21022021-TTB-01.qxd 2/21/2021 12:04 AM Page 1 123 chandigarh | gurugram | jalandhar | bathinda | vol.5 no.51 | 20 pages | ~6.00 | regd.no.chd/0006/2021-2023 established in 1881 PROMOTE NATIVE LANGUAGES, NAIDU TELLS MPs NATION /thetribunechd CROSSING THE THRESHOLD SPECTRUM TMC’S SLOGAN: BENGAL WANTS ITS OWN DAUGHTER BACK PAGE /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com sunday, february 21,2021 Work in tandem for progress: PM to states TIME TO DELIVER Post corporate tax cut, the industry must come forward with its so-called animal spirits to position India as the world’s fastest growing economy. ❝ Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a virtual Niti Aayog meeting. PTI Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at an event in Chennai. PTI Private sector deserves Unleash animal spirits to equal opportunity: Modi propel growth: Nirmala Tribune News Service New Delhi, February 20 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged the states to work together with the Centre to make it easier to do business in India, repeal archaic laws and boost the agriculture sector. Addressing the sixth governing council meeting of Niti Aayog, the PM said the private sector should be given full opportunity to become a part of Aatmanirbhar Bharat programme. The virtual meeting, moderated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, was attended by 26 CMs, three lieutenant governors and two administrators. The PM stressed on becoming self-reliant in agricultural products that could also be exported. “Reforms are very important for farmers to get the necessary economic resources, better infrastructure and modern technology,” he said. The positive response to the Budget reflected the mood of the nation, he said, Niti meet: Pb seeks pending GST dues; Haryana raises SYL adding that the government would honour the enthusiasm shown by private investors to capitalise on the Aatmanirbhar Bharat programme. The meeting discussed manufacturing, agriculture, infrastructure, accelerating HRD, improving service delivery at the grassroots and health and nutrition. Tribune News Service New Delhi, February 20 Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said the Union Budget, “vetted carefully” by PM Narendra Modi, had laid down an agenda for private sector-driven growth. It was now entirely on the industry’s shoulders to take the lead and set the country on a firm growth path, she said. “The policy is clear and the ease of doing business is improving. Post corporate tax cut, the industry must come forward with its so-called animal spirits to position India as the world’s fastest growing economy,” she said, addressing the 65th foundation day of All Indian Management Association and the 15th national management day. The minis- IN BRIEF BJP youth leader held in drugs case KOLKATA: BJP's youth wing leader Pamela Goswami was arrested on Friday after around 90 gm of cocaine was allegedly found from her handbag and car. — PTI Haryana shooter stopped at IGI Airport NEW DELHI: Haryana shooter Manu Bhaker has alleged that she was stopped by officials at the IGI Airport. She was allowed in after Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju intervened. — IANS ED files chargesheet against Chd firm NEW DELHI: The ED has filed a chargesheet against Chandigarh-based Kudos Chemie Ltd and its directors for allegedly defrauding a consortium of banks. — TNS the industry must make the best out of it, she exhorted. Sitharaman defended the large-scale privatisation programme and easing of foreign investment norms by stating it reflected the mood of the nation since the logic of incremental change was no longer valid. continued on page 7 Ajay Banerjee Tribune News Service New Delhi, February 20 Even as China continues to blame India for triggering the Galwan clash, the militaries of the two sides today held the 10th round of Corps Commander-level talks to take forward the disengagement process in Hot Springs, Gogra and Depsang in eastern Ladakh. Coming two days after the complete withdrawal of troops from Pangong Tso, the talks started at 10 am at the Moldo border point on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC), said sources. The focus was to bring down tensions in the region that witnessed a tense standoff between the two sides for over nine months, the sources said. After agreeing for pullback, the Indian and Chinese troops and tanks disengage at Pangong lake in eastern Ladakh. FILE PHOTO Chinese ministries of defence and foreign affairs have tried to wrongly blame the Indian Army for initiating the Galwan valley clash on the night of June 15 last year. Available evidence, however, shows the clash was initiated by the Peo- LT GEN BS RAJU TO BE NEW DGMO ple’s Liberation Army of China as the Indian troops were unarmed and had visited the site to verify an agreed-upon disengagement process. The Chinese had set up a camp at Toolkit case: Delhi court reserves order Tribune News Service New Delhi, February 20 Activist Disha Ravi on Saturday told a Delhi court that there was no evidence to show that the toolkit on farmers’ protest was responsible for the Republic Day violence in the Capital, even as the Delhi Police accused her of preparing the toolkit with those advocating ‘Khalis- Tribune News Service POLL DUTY: Paramilitary personnel collect their arms on arrival by a special train at Chitpur Yard, Kolkata, on Saturday. PTI Activist Disha Ravi tan’. “This was not just a toolkit. The real plan was to defame India and create unrest here,” the police told Additional Sessions Judge Dharmender Rana who reserved his verdict on her bail plea for Tuesday. Ravi was arrested by the Delhi Police from Bengaluru last weekend and brought to Delhi. She has been booked on sedition and other charges. On Friday, a city court sent her to three-day judicial custody on expiry of her five-day police remand. continued on page 7 the bend of the Galwan valley along the LAC and refused to move back despite an agreement to do so on June 6. Senior functionaries on the Indian side see the latest Chinese statements as a face-saver continued on page 7 US farm groups back protests MINNEAPOLIS: Eightyseven farm organisations and allied agro-ecology, farm and food justice groups in the US have in a statement expressed support for Indian farmers’ protests. The groups have urged the US and Indian Governments to support localised food systems to protect food sovereignty and livelihoods of millions. INSIDE New Delhi, February 20 The government is in advanced stages of finalising new guidelines to regulate social media platforms and make them accountable for the nature of content they host and peddle. The new set of directives would mandate amendments to the Information Technology Intermediaries Guidelines Rules of 2011 which are part FOCUS ON TIMELINE ■ Govt to set timeline for social media platforms to pull down unlawful content ■ May come up with 36-hour to 48-hour timeframe of Section 79 of the IT Act. The hallmark of the new rules would be the timelines social media platforms would need to follow when asked by the government to take down unlawful content. The definition of unlawful content is expected to be widened under the new rules. Government sources said discussions were underway on how much time to allow for removal of content, with a 36hour to 48-hour range under debate. Most countries follow the 36-hour timeline. The new rules would apply not just to continued on page 7 FB war: Morrison reaches out New Delhi, February 20 Australian PM Scott Morrison had discussed the issue of powerful tech companies holding governments to ransom with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. The conversation with the PM was the first as Morrison seeks to enlist global leaders to back Canberra in a fight with Facebook over its market power. “They may be changing the world, but that doesn’t mean they should run it,” Morrison said, posting his comments on Facebook. The social media giant had blockaded news for its Australian users after the House of Representatives passed the News Media Bargaining Code that would make Facebook and Google pay Australian media firms for the journalism that the platforms link to. — TNS Punjab sees 47% rise in Covid cases Joe Biden’s Indian-US Farmer, son take poison; Face masks, social distancing must, says Centre pick runs into hurdle note ‘blames’ agri laws New Delhi, February 20 Punjab is among the five states witnessing an upsurge in daily Covid cases over the past week with the state recording a 47.30 per cent jump in 24-hour infections between February 14 and 20. Along with Maharashtra, Kerala, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, Punjab today contributed 87 per cent of new cases even as Kerala and Maharashtra alone made up for 75.87 per cent of the active caseload in India. As against 260 new cases on February 14, Punjab saw 383 cases today, a surge of 47.30 per cent, while the correspon- 13,993 87% 75.8% daily cases in the country after 22 days new cases from Punjab Maha, Kerala, C’garh and MP of active caseload from Kerala & Maharashtra COVID-19VACCINATION INDIA TOTAL DAY’S COUNT ADVERSE EVENTS 1,08,38,323 1,86,081 0 ding surge was the highest for Maharashtra at 69.26 per cent (from 3,611 cases on February 14 to 6,112 today). The daily cases in the country climbed to about 13,993 after nearly 22 days. Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan appealed for use of face masks and adhering to social distancing norms. The minister said the government would revisit the behavioural strategy part as the vaccination drive progressed. The Centre is hoping to push herd immunity by fast-tracking vaccination, but the pace of progress remains slow. — TNS New York, February 20 President Joe Biden’s Indian-American nominee for a Cabinet post is at risk of not getting the Senate’s approval after a Democratic Senator announced he would not vote for her. Joe Manchin said on Friday that he would oppose Neera Tanden’s nomination to be the director of the powerful Office of Management and Budget, citing her history of attacking leaders of both Democratic and Republican parties. “Her overtly partisan statements will have a toxic and detrimental impact on the Democrat Senator opposes Neera Tanden over ‘partisan’ remarks important working relationship between members of Congress and the next director of the Office of Management and Budget,” he said. — IANS Long haul: Mist fans, freezers arrive at farmers’ protest site Ravinder Saini Tribune News Service RIL to set up world’s largest zoo in Guj GANDHINAGAR: The Reliance Industries Limited will set up the world's largest zoo in Gujarat's Jamnagar. It will have around 100 species of birds, reptiles and animals. — IANS FinMin suggests state-Centre dialogue to cut fuel prices PULLBACK India, China commanders meet at Moldo border point Stringent social media rules, draft almost ready MP city renamed Narmadapuram Bhopal, February 20 MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced that Hoshangabad city in the state would be renamed as Narmadapuram and a proposal to that effect would be sent to the Centre. He made the announcement during the Narmada Jayanti programme held in Hoshangabad on Friday evening. Addressing a gathering, the CM said, “We are sending a proposal to the Centre to change the name of Hoshangabad as Narmadapuram.” — PTI ter stressed each line of the Budget was carefully thought out with the PM reviewing the inputs given by the business community. The PM brought in his immense experience and direct contact with the industry to shape the Budget and now 10th round on way forward A freezer sent by villagers for protesters at Tikri. TRIBUNE PHOTO Jhajjar, February 20 Having braved severe cold for over two months, farmers from Punjab camping at Tikri border since November 27 are now gearing up for the summer season. They have made arrangement for mist fans and deep freezers. A submersible pump is also being installed to meet water requirements. They say they are ready to face VILLAGES POOL MONEY Arrangements afoot for ceiling fans, fridges, ACs, submersible pumps and water purifiers every situation to get the three farm laws repealed. Kewal Singh, a farmer from Moga district, said: “We have also placed orders for two air conditioners. We are ready for a long haul. Earlier, we braved bone-chilling cold and now we are ready to face severe heat with same enthusiasm.” Labhpreet Singh, another farmer, said: “We have also begun replacing our sheds. For potable water, an RO system is being installed.” Jasvinder of Ludhiana said farmers of various villages had pooled money to buy two deep freezers and five mist fans. “The freezers are required to keep eatables fresh during summer,” he said. Hoshiarpur, February 20 An indebted farmer and his son allegedly consumed some poisonous substance at Mohddipur village of Dasuya subdivision late last night. The bodies of Jagtar Singh (70) and his son Kirpal Singh (45) were found lying inside their house. The police recovered two notes, one purportedly penned by Jagtar Singh and the other by his son. Jagtar’s note reads: “I am taking my life over harassment due to an outstanding loan. The Congress government had promised debt waiver, but to no avail. Secondly, the Modi government is not repealing the farm laws. It is upsetting to see the farmers’ plight.” The other note too mentions similar reasons. In the end it reads: “Kisanon ki suno Modi sarkar, sirf apne mann ki baat na karo”. Jagtar’s brother Sukhvinder Bajwa said: “My brother was hoping that the Punjab Government would waive his loan. Both had earlier gone to take part in the agitation in Delhi.” Navjot Mahal, SSP said: “We , have taken the notes into our possession and are verifying the facts.” On alleged delay in Kisanon ki suno Modi sarkar, wrote victim RESOLVE IMPASSE, AMARINDER TO PM Chandigarh: Expressing concern over ‘disruptions caused by the new farm laws’, Pb CM Capt Amarinder has urged the PM to take up farmers’ issues & end the impasse at the earliest. ‘WANTED’ LAKHA GOES LIVE ON FB AGAIN Bathinda: Wanted for Red Fort violence, gangsterturned-social activist Lakhvir Singh alias Lakha Sidhana posted a video on social media late Friday night. He announced a rally against farm laws at CM’s native village Mehraj in Bathinda on February 23. debt waiver, Deputy Commissioner Apneet Riyat said: “I have asked the SDM concerned to probe the matter. We will also check facts regarding their debt waiver application and eligibility.” — OC