SUNDAY 05 MARCH 2023 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR COURT EXTENDS MANISH SISODIA'S CBI REMAND ‘TN GOVT, PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS PROTECT OUR MIGRANT BROTHERS’ P4 WEATHER PARTLY CLOUDY SKY. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 31 AND 15 DEGREE CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max.80% TEMPERATURE Max: 29.7°C (+3) SUN RISES 06:41 hrs MOON RISES 16:30 hrs XI JINPING’S EPIC POWER GRAB P2 P11 ‘Budget infuses new energy into infra devp’ Govt seeks to invest Rs 110 lakh crore through National Infrastructure Pipeline: PM Min. 47% Min: 13.1°C (+3) SUN SETS 18:23 hrs MOON SETS 06:13 hrs THUMBNAILS A man feeds langur monkeys on 'World Wildlife Day', in Pushkar on Friday.  ANI World's first 200-metre-long bamboo crash barm l rier installed at Vidarbha: Dubbed ‘Babu Balli’, the world's first 200-metre-long bamboo crash barrier which has been installed on the VaniWarora Highway, Vidarbha, Maharashtra. The bamboo crash barrier underwent rigorous testing at various government-run institutions such as the National Automotive Test Tracks (NATRAX) in Pithampur, Indore, and was rated as Class 1 during the Fire Rating Test conducted at the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) in Roorkee. Additionally, it has also been accredited by the Indian Road Congress. Calcutta HC clears decks for Enforcement Directorate to take Anubrata Mondal to Delhi: The Calcutta High Court on Saturday cleared the decks for the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to take Trinamul Congress leader Anubrata Mondal to Delhi in connection with the multi-crore cattle smuggling scam in West Bengal. The singlejudge bench of Justice Bibek Chaudhuri said a fine of Rs 1,00,000 was also imposed as a penalty on Mondal for keeping the multiple court option open in the matter by filing the same petition at both Calcutta High Court and Delhi High Court by suppressing information in both these courts. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 4 MARCH PM Modi meets Bill Gates P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the Union Budget 2023-24 had provided new energy to infrastructure development and this was a time of new responsibilities, new possibilities and bold decisions for every stakeholder to make India a developed nation by 2047. He was addressing a PostBudget webinar on ‘Infrastructure and Investment: Improving logistic efficiency with PM GatiShakti National Master Plan’. This is the eighth of a series of 12 post-Budget webinars organised by the government to seek ideas and suggestions for effectively implementing initiatives announced in the Union Budget. The Prime Minister said the Budget had proposed capital expenditure (Capex) five times higher than that of 2013-14 and the government was moving towards a target of investing Rs 110 lakh crore under the National Infrastructure Pipeline. “Infrastructure development is the driving force of a country's economy,” the Prime Minister said. “Now we have to improve our speed and move in top gear.” Noting that PM GatiShakti Master Plan is a critical tool that integrates economic and infrastructural planning with development, the Prime Minister said: “GatiShakti National Master Plan is going to change the face of India's infrastructure and its multimodal logistics.” The results of the PM GatiShakti Master Plan were becoming visible, he noted. “We have identified the gaps that were impacting the logistics effi- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 4 MARCH Prime Minister Narendra Modi met American business magnate and philanthropist Bill Gates here on Friday. In response to a tweet by Mr Gates, where he shared his ‘Note’ on his recent visit to India, the Prime Minister tweeted: “Delighted to meet @BillGates and have extensive discussions on key issues. His humility and passion to create a better as well as more sustainable planet are clearly visible.” In his ‘dispatch’, Mr Gates said: “I’ve been in India this week, learning about the innovative work going on here in health, climate change, ciency. That is why, in this year’s Budget, 100 critical projects have been prioritized and Rs 75,000 crore have been allocated," he said. and other crucial areas. At a time when the world has so many challenges, it’s inspiring to visit a dynamic and creative place like India.” Terming his meeting with the Prime Minister the highlight of his visit, Mr Gates said: “Prime Minister Modi and I have stayed in touch, especially about developing Covid19 vaccines and investing in India’s health systems. India has an amazing ability to manufacture lots of safe, effective, and affordable vaccines, some of them supported by the Gates Foundation. Vaccines produced in India have saved millions of lives during the pandemic and prevented other diseases around the world.” “With quality and multimodal infrastructure, our logistic cost is going to reduce further in the days to come. This will have a positive impact on the goods made in India, on the competence of our products. Along with the logistics sector, there will be a lot of improvement in ease of living and ease of doing business,” he added, inviting the participation of the private sector in the sector. Infrastructure development under previous governments suffered as the prevailing mentality then was that poverty is a virtue, the Prime Minister said. Elaborating on the improvements in the situation, he said that the average construction of National Highways has been nearly doubled compared to what it was before 2014. Similarly, only 600 route km of railway track was electrified per year before 2014, which is now reaching 4000 km per year. He added that the number of airports and seaport capacity has doubled as well. Elaborating on the role of States, the Prime Minister noted that the 2023-24 Budget has extended by one year the 50-year interest-free loans for capital expenditure, and Budget expenditure for the scheme has been increased by 30 per cent.The Prime Minister asked stakeholders to find ways to develop a mechanism for an advanced forecast of needs of their sectors as various materials are needed for infrastructure development. “We need an integrated approach so that the roadmap for the future remains clear. PM GatiShakti National Master Plan has a big role in this,” he said. He noted that infrastructural development is not limited to rail, road, ports, and airports anymore, pointing out that as part of this year’s Budget, huge projects have been taken up for storing the produce of the farmers in villages. ‘No religious minority can freely Australian PM to visit live or practice its religion in Pak’ India from 8 to 11 Mar SNS & AGENCIES NEW YORK, 4 MARCH India on Friday (local time) slammed Pakistan on the issue of religious freedom of minorities at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Using its right to reply, India’s representative Seema Pujani (in photo) slammed her Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar saying, “No religious minority can freely live or practice its religion in Pakistan today. The Ahmadiya community continues to be persecuted by the state for simply practising their faith." Responding to the statement delivered by Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar, Pujani said, "Pakistan's representative has once again chosen to misuse this august forum for its malicious propaganda against India." Rep- resentative also shed light on the issue of enforced disappearances.“In the last decade, Pakistan's own commission of inquiry on enforced disappearances has received 8463 complaints. The Baloch people have borne the brunt of this cruel policy. Students, doctors, engineers, teachers and community leaders are regularly disappeared by the state, never to return back," said Pujani.She also highlighted the plight of Christians in the country and how they are mistreated in the country. “Equally worse is the treatment of the Christian community. It is frequently targeted through draconian blasphemy laws. State institutions officially reserve sanitation jobs for Christians," she said.She also raised concern over a "predatory state and an apathetic judiciary," regarding the conversion of underage minority girls. “Underage girls from the community are converted to Islam abetted by a predatory state and an apathetic judiciary. Hindu and Sikh communities face similar issues of frequent attack on their places of worship and forced conversion of their underage girls. The state's crackdown on those who wish to raise their voice against any of these heinous policies is also incomparable. A bill which proposes a five-year jail term for anyone who scandalizes or ridicules the military or the judiciary is currently on the table in Pakistan's parliament,”said Pujani. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 4 MARCH Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will pay a state visit to India from 811 March 2023 for summitlevel talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on bilateral ties as well as global developments.He will be accompanied by Australian Minister for Trade and Tourism Don, Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Madeleine King and senior officials and business leaders. This will be PM Albanese’s ‘WPL WILL BE LANDMARK IN WOMEN’S CRICKET HISTORY’ first visit to India in his current role. He will arrive in Ahmedabad on 8 March on the day of Holi. He will join Modi at the fourth test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Ahmedabad. He will also visit Mumbai on 9 March before arriving in Delhi later in the day.“In Delhi, Prime Minister Albanese will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan on 10 March. Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Albanese will hold the annual summit to discuss areas of cooperation under the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, besides regional and global issues of mutual interest. Prime Minister Albanese will also call on President Droupadi Murmu,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. P12 ‘Influenza A subtype H3N2 major cause of rising respiratory illnesses’ SNS & AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 4 MARCH Amidst rising cases in several regions of the country, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has said that the Influenza A subtype H3N2 is the major cause of current respiratory illnesses in the country. According to the data given by ICMR, about half of all inpatients, admitted for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI), as well as outpatients being treated for influenza-like illness, are found to have influenza A H3N2. The ICMR-DHR (Department of Health Research) has established pan-respiratory virus surveillance across 30 VRLDs (Viral research and diagnostic laboratories). “This subtype appears to cause more hospitalisation than other influenza subtypes. Of the hospitalised SARI patients with influenza A H3N2, about 92 per cent presented with fever, 86 per cent with cough, 27 per cent with breathlessness, 16 per cent with wheezing. Additionally, 16 per cent had clinical signs of pneumonia and 6 per cent had seizures," the ICMR said. The apex research body also said that 10 per cent of SARI patients who have H3N2 needed oxygen, while 7 per cent required ICU care. “A sudden increase in the number of patients having symptoms of cough, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, fever, body ache and diarrhoea in some cases has been noticed. While fever goes away at the end of three days, cough can persist for three weeks,’ said the Indian Medical Association (IMA). ICMR has suggested people wash their hands regularly and avoid shaking hands and spitting in public. “The Dos include washing hands with soap and water. If symptomatic, wear masks and avoid crowded places, cover mouth and nose while sneezing and coughing, take plenty of fluids, avoid touching eyes and nose, and take paracetamol for fever and body ache," the ICMR stated in an advisory. The ICMR-DHR (Department of Health Research) has established pan-respiratory virus surveillance across 30 VRLDs (Viral research and diagnostic laboratories) It further added, “The Don'ts include shaking hands or using other contact greetings, spitting in public, taking antibiotics or other medicines without consulting a doctor, eating together sitting close to others.” Harshal R. Salve, Professor at the Centre for Community Medicine, AIIMS, said the increase in the transmission of flu virus is due to abrupt “climatic conditions currently prevalent”. “Serological surveillance through established mechanisms in the public health system by the government is essential to determine serotype of the virus and its endemic," Dr Salve told IANS news agency. Doctors from Primus Hospital, Chanakyapuri, noted that patients with asthma, and those with severe lung infections are finding difficulty in breathing. Elderly people, children and pregnant women are most vulnerable to getting infected. Therefore, they must remain extra cautious while venturing outside, the doctors said. “Patients having chronic ailments like asthma have to be extra cautious during such weather transitions as it can trigger severe respiratory issues and asthma attacks. During this time, even a minor respiratory problem must be reported to a pulmonologist or a physician to reduce the risk of escalating the problem.” COLOURS OF JOY People take part in Chhadimar Holi celebrations at Gokul town near Mathura on Saturday.  ANI Shifting of Andhra capital to Vizag to happen after 2024 polls Meghalaya: Drama over govt formation continues ANINDITA CHOWDHURY VISAKHAPATNAM, 4 MARCH The planned shifting of the administrative capital of Andhra Pradesh to Visakhapatnam would take place only after the state Assembly and Parliamentary elections in 2024 although chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy may shift his base symbolically for a few days to drive home the message about his commitment to the three-capitalplan. During the two day Global Investors’ Summit the YSRCP government showcased Visakhapatnam (Vizag) as its future capital as industry captains and business tycoons descended on the port city boasting of a cosmopolitan culture. The chief minister also iterated he would soon shift to Vizag.However, as a top official pointed out that with only a year remaining before AP goes to the polls, both Assembly and Parliament, it would be difficult to move “lock, stock and barrel”. Hence, only the chief minister may shift his base, stay for a couple of days in Vizag as a “symbolical move.” Andhra Pradesh's capital woes has continued ten years after the bifurcation of the unified state. Although Hyderabad was declared as the joint capital for ten years, the then chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu chose to shift to Vijayawada after he got embroiled in the cash for vote case. However, his grand plans for a greenfield capital in Amaravati on 33,000 acres came crashing down with his humiliating defeat in the 2019 elections. After assuming office, current chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy announced his three capital plan, envisaging separate administrative, legislative and judicial capitals at Visakhapatnam, Mangalagiri and Kurnool. He suffered a setback in the High Court but the Supreme Court stayed the lower court's order asking the Andhra Pradesh government to develop Amaravati within six months. The matter is still pending in the apex court. However, state chief secretary KS Jawhar Reddy was confident that within two years the necessary infrastructure would be ready in Vizag. “You just have to build the Secretariat, Raj Bhavan and officers' quarters. In the best case it will take some two years, Rs 3,000-4,000 crore and about 200 acres,” he said. Although the administrative capital will be in North Andhra, because of the current government's model of decentralised administration through village secretariats and good connectivity, people of the southern districts will not be inconvenienced, he added. Another official said the new construction will be mostly concentrated in Kapuluppada on the northern side of Vizag city. The government plans to build an IT park on 100 acres in Vizag and to set up a centre of excellence of emerging technologies in collaboration with Harvard University. The proposed greenfield airport at Bhogapuram about 40 km from Vizag will take off soon and the state government is planning to build a road connecting the airport with Bhavanapadu port in Srikakulam. SNS & AGENCIES SHILLONG, 4 MARCH Even as NPP leader Conrad Sangma staked claim to form the government in Meghalaya, a drama continued in the hill state on Saturday as well. Sangma's National People's Party (NPP) won 26 seats while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that bagged two seats extended its support to the NPP on the day of announcement of the result. Two Independents and two MLAs of Hill State Peoples Democratic Party (HSPDP) also lent their support to the NPP.However, the HSPDP, in a letter shot to the Meghalaya Governor, claimed it had not authorised the party MLAs to support the NPP in the government formation. HSPDP president K.P. Pangniang and secretary Panborlang Ryntathiang stated in the letter: "HSPDP did not authorise the two MLAs -Methodius Dkhar and Shakliar Warjri to lend support to the formation of the government as we have seen through press/media report." A copy of the letter was also sent to Conrad Sangma. The NPP is yet to react or respond to the matter.When IANS approached the party spokesperson, he said: "The MLAs have already supported us. We have the numbers to form the government." In the 60-member assembly house in Meghalaya, the support of 31 MLAs is required to form the government. Meanwhile, on Saturday, Prestone Tynsong, former deputy chief minister of Meghalaya and leader of the NPP, spoke about the recent arson attacks on the residences of the elected representatives.Tynsong expressed his "deep concern" over the illegal pursuits of the outlaws attempting to undermine the state's law and order. (Seepg5)