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  • NCLT orders insolvency action against Anil Ambani

    Action towards recovery of ₹1,200 crore.

    PTI

    The NCLT Mumbai has directed insolvency proceedings against RCom chairman Anil Ambani to recover ₹1,200 crore under the personal guarantee clause of the bankruptcy law.

    Mr. Ambani had given a personal guarantee to the loans given by SBI to RCom and Reliance Infratel in August 2016.

    The NCLT in its order on August 20, said both RCom and RITL committed default in repayment in and around January 2017. The accounts were retrospectively declared as non-performing with effect from August 26, 2016, even before loan agreements had been entered into.

    The NCLT ordered the appointment of a resolution professional and asked SBI to take necessary action.

    A spokesperson for Mr. Ambani said: “Mr. Ambani is reviewing the NCLT order and taking advice on filing an appropriate appeal before the NCLAT against the appointment of the resolution professional.”

    The NCLT has declined SBI’s request for a restriction on Mr. Ambani from dealing or appropriating his assets, to the prejudice of the interest of SBI, the spokesperson said.

  • Coronavirus | Ventilators from firms funded by PM CARES fail trials

    2 companies that got ₹22 cr. advance in May later dropped from Ministry list.

    Two firms given purchase orders for indigenously manufactured ventilators for COVID-19 treatment funded by PM-CARES have failed a clinical evaluation by the Health Ministry’s technical committee, according to information accessed through the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

    The pandemic led to a global spike in demand for ventilators, with several producing countries imposing export restrictions, and the cost of imported ventilators shooting up to ₹10-20 lakh each.The pandemic led to a global spike in demand for ventilators, with several producing countries imposing export restrictions, and the cost of imported ventilators shooting up to ₹10-20 lakh each. | Photo Credit: The Hindu

    The firms — Jyoti CNC Automation and Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ) — had already received ₹22.5 crore in advance payment in May, when the PM CARES allocation was made. However, by July, they were dropped from the list, according to the Ministry’s response to an RTI request filed by activist Anjali Bhardwaj.

    Jyoti CNC is a Gujarat-based firm whose ventilators were slammed as inadequate for critical COVID-19 patients by the Ahmedabad civil hospital.

    AMTZ is run by the Andhra Pradesh government. Although its ventilators were not included in the list of recommended suppliers post clinical evaluation, according to the Health Ministry’s July 20 response, the AMTZ orders were mentioned during an August 4 press briefing by Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan.

    Falling numbers

    The reduction in the list of manufacturers post-clinical evaluation has cut down the PM CARES order for “Made in India” ventilators from the planned 58,850 units to 40,000, with price tags ranging widely from ₹1.6 lakh to ₹ 8.6 lakh per unit. Less than 18,000 units have so far been delivered for installation in hospitals.

    As of August 3, only 0.27% active COVID-19 cases were on ventilator support across the country, said Mr. Bhushan, adding that at no time were there more than 1% of cases which needed ventilator support. This means that, cumulatively, there have been less than 30,000 COVID-19 patients who have required ventilator support since the beginning of the pandemic.

    Recognising that the domestic demand for ventilators may not be as acute as earlier projected, the Centre lifted its export ban on August 1, allowing domestic manufacturers to start taking their products to the global market.

    The situation was very different a year ago. In 2019, the annual supply of ventilators in India was only about 8,500 units, with 75% of the market share held by imported equipment, according to Mr. Bhushan.

    The pandemic led to a global spike in demand for ventilators, with several producing countries imposing export restrictions, and the cost of imported ventilators shooting up to ₹10-20 lakh each. The Centre then calculated a projected domestic demand for 60,000 units and called for domestic manufacturers to step up production.

    The PM CARES fund announced its first allocations on May 13, including a sum of ₹2,000 crore for the purchase 50,000 “Made in India” ventilators “for augmenting the infrastructure to tackle COVID-19 cases across the country”. These ventilators would be provided to government-run COVID hospitals in all States and Union Territories for better treatment of the critical cases, said an official statement.

    On May 18, advisor to Prime Minister Bhaskar Khulbe wrote to then-Health Secretary Preeti Sudan asking for a detailed proposal for the purchase.

    With GPS tracking

    “I would request you to ensure that the manufacturers of these 50,000 ventilators are informed that the ventilators bear a distinct identity to show that the supply has been supported through PM CARES Fund. Further, all these ventilators must have an embedded GPS device so as to track their placement and operation,” said the letter, accessed through Ms. Bhardwaj’s RTI request.

    On May 20, Ms. Sudan responded, promising to ensure the PM CARES logo and GSP chips on the devices, and noting that the Ministry had already placed orders for 58,850 ventilators at a total cost of ₹ 2,332 crore. This included 30,000 units from state-run defence manufacturer Bharat Electronics Limited at an order value of ₹1,513.9 crore, with ₹205.5 crore paid as an advance.

    Ms Sudan’s letter also said that Health Ministry PSU Hindustan Lifecare Ltd (HLL) was tasked with procuring the remaining ventilators. On March 27, it had already placed a purchase order for 10,000 ventilators at an order value of ₹166 crore with an advance payment of more than ₹20 crore.

    Other companies which received purchase orders by May 20 included Allied Medical (350 units at ₹30 crore, no advance), AMTZ for both basic and high end ventilators (13,500 units at ₹ 500 crore, ₹ 14.5 cr advance) and Jyoti CNC Automation (5,000 units at ₹121 crore, ₹8 crore advance).

    The Ministry’s July 20 RTI response included the same list of purchase orders. Then it added, “However, the technical committee constituted under DGHS [Directorate General of Health Services], after successful clinical evaluation, so far recommended the following ventilators for installation in various States.” The subsequent list does not include AMTZ or Jyoti CNC.

    On May 15, Ahmedabad civil hospital superintendent J.V. Modi had written to the State government’s medical services provider, saying that the Dhaman-1 ventilators manufactured by Jyoti CNC were “not able to bring desired results” according to the head of the anesthesia department. He asked the State provider to immediately acquire high end ICU ventilators instead. The opposition Congress party in the State has called for an inquiry.

    With regard to AgVa Healthcare, the online publication HuffPost has reported that the government’s clinical evaluation committee report dated June 1 said AgVa machines “should not be considered as a replacement for high-end ventilators in tertiary care ICUs”, adding that “There should be a provision for backup ventilator in the facility where these ventilators are used.” However, they stayed on the list of vendors, according to the RTI response.

    An investigation by The Hindu group’s Frontline magazine found that Allied Medical is the only manufacturer on the list with the required certification, accreditation and prior experience in making and supplying high-end ventilators. As of the first week of July, only Allied Medical had completed delivery of its order. Frontline cited clinical equipment industry experts who said that AgVa and AMTZ had no prior experience in manufacturing high-end ventilators, which is time consuming.

    (with inputs from The Hindu | Mahesh Langa in Gujarat)

  • WHO hopes coronavirus can be over in two years, Tedros says

    REUTERS

    “We have a disadvantage of globalisation, closeness, connectedness but an advantage of better technology,” he told a briefing in Geneva

    The World Health Organization hopes the coronavirus pandemic will be shorter than the 1918 Spanish flu and last less than two years, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Friday, if the world unites and succeeds in finding a vaccine.

    The WHO has always been cautious about giving estimates on how quickly the pandemic can be dealt with while there is no proven vaccine.

    Tedros said the 1918 Spanish flu “took two years to stop…And in our situation now with more technology, and of course with more connectiveness, the virus has a better chance of spreading, it can move fast because we are more connected now,” he told a briefing in Geneva.

    “But at the same time we have also the technology to stop it and the knowledge to stop it. So we have a disadvantage of globalisation, closeness, connectedness but an advantage of better technology. So we hope to finish this pandemic (in) less than two years.”

    He urged “national unity” and “global solidarity”.

    “That is really key with utilising the available tools to the maximum and hoping that we can have additional tools like vaccine.”

    More than 22.81 million people have been reported to be infected by the coronavirus globally since it was first identified in China last year and 793,382 have died, according to a Reuters tally.

  • Kashmir figures in China, Pakistan dialogue

    Both countries back each other on ‘core national interests’

    China and Pakistan on Friday said they would firmly back each other on “core national interests”, as their Foreign Ministers discussed the Kashmir issue in their annual strategic dialogue.

    Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, left, and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi at the talks held in China’s Hainan province.Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, left, and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi at the talks held in China’s Hainan province. | Photo Credit: @SMQureshiPTI/Twitter

    China said Pakistan was “its staunchest partner in the region” and it would “firmly support” the country “in safeguarding its territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence” and in “striving for a better external security environment,” according to a “joint press release” from Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry.

    At the talks in China’s Hainan province, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi both “underlined that a peaceful, stable, cooperative and prosperous South Asia was in common interest of all parties,” the release said.

    Call for dialogue

    “Parties need to settle disputes and issues in the region through dialogue on the basis of equality and mutual respect,” the release said. “The Pakistani side briefed the Chinese side on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, including its concerns, position and current urgent issues. The Chinese side reiterated that the Kashmir issue is a dispute left over from history between India and Pakistan, which is an objective fact, and that the dispute should be resolved peacefully and properly through the UN Charter, relevant Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements. China opposes any unilateral actions that complicate the situation.”

    China’s comments on “unilateral actions” echoed Beijing’s multiple statements last year that hit out at India’s move to dilute Article 370 and end statehood for Jammu and Kashmir. China had also opposed the creation of the Ladakh union territory and said the move had “undermined China’s sovereignty” as it included Aksai Chin and areas claimed by China, although the internal reorganisation did not change India’s external boundaries.

    Xi’s message

    On Friday, China also released what it called “an oral message” from President Xi Jinping to his Pakistani counterpart, as well as a statement made by Mr. Wang, the Foreign Minister, at the talks. Both those statements did not mention the Kashmir issue.

    Mr. Xi, in a message sent to mark the second meeting of a consultation mechanism among the political parties of both countries under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) plan, described the two countries as “brothers and partners” and the CPEC as a landmark project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). He said China would work with Pakistan to “jointly promote the unity and cooperation of countries in the region.”

    Mr. Wang said both were committed “to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and support for multilateralism, free trade and win-win cooperation, and opposition to unilateralism, protectionism and coercive practices,” said a statement from China’s Foreign Ministry.

    The press release from Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said both sides “agreed on continuing their firm support on issues concerning each other’s core national interests.”

    “The Chinese side reiterated that Pakistan and China are iron brothers and Pakistan remains China’s staunchest partner in the region and that China firmly supports Pakistan in safeguarding its territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence, independently choosing a development path based on its national conditions, striving for a better external security environment and playing a more constructive role on international and regional affairs,” it said. “The Pakistani side appreciated China for standing together with Pakistan in safeguarding its national security and sovereignty, and reaffirmed its firm support to China on affairs concerning China’s core interests and issues of major concern, such as those related to Taiwan, Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong.”

    Both also agreed “to strengthen cooperation on the Afghan issue” and “appreciated the efforts made by the Afghan government and the Taliban to initiate the Intra-Afghan negotiations.” The press release said they encouraged parties in Afghanistan to “seize this historic opportunity and commence the Intra-Afghan Negotiations at the earliest leading to durable peace and stability in Afghanistan.”

    With inputs from The Hindu

  • States stopping religious activities alone citing pandemic is strange, says Supreme Court

    Court allows three Jain temples in Mumbai to open for two days with COVID-19 safeguards.

    It was “strange” the State governments were opening up activities involving economic interests but cite the COVID-19 pandemic when it came to religious activities, the Supreme Court said on Friday.

    Babu Amichand Panalal Jain Temple in Walkeshwar. FileBabu Amichand Panalal Jain Temple in Walkeshwar. File | Photo Credit: Arunangsu Roy Chowdhury

    A three-judge Bench led by Chief Justice of India Sharad A. Bobde said this while allowing a plea by Shri Parshwatilak Shwetamber Murtipujak Tapagacch Jain Trust to keep temples at Dadar, Byculla and Chembur in Mumbai open for prayers on August 22 and 23 for the Paryushan festival. The temples have to follow COVID-19 preventive norms in place.

    “We find it strange that they are willing to allow activities involving economic interests, but if it involves religion, they cite COVID to say they cannot open”, Chief Justice Bobde remarked orally.

    The observation was triggered by a submission made by senior advocate Dushyant Dave questioning the policy of the States to open malls, saloons and liquor shops. He said there were long queues in front of liquor shops. He asked if the Centre was allowing religious congregations to be organised, how could the worshippers at these Jain temples be denied their right to offer worship. The Trust was seeking permission for a congregation of five at a time up to 250 people a day.

    “If it is only five people, we do not mind going beyond Jain community and allowing same for Hindu, Muslim and other communities too”, the Chief Justice said at one point.

    Rise in pandemic cases

    Senior advocate A.M. Singhvi, for Maharashtra, said the number of pandemic cases in the State had seen an alarming rise. He said if Jains were allowed by the court, how could the State prevent other religions from congregating. The Ganesh Chaturthi festival was also about to start. “If this is allowed, the floodgates will open”, Mr. Singhvi struck a cautionary note.

    But the court said a blanket ban on religious congregations could not be instituted. Chief Justice Bobde referred to how the court allowed the Jagannath Rath Yatra to be held in Odisha in June amidst strict restrictions.

    The court made it clear that its order to allow worshippers access to the specific Jain temples in Mumbai did not, by default, extend to other temples, trusts or other faiths.

    The court said its permission would not act as a precedent for allowing congregations during Ganesh Chaturthi. Those would be considered on an individual basis by the Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority, it clarified.

    With inputs from The Hindu

  • Deficit rainfall, scab infection cause heavy damage to crop in Kashmir

    Srinagar: The farmers are worried as rainfall deficit and scab infection have damaged crops in Kashmir.

    Kashmir produces over 18 lakh metric tones of apples every year.

    Farmers however said they fear over 50 percent damage to apples due to dry weather and scab disease.

    Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers cum Dealers Union president, Bashir Ahmad Bashir said they fear heavy losses due to scab infection and rainfall deficit.

    “The scab infection has damaged our apple. We fear heavy losses to apples this season. Kashmir produces 22 crore boxes of apples annually. But this season there will be a huge decrease in production due to rainfall deficit and scab infection,” Bashir told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS). “Reason for scab infection is substandard pesticides. There is no check on pesticides by the authorities,” he added.

    Kashmir has two harvesting seasons for apples, one is April-May and another from ending September to November.

    Farmers also suffered heavy losses last year when Kashmir remained shut post abrogation of Article 370 on August 5.

    Abdul Majeed Wani, a Saffron grower from Pampore said the Saffron fields have turned dry due to rainfall deficit. “We are not able to dig our fields. The production of Saffron will depend upon the weather conditions in the next few weeks. If the dry continues, then there will be heavy damage to Saffron production. I can only pray that there is sufficient rainfall,” Wani said, who is also President of the Saffron Growers Association.

    Saffron flowers are sensitive to vagaries of the weather. Its production depends on the weather conditions and the irrigation facilities.

    The harvest season of Saffron begins from ending October. More than 16,000 families are associated with this crop production in the valley.

    Kashmiri saffron is of superior quality because of the higher concentration of crocin, a carotenoid pigment that gives saffron its colour and medicinal value.

    Each year, Kashmir produces 16 tonnes of Saffron. Saffron is cultivated in three districts: Pulwama, Srinagar and Budgam of the valley. Pampore, the township in Pulwama district produces the most.

    Kashmir has recorded the highest temperature of over 36 degrees celcius in August, the first time in 40 years, which is believed to be due to global warming.

    As per the Meteorological Department, in the last two months, Valley received deficit rainfall to the tune of 50 percent.

    An official of Agriculture Department said if dry weather continues for the next few weeks, there will be huge damage to crops. (KINS)

  • Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd. (MEIL) to construct Zojila Tunnel

    This tunnel road is also convenient to Amaranth Yatra pilgrims

    PTI | PRNewswire

    Z-Morh Tunnel – File Pic

    Hyderabad: Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd. (MEIL) has become an L-1 in the most prestigious Zojilla pass tunnel in Jammu Kashmir-Ladakh in Himalayan region. National Highways and Industrial Development Corporation (NHIDCL) has opened the bids on Friday, and MEIL topped the list by quoting less than other companies. The project is to be constructed in 2 divisions in two sections of about 33 kilometres. The first section is to be developed by constructing the 18.50-kilometre road.

    In the second section, the Zojilla Tunnel is to be built in the shape of a horseshoe shape of 14.15 km as a two-road lane of 9.5 meters wide and 7.57 meters high. This project will have to be carried out innovatively in the most critical conditions. The Government of India finally called for tenders to complete this long-pending road tunnel. The tenders called for the construction of 14.15 km of road for the Zojilla tunnel. MEIL has come forward to execute this work for Rs. 4509.50 crores, whereas other companies quoted at a higher amount. MEIL topped as L-1 by quoting for a less amount than the other two companies. On 30th July, three companies submitted the bids to NHIDCL, and the finance bids opened on 21st August.

    The road from Srinagar to Leh in Ladakh is not suitable for vehicular traffic throughout the year. The Srinagar-Ladakh highway is completely closed for six months, especially during the winter season. Even the military vehicles are unable to move under these conditions. Travelling long distances on alternate routes has become a costly affair and a waste of time. Under these circumstances, the road tunnel was proposed between Sonamarg to Leh and Ladakh via Kargil long back. Finally, the project initiated. The project, for which MEIL has become L-1, will be constructed from the Z-Morh tunnel to Zojilla tunnel between Sonamarg-Kargil on National Highway-1 in the Zojilla pass area. This EPC project is the most complex one. The construction of this tunnel is going to face unprecedented difficulties. The tunnel has to be built at 700 meters below the surface on average. The project is also in the most complex hill terrain and snowstorms often occurring. As the dense snow lasts for at least eight months in a year, the execution work will not be an easy task. At the same time, a river flows adjacent to the proposed project site. These conditions are going to create severe problems with water and ice pouring during the construction.

    The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has decided to improve the road travel facilities to all commuters between Kashmir to Ladakh. As part of this plan, a highway tunnel will also be constructed from Srinagar to Baltal. This tunnel road is also convenient to Amaranth Yatra pilgrims. Baltal base camp near Kargil will be used for Amarnath yatra.

    Mr Ch. Subbaiah, Director, MEIL said, “A two-lane road with bi-directional traffic would have to be constructed on the Zojilla route, which is called a Single Tube tunnel. The road consists mainly of shafts as well as portal structures and excavated areas. This complex project would have to be completed in just 72 months.” This whole project has to executed in two parts. The first part is 18.50 kilometre of road, and the second part is 14.15 kilometres as a tunnel. The first part is to widen the existing road form Judd-Morha to Zojilla tunnel for about 3. 018 kilometres. A 13.842 kilometres new road is to be constructed. Of this, one of the twin tour tunnels, one is 2.36 kilometres and the other one is 2.39 kilometres and consists of five bridges. Two snow galleries are to be built with 300 meters and 150 meters each. The total length of these works is 18.475 kilometres. In the same way, the Zojilla tunnel in Part-2 is to be built. It includes a 0.16 km long cut and cover tunnel along with the above details regarding the tunnel. Ventilation cavern and three shafts are also to be constructed. Two other shafts known as Longitudinal Ventilation System will also be constructed. This includes a special transport ventilation system. It is expected that critical conditions would be encountered during the construction of this tunnel.

    Mr Ch. Subbaiah, Director, MEIL said , “In addition to these, retaining walls, breast walls, gabion structures and mud wall will have to be constructed by MEIL for a total of about 10 kilometres. Catch dams, air blast, protection walls and deflector dams are constructed over a distance of about 6 kilometres without any risk of snowstorms.” About MEIL Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd. (MEIL) established in 1989, is one of the fastest growing infra companies in India. Over the years, MEIL has constructed numerous structures like large civil constructions, oil and gas pipelines, pump houses, large water treatment plants, dams, reservoirs, power transmission lines, power generation units, tunnels – and all of them have an important role to play in improving the quality of life of the common man for many years into the foreseeable future.

    For more information, please visit:

    http://meil.in/

    Zojilla Pass Road Tunnel
    MEIL Logo

  • Dilip Kumar’s Brother Aslam Khan Dies After Testing Positive For COVID-19

    Dilip Kumar with his family

    Aslam Khan, younger brother of veteran actor Dilip Kumar, passed away early morning on Thursday. He had diabetes, hypertension and ischaemic heart disease and had tested positive for COVID-19. He was 88.

    Meanwhile, Ehsan Khan, the other brother remains in critical condition at the hospital. He too had tested positive for coronavirus. Both Aslam and Ehsan were shifted to Lilavati hospital on Saturday night after they complained of breathlessness. Both brothers were kept under artificial breathing support and now Aslam has passed.

    With inputs from News18

  • LG inaugurates first phase of Jammu ring road project

    PTI

    Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday inaugurated the first phase of the Jammu ring road project on Friday, two years after its foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    The foundation stone for the 58.25 km-long Jammu ring road, the estimated cost of which was Rs 1,339 crore, was laid by Modi on May 19, 2018.

    Sinha flanked by Union minister Jitendra Singh inaugurated an 8 km stretch of road from Akhnoor to Kot Bhalwal in the outskirts of Jammu city.

    “It is a moment of great pride for me to inaugurate the first phase of the Jammu Ring Road project, the foundation stone of which was laid by the prime minister in 2018,” he said, adding that it was a matter of happiness for the people of Jammu.

    Sinha said that in the last six years not only the country’s political situation has changed but the work culture has changed as well. He told the officials that if the project gets completed before time, a provision to give incentives can be formulated.

    Meanwhile, an official said the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) was constructing the Jammu Ring Road from Raya Morh.

    The road is being constructed by EPC Contractors Gayatri-KMB JV appointed by NHAI and the work started in 2018.

    “This section is the first phase of the ring road to be opened for public. It will significantly reduce the time for people travelling between the northern parts of Jammu to Akhnoor, Rajouri, Poonch and Kashmir,” the NHAI officer said.

    He said that the Jammu Ring Road will decongest Jammu city and added that it is a project of national importance under the Bharat Mala Parriyojna.

    The ring road bypass around Jammu city has six phases which includes the first phase from Bhalwal connecting to Kangrail (Akhnoor road-Bhalwal road). The second phase is from Mandal to Nikki Tawi-Sohanjana-Brahmili-Waddi Tawi and the third phase is from Bari Brahmana which connects to Raya Morh, Sarore, Bishnah and Kunjwani.

    The fourth phase is from Bishnah and R S Pura, and it connects Muralia, R S Pura, Miran Sahib and Lalyal. The fifth phase is from Jammu North and Nagrota and it connects Bhalwal, Kheri, Jagti and Nagrota, and the sixth phase is from Marh and it connects Waddi Tawi, Ghomanashah, Galwaday Chak, Channu Chak, Jheri Road, Kangrail-Akhnoo Road.

  • Pak army shells forward areas along LoC in Poonch

    PTI

    Jammu: The Pakistan army on Friday resorted to heavy firing and mortar shelling in forward areas along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district violating the ceasefire, officials said.

    “At about 1830 hours today, Pak army initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms and resorting to intense shelling with mortars along the LoC in Mankote sector,” Defence spokesperson said.

    The Indian Army retaliated befittingly to the ceasefire violation by Pakistan, he added.

    A 65-year-old man was killed as the Pakistan army resorted to mortar shelling in Poonch district.

    One jawan too was killed in the Pak firing in Rajouri sector along the LoC in another ceasefire violation this month.

    On July 11, two women were killed in the shelling by the Pakistani army on forward posts and villages along the Line of Control (LoC) in different sectors in Poonch district.

    On July 10 too, an Army jawan was killed in a ceasefire violation by the Pakistani army along the LoC in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir.