He walked 7km-8km and wrote his diary even on the day he fell sick

He walked 7km-8km and wrote his diary even on the day he fell sick

Abhishek Singhvi

01.09.2020

Anyone who interacted with Pranab Mukherjee —Pranabda to so many of us — came back with a lasting impression about this remarkable man. In public life and in politics, my earliest interactions, after those with Madhavrao Scindia, were with Pranabda. The former took me to meet the latter. I came back marvelling at this encyclopaedic intellect blessed with an elephantine memory. I frequently told Pranabda that politics’ gain was the loss of so many disciplines—constitutional law, the legal profession, academia, historical research and so on. Few could rival his precise precedentbased approach, plucking accurately from the air an anecdotal event which usually fit the problem at hand like a glove.

Just last year he regaled me for over an hour with the historical evolution of West Bengal politics, greeting me as the new West Bengal MP! Typically, he would rattle off precise figures of political parties’ relative strengths during each WB assembly election since Independence, with names and facts 50 years old!

Few could match his iron discipline, from his morning constitutional to his late-night diary entries, followed with unfailing and uninterrupted continuity. My access to him allows me to disclose that the very day he suffered the brain injury late at night, he had completed his 7 or 8 km walk (split into morning and evening segments) and written his treasured diary before retiring — early by his standards — at 11pm.

Opening the Parliamentary debate on Budget 2011for the Treasury benches, I had coined an acronym for the budget, each letter of which applied equally to its author, Pranabda. In my acronym ‘DIRECT’, D stood for discipline, I for inclusive, R for reform-oriented, E for expenditure & growth reduction, C for creative and T for transformative.

The real USP of Pranabda was his rock-like solidity. He had humongous and unmatched experience, a middle-ofthe-road approach on economic issues, which leveraged the virtues of a historically licensed and currently liberalising economy with the benefits of a free market approach, without becoming starry eyed or being swayed by either. His elephantine memory, a unique mix of political grip with technocratic expertise and an unprecedented mastery of procedures, rules, convention, practices and precedents, set him apart.

Singhvi is a Congress MP and eminent jurist

A left-of-centre centrist who was a master storyteller

On each of four vital criteria available for any individual’s evaluation, Pranabda scored highly and in different ways. His talent was legendary. There are few, if any, who possessed his in-depth knowledge and easy familiarity with the intricacies of policymaking on totally unrelated subjects. He was a man for all seasons and I cannot think of any occasion when he failed to deliver.

Secondly, his ideological commitment was clear and consistent: he was a slightly left-ofcentre centrist, with a balanced approach on social and economic issues, but consistent with the socialist context of a transforming and unequal economy like India and with the inclusive philosophy of the party he represented.

Thirdly, his temperament, criticised by some as short and hot, was fully understandable for a man heavily pressed for time, who had no time for small talk or idle political gossip. But catch him with time or in a relaxed mood (like a flight to Kolkata or elsewhere, as happened with me more than once), and you would be treated to a delightful experience of old-world charm, anecdotal treasures, deep and incisive analysis and a childlike simplicity.

Finally, his commitment to his convictions was strong, honest and sincere: he was incapable of pretensions and came across as he was, without hypocrisy or camouflage.

In a 2012 article before Pranabda was even selected as the Presidential nominee by diverse parties, Inder Malhotra quoted an unnamed writer who described Pranabda as a “front person, reference point, troubleshooter, lightning rod, live wire, fulcrum, flywheel, and, indeed, the very heart and soul of the government”. Malhotra added: “This was a mind boggling... stupendous achievement for someone with most modest beginnings... who had to walk a few miles to the nearest school.” He was the go-to man for everything in UPA I and II and the number of EGOMs/GOMs he headed was testimony to this.

In our late-night meetings, he would tell me how Ajoy Mukherjee, a fine leader, expelled unfairly by Atulya Ghosh, formed the Bangla Congress, starting Pranabda’s political career in 1967. Bangla Congress sent him to Rajya Sabha, where, Indira Gandhi, impressed with his industry and analysis, started relying on him and appointed him commerce minister of India at the age of 42. After his exile (he named the persons responsible for it), Rajiv himself appointed him spokesperson. He would frequently tell me (whilst I would deny) that he had two failings because of which he could not aspire to be PM — his lack of fluency in Hindi and the fact that he was never elected to Lok Sabha (cured later for one term).

India was fortunate in having the indefatigable spirit, the unending zest for sincere hard work, the sagacious counsel and anchor-like stability of a wise philosopher and guide like Pranab Kumar Mukherjee.

Singhvi is a Congress MP and eminent jurist

INDISPENSABLE: Mukherjee was described as the go-to man for both the UPA governments

In A Select Club

Pranab Mukherjee is one of only three people (PMs holding portfolios excluded) who have held three or more different portfolios in the Cabinet Committee on Security, which is the key decision-making body of the Cabinet — in his case finance, defence and external affairs. Y B Chavan is the only one to have held four — finance, defence, home and external affairs — while R Venkataraman held the finance, defence and home portfolios at different points. Like Mukherjee, Venkataraman also went on to become President.

அடுத்த தளர்வில் உள்ளூர் ரயில்கள் இயக்கம் உண்டு! பள்ளிகள் தற்போதைக்கு இல்லை

அடுத்த தளர்வில் உள்ளூர் ரயில்கள் இயக்கம் உண்டு! பள்ளிகள் தற்போதைக்கு இல்லை

Updated : ஆக 26, 2020 01:12 

புதுடில்லி: பொருளாதாரத்தை மீட்டெடுக்கும் வகையில், நான்காம் கட்ட ஊரடங்கு தளர்வின்போது, மெட்ரோ ரயில் சேவை மற்றும் உள்ளூர் புறநகர் ரயில் சேவைகளை இயக்க அனுமதிக்க, மத்திய அரசு திட்டமிட்டுள்ளது. கல்லுாரி, பள்ளிகள் தற்போதைக்கு திறக்கப்படாது; அதே நேரத்தில், தனி கட்டட தியேட்டர்கள் திறக்க வாய்ப்புள்ளதாக கூறப்படுகிறது. இதற்கான அதிகாரப்பூர்வ அறிவிப்பு, அடுத்த சில நாட்களில் வெளியாக உள்ளது.

கொரோனா வைரஸ் பரவலைத் தொடர்ந்து, நாடு முழுதும், மார்ச், 25ம் தேதி முதல் ஊரடங்கு அமல்படுத்தப்பட்டது. மூன்று கட்டங்களாக அறிவிக்கப்பட்ட ஊரடங்கு, மே, 31 வரை நீடித்தது. அதைத் தொடர்ந்து, ஜூன், 1ம் தேதி முதல், ஊரடங்கு தளர்வுகள் அறிவிக்கப்பட்டு வருகின்றன.

கட்டுப்பாடு:

இதுவரை மூன்று கட்டங்களாக அறிவிக்கப்பட்ட ஊரடங்கு தளர்வு, வரும், 31ம் தேதியுடன் முடிகிறது.அதையடுத்து, நான்காம் கட்ட ஊரடங்கு தளர்வுகள், செப்., 1ம் தேதி முதல் அமலுக்கு வர உள்ளன. ஏற்கனவே பல தளர்வுகள் அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ள நிலையில், நான்காம் கட்ட தளர்வின்போது, மெட்ரோ ரயில் சேவை மற்றும் உள்ளூர் புறநகர் ரயில் சேவைகளை அனுமதிக்க, மத்திய அரசு திட்டமிட்டுள்ளது.

இது குறித்து, சம்பந்தப்பட்ட துறைகளுடன் ஆலோசனை நடந்து வருகிறது. நாடு முழுதும், 31 லட்சத்துக்கும் மேற்பட்டோருக்கு வைரஸ் தொற்று ஏற்பட்டுள்ளது. அதில், 58 ஆயிரத்துக்கும் அதிக மானோர் உயிரிழந்து உள்ளனர். மஹாராஷ்டிரா, தமிழகம் உட்பட பல மாநிலங்களில், வைரஸ் பாதிப்பு தீவிரமாக உள்ளது. இந்நிலையில், மாநிலங்களில் உள்ள நிலைமைக்கு ஏற்ப, ஊரடங்கு தளர்வு குறித்து, மாநில அரசுகள் முடிவு எடுத்துக் கொள்ள அனுமதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

தற்போதைய நிலையில், நாடு முழுதும், மெட்ரோ ரயில் மற்றும் புறநகர் ரயில் சேவைகளை துவக்க அனுமதி அளிக்க, மத்திய அரசு முடிவு செய்துள்ளது. அதேபோல், தனி கட்டடத்தில் இயங்கும் தியேட்டர்கள் அனுமதிக்கப்படலாம் என, தெரிகிறது. மால்கள் மற்றும் பல திரைகள் கொண்ட தியேட்டர்களுக்கு அனுமதி கிடையாது. தனி கட்டடத்தில் இயங்கும் தியேட்டர்களிலும், சமூக இடைவெளியை கடைப்பிடித்தல் உள்ளிட்ட பாதுகாப்பு கட்டுப்பாடுகளுடன் அனுமதிக்கப்படலாம் என, தெரிகிறது.

ஆனால், அவ்வாறு திறப்பது, பொருளாதார ரீதியில் தியேட்டர் உரிமையாளர்களுக்கு சாதகமாக இருக்காது என்றும் கூறப்படுகிறது. மிகப் பெரிய அரங்கங்களும், பாதுகாப்பு கட்டுப்பாடுகளுடன் திறக்க அனுமதிக்கப்படலாம் என, தெரிகிறது. தற்போதைய நிலையில், திருமணம் உள்ளிட்ட நிகழ்ச்சிகளில், அதிகபட்சம், 50 பேர் பங்கேற்க அனுமதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. இந்த விவகாரத்தில், மாநில அரசுகளே முடிவு எடுத்துக் கொள்ள அனுமதி வழங்கப்படும் என, எதிர்பார்க்கப்படுகிறது.

'வந்தே பாரத்'

பள்ளி, கல்லுாரிகள் தற்போதைக்கு திறக்க அனுமதி வழங்கப்படாது என்பது உறுதியாகி உள்ளது. இது தொடர்பாக, பெற்றோரின் கருத்துக்களை பல மாநிலங்கள் கேட்டு வருகின்றன. அதே நேரத்தில், ஐ.ஐ.டி., எனப்படும் இந்திய தொழில்நுட்ப மையங்கள், ஐ.ஐ.எம்., எனப்படும் இந்திய நிர்வாகவியல் மையங்கள் மற்றும் பல்கலைகள் போன்ற உயர் கல்வி நிறுவனங்களை திறக்க அனுமதிப்பது குறித்து, மத்திய அரசு ஆலோசனை நடத்தி வருகிறது.

வழிபாட்டு தலங்கள், மத நிகழ்ச்சிகள், அரசியல், சமூக நிகழ்ச்சிகள், விளையாட்டு போட்டிகள் நடத்துவதற்கான தடை தொடரும். வெளிநாட்டு விமான சேவைக்கான தடையும் தொடரும். அதே நேரத்தில், 'வந்தே பாரத்' திட்டத்தின் கீழ், குறிப்பிட்ட சில மார்க்கங்களில் மட்டும், சர்வதேச விமான சேவை இருக்கும். பொழுதுபோக்கு பூங்காக்கள், நீச்சல் குளங்கள் போன்றவற்றுக்கான தடை தொடரும்.

அதே நேரத்தில், 'பார்'களில், மதுபானங்களை வாங்கி செல்வதற்கு மட்டும் அனுமதி வழங்கப்படலாம் என, தெரிகிறது. பல்வேறு அமைச்சகங்களுடனான ஆலோசனைக்குப் பின், அடுத்த சில நாட்களில், முறைப்படியான அறிவிப்பு வெளியாகும் என, எதிர்பார்க்கப்படுகிறது.

'இ - பாஸ்' தேவையில்லை'

மாநிலங்களுக்கு இடையேயான சரக்கு போக்குவரத்து மற்றும் மக்கள் பயணத்துக்கு எந்தத் தடையும் இல்லை' என, மூன்றாம் கட்ட தளர்வின்போது அறிவிக்கப்பட்டது. ஆனால், பல மாநிலங்களில் இது கடைப்பிடிக்கப்படவில்லை. அதையடுத்து, 'மாவட்டங்கள் இடையே மற்றும் மாநிலங்கள் இடையேயான போக்குவரத்துக்கு எந்த தடையும் விதிக்கக் கூடாது; 'இ - பாஸ்' முறையை கைவிட வேண்டும்' என, மத்திய அரசு சமீபத்தில் அறிவுறுத்தி இருந்தது.

இயக்க தயார்

தெற்கு ரயில்வே கூடுதல் பொது மேலாளர் சண்முகராஜ், விழுப்புரத்தில் நேற்று நிருபர்களிடம் கூறியதாவது:கொரோனா தொற்று, தமிழகத்தில் அதிகமாக உள்ளதால், தற்போது ரயில்களை இயக்க முடியாத சூழல் உள்ளது. தமிழக அரசு வலியுறுத்தினால், ரயில்களை இயக்க, தெற்கு ரயில்வே தயாராக உள்ளது. கேரளாவில், மாநில அரசு கேட்டுக் கொண்டதால், அங்கு ரயில்கள் இயக்கப்படுகின்றன.இவ்வாறு, அவர் கூறினார்.

Shah salutes soldiers, Rajnath meets CDS Rawat and tri-Services chiefs

Shah salutes soldiers, Rajnath meets CDS Rawat and tri-Services chiefs

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:    18.06.2020

Home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday paid tributes to Indian soldiers martyred in the clash in eastern Ladakh, saying that their bravery “reflects India’s commitment towards her land”.

“Pain of losing our brave soldiers while protecting our motherland at Galwan Valley can’t be put in words. Nation salutes our immortal heroes who sacrificed their lives to keep Indian territory safe,” Shah tweeted soon after PM Narendra Modi sent a strong message that India would retaliate in case it was provoked.

Shah said the country would always be indebted to the supreme sacrifice made by the soldiers. “I bow to the families who have blessed Indian Army with such great heroes. India will always remain indebted for their supreme sacrifice. Entire nation and the Modi government stand firmly with their families in this hour of grief. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured,” he added.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh termed the loss of soldiers “deeply disturbing and painful”. In a series of tweets, Singh said that the soldiers displayed exemplary courage and valour in the line of duty and sacrificed their lives in the highest traditions of the Army.

Before issuing the statement, Singh held a meeting with Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and the three service chiefs to discuss the current situation, according to a PTI report.

The defence minister also deliberated over the new strategy to be drawn out for the entire Line of Actual Control and also the government’s tough decision pertaining to China. Singh also spoke to external affairs minister S Jaishankar about the evolving situation.

BUILD-UP: An Army convoy in Kashmir on way to Leh on Wednesday

We will decide our present, future: PM

We will decide our present, future: PM

30/05/2020

But, Mr. Modi said the country displayed its unity and resolve in all spheres in dealing with the disease outbreak.

“In a crisis of this magnitude, it can certainly not be claimed that no one suffered any inconvenience or discomfort. Our labourers, migrant workers, artisans and craftsmen in small scale industries, hawkers and such fellow countrymen have undergone tremendous suffering,” he wrote.

“However, we have to take care to ensure that inconveniences that we are facing do not turn into disasters. Hence it is very important for every Indian to follow rules and guidelines. We have displayed patience so far and we should continue to do so,” he wrote a day before Lockdown 4 is to end, adding that it was a “long battle” against COVID-19, but that “victory was our collective resolve.”

The Prime Minister also took the opportunity to comment on the spirit behind many of the bold decisions that his government had taken or had to react to.

“(The dilution of ) Article 370 furthered the spirit of national unity and integration. The Ram Mandir judgement, delivered unanimously by the Honourable Supreme Court of India, brought an amicable end to a debate persisting for centuries. The barbaric practice of Triple Talaq has been confined to the dustbin of history. Amendment to the Citizenship Act was an expression of India’s compassion and spirit of inclusiveness,” he wrote.

For the future, the Prime Minister Modi dwelt at length over the economic challenge posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, stating that the spirit of self reliance or atmanirbharta was the only way forward.

“At such a time, there is also a widespread debate on how the economies of various countries, including India’s will recover. However, given the way India has surprised the world with its unity and resolve in the fight against coronavirus, there is a firm belief that we will also set an example in economic revival,” he said. He added that the initiatives announced by his government as part of the ₹20 lakh crore package will “usher in a new era of opportunities for every Indian, be it our farmers, workers, small entrepreneurs or youth associated with start ups.”

He quoted a Sanskrit shloka that translated to “if we have action and duty on one hand, then success is assured on the other” signing off as “Pradhan Sewak” or “chief servitor.”

One ward accounts for 30% of cases in Ambattur zone

Srikkanth.D@timesgroup.com

Chennai: 23.05.2020

Exactly a month ago, Ambattur (zone 7) was among the two zones in the city with zero cases. As on Friday, the zone has 376 positive cases and a major chunk of them (114) is from a single ward — Mogapppair East (ward 93).

It is among the 14 wards which have more than 100 cases. There are 200 wards in the corporation.

The first case in the zone was reported on April 22. The affected person was an employee of a television channel in which 26 staff tested positive. Even then, officials were not perturbed as the television office, he worked in was located in Royapuram zone and it was a hotspot then with more than 100 cases.

“We thought it will be contained as there was restricted movement. For a week after the first case was reported, the number of cases was only 20,” a staff with Ambattur zone said. However, the emergence of the Koyambedu cluster meant that the cases began to steadily rise in the zone. The first instance was that of a green grocer from Padikuppam area, who used to buy vegetables from Koyambedu.

According to a corporation health official, the high number of cases in ward 93 was due to the Koyambedu cluster. Mogappair East has a large number of residents who either have shop at Koyambedu market or work there.

“After the Koyambedu market was temporarily closed and shifted to Thirumazhisai, there has been a decreasing trend. For the past few days, cases reported are family contacts of already reported cases,” the official said.

Now, get veggies, fruits delivered by postman

Now, get veggies, fruits delivered by postman

Oppili.P@timesgroup.com

Chennai:  19.05.2020

The postman who delivers your letters could soon be bringing you fruits or vegetables booke online with the horticulture department. A tie-up with India Post, tried out successfully in Chitlapakkam, is expected to bring the system into force in a week.

Mounting complaints of non-delivery of veggies and fruits by mini-autorickshaws hired by the department and the government relaxing lockdown norms for operation of regular autorickshaws prompted the decision to launch the initiative, a senior horticulture department official told TOI.

Initially, only parcels of vegetables, depending upon the operative area capacity of each post office, will be delivered. “We want to send a maximum of 7kg of vegetables or fruits in each parcel. The postal department with its experience can comfortably deliver parcels weighing such small quantities. It has the vehicles to distribute the parcels without any difficulty,” he said.

Moreover, due to the continuing lockdown, the postal department has not been handling any parcels at present. The new initiative, it was felt, will not only bring relief to residents struggling to source vegetables or fruits, it will also earn Indoa Post the much needed revenue.

Until now, despite being flooded with complaints from residents about not getting the vegetable or fruit parcels booked online, the department had not been able to take severe action against erring vehicle owners tasked with the job. Such problems, the official said, are unlikely to crop up with the regard to new scheme as the postal department is known for its prompt delivery of letters and parcels.

Besides, the postman or woman entrusted the task, is unlikely to delay delivery as he/she knows the streets and roads in his/her jurisdiction well. In most cases, they often strike a good personal rapport with the residents that could be an added advantage for the success of the new initiative, he said.

For each parcel delivered, the postal department will get as commission 10% of the total value of the parcel – a rate fixed after discussions between the two departments, the official said.

FRESH OUT OF FARM: Workers of horticulture department pack vegetables and fruits after sorting and cleaning them in their centralised godown in Guindy

Autos ignore ban, keep cops on toes

Autos ignore ban, keep cops on toes

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:  19.05.2020

While the government has prohibited autorickshaws and taxis from plying during the extended lockdown, quite a few of the vehicles were spotted on city roads. Worse, most of the vehicles were packed, flouting physical distancing norms and upping the risk of infection.

A few share autorickshaws were spotted ferrying more than six passengers in Flower Bazaar, Esplanade, Kasimedu and Ennore. The law enforcement was stricter in T Nagar, Guindy, Velachery and Anna Nagar, with few autorickshaws out on the roads.

The violators kept police busy. Since Sunday night, 429 autorickshaws were seized in the city for violations. The autodrivers claimed to be out on personal work and emergencies when stopped by police. In case the violators cite hospital visits, police are seizing the license of the drivers and allowing them to proceed to reach hospitals. Others are booked for violation of CrPc 144 on the spot.

A senior police officer said the police personnel have been instructed to ensure that taxis and autorickshaws stayed off roads. “We are stopping all autorickshaws. Even if they have hospital stickers pasted on the windshields, we stop and check the receipts,” he said.

Police in Velachery had a tough time convincing a family who were taking their child to a hospital in an autorickshaw on Monday. Police took the licence of the autodriver and allowed the family to proceed but the violator protested demanding that the licence be returned to him. “We refused to return the license citing it is a complete violation of the law. Road users can go on and accuse us of being strict,” said a SI who was on duty at Velachery.

While they were strictly enforcing the government order, a few autorickshaws ply to transport essential services and have e-passes, a senior officer said.

Meanwhile, the violators are fleecing customers, with a few autorickshaws in Flower Bazaar charging ₹50 each for a 1-km ride to the high court. Some were even fleecing the guest workers trying to reach Central railway station, charging as much as ₹500 for a short ride.

NO ROOM FOR ERROR: More than 420 autorickshaws have been seized since Sunday night

Thirumazhisai likely to become Koyambedu 2.0

Thirumazhisai likely to become Koyambedu 2.0

Yogesh Kabirdoss and A Prathap TNN

Chennai:12.05.2020

The situation at the Koyambedu wholesale market, which was shut after it emerged as a hotspot for Covid-19, could be repeated at the Thirumazhisai temporary facility where huge crowds gathered on Monday. Very few adhered to social distancing norms and the authorities remained mute spectators.

A majority of the visitors did not wear masks, while those that had them didn’t cover their noses and mouths, stylishly letting them hang by the neck. And the rule of maintaining the mandatory six feet between two individuals was thrown to the wind. No circles were drawn before the market opened at 1am and the 12,000 traders got ready to sell produce brought by at least 2,000 mini-trucks. By 9am, they managed to sell around 3,500 tonnes of vegetables valued at Rs 1.5 crore-Rs 2 crore, said market sources.

Urban development experts said the authorities should have set up temporary wholesale facilities at three different locations.

K P Subramanian, retired professor of urban engineering at Anna University, said allowing a large gathering at a single location could lead to replicating the mistakes made at Koyambedu. “Concentration of activities and people at one place, even for a short period, causes problems, particularly in the context of Covid-19. The government should have adopted a strategy on the lines of special buses being operated from different terminuses such as Tambaram and Poonamallee to clear extra rush during festival seasons for the temporary wholesale market as well. They should have set up markets in multiple locations,” he said.

When contacted, an official of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), which is now maintaining the temporary market at Thirumazhisai, said that all necessary measures were taken to ensure all rules would be followed. “In fact, the only reason we decided to establish the market in the spacious land parcel at Thirumazhisai was that social distancing can be ensured,” the official said. Vehicles entering the market were disinfected and people were scanned using thermal scanners, he added.

POINT OF CONCERN: The temporary market at Thirumazhisai began operations on Monday when very few adhered to distancing norms. The authorities remained spectators

Shah clarifies on rumours, says he is perfectly healthy

Shah clarifies on rumours, says he is perfectly healthy

‘Felt Impelled To Explain Due To Concerns’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:10.05.2020

Union home minister Amit Shah on Monday squelched the speculation that had swirled about his health by saying that he is fine and free of any disease whatsoever. “I want to make it clear that I am absolutely well and am not suffering from any disease,” Shah said in a tweet, poking fun at those behind the rumours about his medical condition.

“For several days, rumours have been spread about my health. Some people even took to Twitter to pray for my death. I did not deem it necessary to issue any clarification at a time because of my preoccupation with my job as home minister at a time when the country is battling a pandemic. Moreover, I also did not wish to be the killjoy for those who were gloating over their imagination (about my health),” said Shah.

He said that he felt impelled to scotch the rumours becauseof theconcernthey sparked among BJP cadre.

Rumours about Shah’s health started doing the rounds soon after the imposition of lockdown and refused to go away despite regular visuals of the home minister attending meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and others as well as accounts of his long hours in the office in the North Block. He spoke during the PM’s last interaction with CMs.

In the tweet laced with sarcasm, Shah said those fanning the rumours should desist because, as per Hindu beliefs, malicious lies about someone’s health actually work for the victim’s benefit. “I thank all those who have expressed concern . I don’t have any ill-feeling or prejudice towards the rumour-mongers,” said Shah.

For several days, rumours have been spread about my health. Some people even took to Twitter to pray for my death. I did not deem it necessary to issue clarification at a time because of my preoccupation with my job

AMIT SHAH

Union home minister

Centre says we must learn to live with virus for some time

Sushmi.Dey@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:  09.05.20020

The health ministry on Friday said citizens will have to learn to live with coronavirus, indicating that there may be no early tapering off of the disease and people may have to adjust to a new normal of social distancing and sanitation that may become part of everyday life for some time to come.

Responding to questions over the trajectory of the Covid-19 curve and how many cases could be projected in the context of AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria’s comment that there could be a peak in June-July, health ministry spokesperson Lav Agarwal said community support was needed to fight the infection and to manage it at the current levels.

“When we are talking of relaxations and migrant workers coming back, we are faced with a major challenge. We have to learn to live with the virus, and to learn to live with the virus, we need to introduce certain behavioural changes, to implement social distancing practices to combat this virus. It is a difficult battle and we need everyone’s cooperation and community support,” Agarwal said.

The remarks pointed to a long drawn battle where prelockdown normalcy may not be feasible for some time. Rather, the possibility of containment strategies being a regular feature as the infection waxes and wanes, or erupts due to local outbreaks even if the curve flattens, seems to be a likely scenario with public and private interactions adjusting to the new rules of engagement.

Maha, Guj, Delhi, TN spikes worry Centre

Worrying spikes in cases in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Delhi and gaps in contact tracing, quarantine and containment efforts that threaten to skew the national graph concern the Centre. Rise in cases in TN, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh are also worrying, but to a lesser extent. P 7

ICMR to ascertain community spread

ICMR may start a study in 75 districts with maximum number of cases to check for onset of community transmission. The health ministry has also asked states to test 250 samples of people with severe acute respiratory illness and influenza-like illnesses from each district. P 7

Recovery rate has now improved to 29.36%, compared to April’s 13%

At the same time, the comments can be seen as an effort to “normalise” life to the best possible extent with many parts of the country showing improvement.

In 216 districts, no positive case has been detected. In 42 districts, no new case has been reported in the last 28 days, while 29 districts have had none in 21days. Besides, 36 districts have not reported any case for 14 days and 46 none for the last seven days, Agarwal said. As many as 3,390 new positive cases and 103 deaths were reported from across the country in the last 24 hours, taking the total Covid-19 cases in India to 56,342.

Of this, 37,916 are active while 1,886 people have died, according to the ministry’s data. The comments came in the wake of worsening of the doubling rate over the last one week from 12 days to 10, led by a sharp rise in positive cases in some states like Maharashtra, Gujarat and Delhi where the Centre has pointed out major gaps in containment measures and contact tracing.

Similarly, there has been a catch up in the count in West Bengal.

Highlighting that collective effort was required to stop spread of infectious diseases, Agarwal said the disease moved in a certain way even if one state failed to implement 100% of containment measures and this impacted the national graph. The recovery rate from the disease has improved to 29.36%, as compared to around 13% in the middle of April. Data also showed less severity of the disease with 3.2% of the total active cases on oxygen support, 4.2% in ICUs and 1.1% on ventilator support.

Responding to a query on when India was likely to see a peak in Covid-19 cases, Agarwal said, “If we follow the required dos and don’ts, we may not reach the peak in number of cases and our curve may continue to remain flat.”

The comments came in the wake of worsening of the doubling rate over the last one week from 12 days to 10, led by a sharp rise in positive cases in some states

‘India taking all possible steps’

Country is also fulfilling global obligations amid the COVID-19 pandemic, says PM

08/05/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,NEW DELHI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India was taking all possible steps to save lives during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as responding to calls for help from other countries.

“Today, India is making every effort to save the life of every Indian and is also fulfilling its global obligations equally seriously,” he said.

Mr. Modi was delivering the keynote address during a virtual Buddha Purnima celebration organised by the Culture Ministry and the International Buddhist Confederation.

He said the teachings of Buddha were more relevant today as the world went through an upheaval.

“The message and resolve to remove the difficulty of every life have always shown direction to India’s civilisation and culture. Lord Buddha has further enriched this culture of India...Buddha is synonymous with service and dedication...And look at the good fortune of all of us, at this time we are seeing many people around us who serve others, treat a patient, feed a poor person, clean a hospital, maintain law and order on a road... they are all working round the clock. In India, outside India, every such person deserves a salute, a tribute.”

Buddha’s teachings were “even more relevant” today when there was “turmoil in the world”, he noted and and cited those related to mercy, compassion and acceptance.

“... Beyond the profit and loss, able and unable, for us, this hour of crisis is to help others as much as possible to forward the hand of help,” he said.

Bus services may resume with guidelines: Gadkari

Officials say onus is on Home Ministry to frame the rules

07/05/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,NEW DELHI

Nitin Gadkari

Bus services may resume soon, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Wednesday.

Addressing a video-conference with members of the Bus and Car Confederation of India, he said: “We may soon start bus transport along with some guidelines. Airlines, railways and bus transport are required to be opened on a certain scale as there are many people stranded,” the Minister said.

Mr. Gadkari said the challenge staring at the Ministry was to strike a balance between ensuring social distancing and commercial viability for bus operations.

Ministry sources said there was no decision yet on reopening road transport and that the guidelines for it would be framed by the Union Home Ministry, followed by the State governments.

Many experts also shared their suggestions for resumption of operations. O.P. Aggarwal from World Resources Institute-India shared recommendations for dealing with reduced ridership and the need for more number of buses to ensure social distancing.

‘More buses required’

“In the beginning, there will be reduced ridership because of a drop in demand as people may continue to work from home as well as due to the need to maintain social distancing. We need to look how we can improve the finances of the operators and how we can have more buses to increase their number on the roads,” Mr. Aggarwal said.

“With one-third of the capacity, how do we improve finances and how do we increase the number of buses? We need to look at the number of idle buses such as tourist buses and inter-city services. Can we get out of contract and stage carriage limitation to use them for city or regional operations? As far as the financial viability aspect is concerned, some financial support will be required, but we also need to look at the tax structure of bus services versus the metro services. There is also a need to revive the national bus rejuvenation programme,” he said.

Donald Trump calls Modi a ‘true friend’, lavishes praise on PM
‘Story of Indian nation is a tale of astounding progress, a miracle of democracy’
25/02/2020, MAHESH LANGA ,AHMEDABAD

Picture perfect: U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania posing in front of the Taj Mahal in Agra on Monday. AFP

U.S. President Donald Trump, on his maiden two-day visit to India on Monday, heaped praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a “true friend”, and said his rise from a humble background as a tea-seller to India’s Prime Minister “underscores India’s limitless promise”.

The President also described Mr. Modi as a “tremendously successful leader”.

Mr. Trump’s lavish praise, while addressing a mammoth crowd at the Motera stadium in Gujarat, reflected the bonhomie shared by the two leaders.

“Prime Minister Modi, you are not just the pride of Gujarat. You are living proof that with hard work and devotion Indians can accomplish anything, anything at all, anything they want,” Mr. Trump said, amid loud cheers from the audience at the mega ‘Namaste Trump’ event.

Democracy, diversity

In his long speech, sprinkled with praise for not only Mr. Modi but also for India’s democracy, pluralism and diversity, Mr. Trump highlighted the country’s achievements and what its democracy offers to citizens.

“The story of the Indian nation is a tale of astounding progress, a miracle of democracy, extraordinary diversity and above all, you noble people. India gives hope to all of humanity. In just 70 years, India has become an economic giant, one of the largest democracies ever to exist and one of the most amazing nations anywhere in the world,” President Trump said.

Pension scheme may see mandatory enrolments

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:03.02.2020

The government is looking at mandatory enrolment of workers in the pension scheme when they join the organised sector workforce, while giving them the flexibility to decide their contribution, as part of fresh efforts to provide a robust social security net for millions of workers, a top government official said.

“There will be a system of auto enrolment and an employee can contribute Rs 100 while the employer can also contribute. People who are young today need to save for tomorrow,” finance secretary Rajeev Kumar said. In the Union Budget, the government has announced the plan, which will provide for inter-operability of schemes and provide safeguards for the accumulated corpus.

Currently, pension plans are sold by insurance companies, mutual funds as well as companies that operate under the National Pension System regulated by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority of India. In addition, the Employees Provident Fund Organisation provides Employees Pension Scheme by transferring a part of the employee’s and employer’s contribution in addition to the Employees State Insurance Corporation.

The finance secretary said that the idea was to bring them all under one umbrella so that subscribers did not lose their money in case they switched jobs. Besides, the government views pension sector as a potential source of large fund flow that will also encourage long-term investors to pump money into infrastructure and other sectors.

The pension regulatory agency was set up over a decade ago to implement the NPS and provide low cost solutions for retirement savings. But despite tax benefits, the scheme has not taken off although the kitty has expanded to around Rs 4.2 lakh crore.

Kumar said the government has taken a series of steps in the Budget to ensure that the cost of financial intermediation comes down through measures such as the proposed bill for netting of financial transactions.

There are several steps to enhance liquidity in the system by introducing new tools and strengthening the existing ones.

Rajeev Kumar


FOR A BRIGHTER TOMORROW: The government, which is aiming to provide a social security net for workers, says people who are young today need to save for tomorrow

Only 13 lakh PAN card holders have filed income tax returns: Chief Commissioner
29/01/2020, STAFF REPORTER,MADURAI

Chief Commissioner of Income Tax Rajiv Vijay Nabar addressing an awareness programme in Madurai on Monday.R. Ashok

Although there are 62 lakh Permanent Account Number (PAN) card holders in Madurai region, only 13 lakh out of this population have filed their tax returns, according to Chief Commissioner of Income Tax Rajiv Vijay Nabar.

He was speaking at an awareness programme on Income Tax Compliance and Returns conducted by the Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Income Tax department, here on Monday.

He added that the Madurai Income Tax Commissionerate with jurisdiction over 10 southern districts, collected ₹ 2,000 crore as Income Tax last year. The target was ₹ 2,300 crore for a population of 1.70 crore.

“For this year, out of the target of ₹ 2,418-crore revenue, the Commissionerate had already collected ₹ 1206 crore. This is 51% of the target,” he said. He added that revenue growth percentage is more than in cities like Chennai.

The Chief Commissioner said that in the past, assessing officers were given the choice for scrutiny. This caused disputes and a lack of transparency. Through the new computer-aided selection of scrutiny, officers do not have a choice in the matter and they call for books of accounts for verification.

Speaking about grievance meetings, he said that the event allowed members from economically weaker sections of society to access a help desk.

He said that Southern India Regional Council of Chartered Accountants would also provide services on the second Tuesday of each month. Chamber senior president S. Rethinavelu, president N. Jagatheesan and senior officials from the IT Department participated.

Man loses chance of govt job as his post is delayed

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:24.01.2020

A man from Melnalathur, 30km from Porur, lost an opportunity to work at a Union government-run agency because a newly appointed postmaster was unable to locate the man’s home to deliver the admit card on time.

In September 2013, A Vishnuprasad applied for the assistant sub-inspector (steno) post at Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). The pay scale for the post is ₹5,200-₹20,200. He cleared the preliminary written exam and was shortlisted for next round of selection. But, he was unaware that he was even shortlisted as the call letter/admit card informing him of the same and the date for his physical test didn’t reach him on time.

The admit card, sent via post by the CISF on September 30, 2013, reached Vishnuprasad 71 days later, around 3.30pm on December 10 — the date of his interview. He was asked to appear at the CISF premises at 8am. Had the letter reached him just nine hours earlier, Vishnuprasad stood a chance of getting a government job. When the CISF was informed, the agency refused to accommodate him in next batches as it would disrupt the recruitment process.

Vishnuprasad then approached the local consumer grievances redressal forum.

The postal department said P Pannerselvam, the postman who had been working in the area for years, was discharged from duty on September 30 following which the post was vacant for days. M Lhogeshvaree, who replaced him, was an outsider and was unable to locate the petitioner’s house in the area with more than 3,000 homes. She took Pannerselvam’s help in delivering pending mails, it said.

Referring to provisions in the Indian Post Office Act, 1898, the department said they were exempted by law from all responsibilities in case of loss, mis-delivery or delay in postal articles in the course of transmission by post.

The forum ruled that it was the department’s duty to deliver postal covers without delay and it was liable for deficiency of service. The postman concerned, local postmaster, head postmaster and chief postmaster general were told to pay ₹20,000 to Vishnuprasad for causing him mental agony and financial loss and ₹1,000 towards litigation cost.

The admit card, sent via post by the CISF on September 30, 2013, reached Vishnuprasad 71 days later on December 10

CBI probes transfer of ₹1,038.34 cr. to Hong Kong

48 firms, three persons and unknown officials of banks booked

07/01/2020, , DEVESH KUMAR PANDEY,NEW DELHI

The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered a case against 48 Chennai-based companies, three individuals and unknown officials of various banks for having allegedly transferred ₹1,038.34 crore in unaccounted cash to Hong Kong in 2014-15.

Bank accounts opened in the names of these companies were allegedly used to receive money from a large number of accounts in different parts of the country and divert it to the accounts of several firms in Hong Kong.

The three individuals have been identified as Mohammad Ibramsa Johny, a resident of Sivaganga and Zinta Midhar and Nizamuddin from Chennai.

The case is based on information received from a source about the transfer of black money through foreign remittances, mostly by residents of Chennai, in connivance with bank officials.

In all, 51 current accounts for the 48 firms were opened in four branches of the Bank of India, the Punjab National Bank and the State Bank of Mysore for transferring the funds, the FIR alleged. As many as 24 of these accounts were used for outward remittances in foreign currency — valued around ₹488.39 crore back then — on the pretext of advance payment for import of goods, while the other accounts were used for outward transfers totalling ₹550 crore, purportedly for foreign travel by Indian tourists. It is alleged that the companies had submitted identification papers and certificate of import-export codes issued in the name of 25 firms, of which only 10 had made imports in small quantities. The value of the imported goods was much lower than that which was declared in the invoices submitted by the companies to the banks concerned at the time of transferring the funds abroad.

The persons who facilitated the transactions were paid commissions, and bank officials were bribed. Most of the transactions were made in the second half of 2015. The annual turnover of the firms was shown in lakhs, while the funds sent abroad were in crores.

I-T Dept. notifies new forms for filing income tax returns

Joint owner of house cannot avail ITR-1, ITR-4 forms

06/01/2020, PRESS TRUST OF INDIA,NEW DELHI

The forms for filing returns are usually notified in April every year.

The government, which usually notifies forms for filing returns by individuals in April every year, on January 3 notified tax return forms for assessment year 2020-21 (income earning year April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020).

As per the notification, returns in ITR-1 Sahaj can be filed by an ordinary resident individual whose total income does not exceed ₹50 lakh, while form ITR-4 Sugam is meant for resident individuals, HUFs and firms (other than LLP) having a total income of up to ₹50 lakh and having presumptive income from business and profession.

According to the notification, in two significant changes, an individual taxpayer cannot file return either in ITR-1 or ITR-4 if he is a joint-owner in house property, and the ITR-1 form is not valid for those individuals who have deposited more than ₹1 crore in bank account or have incurred ₹2 lakh or ₹1 lakh on foreign travel or electricity respectively.

Such taxpayers will have to use different forms, which will be notified in due course.

An individual who “owns a house property in joint ownership with two or more persons” is required to furnish a return of income, the notification said.

“... A taxpayer, who is required to file the return before the previous year ends, cannot do so until the return filing facility is activated on the e-filing portal,” said Naveen Wadhwa of Taxmann.

3 yrs in jail if state govts’ staff decline Census work
Refusing NPR Duty To Invite Up To ₹1K Fine

Bharti.Jain@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:05.01.2020

State government and local bodies’ staff tasked with aiding the Census Commissioner and Registrar General of Citizen Registration, in conduct of Census and NPR exercise respectively are bound by the Census of India Act and Citizenship Rules to serve accordingly, government sources said on Friday.

An officer underlined that it is mandatory for government staff drafted under the Census of India Act and Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003, which provides for preparation of a National Population Register (NPR), to carry out their assigned duties of collecting the database for census and NPR exercises. This is applicable both to enumerators tasked with houselisting phase, who will simultaneously capture NPR data, as well as census officers.

As per Census of India rules, the state governments and UT administrations, for carrying out census within their jurisdiction, must appoint officers that include principal census officer (district magistrates/collectors), district and sub-district census officer, charge officer, supervisor and enumerator.

Section 11of theCensusof India Act lays down penalties — imprisonment up to three years and/or fine — for government or any other staff declining to aid in conduct of census. Similarly any refusal to perform NPR duty may invite up to Rs 1,000 fine under Rule 17 of Citizenship Rules, 2003. The errant staff may also face disciplinary action, said an officer.

Given that NPR is to be carried out alongside houselisting phase of Census 2021 from April to September this year, the teachers and other staff drafted as enumerators have to make themselves available for collecting data for both the exercises. This will be the case in West Bengal as well, even though the state administration claims to have put the NPR process there on hold.

Section 4(2) of the Census of India Act, 1948 states that “the state government may appoint persons as census officers to take, aid in, or supervise the taking of the census within any specified local area and such persons, when so appointed, shall be bound to serve accordingly”.

From Jan 1, no charges on RuPay, UPI transactions
FM Sitharaman Announces Plan After Meet With Bankers

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:29.12.2019
There is good news for consumers with the government on Saturday announcing that from January 1, there will be no merchant discount rate (MDR) charges for transactions using Ru-Pay debit card or UPI.

In addition, businesses with annual turnover of ₹50 crore or more will have to mandatorily offer the two digital payment options as the government makes a fresh push for mass use of digital payments.

“After extensive consultation with stakeholders, banks and so on, I’m happy to say that announcement which was made in the budget will see the notification coming on January 1, 2020, whereby those modes which are getting notified will not have charges under the MDR being levied on them,,” finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said after a meeting with bankers.

The government and RBI had earlier ordered a waiver of MDR charges on transactions up to ₹2,000 using a handful of payment tools, which has now been expanded to cover all transactions, a senior official said.

The revenue department will issue the notifications, the FM said. In her maiden budget in July, Sitharaman had proposed that businesses should offer low cost digital modes of payment such as BHIM UPI, UPI QR Code, Aadhaar Pay, Debit Cards, NEFT, RTGS, etc. to their customers, and no charge or MDR will be imposed on customers to promote digital payment.

RBI and banks will absorb the costs from the savings that will accrue to them on account of handling less cash as people move to these digital modes of payment.

Banks have been instructed to launch campaigns to popularise RuPay debit card and UPI to strengthen the digital payment ecosystem and move towards a less-cash economy.

The finance minister launched a common e-auction platform to sell attached assets of defaulters for improved realisation of value. The platform is equipped with property search features and navigational links to all PSB e-auction sites, provides single-window access to information on properties up for e-auction as well as facility for comparison of similar properties, and also contains photographs and videos of uploaded properties.

In all, 35,000 properties have been uploaded on the platform by PSBs. PSBs have attached assets worth over ₹2.3 lakh crore over the last three financial years.

TAKING STOCK: Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman holding a review meeting of the banking sector with CMDs of public sector banks in New Delhi on Saturday