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7 HORRIBLE THINGS COUPLES ALWAYS DO AFTER SEX ET CAPSULES India may face unrest, frustration if youths remain jobless: President Pranab Mukherjee PTI CHHINDWARA (MP): President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday said there may be "unrest and frustration" in the country if youth remains unemployed, while stressing on the need to equip them with skills.

Mukherjee said with jobs, the young workforce can be an asset. Most graduates produced by colleges and universities are "unemployable", he said.

"India, with the second largest population in the world, will face a major challenge in the coming years. Half of its population will be below 25 years of age," he said.

"Our young workforce will be an asset if they have jobs. But, if the country is unable to provide jobs, there will be unrest and frustration," Mukherjee said while addressing the annual day function of CII Skill Training Centre here.

He said to get jobs, paper qualifications alone will not suffice, skills are essential.

"Our universities and colleges produce a large number of graduates every year but most of them are unemployable. Our youth need jobs," he stressed.

Referring to the shortage of skilled hands, he said, "Our industry has problems finding adequate skilled manpower.

The economic growth in the advanced countries of the world, most of whom have ageing populations, is low.

"Emerging economies like India and China are, however, witnessing rapid economic growth. We must, therefore, seize this opportunity by encouraging skill development in every way possible," the President said.

Highlighting the setting up of the National Skill Development Council in 2010, Mukherjee said its objective was to address this challenge.

"The present government went on to create a ministry for skill development in 2014 to provide focused attention to the need for large-scale skill development," he said.

ASSENG/2015/64205

Vol. II

Issue 146

Dibrugarh, Thursday, December 15, 2016

Why 'cashless' may be the new normal

P7

Price -

Pranjal Bhuyan/ Laxman Sharma Miao, Dec 14 The joint security forces of the Indian Army on Wednesday evening gunned down two militants and apprehended 6 cadres of the banned ULFA outfit here from Dharmapur village under Maio police Station in Changlang District of Arunachal Pradesh.

According to reliable sources, the slain cadres of the banned outfit were identified as Deep Moran of Puroni Motapung in Motapung near of Makum in

Tinsukia and Noga Moran of Bordumsa. While, the apprehended militants were identified as Miss Punki Moran (19) of Digboi Lakhipather village, Lakhi Gogoi (26) of Dighali Pather, Pulok Jyoti Mahanta (16), Jintu Gogoi of Innao Pather, and Mojeeth Moran of Bishnupur area.

two militants were gunned down besides apprehending six hardcore cadres during the course of the gunfire.

The sources added that that following the fierce and prolonged encounter between the militant faction and the joint forces of Rupai and Chowkham battalion of the Indian Army in association with Assam Rifles engaged in counter insurgency operation, the

It is suspected that militants involved in the Dharmapur encounter might have been involved in Pengaree ambush on 19th November last in Pengaree, which killed two soldiers of the Indian Army.

As the security forces intensified counter- insurgency operation postPengaree ambush, militants affiliating to various outfits are on the run looking for cover especially in all the vulnerable pockets along the Assam-Arunachal border of Tinsukia and Changlang District.

ET Correspondent Jorhat, Dec 14

Just few days ahead of its centennial anniversary, Assam Sahitya Sabha Chief Secretary, Paramananda Rajbonshi bail is rejected by Jorhat Session Court on Wednesday. "The appeal is cancelled by session court. It is quite normal," said Rintu Goshwami, a senior advocate of

Jorhat. Rajbonshi earlier had pleaded for bail in the Jorhat Session Court; however his bail has been rejected on Wednesday by the Session Court. Earlier on 23rd November, Rajendra Nath Dutta, a retired head assistant of Central office of Assam Sahitya Sabha had committed suicide and had written a five-page suicide note where he alleged Paramananda Rajbonshi to

be responsible to take the extreme step. On basis of the suicide note, his wife Kunjalata Dutta had filed a complaint at Jorhat Police Station on the same day. Based on the suicide note of late Rajendra Nath Dutta, his wife Kunjalata Dutta had lodged an FIR in Jorhat Police Station, and a case is registered c2553 under section 306 IPC.

N. K. DESIGN & PRINTERS OFFICE: Sharda Complex, New Market, Tinsukia (Assam)

8811073544, 7002514537 E-mail: ntdptsk1996@gmail.com I Website: www.nkdesign.weebly.com Chief Minister Pema Khandu today flagged-off the 5th leg of Maruti Suzuki National Super League TSD Rally Championship 2016 at Civil Secretariat campus. News at Page 3

inaugurated by GOC, Dao Division and Honorary Flying Officer TR Gogoi, father of Captain Jintu Gogoi, Veer Chakra today at Chowkidinghee Field Dibrugarh. Inaugural match was played between Garhwal Regt versus Dibrugarh ‘B’

Division XI Footbal Club.

Garhwal Regt scored two goals in first half and kept the lead by scoring one more goal in second half and in a one sided match Garhwal Regt beat Dibrugarh B Division by 3-0.

Commander,

Laipuli

Brigade, other military & civil dignitaries and family of Captain Jintu Gogoi, Veer Chakra were present during the inaugural match. ?Altogether 16 teams are taking part in the tournament, organized by the Dao Division

(Army) in association with Dibrugarh District Sports Association (DDSA).

Tomorrow team of S.K.A.C. Football Academy will take on Singlijan Football Club while Khowang Football Club will lock horns with Rupjyoti Sangha Football Club.

ET Bureau Bordumsa, Dec 14

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Local MLA of 49 Diyun – Bordumsa Assembly Constituency Mr. Nikh Kamin accompanied by Additional Deputy Commissioner M. Nyori Bordumsa, along with all Sub-Divisional HODs attended a developmental meeting at Kumungpathar village under Bordumsa Sub Division.

During the visit he distributed CGI Sheets to the BPL families of the village under MLALAD fund in the presence of Head Gaon Burah, GBs, members of Panchayat raj Institution and all the villagers.

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It is suspected that militants involved in the Dharmapur encounter might have been involved in Pengaree ambush on 19th November last in Pengaree, which killed two soldiers of the Indian Army. As the security forces intensified counterinsurgency operation post-Pengaree ambush, militants affiliating to various outfits are on the run looking for cover especially in all the vulnerable pockets along the Assam-Arunachal border of

Tinsukia and Changlang District. Meanwhile, a highly placed police official of Tinsukia District suspects, the group as new entrants into the belt who penetrated recently from the Arunanchal-Myanmer corridor. According to highly placed police official, the incident occurred when the militants were on the move in between Bijoypur and Dharmapur village of Diyun area where the group had stayed the previous night in the Juhm Kheti area of the concerned belt. As the report was being filled, encounter was still underway. Further details of the incident are awaited.

Session Court rejects Rajbonshi’s bail plea

“RALLY OF ARUNACHAL” FLAGS OFF

MLA Nikh Kamin distributes CGI sheets to the BPL in Bordumsa

In his speech, he suggested the gathering to take up selfemployment generation works like Agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry.

P12

2 ULFA militants killed, 6 apprehended in encounter with Security Forces at Dharmapur Village, Miao circle

Garhwal Regt beat Dibrugarh B Division by 3-0 in the inaugural match The 13th Captain Jintu Gogoi, Veer Chakra, Memorial Football Tournament 2016 was kicked off today amidst much fanfare. The tournament was

PAGE 8

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Kerala enter the final after nerveracking shootout against Delhi

P6

Capt Jintu Gogoi memorial Football Tournament kicks off at Dibrugarh A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, 14 Dec

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Local MLA Nikh Kamin and ADC M Nyori laugh handing CGI sheets at Bordumsa

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DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15

P2 Aries The key today is action, Aries. There's a great deal of force pressuring you to get the ball rolling. One of these forces may come from a romantic interest waiting for you to make the next move. You may have many projects on the table and be unsure where to focus your energy. Don't feel like you need to concentrate on any one thing. They key is to maintain balance among all.

Taurus Ignite the fire in your heart, Taurus, and make it burn more brightly than before.

Keep in mind that you may need to make compromises in order to be on the same page with your lover in the way you relate emotionally. Make sure everyone gets a chance to be on center stage. Don't hog the podium. Maintain a working balance by letting others have their turn in the spotlight.

Gemini There are a couple important issues that you may need to resolve, Gemini.

Take an active role in the department of love and romance. Feel free to be aggressive about having your needs met. Make sure you're comfortable with the situation or else stand up and change it. For you, the day is all about taking action. Strive to create peace through honest assertiveness.

Cancer

You should enjoy a good mood today, Cancer, and you will find that things will go well for you in general. Perhaps the only sticky situation that could arise is one that stems from an aggressive approach in the department of love and romance. This impatient urge or petty argument by one or both parties may result in an all-out war. Try to maintain a level head in all situations.

Leo Circumstances of the day may result in some tricky situations for you, Leo. You could be caught between a rock and a hard place. The instinct to make war or peace with any given issue is making you restless. On the one hand, you may want to smooth things out in a reasonable manner. On the other, there is a part of you that is eager to declare all-out nuclear warfare.

Virgo Things should go well for you today, Virgo. Your romantic nature is piqued. You will find that an aggressive approach toward your loved one is just what's needed to jumpstart the relationship. If you're single and looking for love, this is a good day to get out and ask someone to dance. Neaten up your appearance and wear a snazzy outfits, regardless of the situation.

Libra Stand up and take action, Libra. Forces may be pulling on you from all angles, and your challenge will be to maintain a healthy balance among all of them. You have a chance to accomplish a great deal by directing your energies outward instead of inward. Other people may be punchy. Counteract this by being patient. Your contribution to the group will be appreciated.

Scorpio You will find that you relate very well to others today, Scorpio, and your communication will prove to be quite valuable.

You may find yourself in the position of arbiter simply because you have the detached mind that people need to resolve disputes. Take an active role in the lives of those around you, and see how your own life benefits from the generosity of your actions.

Sagittarius You may be tempted to shift into high gear today, Sagittarius, but you're likely to be unsure where to focus your energy. You may be revved up and anxious to get moving, but feel lazy and unmotivated to do anything but sit back and wait for the excitement to come to you. Whatever you do, don't retreat into a hole. Dress up and show off your outer as well as inner beauty.

Capricorn

Dighaltarang Veterinary Sub-Hospital in bad shape tients are turned away owing to the lack of facilities.

MANOJ KUMAR OJHA DOOMDOOMA, DEC 14: At a time when citizens are clamouring for better health facilities for animals, sub hospital which is located at Number 2 Baghjan village falls under Doomdooma Revenue Circle and Baghjan police station in Tinsukia district of upper Assam, in Kozhikode, is in sore need of facilities. The sub hospital is marred with shortage of severe medical staff and infrastructural facilities "There is no doctor, nor any staff, nothing for more than ten years. I have been seeing it in the dilapidated position since my childhood," said a local youth talking to media. According to the local villagers, a compounder visits now and then but it is of no avail to the people. As a result most of the pa-

The villagers of Number 1 Baghjan village, Number 2 Baghjan village, Dighaltarang village, Dighaltarang Basti and its greater areas have to go to Doomdooma (Rupai Siding) Veterinary Hospital for treatment of any general disease of their domestic animals which is located at the 23 kilometres distance from here. Since majority of people domesticate animals for agro-forestry purpose, the requirement of veterinary hospital is vital to the people here for regular treatment and diagnosis of diseases in animals is important. Nonetheless, local villagers are hoping that the incumbent Chief Minister and Chief Minister will look into the matter soon.

Golaghat AASU's Annual Meet from Dec 28 Amit Nagori Golaghat , Dec14: All Assam Students Union's Golaghat Regional Students Union is going to organise it's annual meet on December 28 and December 29. The two days long annual conference will be held at Chelengi Primary School Playground with the help of Pulibor Unit of AASU and the people of greater Chelengi Pulibor region in Golaghat .

An organising committee has been formed to conduct the event .

Delhi Public School of Numaligarh Jorhat Press Club gears up to enact celebrates 11th Annual Day "Sukunir Prarishudh" Rituraj Phukan JORHAT, DEC 14: Come 17 December, Jorhat Press Club is all set to stage the performance of a drama "Sukunir Pratishusdh" bhauna based on Ganesh Gogoi drama "Sukunir Pratisudh" in District library auditorium of Jorhat.

The show will start at 5 pm. “The play will be completely a different ball-game as journalists and media personalities from different newspapers and TV channels are going to perform and enact different roles on stage,” said Rajeev Bora, secretary of Jorhat Press Club.

"We are in the verge of completion of our rehearsal, I am keeping my fingers crossed as to how audience will react to the performance,” said Parama Nanda Bora, a journalist

from Pratidin Time, who is also the director of the play.

"Though we are not professional actor, we will give our level best," said Dipjyoti Saikia, a journalist from Assam Talks, who is also enacting the role of Arjuna in the play. Anibeshan Baruah of Dainik Axom, who is also enacting the role of Karna sounding a little tense said, " to some extent I feel nervous." On the other hand, people of Jorhat are looking forward to see journalists and other media personalities to perform on stage. "It would be a fun watching journalist performing on stage," said Mridul Bhuyan, a citizen of Jorhat.

ET Correspondent Numaligarh, 14 Dec: Delhi Public School of Numaligarh celebrates its 11th Annual Day on Saturday last at the senior school campus here in Numaligarh.

The theme of the Annual Day was “Universal Brotherhood” and was graced by Chief Guest P. Padmanabhan, Managing Director, Numaligarh Refinery Limited and Guest of Honour A.K. Hazarika, Vice Chairman, DPS Numaligarh who specially attended from Delhi as the DPS Society’s representative.

Meritorious students of the Board Examination of class X and XII as well as students with notable achieve-

Parked Vehicle Hit Amit Nagori Golaghat, 14 Dec: Today small accidents held in town were found to be matter of astonishment . As the parked vehicles were hit and damaged . The first incident took place just outside Reliance College Junior when a speedy bike number AS 05 G 2057 came and hit three 2wheeler which were parked by the road side .

The another incident took place in front of Samanway Pathar ground where a triangular mess up was seen among two Cars and an E Rickshaw .

ments in the field of curricular and co-curricular activities were awarded. Scholar Badges and Scholar Blazers, the highest honour for deserving students, were given to the meritorious students who performed consistently in their respective academic fields.

The function comprised of a plethora of theme-related colourful dances, dance dramas, choirs, orchestra and skits performed by all the students of Nursery to class V and most of the students of VI to XII. The Chief Guest, on behalf of the students, gifted woolen garments to the support staff on the occasion as a mark of gratitude for their service.

Principal, Smti. Anurekha

Barkakoti, presented the Annual Report of the school to the packed audience which included dignitaries of the School Managing

Committee, Senior officials of Numaligarh Refinery Limited, Parents and Guardians and the entire staff and student fraternity.

Voting for Thengal Kachari Autonomous Council from Thursday Amit Nagori Golaghat, Dec14: Voting for the four autonomous constituencies of Thengal Kachari Autonomous Council under Golaghat Election District will be heldon Thursday. Meanwhile Golaghat District Administration has made all necessary arrangements to

conduct this polls . On Thursday voting will be held for four autonomous constituencies namely 11 No Thengal Kamargaon, 13 No Kachamari, 14 No Chaodangpathar ( SC Women ) and 15 No Chaodangpathar ( Doyang) Total 20079 voters will

exercise their franchise .

Meanwhile all the officials on duty today started their journey along with necessary material from the centre set up at Golaghat Commerce College premises . Total 14 candidates have contested from four autonomous constituencies .

Dibrugarh CRPF organises six-day yoga camp

In both the cases Golaghat Traffic police has taken the accidental vehicle under their custody .

There's apt to be tension between your heart and your general mood, Capricorn.

Your romantic nature will incline you to adopt a selfish, impatient attitude, while the prevailing tone of the day calls for peace and balance. Try to maintain an equal amount of give and take. There's enough love to go around. Don't feel like you need to be possessive in order to maintain others' loyalty.

Aquarius Adjustments may be in order for you to flow easily with the energy of the day, Aquarius.

The prevailing tone calls for a more outwardly directed solution to all situations. You will discover that it's easy to start up new projects today, especially those involving creative or romantic elements. The tricky part will be follow-through. This is your specialty, so don't worry about it. You've got that part covered.

Pisces The prevailing tone today is a mix of conflicting energies that might put some stress on your heart. It's nothing you can't handle, Pisces. In fact, if anyone can make the most out of today, you can. Tap into your aggressiveness and act boldly toward the object of your desire. Make sure there is harmony among those around you and everyone's needs are taken care of.

Personnel of CRPF's 171 Batallion participating in a yoga camp in Dibrugarh on Wednesday. Photo by Manoj Pandey Manoj Pandey Dibrugarh, 14 Dec: Dibrugarh town based 171 battalion of CRPF camp organised a six-day yoga camp in collaboration with the Art of Living. The inauguration of the program was

done by the battalion CO, PK Singh. The yoga camp witnessed a high numbers of CRPF personnel. Binod Agrawal, the yoga guru of the camp said that the business in the modern era make us suffered from various

physical and mental illness, therefore to keep the jawan mentally and physically fit Yoga is what they need.

The CRPF jawans enthusiastically participated in the camp.

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15

P3

Chief Minister Pema Khandu flags off “Rally of Arunachal” ET Bureau Itanagar, Dec 14 : Chief Minister Pema Khandu today flagged-off the 5th leg of Maruti Suzuki National Super League TSD Rally Championship 2016 here at Civil Secretariat campus.

The Chief Minister expressed his happiness on the event being organised in a grand manner and organised way. He thanked Lhakpa Tsering, a motorsport enthusiast and son of former Minister Tsering Gyurme for organising the Arunachal Rally of the Maruti Suzuki National Super League, and for bringing Arunachal’s adventure potential to the

country.

The “Rally of Arunachal” will cover approximately 700 kms, crossing Itanagar, Pasighat and reach Dambuk, where the rallyists will be able to witness the Orange Festival of Adventure and Music.

The Chief Minister said that he is looking forward to meet again all the rallyists at Dambuk, where he will join the Orange festival on December 17.

“Arunachal is a beautiful place. We have lot many places especially for adventure. Please do have such kinds of events more in future. Definitely

government will support such endeavour,” he said.

participate in motor rallies.

Lhakpa, who heads the Motorsports Club of Arunachal, has been organizing such rallies with the aim of showcasing Arunachal, as a prime adventure sports destination. He said this is the first time Maruti Suzuki motorsports has opened a new frontier in Arunachal.

The championship is a combination of six different rallies namely Uttarakhand Rally, Deccan Rally, Backwaters Rally, Mughal Rally, Rally of Arunachal, Rally of Gujrat and offers a chance to more and more amateur rallysts to

The Rally follows TimeSpeed-Distance (TSD) format that tests the skills of driver, and retains the adventure of competitive motorsport, thus making more and more amateur drivers to participate in the motorsport activity, Lhakpa informed.

The flag-off ceremony was participated by Advisor to Chief Minister Kameng Dolo, Education Parliamentary Secretary Bamang Felix, Sports & Youth Affairs Parliamentary Secretary Nyamar Karbak, Chief Secretary Shakuntala Gamlin and Commissioner Finance Ashis Kundra.

Parliamentary Secretary Phosum assures all possible assistance in conducting free medical camp in Changlang

ET Bureau Changlang, Dec 12: Two patients with appendix and one Gall bladder stone were operated upon in a Free Operation Medical Camp organised by VKV Arunjyoti in collaboration with the District Health and Family Welfare, Changlang here at District Hospital, today.

Addressing the inaugural

session, Parliamentary Secretary (Hydro-Power) Phosum Khimhun thanked the organisation to continue for providing the humanitarian services to the people of Changlang.

While requesting them to continue the yeoman services in the district he assured to provide every possible assistance.

Incharge DC N Wangjen, SDO speaking as a guest of honour advised for follow up action of the operated cases and asked patients to keep in contact with surgeons for necessary consultation if required. He assured full cooperation from the district Administration.

Dr H Tangjang allayed the

post operative fear expressed and said that the staffs of District Hospital, Changlang are competent to take care of any post operative cases.

The Free Surgical Camp was comprised of Dr Kutub Nadaf Surgeon from America, Dr Sumir Kr Saikia, Anasthesist and team members.

World Soil Day celebrated in Changlang ET Bureau CHANGLANG, Dec 14: The Department of Agriculture, Changlang celebrated World Soil Day recently involving the farmers, public in presence of Govt officials at Jairampur.

Changlang Deputy Director, Agriculture L Hondique informed that the Soil Health Card Scheme was launched by the Prime Minister at Suratgarh Rajasthan un-

der which Govt plans to issue Soil Health Cards to al the farmers in the cycle of three years to help them to get a good harvest by studying the quality of the soil.

Mr Hondique further informed that soil of Changlang District is being tested at the static Soil Testing Laboratory, Changlang and the Soil Health Cards issued contains the details of the farmer along with its lo-

cation, soil analysis, report, recommendation and suggestion.

The Soil Analysis Report contains the value and rating on ten basic parameters of soil namely soil texture, Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium, Organic Carbon, Sulphur, Zinc, Boron, Electrical Conductivity and PH value, he added. He further said that the recommendations are provided for adoption in the field

which helps assessing the actual nutrient requirement of the soil and thereby preventing overuse of unnecessary expenditure on the fertilizers and other inputs.

The programme was attended by ZPM Tusam Longri as Chief Guest, ADC, Jairampur as Guest of Honour, Dr N Kumar, PC, KVK jairampur along with staff of Agriculture Department.

Orange Festival of Adventure & Music returns to Arunachal IANS Itanagar, Dec 14 : Touted as India's first outdoor adventure and music festival, the Orange Festival of Adventure & Music is returning to the northeastern state Arunachal Pradesh. Starting from Thursday, the third edition of the fest, supported by Arunachal Pradesh Tourism department, will be headlined by Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen.

The four-day event will be hosted by Dambuk in Lower Dibang Valley, which is said to be the tenth least populous district in the country. So why Dambuk?

"The main aim of initiating the festival was to bring Dambuk into the world's notice. Even most people in the state didn't know about the place. What better medium than music, which has a worldwide acceptance, and adventure because getting to Dambuk itself is an adventure.

"The area offers ample opportunities for adventure in its rawest form," Abu Tayeng, Director, Orange Festival of Adventure & Music, Dambuk, told IANS in an email interaction.

One interesting fact behind the festival's name is that the first orange plantation started about Dambuk 30 years ago.

"Dambuk produces some of the best oranges and has now become principal cash crop of the area. It has brought about an economic and social change for the people. Hence, we chose the fruit orange as the brand of the festival," he said.

He said Dambuk is also known as 'Kala Paani' as it remains cut off from the rest of the world during monsoon and since time immemorial has been facing the brunt of mother nature's fury.

"But citizens of the area have overcome these natural hurdles

and carved out life in Dambuk.

I want to celebrate and pay tribute to the fighting spirit of my forefathers and our people by popularising the area through this festival. I also want to create self-employment and business opportunities to my people," said Tayeng.

How will the fest help the state?

"Firstly, by increase in the tourist inflow. Secondly, by providing self-employment avenues to local people. All the stalls, homestays, most production crew, even some camping partners are from the state.

Now, we have a trained pool of human resource. Orange fest has become a training ground for the state's off-roading enthusiast," he said.

Last year, the fest introduced the natural off-roading event JK Tyre Orange 4x4 Fury. Its second edition will see participation by stars like The Rainforest Challenge India

champion Kirpal Singh Tung and Kabir Waraich, winner of JK Tyre Orange 4x4 Fury 2015.

What are the other adventurebased activities planned for this year?

"I added Maruti Suzuki National Superleague TSD Rally Championship to this edition," he said.

A number of high adrenaline adventure sports like river rafting, dirt cycling, all-terrain vehicle (ATV) rides in the forest are also lined up. And of course, the fest is high on music too.

The line-up also includes Antoine (France), Skylevel (Shillong), Menwhopause (New Delhi), Baby Boomers (Bhutan), Gingerfeet (Darjeeling), Arogya (Sikkim), Shubhangi Joshi Collective (Mumbai), Frisky Pints (Mizoram), Tani (Arunachal Pradesh) and The Ganesh Talkies (Kolkata).

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15

P4

Golaghat Police seizes Rs 25 lakh new notes; 4 apprehended

‘RUN FOR SPORTS’

with old notes, through which they would have made a profit of Rs five lakh. According to sources, four persons, during interrogation revealed that they had come to meet a person in Golaghat who would have given them old notes worth Rs 30 lakh in exchange of new notes worth Rs 25 lakh. That way they would have earned a Rs 5 lakh profit.

Amit Nagori Golaghat , Dec 14: In what appears to be clear case of trying to convert black money into white money, Police on Wednesday

arrested four persons in Golaghat in upper Assam and seized from them new Rs 2000 notes worth Rs 25 lakh while they were trying to exchange that for old

notes of Rs 1000 and Rs 500 denominations worth Rs 30 lakh. Four persons had arrived from Jorhat with the intention of exchanging the new notes

“Clearly the idea was to thereby earn a handsome profit of of 5 lakh,” said one of the officials. The persons have been identified as Manish Kumar Agarwalla, Sunil Maheswari, Ajay Chandak from Jorhat and Babul Ali from Titabor. The incident is under investigation by Golaghat Police.

Another 15,000 cases of duty free IMFL seized following BIEO raid in East Karbi Anglong ET Correspondent Bokajan, December 14: It seems like the BIEO raid against duty free IMFL at Bokajan in AssamNagaland border has finally brought the district Excise Department under action.

The otherwise oblivious Karbi Anglong district Excise officials with help of police team and local administration on Tuesday evening raided another warehouse stored with 11,000 cases of the same duty free illegal IMFL. The team also detected 6 trucks loaded with the same illegal liquor concealed at different parking lot along NH39 in Assam-Nagaland border today.

It needs to be mentioned that the state excise department have collected a revenue of Rs 790 crores in 2015-16 and is now expecting over 1000 crore revenue in the present fiscal year.

The state excise department have detected pilferage of revenue in the Karbi Anglong district and hence the BIEO sleuths on December 10 and 11 raided as many as 7 private warehouses used for storing duty free IMFL to be sold in the state of Auranachal Pradesh. The team seized over 15,000 cases of the illegally transported IMFL and detected major irregularities and severe tax eva-

sion by a section of unscrupulous businessman involved in the liquor trade.

The raid which was carried out in two different phase by the BIEO sleuths and the district excise officials, made a total seizure of over 40,000 cases of the illegally transported liquor estimated to be over Rs 6 crores in value.

There has been a constant murmur amongst the concerned citizens that this corrupt practises have been carried out by greasing the plams of the corrupt officials which have in turn caused a severe loss of revenue to the state exchequer.

They are of the opinion that

a enquiry be constituted and those found hand-in-glove be booked under section of law.

Meanwhile, in another significant development, the state excise minister have temporarily suspended the license of 9 bonded warehouse including the ANR Bonded Warehouse of Bokajan owned by Mool Singh Rathore. Sources in the department states that Rathore has an overall outstanding arrear levy of over 20 crores and he is also the owner of Friends Bonded Warehouse and Friends Distillery here in Karbi Anglong.

Twenty one boys felicitated

by Army in Dibrugarh A Staff Reporter Dibrugarh, Dec. 14: Laipuli Bde under the aegis of Dao Division, has been conducting pre - recruitment training for the youth of Assam to guide them to qualify for the Army recruitment examinations. As the result of training provided by the Army and hard work done by the youth of Assam, altogether, 21 boys were selected in Mariani Recruitment Rally conducted during the month of Oct 2016.

Today, GOC Dao Division, Maj Gen Anant Bhuyan,

SM felicitated these 21 boys during the opening ceremony of Capt Jintu Gogoi, VrC football tourna-

ment. The parents of these selected boys appreciated this monumental good will gesture by the Army and re-

quested to organize more such programme to motivate youths to join the Indian Army.

Bhoomi Puja performed to initiate construction of Community Hall at Agbandha village Mithun Baruah Margherita, Dec 14: Under Sadbhavana Project 15 Kumaon(Indore), a Bhoomi Puja programme was today held at Agbandha village under Makum Pather Gaon Panchayat of Margherita in order to initiate the construction of Community Hall. The total budget of the Community Hall is Rs 15 lakhs which is under Sadhbhavana Project of 15 Kumaon(Indore).

The total population of Agbandha village is 1181 where 60% of population constitute people of Adivasi Community. Gokul Baruah,

Head Master of Agbandha LP School,Gopiman Sharma, retired teacher,Ranjit Chetia, Presi-

dent of Makum Pather Gaon Panchayat,B Manjhi Village Headman of Agbandha Village and 15

Kumaon(Indore) were present. The construction of Community Hall shall be completed within 2 months.

Karbi bodies claim 1938 to be base year for non-tribal voting right Sushanta Roy Diphu, Dec 14: Seven Karbi students and social organizations have set 15-day deadline for embarking on decision whether the voters list for the election of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council will be prepared in accordance to the Para 2, sub Para (A) and (B) of the sixth schedule to the Indian constitution. The United karbi

Students Association and other six bodies have demanded that the voters list will have to be prepared in agreement with the Autonomous Council’s acts and rules; they have also demand repeal of the controversial Mikir Hills Land and Revenue Act 1959.

The Karbi bodies have criticized Dr. Himanta Biswa Sharma for his advocacy of 2

child formula and his stand for allowing both tribal and nontribal voters of Karbi Anglong to exercise franchise in the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council election. The joint forum has stated that the non-tribal people who settled in this autonomous district before 1938 are eligible for voting in council election.

The conglomeration of Karbi social and student’s body have

opposed Assam State Election Commissioner who during his Diphu visit declared that any person residing for 12 past years can vote in council election. It may be mentioned here that this particular demand provoked serious resentment and antagonism among the non-sixth schedule population of the vast district, who are the greater part of the population.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off the ‘Run for Sports’ organised by Assam Sports Journalists’ Association at Golden Jubilee Celebration of Arjuna Bhogeswar Barua’s Gold Medal feat in the Bangkok Asian Games, 1966 at Latasil in Guwahati.

“Our Government will render all possible help and cooperation to all sportspersons of the State. We will also ensure providing right kind of infrastructure to the budding sportspersons”, Sonowal assured.

NCHAC CEM assured all possible help to the Dima Hasao Contractors Association ET Correspondent, Haflong Dec 14: The Chief Executive Members, N C Hills Autonomous Council Debolal Gorlosa has assured the Dima Hasao Contractors Association (DHCA) to provide with all possible helps to mitigate problems mated out to DHAC, informed the President of Dima Hasao Contractors Association (DHCA) Jayanta Nunisa on Wednesday.

While congratulating Gorlosa for assuming office of the Chief Executive Member, N.C.Hills Autonomous Council a prestigious post of Dima Hasao District, Nunisa said DHAC has submitted a memorandum to him suggesting open tender in category-wise inviting different classes of Regd. Contractors, because at present, serving of notifications before tender/quotation along with publication of Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) in registered local newspapers at least before 21 days in category wise of different classes of Regd. Contractors was essential in all departments in the interest of maintaining transparency in the matter of developmental activities specially for the welfare of the societies, such as increasing revenue in the Council from the required court fee stamps while submitting tender papers etc.

In this regard, CEM is requested that the Copies of NlT may please be sent to the office of Dima Hasao Contractors Association, Sarkari Bagan, Hailong, Dima Hasao at least before 2I (twenty-one)

days of submission of tender papers for maintaining transparency, etc. the Regd Dima Hasao Contractors ‘Association (DHCA) would like to request your good office to kindly co-operate with the registered Dima Hasao Contractors’ Association (DHCA) bearing Registration No. RS/ NCH/ 259/B /10 of 2016-2017 by communicating with its Office at Sarkari Bagan, Haflong sending a copy of each NIT letter at least before 21 (twenty-one ) days in the interest of successfully completion of any contract and supply works. Preference to the local registered Contractors possessing contract and supply permits, etc from the Council in providing the works: Merely the local educated and unemployed youths being engaged in contract and supply works with possession of permit from the Council/ registration in different Govt Departments in the district, especially

those who are included in the voters list of N C Hills Autonomous Council election may please be allowed to submit their tender papers in all Govt Departments within Dima Hasao District.

Prohibition of Govt Employees from contract and supply works: lt was pertinent to say that presently some Govt. employees are seen visiting other departments during office hours beyond their respective departments for the purpose of contract and supply works which does not suit at least on the part of Govt. employees. Hence it may be strictly prohibited that the Govt. employees are not engaged in Govt. Departmental contact and supply works, hampering their duties of particular departments where they are duly appointed observing all officials formalities and should not be back door allotment of contract & supplies works by officials as it was worth mentioning that there were many al-

legations against back door allotment of contract and supply works by some heads of the departments in the district without any open tender, which undoubtedly goes against the tender rules of government departments in the matter of providing contract/supply works, etc.

Therefore, such activities is needed to end from your good self for the greater interest of maintaining transparency in the matter of the development works besides augmentation of council revenues, etc. Nunisa further said that these entreaties were mainly for the greater interest of all round development of peaceful and beautiful Dima Hasao District with providing equal opportunities to the educated/uneducated unemployed youths those who are engaged in different contract and supply works at the present moment when there is no job opportunities like macro industries and other small scale industries in the district.

The BJP government makes its own population policy in Assam ET Bureau Guwahati, 14 Dec: The BJP government in Assam has decided to bring out its own population policy early next year. Among other things, the policy plans to deny jobs to those who have more than two children.

Though according to the state government, the decision has been taken keeping in mind “Assam’s unique social, economic, ethnic and geographical diversity”, senior commentators and political experts in the state have termed it a policy aimed at mainly addressing the rising population of the Bengali-speaking Muslim migrants residing in the chars or sand bars.

“The proposed policy is obviously meant to target people in the whole of Assam. But, to put it bluntly, the state government must be concerned about the large family sizes among the Muslim community of migrant origin who are mostly concentrated in the chars or the sandbars in the Brahmaputra and its tributaries. The districts where people of this community are largely settled for decades now are Barpeta, Dhubri, Goalpara, Darrang, Bongaigaon, Hailakandi, and Nagaon,” wrote senior journalist Wasbir

Hussain.

As per the 2011 Census, Assam registered the highest rise in Muslim population, from 30.9% of the state’s three crore population in 2001 to 34.2% in 2011. Nine districts have been declared Muslim majority, out of which three – Darrang, Bongaigaon and Morigaon – were not so as per 2001 census.

The 2011 census report has made Assam the second most Muslim populated state in the country after Jammu and Kashmir (68.3%).

Assam is also the state with one of the highest maternal mortality rates (MMR) in the country. Against the national average of 42 per 1000 children, the rate of MMR in Assam is 55 per 1000. Many cases of MMR are regularly reported from the char areas, where there is abject poverty and no basic facilities like healthcare and educational institutions.

Typically, girls are married off earlier than their legal age, thus exposing them to poor reproductive rights. Boys too, are married before 21. As per Hussain, “A study conducted in the chars of Kamrup and Barpeta districts showed the fertility rate in these areas was 4.56% compared to 2.4 in

Assam as a whole.”

Local media reports quoting members of the committee constituted by the state government to tailor the policy said “different quarters” felt Assam needed a separate policy to follow instead of the National Population Policy 2000, which it follows presently. Ilias Ali, a committee member told, “The greater vision of the separate population policy is maintaining a sustainable economy for all by arresting the population explosion.”

Besides denying government jobs to those with more than two children, there will be incentives for those employees who limit the number of their children to two. Maternity and child care leave will be denied to women employees if they go for the third child.

Though the committee members do not directly talk about addressing population growth, particularly in the char areas, they, however, say that the policy will mainly aim at empowering poor women through education and employment opportunities including forming self-help groups to make them financially independent. They say colleges and other education institutions have been planned in all the 34 districts

exclusively for women. Many Muslim women in the charareas are not allowed by their families to attend schools and colleges attended by boys.

“Once a majority of women become educated and financially independent, the outlook of a large section, especially in rural areas to use women only to give birth, can be changed,” Ali said.

“Thirty-two percent males and 23% females get married in Assam before reaching their legal marriageable ages, which is being looked at as one of the main contributing factors to population explosion in the state,” he added. Under the proposed policy, the government plan to “strictly enforce” the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, which stipulates that a boy can marry at 21 years and girls at 18.

State finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, however, told local media recently, “The state government doesn’t intend to compel anyone to follow the two-child norm nor we want to force anyone to implement the policy.”

So far, Rajasthan is the only state which has a separate population policy, introduced in 1999.

REST OF

NORTHEAST P5 Gov at tulsi plantation Tripura to tighten law on chit award ceremony funds, non-banking financial firms

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15

Agartala, Dec 14: The Tripura government will introduce an amendment to an existing law in the assembly on Thursday and get it passed in order to curb the activities of illegal chit fund and nonbanking financial companies, a senior state official said on Wednesday.

"The Protection of Interest of Depositors (Second Amendment) Bill will be tabled on the first day of the assembly's winter session on Thursday to further tighten the existing act to curb the activi-

ties of illegal chit fund groups and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs)," the top official of the Tripura Finance Department told IANS on condition of anonymity.

He said the existing Protection of Interest of Depositors Act was enacted several years back and now requires amendments to deal with unauthorised chit fund groups and NBFCs. The winter session of the assembly will continue till December 19.

Tripura assembly

Speaker Ramendra Chandra Debnath said Finance Minister Bhanulal Saha will table the amendment bill on Thursday and it is likely to be passed on Monday after discussion.

The opposition Congress, Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party have been accusing the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leaders and members of involvement with chit fund groups, an accusation the Left has strongly denied.

DUCCF calls for 10hour closure of shops

Police personnel confronting members of ACAUT Nagaland and CCN near Clock Tower, Dimapur. Volunteers hold banners as part of the signature campaign

Dimapur, Dec 14: Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF) has called for a 10-hour closure of shops in Dimapur on Wednesday from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. to demand the unconditional release of three ACAUT members arrested on charges of "criminal trespass" into the FCI godowns located at Kevijau and Lhomithi colony on Monday.

Talking to mediapersons, DUCCF president Tsenthungo Lotha clarified that there would be no restrictions on vehicular and public movement.

DUCCF further warned that if ACAUT members were not released within 24 hours, they would further intensity their agitation to another level.

Also addressing media persons, ACAUT advisor K.K Sema maintained that ACAUT's demand was justified since the government (authorities) "has misused the law" and for which the CM was answerable.

He further accused the chief minister of ordering government machinery to prevent peaceful assembly of public and against the tenets of fundamental rights of people. Khekiye also reiterated that the law has been misused so both "the government and the judiciary must take cognisance of this fact". He informed that plans to launch "jail bharo" campaign was being kept in abeyance. Khekiye also alleged that stockist R.Z. Lotha was an abettor and was equally liable for allowing Tinku to use his godown to divert/pilfer PDS rice.

Bandh imposers warned Dimapur police has warned of actions against any person/groups attempting to take law into

their own hands and to forcibly impose bandh. In a press note, PRO Dimapur police has asked all business establishments in Dimapur to keep their shops/stores open in view of the festive season and the welfare of those who have come from other places. Police has assured adequate security arrangements to ensure peaceful atmosphere.

Police on unconditional release: Responding to the demands by several organizations for the unconditional release of ACAUT members, Addl DCP & PRO Dimapur police informed that the three arrested persons were forwarded to the Court and remanded under judicial custody.

PRO said due process of law has already been initiated and the matter was a subject of the Court.

In this regard, PRO said the accused persons had their legal right to apply for bail but made it clear that there was no provisions of unconditional release as per legal procedures.

On Tuesday, ACAUT along with Concern Citizens of Nagaland (CCN) organized a signature campaign at Clock Tower demanding unconditional release of its leaders. The volunteers were seen holding banners which read: "Tinku rom Delhi and Nirmal from Kolkata cannot rule over Nagaland like this through remote control govt. We are not cowards nor is every Naga their slave"; "Release our ACAUT leaders unconditionally!"

While the campaign was in progress, police also tried to seize the banners.

An ACAUT member told Nagaland Post that police were not to be blamed since they were acting on

the directives of the higher ups. However, he termed the action as shocking and condemnable, and violation of the freedom of expression and the freedom to assemble peacefully.

Meanwhile, ACAUT informed that the signature campaign would continue at Clock Tower, and appealed to all to extend support by appending their signatures on the banners.

Earlier, some youth groups went around the city asking shops to down shutters. However, except in areas near DC's office (which closed down after 2pm), most of the business establishments remained open in compliance with the instructions given out by police.

CCTA: Chumukedima Chambers of Commerce and Trade Association (CCCTA) has demanded immediate and unconditional release of ACAUT members. In a press note, CCCTA president Avi Chase and general secretary James Kin questioned how could ACAUT members be booked under "illegal trespass" when they had gone inside the godowns with the consent of the caretaker (Mintu Tiwari).

CCCTA said police were informed and police personnel also, on witnessing the illegal activities, sealed the godowns. Therefore, CCCTA asked "how could criminal trespassing be assumed or accepted."

Extending "full support" to ACAUT for the "noble job done for poor", CCCTA asked whether the public would remain silent even after all the facts were unearthed. It also appealed to the public of Chumukedima to extend full support in the fight against corruption.

(Agencies)

Julia murder case : police fail to file case diary in court Agartala December 14 : Callous apathy at the top level worsened by almost total lack of monitoring has been wreaking havoc with police functioning in Tripura. The point is illustrated in the latest instance of the failure of inquiry officer in the Champak Nagar police station investigating the rape and murder of tribal minor girl Julia Debbarma to forward the case diary in the court yesterday. Julia (15), a school student, had been cruelly raped and murdered by two accused Rakesh Debbarma and Sanjay Debbarma on last Friday in Bidyamohan para under Champaknagar police station

. The duo was caught on suspicion but initial interrogation yielded clue to the murder . But yesterday while producing them in court the police failed to submit the case diary as required. As a result the judicial magistrate gave them two days to submit the case diary before passing any other order . The police's plea for taking the duo to two days of remand would be considered only upon submission of the case diary , the court clarified.

Apart from this, earlier the personnel of East Agartala Womens police station had deliberately left loopholes in the 'Forwarding Note' to the court while producing the main ac-

cused Khokan Vaishnav alias Mrinmay Som charged with molestation of a poor minor girl of class I in a school run by him in Indranagar area.

Vaishnav , AMC councillor of RSP from ward no -10 , was supposed to be booked under the non-bailable POSCO act but he easily obtained bail and is on the run currently simply because the police had deliberately manipulated the 'Forwarding Note. However, no question was asked of the inquiry officer who had acted at the behest of extraneous influence because of the prevalence of a culture of immunity for rightly connected people. (Agencies)

Saha said the Tripura government is the first in the country to take action against unauthorized chit fund groups and NBFCs. "Our Chief Ministers, me and my predecessors and state Chief Secretary had written letters to the Prime Minister, Union Finance Ministers and Reserve Bank Governor to regulate the activities of illegal NBFCs and chit fund groups," the Finance Minister told IANS. "We have taken a series of actions against them

and referred 37 cases relating to illegal activities of chit fund groups and unauthorized NBFCs to the Central Bureau of Investigation for appropriate action," he said.

Unauthorized chit fund companies and NBFCs have mushroomed in the northeastern region in recent years, luring depositors by promising hefty interest rates ranging from 25 to 30 per cent.

After collecting money, their operators' quietly wind up business and vanish. (IANS)

Many more oppose creation of 7 new dists Tamengong, Dec 14 : Tousem Headquarters Students' Union has strongly opposed the declaration of Jiribam sub-division as a full-fledged revenue district.

In a statement Joseph Newme, president of Tousem HQs Students' Union said that people of Tousem will strongly oppose the creation of Jiribam district if land under Tousem sub-division is incorporated within Jiribam district.

Declaring the creation of Jiribam district without consulting the stakeholders concerned is condemnable, the statement said.

The statement added that villages under Tousem subdivision consisting of different tribes have been paying taxes ever since Tamenglong district was created.

The State Government should consult every village chief of the sub-division before any demarcation for

creation of Jiribam district is made.

It also added that if the demand put forth is not addressed, the State Government should be held responsible for any untoward incident.

In a separate statement, Zeme Naga Council Manipur has also strongly opposed the declaration of Kangpokpi and Jiribam subdivision as full-fledged districts.

Adou Newmai, president of Zeme Naga Council, Manipur said that the so called two districts consisting of different communities have been living under threat by the larger dominated community.

The Council appealed to the State Government to consult all the stakeholders especially the tribal chiefs and civil organisations before making changes in demarcation of the two districts so as to avoid unwanted incidents.

Congress women's wing GS Manihar Debbarma joins BJP with followers

Congress women's wing GS Manihar Debbarma Agartala, Dec 14: In continuing exodus from Congress, the moribund party's general secretary in the womens wing Manihar Debbarma yesterday joined the BJP with thirteen of her close followers. She was welcomed along with her followers in the BJP fold in the latter's party office in Agartala

by BJP's 'Pravari' Sunil Deodhar, general secretary Pratima Bhowmik, general secretary Rajiv Bhattacharya and womens front leader Kalyani Roy. Having joined the party, Manihar said that she found no opportunity to work for people from within Congress, so she joined BJP. This follows the joining of BJP by former MLA and ADC's chief execu-

tive member (CEM) Debabrata Koloi and reputed dental surgeon Dr Manik Saha a day earlier.

Meanwhile BJP state president Biplab Kumar Deb has been extensively touring the interior areas of Dhalai district to popularise the pro-people programmes launched by the central NDA government as well as to canvass support for BJP candidates in the upcoming by-elections to Panchayats and ADC village committees. In a series of meetings Deb has been highlighting the failure of the state government and propoor programmes of the BJP government in centre headed by prime minister Narendra Modi.

(Agencies)

Lower court asked to end Champion trial by January 31 Shillong, Dec 14: The High Court of Meghalaya on Tuesday directed the Sessions judge to complete the trial of Champion Sangma and further asked the lower court to pronounce the judgment latest by January 31, 2017.

S. Dey, the counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner while moving an instant bail application submitted before the High Court, said in the case only four witnesses were left and they were all Government servants, but they were not examined for the last four months, as a result of which the trial has come to a halt. He also said the petitioner is suffering from spinal problem and other ailments.

Dey further submitted that the bail application was moved but the same was rejected after pending for quite some time.

On the other hand, State counsel R. Gurung submitted that

necessary directions may be passed for the time-bound trial.

After hearing the submissions advanced by the counsel for the parties, Justice S.R Sen asked the Sessions judge under what provision of law the witnesses were not examined for the last four months when the petitioner is an under-trial prisoner and is in the custody for the last four and a half years.

"We must remember that when there is a difficulty in granting bail, it becomes a priority upon the court to expedite the trial.

We cannot keep a person in custody without trial," Justice Sen said.

It was further mentioned that in the meantime, the petitioner would have the liberty to move the bail application.

The Sessions judge was also asked to see that the petitioner is given specialised medical treatment as he is sick. (Agencies)

Governor of Nagaland P.B. Acharya seen planting tulsi plant at Raj Bhavan Kohima Dimapur, Dec 14: Aashray Dergaon Nature Organisation under the banner of "provide shelter for needy" held a tulsi plantation award distribution ceremony at Raj Bhavan Kohima on December 12 in the presence of governor P. B. Acharya.

Governor of Nagaland P.B.Acharya encouraged the

Aashray Dergaon Nature Organisation Assam to spread more information about the medicine knowledge of healthcare for the people. He also urged them to have good relation with their neighboring state.

Aashray Dergaon Nature Organisation stated that, tulsi plantation contest

was held in all Assam level with 516 participants held on October 18. And in the Top three positions were begged by Mon Rajguru Pujabari of Majuli.

Jyotiprova Das Saikia and Nayanmoni Bora bagged the Patanjali Arybhatta Sushruta award respectively.

They also informed that, Tulsi was planted for religious and medicine purposes and for its essential oil. They had started planting contest from 2014 at local level for the first time. In the year 2015, governor P. B. Acharya had expressed his interest on tulsi plantation and instituted three awards like Saint and Yog Guru Patanjali Award, Astromer Arybhatta Award and Ayurvedic Surgeon Sushruta Award with a Cash prize of Rs. 5000, Rs. 3000, and Rs. 2000 with citation respectively by governor at Raj Bhavan Guwahati. (Agencies)

EKH records low turnout, WJH the highest at 87.50% Shillong/Nongstoin/ Jowai, Dec 14: The bypolls to the seven District Council seats ended peacefully on Tuesday. The lone constituency in West Jaintia Hills recorded the highest voter turnout of over 87 percent while East Khasi Hills put up a poor show as compared to the previous years.

Voter turnout in the three constituencies of East Khasi Hills was as low as 45.20 percent compared to that in the West Khasi Hills constituencies.

Each of the three constituencies in West Khasi Hills PariongMawthadraishan, Rambrai-Jyrngam and Mairang-Nongkhlaw - recorded over 70 percent turnout even in the harvest season. The overall turnout was 70.03 percent.

Mairang-Nongkhlaw with 74.83 percent saw the highest voting percentage.

It was followed by Pariong-Mawthadraishan with 73.28 percent.

Rambrai-Jyrngam constituency that had 37 polling stations with 24,581 voters recorded a turnout of 65 percent. War East constituency in West Jaintia Hills that had 18

A senior citizen is escorted out of a polling booth in Laban after casting his vote. polling stations saw 5,927 of the 6,773 voters flocking to the booths taking the percentage to 87.50. There was no report of untoward incident though all the 18 booths in the constituency were declared sensitive.

Returning officer Arun Kumar Kembhavi said the election was peaceful and lauded the voters who had exercised their franchise without creating disturbances. He also appreciated the role of all polling officials and the district police for fair polling on Tuesday.

In the three constituencies of East Khasi Hills, voter turnout was less than 50

percent.

Of the three, LabanMawprem constituency had the highest turnout of 49.49 percent followed by Nongkrem (45.48 percent) and Nongpung-Sohiong (42.92 percent).

However, the percentage of voter turnout was not final as the District Council Affairs was collecting reports from many polling stations. There were 86 polling stations in East Khasi Hills and 146 in West Khasi Hills.

District Council Affairs Commissioner and Secretary T. Dkhar said the election was peaceful.

(Agencies)

Trucks fired at, driver hurt

The jeep was set ablaze between Khumbong and Ngairangbam and it was destroyed irretrievably.

ImphaL, Dec 14: Two trucks were fired upon at two different places injuring one of the drivers along Imphal-Jiribam highway amidst the indefinite economic blockade being imposed by the United Naga Council (UNC) on National Highways connected to and from Imphal.

The injured driver has been identified as Khulem Ibomcha (44) of Khumbong Khaidem Awang Leikai. He was hit by a bullet on the arm and he was later admitted at RIMS. He said that several rounds of bullets were fired toward the driver's seat of his truck when he reached a place about 6 Kms away from Awangkhul toward Imphal at around 10.30 pm yesterday. Many of the bullets exited through the driver's

cabin.

Strongly condemning the gun violence perpetrated upon truck drivers, a large number of people imposed counter economic blockade at Khumbong Bazar.

The protesters pulled down edible items from vehicles heading toward hill districts.

The situation was somehow brought under control with the arrival of Imphal West Addl SP S Ibomcha.

Two rounds of bullets were also fired at another truck heading towards Imphal from Jiribam near Shejang village under Sapormeina police station.

Although the driver identified as Anas Khan (23) of Lilong Nungei escaped unscathed, handyman Sala Rahman sustained minor injuries on his hand and the front portion of the truck suffered some dam-

ages.

Anas Khan said that he went to the Shejang camp of 86 Bn CRPF to inform about the attack but no one came out. Then he went to the nearby IRB camp but they too paid little attention to him.

Later, a team of the All Manipur Road Transport Drivers and Motor Workers Union visited the spot where the truck was attacked.

The union's general secretary Maimom Anil said that Shejang is notorious for arson, assaults and robbery.

Adequate strength of security forces must be deployed at Shejang, Anil demanded.

He also decried the deliberate life attempt on innocent drivers.

He further appealed to all blockade sponsors not to target drivers.

On the other hand, some of the people who were imposing counter economic blockade at Khumbong set ablaze a passenger carrier Tata Sumo jeep at around 4.45 pm.

The jeep was set ablaze between Khumbong and Ngairangbam and it was destroyed irretrievably.

Meanwhile, the Imphal West District Magistrate has issued prohibitory order under Section 144 CrPC whereby assembly of five or more persons have been prohibited in and around Khumbong. (Agencies)

EDITORIAL

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15

“

Today's quote Freedom is not Given, It is taken.

– Subhash Chandra Bose

Through a storm, safely A Year after the devastating deluge, Chennai's resilience has been challenged by the severe cyclonic storm, Vardah. Equipped with survival lessons from the December 2015 floods and helped by an efficient flow of disaster warning messages, the city and neighbouring districts held together through several hours of fierce winds. Chennai's trees bore the brunt, many uprooted or torn down irredeemably. The storm hobbled the city's infrastructure by nightfall, downing power and communication cables, blocking roads, disrupting rail and air transport, and spreading a carpet of darkness. It is to the Tamil Nadu government's credit that basic mobility was restored overnight, and fallen trees were removed to allow some traffic to ply.

Vardah also demonstrated that in the time of social media and the Internet, speedy official and community messages can influence the outcome of a catastrophe. While economic damage was inevitable, cautionary advice put out on social platforms urging people to stay safe helped reduce the number of casualties. Remarkably, the community also responded with alacrity, creating online groups and sharing messages offering help and advice. It is of course possible to learn even more by going back to citizens and harnessing data on their experience using online tools.

Tropical storms are an annual affair, with the more vulnerable eastern coast taking a pummelling from 92 severe cyclones out of a total of 262 between 1891 and 1990, and several more in the years since. Such weather events are a part of the climate system, and their impact in the form of economic losses could well be greater going forward, as development creates more assets in coastal cities. It is vital, therefore, that the learnings from each event are shared nationally, and the capacity of officials and communities to manage disasters built continuously. Such an approach helps coastal regions in the United States prepare for and deal with storms better. Among the securities available to individuals in many countries is insurance against property losses. Viable policies should be made available in India too, as this would bring scrutiny on administrative measures and potentially improve outcomes. A citywide blackout also underscores the importance of rooftop solar and battery storage systems as supplementary power sources for households and corporates. Planting trees with strong root systems and pruning the canopy ahead of cyclone season could reduce uprooting. In the aftermath of Vardah, the Tamil Nadu government should restore infrastructure and provide priority relief to the families of those who lost their lives, and the worst-hit communities.

Free flow of wheat Centre's decision to waive import duty on wheat has predictably attracted flak. Opposition parties have questioned the move, which comes days after the government's assertion that demonetisation of high-value currency notes did not impact the sowing of the rabi crop, with a greater area being cultivated compared to the same time a year ago.

Assembly polls are due soon in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, both large wheat-producing States, making this a plausible rallying point for the Opposition.

Farmer unions have warned of dumping of wheat stock in India at a time when the minimum support price (Rs.1,625 a quintal) is higher than international prices. This, they argue, could lead to distress sales when the current crop is harvested over March-April. The government, on its part, has noted concerns about the warmer winter forecast, which could affect wheat output and trigger inflation. This February, when prices of food articles that make up 46 per cent of the consumer price index were cooling off, the government expected the trend to continue if the monsoon was normal after two years of drought. Now at year-end, following a normal monsoon, inflation remains under control but wheat prices have been moving up swiftly.

There is no doubt that fiddling too often with wheat import duties - from 10 per cent to 25 per cent, then back to 10 per cent and finally to zero, all within 500 days - sends mixed signals to farmers and traders, though the latter group will be pleased with the duty-free regime. But equally, it is necessary to change one's mind when the situation so demands, which it currently does. A record global harvest has lowered wheat prices internationally.

With a higher MSP, and speculation about a lessthan-adequate harvest domestically, the government is obviously keen on avoiding a surge in inflation following the demonetisation process. With imports remaining duty-free, it is now clear to traders that hoarding reserves and profiteering from the systemic stress won't pay for long, even though it will take a couple of months or so for the first such shipments to arrive from overseas. Farmers busy with the rabi sowing season may not rally to political provocations immediately. But by the time they harvest the crop four months from now, the Centre would be well-advised to spruce up its procurement act, and raise awareness about the MSP mechanism. A longer-term action plan is needed to increase India's wheat yields, which in most States are lower than in China and Bangladesh.

P6

Why 'cashless' may be the new normal The demonetisation drive is not so much about curbing black money. Consider the likely outcomes of a cashless society, and read back from them the intent behind such a move Perhaps the most significant development since the November 8 announcement of demonetisation is the shift in the legitimising narrative around the note ban.

What was touted as a 'surgical strike' on black money, fake currency and terror funding has now become a radical 'reform' to transform India into a cashless economy? A series of measures, not least a high-decibel advertising campaign, are already in place to build national consensus in favour of this transformation.

Cashless Ki Baat It was Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Mann Ki Baat of November 27 that officially signalled this narrative switch. In a nuanced execution of a sophisticated communication strategy, Mr. Modi drew on the equivalence, in the Hindu imaginary, between 'Swachh' and 'purity', and 'purity' and 'virtue', to give a moral colouring to the binary of cash/cashless.

India is an economy where 90 per cent of all transactions are in cash. This is due to the large informal sector, which employs 90 per cent of the workforce.

The overwhelming majority of them are not hoarders of black money. And yet, India cannot become a cashless society unless its mammoth informal sector transitions to digital payments.

Canny communicator that he is, Mr. Modi sought to pre-emptively quell the resistance such a forced transition would evoke by presenting the campaign for a cashless India as a campaign against black money and corruption. By dissolving the distinction between legal cash and black money,

he cleared the ground for the treatment of all cash as potentially black unless proven white.

In other words, the informal sector is not an unintended casualty of demonetisation but the intended target. As the Reserve Bank of India Governor has clarified, the government was fully cognisant of the consequences of its move, and it was not at all an ill-planned operation, as some have suggested. As it happens, cash is the most powerful instrument of financial inclusion. Anyone can access it directly, without depending on rentseeking technological or financial intermediaries.

Once you have it, you could spend it whenever, wherever, and in whatever quantity you want to, without anyone being able to track you doing it. These are basic freedoms and rights that we take for granted. It is because these freedoms matter that there is resistance to their loss - a loss that is a given in a cashless society.

There was thus a logical need for a 'phase one' of demonetisation where the idea that it was about black money could be firmly planted in public memory. In phase two, which would kick in after 'black money' and national pride have been inserted into the demonetisation discourse, 'cashless' would be equated with 'clean', and cash with 'dirt' and the suspicion of dirty or black money.

In the cashless utopia that India is set to become, anyone who insists on using cash, a signifier of dirt, has a 'dirty mind', and is thus a suspect - a possible

beneficiary of black money and the vices associated with it. Indeed, Mr. Modi concluded his Mann Ki Baat by explicitly equating 'Swach Bharat' with a cashless (or 'less-cash') Bharat, as he proclaimed, 'Swachh Tan, Swachh Mann, Swachh Bharat, Mera Parichay'.

Why cashless?

But what explains this urgent drive towards a cashless society? One way to answer this is to consider the likely outcomes of a cashless society, and read back from it the intent behind such a move.

One immediate outcome of a cashless India would be a sharp rise in indirect taxes compliance. Traders, small businesses, shopkeepers, and consumers routinely use cash as a means to avoid paying service tax, sales tax, VAT, and any number of indirect taxes and fees. This mindset needs to change if the imminent Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime is to actually work. Brutally enforcing a cashless payments system - by sucking out 86 per cent of paper money and letting people flounder for a period in a condition of acute paper money scarcity - is perhaps the quickest means way to get there.

Apart from the state, another big beneficiary of a cashless India is finance capital. At present, India's low-income households access credit through informal systems - be it a pawn broker or employer or a relative with cash savings.

This informality has been partially dented with the arrival of self-help groups that can access formal credit. But given India's population,

both the debt and the savings of the working classes constitute an enormous market that global finance has so far been unable to access.

Forcing them to shift to cashless payment platforms instantly formalises this world of informality. As the Prime Minister himself has reiterated many times, the mass opening of bank accounts under the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana is a means towards financial inclusion, but in reverse: it channels personal income (wages/cash transfers) to financial markets via insurance and pension schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana and Atal Pension Yojana.

Thanks to forced deposits, unlike cash in a piggy bank or a plastic pouch, money in Jan-Dhan accounts can serve as a fresh source of liquidity for financial institutions.

The third beneficiary is the digital sector, which enjoys a complex but symbiotic relationship with finance capital. Digital payment apps and e-wallet companies have enjoyed record downloads and deposits post-November 8.

Their massive ad spends were possible courtesy the financial institutions that have invested in these finance technology (fintech) businesses.

Finally, in a global scenario of debt-soaked slowdown, extreme income inequality, and stagnating real wages, capital accumulation is only possible through a mechanism that systematically administers an upward redistribution of income from the 99 per cent to the 1 per cent. While an indirect

tax regime like the GST would accomplish this objective for the state, the integration of personal savings into the global debt economy would manage the same for finance capital.

The primary requirement in both cases is to capture the circuits of capital and commodity circulation that lie beyond their respective domains of taxation and credit - that is, the entire cash economy. The drive towards a cashless society is hence the lynchpin for securing the supremacy of the state-finance nexus.

The definition of 'normal' From businesses to analysts to ordinary citizens, everyone in India is waiting for life to return to normal.

But what would constitute this 'normal'? An easy definition for most people would be: no long queues at ATMs. But the queues are long not only because there are too many people and too little cash. They are long also because there is a limit on how much cash you can withdraw at a time, forcing people to queue up multiple times at different locations. A proper return to the pre-demonetisation 'normal' therefore entails something more: removal of any ceiling on cash withdrawals.

Such a definition of 'normal' would be valid if the reason for demonetisation was either destruction of black money or fake currency, or even a recapitalisation of banks all of which has either already happened or no longer matter. Assuming you are an honest citizen who uses cash but not black money, you could legitimately expect to go back to the pre-currency ban status quo, with one difference:

instead of old notes, you use new ones, which should soon be available in numbers proportionate to demand.

But everything that the Prime Minister has said and done so far suggests that there may not be a return to this old 'normal'. No matter how many currency notes are reportedly printed, how many ATMs are recalibrated, how many livelihoods affected in the informal sector, the ceiling on cash withdrawals may not be withdrawn any time soon - and no date has been indicated so far. The reason is simple: the demonetisation drive is not so much about curbing black money as it is about combating cash. The only way this could change is through extreme political pressure.

Not surprisingly, the banking sector is firmly behind the Prime Minister on demonetisation. So is the IT sector. Barring a few squeaks about the impact on growth, the corporate sector, too, is behind Mr. Modi.

The only constituency that may not be, is the one targeted by demonetisation: the cash-dependent informal sector, which has taken a hit, and will continue to do so unless and until they switch en masse to digital payment platforms - which is what the government is expecting them to do.

While the political ramifications are a different story, one may view Mr. Modi's push for a cashless India as the culmination of the economic logic of liberalisation unleashed by Manmohan Singh in 1991. From this ideological vantage point, a rapid transition to a cashless economy - even if it means not-so-subtle coercion - makes perfect sense.

The essence of education The Delhi High Court arrives at a harmonious reading of the copyright doctrine which will further the cause of education and equitable access. It could serve as a global model.

Lawrence Liang The philosophical roots of copyright are grounded in striking a balance between an exclusive rights granted to the owner of copyright along with the interest of the public in ensuring that works are available in the public domain. The division bench (Justices Pradeep Nandrajog and Yogesh Khanna) of the Delhi High Court in their judgment (arising out of the appeal against Justice Justice Rajiv Sahay Endlaw's decision in the Delhi University photocopy case) have arrived at a harmonious reading of copyright doctrine which will further the cause of education and equitable access.

The jurisprudential backbone Being cognisant of the fact that this case is keenly followed by many nonlawyers who may get lost within the thicket of technical legal arguments, the court towards the end of the judgment provides a helpful musical analogy which succinctly summarises the jurisprudential backbone of the judgment. Comparing a statute to a musical melody with different notes, the judge observes that just as a harmonious melody would require that for all notes to be heard, sometimes the more dominant ones (such as a loud drum) sometimes needs to be muted in order for

other notes to be heard.

Translated into the Copyright Act it is clear that if the predominant purpose of the law is to provide exclusive rights to owners of copyright, this right sometimes has to be muted to serve other equally important purposes such as education.

Rejecting the contention of the publishers and the IRRO (Indian Reprographic Rights Organisation) demanding a narrow reading of the word instruction the judges referred to the parliamentary debate which led to the enactment of Act No.27 of 2012 where the Minister piloting the Bill clearly told the House, "Of course, non-profit libraries should not be charged.

Many of these copyrighted materials can be used, should be used and must be used in non-profit libraries." Echoing the policy intentions of the legislature, the judges chose to ignore the technical distinctions sought to be made between education and instruction, and between textbooks and course packs and held that: "The importance of education lies in the fact that education alone is the foundation on which a progressive and prosperous society can be built.

Teaching is an essential part of education, at least in the formative years, and perhaps till post-graduate level. It would be difficult

for a human to educate herself without somebody: a teacher, helping. It is thus necessary, by whatever nomenclature we may call them, that development of knowledge modules, having the right content, to take care of the needs of the learner is encouraged. We may loosely call them textbooks. We may loosely call them guide books. We may loosely call them reference books. We may loosely call them course packs. So fundamental is education to a society - it warrants the promotion of equitable access to knowledge to all segments of the society, irrespective of their caste, creed and financial position. Of course, the more indigent the learner, the greater the responsibility to ensure equitable access" (Paragraph 30).

Principle of fairness They clarify that fairness is an essential aspect of the statute especially when there is an exception being carved out of a person's legal rights. But what is a principle of fairness? In a crucial paragraph the judges clearly state: "In the context of teaching and use of copyrighted material, the fairness in the use can be determined on the touchstone of 'extent justified by the purpose'. In other words, the utilization of the copyrighted work would be a fair use to the extent justified for purpose of education. It would have no concern

with the extent of the material used, both qualitative and quantitative. The reason being, 'to utilize' means to make or render useful.

To put it differently, so much of the copyrighted work can be fairly used which is necessary to effectuate the purpose of the use i.e. make the learner understand what is intended to be understood."

The significance of this interpretation is that it explicitly rejects the adoption of American standards (the four factor test) into Indian copyright law and grounds the principle of fairness within a philosophy of education, rejecting any claim that there should be either a quantitative or a qualitative restriction imposed. The significance of not laying down any restriction will be best appreciated by anyone who has encountered higher education in any Western university where teachers and students face severe constraints because of quantitative restrictions which can have debilitating effects. Consider, for instance, a rule which says that not more than 10 per cent of a work can be reproduced for education.

While the publishers have primarily advanced a single example in the entire case (namely the reproduction of chapters or books in course packs), if such a quantitative restriction were applied in the case of a poem, or a photograph it would have ridiculous consequences.

'A publication' contention The court also rejected the contention of the publishers that Sec. 52 allows for reproduction of a work, but by making it available through photocopies it is no longer a reproduction but a publication. The court holds that publication has an element of profit (for instance, in mass publication), and neither does the use of a photocopy machine nor the use of an intermediary (a photocopier) qualify automatically as publication, and the only relevant test is whether copying is "in the course of instruction".

And the test to see whether copying is "in the course of instruction" involves "considering whether the inclusion of the copyrighted work in the course pack was justified by the purpose of the course pack i.e. for instructional use by the teacher to the class", and hence it would be inaccurate to claim that the word reproduction is limited to a single copy.

One crucial difference between Justice Endlaw's judgment and the present one is that while the former found absolutely no fact that was worthy of being tried since there was no prima facie infringement, in the present judgment the court has held that the specific question of whether the reproduction of full works are in the course of instruction is a matter that can be

determined in a trial and has consequently remanded that issue back to a trial judge.

The judgment rightfully rejects the rather scandalous attempt by the publishers to lock education within a straitjacket of property, and it is befitting that the appellants who are the university presses of two of the oldest and most prestigious universities should be provided a reminder of what the scope of education is. The significance of this judgment is that while it arose out of a seemingly narrow question of whether the photocopying of course packs was allowed in the copyright law, this question could only be answered by returning copyright back to its normative foundations in education.

It is important to remember that the very first copyright statute dating back to 1710; the Statute of Anne was called "An Act for the Encouragement of Learning, by Vesting the Copies of Printed Books in the Authors or Purchasers of such Copies".

This is a very welcome judgment which has immense significance beyond India and could serve as a model for the interpretation of copyright statues in other countries which also face the challenge of sharp inequalities and high cost of learning materials.

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15

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7 horrible things couples always do after sex 5. Sleeping separately: You might have a habit of sleeping separately in guest bedroom or on the terrace, but on a particular night when you've een intimate with your partner, exceptions are allowed. After a lovemaking session, it's not a good idea to abandon your partner and pack your sheets and pillow to move to another room for a sound sleep. It will not only kill the passion on that night, but would also tarnish your sexual relations for several nights to follow.

You are enjoying a steamy sex session with your partner. As your passion reaches its climax, an ultimate sexual joy is felt like never before. The moment both of you get over with this night of passion, your partner head towards your study and starts reading or turns over and falls into a dead slumber. What a turnoff indeed!

It's just one of those mistakes that couples often commit soon after enjoying an intimate session with their partner. They might have made all the necessary efforts to satisfy their partner in bed, but just one little mistake can spoil all the fun!

The nature of these aftersex mistakes hints that you were just waiting for sex to get over so you could indulge in some other nonsexual activity. Or in some cases, it shows that you had something else running through your mind while having sex.

Though these are absolutely unintentional acts that partners get caught up in, these are often the terrible goof-ups that kill the sexual mood. Also, couples fail to understand that switching off from the sexual state of mind can leave the other partner highly irked, irritated and even feel used and really unwanted.

We list some recurring 'after-sex' mistakes that

couples indulge in. So the next time you get intimate, make sure you do not switch into something else just after finishing the act.

Let the mood linger on for enhanced pleasure.

1. Falling asleep at once: Most couples come across this problem where either one of the partners or both would fall asleep soon after having sex. It certainly is a big goof-up that can kill the charm of sex. Sleeping at once would not allow you to cherish your performance and neither let you enjoy the mood with which you enjoyed that night of passion.

2. Making way for washroom: Enjoying a hot shower together can be a great foreplay act, but rushing to the washroom right after a hot romp is definitely

not! While couples won't mind getting messy in their sexual acts, but as soon as it's over, they make way to the washroom to clean-up.

It might sound okay, but they forget that the other partner might still be enjoying that mood and want to have more of it. Heading straight to the washroom makes the other partner feel that there's been something unpleasing about the act, which can mar your sexual bliss.

3. Calling a friend: This is another common mistake that couples face after a steamy session. While it's obvious that none would call a friend at odd hours to discuss official matters, so why can't a petty talk wait till the morning? When it's time to enjoy sex, it's indeed a gaffe to keep your eyes and ears stuck onto your

mobile phone waiting for a message or keeping an eye on your missed calls. It makes the other partner feel as if you're just not interested and thus ruins all the fun.

4. Heading towards study or work: What couples think of during sex remains an unanswered question. Those who head towards studyroom right after a romp may just give the answer. Thinking books and reading is indeed a sex blunder! Like sexual moments, it's equally important to enjoy the aftersex pleasure. If you rather descend towards your study, leaving behind your partner, it won't bring any good to your sexual relationship. If you prefer reading a book instead of cuddling and snuggling, you are indeed inviting trouble into your sex paradise.

6. Bringing kids to sleep along: Letting anyone invade your sexual privacy is bound to mar your sexual pleasure and kids are no exception. Many mothers have a tendency to bring kids to sleep alongside on the same bed and if that happens after having sex, it can't get worse. Well, such a gesture has all the reasons to annoy the other partner, who might have planned something more sensual to be enjoyed after a steamy romp.

7. Eating another meal: Eating an aphrodisiacal meal together with your beloved can be a great start before a lovemaking act. But moving to the kitchen right after having sex looking for something to eat is equally disgusting. It ruins the entire passion and would make your partner feel that you didn't enjoy sex just because you were hungry and had food on your mind.

How to Use Feng Shui for Building and Constructing a House Life seems to go easier when we take time to plan ahead, visualize our success, and focus on our goals. This is also true for new home construction. A good plan makes things easier on everyone -- and ensures that you will get the house of your dreams.

Taking Feng Shui considerations into mind when you work with an architect to create your floor plans can save time and money, since you know you'll be moving into a home with good Feng Shui, rather than spending money on renovations after the fact.

If you're building a new home, congratulations! It's a great opportunity to create a space with optimal chi for you and your family.

Here are three considerations regarding land selection and home placement: 1. Visualize your dream

home and neighborhood.

How will you know you've found what you want if you don't know what you want?

By visualizing our desires, we set the energy of the Universe in motion to begin attracting it. If we don't have a clear vision, we may settle for something that isn't going to help us live our best life. That applies to everything from a job, to a partner, to a new home or plot of land.

2. Choose your location wisely. In addition to looking at the practical considerations of school district, proximity to work and shopping, and taxes in the area, consider the overall chi of the neighborhood. Are the surrounding houses full of life and positive energy? Do plants and foliage, as well as animals, look healthy and alive? Avoid purchasing a plot of land at the head of a t-intersection, as this sends fast rushing chi your way.

If you're in a more rural area,

Ingredients: Fresh Pork Meat (cut into small pieces as shown in the photo) 0.5 K.G. Garlic 6 cloves Ginger 1 inch Onions 1 no Salt to taste Fresh capsicum 1 no Turmeric powder 1 tsp Red chilly powder ½ tsp Black pepper powder ½

tsp Dark soya sauce 1 table spoon Green chilies 4 nos Spring Onions 3 nos Fresh coriander 1 bunch Cooking oil 1 table spoon Preparation: Wash the meat properly and keep a few fat pieces (5-6 medium sized) aside from rest of the meat Take the garlic cloves, re-

Dry and flaky skin is a common complaint in the winter time. Cold, dry winter air sucks the life out of silky, smooth skin. Other factors that contribute to dry skin include aging, nutritional deficiencies, and a genetic predisposition.

There are many lotions and moisturizers on the market to combat dry skin. But most of them come with a big price tag. Natural home remedies are not only cheap, but also quite effective in nourishing and hydrating dry skin back to a healthy state.

1. Olive Oil Olive oil contains many antioxidants and healthy fatty acids that are good for your skin. It can soothe and condition dry skin all over your body. ØDab a thin layer of extra virgin olive oil under your regular moisturizer. ØAbout a half an hour before taking a shower, rub some olive oil on your hands, legs and other areas with dry skin and massage lightly. Take a shower and then apply a light moisturizer. ØMix two tablespoons of olive oil, four tablespoons of fine brown sugar, and one tablespoon of honey. Rub this homemade scrub on your dry skin using light, circular motions for a few minutes. Take a shower and then apply a light moisturizer.

2. Milk Cream The lactic acid present in milk cream helps exfoliate dry skin. The soothing nature of milk cream also helps preserve the skin's delicate pH levels. Milk cream is also an excellent moisturizer. ØMix a few drops of lemon juice, one teaspoon of milk and two teaspoons of milk cream. Rub it on your hands and legs. Leave it on for a while before you take a shower. Do this once daily. ØAdd enough milk cream to three to four tablespoons of gram flour to make a thick paste. Apply the paste on your face, hands and legs. Leave it on for 15 minutes and then rinse it off with lukewarm water. Do this once daily.

3. Milk Milk has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that greatly help get rid of dry and itchy skin. Plus, the lactic acid in milk exfoliates dead skin cells and increases the skin's ability to retain moisture. Also, it helps lighten your complexion. ØSoak a washcloth in cold milk and put the cloth on your dry skin for five to seven minutes. Gently wash off the milk with another cloth soaked in lukewarm water. This way this natural moisturizer will remain on your skin. Do this every other day. ØAdd a few drops of rose water to four tablespoons of milk. Rub this solution all over your body. Leave it on for 10 minutes and wash your body with cold water. Follow this remedy twice daily.

consider geography such as mountains and moving water.

3. Place the home in the

middle third of the plot of land. When the construction crews begin to prepare the land and break ground, plan to place your new home

in the middle third of the plot. If you can't place it here, placing it in the rearthird is better than in the front-third.

Dish this Week

Chilly Dry Fried Pork Serves 4 - 6

Home Remedies for Dry Skin

move the skin, and then crush them to a coarse paste. Need not be a fine paste.

Crush ginger and mix it with the garlic Cut the onion and capsicum into rings Cut the spring onions including the bulb into one inch long pieces Cooking: Add half cup of water in a cooker Add turmeric powder, red chilly powder and half of the ginger garlic paste in the water and mix well.

Put the pork in the cooker and mix with the Masala water.

Steam the cooker in medium high heat for 3-4 whistles.

Last two whistles in low

flame.

Let the cooker be cooled naturally and once cooled, separate the meat from the remaining water and keep aside. Don't throw the boiled water away. You might need it.

Heat a wok or deep fry pan (not a flat frying pan). Put one table spoon of cooking oil and spread the oil on the surface of the pan Once the oil is hot, put the remaining ginger garlic paste.

Put the drained out pork in the pan and sauté them for sometime, till they get a brownish tint.

Cover the pan with a lid and put the flame in medium low.

After 3-5 minutes once the

oil starts coming out from the fat, increase the flame and keep stir fry.

Add black pepper powder, salt and the spring onions.

Once the spring onions are flat, add the capsicum and onion rings. Adjust the salt if you like.

Reduce the flame to lowest and cover the pan for 3 minutes.

Add dark soya sauce and mix it well and stir fry. At this point of time, the meat should be light brown in color and should be tender.

Check for a fat piece whether the skin is soft.

Add the slit green chilies and coriander.

Serve it hot with beer or with normal rice meal.

4. Honey Honey is considered one of the best natural moisturizers loaded with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and humectant properties.

Thus, it helps lock in moisture to make your skin extra soft and smooth. Plus, honey has many essential vitamins and minerals that help improve your skin's health. ØBefore taking a bath or shower, rub honey all over your body and leave it on for five to 10 minutes. Repeat daily to enjoy well-moisturized skin. ØMeasure out equal parts of unprocessed honey, beeswax, and olive oil. Melt the beeswax in a small pan over low heat. Remove it from the heat and mix in the honey and then the olive oil. Apply this mixture all over your body and leave it on for 10 minutes. Then take a shower. Repeat daily or every other day.

5. Yogurt Yogurt is an excellent skin-hydrating agent. Plus, its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help soothe dry and itchy skin.

Also, its lactic acid content helps get rid of any germs or bacteria that may cause dryness or itchiness. ØApply fresh yogurt on your hands, face and legs and gently massaging it into your skin. Leave it on for 10 minutes and then take a bath or shower. The mild exfoliating action of yogurt will remove dry skin and leave your skin refreshed.

Do this once daily. ØMix one-half cup of yogurt and three tablespoons of mashed or blended papaya. Stir in a few drops each of honey and lemon juice. Apply it on your skin and leave it on for 10 minutes before washing it off with cold water. Do this once a week.

6. Coconut Oil Coconut oil is really good for treating dry skin. It has a good amount of fatty acids that make up for any loss of moisture from the skin. ØLiberally apply warm coconut oil all over your body before going to sleep.

Wash it off in the morning. Do this daily to make your skin soft and smooth.

Apply coconut oil on your dry skin after you take a bath or shower. When the skin is warm and supple from your bath, coconut oil is more readily absorbed.

Do this daily.

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15

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NATION

Rahul alleges he has info about 'personal BJP councillor Ashok Lahoti elected Mayor of JMC corruption' by PM, BJP rejects charge New Delhi, Dec 14: Upping the ante further over cash ban, Rahul Gandhi today sensationally alleged he had information about "personal corruption" involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi, days after claiming there will be an "earthquake" if he is allowed to speak on demonetisation in the Lok Sabha.

The allegation by the Congress Vice President was dismissed by the BJP as "false and baseless" and "very unfortunate" while Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal dared Gandhi to "expose" the prime minister if he has documents at his disposal.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister and senior BJP leader Ananth Kumar while rejecting as "baseless" the allegation levelled against the prime minister said they were made out of "desperation" and "frustration" and asked Gandhi to apologise.

The allegation was levelled by a combative Gandhi at a joint news conference in Parliament premises with leaders from 15 other opposition parties after the Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day fail-

Rahul Gandhi. ing to break the continuing deadlock over demonetisation.

Gandhi claimed he has detailed information about alleged "personal corruption" by the prime minister and that the latter is personally terrified of him being allowed to speak inside Lok Sabha.

"The Prime Minister is personally terrified of me being allowed to open my mouth inside Lok Sabha because I have information about the Prime Minister that is going to explode his balloon. And I

am not being allowed to speak in the House," he said.

Asked what kind of information he has, the Congress Vice President said, "That information is personal information about Narendra Modiji which I want to state in Lok Sabha. It is personal corruption of the Prime Minister that I have, we have detailed information about. We want to present it, which the Prime Minister is not allowing us to speak."

Gandhi said the entire op-

South Asia least economically integrated regions: Verma Kolkata, Dec 14: Calling for improved connectivity in South Asia, US Ambassador to India Richard Verma today said the region is one of the least economically integrated in the world.

At the inaugural plenary of a seminar on Indo-Asia Connectivity for Shared Prosperity, he said unfortunately South Asia today is one of the least economically integrated regions in the world.

"Intra-regional trade as a percentage of total trade in the region has languished between four and five per cent compared to ASEAN where it stands at 25 per cent," he said.

During historical times, he said, this region was an integrated entity, bound by a rich tradition of dialogue,

trade and cultural exchange.

Citing example of the famous Grand Trunk Road, stretching more than 1,500 miles from Kolkata to Kabul, he said if connectivity was a reality for this region in the past, we know it can be again in the future.

"What is required for it to take root once again is a common vision that takes into confidence the region's stakeholders," Verma said adding the Grand Trunk Road of the 21st century is as much about ideas and shared values as it is of a physical infrastructure.

"Whether it's in trade, energy, water, or people-topeople ties, connectivity is critical to South Asia's future development,"

Verma said.

He was all praise for India's engagement with its neighbouring countries, saying India's resolution of territorial disputes with Bangladesh and Burma stands as an example of its commitment to international norms and regional stability.

He, however, pointed out some cross-border threats like disease, human trafficking and drugs, that can often flow easily across states and countries, giving rise to multiple health and security challenges.

The envoy also praised the Indian government for Digital India program which he said is making important progress in expanding broadband access. (PTI)

Modi rejoicing in people's suffering due to note ban

Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

New Delhi, Dec 14: With the Opposition continuing its tirade against the Centre over demonetisation, Kerala Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala today accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of "rejoicing" in the suffering of people affected by the decision.

The Kerala Assembly opposition leader was speaking to media after a protest organised by the Congress state unit here in the wake of the currency reforms announced by the Centre.

The state party unit maintained that the Modi government's surprise move lacked preparedness and had shattered the economic foundations of Kerala.

"Narendra Modi is rejoic-

ing in the suffering of people due to demonetisation, just like he had rejoiced during the 2002 Gujarat massacre. Modi, who had written off crores of rupees due from corporates, is not even ready to take steps to reduce the burden of the people affected by the policy," he alleged.

Chennithala said the backbone of Kerala economy was the money sent from non-resident Keralites, which had "taken a hit" due to demonetisation.

"People are afraid to send money to the state due to this policy. It has affected the economic structure and the daily life of the people," he said.

The opposition leader said the move has adversely

affected agriculture and small-scale industries in the southern state.

"The hard earned money of people engaged in agricultural sector was deposited in co-operative banks and this move has stopped them from withdrawing their money," he said.

The Congress leader said the industrial sector in the state has come to a stand still and enterprises have started asking their employees to go on leave.

The opposition leader also criticised the LDF-led state government for its "apathy" in resolving the crisis over rice distribution and the Centre's move of slashing the quota of essential ration commodities to the state.

"Adding to the suffering of people due to demonetisation, the rice distribution through public distribution system has stopped due to the apathy of the state government.

"Distribution of rice has been stopped due to labour unrest over wages in the state. This has affected stock procuring at ration shops. The Kerala government is silent on the trade union issue and not taking any step to reduce burden of the people," he said. (PTI)

position wants a debate in Parliament and have discussed with the Speaker to allow it while dispensing all rules.

"Pretty much unconditionally we are ready to have a discussion, but the government is not interested in having a discussion. I have already said it before, the Prime Minister is personally terrified of me being allowed to open my mouth inside the Lok Sabha," he said.

"The Prime Minister should stop taking alibis and he should come to the House and give all of us an opportunity to speak.

Then the country should take a decision on whether the opposition or the Prime Minister is speaking the truth."

Kumar led the BJP's charge against Gandhi.

"Had he(Gandhi) any information, he would have said it by now. It is a baseless allegation. He is saying this out of frustration.

Today they are saying they are not being allowed to speak. It is wrong because everyday Congress members are coming to the well of the House. Now they are making trying to spread rumour and baseless al-

legations," Kumar said.

Kumar's ministerial colleague Prakash Javadekar said only Congress and not government will be exposed when Rahul Gandhi speeks as it rejected his charge that the government was not letting him speak in Parliament, saying there cannot be a bigger "lie" than this. Another Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said Gandhi's allegation was the "biggest joke" of the year.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also waded into the fresh political spat, daring Gandhi to "expose" the prime minister if he has documents at his disposal, saying Congress and BJP indulge in such "friendly match" but do not make any disclosure.

"If Rahul Gandhi actually has papers on Modiji's personal involvement in corruption, then why doesn't he expose it outside Parliament?

"Friendly match - BJP says they have AgustaWestland against Congress. Cong says they have Sahara/Birla against BJP. Both don't disclose," the AAP chief said in a series of tweets. (PTI)

Why doesn't Rahul Gandhi expose PM Modi's alleged corruption outside Parliament: Kejriwal The BJP hit back claiming Gandhi's allegations against the prime minister are baseless and that the opposition is to blame for the frequent disruptions in Parliament.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.

New Delhi, Dec 14: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal asked Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi to disclose his information that allegedly points to prime minister Narendra Modi's personal involvement in corruption.

This came after Gandhi told reporters earlier Wednesday that he has information that proves 'personal corruption' of PM Modi. Gandhi complained that he was not being allowed to speak in the Lok Sabha as the prime minister is 'personally terrified.'

Kejriwal, who has vehemently criticised the government's demone tisation move, tweeted: "If

Rahul Gandhi actually has papers on Modi ji's personal involvement in corruption, then why doesn't he expose it outside Parl?"

The BJP soon hit back claiming Gandhi's allegations against the prime minister are baseless and that the opposition is to blame for the frequent disruptions in Parliament.

The winter session of Parliament, that began on November 16, has been a near-complete washout with disruptions every day on the issue of demonetisation. Both the government and the opposition have traded charges over the issue.

(PTI)

Jaipur, Dec 14: BJP councillor Ashok Lahoti was today elected as the 9th Mayor of Jaipur Municipal Corporation.

He was elected by the party councillors in JMC headquarters here.

Lahoti secured 69 votes out of total 91 wards.

His nearest rival and independent candidate Sushil Sharma could only get 21 votes.

One vote was rejected out of the total 91.

"Out of 91 councillors, 69 voted in favour of Ashok Lahoti after which he was

declared elected," Jaipur Collector Siddharth Mahajan told PTI. Lahoti was appointed as state BJP spokesperson during the recent change in party's executive body.

He said he would work to make Jaipur a clean and smart city as per the vision of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.

Lahoti, after the election, met Raje at her residence where she along with the party's state president Ashok Parnami and other leaders congratulated him.

A former Yuva Morcha

president, Lahoti was said to be the first choice of Parnami for the post.

A builder by profession, Lahoti had earlier failed to get support of RSS and city MLAs. He was also considered a strong candidate for the party to represent Civil Lines assembly seat in 2013 but lost the race to Arun Chaturvedi, now a cabinet minister.

His predecessor Nirmal Nahata had resigned from the post on Tuesday citing personal reasons.

(PTI)

Fadnavis announces panel to look into issues of Marathas Nagpur, Dec 14: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said his government will set up a high-profile panel to look into the issues raised by the Maratha community that took out a silent march here.

Fadnavis, who is camping in Nagpur, Maharashtra's "second capital" where the Winter Session of the state legislature is in progress, said the proposed panel will have experts and intellectuals to study the issues raised by the community.

Addressing a delegation that called on him, he said the services of retired higher and lower court judges from the community, professors and other intellectuals will be availed for preparing a detailed report.

A suggestion in this regard was made by Education Minister Vinod Tawde.

This is for the first time that Marathas, who have taken out big rallies across the state in the last two months demanding reservation in education and jobs and amendments to the Atrocities Act, presented a memorandum directly to the CM, departing from the practice of handing it over to district

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. collectors.

Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil said the panel may include 10 or more members and will meet in Mumbai soon.

Fadnavis said the issue of reservation for Marathas is pending before court and the government has roped in top lawyer Harish Salve to fight the case.

The government recently filed a 2500-page affidavit before the Bombay High Court, supporting the demand for 16 per cent reservation for the community in jobs and education.

Referring to the affidavit, the chief minister said he himself gave the final touch to it and it may

come up for hearing on December 30.

"The affidavit is based on various documents and historical evidence," he said.

The chief minister said noted lawyer Ujjwal Nikam is representing the government in the Kopardi rape and murder case.

"He (Nikam) has carefully drafted papers and the charge-sheet has been filed in a fast track court.

The court is likely to start the trial on a day-to-day basis from December 20," he said.

Fadnavis said Dalit leaders have been apprised of the alleged misuse of the Prevention of Atrocities Act. (PTI)

PM running away from debate, democracy under threat: Opp New Delhi, Dec 14 :On a day Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made the sensational claim about having information regarding "personal corruption" by Narendra Modi, opposition leaders charged the Prime Minister with running away from debate in Parliament on note ban and said the Parliamentary system was under "threat".

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said if the Congress vice president actually has documents, he should expose the Prime Minister even outside Parliament.

"If Rahul Gandhi actually has papers on Modi jis personal involvement in corruption, then why doesnt he expose it outside Parl?"

Kejriwal tweeted.

BSP supremo Mayawati claimed the Modi government was not ready for demonetisation and the de-

cision taken was hasty.

She also attacked the Prime Minister on the issue, saying he was speaking everywhere except for Parliament as he lacked strength to address the House.

TMC leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay, who had accompanied Rahul at the press conference, said the entire Parliamentary system was facing a "threat" as government was not allowing the House to function smoothly and the opposition to speak.

"We cannot understand why so much arrogance on the part of the government.

The voice of the opposition is being gagged," he said.

He said the government was spreading the rumour that after Rahul Gandhi has spoken, the opposition will not allow the House to function. "It is totally incorrect."

P Karunakaran (CPI-M) said all 16 parties came together

on the issue of demonetisation and wanted a discussion on the issue, but the government was now allowing that to happen.

"Government is not willing to answer questions. The Prime Minister is accountable to Parliament but has not come to the Lok Sabha. It is very clear that they are not ready to answer the questions raised. The Prime Minister is running away from Parliament which means he is running away from people," he said.

NCP leader Tariq Anwar said it was for the first time that an atmosphere had been created where the opposition was not allowed to speak.

"It is a conspiracy by the government. The entire opposition is united. What is the government fearing from. We are all united. Let us be allowed to speak," he said. (PTI)

8 out of 9 preliminary enquiries into Radia Tapes closed: Govt Traders' body targets govt for

New Delhi, Dec 14 : Eight out of nine preliminary enquiries (PEs) have been closed by the CBI in its probe into the infamous Radia tapes, which led to a storm in political, business and bureaucratic circles in 2010.

Replying to a written question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said nine PEs had been registered by the CBI in its probe in the Radia tapes, pursuant to the order passed by the Supreme Court.

"Out of these, eight PEs

were closed and status report filed in the Supreme Court. Remaining one PE is under enquiry by the CBI," he said.

Income Tax Department had tapped the phone of PR lobbyist Niira Radia for nearly 300 days in 2008-09 as part of its investigations into possible money laundering, restricted financial practices and tax evasion.

In reply to another question on Essar Tapes, he informed the House that the matter was being investigated by the Delhi Police.

(PTI)

'settling' Rohingya refugees in Jammu, Dec 14: Jammu traders' body today alleged that the government wants to change the demographic nature of this city by allowing Rohingya Muslim refugees to "settle" here in violation of Article 370.

It accused the government of adopting "double standards" when it came to having a Sainik Colony and separate Kashmiri Pandit township in the Valley.

"While the construction of Sanik Colony for the retired and serving security personnel from the state and a colony for Kashmiri Pandit migrants have not seen the light of the day because of the threats from anti nationals, the government is allow-

ing the settlement of nonstate subjects and foreign nationals (Rohingya refugees) in Jammu," Chamber of Commerce and Industry Jammu (CCIJ) Chief Rakesh Gupta told reporters here today.

He said Chamber feels the people of Jammu should get ready for the "final fight" to force the government to take the matters of the security of the common people and the sacrifices of the security forces seriously and also protect the rights and share of traders and industrialists.

Gupta said CCIJ is "shocked" with "permanent" settlement of hundreds of non-state subjects in Jammu.

"Chamber also questions the

law enforcing agencies for their silence and inaction in this matter that too in a state where national and state security should be of prime concern," he said.

CCIJ attacked the government for denying the rights to refugees from West Pakistan while being "mute spectator to the unlawful settlement of foreign nationals."

"The Chamber feels that it's a deliberate attempt by unseen forces to change the demographic nature of the city," the CCJI chief said.

"The Chamber wants to convey to the state government to either implement in toto or abolish Article 370 of the constitution," he said.

(PTI)

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15

Chhattisgarh government exempts card swipe machines from VAT Raipur, Dec 14: In a bid to promote cashless transactions in Chhattisgarh, the state government has decided to exempt purchase of card swipe machine from Value Added Tax (VAT). "The cabinet in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Raman Singh yesterday decided to fully exempt card swipe machine from VAT to encourage cashless transaction in the state following demonetisation," an official from the state public relation department said on Wednesday.At present, VAT charged on purchase of such machine is 14.5 per cent which has been brought down to "zero", the official added.

The officials in the meeting informed that more than 66,000 applications were received by banks for purchase of card swipe machines in the state, he added. Besides, the cabinet has also decided to make amendments in Chhattisgarh Civil Service (special provision for appointment of female candidate) Act 1997 to

ensure benefit of reservation and relaxation in age limit to only those women who are domicile of Chhattisgarh, he said.

After the amendment, the benefit of existing reservation of 30 per cent of the posts and relaxation of maximum age limits for women candidate will only be taken by the women who are domicile of the state, he added. Moreover, the cabinet also ensured relaxation in the license fee charged for operation of passenger city buses in the state to facilitate the expansion of public transport system.

This decision has been

taken to run city buses on 93 routes in 16 cities of the state after recognising those as 'city roads', the official said.

Earlier, a monthly license fee of Rs 6000 for movement of city buses was charged but after the decision it will around 1000 per month. This decision will be a great advantage to people of Raipur, Dhamtari, Mahasamund, Durg-Bhilai, Ambikapur, R a j n a n d g a o n , Khairagarh, Kabirdham, Korba, Raigarh, JangirNaila, Koriya, Kondagaon, Dantewada and Jashpur, he added.

(PTI)

New Delhi, Dec 14: Shareholders of US biotechnology major Monsanto have approved its close to USD 66 billion merger deal with German pharma and chemical firm Bayer AG. A decision in this regard was taken at a special meeting of shareholders held yesterday.

Nearly 99 per cent of all votes cast by Monsanto shareholders were in favour of the merger, its Indian subsidiary Monsanto India said in a BSE filing.

"Under the terms of the merger agreement, Monsanto shareowners will get USD 128 per share in cash at the closing of the merger," it said.

The merger is subject to regulatory approvals. The deal is expected to be

closed at the end of 2017.

The merger deal was announced back in May, but it went through after Bayer made a third sweetened offer of USD 128 per share, marking the largest all-cash deal on record.

The Monsanto shareholders also approved "the proposal to approve on an advisory (non-binding) basis, certain compensation that may be paid or become payable to the company's named executive officers in connection with the merger".

"We are pleased we received such a strong support from our shareowners. This is an important milestone as we work to combine out two complementary companies and deliver on our shared vision for the future of agriculture,"

Monsanto Chairman and CEO Hugh Grant said.

Bayer AG CEO Wemer Baumann said, "The acquisition of Monsanto is driven by strong belief that this combination can help address the growing challenges facing farmers and the overall agriculture today and in future."

He added: "Together, Bayer and Monsanto will be able to offer the new, innovative solutions that our customers need. We look forward to completing the transaction and working closely with Monsanto to ensure a successful integration."

Monsanto has a significant presence in India and has played a key role in increasing cotton output through its geneticallymodified (GM) technologies. (Agencies)

BUSINESS P9 No regulatory obstacles for NRIs depositing banned notes: Bank of England The PRA, responsible for the supervision of banks in the UK, has also cleared the matter with the Financial Conduct Authority, which acts as the financial crime regulator in the UK.

Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Raman Singh

London, Dec 14: In a relief to British Indians and NRIs, the Bank of England has said that it does not foresee any regulatory obstacles to people wanting to deposit or exchange banned Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes at the UK branches of Indian banks.

The banking authority's chief stressed the issue was a matter for the Indian government, who must give consent for such action to ease the "potential ramifications for British Indians and NonResident Indians in UK".

"Whether it is possible to deposit or exchange highvalue Indian Rupee banknotes at Indian banks in the UK is a matter for the Indian government," said Bank of England governor Mark Carney said.

"The PRA [Prudential Regulation Authority] can confirm that it does not

envisage any UK prudential regulatory obstacles if the Indian authorities decided to allow Indian Rupee notes to be deposited with Indian banks in the UK," he clarified.

The PRA, responsible for the supervision of banks in the UK, has also cleared the matter with the Financial Conduct Authority, which acts as the financial crime regulator in the UK. "The FCA indicated that it has no objection should any Indian banks wish to exchange these notes or accept them as deposits, providing they have the necessary prior consent from the relevant Indian authorities," Carney said in a letter dated December 9.

The letter was in response to a plea by Britain's longest-serving Indian-origin MP, Keith Vaz, to look into making an exception so

Rupee recoups 9 Monsanto shareholders ap- paise against dollar, prove merger with Bayer macro data help

Government Trying To Implement GST From April 1: Rajnath Singh

Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that efforts are being made to find a solutions to GST hurdles.

New Delhi, Dec 14: Sounding bullish on the state of economy, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said the Centre was hopeful of crossing the hurdles in rolling out GST from April 1 next year.

"We are trying to implement GST from April 1.

There are some hurdles but I think we will find a solution. GDP may see a rise of 1.75 per cent to 2 per cent due to the implementation of GST," Mr Singh said.

He, however, did not refer to demonetisation while enunciating the

measures taken by the government to curb black money.

"As far as the question of corruption and black money is concerned, the government has started working from day 1. In the recent past also, some actions have been taken in this regard," Mr Singh said during a conference on 'Defence Production' organised by trade body ASSOCHAM. He said the Indian economy was the world's fastest growing despite global trends not being positive.

"In 10 to 15 years, Indian economy can be among the world's top three economies and the government will do whatever is needed to make this happen," Mr Singh added.

(PTI)

FinMin decides not to extend Dec 15 deadline for use of old Rs 500 notes New Delhi, Dec 14: You will not be allowed to use your old Rs 500 currency notes anymore after Thursday.

The government had allowed use of old notes of this denomination for buying medicines or paying utility bills until December 15. The deadline for the exemption will not be extended, the finance ministry said. People, however, will be able to deposit their old Rs 500 notes in their bank accounts till December 30.

"Exemptions for use of old Rs 500 notes will end on 15

December midnight," Shaktikanta Das, secretary, department of economic affairs, tweeted on Wednesday.

Earlier, there were reports that the exemptions would be withdrawn on December 14.

Till Thursday, the old currency notes of Rs 500 can be used at government hospitals, pharmacies, railway ticketing counters, milk booths operating under authorisation of the central or state governments, for payment for LPG gas cylinders among others.

The NDA government, which announced the demonetization exercise on November 8, had allowed use of the defunct Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes for utility bill payments for the first 72 hours. The deadline thereafter was extended a few times due to acute cash crunch. The use of Rs 1,000 notes for making payments, however, was discontinued on November 24.

As of December 10, old high currency notes of Rs 12.44 lakh crore have come back into the system. (PTI)

This is the lowest level since November 2014 when the retail inflation came in at 3.23 per cent.

Mumbai, Dec 14: After two straight days of fall, the rupee today staged a mild recovery of 9 paise to 67.45 against the dollar following fresh selling of the US currency by banks and exporters amid positive economic data.

Retail inflation in November fell to a two-year low of 3.63 per cent after the Centre's demonetisation drive dented consumer spending on various food items, including vegetables.

This is the lowest level since November 2014

when the retail inflation came in at 3.23 per cent.

Forex dealers said a higher opening in domestic equities and dollar's weakness against some currencies overseas supported the local unit.

The rupee had ended lower by 12 paise at 67.54 yesterday on steady demand for the greenback from importers and corporates.

Meanwhile, the benchmark Sensex advanced 38.52 points, or 0.14 per cent, to 26,736.34 in morning trade. (PTI)

Silver weakens on muted demand, gold ends steady in thin trade New Delhi, Dec 14: Silver prices declined by Rs. 100 to Rs. 41,400 per kg on Wednesday owing to slack demand from consuming industries at the domestic spot market.

On the other hand, gold remained steady at Rs. 28,450 per 10 grams in scattered deals even as it firmed up overseas.

Traders attributed the slide in silver prices to a reduced offtake by industrial units and coin makers at the local spot market.

Globally, gold rose 0.41 per cent to $1,162.70 an ounce and silver by 1.13 per cent to $17.07 an ounce in Singapore ahead of the outcome of the ongoing Federal Reserve meet

which is expected to tighten its policy sooner than later.

In the national capital, silver ready drifted lower by Rs. 100 to Rs. 41,400 per kg and weekly-based delivery shed Rs. 10 at Rs. 41,480.

Silver coins, however, continued to be at the previous level of Rs. 72,000 for buying and Rs. 73,000 for selling of 100 pieces.

On the other hand, gold of 99.9 per cent and 99.5 per cent purity held steady at Rs. 28,450 and Rs. 28,300 per 10 grams, respectively. It had lost Rs 100 in Tuesday's trade. Sovereign, however, ruled flat at Rs. 24,200 per piece of eight grams.

(PTI)

Paytm partners with NHAI for digital payments at toll plazas Mumbai, Dec 14: Digital payments platform Paytm has announced partnership with major NHAI toll concessionaries like Reliance Infra, Sadhbav, IRB, MEP, L&T and GMR to enable cashless payments at all state, national and city toll plazas.

With the partnership, commuters across the country can now pay their toll charges instantly with Paytm by scanning the QR code placed at toll payment counters, using Paytm app.

Through this initiative, the

company is aiming to cover over five lakh vehicles per day by end of the financial year, it said in a statement here. "Now users can pay toll tax with Paytm using codebased cashless payments across 6000+ lanes across the country, enabling the transportation sector transition to a digital economy," Paytm's Senior Vice President Kiran Vasireddy said.

Currently, over a million offline merchants across India now accept Paytm as their preferred payment mode, Paytm claims. (PTI)

In a relief to British Indians and NRIs, the Bank of England has said that it does not foresee any regulatory obstacles to people wanting to deposit or exchange banned Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes at the UK branches of Indian banks. that NRIs with the demonetised notes can deposit them at UK branches of Indian banks.

Vaz said Carney's response removes "any obstacles which may prevent" the Indian government from

addressing concerns among Indian diaspora affected by the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes announced last month.

He said: "Mark Carney has gone the extra mile to en-

sure members of the Indian diaspora in the United Kingdom may be able to exchange their Indian currency in the UK, following the bold decision to demonetise certain Rupee denominations.

"He has presented a pathway for this issue to be resolved which will hugely benefit members of the Indian diaspora in the UK. The Indian government is now free to enable currency to be exchanged in the UK, and avoid the deep concern currently being faced by many members of the British Indian community, who may not be able to travel to India by the deadline."

Vaz said he is writing to Indian finance minister Arun Jaitley with a copy of Carney's letter to seek a resolution to an issue affecting thousands of NRIs and PIOs.(PTI)

Had differences with Ratan Tata over Nano draining funds: Wadia Mumbai, Dec 14: Tata Motors' independent director Nusli Wadia, who will next week face shareholders' vote called by Tata Sons for his removal, today said he had differences with Ratan Tata over continuation of Nano which has proved to be a serious drain on the financial resources of the company.

In a letter to the shareholders of the homegrown auto major ahead of the EGM on 22 December, Wadia said the investment and losses on Nano have been in thousands of crore of rupees.

Giving reasons why he believed the small car should be closed, Wadia said: "The Nano, initially a car conceived to sell at Rs 1 lakh was launched in 2008 and has proved to be a serious drain on the financial resources of Tata Motors. Even at price Rs 2.25 lakh, the car neither sells nor is viable as every sale of the vehicle is at a substantial loss to the company."

He further said: "After its commercial failure, which became evident not too long after its launch, I differed strongly with its continued operations and funding. Huge losses have been incurred over the years. The plan on which the investment was made was for 2.5 lakh cars while the production in 2015-16 was in the region of 20,000 cars and presently far less."

Cautioning against continuation of the car, he said: "The delay in closure if Nano is a serious drain on the finances of the company, in addition it has created very negative image on the passenger vehicles business of the company.

"The investment and losses on Nano have been in thousands of crore of rupees. Concerns have been raised not only by me but by several others regarding the continuing operations."

Wadia also said the "alleged reasons for seeking my removal do not even remotely relate to my performance or my conduct as an Independent Director of Tata Motors for 18 years."

He also denied allegations that his "actions may put Tata Motors and its future in grave jeopardy and impact the overall morale of the workers, employees and management who have joined a Tata company", saying it was "false and untrue and is conjecture".

Claiming that no worker, employee or manager or director of Tata Motors has ever complained of his conduct, Wadia said, "On the contrary, it is they who have sought my advice on several occasions outside the board meeting on many issues."

Wadia further said he has already sent notices for defamation to Tata Sons for "carrying on a personal vendetta against me for not toeing their line".

"I believe that it is Tata Sons and its interim Chairman who have vindictively issued this notice with malicious intent to remove me from the Board of Tata Motors. I believe that it

Image for Representation purpose. is their actions, which lack bona fide and in fact are malafide," Wadia wrote in his letter to the shareholders seeking their support.

Tata Sons, which holds 26.51 per cent stake in Tata Motors, asked the auto major last month to convene an extra-ordinary general meeting of the company to consider its resolution seeking removal of Cyrus Mistry and Wadia from its board.

Wadia said the passenger vehicles business (PVB) of Tata Motors over the years, from 2009-10 onwards, "for variety of reasons, be it design, product quality, execution, high cost, has had a serious negative financial impact on the company".

"The current capital employed in the PVB division is substantial, on which there is a serious level of loss impacting the overall financials of the company.

These results have been linked to the manner in which the affairs of the company, with regard to its strategy was being formulated and centralised in the past," he said.

Lauding the leadership of Cyrus Mistry without naming him, Wadia said: "It is this issue that has been addressed since the last two years. A strategy has been evolved and present for the first time recently to bring the PBV to a level of international professionalism in terms of design, product cost, quality and viability."

Wadia also asked shareholders to note the various cross holdings that Tata Motors has in various Tata firm, including non-listed entities, the total value of which amounted to around Rs 8,800 crore.

"These cross holdings are being maintained in a debt ridden company only to indirectly keep the voting rights and control in Tata Sons," Wadia alleged.

He claimed that the figure across all the listed holdings in Tata Sons is "approximately 14 per cent of its capital to approximately Rs 70,000 crore" and "is being maintained only to share up the voting rights of Tata Trusts".

"It is for you the shareholders, who own around 70 percent of the company to decide as to whether it is in your best interest to hold shares worth Rs 8,800 crore with no return or

disinvest and pay off an equivalent debt and save approximately Rs 800 crore, thereby improving profit of the company by the same amount," Wadia told the shareholders.

Alleging Ratan Tata of "galvanising" the union of Tata Motors to take an adverse stand against the management of the company, he said the actions of Tata Sons interim Chairman has put a question mark on whether a productivity linked settlement with the workers would be signed or not.

"These actions on the part of Mr Tata 'by galvanising' the union and 'acting prejudicially against the interest of your company may put the company and its future in great jeopardy and impact the overall moral of workers, employees and management of Tata Motors," Wadia said.

He further went to allege that Tata and the Board of Tata Sons "sought access to information and documents of Tata Steel, Tata Motors and other Tata companies", even after the notification of Insider Trading regulations on 15 January, 2015.

Lashing out at Tata Sons for intimidation and overstating role of promoter with regards to the Tata brand, Wadia said Tata Motors was incorporated as Tata Engineering and Locomotive Company in 1945 and in its certificate of incorporation was christened with the name Tata under the Chairmanship of JRD Tata.

"It is he who endowed Tata Motors with the name Tata.

The products of the company have been sold since 1945 under the brand name Tata more than 50 years before any license agreement with Tata Sons was entered into by the company that too without payment of any fee," he said.

It is only from 1998 that Tata Motors have through this agreement, the validity of which needs to be examined and suitably addressed, paid royalty.

"To my knowledge no financial support has been given by Tata Sons to Tata Motors. No letters of comfort nor guarantees have been provided by Tata Sons to Tata Motors to my knowledge," Wadia wrote to the shareholders while seeking their support to vote against the move to remove him. (PTI)

DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15

P10

INTERNATIONAL

Bangladesh pays tributes to Make in India, finance in the martyred 1971 intellectuals UK: British-Indian minister

Dhaka, Dec 14: Bangladesh on Wednesday paid homage to the intellectuals martyred in the 1971 liberation war as President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina led thousands in paying their respects in the capital.

Army bugles played the 'Last Post' as Hamid and Hasina stood in solemn silence in a state ceremony at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial here.

Pakistani troops and their Bengali-speaking Razakar collaborators and other auxiliary forces massacred several members of the pro-independence intelligentsia including physicians, professors, writers and teachers, throughout the nine-month war that is said to have killed over a million people.

Just two days ahead of the final victory over invading Pakistani forces on December 14, 1971, the infamous Gestapo-like AlBadr and Al-Shams militias carried out a systematic campaign to murder wellregarded academics and professionals.

The then Bangladesh government and victorious freedom fighters, however, came to know about the brutal massacre only after the December 16,

Alok Sharma highlighted that May's visit to India last month was "no coincidence" that it was her first overseas bilateral visit outside the European Union as PM.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina 1971 surrender by Pakistani troops when their top accomplices of the Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing went into hiding and resurfaced years later.

The nation observed the day this year even as most of the top perpetrators have been hanged in the past three years on charges of crimes against humanity during the war.

A memorial erected in memory of the martyred intellectuals at Mirpur area in the capital was readied as President Hamid and Prime Minister Hasina offered tributes by placing wreaths there.

A report of the then American Press Corps narrated the gruesome killings of Bengali intellectuals that

had taken place at the fag end of the war.

"At least 125 persons, believed to be physicians, professors, writers and teachers, were found murdered today in a field outside Dacca," the report said.

The report, sent from Dhaka to Washington on December 18, 1971, was carried by the New York Times the next day.

According to the report, all the victims' hands were tied behind their backs and they had been bayoneted, garroted or shot.

The report said the victims were among an estimated 300 Bengali intellectuals, who had been seized by Pakistani soldiers and their locally recruited supporters. (Agencies)

London, Dec 14: The United Kingdom wants to make London as India's "destination of choice" for raising offshore finance, an Indian-origin British minister has said.

"Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi wants to 'Make in India'. We say: 'Make in India, finance in the UK'," Alok Sharma, minster in charge of Asia, said in an address to the UK India Business Council on the 'Future of the UK-India Relationship' in London.

"As well as seeking to expand its role as a manufacturer and innovator, India is also rightly addressing its future infrastructure and energy needs. Many of you know the staggering amounts of capital this will require 2.8 trillion dollars needed by 2040 to invest in energy, according to the International Energy Agency and over 1 trillion

dollars in other infrastructure," he said.

The parliamentary undersecretary in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) on Monday said the Theresa May led government wants the City of London to become India's "destination of choice" for raising international funds."We want Indian companies and public sector entities to see the City of London as the natural home for raising offshore finance for quasi-sovereigns as well as corporates."

The minister also sought to clear up what he described as "mis-perceptions and misconceptions" around the issue of visas. "First of all, there is no cap on the number of international students studying at recognised institutions in the UK. Secondly, we continue to welcome students from India - in the year to

UN Secretary General-designate appreciates India's engagement with world

Indo-Oman ties can be a model for bilateral partnership: MJ Akbar He said the historical maritime trade and cultural exchanges between India and Oman, spanning over 5000 years, have evolved over the past 7 decades.

Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar.

Muscat, Dec 14: Bilateral trade and investment are key pillars of Indo-Oman ties, Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar today said as he sought to strengthen economic and strategic ties with the oilrich Gulf nation. "India and Oman have a relationship that can be a model: we are maritime neighbours across the Indian Ocean. The historical maritime trade and cultural exchanges, spanning over 5000 years, have evolved over the past 7 decades into a strategic partnership between India and Oman," Akbar said at the 5th India-Arab Partnership Conference.

He said the historical maritime trade and cultural exchanges, spanning over 5000 years, have evolved over the past 7 decades into a strategic partnership between India and Oman.

"Apart from extensive defence and security co-operation and people-topeople exchanges, bilateral trade and investment are key pillars of the IndiaOman bilateral partnership," he said.

Today, there are around 3000 joint ventures between Indian and Omani partners in Oman with a total investment of around USD 7.5 billion.

Calling Gulf and West Asia as India's "energy security "pillar", he said Maghreb is the major source of phosphate and fertiliser for the country.

He said the India-Arab Partnership Conference, which began in 2008, can be a real game changer, as the ties have acquired critical mass.

"India and the Arab world have always been bridged by enormous goodwill. Our merchants have improved the quality of life on both sides of the waters since before recorded history, but that was only a part of the equation.

He said there are 700 flights a week between India and UAE alone and the bilateral trade has crossed USD 184 billion, which is more than 25 per cent of India's global trade.

Seeking investment in India, he said the government has created a single window - an 'Invest India' au-

thority - to facilitate and hand hold investors looking to invest in any part of the country.

"We want the world to 'Make in India'. Because we have the talent at every level of human resource needed for the new economy. To offer only one example, that sovereign wealth funds of Gulf countries can be profitably invested in India's burgeoning infrastructure sector, which offers healthy returns."

On terrorism, he said there is an urgent need for partnership against this "life threatening menace".

"As our Prime Minister has said and repeated: There is no good or bad terrorism.

Such evil does not have shades. Hypocrisy and complacence in dealing with this evil is suicidal," he said "Terrorism generates not only conflict on battlefields; it sows fear in the midst of plural societies, building walls of dread among people who have lived together for ages.

"We can witness the political consequences of this phenomenon in nations that believed, till recently, that they had overcome such dangers through economic success and liberal co-existence," he said.

"We need partnership in security, and there is substantial space for co-operation in both conventional instruments of security as well as new approaches as in cyber security. We welcome a dialogue that is backed by ability, need, confidence and confidentiality," he said. (PTI)

ISIS claims responsibility for Egypt church bombing Cairo, Dec 14: The Islamic State terror group has claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing at a Coptic Christian church here during a Sunday mass in which 25 people were killed, describing the attack as a war on "polytheism".

The suicide bomber blew himself up with an explosive belt, the terror group said in a statement circulated online.

"Let all the disbelievers and apostates in Egypt and everywhere know that our war on polytheism is ongoing, and that the State of the Caliphate - with permission

from Allah the Almighty - will continue to spill their blood and grill their bodies, so that there is no sedition and the religion is all for Allah," the jihadist group stated, according to SITE. Egypt President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, while attending the State funeral of the victims on Monday, said a 22-year-old suicide bomber called Mahmoud Shafik Mohamed Mostafa was behind the attack.

He said that four persons including a woman were arrested. Twenty-five worshippers, mostly women and chil-

dren, were killed and nearly 50 others injured when the powerful blast ripped through the church adjacent to Egypt's main Coptic Christian cathedral here during a Sunday mass, the deadliest attack against the minority community in recent times.

The explosion took place inside St Peter's Church attached to St Mark's Cathedral, the seat of the Coptic pope who heads Egypt's Christian minority, in Abbassyia district of central Cairo at around 10:00 AM when the Sunday mass was on. (PTI)

The Secretary General designate, Antonio Guterres, appreciated India's engagement with the UN and contributions to various areas of the UN's work.

United Nation, Dec 14: United Nations (UN) Secretary General-designate Antonio Guterres has voiced appreciation for India's engagement with the world body and its contributions to various areas of the UN's work during a meeting with Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar in the UN. Jaishankar called on Guterres soon after his swearing-in as the 9th Secretary General of the United Nations.

"The Secretary General designate appreciated India's engagement with the UN and contributions to various areas of the UN's work," a spokesperson of India's Permanent Mission to the UN told PTI on Tuesday.

Jaishankar congratulated Guterres on his swearingin and assured him of India's support and assistance in areas that the SGdesignate focuses as his

priorities including on matters of sustainable development and peace and security, the spokesperson said.

Jaishankar also met Under Secretary-General Jeffrey Feltman and other officials of the UN's Department of Political Affairs and exchanged views on a wide array of issues of common interest.

Guterres was sworn-in as the next UN Secretary General on Monday and will assume his new role on January 1 next year, a day after Ban Ki-moon's 10-year tenure as the world's top diplomat ends this month.

India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin tweeted a photo of Jaishankar meeting Guterres and other UN officials, saying "diplomacy entails reaching out upfront & backroom talks too". (PTI)

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May. March 2016, we approved 89 per cent of Indian student visa applications," he said.

"Moreover, Indian citizens enjoy greater access to application centres than anyone else and India is the only country where applicants can obtain a same-day visa. "We

naturally want our visa regime to be as simple and efficient as possible. But we must also ensure that people return to their country of origin once their visa has expired." To ensure that the visa regime does not hinder the commercial relationship, he said the British gov-

ernment wants India to be the first country to be offered the "Registered Traveller Scheme, giving business travellers expedited clearance at the UK border."

Alok Sharma highlighted that May's visit to India last month was "no coincidence" that it was her first overseas bilateral visit outside the European Union as PM. "It signalled the immense value we place on our existing partnership with India and the potential we see to enhance this unique relationship in the future," he said. The Conservative Party MP pointed to the UK as India's largest major investor, responsible for employing one in every 20 Indians and India as the UK's third-largest investor and second largest international employment generator - responsible for over 110,000 jobs in the UK. (PTI)

US Warns 'Aggressive' Beijing In South China Sea Sydney, Dec 14: The United States will keep challenging Beijing's "assertive, aggressive behaviour in the South China Sea", the US Pacific commander said Wednesday, as tensions between two powers rise over comments by Donald Trump.

Admiral Harry Harris, head of the US Pacific Command, warned Washington would not accept Chinese control of the region, despite Beijing's rapid development of artificial islands capable of hosting military planes.

He remarks come as Beijing reacted angrily after Trump, the US President-elect, broke convention by speaking directly to Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen -- and suggested Washington could jettison Washington's decades-old "One China policy".

The "One China policy" is a diplomatic compromise allowing the US to do business with both China and Taiwan while only recognising Beijing diplomatically.

"We will not allow the shared domains to be closed down unilaterally, no matter how many bases are built on artificial features in the South China Sea," Harris said.

"We will cooperate where we can but we will be ready to confront where we must."

China insists on sovereignty over virtually all the resource-endowed South

US will keep challenging Beijing's "assertive, aggressive behaviour in the South China Sea".

China Sea, despite rival claims from its Southeast Asian neighbours.

But Washington has repeatedly said it does not recognise the claims, and has regularly sent warships into the strategically vital area to assert the right to freedom of navigation.

"Should others (countries) signal in this way in freedom of navigation operations? I think so, but that is again up to each individual country to make that decision," the admiral told Australian think tank the Lowy Institute in Sydney.

"The US fought its first war following our independence to ensure freedom of navigation, and we did that when we were weak and small," he added.

"This is an enduring principle, and one of the reasons our forces remain ready to fight tonight."

Harris added that Washington would not make Australia choose between its traditional ally, the United States, and rising world power China.

"Australia is more than capable of chewing gum and walking at the same time, and so we're not asking you to make a choice," he said.

A UN-backed tribunal ruled in July in a case brought by the Philippines that any extensive claims to the sea had no legal basis and that China's construction of artificial islands in disputed waters was illegal.

Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said last month that Canberra and Jakarta were considering joint patrols in the disputed region. The Australian navy has already conducted joint exercises in the South China Sea with India and the US. (AFP)

Pakistan wary of NSG 'exemption' for India Islamabad, Dec 14: Pakistan is wary of powerful countries pressurising smaller nations to exempt India in the admission process to the NSG and feels that strategic stability in South Asia would be undermined if Pakistan's application was not treated equally with that of India.

Pakistani official suspect that powerful countries could force the smaller partners to support India's Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) membership bid despite a growing realisation for a criteriabased approach for joining the 48-member elite grouping.

"We are pretty confident that NSG countries would not go down the exemption way, but if they ultimately do so and give exemption to India," director general of disarma-

ment at the foreign office Kamran Akhtar said while speaking at a workshop on 'Defence, Deterrence and Stability' in South Asia. "...there would be serious repercussions not just for Pakistan, but also for other non-nuclear weapon states that may feel being unjustly denied their right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy," he said.

At the same time, Pakistani officials feel encouraged by growing support in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) for establishing criteria for membership of non-NPT countries, Dawn reported.

"There are a lot of countries that now recognise the need for a criteriabased approach rather than granting exemptions, but pressures are still being exerted on smaller countries," he said.

The workshop was jointly organised by Islamabadbased think-tank Centre for International Strategic Studies (CISS) and London's International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).

Last month in Vienna, NSG members, for the second time in a year, failed to reach consensus on the admission of non-NPT countries. The NSG members have been divided between countries demanding strict adherence to the NPT criteria and the bloc wanting to embrace India immediately.

A growing support within NSG has been noted for developing criteria for non-NPT states and the Chinese proposal for a two-step approach for new admissions which involves developing criteria in the first stage and then inviting applications for

the membership.

He said it was now up to NSG countries to decide if they wanted the group to be seen as being driven by political and commercial interests or else they would want non-proliferation goals to be strengthened.

The official warned that strategic stability in South Asia would be undermined if Pakistani application was not treated equally with that of India.

Pakistan has been pushing for its membership in the group by adopting a uniform criteria for any new country to join NSG despite US backing for India to join through a selective wavier of conditions.

Foreign Office's additional secretary Tasneem Aslam said the issue of membership of non-NPT countries was deeply linked to strategic stabil-

HIGHLIGHTS Pakistan suspects that powerful nations could force smaller countries to support India's NSG membership bid.

Pakistan said India's NSG entry would have serious repercussions.

Pakistan too has been trying for NSG membership. ity in South Asia.

"Today, the NSG stands at crossroads, once again, as it considers membership for non-NPT states.

An even-handed and non-discriminatory approach by the NSG at this juncture would be of farreaching significance for strategic stability in South Asia and global non-proliferation efforts," she said. (PTI)

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SPORTS

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Indian football inspired by Ice- Anand draws with Adams in land in grassroots expansion London Classic Chess opener

Indian football inspired by Iceland in grassroots expansion REUTERS Mumbai, Dec. 14: The size of the task facing Dutchman Piet Hubers when he agreed to help develop grassroots soccer in India quickly became apparent with one simple comparison.

Hubers discovered there are more full-sized pitches in his home town of Wijchen, which has a population of around 40,000, than in the whole of Mumbai, which has more than 20 million inhabitants.

"That makes it very challenging," he told Reuters in an interview held at the International Sports Convention in Geneva. Iceland, who reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2016, are a good guide to what can be achieved.

"I use Iceland very much as an example," said Hubers. "They invested a lot of money in facilities, in halls, in artificial pitches but also in coaches.

"It's mandatory that every coach is qualified otherwise you can't even coach a youth team and that in my opinion is one of the basics of the success of Icelandic football."

Cricket-loving India is a sleeping giant as far as football is concerned.

The national side are 137th in the world rankings and, on the only occasion they qualified for the World Cup in 1950, pulled out without kicking a ball.

However, the country of 1.3 billion is finally wak-

ing up to the most popular sport on the planet.

Indian Super League (ISL) is in its third season and Kushal Das, secretary general of the All India Football Federation, has said the country is aiming to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Hubers, a former defender for Dutch top-flight club NEC Nijmegen, believes that developing the sport at grassroots level is fundamental to India's plans.

"The more players you get into the system, the better the quality will be at the top," he said.

The ISL, promoted by billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries and Rupert Murdoch's Star India TV, have their own grassroots programme of which Hubers is technical director.

The most talented players are selected for a residential programme, based near Mumbai, known as Young Champs. Started in 2014, the scheme's first target is to give 500,000 children between the ages of six and 14 the chance to play football and get coaching. Hubers said finding spaces to play is one of the major challenges in India's teeming cities and that children need to play regularly.

"One training session every week and a grassroots match every week for 20 weeks a season is the absolute minimum but that is also the biggest challenge because you need good facilities, you need a playing system, you need good coaches, you must

organise teams and that is not so easy," he said.

Improvisation is often the key and the concept of pop-up pitches, where organisers bring portable goals and announce venues on social media, has become popular.

Officials have also attempted to persuade private clubs and schools to make their facilities available. "There are square metres you can use here and there, for example for playing a small game which can be four against four, or seven against seven," Hubers said.

Coaching is another key element.

"The most important thing for the ISL clubs is to educate the coaches ... so that parents can be confident their children are improving," added Hubers.

He said it can take 10 years of investment in grassroots football to pay off at international level and believes India's goal of reaching the 2026 World Cup is achievable.

"You always must set targets ... and that's just a target, not an obligation although it is certainly high on our wish list," he explained.

"I think that qualifying for the World Cup in 2026 is a realistic objective. When you look at the national team and the national youth teams, they're progressing very well and they will progress more if the grassroots system increases."

Watson not in favour of limiting bat sizes

Former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson

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IANS Melbourne, Dec. 14: Former Australia allrounder Shane Watson is opposed to the idea of limiting the size of bats in international cricket.

The Marylebone Cricket Club's (MCC) World Cricket Committee, after a two-day conference in Mumbai last week, has recommended putting a restriction on the size of the edges and depth of bats.

The committee concluded that the game has tilted too heavily towards batsmen, as even the mis-hits from the ever-bulging bats reach the boundary or

clear it. They also advocated introduction of red cards, like football, to curb on-field misconduct.

Watson though differs from this point of view and said it is the bowlers who need to evolve along with bat technology and the willowers shouldn't be punished for using bigger bats.

"I don't think there should be bat restrictions because in the end the game's always moving forward," Watson told cricket.com.au on Wednesday.

"Bat companies are always trying to find a competitive

advantage. As long as they're legal, as in there's not cork or anything (illegal) in them, then you can't restrict the size of a bat.

"Someone like Chris Gayle uses a three-pound bat, so his bats are naturally going to be bigger but he's strong enough to be able to lift a bat like that," he added.

MCC's proposed restrictions would see bat edges limited to 40 milimetre and bat depths to 67mm. The proposal, if approved, would be added to the Laws of Cricket and introduced from October, next year.

Watson believes the bowlers need to develop their skills in order to overcome the challenge of bulkier bats, trying to find different ways to out-think the batsmen.

"You've got to be better as a bowler. There's always ways you can try and (avoid) the middle of the bat of a batsman when you're bowling," the 35year-old said.

"Some days are better than others, but there's always ways and that's the skill of a bowler to try and evolve and get better," he told Cricket Australia.

PTI London, Dec. 14: Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand failed to press hard with his white pieces and had to settle for a draw with Michael Adams of England in the first round of the London Chess Classic that got underway here.

Having done badly in the second edition of the Grand Chess tour following a couple of early defeats, Anand took the safer approach and it was a cautious start by the Indian ace to set the pace in the tournament.

The day in fact produced as many as four draws out of five games and only Dutchman Anish Giri was lucky enough to have scored a full point when his opponent Veselin Topalov failed to spot a relatively simple tactic.

World champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway started his campaign by getting an easy draw as black against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave of France while Russian Alexander Grischuk and American Hikaru Nakamura played some tense chess before reaching the drawn conclusion.

In the other game of the day, Fabiano Caruana of Italy too

HIGHLIGHTS Anand took the safer approach and it was a cautious start by him to set the pace in the tournament.

As of now, Anand shares the sixth spot in the tour rankings.

Anand did not mince his words when asked about his plan Viswanathan Anand played it solidly against Levon Aronian of Armenia.

Giri, thus, emerged as the early leader in this final edition of the Grand Chess Tour that will decide the top three winners.

As of now, Anand shares the sixth spot in the tour rankings and needs a big win here to match the higher ranked players like Topalov and Aronian who occupy the top two spots in the tour.

Apart from $300000 prize money at stake, there is another $150000 for the taking for the top three finishers of the tour.

Anand did not mince his words when asked about his plans.

Commentator Jennifer

Pakistan face big task to win in Australia AFP Brisbane , Dec. 14: Pace spearhead Mitchell Starc says Australia plan to inflict a psychological blow on vulnerable Pakistan in tomorrow's day-night first Test in Brisbane to set up their three-match series.

The left-armer said Australia, who lost Test series against Sri Lanka and South Africa recently, sense an opportunity to strike with Pakistan struggling for form away from home.

The visitors have never won in 11 series in Australia, dropping their last three series here 3-0 and losing their previous nine Tests Down Under since 1999.

Their recent form in New Zealand on the way to Brisbane does not engender confidence that things will be any different.

They were defeated there by hefty margins in both

Zealand and probably struggle a little more away from home -- they're really comfortable in the UAE (where Pakistan play their home Tests)," Starc said.

"So it's a good opportunity for us in this Test match to assert our dominance first up, make an impression in the first Test of the series, which goes a long way to working out the final result."

There is added spice to the series with South African Mickey Arthur now in charge of Pakistan three years after he was sacked as Australia coach and replaced by Darren Lehmann.

Arthur, who still lives in Perth, faces the huge challenge of not only ending Pakistan's drought in Australia but becoming the first team from the sub-continent to win a Test series here.

He has past form when it

Pakistan face big task to win in Australia Tests, including an ignominious collapse of nine wickets in the final session of the second Test in Hamilton.

Starc is confident Steve Smith's new-look team, who halted a run of five Test defeats in the third Test against South Africa last month, can press their home advantage at the Gabba where Australia have not lost in 27 Tests stretching back to 1988.

Pakistan have never won in four Brisbane Tests.

"They've struggled in New

comes to plotting series upsets in Australia.

In 2008-09 he coached South Africa to a 2-1 victory -- the first time any touring team had won a campaign in Australia since the mighty West Indies 16 years earlier.

"For these guys to come here and win would be amazing," Arthur said.

"But we are under no illusions. Australia are a fantastic cricket team and, in these conditions, it's going to be very tough for us.

Shahade asked Anand on how confident he felt about winning the Grand Chess Tour.

"My first aim is to play a good tournament and win the London Chess Classic and then think about the Grand Chess Tour," Anand said.

It was an English opening

by Anand wherein Adams remained impregnable. The minor pieces changed hands at regular intervals and the position was soon level. The peace was signed in 32 moves.

It turned out to be a lucky day for Giri as Topalov missed a little tactic in a stillplayable position. Giri pounced on his chance and

sacrificed a rook to rip apart Topalov's kingside and it was soon a dead-end for the Bulgarian.

Carlsen came up with a unique preparation to outsmart Vachier-Lagrave. In the Sicilian Sveshnikov, the world champion improved upon a game played way back in 1983 in Correspondence chess and forced the draw without much ado.

Results Round 1: V Anand (Ind) drew with Michael Adams (Eng); Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (Fra) drew with Magnus Carlsen (Nor); Alexander Grischuk (Rus) drew with Hikaru Nakamura (Usa); VeselinTopalov (Bul) lost to Anish Giri (Ned); Fabiano Caruana (Usa) drew with Levon Aronian (Arm).

India U-17 team beaten 0-4 in Brazil tournament IANS New Delhi, Dec 14 : Indian colts were beaten 0-4 by hosts Atletico Paranaense in their second successive outing in the ongoing U-17 international football tournament in Brazil.

The Indian boys were on the receiving end of some impressive attacking play on Tuesday, an All India Football Federation (AIFF) release said.

Atletico Paranaense started on a high note and took only 15 minutes to take the lead. They doubled the lead four minutes later.

At the stroke of halftime, the home team increased the margin to 3-0 and completed the scoreline in the 55th minute.

India next face Uruguay in their last group stage match on Wednesday.

Williams stuns Arsenal, Leicester brought low

Williams stuns Arsenal, Leicester brought low AFP London, Dec. 14: Ashley Williams's 86th-minute header ended Arsenal's 14game unbeaten run and kept Arsene Wenger's side from the Premier League summit as Everton claimed a muchneeded 2-1 win on Tuesday.

Arsenal would have provisionally supplanted leaders Chelsea on goals scored with victory and took a 20th-minute lead when Alexis Sanchez's free-kick deflected in off Williams.

But Seamus Coleman equalised with a 44thminute header before Williams's first Everton goal ended his team's five-game winless run and sent Ronald Koeman's men up to seventh in the table.

"We showed two faces," Everton manager Koeman, who had defender Phil Jagielka sent off in stoppage time, told BT Sport.

"The first face, I hate that face because it is all about being nervous. You cannot lose the game like that.

"This was a good match though because we showed how we have to play - with commitment and aggression. You see the reaction of the crowd when you go for it and that's what we did."

Arsenal manager Wenger said the game had been "very physical".

"We faced many physical challenges and that disturbed our game, but we were a bit unlucky to lose as well," he said.

"They were a bit scared at first, but they got their confidence. We did fight, I cannot fault that."

Meanwhile, champions Leicester City were brought down to earth after their 4-2 demolition of Manchester City as Marc Pugh's goal earned Bournemouth a 1-0 win at the Vitality Stadium.

Arsenal made only one change from their 3-1 win over Stoke City, fit-again right-back Hector Bellerin replacing injured centreback Shkodran Mustafi, and took a 20th-minute lead.

The goal stemmed from a comedy of errors on the edge of Everton's box as Ross Barkley lost possession, Williams fouled his own team-mate Idrissa Gueye and Jagielka tripped Francis Coquelin.

Sanchez sent the free-kick curling towards Everton goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg and in seeking to clear the ball, Williams succeeded only in deflecting it into his own net.

It was Sanchez's 12th effort of the campaign, putting him level with Chelsea's Diego Costa as Premier League top scorer.

Everton did not look like equalising, with Romelu Lukaku and Aaron Lennon slicing shots off target, but with half-time looming they drew level.

Leighton Baines curled a right-foot cross towards the back post from the left and Coleman nipped in between Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal to glance a deft header past Petr Cech.

Mesut Ozil spurned a glorious opportunity to restore Arsenal's lead early in the second half, wafting a shot over the bar from Sanchez's cut-back, while Barkley

drilled wide at the other end.

The noise level rose as the game wore on and with four minutes to play Everton struck the winner, Williams flying in at the back post to send a thudding header past Cech from Barkley's corner.

Everton had Jagielka sent off after he picked up a second yellow card, but the hosts survived amid frantic late scenes that saw Arsenal substitute Alex Iwobi have a shot blocked on the line.

It was Arsenal's first league defeat since their 4-3 loss to Liverpool on the season's opening day and means they will be six points off the pace if Chelsea win at bottom club Sunderland on Wednesday.

Leicester remain without back-to-back league wins this season after defeat at Bournemouth - their eighth of the campaign - kept them in 14th place, just four points above the relegation zone.

Pugh marked his first start of the season with the game's only goal, slamming home the rebound after Leicester goalkeeper RonRobert Zieler saved from Benik Afobe in the 34th minute.

"The result is too severe against us because we created more chances than Bournemouth," said Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri.

"If we continue to fight at this level, sooner or later we will get a good result."

Eddie Howe's Bournemouth leap four places to eighth, nine points clear of the bottom three.

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DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15

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DIBRUGARH, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15

P12 Kerala enter the final after nerveracking shootout against Delhi Match Awards

Junior World Cup: Rusty India look to play 'simple hockey' in quarters

Club award: Delhi Dynamos FC

HIGHLIGHTS

Player of the Match: Cedric Hengbart

In spite of being unbeaten, India's performance vs South Africa has raised eyebrows

Winning Pass of the Match: Marcos Tebar

Roelant Oltmans has called on the colts to use their brains

Swift Moment of the Match: Sandip Nandy

Skipper Harjeet Singh has been phenomenal in the tournament so far

ISL Emerging Player of the Match: Kim Kima Hero of the Match: Ruben Rocha

Kerala enter the final after nerve-racking shootout against Delhi New Delhi, Dec 14 : Delhi Dynamos FC beat Kerala Blasters FC 2-1 in the second leg of the second semifinal of Hero Indian Super League 2016 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday but went out 3-0 nonetheless in penalty shootout after the tie ended 2-2 on aggregate following extra time.

All three goals on the night came in the first half with Marcelinho scoring the opener for Delhi before Duckens Nazon equalised for Kerala. Milan Singh then received a direct red card shortly before the half hour mark but Ruben Rocha scored for the Lions at end of the first period to take the game to extra time and beyond. Delhi missed all three of their penalties in the shootout, allowing Mohammed Rafique to hit the winning penalty to enter the final of Hero ISL 2016.

Delhi were on the front foot straight from the start as they looked to level things on aggregate, while Kerala looked threatening on the

Novak Djokovic's next coach: Nenad Zimonjic?

Agencies London, Dec. 14: A report has surfaced from a Serbian publication which reveals that World No. 2 Novak Djokovic could sign up his Davis Cup teammate Nenad Zimonjic as a new coach.

Djokovic last week parted ways with Boris Becker, who coached him for three years following a disappointing end to the year, where he lost his world number one ranking to Andy Murray.

The 29-year-old, who lost the number one ranking he had held for 122 weeks to Murray in November, had asserted the goals they had set together have been fulfilled. He also thanked the German tennis legend for his cooperation and dedication. " Boris Becker and I have jointly decided to end our cooperation. The goals we set when we started working together have been completely fulfilled, and I want to thank him for the cooperation, teamwork, dedication and commitment," the 29-year-old, who clinched this year's Australian and French Open, confirmed on Facebook.

Djokovic's long-time coach, Marian Vajda, will remain part of the coaching team but is apparently unable to travel with the Serbian to all of the tournaments, reports Sport24.

Out of Djokovic's 12 Grand Slam titles in his career, half came while working with Becker - twice in Australia (2015, 2016) and Wimbledon (2014, 2015) and once in French (2016) and US Open (2016).

counter, breaking at pace and looking to catch out the Dynamos, who were overcommitting in attack.

The game burst into life in the 21st minute when a halfclearance of a Marcos Tebar ball by Didier Boris Kadio fell to Marcelinho. Delhi’s Brazilian talisman made no mistake as he composed himself before placing the ball past Sandip Nandy in goal to make it 1-0 for the Lions and 1-1 on aggregate.

Kerala responded immediately courtesy of some individual brilliance by Nazon three minutes later. The Haitian forward ran at Delhi’s defence, cut in from the left and belted a thunderous effort beyond a helpless Antonio Doblas in goal, making it 1-1 on the night and 21 on aggregate in favour of the Blasters.The match took another turn in favour of the visitors in the 28th minute when the referee produced a direct red for Milan Singh after a foul on Mehtab Hossain. However, Delhi didn’t let the sendingoff affect them too much as they continued to press for-

ward and nearly retook the lead four minutes from halftime when Richard Gadze tried his luck from range.

Nandy though was well positioned in goal to make a comfortable save.

The Lions weren’t done yet, however, and got their equaliser on the stroke of half-time when Tebar floated in a free-kick into the box. Rocha rose the highest and directed his header into the back of the net to make it 2-1 to Delhi on the night and 2-2 on aggregate.

The first opportunity of the second period went the Dynamos’ way when Florent Malouda danced past Kerala’s defence before shooting over the crossbar in the 53rd minute.

Rocha attempted another header on goal from a Tebar free-kick six minutes later but this time Nandy made the save.

Nazon nearly got his second of the night shortly after the hour mark but the Haitian’s shot this time around was well blocked by Delhi’s defence.

Marcelinho then tried to ex-

tend the lead for the Dynamos in the 68th minute with a powerful shot from distance that was fractions over the crossbar.

Substitute Antonio German came on to have an immediate impact on the game in the 72nd minute after running at Delhi’s defence and sending a fizzing effort inches above goal. Up the other end only a goal-line clearance kept the men in yellow in the game after Tebar’s free-kick in the 78th minute was headed on by Malouda and was goalbound, requiring Sandesh Jhingan to make a spectacular clearance off the line.

Brilliant link-up play between Malouda and Marcelinho led to another opening for Delhi five minutes from full-time only for the Brazilian to place his effort wide of the target.

German had Kerala’s last shot on goal in stoppagetime at the end of the second half, which went wide of the target as it ended 21 to Delhi in normal time and 2-2 on aggregate, meaning extra-time was re-

quired to separate the two sides.

Delhi had a massive chance of taking the lead on aggregate three minutes into extra time after Marcelinho followed up on a save by Nandy from a Malouda shot only for the Brazilian to blaze over the crossbar. Malouda then forced Nandy into conceding a corner with a stinging shot from just outside the box in the 100th minute. Neither side managed to create any clearcut chances in the second half of extra-time as the match headed to penalties.

Josu Currais scored the first penalty for Kerala, while Malouda missed Delhi’s first of the night.

German then missed Kerala’s second spot-kick but so did the Dynamos’ Bruno Pelissari as the Blasters maintained their 1-0 advantage in the shootout. Belfort then made it 2-0 in the shootout for Kerala and Nandy saved Memo’s shot to make it 2-0 after three penalties each. Rafique then stepped up to convert his spot-kick as Kerala set up a final date with Atlético de Kolkata on Sunday.

Time will tell if Ashwin can be equally lethal abroad: Kartik HIGHLIGHTS Kartik feels that one brand of ball (SG, Dukes or Kookaburra) should be used worldwide.

"My personal belief is that Kookaburra balls in Indian conditions doesn't work," Kartik said.

Ashwin is expected to be more effective in India where he averages a little over 20 in 26 matches.

Time will tell if Ashwin can be equally lethal abroad: Kartik

PTI New Delhi, Dec. 14: Ravichandran Ashwin is going through a purple patch but only time will tell whether he is able to replicate his stupendous home success when the team travels overseas, says former India spinner Murali Kartik.

Kartik's logic is simple.

He says the conditions are drastically different in countries like England, Australia and South Africa, therefore success is not guaranteed.

"I am nobody to comment on that (whether he

would extend his phenomenal phase overseas).

Overseas conditions are very different so time will tell," Kartik, who represented India between 2000 and 2007, told PTI. Ashwin, who alongside Virat Kohli, has contributed significantly to India's recent success in Tests helping the number one team win five straight series.

The Tamil Nadu off-spinner is arguably the best spinner in the world at the moment but bigger challenges await him when India next play in pacer-

friendly surfaces abroad.

He is expected to be more effective in India where he averages a little over 20 in 26 matches. Compared to that, his overseas average drops to 33.23 in 17 Tests.

Kartik also spoke about domestic cricket in regards to recent comments made

by Sachin Tendulkar on the format of Ranji Trophy.

Tendulkar has proposed a format which will see matches being played on two different pitches for either innings with two different balls -- Kookaburra and SG. The idea though was recently shot down by

MCC. Kartik feels that one brand (SG, Dukes or Kookaburra) should be used worldwide. My personal belief is that Kookaburra in Indian conditions doesn't work. The pitches don't suit the ball and after 15 overs, whether for spinners or pacers, there is nothing left on the ball.

"Worldwide, I personally feel we should have just one standard ball which suits everybody in all conditions. I talking from the bowlers' point of view and not just from the spinners' point of view. I don't know in what context Sachin said it but this is my view on the subject," added the 40-year-old, who played 203 FirstClass matches.

Junior World Cup: Rusty India look to play 'simple hockey' in quarters PTI Lucknow, Dec. 14: Having received a much-needed wake-up call in their final pool match, favourites India would look to iron out chinks in the armour and play "simple hockey" when they face Spain in the quarterfinals of the men's Junior Hockey World Cuphere on Thursday.

Even though India maintained an all-win record in the pool stage, it was their performance in their last pool game against South Africa which has raised some eyebrows.

The Indians were clinical in their first two wins over Canada (4-0) and England (5-3) but against South Africa they had to slog hard to register a fighting 2-1 victory.

But it should come as a big lesson for the Indian colts ahead of the knockout stages as any slip from here on will dash their hopes of reclaiming the title after a hiatus of 15 years.

"I was surprised with our performance because we didn't play to our potential after the first 15 minutes (against South Africa). I always say that I don't think about opponents, I am always concerned about our own methods," India's head coach Harendra Singh had said after the South Africa game.

"We play simple one-touch hockey and that is what we should play. We just didn't play simple hockey (against South Africa) but the good thing is that it has

happened before the knockout stages," he said.

Going by present form, India start as overwhelming favourites against Spain.

The Indians have defeated the Spaniards twice in the recent past in a four-nation tournament in Valencia.

The Valencia outing, where India went on to win the title by beating six-time champions and current world junior champions Germany, should give the home team confidence going into Thursday's all-important encounter at the Major Dhyan Chand Astroturf stadium here.

Although India are expected to win the game hands down, Harendra warned his players against complacency. "In a World Cup we can't afford to take any team lightly. We have defeated Spain twice in Valencia but here it is altogether different. Every participating team wants to win the World Cup," Harendra said.

In their last two pool games, India let their momentum slip in phases.

Against England they were sloppy in the last 10 minutes and conceded two goals, while against South Africa the Indians faded away after the initial 15 minutes burst.

Excited and pumped up in front of home crowd, the Indians tried too many things and this is something which Harendra would like his wards to avoid.

India's senior team's chief

coach Roelant Oltmans, who is here as the manager of the junior side, has called on the colts to use their brains a bit more and stick to their game plan instead of trying too many things.

"The most important thing is to stick to our game plan.

If we would have used a little bit more brain, we could have scored more goals (against South Africa) and that is what we have to learn. If you can close the game we should close it. We shouldn't give our rivals opportunity to come back into the game," Oltmans said. The Indians created plenty of scoring chances but the striking force lacked the finishing touch before Mandeep Singh came to his side's rescue with a brilliant match-winner against South Africa.

Skipper Harjeet Singh has been phenomenal in the tournament so far having led the side from the front.

Against South Africa he not only scored a goal but also created numerous chances for his teammates.

Even though the Indians created chances, penetrated the opposition circle and earned penalty corners in numbers, the final execution was lacking and the hosts would need to work on these aspects and raise their game to avoid giving Spain any chance to create an upset.

Meanwhile in the other quarterfinals of the day, Belgium will play Argentina, defending champions Germany will face England and Australia will take on the Netherlands.

FIFA scandal: Argentina firm agrees to $112.8m settlement AFP New York, Dec. 14: Argentine sports marketing company Torneos y Competencias S.A. agreed to pay $112.8 million to settle charges in the United States stemming from a massive FIFA corruption scandal, authorities said.

Torneos "admitted to its role in the 15-year scheme, including its role in paying tens of millions of dollars in bribes and kickbacks to a high-ranking FIFA official to secure his support" for broadcast rights to the 2018, 2022, 2026 and 2030 editions of the World Cup, the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York said in a statement.

Under the arrangement, the Argentine company averts prosecution if it avoids charges in the next four years, pays fines and returns tainted funds.

"Today's announcement marks another important step in our continuing effort to root out corruption in international soccer and sends a clear message that corporate entities that rely

on the US financial system to enrich themselves through bribery will be held to account," said US Attorney Robert Capers.

US prosecutors accused 40 officials and marketing executives of soliciting and receiving tens of millions of dollars in bribes and kickbacks in a case that sparked an unprecedented crisis at FIFA. Many have since pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors in exchange for a possible reduction in sentence. Two companies were also accused.

Only five defendants are left under house arrest in the United States, facing a trial that a federal judge has recommended should begin in New York late next year.

The US investigation rocked FIFA to the core and ultimately led to the downfall of its former president, Sepp Blatter, who is serving a six-year ban from football over ethics violations.

Blatter is now under a fresh investigation over alleged illicit salaries and bonuses totalling $80 million, FIFA's ethics committee said in September.

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