TUESDAY www.thestatesman.com 25 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 ‘PAK PM REQUESTED ME TO INDUCT OLD FRIEND SIDHU IN CABINET’ ‘DANGEROUS MOVE AGAINST SPIRIT OF COOPERATIVE FEDERALISM’ P4 WEATHER PARTLY CLOUDY SKY. MODERATE FOG IN THE MORNING. COLD DAY CONDITIONS AT A FEW PLACES. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 16 AND 07 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: Nil RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max: 100% Min: 74% TEMPERATURE Max: 14.8°C (-7) SUN RISES 07:12 hrs MOON RISES 00:58 hrs Min: 08.0°C (0) SUN SETS 17:55 hrs MOON SETS 11:41 hrs THUMBNAILS Kashmiri artistes during a full dress rehearsal ahead of the Republic Day function at Sher-i-Kashmir Cricket Stadium in Srinagar, SNS on Monday. Delhi court slaps sedition charge against Sharjeel Imam: A Delhi Court on Monday ordered to frame charges against Sharjeel Imam under sedition in connection with alleged inflammatory speeches made by him in Aligarh Muslim ANI University and Jamia area in Delhi. OF THE YEAR FOR 2021 P4 Union Health Ministry is coordinating with States and Union Territories; 74 per cent of the adult population now fully vaccinated SNS & ANI NEW DELHI, 24 JANUARY D aily Covid-19 cases in India will start to decline after February 15, said official government sources on Monday. "Covid cases in the country to decline after February 15. The cases have started reducing and stabilising in some States and metro cities," sources told ANI. Stressing that COVID-19 vaccination has reduced the impact of the third wave, the government sources further added, "Union Health Ministry is coordinating with States and Union Territories. 74 per cent of the adult population is fully vaccinated." India on Monday reported a decline in the daily COVID-19 infections as the country logged 3,06,064 new COVID-19 cases with a positivity rate of over 20 per cent, said the Ministry of Health and Family Wel- fare.As per government data, new infections were 27,469 less than that reported on Sunday. However, the daily positivity rate rose to 20.75 per cent from 17.78 per cent yesterday. The ministry has said that India's active caseload currently stands at 22,49,335. It accounts for 5.69 per cent of the total cases. The government data shows that 439 people succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours. The death toll is now at 4,89,848. The case fatality rate is 1.24 per cent. With 2,43,495 people recovering from the infection in the last 24 hours, the cumulative recoveries mounted to 3,68,04,145. Meanwhile, in the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination drive, 162.26 crore vaccine doses have been administered so far. With the administration of more than 27 lakh vaccine doses in the last 24 Mumbai schools reopen 3,95,43,328 22,49,335 hours, India's COVID-19 vaccination coverage has reached 1,62,26,07,516 as per provisional reports till 7 am today, the ministry said. So far 81,80,165 precaution doses have been administered to eligible beneficiaries. Of these, 27,40,418 were given to healthcare workers, 26,87,668 to frontline workers and 27,52,079 to those above the age of 60 years with comorbidities. The administration of the precaution dose began on January 10. DUBAI, 24 JANUARY The United Arab Emirates intercepted two ballistic missiles fired byYemen’s Houthi rebels over the skies of Abu Dhabi early Monday, authorities said, the second attack in a week that NEW DELHI, 24 JANUARY STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 24 JANUARY Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday launched an initiative linking revamped Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) website with mobile app 'MyCGHS' to provide easy access to healthcare services to more than 40 lakh beneficiaries. He said the new CGHS website and its extension as a Mobile Application called 'MyCGHS' with various beneficiary friendly features, have been designed for ease of service delivery for the beneficiaries within the safe confines of his home especially during Covid-19 pandemic. The website has bilingual features of Hindi and English with provision to make it multi-lingual in future. "The website has several updated features which shall hugely benefit more than 40 lakhs beneficiaries both in-service and retired personnel with real-time information from the convenience of their homes, the minister said. Such a facility, he said, will enable healthcare services being delivered without venturing out, and is a timely innovative step during the ongo- PM interacts with recipients of Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar award NEW DELHI, 24 JANUARY Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday interacted with the recipients of Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) 2022 and 2021 awardees via video conference. The digital certificates were conferred on PMRBP awardees for the years using Blockchain Technology, used for the first time for giving certificates to awardees. UnionWomen and Child Development Minister Smt Smriti Zubin Irani and Munjpara Mahendrabhai, Minister of State were among those present on the occasion. Interacting with Master Avi Sharma of Indore, Madhya Pradesh, the Prime Minister enquired about the secret of his prolific output with regard to various aspects of Ramayana. Master Avi Sharma said that he got the inspiration from the government’s decision of broadcasting the serial Ramayana during the lockdown. Avi also recited some couplets from his creation. Prime Minister Modi narrated an incident when he went and heard Uma Bharti as a child, she showed immense spiritual depth and knowledge in a programme. He said there is something in the soil of Madhya Pradesh that gives rise to such precious talent. He India logs 3,06,064 new Covid cases: India on Monday reported a decline in the daily Covid-19 infections as the country logged 3,06,064 new Covid-19 cases with a positivity rate of over 20 per cent, said Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. As per government data, told Avi that he is an inspiration and an example of the adage that you are never too young to do big things. Interacting with Kumari Remona Evette Pereira from Karnataka, the Prime Minister discussed her passion for Indian Dance. He inquired about the difficulties she faced in pursuing her passion. He complimented her mother for ignoring her own adversities to realise her daughter’s dreams. "Remona’s achievements are much bigger than her age and told her that her art is a way of expressing the strength of the great country," Modi said. Interacting with Puhabi Chakraborti of Tripura, Prime Minister Narendra Modi enquired about her COVID related innovation. She also informed the Prime Minister about her fitness app for sportspersons. He asked about the support she receives from the school, friends and parents in her endeavour. He asked about her method of balancing her time for sports as well as developing innovative apps.Speaking to Dhiraj Kumar fromWest Champaran, Bihar, Prime Minister Modi asked about the incident where he saved his younger brother from a crocodile attack. He asked about the state of mind while saving his younger 3,06,064 2,43,495 4,89,848 UNION HEALTH MINISTRY FIGURES AS OF 8.00 A.M. MONDAY 24 JANUARY 2022 new infections were 27,469 less than that reported on Sunday. However, the daily positivity rate rose to 20.75 per cent from 17.78 per cent yesterday. ASIAN NEWS INTERNATIONAL MUMBAI, 24 JANUARY Schools in Mumbai on Monday welcomed students of all classes as they reopened with stringent adherence to Covid-19 protocols. Students were welcomed by teachers at Sadhana Vidyalaya High School, Sion area with enthusiasm. Principal of the school, Swaroop Sawant told ANI, "We have welcomed students in our school today. We are strictly following the Covid-19 protocols. Social distancing is being maintained and the hands of students are being sanitised." "Classes via virtual mode will also continue," the principal said. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Cabinet Minister world powers. American troops at Al-Dhafra Air Base in the capital took shelter in bunkers during the attack. The attacks threaten the businessfriendly, tourism-focused efforts of the Emirates, a federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula also home to Dubai. brother and how he feels now after becoming famous. Modi also praised his courage and presence of mind. Dhiraj told the Prime Minister that he wants to serve the country as an Army soldier. Interacting with Meedhansh Kumar Gupta from Punjab, the Prime Minister asked about his achievement of creating an app for COVID issues. Modi said in children like Meedhansh he feels that the government efforts to promote entrepreneurship are bearing fruit and a tendency to become job providers instead of being job seekers is becoming more pronounced. Interacting with Tarushi Gaur from Chandigarh, the Prime Minister enquired about her opinion on the balance between sports and studies. He asked whyTarushi idolises Boxer Mary Kom. She told the Prime Minister that she likes her because of her commitment to excellence and balance that she strikes as a sportsperson and as a mother.Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that these awards become all the more significant in the light of the fact that they have been conferred during the important period when the country is celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. ing Covid-19 pandemic. It is an important and timely step powered by India's increasing digital penetration, he added. On January 10, Mandaviya has interacted with health ministers of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Goa and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman Diu. The granular status and analysis of COVID in these states and UTs were made by Health Ministry officials covering the trajectory of total and news cases, active cases, daily and weekly positivity, weekly tests conducted with the proportion of RAT and RT-PCR testing. deaths, Tests per Millon (TPM), Cases per Million (CPM) and omicron case status. Guj family freezing to death points to human trafficking RATHIN DAS AHMEDABAD, 24 JANUARY Freezing to death of a Gujarati family at the Canada border while illegally sneaking into the US has once again brought the state’s thriving illegal human trafficking trade in sharp focus. As the family’s origin have been traced to north Gujarat, the police are looking into the illegal immigration aspect this region is infamous for, along with Charotar area of central Gujarat. Craze for getting into the US is so much that people here often pay up to Rs 50 lakhs to travel agents for arranging illegal visa and other immigration documents. Local media reports say that the rate has currently gone up to Rs 85 lakhs, often raised by selling ancestral property. BJP leader from north Gujarat and former Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel has added to the embarrassment by saying that people are forced to illegally migrate to US, Canada and UK as there are not enough job opportunities in the state. Contradicting the ruling BJP’s claims of Gujarat being the haven for job opportunities. Patel almost spilled the beans by saying that once they cross into the US then they are taken care of by the large Gujarati community present there, nearly confirming how the illegal entrants are sheltered accommodated. Aditya Thackeray has said that parents are free to make their own decisions in this regard and should send their children to school. Thackeray on Sunday told reporters, "Even though we are re-opening schools from tomorrow, it is not compulsory for students to come to school. Parents are free to make their own decisions in this regard and should send their children to school only if they feel it is safe." The schools in Mumbai have been closed since January 4. Maharashtra on Sunday reported 40,805 new Covid19 cases thereby taking the total tally of infections to 75,07,225. As many as 44 fatalities from this virus were logged in the last 24 hours, the state health department said. SP’s candidates list out for UP polls, Akhilesh to contest from Karhal LUCKNOW, 24 JANUARY targeted the Emirati capital. The missile fire further escalates tensions across the Persian Gulf, which previously had seen a series of assaults near — but never indisputably on — Emirati soil. It comes during Yemen’s yearslong war and the collapse of Iran’s nuclear deal with ‘MyCGHS’ app to benefit over 40 lakh beneficiaries: Health Minister STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE In the vaccination drive for children aged between 15-18 years, 4,19,32,411 vaccine doses have been administered. Their vaccination drive commenced on January 3 this year. UAE shoots down 2 ballistic missiles fired by Houthis Punjab polls: BJP will contest 65 seats, Amarinder Singh's party 37 seats Bharatiya Janata Party will contest 65 seats, Amarinder Singh's Punjab Lok Congress 37 seats and Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt) 15 seats in the upcoming Punjab assembly polls, said BJP national president JP Nadda. Earlier on Sunday, Amarinder Singh announced his decision to fight from his home constituency of Patiala Urban. His party released the first list of 22 candidates for polls. Meanwhile, BJP has also announced its first list of 34 candidates for the Punjab assembly polls. Punjab will go to the polls on February 20. The counting of votes will take ANI place on March 10. P12 P8 India's Covid cases likely to decline by mid-Feb F ASSOCIATED PRESS 46% of girls under 15 anaemic in India: About 46 pc of girls in India under the age of 15 are anaemic, according to a report released on Monday on the National Girl Child Day, annually observed on 24 January to raise awareness to promote the rights, education, health, and IANS nutrition of the girl child across India. AI MAY BE HANDED OVER SMRITI NAMED ICC WOMEN'S CRICKETER TO TATAS THIS WEEK Samajwadi Party on Monday released a list of 159 candidates for upcoming Uttar Pradesh assembly elections that are scheduled to take place in seven phases beginning February 10. SP chief AkhileshYadav will contest from Mainpuri's Karhal constituency. Akhilesh Yadav had earlier said he will contest assembly elections after taking permission from Azamgarh residents. He is Lok Sabha MP from Azamgarh. Former Uttar Pradesh Minister Shivpal SinghYadav will contest from Jaswantnagar. Shivpal Singh Yadav's Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party is part of the alliance led by Akhilesh.UP will go to the polls for its 403-member assembly in seven phases on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27 and March 3 and ANI 7.The counting will take place on March 10.