CMYK FRIDAY www.thestatesman.com 21 JANUARY 2022 FIND US ONLINE Scan this with your smartphone twitter.com/TheStatesmanLtd facebook.com/thestatesman1875 Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC KOLKATA| NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR PARADIGM SHIFT JD-U'S ‘THREAT POLITICS’ BECOMES A LAUGHING STOCK P5 WEATHER Mainly clear sky with Mist/ Fog in the morning. Temperature likely to be in the range of 24-13 degrees Celsius. RAINFALL: Nil RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max.96% TEMPERATURE Max: 23.5 °C(-2) SUN RISES 06:18 hrs MOON RISES 19:25 hrs New moon on 01 THUMBNAILS Kids holding Kashmiri Kangri during fresh snowfall at Tangmarg, Kashmir on Wednesday.  ANI Brahmos missile test-fired: India on Thursday f successfully test-fired a new version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile off the coast of Odisha in Balasore. The missile was equipped with new technological developments which were successfully proven. The Defence Research and Development Organisation said that Brahmos supersonic cruise missile with increased indigenous content and improved performance was test-fired at 10.30 a.m. One arrested from Odisha in Bulli Bai App case: The cyber police of the Mumbai crime branch on Thursday arrested Niraj Singh, a 28-year-old MBA graduate from Lamtibahal area under Brajrajnagar Police limits in connection with the Bulli Bai App case.The accused, identified as Niraj was working for a private company in Noida. The defense lawyer for the accused P Ram Mohan Rao told media persons that there is no proof against his client and that they will move a higher court in Mumbai. Jharsuguda SDJM Court allowed Mumbai police to take the accused on transit remand. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 20 JANUARY The Indian Army has sought the assistance of the People's Liberation Army of China in locating and returning to India a 17-year-old youth from Arunachal Pradesh who was reportedly captured by the PLA across the Line of Actual Control (LAC). “Seventeen year old youth Miram Tarom of Zido, Arunachal Pradesh was reportedly captured by the PLA across the LAC. On receipt of information, the Indian Army immediately contacted PLA through a hotline. Assistance from the PLA has been sought to locate and return him as per protocol,” Army sources said. P9 Examinations are not a proxy for merit and merit should be socially contextualised and re-conceptualised as an institution towards equality that we as a society value NEW DELHI , 20 JANUARY he Supreme Court on Thursday allowed the Central government to provide 27 per cent reservation for OBC and 10 per cent to economically weaker sections (EWS) in All India quota (AIQ) seats in medical courses, saying that reservation is not at odds with merit, rather furthers its distributive impact. Pronouncing detailed reasons for its decision, the top court said that merit cannot be reduced to the definition of performance in open competitive examination and merit should be socially contextualised. “Competitive exams do not reflect economic social advantage which is accrued to some classes. Merit should be socially contex- T tualised,” the bench headed by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud said. The top court also emphasised that judicial intervention at this stage will further delay the admission process this year, and it would also trigger litigation. "We are still in the midst of the pandemic and thus the nation needs doctors," the bench said. The apex court also declared that the Pradeep Jain judgment can't be read to mean no reservation in AIQ seats. In connection with the EWS quota, the top court said the petitioners' argument was not limited to the quota in AIQ, but it was also on the criteria adopted by the Central government. Emphasising that this aspect requires detailed hearing, the bench fixed it for further hearing in the third week of March this year. A group of petitioners led by Neil Aurelio Nunes moved the top court challenging the Centre's July 29, 2021 notification to implement OBC and EWS reservation in NEET-All India Quota from the current academic session in the postgraduate courses. The Supreme Court also clarified that the Central government was not required to seek the permission of P12 Deaths significantly less in third wave due to vaccination: ICMR SC upholds validity of OBC quota in NEET SNS/AGENCIES Min: 12.7 °C(-1) SUN SETS 17:16 hrs MOON SETS 08:01 hrs February Arunachal boy missing: Army seeks PLA’s assistance P6 ASIAN NEWS INTERNATIONAL Court allows 27 % reservation for OBC, 10% for EWS in NEET All India Quota Min. 43% CHIRWA SUSPENDED FROM BOWLING IN INT’L CRICKET PYONGYANG SLAMS US, HINTS AT RESUMING NUKE, ICBM TESTS the Court to reserve seats in All India Quota. On January 7 the Supreme Court allowed NEET-PG Counselling for 2021-2022 based on existing EWS/OBC reservation criteria. The apex court had given a green signal to 27 per cent reservation for Other Backward Class (OBC) and 10 per cent for Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category in the All-India Quota (AIQ) seats for the admission process in the NEET as existing criteria this year. However, for the EWS category, the Supreme Court had said that the 10 per cent criteria, which was notified earlier shall continue to operate for this year so that the admissions process shall not be dislocated for the current academic year. The court has earlier reserved its order on pleas relating to the matter. NEW DELHI , 20 JANUARY Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) head Dr Balram Bhargava, in a health briefing, on Thursday asserted that deaths have been considerably reduced due to Covid vaccinations in this third surge of the coronavirus infection. Dr Bhargava while addressing a Union health briefing here today, said, "Vaccines have remained beneficial in India. Deaths have considerably reduced due to vaccinations. In this third surge of Covid, we are currently not witnessing severe illness and deaths due to high vaccination uptake." As Drugs Controller General of India's (DCGI) subject expert committee (SEC) recommended the regular market approval to 3,82,18,773 19,24,051 3,17,532 2,23,990 4,87,693 UNION HEALTH MINISTRY FIGURES AS OF 8.00 A.M. THURSDAY 20 JANUARY 2022 Bengal registered 10,959 fresh cases and 37 deaths Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech for their vaccines Covaxin and Covishield with conditions for the adult population, Bhushan said that a final decision of the national reg- Vaccination for kids below 15 years to begin after scientific evidence: Centre ASIAN NEWS INTERNATIONAL GETTING READY NEW DELHI, 20 JANUARY The Central Industrial Security Force marching contingent takes part in the rehearsals for the Republic Day parade, in New Delhi on Thursday.  ANI The panel studied BENGALURU, 20 JANUARY: information furnished Over 300 clubs across Kar- by the revenue nataka may soon have to department on 22 shed their dress codes for other clubs in B’luru guests and members alike. That is, if the state committee under N Ravikumar, member, legislative council, has its way. “Some clubs have dress code and they give membership mostly to foreigners or those who have black money and follow foreign culture,” the panel, set up last year, said in its interim report submitted to the assembly today. The panel members, headed by BJP legislator Hemachandra Sagar, visited Bangalore Golf Club, Century Club, Karnataka State Cricket Associ- ation, Bangalore Turf Club, Bowring Institute Club and Bangalore Club - all popular clubs in Bangalore. The panel studied information furnished by the revenue department on 22 other clubs in Bengaluru. Majority of the clubs have rigid restrictions and, accordingly, do not allow members or guests wearing informal or casual dresses ,including chappals ,kurta and pyjamas. Others insist on guests wearing formal shoes. The clubs do not have any right to impose restrictions on “our dress.” Especially, if our dress- The Union Health Ministry will decide about Covid vaccination for children less than 15 years of age only after scientific evidence, said Rajesh Bhushan, Health Secretary while addressing a press briefing on Thursday. “From January 16, 2021, Covid vaccination has been started and rolled out based on scientific evidence and assumptions of protecting the most vulnerable people. So, as the scientific evidence evolved, we will be expanding the coverage of vaccination. We will take a decision on the basis of scientific evidence for below 15 years old children," Bhushan said. Further, Dr VK Paul, Member (Health) Niti Aayog explained, "Covid vaccination for 12 years old is our next goal. These decisions will only be taken after scientific information and scientific decision. We are working on it also.” Earlier, the official sources reported ANI that vaccination for those under 15 years of age has not been yet taken by the Union Health Ministry. The Central government also informed that 72 per cent of India's adult population is fully vaccinated whereas around 52 per cent of children in the 15-18 years old age group have been inoculated with the first dose of Covid vaccine. Meanwhile, the health officials said that the adolescents in the age group of 15-18 years are actively participating in the vaccination drive. It’s draconian: Mamata to PM on IAS cadre rules Clubs in Karnataka may get a dressing down STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE ulator is yet to be taken. “SEC of CDSCO has recommended to the DCGI that two vaccines be provided market approval. A final decision of the national regulator is yet to be taken," he added. Earlier on Wednesday, the SEC of CDSCO has recommended the upgrade of Covishield and Covaxin status from restricted use in emergency situations to grant new drug permission with conditions in the adult population, DCGI will evaluate the recommendations and give its decision.The market authorisation for vaccines means that they can be authorized for use without reservation and conditions. The subject expert committee during the meeting that was held last week asked both the companies to submit more data before granting market approval. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA 20 JANUARY es are comfortable and decent. The codes are a nuisance and need to be done away with, if Ravikumar’s argument to a local paper ,is any indication. According to him, the nine-member panel has received several complaints from across the state. Not surprisingly, therefore, post the pandemic, the committee proposes to travel to different parts of Karnataka to get a first hand view of the prevailing situation in terms of the dress codes imposed by some clubs.Karnataka, incidentally, is not alone in matters of dress codes in clubs. In fact, MF Hussain was once prevented from entering one of the leading clubs in Mumbai, because of his dress ~ kurta -pyjama and chappals. In her second letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi this week, chief minister Mamata Banerjee today yet again objected at the Centre’s revised draft amendment to the IAS (Cadre) Rules, 1954 apprehending that it would “destroy the morale and freedom of the IAS officers”, create a “fear psychosis” which will impact their performance. She said that the proposal is against the foundations of “our great federal polity” and the “basic structure of India’s Constitutional scheme” and urged Modi for its roll-back. “I humbly urge you to kindly reconsider this move by the Central government and not to go ahead with the proposed amendments and request you not to push us to the point of greater movements on this issue to protect the soul of this great democracy that India is and has been,”Banerjee wrote to Modi in a two-page letter. Earlier, in a letter dated 13 January,Banerjee had expressed strong reservation against this move. However, instead of withdrawing it, the Centre had instead proposed another revised draft. Currently, out of 378 IAS posts, there are 285 officers of which seven are in central deputation and two on study leave.According to Banerjee the revised draft proposal has taken the matter to “fur- ther non-federal extremes”. “I find the revised amendment more draconian than the former, and indeed its very grain is against the foundations of our great federal polity and the basic structure of India’s Constitutional scheme”. The revised proposal states that an officer, who is selected by the Central government for posting in any part of the country, without his/her consent and without agreement of the state government, will now stand released from his/her current assignment. Banerjee apprehended that the over-centralisation of powers is going to destroy the morale and freedom of the IAS officers as well as render them and all the state governments at the mercy of the Cente since the IAS serve as the backbone of a state’s administrative machinery. The amendment will hang on the head of each officer like “a Damocles’ sword” and “create fear psychosis which is bound to impact their performance, effectiveness and accountability to the state government” Banerjee reiterated her request to roll back the proposed draft amendment and said that it would otherwise have far reaching consequences for India. Further, Banerjee also warned that the proposed amendments are prone to be misused by the party in power at the Centre and leave the states at the mercy of the Central government. She said that no government would like to implement this change that will reduce the “steel frame of India to an entity functioning in perpetual fear, pressure or intimidation, causing instability and uncertainty in administration and development process”. ‘Time to redeem what country lost in 100 years of slavery’ Amar Jawan Jyoti flame, National War Memorial flame to be merged STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 20 JANUARY Launching the “Azadi Ke Amrit Mahotsav se Swarnim Bharat Ke Ore” ceremony and flagging off seven initiatives of Brahma Kumaris on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi exhorted people to work in the coming 25 years to redeem what the country lost in the hundreds of years of slavery. “The coming 25 years are the period of utmost hard work, sacrifice, and ‘tapasya’. This period of 25 years is for getting back what our society has lost in hundreds of years of slavery,” Prime Minister Modi said addressing the gathering virtually. Modi called for lighting 'lamp of duty' in the heart of every citizen for taking the country to new heights. “All of us have to light a lamp in the heart of every citizen of the country - the lamp of duty. Together, we will take the country forward on the path of duty, then the evils prevailing in the society will be removed and the country will reach new heights,”he said. Modi said as India celebrate the 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' , “it is also our responsibility that the world should know India properly." He said the country was witness to the emergence of India "whose thinking and approach are innovative and whose decisions are progressive”. He said Amrit Kaal was not for sleeping and dreaming but a time for fulfilling res- olutions. He said India is building a society free from discrimination and based on equality and social justice. “Today we are creating a system in which there is no place for discrimination, we are building a society that stands firmly on the foundation of equality and social justice...When the world was in deep darkness and caught in the old thinking about women, India used to worship women as Maatru Shakti and Goddess...Amrit Kaal is not for dreaming while sleeping, but for deliberate fulfilling of our resolutions,” the Prime Minister further said.The Prime Minister stressed that our progress lies in the progress of the nation. “The nation exists from us, and we exist through the nation. This realisation is becoming the biggest strength of us Indians in the making of a new India. Everything the country is doing today includes 'Sabka Prayas'. 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas' is becoming the guiding motto of the country,” Modi said. He regretted the tendency to tarnish the image of India, even at the international level. "We cannot get away from this by saying that this is just politics. This is not politics, this is the question of our country. Today, when we are celebrating the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, it is also our responsibility that the world should know India properly", he added. He noted the contribution of remarkable women in different epochs of Indian history and listed developments like entry of women in the armed forces, more maternity leaves, better political participation in the form of more voting and representation in the Council of Ministers as a mark of new confidence among women. He expressed satisfaction that this movement is societyled and the gender ratio has improved in the country. CMYK ASIAN NEWS INTERNATIONAL NEW DELHI , 20 JANUARY In a historical step days before Republic Day, the Amar Jawan Jyoti flame at the India Gate lawns would be extinguished and merged with the flame at the National War Memorial on Friday. “The Amar Jawan Jyoti flame at India Gate will be extinguished and merged with the flame at the National War Memorial on Friday in a ceremony," said an Indian Army official said. The ceremony would be presided over by the Integrated Defence Staff chief Air Marshal Balabadhra Radha Krishna who would merge The ceremony would be presided over by the Integrated Defence Staff chief Air Marshal BR Krishna the two flames, officials said. The India Gate memorial was built by the British government in memory of the British Indian Army soldiers who lost their lives between 1914-1921. However, the Amar Jawan Jyoti was included in the memorial structure in the 1970s after the massive victory of India over Pakistan in which 93,000 troops of the enemy country surrendered. After a long wait and multiple considerations, the National War Memorial was built in the India Gate complex by the Narendra Modi government and was inaugurated in 2019. After the inauguration of the building in War memorial, all military ceremonial events were shifted to it from the India Gate memorial. The National War Memorial has the names of all the Indian defence personnel who have lost their lives in different operations from the 1947-48 war with Pakistan to the Galwan valley clash with Chinese troops.The names of troops who lost lives in the counter-terrorist operations are also included on the walls of the memorial.