don Lee, Lee Hee –jun
� Watch on: Aha � Watch on: Netflix � Watch on: Netflix
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TIO
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 TUESDAY
3
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Tales of love &

attachment
V E N N A P U S A L A R A M YA wonderful memory; the am-

I
NSPIRED by personal ex-
periences, Maithri Rao’s
short dance film, “My
First Chair,” revolves
around the innocent at-
tachment of a child to a
cherished possession, trans-
porting attendees of ‘Anur-
aga’ to their own childhood
attachments. From divine
devotion to the tender bond
between a mother and child,
‘Anuraga,’ a solo Bharat-
natyam recital by Maithri
Rao held at Saptaparni,
Hyderabad, on showcased performances
bience and audience made
the evening even better. The
audience loved the presen-
tation as most of them came
up to me and said that it
was refreshing and
unique.”
In the subsequent per-
formance “Baale,” an ex-
perimental piece, the en-
during love of a mother for
her child is portrayed in a
contemporary setting. Set
against the backdrop of
moder n-day challenges,
this piece, with the music
of Sudeep Palanad, pays

STRIDE WITH
enriched with emotions.
Sunday, witnessed ‘Anuraga’ is a captivating
the annual queer journey through various
compositions delving into
‘Pride Parade’ with the depths of attachment
and love in its various
over a thousand forms. The evening unfold-
Lesbian, Gay, ed as Maithri Rao graced
the stage with a perform-
Bisexual, ance on “Devi,” a composi-
Transgender and tion paying homage to the
divine mother. Through an-
Queer (LGBTQAI+) cient Sanskrit verses and
invocatory movements, the
persons taking to strength and grace of Devi
streets from are celebrated. Set to the en-
chanting melodies of raag-
Divyasree NSL amalika and talamalika,
Orion, near Raidurg this piece, choreographed
by Maithri, with the soulful
Police Station to rendition of Preethy Ma-
hesh, captures the love and
Shilparamam. TNIE d evo t i o n t ow a rd s t h e
lensman Sri goddess.
After the divine perform-
Loganathan ance, “Hari Smarane Mado”
Velmurugan takes the audience on a
heartfelt journey of a moth-
captured the er imparting the teachings
of devotion to her child.
parade-goers as Through the retelling of
they marched on mythological stories and
the praise of Lord Vishnu,
the street with the essence of bhakti is con-
rainbow flags and veyed. Her expressions por-
traying both characters per-
placards, with fectly capture the bond
between them. In the melo-
messages of dious Raga Yamuna Kalya-
inclusion and ni, this composition, com-
posed by Saint Purandara
diversity Dasa and presented with
musical finesse by Vidhushi
Rama, celebrates the moth-
tribute to the boundless and
eternal love of mothers eve-
rywhere. With enchanting
choreography, Maithri me-
ticulously portrayed a
mother’s unconditional
love on the stage.
Furthermore, the time-
less love story of Radha and
Krishna comes alive in “Ka-
danakutuhala Thillana.”
Through vibrant dance
movements and expressive
gestures, the joy of Radha
upon seeing her beloved
Krishna is beautifully de-
picted. Choreographed to
the rhythmic beats of Adi
thalam and composed by
Balamurali Krishna, this
piece captures the essence
of pure and unconditional
love.
The evening concludes
with “My First Chair,” a
short dance film, choreo-
graphed and directed by
Maithri, which was selected
and premiered in many in-
ternational film festivals,
including the Malabar Film
Festival, Fifth International
Folklore Film Festival 2022,
Diorama Inter national
Film Festival, and many
more. Through the vocabu-
lary of Bharatanatyam,
Maithri brings to life the
emotions — from pleasure,
excitement, tight-fistedness,
attachment to anger, dis-
pleasure, to childlike glee
and happiness of a child
who finds solace and com-

HYDERABAD DIGEST
er’s love and the importance panionship in her first
of faith. chair. This experimental
Sharing her experience, piece transports the audi-
Maithri Rao said, “It was a ence to their own childhood
KLH Global Business School empowers TSWRS attachments and the joy
found in simple pleasures.
KLH Global Business School’s CSR Club, ‘Philantropros’, organised an
“As kids, we all have had
innovative Faculty Development Programme for the dedicated
some objects or toys we got
educators of Telangana Social Welfare Residential School/Junior
possessive about and treat-
College Girls (TSWRS/JC) in Chevella, Rangareddy. This programme,
ed as our properties and a
conducted recently, aimed to enhance the teaching skills and
companions. Here, one can
motivation of teachers, ultimately benefiting the students.
see a child’s attachment to
her first chair, which
AlgoBharat expands was gifted to her by

Parampara presents partnership with T-Hub parents during her

fusion of Odissi &
Kuchipudi
The British Residency, at King
Koti, came alive on Sunday as
Paramparaa Foundation
presented a spellbinding
performance by Rudrakshya
Foundation, followed by an
extraordinary piece by Lasyakalpa
Ensemble, making it an
unparalleled experience for the
residents of Hyderabad.
AlgoBharat, Algorand
Foundation’s India-focused
initiative, announced the official
launch of its Startup Lab
programme at T-Hub, one of
India’s leading incubators.
Startup Lab is a year-long
Muzigal launches state-of-the-art music academy programme that will offer
intensive technical & business
Muzigal, India’s largest music education platform, launched its state- mentorship and access to pre-
of-the-art music academy in Pragathi Nagar. The academy is spread seed funding to 20 select Web3
over 1,600 sq ft and boasts of an unmatched ambience which is highly startups as they move toward
conducive to the learning of music including vocal and instrumental. market and funding readiness.
Volta celebrates driver bir thday par ty.
appreciation meet-up The child touches
it, fondles it be-
Volta, the emerging ride- fore sitting on it.
sharing platform, hosted an She refuses to let
exclusive meetup for drivers at her friends sit on
Kinara Grand Ramanthapur in the new chair,
Hyderabad. The event witnessed sleeps on the
the enthusiastic participation of chair instead of
drivers who expressed their the bed, and
satisfaction with the Volta ride many such in-
app and applauded the cidents,” she
company’s unique 0% explained.
commission concept.

REA(I)L-LUSION

COMICS ON AT
SHRIMANSI KAUSHIK Jyotsana. One day, Jyotsana thing for the millennials who are adapted into animation or

T
disappears, and Chahal re- are drawn towards storytelling films, I think, the game chang-

HE allure of grasping
a glossy booklet filled
with colourful pages
and panels, immers-
ing oneself in the
emotions, struggles, and ad-
ventures of fictional charac-
ters, remains undiminished,
despite the emergence of many
new-age mediums. Thanks to
Comic Con, comic books open
up a world that transcends
mere entertainment and is in-
creasingly becoming a cher-
ished lifestyle for many.
Alpha Comics unveiled two
new titles at Comic-Con this
year: ‘Al-Zebra’, which follows
Alpesh (Al), a boy aspiring to
be a magician despite his moth-
er’s objections due to his fa-
ther’s disappearance. Al’s pi-
geon, named Zebra, aids him in
confronting a nemesis plan-
ning to steal a sacred rock from
Nepal, destined for Ayodhya to
be transformed into a statue of
Lord Rama.
The other title, ‘Magic Pen-
cil’, is a sequel to ‘Chahal Pa-
hal’—the tale of Chahal, a girl
who gains the confidence to
stand up to bullies in school
with the help of her teacher,
ceives a doll—Pahal, her alter
ego. In the sequel, Dhiren loses
his magic pencil during exams.
Chahal, Pahal, and Dhiren
team up to find it, unravelling
a robbery in Shimla along the
way.
The creative mind behind
these nail-biting stories is Saa-
hil S Sharma, a screenplay
writer based in Mumbai. Hail-
ing from Himachal Pradesh,
Sharma released his first com-
ic titled ‘Professor Ashwattha-
ma’ under his banner Cheese-
Burger Comics, which has sold
over 5,000 copies in India and
earned acclaim from critics
and readers alike.
Through Alpha Comics, he
released ‘Adventures of Chahal
Pahal’, ‘Agent J in Operation
Ganga’, and ‘Al-Zebra’. “Comic
books have always been my
love. I was born in Kullu and
have been brought up in Shim-
la and Parwanu. I have also
faced bullying in school be-
cause I was a bit dark. I know
how it feels,” he said.
He told us that ‘Agent J in
Operation Ganga’, talks about
the environment along with a
fictionalised history of the
COMIC CON
Nanda Devi accident. It also
talks about pollution in Ganga
and how Agent J solves the
problem. On being asked how
he decides on the medium,
Saahil S Sharma time, and place of the story, he
responded, “I think a visual
medium is always appealing.
Until I saw Naruto, I never
thought of buying the book.
This is the reason why Sanjay
Gupta, the father of Indian su-
perheroes and founder of Al-
pha Comics, has a lot of fan-
following from the 80s and 90s
kids. We wanted to make some-
which connects to them. As a
screenwriter, I write my stories
in a way that they can be adapt-
ed into animation, a live-action
series, or even a film.”
A trailer of Chahal Pahal,
soon to be transformed into a
web series was also released at
Comic Con. Talking about the
adaptability of comics into ani-
mations, Sharma said, “It is
because of the visual medium.
At Comic Con, you will see
more anime stores than those
with Indian comics. I think vis-
ual content plays a lot of part
over here. Manga is sold like
60,000 copies a month. You’ll
not see literature selling like
that. Their stories are quite
simple and have meaning in
them. It is connected to their
culture. We’re also trying to
create stories that connect eve-
ryone, have meaning in them
and connect to the Indian
culture.”
When asked if there is a re-
verse trend also, movies im-
pacting comics, Sharma said,
“In comics, only a few copies or
titles are sold. The process of
creation is huge too, even if it
is just 64 pages. Once comics
es altogether. The inverse im-
pact is there, definitely, but
these days people are also ex-
perimenting with the content
of comics. They are trying to
bring in horror, science fiction,
and everything else because
making that on a live screen is
very expensive. For example,
Prabhas’s Kalki was first re-
leased as a comic book. Cash-
ing in through the screen also
adds to the popularity of the
story.”
Operation Ganga, Chahal
Pahal are quite engaging sto-
ries with strong female leads
and Saahil credits the presence
of strong real-life superheroes
for it. “I’ve been surrounded by
strong women. There have al-
ways been women in my life
who have made me stronger.
My mother, my wife, friends,
and colleagues. I am talking
about 1999-2000, times when I
saw my mother struggling.
These stories were never told.
I always wanted to start with a
female superhero. My upcom-
ing story called “Bhramari”
will also see a female lead and
will be released by this
year-end.
 www.cinemaexpress.com
TUESDAY
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‘I BINGE-WATCHED ALL THE COMMANDO FILMS

Amy Jackson talks about working with Vidyut Jammwal,
spending time with her son during the pandemic, and

BEFORE DOING CRAKK ’

learning from Shankar and Nawazuddin Siddiqui

S H R E YA S PA N D E han Khan to get into the stantly ask him questions with directors Sukumar and

A
MY Jackson was 16
when she started
her career in films.
Coming from a non-
filmy background,
she says she never
thought of acting.
However, when she got an op-
portunity to play the role of
Amy Wilkinson in director
Vijay’s period drama, Ma-
drasapattinam in 2010, she
wanted to make the most of
it. Since then, Amy has
worked in Kannada, Telugu
and Hindi films. Being some-
one who doesn’t speak any of
these, Amy believes that cin-
ema transcends the barrier
of languages. “I have come to
believe that cinema has no
language,” she says. “It is
about making people feel
something regardless of
whether you are speaking
Hindi, Tamil, English or Ger-
man,” she adds.
The actor will next be seen
in the Hindi film Crakk –
Jeetegaa…Toh Jiyegaa, which
will be released in theatres on
February 23. This will be her
first Hindi film since 2016’s
Freaky Ali, in which she
starred alongside Nawazud-
din Siddiqui. Crakk also stars
Vidyut Jammwal, Arjun Ram-
pal and Nora Fatehi. In the
film, Amy plays the role of Pa-
tricia Novak, a Europol agent
who speaks 13 languages,
Hindi being one of them. She
shared how she did work-
shops with writer-director
Aditya Datt and co-writer Re-
depths of her character in the
film. “Patricia is somewhat
similar to me. She is strong-
minded, committed and dedi-
cated,” Amy says. “At the
same time, she is also very re-
clusive and a woman of few
words. Whereas I am some-
one who likes to talk a lot. So,
it was a challenge to play the
role as I had to get into that
frame of mind where I am not
using dialogues as a form of
expression”.
In the film, Amy will be do-
ing a lot of action and has un-
dergone rigorous training.
Along with that, she had to
make sure that she matched
up with Vidyut and Arjun’s
energy. Further, Amy talks
about how much Vidyut in-
spires her. “I had always
wanted to work with him,”
she says. “When I was doing
the research for Crakk, I
checked his earlier films. I
binge-watched all Commando
films which I massively en-
joyed. It prepared me on what
to expect on the sets of
Crakk,” she adds.
According to Amy, in all
the hustle and bustle of an
action film set, it was Vidyut,
who brought a sense of calm.
She reflects on the conversa-
tions that happened in be-
tween shots. “Vidyut used to
tell me how he goes to the
Himalayas every year and
immerses himself in the
snow,” says Amy. “We were
talking about bio-hacking
and health. During the wait-
ing time on set, I would con-
and hear his stories.” Prashanth Neel, who are
Amy became a mother in known for making big-budget
2019 when she gave birth to a actioners like Pushpa: The
boy just months before the Rise – Part 1 (2021) and KGF:
Covid-19 lockdown. She re- Chapter 1 (2018) and Chapter
vealed that the lockdown 2 (2022), respectively. Along
proved to be good for her as with that, she would also like
she got to spend time with to be part of a Karan Johar
her son. “Having a newborn film someday.
and being guilt-free to not Amy believes that she has
travel the world for work was come a long way in the indus-
just extraordinary. He was try. She finds herself evolved
with me continuously, which as an actor, after the kind of
was beautiful,” she says, and people she has managed to
then adds, “Now I try to bal- work with. She says, “Work-
ance work and family to the ing with the likes of Shankar,
best of my ability and it’s dif- Nawazuddin Siddiqui, cine-
ficult. So, having that pre- matographer PC Sreeram
cious time during the lock- and others changed me as an
down was incredible.” actor.”
She also took her son on
the sets of the Arun Vijay-
starrer, Mission: Chapter 1, in
which she once again got to
work with director Vijay. On
bringing her son to the work-
place, Amy says, “I wanted
him to see how his mom is
working. At the same
time, I wanted him to
see this cool industry.
I have been giving
him that opportunity
which I never had at
that age. It is some-
thing that I can offer
him.”
Among the recent
Hindi films, Amy says
that she liked Sandeep
Reddy Vanga’s Animal
(2023). She is also a fan
of Atlee with whom she
has worked in the past
in Theri (2016). Moving
on, she wishes to work

Siren gets a Rowan Atkinson

Telugu release
A A
CTOR Jayam Ravi’s up-
coming film Siren,
which is all set to hit
theatres worldwide on
February 16, will be re-
leasing a week later, on Febru-
ary 23 in Telugu. The film is
helmed by screenwriter-turned-
director Anthony Bhagyaraj.
to return for new
Johnny English film
in the future. They say that I
am doing films for new direc- CTOR Rowan Atkin-
tors. I am just a tool. The hard son, who has previ-
work of the director is the rea- ously played the titu-
son for the success of the film, lar hapless secret
I have played dual roles with lit- agent in three movies
tle difficulty in this film.” in the spy spoof franchise
The film also stars Anupama Johnny English, is all set to
Parameshwaran, Samuthiraka- retur n for a fourth

Lena
Jayam Ravi will be seen play- ni, Azhagam Perumal, Yogi instalment.
ing a prisoner while Keerthy Babu and Tulasi among others. Atkinson featured in the
Suresh plays a police officer. Antony Bhagyaraj has previ- 2003 original, 2011’s Johnny

Headey
The Telugu release rights of Si- ously co-wrote films like An- English Reborn, and 2018’s
ren have been purchased by nathe and Viswasam. Siren is Johnny English Strik es
Maheswara Reddy Mooli under said to be an action-packed Again. The fourth film will

to lead
the banner Ganga emotional drama. The film is be shot in Malta and the UK Atkinson was most recent-
Entertainments’. produced by Sujatha Vijayku- this summer. It may be noted ly seen in Wonka, playing Fa-
Commenting on the film, mar of Home Movie Makers. that while promoting the ther Julius, while his most

Ballistic Jayam Ravi said, “Emotion is

very important in this film and
it is important to bring it to the
GV Prakash Kumar is the mu-
sic director of the film, with
cinematography by Selvaku-
third movie in the series, At-
kinson said he thought a
fourth instalment would be
recent TV role was playing
Trevor Bingley in the Netflix
series Man vs Bee.

L
screen. We wanted GV to do it. mar SK and editing by Ruben. unlikely. Last year, Sir Tony Robin-
ENA Headley, GV is one of India’s greatest Jayam Ravi was last seen in Speaking during a Reddit son reprised his role as Bald-
known for Music Directors. The female Ponniyin Selvan 2 and Iraivan, AMA (Ask Me Anything), he rick from one of Atkinson’s
Game of lead is strong in this film. We which released in Telugu as said: “I doubt it but thank most famous series, Blackad-
Thrones, is all thought Keerthy would be right God. He has Genie coming up you very much for implying der, for a Comic Relief sketch.
set to lead the and she proved it. People will next. Genie also stars Kalyani you’d like to see another one. This stirred up hope among
action-thriller Bal- see director Anthony Bhag- Priyadarshan, Wamiqa Gabbi But at the same time... never fans that the series could
listic, in which she yaraj on many more platforms and Krithi Shetty. say never.” return.
will play the role of
an avenging mother.

Antoine Fuqua to direct feature

Amybeth McNulty
will co-star in the
film.

documentary on Nelson Mandela

The film will re-
volve around an am-
munition manufac-
turing company

F
worker, a mother,
who is devastated ILMMAKER Antoine Fu- were put through the most in-
about losing her son, qua is set to direct a fea- humane conditions imaginable.
who was serving in ture documentary on Yet they came out of jail with
Afghanistan. She de- for mer South African love and forgiveness in their
cides to get back and President Nelson hearts, and rather than seeking
avenge his demise Mandela. vengeance, they sought to unite

ABBOTT ELEMENTARY
when she realises The documentary is tenta- the country. His compassion
that it was a bullet tively titled Troublemaker: The and inner strength enabled
from her factory that Story Behind the Mandela Mandela to make meaningful
took his life.
Chad Faust, IS RENEWED FOR S4 Tapes.
According to a press state-
change. This film will investi-
gate how Mandela came through

A
known for Girl, has ment, The documentary will his ordeals with his humanity
written and directed BBOTT Elementary, the mockumentary sitcom, has been feature the newly discovered intact, and reveal the tough and
Ballistic. Thomas renewed for a fourth season. The renewal news has been audio interviews of Mandela - to the position of minister in shrewd politician behind his
Michael of Fella announced three days after the third season’s premiere. fondly called Madiba - in order Mandela’s administration. iconic ‘nice guy’ persona.”
Films is producing The show chronicles a group of dedicated teachers and to bring an “honest, accurate Fuqua started filming in Maharaj said, “I have longed
the film, which is their principal as they strive to provide quality education and definitive depiction” about South Africa, where he spoke to see the story of Nelson Man-
currently in pre-pro- to the students in their underfunded black school in the late leader. with several of Mandela’s erst- dela, and his decades-long fight
duction. David Tish Philadelphia. Executive producer Mac Ma- while allies and other signifi- and sacrifice for freedom, equal-
and Lee Nelson of Abbott Elementary is created and written by Quinta Brunson. haraj, a close friend of Mande- cant people who had previously ity and justice told in an au-
E nv i s i o n M e d i a She also plays the character Janine Teagues, a perpetually opti- la’s who was once his cellmate, interacted with the man who thentic, complex and revelatory
Arts, and Roman Ko- mistic second-grade teacher at Abbott Elementary. The ensemble has teamed up with the director was lovingly referred to as way. It is a story that is more rel-
pelevich and Crystal cast of the series also includes Tyler James Williams, Janelle on the film. Before eventually “Madiba.” evant to humanity today, than
Hill of Red Sea Me- James, Lisa Ann Walter, Chris Perfetti, William Stanford Davis, getting Mandela’s autobiogra- “It’s an honor to bring to the ever. I am thrilled that a direc-
dia are the film’s ex- and Sheryl Lee Ralph. The show has been nominated for 15 Prime- phy out of jail, Maharaj spent screen the untold story of Man- tor of Antoine Fuqua’s skill,
ecutive producers. time Emmy Awards and has won four, including the Outstanding 12 years writing it while living dela, a man I’ve revered my en- creativity, and integrity has
Lead Actress in a Comedy Series award for Brunson. The original with Mandela in a small cell on tire life,” Fuqua said. “For dec- agreed to take on this challeng-
ABC series is available on Disney+Hotstar in India. Robben Island. Later on, he rose ades, Mandela and his comrades ing task.”