Newsletter 16 May

Top News of the Week

Modi’s announcement for a sum 20 LCr for Aatm-Nirbhar-Bhart was big news besides, flexible situations at multiple fronts around borders.

CHINESE CHOPPERS SPOTTED NEAR LADAKH LAC PROMPT ALERT, IAF FIGHTERS RUSHED IN

A few hours later, a clarification came from MHA, Govt of India, that there is no any tension like situation at LAC, after the publication of this news.

“The Chinese military helicopters were flying very close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC). After their movement was picked up, the Indian Air Force fighter jets flew patrols in the area,” government sources told news agency ANI on Tue.

On Fri, Army Chief Gen M M Naravane says Indian Army is dealing with incidents of face-offs with Chinese military on case-by-case basis. He also said that “Nepal’s objection to Lipulekh road likely at the behest of ‘someone else’.

After the scuffle between the Chinese People’s Liberation Army troops and Indian troops along the LAC in North Sikkim, last week, which led to injuries on both sides, China appears to be continuing on the path of belligerence towards India, this time along the LAC in Ladakh.
In what appears to be a multi-front deliberate ploy by China to keep India on its toes the Indian Air Force was forced to rush its fighter jet patrols in Ladakh after Chinese military choppers were found to be flying close to the Line of Actual Control.
“The Chinese military helicopters were flying very close to the LAC.
Government sources who requested anonymity due to knowledge of frontline operations, informed that the Chinese choppers did not cross the LAC into Indian Territory in that particular area, they said.
The Indian Air Force frequently flies its Sukhoi 30MKI fighter aircraft fleet from Leh air base in Ladakh along with other planes.
This latest development comes soon after the Indian security establishment noticed that Pakistani Air Force increased its patrols of F-16S and JF-17s along its Eastern Border with India, especially night sorties, after the Handwara terror attack that led to the death of 5 Indian security personnel. A fear of retaliation by Indian forces was cited as the reason by Indian security establishment sources for this ramping up of PAF air patrols.
The Indian Air Force has two main bases in the Ladakh union territory including the Leh and those airbase where fighter jets are not deployed permanently but detachments from combat aircraft squadrons are operational throughout the year.
There have been several occasions in the past when Chinese military helicopters have entered Indian airspace in the Ladakh sector and deliberately left behind tell-tale signs to stake claim on areas which are part of India. The LAC in this location, like in other parts of the India-China border in the country, is poorly demarcated, hence incursions sometimes are inadvertent as well.
However, the scuffle with Indian troops in North Sikkim was a new front opened up by China which was a cause for concern. Ever since the outbreak of Covid-19, Chinese President Xi Jinping is under immense pressure to increase transparency in his country and reveal the real origin of the virus, which some have speculated emanated from a lab in China’s Wuhan. Trade wars with countries like USA and Australia have intensified and most multi-national companies have actively begun looking for manufacturing alternative, India being one such preferred destination.
Security sources speculated that this could be the reason behind China’s new aggression. Similar muscle flexing was also seen recently when PLA Navy boats entered into disputed waters in the South China Sea.

India isn’t worried about tension with China, unlikely to give in to US pressure on Taiwan

“Unless the LAC is defined officially, these kinds of scuffles will happen. There are local-level mechanisms in place to mitigate such matters. Such scuffles usually break out in the spring and summer seasons as the snow on these regions melts and both sides start to demarcate their own versions of the LAC,” a top diplomatic source told ThePrint.
Tensions between India and China flared up once again on the border last weekend as soldiers on both sides resorted to “exchanging blows” in Ladakh and Sikkim regions. On Sunday, certain unconfirmed reports came to light about tensions building up in the Ladakh region after two Chinese choppers were spotted close to the LAC, which led the Indian Air Force (IAF) to rush in its jets. This later turned out to be regular sorties of IAF’s frontline fighter jet Su-30.
“The LAC is a question that comes up in every high-level meeting and there is an understanding between both sides that unless it is clearly defined and demarcated such scuffles at the ground level will take place. China also knows it but they are just taking advantage of the current distraction that India is having with the pandemic. They will not escalate or intensify it,” the source added.
Amid these tensions, international pressure has been also mounting on India, particularly from the US, to recognize Taiwan’s older status as an ‘observer’ in the WHO’s main decision-making body, the World Health Assembly (WHA).With New Delhi set to assume the chairmanship of the WHA by the end of May, the US has been nudging India to take Taiwan on board of the body that President Donald Trump has called China’s “PR agency”.

CRPF PERSONAL IN J&K GUNS DOWN CIVILIAN WHO ‘JUMPS’ CHECKPOINTS

Killing sparks clashes between locals and security forces in parts of Budgam on Fri

A civilian, who allegedly jumped the checkpoints set up by the CRPF and the police, was killed in a firing on Wed in central Kashmir’s Budgam, forcing the authorities to snap Internet in the district as a precautionary measure.
A CRPF spokesman said the civilian, identified as Peer Mehrajudin from Budgam’s Makhama-Beerwah area, was travelling in a car around 10:20 a.m. and jumped a checkpoint of the police and again jumped another of the CRPF’s 141 Battalion.
“A convoy of the Army, at that point in time, was passing through the adjacent road and fearing a sabotage, a CRPF jawan manning this checkpoint fired warning shots. The car was driving in the wrong direction of the road and that was even more alarming. When it didn’t stop, despite the warning shots, the jawan fired at the car and the driver was hit on his left shoulder,” said the CRPF spokesman.
The civilian was shifted to Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) Hospital in Srinagar and its medical superintendent Dr. Nazir Choudhary said, “The civilian was bearing multiple bullet injuries, and was brought dead to the hospital”.
Deputy Commissioner, Budgam, Tariq Ahmed Ganai said he had ordered a probe into the incident.
- Father of victim’s father, Ghulam Nabi Shah contests CRPF, police version and the CRPF on the sequence of events leading to his son’s death.
- “My brother is a police officer and my son was dropping him at the Police Control Room. My son was a law-abiding person. It is a cold-blooded murder. If my son was escaping, why there is no damage to his vehicle?,” he said.
- The killing sparked clashes between locals and security forces in parts of Budgam and scores of people raised anti-government slogans.
- Around 6 people were injured, with two suffering pellet injuries in their eyes in the clashes at Budgam’s Narbal and also Makhama, according to hospital sources in Srinagar and Beerwah.
- Hundreds of locals participated in the funeral of the deceased, while PDP, NC, PC, CPI(M) demand probe.
In past, on 14 Feb 2019, a sum of 40 CRPF personals have been killed in such braking of barricading. Thereafter, Govt made a norm that no civilian can run parallel to convey during movement of security forces.

NIA CLAIMED THE ARREST OF KEY CONSPIRATOR IN VISAKHAPATNAM ESPIONAGE CASE

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Fri arrested the key conspirator, Mohammed Haroon Haji Abdul Rehman Lakdawala (49), a resident of Mumbai in the Visakhapatnam espionage case related to alleged leaking of sensitive information to Pakistani intelligence agency ISI.
On Dec 20, Indian intelligence agencies busted the espionage racket linked to Pakistan with the arrest of seven Indian Navy personnel and a hawala operator. The case was taken over by the NIA in Dec last year, an official of the agency said.
On Dec 20^th, Indian intelligence agencies busted the espionage racket linked to Pakistan with the arrest of seven Indian Navy personnel and a hawala operator.
With the arrest of Lakdawala, a total of 14 accused have so far been arrested, including 11 Navy personnel and one Pakistani-born Indian national Shaista Qaiser.
- “Investigation revealed that Lakdawala had visited Karachi (Pakistan) on many occasions to meet his handlers under the guise of conducting cross-border trade. During these visits, he came in contact with two Pakistani spies namely Akbar alias Ali and Rizwan, who directed him to deposit money into the bank accounts of Navy personnel at regular intervals. The same was done through different means,” the official said.
- During searches at the house of Lakdawala, a number of digital devices and incriminating documents were seized by NIA, he said, adding further investigation in the case was underway.
- “The NIA has arrested the key conspirator in the Visakhapatnam espionage case related to an international espionage racket involving individuals based in Pakistan and at different locations in India,” the official said.
- Pakistan-based spies recruited agents in India for collecting sensitive and classified information regarding locations and movements of Indian naval ships and submarines, and other defense establishments.
- “Investigation revealed that a few Navy personnel came in contact with Pakistani nationals through various social media platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp and were involved in sharing classified information in lieu of monetary gains.

The money was deposited into the bank accounts of the Navy personnel through Indian associates having business interests in Pakistan,” official said.

J-K POLICE BUSTS LET TERROR MODULE IN BUDGAM, 5 TERROR ASSOCIATES ARRESTED: ANI

Security forces arrested 5 terror associates of Lashkar e Taiba (LeT) and also busted a terrorist hideout in Budgam, according to the Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday.
As per press brief by the JnK Police, “acting on information, the Budgam Police, along with 53 RR and 153 battalion CRPF arrested top terror associate of LeT, namely, Zahoor Wani, during a search operation from village Arizal of PS Khansaib.”
Further acting on Wani’s disclosure, a hideout was also discovered which was being used by terrorist for shelter and incriminating materials, along with arms and ammunition were recovered from it.
During further investigation, 4 other terror associates, Younis Mir, Aslam Sheikh, Parwaiz Sheikh and Rehman Lone, all residents of Khansaib who were “involved in providing logistic support and shelter to LeT terrorists” were also arrested.
The group was active in the past few months in the area, according to the police. A case under relevant provisions of the law has been registered in police station Khansaib in connection with the case. Further investigation is underway.

The anti-terrorism operation, on Sat, in Budgam was jointly conducted by the Jammu & Kashmir police, Indian Army’s 53 Rashtriya Rifles counter-insurgency unit and 153 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Battalion.

NUDGED BY AJIT DOVAL, MYANMAR ARMY HANDS OVER 22 NORTHEAST INSURGENTS

The Myanmar military handed over a group of 22 northeast insurgents to the Indian government on Fri afternoon.
The insurgents, wanted in Manipur and Assam, have been brought back by a special plane, people familiar with the development told Hindustan Times.
“This is a huge step for the Myanmar government and a reflection of the deepening ties between the two countries,” a top government official said soon after an aircraft with a planeload of insurgents took off from Myanmar.
The plane first made a stopover in Manipur capital Imphal, before heading to Assam’s Guwahati. The insurgents have been handed over to the local police in the two states.
- “This is the first time that the Myanmar government has acted on India’s request to hand over leaders of the northeast insurgent groups,” a senior national security planner said about the operation driven by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.
- 12 of the 22 insurgents are linked to four insurgent groups in Manipur: UNLF, PREPAK (Pro), KYKL and PLA. The remaining 10 are linked to Assam groups such as NDFB (S) and KLO.
- The treacherous terrain along India’s over 1,600-km border with Myanmar makes the area ideal for camps of insurgent groups that have been fighting the Indian state for decades.
- But pressure has been building on the insurgent groups over the last few years after the Myanmar military agreed to conduct operations.
- Last year, the Myanmar army carried out continuous operations through February and March 2019 on the basis of pin-pointed intelligence provided by Indian security agencies.

Nation Amid COVID-19

HEADLINES

PM Modi addressed 5^th time to nation and announced a total sum of 20 LCr for his vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’.
Announcements of Fin Min N Sitharaman has been made in series manner in 4 different press conference in 4 consecutive days.
Transport of migrants to their destinations from abroad and within country

PM MODI ADDRESSED 4TH TIME TO NATION AND ANNOUNCED A TOTAL SUM OF 20 LCR FOR HIS VISION OF ‘ATMANIRBHAR BHARAT ABHIYAN’.

Addressing the nation five days before the third phase of the nationwide lockdown is slated to end on May 17, PM Narendra Modi Tue said the 4^th phase of the lockdown will be in a new form.
“Scientists say that the novel coronavirus will be a part of our lives for a very long time. But we can’t let our lives remain confined around it. We will wear masks and maintain social distancing but we will not let it (the virus) affect us.” The new rules will be announced before May 18, he added.
Modi also announced a complete package worth Rs 20 lakh crore to deal with the economic crisis due to the COVID-19. Fin Min Nirmala Sitharaman has announced the details of the special economic package from Wed.
“This will play an important role in the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’, he said, adding that the announcements made by the Govt so far, the decisions of the RBI and today’s package adds to Rs 20 Lakh Crores or 10% of India’s GDP.”
The PM emphasized on achieving self-reliance for the country at a time when the pandemic has brought the economy to a standstill.
“This era of self-reliance will be our new pledge, we have to move on with new resolve.”
PM Modi’s address comes a day after he held a marathon six-hour meeting with CMs, with several states, including Maharashtra, Punjab, Telangana and West Bengal, seeking an extension of the lockdown. Others pitched for further easing of restrictions and more say in which districts fall under red, orange and green zones.

However, as far as self-reliance is concern in India, its seem good to feel, but to execute it at grass-root level will not possible without letting Indian realize “They Can Do”, which is again next to impossible without education transformation.

Announcements of Fin Min N Sitharaman has been made in series manner in 4 different press conference in 4 consecutive days.

So far, the announcements made till sat, are only to support and strategic support with a foresighted program. In short you may say the announcements as a daily economics class by FM on growth and development of India. The last tranche of Economic Package announcement by Finance Minister will be held at 11 am tomorrow.

Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4
5.94 LC	3.16 LC	1.63 LC	58100 Cr

On 4^th day (Sat)

Atomic Energy-related reforms; link India’s robust start-up ecosystem to the nuclear sector – Technology Development cum Incubation Centers will be set up for fostering synergy between research facilities and tech.
Indian private sector will be a co-traveler in India’s space sector journey. Will provide a level-playing field for private companies in satellites, launches & space-based service. The private sector will be allowed to use ISRO facilities and other relevant assets to improve their capacities. Future projects for planetary exploration, outer space travel, etc. to be open for the private sector.
Boosting private sector investment in Social Infrastructure through revamped Viability Gap Funding Scheme of Rs 8100 crores.
Privatization of distribution in Union Territories – sub-optimal performance of power distribution & supply, power departments/utilities in Union Territories will be privatized.
India to become a global hub for Aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO). The tax regime for the MRO ecosystem has been rationalized. Aircraft component repairs and airframe maintenance to increase from Rs 800 crores to Rs 2000 crores in 3 years.
Today’s announcements focusing on structural reforms in new sectors, where growth is possible and employment is generated. Restrictions on the utilization of Indian Air Space will be eased so that civilian flying becomes more efficient. Will bring a total benefit of Rs. 1000 crores per year for the aviation sector:
PM had said that we should prepare for tough competition. When we speak of Aatma-Nirbhar-Bharat, we are not looking inwards, it is not isolationist policy, and it is making India rely on its strengths, ready to face global challenges.
Many sectors need policy simplification, to make it simpler for people to understand what sector can give, participate in activities & bring transparency. Once we decongest sectors, we can boost the sector, for growth and jobs.
Incentive schemes for the promotion of New Champion Sectors will be launched in sectors such as Solar PV manufacturing; advanced cell battery storage etc.
Direct Benefit Transfer enabled giving money directly to people, GST brought in One Nation One Market, IBC resolved insolvency issues, ease of doing business steps taken.
We are going to focus on 8 sectors today – Coal, Minerals, Defense Production, Airspace management, MROs, Power distribution companies, Space sectors, Atomic energy
50000 Cr allocated to coal sector reform to assure max exploitation of coal as India has 3^rd largest coal reserve of world and will open for auction to private sectors. The investment of Rs. 50,000 crores is for the evacuation of enhanced CIL’s (Coal India Limited) target of 1 billion tons of coal production by 2023-24 plus coal production from private blocks.
500 mining blocks would be offered through an open and transparent auction process, a joint auction of Bauxite & Coal mineral blocks will be introduced to enhance Aluminum industry’s competitiveness.
Govt will introduce competition, transparency, and private sector participation in the Coal Sector through revenue sharing mechanism instead of the regime of fixed rupee/tons. Foreign Direct Investment limit in defense manufacturing under automatic route is being raised from 49% to 74%
‘MakeInIndia’ for self-reliance in defense production – we will notify a list of weapons/platforms for ban on import with year wise timelines. There will be indigenization of imported spares:

On Day 3^rd (Friday’s)

A central law will be formulated to provide adequate choices to the farmers to sell produce at an attractive price, barrier-free interstate trade and framework for e-trading of agricultural produce.
A facilitative legal framework will be created to enable farmers for engaging with processors, aggregators, large retailers, exporters in a fair and transparent manner.
Government to amend the Essential Commodities Act to enable better price realization for farmers; agriculture products including cereals, edible oils, oilseeds, pulses, onions, and potatoes to be de-regulated.
Operation Greens to be extended from Tomatoes, Onions and Potatoes (TOP) to all fruits and vegetables (TOTAL)
Govt to implement a Rs 500 crore scheme of infrastructure development related to integrated beekeeping development centers, collection, marketing & storage centers, post-harvest and value addition facilities; this will lead to an increase in income of 2 lakh bee-keepers.
National Medicinal Plants Board will bring 800-hectare area by developing a corridor of medicinal plants along the banks of river Ganga. Rs 4000 crore allocated for promotion of herbal cultivation; 10,00,000 hectare will be covered in the next 2 years.
Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund of Rs 15,000 crores will be set up
National Animal Disease Control Program for Foot and Mouth Disease and Brucellosis launched with a total outlay of Rs 13,343 cr.
Govt to launch the Rs 20,000 crore Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana for development of marine and inland fisheries. 55 lakh people expected to get employment from this program.
All COVID19 related deadline extensions relating to fisheries activities, many of them involving overseas contracts, have been honored. Many measures which will help marine and coastal farmers have been undertaken as promised.
Government introduces a Rs 10,000 crores scheme for the formalization of Micro Food Enterprises (MFE); the scheme promotes PM’s vision of ‘Vocal for Local with global outreach’
Government to immediately create a Rs 1 lakh crore Agri-Infrastructure Fund for farm gate infrastructure for farmers.
During COVID lockdown period, the demand for milk reduced by 20-25%. A new scheme to provide interest subvention at 2% per annum to dairy cooperatives for 2020-21. The scheme will unlock Rs 5000 cr additional liquidity, benefit to 2 cr farmers.
During lockdown period Minimum Support Price purchases of amount more than Rs 74,300 crores; PM Kisan fund transfer of Rs 18700 cr.

On Day 1^st (Wednesday)

Over the next few days her team will come before the media to put forth PM’s vision and share more details on the economic package.
A slew of measures under the economic package that she said would infuse vigor in the economy and benefit various economic sectors.
TDS, TCS rate for non-salaried payments for period up to Mar 31, 2021 has been cut by 25%. The move will release Rs 50,000 crore.
The due date for all income tax returns has been extended to Nov 30.
In order to provide more take home salary for employees and to give relief to employers in payment of Provident Fund, Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPF) contribution is being reduced for businesses and workers for 3 months, amounting to liquidity support of Rs 6,750 crores.
Revisions in the definition of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises while delivering the economic package, part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. She also announced a slew of measures to rescue the struggling MSMEs in the country, including collateral-free loans up to Rs 3 lakh crore backed by a government guarantee, repayment of MSME dues within the next 45 days among others.
The minister reiterated the importance of “self-reliant India” (Atmanirbhar Bharat) to spur growth in the country.

While Congress jibs on it as “a serial by finance minister”, the interim president, Rahul Gandhi of the party said immediate cash transfer in account of poor’s is need of hour. This is claimed useless by Congress and left and other parties of similar ideology.

TRANSPORT OF MIGRANTS TO THEIR DESTINATIONS FROM ABROAD AND WITHIN THE COUNTRY

India will begin the second phase of repatriating Indian nationals from 16-22 May. This will see Indians coming back from 31 countries. A total of 149 flights, including feeder flights, will be deployed.

In the first phase of the Vande-Bharat-Mission about 15,000 Indians were repatriated, while 32,000 Indians to be repatriated in second phase of Vande Bharat Mission.

So Far more than 12 L migrants have been transported to their destinations through more 1000 Shramik special trains: Rail Min

Meanwhile, the panic pictures of migrant’s labors are still floating in media and social media and are not reducing. More worrisome is accidents of vehicles carrying the migrants labors. As per lockdown norms, only goods vehicles are allowed to move on road, which have capability to transport of both, public and goods vehicles, in normal course.

World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved a $1 billion Accelerating India’s COVID19 Social Protection Response Program to support India’s efforts at providing social assistance to the poor & vulnerable households, severely impacted by COVID-19 pandemic.

VIJAY MALLYA EXHAUSTED HIS ALL LEGAL OPTIONS, MAY EXTRADITED IN A MONTH

London/New Delhi: Business tycoon Vijay Mallya on Thursday was denied permission to appeal to the UK Supreme Court against a High Court order that upheld a 2018 ruling to extradite him to India to face fraud charges resulting from the collapse of his defunct company Kingfisher Airlines.

The decision ends his legal options to challenge his extradition. Under the India-UK Extradition Treaty, the UK Home Office of minister Priti Patel is now expected to formally certify the court order for Vijay Mallya to be extradited to India within 28 days.

Sources in the Indian investigative agencies have told NDTV that according to British law, the 28 day-period starts with immediate effect. “If everything goes per the schedule, Mallya would be in India in less than 30 days,” an official said.

India wants to bring back the 64-year-old businessman, whose interests have ranged from aviation to liquor, over Rs 9,000 crore in loans Kingfisher took out from banks which the authorities argue he had no intention of repaying. Vijay Mallya denies the charges against him and is currently on bail.

Last month, he lost an appeal in Britain’s High Court against the extradition. “The SDJ (senior district judge) was entitled to find that there was a prima facie case of fraud by false representation,” the High Court said in its more than 23,000-word ruling.

NEIGHBORHOOD

Rs 442bn accord for construction of Diamer-Bhasha dam Signed

ISLAMABAD: The government on Wed signed an Rs 442 billion contract with a joint venture of China Power and Frontier Works Organization (FWO) for the construction of the Diamer-Bhasha dam.

PM Imran khan inaugurated for the 4^th time in 1918[1]. Khan’s bid to crowdfund $14 billion for Pakistan dams dubbed unrealistic

The Chinese state-run firm holds 70% and the FWO, a commercial arm of the Armed Forces of Pakistan, 30% share in the consortium of total Rs 1,406.5 bn would be completed in 2028.

Upon completion:

Produce 4800 MW of electricity through hydro-power generation;
Store an extra 10.5 cubic KM (8,500,000 acre⋅ft) of water for Pakistan that would be used for irrigation and drinking;
Extend the life of Tarbela Dam located downstream by 35 years; and
Control flood damage by the River Indus downstream during high floods.

Diamer-Bhasha dam project CEO, Amir Bashir Chaudhry and authorized representative of China Power Yang Jiandu signed the agreement on behalf of the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) and the joint venture, respectively. Water Resources Minister Faisal Vawda, Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing, Water Resources Secretary Mohammad Ashraf, Wapda chairman retired Lt Gen Muzammil Hussain, Pakistan Army engineer-in-chief Lt Gen Moazzam Ejaz and FWO director general Maj Gen Kamal Azfar attended the signing ceremony.

Gen Hussain said the project would have a gross storage capacity of 8.1 MAF and power generation capacity of 4,500MW, with an annual generation of 18.1bn units. However, the electromechanical and power generation project would be taken up separately at a later stage.
Wapda has already awarded a Rs 27.182 bn contract for dam’s consultancy services to Diamer-Bhasha Consultants Group (DBCG). The consultancy agreement includes construction design, construction supervision and contract administration of the dam project.
The DBCG joint venture comprises 12 top-ranked national and foreign consulting firms — Nespak (Pakistan), Associate Consulting Engineers (Pakistan), Mott MacDonald Pakistan, Poyry (Switzerland), Montgomery Watson and Harza (MWH) International-Stantec (USA), Dolsar Engineering (Turkey), Mott McDonald International (England), China Water Resources Beifang Investigation, Design and Research Company (China), Mirza Associates Engineering Services (Pakistan), Al-Kasib Group of Engineering Services (Pakistan), Development Management Consultant (Pakistan) and MWH Pakistan, with Nespak as the lead firm. These firms have a vast experience of providing consultancy services for mega water projects the world over.
The Council of Common Interests (CCI) had approved the project for construction in 2010, but it suffered delays because of international lending agencies which remained associated with the project but later backtracked because of opposition from India.
The government has already spent about Rs170bn on the project since then on land acquisition and other expenses. In view of the lenders’ resistance, it was decided about four years ago to divide the multi-purpose project into two major components — Rs 650bn worth of dam project to be constructed with the public sector funds and Rs750bn worth of power project most probably to be developed in independent power producer (IPP) mode at a later stage.
The core project development (dam structure) alone is estimated to cost almost Rs270bn. The project offers a very attractive internal economic return of 15.7pc even at a 12pc discount rate, according to project documents.
The project is designed to serve as the main storage dam of the country, besides Mangla and Tarbela dams, and its storage would be helpful for alleviating flood losses. The dam will have a 6.4 MAF usable water storage capacity.
The project is estimated to help alleviate acute irrigation shortage in the Indus basin irrigation system caused by progressive siltation of the existing reservoirs, besides substantially contributing to reduce intensity, quantum and duration of floods and reduce magnitude and frequency of floods in the River Indus downstream.
The project will also have trickledown effects on all sectors of the economy by accelerating development and creating job opportunities, besides improving availability of water and clean energy. The completion of the dam would increase the country’s storage capacity from 30 to 48 days and make power generation facilities an attractive future investment by the private sector to add 4,500MW of additional electricity to the national grid.

The project is estimated to help alleviate acute irrigation shortage in the Indus basin irrigation system caused by progressive siltation of the existing reservoirs, besides substantially contributing to reduce intensity, quantum and duration of floods and reduce magnitude and frequency of floods in the River Indus downstream.

'Condemnable Barbaric' Terror Attack in Kabul Maternity Hospital-Funeral

May 13, 2020 1:05 PM IST

Terror attack leaves many dead at a maternity hospital and at a funeral in Afghanistan

If the COVID-19 pandemic was not enough gloomy, three militants stormed a hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan that killed at least 15 people including — mothers, babies, medical workers and one police officer while a suicide bomber detonated his explosives in the province of Nangarhar.

The latter incident took place about 100 miles to the east of Kabul when the security forces were scrambling in the city. Also Read – All Humanity is Not Lost! Muslim Youths in Karnataka Help Hindu Family With Funeral of Tailor in Sealed Containment Zone

The attack on the maternity hospital took place at 10 am on Tuesday. The suicide bombing at the funeral for a local police commander took place at night with death toll rising to 26 reportedly while still tallying on Wed morning. Naeem Jan Naeem, an eyewitness, told a leading news agency that the imam had just asked the 500 people present to line up for the beginning of the funeral prayer at a large field in Khewa district, when a huge blast was heard and a fire erupted in the front of the crowd.

INTERNATIONAL

Coronavirus news: COVID-19 vaccine may never be found, warns UK PM

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned that a mass vaccine for the novel coronavirus may be over a year away and, in the worst-case scenario, may in fact never be found, PTI reported.

In his foreword to the government’s new 50-page guidance on a step by step easing of the lockdown measures in place to control the spread of the deadly virus, the UK prime minister lays out plans for businesses to gradually start reopening with “COVID-19 Secure” measures of social distancing and for the public to use “good solid British common sense” as the economy is unlocked.

'COVID-19 cover up by China akin to criminal conspiracy'- EU Chronicle

Brussels [Belgium], May 12 (ANI): The novel coronavirus, also known as the Wuhan virus, cover-up by China is akin to a criminal conspiracy that has endangered entire mankind and threatened to put the global economy on the brink, says EU Chronicle.

Main points worked out

Chinese leadership hide crucial initial information on the origin and transmission of the virus and delay in announcing effective measures allowing it to spread to other countries
Beijing’s intentions for covering up the outbreak
labs analyzing the pathogen were instructed to destroy samples negating the possibility of determining the actual source of the virus.
Reports of health care workers falling ill, an early indicator of human-to-human transmission, were suppressed.
The removal of Mayors of Wuhan and Hubei replacing them with party mouthpieces, and appointment of Major General Chen Wei.
questions remain about China’s official tally of cases and deaths

Details Report

“The incalculable human and economic toll exacted by the spread of the virus that has indications of shaking up global geopolitics would reverberate across governments, corporations and individuals for a long time to come,” said the news site.
It added that not only did the Chinese leadership hide crucial initial information on the origin and transmission of the virus and delay in announcing effective measures allowing it to spread to other countries, it also understated the death toll and has launched a deceptive disinformation campaign for deflecting criticism and glorifying Chinese aid efforts.
Beijing’s intentions for covering up the outbreak can be traced in the timeline of events in Wuhan and reactions/responses of the Chinese leadership in Jan and Feb 2020.
Concerns over a SARS-like disease with human to human transmission had been voiced much before Wuhan was shut down, and the Chinese leadership and WHO took cognizance.
“Instead of heeding to these alarms, the Communist Party resorted to the silencing of these voices”, it said.
It showed concerns over how whistleblower doctors Ai Fen and Li Wenliang apparently ‘disappeared’ or were reprimanded for speaking the truth.
Conspicuously, labs analyzing the pathogen were instructed to destroy samples negating the possibility of determining the actual source of the virus, while the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Centre that had published the virus’s genome sequence was shut down.
Reports of health care workers falling ill, an early indicator of human-to-human transmission, were suppressed and offers from the US in early January to send medical experts to Wuhan were rejected by the central government.
The removal of Mayors of Wuhan and Hubei replacing them with party mouthpieces, and appointment of Major General Chen Wei, China’s renowned bio-warfare expert to the Wuhan Institute of Virology in late January when the virus was at its peak, also fuels suspicion.
Even though the first known COVID-19 patient was confirmed on Dec 1 itself, and had infected his 53-year old wife, throughout Dec and more than half of Jan 2020, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission and National level health institutions were downplaying the outbreak, saying that there was ‘no evidence’ of human to human transmission. Instead, authorities allowed holding of local provincial Congress (Jan 6-11) and a grand feast of 40,000 families in a Lunar New Year banquet in Wuhan.
The EU Chronicle said, “The Chinese government continues its deceptive and suppressive tactics.
Even after the crisis has allegedly triumphed over, censorship has remained tight and data from hospitals remains sketchy. Moreover, the government continues to muzzle unofficial sources.”
According to Chinese Human Rights Defenders, the number of internet users known to have been arrested for sharing information related to the virus nearly doubled between Mar 2 and Apr 1, from 452 to 897.
Three of the most prominent citizen journalists working from Wuhan itself have yet to reappear after being taken into custody. The recent arrest and investigation for “serious violations of law and discipline” of real-estate mogul and Communist Party member Ren Zhiqiang, over an open letter that was critical of Xi’s handling of the crisis, is also a case in point.
Meanwhile, questions remain about China’s official tally of cases and deaths.
The news site said, “A report authored by Derek Scissors of the American Enterprise Institute estimated that there would be 2.9 million total cases in China, rather than the 82000 officially reported.
A similar research published by medical journal ‘Lancet’ put the likely number of infections at 2,32,000 and concomitantly, the number of deaths would have been higher.”
Post lockdown estimates from Wuhan, based on details from funeral homes and local residents indicate that the city’s death toll may have been 10 times greater than officially reported.
Notwithstanding the crisis at home, Beijing was using its diplomatic muscle as chairman of the UNSC to avert a discussion of the Wuhan virus at international fora, and stopping the WHO from paying heed to Taiwan’s warning (Dec 31) on the crisis.
China’s post-pandemic soft-power push in the form of medical aid shipments, and the various conspiracy theories pushed by Chinese diplomats in recent weeks to silence the fingers pointing at China, have started to fuel anti-Chinese sentiment and already a “decoupling from China” theme has emerged across the world.
A Mar 26 investigation by ProPublica found a network of fake Twitter accounts and hijacked real ones that were covertly spreading Chinese government propaganda about the virus to global audiences.
Parts of the network were linked to a Beijing company allegedly having ties to the Chinese Communist Party’s United Front Work Department. This lends further credibility to the world’s rising distrust in Beijing.
Over 4.2 million people the world over have got infected with Coronavirus till date, out of which over 287,000 people have lost their lives.

Trump Threatens To ‘cut Off The Whole Relationship’ With China Over COVID-19 Crisis

US President Donald Trump launched a scathing attack targeting China on Thursday, May 14 as he threatened to put a complete end to US-China ties over COVID-19.

The Trump administration has been blocking the US federal retirement funds from investing in Chinese equities, according to reports.

Trump has also said that he will look into the legislation introduced in the Senate on Tuesday that proposes sanctions on China, in response to Beijing’s unwillingness in sharing full information regarding the outbreak.

What China is Saying?

China said it did not know until Jan 19^th, how infectious the new coronavirus is, pushing back against accusations that it intentionally withheld information about the severity of the outbreak in Wuhan from the world.

While Chinese officials knew that there were signs of human-to-human transmission earlier, it was hard to ascertain the new virus’s level of contagiousness, said Zeng Yixin, vice minister of the National Health Commission, at a press briefing in Beijing on Friday. There are diseases like HIV that while infectious, are not easily transmitted from person to person, he said.

t was only on Jan. 19 that Chinese scientists concluded that the virus spreads easily among people and China released that information to the world the next day, said Zeng.