Terrorism wiped out from Kashmir,now it s turn of Naxalism from entire country: Yogi

October 30, 2020

SIWAN (Bihar), Oct 29: After ending terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, it’s time to wipe out Naxalism from across the country, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said here Thursday.

In the ongoing Bihar polls, he attacked the opposition Grand Alliance for allegedly trying to bring “jungle raj” in the state once again.

Addressing an election rally at Daraunda here, the BJP star campaigner mentioned the beginning of construction of a grand Ram temple at Ayodhya, enactment of a law against instant triple talaq and abrogation of provision of Article 370.

Coming back to Bihar, he said “Who had created the jungle raj situation? These casteist and nepotistic forces have to be defeated”.

Rivals describe the RJD’s 15 years rule in Bihar from 1990 to 2005 as “jungle raj” for bad law and order situation.

Siwan was firmly in control of muscleman-politician Mohd Shahabuddin during the RJD rule.

Targeting the opposition, especially the RJD, he said the way people defeated coronavirus by going out to vote the previous day, they should defeat the parties indulging in casteism and nepotism.

Without naming RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, he said 15 years ago, the youth of Bihar felt compelled to hide their identity, but those responsible for creating such a situation are trying to “mislead” them by dangling the jobs carrot.

Tejashwi has announced that his future government would approve 10 lakh jobs in the very first cabinet meeting.

He said those who promoted their families through casteism and let corruption flourish due to nepotism have destroyed Bihar.

He said the world recognises the talent of the youth of Bihar, but casteist and nepotistic forces have blunted that talent.

He said that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar brought Bihar back on the track of development and took it forward over the past 15 years.

“The Congress and the RJD have formed as alliance with forces that are against the society and that spread violence. They want to obstruct the state’s development. The RJD- Congress-CPI(ML) alliance wants to bring jungle raj in Bihar again,” he alleged.

But they should know that after “ending terrorism from Kashmir, it’s turn of Naxalism to be eliminated from across the country”, he said.

He said he wanted the people from Bihar to attend the ground breaking ceremony for the Ram temple at Ayodhya, but they could not be allowed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Talking about the abrogation of provisions of Article 370, he said that due to the policies implemented by past Congress governments, nobody could purchase land there but now anybody from Bihar also can do so.

He said withdrawing the special status granted to J&K under Article 370 was the last nail in the coffin of terrorism.

He said it was encouraging that the voter turnout in the first phase of Bihar elections was over 54 per cent and appealed to the youth to take it up to 70 per cent.

He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi works on the agenda of “sabka sath sabka vikas (inclusive development)” and his welfare policies cover all without discriminating on the basis of caste and religion. (PTI)

Assami wise Statement of applicants in whose favour ownership Right in respect of occupied state land was approved in Erestwhile – Tehsil Doda

Daily Excelsior

October 30, 2020

Assami wise Statement of applicants in whose favour ownership Right in respect of occupied state land was approved in Erestwhile – Tehsil Doda

VP Naidu bats for stronger, greener India

Daily Excelsior

October 30, 2020

NEW DELHI, Oct 29: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday said development and environment conservation should go hand in hand as “we not only need a stronger India but also a greener India”.

He also urged finance commissions and local bodies to encourage green buildings through tax incentives.

The vice president said it is time to consider making all new buildings to mandatorily go green and environment friendly.

Inaugurating CII’s Green Building Congress, he said existing buildings too should be retrofitted to make them environment friendly by adopting green practices that promote energy efficiency and water conservation.

He termed sustainable buildings as an important component in building resilient communities and called for extensive use and promotion of low carbon technologies.

“We not only need a stronger India but also a greener India,” he said according to an official statement.

Drawing attention to the increasing number of extreme climate events such as droughts, floods, and wildfires, Naidu said climate change is as real as daylight and countries all over the world must adopt drastic and revolutionary measures to mitigate the problem of global warming.

Calling for the sustainable approach to development, the vice president said the challenge is to marry development and environment.

“If we take care of nature, the nature in turn will take care of the mankind,” he said.

Observing that buildings and construction account for 39 per cent of energy related CO2 emissions in the world, Naidu called for the process of total de-carbonisation of the built environment to be accelerated.

Highlighting the pace of rapid urbanisation in the country, he opined that sustainable development should become a critical part of our nation building.

It should be realised that it cannot be business as usual in regard to combating global warming, he felt. (PTI)

Govt makes packaging of food grains in jute bags mandatory

Daily Excelsior

October 30, 2020

NEW DELHI, Oct 29: In order to help the jute industry, the Government on Thursday decided that 100 per cent food grains and 20 per cent sugar will be mandatorily packaged in jute bags.
A decision to extend the norms for mandatory packaging in jute materials was taken by the Union Cabinet, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said while briefing reporters about the meeting.
The decision, he said, will benefit about 4 lakh workers engaged in the jute sector along with thousands of farmers.
Jute is primarily grown in West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Andhra Pradesh. (PTI)

Former Gujarat Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel dies at 92

Daily Excelsior

October 30, 2020

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani paying his last respects to former CM Keshubhai Patel during his last rites at his residence, in Gandhinagar.

AHMEDABAD, Oct 29: Former Gujarat chief minister Keshubhai Patel, who played a pivotal role in strengthening the BJP in the state, died here on Thursday after prolonged illness, family sources said.
Patel (92), who recovered from coronavirus infection recently, was rushed to a hospital in Ahmedabad on Thursday morning following health complications, the sources said.
The BJP veteran was the state chief minister in 1995 and again during 1998-2001. Narendra Modi had succeeded him as Gujarat chief minister.
The state government has declared a day’s state mourning on Thursday, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani told reporters. Keshubhai’s last rites will be performed with full state honours, he added.
Hospital authorities said Patel died due to cardiac arrest.
Patel was rushed to the hospital after his pulse and oxygen level dropped on Thursday morning, his son Bharat Patel said. “He recently recovered from coronavirus, but his health kept deteriorating,” he added.
The ruling BJP has postponed all its by-poll related programmes, including public rallies, following Patel’s death.
“All state government work was also put on hold today as a mark of respect,” Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said.
Rupani cut short a poll rally at Ghadhada and visited Keshubhai’s residence in Gandhinagar, where the body was kept, to pay tributes.
“He was like BJP’s Bhishma Pitamah in Gujarat. He had a tremendous socio-political acumen. He spoke less, but his every word was a command for BJP workers.
“Being a farmer himself, he worked for their welfare. We passed a resolution in the state cabinet meeting to express grief over this loss,” Rupani told reporters.
Patel was a member of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly six times. He quit the BJP in 2012 and floated the Gujarat Parivartan Party, which performed poorly in 2012 Assembly polls and merged with the BJP in 2014.
Born in Visavadar town of Junagadh district in 1928, Patel joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in 1945 as a pracharak. He started his political career as a worker for the Jan Sangh.
Patel was also the chairman of the Shree Somnath Trust, which manages the famous Somnath temple in Saurashtra region.
Several dignitaries, including President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, paid tributes to the BJP stalwart.
President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted, “With the demise of Keshubhai Patel, former Gujarat chief minister, the nation has lost a stalwart leader. His long public life was dedicated to improving the lives of millions, especially in villages. As champion of farmers causes, he enjoyed extraordinary rapport with masses.”
Modi remembered Patel through a series of tweets and shared some old photographs showing him with the BJP veteran.
“Our beloved and respected Keshubhai has passed away. I am deeply pained and saddened. He was an outstanding leader who cared for every section of society. His life was devoted towards the progress of Gujarat and the empowerment of every Gujarati,” Modi tweeted.
“Keshubhai travelled across the length and breadth of Gujarat to strengthen the Jana Sangh and BJP. He resisted the Emergency tooth and nail. Issues of farmer welfare were closest to his heart. Be it as MLA, MP, Minister or CM, he ensured many farmer friendly measures were passed,” Modi said. (PTI)
“Keshubhai mentored and groomed many younger Karyakartas including me. Everyone loved his affable nature. His demise is an irreparable loss. We are all grieving today. My thoughts are with his family and well-wishers. Spoke to his son Bharat and expressed condolences. Om Shanti.” he tweeted.
Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat and Governor of Karnataka, Vajubhai Vala, were among those who remembered Keshubhai and paid their tributes.
Senior Gujarat Congress leader Arjun Modhwadia and state Congress chief Amit Chavda also paid tributes to Keshubhai. (PTI)

Issuance of Tentative Seniority List of Geologist Grade-II of Geology and Mining Department.

Daily Excelsior

October 30, 2020

Issuance of Tentative Seniority List of Geologist Grade-II of Geology and Mining Department.

Govt makes packaging of food grains in jute bags mandatory

Daily Excelsior

October 30, 2020

NEW DELHI : In order to help the jute industry, the Government on Thursday decided that 100 per cent food grains and 20 per cent sugar will be mandatorily packaged in jute bags. A decision to extend the norms for mandatory packaging in jute materials was taken by the Union Cabinet, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said while briefing reporters about the meeting. The decision, he said, will benefit about 4 lakh workers engaged in the jute sector along with thousands of farmers. Jute is primarily grown in West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Andhra Pradesh. (PTI)

horoscope

Daily Excelsior

October 30, 2020

Friday Oct-30-2020

Aries : The day sparkles with opportunities and pleasures, you just have to look in the right place. If you’ve been looking to seal a relationship, today is the day to propose, says Ganesha! Be careful while driving, and be subtle in suggestion.

Taurus : You will hear the division bell beckoning you to strike a balance between your personal and professional life. Today is an encouraging day for big business deals and new projects. In the afternoon, you may fall victim to iniquity. Safeguard your money from green-eyed monsters, advises Ganesha.

Gemini : You have great business plans and can’t wait to launch a few of your ideas today. Your colleagues will lend you their complete support. You may spend the evening decorating your home or finding peace in the arms of your beloved.

Cancer : You will finalise business dealings with your partners today. Your high spirits may be subdued later in the day. However, as evening approaches and you get ready for a party, you will be back in your elements, cracking jokes and generally putting a smile on people’s faces.

Leo : Call it a day with a positive difference, but today, you are more keen and inclined towards entertainment and relaxation. Everybody needs a break from the routine, says Ganesha, so make the most of today. On a more personal note, you are required to make subtle moves as there are hints that you may want to give your love life a more definite turn, like a marriage. You and your beloved will spend the evening in passionate embraces. On a more cautionary note, take extra care while travelling, especially if you are alone.

Virgo : Your professional life may just bounce up higher than ever today, predicts Ganesha. Expect incentives as well today. Executing plans to perfection will come naturally to you. In the evening, family will drown you in their unconditional love. A bright, charming day, says Ganesha.

Libra : We all have our own worlds to manage, and play the superhero for. And our family, friends and work are what make up our world. Ganesha foresees a day in which you shall remain engrossed in managing these different aspects of your life. Expect to find your financial prospects shine bright on the professional front, and bask in the approval that you receive for your actions. Take charge and look for positive results in matters of relationships, says Ganesha.

Scorpio : Proposals of your choice will come your way today says Ganesha. You shall probably retreat into your shell in the afternoon. But the passing hours will bring out a different you. At work, you shall greatly impress your boss with sparkling results, predicts Ganesha.

Sagittarius : You shall push yourself to the limit to make sure your authority goes unquestioned. Colleagues and seniors will laud you for your commitment. Expect that wallet to get heavier as you receive some cash gains, says Ganesha.

Capricorn : Socialising is on the cards, and with increase in the number of acquaintances will be the increase of your social clout, says Ganesha. Later in the day, you will take to reading, and will pick just about any book. You will set out in search for peace as dusk sets in, and will find solace in holy places, where you would strive to improve your concentration power.

Aquarius : Today, you will realise the importance of time in the business world. Ganesha says you will understand how much risk is involved in going about things in a haphazard manner. As a natural corollary, you will revamp and reschedule a lot of your plans, whether it’s business or travel or just a family vacation.

Pisces : A day of hectic socialising awaits you, not that you mind it. But you may also catch yourself wishing for some time alone for yourself, says Ganesha. The evening will probably see you deck up and head for a happening party, with lots of members of the opposite sex to woo.

GST discord

Daily Excelsior

October 30, 2020

Ashwani Mahajan
Goods and Services Tax (GST) was introduced in India from the month of July 2017, subsuming almost all indirect taxes of Centre and States. Significantly, total revenue from this tax is shared between the Centre and States equally. Over and above this, half of GST revenue going to states, based on the recommendations of the Finance Commission, States get a share in all taxes of the Union. Currently this share is 42 percent. Thus we can say that 71 percent of the total GST receipts go to the states. At the time of implementation of the GST system, there were apprehensions among the States that their revenue could fall in the new system; hence many states were opposed to the implementation of the GST system. In such a situation, the then Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley suggested a formula, according to which the States were not only assured of the revenue received from their taxes subsumed under GST, but they were also guaranteed a 14 percent increase every year. Such an arrangement was to last for 5 years.
The Central Government had expected that GST being a goods tax reform, will not only increase efficiency in tax collection, but will also prevent tax evasion. GST being a value added tax will also eliminate the cascading effect on taxes. This means that on the one hand the tax revenue will increase, on the other hand consumers will also benefit from this system, because it will also reduce the prices. Though, GST took some time to settle down, and in the meanwhile, the total receipts from GST kept on fluctuating. While the Government had expected the total receipts from GST to be at least Rs 1 lakh crore every month, GST receipts could reach 1 lakh crore or more in only 9 months in the 30 months of GST up to December 2019. One of the main reasons for this was lower than expected GDP growth in the country, during that period and teething troubles of GST. Naturally due to this, the burden on the Central Government as per their promise to compensate the States kept increasing. Significantly, the Center decided to make up for the loss of the states, by imposing a ‘Compensation Cess’ on GST. This compensation was Rs 41146 crore in the year 2017-18 and Rs 69275 crore in 2018-19. Although the average receipts of GST stood at around Rs 1 lakh crore in the year 2019-20, the amount of compensation by the States was more than that of last year.
While balance of the previous year was still pending, that from the very first month of the new financial year 2020-21, the GST receipts dipped down due to the lockdown caused by COVID-19 pandemic; and we see that the total receipts of GST during COVID-19 period were extremely low Rs. 32172 crore, Rs 62152 crores, Rs 90917 crores, Rs 87422, Rs 86449 crores and Rs 95480 crores in the months of April, May, June, July, August, and September respectively. Though GST revenue is returning back to track, as the process of unlock proceeds, however, despite the loss of revenue, the liability of Centre continues to pile up due to centre’s pledge to make up for any loss of revenue, with 14 percent guaranteed growth. In the current scenario, since the centre’s revenue has also shrunk, the Central Government is also finding itself unable to fulfil this liability.
Under these circumstances, a meeting of the GST Council was held on October 12, 2020, but a consensus could not be reached on the issue. Significantly, there will be a shortfall of revenue of Rs. 2.35 lakh crore in the current financial year. The Central Government has suggested to the States that they can start borrowing, to meet this shortfall; but no consensus could be reached in GST Council in this matter.
The Central Government has given two options to the State Governments. First option is that, the State Governments will borrow Rs 1.1 lakh crore to compensate for the loss of this revenue and both its principal and interest will be repaid from future ‘Compensation Cess’ levied on luxury goods and sin goods like cigarettes etc. The other option is that the State Governments will borrow the entire shortfall of Rs 2.35 lakh crore, but in that case only the principal will be paid fully from the cess, but states will have to bear a significant part of the interest liabilities themselves.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who is also the ex-officio chairperson of the GST Council, has said that most states are ready to start borrowing. So although no consensus could be reached, the Central Government says that if a State Government wants to start the process of borrowing; neither the Central Government nor the GST Council can stop it. The indications coming from GST Council show that 21 States, where the Bharatiya Janata Party or their coalition is in the Government, are ready to move forward by accepting the loan option of Rs 1.1 lakh crore, while the remaining 10 States have rejected the option. The argument of Finance Ministers of the opposition Governments is that this type of borrowings option is illegal as it will push the revenue sharing arrangements beyond 5 years, which would be against the GST Act. Finance Ministers of the opposition parties’ Governments also say that such decisions should be made in the GST Council and the same would be appropriate for cooperative federalism too.
Significantly, 21 states which are ready to borrow, have also agreed to only the first option. But the finance ministers of opposition parties’ Governments are not ready for that either. It has to be understood that in the present era, when revenue of the Central Government has reached the minimum level, then it is not practical to expect from the Central Government that the revenue of the States could be compensated immediately. As such, in the past also, the compensation of States’ share of GST had been done through ‘Compensation Cess’. In such a situation, since both the interest and the principal of the loans taken to compensate the revenue of the States are to be repaid from the same cess, the states will not suffer any loss ultimately.
Amid growing disagreement between the Center and the States, the Central Government has made an announcement, according to which a 50-year interest free loan of Rs 12 thousand crore has been provided to the States, which they can use to increase capital expenditure in the States. The situation arising due to the lockdown due to COVID-19 and adverse effects on the economy will have to be faced by all together. The Central Government has given a good option to the states to compensate the revenue, which has also been accepted by many states. It may be hoped that a solution, acceptable to all, maybe reached in days to come.
(The author is Associate Professor, Department of Economics)
feedbackexcelsior@gmail.com

The gallant fight against COVID-19

Daily Excelsior

October 30, 2020

Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo
India has come a long way since March 2020, when the first Lockdown was announced due to COVID- 19 global pendamic. The statistics show a great and remarkable achievement in the month of October 2020, seven months after the initial lockdown.
As per the latest official statistics released a few days ago, India’s COVID-19 caseload rose to 73,70,468 with 63,371 new infections being reported in a day, while the number of people who have recuperated from the disease crossed 64 lakh pushing the recovery rate to 88 per cent, according to the Health Ministry data update. The coronavirus death toll climbed to 1,12,161 with the virus claiming 895 lives in a span of 24 hours, the data updated showed (latest figures).
For eight days in a row, the active cases of COVID-19 remained below 9 lakh. There are 8,04,528 active cases of coronavirus infection in the country which comprise 10 per cent of the total caseload, while the recoveries have surged to 64,53,779, the data stated. The COVID-19 case fatality rate due COVID-19 was recorded at 1.52 per cent.
India continues to have one of the lowest COVID-19 deaths per million population globally, currently pegged at 83 which was also confirmed by the PM, Narendra Modi in his latest broadcast to the nation on 20th Oct. 2019. India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23 and 40 lakh on September 5. It went past 50 lakh on September 16, 60 lakh on September 28 and crossed 70 lakh on October 11.
According to the ICMR, a cumulative total of 9,22,54,927 samples have been tested up to October 15, with 10,28,622 samples being tested on Thursday. While the total infections including all kinds of patients throughout India touched the figure of 74 lakhs, the recovery rate is beyond imagination, 65 lakhs approx, which is almost 88% of the total patients so far. The mortality rate is a static 1.5% and the rest, the active patients as on date constitute around 10% of the total patient population (which is well below 10 lakhs).
These figures are indeed encouraging. The Indian Council of Medical Research, Ministry of Health, Government of India and the Governments of States and UTs also deserve kudos for bringing the situation under control. Barring three to four states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Kerala, the overall situation has been brought to the managerial levels. Thanks also to the CoronaWarriors who extended all sort of help to the health workers, doctors and the medical mechanism to fight the dreaded pendemic.
Though the situation seems to have been brought under control yet the guidelines regarding washing of hands, use of sanitizers & facemasks and physical distancing need to be adhered to strictly without any fail.
There are opportunities and probabilities to have a couple of Indian vaccines ready by the first quarter of the next year. The foreign options particularly pertaining to Russia, UK, Italy and America are also in the run. However, the worrying factor remains the changing mutation of the virus and the winter season ahead.
Therefore, the issue of building and strengthening body immune system remains relevant in addition to using hot and warm water during the winter season. The Ayush Ministry-GoI guidelines for leading a healthy life are very helpful indeed. It includes use of lemon, tulsi, turmeric, ginger and amla on a routine basis besides doing the regular exercise, walk and yoga.
There is undoubtedly a worry or a concern about the future in the minds of the people and also about the consequences of a complete Unlock in due course. The reality is that the world is learning the new ways and means to move ahead in this situation of extreme uncertainty, so is India. There is but a positive sign that has played it’s part regarding India, viz the high level of immunity among the large population of India.
The unlock process is an important obligation of the Government to move towards an economic surge leading to “back to the business” national agenda. With some more necessary precautions in mind, the schools and colleges are also being thought of regularised. The travel and tour may gain momentum in a couple of months provided there is no further surge in infections beyond managerial levels.
The good news is that the Ayushman Bharat and the JK Health Scheme besides guaranteeing the health insurance to an individual and family will also pump in a lot of money in the health sector at an all India level. The insurance sector will also get a great investment and encouragement to be a part of the universal health scheme in which the premium will be paid solely by the Government. Coverage of COVID-19 in the scheme is the most pragmatic measure that should receive appreciation.
Age, Blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, kidney problems and heart issues are the major concerns while fighting the dreaded pendamic. The fraternity of doctors and medical professionals has been the other worrying factor which has become the easiest target of the disease. Their gallant fight and service will not go down in the history of medical science unsung. They deserve the well-deserved appreciation and recognition.
The teaching faculty has also done remarkably well keeping in mind the career and future of students. It is astonishing to note that the whole nation is feeling at home as on date regarding the virtual class-rooms and providing facilities of examinations online. This all was achieved without any such particular education and training. This speaks highly positive about the teaching faculty and the administration of education, indeed.
There are other great issues that need mention so far as the struggle and achievements during the tumultuous period of the last seven months are concerned. It was a novel experience to live a life of trials and turbulence that has literally no end.
The mankind has definitely withstood the test of time, though the catastrophe was human built. India, as a nation in general, and the UT of Jammu and Kashmir in particular did what they could with limited health resources. An immediate need that beckons the Governments to rise to the occasion is the upliftment of the health infrastructure to the level of the world health standards and meaning for the common citizens. That is the litmus test of a truly welfare and benevolent state.
(Feedback: ashwanikc2012@gmail.com)

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