YK MYK RBI REPORT SHOWS PRAGMATIC OPTIMISM TO TACKLE SLOWDOWN OPINION RANCHI FRIDAY, 9 APRIL, 2021 PG-12, YEAR—10, ISSUE—332 (RNI NO: JHAENG / 2012 / 44137) MAX 33 C MIN 21 C Sky will be clear. AT A GLANCE VIJAYAN, CHANDY TEST COVID POSITIVE T’PURAM: Two days after the Kerala Assembly polls, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his predecessor and Congress leader Oommen Chandy both tested Covid positive on Thursday. While Vijayan himself wrote on his Facebook page that he has turned Covid positive and is getting himself admitted to the Kozhikode Medical College, Chandy's family is preferring to keep him at his house but sources close to him say he might be moved to a private hospital shortly. On polling day on Tuesday, Vijayan's daughter had turned positive, but she cast her vote wearing a PPE kit and her husband Mohammed Riyaz, who contested the assembly polls, has also now turned positive. 'ALLEGATIONS SERIOUS': SC TURNS DOWN MAHA, DESHMUKH'S PLEAS AGAINST CBI PROBE NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to entertain petitions by the Maharashtra government and former state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, challenging the Bombay HC order directing a preliminary enquiry by the CBI into corruption allegations levelled by ex-Mumbai top cop Param Bir Singh. PG 7 CORONA METER INDIA TOTAL CASES: 1,29,41,984 TOTAL DEATH: 1,66,946 WORLD TOTAL CASES: 133,881,470 TOTAL DEATH: 2,904,596 SCREEN & CINEMA Morning India Rs. 5 WEATHER TODAY ABOLITION OF FCAT PART OF ‘EXTENSIVE TRIBUNAL REFORM’ PM CHAIRS MEETING ON COVID-19 SITUATION Suggests observing April 11 to 14 as ‘Tika Utsav’ NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that a challenging situation was emerging again due to COVID-19 and urged states to ramp up testing. Chairing a meeting with chief ministers over the COVID-19 situation in the country, he said many states including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Punjab had crossed the peak of the first wave in terms of COVID19 cases and it was a matter of serious concern. He said the period between April 11 to April 14 can be observed as Tika (vaccination) Utsav' for COVID-19 vaccination. "A challenging situation is emerging again. We need to "I APPEAL TO YOU ALL TO STRESS ON COVID19 TESTING. OUR TARGET IS TO DO 70 PER CENT RT-PCR TESTS. LET THE NUMBER OF POSITIVE CASES COME HIGH, BUT DO MAXIMUM TESTING," THE PM ADDED. CM donating blood on Thursday. CM TAKES PART IN MEETING WITH PM RANCHI: CM Hemant Soren took part in the online meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on curbing the Covid pandemic. The participants stressed ways to increase vaccination and testing. The CMs of the worstaffected states namely Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka spoke in the meeting. fight the second surge in cases. Many states including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Punjab have crossed the first wave of peak in terms of COVID-19 cases. This is a serious concern. People have become complacent. In most states administration has also become relaxed," he said. "I appeal to you all to stress on COVID19 testing. Our target is to do 70 per cent RT-PCR tests. Let the number of positive cases come high, but do maximum testing," he added. The Prime Minister said that April 11 is the birth anniversary of Jyotiba Phule and April 14 is the birth anniversary of BR Ambedkar. "Can we do a mass vaccination programme from 1114th April for the eligible people with zero wastage and use our resources optimally?" he asked. The Prime Minister said people should not become careless after taking the COVID-19 vaccine. HC RAPS GOVT FOR LACK OF FACILITIES IN RIMS RANCHI: The Jharkhand High Court (HC) expressed concern over the lack of CT scan machine in Rajendra Institute of Medical Science (RIMS) despite the court’s order. The division bench comprising Chief Justice Ravi Ranjan and Justice SN Prasad directed that RIMS should send a proposal for the CT Scan machine, adding the government should take immediate action on it. The bench added that the state government does not seem serious about purchasing the machines. It added that the government and RIMS are engaged in blaming each other. During the hearing, the RIMS director said that he has sent the proposal for the CT Scan machine but the health secretary said he has not received them. The court said that the purchases should be made as a conMORE ON PG 3 tingency. MP, MLA clash for credit as Godda gets train to Delhi SANJAY SAHAY RANCHI: Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday flagged off Humsafar Express from Godda for New Delhi. The function was, however, marked by a clash between BJP MP from Godda Nishikant Dubey and Congress MLA Pradip Yadav. The Humsafar Express was earlier running from New Delhi to Bhagalpur. With its flagging off from Godda, the train would now run from Godda to New Delhi. The Memorandum of Understanding for the extension of the train from Bhagalpur to Godda was signed in 2012 under which the Union and the state government bore 50 per cent of the cost each. The state government also provided the land required for the project. Even as the programme was to begin Pradip Yadav arrived at the venue along with his supporters. Soon an altercation broke out between Yadav and Nishikant leading to pushing and manhandling between the leaders and their supporters. The authorities had a tough time separating the two groups and also saving Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday flagged off Humsafar Express from Godda for Delhi. the gadgets installed for the programme. After much persuasion both the leaders were pacified and sat on the chairs arranged for the programme. Yadav said later on that even though the Centre and the State have spent an equal amount on the projects the Godda MP was trying to personalize the entire programme. He said that earlier not even the Chief Minister of the State was invited, which led to protests. Yadav added, “I received the invitation in the morning and reached the station. When I asked some people sitting on the chair allotted for me by the railway board, Dubey started protesting. The local superintendent of police had to intervene to bring the situation under control.” Yadav said that someone has pushed him during the function, adding he would lodge a complaint before the administration in this regard. Nishikant Dubey, however, could not be contacted for his comment on the issue. The social distancing norms were violated at the station during the clash. A large number of people were seen crowded at one place. It may be stated here that several leaders including minister Champai Soren and MLA Deepika Pandey were also present at the station with their supporters. India, China to hold CoBRA commando Manhas 11th round of talks released by Maoists: CRPF for disengagement NEW DELHI: India and China will hold 11th round of Corps Commander talks on Friday at Chushul to iron out differences for the next phase of disengagement in Eastern Ladakh. After nearly a two month gap, the Corps Commander level talk is again happening between the two countries. The focus of the talk would be disengagement on other friction points. After Pangong disengagement, both the countries have planned to carry out disengagement on other friction points like Gogra, Hot Springs and Depsang. "Important that before the onset of summer, de-escalation is discussed. Both sides need retreat to original positions for things to ease," said a senior Indian Army officer. On February 20, Indian and Chinese militaries held 10th round of military dialogue to de-escalate tension at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Indian military delegates were led by Lieutenant General PGK Menon, Commander of 14 Corps based in Leh. US URGES INDIA, PAK TO HOLD TABLE TALKS ISLAMABAD: The US Department of State has called on both India and Pakistan to hold direct talks and resolve pending issues with an aim to normalise relations. Refraining to comment on the recent approval and then cancellation by Pakistan to import sugar and cotton from India, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said the US supports direct dialogue between the nuclear-powered neighbours. "I wouldn't want to comment on that specifically. What I would say is that we continue to support direct dialogue between India and Pakistan on issues of concern," he said. MORE ON PG 9 RAIPUR/JAMMU: CRPF commando Rakeshwar Singh Manhas, who was held captive by the Maoists in Chhattisgarh for over 100 hours after the April 3 gun battle, was released on Thursday evening, the CRPF said. Manhas, a constable of the 210th CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action), an elite wing of the CRPF, was safely handed over to the state police and to Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). "Our CoBRA commando Rakeshwar Singh Manhas has reached our camp safely. He is being sent for medical examination," CRPF's IG, Operations, C.G. Arora told IANS. Manhas is physically fine, he added. In Jammu, family members of Manhas celebrated the news of his release. Neighbours and family members reached his residence, raised slogans and celebrated the news of his release by distributing sweets. His wife said she had not slept since he was made captive by the Maoists. "I want to thank the Prime Minister. I wasn't able to sleep for the last six days," said Meenu. "I am very happy that he CoBRA jawan Rakeshwar Singh Manhas (L) kidnapped by Naxals during the Bijapur attack on April 3, has been released by them, on Thursday. (ANI Photo) has been released... we just got the news," said his brother Sahil. The trooper had gone missing during the fierce gun battle with over 300 PLGAs ultras in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district on April 3 in which 22 security personnel were killed and 31 were injured. Over 1,000 security personnel of the CRPF and Chhattisgarh's District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Special Task Force (STF) took part in the operation. The gun battle took place on Saturday noon near Tekulgudem village under Tarrem police station. The Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee of the outlawed CPI-Maoist on Tuesday announced Manhas was "safe" in their custody and sought an interlocutor appointed to for his release. As the Ministry of Home Affairs, in close coordination with the Chhattisgar government, was busy in scrutinising the names of likely interlocutors, the ultras released Manhas. SC COLLEGIUM MEETS, BUT NO NAME OF NEW APEX COURT JUDGE FINALISED NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India S.A. Bobde met on Thursday, but did not finalise any names for appointment of new judges in the apex court. According to sources familiar with the development, issues in connection with appointments were discussed, but no concrete solution emerged and the meeting remained inconclusive. No decision was taken on elevation of several contenders, including Tripura High Court Chief Justice Akhil Kureshi and Karnataka High Court's senior judge Justice B.V. Nagarathna, to the top court. Since the collegium meeting was inconclusive, Chief Justice Bobde, who will retire on April 23, would perhaps become the only Chief Justice, who could not make any recommendation for the elevation of judges to the apex court. Justice N.V. Ramana, the second senior most judge, was appointed on Tuesday as the next Chief Justice and he will take oath of office on April 24. It is a convention that after the President names a CJ-designate, all files are routed through them and the incumbent Chief Justice usually stops recommending names for appointment of judges a month before retirement. After the Centre's notification of Justice Ramana as CJdesignate, the possibility of Chief Justice Bobde making recommendation to the top court seemed bleak. Convergence in 2 Central Ministries to benefit masses NEW DELHI: In a move aimed at optimising the utilisation of resources and maximising the benefits to the masses, Centre's key ministries -- Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) and Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) -- have decided to converge their various schemes to support SelfHelp Group (SHG) entrepreneurs in food processing. The convergence between the two Ministries is specifically focussed on the Centrally sponsored Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme -- an all-India scheme to be implemented over a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25 with an outlay of Rs 10,000 crore. In further support to the food processing industries, the PM-FME scheme was launched by MoRD on June 29 last year -a scheme which is part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan and the 'Vocal for Local' campaign initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PMFME targets to provide financial, technical and business support for upgradation of existing micro food processing enterprises that connect with masses. Convergence between various schemes of the Ministries has been one of the key agendas, government is trying to pursue, a communique of the MoRD stated. Under the convergence process, both MoFPI and Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana -National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) of the Rural Development Ministry agreed to work together on implementation of PM-FME to support Self-Help Group (SHG) entrepreneurs in food processing. "Of all the components of the scheme, both Ministries decided to work closely on the component of providing seed capital support to SHG members," stated the document. This involves working capital and purchase of small tools with the maximum permissible amount of support as Rs 40,000 per SHG member based on their existing business turnover and requirement, it said. The concerned teams of both the Ministries at the National level worked together in formalizing the operational framework for the scheme -- the guidelines, joint advisories, training and awareness campaigns -- to facilitate the implementation of this component. The State Rural Livelihood Missions in the states and the union territories and the State Nodal Agencies appointed by MoFPI are executing the programme in close coordination. This involves identification of targeted eligible beneficiaries, capturing their aspirations and growth plans in the form of applications, digitizing, reviewing, recommending and approving them. During the 2020-21, the document said, a total 17,427 beneficiaries were scrutinized and recommended for seed capital support of Rs 51.85 crore. Andhra, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Odisha and Telangana have been pioneering and contributed to over 83 per cent of total beneficiaries and 80 per cent of the total fund demand in these recommendations. So far, an amount of 29.01 The convergence between the two Ministries is specifically focussed on the Centrally sponsored Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme -- an all-India scheme to be implemented over a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25 with an outlay of Rs 10,000 crore. crore has been approved towards the seed capital support for 10,314 beneficiaries covering 6,694 enterprises from Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh. The States are in process of releasing funds to respective SHGs and SHG members through the network of community organisations like Cluster Level Federations (CLFs) and Village Organisations (VOs). "A robust system is also being developed for regular monitoring of the rural food processing enterprises operationalised by SHG members and supported under this scheme. This convergence has leveraged the strength of both the Ministries and is sure to empower rural women's livelihood in the critical sector of food processing."