YK MYK WEATHER TODAY MAX 24 C MIN 9 C WHY WILL LEGALLY MANDATED MSP CREATE PROBLEMS FOR FARMERS? NATION Sky will be clear. Rs. 5 RANCHI WEDNESDAY, 30 DEC, 2020 PG-12, YEAR—10, ISSUE—235 (RNI NO: JHAENG / 2012 / 44137) RAJINI SCRIPTS ANTI-CLIMAX TO HIS POLITICAL DREAMS, BACKS OUT NATION Morning India Jharkhand will not depend on World Bank or Centre in five years: CM SANJAY SAHAY RANCHI: While blaming the previous government for handing over empty coffers, Chief Minister (CM) Hemant Soren said that he has plans to make Jharkhand selfdependent in five years. Speaking at a function at Morhabadi ground to mark the first anniversary of his government, Soren said that apart from the mineral resources, the state government would also exploit its potential in fields of tourism, sports, education, and art and culture to bring about allround development of the state. He said, "If the government officers work with commitment, the state will stand on its feet. It would no longer need to take loans from the World Bank or the central government." He mentioned that in the initial period of his government several welfare projects could not be started due to lack of resources. The CM said that he was proud to have a Jharkhandi identity, adding fulfilling the aspiration of people was his top priority. He said that the Jharkhand Public Service Commission has been asked to issue a calendar for starting the appointment process. He said that caste, income, birth, death, and residential certificates must be given within 15 days, adding officers delaying the process would be punished. He stated that tribal university would be started in the state in the coming months. He said that Jharkhand is the only state to have begun a scholarship scheme for the scheduled AT A GLANCE NITISH KUMAR APPOINTS NEW JD(U) CHIEF PATNA: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's decision to hand over the reins of Janata DalUnited to his most trusted aide Ram Chandra Prasad Singh to focus on Bihar only and not the party's overall organisation is his new political gamble, experts said. By appointing Singh as JDU national President, Nitish has sent out a clear message to other regional parties that his party does not promote dynastic or family rule politics. JD-U Spokesman Abhishek Jha asserted that with RCP Singh spearheading the party, it would hopefully move forward. "Nitish Kumar understands the party's strengths during this transition phase, which is why he has entrusted the party's responsibility to an experienced political leader," he added. BJP spokesperson and former party MLA Manoj Sharma said that Singh's appointment was an internal matter of the JD-U, adding that even the saffron party had always been against promoting family and dynastic rule from the very start. Projects worth Rs 11,843 cr launched to mark 1st anniv MI NEWS SERVICE CM Hemant Soren speaking at the function to mark one year of JMM-Cong government in Jharkhand, in Ranchi on Tuesday. Hemant Sutradhar tribes for higher studies in foreign universities. He said due to the Covid pandemic the state witnessed several ups and downs but the state was able to bring the pandemic under control with the help of people, officials, women groups, police personnel, and health workers. Despite its limited infrastructure the private hospitals proved to be the real savior of lives, he added. He said that Jharkhand is included among the states having the least Covid cases and death. He stated that Jharkhand was the first state to bring home the stranded workers by air and trains. The women self-help groups risked their lives to run free kitchens for the needy people in rural areas. He said three ambi- tious schemes were launched under MNREGA with the aim to provide employment. He said that the government has decided to increase the daily wage under MNREGA to Rs 225, adding the ultimate government final target to provide Rs 300 per day. Finance Minister Rameshwar Oroan started his speech by praising the CM for his leadership under the Covid period. He said the state government has several achievements in the past one year but the passage of the proposal regarding Sarna code in Vidhan Sabha has brought the people closer to the state. He said the Adivasi people would never forget this step. He claimed that people are saying that this is one government, which is fulfilling its promises. He also mentioned about 15 lakh poor families would be covered under the public distribution system, adding the plan would be made all encompassing. Congress Jharkhand incharge RPN Singh said that this government does what it promises to the people, adding despite the Covid setback it has fulfilled most of the promises made to the people. This government brought the stranded workers by air and then provided the needy people food in free kitchens at all places. This government also waived off the loans given to the farmers. JMM patriarch Shibu Soren, ministers SatyanandBhokta and Badal Patralekh, and several MLAs along with senior officials were present on the stage. Earlier in the day the CM met Governor DroupadiMurmu and presented her with a memento in connection with the first anniversary. The Governor congratulated the CM for the occasion. The government also distributed land assets at functions held at district headquarters. India at point where we can expect vaccine in few days: Govt NEW DELHI: As India eagerly awaits the regulatory approval for the coronavirus vaccine, a senior government official on Tuesday said that the country is at a point where the silver bullet can be expected in a "few days". Addressing a press conference, Dr V.K. Paul, Member (Health), Niti Aayog said: "We are that point where we can expect vaccine in few days. We have to move forward with optimism. We expect that coming days will be better." India currently has eight Covid-19 vaccine candidates, including three indigenous vaccines, under different stages of clinical trials which CORONA METER INDIA TOTAL CASES: 1,02,40,886 TOTAL DEATH: 148,405 WORLD TOTAL CASES: 81,866,012 TOTAL DEATH: 1,785,456 could be ready for authorisation in near future. Serum Institute-Oxford's Covishield, Bharat Biotech's Covaxin and Pfizer vaccine are in the fray for emergency use authorisation. The Central government plans to vaccinate nearly 30 crore people in the first phase of drive. It will be offered to one crore healthcare workers, along with 2 crore frontline and essential workers and 27 crore elderly, mostly above the age of 50 years with co-morbidities. On Monday, Pune-based Serum Institute of India had also alluded to the possibility of Covid-19 vaccine Covishield - receiving the regulatory approval in a "few days". INDIA TO CHECK ALL COVID+ PASSENGERS ARRIVING DEC 9-22 FOR NEW STRAIN NEW DELHI: All international passengers who arrived in India during the 14 days, from December 9 to December 22, if symptomatic and tested positive, will be subjected to genome sequencing in a bid to find if they have the new UK coronavirus strain. Others will be followed up by the respective states and district surveillance officers and tested as per ICMR guidelines, even if asymptomatic, between 5th and 10th day, according to the Union Health Ministry. "All the international passengers who have arrived in India during last 14 days (from 9th December to 22nd December, 2020), if symptomatic and tested positive will be subjected to genome sequencing," it stated. Besides this, ten regional labs have been identified by the Centre where states and Union Territories will send five per cent of their Covid-19 positive samples for genome sequencing. RANCHI: The state government on Tuesday launched 8,228 schemes involving a sum of Rs 11,843.24 crore in functions held at state and district levels to mark its first anniversary. Officials informed that the government laid the foundation stone of 4,234 schemes worth Rs 2,289.07 crore, launched 10 schemes worth Rs 2,575.70 core and started 3,994 schemes worth Rs 3,712.86 crore apart from distributed assets among 11,62,954 persons. After including the Pradhan Mantri AwasYojna the total number of beneficiaries rose to 36,17,752. The loan waiver scheme launched by the government aims to waive loans upto Rs 50,000 of over nine lakh farmers. The benefits would be transferred through the direct benefit transfer. The CM laid the foundation stone education schemes under five- year Adarsh Vidyalaya Yojna worth Rs 1885.80 crore. Under the scheme, 80 schools are to be turned into schools of excellence while 4,416 schools would be converted into adarshvidyalaya. The school of excellence which would be affiliated to CBSE would act as a source of inspiration for the nearby schools. The scheme would cover the district schools, Kasturba Gandhi schools, and the model schools. The foundation stone for 27 schools were laid today. The Jaipal Singh Munda scholarship scheme would provide funds for 10 tribal students each year for higher studies in the United Kingdom. The students could enroll themselves in anthro- pology, sociology, agriculture, art and culture, climate change, development studies governance and development, and economics. Besides, the CM launched several plans including corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy for industrial undertakings operating in Jharkhand. The plan envisages an increase in the contribution by companies under CSR and better utilization of the fund. The emphasis is on the promotion of nutrition, education, health, employment, and sports. The Jharkhand FasalRahatYojna has earmarked a sum of Rs 1000 crore for paying damages to farmers facing to crops due to natural disasters. Besides, the CM also launched around one and a half dozen water supply schemes. He also laid the foundation stone of grid substations at Behragora, Sikidri and Narayanpur, new pharmacy institute at Chaibasa, Ranchi Municipal Corporation building, command control and communication centre, renovation of Nehru Park, projects for construction of office cum residence at 24 blocks and Jharkhand Urban Planning and Management Institute. A coffee table book highlighting the works of the government in the current year despite limited resources, logo of emerging Jharkhand, old-age pension scheme, MukhyamantriPashudhan Vikas Yojna, and food security scheme were also launched. The CM provided appointment letters to beneficiaries in different departments in a symbolic manner. A total of 511 beneficiaries including doctors got the appointment letter. MELBOURNE TEST: ONE OF THE GREATEST COMEBACKS INDIA WIN SECOND TEST BY 8 WICKETS, LEVEL SERIES MELBOURNE: India defeated Australia by eight wickets in the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Cricket Ground on Tuesday. The four-Test series is now level at 1-1. Australia had won the first Test in Adelaide, also by eight wickets. Set a target of 70 after Australia were dismissed for 200 in their second innings on Tuesday, the Indians got to the target for the loss of opener Mayank Agarwal (5) and No. 3 Cheteshwar Pujara (3). Shubman Gill, who hit seven fours in a delightful innings, was unbeaten on 35 and skipper Ajinkya Rahane on 27. Earlier, the Aussies, who resumed on 133 for six, added 67 more runs before getting bowled out at the India's Ajinkya Rahane and Shubman Gill embrace as they celebrate after winning the second cricket test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on Tuesday. stroke of lunch in the extended first session. Mohammed Siraj picked two of the four wickets to fall on the day to take his innings tally to three for 37 while Jasprit Bumrah (2/54) and R Ashwin (2/71) picked a wicket each on the fourth day. Cameron Green (45) and Pat Cummins added 23 more and took their seventh-wicket partnership to 57 in the morning before Cummins was dismissed by a short delivery from Bumrah as the seventh wicket. Green was out to a pull shot off Siraj while Lyon fell to the same bowler caught behind down the legside. All the three Aussie wickets to India pace bowlers BRIEF SCORES Australia 195 and 200 (C Green 45, M Wade 40, M Labuschagne 28, M Siraj 3/37, J Bumrah 2/54, R Jadeja 2/28, R Ashwin 2/71, U Yadav 1/5) vs India 326 and 70/2 (S Gill 35 not out, A Rahane 27 not out) were off short deliveries on a wicket that afforded no help to either the pace bowlers or spinners. R Ashwin took the last wicket of Josh Hazlewood. DEBUTANTS GILL AND SIRAJ IMPRESS WITH BOLDNESS, SELF-ASSURANCE NEW DELHI: India's biggest takeaway from the second Test apart from the series-equalling win was the ability of debutants Shubman Gill (45 and 32 not out) and Mohammed Siraj (2/40 and 3/37) to step in and perform with self-assurance. Although they didn't get the big numbers, the two did enough damage to Australia and helped India win. Before the start of the second Test, India were facing a conundrum at the top of the order. With Rohit Sharma in quarantine after arriving in Australia late due to his rehab at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, and Prithvi Shaw failing in both innings of the first Test, India had to throw in young Gill at the deep end. And though the opener survived some tense moments, he did not budge from playing his shots. On a tense Saturday evening, the first day of the first Test, 21-year-old Gill survived a chance on four when Marnus Labuschagne dropped him in third slip off the bowling of Pat Cummins. MORE ON PG 10