FRIDAY www.thestatesman.com 27 NOVEMBER 2020 FIND US ONLINE Scan this with your smartphone twitter.com/TheStatesmanLtd facebook.com/thestatesman1875 Pages 12 |`5|LC KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR ‘WE WON THE ELECTION BY A LOT’ JAISHANKAR, ABU DHABI CROWN PRINCE DISCUSS POST-COVID SITUATION ‘INDIA AND NEPAL SHARE VERY STRONG TIES’ P5 P4 IT’S AS TOUGH AS IT GETS DOWN UNDER P12 P10 RAINFALL: Nil RELATIVE HUMIDITY PM Modi pitches for ‘One Nation One Poll’ On 26/11 anniv, Modi asserts India is fighting terrorism with renewed vigour ‘Delhi Chalo’ protesters face water bombs, push Haryana police barriers Max: 95% SNS & PTI SNS & PTI WEATHER Mainly clear sky. Mist in the morning. The maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 23 and 08 degrees Celsius respectively. Min: 51% KEVADIA (GUJ)/ NEW DELHI, 26 NOVEMBER TEMPERATURE Max: 25.8°C (0) SUN RISES 06:54 hrs MOON RISES 15: 44 hrs Min: 10.4°C (-1) SUN SETS 17:24 hrs MOON SETS 04:50 hrs On simultaneous elections: Elections are held at different places every few months and it hampers the developmental work and all of you know it. Therefore, it is must to have deep study and deliberation on ‘One Nation, One Election P THUMBNAILS Left leaders Biman Bose and Surja Kanta Misra lead a protest rally during the 24-hour trade union strike against the Centre’s farm, labour IANS laws. In Kolkata on Thursday. IT sector visionary FC Kohli dead: Faqir Chand C Kohli, considered as the father of Indian IT industry, has passed away on Thursday. Kohli, the founding chief executive of sector leader TCS, was 96. In a statement, TCS said it mourns the death of Kohli, who died this afternoon, and added that it was JRD Tata's insistence that had got the young Kohli to join the Tata Group in 1969. Kohli led innovations in areas far-ranging from adult literacy, water purification, software engineering, software automation, complexsystems and cybernetics. Two soldiers killed in Srinagar terror attack: Two soldiers of Army's Quick Reaction Team (QRT) were killed on Thursday in Srinagar when terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) indiscriminately fired at them. Terrorists, who reportedly came in a car, indiscriminately fired at the soldiers who were deployed in the HMT area in the outskirts of the city. Helicopters were use from there after the attack. Army's spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia said; "Being a crowded area, troops exercised restraint to avoid any civilian casualties and collateral damage". rime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday advocated ‘One Nation, One Election’ system and a single voters’ list, saying that elections taking place every few months hinders development. Addressing the concluding session of the 80th All India Presiding Officers Conference here via video conference, Modi also paid homage to the victims of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, and asserted that India is fighting terrorism now with new policy and new process. On 26 November, 2008, ten Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists from Pakistan killed 166 people, including 18 security personnel, in a 60hour siege in Mumbai. Making a strong pitch for simultaneous elections on the Constitution Day, Modi said that ‘One Nation, One Election’ was not “just an issue of deliberation, but also the need of the country”. “Elections are held at different places every few months and it hampers the developmental work and all of you know it. Therefore, it is must to have deep study and deliberation on ‘One Nation, One Election’,” he said. He also said that having a single voters’ list was desirable. “Only one voters’ list should be used for Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha and other elections. Why are we wasting time and money on these lists?” he said. He also emphasised the need for coordination One single voters' list: Only one voters’ list should be used for Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha and other elections. Why are we wasting time and money on these lists? Having a single voters’ list is desirable. Inclusive politics: On the occasion of Constitution Day, Prime Minister Modi underlines that there is no place for politics of untouchability. He refers to the practice of KYC (know your customer) in the corporate world and says there should be a similar KYC Know Your Constitution drive to popularize the Constitution between three wings of the state~ Legislature, Executive and Judiciary ~ and said everything from these institutes’ roles to their decorum is described in the Constitution. “In the 1970s, we saw how there was an attempt to breach the dignity of separation of power, but the country got the answer only from the Constitution. After that period of Emergency, the system of checks and balances became stronger and stronger. “The Legislature, Executive and Judiciary, all three learned a lot from that period and moved forward,” the Prime Minister said. National interest should form the basis of every decision, Modi said. “We must remember that when politics take over people and nation-first policies, the nation has to pay adversely in such situations,” he Three dead as Nivarmakes landfall, weakens into severe cyclonic storm STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE CHENNAI, 26 NOVEMBER Three people have lost their lives and an equal number injured in cyclone Nivar-related incidents in Tamil Nadu. Meanwhile the very severe cyclone Nivar made a landfall near Puducherry close to the Cuddalore coast on Thursday morning around 3.30 causing widespread damage to properties and vegetation. The landfall process marked by gusty winds that touched more than 120 kmph began around midnight and ended around 0300 hrs today morning, Met office said. A bulletin issued by the government said the number of human lives lost in the State due to the cyclone fury was three and three others sustained injuries. A total of 101 houses, including 89 hutments and 12 tiled houses were damaged in the cyclone, accompanied by strong winds. It said 26 cattles and goats have perished due to heavy rains and gusty winds. There were 380 incidents of uprooting of trees and all of them were cleared. A total of 19 electric posts fell due to strong winds and all of them were repaired. It said banana plantation crops in 14 acres were damaged due to the cyclone. A total of 3,085 relief camps were set up by the government in which 2,27,317 people have been lodged. Besides, 921 permanent medical camps, 234 mobile camps were set up through which 73,491 people have benefited. Meanwhile, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami visited cyclone-hit areas in Cuddalore district today. As Cuddalore suffered major brunt of the cyclone fury, the chief minister, during his visit, would assess the damages caused by the calamity. Cuddalore received the maximum of 28.2 cm of rains during the last 24 hours ending at 8.30 this morning, followed by Parangipettai which recorded 19 cm of rains. Meanwhile, Chennai city received 9 cms of rain and the suburban Meenambakkam 12 cms. Union Home Minister Amit Shah today spoke to chief ministers of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on the prevailing situation arising out of Cyclonic Storm Nivar and assured all possible support. He said the Centre was closely monitoring the situation. “Have spoken to CM Shri @EPSTamilNadu and CM Shri @VNarayanasami and assured all possible help from the centre. NDRF teams already on ground to help people in need,” Shah said in a tweet. added. He cited the example of delay in the completion of the Sardar Sarovar Dam, saying it kept lingering, and was completed after years. “This could have happened earlier if development was given precedence. Those who stalled it, have no repentance,” he said in a clear attack on the Congress. Underlining that there is no place for politics of untouchability, Modi cited the example of the Statue of Unity built by his government for Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel despite Patel not being from the BJP or the Jana Sangh. Constitution is our guiding light to take on challenges in the 21st century, Modi said and called for raising awareness about it. “Our Constitution has many features but one very special feature is the importance given to duties. Mahat- ma Gandhi was very keen about this. He saw a close link between rights and duties. He felt that once we perform our duties, rights will automatically be safeguarded,” Modi said. He also referred to the practice of KYC (know your customer) in the corporate world and said there should be a similar KYC drive in the form of Know Your Constitution to popularise the Constitution and its different features. Recalling the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, PM Modi said it was the biggest terror attack on the country. “Today’s date is associated with the biggest terror attack on the country. On this date in 2008, terrorists sent from Pakistan had attacked Mumbai,” he said. “Many people died in that terror attack, and people of many nationalities were the victims. I pay my homage to all. I bow down to the security personnel who lost their lives in the attack.” He also recalled the sacrifices made by police personnel while saving innocent lives in the carnage. “India can never forget the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack and is now fighting terrorism with ‘nai neeti aur reeti’ (new policy and new process),” he said. The All India Presiding Officers Conference began in 1921, and the Gujarat event marks its centenary year. The theme for this year’s conference is ‘Harmonious Coordination between Legislature, Executive and Judiciary~ Key to a Vibrant Democracy.’ CHANDIGARH, 26 NOVEMBER Farmers from Punjab faced water cannons and broke police barriers at the state’s border with Haryana as they pushed towards the national capital on Thursday in their Delhi Chalo march against the Centre’s farm laws. At the Shambhu border, the Haryana Police and Punjab protesters in their tractor-trolleys faced each other off on a bridge over the Ghaggar River. Police made announcements on loudspeakers to ask the farmers assembled on the Punjab side of the interstate border to disperse. As smoke from teargas shells clouded the air and security personnel milled around, people could be seen standing on top of trucks. The Haryana Police had blocked the AmritsarDelhi highway at this border point with trucks to stop the farmers’ tractortrolleys, some of them laden with food. Farmers chucked some barricades into the river. They were also seen pushing the trucks. A few protesters initially managed to cross the barricades on foot. Later, police eased the blockade, allowing the protesters and their tractors to proceed on the road to Delhi, 200 km away. The Delhi Police have beefed up security at its border with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, in case the protesting farmers make it that far. In the afternoon, Punjab protesters who Delhi Police detain farmers protesting against the new SNS farm laws. At Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. had entered Haryana from other border points too were travelling towards Delhi. It is condemnable that Haryana Police is using such measures to suppress an assembly of peaceful protesters. We are protesting in a peaceful manner, but they want to prevent us from using our democratic right to protest, a farmer told reporters at Shambhu. The Haryana Police had placed boulders, barricades and parked trucks at multiple border points with Punjab, the Congress-ruled state which is backing the farmers’ cause. But most barricades were lifted a few hours later. Apart from Shambhu, police used water cannons against protesters trying to enter Kaithal district, and at Khanauri border where farmers are Active cases below 5L for 16th day in row SNS & PTI NEW DELHI, 26 NOVEMBER India’s Covid-19 caseload increased to 92.66 lakh with 44,489 new infections being reported in a day, while the recoveries surged to 86.79 lakh, the Union health Ministry said on Thursday. The death toll climbed to 1,35,223 with 524 new fatalities, the Ministry data updated at 8 a.m. showed. The Covid-19 active caseload has risen to 4,52,344, an increase of 7,598 cases from Wednesday, even though it remained below 5 lakh for the 16th consecutive day. The active cases comprise 4.88 per cent of the total caseload, the data stated. The total number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 86,79,138, pushing the national recovery rate to 93.66 per cent, while the Covid-19 case fatality rate stands at 1.46 per cent. India’s Covid-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on 7 August,30 lakh on 23 August and 40 lakh on 5 September. It went past 50 lakh on 16 September,60 lakh on 28 September, 70 lakh on 11 October, 80 lakh on 29 October, and surpassed 90 lakh on 20 November. According to ICMR, over 13.59 crore samples have been tested for Covid-19 till 25 November, with 10,90,238 samples being tested on Wednesday. The 524 new fatalities include 99 from Delhi, 65 from Maharashtra, 51 from West Bengal, 42 from Haryana, 31 from Punjab, 29 from Uttar Pradesh and 26 from Kerala. The Health Ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities. “Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR),” the Ministry said on its website, adding that state-wise distribution of figures is sub- ject to further verification and reconciliation. According to the Ministry, 65 per cent of the active cases are in eight states and UTs which have contributed to the maximum daily new cases and deaths. Delhi adds 5,475 new infections, 91 deaths: Delhi on Thursday recorded 5,475 fresh coronavirus infections, while 91 more fatalities pushed the city's Covid toll to 8,811, according to the Delhi government’s latest health bulletin. These new cases were detected out of 63,266 tests, including 28,897 RT-PCR ones — the highest till date — and 34,369 rapid antigen tests, the health bulletin said. The positivity rate was 8.65 per cent as compared to yesterday’s 8.49 per cent. Delhi’s Covid caseload mounted to 5,51,262, of which 5,03,717 patients have recovered. The tally of active cases rose to 38,734 from 38,287. Delhi 92,66,705 4,52,344 44,489 36,367 1,35,223 UNION HEALTH MINISTRY FIGURES AS OF 8.00 A.M. THURSDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2020 recorded 6,746 new cases on Sunday, 4,454 on Monday, 6,224 on Tuesday and 5,246 yesterday. (SEE ALSO PAGE 2) protesting under the banner of Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugarhan). Union president Joginder Singh said they will hold a peaceful protest there for seven days. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal condemned the Haryana Police action at Shambhu border. Shiromani Akali Dal president Sardar Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday said the Center was acting like Punjab was not a part of India. Condemning the used water cannons and tear gas shells by police to disperse protesting farmers, Badal said the Bharatiya Janata Party governments at the Centre and Haryana were treating farmers as one treats enemies. DGCA extends suspension of international flights till 31 Dec MUMBAI, 26 NOVEMBER The aviation safety regulator DGCA on Thursday extended the suspension of scheduled international commercial passenger flights to 31 December. The restrictions, however, will not apply on international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by the DGCA. International scheduled flights, however, may be allowed on selected routes by the competent authority on a case-tocase basis. The suspension of flights from/to India, which has been in place since 23 March in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, was to expire on 30 PTI November. ‘India has the highest AstraZeneca manufacturing error clouds study results bribery rate in Asia’ Phase-3 trial of Bharat Biotech’s ASSOCIATED PRESS LONDON, 26 NOVEMBER PRESS TRUST OF INDIA NEW DELHI, 26 NOVEMBER India has the highest bribery rate in Asia and the most number of people who use personal connections to access public services, according to a new report by corruption watchdog Transparency International. The Global Corruption Barometer (GCB) Asia, found that nearly 50 per cent of those who paid bribes were asked to, while 32 per cent of those who used personal connections said they would not receive the service otherwise. The report is based upon the survey which was conducted between 17 June and 17 July this year in India with a sample size of 2,000. “With the highest bribery rate (39 per cent) in the region, India also has the highest rate of people using personal connections to access public services (46 per cent),” the report said. Bribery in public services continues to plague India. Slow and complicated bureaucratic process, unnecessary red tape and unclear regulatory frameworks force citizens to seek out alternate solutions to access basic services through networks of familiarity and petty corruption, the report said. AstraZeneca and Oxford University on Wednesday acknowledged a manufacturing error that is raising questions about preliminary results of their experimental Covid-19 vaccine. A statement describing the error came days after the company and the university described the shots as “highly effective” and made no mention of why some study participants didn’t receive as much vaccine in the first of two shots as expected. In a surprise, the group of volunteers that got a lower dose seemed to be much better protected than the volunteers who got two full doses. In the low-dose group, AstraZeneca said, the vaccine appeared to be 90% effective. In the group that got two full doses, the vaccine appeared to be 62% effective. Combined, the drugmakers said the vaccine appeared to be 70% effective. But the way in which the results were arrived at and reported by the companies has led to pointed questions from experts. The partial results announced on Monday are from large ongoing studies in the U.K. and Brazil designed to determine the optimal dose of vaccine, as well as examine safety and effectiveness. Multiple combinations and doses were tried in the volunteers. They were compared to others who were given a meningitis vaccine or a saline shot. Before they begin their research, scientists spell out all the steps they are taking, and how they will analyse the results. Any deviation from that protocol can put the results in question. In a statement on Wednesday, Oxford University said some of the vials used in the trial didn’t have the right concentration of vaccine so some volunteers got a half dose. The university said that it discussed the problem with regulators, and agreed to complete the late stage trial with two groups. The manufacturing problem has been corrected, according to the statement. Experts say the relatively small number of people in the low dose group makes it difficult to know of the effectiveness. Some 2,741 people received a half dose followed by a full dose. A total of 8,895 people received two full doses. Another factor: none of the people in the lowdose group were over 55 years old.Younger people tend to mount a stronger immune response than older people. Covaxin commences in AIIMS NEW DELHI, 26 NOVEMBER The phase-three human clinical trial of indigenously developed anti-coronavirus vaccine candidate Covaxin began at the AIIMS here on Thursday with Dr M V Padma Srivastava, the chief of Neurosciences Centre at the premier institute, and three other volunteers receiving the first dose. ‘Covaxin’ is being developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indi- an Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Dr Srivastava was the first one to receive the shot, which would be given to around 15,000 volunteers at the AIIMS over the next few days, sources said. The first dose of the 0.5 ml intramuscular injection was given to four volunteers. They were under observation for two hours and will be monitored for the next few days, a source PTI said.