YK MYK WEATHER TODAY MAX 32 C MIN 22 C COVID-19 COMPLEXITIES POSE NEW CHALLENGES TO INDIA GOVT OPINION Sky will be clear. KOLKATA THURSDAY, 19 NOV, 2020 PG-12, YEAR—7, ISSUE—183 (RNI NO: WBENG / 2014 / 56803) CM Mamata is running one step ahead of PM Modi KOLKATA: On Wednesday minister Moloy Ghatak attended a meeting in Asansol organised by Jaigaon Anchal TMC. In this meeting Moloy Ghatak said, “In this crisis period, which continues from countrywide lockdown, there are two camps. One is for PM Modi another is for our CM Mamata Banerjee.” He accused the PM of speaking rubbish left right, Whole country is gradually stepping in danger under his leadership. On the other hand, CM Mamata Banerjee arranged free rations for general people for one year. He demanded that ration will be free for general people for those days till Mamata Banerjee remains in power. PANAJI: The Covid-19 pandemic may impact the glitter and pomp involved in Christmas festivities in the coastal state, with Goa Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao urging local parishes to hold more low-key celebrations during the festive season. "This time because of the Covid pandemic, these events are going to have a different shape, a different flavour. "This year, however, such a celebration will not be possible, due to the unprecedented situation in which we all are because of the pandemic. In fact the situation calls to do things just the opposite way, by avoiding occasions for the physical convergence of many," Ferrao said in a circular issued to all parishes in the state. "Avoid too many lights and decorations; the money could, instead, be channelled towards the needy. Think of moving from external illumination to lighting the lives of people! Small sacrifices to be made in the family. Savings (in cash or kind) to be given to the poor and the underprivileged in the parish," the circular also said. Nearly 26 per cent of the state's population is Catholic. Conventionally, traditional Christmas and New Year celebrations in Goa coincide with peak tourist traffic to the state. Bengal added five more in infectious diseases list KOLKATA: The West Bengal government on Wednesday added five more diseases including the COVID-19 to its list of infectious diseases after modifying the West Bengal Service Rule, a senior official said. The Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), the Avian influenza (H5N1)/ Novel influenza and the Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) and the COVID-19 were added to its list of infectious diseases under Rule 198 of the WBSR, Pt-I, in addition to the existing diseases, he said. "After careful considera- tion and taking the valued opinion of the state Health and Family welfare department, five diseases in the list of infectious diseases under Rule 198 of the WBSR, Pt-I, in addition to the existing diseases. The SARS, MERS, the Avian influenza (H5N1)/ Novel influenza and the Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) and the COVID-19 are included in the list of infectious diseases," a notification later issued by the state government said. "The Rule 198 of WBSR Pt-I stands modified to such extent. All other norms related to sanction of Quarantine Leave will continue to be the same as laid down under the said rule. Amendment of the rule to that extent will be made in due course," it added. The modification will be deemed to have "taken effect from March 12, 2020", it said. Incidentally, the Rule 198 of the WBSR Pt-I provides for the grant of Quarantine Leave to an employee of the state government when he/she or any of his/her family member is affected by such infectious disease as his/her attendance at office/place of duty is considered hazardous to other government employees. The SARS is a viral respiratory disease caused by a SARS-associated coronavirus, while the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a contagious illness. The Avian influenza (H5N1), also known as the Novel influenza, is a type of influenza virus causing a highly infectious, severe respiratory disease among birds and human cases of the influenza occur occasionally. The disease, however, is considered not to be a contagious one. The Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), as described by the World Health Organisation, is a viral haemorrhagic fever usually transmitted by ticks. Pfizer, BioNTech claim COVID-19 vaccine 95% effective NEW YORK: Global drugmakers Pfizer and BioNTech said on Wednesday that their COVID-19 vaccine was found 95 per cent effective in the final analysis of the Phase 3 trial, including in people aged over 65 years, paving the way for the companies to apply for emergency authorisation from US regulators within days. American pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech said they have concluded phase 3 study of their mRNA-based COVID19 vaccine candidate BNT162b2, meeting all primary efficacy end points. Based on current projections, the companies expect to produce globally up to 50 million vaccine doses in 2020 and up to 1.3 billion doses by the end of 2021. The major announcement comes just two days after leading biotechnology company Moderna said on Monday its virus vaccine had an efficacy rate of 94.5 per cent. Earlier this month, Pfizer and Biontech had said their COVID-19 vaccine candidate was found to be more than 90 per cent effective in preventing COVID-19 in participants. Analysis of the data indicates a vaccine efficacy rate of 95 per cent in participants without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection (first primary objective) and also in participants with and without prior SARS-CoV- CORONA METER INDIA TOTAL CASES: 8,925,467 TOTAL DEATH: 131,130 WORLD TOTAL CASES: 56,117,594 TOTAL DEATH: 1,346,750 13 SPORTS Morning India Rs. 3 AT A GLANCE HAVE LOW-KEY CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS THIS YEAR: GOA ARCHBISHOP WRIDDHIMAN SAHA BACK AT INDIA NETS, ON ROAD TO RECOVERY 2 infection (second primary objective), in each case measured from seven days after the second dose. The companies said the first primary objective analysis is based on 170 cases of COVID-19, of which 162 cases of coronavirus were observed in the placebo group while 8 cases in the BNT162b2 group. Vaccine efficacy was consistent across age, gender, race and ethnicity demographics. The observed efficacy in adults over 65 years of age was over 94 per cent, they said. There were 10 severe cases of COVID-19 observed in the trial, with nine of the cases occurring in the placebo group and one in the BNT162b2 vaccinated group. "The study results mark an important step in this historic eight-month journey to bring forward a vaccine capable of helping to end this devastating pandemic. We continue to move at the speed of science to compile all the data collected thus far and share with regulators around the world," said Dr Albert Bourla, Pfizer Chairman and CEO. "With hundreds of thousands of people around the globe infected every day, we urgently need to get a safe and effective vaccine to the world," Bourla said. MORE ON PG 5 Ex-BSF commandant held in illegal cattle trade case NEW DELHI : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday arrested a former Border Security Force (BSF) commandant in an illegal cattle trade case filed against him and other public servants two months ago. Satish Kumar, the then commandant of BSF's 36 Battalion, was arrested from Kolkata. He will be produced before a special court here on Wednesday. The CBI on September 21 filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Kumar, three other persons and some unidentified public servants and persons on the allegations of illegal trade of cattle along the West Bengal-Bangladesh border. The CBI said that some persons in connivance with public servants used to smuggle cattle through the India-Bangladesh border. The central probe agency has also conducted searches at the the premises of the accused as the investigation is continuing. Mass demonstration for turn on of D.V.C D.T.P.S 4th unit in front of D.V.C Tower, Kolkata led by TMC Minister Sovandev Chattopadhyay and TMC workers on Wednesday. GRSE arrange Free Health Check- up for Contractors’ Workmen KOLKATA: Public sector Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) under the ministry of Defence, today launched a free Health Camp for 2500 Contractors’ Workmen under its CSR activities. Inaugurating the project Rear Admiral V.K. Saxena, IN (Retd.) Chairman and Managing Director, GRSE in presence of all Directors, and several senior officials of both GRSE and Apollo Gleneagles Hospital announced that two well known hospitals in the city - Apollo Gleneagles Hospital and Medinova Diagnostics Services - were roped in for conducting a wide array of tests for Contractors’ Workmen and soon Camps would be held in all four units of GRSE here for their benefits. Speaking on the occasion Read Admiral Saxena further stated that as these underprivileged people found it extremely difficult to access medical facility during the present Covid-19 pandemic and had to neglect their health, GRSE had decided to help them by arranging their free medical tests within the company complex to meet their concerns. 'It is our duty to look after their health as these large number of Contractors’ Workmen are engaged in different jobs of the Company;, he said. 20 lakh LVB depositors have no need to panic: Administrator CHENNAI: Assuring about 20 lakh depositors of the Lakshmi Vilas Bank (LVB) now under moratorium that there is no need to panic and all glitches in withdrawal of deposits subject to a maximum of Rs 25,000 will be sorted out, the RBI appointed Administrator T.N. Manoharan on Wednesday said ATM machines will start working from Thursday. He also said there is sufficient liquidity with the LVB to meet the depositors' needs and the bank is taking care of that. "Since Tuesday evening, the overall withdrawal of deposits from the LVB by depositors was about Rs 10 crore," Manoharan told reporters. On Tuesday, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) placed the LVB under moratorium for 30 days and capped deposit withdrawals at Rs 25,000. The RBI also said subject to certain exceptions and with its prior permission, the LVB may allow a depositor to withdraw up to Rs 5 lakh to meet unforeseen expenses towards medical treatment of the depositor or any person actually dependent on him, towards the cost of higher education of the depositor or any person actually dependent on him for education in India or outside India, to pay obligatory expenses in connection with marriage or other ceremonies of the depositor or his children or of any other person actually dependent upon him, or in connection with any other unavoidable emergency if there is sufficient credit in his account. On Wednesday, confusion prevailed in some LVB branches with staff not able to explain to the depositors on the restrictions on withdrawals. Manoharan said the bank's software systems are being tweaked to incorporate the new restrictions. Biden tells Modi will work to step up India ties alongside Harris NEW YORK: Joe Biden, who will take over as United States President in January, has told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that alongside Kamala Harris he wants to strengthen and expand relations between their countries. Working closely on the Covid-19 pandemic figured in their phone call on Tuesday, Biden's transition organisation's readout of the conversation said. "The President-elect thanked the Prime Minister for his congratulations and expressed his desire to strengthen and expand the US-India strategic partnership alongside the first Vice President of South Asian descent" Kamala Harris, according to the readout. "The President-elect noted that he looks forward to working closely with the Prime Minister on shared global challenges, including containing Covid-19 and defending against future health crises, tackling the threat of climate change, launching the global economic recovery, strengthening democracy at home and abroad, and maintaining a secure and prosperous IndoPacific region," it added. Absent from the readout is any mention of cooperation in counter-terrorism. The readout mentions maintaining a secure IndoPacific, which was the centrepiece of President Donald Trump's administration's strategic involvement with India. Biden, who started speaking to international leaders starting on November 10, finally got around to speaking with Modi. Also on Tuesday, Biden spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israeli, one of the closest allies of the US. Netanyahu has been considered close to President Donald Trump like Modi. Modi was among the first leaders to recognise Biden as the winner of the presidential election that is still being questioned by Trump and votes are being counted. He and Indian President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted their congratulations to Biden shortly after the US media declared him the winner based on their projections of the results. Modi recalled in his congratulatory tweet that Biden's contribution as the vice president "to strengthening IndoUS relations was critical and invaluable." Bihar Ministers are crorepatis, BJP tops, says Report THE AVERAGE ASSETS OF 14 MINISTERS IN NITISH KUMAR GOVERNMENT ANALYSED IS RS 3.93 CRORES; 8 OF THEM HAVE PENDING CRIMINAL CASES: ADR NEW DELHI: A total of 13 ministers of the 15-member newly sworn-in Bihar cabinet are crorepatis and the average assents of these leaders 3.93 crore, said Bihar Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). Of those 14 ministers, whose affidavits were analysed, 13 are crorepatis and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with its six MLAs is on top position followed by five from JD-U and one each of HAM and VIP, they said. Out of 14 ministers, two are women. The elections watchdogs said the finding was based on an analysis of the self-sworn affidavits of 14 Ministers, submit- ted before the OctoberNovember Assembly elections. "The average assets of 14 ministers analysed is Rs 3.93 crores," the report mentions. The minister with the highest declared total assets is Mewa Lal Choudhary from Tarapur constituency with assets worth Rs 12.31 crores while the minister with the lowest declared total assets is Ashok Chaudhary ex-member of Bihar Legislative Council with assets worth Rs 72.89 lakhs. A total of 8 ministers have declared liabilities out of which the minister with the highest liabilities is Mukesh Sahani of Simri Bakhtiarpur constituency with Rs 1.54 crores of liabili- Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar exchange greet to newly cabinet minister during the Swearing-in-ceremony at Raj Bhawan, in Patna. ANI File ties. Four ministers have declared their educational qualification to be between 8th and 12th standard while 10 ministers have declared having an educational qualification of graduate or above. A total of six ministers have declared their age to be between 41-50 years while eight ministers have declared their age to be between 51- 75 years. The NDA secured 125 of the 243 seats in Assembly elections, defeating its key rival Grand Alliance or Mahagathbandhan led by Lalu Prasad’s Tejashwi Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal, Congress, CPI-MLL, CPI-M, and CPI. Eight of the newly sworn-in Ministers in Bihar have declared criminal cases against themselves in their poll affidavits, said Bihar Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). Of the 14 Ministers whose affidavits were analysed, six (43 per cent) have declared serious criminal cases against themselves, including two of BJP, two of JD-U and one each of HAM and VIP, they said. These elections watchdogs said the finding was based on an analysis of the self-sworn affidavits of 14 Ministers, submitted before the OctoberNovember Assembly elections. Interestingly, these 14 Ministers belong to all four National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners -- Janata DalUnited (JD-U), BJP, former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) and Bollywood set designer Mukesh Sahani's Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP). Two are from JD-U, four from BJP, and one each from HAM and VIP. The NDA secured 125 of the 243 seats in Assembly elections, defeating its key rival Grand Alliance or Mahagathbandhan led by Tejashwi Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal, Congress, CPI-MLL, CPI-M, and CPI. MORE INSIDE