25112021-TTB-01.qxd 24-11-2021 23:46 Page 1 13 CHANDIGARH | GURUGRAM | JALANDHAR | BATHINDA | VOL. 141 NO. 325 | 16 PAGES | ~5.00 | REGD. NO. CHD/0006/2021-2023 ESTABLISHED IN 1881  HARYANA AFTER NEARLY 2 YRS, NZ TO OPEN BORDERS IN JANUARY WORLD /thetribunechd TANDEM FLIGHTS SUSPENDED AT BIR BILLING HIMACHAL RBI PUTS CURBS ON MALKAPUR URBAN CO-OP BANK BUSINESS IMMEDIATE MEASURES NEEDED: SC ON AIR POLLUTION NATION thursday | 25 november 2021 /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com Cabinet clears Bill to repeal 3 farm laws; Parl approval next Tribune News Service For Democracy Summit, Biden invites India, Pak Sandeep Dikshit Tribune News Service New Delhi, November 24 India and Pakistan are among the countries from South Asia invited by US President Joe Biden for his “Democracy Summit”, which is topped by the surprise inclusion of Taiwan. South and Central Asia scored just four invites; the other two are for the Maldives and Nepal. US think-tanks that enthusiastically backed the Biden move have, however, severely critiqued the invitation to Pakistan but the criticism towards India has been milder. “The current mix of invitees includes liberal democracies, weaker democracies, and several states with authoritarian characteristics (such as Congo and Pakistan). Rather than limit participation to a core group of Continued on page 12 New Delhi, November 24 Taking the first step forward in completing the formalities for repealing the three contentious farm laws, the Union Cabinet today approved “The Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021”. It will be now tabled in the winter session of Parliament. In his address to the nation on November 19, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the Union Government’s decision to withdraw the three farm laws, saying the government failed to convince protesting farmers about the benefits of the agriculture sector reforms. He had also urged them to end their protest and return home. Announcing the decision taken at the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by PM Narendra Modi, Union Minister Anurag Thakur said the first step in completing the formalities to repeal the farm laws had been taken. “Approval has been granted to the Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021, to roll back the three laws passed by Parliament in September last year, with an objective to bring IN BRIEF Gambhir gets death threat from ISIS-Kashmir NEW DELHI: Ex-cricketer and BJP MP Gautam Gambhir has filed a police complaint that he has received death threats from ISIS-Kashmir. Security has been beefed up outside his residence. TNS Delhi schools, offices to reopen from Nov 29 In view of an “improvement” in air quality, the Delhi Government has decided to resume physical classes in schools and colleges and reopen offices from November 29. TNS NEW DELHI: Channi to rescue of debt-ridden Pbi University PATIALA: Providing relief to cash-strapped Punjabi University, CM Charanjit Singh Channi announced increase in its monthly grant to ~20 crore and takeover of its Rs 150-crore bank overdraft. TNS High Court moved over quota for locals in Hry CHANDIGARH: The Haryana Government’s law providing 75 per cent quota in industries to the domiciles of the state has been challenged in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. INSIDE FREE FOODGRAIN PLAN EXTENDED TILL MARCH The government on Wednesday decided to extend the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (free foodgrains to around 80 crore poor) from December 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022. TNS 3 RESEARCH SCHEMES TO CONTINUE 5 MORE YRS ■ Ocean research scheme O-SMART extended for five years | Cost ~2,177 cr ■ National Apprenticeship Training Scheme stays for 5 years | Cost ~3,054 cr ■ ACROSS plan for atmospheric science programmes extended for 5 yrs | Cost ~2,135 cr ■ SPV for privatisation of power distribution in Dadra Nagar Haveli ON GOVERNMENT’S PRIORITY LIST ❝ In the upcoming session of Parliament, it will be our priority to take back the three agriculture laws. Anurag Thakur, UNION MINISTER reforms in the agriculture sector, especially marketing of farm produce,” he said. The three laws to be repealed are: Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act; the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act; and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act. “In the upcoming session of Parliament, it will be our priority to take back these three laws,” the minister said. The winter session will begin on November 29 and conclude on December 23. The repeal of the three farm legislations has been one of the key demands of around 40 farmer unions protesting against these reforms for nearly a year now at Tikri, Singhu and Ghazipur on the Delhi border. Numbers swell at Tikri, Singhu for stir anniv Ravinder Saini and Mukesh Tandon Tribune News Service Jhajjar/Sonepat, November 24 Farmers from Punjab have started returning to Tikri and Singhu borders to mark the anniversary of their protest on November 26. Hundreds of them, including women, arrived on Wednesday, some carrying sweets to express happiness over the repeal of the contentious farm laws. Karnail Singh, who came from Sangrur, was hopeful that the PM would meet their other demands too. “We have set up three committees to make arrangement for food,” said Pargat Singh, general secretary, BKU (Rajewal). He said since most farmers had sown wheat by now, they expected a large gathering by November 26. Another BKU leader Purushottam Singh Gill said a majority of protesters who had arrived here were from Moga, Bathinda, Faridkot, Sangrur and Amritsar etc. BSF lodges protest with Pak over drones launched on the basis of specific information about the presence of terrorists in Rambagh. As security forces approached the terrorists’ hideout, they came under fire. In the retaliatory fire, all three utras were killed. Meanwhile, a report from Jammu said the BSF had lodged a protest with Pakistan over violation of the Tribune News Service Shimla, November 24 The HP Horticulture Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (HPMC) products like juices, jams, pickles and wines could soon be available at Delhi Metro stations. “We are in talks with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation for showcasing and selling HPMC products at its 248 Metro stations,” said an New Delhi, November 24 The decision by Pakistan to temporarily exempt India from sharing the list of pilgrims visiting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib via Kartarpur corridor 10 days before their departure is “nothing big” and “no favour”, say officials in the government, claiming that it was “simply a controlling technique” of the neighbouring country. A senior government official, who was part of the negotiations on the Kartarpur corridor, said, “We share the list International Border (IB) by sending drones across the border. The BSF delegation was led by Commandant Ajay Suryavanshi and the Pakistan delegation by Wing Commander Lt Col Aquil of 13 Wing Chenab Rangers, a BSF spokesperson said. “During the meeting, the commanders discussed various issues, including maintenance of border pillars and latest infrastructure activities on the border, Pakistan drone operations and other activities,” he said. — TNS Its products may soon hit Delhi Metro outlets FOR A BIGGER SLICE ■ HPMC has already signed MoU with Haryana Agro Industries Corporation for selling its products in Haryana. ■ Is in touch with big buyers like Parle and FIL Industries ■ Will participate in Vinexpo India in New Delhi from December 9-11 New Delhi, November 24 Days after meeting West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar in Kolkata, BJP Rajya Sabha member Subramanian Swamy today met West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at the Delhi residence of her nephew Abhishek amid speculation that he would join the TMC. This did not happen. “I was already with her. There is no need for me to join the party,” he said. Later, he put out a tweet saying, “Of all the politicians I have met or worked with, Mamata Baner- WB CM INVITES MODI TO OPEN BIZ SUMMIT Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday invited PM Modi to inaugurate the Bengal Global Business Summit to be held in Kolkata in April next year. The PM accepted the invitation, the CM said. jee ranks with JP (Jayaprakash Narayan), Morarji Desai, Rajiv Gandhi, Chandrashekhar and PV Narasimha Rao, who meant what they said and said what they meant. In Indian politics, it’s a rare quality.”— TNS Tribune News Service of pilgrims with Pakistan 10 days prior to departure as per agreement. Because of its reopening at short notice immediately before Gurpurb (November 19), it was not possible to honour the 10-day period for advance sharing of Continued on page 12 Chandigarh, November 24 The Centre’s plan to introduce in Parliament a Bill to bar most private cryptocurrencies has triggered panic selling in the country’s digital currency market with investors looking to exit positions despite the losses. The dollar-linked stable coin tether slumped 25 per cent to nearly Rs 60 ($0.8061) on Wednesday, said Naimish Sanghvi, a cryptocurrency investor. A second crypto investor said the value of his portfolio fell to about Rs 22,000 Chandigarh, November 24 Congress’ Punjab affairs incharge Harish Chaudhary on Wednesday issued a showcause notice to Preneet Kaur, the Congress MP from Patiala and wife of former CM Capt Amarinder Singh, accusing her of anti-party activities. Preneet has been told to give an explanation within a week, failing which action would be taken against her. The notice comes ahead of Patiala Mayor Sanjeev Sharma, a Captain loyalist, proving his majority in the Patiala Municipal Corporation on Thursday. Clearly, the leadership wants to send out a message to the rebels to fall in line. ~1,788 cr likely to be the capital worth of the Indian CryptoTech industry by 2030 AT 10 CRORE, INDIA HAS MOST CRYPTO OWNERS ~40,000 cr worth investments in crypto by May 2021, up from ~6,876 cr in April last NATION CRYPTO OWNERS POPULATION India 10.07 cr 7.30 ly employed in the industry US 2.74 cr 8.31 230 plus start-ups involved Russia 1.73 cr 11.91 in the crypto industry Nigeria 1.30 cr 6.31 PERCENTAGE Ukraine 55.6 lakh 12.73 (SOURCE: BROKERCHOOSER) 50,000 individuals current- 15 exchange platforms in India, including CoinSwitch Kuber, Zebpay, WazirX, UnoCoin and CoinDCX from Rs 34,000 on Tuesday as a result of heavy selling. “I am contemplating selling because the future appears so uncertain,” said the investor. Several exchanges were facing deposit and withdrawal challenges due to the high volume of selling, said cryptocurrency traders. WazirX, one of India’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, said that it was investigating reports that users were facing delays on its app and website. It later claimed the issue had been resolved. Continued on page 12 edit: cryptocurrency law SIT probing sacrilege cases misses deadline Kids can wait, cover low-vax nations: WHO Jupinderjit Singh Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service Security personnel stand guard after an encounter in Srinagar. PTI HPMC eyeing bigger, juicier market outside state Subhash Rajta Swamy meets Didi, ranks her with JP Tribune News Service Pak’s Kartarpur move Panic selling as govt plans to bring crypto Bill no big favour: Officials THE COIN BANDWAGON Militant behind selective killing of teachers in Srinagar shot dead New Delhi/Srinagar, Nov24 A top TRF (The Resistance Front) commander, said to be responsible for the killing of school principal Supinder Kour and her colleague Deepak Chand in the school premises at Eidgah, Srinagar, on October 7, was among three terrorists killed in an encounter in Rambagh in Srinagar district on Wednesday. Director General of Police Dilbag Singh said TRF commander Mehran was among those killed in the encounter after an operation was BJP leader Subramanian Swamy with West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee in New Delhi on Wednesday. PHOTO: MANAS RANJAN BHUI Congress sends notice to Preneet HPMC official. The discussions with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation are part of the HPMC’s larger plan to find a bigger market for its products, both within and outside the state. The HPMC has already signed an MoU with Haryana Agro Industries Corporation, which will allow HPMC to sell its products at select stores of the corporation in Haryana. Also, the HPMC is in touch with big buyers like Parle and FIL Industries. Besides, the HPMC will participate in the first Vinexpo India being held in New Delhi from December 9-11. “It’s the first of its kind initiative in the country and the HPMC will participate in a big way to find market for the wines it produces,” said the official. The HPMC produces nine types of wines, and a Continued on page 12 Chandigarh, November 24 The SIT probing the Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura police firing incidents has missed its six-month deadline by two weeks even as CM Charanjit Singh Channi and PCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu have been pressing for justice in sacrilege and related cases. The government under then CM Capt Amarinder Singh had set the May 7 deadline while constituting the new SIT after the Punjab and Haryana High Court dissolved the earlier SIT led by DGP Prabodh Kumar. Congress leaders led by Sidhu had then criticised Capt Amarinder for giving a “long time” to the new SIT to finish the probe. However, despite change in leadership and slugfest between Congress leaders over the appointment of APS Deol, who represented former DGP Sumedh Singh Saini in sacrilege cases, as Advocate General, the SIT is yet to finish the probe. Two Sikh activists protesting sacrilege were killed in police firing in Behbal Kalan on October 14, 2015. In a relat- TOP DERA OFFICIALS SUMMONED BY SIT The SIT probing sacrilege cases on Wednesday summoned Vipassana Insan, chairperson, Dera Sacha Sauda, and Dr PR Nain, senior vice-chairperson, for questioning in Ludhiana on November 26. It is alleged that sacrilege incidents were planned at the dera headquarters in Sirsa. ed incident the same day, several protesters were injured in police firing in Kotkapura. The SIT is probing if the decision to open fire was due to circumstances on the ground or was deliberately given by senior police officers or a political authority. Sources said the probe conducted so far by the SIT, led by ADGP LK Yadav with IG Rakesh Aggarwal and DIG Surjit Singh as its members, was scheduled to be discussed next week with legal experts. When approached, Advocate General Deepender Singh Patwalia refused to comment on the delay. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Sidhu could not be contacted. Tribune News Service New Delhi, November 24 With several countries rushing to expand Covid-19 vaccination to cover children, the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday said countries should prioritise global sharing of vaccines to cover low inoculation nations before proceeding to vaccinate children. India’s National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation is to meet in November-end to take a call on whether to expand the national Covid inoculation drive to cover children. “As a matter of global equity, as long as many parts of the world are facing extreme vaccine shortages, countries that have achieved high vaccine coverage in their high-risk populations should prioritise global sharing of Covid-19 vaccines before vaccinating children and adolescents who are at low risk for severe disease,” the WHO said in an interim statement today. It noted that some countries, including the US and India, had approved vaccines Continued on page 12