26032021-TTB-01.qxd 3/25/2021 11:40 PM Page 1 13 chandigarh | gurugram | jalandhar | bathinda | vol.5 no.84 | 14 pages | ~5.00 | regd.no.chd/0006/2021-2023 established in 1881 BIDEN TAPS HARRIS TO STEM IMMIGRANT FLOW WORLD /thetribunechd CAMPAIGNING FOR PHASE-I WB, ASSAM POLL ENDS BACK PAGE SEBI RELAXES NORMS FOR LISTING OF STARTUPS BUSINESS /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com friday | 26 march 2021 Second wave may peak late April SBI report says lockdown ineffective, mass vaccination drive must to tame surge Tribune News Service Brakes on Vaccine Maitri as cases rise PUNJAB REPORTS New Delhi, March 25 With India witnessing the second wave of Covid-19 exactly a year after the lockdown and cases breaching 53,476 mark, the highest 24day rise in 153 days, a report by the State Bank of India has estimated the infections in the ongoing wave will peak in the second half of April. Prepared with an eye on economic recovery prospects, the report notes that lockdowns and restrictions had not succeeded in taming the infections and advocates expanded vaccination to achieve population-based herd immunity. “Lockdown ineffective, mass vaccination is the only hope,” notes the document which speaks of India witnessing the second surge of the cases starting February 2021. “Pan-India total cases in the second wave are expected in IN BRIEF FB post: FIR against scribe quashed NEW DELHI: “Free speech of the citizens of this country cannot be stifled by implicating them in criminal cases,” the Supreme Court said on Thursday and quashed the FIR against veteran journalist Patricia Mukhim for “creating communal disharmony” through her Facebook post. — PTI 2,700 CASES 43 DEATHS ECONOMIC REVIVAL TO CONTINUE: RBI GUV The renewed Covid surge in many parts of the country is a matter of concern. However, I feel the revival of economic activity will continue unabated. ❝ Shaktikanta Das, RBI GOVERNOR the order of 25 lakh. Considering the number of days from the current level of daily infections to the peak level during the first wave of the pandemic, India might reach the peak in the second half of April,” the SBI document notes. A health worker collects a swab sample in New Delhi. MANAS RANJAN BHUI The report also places India at a better position compared to the world to address the second wave with vaccinations already gathering pace. The document says hastening the pace of inoculation is the only way to fight the pandemic. The report comes at a time when several states, especially Maharashtra, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh, are returning to localised restrictions. The Prime Minister in his recent engagement with the CMs had also advocated The surge in infections and expanding the vaccine drive at home led South Block to put the brakes on its major diplomatic initiative Vaccine Maitri. However, India has so far maintained its commitment of supplying the vaccines to vulnerable sections with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announcing the dispatch of two lakh doses for UN peacekeepers. The vaccines will be shipped on Saturday to Copenhagen for consolidation with the UN programme. — TNS imposition of micro containment strategy to break the chain of transmission of infections. Citing a study in respect of the Spanish flu of 1918, the SBI report says even the Great Pandemic Flu study continued on page 10 PATRIARCHAL SYSTEM The structures of our society have been created by males and for males. As a result, certain structures that may appear to be harmless, are a reflection of the insidious patriarchal system. SC Bench Tribune News Service New Delhi, March 25 Parliament was today adjourned sine die with the Budget session cut short by 14 days in view of the Assembly elections in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry. The second leg of the session, which began on March 8, was scheduled to end on the April 8. Members of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha had urged the government to curtail the session keeping in view of state elections. The demand had become stronger after Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla tested positive for Covid-19. After Question Hour in the Lok Sabha, Congress MP Ravneet Singh said, “The Budget session is going on… the entire country is watching. Should we meet the PM CONGRESS TO CHALLENGE NCT, MINES BILLS IN SC The Congress on Thursday said every Bill passed in the second half of the Budget session would be challenged legally, especially the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill and NCT Amendment Bill. BACK PAGE PARLIAMENT TO OVERSEE INFRA FUNDING BANK: FM The Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed the Bill for setting up the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID). Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said despite remaining out of purview of the “3Cs” (CBI, CVC and CAG), it would not be beyond oversight. It would submit its audited reports to both Houses of in a West Bengal rally?” Even as Minister of State of Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal was telling Ravneet Singh that this was “not correct as the PM had been attending” the proceedings, PM Modi walked into Tribune News Service ❝ Chandigarh, March 25 In response to the ‘Bharat Bandh’ call, farm unions in Punjab will observe a ‘complete’ shutdown from 6 am to 6 pm on Friday. Emergency medical services will, however, remain unimpeded. Talking to The Tribune, BKU Ekta-(Ugrahan) general secretary Sukhdev Singh Kokri Kalan said: “We will block rail and road movement. Taxis and other vehicles will also not be allowed. Truck unions have already declared their support to us.” General secretary of the 12-HOUR ‘BHARAT BANDH’ FROM 6 AM ■ Emergency services to remain unimpeded ■ Taxis, other vehicles won’t be allowed: Unions Petrol and diesel prices were on Thursday cut for the second straight day as international oil prices fell. Petrol price was cut by 21 paise per litre and diesel by 20 paise, according to a price notification of state-owned fuel retailers. — PTI New Delhi, March 25 The evaluation criteria set by the Army for granting permanent commission (PC) to women SSC officers constituted “systemic discrimination”, the Supreme Court said on Thursday. All Short Service Commission women officers (SSCWOs) who fulfilled the cut-off criterion of 60 per cent in the Special No 5 Selection Board held in September 2020 shall be entitled to the grant of permanent commission, the apex court said. A Bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud, however, said it would be subject to SSCWOs meeting the medical criteria prescribed by the General Instructions dated August 1, 2020, and receiving disciplinary and vigilance clearance. “All consequential benefits, including the grant of timescale promotions shall necessarily follow as a result of the directions contained in the judgment in Babita Puniya (2020) and the present judgment and steps to do so shall be PC told INX Media to help Karti: ED 2 CRPF men killed, 2 hurt in Srinagar militant attack New Delhi, March 25 Former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram’s direction to former INX Media promoters for “helping” business interests of his son is “one of the important steps of the scheme of money laundering” devised by the senior Congress leader, the ED has alleged in its charge sheet. Taking cognizance of the charge sheet against Chidhambram, his son Karti and others, a special court has issued summons to all accused for April 7. — TNS Tribune News Service HC grants bail to Deepak Kochhar MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court on Thursday granted bail to Deepak Kochhar, husband of former ICICI Bank CEO Chanda Kochhar, in a money laundering case by the ED. Kochhar had approached the HC after a special court rejected his bail plea in December. — PTI Petrol, diesel prices cut for second day NEW DELHI: New Delhi, March 25 Two Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed and two others sustained injuries today after car-borne militants fired at security forces in the Lawaypora area on the outskirts of Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir, the police said. In a statement, the J&K Police said, “Preliminary investigation has revealed that the terrorists fired indiscriminately on a CRPF vehi- Farm leader Rakesh Tikait, Gurnam Charuni and others during a Kisan Mahapanchayat in Karnal on Thursday. SAYEED AHMED BLOCKADES AT 13 SITES IN KARNAL DISTRICT ■ National Highway-44 will not be blocked: BKU (Charuni) ■ Meerut road in Nagla, Karnal-Indri road, Karnal-Jind NH-709A, Nilokheri-Dhand road, Karnal-Munak road, Karnal-Kaithal road in Nissing, four roads outside Assandh will be blocked ■ Truck unions also declare support for the farmers ■ Traders to observe strike too ■ Will also block rail traf- fic, say SKM leaders Kisan Mazdoor Sangarsh Committee Sarwan Singh Pandher said they intended to “show the government the ‘real’ potential of the farmers’ agitation”. Farmer lead- Athawale meets Kovind, wants Prez rule in Maha completed within three months from the date of the judgment,” it said. Noting that the structures of Indian society have been created by males for males, the SC directed the Centre and the Army to remove the requirement of benchmarking the SSCWOs with the last male officer who had received permanent commission in their corresponding batches. continued on page 10 One of slain security men hails from HP cle at Lawaypora on the national highway, in which four CRPF personnel received bullet injuries.” The injured security personnel were rushed to a nearby private hospital, where a sub-inspector was declared dead on arrival. The statement said later the remaining injured personnel were taken to a mil- Parliament besides being duty-bound to submit these as and when sought by the government, she said. TNS the House. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and several Cabinet ministers were also present on the occasion. In his valedictory speech, presiding officer Bhartruhari Mahtab said 18 Bills were continued on page 10 Farmers to block traffic today Systemic bias in criteria forwomen’spermanent commission, saysSC Tribune News Service Budget session curtailed due to state polls; LS output 114% Mumbai, March 25 Union Minister of State for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale on Thursday met President Ram Nath Kovind and sought President’s rule in Maharashtra in the wake of former Mumbai Police chief Param Bir Singh’s allegation of corruption against the state Home Minister, and the Sachin Waze episode. Athawale met the Presi- itary hospital here, where a constable succumbed to his injuries. The deceased have been identified as Sub-Inspector Manga Ram Dev Barman of Tripura and Constable Ashok Kumar of Himachal Pradesh. The injured are Constables Nazim Ali and Jaganath Ray. The area, which has witnessed several attacks on security forces and encounters with militants in recent years, had been cordoned off, police officials said. ‘PROBE WELCOME IF CM ORDERS IT’ ❝ I had demanded the Chief Minister to order a probe into Param Bir Singh’s allegation against me to clear the air. I will welcome if the CM orders probe. Anil Deshmukh, MAHARASHTRA HOME MINISTER dent in New Delhi. Talking to reporters after the meeting, the minister said, “I submitted a memorandum of demands to Kovind and urged him to impose President’s rule in Maharashtra. He told me that he will think about my demand.” “One police officer Sachin Waze plants explosives near the residence of businessman (Mukesh Ambani), while Home Minister Anil Deshmukh allegedly gives the target of collecting Rs 100 crore per month to senior police officers. This is a serious situation in the state,” he said. There should be a probe against Deshmukh as he was under suspicion at this moment, Athawale said. — PTI ers today addressed virtual meetings and sent teams to rural areas to urge the people to join the bandh. Special teams also visited mandis. Rajinder Singh Deep Singh Wala of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha claimed: “The public response will make it clear to the government that our voice is only getting louder”. Gurnam Singh Charuni, president of Bhartiya Kisan Union (Charuni), Haryana, said: “The 12-hour bandh will start at 6 am.” A bandh would also be observed in the national capital. The farmers’ leaders claimed trade unions had support to the bandh. Ex-CP Param Bir files plea in HC MUMBAI: Former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh on Thursday filed a PIL in the Bombay High Court seeking an “unbiased” probe against Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, who he claimed asked police officer Sachin Waze to collect Rs 100 crore from bars and restaurants. The IPS officer had earlier this week approached the Supreme Court. — PTI Mufti quizzed in laundering case Srinagar, March 25 PDP president Mehbooba Mufti was today questioned by the ED for more than five hours in connection with a money laundering case. COPS OPPOSE PASSPORT PLEA Security personnel conduct a search operation after the militant attack in Srinagar. PTI “Dissent has been criminalised in this country,” Mehbooba said after emerging from the ED office here. Meanwhile, the police have opposed giving passport to the ex-CM citing “adverse report” against her, officials said on Thursday. INSIDE