07122022-TTB-01.qxd 12/6/2022 11:53 PM Page 1 13 CHANDIGARH | GURUGRAM | JALANDHAR | BATHINDA | VOL. 142 NO. 337 | 14 PAGES | ~5.00 | REGD. NO. CHD/0006/2021-2023 ESTABLISHED IN 1881  HARYANA DAYS AFTER ‘HIT LIST’, HOME SECY REVIEWS SECURITY J&K POLL PANEL MOVES TO OUST IMRAN KHAN AS PTI CHIEF WORLD /thetribunechd FOREIGN FUNDS TO BE FAKE SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS ALLOWED OVER 51% IN CHALLENGE FOR POLL IDBI BANK BUSINESS BODIES: CEC BACK PAGE wednesday | 7 december 2022 /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com COUGH SYRUP HAI TO ALVIDA KHANSI For more information, please call or WhatsApp us: +91 977 921 4455 / care@torquepharma.com Winter session from today; Oppn lines up LAC standoff, inflation, joblessness Nobody should sleep hungry, govt’s duty to ensure food for all: SC Mukesh Ranjan Tribune News Service Tribune News Service New Delhi, December 6 The border standoff with China, alleged misuse of central probe agencies, AIIMS cyberattack, unemployment and price rise are among the issues the Opposition is expected to raise in Parliament as battle lines appeared to harden on the eve of the winter session beginning tomorrow. The government, for its part, said it was ready for discussion on any issue provided the rules permitted and the presiding officers of the two Houses agreed. Leaders from more than 30 parties attended a meeting convened by the government today to discuss the legislative agenda and the issues likely to be taken up. The results of the Assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh — to be declared on December 8 — are also likely to play out during the start of the session. The Opposition will seek to corner the government on several issues and a confrontation is likely on the 17 sittings over 23 days | To conclude on Dec 29 | 16 new Bills to be introduced Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chairs an all-party meeting on the eve of the winter session of Parliament in New Delhi on Tuesday. ANI GOVT OWES AN ANSWER DEBATES AS PER NORMS ❝ Sino-India border stand- politicalissues raisedbe ❝ All parties will by off, killings of Kashmiri Pandits, unemployment, taken up and discussions price rise… the government held as per Parliament owes an answer to the people norms. Pralhad Joshi, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, CONG LEADER IN LS demand for discussions on the Chinese “incursions” at the border and alleged misuse of agencies. The meeting, PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS MINISTER chaired by Union Minister and deputy leader of the BJP in the Lok Sabha Rajnath Singh, was to seek coopera- Delhi HC allows termination of 33-wk pregnancy World Bank raises India’s growth forecast to 6.9% New Delhi, December 6 The Delhi HC on Tuesday said the “ultimate decision” in matters of abortion ought to recognise a woman’s choice to give birth and the possibility of dignified life of the unborn child while allowing a 26-year-old married woman to undergo medical termination of her 33-week pregnancy. Justice Prathiba M Singh observed while the right to terminate pregnancy had been the subject matter of debate across the world, India recognised the choice of a woman in its law. The petitioner sought to terminate pregnancy as the foetus was suffering from certain cerebral abnormalities. — PTI New Delhi, December 6 The World Bank has revised its 2022-23 GDP forecast upwards to 6.9 per cent from 6.5 per cent made in October, “considering a strong outturn in India in the second quarter (July-September)”, said its latest India development update “Navigating the Storm”. “India’s economy has been remarkably resilient to the deteriorating external environment, and strong macroeconomic fundamentals have placed it in good stead compared to other emerging market economies,” said World Bank’s India Country Director Auguste Tano Kouame on Monday. However, continued vigilance was required as adverse global developments persisted, he cautioned. The Faridabad readies mega drive against illegal constructions Faridabad: The district administration has chalked out a comprehensive plan to raze illegal constructions falling within and outside the municipal limits. Deputy Commissioner Vikram Singh has appointed a duty magistrate to carry out the drive. Sources said though a survey was on to ascertain the exact number of illegal constructions, it is claimed the number could be in hundreds as the land mafia had been active in the city. The DC said the drive would be carried out this month as per instructions of the state government to curb the menace of illegal constructions and encroachments. — TNS Air surcharge: Leh and beyond Rs 2.00 KEY BILLS LIKELY TO BE TABLED 1. The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2021 2. Multi-State Coop Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2022 3. Forest Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 4. National Dental Commission tion from all parties for the smooth functioning of the session. Leader of House in the Rajya Sabha Piyush Goy- Bill to repeal an Act of 1948 5. National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill to repeal Indian Nursing Council Act, 1947 6. Bill to form North East Water Management Authority al and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi were also present. Joshi spelt out continued on page 9 MOROCCO KNOCK SPAIN OUT 6.5% PREVIOUS FY23 PROJECTION IN OCTOBER 6.6% FORECAST FOR ECONOMY IN FY24 FISCAL report “Navigating the Storm” says the deteriorating external environment will weigh on India’s growth prospects, but the economy is relatively well positioned to weather global spillovers compared to most other emerging markets. The report forecasts that the economy will grow at a slightly lower rate of 6.6 per cent in the next fiscal. A disconcerting trend is the widening of the current account deficit (CAD). Morocco players celebrate after knocking Spain out of the World Cup in a penalty shootout on Tuesday. REUTERS BRAZIL REACH LAST 8 Brazil outclassed South Korea 4-1 to set up a quarter-final tie against Croatia. Neymar made a goal-scoring return to action after injury, reaching 76 goals with the national team. New Delhi, December 6 Noting that it is part of our culture to ensure nobody goes to bed empty stomach, the Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Centre to make sure that the National Food Security Act, 2013, was implemented effectively and foodgrain reached the last man. “It is the duty of the Union Government to ensure foodgrain under the NFSA reaches the last man. We are not saying that the Centre is not doing anything, it has provided foodgrain to people during Covid. At the same time, we have to see it continues. It is our culture (to ensure) that nobody goes to sleep empty stomach,” a Bench led by Justice MR Shah said. While hearing a suo motu PIL on the plight of migrant workers during the pandemic, the SC asked the Centre to submit a fresh chart with the number of migrant and unorganised sector workers registered on the e-Shram portal. It posted the matter for fur- GRAIN BENEFIT DURING COVID MUST CONTINUE We are not saying the Centre is not doing anything, it has provided foodgrain to people during Covid. But we have to see it continues: SC Bench IN BRIEF TMC leader arrested over tweet on PM INCREASE COVER UNDER FOOD SECURITY ACT India has slipped in global hunger index… The population has increased and the number of NFSA beneficiaries has to go up: Petitioners ther hearing on December 8. On behalf of activists Anjali Bharadwaj, Jagdeep Chhokar and Harsh Mandar, advocate Prashant Bhushan pointed out that India’s population had increased since the 2011 census and accordingly, the number of beneficiaries under the NFSA had to go up. NEW DELHI: The Gujarat Police arrested TMC leader Saket Gokhale over a tweet endorsing an alleged fake news about PM Modi’s visit to Morbi. BACK PAGE Gujarat turnout 64%, 4% less than last time NEW DELHI: Gujarat saw a voter turnout of 64.33 per cent in the Assembly elections, a decline of 4.08 per cent over 2017 when it saw 68.41 per cent polling. TNS Why no bail to Agusta scam accused, asks SC NEW DELHI: Can someone be kept in jail indefinitely because he is a foreign national, the SC asked while hearing AgustaWestland scam accused’s bail plea. INSIDE Khalistani flags at event, India cautions Australia Act against terror proxies: Doval at NSAs’ meeting New Delhi, December 6 Perturbed over the profusion of Khalistani flags at an event for the Indian community in Melbourne, Indian government officials have sounded the highest levels in the Australian government about the growth of separatist forces in Australia. The move comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Australia to attend the Quad national leaders’ meeting. The large number of Khalistani supporters waving separatist flags at a November 19 event for the Indian community funded by the Australian government was deemed serious enough for Indian government officials to approach Foreign continued on page 9 Tribune News Service New Delhi, December 6 The National Security Advisers (NSAs) of India and Central Asian countries on Tuesday called for collective action to deal with the use of terror proxies for cross-border terrorism, terror financing and radicalisation. A joint communique at the end of the meeting agreed that connectivity initiatives should be based on principles of transparency, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, in a tangential criticism of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that, India says, runs through a portion of its territory occupied by Pakistan. Takes a swipe at China, Pakistan on CPEC NSA Ajit Doval greets Kazakhstan’s Security Council Secy Gizat Nurdauletov in New Delhi. ANI Describing finance as the “lifeblood” of terrorism, NSA Ajit Doval, in his opening remarks, said countering of terrorist financing should be of equal priority to all countries. continued on page 9 Charges framed against Ashish, 12 Free power scheme bleeds Punjab corpn others for murder, criminal conspiracy PSPCL losses touch ~1,880 cr, has raised ~2,300-cr loan this year; addl meters in demand Aman Sood Tribune News Service New Delhi, December 6 A Lakhimpur Kheri court on Tuesday framed charges against Union minister Ajay Kumar Mishra’s son Ashish and 12 others for murder, criminal conspiracy and certain other offences in the case of mowing down of protesting farmers in October last year. Accused Ashish Mishra and 12 others have been charged under IPC sections 147 and 148 related to rioting, 149 (unlawful assembly), 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to KHERI VIOLENCE 13 OF THE 14 ACCUSED IN JAIL ■ Union minister Ajay Kumar Mishra’s son Ashish, the main accused in the case, and 12 other accused are in jail ■ 14th accused, charged with destroying evidence, is on bail murder), 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons), 427 (mischief) and 120B (punish- ment for criminal conspiracy), and Section 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act. Additional District Judge Sunil Kumar Verma will now take up the matter on December 16 when the trial is expected to commence against the accused, advocate Mohammad Aman, who represented some of the farmers, told The Tribune. Ashish Mishra is the main accused in the case. The other 12 accused are Ankit Das, Nandan Singh Bisht, Latif Kale, Satyam, alias Satya Prakash Tripathi, Shekhar continued on page 9 Tribune News Service Patiala, December 6 The Punjab Government’s populist free power scheme, leading to “zero bills” for a majority of the domestic consumers, is burning a hole in the pocket of the cashstrapped Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), which has already raised a loan of Rs 2,300 crore this year. The PSPCL is at present suffering a loss of over Rs 1,880 crore in contrast to a profit of Rs 1,069 crore it generated in March 2022. Data shows that as compared to 2.20 lakh new domes- 87% GOT ZERO BILLS IN NOV ■ As many as 87 per cent of the total 74 lakh domestic consumers in Punjab got ‘zero bills’ in Nov ■ Compared to 2.20 lakh new domestic connections released till Sept in 2021, this year, 2.94 lakh were released during this period ■ Sources say eyeing zero bill, many consumers are opting for more than one connection tic connections released till September in 2021, this year, 2.94 were released during this period with many consumers reportedly going in for more than one connection. “A ■ The state has told the PSPCL that it will pay Rs 15,845 cr as ‘power subsidy’ for the current year; the subsidy, however, is likely to cross Rs 18,000 crore majority are eyeing the zero bill scheme,” claimed a top PSPCL functionary. The power subsidy figure is likely to swell to around Rs 18,000 crore this fiscal as against the budgetary provision of Rs 15,845 crore. “Around 87 per cent of the total 74 lakh domestic consumers in Punjab got ‘zero bills’ in November. As a result, the domestic subsidy alone has crossed the Rs 3,000-crore mark as compared to Rs 1,100 crore last year,” said a PSPCL insider. All-India Power Engineers Federation spokesman VK Gupta said, “The Punjab Government already has a pending subsidy bill of Rs 9,020 crore, which is likely to see an addition of Rs 3,000 crore this fiscal.” continued on page 9