NEW DELHI, NOV. 21India's COVID-19

caseload rose to90.50 lakh, while thenumber of peoplewho have recuperat-ed from the diseasesurged to over 84.78lakh pushing thenational recoveryrate to 93.67 percent, according tothe Union Health

Ministry data onSaturday.

The total coronaviruscases mounted to90,50,597 with 46,232infections being report-ed in a day, while thedeath toll climbed to1,32,726 with 564 newfatalities, the dataupdated at 8 am showed.The number of activecases remained below

five lakh for the eleventhconsecutive day.

There are 4,39,747active cases of coron-avirus infection in thecountry as on date,which comprises 4.86per cent of the total case-load, as per the data. Thetotal recoveries havesurged to 84,78,124pushing the nationalrecovery rate to 93.67

per cent, while theCOVID-19 case fatalityrate stands at 1.47 percent.

India''s COVID-19tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7,30 lakh on August 23and 40 lakh onSeptember 5. It wentpast 50 lakh onSeptember 16, 60 lakhon September 28, 70

lakh on October 11 andcrossed 80 lakh onOctober 29. According toICMR, over 13.06 crore

samples have been test-ed till November 20 with10,66,022 samples beingtested on Friday.

SRINAGAR, NOV. 21Former Jammu and

Kashmir chief ministerand president of newlycobbled up People'sAlliance for GupkarDeclaration (PAGD)Farooq Abdullah onSaturday objected to thetreatment meted out tothe amalgam candidates,saying security is beingused as a pretext toimpede and customizedemocracy in the Unionterritory. In a two-pageletter to J&K ElectionCommissioner K KSharma, Abdullah, whois at present a Lok Sabhamember from Srinagar,said providing securityto a select few and liter-ally interning the rest isa gross interference indemocracy. "I am takingthe liberty of writing toyou about the upcomingDDC elections. A strangeand a unique feature hascome to the fore.Candidates put up by thePAGD are immediatelywhisked away to ''securelocations'' in the name ofsecurity and confined tothose ''secure locations''.They are not allowed tocanvass, they are com-pletely out of touch withthose from whom theyare supposed to seekvotes," Abdullah said inthe letter. He said theparties part of the PAGDhave been in power in

the past and have hadthe opportunity to headand run the governmentand are aware of thechallenges posed in therealm of security in aplace beset by violence."These challenges are

not new, but have beenpainfully persisting forthe last three decades.But, the government hadstructures in place whichensured security for allcontestants irrespectiveof the ideology theyespoused or the partiesthey represented," hesaid. The Lok Sabha MPsaid the current state ofaffairs in the realm ofsecurity is "blatantly ori-ented" towards provid-ing security to a selectfew and confining oth-ers. "This comes acrossmore as an attempt tointerfere in the demo-cratic process than anyreal concern for the well-being of the contestants.Security cannot and

should not be used as atool or an excuse tointerfere in democraticprocesses," he said.Asserting that the evolu-tion of democracy inJammu and Kashmir isdistinctive compared to

any other part of thecountry, Abdullah saidthis evolution is a"bloodied journey",soaked in the blood ofthousands of politicalworkers who have laiddown their lives for thesake of democracy. "It isa desecration of thosesacrifices when the veryconflict that consumedtheir lives is used as analibi to customizedemocracy. Democracyis still in a state of

fragility in Jammu andKashmir. "Governmentscome and go. No govern-ment has the right toalter the institutionalfoundations of democra-cy in J&K, nourished bythe sacrifices of thou-sands of political work-ers," the letter read. Hesaid while security is achallenge and it is for thegovernment of the day tocounter that challenge ina manner which is fairand transparent, "pro-viding security to a selectfew and literally intern-ing the rest is a grossinterference in democra-cy".

The PAGD presi-dent's letter to the StateElection Commissionercomes in the backdrop ofallegations of majorpolitical parties in thevalley, including the NCand the PDP, of not hav-ing a level-playing fieldfor the elections. Theparties have accused theadministration of lock-ing up their candidatesin accommodations atseveral places and notallowing them to cam-paign.

03 vehicles seized for illegal miningSAMBA: On the continuation drive againstthe illegal mining, the Geology and MiningDepartment Samba on Friday seized threevehicles which were found in illegal miningactivities at village Nud Basantar River insamba District.

According to the report, today early in the morn-ing, a team of Geology and Mining DepartmentSamba led by District Mining Officer KulwantSingh Bhau and SHO Samba Rajesh Jasrotia madesurprise visit in Basanter River Nud area of sambaDistrict and found three vehicles involved in illegalmining. DMO Samba they swung into action andthe team seized three vehicles which were involvedin illegal mining in Basanter River at Samba andimposed fine to the tune of Rs 50,000 on them.

Security forces detect IED in KulgamSRINAGAR: Security forces on Fridaydetected and later defused an improvisedexplosive device (IED) in Kulgam district ofJammu and Kashmir, police said.

An IED fitted in a pipe was detected near a localmosque at Shurat in the south Kashmir's Kulgamdistrict, a police officer said. He said the explosivedevice was later destroyed by a bomb disposalsquad team on the spot without causing any loss.

20 bottles of illicit liquor seized,accused arrested

KATHUA: A Police Party of Police StationBani during a naka, apprehended one per-son namely Manohar Lal S/o Bishan DassR/o Sarthali.

During his frisking, 20 Bottles of illicit liquor ofwere recovered from his illegal possession. On this,instant case FIR No. 70/2020 U/S 48(f) 50(2)Excise Act got registered at P/S Bani and accusedgot arrested. Further investigation of the case is inprogress.

2 Jaish-e-Mohammad associatesarrested in Jammu and Kashmir's

AwantiporaSRINAGAR, NOV. 21: The Jammu andKashmir Police arrested two terroristassociates linked to the proscribed terroroutfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) inAwantipora district and recovered incrim-inating material from their possession,police said on Saturday (November 21).

According to the police, the two arrested per-sons have been identified as Bilal Ahmad Chopanand Mursaleen Bashir Sheikh, residents of WagadTral and Chatlam Pampore respectively.

"As per the investigations, they were providingsupport, shelter and logistic support besides trans-porting of arms and ammunition of the terrorists inPampore and Tral area. They were also foundinvolved in passing sensitive information to theterrorists of proscribed outfit JeM," police said.

They said that incriminating materials werealso recovered from their possession.

A case has been registered under relevant sec-tions of the at Tral and Pampore police stationsrespectively and further investigation is undergo-ing in the matter.

Baseer Khan reviews winterpreparedness, DDC election,Panchayat By-election...

VOL. 13, ISSUE. 270, JAMMU SUNDAY NOV. 22, 2020 PAGES: 8, PRICE . 1 || POSTAL : JK-365/09-11 || RNI : JKENG/2009/27183 ||

DAILY ENGLISH NEWSPAPER

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NEW DELHI, NOV.21: While India's newdaily coronavirus infec-tions in the country hasmanaged to remainbelow the 50,000-marksince over a fortnight,there has been surge inCOVID cases in fewcities — most of whichhad witnessed the firstwave of the infection inthe month of June-July.

Amid the rising num-ber of coronavirus cases,a number of statesdecided to impose eithernight curfew or Section144 in certain cities tokeep a check on thecoronavirus cases.

A fine of Rs 2,000will be imposed on thosefor not wearing masksand for violating Covid-19 rules.

Only 50 guestsinstead of 200 allowed atwedding ceremonies.

Markets will remainopen but there will bestrict surveillance.

There will be no over-all lockdown, Delhi CMArvind Kejriwal has said.

Hunar Haat inDelhi's Pitampura has

been closed two daysbefore its scheduled dateof conclusion keeping inview the rush during theweekends and increasingCovid-19 cases in thecapital.

BMC directs allschools in Mumbai to

stay closed till December31, 2020. Schools forclasses 9 to 12 were ear-lier scheduled to reopenon November 23.

Mumbai mayor saidthat local trains shouldnot begin operations inthe city either.

However, schools inother parts ofMaharashtra will reopenon November 23, as

directed by the state gov-ernment.

Authorities enforcecomplete curfew fromFriday 9 pm to Monday6 am in Ahmedabad.Only shops selling milkand medicines will beallowed to remain open.

Night curfew toremain in force daily inAhmedabad from 9 pmto 6 am until furtherorders.

No school, college toreopen from Novembet23, as it was decided ear-lier.

Night curfew has alsobeen imposed in Rajkot,Surat, Vadodara.

Night curfew will be

imposed in five cities ofMadhya Pradesh -Indore, Bhopal, Gwalior,Ratlam and Vidishafrom Nov 21.

The curfew will be inforce from 10 pm to 6am.

No lockdown will beimposed in the stateexcept in containmentzones.

Inter-state and inter-district movement ofvehicles will be stopped,said CM Chouhan.

Schools from Class 1-8 will remain closed tillfurther orders, whilestudents of Classes 9-12and colleges can attendas per the current direc-tives, officials said.

Cinema halls willcontinue to exhibit filmsat 50 per cent capacity.

All districts inRajasthan will be placedunder Section 144 fromNov 21.

Powers have beengiven to all district mag-istrates to bring back theprohibitions underSection 144 across alldistricts of Rajasthan,said CM Ashok Gehlot.

Night curfew, Section 144: Check latest govt COVID-19restrictions in Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad

JAMMU, NOV. 21: Asoldier of the IndianArmy was killed onSaturday (November21) as Pakistaniforces opened fire onforward posts alongthe Line of Control(LoC) in Rajouri dis-trict of Jammu andKashmir, officialssaid.

The unprovoked fir-ing from across the bor-der in Lam area ofNowshera sector tookplace around 1 am,resulting in criticalinjuries to a havaldar,who died later, the offi-cials said.

The Indian Army

retaliated strongly tosilence the Pakistaniguns, and cross-borderfiring between the two

sides continued for quitesome time, they added.

In a related develop-ment, India summonedPakistan's top diplomat

in Delhi to stronglyprotest against theNagrota incident andIslamabad's involvement

in cross border terror-ism.

The Pakistani CDA-charges de affairs washanded a protest note in

which New Delhi con-veyed its "strong con-cern" on the terrorattack planned by Jaish-e-Mohammed in the UTof J&K.

The protest noteurged that Pakistanshould stop supportingterrorists and terrorgroups operating fromtheir territory and dis-mantle the terrorisminfrastructure, topsources said.

It was communicatedthat India is firm andresolute in taking allnecessary measures tosafeguard its nationalsecurity in the fightagainst terrorism.

Army jawan martyred in Pakistan firing along LoC inJammu and Kashmir's Rajouri

NEW DELHI, NOV. 21India summoned

Pakistan's top diplo-mat in Delhi tostrongly protestagainst the Nagrotaincident andIslamabad's involve-ment in cross borderterrorism.

The Pakistani CDA-charges de affairs washanded a protest note inwhich New Delhi con-veyed its "strong con-cern" on the terrorattack planned by Jaish-e-Mohammed in the UT

of J&K. The protest noteurged that Pakistanshould stop supportingterrorists and terrorgroups operating fromtheir territory and dis-mantle the terrorisminfrastructure, topsources said.

It was communicatedthat India is firm andresolute in taking allnecessary measures tosafeguard its nationalsecurity in the fightagainst terrorism.

Earlier this week, amajor terror attack was

thwarted with the killingof four JeM terrorists. Inan encounter with secu-rity forces that lasted forthree hours four terror-ists likely to be from theUnited Nations-desig-nated terror groupJ a i sh - e - M oh a m me d(JeM) were eliminated.

The terrorists weretrapped at a toll plaza onJ a m m u - - S r i n a g a rnational highway inNagrota area of Unionterritory of Jammu andKashmir.

Pakistan's involve-

ment in the incident hasemerged, especially inthe supply of phones.The phones recoveredfrom the slained terror-ists have been manufac-tured by a Pakistanicompany.

On Thursday IndianPrime Minister held areview meeting attendedby Home minister AmitShah, NSA Ajit Doval,foreign secretary HarshShringla. The terroristswere planning a majorattack ahead of the 26/11attack anniversary.

India summons Pakistan's top diplomatto lodge concern over Nagrota incident

Security being used as a pretext to impede andcustomize democracy in J&K: Farooq Abdullah

Centre sabotaging participationof non-BJP political parties in

DDC polls: MehboobaSRINAGAR, NOV. 21

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturdayaccused the Centre of "sabotaging" the participa-tion of political parties other than the BJP in theDistrict Development Council (DDC) polls inJammu and Kashmir by not allowing them to cam-paign freely. Mehbooba's allegations came as majorpolitical parties in the Valley, including the NC andthe PDP, blame lack of a level-playing field for theelections, accusing the administration of locking uptheir candidates in accommodations at severalplaces and not allowing them to campaign. "GOIsabotaging participation of non BJP parties in DDCpolls. PDPs Bashir Ahmed despite having adequatesecurity has been detained at Pahalgam on the pre-text of security. Today is the last day for filing nom-inations & have spoken to DC Anantnag for hisrelease @manojsinha_," the PDP chief said onTwitter. Police have said the candidates were beingprovided collective security and put up in secureareas as providing security to every candidate wasdifficult. Inspector General of Police, Kashmir,Vijay Kumar said the candidates are provided adouble escort and the security forces guard an areawhere they want to visit and campaign after leavingtheir secure accommodations.

46,232 new COVID-19 cases in India, tally reaches90.50 lakh; death toll rises to 1,32,726

Bodies of couple found hanging in UPHAMIRPUR (UP), NOV 21

The bodies of a couple were found hanging in arented room in Nai Basti area under Rath townshiphere, police said on Saturday. The bodies of a 22-year-old man, who was a rickshaw puller, and a 17-year-old girl were found hanging from the ceiling ofthe rented room on Friday evening, Circle Officer(Rath) Akhilesh Rajan said. The man was identifiedas a resident of Chhatarpur district in MadhyaPradesh and he was believed to be in a relationshipwith the girl, who was his niece, since the last twoyears, the CO said. He used to live with his elderbrother and he had taken the room on rent only onThursday to live separately. The bodies have beensent for post-mortem examination and investiga-tions are on, the official said.

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J GOPIKRISHNAN

INDIA’S premier investiga-tion agency, the CentralBureau of Investigation

(CBI), is now passing through theworst crisis it has ever faced in allthe years of its existence. In thepast, the agency has often facedallegations (especially when han-dling politically-sensitive casesagainst Opposition or rival partyleaders), of working at the behestof its political masters at the helmof affairs at the Centre. To theextent that it has often been calleda “caged parrot” by the judiciaryand the media. However, now thewoes of India’s premier investi-gation agency seem to have mul-tiplied with eight non-BJP ruledStates banning its entry into theirterritory. The CBI is the CentralGovernment’s anti-corruptionagency and its main activity is tocheck corruption or illegal activi-ties in Central Governmentdepartments, CentralGovernment PSUs, banks and soon. However, the major problemwith the CBI is that it is governedby an archaic law called the DelhiSpecial Police Establishment(DSPE) Act, 1946 (DSPE Act).This law has a curious provisionthat allows State Governments towithdraw the “general consent”to it. In such a case, the CBIneeds directions from the HighCourt or the Supreme Court onprobes related to the State investi-gating agencies.

As a result of this provision, theCBI has been blocked by Punjab,Kerala, Maharashtra,Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand,Rajasthan, West Bengal andMizoram. This is the first time in

the history of the agency that somany States have banned it fromtheir turfs. As a result, the CBIhas had to approach courts inorder to be able to conduct raidsand investigations in these States.This restriction even stops theCBI from conducting investiga-tions at Central Governmentoffices in these States. Probesinto complaints of petty briberyin Central Government organisa-tions in these States are subject topermissions of the local govern-ments. Needless to say, this is abig hurdle in the working of theCBI.

When in 2018, the TeluguDesam Party (TDP) left the BJP-headed NDA, the Andhra PradeshGovernment used this specialprovision in the DSPE Act andblocked the CBI from enteringthe State, sensing politicalvendetta. It was only in mid-2019that the position changed after theBJP-friendly YSR Congressregime came to power. Similarly,during the probe in the Saradhascam, when the CBI summonedthe Kolkata PoliceCommissioner, the West BengalGovernment ruled by theTrinamool Congress (TMC) alsodid the same and refused it per-mission. Anyway, in the end, theState could not block the probe inthe Saradha Scam, as the investi-gation was handed over to theCBI by the Supreme Court. Theagency also got support from theSupreme Court in arresting theKolkata Police Commissioner,which had earlier been preventedby the State administration.

Now, it faces the same situationwith the eight States and willhave to knock on the door of the

courts just to be able to do itsduty. So what is the remedy ofthis peculiar situation? Theanswer is simple: The archaicDSPE Act will have to be amend-ed by the Central Government.The amendment, if it ever passesmuster in Parliament, willempower the CBI to register orprobe any case related to the

Central Government in any partof the country without requiringthe general consent of the States.The CBI should have beenempowered long ago. Particularlyafter 2013, when the GauhatiHigh Court first questioned thevalidity of the agency. Eventhough the next day the CBI wassaved by a stay order issued bythe apex court, this incidentshould have been an eye-openerfor the Central Government toeither amend the DSPE Act orbring about a new Act empower-ing the CBI.

But for the past seven yearsnothing happened to amelioratethe situation and the CBI’sadministrative Ministry, theDepartment of Personnel andTraining (DoPT), which is underthe Prime Minister’s Office(PMO) has not yet taken a call tosettle this vexed issue.

Ever since the dilution of thePrevention of Corruption Act in2018, the CBI has been facing abig handicap. Section 13(1)(d),which gave the agency its pow-

ers, was scrapped. The 2018amendment of the Act put toomany restrictions on the CBIeven for a basic probe. As per thenew rules, the CBI has to get asanction for starting an investiga-tion against officers under suspi-cion. This means getting a sanc-tion from the senior officers ofthe same organisation where cor-

rupt practices have been spotted.Will a senior officer, particularlyone who is in cahoots with cor-rupt officers, give sanction toprobe his/her junior? Plus, even ifthe senior officer is honest, themoment the CBI applies for sanc-tion to probe graft in the organi-sation, others will come to knowof it, corrupt officers will covertheir tracks and the trail will gocold.

When these amendments werebrought about, the Governmentsaid in Parliament that they wereneeded to protect officers. Thesechanges were mooted by the UPAGovernment in 2012, when it wasfacing the heat of a huge anti-cor-ruption wave in the country. It isintriguing why the BJPGovernment, despite being inpower for many years, has carriedforward the Congress-led UPA’spolicy which diluted the powersof the CBI.

The amendments have opened aPandora’s Box as many accusedpeople and companies, facingtrial or appeal in corruption cases,

have approached High Courtsaround the country arguing thatthey should also get the benefit ofthe now diluted Prevention ofCorruption Act of 2018.

The CBI and the EnforcementDirectorate (ED) are appealing inthe Delhi High Court against the2G case trial court’s verdict,which surprisingly acquitted allaccused persons and companies.From October 5 onwards, a dailyhearing is being held on theappeal and for the last 30 days,all the accused are arguing thatthey have filed a case in anotherBench seeking the favours of theprovisions of the new Preventionof Corruption Act, though theywere charged under the old Act.This has affected ongoing trialstoo.

Though the law is very clear onthis aspect that the charges arebased on the laws that wereprevalent at the time of the com-mission of the crime, this amend-ment has delayed many casesacross India. The CBI was onceslammed by the Supreme Courtfor dragging its feet in the JainHawala case. In the 1997 judg-ment in the case filed by journal-ist Vineet Narain, the court laiddown guide-lines to ensureindependenceand autonomyof the CBI andordered that theagency beplaced underthe supervisionof the CentralV i g i l a n c eC ommiss ion(CVC) and befreed from

executive control or interference.But we have seen the spirit ofthis landmark judgment sabo-taged in the infamous tusslebetween the CBI Director AlokVerma and Special DirectorRakesh Asthana in 2018.

Even though the SupremeCourt has given many judgmentson sanction for prosecution, allGovernments have been eager toprotect senior officers from theJoint Secretary level and abovein corruption cases. And the dilu-tion of the Act in 2018 complete-ly sabotaged the spirit of manylandmark judgments on Sanctionfor Prosecution of high level offi-cers.

Laws are an evolving processand it is time for the CentralGovernment to bring appropriateamendments in the archaic DSPEAct of 1946. It is time to nullifythe general consent-giving powerof the States to the CBI for prob-ing Central Government organi-sations on their turfs.

The Central Government mustalso analyse what it achieved bydiluting the Prevention ofCorruption Act in 2018 and itsimpact on the prosecution of cor-rupt people.

2 GALAXYNEWSJAMMU | SUNDAY| NOVEMBER 22, 2020

Editor, Publisher, Printer : RAJINDER SINGH PASHI

Published at : 48 Gali Gadha Dhar Mandir, Upper Bazar, Panjthirthi,

JammuOwner :

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9419224618, 9419190577email: editor.galaxynews@gmail.com

ASHOK K MEHTA

Adisengagement deal on theLine of Actual Control(LAC) with China, whose

ingredients have been leaked, isbeing considered by theGovernment. External AffairsMinister S Jaishankar mentioned itin mid-October as a confidentialChinese proposal and Army ChiefGen Naravane recently likened itto a work in progress. It apparent-ly involves vacating the strategicChushul heights on Kailash rangea critical bargaining leveragesuperbly created by the SpecialFrontier Force (SFF), which mustnot be frittered away in a piece-meal limited disengagement forChinese withdrawal from theFingers area.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singhis speaking the obvious: “We needa strong military to deter aggres-sion.” We have one but it cancheckmate Pakistan, not China.Prime Minister Narendra Modiknows that due to economic reces-sion, the modernisation of armedforces will be grounded. So he isboosting soldiers’ morale by cele-brating Diwali with them, ridingthe Arjun tank and acclaiming hisGovernment’s record in defencereforms. But defence allocationunder his watch has been the low-est as a percentage of GDP, whichhas been declining since hisGovernment came to power. Singhshould be informed that shastrapuja (worshipping weapons) alonewill not add to deterrence.

If a limited disengagement andnot a full and complete disengage-ment and de-escalation is imple-mented, it will be at an extraordi-nary strategic cost. China has beeninsisting that Chushul heights bevacated as part of a partial disen-gagement limited to north andsouth bank of Pangong lake.Colossal confusion prevails aboutthe exact contours of the with-drawal as to whether it will beacross all intrusion points in EastLadakh or just the Pangong Lakeregion. The strategic heightsgained by SFF must not be vacated

as these are on the Indian side ofthe LAC and were in our posses-sion in 1962. An infantry brigadefought on these heights but with-drew prematurely, first to Chushuland then in panic to Leh. Indiamust not repeat the Himalayanblunder for painting political suc-cess after a pounding from theopposition for loss of territory.China has already pushed Indiainto a corner by imposing unequalterms during the initial disengage-ment, which separated troops fromfriction points culminating in theGalwan clash.

The Indian Army was forcedback from positions it held earlierin Galwan, Hot Springs andGogra; buffer zones were created

on the Indian side of the LAC evenas the People’s Liberation Army(PLA) failed to faithfully disen-gage from all the flashpoints. TheChinese have refused to discussDepsang, where it has intruded 18km and blocked Indian patrols. Onits part, the PLA has managed tocreep forward towards its 1959claim line and annexed territory. Inthe proposed disengagement plan,China wants vacation of Kailashrange for withdrawal from theFingers area.

What is incentivising India to de-induct from the commandingheights overlooking the PLAMoldo garrison and from where,on a clear day, one can see theAksai Chin road that China hasillegally constructed? It could bethe difficulty of supporting aBrigade on and along these heightsin the harsh winter to follow wheretemperature is already minus 30degrees centigrade and will godown to minus 40 degrees centi-grade. The snow will be differentfrom what the soldiers are used toin Siachen, which has been madehabitable and defensible over near-ly four decades of occupation. If

sustenance of troops is the com-pulsion, a smaller force can bekept and turned over as is beingdone on Saltoro Ridge in Siachen.Withdrawal from Kailash rangeshould never be part of any limitedChinese proposal on disengage-ment.

The Chushul heights are a coun-tervailing advantage in forcingwithdrawal from Depsang andbecoming the pivot of any trade-off in an overall disengagementand de-escalation agreement,which is return of status quo ante,April 2020. PLA is occupyingBlack Top post close to theMukhpari post on Kailash range.Chinese soldiers are conscripts,who normally do not man posts at

an altitude of 17,000 feet. TheChinese are facing a greater degreeof difficulty in their occupation ofheights in areas near the Kailashrange. The three-step withdrawalplan limited to both banks ofPangong Lake area reportedly con-sists of the following:

(a) Removal of heavy weaponsfrom both banks of the lake

(b) Full vacation by PLA fromNorth Bank in Fingers area, backto the original Finger 8. The IndianArmy similarly will pull back to itspermanent location at Dhan SinghPost near Finger 3. Area betweenFingers 4 and 8 will be convertedto buffer zone (another bufferzone on Indian side).

(c) Indian Army will vacateChushul heights and PLA, BlackTop. Withdrawal will include dis-mantling of structures on NorthBank like barracks, fortifications,jetties.

(d) A verification and monitor-ing mechanism has been included.

Apparently, a more authenticversion of the selective disengage-ment was discussed on November6 during the eighth round of mili-tary commanders’ talks, which

were described by India as “can-did, in-depth and constructive inwhich views were exchanged onall friction points along LAC in thewestern sector of India-China bor-der areas.” It was also the first timethat the two Generals held a one-on-one, which is very rare withChinese interlocutors. The ninthround of the commanders’ talks isexpected later this month so thatwithdrawals can begin by mid-December.

The Government relies on leak-ing information through its civiland military officials to test ideas.So while some newspapers havereported that disengagement isconfined to the Lake area, Northand South Bank, others have saidit covers all friction points, includ-ing Depsang. In other words, it is afull and complete disengagement.With trust and faith gone with thewind after Galwan, fear is thatonce you pull out from the Kailashrange, its re-occupation will not beeasy given that terrain and PLA’sduplicity. The strategic heightshave shifted the balance of mili-tary advantage and bargainingpotential to India. In 2005, Indiacame close to withdrawing fromSiachen in an agreement withPakistan. With complete break-down of trust, Army Chief Gen JJSingh said: “Indian Army willwithdraw if ordered. But don’t askit to re-occupy Siachen.” Sincethen any withdrawal from Siachenis enveloped in silence.

Two former Northern ArmyCommanders, Lt Gens HS Panagand DS Hooda, have said thatvacating Chushul heights withoutfull restoration of status quo antewill be squandering a strategicasset. Any agreement with China,which is about a piecemeal disen-gagement, must be unacceptable.Nothing should be left to later or aseparate phase of withdrawal.Surrendering one’s trumpcard abinitio is a monumental folly.

(The writer, a retired MajorGeneral, was Commander, IPKFSouth, Sri Lanka, and foundermember of the Defence PlanningStaff, currently the IntegratedDefence Staff) Courtsey: Dailypoineer

Repeated attacks exposehighway vulnerability

THE fresh terror attack at Bann Toll Plaza nearNagrota has again exposed the high vulnerability ofthe national highway. It has also exposed that the

Jammu and Kashmir government is yet to learn a lessonfrom repeated terror attacks on the Pathankot-Jammu-Srinagar national highway. Though there was no collateraldamage in Thursday’s attack, the highway is prone to terrorstrikes due to the laxity shown by security agencies tosecure the highway. Security agencies attributed the killingof terrorists to high standards of alertness but the situationis still different on ground. Security personnel remain con-spicuous by their absence from all vital points. All impor-tant security installations on the highway have remained onthe radar of terrorists from time to time but security forcesdo not seem to have learnt a lesson. Police check posts havebeen established at various points to keep vigil on the move-ment of traffic, but many times, travellers don’t find anypolicemen. In the past too, several terror attacks have takenplace, many with high collateral damage and others withoutany major harm to security agencies but the big questionsthat haunt the minds of people is how the terrorists manageto travel so long from their originating point without gettingnoticed. Being close to the international border, the nation-al highway gives easy access to terrorists from Pakistan toinfiltrate into this side. The laxity on part of security forceson the international border and the highway has provedfatal for both people and security forces. Most of the terrorattacks on the highway have been carried out by terroristswho infiltrated into the Indian side from Pakistan. OnJanuary 31, three militants of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)outfit were killed and a policeman was injured in anencounter with security forces at the same Bann toll plaza.The modus operandii was similar—travelling in big trucksto reach Kashmir from where they had sneaked into Indiafrom across the border in trucks. They were hiding in a cav-ity in the truck. On September 12, 2018, JeM militants hadadopted a similar modus operandi before they were killed ina day-long encounter in Jhajjar Kotli attack. They had alsoboarded the truck from Dayalachak area. In September2019, three Jaish terrorists were arrested from a Kashmir-bound truck with arms and ammunition at Lakhanpur inKathua district. One of the deadliest attacks on the Jammu-Srinagar highway was carried out on May 23, 2004. Thirtypersons — 19 BSF men, six women and five children — werekilled in an IED explosion at Lower Munda near Qazigund.To sum up, terrorists had been using similar modusoperandii to either reach Kashmir Valley or target securityforces but the long travel of terrorists on highway withoutgetting noticed is a cause of concern. No doubt, securityagencies deserve all appreciations for foiling the major ter-ror attack but extraordinary measures should be taken tonip such terror acts in the bud.

Unshackle the CBI

It is time to nullify the general consent-giv-ing power of the States to the investigation

agency for probing Central Governmentorganisations on their turfs

Hold on to Chushul

Any agreement with China, which isabout a piecemeal disengagement, is

unacceptable. Surrendering one’strumpcard is a monumental folly

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3 News GALAXYNEWSJAMMU | SUNDAY| NOVEMBER 22, 2020

SRINAGAR: Secretary,Tourism, Culture & YouthServices & Sports, SarmadHafiz today said theDepartment is taking allsteps to redress the issues oftourism stakeholders even asvarious promotional activi-ties have been undertakensince the Unlocking fortourism sector began inJammu & Kashmir.

Interacting with variousdeputations of tourismstakeholders which met himhere today, Sarmad Hafizinformed the deputationsthat eversince the tourismsector was thrown open inthe unlocking process, theDepartment has initiated

series of events aimed attourism promotion whichhas generated a good num-ber of queries for comingwinter season.

He said the Department isplanning many such activi-ties in coming months alsoas the COVID situationimproves.

Terming Houseboats asthe icon of local heritage, theTourism Secretary advisedthe unit holders to maintainthe heritage quotient of theirunits and not fall prey to therush of change and moderni-ty. He said the Department isplanning events in comingmonths to promote thisunique asset of the sector.

Deputations of KashmirHouseboat OwnersAssociation (KHBOA),Nigeen Tourist TradeAssociation (NTTA) and

other representatives oftourism trade met theTourism Secretary. Theyapprised him about theirproblems and sought theirredressal.

Earlier, Sarmad Hafizreviewed the functioning ofoffices of the TourismDepartment outside Jammu& Kashmir in a meeting ofofficers of the Department.He impressed upon theTourist officers manningthese offices to remain inclose liaison with the localtour & travel industries andapprise the Departmentabout the emerging travelpreferences in their localmarkets from time to time.

Director, Tourism,Kashmir, Nisar AhmadWani and other senior offi-cers were present on theoccasion.

MAJALTA: Spearheading theaggressive campaign for PanthersParty candidates in DDC elections,the party Chairman Mr. Harsh DevSingh and State President Mr.Balwant Singh Mankotia accompa-nied by thousands of people in theshape of a procession arrived at theoffice of the respective ReturningOfficers where Mrs. Manju Singhand Mr. Rajesh Sharma filed theirnomination papers for Khoon andMajalta seats respectively.

Addressing massive rallies atMansar and Khoon, Mr. Harsh DevSingh vociferously asserted thatsince all other parties including theBJP, Congress , NC and PDP hadbelied the hopes and aspirations ofthe people of Jammu, Panthers Partyalone had stood firm to emerge as areckoning force to liberate themfrom the decades old socio-politicaldiscrimination. He said that with theentire concentration of the presentcentral govt led by the BJP onKashmir, the Jammu region wasperpetually left neglected economi-cally and politically besides facingsevere identity crisis. The Dogras

who heavily voted BJP to power inthe erstwhile State and the Centrewere shell shocked when their aspi-rations and wishes were barteredaway by the 25 Saffron MLAs toPDP for the crumbs of power. Theyfelt humiliated, hoodwinked andbetrayed by the BJP's repeated U-turns and somersaults from itsgrandiloquent pre-poll promisesdoled out to them in 2014, saidHarsh. "We are not option-less peo-ple. We are not weak or exhausted.We can't allow our posterity, ouryounger generations to continue tosuffer, to lose, to bleed. Its high time

for all of us to unite and defeat theanti-Jammu forces who havebetrayed the people's faith", roaredHarsh.

Mr. Balwant Singh Mankotia saidthat in the last six years our educat-ed unemployed youth were made tolanguish in open for their genuinedemands while entire thrust was onthe valley in the matter of employ-ment.

He added that down gradation ofour 200 years old historic State toUT was the greatest insult inflictedon the nationalist people of theDogra land who were again append-

ed with the ever politically domi-nant Kashmir.

Mrs. Manju Singh and Mr. RajeshSharma appealed to the people toparticipate in the election process inlarge numbers so as to make the sys-tem of local self governance reallymeaningful and productive. Theysaid that peoples' power shouldmanifest itself in these local bodieselections by discarding those politi-cal parties which had deserted themafter attaining power.

The NPP candidates urged uponthe women folk and youth to takethe lead to depose the opportunistleaders who disrespected the mas-sive mandate given to them in 2014elections.

Prominent among those whospoke on the occasion included ShivDev Singh, Dharam Singh Bitu,Basharat Ali, Swaran Singh, NirmalKesar, Pawan Dev Singh, FerozDin, Lucky Sambyal, SunilSumbria, Raj Kumar Sharma,Kewal Kumar Sharma, Surat Singh,Raghubir Singh, Jagmohan, MukeshSingh, Balwant Raj Sharma,Makhan Lal Sharma besides others.

Time to defeat those who betrayed people’s faith: HarshJAMMU: Corporator SahilGupta from MunicipalCommittee Bishnah todaydonated Marriage Materialto a Needy Girl ofPanchayat Rehal byProviding Ration and SomeCash in Hand to the family.

Panch Jyoti Sharma fromPanchayat Rehalapproached CorporatorSahil Gupta (MunicipalCommittee Bishnah) withthe request to Providesome financial help or RawMaterial which could helpfor wedding of theirdaughter.

Panch Jyoti Sharma toldas there was no source offinancial income in theirHouse, As per requirementSahil Gupta Provided theMaterial and also SomeCash in Hand, Nb SarpanchSubash Panchayat RehalDhamalian, Panch JyotiSharma, Panch Vicky,Rishu Gupta were Present

in the Program.After this Sahil Gupta

Visited the PanchayatRatnal in which SahilGupta also Helped thedaughter of a Needy Familyof Village Ratnal and alsoPresented her WeddingRation and Some Cash inHand.

Sarpanch PanchayatRatnal Sh Kamal Sainialong with Panch Vicky,Panch Ashwani and PanchBachan Kanta Appreciatedefforts of Corporator

Gupta.After this in Third

Panchayat Pirthipur, GuptaProvided the WeddingMaterial to the family.

Gupta was Present alongwith Ashok Choudhary VicePresident Jila Rspura andPrabhari Bishnah, ParveenKumari Adyaksh MahilaMorcha Rspura, Mamta DeviGeneral Secretary MahilaMorcha Bishnah. PublicHighly Appreciated efforts ofCorporator Sahil Gupta.

Corporator Sahil Gupta helps formarriage of a needy girl

JAMMU: Giving fillip to DDC elec-tion campaign in Jammu district onFriday, former Minister and seniorCongress leader Raman Bhalla madea fervent appeal to people to givebefitting defeat to BJP during theongoing DDC elections to protect ageold secular credentials of Jammu andKashmir. Former Minister wasaddressing huge public gathering infavour of Congress candidateGurmeet Kour at PanchayatKirpalpur Charkan Mandal in Marhconstituency.

Prominent among those present onthe occasion include former MLABalwan Singh , Block PresidentSodagar Singh Saini ,Block PresidentAmrit Bali, Corporater Yudvir Singh,Vijay Sharma Babbi, DevidyalSharma, Bubby Sharma, RavipaulSharma, Pawan Bhagat, Sunil Slathia,Ashok Kumar, Surinder Sharma,Darshan Motton, Swran Singh, PanchRaj Kumar, Pawan Bhagat, JatinVashisht, Bhagat beside others.

Speaking on the occasion, Bhallamaintained that ongoing DDC elec-tions in Jammu and Kashmir was anopportunity to teach a lesson to thosewho betrayal people of J&K with

their anti people called upon the peo-ple to come out in larger numbers tovote for Congress candidates. Heurged the people to give massivemandate to Congress which hasproved its dedication for public serv-ice in past.

He said ongoing election processhas provided a golden opportunity tothe people to defeat evil designs ofvested interests. There is an urgentneed for the people of Jammu andKashmir to stand united against those

who consistently failed to addresssentiments and aspirations of peopleof J&K. Former Minister said thatpeople should vote for Congress partywhich has track record of renderingpublic service in past despite allheavy odds.

He said DDC elections imperativefor Jammu and Kashmir for its socio-political survival as well as for equi-table and need based development atgross roots level. He cautioned thepeople against nefarious designs of

forces who want to divide communi-ties to satiate their self-designed polit-ical agenda. He urged the people tostand guard like a rock to protect cen-turies old traditions of brotherhood,communal harmony and secularismwhich are the hallmark of Jammu andKashmir's composite and pluralisticethos.

Bhalla observed that there is under-development in most of the areas andthere is resentment among the peoplein view of growing disconnectionwith the Govt. He said that the BJPhas befooled the people with its hol-low slogans and assurances whichwere never fulfilled. The people ofJammu region had given BJP hugemandate in 2014 assembly in the erst-while state on the slogans of develop-ment.

However, there is no developmentwhich has exposed the BJP which isplaying the emotional card," healleged. He said that "People shouldunderstand that the Congress Partyhas always stood for the downtroddensection of society and represents theweaker section withoutbiasness.""BJP is a political party ofrich people and industrialists.

Congress campaigns in favour of party candidateGurmeet Kour in Marh constituency

RAJOURI: An Oath takingceremony for the newlyelected office bearers ofBaba Ghulam Shah BadshahUniversity TeachersAssociation was held at uni-versity conference hall.

Dr. Zaheer Abbas, HeadDepartment ofMathematical Sciences, wassworn in as President, BGS-BUTA where as Dr. MohdAzam, Department ofArabic, Nikhil Gupta, HeadDepartment of InformationTechnology (Engineering),Dr. Vinay Kumar,Department of ManagementStudies, Vishal SharmaPahari and Yasir Arafat fromSOET took oath as Vice-President, Gen Secretary,Treasurer and JointSecretaries respectively.

The program began, withthe spiritual vibes, by therecitation of some holy vers-es and followed by the oathtaking process which wasconducted by ManmeetSingh (SOET) and ShafqatMughal (SOET).

In his presidential addressDr. Zaheer Abbas said,"Today will be rememberedas a remarkable day in thehistory of the universitybecause staff have estab-lished a platform of

Teachers Association in ademocratic way which willwork for the welfare of theuniversity in general andteachers fraternity in partic-ular".

He further said that sinceunity is the key for the suc-cess of any association, wethe teachers need to joinhands and put heads togeth-er, in order to make success-ful implementation of thepositive plans of theAssociation.

He added that he and hiselected team would worktirelessly for the welfare ofthe teachers and assured hiscolleagues for the real pro-jection of the long pendingissues of the teachers ofBGSBU and the redressal ofthe same in a time bound

manner. He thanked the members

of the Election Commission- Dr. Sushil Verma(Chairman), Dr. Aasim Mir,Manmeet Singh, Shafqatand Dr. Naseem Gul for thetimely conduct of the elec-tion process.

Earlier, speaking on theoccasion, the Vice presidentDr. Mohd Azam said that hewould not leave any stoneunturned to work for thebetterment of the teachers.

Mr. Nikhil Gupta, theGeneral Secretary, exhortedupon all the teaching facul-ty, to come forward on thesame platform, so that acongenial atmosphere maybe witnessed in theUniversity, for the welfareof the university.

Oath taking ceremony for newly elected BGSBUteachers association held at BGSBU

Bhalla cautions people against nefarious self-designed political agenda of BJP

NPP candidates Manju Singh, Rajesh Sharma file nominations for DDC Khoon, Majalta seats Provided ration and cash assistance for the needy daughter’s wedding

JAMMU: Vinay Gupta organised and Chaired a meeting inParty headquater Trikuta Nagar, Jammu in Connection withDistrict development council (DDC) election in Jammu dis-trict and the BJP candidate for the District developmentcouncil election of Phallian Mandal Constituency of districtJammu namely Geetu Aulakh along with Jammu districtPrabhari Prem Nath Dogra, BJP District General SecretariesAnkush Gupta, Naresh Sharma, Mandal Presidents BharatBhushan, Neeraj Puri, District Secretaries Narinder Koki,Shalu Gupta, District Social Media Secretary RohiinChandan were present.

During discussion Geetu Aulakh discussed in length vari-ous issues and problems being faced by the general public ofthe area and the BJP district president Vinay Gupta assuredher to look into the matter personally and solve at an earli-est. Vinay Gupta also advised BJP Candidate of DDC elec-tion Smt.Geetu Aulakh to work hard and get in touch withthe public and work for the public interest and visit everycorner of the area and solve their problems.

Jammu District President Vinay Gupta emphasized thatour predecessors have stood firm against all anti-Nationalsfor decades and now we have to defeat evil designs of thisGupkar Gang with grit.

He also added that while making India a stronger Nation,PM Modi has also transformed life of needy with revolu-tionary steps and stressed on highlighting these things insist-ed that we have already entered into the election mode andthere is absolutely no time to take rest. He said that we needto up our momentum as we have to ensure that only thepatriots who hold the Tiranga in high esteem win this elec-tion as this is just not an ordinary election but a fight withthe supporters of China and Pakistan. This is the first elec-tion held after Jammu and Kashmir became Union Territorylast year Vinay Gupta added.

Vinay Gupta said a clear message from the present DDCelection campaign is that people of Jammu district arebecoming part of the development process.

Anti National Gupkar Alliancemust be defeated in DDC

polls: Vinay Gupta SURANKOTE: People ofsurankote ward no 09samote are up in armsagainst PDD Department asthey are being deprived ofPower supply for the lastcouple of days.

Residents of the aforeTold khalsa express corre-spondent including,Mushtaq shah, Maqsoodshah, Majeed, Bilal Ahmed,Habib Ahmed, said that theyare not getting power supplyfor the last few days andconcerned department ispaying no heed towards thisissue.

They further said theyapproached AEE PDD

Surankote over the issue andthe said official directedconcerned lineman for thesame days have passed theproblem has not been recti-fied. They warned that if

power supply is not restoredwithin 1days they will comeon road against PDDDepartment in a big wayand also demandedContinue power supply.

People of Surankote Ward No 09 protest againstPower Development Department (PDD)

POONCH: The lecture was delivered byProf. Asad Imran NCC officer GDC Poonch.He gave valuable insights on how we candevelop career in this sector. He describedthe career development cycle which com-prise of discovering yourself, exploringoptions, making a decision, taking action,evaluating the decision.He also discussed about different types of

career avenues related different sectors. Onthis occasion, Principal Dr. Mohd Azam andProf. Aurangzaib Anjum NCC Officerencourage the students to utilise their energyand time for enhancing skills in currentaffairs, logical reasoning and also threw lighton the topic. Dr. Shiraz Ahmed Mir extend his heartfeltgratitude to Prof. Asad Imran for giving his

precious time to the students and guidingthem about the career avenues in Armedforces. All the teaching and non teaching facultymembers attended the lecture. The lecture was proved to be fruitful underthe guidance of Principal Dr. Mohd Azam.

NCC unit of Govt. Degree College Mandi organised extensionlecture on the Topic “Career Avenues in Armed forces”

Deputations of tourism stakeholdersmeet Secy. Tourism RAJOURI: On the directions of District

Development Commissioner RajouriMohammad Nazir Sheikh(KAS) and underthe supervision of Mr. Bilal Rashid MirDistrict Statistics and Evaluation OfficerRajouri, the department of MSK (DLCW)under Ministry of Women and ChildDevelopment, GoI, organized an awarenesscum interaction programme with the ASHAworkers.

Dr. Anum Mirza (Women Welfare Officer,Rajouri) along with all the district co-ordina-tors namely Sanjana Thakur, Rabia Kouserand various other members of her departmentvisited the office of Deputy Chief MedicalOfficer, Rajouri Dr. Altaf Nabi in order tointeract with the ASHAs during their ten daysRefresher training. During the programme allthe officers including Deputy CMO Dr. AltafNabi, Dr. Farooq Mir, Dr. Anum Mirza(Women Welfare Officer Rajouri) spoke aboutthe relevance of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao andalso highlighted the perpetual trend of fallinglow CSR. All the officers emphasised uponthe serious and ground level work of ASHAworkers which are the undeniable and the fun-damental support to all the health relatedschemes. Dr. Anum Mirza said that ASHAworkers are being imparted so that they can beenabled to take steps to create awareness andprovide information to the community ondeterminants of health such as nutrition, basic

sanitation & hygienic practices, healthy livingand working conditions, information on exist-ing health services and the need for timely uti-lization of health & family welfare services.During the programme ASHA workers werealso awared regarding SSY, Janani SurakshaYojana, Ujjwala Scheme, SMAS, AasraScheme, various vocational centres which arebeing run in order to make the women inde-pendent and skilled. Dr. Anum also stressedupon the strict implementation of PC&PNDTAct. Dr. Anum Mirza while addressing thegathering stressed upon the effective imple-mentation of the process of institutional deliv-eries of pregnant ladies, and their proper ante-natal check ups during pregnancy.

District level centre for women imparted awarenessregarding women centric schemes to ASHAs

Various activities being undertaken for promotion of tourism: Sarmad Hafiz

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4 News GALAXYNEWSJAMMU | SUNDAY| NOVEMBER 22, 2020

RAILWAY TIMINGSTrain No. Train Nam. Arri. Dep. From To Day12446/12445 Uttar Sampark Kranti 6.20 20.30 Jammu New Delhi Daily19224/19223 Jat Adi Express 19.55 7.00 Jammu Ahmedabad Daily12920/12919 Malwa Exp. 16.10 9.00 Jammu Indore Daily12472/12473 Swaraj Exp. 15.45 11.15 Jammu Mumbai Tue, Wed

FRi, Sat.12474/12475 Sarvodya Exp. 15.45 11.15 Jammu Ahmedabad Thu.12476/12475 Happa Exp. 15.45 11.15 Jammu Happa Mon.12478/12477 Jamnagar Exp. 15.45 11.15 Jammu Jamnagar Sun.18102/18101 Tata-Moori exp. 13.15 14.30 Jammu Tatanagar Daily14034/4033 Jammu Mail 10.25 16.15 Jammu Delhi Daily12414/2413 Pooja Exp. 08.10 18.15 Jammu Ajmer Daily14610/4609 Hemkunt Exp. 04.10 18.45 Jammu Rishikesh Daily13152/3151 Sealdah Exp. 09.30 19.15 Jammu Kolkata Daily12426/2425 Rajdhani Exp. 05.30 20.10 Jammu New Delhi Daily14602/4601 Mordhwaj Exp. 12.10 20.00 Jammu Sonpur Fri.12356/2355 Archana Exp. 09.55 20.10 Jammu Kanpur Mon.12470/2469 JAT-CNB 08.55 20.15 Jammu Patna Tue.14646/4645 Shalimar Exp. 05.55 21.00 Jammu New Delhi Daily11078/1077 Jehlum Exp. 8.55 21.45 Jammu Pune Daily19226/9225 JAT-BTI Exp. 04.20 22.05 Jammu Bhatinda Daily12332/2331 Himgiri Superfast 12.45 22.45 Jammu Kolkata Sun. Mon. Thu15652/5651 Lohit Exp. 12.45 22.45 Jammu Guwahati Wed.15654/5653 Guwahati Exp. 12.45 22.45 Jammu Guwahati Fri.12588/2587 Amarnath Exp. 12.15 22.45 Jammu Gorakhpur Sat.15098/5097 Barauni Exp. 12.45 22.45 Jammu Barauni Tue.16688/6687 Navyug Exp. 13.50 23.50 Jammu Manglore Thu.16318/6317 Himsagar Exp. 13.50 23.55 Jammu Kanyakumari Mon.11450/1749 Jabalpur Exp. 13.35 23.45 Jammu Jabalpur Tue. Fri,Sat.12208/2207 Garib Rath Exp. 09.15 23.45 Jammu Kathgodam Daily16032/6031 Andman Exp. 13.50 23.55 Jammu Chennai Tue,Fri., Sat1PJU DMU Train 07.40 07.45 Pathankot Udhampur Daily1Ju DMU Passenger 13.10 17.10 Jammu Udhampur Daily3Ju DMU Passenger 8.30 17.30 Jammu Udhampur Mon. to Fri

Trains from Udhampur12445/12446 Uttar Samp. Kranti 06.20 20.30 Udhampur New Delhi Daily14033/14034 Jammu Mail 10.25 16.15 Udhampur New Delhi Daily

AIR INDIAORIGIN DESTINATION FLIGHT NO. DEPARTUREARRIVALJammu Srinagar I C -821 1:20 p.m. 1 : 4 5p.m.Srinagar Jammu I C -822 2:35 p.m. 3 : 1 0p.m.Jammu Delhi I C -822 3:50 p.m. 5 : 0 0p.m.Delhi Jammu I C -821 11:30 a.m. 12:40p.m.Contact No. 2431433 & 2430449

SPICE JETORIGIN DESTINATION FLIGHT NO. DEPARTUREARRIVALJammu Delhi S G852 13:00 14:20Delhi Jammu S G851 08:20 09:30Jammu Mumbai (via Del) S G852 12:15 15:55Mumbai Jammu S G851 05:50 09:30Jammu Srinagar S G851 10:40 11:15Srinagar Jammu S G852 11:10 11:45Contact No. 2431887

JET AIRWAYSORIGIN DESTINATION FLIGHT NO. DEPARTUREARRIVALJammu (IXJ) Delhi (Del)9W7005 14:15 15:35Delhi (De l) Jammu (IXJ)9W7006 10:20 11:25Jammu (IXJ) Srinagar (SXR)9W7006 11:55 12:30

Srinagar (SXR) Jammu (IXJ)9W7005 12:55 13:45Contact No. 2453999, 2437688 &245388

GO AIRORIGIN DESTINATION FLIGHTNO. DEPARTURE ARRIVALDelhi (Del) Jammu (IXJ) G8-1528:35 9:45 (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun)Delhi (Del) Jammu (IXJ) G8-15208:35 11:10 (Tue, Sat)Jammu (IXJ) Delhi (Del) G8-15414:50 16:15 (Tue, Sat)Jammu (IXJ) Delhi (Del) G8-15110:15 12:50(Mon,Wed, Fri, SunJammu (IXJ) Srinagar (SXR) G8-15110:25 11:05 (M on,Wed, Fri,Sun)Jammu (IXJ) Srinagar (SXR) G8-60408:50 09:35 (Tue, Thu, Sat)Contact No. 2435668

INDIGO AIRWAYSFLIGHT NO. SECTOR

DEPARTURE ARRIVAL

OPERATION

6 E-554 DEL-IXJ 08000 915 M,T,W,F,S,S6 E-554 IXJ-SXR 09451 030 M,T,W,F,S,S6 E-554 SXR -D EL 11051 235 M,T,W,F,S,SFirst Departu re from Jamm u sta tion toSrinagar as well a s De lhi (ViaSrinagar)6 E-551 DEL-SX R 11101 235 All day s6 E-551 SXR -IXJ 13101 355 all day s6 E-551 IXJ-D EL 14251 540 All day sContact No. (Airport) 0191-2431450,2450106,2455067,2439032,2439033

FLIGHT TIMINGS

Railway Enquiry : 139SMS inquiry Number 257886, 25888, 2567647, D.T.M. 2474377, Station Manager : 2474757

ZERO Fare Available for Jammu-Srinagar-Jammu (only Taxes Applicant)“Reporting Time at Jammu Airports is 1 hour 30 minutes prior to schedule

departure time.Note : No hand baggages is allowed from Jammu Because of security resons.

1. Police Control Room Jammu 0191-25604012. Police Control Room Srinagar 0194-24521383. PHQ Jammu 0191-24308344. PHQ Srinagar 0194-24430105. Crime Branch Jammu 0191-24521346. Crime Branch Srinagar 0194-24570207. Traffice Headquarter Jammu 0191-24378858. Traffice Headquarter Srinagar 0194-24550349. IGP Jammu 0191-254269610. IGP Srinagar 0194-2458735-

245768911. SSP Jammu 0191-245780712. SSP Kathua 01922-23401013. SSP Samba 01923-26313614. SSP Udhampur 01992-27021015. SSP Kishtwar 01995-25935316. SSP Doda 01996-23339617. SSP Ramban 01998-26664818. SSP Reasi 01991-24466319. SSP Rajouri 01962-26224020. SSP Poonch 01965-220408

1. GMC, Bakshi Nagar 0191-25842902. SMGS, Hospital 0191-25476353. Batra ASC Hospital 0191-26625364. Gandhi Nagar Hospital 0191-24300415. Swami Vivekanada Hospital 0191-25474186. Dental Hospital 25446707. Sarwal Hospital 25794028. G.B. Pant Cantt. Hospital 24335009. Ayurvedic College 254366110. Mental Hospital 257744411. Ambulance (Red Cross) 2543739

1. Chenab Gas 25476332. Gulmour Gas 24308353. JAKFED 25482974. Hp Gas 25784565. Shivangi Gas 25770206. Tavi Gas 2548455

JK State Power Dev, Corporatation:- Jammu:- 0191-2430548Srinagar:- 0194-2500071

Chief Enineer PDD Jammu:- 0191-2554426Chief Engineer PHE Jammu:- 0191-2547586

1. Medicare 24350702. Maddan Hospital 24567273. Triveni Nursing Home 24526644. Suvidha Nursing Home 25559655. Astha Nursing Home 25478216. Yadhini Nursing Home 25478217. Sita Nursing Home 25806018. Maharishi Dayanamd 2545225

Help Line Police

Hospitals

Cooking Gas Dealers

Electricity

PHE

Nursing HomesAir-Lines

Railway’s

Fire Services

Muncipal Corporation1. Commissioner 9419196676, 25421922. Secretary 25701913. Health officer 2547440

4. Chief Town Planner 9419140489

5. Chief Enforecement officer 9419141474

1. Control Room 101

2. City, Jammu 2544263

3. Gandhi Nagar 2457705

4. Canal Road 2554064

5. Gangyal 2480026

1. Control Room 247496/139 SMS inquiry Number 257886, 25888, 2567647, D.T.M. 2474377, Station Manager : 2474757

1. Jammu Airport 0191-24378432. Srinagar Airport 0194-23033164. Air Lines 18001801407,24390305. Spice Jet 18001803333,24571546. Indiogo 18001803838, 24314507. Go Air 24356688. Jet Airways 2453888

JAMMU: FinancialC o m m i s s i o n e rH ealth andM e d i c a lEducation, AtalDulloo today visit-ed Indira GandhiG ovt DentalCollege andH ospital (IG GDC)A mbphalla hereand took stock ofongoing construc-tion and otherworks there.

He was accompaniedby Principal GMCJammu, PrincipalIGGDC Jammu,M e d i c a lS u p e r i n t e n d e n tDental College andother concerned.

During the visit, theF i n a n c i a lCommissioner took adetailed round of thecomplex and inspect-ed all the ongoinginfrastructural worksbesides other alliedinfrastructure.

He was informedthat the finishingworks at the hospitalare going on and are atthe final stage of com-pletion.

He visited varioussections of the newbuilding where he wasbriefed about the sta-tus of the ongoingworks and would befacilities available forboth the patients andthe staff.

He was informedthat the new block

would house thedepartments of Oralmedicine andRadiology, OralSurgery andMaxiofacial Surgery,P e r i o d o n t i c s ,C o n s e r v a t i o nDentistry andOrthodontics.

On the occasion,Dulloo directed theconcerned executingagency to expedite thepace of works at thenew block of the hos-pital and finish theremaining works with-in stipulated timeframe so that the newblock would be dedi-cated to the people forthe service delivery.

Earlier, the FinancialCommissioner chaireda meeting to discussthe various issues per-taining to the func-tioning of IGGDC andthe progress of theconstruction works ofthe new block.

The meeting wasattended by ManagingDirector JKPCC,Principal GMCJammu, PrincipalIGGDC Jammu,

Director General(Planning) Health andMedical Education,MD JKMSCL andother concerned.

He was informedthat most of the workshave been completedand the remainingworks would be fin-ished very soon.

He directed the con-cerned constructionagency to expedite theconstruction processand asked them tobuild ramps for spe-cially-abled personsand other connectingbridges between dif-ferent blocks.

The meeting alsodiscussed the fillingup of various vacantposts besides it alsodiscussed the handin-gover of JK MedicalSupplies CorporationLimited (JKMSCL)premises and subse-quent DPR of thebuilding. During themeeting, the FCenquired about thetimely procurementand supply of essentialdrugs and equip-ments.

Atal Dulloo takes stock of ongoingworks at IGGDC Jammu

SRINAGAR: Advisor toLieutenant Governor,Baseer Ahmad Khan todaychaired a high level meetinghere to review preparednessof administration in view ofvagaries of weather, main-taining Law and Order dur-ing District DevelopmentCouncil elections andPanchayat By-Elections.

Divisional Commissioner,Kashmir, PK Pole; DeputyCommissioner, Srinagar,Shahid Iqbal Chaudhary;IGP, Kashmir Vijay Kumar;SSP, Mohammad HaseebMughal and Chief engineersof R&B, KPDCLDistribution, MED, JalShakti and other officersattended the meeting.

While taking stock of thepreparations to cope withthe weather vagaries andsuccessful conduct of elec-tions, Advisor Baseer Khan

stressed on Division andDistrict administrations toprovide all the facilities tothe staff and security per-sonnel deputed for electionduty. He said that adequatearrangement should bemade for heating, provisionof kerosene oil, gas, elec-tricity and generatorsbesides drinking water andsanitation facilities. Heimpressed upon officers tokeep machinery ready forsnow clearance at pollinglocations so that they can bedeployed timely in case ofany inclement weather con-

ditions. Advisor emphasizedon the provision of securityand accommodation for thecandidates contesting elec-tions. Regarding Law andOrder issue, InspectorGeneral of police, Kashmirwas asked to make properarrangements of Law andOrder so that no untowardincident happens. Whileapprising the Advisor aboutthe state of preparedness,DC Srinagar briefed himthat all the arrangementshave been put in place by theadministration for thesmooth conduct of elections.

Baseer Khan reviews winter preparedness, DDCelection, Panchayat By-election arrangements

Directs expediting pace of works at New Block

JAMMU: The LiquidMedical Oxygen (LMO)Plant at the GovernmentMedical College Hospitalwas today made function-al in order to strengthenthe oxygen supply for theCOVID patients as well asnon covid patients admit-ted in the hospital.

The installation of sucha vital equipment, first ofits kind in the Union terri-tory, will be beneficial inorder to meet any exi-gency in the near future.

With the installation ofLMO, Govt MedicalCollege Jammu is nowwell equipped to managethe covid and non covidpatients of the Union terri-

tory as well as from otherstates.

Presently the oxygensupply to critical patientcare areas was being man-aged through the manifoldsystem which requiredoxygen cylinders for itsfunctioning.

The LMO installedunder the guidance ofFinancial Commissioner,Health and MedicalEducation, Atal Dulloowas completed wellbefore the deadline. TheFC congratulated the offi-cers of the MedicalCollege Jammu,Mechanical and CivilEngineering wing ofGMC, Jammu.

The works were com-pleted under the directsupervision of Dr ShashiSudan Sharma, PrincipalGMC Jammu. She con-gratulated the efforts ofDr. Harjeet Rai, InchargeOxygen Plant and execu-tive agencies for timelycompletion of the project.

LMO is having a capaci-ty of 20 KL and theagency will ensure regularand uninterrupted supplyof Liquid Medical Oxygento cater to the requirementof the GMC HospitalJammu. The total Capexfor installation of LMO is58.01 lacs and its opera-tional cost 234.29 lacs tillending March 2021.

LMO made functionalat GMC Jammu

Will strengthen supply of oxygen for better patient care

CS reviews status ofPMDP Projects

JAMMU: The Chief Secretary, B V RSubrahmanyam chaired a meeting to review thesector-wise implementation of PMDP projects interms of the physical and financial progressachieved till date.

Extensive deliberations were held to review theprogress of key developmental projects to augmentinfrastructure in road, power, and renewable ener-gy sectors. The meeting also reviewed the progressof projects in healthcare, education, tourism, horti-culture, sports, PHE, irrigation and flood controland housing & urban development besides relief,rehabilitation and development package formigrants and displaced persons. The ChiefSecretary impressed upon the AdministrativeSecretaries to regularly review the execution ofPMDP projects and address bottlenecks, if any, toensure timely execution of these projects.

It was informed that majority of the projects areadvancing as per decided timelines and are at vari-ous stages of completion. Besides, the lagging proj-ects are also being assiduously pursued by the con-cerned officers to ensure their smooth implementa-tion.

In the road sector, the Chief Secretary reviewedthe progress of ring road projects around Srinagarand Jammu cities, Zojila Tunnel, Kargil-Zanskarroad, Srinagar-Shopian-Qazigund, Jammu-Akhnoor-Poonch, Chenani-Sudhmahadev roadsand the 4 Lanning of National Highway fromJammu to Srinagar. In the tourism sector, theprogress in regard to various tourism circuitsincluding Gulmarg-Baramulla-Kupwara-Leh andMantalai-Sudhmahadev-Patnitop, Jammu-Rajouri-Shopian–Pulwama and Anantnag-Pahalgam-Kishtwar-Ranjit Sagar Dam and Wularlake development was reviewed. The Departmentwas asked to begin work on additional circuitsunder Adventure, Heritage and Ecotourism cate-gories at the earliest.

In the health sector, it was informed that variousinfrastructure is being created in District Hospitals,Sub-District Hospitals and Primary Health Centreswhich will be completed by the end of the currentfinancial year. On-going works on the two AIIMScoming up at Samba and Awantipora were alsoreviewed.

In the higher education sector, it was informedthat works on IIT- Jammu campus are being exe-cuted as per schedule.

Under the Himayat scheme, it was mentioned thatagainst the target of 1 lakh youth to be trained inwage employment by placement linked schemeover a span of 5 years, 65 proposals for 90,792 can-didates have been cleared so far.

The Chief Secretary also reviewed the progress oficonic projects of Jammu and Kashmir includingHydro-Electric Projects (HEP) of Kiru, Kwar,Shahpur Kandi and Ujh, and the Gas Pipeline. TheAdministrative Secretaries of the departments ofHealth & Medical Education, Home, Housing &Urban Development, Power Development, PublicWorks, Jal Shakti, Rural Development, DisasterManagement, Tourism, Youth Services & Sports andHigher Education participated in the meeting.

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5 News GALAXYNEWSJAMMU | SUNDAY| NOVEMBER 22, 2020

NEW DELHI: PrimeMinister Narendra Modialong with his Bhutanesecounterpart LotayTshering on Fridaylaunched RuPay cardPhase-II that will allowBhutanese card holders toaccess the RuPay networkin India.

The prime ministers ofthe two countries hadjointly launched Phase-I ofthe project during Modi’sstate visit to Bhutan inAugust last year.

In his speech via videoconferencing, Modi spokeabout the deep cooperat-ing between the countriesin a gamut of fields,including ISRO’s prepara-tion to launch Bhutanesesatellites into space andBSNL’s agreement withBhutan regarding thirdinternational internetgateway.

He also asserted thatIndia stands solidly withBhutan in this difficult

hour of the COVID-19pandemic, and said meet-ing the neighbouringcountry’s requirementswill always be its top pri-ority. The implementationof Phase-I of RuPay cardsin Bhutan has enabled vis-itors from India to accessATMs and Point of Sale(PoS) terminals acrossBhutan. Phase-II will nowallow Bhutanese cardholders to access RuPaynetwork in India, theMinistry of External

Affairs had said in a state-ment. The RuPay card isan Indian debit and creditcard payment network,with acceptance at ATMs,POS devices and e-com-merce websites.

India and Bhutanshare a special partner-ship, anchored in mutualunderstanding andrespect, reinforced by ashared cultural heritageand strong people to peo-ple links, the MEA hadsaid.

PM Modi and Bhutanese counterpart Tsheringjointly launch RuPay card Phase-IINEW DELHI: India’s

markets regulator haspetitioned the SupremeCourt to direct tycoonSubrata Roy to pay 626billion rupees ($8.43 bil-lion) immediately, or can-cel his parole if he doesn’tyield.

The Securities andExchange Board of Indiasaid the outstanding liabil-ity of the Sahara IndiaParivar group’s two com-panies and the group’schief Roy stand at 626 bil-lion rupees, includinginterest, according to courtfilings seen by Bloomberg.Roy’s liabilities have bal-looned from 257 billionrupees he was ordered topay eight years ago.

India’s Supreme Courtin 2012 ruled that Saharagroup companies violatedsecurities laws and illegal-ly raised over $3.5 billion.

The companies saidmonies were raised in cashfrom millions of Indianswho could not avail bank-ing facilities. Sebi could

not trace the investors andwhen Sahara firms failedto pay up, the court sentRoy to jail.

“It is absolutely wrongdemand by Sebi,” Saharagroup said in an emailedstatement.

Sebi has “mischievous-ly” added 15% interest andit is a case of double pay-ment as the companieshave already paid back theinvestors, according to thestatement.

Roy’s case, which fea-tured in Netflix series BadBoy Billionaires, is amongstories of fallen businesstycoons in Asia’s third-largest economy andIndia’s efforts to go afterthe rich and famous whofailed to pay their dues.

Roy, who at differenttimes owned an airline,formula one team, cricketteam, plush hotels inLondon and New York,and financial companies,stayed in jail for over twoyears and is currently outon parole since 2016.

SEBI asks Subrata Roy to pay$8.4 billion to avoid jail

NEW DELHI: The U.S.will soon issue the resultsof probes into Austria,Italy and India’s decisionsto tax local revenue ofInternet companies suchas Facebook Inc., whichcould pave the way forretaliatory tariffs, peoplefamiliar with the situationsaid.

Determinations on thethree countries are duebecause all of them haveinstituted so-called digi-tal services taxes or levieson local sales of compa-nies such as AlphabetInc.’s Google this year,said the people who could-n’t be identified becausethe information is pri-vate.

There may also befindings on Indonesia,U.K. and Turkey, one ofthe people said.

The U.S. TradeRepresentative in Junestarted investigations intothe moves of at least 10countries, citing Section

301 of the U.S. Trade Actof 1974, which allows it toretaliate for trade prac-tices it deems unfair.

It’s the same tool usedto justify U.S. tariffs onChinese goods for allegedtheft of intellectual prop-erty. In addition to thethree countries wheredeterminations will soonbe made, the others areBrazil, the CzechRepublic, Indonesia,Spain, Turkey, the U.K.and the European Unionbloc.

Spain and the CzechRepublic will start collect-ing the digital-services tax

in January.A spokesman for U.S.

Trade RepresentativeRobert Lighthizer didn’timmediately respond to arequest for comment.

Last year, the USTRannounced levies on $2.4billion of French wines,cheeses and other prod-ucts as a result of France’sdigital tax.

The U.S. and Franceagreed to delay both thetariffs and the collection ofthe tax through the end of2020, but both those couldgo into effect next yearabsent an agreement toextend the truce.

US may impose tariffs on India, Italyfor taxing internet firms like Google

MUMBAI: IL&FS Financial Services(IFIN) has proposed to auction off itsexternal corporate loan book worth aboutRs 5,000 crore through a bid process, inan attempt to reduce the overall debt ofthe IL&FS group.

The process will be launched thisweek, a source in the know of the devel-opment said. As of March 2019, theassets under management of IFIN stoodat Rs 18,000 crore, which includes exter-nal, internal loans and internal invest-ments.

The company is yet to declare itsresults for financial year 2019-20. Thesale of the loans would be on cash consid-eration.

The company’s external corporateloan book includes loans to over 70 com-panies that have become non-performingassets (NPAs).

When contacted, a spokesperson forInfrastructure Leasing & FinancialServices (IL&FS) said, “The company islaunching a public process this week toinvite bids for the sale of IFIN externalcorporate loan book.”

According to the annual report ofIFIN for 2018-19, it had a net loss of Rs13,272 crore as compared to a net profit ofRs 9.5 crore in 2017-18.

The company’s total borrowing as atend-March 2019 from various avenues(debt securities, bank loans, commercialpaper, inter-corporate deposits) stood at

Rs 14,916 crore.IL&FS has resolved Rs 19,100 crore,

or 19 per cent, of the group’s outstandingdebt.

During the July-September 2020quarter, the new management resolveddebt of approximately Rs 1,460 crore byway of sale of the education business,recovery from non-IL&FS group entities,increase in cash balances and debt repay-ment in green (solvent) entities.

However, the target for debt resolu-tion during the second quarter was Rs8,800 crore, which the group missed by awide margin of Rs 7,300 crore.

The group, however, maintained itsearlier estimates of addressing more than50 per cent of the overall debt of over Rs99,000 crore as of October 2018, by theend of 2020-21.

Markets regulator Sebi recently dis-posed of proceedings against IL&FSFinancial Services without issuing anydirection against it in a matter pertain-ing to alleged violation of underwriternorms. The firm is a Sebi registeredunderwriter.

The order came after the Ministry ofCorporate Affairs forwarded a report tothe Securities and Exchange Board ofIndia (Sebi) to ascertain if the under-writer, which is a 100 per cent subsidiaryof IL&FS, was qualified to be a “fit andproper person” to continue as a Sebi reg-istered intermediary.

IL&FS Financial to auction offRs 5K crore corporate loans

NEW DELHI: The com-mittee of creditors (CoC) ofDewan Housing FinanceCorporation (DHFL) hasdeferred a decision onselecting the bidder fortakeover of the mortgagefirm.

“The CoC will take adecision only afterDecember 3. The matterhas been deferred,” said asenior banking source.The Piramal Group, one ofthe four bidders, hasprotested against the bid-ding process.

In a letter, the PiramalGroup said submission ofa resolution plan, after thesubmission date, is nei-ther in accordance withthe provision of therevised request for resolu-tion plan dated 16September 2016 (RFRP)nor the Insolvency andBankruptcy Board of India(Insolvency ResolutionProcess for CorporatePersons) Regulations,2016, (CIRP Regulations).

We hereby reserve allour rights under law andequity to seek appropriateredressal, including with-drawing from the currentcorporate insolvencyprocess for DHFL, if the

unsolicited offer of theOfferee is consideredand/or the process set outthe RFRP, the IBC andthe CIRP Regulations isnot duly followed,” the let-ter stated.

In a stock exchange fil-ing, DHFL said theAdministrator hasreceived an e-mail withcertain attachments fromone of the PRA, the con-tents of which are not yetknown since the e-mailhas not been opened bythe Administrator.

“The CoC during theirmeeting decided to notopen any of the ‘FinalResolution Plan’ or the e-mail received until a con-sensus by CoC is attainedcollectively for the same,”

the filing said.The Adani Group had

submitted a bid of morethan Rs 31,000 crore forthe entire assets of DHFL.This bid had raised eye-brows and Piramal Groupwrote a letter to the DHFLlenders protesting againstthe offer being submittedafter November 9, the sub-mission date for the reso-lution plan.

As of now, Adani’s bidis the highest, trumpingthat of Oaktree andPiramal.

While Oaktree hadsubmitted a bid of Rs31,000 crore for the entirecompany, the PiramalGroup had bid Rs 25,000crore for DHFL’s retailbusiness.

CoC defers decision on DHFL takeover,to take call after December 3

NEW DELHI: The directorate general ofGST intelligence (DGGI) for the first timearrested a Chennai-based woman master-mind, running the racket of fake invoicesto fraudulently claim input tax credit onthe seventh day of its nationwide driveagainst the goods and services tax (GST)frauds, officials said.

The Chennai zonal unit of DGGIarrested the women as she was running aweb of seven fake companies created andoperated by herself in the names of herfamily members, including her recentlydeceased mother-in-law, relatives andfriends, two officials with direct knowledgeof the matter said requesting anonymity.

“A case was booked against her firmfor availing and passing on fraudulentinput tax credit (ITC) of Rs 14.87 crore onthe companies’ fake invoices,” one of theofficials said.

Explaining her modus operandi, theofficial said, “During the search operationat her eight premises in Chennai, it was

also unearthed that the identity docu-ments had been procured by her from rel-atives and friends for a payment of pettymonthly sum.”

Besides her, the DGGI arrested fivemore persons including a charteredaccountant in the latest drive, taking thetotal tally of GST fraudsters’ arrested sofar to 36, which included three charteredaccountants. The special drive, launchedon November 9, 2020, led to 519 casesagainst 1,736 identified entities, a secondofficial said. The GST investigatingauthority on Thursday arrested two per-sons in the National Capital Region(NCR), two in Hyderabad, one in Chennaiand one in Ahmedabad. Searches and sur-veys were conducted in 19 cities Chennai,Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Visakhapatnam,Siliguri, Patna, Bhopal, Surat,Hyderabad, Nagpur, Raipur,Bhubaneshwar, Jaipur, Ghaziabad,Ludhiana, Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai andKolkata, the official said.

A woman mastermind arrested inthe latest drive against GST fraud

BENGALURU: Amazon's global SeniorVice President and India country headAmit Agarwal on Friday said the companyemploys almost 1,00,000 workers in thecountry directly, including tens of thou-sands of employees in the many globaltechnology teams based out Bengaluru.

He said, Indian talent today touchesalmost every part of Amazon's global offer-ings. "Bengaluru is at the heart of technol-ogy and innovation, and we, at Amazon,have certainly been privileged to workwith some of the brightest and most tal-ented IT professionals and experience theunique dynamism, resourcefulness, andinventiveness that continues to propelIndia," Agarwal was quoted as saying atBengaluru Tech Summit, 2020 (BTS2020)in a release.

He said the industry-friendly IT poli-cies of successive state governments, therich talent pool of highly skilled profes-sionals, high-quality institutes of higherlearning, the resilience, tenacity and inno-vation of companies and start-ups have allmade Bengaluru what it is today.

Agarwal said technology and mobileinternet have transformed daily lives glob-ally, and India is no different, but theseare likely to have an even more profoundimpact on India, as a scalable lever todrive inclusion and equity for society.

Urban centres will no longer claimpreferential access to products, education,healthcare, or entertainment.

MSMEs will not be limited by theirlocal catchment as they dream big, headded. Agarwal said Indian e-commerce isearly in its evolution, with barely 3 percent of total retail consumption, but isalready ushering in faster digitizationacross the consumption value chain, andenabling expanded access and opportuni-ties for customers and businesses acrossthe country. He also highlighted that e-commerce is blurring the lines betweenonline and offline, between local and glob-al and businesses can seamlessly comple-ment in-store services with doorstep con-venience for customers in their locality;and dream beyond to reach customersacross India, even globally.

Indian talent today touches almost every partof Amazon’s global offerings: Amit Agarwal NEW DELHI: Shares of

generic injectables makerGland Pharma made astrong debut in the BSEand National StockExchange (NSE) today.

The scrip got listed atRs 1,710.00 apiece on theNSE, thereby registeringa 14 per cent rise from itsoffer price of Rs 1,500.00apiece.

On the BSE, the GlandPharma stock got listed atRs 1,701.00 apiece, up13.4 per cent from theissue price.

So far in the intradaytrade, it has hit a high ofRs 1,850.00 on both theBSE and NSE.

Over 77.30 lakh shareshave been traded so far onthe NSE, while over 5.63lakh shares exchangedhadns on the BSE, datafrom the respective stockexchanges showed.

The Gland PharmaIPO was subscribed 2.06times during its offer peri-od from November 9-11.The Rs 6,480 crore IPO ofChina’s Fosun Pharma-backed company saw a 6.4times subscription fromQualified InstitutionalBuyers(QIBs).

However, it met with alukewarm response fromthe Retail IndividualInvestors(RIIs) and theNon InstitutionalInvestors, who subscribedjust 24 per cent and 51 percent respectively.

Founded initially by PV N Raju in 1978, GlandPharma’s current promo-tor Fosun Pharma hadacquired a 74 per centstake in the drug firm in2017. After this IPO, itspromoter shareholdingwill come down to 58 percent.

Gland Pharma makes strong market debut;lists 14% above issue price on NSE

NEW DELHI: Fitch Ratings onFriday said the revival of the gov-ernment’s reform agenda inresponse to the coronavirus pan-demic shock has the potential toraise India’s medium-termgrowth rate.

It said raising medium-termgrowth rates under these circum-stances will require reforms tosupport investment and boostproductivity and it will take timeto assess whether the reforms areimplemented effectively.

“Fitch Ratings believes thatthe revival of the central govern-ment’s reform agenda in responseto the coronavirus pandemicshock has the potential to raiseIndia’s medium-term growthrate.

“Nevertheless, there are alsodownside pressures to growthand it will take time to assesswhether the reforms are imple-mented effectively,” the agencysaid in a statement.

According to Fitch, the pan-demic will slow medium-termgrowth, as damaged corporatebalance sheets are expected todampen investment for years.

“Renewed asset-quality chal-lenges in banks and generallyfragile liquidity for non-bank

financial companies could alsoconstrain growth prospects andjeopardise the stability of themedium-term governmentdebt/GDP trajectory,” it said.

Raising medium-term growthrates under these circumstanceswill require reforms to supportinvestment and boost productivi-ty, Fitch said, adding it expectsthe government to remain gener-ally reform-minded over the nextfew years.

For the current fiscal, FitchRatings has projected a 10.5 percent contraction in Indian econo-my.

Several reforms passed byParliament since the pandemic

set in, could lift medium-termgrowth prospects, including theagricultural reforms to give farm-ers more flexibility over where tosell their produce, it said.

Stripping out middle men, asthe reform allows, could improvefarmer incomes while reducingconsumer prices.

Nevertheless, implementationrisks are significant. For exam-ple, segments of the farm lobbyhave protested the reform, appar-ently over fears that it couldresult in the abolition of mini-mum support prices, although thegovernment says this will nothappen, Fitch said.

Parliament has also passed

labour reforms. Their intent,among other things, is to improveworker access to social securitynotably in the large unorganisedsector, strengthen occupationalsafety requirements, speed up theresolution of labour disputes andease migrant workers’ ability tomove between states.

In addition, employers willnow only need prior state govern-ment approval for redundancies ifthey have over 300 workers, upfrom 100 previously, and stategovernments may raise thisthreshold.

“These changes could supportformalisation of India’s labourmarket and improve its flexibili-ty, with positive efficiency gains,but our assumption is that inpractice their impact will be mod-est,” it added.

The government also intendsto privatise some state-ownedenterprises, of which more than200 are owned by the central gov-ernment and 800 by state govern-ments. A wide-ranging privatisa-tion push could be transforma-tive, it said.

Fitch said the process ofreforms in India remains especial-ly complex and implementation attimes has proven difficult.

Pandemic-driven reform agenda can raiseIndia’s medium-term growth: Fitch

NEW DELHI: A ReserveBank of India committeehas recommended doingaway with one size fits allapproach to ownership inprivate sector banks.

Instead of the currentbank licensing ruleswhich make it mandatoryfor promoters of privatebank to reduce their own-ership to 40 per cent with-in three years and to set-tle at 15 per cent in 15years, the committeeheaded by RBI executivedirector PK Mohanty hassuggested a more nuancedapproach.

The report of the com-mittee is to be made pub-lic soon.

It has also suggested arereading of the fit andproper criteria for entitiesthat wish to set up oracquire banks.

A top government offi-cial had recently told theexisting criteria made italmost impossible tonurse a sick bank to ahealthy position, becauseof the guidelines thateffectively precludes anybusiness group from

entering the bankingspace.

The committee islearnt to have supportedlarger non-banking finan-cial companies to enterthe banking space.

The argument goesthat some of them are farlarger than some of theexisting banks, yet whilethe banks are tightly reg-ulated the NBFCs havesoft regulations, some-thing that RBI deputygovernor Rajeshwar Raohad recently pointed out.

On dilution of promot-er stake in banks, theMohanty committee has

apparently asked for sepa-ration of their effectivestake and their votingrights in the banks to cre-ate a gradient approachwith permutations.

It will apply to notonly disinvestment ofholdings but could alsocreate space for better runNBFCs to become banks.This is expected to bal-ance the current trend of anarrow band of peoplekeeping control on bankswith ensuring a diversi-fied ownership.

The press releaseannouncing the setting upof the committee had

noted that, “Though theoverarching principlesthat the ownership andcontrol of private sectorbanks should be welldiversified and that themajor shareholders are ‘fitand proper’ haveremained unchanged, thespecific contours haveevolved over the yearswith specific prescriptionsbeing given as part oflicensing guidelinesissued at various points inthe past.

It is, therefore, feltnecessary to comprehen-sively review the extantguidelines on ownership,governance and corporatestructure in private sectorbanks, taking into accountkey developments whichhave a bearing on theissue”. The five membercommittee had submittedits report in October toRBI.

The committee’sreport will also help thegovernment bring in morestakeholders in public sec-tor banks. The recapitali-sation needs of thesebanks are massive.

Reducing promoter stake in private banks:RBI panel for nuanced approach

Sensex jumps 282pts, Nifty endsabove 12,850

MUMBAI: Equity bench-mark Sensex surged 282points on Friday, trackinggains in HDFC Bank,Kotak Bank and BajajFinance amid positivecues from global marketsand sustained foreignfund inflows.

After a highly volatilesession, the 30-share BSEindex ended 282.29 pointsor 0.65 per cent higher at43,882.25.

Similarly, the broaderNSE Nifty rose 87.35points or 0.68 per cent to12,859.05. Bajaj Finservwas the top gainer in theSensex pack, rallying over9 per cent, followed byTitan, Bajaj Finance,Kotak Bank, BhartiAirtel, Nestle India andNTPC. On the other hand,Reliance Industries,IndusInd Bank, SunPharma, Axis Bank,ONGC and HUL wereamong the laggards.

"The BSE Sensex isclosing higher by about 1per cent in this Diwaliweek," said SanjeevZarbade, VP PCGResearch, KotakSecurities.

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6 News GALAXYNEWSJAMMU | SUNDAY| NOVEMBER 22, 2020

MUMBAI: ConorMcGregor has agreed toreturn to the UFC for arematch with DustinPoirier on Jan. 23 at UFC257.

UFC President DanaWhite confirmed to TheAssociated Press thatMcGregor has ended hislatest retirement frommixed martial arts by sign-ing an agreement for a 155-pound fight with Poirier.White hasn’t decidedwhether UFC 257 will beheld in Las Vegas or in theUFC’s coronavirus-securebubble in Abu Dhabi. “Butif the world continues inthe direction it looks likeit’s headed, it will 100% beFight Island,” White toldthe AP. McGregor (22-4)has fought in the UFC cagejust twice since November2016, but he dramaticallystopped Donald “Cowboy”Cerrone in 40 seconds atUFC 246 last January. The32-year-old Irish veteran

remains the biggest star incombat sports despiteretiring for the third timein four years last Juneamid frustration with hisinability to book the fightshe wanted due to the pan-demic. Poirier alreadysigned his agreement forthe rematch last week,according to ESPN, theUFC’s broadcast partner.McGregor was still a risingMMA star when hestopped Poirier just 1:46into the first round at UFC

178 in September 2014.McGregor won his nextthree fights, culminatingin his 13-second victoryover Jose Aldo to claim theUFC lightweight champi-onship.

Poirier (26-6) rebound-ed from that loss andfought his way to a UFCtitle, recording wins overJustin Gaethje and EddieAlvarez before outpointingMax Holloway for theinterim UFC lightweighttitle in April 2019.

Conor McGregor agrees to UFCreturn vs Poirier on Jan. 23MUMBAI: Former Indian

cricketer SanjayManjrekar is set to returnto the commentary panelfor India’s tour ofAustralia, startingNovember 27.

The veteran wasdropped by the Board ofControl for Cricket inIndia (BCCI) from thecommentary team of theIndian Premier League(IPL) 2020.

Manjrekar had statedthat he would be ‘happy toapologise’ and that thesacking had ‘shaken myconfidence’ and was a ‘bigjolt.’

Manjrekar noted thathe was told by a BCCI offi-cial on phone that he wassacked because ‘someplayers had an issue withme as a commentator.’

It has been speculatedthat Manjrekar wasremoved from the panel asa result of his commentcalling Ravindra Jadeja a“bits-and-pieces player”during last year’s ODI

World Cup and the subse-quent reactions from fansand the player himselfwere an important triggerin him losing his job.

On July 3 last year,Jadeja had tweeted his ireat Manjrekar’s comments:“Still, I have played twicethe number of matchesyou have played and I amstill playing.

Learn to respect pplwho have achieved. I haveheard enough of your ver-bal diarrhea@Sanjaymanjrekar”.

After his half-centuryin the World Cup semi-final against NewZealand, Jadeja had ges-ticulated angrily towardsthe commentary studio.The official Twitter handleof the ICC posted a videoof a post-match discussioninvolving Manjrekar. “Bybits and by pieces, he justripped me apart today.Bits of pieces of sheer bril-liance, he proved me allwrong,” he had said thatday.

Sanjay Manjrekar returns to commentarypanel for India tour of Australia

SYDNEY: Australiaspeedster Pat Cumminsexpectedly considers ViratKohli the "big" wicket hewould target in theupcoming series againstIndia and said that keep-ing the visiting captainquiet would be crucial tothe home team's chances.

The Indian cricketteam is currently inAustralia for a full seriesthat includes three ODIsand as many T20Internationals followed bya four-Test rubber. Thetour will start with theODIs here on November27.

"I think every side hasthat one or two battersand they are the big wick-ets. Most teams have theircaptain Joe Root forEngland, KaneWilliamson for NewZealand. You feel like ifyou get their wickets thatgoes a long way in winningthe game," Cummins told'Fox Cricket'.

"He (Kohli) is always abig one. You commenta-tors talk about him non-stop, so hopefully, we cankeep him quiet," he added.

Cummins, who hasbeen named in both thewhite and red-ball squadsas vice-captain, is one ofthe 11 Australian playerscurrently quarantininghere after returning from

the UAE where he playedfor Kolkata Knight Ridersin the IPL.

Their quarantine peri-od will end on the eve ofthe opening ODI againstIndia at the SydneyCricket Ground.

"It's good to be backhere in Sydney. Obviously,we are locked down but weare let out for couple ofhours a day.

"We've been in themiddle of it (cricket in bio-secure bubbles) for threeor four months now sowe're starting to get usedto it," he said. "But it willbe weird we get outThursday night and thenwe will go and join theboys at a hotel but there'sa good chance we won't seethem until we literallyturn up to the SCG onFriday." Cummins saidAustralia is well preparedto give India a tough fightin the series.

"It's going to be huge.

Obviously, we're back hereon home soil. other thanspending a lot of times inhotels and bubbles I feellike our preparation hasactually been really good.

"We went over to theUK and had a good tourthere. Most of the boyshere have been playing 14T20 matches in the lastfew weeks and the otherguys coming in will beplaying shrewd cricket.So, it feels like we are allfiring up and got a lot ofstuff behind us," he said.

The imposing pacersaid that over the last cou-ple of years, he has devel-oped as a bowler.

"I was probably a bitquicker a few years agobut I feel like in the lastcouple of years I got bet-ter, learning differenttempos within the gameand also when I am bowl-ing. I feel I got a bit morecontrol on swing andseam," Cummins said.

Keeping Kohli quiet key to successagainst India, feels Cummins

NEW DELHI: A revamped Mumbai CityFC with 19 new recruits and a Spanishcoach with proven track record, will beaiming to set things in order at the onsetwhen they take on NorthEast United inan Indian Super League game onSaturday.

Mumbai City have never won the cov-eted trophy and would be hoping thatthere is a turnaround in fortune undernew coach Sergio Lobera, who had guidedFC Goa to Super Cup win in 2019 apartfrom his contribution in an ISL runners-up finish despite several run-ins with hisold club.

Lobera during the pre-season mediameet had advocated attacking brand offootball but said the team needed tostrike a balance between attack anddefence.

“It is very important to play attackingfootball. Obviously, we need balance. Infootball, it’s not possible only to attack,you need balance between attack and

defence,” Lobera had said.Mumbai have two good strikers in

Bartholomew Ogbeche and Adam LeFondre who can prove to be more thanhandful for any opposition.

The team has roped in utility mid-fielders like Ahmed Jahouh, England-born Japanese Cy Goddard and theirroles as feeders will be important in thelarger context of the game.

Lobera has multiple options inFarukh Choudhary, Hugo Boumous,Hernan Santana, Raynier Fernandes,Rowllin Borges and Pranjal Bhumijamong others.

The inclusion of Mandar Rao Dessaihas bolstered the team’s defence and hecoupled with the likes of Sarthak Golui,Senegalese Mourtada Fall and MohamadRakip are ready thwart any attackingline-up. On the other hand, NorthEastUnited FC under new coach Gerard Nus,would also be aiming for redemption aftera poor last season.

New look Mumbai City aiming for freshstart against NorthEast United

NEW DELHI: It's not an immediate goalfor him but former Pakistan captainShahid Afridi says he wouldn't mind try-ing his hand at cricket administrationsome time in future to give back to thegame in his country.

Speaking to PTI, the flamboyant all-rounder said he would like to takePakistan cricket to the top and is ready todon the administrator's hat for that tohappen, but not immediately.

"I haven't thought too much about it(joining PCB) right now, but yes, whynot?" the 40-year-old said in an interviewfacilitated by the Lankan PremierLeague, where he is competing for GalleGladiators, mentored by Wasim Akram.

"Someday, I would like to play a moreprominent role in Pakistan cricket andgive something back to the game. I woulddo anything to see Pakistan cricket at thetop of world cricket in all formats," headded.

Talking about Pakistan cricket, theformer skipper, while being sympathetictowards sacked Test captain Azhar Ali,felt that it was on the cards once they lostto Australia and England.

"I don't want to be too harsh on Azharbecause he tried to build a legacy underhis captaincy," Afridi said.

"But despite his hundred against SriLanka and win against both Sri Lankaand Bangladesh, the series loss toAustralia and finally the loss to Englandperhaps didn't go down too well with themanagement," he added on the PCB'sdecision to elevate Babar Azam to Testcaptaincy. "Babar has a good T20 cap-taincy record too, so let us give him achance and see if he is capable of han-dling the pressure of captainingPakistan," he finds no harm in checkingthe youngster's leadership capabilities in

the longer format.When asked if Pakistan team of the

present has lost the formidable look ithad in '80s and '90s and even early 2000s,the veteran of 398 ODIs, 99 T20Is and 27Tests said that eras can't be simply com-pared. "It will be very unfair to comparethe current cricketers with the legends ofthe past. "Give them some more time tomature, they are good and with somematurity, they will also develop thefrightening qualities in them."

T20 cricket, since its advent, has alsoundergone a change, Afridi feels.

"One big change is that I have noticedis that players have become very innova-tive as the game has become more techni-cal. It is not just a plain boundary hittinggame like many would like to believe,"said the former all-rounder, who hasplayed more than 300 T20 games in hiscompetitive career.

The teams have also gone a notchhigher in terms of homework.

"A lot of calculations go in decidingthe line-up, field placements, bowlingchanges and a lot of work happens at theback-end where the coaching staff, theanalysts, trainers are all equally involvedlike the 11 players on the field allthrough the game.

Shahid Afridi in cricket administration? mightjust happen someday, says the big-hitter

ADELAIDE: The six-daylockdown in SouthAustralia to containCOVID-19 cases hasimproved Adelaide'schances of remaining thevenue of the firstDay/Night Test betweenIndia and Australia fromDecember 17 even thoughthe situation remainsfluid, the state's top med-ical officer has said.

South Australia hasclosed its borders after asudden surge in COVID-19positive cases, which standat an overall 551 rightnow, and cricketers,

including Test skipper TimPaine, have been airliftedto New South Wales.

South Australia's chiefpublic health officer NicolaSpurrier, during a pressconference, admitted thatthere are no guarantees.

"I can't tell you exact-ly...I don't have a crystalball," Spurrier toldreporters during a mediaconference.

"But what we are doingnow is putting us in thebest position possible to beable to have that cricketmatch," she said with anote of positivity.

A lockdown will helpget back to normal lifeincluding having a cricketmatch of great signifi-cance. "The reason we aredoing what we are doing,which is pretty drastic...isbecause we want to getback to the state of havingjust a few restrictions andto be able to do things likehave the cricket."

Before the Tests, Indiaand Australia will be lock-ing horns in a limited-overs series, startingNovember 27 and compris-ing three ODIs and asmany T20 Internationals.

Lockdown in South Australia provides best chancefor CA to host 1st Test: Public Health Officer

BELLEAIR (US): Women's BritishOpen winner Sophia Popov left top-ranked playing partner Jin Young Ko andeveryone else behind in the PelicanWomen's Championship.

Popov shot a 6-under 64 in windy con-ditions on Thursday to take a two-strokelead over Ashleigh Buhai, with Ko eightshots behind after a 72 in her first LPGATour start of the year.

Popov was the surprise winner atRoyal Troon in August.

"I think I'm playing with a differentconfidence level," Popov said.

You know, the shots are there. Ialways had them I felt like. I think men-tally I've never felt as freed up as I donow. I don't know if that's from winningthe tournament or just overall just hav-ing more fun out here. Having obviouslyan exemption for the next couple yearsjust frees up the swing a little bit, mymindset, I can be a little bit more aggres-sive, and I think I just took advantage ofthat."

At the tricky Pelican Golf Club, the

German birdied the last five holes for afront-nine 29, then cooled off on the backwith two birdies and two bogeys the laston the par-4 18th.

"I felt pretty confident coming into theround," Popov said.

"Honestly, probably didn't see thatmany birdies on my front. I thought withthe wind the course is playing reallytough, and surprised myself a little onthat front nine. Tried to keep it going, butthink the other nine is definitely toughand so I'm happy with my score."

Buhai birdied three of the last fourholes.

"You just have to stay patient, hit tothe big parts of the green," the SouthAfrican said.

"I think in order to shoot a low scoretoday, you got to have a hot putter, espe-cially this afternoon.

The greens firmed up a lot and it wasdifficult to get it close. That's what I did.I made some good putts coming down. Ihit it close on 17 and then holed a niceone on 18 for birdie."

Sophia Popov shoots 64 to lead PelicanWomen’s Championship NEW DELHI: Tiger

Woods still has one tourna-ment left this year thatmight feel as big as any tohim.

The PNCChampionship announcedthat Woods will play with11-year-old son Charlie inthe tournament that haspaired major championswith their sons since 1995,the year before the 44-year-old Woods turned pro.

“I can’t tell you howexcited I am to be playingwith Charlie in our firstofficial tournament togeth-er,” Woods said. “It’s beengreat watching himprogress as a junior golfer,and it will be incredibleplaying as a team togetherin the PNCChampionship.” The PNCChampionship is Dec. 19-20 at the Ritz-Carlton GolfClub Orlando in central

Florida. The most televi-sion exposure Charliereceived was last year atAugusta National whenWoods wrapped his son inhis arms after winning theMasters for the fifth time,completing a comebackfrom four back surgeries. Itwas his 15th major, but thefirst his son saw him win.

Woods has caddied forhis son in junior events,and one moment that gotplenty of attention was thefather of another juniortrying to capture video ofWoods, with Charlie andhis smooth swing in thebackground. Woodswrapped up his officialyear with an eventfulSunday in the Masters. Hewas well out of contentionwhen he took a 10 on thepar-3 12th hole, and thenfollowed with five birdiesover his last six holes.

Tiger Woods to play with 11-year-oldCharlie in Father-Son

MUMBAI: Rohit Sharma'sabsence from the upcoming whiteball series is a big "positive" forAustralia but KL Rahul is as gooda player to fill in the void, feelsdashing batsman Glenn Maxwell.

Rahul will be Virat Kohli'sdeputy in the white-ball leg sinceregular vice-captain Rohit isrecuperating from a hamstringinjury sustained during IPL.

"He (Rohit) is a class per-former, so consistent as an open-ing batsman with a couple of(three) double hundreds. So any-time he is not in the line-upagainst you, it is a positive,"Maxwell said during an interac-tion organised by series officialbroadcasters Sony.

The three-match ODI seriesbegins on November 27 followedby a T20 International series.

For Maxwell, KL Rahul is asgood a back-up as any team canwish for.

"But in saying that, Indiahave still got back-ups, more thancapable of playing that role. Wesaw KL Rahul, the performancethat he put on during the last IPLwas extraordinary. Whether heopens the batting or not, I amsure he will be just as good a play-er," Maxwell said during a virtual

media interaction.In Rohit's absence, it is

expected that Mayank Agarwalwill open the innings along withShikhar Dhawan as Rahul, whowill keep wickets is expected tobat middle-order. HoweverMaxwell is a big fan of Agarwal-Rahul opening pair that did real-ly well during the first phase ofIPL. "Well, I would say they(Mayank-Rahul) are the two love-ly guys, I have ever met. It was apleasure to spend the changeroom (with them), two very goodplayers, they score all-round thewicket and have got very limitedweaknesses," Maxwell was all

praise for them.But Maxwell sounded out a

warning for his IPL teammatesthat Australia's bowing attackwill certainly put them underpressure.

"I suppose ODI cricket mightbe a bit different (compared T20).Hopefully, with our bowlingattack, we can put some pressureon them and with bounce in thepitches and bigger grounds aswell, they play into our hands.They are good performers, andgood players," a confidentMaxwell asserted. For India, keyin the upcoming series will beMohammed Shami's skills as

both a "new ball and old ball"bowler. "A guy like MohammedShami, whom I have played within the recent IPL and played withhim in Delhi, as well. (I) saw theskill that he has.

"He has got good skills at theend (death overs) as well as withthe new ball. His ability to getmoving on pitches will be key tothem," said Maxwell.

Meanwhile, asked about hiswretched IPL form and whetherit would have an impact on theseries, he said, "No, it's not goingto affect my performances in theupcoming series."

According to Maxwell, healong with another in-form playerMarcus Stoinis, would be the twoall-rounders as well as designat-ed finishers in the batting line-up. "...The way we are probablygoing to set our team up is myselfand Marcus Stoinis or potentiallyanother all-rounder making upfor the other 10 overs (for fifthbowler), the one without our fourfront-line bowlers.

"I suppose I can contributewherever I can with the ball.With the bat, as it was againstEngland, I will be trying to finishoff games and do as well as I candown the order," he said.

Rohit’s absence will help us but Rahulis as good a player: Maxwell

NEW DELHI: Former left-armpacer Zaheer Khan believesbowlers will decide the fate of thissummer’s India-Australia contestas both the teams boast of some ofthe world’s finest bowlers in theirsquads.

The Indian cricket team iscurrently in Australia for a fullseries that includes three ODIsand as many T20 Internationalsfollowed by a four-Test rubber.The tour will start with the ODIshere on November 27.

With the likes of JaspritBumrah, Mohammad Shami,Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins,to name a few, up their ranks,both India and Australia haveformidable bowling attacks.

“The Australian pitches havealways had good bounce and pace,so I think the area which willdecide the ODIs, T20Is and Testswill be the bowlers and how wellthe team bowls as a unit torestrict the opponent to a lowertotal on the scoreboard,” saidZaheer, who was part of the 2011World Cup winning Indian team.

“When someone talks aboutthe top line bowlers in the worldright now, the names of the play-ers that come to our mind will allbe on the pitch in this series,” he

added. Zaheer also said thatIndia are set to face a stern test inAustralia this summer due to thepresence of Steve Smith andDavid Warner.

India had defeated Australia2-1 in their last Test series DownUnder in 2018-19 in the absenceof Warner and Smith, as both theplayers were serving an year-longban for the infamous ball tamper-ing scandal.

“Now with the return of SteveSmith and David Warner to theAustralian side, the Indian teamis definitely going to face a stiffercompetition than their previoustour Down Under,” the former

India fast bowler said in a releaseissued by official broadcasters ofthe series, Sony Pictures SportsNetwork. “There are nofavourites going into the series asboth the sides have quality bat-ting and bowling line-up in theirsquad and that is what will makethe upcoming tour interestingand exciting to watch.”

Zaheer’s thoughts wereechoed by Australian pace legendGlenn McGrath, who also feelsthat the Virat Kohli-led side willface a tough competition this timearound.

“The Indian cricket team willface a much tougher Australian

team now that Smith and Warnerare back but the Indian team isequally strong and have anaggressive mentality and deter-mination to win the series,” saidMcGrath, who has staggering 563Test wickets. “The current Indianteam has got the confidence ofplaying in Australian conditionsnow and they know how to do itas they’ve been successful here inthe last tour.”

Former India batsman SanjayManjrekar too feels the same.

“Australia’s Test team will bestronger than it was on India’sprevious tour. The experience ofSmith and Warner will add mus-cle to the Aussie side but I believeIndia’s bowling attack is ready tohave their names carved in thehistory of Indian cricket by win-ning a consecutive series DownUnder,” he said.

Sony on Friday alsoannounced the return of its show‘Extraaa Innings’, which will fea-ture former players like McGrath,Manjrekar, Ajay Jadeja, VirenderSehwag, Zaheer, Nick Knight,Mohammad Kaif, MuraliKarthik, Vivek Razdan, AjitAgarkar and Vijay Dahiya apartfrom Harsha Bhogle, ArjunPandit and Erin Holland.

Bowlers will decide fate of India-Australiacontest: Zaheer Khan

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7 Health GALAXYNEWSJAMMU | SUNDAY| NOVEMBER 22, 2020

IN a recent study, ithas been found thatgirls born to the moth-

ers who smoke duringpregnancy will exhibitsigns of increased testos-terone exposure, whichmay affect their hormoneand reproductive functionin future. The study waspresented at the 58thAnnual European Societyfor PaediatricEndocrinology Meeting.The findings of this studysuggest that smoking is anendocrine disruptor thatcan masculinise girls inthe womb and that daugh-ter of women that smokedduring pregnancy maysuffer from hormonal andreproductive health prob-lems in the long-term.

Smoking during preg-nancy is widely consideredbad for the health both forthe mother and baby, yetsome women persist andmany are exposed to pas-sive smoking. In additionto the many toxins presentin cigarette smoke, it isalso suspected of havingendocrine-disrupting pro-perties that may increasetestosterone levels.

Baby girls exposed tohigher levels of the malehormone, testosterone, inthe womb are at greaterrisk of abnormal develop-ment and long-term nega-tive effects on their fertili-ty and metabolism.

In this study, Dr DenizOzalp Kizilay and col-

leagues at Cigli StateTraining Hospital inTurkey, measured the AGDAnogenital distance, thedistance from the midpointof the anus to the genitaliain 56 newborn girls and 64newborn boys, from moth-ers who

smokedduring pregnancy. AGDwas significantly longer inthe baby girls and correlat-ed with the amount themothers smoked. No effectwas found on the AGD inthe boys. Dr Kizilay, leadresearcher of the studysaid, "This significantincrease in AGD in girlsexposed to maternal smok-ing may be an indicator ofexcessive testosterone expo-sure that poses a risk forshort and long-term healthproblems, including metab-olism and fertility. Furtherinvestigation is needed toexplain the relationshipbetween maternal smoking,

increased AGD and futurehealth issues in girls."

Although Dr Kizilay,cautions, "The mecha-nisms behind the potentialreproductive problemscaused by exposure to cig-a r e t t e

smoke in the womb are notfully understood. Ourresults do suggest thatgirls have higher testos-terone exposure but nothow this relates to repro-ductive function. Moreextensive and carefully-designed studies arerequired to explain thisrelationship." In order tounderstand the study bet-ter, the team now plans tomonitor the long-termeffects of exposure to high-er testosterone levelscaused by smoke exposurein the same group of babygirls, to assess how thismay affect their futurehealth and fertility.

Here’s how smoking during pregnancycan affect daughter’s fertility!

RE S E A R C H E R Shave found that afew proteins which

are more prevalent inolder people prevent thefractured bones from heal-ing. Duke Scientists hopethis discovery will lead tonew treatments to helppeople heal after injuriesor surgeries.

"When we decreasedthe protein level, agingwas reversed," said sen-ior author GurpreetBaht, Ph.D. and assis-tant professor in theDuke Department ofOrthopaedic Surgery.

"Not only was theremore bone and healinghappened faster, but itwas also structurallymore sound."

Baht's team confirmedthat older people havemore Apolipoprotein E,ApoE for short, thanyounger people, reportedthe study published inJCI Insight. They wantedto figure out if and howApoE affects the multi-step process of bone heal-ing. When you break abone, your body sends sig-nals through the blood-stream to recruit cells to fixit. At last a different kindof cell eats up the cartilagescaffolds and osteoblastsfill those holes with bone.

"Over time, this carti-lage will continue to beresorbed and osteoblastswill continue to depositnew bone," Bahtexplained. "After a few

months of your arm or leghealing, there will bealmost no cartilage any-more. And if you were tolook at it five years out,there'd be no sign of aninjury anymore."

That's if the bone heal-ing process works perfect-

ly. But theresearchers found that ifthey added ApoE to apetri dish with skeletalstem cells, fewer cellsdeveloped into osteoblastsand the osteoblasts wereworse at building bones.

"We wanted to see ifthe cell population wasmore or less capable ofbecoming osteoblasts,"Baht said. "[Normally,]you put these cells downin a petri dish for about amonth and the dishbecomes so hard that youcan't even scratch the sur-face because they've made

two-dimensional bonethere. ApoE-treated cellsare still able to do this,they just don't do it asmuch or as well."

Next, the researcherscreated an intervention byinjecting a virus which

keeps mice frommaking Apolipo-protein E.Circulating ApoE levelsdropped by 75 per centand the healed bones con-tained one and a half-times more strong, hardbone tissue than bones ofuntreated mice. Theresearch was supportedby the Duke Centre forthe Study of Aging &Human Develop-ment andClaude D. Pepper OlderAmericans IndependenceCentre, the Pathway toStop Diabetes InitiatorAward from the AmericanDiabetes Association anda Borden Scholar Award.

Study finds protein that slowsdown fracture-healing

MANY hearts are declared unfit fordonation due to stress-inducedheart failure. But a recent study

found that this condition has no bearingon the outcome of a transplant furtheropening path for up to 30 per cent moreheart transplants.

"Systematic utilisation of thesehearts would mean a break-through for heart transplan-tation, as more patientscould be accepted for trans-plantation," said JonatanOras, senior lecturer atSahlgrenska Academy,University of Gothenburg,and specialist physician inanaesthesia and intensivecare at the UniversityHospital. The study, pub-lished in 'The Journal ofThoracic and CardiovascularSurgery,' is based on particu-lars of 641 potential heart donorsin Sweden in the years 2006-2016.

Either these people, who had beendeclared brain-dead, had said yes todonation during their lives or their sur-vivors had given the go-ahead.

As many as 24 per cent of potentialdonors had acute stress-induced cardiomy-opathy, or broken heart syndrome, inwhich cardiac function is impaired in onepart of the heart, while the other partsbeat normally. This condition is caused bythe massive surge in stress hormonesobserved in the course of brain death. Thefunctional impairment appears to be tran-sient: Within a few hours or days, the

heart recovers. Nevertheless, there arerecommendations that these heartsshould not be transplanted.

The selection process, therefore,varies from one location to another. Todate, the transplantation centre inGothenburg has had the favourable clini-cal experience of transplanting hearts

with stress-induced heart failure,and there were 42 such cases in the

current study. The results show thatwhen the donors' hearts hadbeen subject to stress-inducedheart failure, the outcomes forrecipients were no different.Neither was mortality affected;rather, it conformed to the

expected 20 per cent rate inboth groups after ten years.

"The impairment in car-diac function seems to betemporary and is not causedby coronary artery diseaseor other heart diseases. Thisfact fits well with stress-induced heart failure. When

we repeatedly examine thesehearts, we see that their function

recovers quickly," Oras says. More studiesare to follow the current one, to verify theresults. Ending disqualification of donorswith stress-induced heart failure is seen asespecially urgent since the condition arisesmore often in young people, whose heartsare otherwise well suited for donation.

"We estimate that the supply ofdonor's hearts could be increased by 20-30 per cent if these hearts are used," Orasconcluded.

WITH over 500 peo-ple diagnosed withv a pi n g- re l a t ed

sickness and seven per-sons dead due to severeand unexplained lung ill-ness connected to e-ciga-rette use in the US, theCenters for Disease Controland Prevention (CDC) hasactivated its emergencyoperation centre to investi-gate the cause.

In addition, the Foodand Drug Administrationhas enlisted the help of itsoffice of criminal investiga-tions, the law enforcementarm of FDA, local mediareported. Doctors andhealth officials haveexpressed concern aboutboth the acute and long-term effects of the injuries,according to NationalPublic Radio (NPR).

As per health officials,majority of people whohave fallen ill from vapingare younger than 25 years.

"We at CDC are veryconcerned about the occur-rence of life-threatening ill-ness in otherwise healthy,young people," said DrAnne Schuchat, the CDC'sprincipal deputy directorsaid. NPR is an Americanprivately and publiclyfunded non-profit member-ship media film based inWashington, DC. It isbelieved that the majorityof the people are sufferingfrom the illness after vap-ing THC- a psychoactivecomponent in cannabis

nicotine or a combinationof both. Symptoms includesevere pneumonia, inmany cases. Patients canrecover from the acuteproblem that led them tothe hospital, but long-termimpacts are unknown.One 18-year-old patient,Adam Hergenreder hospi-talized with a severe vap-ing-related respiratorysickness was quoted assaying that his doctor toldhim that he has the "lungsof a 70-year-old."

In the hospital, hesaid, "they caught animage of the bottom por-tion of my lungs, and that'swhen they realized theseverity of the damage."

Daniel Fox, a pulmo-nologist and critical careexpert at WakeMed said itis still unclear that whichcompounds or substancespresent in the vaping prod-ucts are leading to harm inthe human body.

"There is probably atleast some irreversibledamage that is done everytime you have a significantinflammatory reactionwithin the lung tissue,"Fox said. Keeping in mindthe impact of vaping on theyouth, India has alsobanned e-cigarettes orElectronic NicotineDelivery System (ENDS).

People breaching theban are liable to be pun-ished with a jail term ofupto three years and a fineup to Rs 5 lakh.

Doctors in US grapple withvaping illness, warn of

‘irreversible damage’ to lungs

New research enablesmore heart donations

GREEN tea's antioxidant propertiesare well known but recent researchhas found that it is also beneficial in

getting rid of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.It is now a proven fact that antioxidantcommonly found in green tea can possiblyterminate antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

The findings were published in theJournal of Medical Microbiology in whichthe researchers found that epigallocate-chin (EGCG) can restore the activity ofaztreonam, an antibiotic commonlyused to treat infections caused by thebacterial pathogen Pseudomonasaeruginosa. P. aeruginosa is associat-ed with serious respiratory tract andbloodstream infections and has becomeresistant to many major classes of antibi-otics over the years.

Currently, a combination of antibi-otics is used to fight P. aeruginosa.However, these infections are becomingincreasingly difficult to treat, as resistanceto last-line antibiotics is being observed. Toassess the synergy of EGCG and aztreon-am, researchers conducted in vitro tests toanalyse how they interacted with the bac-terial pathogen individually and in combi-nation. The team found that the combina-tion of aztreonam and EGCG was signifi-cantly more effective at reducing P. aerug-inosa numbers than either agent alone.

This synergistic activity was also con-firmed in vivo using Galleria mellonella(Greater Wax Moth larvae), with survivalrates being significantly higher in thosetreated with the combination than thosetreated with EGCG or aztreonam alone.Furthermore, minimal to no toxicity wasobserved in human skin cells and inGalleria mellonella larvae. Researchersbelieve that in P. aeruginosa, EGCG mayfacilitate increased uptake of aztreonamby increasing permeability in the bacteria.Another potential mechanism is EGCG'sinterference with a biochemical pathwaylinked to antibiotic susceptibility.

"Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a

serious threat to global public health.Without effective antibiotics, the suc-cess of medical treatments will be com-promised.

Natural products such as EGCG, usedin combination with currently licencedantibiotics, maybe a way of improvingtheir effectiveness and clinically usefullifespan," said lead author Dr JonathanBetts, Senior Research Fellow in theSchool of Veterinary Medicine at theUniversity of Surrey.

"The World Health Organisation haslisted antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonasaeruginosa as a critical threat to humanhealth. We have shown that we can suc-cessfully eliminate such threats with theuse of natural products, in combinationwith antibiotics already in use," saidProfessor Roberto La Ragione, Head ofthe Department of Pathology andInfectious Diseases in the School ofVeterinary Medicine at the University ofSurrey.

AGE can pose as a hindrance todevelopment and further progres-sion of cancer cells, a new study has

found. The findings of this study pub-lished in the journal Aging Cell, has foundthat human ageing processes may hindercancer development. Ageing is one of thebiggest risk factors for cancer. However,the biological mechanisms behind thislink are still unclear.

Each cell in the humanbody is specialised to carryout certain tasks and willonly need to express cer-tain genes. Gene expres-sion is the process by whichspecific genes are activatedto produce a required pro-tein. Gene expressionanalyses have been used tostudy cancer and ageing,but only a few studies haveinvestigated the relationshipbetween gene expressionchanges in these two processes.In an effort to better understand the bio-logical mechanisms researchers from theUniversity of Liverpool's IntegrativeGenomics of Ageing Group, led by Dr JoaoPedro De Magalhaes, compared howgenes differentially expressed with ageand genes differentially expressed in can-cer among nine human tissues.

Normally, a healthy cell can divide ina controlled manner. In contrast, senes-cent or 'sleeping' cells have lost their abil-ity to divide. As we age, the number ofsenescent cells in our bodies increase,which then drive many age-relatedprocesses and diseases. Genetic muta-

tions triggered by things such as UV expo-sure can sometimes cause cells to repli-cate uncontrollably and uncontrolled cellgrowth is cancer. Researchers found thatin most of the tissues examined, ageingand cancer gene expression 'surprisingly'changed in the opposite direction.

These overlapping gene sets wererelated to several processes, mainly cell

cycle & the immune system.Moreover, cellular

senescence changed inthe same direction asageing and in theopposite direction ofcancer signatures.Resear-chers believethat the changes inageing and cellularsenescence mightrelate to a decreasein cell proliferation,

while cancer changesshift towards an

increase in cell division.Dr De Magalhaes, said, "One of the rea-

sons our bodies have evolved to have senes-cent cells is to suppress cancers. But then itseems that senescent cells accumulate inaged human tissues and may contribute toageing and degeneration." "Ageing tissuesmay hinder cell proliferation and conse-quently cancer," the study lead added.However, an alternative explanation comesfrom evolutionary biology. First authorKasit Chatsirisupachai, explained, "Andaged tissue might actually be a better envi-ronment for a rogue cancer cell to proliferatebecause the cancer cell will have an evolu-tionary advantage."

Ageing hinders developmentof cancer, finds study

Consumption of mushroomsreduces prostate cancer risk: StudyIN a recent study, researchers have highlighted

that consumption of mushrooms is beneficial formiddle-aged and elderly men as it reduces the risk

of prostate cancer. The study was published in thejournal, 'International Journal of Cancer'. Researchersgathered a total of 36,499 men, aged 40 to 79 years,who participated in the Miyagi Cohort Study in 1990and in the Ohsaki Cohort Study in 1994.

During follow-up, 3.3 per cent of participantsdeveloped prostate cancer. Compared with mush-room consumption of less than once per week, con-sumption once or twice a week was associated withan 8 per cent lower risk of prostate cancer and con-sumption three or more times per week was associat-ed with a 17 per cent lower risk.

Shu Zhang, lead author of the study and a PhDstudent from Tohoku University School of PublicHealth in Japan said: "Since information on mush-room species was not collected, it is difficult to knowwhich specific mushroom(s) contributed to our find-ings. Also, the mechanism of the beneficial effects ofmushrooms on prostate cancer remains uncertain."

Green tea can terminateantibiotic-resistant bacteria: Research

Astudy published in a journal- Aging Cell - has found thatageing gets in the way of

development and further progres-sion of cancer cells. Ageing isoften considered as one of thebiggest risk factors for cancer, thebiological mechanisms behindthis link are yet to be ascertained.Each cell in the human body isspecialised to carry out certaintasks and they only need toexpress certain genes. Geneexpression is the process by whichspecific genes are activated to pro-duce a required protein.

Gene expression analyses havebeen used to study cancer and age-ing, but only a few studies haveinvestigated the relationship

between gene expression changes inthese two processes. In an effort tobetter understand the biologicalmechanisms researchers from theUniversity of Liverpool's IntegrativeGenomics of Ageing Group, led byDr Joao Pedro De Magalhaes, com-pared how genes differentiallyexpressed with age and genes differ-entially expressed in cancer amongnine human tissues.

Normally, a healthy cell candivide in a controlled manner. Incontrast, senescent or 'sleeping'cells have lost their ability todivide. As we age, the number ofsenescent cells in our bodiesincrease, which then drive manyage-related processes and dis-eases. Genetic mutations trig-

gered by things such as UV expo-sure can sometimes cause cells toreplicate uncontrollably anduncontrolled cell growth is cancer.

Researchers found that inmost of the tissues examined, age-ing and cancer gene expression'surprisingly' changed in the oppo-site direction. These overlappinggene sets were related to severalprocesses, mainly cell cycle andthe immune system. Moreover,cellular senescence changed in thesame direction as ageing and inthe opposite direction of cancersignatures. Researchers believethat the changes in ageing andcellular senescence might relate toa decrease in cell proliferation,while cancer changes shift

towards an increase in cell divi-sion. Dr De Magalhaes, said, "Oneof the reasons our bodies haveevolved to have senescent cells isto suppress cancers. But then itseems that senescent cells accu-mulate in aged human tissues andmay contribute to ageing anddegeneration."

"Ageing tissues may hindercell proliferation and consequent-ly cancer," he added. However, analternative explanation comesfrom evolutionary biology. Firstauthor Kasit Chatsirisupachai,explained, "Aged tissue mightactually be a better environmentfor a rogue cancer cell to prolifer-ate because the cancer cell willhave an evolutionary advantage."

Ageing gets in the way of cancer, finds research

DENTAL and medical experts suggestelderly people to be more vigilant abouttheir oral health as it is a critical compo-

nent to overall health. In a review article pub-lished in the journal of the American GeriatricsSociety the authors outlined the potential com-plications that can arise from poor oral hygienein older adults and cited the role of all healthcare professionals in working to promote goodoral hygiene in this population.

"All health care professionals should workto promote good oral hygiene for their olderpatients," said Dr. Patrick Coll, professor offamily medicine and medicine at the UConnSchool of Medicine and lead author of thereview article. They "should consider an oralexamination during an annual wellness visit,especially for those patients who are not receiv-ing regular dental care."

The need is evident, said the authors. Datafrom the National Centre for Health Statisticsindicates that the prevalence of cavities is morethan twice as high in older adults as for youngeradults. The prevalence of periodontitis a seriousgum infection that damages the soft tissue anddestroys the bone that supports your teeth also

increases with age. As many as 64% of older adultsin the U.S. have periodontitis. It is well recognisedthat manipulation of teeth and their support struc-tures can result in bacteria present in the oral cav-ity being released into the bloodstream, which maylead to infections in parts of the body far removedfrom the oral cavity, they wrote.

"Even toothbrushing for those who havepoor oral hygiene can cause bacteria to bereleased into the bloodstream and these bacteriacan potentially cause joint infections and heartvalve infections," said Coll. Without good oralhygiene, the use of fluoride, and regular dentalcare, older adults are more prone to damage tothe oral cavity and the extension of infection intosurrounding tissues.

Tooth loss, for instance, can affect a per-son's ability to chew, which can lead to malnu-trition. Chronic oral infection is a recognizedrisk factor for heart disease, and can also leadto the spread of infection to artificial joints andendocardial implants. The experts recommend-ed that all older adults should have biannualdental cleaning performed by a hygientist anda biannual oral health assessment by theirdentist.

As we age, oral health plays biggerrole in overall health: Study

THE general perceptionthat only expecting moth-ers or women planning

pregnancy should quit alcoholto avoid health complications,has been busted. A recent studypublished in the journal‘European Journal ofPreventive Cardiology’, shedlight on drinking patterns ofaspiring parents and its impacton conception. “Binge drinkingby would-be parents is highrisk and dangerous behaviourthat not only may increase thechance of their baby being bornwith a heart defect but alsogreatly damages their ownhealth,” said study author DrJiabi Qin, of Xiangya School ofPublic Health, Central SouthUniversity, Changsha, China.Congenital heart diseases are

the most common birth defects,with approximately 1.35 mil-lion babies affected every year.

These conditions canincrease the likelihood of cardio-vascular disease later life, evenafter surgical treatment, andare the main cause of perinataldeath. Drinking alcohol threemonths before pregnancy orduring the first trimester wasassociated with a 44 per centraised risk of congenital heartdisease for fathers and 16 percent for mothers, compared tonot drinking. Dr Qin said, “Theresults suggest that when cou-ples are trying for a baby, menshould not consume alcohol forat least six months before fertil-isation, while women shouldstop alcohol one year before andavoid it while pregnant.”

Not just moms, dads toomust avoid alcohol before

conception, says study

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SRINAGAR: Claimingthat the matter involv-ing revocation of Article370 is not sub-judice inthe Supreme Court(SC), Bharatiya JanataParty (BJP) Nationalspokesperson SyedShahnawaz Hussain onFriday said that nopower on earth canbring it back.

The BJP spokesper-son -who is in Kashmirvalley to campaign forhis party candidates,contesting in theupcoming DistrictDevelopment Council(DDC) elections saidthis while addressing apress conference in thesummer capital.

“The matter pertain-ing to revocation ofArticle 370 is not subjudice.

If someone goes to thecourt against my pressconference, will it bebanned? Article 370will not be restored? nopower on earth can

bring it back. I want to say this

especially to the youththat Article 370 is nowburied for good and cannever be revived again,”he said while answeringa question.

He said Article 370was a big blockage inthe development ofJ&K and now nothingcan stop the UnionTerritory from reachingits true potential.

The senior BJP leaderfurther said that thepeople of J&K have fullfaith in Prime MinisterNarendra Modi and his‘Sabka Sath, Sabka

Vikas’ mantra. Hittingout at Peoples Alliancefor Gupkar Declaration(PAGD), he said otherparties in J&K are rep-resentative of nepotismand work for the pro-motion of their fami-lies.

However, he said BJPrepresents the commonman of J&K and worksfor the poor and thed o w n t r o d d e n .“Development is ouronly agenda and peoplewill support us for aprosperous J&K,” headded.

Alleging that theCongress is scared of

BJP, he said the party isstill in an alliance withthe PAGD behind thecurtains. “Congressleaders have had sleep-less nights due to PMModi and HomeMinister Amit Shah. Itwas only after Mr Shahexposed that Congresswas a part of theGupkar gang, they dis-tanced themselves fromthe alliance,” he said.

“Congress was part ofGupkar alliance insecrecy and when weexposed them, theyclaimed that they hadnothing to do with it?.Because they(Congress) feel if itremains a part ofGupkar Alliance itsname will be changedfrom ‘Congress I’ to‘Congress Gupkar’ andthey will have to answerthe people in rest of thecountry. Congress hastaken a step back in fearof repercussions,” hesaid.

Article 370 is not sub-judice, no power on earthcan bring it back: Shahnawaz Hussain

JAMMU: A day aftersecurity forces elimi-nated four Jaish terror-ists in a swift operationat Ban toll plaza onJ a m m u - S r i n a g a rnational highway nearNagrota in Jammu dis-trict early Thursday, thetruck driver who wasferrying them, remainsabsconding.

Jammu district policechief SSP Shridhar Patilsaid, “The driverremains absconding butwe are at it. Policeteams are working onit.”

Nagrota SHO,Inspector MohammadShowkat, said thatpolice have intensifiedsearches but the driverhas not been arrested asyet.

“Either he is hiding inthe area or might havebeen picked up byanother vehicle. At thismoment, we don’t knowhis identity as well,”said Showkat.

Two policemen of thespecial operationsgroup (SOG) were alsoinjured in the exchangeof fire with heavilyarmed terrorists.

They have been iden-tified as Kuldeep Raj(32) of Akhnoor inJammu district andMohammad IshaqMalik (40) of NeelQasim Banihal inRamban district.

Both have beenadmitted to GMCJammu with injuries onneck and their condi-tion is said to be stable.

The encounter betweenterrorists and securityforces started around4.50am at Ban toll plazaon Jammu-Srinagarnational highway onThursday.

IGP Jammu zoneMukesh Singh said thatthe truck was ferryingthe terrorists toKashmir.

“It was put to check bythe policemen at the tollplaza because we hadintelligence inputs withus,” he said.

Singh further said, “Inthe exchange of fire,four terrorists wereeliminated and twoconstables wereinjured. Terroristslobbed grenades onsecurity forces duringchecking. The truck

also caught fire and afew grenades alsoexploded inside it dur-ing the exchanges”.

“Area is now beingsanitized,” he added.

The IGP informedthat in the run up toDDC elections, securityforces were gettingintelligence inputs ofpossible infiltration byPakistan terrorists.

In the three hour longoperation, all the fourterrorists were elimi-nated, he said andadded that 11 AK-47rifles, three pistols, 29live grenades, six UBGLgrenades, mobilephones, compass, pithybags and other ammu-nition were recoveredfrom the slain terror-ists.

Truck driver ferrying terrorists, killed in Nagrotaencounter, still missing, police have a theory

SRINAGAR: A freshcontroversy has beentriggered in Jammu andKashmir ahead of theupcoming DDC elec-tions.

The political parties ofthe People's Alliance forGupkar Declaration(PAGD) are crying foulon their candidates beinghuddled into ‘secure’accommodations by theadministration and notbeing given enough facil-ities to campaign in theirareas.

They claim that whileBJP and its allies arebeing given security andaccorded facilities tocampaign by the authori-ties; others have beenblocked for the same.

Khursheed Alam, for-mer MLC and PDPleader said, "It's not acomplaint but it’s thetruth. Anyone who filednomination papers waseither arrested ordumped in hotels. Theyare not allowed to cam-paign.

It's very evident that

only BJP candidates areallowed to campaignwhile others are not. It'skilling democracy. Weshould be provided secu-rity so that we can gointo our constituenciesand ask for votes."

Salman Sagar, candi-date and NationalConference youth leader

said, "We are not satis-fied with regard to secu-rity and I think theydon’t want us to cam-paign.

We trust God and willcontinue with our cam-paign. It's the responsi-bility of the governmentto provide security," hesaid

On the other hand,security forces refutedthe allegations and saidthat the decision to keepthe DDC candidatesaway from campaigningis based on their threatperception. They, howev-er, accept that they can’tprovide individual secu-rity to everyone.

DDC polls: Candidates confined to hotels, notallowed to campaign, claims PAGD members

OFFICE OF THE DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER,SOCIAL FORESTRY DIVISION, KATHUA.

Tel. /Fax. 01922-234687 email: - dfosfkathua@gmail.com.

EXTENSION NOTICE-I

Due to non-participation of the bidders, the NIT for the works titled"Construction of Barbed Wire Fencing at Mallan unit in Compartment no. 10/B,(5700rft) NES Block Gujru Nagrota (Billawar)" e-tendder ID: 2020_FD_108455_5which was floated on the official website of J&K Tender (www.jktenders.gov.in) videtender reference No: e.NIT. 10 of 2020-21, is hereby extended up to 25th of Nov. 2020,conditions and contents of the ibid e.NITs shall remains the same.

Sd/-Divisional Forest Officer,Social Forestry Division,

KathuaNo:DIP/J-7477/20Date: Nov 21/2020

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